SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1222, 2 August 1895, Page 23

SPORTING NOTES.

By "Gipsy King."

The C.J.C. Grand National Meeting commences at Biccarton on Thursday, Bth hist., and will be continued on Saturday, 10th inst. The chief event on the first day will be the Grand National Steeplechase. At present ten horses have accepted, but on Monday there is a final payment for this race, and also for the Grand National Hurdle Bace, but as far as the Steeplechase is concerned I do not anticipate that there will be any defections. Norton is favourite, but as there appears to be good ground for the report that Liberator will be a starter, he is in more request. Kulnine has been shaping better in his schooling, while Boscius should be suited to the ground. Mutiny will no doubt be more prepared for the battle than he was for the Napier Steeplechase. Despised is not frequently mentioned, hut with only lOst 71b on his back, he only requires to be fairly well to run a good race. Booties and Austral have a "jumper's chance, but lam hopeful of the two Voltigeurs, Dromedary and Chrystal, giving a gooi account of themselves. The latter especially will prefer the big fences at Biccarton to the small ones: he failed to negotiate at Napier Park. At present lam disposed to fancy Koscius, Despised and Dromedary, bub like all big jumping events, it is somewhat difficult to locate the winner.

The Grand National Hurdle Bace is equally difficult to pick. If Liberator were kept for this race and the ground were any way dry, I should look no further for the winner than old Liberator, but the run in the Steeplechase will not enhance his chance. Couranto is very much fancied on the assumption that he will make much improvement on his Napier Park performance. Kahurangi comes next in public estimation, but if those who have such a fancy for him saw him easily beaten over two miles, and again two days later.over one mile and three-quarters, over hurdles by Wariti (the horse that won the Trial Steeplechase at the Wellington Winter Meeting), such as I did last week, they would not think he had much chance of winning a Grand National Hurdle Race. The son of Somnus is a notoriously bad track horse, but there is a big difference in running a poor second to Wariti in a trial and winning the National Hurdle Bace. The margin 13 too wide for me to fancy Kahurangi. Besides, he has very small feet, and as the going is likely to be soft, this is not likely to be in his favour. Despised, at lOst 21b, and Victim, at 9st 101 b (with Liberator, if he comes out of the Steeplechase race all right), are more to my fancy.

For the minor events at the meeting 1 , I fancy Much Ado for the Hunters' Hurdles, Victim or Gillie for the Maiden Hurdles, Marechal Neil for the Enfield Steeplechase and Swivel for the Winter Flat Pace.

Albert Lyford is now in charge of Mr W. H. Chitham's string at Palmerston North, consisting of the two-year-old Foulshot —Voltarina colt, Forerunner Star Water filly, "and First Sight, a four-year-old mare by Tim Whiffler—Flying Shot's dam. Albert has a nice trio here, and I wish him a change of luck. The tracks at present will not permit of much work being done, so that the team will hardly be forward enough for early spring racing.

Recently I gave some particulars from a very interesting article on " Tetanus or Lockjaw in Horses,"'contributed by Capt. Hayes to Bailey's Magazine. His contention was that tetanus in hor=es was caused by earth germs getting into wounds. Capt. Hayes' investigations and his conclusion in connection with, this discovery is confirmed by Dr Paul Gibier, director of the New York Pasteur Institute, who recently read a paper before the New York Medico-Legal Society, in which he presented the interesting facts of a discovery in which he claimed that anti-toxine of tetanus is a positive preventive, if not an absolute remedy, for lockjaw. He entered at length into the details of the preparation of anti-toxine, and cited numerous cases, where the introduction of that wonderful fluid into the system both prevented lockjaw and effected cures. Through a large microscope, which Dr Gibier had previously set up on the platform, his hearers were enabled to peep at the bacilli of the tetanus with which he had charged the glass. The observers, many of whom thus took their first object lesson in the study of bacteriology, saw through the glass a myriad of globe-like objects, apparently as big as peas, but in reality invisible to the naked eye. These are the globes which produce the terrible tetanus. Said Dr Gibier :—" The bacilli of tetanus cover all sections of the earth inhabited by man or beast. The germs are indigenous, I might Bay, to the soil where man or animals live. Particularly in the stable myriads and myriads of these germs of disease have their being. The horse, more than any i

other animal, is susceptible to tetanus, and this may be accounted for from the fact that the filth of the stable is morq conducive to the development of the tetanus bacilli than any other condition." The disease is not contracted by inhalation. It is the result of germs being introduced into a wound or opening of the skin. Once in the wound the germs of tetanus thrive wonderfully, and in a few days produce that awful condition which results in the stiffening of the muscles of the jaw, terrible convulsions, and rigidity of the face, and ends in death.

Mr Bishop, Stipendary Magistrate of Christchurch, delivered judgment in the case of the Police v. the Press Company; the latter being charged with a breach of " The Gaming and Lotteries Act 1884," section 3, subsection 3. The Magistrate held that there was nothing to prevent the Legislature from making a law to prohibit newspapers from publishing matter in New Zealand respecting matter outside its own territory. On the facts, he found that the advertisement in question (Oxenham's) invited people to take shares in a foreign sweepstake; and on the law, he held that the defendant in publishing the advertisement brought himself within the operation of she Act. Defendant was fined 20s and costs. An appeal will be made on the question of law.

Fred Barrett's (the English jockey) will has been proved at .£15,520.

This is what "Ajax,"*the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Referee, has to say about Dart's (Gipsy King—Docility's dam) performance in the Victorian Grand National Steeplechase race. " Bidden as Dart was, he would have been an extraordinary horse if he could have won. He was kept far out of his ground in the first mile and three-quarters and, then Underwood made up nearly all his lost ground in a quarter of a mile, the consequence being that the horse had not an ounce left in him to Gnish with. There was every excuse for Underwood, as he had received a very nasty fall in the Hurdle Itace earlier in the day, and he coald not have been himself. He was very foolish, in my opinion, to have got up at all. Dart is without doubt a good animal, but he seems to be very unlucky.'

The Emperor of Germany has donated to the German Derby of Trotters a beautiful prix dlionneur, consisting of an object of art, representing a group of horses, to be given to the breeder of the winning colt, who will have to defend it each year in order to keep it as his own, just like a champion belt.

The first acceptance for the N.Z. Cup is due on Friday, 2nd August, and further payments for the O.J.C. Derby and Oaks ; also first forfeit for the Fifth Challenge Stakes.

After National Meeting, Dart, Bush Boy and Vas?rant were submitted to auction at the Newmarket Blood Stock Sales. Dart was sold to 'Mr S. Miller (of Bedleap fame) for 365 guineas, Bush Boy was passed in at 250 guineas, and Vagrant was sold for 60 guineas. This should be good news for the owner of Gipsy King, and those who have well bred ones by this promising young sire.

£64,120 was registered on the totalisator in connection with the French race the Prix de Paris.

At the annual meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, the balance-sheet showed a credit balance of L 321 on last season's racing. The committee reported that •* Crawford's " starting machines had proved very successful. The committee also decided to present Dr Tripe with a purse of sovereigns as an acknowledgment of his long and gratuitous services as honorary surgeon to the club. The committee also desired to place on record the thanks of the club to Mr C. H.' Chavannes for his efficient management of the starting machine.

Luncheons at the Manawatu meetings last year cost L 65, and the luncheons for three meetings of the Wanganui Club cost L 39. The complimentary tickets to the luncheon which the Manawatu Club give to owners of horses competing at their meetings have assisted materially to popularise the Manawatu meetings with owners, and I consider the money has been well spent. Owners who have been acknowledged in this way have felt that the Manawatu Club (like its neighbour the Foxton Club) have not been trying to grab every shilling from them. Owners contribute largely to the success of a race meeting, and a complimentary ticket to luncheon is a small item in return for nominations, acceptances, &c, which tot up to a respectable sum during a year.

The Melbourne Cup winner of 1893, Tarcoola (not Cartoola 1), will very likely do stud duties this season.

The rumour is again circulated that Norton is to be taken to England. The time mentioned for his departure is September, the Gothic being the steamer.

F. Price, the jockey disqualified at the Himatangi Races for 12 months, has gone to try his fortune on the Coolgardie gold fields. There is a lot of people would be pleased to hear that the country over there agrees with him. He never will be missed.

The composition of the " shampoo " which the Americans in England administered to their horses after doing a big gallop consists of one-tbird each of Pond's extract (witch hazel), alcohol and water.

I had a look at Mr Eobt. Stevens' thoroughbred stallion Haere (Malua —Noma) at Palmerston North during the week. He is healthy and robust, and just about in the right nick to commence stud duties. Mr Stevens did a very profitable season with the horse last year, and it is evident the change of blood in the district was practically appreciated. Already Mr Stevens has had an offer to purchase the horse from an up-

coast breeder, but should he dispose of this " aristocrat " he will be replaced with another stallion, which will afford breeders in the Manawatu a further change of blood, and a sire that has proved his ability to beget winners. But I doubt very much if Mr Stevens will part with Haore, unless at a satisfactory figure.

Mr J. S. Smiley, the well-known livery stable keeper of Wanganui, died last week. He was a very old resident o£ the district, and familiar figure at the Wanganui, Fordell and Turakina meetings.

Jockeys and trainers should not forget to make application for the renewal oC their licenses. They should be applied for by the Ist inst

St. Hippo is reported to be doing useful work at Handwick.

Mr John Whyte has been appointed secretary to the Foxton Bacing Club vice Mr J. B. McMillan, resigned. Mr Whyte has been connected with the Foxton Club for many years and has occupied various positions, and has always carried out any duty entrusted to him in a thorough business-like way. Having graduated, as it were, under such former able secretaries as Mr J. B. Bussell, F. Andrews and J. B. McMillan, I feel confident Mr Whyte will keep the Club up to the popular standard it has reached.

While glancing over the Manawatu Bacing Club's annual report, I omitted to notice that Mr W. H. Haybittle had retired from the position of official timekeeper. This position he has occupied for the last 15 years, a lengthy service that he has faithfully discharged. Mr Haybittle has acted in a similar capacity for several other clubs in the Manawatu district, and his special knowledge of the intricacies of the chronograph enabled him to be very correct in recording the time for the races. Pressmen who have attended the Manawatu meetings will be sorry to hear that Mr Haybittle has retired from his old position, and as one who has long reported the Manawatu and district meetings, I have to add my appreciation of his invariable courteous manner whenever I enquired for the official time.

A lady friend of mine has dreamt that Chrystal won the Grand National Steeplechase.

It is a noteworthy fact that racing equine families have a winning turn, and several of the.same line of blood frequently win about the same time. At the Napier Bark meeting Kahurangi by Somnus-r-The Gem, by Painter Fides, won the Hurdle Bace. At the United Hunt Club meeting Bona Fide by Sou'wester —Fides, won the Hack Flat Bace, and cow we have word from America that Ivy by Castor— Veneration, by Patriarch—Fides, has won three races in the land of the Stars and Stripes.

Backers are awaiting the first acceptance for the N.Z. Cup which is due on Friday night, hence there has been little wagering on the Cup during the last week or so. The prevailing quotations average as follows : 100 —9 Skirmisher, North Atlantic. 100—8 Gipsy Grand, Magazine, Irish Twist. 100—7 Prime Warden, Pegasus, Mahaki. 100 —6 Impulse, Lord Zetland, Casket.

The threatened abolition of the totalisator has caused some uneasiness to members of racing* clubs, who will be seriously involved financially if the use of the machine is not legally allowed. A number of clubs have financial engagements to meet, which can be met if the totalisator percentage is not interfered with, but if Mr Carnell's Bill is not defeated some clubs will be placed in a very awkward fix. If members of Parliament had not been anxious to hear Mr Carnell speak to his resolution, they could have talked the resolution out and Ave would have heard no more of it. However, the resolution went to a division, and despite the statements that it was a catch motion, Mr Carnell had a substantial majority in favour of the abolition of the machine. But notwithstanding the statement from the Government that thty do not intend to abolish the totalisator, Mr Carnell has returned to the charge, and by a larger majority has obtained leave to introduce a Bill for the abolition of the main support of many racing clubs. If secretaries and members of clubs do not bestir themselves and hold meetings, and instruct the members for their districts to vote against Mr Carnell's proposed Bill, they will probably find when it is too late that they have large payments to make and have no reasonable hope of doing so owing to the abolition of the totalisator. Meetings of racing clubs should be held in every electoral district so as to strengthen the hands of those who are striving to retain the machine. The Eacing Conference have made a big reduction in the number of meetings to be held this season, and many clubs will have to fall back on their members to assist in paying off outstanding accounts for improvements, and it should be unnecessary for me to point out that there is quite sufficient financial trouble in the Colony without allowing Mr Carnell to cause further anxiety, especially to those who have become members of racing clubs, from which they do not receive nor do not expect any benefit. If racing clubs fail to watch over their own interest they will have only themselves to blame. With the number of " faddists " now in Partiament, one can hardly anticipate the result of this obnoxious Bill. Chrystal, who is engaged in the Grand National Steeplechase, was shipped to Lyttelton on Saturday. Secretaries of racing clubs are reminded that illustrated cards and programmes can be printed at the New Zealand Times Office at two hours' hours notice. Customers will find it the cheapest printing in the Colony,