TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1293, 10 December 1896, Page 25

TURF TOPICS.

[By " Silverspur." That sensational turf scandal cabled over from Melbourne reads like a passage from a sporting novel. If the facts are as stated it was a very neatly worked swindle, and the alleged cleverness of the owner must have cost the bookie interested a nice sum. It isn't very surprising that the bookie should have eagerly snapped up the offer of stiffening a favourite, more especially as it was a well-known performer, and the meeting was a big one with plenty of betting money available. Hi 3 eagerness to lay the dead 'un caused suspicion to be directed towards the animal, and when he told his brother metallicians about the little arrangement they rushed in to get some of the spoil and secrecy was then out of the question. Matters of this sort are bound to leak out sooner or later, and this case proved no exception. The sight of a " dead 'un " winning must have given the layers a great shock, and the owner and trainer, no doubt netted a good sum. Two heads are always better than one, and the trainer's horse-disguising idea was very sweet in its way. The bookmaker could not have been very well acquainted 'with the animal he " bought" or he would not have been deceived by a coat of paint. There is a certain element of humour about dosing an animal for a race for which he was never entered,*but bookie was apparently satisfied and paid over a good cheque to the owner for the privilege of being able to lay the supposed " dead 'un " to an unsuspecting public. The layer never dreamt of being taken in in such a bare-faced fashion, and now that attention has been called to the case some interesting disclosures may likely be made in regard to other swindling incidents. The apathy displayed by the V.R.C. is somewhat remarkable. The committee must have known about the matter, particularly as it has been common talk in Melbourne sporting circles ever since the Cup Meeting. The paper that has drawn attention to the matter has performed a public duty. In cases of this sort there is always danger of a libel action being brought against a journal that is too candid, and whether it wins or not the costs bill is always heavy. The action of Hayes against the Australasian was a case in point. It is a great pity the press isn't at liberty to expose the many turf swindles that come under its notice ; the sport would be much cleaner, and the interests of the public would be better conserved. Colonial newspapers are not as outspoken as those of America. A man who expresses his opinion out here has to pay for it.

The win of Mahaki in the St. Andrew's Handicap at Feilding was accomplished in rather hot time, 2tnin 38 3-ssecs being very fast for that course. Steppe's son wasn't at his best when he raced at the Hutt; it was apparent that he would be in better form later on, but it was not altogether expected that he would crop up so soon. Leda was the more fancied for the race in question, but could not catch the black in the finishing drive up the straight. He was giving Davis' mare ten pounds, and although ho may be that much above her I think Leda will improve a great deal in the near future. Rip Van Winkle is about due for a race soon. He ran third, and would have paid a nice dividend had he annexed the stake. The pace was a trifle too much for him, I fancy. A lot of money was invested on Lorelei in AVellingtoii, but she never had any say in the race at all. Errand Boy was fancied after his running at the Hutt to Armilla, but he didn't look so well as he did in Wellington, and shaped none too well in his race. He ran fourth just in front of Swift. On the second day Leda got home in the Manchester Handicap, of a quarter mile less, and sent a good sum of money to Wellington backers. Lorelei was once again backed here, but had to be satisfied with second, while Rip Van Winkle chased them in. The finish was a close one and at one time the stake appeared to be destined for Wanganui.

Doubles were the order at Feilding, Glenelg winning both hurdle races, Gold Cup the Shorts and the Flying, and Titoki two hack races. Glenelg was very fit, and a stone extra on the second day didn't extinguish his chance. Eangipai gave him a hot battle on the second occasion, however, and he was returned by only half a length. Jack Rollo brought Prairie Grass up from Hawke's Bay, but he failed to score. He was almost , neglected in the machine on the second day. Conscript had nothing to complain of in the matter of weight, but was not deemed to have any sort of a chance. On the second day there were only 15 on him. Napoleon was the public fancy, but he could do no better than third.

There were a pretty good lot of hacks saddled at Feilding, including some that raced at the Hutt recently. Titoki is by Puriri — Brown Leaf, and doesn't seem to mind a bit of weight. JBetuni, second oft

the first day, beat Emerald on the day following, and a couple of Wellington sports who had a fiver on him got a pleasant dividend of £7 10s. Jack Belcher had more bad luck with Sedgebrook, but managed to get a win with the grey, Ascot Vale, by Ascot —Waitotara. Slumber, the Danevirke mare, raced well enough to get second. She is not quite fit yet, and maybe due for a race in a very short time. Light, who carried 9st 21b behind the pair mentioned, was just in front of a bunched up field, of which Indian Shot was the best fancied.

Had he been ridden differently Aquafortis might have won both hack hurdle events at Fielding. He was kept back in his first race, and came like a bullet out of a gun when it was too late, almost dead heating En. Evant for second place. Next day peojue tumbled to his ability and made him favourite with the result that he won by three lengths in a field of seven, and paid very little. The Hawke's Bay mare Erena was second.

The Woodville Racing Club intends enlarging the totalisator house on its course, and erecting a platform for the convience of the public outside the enclosure. It is also intended to top dress the course and fill in the stalls. The club's next meeting will be held on the 2nd and 3rd February. Mr. Harry Piper has been appointed starter, and two totalisators are to be used.

There were only five starters for the Sandhurst (Vic.) Cup this year, but four were well backed. Hose Noble being the outsider of the party. 'Homespun was most in demand, but 2 to 1 was freely offered on trie field. Cohort tried to win from end to end, but in the last hundred yards tired to nothing, and Kallara came away and won rather comfortably from Canoona. Homespun was going well at the finish, but was kept rather far out of his ground, and the best he could do was to obtain a good third. Kallara is trained at Ballarat. On the same day the Christchurch mare, Golden Fleece, by Stoneyhurst —Golden Crest, teat Jubilant and five others in the Miners Handicap Flat race. She won by four lengths, her starting price being 11 to 2. The Wanganuibred chestnut, Vagrant, by Gipsy King— Barbara, led all tiie way in the Watson Plate, and won without an effort by four lengths.

At Newmarket recently a common subject of conversation was the weight that Sir Visto carried in the Jockey Club Stakes ; 10st 21b was declared to be above " racing weights," and wo were told to look out for wonderful things from him in the Cambridgeshire, where he only had to carry Bst 101 b. The 3ame complaint was made in the case of Melton, a Derby winner, and there were some wh/> maintained that at 6st 71b each Melton would have been the equal of Ormonde. Yet Melton carried top weight to victory in a back-end handicap in 1880. The French handicappers have set Omnium 11. to carry list 111 b in a mile and three-quarters race, the bottom weight only carrying Ost lib, a difference of sst 71b. Once, when the bottom weight in handicaps- was ost 71b, in a back-end handicap the original weight, without any penalty assigned to the top weight, was lOst 31b, a difference of 4st 101 b. Why has handicapping on these "popular principles" gone out of the fashion in England ? There was a winner of a Nursery handicap named King's Cross trained at Kingsclero. He was allowed to start at 20 to 1 because his trainer declared that Friar's Balsam, also a two-year-old, was ost better. Racing writers often speak cf a handicapper's delight when the top weight wins. Any handicapper can make the top weight win, unless he should fall down deado* Again, in amateur handicapping, one sometimes hears pony race stewards in India crowing, " Well, wasn't that a good finish P" " Yes," they are told ; " it was a close finish between the three top weights. When you handicap on popular principles you may get a close finish betwen a top weight, a middle weight and a bottom weight." A former editor of the Malta Chronicle was very keen on this point, so they arranged a distance handicap, three-quarters of a mile, for him, best 14 hands pony in the ishvnd at lOst to start scratch, start to be given or deducted for weight carried, inches measured, and known racing merits. The Malta Chronicle writer, who was a captain in the Royal Artillery, declared to ride 17st 101 b, his mount being a 15.2 pony. He was given 400yds start, next behind him being a 13st rider on a 13.2 pony, with 320yds start. He told everybody he would win in a canter, and so he did, his pari-mutuel price being 7t02 in a field of 20. The pony did not mind it a bit. There was some hitch at the finish about there not being weights enough to weigh in with, but equally, the rider could not have weighed out. But there was no question about this pony's having carried well oVer 17st. Those who saw Quinlon win the Ebor Handicap under racing weights, and saw Quinlon beaten over three miles on the fiat last spring under National Hunt weightSj declare there was precious little difference in the pace of the two races.

At the Barrackpur (India) races on 25th October a number of Australian horses were in evidence. The Chester horse Denman, with Bst 51b up, won the Barrackpur Stakes, one mile, from half a dozen others (all Australians), in lmin 48sec; and, later on, he annexed the Selling Plate, five furlongs, from seven others, making all his own running, and winning easily in lmin Gsec. The Australian ponies Stowaway, Little Lady 11., Blackboy and Climy also teamed winning brackets at the meeting.

The Ashurst Guineas second payments of 1897 inoludes a oh f by :Fo*eWf**Ter :

bose; Gipsy Queen, by Gipsy King—Steel All ; b g by Foul Shot—Gladiator mare ; Sister Ellen, by Tireur—Dolly ; Turi Turi, by Mutual—Daphne; Discount, by Exchange ; g f by Tim Whiffler —Morpheus mare; Wynona, by Forester, Merlin— Vanity mare ; br f by Forester —Potango ; ch c by Strenuous—White Rose; b g by Cap-a-pie—Leita; blk f by Forester — Empress . b f by Vanguard—Little Vixen; Derry, by-Derringer—Nectarine; Te Whakariki, by Cast Off—Otaki.

Blarney was a very strong tip for the Kiwitea Stakes which he won at Feilding. There was a good field, but Flatter's son was hinted about as a certainty. I don't like these red hot morals myself, but in this case the Hawke's Bay horse proved that he wasn't over estimated, and paid a dividend of three shillings less than three pounds.

The well-known breeder and sportsman, Mr Henry Barnes, of Dyraaba, New South "Wales, died the other day. Mr Barnes, who was born in Cumberland, England, arrived in New South Wales 54 years ago, and was for a time associated with Mr T. 11. Smith in breeding thoroughbred stock at Gordon Brook, near Grafton. The sires in the stud" included Kelpie, Anteros, Captivator and Rainsworth. Subsequently Mr Barnes took to breeding horses on his own accord at Dryaaba, and from the loins of July, Orlando, Sweet William, Ad Valorem, Aza and Aberdeen, sprang many useful racehorses. St. Blaize was also in the stud, but he had only been acquired recently. ' Mr Barnes's colours —ruby jacket, with gold sash —were often seen on the racecourse, and with Faunus, Ag?«, Sirius, Melanion, Fernando, &c.—all his own breed-ing—-he won many races. Mr Barnes also bred Proctor, by Warlike from Prioress, who, alter showing good form in Queensland, was bought by the late Mr John Eales for 1300 guineas ; but unfortunately he met With an accident, and never sported the Dunckenfield Park colours. At the time of his death Mr Barnes, who was a frequent visitor to Randwick, was nearly 80 years of age.

There is a largo entry for the Perth Cup this year, including some good horses. St. Albans is represented, but it is unlikely that Havoc will start with lOst. Trentham has 9st lib. Among the top weights appears the names of Straightfire, The Merry Boy and Laundress. In the Railway Stakes on the third day, Havoc is given lOst 111 b, the minimum weight being 6st 91b.

The Great Northern Derby this year should be a most interesting racing spectacle if the majority of those who have made second payments go to the post. Mr Ormond has left Dauntless in, but wmether he will race or not is not definitely known. Some of his opponents are scorchers, and two or three appear to have xmdeniable chances.,; Take St. Paul, for instance. Pie has done everything required of him, and is said to be better than Day Star. That may be just a northern opinion, but •certain it is that he is a first-class colt. Then there is Armilla. She Won the Oaks at Christchurch comfortably, and a double at Wellington. An easier win than hers in the Exhibition Cup could scarcely be imagined. If she is well she must take no end of beating. Day Star's name appears In the list, but he is a doubtful starter if what I hear is correct. His lameness threatens to put him in the paddock. If he is really bad, I don't thins the stable would be so injudicious as to race him. He is a colt whose real value we do not know. Had he been well at the cup meeting down south some idea of his quality may have been obtainable. Uniform, and Epaulet represent Mr Stead ; a couple of good 'uns, no doubt;, but somehow I think the money will remain in Auckland. Both would likely not start in any case. The appearance of Tire adds an element of interest to the battle. The little fellow is a galloper, and I hear ho is well. They say that he would have shaped much butter than he did in the A.J.C. Derby, won by his stable mate Charge, had the race been run differently. However, I don't'altogether think Tin' is partial to heavy weights, but he may bo quite good enough for the contingent he will meet in the race under review. Trainer Mouaghan's foreman has brought McGollan's colt across, expecting, no doubt, to score a decent win or two before returning. It is hard to form an idea, as to the relative capabilities of St. Paul, Day Star, Armilla, Tire, and the best of Stead's. Tire may start favourite, and should nearly win. If ho doesn't his .Sydney connections will got an eyeope i er.

The new Parliament contains a number of "well-known racing men who may bo deponded upon to look after the interests of the sport when occasion requires. A great many turfites were watching the progress of the polling on election night, and the

remarks made in reference to some of the •defeated candidates wore not altogether complimentary. The defeat of Samuel t-Carnell for Napier seemed to be quite •appreciated by a great many who remembered his attempts to abolish the totalisator last session. Others who supported that measure when before the House are out of the now Parliament, and, from a racing standpoint, they won't bo very much missed. The three Hawke's Bay members are, it is almost superfluous to say, devoted to the sport. Captain Russell's return had been doubted, but the polling figures surprised even himself. Mr George Hunter, who comes to Moleswoith street for the first time, is one of the straightest racing men in New Zealand. He is one of the committee ol the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, and has owned a few good ones, notably, Cynisca and Whisper. Mr Hunter is a young man, devoted to squatting pursuits, who takes a great interest ' in sport of all kfud. The turf is

on the whole well represented in the new House, and it needs to be. I must not, by the way, close this topic without congratulating Mr T. M/ Wilford, Wellington's well-known sporting barrister, on his victoiy in the Wellington Suburbs election. He fought hard and well, and defeated a strong Opposition candidate.

The system inaugurated by the Dunedin Jockey Club of bracketing two horses on the machine if they are the property of one owner has been advocated in these columns, and when tried for the first time the other day gava satisfaction, in so far as satisfaction could be given. It won't make any perceptible difference to owners in the long run, and the public will heartily approve of the idea. A wellknown Wellington sport, with whom I was conversing on the subject, said he did not know what to make of the proposal, and he remarked that there were a great many owners in a similar fog. As a matter of fact they hadn't given the question serious consideration. Owners will no doubt consider it when they have two starting in a race at a meeting where the system is in vogue. If they are " straignt " in their racing operations it won't matter, but if they are not, well—. Bracketing may yet become universal ; the D.J.C. have inserted the thin end of the wedge with satisfactory results, and as the ruling of the Racing Conference does not appear to be absolutely required other clubs may follow suit. The only thing 1 that would have to be guarded against would be in cases where an owner of two horses entered one of them in someone else's name. I don't know that very much would be gained by that, but turf people are a peculiar crowd; they do things, no matter whether there is anything to be gained or not. The bracketing system could well be tried up North here, where there is so much hack racing. It often occurs that the machine in use is too small, and something has to be bracketed. In cases where two come from one stable even the system, could be worked, and there would not be so much grumbling as if two horses from different stables were placed on the ona ticket.

The A.R.C. Great Northern Foal Stakes has a good crowd of contestants this year, but a number may not go to the post. It seems to bo practically a battle between Hawke's Bay, Christchurch and Auckland. The best of the Aucklanders may or may not be Coronet, who is said to be very speedy. Multiform will in all probability go up from the South, and start a hot favourite. I certainly should stand him before Sir Launcelot, but there are a few others in the list who are unknown in the matter of galloping form. Most of them are in the six furlongs Royal Stakes event as weil, but as the three year olds engaged are avowedly a bit above the usual the stakes may go to one of the older division.

Stewards on the other sido have no sinecure if they carry out their duties in a straightforward manner, and take heed of the crooked practices that are being continually' carried on. They do take a hand now and again when something suspicious is on the board, but not as often as they might, and the great crowd who race for money swindle with impunity. Their nefarious practices a,re brought to light occasionally, but explicit evidence is required for conviction. Drastic measures would no doubt act as a deterrent to a great extent, the passing of a few out for life, for instance. But these are seldom adopted, and when disqualification for a stated period is imposed, the chances are that those concerned, if they possess influence, get it removed before expiry of the time.

Besides the scandal referred to elsewhere, a Melbourne paper makes allusion to a combination, which, it say-:, h is been at work at the registered race meetings around Melbourne, with the object of making certain horses "safe." in a race through their jockeys. In plainer words, it has become a notorious scandal that this small but powerful combination has induced jockeys to pull their horses so that tho way might bo ebaied for the victory of the particular horse backed by the combination. This influence was at work, it is stated, in tho Patricia race, and in the statement obtained by Messrs Fraser and Wright-, the names are mentioned of poisons who are alleged to have pulled the strings in this particular case. This then, appears to be an instance where there is achance of sheeting home the responsibility in one of the numerous cases of swindling in connection with racing, and for the. credit of the turf it is to Ix 7 hoped that the V.Ii.C. committee will go into the matter in a thorough style, and, if satisfied i fiat the case is made out, place it beyond the power of the persons concerned to ever again cany out their practices—on registered courses at any rate.

Another little squabble over totalisator odds investments reaches me. A commit-tee-man of a certain North Island club was challenged at a meeting tho other night with having sent away something over a tenner to a bookmaker in connection with a. certain race instead of investing it on the machine as he ought to have done. There was a great row, I believe, and the accused member left the room in high dudgeon, averring that more would Tbe heard of the matter.

The exportation of colonial blood-stock is receiving a great deal of attention just now, more particularly since it has been decided to send Newhaven and one or two more Home. A Melbourne writer is asking if we are not overdoing it. He points out that Carbine, Trenton, Carnage, Newhaven, and now Merman are lost to us, or, rather, the two latter stallions will be before the present racing season has terminated. In addition to these cracks, fully half a dozen first-class Mabriland entires

are now in England. As a set-off against this, it may be contended that we have also imported some of the beautifully-bred English stallions—Bill o' Portland, Eridspord, Pilgrim's Progress, Haut Brion, and Padlock to wit, amongst others. But deprecating the slightest desire to pose as an alarmist, he really fails to see where the substantial set-off comes in. We are practically only getting the culls of the English harems. They are getting the pick of ours. They (the English breeders) are sending us what they don't want, and what they can spare themselves. We are sending them what we. really cannot afford to lose, and what the colonial breeders certainly cannot spare.

The Secretary of the Wairarapa Racing Club informs me that the declaration of weights for their next meeting will be made on the 17th inst instead of the 9th as originally announced.

The defections from the Auckland Cup are —The Possible, Acone, Waiuku, Sabretache, Bonny Blue, Defiance, Bellicent, Man o' War, Woodstock, Lord Roslyn, New Forest, Voltigeur, Swordfish, Korowai, The Master and Lady Anna. Fifteen are left in, and the contest appears to be fairly open, though as the day approaches we may be able to form a more definite opinion as to the likely result. The top weight, Fabulist, hasn't much to carry in Sst 61b, and if he is as good as he has been l-epresentcd to be the race ought to be his. He should be greatly improved on his Christchurch running, if he has been coming on at all. St. Paul will likely have a strong following, and if he is a really good three-year-old, Sst stone should not stop him. St. Hippo won Avith Sst 91b in the year when Merganser was a starter, but then he had a hot record, and in the previous November had annexed the New Zealand Cup. It was known he could stay, but whether a two-mile jaunt will suit St. Paxil is nob generally conceded. However, the handieapper's opinion is that he is a 31b better horse over the Cup distance than Day Star, who put up a couple of good wins at Hawke's Bay in October, However, as Day Star is under a cloud, I am afraid ho won't be saddled. Mahaki is the nominal pick for the race since his Feilding victory, but I cannot say I am enamoured of his chance. On the score of weight he is certainly well favoured ; he has incurred no penalty, but I think I would prefer St. Paul, who is on the same mark, or Fabulist, if the latter is well. Epaulet may be a starter, and if he has come on at all a two-mile go, with an advantage of 81b from St. Paul and Mahaki, may suit him better than most people imagine. I can't say that Lotion presents himself to my mind as a likely, nor does llaria, and then we come to a former Cup winner in Pegasus, who is capable of doing anything - . Horses of this stamp, in my opinion, are best left alone. They may pay a big dividend now and again, but it costs a littie fortime to get. The seven in the second column are headed by Anita, and, from a racing aspect, they do not look a very choice lot. Ono or two of them may be served by their light weights, but then nothing engaged is weighted heavily, so that this need not be taken into consideration. One of them, Quick Fire, taices the eye as a possible outsidar, but I am told that she has been a racing failure so far. The breeding, Carbine-Hestia, is good enough, at any rate, and though I scarcely expect to see her materialise there is always the chance. Some of the others I know nothing of. At present I favour the prospects of St. Paul and Epaulet.

In the matter of early two-year-old racing, a much-discussed subject a while back, it is only fair to draw attention to the fact that since August all the leading events on the other side have fallen to horses who began active duty in the vory opening of their first seasons. Cremorne, the Caulfield Cup here, now eight years old, and as sound as the Bank of England, took part at Rand wick in the first youngsters' races of his year. Newhaven carried. silk in August, as did also The Officer. Betwixt them the latter pair accounted for a Guineas, Derby, Cup, etc., lately, and both remain in the best of fix. Also, says the tiporlamun Auraria was seen out in Adelaide very early as a juvenile, and she afterwards, amongst other things, got away with the race of races. That she went wrong subsequently counts for little, as the preparation she had to through for her Cup was quite enough for to account for one of her sex and age for some time. Early two-year-old racing may have some of the drawbacks claimed against it, but they are only slight, and the rule bearing <>a the •natter could have been heft uninterfered with without any great harm being done. —The last sentence of the above I do not agree with. Early juvenile racing is most pernicious, and the V.R.C. would assuredly not have wiped it out had they not held that opinion. Youngsters wdio have been raced off their legs don't last long on the turf, and are not benefited by the experience when they go to the stud.

Picking - the wdnner of tho Wellington Cup at this early stage would be a very lucky shot. There are a great many apparently endowed with a show, and until owners declare their intentions it is almost impossible to pick one that appears to bo better in than anything - else. The handicapper started high enough in lOst with Euroclydon, who may be deserving of every pound, but his owners do not care to tilt at handicap company under such circumstances. Lady Zetland is deemed a 51b worse animal than the big four-year-old, but on what basis tho computation has been arrived at I do not know. At any rate the handicap is high enough to please the most fastidious of turfites who are continually railing against the " flattering " system. There are a great many in who have very light weights, but tho majority are rather trashy gallopers. Tho

Possible has not accepted for the Auckland Cup, and may not accept in this event; neither will Acone, but Mahaki looks to have a good chance with Sst Gib. I would prefer him over a mile and a half to two miles. Sb. Paul is adjudged the best of the three-year-olds, and perhajs rightly so. Panoply appears with Sst opposite his name, and if I am not mistaken the Sydney animal will have a very respectable show if he is fit. His stable is represented by other animals, and acceptance day will disclose whether there is a likelihood of Panoply starting. Another " foreigner " who may have a much better show, however, is Trentalto, who belongs to Mr Ormond. This animal has a stone the best of the weights, and may be the stable representative on the day. Those below Trentalto haven't very high credentials, but Co3ur de Lion is said to be a finelooking animal of promise. Ic is about time Captain Eussell won an event of importance.

The complaints forwarded to the Auckland Racing Club by owners dissatisfied with Mr Evett's treatment of their horses are additional evidence, if such were needed, of what a handicapper has to put up with. An adjuster of weights may take criticism to heart just like any ordinary individual, but he shouldn't, and very few do. It is a thing one can get accustomed to, and if a handicapper does take notice of everything that is said he is likely to live a very poor life. Criticism is, of course, quite justifiable, and when glaring mistakes are mr.de they should be pointed out. And owners have more right to complain than anyone else. The particulars of the complaints against the A.K.C. handicapper weren't available, but they were no doubt of the usual character. The committee were placed in a peculiar position. They had to either express their confidence in their officer, or ask him his reasons for treating the animals mentioned as he did. The result was that they adopted the former course. It may often seem inexplicable to some followers of the horse why handicappers should deal with some animals as they do, but they doubtless have their own private reasons, and if they were called upon for explanations and told the plain truth, their " reasons " would be extremely interesting. Animals are not always handicapped on form, and they may be given a few pounds extra occasionally because they belong to "dangerous" stables, but I think some also now and again get a little additional consideration when they do not shape as well as they should. There are no doubt occasions upon which animals are allegedly still' when they are nothing of the kind. The handicapper has to exercise a keen judgment in matters of this sort, and if he makes mistakes it cannot be helped ; it would be impossible for him to be always right. There are some owners who allege that they never get a show, and that a (perhaps) specified handicapper has a "down" on them, but their alleg-ations are not always justified by facts. There may exist some cases of the kind, but I know of none personally, and would be the first to call attention to them if I did.

SHOELETS. The Painter mare Hagar has dropped a colt fcal to Gipsy King 1 . Revolution got a bad knocking 1 about at the last Hutt Meeting - , and may not race for some time. The father of bookmaker Oxenham died at Bathurst the other day. The Wairarapa mare Selma has been retired owing- to injuries received. Woodville Jockey Club intend posting defaulting- owners who fail to pay up by the New Year.

A two-year-old colt, Beware, by Lochiel —Vespasia, attracted some attention at the Newcastle (N.S.W.) races the other day. He is a dark bay with black points, of great length, and splendidly ribbed up. Little Tire has come across from Sydney to race in the Great Northern Derby and probably other events. People who saw him beat Delaware and Courallio at Randwick as a two-year-old, over a hot mile, won't forget the performance in a hurry. The American trotters Wilmington and Companion were sold at Auckland the other day, realising 29 and 30 guineas respectively. The name of Foudroyant has been given the Nelson —Florence colt.

Neurasthenippoiiskolesterizo is the name given to a hoive in England. A. Wellington admirer of Lorelei took a couple of hundred about her for the Cup as soon ;i-j the weights :ippeared.

What about St.. Paul and St. Simon for Auckland Cup and S'eeple ? Mmbournites are complaining that " Tattc-rsall " Ad mis ruiissuial! sweeps on Sydney events and leaved M ;i>,K>.t;..' I:; the cold.

Another starting 1 machine h.is heen invented by a resident of Bourko, N.S.W. Westralian people are now buying- blood stock largely in Melbourne. The handicapper had his weather eye on Earshot when ho gave him 7st 'Jib in the Wellington Cup. Mr George Hill, Marvel's owner, is still in a very bad wa;y. Bridal Morn, half sister to the once sensational Tradition is now running' on the Melbourne side.

There are 17 weighted for the Wellington Cup who carry between 7 and 8 stone, and the winner may come from that division. Motallicians in Tasmania aro publicly stating that the Government of that colony aro suppressing bookmakers for the alleged advancement of the interests of " Tattorsall."

Molly Hawk looks to have more than an outside show in the Auckland Steep'e. Skirmisher, who whipped in in a held of eleven at Dunedin, will have to improve wonderfully to have a show in Wellington Cup. Long distance racing is still the vogue in Franco. Omnium 11. won the l J l*ix

of three miles seven furlongs recently 'by lengths. iJoW liotM some of our New fly-by-nights like a journey of that sort : Coil, Newhaven's conquerer last year, is now being spelled. Llanthony (by Ormonde), for whom 2000 guineas was refused l&gt year at Home, has now been sold for 400 guineas. Disappointed hopes ! The Sydney horse Valiant (Antaeus Vic) is in work again. Totalisator speculation in France during the '95 season totalled £6,520,000, and the 7 per cent, prescribed by law produced £456,000, out of which the societies entitled to 4 per cent, took £263,000.