TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1676, 13 April 1904, Page 48

TURF TOPICS

, (By ‘'Advance.’') CHATTER. Tomirangi was considered lucky to beat Kaipetipeti (.late Croupier) over a mile- on the first day of the Foi l ding meeting. On the second «? t >- <- y ir> • at a difference of Tib and ahnougb lomirangi accepted ohe waa witiidrawn Kaipetipeti, who has hitherto been regarded as a sprinter, won in good’ styie in linin 59 3-sseo, with nearly lOst on his back. Kaipetipeti was bred in the Gisborne district by his owner, Mr J. Clark. The gliding is by Monaco (St. Leger—Ladiy Rayons worth) from Pouawa (Fouil Play—Aconite). Mr Geo. Say well's starting on both daysraf the Wairarapa meeting was first class. Prominent visitors at the Fadding meeting were the Hon. T. K. Macdonald Messrs G. P. Donnelly and E. J. Watt, of Hawke’s Bay, Duncan, Campion and H. Nixon, of Wanganui, D. Pringle, J. R. Macdonald, and D. Scott. The “correct” card cm the second day of the Wairarapa meeting was the most incorrect production of the kind seen out for years. The Club should o-uard against 'such cheap and nasty cards in future in fairness to its patron®, who are asked to pay one shilling for a programme which is veiy dear at half the price. . An important sale of thoroughbred stock is announced by Messrs William H. Turnbull and Co. to be held on Friday, April 22nd, at 11 a.m. In order to make room'for youngsters feeing got ready the patrons of J. H. Prosser’s stable have decided to offer the wellknown performers Ostiak, Ilawiri, Sea Lion, Clovelly, Whungamoana, Position, Sir Galahad, Hainua, Ehbank and a yearling colt by Stepniak—Ranee Nona. Clovelly, Whangamoana and Position competed successfully at the Harawhenua meeting on St. Patrick's Day. Some of the others are engaged at the forthcoming meeting. The yearling to be submitted is '&{ full-sister to Romancjf Indian Queert and other successful performers. The day of the sale is fixed for the off day between t'he Wellington Racing Club’s meeting, to suit the convenience of visitors. We*understand all the lots ore for absolute sale; therefore some bargains should be secured. The imported colt Martian was a strong favourite for the Great Easter Handicap, seven furlongs, but was ono of the last to finish. The* race was won in linin 28 2-sseo. In the Challenge Stakes the fallowing day Martian carried lib more than in the Great Easter Handicap and won by a length and a half in linin 29 l-sseo. On returning to the paddock the pubiio riiade a strong hostile demonstration against Martian. The last occasion that such an affair happened! at Bidcarton was when Siege Gun won the Metropolitan Handicap after finishing aiit of a place in the New Zealand Cup/ ll The Porxrua colt Boris put up a tine performance on the second day of the Auckland meeting" in the Ellendie Hand-/ cap six furlongs. He carried fht. }Qlh and won easily in lmin TO il.~fvw. Pro motion, who Came second .i> , t /••;>■>-

pagne Stake®, was in receipt of 171 b from Boris and finished third, being beaten fey Gladstone (brother to Gladsome) at a difference of 4-lib. Boris, for whom Mr Turnbull gave top price at the last Eldienslie sale, is a long way ahead of any of the Auckland horses of his age. He is a good stayer and if he trains on alright may be regarded as a likely Derby candidate for next season. With Silkworm retired the best of the Southerners may be Stronghold. The Yaldhurat stake appears to shelter a likely colt in Rubia (Stepniak—Madder), brother to Rose Madder. At Riccarton lie beat a fair field in the Ruasley Plate and was Only beaten half a head by Golden Lily ; n the Autumn Nursery Handicap, in which the Multiform filly conceded Rubia 21b. The G:isb orn e-owned Quilt —Maude colt Rehua is a consistent performer. At the Napier Park meeting he was placed three times over six furlongs. At Feilding he ran third each day over six furlongs and wen the con eluding event of the day, run over a mile, after a game finish with Lass-o’-Gowrie. Rehua was bred at Te Malhunga and’ is the second foal of the St. Lege-r—Hilda mare Maude. Her first foal Heatherlea. was trained at Porirua as -a two-year-old. She in now on her owner's (Mr J. R. Macdonald's) estate, after which she was named, aind has a foal by Conqueror. Ballarat paid £2 11s and Black Reynard £1 18s (for second) in the Ranfurly Handicap on the first day of the Feeding meeting. On the second day Ballarat was paying £3 15s and Black Reynard £2 for second.

The Hack 'Scurry at Feilding probably provided a record for totalisator investments for -a race of the kind. There were fifteen starters and £1590 was put through on the race- George Colello brought over from Hastings a chestnut gelding named N.A.8., by Crackslxot — Chiquita. The initials are those of Mr A. B. Newman, breeder of A.8.N., transposed. The gelding ran well and paid £3 for second, hut had no chance with the Taranaki-owned Land’-o’-Cakes, who carried the same colours as Black Reynard. He took charge at half way and came in by himself. Federation, Rungarawa and The Gift were all better backed and Land-o’-Cakes returned' £6 10®. He is a five-year-old gelding by The Painter horse Loohnagar—Avanessa. Sergius beat Land-o’-Cakes over four furlongs and a-half at Stratford and the Stepniak gelding may turn out a cheap horse f or his -new owner. / In seven starts Ballarat has run three firsts and three seconds and once unplaced;. Gyrus was the least backed of the ten runnel’s for the Feilding Cup. After the Wanganui Gup I wrote that the colt ran well in that race and shaped like a stayer, but considered that his owner was flying too high with him. The result of the Feilding race proved that contention to be incorrect. The colt won practically from end to end, but only got the verdict after a punishing finish with Heroism, who was allowing Cyrus 3ib for a year. Mr O’Brien did not journey to the meeting to see his horse race, but had the “rose and black jacket” got home the victory would have been a most popular one. Cyrus was bred at Auckland by Mr Leonard Marshall and is by the iSt. Simon horse Cyrenian from Silk, one of the mares purchased in Australia to mate with the imported sire. Silk was bred in 1888 by the Hon J. E'ules, and was in Messrs Miller Bros, stud in Victoria. As a matron she was unlucky. S'he missed to Bioolka., and had progeny to Deers wood and Gold Reef (son of Goldsborough), both of which died. Gyrus was the first of Silk’s progeny to Cyrenian. She has since produced a full brother and sister to the Feilding. Cup winner and was last season mated with Eton. Cyrus was purchased in Auckland a few mo utlis back by Mr G. W. Smart for 70 guineas, and has so far turned out a good bargain. Both owner and trainer ('Frank Higgott) backed the horse in the machine. Gyrus sported silk three times as a two-year-old l , and iu the colours of Mr H. Friedlander ran second at the EiLlerslie Summer meeting. Last spring at Ellerslie he ran third with 7si 101 b to O'newa 7st 111 b and Gcordie Bst 101 b, in. the Maiden Plate Handicap, one mile and! a quarter. At the Summer meeting he won the Waitemata Handicap, one mile and a half, carrying 7st 11 lb in 2min 43 2-sseo. At the Cambria Park Sale in December last the yearling sister to Cyrus was purchased by Mr Wilkie, of Wanganui, for 22 guineas. Visitors at the Wairarapa, Patea and Waipukurau on Easter Monday were present at Feilding the following day. Madrigal won a double at Ellerslie, which performance her two-year-old brother (Rubia) almost equalled at Riccarton. The other member of the Stepaiak —Madder family (Rose Madder) competed unsuccessfully at Auckland. F. Tilley, the Fordell trainer, raced eight horses at the Feilding meeting, and won with Dexterity Midi a, and’ Tomirangi. The stable was also successfully represented by Merope, Detonation, Otairi, The Gueaser and. Delaanere. T. Carroll rode six winners at the Wairarapa meeting. Although that horse-, man rode Mr BidwilTs horses on the fin’d day and won twice out of three starts,' he did no? have the mount on D cl i nation and Immersion on the second day. Carroll is one of the best Lightn /adits in the country. • He will pro-

bably go back to Victoria for the winter and return to this colony next season. Notwithstandlimg tlhe statement that Wi Hutana reported H. Carmont to the Wairarapa steward® op Easter Monday that houseman rode Rungirawa (Replete’s stable mate) at Feilding the following day. A. Attwood has Ivillarney and Miss King very well at present. Either or both of them should score during the next few weeks.

W. Price, probably the lightest hurdle horseman in the colony, rode the winner of the Hurdles and Easter Handicap on the second day of the Feilding meeting.

The most consistent performer® at the Feilding meeting were Ballarat, Black Reynard. Rehua. N.A.8., Mourner, Kaipetipeti (Croupier) and Goidwai. The going on the second day suited Midia, Lurcher.- Convoy and Lass-o’-Gowrie better than on the first day. The ♦most notable defection from the Easter Handicap field on the second day of the Feilding meeting was Dexterity, whose connecting considered she had no chance of defeating Convoy at a difference of 101 b. The latter won in the easiest possible manner and another 101 b or a stone would probably have made no difference to the result.

Romeo’s spell of bad luck doesjiot appear to have quite broken yet. At Ellerslie the Leolautiis gelding dead-heated with Regulation in the St. Georges Handicap and ran second to Float in the Autumn Handicap. The Dunedin Cup and Publican’s Handicap double (Bulawayo. and Petrovna) was successful on the second day of the C.J.C. meeting,. In the Templeton Handicap, six furlongs Petrovna met Vladimir on IOLb better terms than in the Great Piaster, which is mn ovea v a furlong longer course. Although Wairiiki went through the Auckland Autumn campaign without a win his two sister®, Orange and Blue and Lady Rose, each managed to score. Up-to-Dafe pub up a solid performance on the third d'ay of the A.J.C. meeting by carrying list 111 b and winning easily in 3min 48see. This time compares favourably with the 3min 46 3-sseo put up by Record Reign in the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton. On the first day of the Ellerslie meeting Spalpeen was asked to concede Up-to-Date exactly two stone. The next time the pail* are weighted for a two-mile course they will probably be closer together. Carrageen, winner of the Sydney Handicap on the third day of the A.J.C. meeting, i® a four-year-old sister to Sweet Nell and was in with the lowest weight. Chore Am© demonstrated in tliab race that her Doncaster Handicap victory was no fluke by carrying Bst into third place. The Reprieve—Nydia. mare Friendship Claimed two winners at Ellerslie on Easter Monday. Francis Lovejoy, who got home first in the Tradesmen’s Handicap, is by Regal from the Australian-bred mare and closely related to Regulation, by Regal—May (by King Cole—Friendship). The Petone-ownod De Wet put up a smart performance an the first day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’® meeting. Starting from scratch the Rothschild horse won the Halswell Handicap (m saddle) of 70sovs, two miles, in 4min 58 4r-ssec. He ran in E. Maidment’a name, was ridden by D. Nyhan, and paid £7 2s in a field of six. Mr Spencer Gollan has "a- strong team of jumper® in Moifaa, Australian Star aud Seahorse. The awkwardly-named Ekaterini Passeroponlo (by Dreadnought—St. Katherine) has a yearling colt by Stepniak, a filly foal by Conqueror and has again visited the Medallion horse.

Westguard madia her last appearance on the flat at the Feilding yieeting. The Vanguard mare is engaged in hurdle races at/ the liutt and with other members of Mr G. P. Donnelly’s team will probably bo seen out in jumping races before the end of the season.

The yearlings purchased by Mr L. De Pelichet, manager of Mr S'. H. Gollan’s Mangatarata station, on tlie sth inst., are a brown colt by True Bluet (son of Hotchkiss —Rose of Wellington),, from The Gem (dam of Jewellery) by Grand Flaneur from Marinella (half-sister to Blue Fire) by Maribymong—Sapphire by The Drumell (imp.). The youngster was bred by Mr A. Hooke, in whose colours True Blue raced, and was secured cheaply at 50 guineas. The Loohiel colt for which 100 guineas was paid, was bred by Mr Ja® Thompson at the Olinda Stud. The dam of this youngster (Consistence) is a sister of Melossi, by Melos from Constance, by Cheddar (imp.) from Barbara, by Barbarian from Adeline (grand dam of Oakleigh, Amiable, Affiance and Attachment) by Kingston (imp.). Consistence’s first foal, a ooit by Grafton, came to this colony and ha® raced successfully in Messrs Ellis Bros’, colours under the name of Blackstone. At the recent C.J.C. meeting Blackstone won tlhe Epsom Welter Handicap. Sergiu® fia® been disposed of to an Auckland sport and will be raced at the country meetings in that district. We were informed by cable that at the Sydney yearling sales on Thursday last four fillies were purchased for this colony. Three of the youngster® fell to Mr.L. de Pelichet’® bid. They are a chestnut filly by Medallion from Sululation (dam of Salute) by Segen'hoe from Welcome (imp.) by Dutch Skater from Fair Duchess (imp.). This lot was bred by Mr F. Reynold® at the Tooal Stud

and cost 100 guineas. The other pair for the Mangabarata stud were from Mr S. Reynold®’® batch; a brown filly by Grafton—Navarine. by Navigator from Gold Lino, by Goldsborough from Rosalie from Peter Wilkins. The other is a chestnut filly by Medallion from. Patrxe, by Splendour from Taui i, fey The Drummer (imp.) from Tficmar, by Kelpie (imp.) from 10, by Sir Hercules from Flora MoIvor. The youngster purchased on behalf of Sir George Clifford is a brown filly by Grafton (imp.) from Blue and Gold, fey Grand Flaneur from White and Blue (imp.). On the second day of tlie Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting some fast performances were put up. Florin, a three-year-old gelding by Sacramento, put up smin 7seo in harness in the April Handicap. Lauderhill (by Lauderdale) trotted t wo miles in saddle in smin ssec. woca! (by General Tracey) registered 4min 46sea m the Metropolitan Handicap in harness. He was in receipt of sseo from Blackohild, who had to show a 2.20 gait to win. The veteran Monte Carlo wps second. Lady Elmo (Ailment-Judah) won the Juvenile Stakes in 2min 38sec. George M. (by George M. patchem) covered two mile® in saddle in 4min 55sec. Perewiti and De Vet, who were conceding George M. lOsec and sseo respectively, finished cpt of a place. The Vanoleve gelding Euchre failed toi cooiced'o the American bred Canola. s,sec in the President’s Handicap (two miles) in harness. The runner was driven by L„ Robertson and put up smin 4seo. In the Telegraph Handicap (in saddle) one mile, Die pony Sierra '.by Pirate) beat the American mare AI.F. off the same mark in 2min 25seo, Mc-nte Carle- scored a popular win in the mile harness ra.ee, which he won from scratch in 2min 23eee. Sierra (osec) and De Wet <7soo) were unplaced. The meeting was concluded on Saturday last. The sum of £24.767 was passed through the totalisator for the three days. Cariola aud Euchre started off the mark iu the High Class Handicap, two miles. Both were unpiaoeu behind Almond and Verity, who ran a dead heat. Almond trotted smin 6 3-ssec. Verity smin 8 3-sseo. Onward (by Electioneer) worn the New Zealand Handicap, in harness, two miles, in 4min 48 2-ssec. Verax (by Vancleve) won the Crack Handicap (in saddle), two miles, in 4min 51 sec. Ribbon Wood did noit start in the Champions’ Handicap (in harness) two miles, in which he was asked to give.away 19sec. The American-bred mare Norioe, on the limit-, driven by D. J. Price, won in 4min 46 4-ssec. Queen V. (by Kentucky) won . the Autumn Handicap (iu harness) two miles, in smin 5 2-sseo. Wild Rose (by Boston) put up 2min 23seo in a mile saddle race. Flora G. (sister to Plain G.) did 2min 26 3-ssec in harness. Fiora G. is owned by Mr 0. E. Fisher, secretary of the Upper Hutt Trotting Club. Tlhe time for class trotting in Canterbury ha® almost- arrived. In a mile saddle race at the Metropolitan meeting on Saturday last the limit in a field of fourteen was 2 seconds. It is understood that litigation is likely to ensue over the raicebook® printed for the recent Tauherenikau meeting. The errors were almost glaring. In somo cases the stakes were incorrectly printed, also the time of starting the races, and the weights. Same houses’ names were wrongly spelt, some wore mis-numbored, and some had no numbers at all. The result was that on the second t|ay many of the pubiio refused to buy books, and the contractor, Mr J. Crawford, is understood to have suffered considerable loss. In the circumstances, Mr Crawford has refused to pay the full amount of the books, aud has announced tin.* to the printing firm whiox. mare such an awful botch of tire worx. Waipukurau was a prohibition meeting, but tlie stewards of the club provided a large mai-quee in which liquid refreshment "was dispensed free of charge. Some prominent officials of the club treated Visitor® to a champagne luncheon. The meeting was the most successful ever held by the club. The totalisator turnover reached the satisfactory sum of £6115. Mr A. Hyde acted as starter, except in the Ladies’ Bracelet m which he had a mount. Mr Paul Hunter offioated in that race. The success of the meeting was> in a great measure due to the way in was worked up bv Mr W. G. Nightingale the club’s up-to-date secretary. \ FEILDING JOCKEY CLUB. The success of Die Feilding Jockey Club’s autumn meeting must be very gratifying to the officials of that goahead body. Last week we referred to the handsome stewards’ stand recently erected and used for the first time.' Racing officials from the Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui and Taranaki districts who were present at the meeting were loud! in their praise of the accommodation provided, Whioh is considered superior to anything in this island. The attendance cm the holiday'numbered fully 5600 people and the grandstand and outside enclosure® were overcrowded. To provide against such a contingency the Club intend® to •extend the present stand and increase the accommodation for the outside public. There was also at time® a good deal of crushing by investors at the totalisatar. This might have been avoided) had additional machines been available. Nofc-

■withstanding the unfavourable weather experienced on the second day the totalisator turnover would have been c'oneid'etrabl’y larger had. the means for investment been provided. As shown by the appended comparative table the; amount put through at Foil ding was nearly as nmich a® at Auckland.ih. three days and considerably ahead of Christchurch: —

The Feilding Club makes a point of catering for its visitors and treats horseowners in a liberal manner. The revenue derived! from the gatherings is distributed to the sources from which it comes —by increasing the stakes to horse-own-ers and providing better accommodation for its patrons. Mr Edmund Good cohere, who manges the aff airs of the Club, can take a great amount of creedt for the proud position the Club at present occupies. f • LORD CARDIGAN. Mr James Mayo, the old time. New South Wales owner-trainer, undoubtedly possesses a long distance champion in the three-year-old Lord Cardigan. Bred as he is, it is not surprising the coh can stay any instance. His sire, the St. Simon horse Posit a no. it maty not be . generally known, raced in Australia. At Rand wick he won the A.J.C. Spring Stakes, weight for age. one mile and a quarter; the A.J.C. Place Handicap one mile and a hal£, the V.R.C. Veteran Stakes, one mile and. a half, and ran second in the V.R.C. Handicap, one mile ana three-quarters, carrying 9st 71b. Puritan o’s previous best advertisement was Postillion, who as a three-year-010 won Tattersall’s Club Cup, two miles. Lady Trenton (dam of Lord Cardigan) carried the ‘‘black dark.blue sash anc!' cap’ of tier owner-breeder successfully. 'As four-year-old she won the Svdtney Cup, two miles, and ran second to Nightingale in Tattersall’s Club Cup, two . miles. Thenton (sire of Lady Trenton) was unlucky enough to get placed in two Melbourne Cups. Black Swan (dam of Lad-" Trenton) ran third in Tattersall’s Club Cup. She was by Yattondon—Maid of the Lake, whose breeding could not he traced. As a two-year-old' Lord Cardigan did not appear until the autumn. He ran second in the Park Stakes, one mile, at Haiwkebury in April, second in the Novice Handicap, one mile, at the A.J.C. May meeting.: second in the Flying Stakes, one mile at Warwick Farm in July. He opened his three-year-old career at Randwick in September last, by finishing out of a place in the Metropolitan Handicap. In the Wycombe Stakes, one mile and three furlongs, lie was only, beaten a head by Famous in 2min 251 sec. In the Randwick Plate, two miles and a distance, he put down Wakeful Postillion,. Sir Leonard and The Victory, ■winning by half a dozen lengths in 4min At Flemington in November lie was beaten a length and a half in the Melbourne Stakes, one mile and a quarter, run in 2min 9sec. In the Melbourne Cup, two miles, the weights were —Lord Cardigan 6af 81b, Wakeful

lOst. The daughter of Trenton ran tho three-year-old to- three parts of a lenrfh in 3min 29|sec. This marvellous performance of Wakeful’s reminds the writer of another put up in connection with the .same race. In 1890 Carbine won ■with lOsst sib, Highborn (6st 81b) being second. The following season Highborn carried 9st 31b to victory in the Sydney Cup and ran second in the Australian Cup with Bst 61b. A year later he suc-

ceeded in the last-named event under 9st 41b. and ran third in the Sydney Qup with the .same weight. At the V.R.C. autumn meeting i-n February Emir beat Lord Cardigan by a short

head in tlie Essen don Stakes, one mile and a-half. In the Loch Plate, two- miles Emir and Combat both finished in front of Lord Cardigan. In the Champion Stakes, three miles. Emir again asserted his superiority by defeating the New South Wales representative by three 'parts of a length. At Rand wick last week Lord Cardigan carried Bst 71b to victory in the Sydney Cup two miles, , in 3min 31£sec. He also won, the Ouimberland Stakes, two miles, by half a head from Belah, and put down the Havoo colt, whose sire won the same doable as a fowiMyear-old, in the A. J.C. Plata on Saturday last. GLADSOME IN AUSTRALIA. , It is a pity -that before returning to this colony Gladsome was not given, another opportunity of showing her brilliancy over ten or twelve furlongs. Although she was beaten over the latter distance on her first appearance at Randwiek, it would be unfair to blame her rider (H. Donovan) or endeavour to discount the performance of Sweet Nell, who defeated the New Zealander by a head. The slow time was accounted for by tfie heavy going. Sweet Nell represented a stable which shelters three of the bestthree-year-olds, in Australia. Early the season Sweet Nell won the Caulfield Cup, carrying 6sfc 131 b in 2min 35 ,and at JETemington won the (hdcs stakes in 2mia 40 3-6seo. In, the two anile®, she Cardigan at level weights, ar*d finished third to the Melbourne Cup winner. On Giacteomete second appearance, in

the All Aged Stakes, one mile, she heat Ibex and Sir Leonard, two of the best handicap horses in Australia, with ease in lmin 43lsec. By defeating Ibex the daughter of Seaton Deiayal revenged 1 the defeat of Cruciform in the spring. The Sweet Nell stable was represented by Emir, who bad to "be content with third place. At the V.R.C. meeting last month Emir’s performances gained for him the name of the best three-year-old m the Commonwealth. At Fleming ton In the Essendon Stakes, one mile and a half, he defeated Lord Cardigan and others in 2min 3S4sec. In the Loch Piate, two miles, Emir finished first, and Lord Cardigan third, carrying Bsfc a-pieee. In the Champion Stakes, three miles, Emir won easily from Lord Cardigan and Scottish King. From the above it will be seen that Gladsome was pitted against the best horse's in the Commonwealth', and although beaten by horses of her own ago and sex, she was not disgraced. THE WELLINGTON WEIGHTS, Mr Chadwick’s handicaps for the firstday cf the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting appeared on the 7th fust. Acceptances for same are due on the 14tli. I shall briefly refer to- the adjustments in their order on the card. The Auckland Easter Handicap winner Regulation (9st 61b) heads the list in. the VVaiwetu Handicap, seven furlongs. She.is not meeting any of the horses sue defeated at Auckland. If she comes to the meeting site is more likely to take on the Thompson Handicap. Petrovna *t<sst 121 b) meets Kremlm (Bst 111 b) on 71b better terms than in the Great Easter, in which the latter finished second. In the Tempicton Handicap, six furlongs, carrying level weights, they finished first and third respectively. If either of this pair start they will he hard to beat. Field Battery (Bst Illb) is reported -to be amiss, and Shrapnel Shell (7 sfu 131 b) may nob be- forward enough. Of the others, Dexterity (Bst 81b), Immersion (7st 121 b), Blackstone (7a& oib). and. Little Turk (7st 3ib) haver recent form to' recommend them. The pick'of the handicap I take to- be Petrovna and Kremlin. ' Rehua (9s b 61b) is properly placed at the head cf the Silverstream Hack Handicap field. Manawaru (Bst 131 b) hardly used in being placed within 71b of Rehua, and being asked to give weight to Tomirangi (Bst 131 b) and 1 Position (Bst 31b). The latter ran a mile at Horowhenua. with 7sfc ,121 b on his back, in lmin 42 2-Ssec, and whatever- beats him should win. He beat Spoil (Bst lib) by a couple of lengths. The latter has since run successfully at Tauherenikau and is only allowed 41b for the beating. Of the others, Whangamoana (7s-t, 13lb) . and Gold Trip (7&t 21b) have recently shown winning form. The three who appear likely to supply the winner ai;e Position, Rehua and Tomirangi. The Thompson Handicap has attracted a big field, and at least twenty of the 47 handicapped should accept. At first sight Martian (7st 61b) appears to bo thrown in. Shrapnel has been given, a chance to repeat his last year’s success, having been let off with the 'same weight (7st 121 b), Regulation (Bst 111 b). Starshoot (Bst 81b), Dexterity (7st Illb) and Madrigal (7sit 91b) appear to have good chance®. To select the' winner in three I would name 'Martian, Shrapnel and Dexterity in that order.

Waiwera (12st 31b) is gradually getting down in the weights. He would be better suited over two mile® journey than over two furlongs less. The Guard (list 91b) has been handicapped on, some of his past deeds, which he is unlikely to repeat. The pick of the lot appear to he Killarney (10st 131 b), Midia (lOfet 81b), Catherine Gordon (lOst 51b), Levant (lOst 21b), Comfort (lOst 21b)., Mourner (9st 131 b), and the hast of Shearsbys pair. Westguaird (9st 131 b)., and Dingo (9st 71b). If the going suits Killarney, I would look no further for the winner. In the Heretaunga Handicap, nine furlongs, Blacks*tone (9st 121 b) allows Ragahrash (9st 21b) 91b for a neck defeat in, the Epsom Welter, one mile, at Riccartoin. 0!f the others Hydrant (Bst 131 b), Louisa (Bst 121 b). Oudenarde (Bst 71b) and Sandy (Bst 61b) have been fairly well treated. The top weight and Ragabrash should supply the winner. A likely half-dozen to Jsupply the winner of the Tinakori Hack Handicap, six furlongp. are Rehna (9at 51b) Tomirangi (Bst 101 b) .Clove] ly (Bst 61b), Gawain (7st 121 b)„ Declination (7®t 41b) and Kangaroo (6st 131b).-,. The winner of the Railway Handicap sax furlongs, may come from Ballarat (Bst 81b), Petrovna (Bst 81b), Black Reynard (Bst 71b), Kremlin (Bst 31b), Immersion (7st 61b) and Merope (6st 81b). TARANAKI NOTES. (From Our Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 9. The Patea meeting on Easter Monday was brought off in windy, but otherwise, fine weather, and the result must be a substantial profit to the Club. A sum of £5296 was manipulated at the totalasators on the eight events. The Vanguard mare Opaeae won the Hurdles from start to finish; but she was Drang in the run home. This mare has had several essays at the obstacles, and a few spalls, butt she is on the improve, and should won again this season., Hawera acted as a* f*nr itra-

ner-up. This Gipsy King gelding hqd never recovered his form, of a fe-w seasons ago, but he may yet notch a hack hurdle race this season. Dick Turpin, who was steered l by an amateur jockey, J. Mackaly, jumped! well, but he was not ridden with any judgment and! heuhadi to be Content with a third berth. This gelding is in pretty good nick and).should about win a race at Mastertou or Egment -meetings, cither on the dat or over sticks. Gilnockie, the favourite, made a rather indifferent display, which was hardily liis time form. Ho may be seen to better advantage later on. Toledo, who suffered 1 from a recent accident, ought to have been at name: ana the other starter. Handsome Chief, would bo better served with more condition. The time, 3min was* fairly good under the circumstances. The dividend's were £3 8s and £1 ios. Noneen was installed favourite in. the Flying Handicap, and the Johnny Faa mare got well away, but soon retired, and had nothing to do with the finish. The winner turned! up in Siandra, who won fairly easily from the Brown Bill filly Pemmicam. who ran in J. R. Corrigan's nomination. Tam houruuii was close up third and! Maureen, Fair Jess and The Bishop were the other starters, the first-named being best backed. The time, lmin 19sec. was moderate. The dividends were £5 Is and £1 ss. The Bishop, a 3-year-old by West-mere —Prioress, i> bred on. good! lines, but he strikes one as lacking in condition. A moderate lot -of nine contested the* Farmers’ Plate. Innovation, a. 3-year-old filly by St. Gyr from Novelty, was made favourite, but Hindoo, a Stratford representative, ran her close for the position. The issue lay between the two, and Innovation being better served by the riding, won by a length. Hindoo, a 5-year-old gelding by Ruatangata- from Ebony, was riuden by his owner. Dr Paget. Native Game was third. St. Gyres® was the o-nly scratching. The mile was covered in lmin olscc, and the dividends were £1 3s ad 13s.

Only three weighted out for the Easter Handicap, Maureen being the absentee. Little Turk, on has recent successes, was made favourite, but Aureole and Moetorepuku were also well supported. Aureole was in command most of the way, and, despite a challenge from Little Turk, lie won pretty'easily, although it was not a crccata-Dlo win seeing Little Turk was giving him-a lot of weight. The winner is a. o-year-old gelding by Go-ld Reef, from St. Katherine, and therefore well enough bred to win any class cf race on the fiat. The mile a!nd a-quiarter was covered in 2nuii 16-|seo. The dividend was £2 15s. Moetoropuku presented a somewhat jaaecr appearance, and would be well served if she had a spell to freshen her up. Til'd Kakeriame# Stakes, 4J furlongs, weight Bst, with an extra stone for winners, attracted’ a good field to the post. Alba. Rose, who had been reserved for the event, was installed a warm favourite but she could do no- better than getthird. Firelight, by The Workman, got away well, and despite a challenge from. Parks!rot lie won by .a length. The latter has improved of late and 1 ran a good race. Kapuini. Lord Soult, Controller and Rromfield were the- scratciiings. The time was 58 3-ssec, and the dividends £lO 4s land £6 16s.

Despite her previous display Noneen wais again well supported in the Borough Stakes and she won all the way ; Siandra, the favourite, who was penalised 71b. being second, and Van Courier, who wa,s second favourite, filled third berth. A protest for inconsistent running was preferred against- None-en, but after enquiry it was dismissed. Her two- performances certainly took a go-cd deal of explanation. Fair Jess', Toddy and) Rosalinda were scratched. Little Turk got badly away. Tho seven furlongs were cut o-ut-in lmin Miseo and the dividends were £3 18s and 16s.

Aureole was made favourite in the Alton Handicap and lie won fairly easily from Dick Turpin, with Alas third. Moetoropuku was scratched. The time, lmin 45seio, was a very good go. Dick Turpin’s performance was a good one, as he carried lOst 131 b a-ga-inst Aureole’s 9st 51b. The dividend's were £1 16s and £1 3s. For the Final Stakes, four furlongs and! adiaif, P'a-rkshot, on his previous rnnning, was made favourite, and he justified backer’s confidence by winning fairly easily from Redan, with Marivella third. Runaway Girl, Lord Soult-, Silver Shell, Janella, Co-nan D'oyle, St. Myra., Sbarngarina, Daisy Faa and Native Game were! .scratched. Fire-light ivas second favourite and Ka.piuni was also well supported 1 . 'Tho time wasi 58^-sec ? <md the dividends £2 16s and £2 13s. A report is current that starting-price layers received a big knock over Regulation’s win. at Auckland, but so- far as the New Plymouth contingent is concerned there is me truth in the report. As a matter of fact there was very little Regulation money placed at New Plymouth, where pencdllers report a profit over the Easter fixtures.

Nooth Taranaki scored 1 three wins the second day at Feilding.- W. Elliot, of Waitara, obtained) two with Land-o’-Cakcs and B'laok Reynard, and P. Johnson one with Lurcher. Good! dividends were paid ;by the three. J. George had pretty bad! luck with his team at Auckland. getting two second® with Maro and one with Paritutu. Durable and Mataurai got unplaced.

FEILDING RACE'S.

(By Our Own, Correisp^/Moni)

The Autumn meet.i g <}i ikri Feilding Racing Club may certaicrf be desesibedi as -one of the most held b'y that progressive Club. Evo-a-js port-; i,ng point of view the most disarm topi ease oouldi have found fcoi cavil a-.j in the field facing the starter in qacij event and financially tlie meeting Euus') have exceeded the expectations cf tu<3 most sanguine steward. On tho firsdiary a total, of £16,427 passed fi-rcugin the machine as against £11.949 for tins corresponding day the previous year, a£: increase of £±47B on the day’s operation^ I '. On tho second day £12,612. was put through, making a total of £29,059 for th« meeting -as against £21.835 last year, a total increase of £7204 on tire two days a particularly satisfactory result, especially since the on either day was not all that could re desired: the first daly gloomy and til.-eat-en mg and. on the second marked by intermittent showers which, iio-wev. V, did not affect the attendance, which, like tho totaliisator figures, constituted a. record for the Club. Allusion -has already been made in these columns to the recent important improvements effected © the Club's appointments during the- past few months, and after the Gup race on the first day opportunity was taken to “christen” the new stewards’ stand, $ structure that elicited the warm approval of all the sporting visitors present. .Representative members of th© latter were welcomed by Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R. President of the Club; and, subsequently, Messrs Higgle (.Wanganui), T. Kennedy Macdonald (Wellington) D'oaxneilly .(Hawke’s Bay), W. S : . Abrahaim (Manawatu), referred in 'yulogistio terms to tho great progress made by til© Club, some or the speaker.? stating many of the Metropolitan clubs could well take example by its prize list and! the valuable and convenient appointments. Special praise was accorded the new building. As already stated the racing throughout the meeting was decidedly interesting, some of the- finishes being particularly close. Rustique was the only withdrawal from the* first event, the Ranfurly Handicap. Westguard was the first to show in front from au even start, but was quickly supplanted by Ballarat and Merope. Rounding the bottom stretch Black Reynard ran up to- and passed Merope- and challenged the Hutt-trained mare, but she was full of running and easily stalled off ad opposition, passing the post an easy winner by a length. Rehua passed West guard at the distance and finished third. Gold Trip and Detonation were sent outstrong favourites in the Maiden Hack Race. Ladiy Moama, next in demand. Mr Donnelly’s gelding, Gold Trip, won very easily an tlm tmisn from the- neglected Sylvrie, a daughter of Sylvia Park, whoput in a> very strong run a-t the- bend for home. Ladiy Moana was soon done with and her exhibition was deoidely inferior to her last performance at the Horowhenua. meeting. M.Ai.D., a- Craekshot gelding, trained by G. Collelo, ran a good race but could not last the distance. The Kawa Kawa hurdle- race was the best- jumping event witnessed on the course for a long time. A field r -f nine faced the starter.- Passing the stand the second time round Beau Ideal was in front with Midia, Merry. Boy, Otairi and Killarney in close- attendance. At the back Beau Ideal fell back beaten and Merry Boy took up the running, the rest in the same* order. No material change took place till the bottom stretch wag reached, where Mourner commenced to move upi on the outside. Entering the straight he was on even terms with the leaders and a, great race home- resulted in the Maori-trained horse scoring by a length from Otairi. Killarney third four lengths away. Pushful, a Strenuous gelding, easily accounted for the Taonui Hack Hurdles, winning by. fully eight lengths from The Gues-ser, who was well supported by his_oonncc;tions. but had no chance with the winner. 'Liesa was beaten a length for third! place.' Miss King, Pharos and the Lurcher were beaten off.' The latter was prominent in the early stages of the race. Asteroid and) Three! et were the- only absentees front tho Cup field, leaving ten acceptors. Melodeon was a strong fare uiit-e, Convoy next in order. Timetaura and Heroism were evenly supported and Cyrus was the outsider. v Ik© laoter showed 1 in front from the jump' and was never headed, though tackled lesoluitely by Heroism in the straight. The favourite w'as never dangerous-) and tv as beaten before the straight was. reached in tho run home. Convoy was last nearly all the waly and covered a lot of unnecessary ground. He did not make- a move till rounding the homey turn, and though he came very fast in the straight it Avaa too late. Hinebaura and! Anni-s-------tio© got away badly and finished in the ruck as did "also Tiroie, who* was the closest attendant on Cyrus up to a mile and a quarter, where he retired. Tomaran&i Tate Tangiwai, and Kaipetipeti (late Croupier), finished in the Onepuhi Welter Race by themselves, Rouble, the next nearest, fully three lengths away. Kaipetipeti ran to the front,,alon.g the: back stretch and led to th-e,.distance, where the Mahaki filly joined, issue and a great race home* resulted in hqr landing the stake by a short head. Waipava. ran well during the early part of the* race and so* did Kangaroo, who was third entering the straight but died a way in the

run home. Gold Trip started again hut ■was never prominent and was evidently settled by his previous race. Handsome Rose and Rehua were withdrawn from the Haleombe Welter, which fell an easy prey to Dexterity, who ran home two lengths to the good. Halberdier, looking very big, started 'but was in the ruck, all the way and Benefactor finished absolutely last, a position he occupied fio-m the start. In the Ongo Hack Handicap Goldwai and Waikakaho were the first to move, the former leading by a length entering the straight. In the run home The Gift put in a rattling sprint and passed but could not get on even , terms with the Palmerston horse, who finished a clear length to the good. Delamere had a had passage but ran into fourth place. Big fields characterised the second day’ ° racing and some good dividends were paid. The speedy Shrapnel was sent out favourite for the opening event, Ballarat and Merope next in demand. • Black Reynard, though he had run a good second the first day, was comparatively neglected. The race was practically confined to him aind Ballarat, the gelding prevailing this time after a great set to with the mare from the turn into the straight. Rehua ran into, third place, beating Westguard, who stumbled badly and nearly came to grief opposite the stand. Shrapnel ran disappointingly and Melodeon was no better. Merope ran well for four furlongs, but could not last out the distance. Rouble cut out the .running in the Awahuri Welter Race for six furlongs and was then headed. Kaipetipeti and Waipawa going to the front, Gold Trip, who did not have a good time, lying well in the rear. Entering the straight the field closed up and a'good race to the post saw Kaipetipeti annex the stake by half a length from Waipawa, Gold Trip three Lengths away third. The Kimbolton Hurdles produced another good race. Tupara and Sabreur out out the running till passing out of the'straight, where tliev opened out and Merry Boy and Beau Ideal ran up on the inside and went to the head of affairs, Sabreur falling back beaten. Around the back the order was practically the same, Midia and Mourner being in close attendance on the leaders. At the turn to the straight Midia went to the front and drawing away won easily by t a length from Mourner, who made a game "but ineffective struggle to get on even terms. Waiwera and Sahreur finished last. Lurcher gave liis field no chance in the Oroua Hack Hurdle race, going to the front at the start and staying there without -an effort. Lissa and Pushful went after him in the straight, the former getting within three lengths on suffranee. Miss King was well backed but was with the field all the time. Pharos was hopelessly beaten and Roer passed out half a mile from home. Convoy easily appropriated the big event, the Easter Handicap, having his field well beaten a good half mile from home. Shrapnel and Melodeon were saddled up . again for this event and their previous . gallop appeared to have effected an improvement in each of them, they filling second and third places. Shrapnel made the pace till: collared bv the top weight. Melodeon was always adjacent. Cyrus ivas beaten half a mile from home and Heroism and Fleka- were never dangerous. Rain fell while the race was being run. The Rewa Hack Race was a duel between two Palmerston horses, Goldwai and Gold Dredge, to the distance post, - where Gawain came like a bolt from the blue and settled the pretensions of both. Goldwai beat his late stable mate' by a neck. Kangaroo ran up to form but could not pace it with the leaders when the serious business commenced. La-nd-o’Cakes made a .great display of his field in the Hack Scurry, finishing out by himself and securing the easiest win of the meeting. M.A.B. ran up to the.previous day’s form and heat Hinurewa by half a length for second place. The Quilt-Maude -gelding Rehua easily accounted for his field in the final event of the meeting and well deserved the win, his form being consistent through- . out. Lass-o’-Gowrie was well supported and ran a. great race as did also St. Alba, but t he. Gisborne horse carried too many guns. Halberdier and Mussel fell at the turn out of the straight but neither horses or riders were hurt. The officials all worked hard to promote the success of the meeting and they succeeded admirably. The secretary, Mr E. Goodbehere, and his assistants were courteous ahcll obliging as, indeed, were £ all 'the officiate. The meeting was in every way a .pronounced success. HAWKE’S BAY NOTES. WAIPUKURAU JOCKEY CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) NAPIER, April 8. As usual this suburban racing institution held its yearly re-unic-n on Easter Monday, and had the weather been ordered. it would not have been possible to obtain a finer sample. Never, before in the history of the Club has such a large attendance been recorded, and evihad come well prepared to.back theiiwfancies, for when the tote figures were made up for the day’s busi- £ ness it was seen that the Club had hung up a record ; the amount passing through the automatic-dispenser of odds amounted to £6115,' or £620 more than was invested at the 1903 gathering. Evidently the new secretary has been pushing busi-

ness dining his occupancy of the office, for last year lie beat the previous best by £IOOO. and last 'meeting he- went better as lie headed that record by £620, which shows an increase of £I6OO odd in a couple of seasons. The gate receipts were also far in advance of previous years and, roughly speaking, this popular racing organisation made a profit of £350 over their venture last Monday. The sport was of a good class, and the good prices returned in the majority of instances proved conclusively that Mr Henrys had set pointers a puzzling problem to locate the conquerors. That genuine sport, Mr George Hunter, who is always numerically well represented at Waipukurau, had his colours carried to the fore in the two-year-old handicap, Mystic’s son Mystification scoring somewhat comfortably from Polyanthus, who experienced but- little difficulty in beating 'the balance of the runners. Merginae, a. son of Merganser’s by A prom out, who hails from. Mr W. Rathbone’s training establishment, was one of the opposing forces, but his eccentric behaviour at the post took all the steam out of him, iand lie consequently was never forward; he is a rare good cut of a colt but one that requires time, for his appearances are suggestive of growing proclivities,and it is an old saying and a true one too that a horse cannot gallop and grow. Monarque- who made his first appearance at Napier Park last month and there scored' in the Hack Hurdles, made a ruu-away affair of the Maiden Ham Race, the favourite, Arisen* A user, never making a forward move. Sprinkle, an aged son of Jet d’Eau, getting second honours. South Star, Scallywag’s halfbrother,’ by Sou’wester, filling third berth. Repulse and Taura divided favouritism for the Easter Handicap—but while the former performed well Taura failed to carry out the good opinion formed of him by his Connections, who thought he could not miss; lie missed badly, and returned to the weighing-in enclosure blowing like a whale. Repulse got downed in the last fifty yards by Bailyneefcy, who has been resting since the Napier Park gathering, and the determined way in which lie stuck to his task shows unmistakably that Sou’wester’s pony son has not lost her pace or courage. A. Vincent, who used to have the care of The Shrew, Katoomba, Little Billee and others lias now got Ballyneety under his tuition. The all cerise had a better time of it in the Hack Handicap, Provost Marshall being well up. all the trip, and pulling to the front in the last bit had not muoli trouble to keep the opposition in check. Quilted, who looked nice and mellow, and) who should be hard to beatla ter on, was second. Sleep well, a halfsister to Waterford, was third. Apparently Taura’® gallop in the Easter had done him soinp good, for : n the Waipukurau Handicap lie put in a brilliant spurt in the last hundred yards and getting up to Gold Dust, who up to this stage had looked a safe winner, wore him down and the verdict went up in his favour. la and Freeland, who both looked hearty and well had a great set-to for third) place, the- .Judge being 1 unable to split the pair at the finish.. Coeur-de-Lion, the other starter, had a worn and tired appearance and finished a bad last, and the way lie pulled up suggested that liis racing career is aboutfinished. Black wing broke up the top weights by the Solid pace she carved out for the first mile of the Ladies’ Handicap ; after going that distance she subsided and Talune could be seen to be going in good style, and well handled bv Air P. Neaglo, settled Cfuesot by a couple of lengths, Sleepwell the same distance away third. This is the second consecutive time that Mr Neaglo has piloted the conqueror in the ladies’ race, for last- year he steered A pres to victory. A-ssayer got a good let off when the flag went- down in the Flying Handicap, and making every post- a winning one., secured the verdict easily from Tyrone, the favourite, who spoiled his prospect by boring in badly all the way down the straight; Sera-.phine, who looked too big to do himself proper justice, third. With a few more gallops Seraph’s ancient eon should improve a great deal and lie may be looked for as a winner before many moons have set notwithstanding that Pa,tuna carried within a pound of 9sb. She made an easy tiling of the Final Hack. She was always adjacent to the front, and.when Kirk asked her to come on a quarter of a mile from the Chair/ she streaked out in great style aind had! the race, in her keeping a furlong from home. Rapids put in a.good ruiT in the last half furlong, but. hi® efforts were fruitless and he had to be content with second place and Ice third. Wild Cat, the first choice, led for about three furlongs, when she melted away, and finished a long way behind the winner. Mr A. Hyde dismissed the fields, with the exception of the arguers in the Ladies’ Handicap, in which he had the ride on Cruesot, and owing to this- cause All* Paul Hunter topk office. The latter was very successful in liis send off —and is a great pity that he is not often seem out in the business, for there is no doubt that he has all the essentials required by a starter, and with more- practice would be hard to heat-. Mr Hyde’s work with the flag was also meritorious, and lie is rapidly working liis way to the front rank at the game#

. PALMERSTON NORTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Nominations received by the Manawar tu Racing Club for its autumn meeting, compared with those received for the corresponding meeting last year, show an increase of 4.8, the figures being 350 as against 302. In the present instance every race has filled exceptionally well, there being an average of 22 horses in each event both days. The big races have filled better than for a number of meetings past, net even excepting the Christmas meeting on the new course at Awapuni, when the Cup and President’s Handicap fields were comparatively disappointing. The quality of the horse® engaged is all that could be- desired and is somewhat above that previously seen here, a fact no doubt due to the better going and the prizes offered, as well as that a number of southern horses nominated will bo attending the Wellington meeting. Mr G. G. Stead, for the first time for some meetings past, has nominated a couple—the English bred Martian and Bagpipes. Considerable interest Mill attach to the former if lie puts m an appearance, especially after his defeat of Treadmill and the speedy Machine Gun in the Challenge Stakes at the recent C.J.O. meeting. Sir Geo. Clifford, who is “a conaistent nominator at Manawatu meetings and the Porirna stable are each, well represented, Auckland sends a couple of horses, including Jewellery. Hawke’s Bay owners make their usual liberal entries and the Wairarapa, Wanganui and Manawatu districts add their quota. *lfc is questionable if there lias even been a better array of jumping talent than is nominated in the jumping events, both open and liac-k events, nearly every ho-rse having been returned a winner at some meeting or other. The hack flat events, as usual, justify their inclusion even in the best- of programmes. If tlia acceptances at all approach the nominations the Club may confidently anticipate -a meeting second only in success to the late summer gathering. Numerous improvements, generally of minor importance, but all 'contributing to the general convenience have been carried out on the cour’e since the last meeting, and some are still being done, including the ercotion of a public stand, the big grandstand on the old course having been removed from there, and utilised for the purpose. The tracks are all in good order. The appointments were not- neglected by the recent gale- which spread -devastation over the district. The long line of new horse boxes at. the back of the saddling paddock was more or ie-is damaged, generally more. They received the full force of the hurricane and the roofing iron was blown all over the grounds. The grandstand previously referred to was in course of erection and it was razed to the ground, but the actual damage done was slight. Lord Sou It, who as report ed las t week had injured liis tendon by striking it while galloping has been spelled for the winter. The injury itself it not serious enough to necessitate .such a lengthy spell, but the gelding has displayed such good form in his track work that rather than take any chances, hi® 'owners have decided upon the step stated and wisely. A tempting offer to sell him to an Auckland spo-rb was recently refused. The Lak.esh.el! —Poinse-t'tia gelding Loch Tay has changed owners,-Mr J. McKenzie, of Palmerston having purchased him. The gelding has been ofy colour for a long time past, and during the week aia examination showed his teeth to be in a terribly bad -state. They ha,vo been attended to and the gelding w ill be hacked about town by his. owner during the winter and then put to work for spring meetings. At the price he was obtained lie should prove a remunerative purchase. Mussel has apparently lost all the dash he possessed last season and he muse be well on the debit side of the ledger this year. Ho is 'not a® bright in the coat and) does not carry the condition he used to and evidently would be considerably benefittod by a- spell. He lias not attracted the attention of the judge since the second day pf the: Rangitikei summer -meeting. When well lie is a very useful horse and as he is practically the. first venture of a genuine sport one wishes that-die would display better form. Judged on his running, in the' big hurdles the second day of the Feilding meeting the Cuirassier gelding Sabreur has taken a new lease- of life. As every racing man knows he was.git the: top of the tree while an inmate of W. Holmes’s stable two or three season’s back and then, breaking down, was given a long holiday. Holme® took him up again and took him to Hawke’s Bay, but" was unsuccessful with him and the gelding was sold. "Oh Tuesday last he was with his field, a good onei too, the whole way, leading with Tupara- for sonsg distance. H-o exhibited all liis old fencing abilities and, apparently, only requires more work t-o- annex a- stake. The New Zealand Cup winner started a couple of times at the Feilding meeting unsuccessfully. At the first- essay he”was never prominent and in the second did not have a chance to: distinguish himself, falling as the field swept- out of the straight, as did also Mussel. Halberdier was very big, fat as a bullock, and is apparently not able to doi all the work required! of him. However. Alexander is patient and may yet- lead him in a winner.

Waiwera is another horse that has evidently gone off. ’ In both his races of the meeting he was very prominently in the rear at the business end 1 . He was loyally supported by the public in both liis engagements. The Guosse-r disappointed his connectncctions in the Hack Hurdles at Feilding, running a very medium second to the Strenuous gelding Pushful, whom- J. Green, of Mart-on, sent to the post in great heart, indeed it appeared as though Ltesa, without a great effort, could have run into second place. The Guesssr did not start the second day, when Lurcher won as easily as Pushful did the first. Mr Thompson’s other string, the Mahaki filly Tomarangi, late Tangnvai, however, made amends for her stable companion’s defeat by winning her race by -a head after a good race with Kaipetipeti. Quito a number of people had forgotten the fil'i'y’s identity and her successes under her late name and, according to them, did not back her on that account. WAIRARAPA NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) . MASTER TON, April 8. The Master ton trainer, J. McGrath, can claim to have some speedy ones under hi® care. At the Feilding meeting lie won the Rewa Hack Handicap with Gawain, took second place with Sylvrio in the Madden Hack Race and won a double at Tauhernikau with the- Captain Webb gelding Bounce. The victories of Gawain and Bounce were very pleasing to Maste-rtcm “sports,’4. who supported them very spiritedly. . By winning the Handicap Hurdles at Feilding on Monday, and running second on the next day, the Voltigeur gelding, Mourner, gave evidence that he is still to be reckoned with even in good company. His trainer, Wi Hu tana, of Marti n boro ugh, thoroughly deserves the success achieved, for ho has worked in a most persevering manner with the- horse, and when lie has him well does not hesitate to send him to big meetings outside hi® own district. Tho most successful trainer at the Wairavapa meeting, in number of races won, was Mr J. Graves bock, of Taratahi. With M ataman and 1 Kauno-e he scored doubles, while Montague ran a good second in tho Moroa Hack Handicap. Turepo, in the sa-mo stable gave evidence of improved form, for in both of tier engagements she showed the way into tho straight. The Forester!mare may again strike form before tho season ends. • The weights for the Master ton meeting should have put i'a appearance by the sth ins't., but were not published until a later date. Many trainers and owner® were thus disappointed'. Clubs should always arrange to receive the apportionment® on the due date, so- as to keep faith with the nominators. Mr IV. E. B-id’will’s three wins at the Wairarapa -meeting were popular victories with the public. Hi® winning trio., Aberration, Immersion and! Declination are capable of still- better tilings and should! in time assist in removing the reproach that this district has very few animals of a high-class nature, fit to compete in good company. Bookmaker® were present in goodly numbers at the Wairarapa Easter meeting, notwithstanding the fact that they were warned against betting on the course. They appeared to do good business and probably were means _of lessening the totalisato-r turnover. Out of sixteen event® decided at the Wairarapa meeting -district owners accounted for fifteen, the only outsider to score being-the Hutc-trained mare Black Squall. It is not expected that Wairarapa owners will be so successful at the forthcoming meting a® more outside horse® are sure to be among the contestant®. Good Intent and Spoil, which are both p|ri,vaitely trained did not show their best form a.t Tauhe-renikau. They were probably short of work, as there were several days of wet weather just pre>viouisi 'to the -meeting. The winners at Taukerenikau were representatives of tho following sires:— For ester (2), Vanguard (2), Petroleum (2), Captain Webb (2), Lethe (2), The Possible, Far Niente, Gipsy Grand, Saracen, Somuiis and Stepniak, one each. The Wairarapa entrants for the Manawabu meeting are Spoil. PLa-idie, Ivaimoe, Mata Kokiri, Note®, Waitoti, Jeanne D’Arc, Good Intent and Bounce. They should all be pretty well by the end of the m'onth and! may run well forward. With good acceptances the Mast-erton meeting on 14th and loth inst should be one of the best yet held on the Opaki course. Tlhe progressive manner iu which the Club has been working for the past two years lias brought it into- P™rainende and consequently outside owners are now patronising it. The accommodation at the course for trainers, riders and owners is greatly appreciate!!, and as time goes on the building will be enlarged. One of the most select- little -studs in the Wairarapa is that of Mr John Cotter, Who now ha® 'liis thoroughbreds at his homestead, Greytown. In well-grassed and well-watered 1 paddocks the stock are in first-class condition, aind among those n'ow depasturing are several which should in the course of time show racing abilities worthy of their breeding. A nicely-made mare, by the Musket stallion Derringer, a full-sister to the hurdle 'horse, Deny, has a colt by Lais®

She I], which ranks as one of the best stamps yet bred here. With .the conformation. of many much older, mpd fine bag hone, this colt should flourish,, into a really, .good one. The. mare, Tahirangi, is one showhfg plenty ;;o f quality. 'She has a filly foal by ihfi AUxini horse Mauser, which, although,.not: ,«s big as the Lakeshell colt foal, shows good style. Merfiy Maiden, by Sommns, is accompanied by a filly foail by Torpedo, which should turn out a fast one on the turf: with nice size and good action., it is a decidedly nice filly. A: yearling, filly by Torped’Q from Merry Maiden could easily be taken for a two-year-old, showing plenty of power, with nicely set head, neck and shoulders, fine deep girth, short back and wel'l let-down quarters. She is one that should do well when the time arrives for her to'bo put. into, training. A, bay yearling filly by Petroleum is a filly showing good proportions, and the others running out are the Sou-wester gelding, Flying Cloud, Uarenvoana, by Torpedo— Como, and consequently a* full brother to that good performer. Oingo. The two latter will be put into, work again after they have been given a. chance' to stop growing: In addition to those above mentioned, Mr Cotter has the four-year-c’ '. gelding by Flintlock —llachant, and a two-year-old gelding by St. Hippo. The latter will be put into work shortly in view of racing in the spring. Ho is engaged in the next Wairarapa Guineas, to be run at Taratalii in November.

1903 ,1904 Auckland (3 days) £32,145 £30,159 Canterbury £32',519 £23,671 Feilding £21,835 £29,039 Wairaraipa £11.903 £11,538