SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1196, 1 February 1895, Page 23

SPORTING NOTES.

Br Oiiw Kino

Mr Kani Pere has scratched Mahaki for tho Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup. The Wellington Cup winner’s weight for the Newmarket Handicap was 9st lib, which liis owner considered too flattering, Had the V.R.C. handicapper seen Mahaki’s performance in tho Wellington Racing Club Handicap, when ho carried 9st 61b, and ran the last six furlongs of one mile and a quarter in a tick under Imin l7sec, ho would be convinced he had just about got his measure!

The Australasian writes: “Mr D. S. Wallace’s retirement from the turf involves the sale of Car-bine, and the general opinion seems to be that our champion will be taken from us. We are not so sure that this much-to-be-deplored contingency will Gome to pass. We have in our mind more thatt one public-spirited Australian who majr save Us from the loss of our equine hero, and We do hot altogether despair of the champion remaining in Victoria,”

A gauge for ascertaining the age of horses has been patented by a Tennessee inventor. The gauge consists of a steel plate, having a tapered body portion, one of its longitudinal edges being marked by lines and figures, and it is said that tho approximate age of a horse can bo determined by applying the scale to its teeth.

Storm King, the three-year-old black colt by Gipsy King, dam Maid of the Downs (by Ravensworth) has gone into J. Kean’s, stable at Auckland to receive his final preparation for the Egmont Hack Sires’ Produce Stakes, to be run for at the Egmont meeting, which is set down for EebrUary 13 and 14,

An English paper states that under the conscription, M. Lebaudy, a wealthy young Frenchman, who owns a big string of horses, and has been racing in England of late on a large scale, has been forced to return to France and do duty as the driver of an ammunition waggon. M. Lebaudy is too small to servo in the army as a private.

Mr G. IT. Gibson, of ITawera, has the makings of two good cross-country horses in his stable, viz., Egmont, a big Armourer gelding, and Disraeli, by Puriri. ' Both have won races this season, and.are under the care of “Jimmy” Peachey.

From Melbourne word comes that in the Trial Stakes at the Tilden races on Now Year’s Day an incident out of the ordinary occurred. As Seabrook and Constant were finishing up the straight the jockeys were seen to be interfering with each other, and when within a short distance from homo Davies, the rider of Constant, deliberately pulled Brady, the rider of Seabrook, out of the saddle, the latter falling heavily, but escaping serious injury. An enquiry was held by the stewards, and Davies was fined £ 5, and Brady .£l.

Mr C. Tate, of New Plymouth, recently purchased the four-year-old colt by St. Jjeger —Vacillation. The colt has done stud duty in the Opunake district, owing to some slight accident which prevented him going into training earlier. This colt is half-brother to Vasator (by Captivator) and Hesitation (by Gipsy King), both winners.

A Sydney paper records : a remarkable coincidence which occurred in connection with Tattersall’s New Year’s Gift and Welter Handicap in connection with the numbers of the placed horses. In both events exactly the same figures were raised on the semaphore. The numbers were 16, 26 and 6 respectively. In the former race Albecore was 16, Tiwoona 26, and ITirondelle 6. In the Welter it was Tiwoona 16, lolanthus 26, and Burton 6. Such a thing is not likely to occur again in a lifetime, all the more so when the large fields are taken into consideration.

Thirty-three yearlings, which at public auction sales realised an average of 100 guineas each, have won nearly all the principal two-year-old races in Australia and New Zealand. So that it is not the 500 and 1000-guinea ones that win the most money.

It transpires that Mersey, the dam of Carbine, was mated with Trenton, not Strathmore, as previously reported.

Sir Joseph Abbott, Speaker of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, was present at the Hutt Park racecourse on Cup day, and was much struck with the simplicity of our mode of betting through the agency of the totalisator, and I think if the question of conducting betting transactions by the medium of the totalisator on racecourses comes before the New South Wales Parliament he will warmly support the introduction of the totalisator.

in the Canterbury Times says : —“As I stated was probable last week Mr J. Shearer has decided to take action against the Tinwald Racing Club for the recovery of certain money which he thinks is due to him. At a meeting of the committee of the club last week a letter was received from Mr C. W. Purnell, solicitor, acting for Mr Shearer, claiming the sum of £94 Is, balance of dividend alleged to be due in respect of the Tinwald Trot, won by Mr Shearer’s Toby. Mr Shearer claims that at the time the starting bell rang the totalisator only registered one ticket, and that a second ticket was rung on after the race was started. Mr Shearer held one ticket and was paid the dividend, £94 Is, and he now claims that he should have received <£lßß 2s. He entered a protest on the day of the race, but the protest was dismissed, and he now threatens an action at law for the recovery of the £94 Is. The committee decided to refer Mr Shearor tb the club’s solicitor.’’

It is reported that a similar cast? to Mr Shearer’s happened in tho Wellington district not long ago, but fortunately the horse just missed securing the big dividend. 'J he parties connected with the horse, are confident there was ono more ticket on tho totalisator than they noted down after the horses had started some distance. They Were prepared with ample proof, so that things would have been a bit sultry had the horse won. It is a significant fact that the second ticket on Mr Shearer’s horse has not been presented yet.

One of the most prompt racing judges that I know of is Mr G. 11. Seales, who acts as judge for tho Wellington Racing Club. In the Farewell Handicap on tho second day of the cup meeting, Golden Plover, Tuhitarata, Legislator and Planet appeared to run a dead heat, but before we had time to say “ Jack Robinson,” or express an opinion as to the likely winner, Mr Scales had the numbers for the placed horses on the slide in the window of the judges box. Smartness and promjptitude in giving a decision in a horse race inspire confidence with the public, and many kind things were said of Mr Scales. Ho had several close finishes to adjudicate during the two days, but his verdict was so quickly recorded that the public had ©very confidence in his decisions.

A correspondent writing to the Australasian on “ lady owners ” says : —“ Reading your interesting article on the ‘ Late Duchess of Montrose ’ recalls to my mind another famous ‘lady owner and breeder’ of racehorses of my boyhood’s days in Tasmania, viz.,—Mrs Mary Smith, of Longford, better known as ‘ Moll Smith.’ I wish I could give yon a full account of her breeding and racing stud, and there may be some yet left of the old Tasmanian sportsmen who could do so. This I know, that such mares as her Matilda were invincible for a time, and as there were no handicaps in those days a racing progxamme read thus:—‘A Publicans’ Purse of 40 sovs, for all horses bar Matilda.’ Mrs Smith owned, bred, and raced some other great horses, such as Widow’s Pet, Bolivar and Old Agnes. The latter was a Sydneybred mare, and not imported by Dr Wilmore, as some of the stud books have it. Mrs Smith, like the duchess, was rather rough at times on her trainers and jockeys. No one knew condition better, and she was fond of making matches, in which she generally held her own with such men as tfie Kearneys, Fields, and Gees of old racing fame in those days, of which I fear all record will soon be lost.”

I am informed that just as Mr Scott’s horses Kahurangi and Veracity were leaving the Foxton racecourse at the conclusion of the meeting, tho train came along, which frightened the horses and they broke away from their attendant, and galloped along in front of the train for about five or six miles, when they pulled up at the gate leading to their stables.

At the Chicago Horse Show in December the famous high jumper, Filemaker, cleared tho bar at 7ft 3^in.

It may not be generally known, but it is nevertheless true, that Mahaki, as a two-year-old, was unplaced in a Hack Scurry Race (catch weights, four furlongs). This appears to have escaped the notice of those who are always croaking about the “socalled hacks of the North Island.”

Messrs W. C. Yuille and Co. announce that the Leiderberg Stud will be submitted to auction at Bacchus Marsh (Victoria) on Ist March next. The collection consists of the famous Carbine (by Musket—Mersey), 35 brood mares, 30 yearling colts, and 9 fillies sired respectively by Carbine and Mentor. Mahaki has up to date started, in 29 races, and the summary of his performances is as follows First. Second. Third. Unplaced. At 2 years ... 0 0 1 3 At 3 years... 4 22 4 At 4 years ... 7 3 1 2 11 5 4 9 Our old equine friend Toi-perlo (by The Australian), who now runs in the nomination of Mrs Lees, won the Farewell Handicap, five furlongs, at tho West Australian Turf Club’s Meeting on January sth. Torpedo’s three-year-old sister —Evening Star—started in the Midhirst Handicap, six furlongs, at the Stratford Meeting on 3 7th inst., and was apparently so little thought of that there were only four tickets on her in tho totalisator. She finished out of a place.

At tho Maribyrnong Races (Victoria) on January 10th ; I notice Sarpedon, a three-year-old bay gelding by First King—Europa, won the Welter Handicap. Mr Fred Paneti purchased Sarpedon as a yearling, but the youngster is racing in the name of “E. Loader.”

Mr Purches, the owner of tho Melbourne Cup winner, Patron, is said to have a clinker in the two-year-old Palmetto by Grand Flaneur—l he Palm.

Mr Humphrey Oxenham. the Sydney bookmaker, has gone into the consultation business, and his Newmaiket Handicap and Australia'n Cup d drawings ” will be under the supervision of. Tattersall’s Club Committee, Brisbane, assisted, by leading citizens and members of the press.

Tho committee of the Auckland Racing Club has held an investigation into the matter of the Recovery Stakes run at the Christmas meeting, in which race one of the hurdles used in the preceding race (Pony Hurdle Handicap), were left up, instead of being removed from the course. Tho result of the enejuivy is that the caretaker and the clerk of the course have been dismissed. This is rather harsh treatment, as such mis-

| takes are only likely to cceur once in a lifetime.

Apropos of (he above, the Wairampa Racing Club obtained an explanation from the man in charge of the gato leading to the centre of the course at their New Year's Day Meeting, when a horse and cart were allowed to pass over the track during the progress of one of the races, when one of the jockeys was dislodged from the saddle owing to his mount colliding with the cart. The man in charge of the gaie denies that the horse collided with the cart, which he allowed to cross through not seeing that the horses had started on their journey. He says the horse fell after it had passed the cart.

Sydney Referee says : -Mr Dan O’Brien had bad luck to be beaten with Response by Newman. Ett ridge came too late with the mare.

Globe Trotter, by Tasman from Rose and Blank, ought to do Mr D.nn O’Brien service when he gets seasoned a little.

Master Malioi, by Master Agnes—Polly, was a competitor at the Stratford Mooting.

The Pahiatua Jockey Club cleared Alls profit on their January 4th race meeting.

The Sydney Referee understands that it is probable that Mr Nat Gould, who contributes to that journal under the noni de plume of “ Verax,” and is the author of the popular sporting novels “Double Event,” “Jockey Jack,” &c., may transfer the sphere of his literary work to London during the coming year.

I regret to notice that J. B. Williamson, the Auckland trainer, had his stables burned down while he was away at the Stratford Meeting. The racehorses Ingorina (Ingomar Hipporina) and Abel (Hotchkiss or Castor—Aida) perished in the flames, while Ben Godfrey and Eve were badly scorched.

I had a chat with Mr M. Power (the representative of Mr S. Hordern, of Sydney) the other evening, and was pleased to renew acquaintance with him. He has a good opinion of Mahalci, but for a horse to work on would prefer Penrose at a reasonable amount. He mentioned that he had run his eye over the ex-hack racers Waiulru and Irish Twist, and was very favourably impressed with them. I mentioned to him that I had hoard he had offered some fabulous amount for Irish Twist. “ No,” said Mr Power, “ I did not offer anything at all. I was informed he was not for sale, but was prepared to make a decent offer for the horse, who would make a good hurdle racer. I would have given A6OO, but no more.” I suggested that the next time Mr Hordern sent any trotting horses over he should give the Wellington market a try. Mr Power remarked probably *he would, as the Auckland district had as many trotting horses now as they could do with; but in the future the horses would be paced, or trained to trot various distances, good enough to win races before being submitted. Mr Power thinks that the Hawera district will strongly support trotting In the near future.

The two-year-olds engaged at Warwick Farm on Saturday were not very well behaved at the post, and went off in irregular order, with Bona-Fide at their head. This gelding is owned by Mr E. Keys, and is by Splendor from Devotion. He shaped well for a “green” one, and gamely stalled off Patrona (a promising sister to Patron and Ruenalf) at the finish. The favourite, Creme d’Or, ran off at the home turn. —Sydney Referee. St. Hippo, the New Zealand Cup winner, is again in work at Ellerslie. American sporting writers hit out pretty straight at times. Commenting.on a starter recently, one of the scribes said:—“ He is not fit to start a drove of pigs down a lane.” Liberator and An Revoir are reported to be doing good work at Riccarton. St. Vincent, who was purchased at the Auckland sales for about LlO, is a full brother to trie hack racer Nile. St. Vincent was not long in earning his purchase money, as he won the Cardiff (Stakes at the Stratford meeting on the 17th inst. Mr V. Harris, of Christchurch, has purchased Silver Spec, the full sister to Foresight, for L 225 from Mr W. Busch, of Raugiom, 'North Canterbury.

The Indian Planters’ Gazette says:—lf the Calcutta Turf Club stewards want to be really up to the times they should invest in a weighing machine for horses. In America all the big meetings have them, and we need scarcely say that one of their great advantages is to let trainers judge how their horses have fared after a race. Men are always weighed and their condition judged by tlic result when training for rowing, running, or prize-fighting, and horse trainers have now found out the value of being guided by the same rule when wanting to test the condition of their charges.

It is quite evident some owners still think that a jockeys’ “ring-” exists. At a race meeting held during the present month not 500 miles from Wellington, two different owners asked me if I could get them, or recommend to them, a good horseman. I suggested the names of four different horsemen, but they shook their heads, and said they were not having any. “Any what ?” I asked. “ Oh, it’s not good enough putting up travelling jocks.” I explained that all jockeys had to travel to the different meeting’s to obtain a living, but they remained obdurate, and asked if I did not know of anyone that was connected with some stable, as that was sufficient proof that they were not idle half their time, making' tho acquaintance of

doubtful characters and unscrupulous “punters.” Personally, I would not like to say that a jockeys’ “ ring ” does exist, but I know several owners wli© hold very decided opinions that such does exist, and they make no secret about it, but steer clear of the alleged “ring” by employing inferior jockeys, who are not at the beck and call of “punters.”

Mr Hunter White, son of the squire of Havilah stud farm, writing from New. South Wales re Musidora’s dam, Dinah, says: “There appears to be no further trace of her female line. It is quite likely that Dinah was descended from one of the early imported mares, as in those times pedigrees wore very carelessly kept, and in many instances lost altogether. There is no doubt that many horses that have run to mares of unknown pedigrees were really quite clean bred. Such horses as First King, Kingsborough, Savanaka, Lecturer, Nellie, Briseis, &c., were so good that their ancestors must have been pure bred, though they cannot be traced.” It’s a most singular fact that, notwithstanding the months and months of labour that liave -been spent by some of the best studmasters in Australasia, the ancestors of Musidora’s dam, Dinah, have never been traced. Mr J. Cotter, of Asliurst, Manawatu, New Zealand, who owns Young Dinah, must now be satisfied that the pedigree of liis mare cannot ha further traced.—Melbourne Sportsman.

Mr D. Leslie, of Okaiwa,near Hawera, has purchased the trotting stallion Kentucky Wilks from Mr W. 11. Chitham, of Palmerston North.

According to the Indian Planters’ Gazette a colossal case in connection with the turf is pending at Calcutta. That journals preliminary notice reads thusly:—“Mr W. O. Bees will, we understand, very shortly file his plaint in the High Court against the stewards and secretary of the Calcutta Turf Club for defamation and damages. When this matter comes up for hearing we shall probably be treated to one of the most sensational turf scandals that have been known in modern times, even the Durham-Chet-wynd case nob excepted. Startling disclosures will, it is said, be made.” The Sandon Hack Racing Club are out with an attractive programme of seven events and L 260 prize money for their St. Patrick’s Day Meeting, March 18. Nominations close on 23rd February. The programme for the Sandon Hack Racing Club’s meeting on March 18th appears in our advertisement columns. A sensational dividend, All 3 Bs, was paid at the Turakina Hack Meeting on Wednesday. ENGLISH JOCKEYS. The following is a list of the principal winning horsemen in England for the past season, together with their performances in former years :

1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 Cannon ... 21 39 137 182 168 167 Loatos, T. 167 147 — — 222 163 Loates, S. ' 53 83 — — — 91 Unlay ... 14 24 30 33 100 89 Allsopp ..: 29 38 49 60 58 85 Bradford 1 5 15 72 110 84 Calder ... 45 64 — — 40 84 Watts ... 78 S5 114 106 92 63 Brown ... 1 1 3 14 24 59' Chandley 58 38 51 63 71 58 White ... 50 43 — — 29 46 Colling ... 4 9 15 37 S4 41 Gough ... — — 3 4 16 40 Rickaby... 44 78 59 56 44 38 Loates, C. 10 6 61 78 6 37 Woodburn 36 50 90 57 25 31 Fagan ... 68 68 53 33 44 27 Toon ... — — —. 1 11 26 Barrett ... 128 106 133 154 107 24 Chaloner 22 37 60 80 32 24