SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1190, 21 December 1894, Page 24

SPORTING NOTES.

By "Gipsy King” Lady Zetland, handicapped at Bst 31b for the Wellington Cup, has been backed by (someone.)

_* .Cornelia, dam of Ahua, is without foal this season, the first time for many years, and as far as I can recollect has not missed since 1879|. Cornelia, who is now 23 years old, judging by her union with The Painter, who was the sire of Ahua, would mate well with Boulanger, wto is by Grand Prix (full brother to The Painter), but I understand the mare revisits the Musket horse Flintlock.

It will no doubt be startling news to many, but I have it on the authority of a man who has studied the equine race for thirty years, and a man who has few superiors, if any, in his knowledge oE the nature and habits of the horse, and his opinion is that “ the horse has neither intelligence nor gratitude, and is a coward." I thought he had surely made a mistake, and I did not like to think that I had been cherishing the idea for many years that the horse is the noblest and one of the most intelligent of animals, and I naturally asked how he arrived at such a conclusion. He explained briefly, as one of many instances, that if a fire breaks out in a stable and the horse is unfastened from his stall and the door of the stable thrown wide open, he has hot sufficient sense to turn round and go out, which my authority considers is a want of intelligence. Then one may feed a horse regularly, and extend to him the utmost kindness, and not overtax him with work, and yet if the same horse is running out in a small paddock he will not let his friend catch him if he can help it, which is one instance of ingratitude. Then if a horse were not a coward he would not allow the horse-breaker to master him so easily. The reasons adduced have the merit of common sense, but , one requires some convincing to believe that every horse is devoid of the qualities of intelligence or gratitude, or that he is a coward.

The Feilding race track is fenced in right round, but from the top railing to the ground there are five or six wires, which were erected, I presume, for the purpose of keeping sheep from going from the centre of the course on to the racing track, but there is an element of danger about these wires. After the field in the Second Hack Flat Race on the second day had just passed the stand, and the horses were crushing in towards the rails I heard a jingling noise, and then noticed that one of the horses competing (The Friar, I think it was) had got one of his legs over one of the wires..and nearly came down, in fact he was balanced right over on the off side; but whatever, horse it was he managed to disengage his lCg, and, keeping his balance, went on as if nothing had happened. The whole thing.was over in a second or so, but as there was no accident little notice was.t4k.l3rr - of the incident, although a few who were on the stand in the saddling paddock noticed what had occurred. To avert the possibility of a catastrophe in the future, it would be wise oi the club to place a board about 12 inches or IS inches wide and about the same measurement from

the ground right round the inside of the racing track, this I think would minimise any risk in future, and as timber is plentiful about Feilding the cost to the club would not be very much.

Now that the Christmas Meetings are close at hand, a word in season about the way the ' l Correct Cards ” are compiled may not be out of place. I have noticed lately that there would appear to be a desire on the part of those who are responsible for their production to give as little space as possible in the books for the purpose of making memorandum or writing down the running of the horses - engaged in the various races. Once upon a time no race card was complete without the “ sweep slips" at the Lack of the book, but now one seldom finds these perforated slips which are the joy of the ladies and those who like to have a shilling sweep amongst a few friends. Men who are. in the habit of putting a few pounds on the totalisator and wish to take a note of the racing for future guidance, frequently use the back of these slips for jotting down anything that may transpire in connection with the several races, but at one or two meetings that I have attended lately with other members of the press I have had to take a note

of the running on slips of paper, which are . liable to get adrift and are inconvenient for . reference. If the “ sweep slips ” cannot be put in at the back of the ‘correct cards” secretaries of racing clubs would prolong the life of a sporting writer by putting blank sheets between the different pages. It costs nothing extra and is a distinct convenience to lots of racing men. Another thing I would like to mention is that the breeding of the horses engaged should appear just under the names of the horses on the card. This saves one the trouble of continually turning to the front page to ascertain the breeding of some unknown animal. If any. secretary would like a rough copy of the most complete card that I have seen issued, I shall be most happy'to supply it on receipt of application by post-card or otherwise.

The only music at the Dunedin Race Meeting was an organ-grinder and a fiddler ! Oh, save us ! Any way that was even more than the public had at Feilding, and the first day at the Wellington Spring Meeting. I remember at one meeting of the Warrengate Club (Warganui) the club engaged the services of the Maori Brass Band which hails from the Wanganui up-river settlements, and it was quite a feature of the meeting, *nd by their splendid playing the members of the band attracted much attention, but, “ all the same ” the pakeha bandsmen, they like to be well paid. I don’t wish to “ take bread out of the mouths ’ of the Wellington bandsmen, but it would be a distinct novelty if /the Wellington Racing Club were to engage the services of the Otaki Maori Band for the Wellington Cup Meeting, and it would be a graceful compliment to the native race, especially to the Otaki natives, who were good enough to make the presentation of a beautifully carved cup to the popular secretary of the Wellington Club.

The Johnsonville Trotting Club announce that Violetta and Sailor, nominated for their Boxing Day meeting were not handicapped by decision of the stewards. So far as is known, after the recent decision of the committee as to the bona Jides 0f... these two horses, there is no apparent reason why they should not be handicapped, unless the club have received further particulars since the meeting.

I believe it is the intention of the Wellington Metropolitan Racing Club to change the name of some of their races next season so as to localise a number of the events. This is a good idea, but I fancy “ Ngahauranga ” Stakes would puzzle some of the southerners, and I think they would also stumble ovgr a simple one like “ Taitai" Stakes 1

Skirmisher is in active work again at Forbury.

The name of the steeplechase mare Belle appears in the Unpaid Forfeit List of last week, which may explain her non-acceptance for the Auckland Steeplechase.

“Billy" Brown, the well-known jockey, lias at last been granted a jockey's license by the Canterbury Jockey Club. Other jockeys should profit by Brown’s costly lesson. ~

The assumed name “ John Handon,” has been registered with the Wanganui Jockey Club.

Kaawea, nominated for the Trial Stakes at the Otaki Meeting, is by Flintlock from Lillian, dam of Marama.

Alexander (“ Fordham ” who rode Melinite when she won both hurdle -races at the Wanganui Spring Meeting, took Roscius from Napier to Auckland. This reminds me of the song “.When you come to think of it \“ It might explain the ownership.

As far as a handicapper can say one horse is better than another, Mr Henry has, so far as his Rangitikei Handicap is concerned, assessed Irish Twist to be a better performer than The Artist by 21b in one mile and three-quarters. The latter’s dam, Lady Artist, was a rare stayer.

The Otaki Club received two nominations from Blenheim side. Abe (by Capsize—Fides) and Camelia <by York—Magnolia), lx the latter is as good as her full brother Caloola 11., now being trained at Tauherenikau, she should pick up a race at Otaki.

On December Bth the Wanganui Jockey Club removed the disqualification temporarily passed on all horses taking part in the Manawatu Mounted Rifles’ Sports on May 24th, 1834.

Mr H. McCalmont, the popular owner of Isinglass, recently came into his fortune of somewhere about £4.009,000. The money comes from bis late great-uncle, who died in ISB7, leaving £3,000,000 invested at, compound interest, on trust for seven years, at the expiration of which period it was all to

go to Mr McCalmont, or—in case of his not surviving—to be divided between three next of kin. Mr McCalmont is a widower, and is 33 years of age.

The following is a list of the races and prize money contained in the programme submitted by the Taratahi-Carterton Club to the Metropolitan Club, which was not passed by the latter :-Hack Hurdle Handicap, 25 sovs, one mile and a half ; Summer Handicap, 50 sovs, seven furlongs ; Hack Maiden Handicap, 2osovs, one mile ; T.C.R.C. Handicap, 150 sovs, one mile and a quarter; Hack Handicap, 50 sovs, one mile and a quarter ; Telegraph Stakes, 50 sovs, six fuidongs; Hack Welter Handicap, 20 sovs, six furlongs; Grand Stand Handicap, 30 sovs,cne mile.

As all cablegrams from New Zealand to Australia are dated from Auckland it is not surprising to read in an Australian exchange that the stables of Messrs Hearn and Kennedy at Auckland were destroyed by fire. There is no New Zealand as far as the cablegram service is concerned, it is all Auckland.

Tho Cesarevvitcb, an important English Handicap, derives its name from the son of the Emperor of Russia, who, on the occasion of the first Cesarewitch, gave £3OO towards the stakes in commemoration of his visit, while the sovereign, in 1845, founded the Emperor's Plate at Ascot, which was competed for annually until the breaking out of the Crimean War checked the source of supply, and involved a return to the old name —the Ascot Cup.

The Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club, I hear, intend sending a deputation to wait upon the committee of the Wellington Racing Club to ascertain if their claims for a second meeting cannot be reconsidered.

Mr Maloney’s gelding Rotherham was shipped to Auckland by the s.s. Takapuna on Friday last. - Rotherham is engaged in the Auckland Trotting Cup, of 230 sovs, three miles, and has 54sec start, and will beridden by Day. He has a chance, but if Clyde, 42sec, was fit and well he wouldn’t. The race is decided on Thursday, 27th inst, and the result will be anxiously looked forward to. 1

A bookmaker of Broken Hill was fined £2O for unlawfully betting on the Melbourne Cup. A hairdresser and a tobacconist were fined £5 each for a similar offence. During the proceeding a deadlock was threatened over the difficulty of proving the existence of the Melbourne Cup and what it. was, but the Clerk of the Court, who witnessed the last Cup run at Flemington, was able to satisfy the Court on the question.

English sporting writers say they would like to see a match for one mile between Isinglass and the four-year-old Best Man (by Ormonde or Melton—Wedlock.

The Wellington Racing Club are mindful of those who have to transact business on the Ilutt Park Course, and by next meeting a needed alteration to the press room will be effected, the telegraph office will be enlarged and the totalisator building will also receive attention, and when] the |improvements; are completed these appointments will be second to none in New Zealand.

I remarked to a friend the other day that he was looking very “ seedy.” He said he felt so, as he had indulged in a good load of brandy over night, and after dozing off to sleep he had a dream that he had gone home “happy” from the Wellington I’aces and that his wife, who had a lighted candle in her hand, had chased him all round the house, and had upbraided him for gambling,’and finally fired a gun off at him, and he thought the “ ’appy ’ome ” had been blown to “ smithereens.' 1 After the narration of his dream he Suddenly asked if I thought it had any connection with the winner of the Wellington Cup, as he was anxious to get < n to the winner of that race. An explanation of such a “ nocturnal disturbance ” appeared to me to be quite a simple thing in the way of turf puzzles'. I explained to him that he had mistaken his wife for a Skirmisher, with a Searchlight , and knowing that he was suffering from the effects of Three Star, or that he was in Dreamland, she had fired off a Musket, and this causing aloud report, such as if a Magazine had been blown up, he could only come to the one conclusion as regards the winner. Grasping my haud he murmured his thanks and said, “ I’m much obliged to you, I see’ it now.”’ Does he ?

Pierre Lorillard’s (the American racing man who A*on the English Derby with Iroquois in 1881) floating stable is quit a new departure. He lives in the winter on a most luxurious house-boat 130 feet in length, in which he goes from place to place in the shallow waters of Florida. His stable-boat makes his establishment complete. It is a queer-looking craft indeed, some 77 feet long and 15,f feet broad, with a long deck structure, to be used as a carriage house. It is not a pretty craft by any means. There are four regularly-built box stalls under the deck for as many horses, and the passage between them may be utilised when needful for two more, so that six horses in all are provided for.

“ What is going to win the Auckland Cup, Gus ?” asked one punter of the other. “ Well, on the Impulse of the moment Ida know, I cannot FormA an opinion just now.”

“Rata,'the Canterbury correspondent of the Otago Witness, says that Chainshot has only served four mares so far this season.

Mr G. Freetlx is now training Caloolo 11, at Tauherenikau, Featherston.

Charles Wood, the English Jockey whose license was suspended by the English Jockey Club a few years ago after the club had investigated Loi’d Durham's charges against the clients of certain English racing stables and the jockeys connected with them, is again permitted to ride in races as from November Ist.

The Manawatu Racing Club contemplate using the starting machine at their Autumn Meeting,

The meeting which the Wellington Trotting Association intended to hold on Monday last to enquire into the charges lodged by Mr Shannon against Mr Jorgenson, h d to be postponed, as the Wairarapa Trotting Club had failed to nominate their two delegates, and as it was the wish of those present that the Wairarapa Club should appoint someone to act on their behalf, owing to the fact that Mr Shannon is the handicapper for that club, it was deemed advisable to defer the consideration of the case until to-night (Thursday).

The Tasmanian mare, The West, dam of the Dunedin Cup winner, and Devon, the runner-up for the Melbourne Cup. has produced a filly this season to the Melbourne Cup winner, The Assyrian.

The enlargement of the press room on the Feilding racecourse would be much appreciated by the members of the Fourth Estate who have to attend to report tho gatherings held under the auspices of this important club. At tbe spring meeting one of our number had to stand out.

Some Wellington Cup tips : —Wellington correspondent of the Sporting Reviciv selects Skirmisheiv “ Phaeton " (Auckland Weekly News) Prime Warden, Lottie, Royal Rose. “ Hotspur ” ( Referee ) “ has a predilection that the winner will come from one of those assessed at over Bst.”

Au Revoir is reported from Eiccarton to be overdone, and is not quite himself just now. lls has done a good turn in the past for the stable, and has earned a rest, if one were given him, but he will be a str rier for the Palmerston North Cup.

The “ Invictus ” case has not been brought before the R. M. Court, since its adjournment.

Disappointed punter at recent V.R.C. meeting (after the Maribyrnong) : “ Well, I was given that bloomer of a Harry-i (Arihi) for a dead cert., but I went looking down the card for ‘ H,’ and blime if I could find him.’’— Bulletin.

The Wairarapa mare Dromedny, it is said, is to be used as a hunter next hunting season. It has been generally understood that the daughter of Voltigeur was at the stud.

A Wellington resident drew Premier in Tattersall's (5s ticket) sweep on the Queensland Cup, aud, as the horse ran third, he should receive about LIOOO if the sweep filled.

The attention of owners and trainers is directed to the columns of our official calendar.

Mr P. Butler’s horse, Au Revoir, in charge of Marry Ward,|accompanied by the light weight Walter Raynor,, arrived by the s.s. Flora this (Thursday) morning and goes on to Palmerston North by the Manawatu 1-20 p.m. train—Stratford will have the mount on Au Revoir in the Palmerston North Cup. I was pleased to hear from Ward that “ Patsey ” has nearly recovered from his recent “accident,” and will probably leave the Christchurch hospital this week.

On Friday and Saturday last I had a look at Prime Warden, Saracen, Blue Fire, Bloodshot and Popgun, on their way up to Auckland. “ Old consistency ” as, Prime Warden may well be termed, was looking as bright and fresh as if he had not done any racing at all th’s season, Saracen had more of a sleepy look about him, but it is evident that both horses are in good heart. Blue Fire and Bloodshot were looking well to, the latter especially, and if his first sea trip does not upset him, and I don’t think it will as he was taking things very comfortably on board the boat, he will give the Auckland Foal Stakes a big shake.

Pog-gun, the two-year-old colt by Maxim —Burlesque, by Cadogan—Nonsense, who was on board the Te Anau, is to be landed at Auckland, for deliveiy to Mr George Ellis (formerly owner of Lady Florin), and the colt will then be trained by the veteran John Chaafe at Ellerslie.

The secretary to the Wairarapa Racing Club, Mr George T. F. Hutton, announces that he will receive money for investment on the totalisator up to 10.30 a.m. each day on January Ist and 2nd. Instructions to be addressed to Featherston.

After a “ spieler ” had successfully worked the “ confidence trick,” on a “ young man from the country,” he stole softly away, singing to himself “ The gull I left behind me

Mr “Archibald,” .the owner of Marquis of Tewskbury, has purchased from Messrs Nolan Tonks and Cq, a 5-year-old bay gelding by Captivator —Steel All, dam of the Auckldnd sprinter St. Patrick (by St. Leger).

I beg to acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of a complimentary ticket for the Lower Valley Racing Clubs Boxine - Day meeting.

The Pahiatua Jockey Club have received splendid nominations for their January 4th meeting. The lengthy list appears in another column.

“Paddy” McGrath, the Dunedin jockey, it is said, will attend the Wairarapa Slimmer Meetings.

The Hutt-trained mare Vain Glory (by Escutcheon—Vanity Fair) has gone amiss, and has been thrown out of work. “ Jack ” Huxtable, who has been training the mare, is, therefore, out of harness, and, not having any other horses in hand, he is on the

look-out for a situation, and, being a reliable man, should not be long out of work. He can also go to scale under 9st, and his past performances in the saddle are a sufficient recommendation as a successful jockey.

The two-year-old filly Pin Money, by Louis d’Or—Her Ladyship, is now located at R. Ross’s training stables at the Hutt.

Ciyde, who has the nice handicap of 42 seconds in the Auckland Trotting Cup, has, says the Sporting Review , only recently been taken up.

When James Hickey, the Napier crosscountry horseman, arrived from Melbourne with Mr S. H. Gollan’s horses, Norton and Ebor, he very kindly permitted me to have a peep at themjjat Kennerley’e stables, where they had comfortable quarters, until they were shipped for Auckland. Of course I was very anxious to have a look at the champion hurdle horse (Ebor) whom Mr (xollan recently purchased, and I expected to see something out of the common, considering that he has recently been handicapped at 14st, and I was net disappointed. Ebor (by Robert-the-Devil) is a hardy rusty colour bay gelding standing fully 16.1, with a fair-sized game looking head, strong neck, well set on to massive sloping shoulders (which accounts for the burdens he can carry), followed by a deep girth, strong loins, and a great barrel, prominent hips, but his quarters are not so big as I should have expected, although they are composed of the right stuff. He has powerful gaskins, but the front of his near hock is slightly enlarged, probably the result of the accident when he fell 5 through the starting machine’s tapes, which were accidentally left up after a preceding race, at one of the suburban meetings near Melbourne. -For a hurdle horse his legs are fairly clean, although his fetlock joints look a trifle “fat,” buthe : gives one the idea of being a thorough old battler, and I should say he is not likely to break down for some time yet, galloping on the flat. Judging by his “bread basket,” he is one of the sort that are seldom sick or sorry and the way he was tucking into his “ K'ai ” was sufficient proof that he is quite at home iu New Zealand. He is a quiet old codger, but—l was sorry to see his forelook ’and mane had been clipped short a la polo pony, which makes him look as cunning as a monkey. It -is a pity a horse should be deprived of his natural protection against flies. The big gun, Norton, has been seen by most racing people, so there is no need to describe him, suffice to say he looks “Al at Lloyds,” and considering the amount of “lepping” he has done, he is much more free from blemish than his companion, Ebor, who is a taller horse than Norton* One cannot help being struck with Norton’s honest-looking headland his deep jowl, and when I remarked to Hickey that Norton had a stallion’s head, he informed me that many at Caulfield enquired if Ascot’s son were a stallion. Hickey thinks that Norton’s best performance was at Flemington recently, as he fenced like a deey, only striking one fence, and finished cb'se-up. When I took the liberty of asking about the projected trip to Englindj he was good enough to say that if the-horses remained sound and well, they would leave' New Zealand probably in March next, and I was glad to hear he would accompany Norton and Ebor on their voyage, for the purpose of riding them in their engagements, while Mr Arthur Yates, the English trainer, will superintend the training of the New Zealanders. I understand that Norton is not being taken Home specially for the Liverpool Grand National, as there is a valuable steeplechase, worth nearly .£2OOO, run for in France, which he may make a bid for, all going well. V

Every true sportsman will wish. Mr. Gollan and all connected with the enterprise the best of luck, and no, cablegram would b© more enthusiastically received from England than one announcing Norton had won the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase. It seems a pity that both horses are going to Auckland, as it is running an unnecessary risk in view of their probable departure for England.

The owner of Awarua being dissatisfied with the Aliua gelding’s 12st at Wairarapa, he will not be accepted with.

The Auckland Cup horses Prime Warden and Saracen were on board the s.s Takapuna on Friday en route for Auckland in charge of Mr Murray Hobbs.

Mr S. H. Gollan’s horses Norton and Ebor, the latter a recent purchase, have arrived from Melbourne, per Hauroto, and were shipped to Auckland, per Takapuna, on Friday. Norton is engaged in the Auckland Steeplechase. The horses are in charge of James Hickey, the well-known cross country horseman.

Norton and Ebor were shipped to Auckland by the same boat, also the local trotting horse Rotherham, who is engaged in the Auckland Trotting Cup, of 230 sovs.

The programme of the Heretaunga Hack Racing Club, which was last week passed b> the Metropolitan Club, shows the net added money to be <£2lo, divided amongst eight races, the principal being the Glasgow Handicap, of 50 sovs, one mile and a half. The other events are the Trial Handicap, of 20 sovs, one mile and a furlong; Flying Handicap, of 25 sovs, threequarters of a mile; Heretaunga Handicap, of 20 sovs (for troop horses only) ; the Welter Handicap, of 25 sovs, one mile and a furlong; the Stewards’ Handicap, of 25 sovs, one mile and a quarter ; Ladies’ Bracelet, valued at 25 sovs, one mile and a half ; and the Consolation Handicap, of 20 sovs, one mile. The meeting is to be held on the Hutt Park course, and as the date fixed is two days after the Wellington Racing Club’s Summer Meeting a large number of horses may be expected. Mr

H. M. Lyon, the secretary of the Wellington Racing Club, is to be asked to act in a similar capacity for the new club, and thus first-class management will be ensured.

: The programme for the Heretaunga Hack -- Racing Club’s 26th of January Meeting is advertised in another column. The meeting is to be held on the Hutt Park Racecourse the day after the second day’s racing of the Wellington Racing Club’s Summer Meeting. Nominations close on Thursday, January 10th. Attention is drawn to the conditions that horses winning after the declaration of the weights may be re-handicapped.

As this is the only opportunity I will have of extending the season’s greeting .to my readers, I will conclude my week's budget by wishing one and all a very 'i- ‘‘MERRY CHRISTMAS.”