RACING CHATTER

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1510, 7 February 1901, Page 42

RACING CHATTER

BY "ADVANCE.”

The Pa-hiatua Racing Club have raced for the last time, on their present course, which has been in use for seven years. They have purchased a ground on the main coach road about two miles south of Pahiatua on the way to Eketahuna. The property is 62 acres in extent and has been purchased from Mr G. Avery at £25 per acre. It has been in grass for some time and is at present used for grazing dairy cattle. The stumping of the track is almost completed, and the formation of the course will be started immediately. The course will be one mile and half a furlong in circumference and 100 feet wide. There will be about ten acres available for saddling paddock, and other enclosures. During the club’s recent meeting a party of visiting owners, Mr H. Piper and your representative, were shown oyer the property by Mr R. Smith (President), Mr O. Cooper (vice-president), and Mr R. P. Greville (surveyor). The latter produced the plans of the course and several suggestions were made as to

improA T ements to the turns of the course, positions of the enclosures, etc. The land consists of a rich allm-ial flat and is considered to be as good as any in the district. A more suitable place for a racecourse would be difficult to find. It is intended *to race on the iigav course next year. Mr William SAvale’s .appeal against the Southland Racing Club’s disqualification of himself and his horse Zeehan for a year and W. Pine (jockey) for three months, said disqualification being imposed for inconsistent running, came before the Dunedin Metropolitan Committee last week, and, evidence haAung been taken, the matter was adjourned to the Ist February to give the Southland Club an opportunity of sending further witnesses in support of their case.

For the future Sir Rupert Clarke Avill have first claim on R. Le*wis. The jumper Clyde 'was brought up to Auckland from Tauranga. last Aveek and is iioav located at the North Shore. He is by Richmond, and half-brother to that good hurdler Tim. A Taranaki correspondent writes me as follows: —“It seems rather out of place that the Raihvay Department do not run cheap fares to our Cup meeting, say a Available for tAvo weeks, Avhich Avould gfte A 7 isitors time to see the races and also spend some days looking around the district and visiting the mountain. It also strikes me as strange that the Wellington Racing Club do not arrange cheap fares to their meetings. If I am not mistaken the Hawke’s Bay and Napier Park Clubs arrange matters satisfactorily. Why should Ave be forced to pay full" fares? I kriOAV several up this A\ : ay Avho would gladly run to Wellington for Cup and other meetings if excursion fares Avere to be had. The Metropolitan Clubs should bring the matter of excursion fares to their Cup meetings before the Department, and doubtless a satisfactory arrangement could be come to whereby the revenue of the Racing Clubs and RaihAay Department would be considerably increased.

I have to thank Mr Mussell Fleetwood for an invitation to the Taranaki Jockey’s Club’s autumn meeting to be held on the 13th and 14th inst. It is stated that a well-known Wairarapa punter had £SO on Illumination Avhen she AA r on at Pahiatua.

Grey Ribbon made her final appearance in hack company at Pahiatua. An Auckland correspondent writes : It is good news to learn that Seahorse is rapidly returning to form, and of late has been acquitting himself very Avell in his morning gallops. On Tuesday last the chestnut Avas ooupled Avith Bluejacket over 14 miles, hut the Auckland Cup winner Avas of very little use to the 6on of Nelson, Avho ran the distance at a. very sound pace, and finished AA’ith a lot in hand.

It is stated that the stewards of a country club haA'e called upon a AvellknoAvn member to apologise for his conduct in putting the numbers of the placed horses up on the board in a different manner to which the judge placed Avhile an unpopular demonstration Avas going on in connection Avith the official verdict. The member of the club declines to apologise, but offers to bring Avitnesses to pro\'e that the Avay in which he placed the horses was correct.

The first of Patron’s stock to win was Praesidum, who succeeded in capturing the Holiday Stakes at Caulfield on Jan. I.9th from a large field. Praedium is one of the ‘famous Sappho family, being out of Epi, by Epigram from Nellie, by Tim Wliiffler (imp.) from Sappho, by Sir Hercules. Patron, who is now at the Cobham stud in England, is a brother to Ruenalf, and was a genuine stayer in his day, and one of the smartest horses that ever carried a bridle. English papers state that he has had some good mares at Cobham, and if so he is likely to turn good mares of note in England, as he is full of staying blood, being by Grand Flaneur, and having a double cross of Fisherman, his dam. The Y.A.T.C. Committee have granted leave of absence to the handicapper, Mr George Vowles, so as to enable him to visit England. In the list given last week of horses for which third payments had been made in the Fourth Marlborough Hack Challenge Stakes, the name of the CatesbyPeri filly, given as Toot, should be Dialogue. Harry Piper will be unable to act as starter at the Dannevirke and Gisborne meeting owing to the dates clashing with Christchurch and Dunedin. T. Cameron will probably start at the former and C. O’Connor at the latter olace. Mr Piper appears on the programme of the Stratford meeting, but he informed! me he was not consulted by that club. He will be engaged at Hastings the same day.

Tod Sloan is barred everywhere. The English and American Jockey Clubs will not stand him, and now the French Jockey Club has announced that if he should apply he will not receive a license to ride in France during the season of 1901.

Tukapa, was heavily supported by his connections when he was beaten by Illumination at Foxton. Although he was first favourite in the. Pahiatua Cup he did' not make a. good show and was not seen out again at the meeting. It is rumoured that prior to starting at the Taranaki meeting Dave Crozier will be asked to supply the name of the real owner of the gelding. Mr H. Bayley has been appointed judge, in place of Mr E. R. A. Haworth,

and Mr A. W. Budge, starter, vice Mr C. H. Chavannes, for the Autumn Meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club. The committee of the V.A.T.C. held an inquiry into the in-and-out-form displayed by Aquarius, who ran alst in the Hurdle Race at Caulfield on Boxing Day, and Avon the Hurdle Race at Flemington on NeAV Year’s Day. The explanation tendered, though not deemed satisfactory, AA-as accepted; but the committee at tne same time seA erely censured the persons connected AA'itli the horse, who, it AA’as urged, had been badly interfered Avith during the race at Caulfield by Satisfaction.

Last Aveek a wager of 200 to 50 avrs taken about Blue Jacket for the Takapuna Cup. For the double, the Cup and Steeplechase, Formula and Nor’West haA T e been supported at 10 to 1. A dispute arose between a lady punter and a bookmaker, and was decided by North Queensland Tattersall’s recently. Says an exchange:—The lady stated that she had Avon £3O from the bookmaker, but could not get the money. The bookmaker claimed, as a set-off, that certain moneys Avere OAving by the lady’s husband, the amount of Avhich he Avished to deduct when paying. The lady declined to be settled with in this fashion, claiming that the bet Avas her own, and she was not responsible for any of her husband’s transactions. The verdict was against the bookmaker, Avho AA-as ordered to pay the amount in full fortliAvitli, and advised that if he had any claims as stated they Avould have to’be made through the medium of a separate action. May 24th Avill not be avilable as a holiday in future, which, clubs should note. NoA-ember 9th will be the King’s Birthday, June 3rd being that of the neAA r heir to the Throne.

The yearlings which Mr, T. S. Clibborn is" to offer for sale at Randwick during the Easter week include nine from the Russley stud. Among them is Allspice, a chestnut colt by Russley from the Chester mare Spice, English time. Of the others, two are fillies, one being by Russley from BaldAvin, and the other —Parabola—is by Grafton (imp.) out of the Goldsborough mare Parable. The 'balance are colts, of Avhich two are by Russley, from Black Angel and Mary Vale, another is by Fa\-or (imp.) from Lydia, AA-hile Positano (imp.) Cydnus, and Lochiel (imp.) are responsible for the balance, the first being out of Recline, the second from Lass of Linn©, and the Lochiel colt is out of Queen of Denmark.

At the NeAvmarket Autumn sales, Mr J. Brown purchased a tAvo-year-old brother to Sir Hercules, by Sir Hugo from Surefooi’s dam, for 450 gs. It is understood the colt is to be raced in Australia.

At a recent sale of blood stock in Perth a two-year-old filly by Tostig (imp.) —Cypriote (by St. George—ldalia) relised 34gs. J. Delaney, Avho is not a licensed jockey and is unlikely to be licensed, nearly got a ride at the Pahiatua meeting. He Avieghed out to pfide Wandering Willie in the Members’ Handicap, declared the 71bs overweight for a professional, and got the clerk of the scales all right. A visiting official noticed Delaney going out to mount and informed one of the stewards, who stopped the unlicensed rider. The owner was unable to get another jockey and scratched liis horse. Had Delaney gone out and won there would' haA T e been trouble.

A pleasant ceremony took place on Wednesday last at the Auckland Racing Club’s rooms, Durham street, in the shape of a presentation to Lieut.-Col. Banks, the club’s honorary judge, on the occasion of his departure in command of the Sixth Contingent. The President of the club (Mr W. McLaughlin) made the presentation, which consisted of a hundred guineas, in £5 notes, and after referring in eulogistic terms to l Colonel Banks’ connection with the club, wished him every success in his new command. Colonel Banks responded in a. neatlyworded speech, thanking the club for their handsome present. Carrara, who used to be trained at Randwick, won the Criterion Stakes at Calcutta, a few Aveeks ago, and was then sold to the Sultan of Johore for 15,000 rupees. The Messrs Reynolds are, it seems, after all to remain an important factor in the breeding of thoroughbred horses iu Australia. Tocal will be occupied by Mr Frank Reynolds, on whose behalf Algerine, Chlorine, Equation, Sweetbriar, Salutation, Ta Ta, Welcome fjueenie, Medalet, and last, but not least, Medallion, were bought. Mr Sydney Reynolds was the purchaser of Patrie and Ondiue, and Mr Percy Reynolds, who has a lease of Hobartville, has purchased the St. Simon horse Simmer. The Taranaki Jockey Club having taken tne initiative in the matter of doing away with the advertising monopoly of the Christchurch “Press,” it is suggested that that Metropolitan body draft a. circular letter and forward a copy of same to tli© President of every racing club in the colony asking them to pass a resolution authorising their delegates at the next Racing Conference to support a, notice of motion to he placed on the order paper to strike out rule 2, Part 11., Rules of Racing, making it compulsory that the programme of every race meeting must be advertised in the Official Calendar. It might meet the approval of the majority of the clubs if the word “may” was substituted for “must,” making it optional and not compulsory as at present. It would also he advisable to

forward a copy of the letter to the sporting editor of each of the weekly newspapers for publication. W. Pine tells a southern scribe that he is surrendering his riding and training licenses, haA-ing made up his mind, Avhatever the result ©f the appeal, to give up racing and go farming, though he may haA-e a bicycle race iioav and again. " “Billy” Avas picked u.p at Oamaru, and rode his first race on Roses pur. On’that mare ne had his first ay in. Later on he rode for ptepnenson and Hazlett, and Avas on tne bacn or Tempest when she luckily Avon the Dunedin Cup after Thames’s saddle broke. The hardest finish he ever rode, he says, was on Gipsy Grand, when that horse beat Maremma at Timaru. Pine also rode i J-oidspur AA-hen that horse Avon the Great Easter Handicap. The V.A.T.C. steAvards entertained at luncheon at Caulfield on 19th January Viscount Cole and Captain Gordon Wilson (officers visiting Australia AA'ith the Imperial contingent), as the tallowing A'isitors from New Zealand: Hon. James Carroll, Messrs A. L. D. Fraser, Miller Harman, Cody, and Tara-naki-Tema.

Illumination’s Avins at the Wairarapa, Foxton, Masterton and Pahiatua meetings amount to £220, and she Avill in future have to compete in open company. She also Avon £45 in placed moneys.

The Woodville District Jockey Club AA*as well represented a* the Pahiatua meeting. Among the officers of the Club there present were Messrs S. Bolton (president). H. D. Buchanan (judge), E. J. Gothard, John Harris, R. Smith, A. Yule (Stewards), ail’d K. J. McLennan (secretary).

In addition to the brood mares mentioned last Aveek as -having been purchased at the Tocal stud sale by Auckland studmasters, the following Avere secured by J. B. Williamson for Mr Leonard Marshall: Storm, by Goldsborough from Seabreeze, AA'ith colt by Splendor, Kilmorey (imp.) by Kihvarlin from Union, with filly fcal by Medallion, Melcdia, by Goldsborough from Melody, Avith colt foal by Medallion ; Lady Agnes, by Neckersgat from Peradventure (imp.); filly by Medallion from Equation ; Ner-. ingja, by Goldsborough from Maple; Songstress, by The Drummer from Canary ; and Spagetti, by Splendor from Vermicelli.

Utter, by Martini-Henry from Uralla, died recently in America. Utter an second in the Maribyrnong Plate, and showed very smart form over short distances just before she left the turf.

From Dunedin it is announced that Mr T. J. Walker (Mazeppa), of the Otago Witness,” has resigned his position as sporting editor of that journal. The vacancy Avill be particularly hard to fill, as “Mazeppa’s” long connection with the turf in Otago gave him a thorough knowledge of the persons, places and horses he wrote about. Previous to joining tfye “Otago Witness,” he Avas connected AA'ith “Public Opinion,” and published a Turf Review and Coursing Calendar in hook form for the season.. 1879-80. For several seasons “Mazeppa” compiled tables of racing statistics for this colony, which entail a great amount of labour, and also, supplied his readers with performances of horses engaged in the NeAV Zealand Cup. By his departure the Dunedin Jockey Club lose a good friend, Avho always looked on the brightest side of things at the Forbury and Wingatui. In expressing a wish that AA’herever Mr Walker goes his lot Avill be cast in pleasant places, I am but re-echoing the sentiments of his numerous friends in Otago and outside that district.

By the s.s. Wincania, which left London on December 17, Mr H. C. White’s horse Skopos and the New Zeaiand-bred Waiuku return to the colonies. The former is bound for Sydney, and the latter will be transhipped there for New Zealand. They are in charge of Carr, who has already made more than ten voyages with horses between this country and the Antipodes, and has invariably satisfied his employers. Owing to the New South Wales regulations, Waiuku as well as Skopos has had to undergo the Mallein test for glanders. England appears to be about the only country in the world where the importation of horses is absolutely unrestricted by any regulations as to their being fjee from disease.

Crown Prince (Seaton Delaval—Princess Royal), who was in the Pahiatua Cup with Bst, was taken clown for the race, but was withdrawn on account of the state of the track.

The racing stable of Captain Scott recently warned off the turf in'the Old Country, is announced for private sale. The horses in training include Ravensplume, Achray (sister to Acmena), Ca Ira 11. (sister to Cocos), Princ-essa (halfsister to Acme, by Abercorn), and the Now Zealand - bred ? chaser Levanter.

Opae, who Avon the A.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race in 1898 for Mr J. E. McDonald, and Avho was subsequently purchased by Mr Spencer Gollan and taken to England, has .so far failed to reproduce his Neiv Zealand form in the Old Country. In the Midland Handicap Steeplechase, run recently, he managed to get third. Tonki, who was taken to Ji/ngiand at the same time a.s. Opae, lias proved a perfect failure. Renown will probably head the list of successful horses this season.

The Privileges for the Takapuna meeting brought over £IOOO. The new owner of Bill of Portland has not naiderestimated the worth of that horse, for already he has announced through the Lonckm papers that Bill of Portland will, next year, be limited to 20 mares at 100 guineas each. Free Holmes has purchased Heiress from Captain Russell and she will probably make one of the Riccarton trainer’s West Coast autumn team.

Sectaries W. McKenzie (Carterton) and Death (Otaki) were present at the Hutt last Saturday. At the Ohaka meeting in October last Cadet competed in a Hunter’s Hurdle race, and was ridden by Paul Holmes, brother of Free, who is still associated with the team. It would take something particularly good in the Hunter’s Hurdles line to beat the son of vanguard now. _ TT , Messrs J. E. Henrys, W. H. Tlartgile and Harry Piper assisted at the Faina cua meeting this week. Most of the southern visitors journey, ed home on Monday last. Seventeen horsese were shipped by the Rotcmahana. ■. , ~ A Tasmanian correspondent thus refers to the death of a well-known brood mare:—By St. Albans from Young Impudence, by Castle Hill from Impuence, by Peter Wilkins from Prudence, etc., should read good enough for anything. Such was the breeding of the Hon. Thos. Reibey’s brood mare, Kate, who died at Entally last week. Bred by Mr Field in 1879, the daughter of St. Albans since going to the paddock has proved a small gold mine to her owners. Among her progeny may be named such good ones as Red Rose, Myrtle, Macgregor, Laurel. Mount Rose, Moata, Sentinel, and Marcella. The latter — perhaps the handsomest mare of the lot —has, up to the present at all events, proved herself inferior as a racehorse to anything else out of the same darn. At the time of her death Kate had a foal at foot to the Lochiel horse, Geraint. The Tocal yearlings will be submitted during the A.J.C. autumn meeting. One of the picks of the basket is a lovely chestnut filly with great power and substance by Medallion from Chorus, who is a sister to Sam Cook’s good old mare The Charmer, being consequently by Grandmaster from The Wotch, both imported. A filly by Simmer from Miss Kilmaney is a nice lady, and all the progeny of the St. Simon horse that I saw are hardy-looking, with splendid bone. A chestnut filly _ whose _ coat is plentifully besprinkled with white hairs like that of her sire, Medallion, is the first foal of Choir Girl, who is by Splen_ dour from Chorus. Splendour contributes a brown colt out of Melos’s sister Orchestra, and the chestnut by Medallion our of the Grand Flaneur mare has the best loin I ever saw on a yearling. He is as strong as a castle. A very neat colt is that by Medallion from Vera, not at all like his useful brother Jack the Robber, although he resembles his halfsister The Dunce, except that he is bigger than that smart mare. A brown by Simmer from Miss Venus will improve, a remark that also applies to the colt out of Spagetti bl the same sire. The colts by Medallion and Splendor from T'hursnelda, Somniloquist, and Burlee respectively are all nice, and the list is made up of colts by Medallion from Gavotte, Happy Moments, Meloaia, and Equation, the last- named being a well-bal-anced, keen-looking fellow, and a great mover in the paddock. The famous English horse St. Simon has established a. great record during the time he has been at the stud. lie was unbeaten on the racecourse, and the appended table shows what his progeny have secured in stakes. From 1889 his 218 sons and daughters have wen 398 races, producing a total of £244,088, or an average of over £316 per race :

The Duke of Portland was fortunate when he purchased St. Simon as a two-year-old for 1600 guineas. The colt was never beaten, and. his progeny have won something like £350 000 in stakes. Unfortunately, St. Simon did not take part in any of the classic races, having forfeited those engagements through the death of his nominator, Prince Batthyany. Perhaps St. Simon’s most remarkable performance finds no cognisance in the official records; it is, however, recorded in a number of Racing Illustrated. When St. Simon was carrying all before him (says an Australian exchange) Tristan was also a top-sawyer on the English turf, and a thoroughly sporting match was arranged between the owners of St. Simon and Tristan, whose respective ages were three and six years. What makes this match remarkable is that no monetary value was involved, consequently the trial of strength excited the greatest interest. The race was run at the Second Newmarket Spring Meeting, over a mile and a half, the weights being: St. Simon Bst, and Tristan 9st 91b. St. .Simon fairly smothered his doughty old opponent, and fully

established his title to be considered the best horse then in training. The Welling Cup lias only been won by a three-year-old on three occasions, viz., Korarai (1876), Cynisca (1S90), and Renown (1901).

“The Sportsman” states “Bob” Kidd, who will be well remembered as a jockey in connection with the New Zealand horses, Audacity, Mikado 11., and Pretender, some years back, was, from latest advices, lying dangerously ill in one of the hospitals in South Africa, with three bullets imbedded in his body. “Asmodeus,” of the Melbourne “Leader,” says: Victoria was never so badly off for sires as at the present time, and by way of further weakening our breeding resources we were recently treated to the humiliating spectacle of seeing the gems of the St. Albans collection of brood mares taken away to the neigln. bouring colonies. With the disbandment of the Lerderderg, Newminster Park and St. Albans studs, the breeding fonts of Victoria, have been reduced to a most impoverished condition; and outside the Oakwood Pork and Bundoora establishments the raising of yearlings is now being conducted on a very limited scale. This will inevitably have an effect on the annual sales next autumn, when purchasers of yearlings will doubtless be tempted to visit Randwick in quest of the successful St. Simon blood, the supply of which has become exhausted in this colony with the departure of Bill of Portland. Our studs are sadly in need ,of a few good English sires, also brood mares. Some of our greatest racehorses, such as Carbine, Malua, Bobadil, Commotion, and Martini-Henry, are the produce of imported stock, and unless our studmasters keep pace with the breeders of New South Wales and New Zealand—who have recently shown markenterprise in purchasing St. Simon sires —the Victorian breeding industry will lose a lot Gf its hard-won prestige.

Seahorse, Explosion, St. Paul, Eton and Rex are in work at Ellerslie.

The doyen of the English sporting press, Mr Joseph Osborne, recently reached the great age of 90 years, 65 of which were spent in .the service of news, papers making sport their business. Mr Osborne was born at Dardistown Castle, County Meath, Ireland, on October 6, 1810, or five years before the battle of Waterloo, and nine years before the birth of our venerable Queen. “Beacon” Mr Osborne used to sign- the more important of his contributions; and as the author of the “Horse Breeders’ Handbook” he will be held in regard by the horse breeders of the world for many a year to come.

At a recent meeting of Sydney Tattersail’s Club, the following motion was agreed to : —“The interests of the bets (subject, however, to the proviso in this rule lastly contained) are inseperable with the interests of the stakes, except when the winning horse is disqualified owing to a default in making stakes; or, if an objection be made to the qualification of a horse on the grounds of incorrect pedigree or nomination after the race is run, the bets shall go to tho horse that comes in first, provided he i.s of the right age, and that in other respects he ha«s not transgressed the rules of racing. But if the owner of a. horse, on a person in his behalf, succeeds by fraud or false pretences in starting for a race for which he is legally disqualified, and making himself liable to the penalties attaching to persons guilty of mal_ practices according to the rules of racing. the bets will go with the stakes, whether any objection be made either before or after the race. Provided that no protest lodged in respect of any horse in ‘ any race after the weighing-in flag has been hoisted in respect of that horses shall affect any bets on the race.” R. Connop informed me at the Hutt that Armourer was making a slow recovery from the injuries she received at Palmerston and was not likely to race again' for some time. Mr J. A. Buckland, of Pine Ridge, writes to “Milroy,” of the Sydney “Mail,” holding that well-bred trotters can beat a thoroughbred badly over a long journey in light harness, and expresses his willingness to match a pair of his light buggy horses (probably by Vaueleve) against any two thoroughbreds alive in a journey from Pine Ridge to Mudgee—so miles. Mr Buckland says: —“I see a great deal has been said lately about trotters not being lasters. I drive a single horse from Mudgee here, 50 miles, between eignt and a quarter to one, and no trouble at that. If anyone likes to tackle me with any other breed, I will guarantee to give them my dust from the start all day. I have driven pairs within the last 12 months 76 miles between nine a.m. and half-past four p.m., and have given them an hour and three-quarters spell on the road out at that, and landed them fresh.” There are many people who decry the staying powers of a trotter, and it is refreshing to find a man lige Mr Buckland willing to test him against the thoroughbred over a journey. At the same time the natural gait of the thoroughbred is not trotting, and; it would scarcely be a fair test of merit to pit him against a trot, ter. Both breeds are good in their respective work, and it would be no more a test of stamina or excellence for a trotter to defeat a thoroughbred in light harness than for the latter to defeat the trotter at a gallop. George Wright will not make the Taranaki-Egmont-Wanganui trip this autumn.

Mr Francis Foy, who is at present in England, bought recently, to send to Australia, the brood mare Loclmell (3891), by Barcaldine from Bonnie Ag-

nes, for 100 guineas; and a bay Hilly foal by Carbine :yrom Concertina, for 105 guineas.

A late issue of the Racing Calendar endorses the cable intelligence, and states that the English Jockey Club have informed the American Jockey Sloan that he need not apply for a jockey’s license. The stewards arrived at this decision in consequence of Sloan having .accepted the offer of a large present from Mr F. Gardner in the event of Cocloman winning the Cambridgeshire and also having himself betted on the race. Mr Gardner and Mr C. A. Mills, who acted as his commissioner, and were in ignorance of the regulation, were each fined £25 in connection with the same transaction. Unfortunately for Sloan and the horse’s owner, Codoman had to put up with second place. On the subject of Slo-an, Vigilant, in the London “Sportsman,” said : —“I should be sorry, indeed, to appear inclined to exult over a man who is down, but J cannot help writing that the curt announcement that Sloan has been informed that lie need not apply for .a license to ride gave me almost as much satisfaction as the news of the triumphant acquittal of Lester Reiff. No one will be inclined to deny that Sloan is a very line horseman, but I think that very little else can be said in his favour. His manners and behaviour whilst over here have been far from admirable; he has apparently forgotten that he was the servant of his employers, nd has regarded himself as their equal, if not superior.. His gambling transactions have been the common talk of nearly everyone who was a pretty frequent attendant of our racecourses, and lie has habitually been seen in anything but desirable company. To my thinking-—and I wrote the same thing as plainly as .it was possible to do at the time of the occurrence—he should never have been alloyed to ride again here after his disgraceful conduct at Ascot in 1899. Had the matter been brought before the stewards there can he small doubt that his license would have at once been taken away, but the unfortunate waiter on whom he inflicted permanent injury was possibly wise in his generation in accepting a sum of money to allow the matter to drop. There may, therefore, have been certain difficulties in the way of the stewards of the Jockey Club taking official notice of it, but he was guilty of conduct which it was very difficult to forget or forgive, -and since that time I have never written his name unless positively compelled to do so.”

Mr E. T. Barnard, who for many years acted as handieapper for the V.R.C., but who has been out of harness for the past- 10 years, is reported to be serious, ly ill. When Mr Barnard found it necessary t° tender his resignation to the V.R.C, the committee of that body conferred a pension of £SOO a. year on him. The going at the Hutt the first day was too hard for Advance, and on Saturday it was too wet.

The folloAving notice apoeared in the ’’lrish Racing Calendar” of November: —“The steAvards of the Tuff Club, having investigated the case of the running of Ra\ r ensplume and other horses, the property of Captain Scott, and having heard the eAndence of their handicappers and others, and also statements made by Captain Scott and T. McGuire, consider they have uo al tern a trie but to ay am off Captain Scott and McGuire. Captain W. Scott and Timothy McGuire are, therefore, warned off all courses under their control.” This sentence AA r as afterAvards adopted by the English Jockey Club.

Though Mr Ormond has paid forfeit for RenoAvn in the Century Stakes, the Hawke’s Bay sportsman still claims a brace of reps, in that race in the shape of Terror, by Dreadnought—Trentalto, and Aeneas, by Dreadnought—Enid. Screw Gun arrived in England in excellent condition, and is stated to look extremely well after his long sea voyage. In a letter to Mr G. G. Stead, Sir Edgar Vincent, ScreAV Gun’s neAV oAvner, says: —“Of course. Screw Gun has not the same scope as Multiform', but still, it would be difficult to see a neater animal or one in better condition. I ha\ r e very little doubt that I shall AA r in some good races with him, provided his wind keeps sound. For some curious reason New eZaland horses appear peculiarly liable to be affected in their wind by the English climate, but my trainer, F. W. Day, is an extremely careful man, who has had considerable experience Avith Australians, and you can be sure that the horse will be given every chance. You say that the horse is rather irritable at the post. I ha\ r e found already Avith Australian horses Avho are used to the starting gate that they fret terribly AAdth the English system of starting, other horses rushing past them, and then being pulled up sharply. Unfortunately av© shall not have the starting-gate for all-age races until 1902, but I have no doubt that next year we shall be able to get along. The Reiffs, who both of them beautiful hands, will be able -to manage Screw Gun.” Mr C. D. Kennedy lias been appointed judge by the Napier Park Racing Club. Mr ITartgill previously occupied the position. Mr Kennedy is a member of the Committee.

Le Var’s turf career is at an end, as Mr P. Bolger recently sold him privately to Messrs Mackay Brothers, on condition that he was to be used for stud purposese only. At a sale of horses at Perth, West Australia, Mr Alex Forrest disposed of Ormuz to Mr P. Bolger for Onslow was knocked down to Mr 3- T. Handcock at 50gs. Mr Bolger

also purchased Treasure for 220 gs, while 250 gs was refused for Flintlock. Tiie following notice appears in the English Racing Calendar:.—lt having been reported to the stewards of the Jockey Club that Sloan had accepted the offer of a large present -from Mr F. Gardner in. the event of Codoman winning the Cambridgeshire, And that he had betted on the race, they inquired into the case. Mr Gardner, who was unaware of the regulation forbidding such presents, expressed his great regret at having transgressed it, and the stewards fully accepting his explanations, fined him a nominal penalty of £25. They inflicted a similar" fine on Mr C. A. Mills, who acted as commissioner to Mr Gardner, and finding both charges proved against Sloan, they informed him that he need not apply for a license to ride. - -

At the Wellington Park sale the Hon. George McLean purchased the St. Leger —Armilla colt for 50 guineas. The youngster, who was in a rather pitiable plight as the result of an accident, is to be allowed to remain at Mr Mprrin’s estate for some little time in order- that he might have a good chance’ to. pull himself together. While playing about the colt injured one of his*stifles and as a result of easing the injured limb the other hind leg . became affected. I am sorry to say that there does not appear a vestige of hope of this beautifullybred colt ever racing ; in fact, Mr McLean bought him with a view of using him as a stallion when he matures. The first of Waterfall’s stock to win a race is the 2-year-old filly Miss Robinson, who is from Lady Robinson. Miss Robinson was bred by Mr A. Hook, who leased her to the Moorfield trainer, R. O’Connor. This season the filly has always ran well, but it was not until the Warwick Farm meeting this month that she got home in front, when she landed the Forrest Stakes, for which she went out equal favourite with Lady Arlington, at 5 to 2. The win was a clever one, and, what is v more. the race proved that Earnshaw lias in hand another very promising one in Valento, a filly by Haut Brion from Lady Helena. This filly came with a very fast run, and will, no doubt, shape well later cn in the season; and no doubt the winner, miss Robinson, will prove a useful one in handicaps.

Auckland, it is pleasing to learn, is shortly to receive another valuable addition to her list of thoroughbred mares. At the dispersal of the famous Tocal Stud, in New South Wales, on Tuesday last,' Mr A. Davis, who went over to act on behalf of Messrs L. D. Nathan and N. A. Nathan, we learn by cable, secured a choice selection, numbering five, as follows; Chlorine, by Grand Flaneur— Banksia ; Cantatrice, by Goldsborough— Songstress; Orchestra, by Goldsborough —Melody; Toi T'oi, by Splendour or Sweet William —Tauri; and a three-year-old filly by Sweet William —Storm. Daughters of Goldsborough are especially highly-priced, and the Messrs Nathan must be accounted fortunate in securing a brace of such beautiful mares as Orchestra and Cantatrice, who descended from the celebrated Fireworks horse. Orchestra, it may he remarked, is a full sister to the Champion Stakes winner, Melos, and she also claims a full sistership to Melodious, who earned lasting distinction as the dam of. that good colt Wallace. w T ho as a three-year-old won the V.R.C. Derby, A.J.C. St. Leger, and Sydney Cup, and dead-heat-ed with Quiver for the Champion Stakes in the fastest time on record. No doubt four at least of these mares are stinted to various horses which figures at the Tocal Stud, and that is another important matter to be reeokoned with in the addition ijnade to the list of our thoroughbred matrons. Australian, who is by The Australian? Peer (winner of the V.R.C. Derbq) and is owned by the bookmaker, R. Phillips, owner of Tarquin, was the hero of the West Australian meeting. He Won a weight-for-aage race, ran second in the Cup, wou the Railway Stakes, and also the Imperial Stakes, carrying lOst 21b in the last-named event. It was .lucky for Mr Phillips that he was able to start Australian at all, as had the decision of the Boulder stewards been endorsed by the West Australian Turf Club Committee he would 'not have been qualified tp run a horse. The Boulder stewards decided to disqualify a horse after he had won a race for Mr Phillips on the .ground that the owner had nominated a pony that had run at unregistered meetings. The W.A.T.C. Oommitte decided that this pony was the property of W. Phillips, a brother of R. Phillips, and refused to endorse the action of the Boulder stewards. Baron Schickler heads the list of winning owners in France, his horses having won nearly £26,000, of which sum close upon £21,000 was secured by Semendria. The most successful sire was Le Saucy, whose stock Avon £27,000. The next on the list, A T iz., The Bard (£16,000), Gulliver (£12,000), and Lord Clive (£lO,000), are English-bred horses. G. Stern Avas the most successful jockey, with 91 winning mounts to his credit. M. Edmond Blanc has engaged Stern as first jockey, at £IOOO per annum. Sir Rupert Olarke has selected the name of Commonwealth for ,his two-year-old colt by Bill of Portland from Happy Land. The youngster in question is half-brother to Hova, and is evidently looked upon as promising, as Sir Rupert gave 700 guineas for him when he purchased the colt at- auction last month.

It was mentioned at the meeting of the Wellington judges in tlie Patterson case that the Hawke's Say Jockey Club was willing to reconsider the period of disqualification imposed. Though application. has been made po action so far lias (been taken iby the olubThe Hon Alfred Page is the new handicapper for the Tasmanian Turf Club. lu the Hobart Cup, ran on Wesnevsday last, he awarded Eiridsdale lOst lllbs.

Winning Haces Value of Horses. Wen. Stakes. 1889 9 34 24,280 1890 ... ... 13 27 32,799 1891 ... ... 18 25 26,890 1892 ... ... 20 47 55,995 1893 ... ... 23 45 36,369 1894 ... ... 23 44 42,092 1895 ... ... 18 35 30,485 1896 ... ... 23 38 59,740 1897 ... ... 16 23 22,541 1898 ... ... 13 22 15,210 1899 ... ... 26 31 17,505 1900 ... ... 16 -27 54,560 Total ... 218 398 244,036