THE TURF.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1164, 22 June 1894, Page 22

THE TURF.

RACING CALENDAR. FIXTURES. NEW ZEALAND. June 22—Hawke's Bay J.C. Meeting. June 23.—-Hawke's Bay Hunt C'luK Ju'y s.—Gi«»>orne Park Steeplechase, August 9 and LI—N.Z. Grand National Meeting. EDITED BY "BUFF AND BLACK." There is one matter which should receive at least some sort of consideration at the hands of the delegates to the Racing Club's Conference, and that is the inclusion of pony races —both hurdle and flat—in the programmes of metropolitan clnbs. A great many people with whom I havo conversed on the subject fa\ our my view of the matter, which is that they ought to be abolished from big meetings altogether. There was a time when the big clubs used to have pony events in their lists, and they would not even mind an uninteresting trot, but those days havo gone by, and why a reversion should be made now puzzles one to understand, unless it is adopted from a financial standpoint. These pony races might possibly bring in revenue to the Auckland Racing Club through the medium of the totalisator, but it seems to rightthinking people that this class of sport is rather lowering to the dignity of a metropolitan club. Pony racing is right enough in its place, but to attend a turf gathering to witness the race for the Great Northern Steeplechase and afterwards bo treated to a hurry-skurry pony event is not that species of turf variety which true sportsmen desire. Supposing 1 the Canterbury Jockey Club adopted the idea and gave us a pony race after the New Zealand Cup! It would look well, wouldn't it ? No, I think that metropolitan clubs should leave pony racing absolutely alone, allowing the smaller clubs to insert such events in their programmes if they chose. There used to be plenty of pony racing in Hawke's Bay at one time, but now it is confined to a couple of contests on the Show Day once a year. It cannot bo very well argued that pony racing on the part of metropolitan clubs improves the breed of horses, because it doesn't. If some rare good polo ponies were bred they would be worth money, and a good market would always be found for them, but a great many of the ponies who are asked to carry silk are of a very so-so character, and are about lit just to take the boy t® school. I think the Conference should discountenance the practice, and express a strong view on the matter. Another thing which should be looked into is the custom of some metropolitan clubs in having a fixture called the Post Stakes, for a small figure, at some of their principal meetings. Why a good programme should be spoilt by the introduction of such an event I never could understand. Comment has been made time and oft about the inclusion of such events in the programmes of first-class meetings, but they are kept there all the same. Trotting events, as they have at Dunedin, should not be in the programmes either. We have plenty of trotting clubs now, and this class of sport should be relegated to them. Of course, the clubs affected would not care for any innovation, but that is not the question.

The weights for the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups are due next week.

Mr James Lyon will act as starter at the Hawke's Bay Hunt Club's Meeting.

For removing the shoes from a horse named Patience at a recent meeting at Ascot after she had left the paddock, the trainer was fined .£lO. Ascot is an unregistered race meeting on the other side, but the management is good.

Burlesque, who cost a patron of J. Scobio's stable over .£IOOO, but whose turf career was a failure, is dead. He was only one season at the stud.

The Racing Club delegates might with advantage consider the propriety of entirely abolishing such shoit races as Electric Handicaps of five furlongs, except in cases when tho events are for two-year-olds only. We have too many hurryskurry races nowadays. Weight makes no difference so long as a horse gets well away, and there is nothing in the race at all. If horses are deteriorating it is no wonder. The majority of our contests want to be made infinitely longer, and we will have a better class of cattle. We will soon not have any two milers at all. If departed sportsmen, whose custom in the old days was to run hor.es in three-mile heats, could only visit our racecourses in the flesh today and be asked to put a pound on the tote on a five-furlong flutter, they would rub their eyes with amazement. Illuminata, the dam of Ladas, was mated with eight different stallions before she threw the Derby winner to Hampton. Her other produce were all failures. The racehorse Kent will not leave his old trainer's charge after all, for, after his sale to Mr Cave the other day, Mr W. Davis secured the son of St. George on his own account. There is many a good race in Kent. His sire is at the top of the winning list of sires this year. I am afraid Mr Douglas will not have much of a chance of winning the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles or Steeple this year. Ee might pick up a minor crumb or two, though. Slumber is the n-une bestowed on the two-year-old full-brother to Dreamland (Trenton —Ni ghtmare). A particular brand of spirits, Three Star, is being enquired after for the NeW

Zeal&ld Cup. And this in a Prohibition age, too!

The Hawke's Bay-bred Kapo (Mute— Uira) won the Hurdle Race at Epsom the other day with lOst 71b in the saddle, beating a big field. Starting price, 10 to 1 against.

Couranto (Patriarch— Quickstep) started at 10 to 1 in the Hurdles, won by Rushlight (Algerian—Roquettc), at the A.J.C. Meeting, and ran well until three furlongs from home, when he retired. His impost was 12st 51b—top weight. Buccleugh (Goldsborough —Aphrodite) at last got home in a six-furlong race, the June Stakes, which he cut out in lmin MAsec with Bst Gib up. Moorfield and Stanmore were in the places. Response, who started at 8 to 1, was not in it. Three Star, who had 9st, ran unplaced in the Two-year-old Handicap, won by Attachment (Clieveden —Affection Checkmate (Gozo —Pastime) and Lady Margaret (Cranbrook Marguerite) being in the places. Waterbury (Natator—Sunshine) was next to topweight in the Steeplechase with list 71b, while Mutiny carried lOst 91b. Hope was on Waterbury and Fergus on the son of Lady Maxwell. Mutiny started at 6 to 1, and Waterbury at 20 to 1. Hero is a description of the race : —The two New Zealanders went off at score, and Mutiny, taking up the running in the interest of Waterbury, soon established a strong lead, which he increased at every stride. The first fence was negotiated in safety by everything except Reckless, who came down. Making a sort of fox-hunt of it, Mutiny led over the treble from Waterbury, who was succeeded by Castlebar, Helios, Ontario and Cardigan 11., and so they went to the back of the course for the second time, where he was nearly 200 yards clear from Castlebar, Waterbury, Ontario and Helios, with Sneaker last. The leader drew further away, but as they came round the bend the great gap was decreased, and he showed the way over the treble 100 yards from Waterbury and Helios, who rapped the first of the set, and after them, on very fair terms, succeeded Castlebar and Ontario, followed at long intervals by Inkerman, Cardigan 11. and Sneaker. The extraordinary pace made by Mutiny brought about his downfall at Oxenham's, and Helios and Waterbury were left on terms to dis=pute every inch of giound until the sodwall at the back of the course was reached, when the beautiful New Zealander toppled over, and the doctor's horse was left " sailing in front of them all," paged by the gallant little Ontario, with Castlebar, Inkerman, Cardigan 11. and Sneaker toiling hopelessly in the rear, completely puzzled by the desperate pace. Under pressure, the grey got on terms with Helios at the home corner, and then Helios took command with a bee-line for home; but, though apparently going well within himself, and riddon at a good solid pace, he most unaccountably crashed through the palings, and, coming on to his knees, parted with Mr Cox, to the great dismay of his followers. Ontario cleared the palings in safety, and cantered homo more than 20 lengths in front of Sneaker, who was 15 lengths in advance of Castlebar, 10 lengths from whom came Inkerman, a long way in front of Cardigan 11. Time, 7min 13sec.

The late Isaac Gidney, horse trader, Melbourne, died worth ,£44,530.

It is quite on tho cards that the House will have so much important work to transact this session that the totalisator and numerous other questions will not be touched.

Sydney Referee says Couranto will win a couple of races before he is very long on the other side. I hope he will.

Captain Webb has not been doing much jumping on the other side. Been waiting for the weights, perhaps.

My selections for the Hawke's Bay Meeting are — Steeple. Tiritea 1 Morag ... ••• ••• ••• 2 Norton 3 Hurdles. Melinite 1 Kulnine ... ... ... ... 2 Kapua ... ••• 3 June Handicap. Musketeer 1 Prairie Grass 2 Bay King 3 Ladies' Bracelet. Leontino 1 Iliad 2 Kopere 3 Maiden Steeple. Morag 1 Alecto 2 Tricky Jack 3 The reason of Elk's withdrawal from the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase was owing to one of his tendons going after the Wanganui meeting. He was a promising horse, and would have picked up a good stake this winter. His mishap will mean a long spell.

Not a single horse that ran in the Great Northern Steeplechase at Auckland the other day is engaged in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase,

Paragraph in the Ashburton Racing Club's annual report:—" The introdnction of pony races into the autumn programme was made in order to comply with the arbitrary demand of the Canterbuiy Jockey Club to keep our added money up to the full £I2OO specified in their rules. The races filled fairly well aud were appreciated by the public."

The owner of Puclla, Mr S. Morrow, has purchased a three-year-old by Son'-Wester out of Puella's dam for £lO. Puella, it will be remembered, paid a big dividend in the Hack Race at the last V/anganui meeting. •

A correspondent, who apparently takes an j interest in the trotting pastime, writes me as i follows after referring to other matters) : ! •• It seems a pity that the Wellington Trotting Club should allow their track at Miramar Ito remain as it is. This is just the time that it should be put in order, instead of delaying j the work until a few weeks or a few uays j before a meeting takes place. What I would . suggest tx> the club to do would be the place- ■ ment of a lining of clay all lound the course I on the outside for, say, twenty or twenty-two ; feet wide by about six inches thick, and ' subsequent we 1 rolling it and levelling it j off. r lhc remainder of the track on the ! inside could be laid down %\ith a mixture of

soil and clay, and sown with grass and clover. To keep horses off a number of posts could be put in around the outside of where the grass is wauled to grow, a strong wire being drawn round and attached to the posts. The trotters would be worked on the part that had been clayed. The best going on the trnc-c now is where it is clajed oven The adoption of my proposition would render the track a fast and good one, an i more foreign owners of fast horses would accord their patronage to the meetings of the club."

The death is recorded on the other side of the rafcehorse Romisch, lately owned by Mr Thos. Beard, of Barraba. It appears that the son of Marvellous and Edina was savagely attacked by a stallion, and received injuries which proved fatal. In his day Komisch was a good oat-earner, and changed hands many times.

Who can it bo ? The Melbourne Sportsman says that it is whispered that a change of trainers will be made in connection with one of the most successful stables in Australia. If the report bo authentic, a trainer who has made a reputation for himself in Maoriland will shortly take up his residence in Victoria.

Mr Douglas has not got a horse engaged in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase this year. His first and only success in this event was in 1879, when Barron, with list 121 b, and J. Munn in the saddle, carried his colours to victory. In 1882 Mr G. E. Wilson's New Year was piloted by Potto, the weight being lOst 91b. Then came two consecutive wins on the part of Mr J. Pilbrow's Clarence, who carried 12st 121 b the first year, and 13st 21b in the year following, being on both occasions ridden by H. Lunn. No horoe had got home with as much weight carried on either occasion before or since. In 1885 Mr W. Proflit, the metallician, had a turn with the aged Macaroni, whoso weight was 12st lib, and who had A. Lyford in the saddle. Then came an old favourite of mine, in Denbigh, belonging to Mr W. Ellingham, now of Takapau. She was a six-year-old at the time, her impost was lOst 21b, and her trainer, Alf. Ellingham, rode her. Mr G. P. Donnelly was the next to score victory with Mangahaone, the son of Pohukura, having 9st 121 b in the saddle, and beating his stable companion, Owhaoko. The winner, who was ridden by Redmond, got beaten by a head in the Wellington Steeplechase the same year, but he placed the Napier Park Steeplechase to his owner's credit, if I remember rightly, and in the following year won the New Zealand Grand National by twenty lengths. However, to get back to Hastings, the crowd cheered old Chemist in 1888, when he was owned and ridden to victory by Mr A. Ellingham, the impost being 12st 61b. Pell rode Mr McElwain's Oddfellow, who with lOst 101 b up won comfortably in 1889, and then came Jenny's year. The mare had won the Auckland Grand National Steeplechase, and then came down and won the Hastings event, with P. Johnson and lOst 91b in the saddle, I won't forget 1891 when Sentinel was put out of it at the very last fence, and J. Rollo brought his own horse, Tauraekaitai, over in safety and landed the stake. In Whalebone's year they all fell but the winner, who never made a mistake. Shillelagh, who won the Great Northern Steeplechase, came down, but I think he was secofid at the finish. Gilpin rode the winner, whose adjustment was set down at list 51b. Last year, Mr T. H. Lowry's Gondolier fought the finish out with the top weight, Norton, who had failed to show up in Auckland, and eventually won by a few lengths. Alexander rode the son of Foul Play, who carried lOst 71b.

A scientific breeding-problem is now open to sporting men to unravel. Mr H. Oxenham, the metallician, desirous of obtaining public opinion as to the best sire to put his mare Utter to, is offering .£35 in prize money, the man naming the most successful horse in the competition, and giving the best reasons, getting .£25, and the second man i)10. Utter is by Martini-Henry— Uralla. The competition will take place through the columns of the Sydney Referee. The London Sportsman has had similar competitions, and they have excited a considerable amount of interest. In the present case the sires will be confined to the sires of Australasia only. The judges who will decide the best reasons adduced will consist of three, ono being the editor of the paper.

The sporting member for Warrnambool, Mr J. Murray, has given notice in the Victorian Legislative Assembly of a Bill to legalise the totalisator in Victoria. Its introduction on the last occasion resulted in defeat. It would bo interesting to have a pound or two on a tote on Melbourne Cup day. Dividends would be paid which would make Maoriland big div. records mere insignificant circumstances.

Clarence's 13st 21b at Hawke's Bay is still the biggest weight carried to victory in a big steeplechase in the Colony.

The death of the thoroughbred stallion Rosebery is reported from England. Rosebery, who was the property of Mr B. C. Vyner, was by Speculum from Ladylike, by. Newminster, and was a good performer on the turf, his victories including the double, the Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire, which he a four-year-old. Me was just

beaten for the Ascot Gold Vase in the following year, and he was then relegated to the stud. He was responsible for a number of good horses, among whom were Lady Kosebery (winner of the Liverpool Spring Cup, 1891), Dalmeny (winner of the Stewards' Cup, Goodwood, 1S85), Primrose 11. (Manchester Cup, 1883), Crowberry, Spearmint, Lady Primrose, and Ellerton.

Tic well known Wairarapa horse Rebellion, by Treason-Mischief, who has had a good racing record, will bo placed at the disposal of breeders in the Wairarapa district this season by Mr Frecth. He should secure a goodly number of marcs.

The Marton Jockey Club will hold their next meeting on the i th November.

Silent Friend has, I notice, been enterod for the Wairarapa Steeplechase, to be run at the Hunt Club's Meeting.

Boulanger (Grand Prix—Fleurette) will not serve more than thirty-five mares during his first season at the stud.

Makomako has been entered for four events at the Wairarapa Hunt Club's Steeplechase Meeting. Nothing like good pationage.

James Redfcarn has purchased the blood mare Initial, by Emulation from Monogram, who is in foal to the Melbourne Cup winner, Malvolio.

Mr George Coombe, whose death is reported from Dunedin, won the Dunedin For-* bury Handicap in 1871 with Cat.ipult (6st 51b). In 1875 he won the same race again with Right Bower (7st 71b), a horse he imported from Australia.

The question of the interpretation of rule 52 regarding the naming of horses occupied the attention of the V.R.C. committee the other day for some considerable time. Several entries were taken on behalf of the V.R.C. r in Sydney without the yearlings being-described byname. The committee had to decide whether these entries should be accepted in view of the fact that the intermediate ago is recognised in the horses, and that a horse according to racing custom is regarded as a one-year-old until he reaches the age of two years. It was decided to accept the Sydney entries.

Opportunity is to be taken of the Conference of Racing Club delegates to be held in Wellington shortly to endeavour to form a South Island Country Racing Clubs' Association. The Ashburton Club's delegates will be the prime movers in connection with the matter. The retiring committee of this club, in their annual report to members the other day, regretted that in their efforts to inaugurate a South Island Country Racing Clubs' Association, thoy had net met with such cordial support from other country clubs as they thought their efforts deserved. They spared no time or expense in taking all the necessary preliminary steps, and were at first sanguine that their efforts would be of great service to country clubs generally. The Association was formed, the first meeting held at Ashburton on July sth was attended by twenty-seven delegates and considerable enthusiasm was manifested, the result being that the Conference then sitting at Wellington, agreed to the principal platform of the Association, viz., " That country clubs should be allowed representation on the Racing Conference." Subsequent meetings were but poorly attended. The committee, however, trusted that when the Conference met at Wellington this year, the importance of such an association will be observed by all country clubs, and that their efforts will not prove to be in vain.

Wanganui people are backing Monte Carlo for the next New Zealand Cup.

The winner of the Brisbane Cup this year, Yelverton, is by Fenman—Miss Boan, and is a five-year-old. His time was 3rain 34sec, a quarter of a second faster than that recorded by Tridentate last year, and equal to the record put up by Splendide, under 9st 21b, in the Queensland Cup of 1892.

Strowan, by Lochiel —Marion, is to be used as a hack.

Kaimanawa. the steeplechaser, has completely broken down.

Nobleman, who ran Pilot Boy to a head in the Fljing Handicap at Tattersall's Club Meeting, Sydney, the other day, in lrain 16sec, ia only two years old. He carried Bst. His breeding is Australian Peer—Paradox.

Royal Oak, the Sydney chaser, has gone into MiTer's stable at 130 guineas.

Goodwood (Ascot—Maid of Bccleston) and Htrayshot (Foul Shot—Katakatca) are being pchooled over f-t'eks.

The chairman of the Ash burton Clnb the other day said " He regretted the decrease in the funds of the club, but pointed out that this was due to no fault of the management, but arose partly on account of the large fall, ing off in receipts from the totalisator, and partly because this club, and all the bona fide country clubs, were compelled by the new rules of racing to give more added money than they could afford. He trusted that at the next meeting of the Conference some alteration in this respect would be made."—l should think the Conference would be very unlikely to take such a step. If they desire to restrict racing in New Zealand, that is the only way to do it.

At the late Newcastle race meeting u Martindale's" attention was called to the colours worn by old Schoolmaster, who won the May Handicap. A glance at the jacket told that it was no colonial production, and just then Mr Clarence Hannell came up, and he being told about it at once gave the history. The jacket, it appears, is over 40 years old, and was worn by the rider of Cassandra, the dam of Yattendon, in a race at Maitland, which she won. The contest was in heats, and to wiii this particular taee tlie now famous old; I 1

mare, who was by Tros (imp.) from Alice G r ey, &c, bad to cover fifteen miles. If such a thing occurred in these days we should have long letters written to tho papers on the cruelty to animals subject. Yet these old horses did well, and stood longer, and had inferior racetracks to compete on. The jacket is a dark green, and in a wonderful state of preservation. It i 9 made with the high collar, the cut being similar to those we see in Herring's pictures.

A yearling coH by Fryingpan out of a sister to Fortunatus' dam has been named Fortunio.

Weights for the New Zealand Cup are due on July Ist.

I received "a letter from a Wellington resident last week stating that Mr W. H. Sayer, son of Mr W. Sayer, of Melbourne, of Wild Hose (Newmarket Handicap winner) fame, was on a visit to Wellington, but unfortunately contracted typhoid fever, and is laid up in the hospital.

It appears that Yelverton, the Brisbane Cup winner, had been running very indifferently prior to his last big victory, and the public were indignant at the stewards not holding an enquiry. A stir has now been caused in racing circles in Brisbane by the discovery that the horse belongs to one of the stewards of the Q.T.C.

Dan O'Brien has only now discovered that the law is dearer than horse-racing. Consequently, after hearing the judgment given in the Appeal Court at Wellington the other day, he has decided not to go to the Privy Council with his case against the C.J.C. If he did win at Home, which is problematical, it would be almost a case of getting seventeen shillings back for the pound you put on the machine.

When the late Sam Powell one day went to the starting post at Wanganui he controlled the fractious jockeys by lining them fivers all round. " That's the starter for us," they said afterwards, " we can trust him, and he won't stand any humbug." I notice that at the South Australian Meeting the other day the new starter, Geofrey Watson, inflicted fines totalling £55 for disobedience at the post. You can only get at disobedient riders in one way, and that is through their pocket?.

When Mr Gollan first bought Pounamu (by Newminster—Beryl) he did not seem to thrive at all on the other side, so ho sent hira to his branch stable at Hastings, Hawke's Bay, whore he in a very short space of time improved wonderfully. Then he had him shipped back to Australia again for racing purposes. Deeming a spell advisable, the owner of the handsome son of Beryl decided on giving him oneyand being a great believer in the recuperating properties of Maoriland, and of Hastings in particular, has drafted him back. When he is thoroughly well he will he taken up again, and taken to the other side. I think it will be found that when he carries silk again he will prove one of the hardest nuts of his jear. He is a strong mover, well made, possessing great propelling power, with a docile temper, and a racehorse every inch of him.

It has always been understood that Stars and Btripeß, by Musket, was dead, but one is entered for the Melbourne Cup by Messrs Jacobs, Hart and Co. this year. It is pointed out by the Melbourne Sportsman, however, that it is probably an advertisement.

Chiniqoy, whosename appears in the nomination list for the big events on the other side, is by Off Colour out of The Nun.

It is considered not at all unlikely that the V.R.C. will abolish Sjlling Races from their programmes altogether in the near future.

The New Zealand entrants for the Victorian Derby are :—Bonnie Scotland (St. George— Fair Nell), Tireuse (Nordenfeldt —Florence Macarthy), Grenadier (Brigadier—Bragela), Three Star (Castor—Vivandiere), Brown Mantle (Nordenfeldt —Antelope), and Casket (Castor —Bangle). A number of New Zea-land-bred animals, owned on the other side, also appear in the list. • • • • Taranaki, entered for the two cups on *he other side, is not a New Zcalandcr, but a four-year-old by Albury—Axiom. The Wairarapa Hunt Club expect to hare a most successful Steeplechase Meeting this year. The nominations, which appeared in last week's New Zealand Maid, arc good, and if the adjustments, wbich are due on Saturda., prove satisfactory, the meeting bhoul'.l be one worth attending. D. t y of Grace, entered fur the Melbourne Cup, is by Sunrise out of Discount. H»j is being trained at Fieinington, is four years old, and is owned by one of the Flemington Borongh Councillors. • • • • The Admiral is not in this year's Melbourne Cup. At a meeting of the stewards {of the . Wairarapa Racing Club, at the Empire Hotel, Featherston, the treasurer reported a credit balance of .£27 lis, and accounts amounting to JJ33 were passed for payment. Messrs A. Fabian, C. B. Pharazyn and K. McKenzie were granted permission to use the training track. The site for a new training track was left in the hands of a sub-committee. An offer of Messrs v Bidwill Bros, to supply horses, cart, &c, for the formation of a track for a certain sum was accepted. A resolution was passed requesting all members having notices of motion or propositions to send them in to the secretary before the 14th July, so that they can be printed with the balance-sheet. • • « • A Press Association telegram states that the June meeting of the Auckland Coursing Club opened on the 13th. The AU-Aged i Stakes was won >y The Vicar; Ike ChaU

lengo Stakes contest is not finished, and the result is very open.

Yesterday week Mr Halward's two hoises, Kent and Swordbelt, were offered by auction by Messrs Taino and Co., but tho bidding was not of a particularly brisk nature. Kent was started at 75 guineas, and went up to 195 guineas, at which price ho was knocked down to Mr A. W. Cave. Swordbelt was then placed under the hammer, and from a 10-guinea start ho reached 35 guineas, at which price Mr Cave purchased him. The saddles, &c, went for £5. The Angler, by Isaak Walton, was next offered, but was passed in. • • * * Lord Rosebery's colt Ladas has been struck out of ali his engagements, including the St Leger. Tho tender of Mr A. W. Jewell, for stumping the new training track at Tauherenikau, has been accepted, the price being 15s a chain. Both Norton and Kulnine will take part at the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase meeting^