TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 24

TURF GOSSIP.

BY TE WHITI. NEW ZEALAND NOTES. Tlie dates of nominations, acceptances and weights iu connection with the Winter Sleeting of the Hawke's Hay Jockey Club to bo held on the 21th and 26th June, are advertised in another column. Black and Red lias been supported for the New Zealand Cup for a few hundreds at 100 to 3. llarnardo is reported to bo jumpbag t-ho big fences on the Riccarton training track in great style, and is likely to prove a. worthy successor to Norton and Alma, both of whom when at the zenith of their fame were trained by 11, Luun. Australian paper; state there is a chance of Bombshell visiting their part of the globe during the coming spring. Frailty is in foal to llotehkiss this season. • • • • 'Three Star has gone into J. Rao's hands to be prepared for future engagements. The same trainer has Onga, by Herculaneuiii —Aconite (dam of Acone), and a three-year-old colt by Cap-a-pie from The Oiphau, in steady work. The full sister to St. Paul has been named St. Cecilia. Grenadier was sent down from Auckland as a real good tiling in (ho Hurdle Handicap run at the Avondale Meeting on Saturday last, A lot of money was got on locally, but tho winner turned up in llonovoreo, who surely started at a false price in such a weak Held, vi/„, 22.' to 1. Finding there was some difficulty in obtaining a permit for the race meeting in aid of llie Bruuner Relief Fund the Greynioutli Jockey Club gave up tho idea and handed a cheque for ,£SO to tho Mayor of Groymouth as a donation to tho Relief Fund. The Sfastorfon-Opaki havo lost no time in fixing the date of their meeting now they have tho necessary permit, and havo advertised a programme to take place on their course on Slay 29th. Jewel will in future be trained by 11. Lmin, tho Middleton mentor, who has leased the marc from her owner, Sir W. O. Rutherford.

Magazine is to be in li.lged in a short rest, and is then to be placed in Sir Slurray-Aynsley's hands to bo tried unco more at the jumping game.

Gondolier is in work again at Hastings and jumping as faultlessly as ever. The Plug is also making satisfactory progress as a juniper.

Messrs Harnett and Grant, tho wellknown Dunedin metallicians, have forwarded me a price-list of "probable" nominators for tho Now Zealand Cup; JJOO to 2) is offered on the field. The prices rang.: from 501) to 1 to 500 to 2 ), according to tho " goods," and at these prices plenty of punters will bo found eager to back their fancy. According to their calculations, 107 are likely to pay nomination fees for this year's Cup.

An aiiiti-ing incident occurred at tho Miramar Trots on Wednesday last. A well-known local sport, after inspecting tho machine an i finding Beauty a hot favourite, offered to bet a friend a sovereign that she would beat Blueno.se, who was paying at tho time an M divvy. The bet was accepted, and, thinking to make himself secure and stand on velvet, the sport put a pound on Bluenoso in. the tote. During the progress of tho race, when it was found that Bluenoso held everything else safe, a whisper went round that there would bo a protest against tho latter receiving' tho stake, and an argument at once ensued as to how tho wager went —first past tho post or with the stakes. It was finally decided that it went to first past the post. As tho protest was upheld, tho knowing one lost two pounds over the transaction, notwithstanding that he backed the winner. Tho loser came in for a lot of good-natured chaff after tho result of tho protest was made known.

Tho truth of tho old saying " Tho best laid schemes, &%" was never better exemplified than in the case of a trotting event which took place within a hundred miles of Wollington quite recently. The connectious of the ultimate winner (which was rightly regarded aa a certainty) sent

money away to be invested at tote odds to the extent of MO, and commissioned one of the party to invest a tonnei* on the machine, 9 of which was to be put on anything and one on the " correct pea," so as to ensure a decent dividend. For some unaccountable reason the public stood off the race and only one solitary pound was invested in the machine. The commissioner who was instructed not to put the money on the machine until the last minute, left it a little too late, the boll ringing while ho was still waiting. As tho winner was unbacked the solitary investor received back his money, less tho usual percentage, and the clever crowd received back their money less tho percentage. There was weeping and wailing after the race, and tho " gentleman" who got left was referred to in terms anything but polite by tho disappointed originators of the intended " coup."

Marino, in charge of Derrott, passed through Wellington the end of last week on his way to the Egmont and Wanganui meotings. Derrott is to ride the horse in his engagements. Being in first class condition and not having received more than his fair share of weight, Marino should give a good account of himself at the meetings.

Mr J. 0. Evett, tho Wanganui handicapper, was unduly severe on fjmslopogasa in the Trial Steeplechase for tho Birthday Meeting. To placo a hot so at the top of the handicap upon his first public appearance over sticks was an honour that his owner and trainer would decidedly not appreciate, and although Unslopogaas has some fair performances on tho flat to his credit, it is rather too much to ask him to give Freeborn, Lord Vivian and other fair performers over hurdles, weight in a crosscountry event. It is not surprising that Umslopogaas was not paid up with, for the event in question.

I notice several new aspirants for crosscountry honours entered for the Great Northern Steeplechase. Among those nominated are Tho Plug, Barnardo and Waituna, and in the Great Northern Hurdlo Kaco other strangers to jumping events appear—Panoply, Baddy O'Rorke, Fabulist, Chris, Umslopogaas, Acone, The Plug, Free Lance and others.

In tho course of an interesting chat which I had during last week with MiThomas Morrin (says "Phaeton"), who returned from Sydney by the mail steamer Monowai, I learned from the popular studmaster that during his stay in New South Walos ho paid a visit to Mrs James White's stud farm at Kirkham, where ho inspected Martini-Henry, Abercorn, and the imported Gossoon. Though 10 years have passed over Martini-Henry since he first saw tho light in Auckland, Mr Morrin says tho son of Musket is still as handsome as paint and carries his age remarkably well. Of tho three stallions at Kirkham, Mr Morrin g ves the palm to Martini-Henry, who, he says, is not receiving anything like tho number of mares he should have.

It transpires that the statement which has gained currency to tho effect that the Auckland handicapper, Mr J. 0. Evott, had refused to give an answer to tho Club's request for an expiation of his treatment of Stepfeldt in his adjustments at the late A.K.C. Meeting, is entirely without foundation, Mr Evett having sent his reply to tho Club, who are to consider tho matter at their next mooting. A paragraph having appeared in the New Zealand Mail to the effect that Mr Evett did not consider an answer to Mr L. I). Nathan's letter necessary, I make this correct ion in justice to Mr Evett, who considers that the alleged statement, if left uncontradicted, would create a wrong impression in tho minds of stewards of the other clubs he servo*, inasmuch as had such an answer as stated been aent by Mr Evett to the A.R.C., he would have been wanting in respect to that body. ROUND THE WORLD. Lord Randolph, by Nowminstor—Primrose, cost 2300 guineas as a yearling, and, after proving a duller on the turf, he has ]ustbeen disposed of for 200 guineas as a station sire.

They run a cigar kiosk on the Randwick course. It was tried for tho first time at tho recent A.J.C. Meeting, and proved a great success.

Mr W. Allan, tho well-known Victorian vet, reports that the steeplechaser Daimio is quite sound again. The splint which was on tho outside of the off fore-leg has been removed, and the wound is rapidly healing.

D. Cook, the Sydney light-weight jockey, was suspended at the late A.J.C. Meeting for three months. Cook was reported to the stewards by Ellis for interfering with his mount Acmona in tho Place Handicap.

James Gough, the St. Albans first horseman, had fivo winning mounts in Mr W. R. Wilson's colours at the recent A.J.C. Meeting.

Newhaven has gone into tho hands of the veteran trainer Walter Hickenbotham, to be prepared for his spring engagements, including the V.R.C. Derby. His new owners, Messrs Jones and Cooper, contemplate a trip to tho Old Country this month, but the former will return in time to seo the colt (should ho train on) run in his spring events. Thus'a South African paper: The announcement that Sir Hercules Robinson intends to again give his patronage to racing as an owner will be appreciated by all true sportsmen. We may yet see the white, pink spots carried to victory in a Johannesburg Handicap.

It may not bo generally known that Pungan, tho winner of tho Onkaparinga

' and South Australian Tattersall's Club ] steeplechases, was once offered to a buyer for export, who is a capital judge, and • refused at the modest sum of ,£l(3, on ' account of a splint which disfigured one of 1 tho horse's forelegs, but which has evidently not interfered much with his galloping or jumping. It would cost a little more to buy tho son of old Wellington to-day.

Mr W. T. Jones writes me ("Ribbleden") that prior to beginning tho investigation into the running of Newhaven in the Champagno Stakes, tho chairman of the A.J.C. informed him that the stewards did not for one moment think that Mr W. Cooper or Mr Jones wero in any way responsible for the colt's failure in the Champagne Stakes. And after hearing the evidence the stewards were perfectly satisfied that as far as jockey and trainer wero concerned there was nothing wrong, but that the race was lost through " flash " riding and over-confidence on Ettridgo's part. This seems the only solution of Newhaven's disgrace. Thinking ho had the'race won, Ettridge,as " Ribbleden " put if, "took a view of tho scenery" at the distance and let his mount slow down. Before ho knew where he was Coil dashed past, and there being no time to get Newhaven galloping again the race was lost.

Auraria, Wallace and Waterfall, the three-year-old cracks of the spring, are all moie or less under a cloud. Wallace outlasted tho others, and went through his A.J.C. meeting, but from what 1 can hear, says "Terlinga," Carbine's gallant son was in no condition to race on Saturday. His injuries are not believed to bo of a serious nature, and the racing he got after he bruisep his heel in the Sydney Cup may not mar his future career, but the colt was not fit to be sent home on Monday, and 11. Munro remained in Sydney with him. Strathniore, probably the best horse Mr Wilson ever owned, never got over the gruelling he got at Randwick in tin; autumn of 181)2, and thousands of people will bo sorry if Wallace is missing at Flemington next November. When Auraria returned to Adelaide after the Champion Race Mr James intended trying to win the S.A.J.C. St. Legor, but I. see lie has given up this idea, and the little Melbourne Cup winner is to get a spell.

The demand that has arisen in England for the famous Musket stock is responsible for the deportation of Mr S. Ilordern's brown horse Carbonado by the steamship Orizaba, says the Sydney Mail. Carbonado, who is by Musket's son, Hotchkiss, from Onyx (dam of Nordenfeldt), by Angler from Chrysolite (imp.), is a splendid specimen of the thoroughbred, and has been doing duty at the Wilton Park stud, whore several beautifully-shaped colts bear evidence of his excellence as a sire. Owing to the number of Nordenfeldt mares at Wilton Park, Mr Hordern lias determined to introduce fresh strains of blood, and consequently has decided to send Carbonado to England, whore he should have no difficulty of disposing of such a handsome and well-bred animal. The horse will be aecompaeied by Mr M. Power, who lias the management of the Wilton Park Stud, and who will during his sojourn in England select a couple of thorough-bred horses to take tho places of Carbonado and the defunct Nordenfeldt at tho stud. Carbonado was safely shipped on tho steamship Orizaba, and his voyage to England should bo a comfortable one, for the box in which he travels is one of tho most commodious and well-appointed that has ever left this port.

In addition to Mr S. Horden's thoroughbred horse Carbonado, the steamship Orizaba will take to England tho Victorian champion steeplechaser Daimio, who goes to measure strides with the crack crosscountry horses of the old country. 11. Cutts, who lias been in the employment of the Melbourne trainer Frew, accompanies the horse to England, where the wellperformed son of Swiveller will occupy a box in W. Nightingale stables at South Hatch, Epsom,

A nice point was raised (says "Goodwood") at Meutone, as to the eligibility of Patricia to start in the Jumpers' Flat Pace. Tho event was confined to "approved hurdle and steeplechase horses that have started in any hurdle race or steeplechase." When nominated for the race Patricia was not eligible, never having started in a jumping event, but her owner thought the necessary qualifying could be done by allowing her to run in the Hurdle Race, which was run before the Jumpers' Flat Pace, and she was started accordingly, and shaped well enough to indicate that she is likely to prove a success at the game. C. F. Robertson weighed out for her for tho Flat Race, but the stewards, in view of the fact that she was not qualified when entered, refused to allow her to start. There was sonio difference of opinion among racing men as to tho correctness of

tho decision on tho merits of tho case, but the insertion of the word " approved " in the conditions, of course, gave the stewards the option of withholding their consent to the mare competing.

J. Ewart, who has just returned from England, informs "Terlinga" that an Australian hurdle-racer is the kind of animal required to win a steeplechase in England. Ewart was at Sandown Park and Kempton Park when jumping meetings were going on. Nearly all the jumps consist of a rail about two foot high, with about two feet or three feet of brush on top, and sometimes a ditch. The accomplished 'chaser goes through tho brush, but Norton, who ran at ono of the meetings Ewart saw, persisted in jumping over the brush, with tho result that ho lost ground at each obstacle. Ilickoy, the Now Zealand rider, told Ewart: that all tho courses he had seen wero like Sandown and Kempton, but ho had not been to Aintroe, where tho Grand National is run.

Says a writer in the Sportsman : —Wallace went out to win the A.J.C. Plate on four feet, but returned with bnt three and a half. He lost half or a quarter of one of his hoofs on the way. I visited the distinguished patient and found him getting along famously under Hughie Munro's care. He was just getting over a dose of physic, ami couhl move about. For two days he couldn't move at ail, so great was the pain he was in. Munro expects the crack will be well enough to return home in a day or two.

N.S.W. Tattersall's Club had a most important case referred to them last week. A well-known owner of racehorses, says a Sydney contemporary, entrusted a commissioner, almost equally well known, to back for him a certain horse to win £SOO, The horse in question won, but after the race the commissioner regretted that he had not fulfilled the contract entrusted to him, and had only won his principal £l/5. The parties interested referred the matter, as stated, to Tattersall's, and they decided that the owner was entitled to receive from bis commissioner tho difference between £175 and 17)00.

Response had everything in her favour in the April Stakes, says " Umpire." A small field, lenient treatment, and a clear run, but once again she disappointed her owner. It has been rumored that she is to be sent to the stud, ami perhapi Mr O'Brien would find it pay to adopt that course with her, as lie must have dropped a nice sum over the mare's failures in the past, and if he keeps her in tiaining she is pretty sure to show him something in private that will cause him to further add to his losses.

Says the sanr: authority :—The Now Zealand mare Lad) bird was a lot better jumper than any of the other competitors in the hurdle race, but she was scarcely well enough to do herself justice at the finish, after fighting for her head for about a mile and a half. She hurt herself soon after her arrival in Sydney, and lias doue little work since, which accounts for her failure under such a light impost as Ost 71b, but when thoroughly wound up more than one race may go to her credit unless our handicappers considerably alter their opinions as to her merits,