TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, 29 January 1902, Page 36

TURF TOPICS

’(By “Advance.")

RACING FIXTURES. Jan 25, 29 and Fob. I—Takapuna J.C. Summer Jan. 29—Kawakawa R.C. Annual Jan. 29 and 30—Pabiatua R.C. Hack Jan 30 and 31—Tapanui R.C. Annual Feb. G and 7 —Maniototo J.C. Annual Feb 12 and 13—Taranaki J.C. Summer Feb 12 and 13—Gisborne R.C. Summer Feb 13 and 15—C.J.C. Summer Feb 19 and 20 —Egmont R.C. Summer Feb 20 and 21—Poverty Bay T.C. Annual Feb. 2G, 28 and March I—Dunedin J.C. Autumn March 6 and 7—Wanganui J.C. Autumn March 31 and April I—C.J.C. Autumn THE WELLINGTON -MEETING. The Cup meeting of the local metropolitan club, held last week, was hardly as successful as last year, and consequently the financial result will not be so satisfactory. The falling off in the attendance on the first day was probably due to the majority of local racegoers keeping back for the second day, which was a public holiday. Unfortunately. the weather turned out unfavourable, and no doubt kept a lot of people—especially ladies—away. On Saturday the elements were most favourable, and the attendance very good for a third day. The falling off in the totalisator returns was no doubt due to a great extent to some of the events not being worth speculating on. With such morals as the Wellington Cup, Wellesley Stakes, Wellington Stakes, Zealandia Plate and Fitzherbert Handicap, backers would either look on or have a good punt with the bookies. The following is a comparative list of the totalisator figures for the last two Cup meet-

The Cup field equalled the smallest on record since the distance of the race was reduced from two miles. There were four runners when Uniform won

in 1898. Tho race proved the good thing it was supposed to be for St. Michael, who won anyhow. The Shannon was hanging on to the Yaldhurst representative at a mile and a quarter, and received the century second money. Tho sum of £1558 was invested on the race, which was satisfactory for a onehorse race. It is related that one punter who accepted £IOO to £lO that St. Michael would not pay more than £1 6s, put £l6O into the inside machine. He had a ready reckoner to work on, and reduced the dividend inside, but his calculations were upset by the outside machines. The following is a list of the winners of the race since the distance Avas cut doivn to a mile and a

Jemima put up a fair performance in the Maiden Plate, which was the only

win credited to H. Fletcher’s team at the meeting. She was allowed to run along in front, and was not seriously troubled at the finish. Had similar tactics been pursued with Shrapnell Shell, instead of reefing and hauling him when racing along the back against a strong head wind, he would probably have finished stronger. St. Lyra, on her Hutt form, would appear better placed amongst the hacks than Cup horse 3. Frontier may be a useful horse when more seasoned.

Queen’s Guard Avas somewhat lucky in Avinning the Anniversary Handicap. The favourite, Goldenmere, had he got as good a run as the grey mare, Avould have settled her all right. He got cooped up on the rails coming round the bend, and got out too late, but put in a brilliant run. Fleka Avas putting in some big strides at the finish. The distance Avas too far for ToroAvai, Atho if kept in races up to six furlongs, Avill bo found to be a good stake earner. Four owners opposed Mr Stead in the Wellesley Stakes. His representative, Orloff, whose only previous performance was a winning one in the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton, Avon for the second year in succession, and put up a time record for the race. The only youngster Mr Douglas Gordon engaged in the race Avas Porirua, Avho ran a good second. It is a pity that Achilles had not been engaged to represent the stable, as he is good enough to take on anything his oAvn age. Greek Maid, by Musketry—Psyche, whose stock have been good stake-Avinners for “Tommy” Sheenan, the old-time steeplechase rider, filled third place. From Avhat I have seen of Musketry’s stock, the Maxim horse should prove a successful sire.

The following are the Aviuners of the Wellesley Stakes:—

Fashion was backed like a certainty for the President’s Handicap, but he let his connections down, and is evidently an unreliable customer. Queen’s Guard, avlio Avas carrying a penalty, again ran Avell in C. Jenkins’s bands, but was no match for Plaidie, avlio can cut out a merry nine or ten furlongs under a light weight. This is the second occasion Queen’s Guard has bumped up against Plaidie, having followed her own on the second day at Tauherenikau.

Among those who came in for support for the first Hack Handicap Avas Meta McCarthy, by Apremont—Bessie McCarthy, bred and OAvned by Mr S. H. Go!lan, whose ‘ magpie’’ jacket has seldom been seen out in this colony of late. She is a beautifully bred filly, trained by J. Maher at Hastings, and will win before the cud of the season. Punawai and Laureate were sorted out as the most likely to pay dividends. Laureate settled Shearsby’s mare without much difficulty. The half-brother to Advance Avas turned out in good style, and may some day be as good as his sire (Rangipulii). Cure, who galloped well oil the track with Tho Shannon, shaped really bad. He was not backed in the totalisator. He began slowly, seemed unable to keep AA-ith the fiem, and finished some distance in the rear.

Porirua served up another favourite in the Nursery Handicap, and the good thing (Achilles) scored in the most pronounced manner. Helen Faucit finished fourth. There must have been an element of luck in her defeat of Achilles at Riccarton. She has since done a good amount of travelling and racing, and may have gone off. The beach-trained colt was probably not quite wound up at Riccarton, but is now good enough to take on anything in the colony. Of the many Australian-bred horses brought to this colony, few have turned out any good, but the Medallion colt is an exception to the rule. The Telegraph Handicap proved a cake-walk for Blazer, avlio had everything beaten before half the distance was covered. Canteen, avlio is a good but unlucky colt, beat all the others. Blazer has won the race three years in succession under welter Aveights, which is a performance that only a champion could put up. He got kicked at the post prior to the start, and Avas not seen out again at tho meeting. In the January Handicap on the second day, Fashion looked a likely Avinner at the turn, but Goldenmere smothered him in the run home. Mr V. Harris’s recent purchase, Redoubt, made a poor show.

It AA-as thought that the soft going and the distance (five furlongs) would bo suited to old Goldspur, and ho AA-as sent out favourite for tho Electric Handicap. He Avas never prominent, and finished fifth. Ringlet, who AA-as well backed, Avas in front for a bit, but died aAvay, and finished last. The Wairarapa gelding, To Taiaha, looked all over a Avinner half way down the straight, but ToroAvai put in a late run and Avon by a neck.

The majority of the punters went for St. Michael in the Racing Club Handicap. The St. Leger geJcung Avas meeting The Shannon on a stone Avorse terms than in the Cup, and was conceding the Torpedo mare 301 b. The task Avas too much, Mr Watts’s mare winning by tlireo lengths. FolloAving is a list of the

winners of the race since the distance was reduced to a mile and a quarter Yr. Winner. Wgt. Time.

A good deal of interest was taken in the Juvenile Handicap, on account of the meeting of Achilles and the hitherto unbeaten Orloff. The latter had 41b the Avorse of the weights, but AA*as beaten decisively, and finished third. Motor was again trusted with the confidence of his connections in the Welter Handicap. He was ridden by W. Thomas, but shaped no better than with G. Price in the saddle. Quiltina ran Avell. but AA-as beaten by Battler, Blazer’s stable mate, aa-lio is fast, and the makings of a fair handicap horse. Cruciform had four opponents in the Wellington Stakes. Mr Stead’s filly aa’ou Avithout any difficulty. The folloAA--ing is a list of the winners of the Wellington Stakes, five furlongs:—

Had Glenogle got a clear run. he would probably have defeated Indian Queen in the Metropolitan Handicap. Torowai, avlio had to put up 101 b penalty for winning earlier in the day, and the infirm Goldspur could haA-e been saved this extra gallop. The surprise of the day was in the Second Hack Handicap, in AAhicli Cure made hacks of the field, and ran a different horse to the first day, when he could not foot it AA-ith them. The favourite, Meta McCarthy, AA-as prominent for six furlongs, but could not stay the full distance. After Jemima’s performance in the Maiden Plate, the Summer Handicap looked a fair thing on paper for her. The Stepniak mare AA-as no match for Fleka, avlio is going to be one of our best handicap horses up to a mile. Six of the eight starters in the Hack Welter A\-ere evenly matched. A. McMorran kept Gipsy Jack going, and the Gipsy King gelding did J. Armstrong a Avinning turn. Waitoa is inclined to be lazy, and requires a stronger horseman than S. Jackson to keep him going. Mooi shaped A\ell for six furlongs, and Mourner, aa-lio ran fourth, should win races Avlien quite ready. Pine got an advantage at the start of the Port Nicholson Handicap, which he made the most of. and none of his opponents eA-er got up to ’him. The Shannon put in a strong challenge in the straight, but Avas unable to extend the Clanranald horse. Avho can stay a mile in good style.

Mr Evitt made a remarkable adjustment in the Fitzherbert Handicap. Although sixteen of the nineteen horses handicapped Avere present at the meeting. only three accepted. Golden Vein, Avho finished second to Achilles in the Juvenile Handicap on the second day, Avas actually meeting Achilles on 71b worse terms. Only that there was second and third money, there Avould probably not haA-e been three acceptors. There was only £199 invested on the race, and Achilles paid £1 3s. Followers of the Porirua stable rallied round Hokio in the PencarroAV Handicap. Mr Macdonald’s gelding ran badly, and finished last. Rebel, who AAas least backed of the other three runners, Avon comfortably.

i came aAvav in the Zealandia Plate Avhen Hewitt called on her and won in the easiest fashion. To beat Tortulla over a mile and a quarter at a difference of 91b is a pretty good performance. C. Jenkins Avas seen to ad\-antage on the Porirua mare, and moved up Avith Cruciform as the latter improved her position. Hewitt made a finish of it, and Tortulla’s friends Avere calling out tho victory of the “black mare,” whose success would have been well received. For some reason or other, Mr Stead’s successes are not popular. Perhaps it is because his team wins too much, and the public like to see its doAvnfall occasionally. He buys the best, and tho only return he gets is the stakes, as his horses never pay anything on the totalisator. A lot of people are disappointed that he did not take on the best in Australia this autumn. St. Michael and Royal Artillery in the handicaps, and Menschikoff and Cruciform in the Aveight-for-age events could hardly help paying expenses. In the Zealandia Plate last year Tortulla acted as runner-up to her stable mate Boreas.

Ghoorka (Locliiel—Fiancee colt) and &w Gol i Ai PPed ° Ut of tho disposal Stakes. Battlecry. owned by Mr Victor Harris, of Christchurch, Avas a good favourite but Avon with nothing to spare. She was entered to be sold for nil, and brought £35, consequently the OAvner of the second horse and the club funds each benefited to the extent of nJ nr a , attlo cry was bred by Sir Geo. Clifford, Avhose brother Avas bidding for the filly.

Goldspur was ridden by W R who is particularly smart out of thnT 11 * rier iu spnnt races, in the Federal ti dicap. He got to the front early stopped there. An objection the grounds of alleged inconsistency yet to be considered. Goldspur' *7. meeting Te Taialia on a stone bette! terms than when the latter ran in the Electric Handicap. ■ FOXTON RACING CLUB. Since last year the Foxton Racing Club has effected several additions to its improvements which were greatly appreciated by visitors to the meeting last week. The saddling paddock has been extended some distance, and the scraping sheds removed. An up-to-date > judge’s box has been erected, also a stewards’ stand with a balcony alone the front, which is also shared'by the press representatives. On the ground floor are offices for the secretary, clerk of the scales, and an-up-to-date’ press j room. Formerly the club held two permits, but the one used for the autumn meeting was allowed to drop a few seaJ sons back. At the last conference an application was made for an additional permit, but was not successful. The club is going ahead with the district and I am sure that if the Colonial Sec! retary had witnessed the well-conduct-ed meeting last week he would have been convinced that the club’s appliestion for a second permit was a fair and reasonable one. The club, employs the best officials, viz., Messrs J. E. Henrya (handicapper), W. H. Hartgill (judge) j and T. Cameron (starter). Mr A. E* | T. Nixon, formerly a resident of Fox- ; ton, journeys down from Wanganui to | carry out the duties' of timekeeper ; which office he has filled for twelve j years. The club has a most obliging : and capable secretary in Mr J. R, . I Whyte. To him and his assistant (Mr ! Angus Keith) I am indebted for kind . treatment during my recent visit to the I district. Other officials of the club are: ! —President, Mr F. Robinson; Vice-Pre-sident, Mr E. S. lhynne; Treasurer, : Mr Geo. Gray; stewards and committee, ! Messrs W. Robinson, J. F. Overend, W. (Purcell, W. Barber, H. Thynne, F. E. Jenks and J. Symons; clerk of the ' scales, Mr J. Cummerfield; clerk of the course, Mr J. Andrews. ! The Foxton Brass Band under BandI master J. S. Ennis, played selections on J | the lawn each day. Langley Bros., who ■ cater for several clubs in the Manawatu district, supplied a first-class luncheon. ! Ika, an aged chestnut mare by Nataj tor —Beauty Bright, won the Flying Handicap from the Fordell trained Hardvork and Somnolent. Ika is bred on jumping lines, her dam being a \ daughter of Te Wlietu Marama. Ika 1 is a sister to Haeremai, half-sister to ■ Houpla, Forty Winks, Portia (dam of Shyloek), etc. ! Fourteen horses started for the Maiden Hack Hurdles, and they all got round. Forest Gate, a grey gelding by Forester and half-brother to Wliangaroa, who was ridden by Frank Cock- ! rane, was made favourite. Aitua, an ; aged gelding by Vanguard, owned by George Blanche and ridden by Adam McMorran, shaped well for about a mile. Mr David Scott started a full- ] brother to Hangfire, who dropped dead ; at Foxton last year, named Old Gun. j '"•Madman won easily at the finish, and when he settles down a bit more will ; be a serviceable horse. Waitohi, who j ran second and paid his eight supportI ers £l9 19s each, is a five-year-old gelding by Wapiti. Inoti cleared away from the field in the Cup, and with a mile gone it looked long odds on the field catching her. Bowman and Blackwing got up. in the straight, and after a great finish Mr Major’s gelding won by a head. Had Blackwing had the services of a more experienced horseman the decision might have been reversed. She was ridden by Fitzsimmons, a lad in D. Chapman’s employ. Bowman paid the good price of £l4 13s. Last Spec (Guncotton —Spec), was best backed for the Maiden Hack Race, but could not get a place. The second favourite Flanagan (Catesby—Repose), a good sort of gelding, won comfortably from Mr David Scott’s Lady Cornelia (Flintlock—Cornelia). Nainai, who filled the other place, is a four-year-old hay mare by Haere—Countess. Boreas s tliree-year-old sister (TJrutonga) came in for a good deal of support, but finished in the ruck. Mr J. Bull, junr., started a handsome filly named Betty by Linstock—Epsom. Pukana, who was favourite for the Hurdles, could not raise a gallop, and Mr Cress was so disgusted that he did not start him on. the second day. Th o ground got a thorough soaking the following morning, and the going would have suited the V oltigeilr gelding better. Tirea won comfortably from Rim°> with Great Scott (Exchange—Armadilla) third. ~ The four runners in the Stewards Hack Handicap w-ere pretty evenly backed, but Elusion, who carried mo? money, won comfortably at the finis • The others found the distance, beyon them. TJ , Westguard, Faugh-a-Ballagh and Ba hardier were best supported for the bummer Handicap, in which Toa, L a J Link and Blackwing were given a s ond run. Westguard is only re coven S from the accident she met with at carton, and is not ready yot. ltac *

back, it looked any odds • 10 - g Aalbardier getting. out. Lady against •“ into the straight, and.it ifas if she would score, but Hallooked as “ dowu with a great run. jjardier Cuirassier —Miss Stead) B*S r b ‘%Ss Dud«r Bros., of was bred y aud is ow ned by Mr H. I ' 0 u 1 nett a Wanganui publican. He ?■ » wdbyC Birkett and ,vas ridden ■ s *Ste A used to ride for the Ausby nr ’ table. The gelding was well backed throughout the colony, and adsmall sums amounting to £4O, sent from between Auckland and Inversot to the course for investment, *he paid the fair price'of £3 12s. The Welter Handicap went to Tyrone, -ho should be heard of as a jumper if ever he is put to the business. Last gnec who shaped better than in the Maiden, ran second and In the "V ail, ivlio was favourite, third. The morning of the second day’s r-ces turned out very wet. The stewards met and decided to go. ou with the meeting so as not to disappoint horse owners and visitors. The rain improved the course, and owing to the sandy nature of the ground people were able to get about without difficulty. Messrs jfeylan and Spnggens, of Wanganui, who worked the totalisators, put through £9891 during the two days, which is £2489 more than last year. It was raining steadily when the January Handicap was decided, and the winner appropriately turned up in Rain (Quilt —Ua), who missed her first day’s engagements. Balky, who ran second, is' a good cut of gelding by The Workman from Irish Twist’s sister, Richmond Gein. He is owned by Mr W. R. Inck, of Wanganui, who used to race Irish Twist. Bellbinc, who ran third, is owned by Walter Best. She is an aged mare by Vanguard—Black Ella, by Bon Juan—Pacific mare. Tirea had the steadier of 12st lOlbs in the Hurdles, and beat everything except Cobra, who won easily. Oracle, who was given out as a good thing for the Cup. won tiie President’s Handicap all the way and paid £9 10s. Van, who was the biggest outsider of the ten runners, filled second *placc. Lady’s Link had to be, withdrawn on account of getting cast in' her box overnight. * Liable had a pretty soft tiling on in the Grandstand Hack Handicap,, which was the only occasion that the Lebel gelding sported silk at the meeting. Olaio (Haere—Straysliot) brought on a surprise in the Carnarvon Welter Handicap by defeating In the Van. Otaio is a stable mate of Gipsy Queen, who has already a reputation for winning on the second day. In the Railway Handicap, Hailmrdier and Lady Bell were evenly backed, and at a difference of a ®stone-and-a-half compared with the first day, Lady Bell turned the tables. The Electric Hack Race was the best belting race of the day. Hard Graft and Lady Cornelia were favourite, but neither got a place. Balky won from Raumai (a Sou’wester mare), with Gold Dredge (Goldreef—Hippodamia) third. Two Bob (a three-year-okl pony by Recluse, who is said to have, been purchased out of a pound for two shillings), and Diamond Queen (King John—Queen of Diamonds; were prominent during the race. -

CHATTER, The Seaton Delavel—Sunbeam filly, knocked down to Irving Sayles at the Sylvia Park sale, was purchased on behalf of Mr T. McKay, owner of Cavalry. Mr Lancewood purchased the filly, and she is now in W. Davies’s stable at the Hutt.

The Queensland Cup winner, Drake, was got by The Rake when he was 19 years old, and his dam, Decoy, was 16 years old. Brake was bred at Eieurs by the Messrs Hatfield Bros. Bookmakers both inside and outside the enclosures were present at the Uuttia good numbers. Their presence inll be given as a reason for the falling an in the totalisator receipts. ’ It may be remembered the pencillers were present at the spring meeting, when the totalisator receipts showed an increase compared with the previous year. Had tlie stewards who filled office last year carried out the wishes of members and licensed the bookmakers, instead of gating the resolution rescinded and incurnng unnecessary law costs, matters would sHfn 2 ccn 111 a much more satisfactory tate for the club than at present, rJJ e f colfc }>? BiH of Portland from gave’isn 01 ’ ■ VlOm Ml ; C - L ' McDonald r gumeas at the St. Albans clearout ado m December, 1900, has He a s(arter month. eU 1 kte at Mentone this

Takann,! 1 , 11 ' 21 ' 'T’ 1 his form at He Ua ’'P aid a dividend of £l4. horseman’eomm -Tv 1 ' 10 Taranaki son’s - Williamin the Cup.’ ' 10 a S ° scored 011 Coquet Wn1 P ° rte * h '? m Neotsfi old, Grandmaster—A] afc Gi fe ltar >- b ? thirteen years ° h fc H’, 6 a S e of Derby and vrc s%*°" gie A .J.O. was the sim f p„i L r, gerStakes , aa d 'The R oc u g ur „.® Cun, Scmiramis, Aliek Hall one "f 0t 10r P erf °rmers. ful hurdle W 1G our niosfc successj« wondi; "t n Tji;,r red ,rith last. Takapuna on Saturday

“This wireless telegraphing - seems a rum go,” said one sport to another. “Does it mean you can send a message to a cove without any wires, or paper, or envelope, or messenger, or anything?” “That’s what it is, I believe,” said the oilier. “By Jove,” said the first speaker, “it ’ud come in very handy on the course if you could give instructions to your jockey when they’d got to the back. The W.R.C. ought to go in for all them up-to-date tilings!” Messrs T. G. Macarchy and H. D. Bell, former Presidents of the Wellington Racing Club, were among the visitors to the Hutt last week. “It’s a singular thing,” said a punter returning from the Hutt on Cup day, “that I liardiy ever win when tiiey race on Tuesdays, but very seldom lose on other days. “I ni satisfied Tuesday’s my unlucky day.” “I believe in that sort of thing, myself,” replied his friend-. “I’m absolutely positive that Sunday is my lucky day.” “But,” answered the first speaker, “they never race on Sunday.” “I know,” said the other; “that’s why it’s my lucky day—the only day of the week on which I never lose!” A mistake of some importance was made in connection with the totalisator at a recent meeting of the West Australian Turf Club. The Club declared a dividend of £2 Is against Carnival, winner of the •Fremantle Stakes, hut after sixty-two tickets had been, paid at that rate, it was discovered that the legitimate dividend was £2 7s, and the other winning ticket holders received that amount.

| Mr G. G. Stead has won £8670 in ; stakes this season. The Christchurch | owner will put up a record for 1901-2 which'should stand good for a few years. I They were discussing a:i owner who 1 is a proverbially bad loser, and given | to making use of nasty insinuations re- | specting the riders ox his horses when they don’t win—that is, when he has [•hacked them. “Suspishus!” said the j little fellow with the big pipe, who, as usual, had something original in the 1 way of comment, “if ’e’d ’a’ bin offered a free passage in the Ark, I don’t believe ’e’d ’a’ took it until ’e’d insured j ’is life fur fear Sham, ’Am or Jabez j ’ud shove ’im overboard 1” | Mr Evitt considers Achilles a stone j better colt than Porirua. ; St. Paul’s time record for Sie Wellington Racing Club Handicap (2mins. lOsec.) still holds good. The son of St. Leger carried lOst olbs when lie put up . the great performance.

\isitors to the Foxton meeting had a lively experience in the coach journey from Shannon to Foxton. There were only two conveyances to convey about sixty passengers. One .of the conveyances got a good start, and their passengers were on good terms with themselves at having beaten the .sports in the other brake, which had to wait for the mails, until one of the wheels came off. The passengers by tlie mail coach, which included three females, had an exciting time. Just before reaching the ferry the swingle-tree of the leaders snapped, and the coach was taken across with three horses. The river was safely crossed, and on the other side the ferryman roped the broken tree with an iron bar, which proved to be hollow affd bent quickly, but kept the leaders together. When they got a wav and endeavoured to bolt it took all the efforts of a sporting doctor of Palmerston North, who sat next to the driver, to keep the brake on and prevent a runaway. At this juncture the ferryman, driving his family to the races, appeared on the scene, and gave “Stunips” Rickerby aud Sid. Jackson a ride. The rest of the journey was undertaken by three horses, who were thoroughly done up. Another coach came out about two miles from Foxton, and took half the passengers, who got to Foxton in time for the second race. There is an opening for an enterprising livery stable keeper at Foxton. On the second day of the races, when it was raining heavily, there were no conveyances available, and people had to walk to the course, which meant a soaking. The difficulty of conveyances, or want of them, could be got over by passengers to Shannon paying the coach fare at the Manawatu railway station and the club being advised by telegraph how many persons had booked to Foxton and providing accommodation for the number Prior to the start for the Telegraph Handicap at Hutt, Blazer received a kick in the stifle from -one of the other horses engaged in the race. The injury was not serious enough to prevent the gelding taking part in and winning tho race. Mr Solomon heard about the injury in Dunedin, and enquired by urgent telegram the same night as to tho condition of his champion. The accident prevented Blazer starting again at tho meeting. St. Simon’s career as a sire has been an extraordinary one, for although lie has never been credited in any one season with so large a sum as tlie progeny of Stockwell secured in 18G6, when there were no “ten thousand pounders” to swell tho total, his stock have won close on £450,000 in stakes. It must bo remembered, moreover, that St. Simon’s career is not yet at an end, and lie may live for several moro seasons ; wliilo even if he were to die tomorrow, his descendants would be running for several years to come, so that he is pretty sure to reach £500,000 beforo his name dies out altogether. St. Simon’s best year, so far as the amount won is concerned) was in 189 G, when,

with Persimmon and St. Frusquin to represent him, he was credited with close on £60,000; hut in regard to the number of races won, he lias never done so well as in 1892, with 47 winners. The lollowing are the amounts won by the descendants of St. Simon (not reckonmg, place money) since they first appeared on the turf:

The Duke of Portland was fifttunate ' "'lieu he purchased St. Simon as a two-year-cld tor 1600 guineas. Unfortunately, St. Simon did not take part in aiy of the classic races, having forf.ited those engagements through the death of his nominator, Prince, Battliyany; still in' what he was required to , do, he acquitted himself like a great racehorse, and retired with an unbeaten | certificate. 'When St. Simon was carrying all before him, 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 i match remarkable is that no monetary | value was involved, consequently the ! trial of strength excited great interest. ! The race was run at the second New- ! market Spring Meeting over a mile and i a half, the weights being—St. Simon . Bst, and Tristan 9st 91b. St. Simon ; fairly smothered his doughty old oppoI nent, and fully estab.isiied his title to Ibe considered the best horse then in i training. The late Fred Archer esti- | mated St. Simon to be the greatest horse he ever rode, and as the “prince ! of horsemen” had much experience of 1 the British thoroughbred, the complij ment to the Galopin horse was unques- | tionably the highest, and probably the most valuable, that could possibly have ! been, conferred upon him. : The dividend of £322 4s, paid by Leo Delavel in a hack race a*t Takapuna last Saturday, is a, record for the colony. The following is a list of mammoth pools paid by the machine in this colony:— I £3OO, Crummy, Fire Brigade Handicap, Taradale. £2s9—Louie, Napier Handicap (£2) tickets. £251 14s —Kalo, Shorts Handicap, Auckland. £223 4s—Mavis, Tradesmen’s Handicap. Hawke’s Bay (£2 tickets). £174 12s—Lavender, Ashley County Plate. £159 6s—Polly, Trotting Handicap, Dunedin. ! £153 9s—Liberty, Hurdle Handicap, Hawke’s Bay. ! £lO3 10s and £75 18s—Catesby, Auckland Winter Handicap. £285 17s—Ipspwich, Electric Stakes Handicap, Canterbury Trotting Club Summer.

mgs:— 1901. 1902. .First clay ... £1(3,743 £9,043 Second dav ... £10.437 £9,093 Tliird day £7,003 £8,095 £34,183 £20,831

half Tr. Winner. Wgt. Time. 1890 . .. Cynisca ..79. .. 2 39J 1891 . .. Cynisca .. 7 12 . .. 2 40 1892 .. ,. Cynisca .. 8 12 . .. 243 1893 .. ,. Retina ,.77. .. 2 40 1894 .. . Vogengang .. .77., .. 2 41 1895 .. . Maliaki .86., ,. 2 39 1896 .. . Brooklet .73.. ,. 2 361 1897 ... , Strathbraan .. .76.. ,. 2 39 1898 .. . Uniform . 9 3 . 2 37 4-5 1899 .. . Daunt .86.. . 2 37 1900 .. . Djin Djin . 7 11 .. . 2 38 1901 .. . Renown 8 10 .., . 2 35 2-5 1902 .. . St. Michael... 8 5 ... . 2 38 1-5

Yr. Winner. Time. 1898 Tigress 0 49 1899 ... Glenogle 048} 1900 ... Heiress 0 50 1901 ... Mensehikoff ... 0 49 1902 ... Orloff 0 48}

1890 ... Lady Florin ... 8 3.. .. 213 1891 ... Cynisca •8 9.. . 212 3-5 1892 ... Cruchfield ... 8 5.. . 213 2-5 1893 ... Q’n of Trumps 7 2., .. 213 1891 ... Clanranald ... 8 9., .. 212 1893 ... Rangipuhi ... 7 6., ,. 211 1896 ... Saracen 8 8.. . 2 11 3-5 1897 ... Kangipuhi ... 7 12 ., ,. 211 1898 ... St. Paul 10 2 .. ,. 210 1899 ... Explosion 7 10 .. ,. 210i 1900 ... Boreas 9 13 ., . 213 1901 ... Boreas 9 10 .. ,. 213 1902 ... The Shannon 7 7.. . 212

Tr. Winner. Wgt. Time 1898 . .. Tigress 7 4.. . 121-5 1899 Courtier 7 1 .. . 113-5 1900 .. Cannie Chiel 7 0.. . 114-5 1901 .. . Menschikoff ... 7 12 .. .. 13i 1902 .. .. Cruciform ... 9 2.. .. 12i

In In In In In 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 ... £24.286 ' ... 32,799 ... 25,890 ... 56.139 ... 36,319 ... '42,092 ... 30,469 In In 1894 1895 In 1896 ... 59.740 In 1897 ... 22.541 In 18@3 ... 15,210 In 1899 ... 17,505 In 1900 . ... 54,460 In 1901 ... 28,671 Total ...£446,421