SPORTING NOTES.
By "Gipsy King."
I wolild suggest to the members of the Waimate Hunt Club in the Egmont district that they should:change the name of the club, as there is. already a hunt club in South Canterbury bearing the same name. " Egmont Hunt Club " would be a suitable name. V "r
The four-yeax'-old. mare Gloire de Dijon (by Perkin Warbeck—Marchioness Neil) has been sold to go to.the West Coast of the South Island. The mare has competed, in hack races in the Hawera district, during the present season, but without success. I fancy it was her name that stopped her from winning.
Earl Grey, the three-year-old full-brother
to La Petite Fille (Sou'-wester—Lady . Grey) who has been in training at Wanganui during the season, has been returned to his owner, Mr Currie, of Brunswick (near Wanganni), who will winter the colt.
Mr F. Lawry's Gaming and Lottery Bill has'been read a first time in Parliament.
The Hawera Trotting Club will probably hold their first meeting about September next. Financially, the club would do well if they held a meeting the day following one of the Egmont Racing Club meetings.
A syndicate, I hear, is being formed in Blenheim to lease the stud horse Boulansrer. It will be a pity if Wanganui breeders allow this fashionably-bred horse to leave the district for at least several seasons. No better cross could be obtainable for mares from the Traducer family. The Wangkhui breeders are very slow in recognising, a valuable strain of blood.
The Dunedin Jockey Club have given notice of motion for the next Racing Conference as follows : —"To add to Rules of Racing as 79a: 'When a person is prevented by these Rules from entering or starting a horse for any race without paying arrears for which he would not otherwise be liable, he may, by paying the same at the Registry Office, enter or start the horse and place the arrears on the Forfeit List as due to himself/"
One of the numerous "lady" owners of ponies around Melbourne was disqualified recently by the Ascot Racing- Club for using abusive language to the secretary of the club on the course. ■
Mr R. E. Kcßae, the owner of Conscript, has been asked by the Waimate (Egmont) Hunt Club to obtain some hounds for the club during his visit to the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase Meeting.
Mr H. Piper, the starter,, informs me that it is not his intention to take up his residence in the North Island at present, but if he had more work "with the flag or lever" to do up this way he would be only too pleased to settle down here, as he could then work both islands from this centre. •-•'"'■■•
Liberator's double win at Auckland settled the career of one of the local "tote-bettors." Several anxious enquiries have been made for the erring one by those who had dividends to collect, but without avail. Well, more luck next time.
Mr Hart, of Adelaide, who assisted to negotiate the purchase of Carbine, has received a cablegram from the Duke of Portland stating that he is greatly pleased with Carbine.
A Melbourne sporting paper publishes the results of the Dunedin Birthday Meeting in its columns, but gets rather mixed by heading the report "Auckland Birthday Meeting."
At a meeting of the Opunake Racing Club on the Bth inst., the committee voted Mr J. Caddy .£lO "as an act of grace through his horse Egmont not getting the stakes in the Electric Handicap at the last New Year's Day Meeting."
At the race meeting mentioned Egmont won the Hack Hurdle Race. He was also engaged in the Electric Handicap, for which winners of any previous race at the meeting had to carry a penalty. Upon enquiring of one of the officers of the club, the then owner of Egmont was informed that his horse- would not have to put up the penalty for winning the Hurdle Race. After Egmont had won the Electric Handicap, a protest was lodged against the owner of the horse' receiving the stakes, as the horse had not carried the penalty. A majority of the stewards decided that the
horse should have carried the extra weight, and they have now made the amende honourable to Mr Caddy through losing the race on the advice of one of their number. This is much to the credit of the Opunake Racing Club.
Kulnine and Barnado, Mr Rutherford's hurdle horses, have been schooling over the big fences lately, and have been shaping fairly well. Kulnine especially tackles his new duties calmly, but does not relish the game as well as he does jumping hurdles. Barnado, after doing some schooling last week, left the track walking a trifle sore. Kulnine, I should say, would go straight enough with the colours up.
Alf. Shearsby and D. Mitchell have leased the Racecourse Hotel stables at Riccarton, from which Mr D. O'Brien has turned out many good winners in the past, Carbine being one of the number.
Tumbler, the winner of the Walton Two-year-old Selling Race at Sandown Park (England) on April. 26th, realised 1200 guineas when submitted for sale after the race. There was a surplus of 1000 guineas to divide between the club and the owner of the second horse.
The betting on the New Zealand Cup is hot properly started yet, and punters will probably not make a forward move until the handicaps for the big race, appear on the Ist prox. It is soinewhat difficult to get anything like a governing price amongst our pencillers, as they of course have to quote the price against any particular horse according to the business they may have booked against that nag. However, the ruling prices at present on offer are pretty near as follows : —IOO to 7 Gipsy Grand; 100 to 6 North Atlantic, Irish Twist, Skirmisher; 100 to 5 Lord Zetland, Lottie, Mahaki, Impulse, Waiuku, with 100 to 4 to 100 to 1 the others.
R. Kenwood of Auckland purchased Esparto (by Vasco di Gama—Toi) from R. Kingan after the Auckland meeting.
Mr Murtagh, of Feilding, advertises in another column that he is prepared to supply racing clubs with his patent portable starting-machine. ~A perusal of the advertisement shows that Mr Murtagh has received excellent testimonials from several racing clubs which have used the machine at their race meetings.
The positions occupied by the three exhacks in the betting quotations for the New Zealand Cup are as follow: — Irish Twist' ... 100 to 6 Waiuku ... ... 100 The Artist ... 100 Last week's Sporting Review, amongst other "Snap-shots" at the Auckland Winter Meeting, gives one of the Rev Father Walter McDonald, mounted on his hack. The rev gentleman attends all the Ellerslie meetings, and is ever ready to render spiritual comfort —-" two ways "to the jockeys who may be unfortunate enough to get injured. Compare this gentleman's true sense of charity with that of the " Brummagem" order, who would rather stay away from the course and sip afternoon tea and denounce everything but alleged Christianity. The pony racing clubs about Melbourne are making the owners of the " little horses" sit up. Recently at the Ascot (Melbourne) meeting one owner was disqualified for refusing to remove the shoes from his pony. . ~.'.■''!
The Sydney Bulletin thinks there is something- queer about our watches or trotting tracks in view of the times being recorded by Sydney trotters in New Zealand. The tracks are right enough, it is the watches that are not always properly manipulated. They, are started too late and stopped too soon.
Mr " Patsy " Butler, the popular owner of honest old Liberator, passed through Wellington last week on his way to Napier. I have never seen him looking in better health, and before wishing him "Grood-bye " I remarked that if the going at Hastings was as heavy as last year that old Lib, with 12st 121 b on his back, would have a big task on hand. Mr Butler with a merry twinkle in his eye jocularly replied, "I think he 'av it in him."
" Dad" Kingan, the well-known lightweight jockey, "altered his mind again," and last week went over to Sydney in the Mararoa. He only intends to put the winter in there, and will be back for our next spring-meeting's.
At Randwick on June 6th, Miss Nora, 2yrs, by Nordenfeldt-r-Lady Norah (Codogan—Steppe) carried 7st 31b and won the Nursery Handicap of 100 sovs, 6 furlongs, in lmin 15£sec.
Strolling round by the Basin Reserve the other day I called on Mr Bennie, mine host of the Caledonian Hotel, who has recently taken over this well-known hostelry after a long residence at Porirua. Mr Bennie was connected with the Porirua Racing Club for some time, and represented the now defunct club at the conference of Country Racing Clubs which was held at Palmerston North about two year 3 ago. Being- well posted on the management of sporting gatherings and an enthusiastic cricketer and sportsman " with gun and dog," he should be a valuable acquisition to sporting circles in Wellington.
Rink, 3yrs, by First King—Yardley, has been purchased by the ex-New Zealander "Charlie" Rudings, on behalf of Mr T. Uphill, who will take the full sister to Ringmaster to India.
The English National Hunt Committee intend holding a searching- enqxiiry jn,to
several matters connected with the dis" ablement of the Liverpool Nationa Steeplechase winner, Cloister, particulars of which recently appeared in these columns. Cloister in future is to be trained by Mr H. E. Linde at the Curragh.
While on a brief visit to Palmerston North last week I was pleased to see that Mr C. C. Miles, the popular secretary of the Manawatu Racing Club, had recovered from his recent severe attacks of brow ague.
The large number of nominations received by the United Hunt Club for their steeplechase meeting on July 13th must have been very encouraging to the executive. Each of the races have filled well, and quality is also well represented. When the list was published and it was found that His Excellency Lord Glasgow had honoured the club with a nomination, sporting people generally were very pleased, and if His Excellency's colours should be carried first past the post there will be much enthvisiasm, and loyal British cheers will resound in the Hutt Valley. The handicaps for the meeting are due on July 4th.
The handicaps for the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups—a formidable looking list—appear in another column. As usual the New Zealand-bred horses have been handicapped up to their very best form, and they are consequently not likely to distinguish themselves.
Mr T. Quinlivan, jun., of Woodville, has been very happy in the naming of several of his young stock. Pivot Gun (by Torpedo—Swiveline), Witchcraft (by British Lion Enchantress), and Straybird (by Wanderer —Fleetwing) are certainly very appropriate, and original to the New Zealand turf.
A lady has sent me another name for the Tormentor—Emotion colt. She suggests " Maatuku," the Maori word for fear.
Response, on whom Wellington punters frequently entrust their dollars, I notice is again in commission, and is a regular attendant on the Randwick (Sydney) training track.
Mr Peters, the trainer of Austral, the Wellington Steeplechase winner, informs me that his case against the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club for the recovery of the stakes for the Maiden Steeplecase won by Austral last year will engage the attention of the District Court at Napier this week. It will be recollected that a protest was lodged against Austral receiving the stakes for the race, because the horse's name appeared in the Unpaid Forfeit List in the Official Calendar on the same day that the race was run. Mr Peters says that he did not receive notic9 " before ten o'clock in the evening preceding the race," as provided for in Rule 75, relating to the stake arid forfeit system, and accordingly considers that he is justly entitled to the stakes.
At the Epsom (Vic.) Race Meeting on the Bth inst., Sea Song (a full-brother to the Wanganui stailion Sou'-wester) was the only one that " stood up" in the steeplechase, arid after the first mile finished the rest of the distance in his own time.
It was several days before the Sydney papers received intelligence of the death of Nordenfeldt. The " big gun" was running in a small paddock, and while cavorting round wrenched his back. Although veterinary aid was soon at hand, the horse eventually succumbed to inflammation. Mr Hordern has fifty of Nordenfeldt's progeny at his station, and about a dozen of his best mares are in foal to Nordenfeldt. Mr Hordern has had four English stallions placed on offer to him, and " Umpire," of the Sydney Referee, says he will probably choose one by St. Simon.
The Hawlce's Bay Herald hears that Captain Russell intends to retire from the turf owing to the continued run of bad luck he has experienced through so many of his young thoroughbreds dying. This news will be regretfully received, as the Hawke's Bay sportsman's colours have always been very popular. We can ill afford to lose such a straightforward owner and a gentleman who has given so much assistance to the better government of the turf.
Mr Dan O'Brien received an offer for Loyalty on behalf of an English buyer, but the price was not considered satisfactory.
The owner of the yearling colt by Ascot —Water Queen is going to claim the name " Ascotmere" for the youngster. Mere means lake or pool of water, which is about the happiest way the names of sire and dam could be combined.
Mr S. 11. Gollan has purchased the steeplechase gelding Donald McKinnon (Dauphin—Scot Pree's dam).
Sunspot, nominated for the Hack Flat Race at the United Hunt Club Steeplechase Meeting, was bred in New South Wales, and is by Sunrise (fall brother to the defunct Sextant). Alf. Shearsby is training Sunspot at Riccarton, but the owner of the ex-Australian, I understand, resides in the Wellington district.
Mr Carnell, the member for Napier, gave notice of motion in Parliament as follows : —" That the totalisator be abolished, for the following reasons —(1) Because we are convinced that by its use it is productive of incalculable injury to this colony by fostering the immoral habit of gambling in both old and young; (2) that by the Legislature giving its sanction to the use of this gambling machine it has made simple-minded people believe that nothing
is immoral which-the Legislature authorises; (3) it has helped to fill the coffers of the racing- clubs and to pay the expenses of racing studs at the cost of tradesmen and others, whose debtors have spent in gambling- the money that should go towards paying their just debts ; and it has, by the large amount of revenue which is derived from its use, made racing of such a frequent occurrence that this colony is over-run by a most undesirable class of people, which has a most demoralising effect on the colonist, more especially upon the young; (4) that it is illogical and unjust to punish one kind of gambling and encourage another kind, and that the State should not derive revenue by license from anything that is immoral and vicious, therefore it is most desirable that the totalisator be abolished : and that the G-overnment be asked to bring in a Bill this session to give effect to this resolution." - *
Mr F. Lawry, member for Parnell, introduced the Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill, which provides for consultation sweeps, on Wednesday.
" Jimmy" Walls, the Canterbury crosscountry jockey, has gone to Napier, and intends taking up his residence in that locality.
No doubt Adam McMorran had some encouragement in applying to the Wellington Metropolitan Club to have his "life "disqualification removed. He has many friends who sought to bring influence to bear on the committee, but although the request was not acceded to, McMorran should be more than satisfied to learn, that after two years have elapsed the committee may favourably consider an application for the removal of his disqualification. In the meantime, I think McMorran , should be permitted to work in a training stable. He ha 9 devoted nearly all his life to riding racehorses and training stable work, and consequently has no knowledge of other work.
James Wilson, the original proprietor of St. Albans, is a Yorkshireman, self-educated, and would, and will even now, sit up to the small hours of the morning studying pedigree and ancient racing lore. One day " Jim " was lungeing a colt when he heard a voice from over the fence asking him why he didn't do it properly. " Jim " looked up in astonishment at the audacity of anyone daring to admonish him. It proved to be the parson of the local church, and when he explained how they " did these things in Yorkshire," ke won old Jim's heart and left, after being well cared for, with a fiver for his church.— Bulletin.
The Victoria'Racing Club's Grand National Meeting commences on Saturday 6th July. Up to the time of writing the acceptances are not to hand, but from the handicaps I should select Figaro or Tim fcwivellerfor the Grand National Hurdles (decided on 6th July i and Highborn 11., or Larnook for the Grand National Steeplechase, decided on 13th July.
The Egmont Racing Club have offered the lecently formed Hawera Trotting Club the use of thqir course for L 25 per day.
A wire from our Adelaide correppondent tells of the death of the well-known old jumping horse, Ellerslie. It appears that the old fellow had a very rough passage from Melbourne to Adelaide, and never recovered from the effects of the knocking about.— Sydney Town and Country Journal.
It will be recollected that Ellerslie defeated Donald (by Patriarch—Flora McDonald) in the Victorian Grand National Hurdle Race a few years ago.
The name of a colt, says the Argus, by McCallum Mohr from Ringarooma entered by Mr 0. C. McCulloch for the V.R.C. Derby of 1896 is McCallum-Mohr-an-deiradh! What will the bookmakers turn this into when the colt makes his appearance on the racecourse 1
"Ted'' Blackmore is now located at the Marton Hotel stables, and has under his care the hack racer Allisgton (by Torpedo— Revoke).
Revolt was not able to start at Hastings through having met with an acciden while schooling over the steeplechase course there. ,
" Mazeppa!'. has the authority of the owners to deny the rumour that Hippomenes is to tc sent to Sydney.
There was consternation in the ranks of turfmen when the news of the defeat of the Gray racing bill reached New York on May 1. Phil. J. Dwyer, the president of the Brooklyn Jockey' Club, said : — " So far as I am concerned, it is the Gray bill or no racing. If the bill is finally defeated there will be no Brooklyn Handicap and no racing at Gravesend. The gates of the course will remain closed. I will iace in this country whenever and wherever I may do so legally. If I cannot do that in America I can do it in England, and there I will probably go if racing is killed in this State/' Other turfmen who were seen expressed views similar to Mr Dwyer's, and it was learned that in the event of the defeat of the bill J. B. Haggin, the big California breeder, would sand his yearlings to England to be sold there.
At Ascot (Vic.) races recently, two deadheats were run in the 13.2 handicap before the race was decided. The dead-heaters were Aurora and Fisher Girl, the former eventually landing the stake.
Attention is drawn to the official calendar of the Wellington Racing Club. The disqualification of John Cooper by the Wairarapa Racing Club and that of Charles Carmont by the Horowhenua Jockey Club have been confirmed by the Metropolitan Club. Five more "owners' permits" are also notified.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Mail, Issue 1217, 28 June 1895, Page 23
Word Count
3,304SPORTING NOTES. New Zealand Mail, Issue 1217, 28 June 1895, Page 23
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