TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1680, 11 May 1904, Page 52

TURF TOPICS

(B)7 ‘'Advance.*') HAWKE’S BAY JOCKEY CLUB. The autumn meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club will bo held at the Racecourse to-day and tomorrow. The presence of the representatives of three South Island stables in tho Hawke’s Jlay Stakes will add considerable interest to tliat event, which Ss run on the second day of the meeting. The better of the Yaldhurst pair, Martian and ‘Golden should score, and Ailsa may got a place. In the handicap events on the first day ’the following may 'be worth following:—■ Hack Hurdles —Creusot and Rhyl. Autumn Handicap—Rehua and Kaapeitipeti. . ; , Hawke’s Bay Cup—Cannie Chiel and Freeland. Handicap Hurdles—Comfort. ' Nursery Handicap—-Tessera, v Fifrtit Hack Hanidicap—Le beau and Park-Shot. - x ‘ -Baalway Stakes —Starshoot or Meh»deon. iWAIRARAPA RACING CLUB. : Ab a .meeting of stewards of the Waiiiarapa Racing Club Mr W. E. Bidwill (President),. occupied the chair. Mr G. TuHjy thought that those who betted with bookmakers should be sued; in fact. he was in favour of stewards not being allowed to bet in any way at A' meeting in which they were acting as officiate. / r £he chairman reiterated that the bookmakers at Wellington and also a f •Taiuherenikau took half the amount which might go through the totalisator It was decided to return Mr White, V owner of Mata Kokiri, the protest money in connection with the Maiden, •won by Aberration, and to recommend to the conference the payment of £1 15s x to young Burn injured while exercising Mir I. Freetli’s horses. A slieaf of oortawpondenoo was received from the

secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference which, is to hold its meeting in July. Mr Murphy was elected a member oi the club.

The secretary reported that neither Wi Hutana nor Carmont, owner and rider respectively of Replete, was in attendance in connection with the inquiry instituted by the club respecting the running of Replete at the autumn meeting. The treasurer’s statement showed a credit balance of £404 17s 4d, including accounts presented and- subsequently passed for payment, £224 11s 4d. Outstanding amountsewing to the club £65. Total expenses} etc., ot autumn meeting, £lslO IQs 5d ; net profit, £4Bl. Outstanding fees, summer and) autumn meetings, £34 IQs lOd. Decided to place the names of dilatory owners on the forfeit list. © Plans were submitted providing for the erection of a custodian’s residence, camiprisimg seven rooms, bathroom and scullery. It was decided to call tenders for the erection of the building, which is to be completed some months before the summer meeting,. The question was broached of providing more accommodation on the course for horse-owners, trainers and jockeys. The chairman thought that accommodation was absolutely necessary, as owners objected to their lads boarding at hotels. Unless provision was made it would be found that the club would be neglected'. /At the present time there was keen competition, amongst the various racing clubs, and the club with the most modem requirements would receive the most support by horse owners. The chairman expressed the opinion that unless the bookmakers were stopped from betting on the course, the to-tal-isat-or receipts would suffer. It was farcical to suppose that the racecourse detective stopped the bookmakers at Tauheremkau. There was the same state of (affairs in Wellington. ; The chairman declared that stewards should not be hors© owners. There was a possibility of misconception on the part of the public, through stewards who were owners of horses being called upon to give an opinion respecting running which was flagrantly “crooked” in a race in which their own 'horses were engaged. Mr Bidwill complained that he himself had been made the target of unfair criticism in this respect-. The members present expressed the opinion that stewards must necessarily be allowed to run horses, but not to bet on the races of their own meeting. Meantime it was wiser to treat with contempt any venomous criticism. It was decided that Messrs Wi Hutana and Garmon fc be asked to attend a special meeting, to be held in the Empire Hotel on May 16. Mr K. McKenzie, a Tauherenikau trainer, is to be also asked to attend and explain an alleged transgression of the rules of the club just prim* to the April meeting. Mr G. Tully suggested that third money should be paid, say £5 per race. If this were done it would be appreciated by horse owners, who were under great expense in travelling. The subject was not continued. In consideration of the able manner in which the clerk of the course, Mr Steffert, carried out 'his duties, it Avas decided unanimously to increase his remuneration to £4 per decided that a committee inspect the river bank at the back of the course on Friday next and report a® to Avhether further protective works were required. MARYBOROUGH RACING GLUR. This season the Marlborough Racing Club held its autumn meeting somewhat later than usual'. Fortunately the weather was favourable and the attendance on the opening daly was very satisfactory. There was a bigger contingent of visiting horses than usual. Including Sandy, Dr Bill, Craftsman and Murmur there were no less than twenty-two foreign competitors at the meeting. Speculation was only fairly good, the total turnover for eight event® being £3416. This is £l6B ahead of laist year. Turepo, after making the pace for about ia mile in, the Hurdles, ran off at a fence at the back of t'he course. Almbrosia, who Avas a level money favourite, had the field in trouble two furlongs from home and won somewhat easily from Te Ngaio, who got second place on suiffranee. Bad Dr. Bill] been persevered with he would probably have had: no difficulty i!n acting as runner-up. Te Ngaio is a good sorb by Nator—Turquoise, who might win a steeplechase. The Lethe gelding Raingarawa Av-a® backed down to £1 16s dividend in the Maiden Hack Race in a field of nine. It was not the good! thing it looked on paper for the Wairarapa horse as the Handsome Jack filly Rose' Petal won after a good finish. Montague, AVho for some reason or other was neglected in the totalizator, came in a poor third. Ngarara, after getting left at the post, bolted off the course and threwhis rider. Catriel lost .his rider at the turn through colliding Avitlh a posit. The Cup favourite (Sandy) was allowed to run in the rear for about seven furlongs. He then took Oudenarde’s measure and! scored without being -asked to do his best. After ivtaititag on Sandy and Oudenarde for six furlongSj White Ribbon rushed to the front but was un-

able to sustain her run and finished! last. Oudenarde was paying £ll 10s to Avin, buti as only one dividend was paid her backers did not participate. The good field of eleven went out for the OpOwa Welter Hack Handicap. The Carter ton-trained Seascape, a three-year-old! filly by The Artist—Ripo was somewhat fractious at the post and engaged the starter’s attention. The riders of the other tori' horses AVere anxious to get away, and for disobeying Mr Ohevannes were each fined £5. Ronga (ridden by L. H. Hewitt) hopped out in front and won from- end to end. The Tod Slloairi jockey was making his first appearance at a Marlborough meeting and -his mount avo® sent out favourite. Two of the houses were Avell backed and Ronga paid £3 Hs. The win was very popular, Ronga being trained and ridden at -exercise by Miss Bertha Clifford (daughter of Mr Walter Clifford). De Wet ran a better race than in the Maiden and just missed a place. Jeanne d’Albert struggled- on to the end and lasted long enough to stall off a late run by Seaweed, AViho Avas paying about £3O to Avin. Several Aviitbdrawals from the Flying Handlioaip reduced the field! foir that event to five. Greensleeves was allowed to a get a great break on in the first three furlongs. She gradually came back and Arhen Narcotic made his run in "the straight the light weight could only struggle on and get second place from Murmur, who was not knocked about. White Ribbon was brought out again but shaped no better than in. the big race. Peralla put uip l-51lb overweight and ran well to the turn, but was the last to pass the post. Delight wiais made a great pot for the Electric Handicap), but Avas unlucky at the start aJndl could 1 not reach Sedgmere, who got well aAvay and Avals kept gcong. Waikalkaho Avas not too smart at the start but was finishing strongest of the three. Rose Petal carried lOlb penalty and 41b overweight and after standing on the mark came fourth. Skylark (probably because lie had HeAvitt in the saddle) received a good deal of support but lie appeared unable to feet it irith his opponents. For the concluding daiy the weather experienced was again enjoyable. The amount pissed through the machines Ava® £3178, making £6594 for the twodays. This amount is £lsl behind last years figures*. In’ four of the five flat events horses ran off. At present the course is only partly railed in the straight on the inside. With the exception of H. Carmont (rider of Narcotic), who sustained some injuries to* his right leg through cant-act Avit-h a post-, the jockeys and their mount® were fortunate in meeting with no* serious results. The Club should make a special- effort to improve the course in the direction indicated*. The Clud would also be studying the -wishes of horse-owners by using the starting barrier. These appear to be the most urgently required improvements ah Riverla-nds. In the Hurdles the first day’s Avinner (Ambrosia) was sent out a good favourite in ia field of six. He was meeting Te Ngaio on 71b -worse terms. The latter ran a solid race and 1 beat the favourite iii the good time —for a rough track —of 2min 54seo. Te Ngaio avos neglected in the machine and paid |he surprisingly good price of £8 2s. He should pay his way as a steeplechaser. SeaAveed received solid support but was tailed off in the rear for the best port of it and came fourth.

H-oity Toity Avas sent out first favourite for the High Weight Hack Handicap after running, fifth in the Opawa Welter the previous day. The Featherstontrained mare ran consistently by again occupying a similar position. Mooi, who is now a member of A. Rose’s team, was ridden a nice race in front by Mr W. G. Green, and managed to score a fairly easy Avin from Perilla. Ngarana was alongside the leaders at the turn where he cut off the course. There was some complaint by owners at the minimum weight (9.7) to be carried in this race. Of the seven runners five carried overweight. For gentleman riders 9.7 ia too low and it is suggested a stone heavier minimum would meet the Avisbes of owners.

Young Murfitt lost cofitrpilf of Blue Rose (the Guardsman—Yellow Rose) after going about a furlong and) she ran off the course. The other three horses .finished dose together although Sandy won easily at the finish. The Soult gelding increased his winnings by £lB5 and has proved a very profitable purchase for Mr R. Solomon. In the Dash Handicap, a half-mile flutter, Rose Petal and Rungarawa we unlucky at the start. Had this pair got away well they would probably have finished first and second. Rungarawa, was overhauling Sedgmere, who is a good beginner, very fast in the straight. Rose Petal was fourth. Mooi was brought out again in this race carrying 101 b penalty. but was nob backed. In the Telegraph Handicap Narcotic was backed down to fees than level money. The iight-Aveighted Rose Petal took charge after going a couple of furlongs, but Avas being overhauled by the favourite, when the latter suddenly shot off inside the course in the straight. Murmur and White Ribbon dead-heated for second. The Club’s judicial committee met on the only occasion during the two days to bear a protest lodged by the owner of Craftsman against White Ribbon on the ground that the latter s

jockey dismounted in the straight and before he had permission so to do by the steAvards. The jockey explained that White Ribbon’s bridle had come off and lie feared the horse might get aw*ay Avith him. The committee dismissed the objection, Avhioh was someArhuD trivial. There was no second dividend and the dead-heaters divided! the placed money, amounting to- £lO. Ronga was a teg favourite for the Welter Hack Handicap, for which the good field of twelve went to the post. He Avas sloav to begin and was never prominent. RungaraAva, Sedgmere and Jeanne d’Albret AVere smartest off the mark, the first-named drawing out at the half-distance. He Avas better suited with a strong horseman on his back and won Avith something to spare. Seascape, Sedgmere and Greenstone fought out a great finish for second piace, the judge bracketing the last-named pair. Sedgmere, who Anas piut up to auction before the race and passed 1 at 64 guineas, AA'as paying £7 IQs to Avia.

Tlie meeting was capably managed by Mi 1 C. J. W. Griffiths (secretary), who was assisted by Messrs L. and G. Griffiths.

The office-bearers of the Club are:— President, H. D. Vavasour} Vice-Presi-dent, W. L. Clifford; Judge, H. D. Vavasour; Stewards, F. Redwood, G. Chieesmian. T. O’Leary, R. J. Bell, J. R. Clouston. S. M. Neville, E. L. Broad-, J. Greenfield-, S. Tapp, J. Conolly, E. A. Wel-di. B. Ward-, O. G. Tescfiemaker; Treasurer, H. L. Jackson; Timekeeper, F. RedAVood; Clerk of Scales, T. O’Leary; Han-dioapper, J. E. Henrys; Trot Handicapper, L. Griffiths; Hon. Surgeon, Dr W. Anderson; Clerk of Course: G. J. F. Windlleborne; Starter, C. H. Cha-vann-es; Secretary, C. J. W. Griffiths. TARANAKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Egmon-t meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, May 4 and 5, passed off successfully. The Aveather was all that could be desired, the attendance Avas good and racing fairly interesting. A notable feature of the meeting was the success of ‘the New Plymouth stables, inmates of these annexing the majority of events. Racing on the first day opened' Avith the Railway Handicap, for which GoM Dredge cm the strength of recent Winning at Manawat-u-, was made favourite. Glory, Lass-o’-GoAvrie and Paritutu also carried a good deal of money confidence. Jervey George had evidently Marked on improvement in Paritutu, the* racing in Auckland no doubt doing him good, as the Castor gelding cam© a* - the right end, and once he gob in front he never left the issue in doubt. Rustique ran a good second, bub he was no use to the Avinner. The favourite finished a moderate tilted*. Glory mad© a flash in the race, but towards the business end sfie retired 1 into the ruck, and never took a hand! in the finish. It took 1 iniin. 18seo to cover the six. furlongs, not a sensational scamper by any means and the dividends, £5 5s and! £4 4s 6d, gave lucky punters a fair start. ° The Hack Hurdles was a moral for Lurcher, but the lanky fellow Avhen Avinning easily came a cropper at the last fence. Toledo then took the lead, and despite a challenge from Opaeae, the Handsome Jack gelding Avon by over; a length. Limestone, who filled third berth, should see a better day. Agate oaaue to the ground at the first and Wolodguard at the second fence. It took 2 min 57 2-ssieo to get over the H miles. The dividends Avere £6 15s and £1 Is. . _ " „. , Alas won the Tawhi'ti Handicap fairly easily at the finish from Banana, Talnne filling third berth. G. George -has persevered) -with the Melas —Friskarina gelding for a long time and it was about time ike got a Avin. The time was 2min 18 l-ssec, and the dividend £7 15s 6d. Maro Avas sorted out as the correct thing for the Hjawera Cup, J**.mile, Waimoe and Full Cry being next in demand. Maro was not well handled at the finish, and he suffered 1 defeat by less than a neck. Full Cry, the winner, was reported lame in New Plymouth, the day before the race, but he seemed to have made a marvellous recovery and although he had the best of the luck in defeating Maro, it must be bourne n mind that he carried 9st 51b as compared with ‘ 7st 111 b on Maro. Lady Bell ran a good third. This mare has been off-colour for some time, but seems to be regaining a bit of form now. The time was 2miu 15 l-sseo. The dividends were £3 6s and 14s 6d. The Waihi Handicap, run over a mile, also fell 1 to Alas, who defeated Amaryllis, the favourite, by over a length, with Pupiu well up third. Pupu was fractious at the post, and after a coup 1 © of attempts 'to get the field! away Mr Cameron abandoned the barrier machine and despatched them with the flag. Dr. Paget, riding a la America, managed to squeeze into fourth place. His style is decidedly attractive to onlookers. It took tain, 63 !Wsseo to ma «*> mile. The dividends were £3 8s 6d and 19^ Ttee Mokoia Handicap was contested bv a field of three and Waipawa managed to beat Talum© by a quarter length, Peinmioa'n being close up. The nine furlongs were covered in 2min 3 l-ssec. The dividend was £1 19s. Rand-o’-Cakes repeated his Manawatu form by winning the Telegraph Handicap

easily, Hippodrome being second and Van Courier 'third. The start was had, Parkshot being blocked in the bamer. Land-o’-Gakes has a good’ coach in Black Keynand, who seems to have worked wonders in his stable mate.

A sum 0f*£5373 was machined during the day.

. The second: day’s racing was also interesting. Hippodrome ratn up to lias previous day’s form and landed the Trial Handicap from Kapuni by over a length, with Redan third. Kapuni was whispered about as a good thing by those “in the know,” but Air Hughes’ nomination had no chance with the winner. The five furlongs were cut out in lmin 4 2-sseo, a particularly good go from a comparative standpoint. The Auck-land-owned Le Beau defeated the Auckland owned Lady Bobs by about two lengths in the Stewards Handicap; old hollow-backed Ran-aina filling third berth. The mile was. traversed in limn 4*7 4-sseo. The dividends were £2 18s 6d and 19s 6d. ' That good second day horse Reclaimer accounted for the Borough Handicap, winning by two lengths from Glory, who showed much improved form. The gallop on the previous day no doubt did her good. Taura, who fi> only a moderate, finished third. The dividends were £4 19s 6d and £2 17s 6d. Toledo just got home in the Hack Hurdles by a head from’ Gilnockie, Opaeae being third. As in the previous day three horses fell, namely, Dick Tinpin, Agin and Zanella, who came to grief at the second fence. It took 3mm Iseo to get over the 1* mile. The dividends were £4 18s (id and 18s 6d. Woodmount won the Opeke Handicap hy a length from Parkshot, Hippodrome filling third place. Tire six furlongs were covered in lmin 19 4-ssec. The dividends were £3 14s 6d‘ and £1 13s. J. George shipped Maro and Durable for the Manaia Handicap, and after a good race Durable won by over a length from Glory, who beat Maro by almost the same distance. The 'time was lmin 45 3-ssec. Dividefcids were £2 3s and £3 4s 6d. Parkshot accounted for the final event, the Ngamotu Handicap, just-get-ting home from Pemmican, who was just ahead of Le Beau. The time was lmin 18 3-ss©c, -and the dividends were £3 12s and £6 14s. Toledo, • Durable and' Parkshot kept tip the winning form of the New Plymouth stables on the second day. ' % NAPIER NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Planetoid, the younger half-brother by Torpedo to Sirius and Asteroid, has joined R. Gooseman’s forces at. Hastings. He is a big overgrown colt, and ilb is not expected that he will show to advantage for some time. The Torpedo—Rivulet filly that was purchased by Mr A. L. D' Fraser at the late sale of the Te Mahanga yearlings at Palmerston North, was bought as a partnership affair, Mr L. de Pelichet standing in with Air Fraser over the transaction. The filly has been turned but on the Mangatarata station for the purpose of allowing har to properly develop. - Vespea’, the dam of Evening Wonder, The Gryphon and Enemy, died last week at her owner’s, Mr George Hinton, station at Poranga'hatu. A full -sister to the above trio is used ah a hack by - Mir Hunter.

Renown, who lasib season was used as a sire at Mr George Hunter’s breeding quarters, owing to the death of Wonderland, will again this coming, season fill the position as lord of the harem at Porangahau station. Pinkatea is now under the guidance of F. Stone, his owner, Mr C. L. Mackea*sey, leaves this month on a holiday jaunt to the Old Land. Ngaio, the younger ftill-sister -to Tor. tulla, has returned-'to her birthplace, Te Mahanga station, the Messrs Douglas Bros, having purchased the black daughter of Torpedo and Honetysuckle. The rising two-year-old son of The Possible ar?fl. Fair Nell that Mr D. Pitmer, of Green Meadows, purchased at the last sale of the Mangataraita yearlings, has been broken in and daily puts in an appearance on the preparing grounds at Napiea* Park. As he is one ■of the fast growing, tribe, it is not reckoned he will be of much account for early efforts. 1 The Waipukurau Jockey Climb made a profit of £340 over the annual meeting. The .committee of the cluib recognised the able efforts of the secretary in connection with the way he handled the gathering by granting him a bonus at a. meeting of the committee held laisit night. WAIRARAPA NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) J. 0. White, of Tauiherenikau, will have an addition to his stable.in a few days, a well-known Martin borough. sport having arranged! to send him a Rebellion odlt. A Sonrnus gelding, owned in Palmerston, will also probably be sent to the same trainer shortly. Mr McManaway’s horses are now being worked by P. Chew, who in the past has led in a hair number of winners. The Pjetroleum gelding, Ambrosia, i> doing fairly well over the stacks, having followed up his Masterton win by seor-

ing at Blenheim on the first day and running a good second to Te Ngaio on Thursday. If his leg stands Ambrosia promises to be very useful this winter in bundle events.

Mr Wi Hutana’s Lethe gelding Rungarawa broke his maiden status by winning the Hack Welter at the Marlborough meeting on Thursday. A fine stamp of a house, with plenty of power, Rungaratvia should make a good hurdler. J. Ayers, of Featherstom, has just put into work a two-year-old bay gelding by St. dements—Foul shot mare. He is a strong set, nuggety animal, and .« sure to show a-lot of improvement on appearance by the time he is three years old. Baku, a five-year-old mare by Petroleum, is doing well in her work, and for the sake of her trainer it is tobe hoped that she will prove capable of winning races. Mr J. Free-t-h has only Waitoti and Sum-fish i'n work at- present. It is probable, however, that he will receive additions to his team before the winter has far advanced.

Air J. O. Hayward’s Merriment- was thrown out of work after the Wellington meeting.. The West-mere mare has failed to sho-w her best form since coming to this district. As the result of the sale of thorougnbred stock at Palmerston, additions have been made to the list of racehorses in the Wairarapa. A threee-year-old maire by The Officer —Or-flainme was purchased by Air R. Acheson, of Carterton, and goes into S. W. Latham's stable at Claroville. The Prisoner was bcught by Air N. Dixon, of Carterton, and Air G. Foreman, of Gladstone, obtained a yearling gelding by The Officer—Kirnmer. Air W. Cooper, of Master!.on, was also a buyer at the sale. At a meeting of the stewards of the Wairarapa Racing Ciu-b, held] on 'Tuesday, the treasurer reported a credit .ba lance of £590 18s 6ti, and accounts amounting to £226 ILs 4d were passed for payment. It decided! to call for tenders for the erection of a custodian’s residence with, accommodation for visiting jockeys and trainers. The inquiry into the alleged inconsistent,running of a- horse at the Easter meeting was deferred until the 17th inst. ' Volley went slightly wrong just previous to the Marl borough meeting, but is alright again now after running unsuccessfully at different meetings since Deoember 27 last, Narcotic managed to eco-re ait Bleu beam . Now that th e Lethe gelding is returning :o form he may increase his winning score.

Quite a- number of Wairarapa, “sports” intend being present at the Hawke’s Bay meeting. The district will also- be fairly well represented by some of our best horses.

D. Wilkinson, Tauherenikau, has Tikirawa, Cure and' Mars tone doing slow work. The latter has grown up considerably lately, and is a very nicely shaped filly. Scrip is not in active commission. just now. . Plaidie, probably the best of our Wairarapia-trained horses just now, is in at a nice weight, 7.9, in. the Connolly Handicap a,t Wanganui, and' if she' runs forward at Hawke’s Bay, will probably make the journey. There is a falling-off in, the number of horses at work at Tauherenikau since Easter. On Friday the only horses (worked in the morning were Tikirawa, Marstone, Waitori, Sum-fish, Baku, Foulspot and Cremona. Others were out in the afternoon, and the balance were at the Blenheim meeting. ——. * PALMERSTON NORTH NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Hohio, till lately in A. Peter’s stable has been sent home to M's ownetr, and will he given a spell prior to being schooled over hurdles. The gelding has fallen away a lot in condition lately, and will be greatly benefited by a rest. Nonette has quite recovered from the firing .process he was subjected to later ly, ana there appears every chancie' that Mr E. Stevenson will be able to carry out his cherished plan of putting the speedy chestnut in work after the coming stud season. Practically all the young sltook purchased at the recent sale has been sent home, the last to get away being the southern contingent. Prior to leaving Palmerston Mr B, Armitage disposed of, through Mr B. Coyle, his agent., the rising three-year-old gelding by Sir Launcelot,-Links, to a 'local spout; at a saloififactory figure. The gelding was probably the pick of the 10/t sent down by the Horn. J. D. Ormond, and te full of racing blood. His granddam, IdaJia, te mother* of Sir Modred, the expatriated New Zealander, and now one of the champion sires of America, while on his dams side he traces back to- Welcome Jack, a New Zealand and Auckland Gup winner. The gelding is being handled and will be put in work as soon as ready. -Starathnairn, until recently in J. Gneen’h stable, has proved practically untrainable, and has been sent home again. The gelding fenced all right, but has lost ail his pace.

Kremlin, who was purchased by Mr D. Thompson,, of Wellington for* 350 gs, after The Manawatu meetings, has, with The Guesser, gone into A. Hall's stable at Fardel 1. It is reported the latter struck himself very severely at the last hurdle in the race he won. at the Mamawatu meeting, and it te said will not be seen out far some time te come.

At a committee meeting of the Maaaawatu Racing Club held -on Friday night, Messrs Pringle, F. Nathan, Randall and Lougknan were appointee! a committee to report upon the advisability of including a classical race in, future programmes, of a value of either £4OO or £SOO. General details, including 'the stake, will be suggested by the committee. The gjroslsi profits of the recent meeting totalled £IO6O and the net £BBO, after making allowances fotr interest and salaries. The Ground Committee will report at an early date upon increased facilities for paying out dividends and general improvements in connection with the totaldsator. The same committee was also authorised to arrange for the erection of steeplechase jumps, in all probability on the course- proper, close up by tiie onuside rails. The obstacles will include a sod wall, brush fence, double and all other jumps in a good steeplechase occurse. it was decided trainers should be permitted to use the starting barrier (one of Lisles’) at least a couple of days each week in training operations, and it was also decided to construct an oval in the saddling paddock, in which horses will he walked after _saddling operations are completed instead of as a.t present, walkin and opt of the crowd. From the oval the lior’ses will go through the paddock attached to the stewards’ stand and theme on to the course. The club has decided to offer all the induce mefn: possible, as far as training facilities are concerned, to induce trainers to commence operations in Palm-ers-on No-ith. They recognise that to possess all helps in this direction is a necessary adjunct even with an almost perfect course, and •they are determined trainee's following their vocation here will have no reason to complain. The porous nature of tne soil permits work at any and all times, and, as a matter of tact, there wore only two occasions last winter when the caretaker deemed it advisable to close the tracks, and the onto reed spel l van of short duration. The totarisator tax paid in connection with the last meeting totalled £326 4s Id. GHATTTR. Air A. E. Whyte, Secretary o-f the Wellington Racing Club, will be a visitor to the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club t meeting this week. Russle-y, t-ho Doncaster horse who died recently in Queensland, was insured for £3OO. He was a profitable purchase for his new, owner, who got the horse for 50 guinbas at Eli© Sydney sales. The totalisator seemed to be t m a bad way in Tasmania, a little while back. The Lotteries Amendment Act. now going through Paiiiameki't, deals with thei totalisator. The Government, as is the 'tendency of Government nowadays, wanted to make something cut of the machine, The House of Assembly agreed to let the GoveiUment- retain 1 per cent, on the totalisator turnover, and also half the “broken money.” Where a dividend amounts to, say, £1 19s lid, the odd elevenpence is retained by the’club, and tins is called broken money. In South Australia this odd or broken money is distributed among the charities, but the Government now imposes a tax on the total amount- received for its own benefit. Well, the Tasmanian House of Assembly agreed to the Government proposals- —and they were reasonable enough —and all went well until the Attorney-General wanted jo extend the use of the totalisator to athletic sports meetings. This members would not agree to-, and the AttorneyGeneral, “apparently in a lit of pique” at his proposal being rejected, carried a resolution abolishing the totalisator system. However, this week the At-torney-General came to his senses . The report says:—“The Attorney-General attempted to explain why he had proposed to abolish the totalisator altogether, and stated that he was prepared to withdraw his amendment and insect it in another bill by-and-by.” After a “sarcastic” discussion, the Premier put things right, and the bill was passed through ai-1 its stages. If tfie Legislative Council approves of the bill as it left the Assembly, the Government expect to make £I,OOO a year out of their share of the percentage money.

Togo, the two-year-old colt by Seaton Delavel —Leocant, in H. Telford’s stable at the Hutt, is a well-grown youngster, and if appearances are a. fair indicator should pay his way next season. The question has been raised—ls a hand!capper at liberty, or has he the power, to after a horse’s weight in a handicap after the weights have been officially declared or published 1 in the press? /'The question crapped up in this wa iy : —In the Trial Handicap at to© last Maribynong meeting, Mr Yowles handicapped Nimbus at 9st, under the impression that it wia® Nimbus by Mosbyn but, having discovered that the horse entered was Nimbus by Seneschal, he altered the weight to fist 121 b. I have not come across an instance of this sort before, although it is by no means the first time that one horse has been 'luandicapped for another. Mr Bradshaw fell into the Nimbus trap twelve months ago, and he also handicapped the hurdleracer Galtee More by Sunrise (a poor performer) for the Galtee More by Gozo (a good winner in Queensland); and even the late Mr F. F. Dakin, admittedlly a careful, painstaking official was occasionally, known to nod. Not long

after Game Boy had won the Flying Handicap at M-oorefield, carrying 9.5, and had run second to- -the flying Fulminate in the Carrington Stakes, giving Gib to the winner, Mr Dakin handicapped him in a small race at Sundown Park at about 7st 71b, dr about- 2st less than the weight to which the horse was entitled to carry. The handicupper had mistaken the Victorian horse Game Boy by Escutcheon (a moderate horse) for the Sly-tincy horse, Game Boy, by Goodfellow. When the error was pointed out to him, Mr Dakin could not disguise his vexation —the race would be spoiled. What should he do? But the owner of Game Boy, or, rather, his agent, came to the rescue, and by scratching Game Boy saved the situation. Reverting, to tne question—Was Mr Vowlcs right in <wxng what he did ?—it may be answered yea dr na-y, a-coo-rding to the point from which it is reviewed. Such mistake© as I havo referred- to A writes “RLhbiedon” Un the “Australasian”) argue a certain amount of carelessness on the* part of handicappers, who should bo able to identify every horse with which they have to deal; but, if they were twitted with that, they might retort that, if the racing authorities were te enforce the rules with regard to nomenclature, sucih coinfusaon of names' would,; not bo possible. The laxity of the V.R.C. gives the handicappers a plea for excuse. Of course, as a general thing, it would never do to permit a bandieapper (a tinker with the weights after declaration ; tho practice might lead to no- end of mischief. But in this particular instance I hold that Air Vowies, on the merits of the case, was justified in doing as he did. If not, then it means that an owner may violate the rule, wliieh says that a horse shall not bear a name already adopted, and yet benefit by doing what the authorities forbid, but wink at. That, surely, is a vicious principle. Ib ought not to be possible for a person to break the law—racing or otherwise —and prosper by doing it.

Hippodrome, brother to Gold Dredge, opened his winning account at the- Ha.wera meeting. The Gold Reef gelding was heavily backed for the Scurry atthe Aianawatu meeting, but failed to show any form. ‘His track reputation makes him out t-o be nearly as fast m Gold Dredge. Air T. IV. Armitage, the Auckland owner, concluded a successful Southern. to*ur at Haw era, where Woodmount scored and Lady Bob© ran second. Jewellery failed to score a win during tho trip, but the pair of hacks more than paid expense©. R. Kingan has taken up hi® quarters at Randwick Lodge with Jeanne d Albret and Cat-riel. Euris. who paid a £2O dividend at the Christ-churoh Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday last, is a .sou of Euroclydon. Grand Rapids was made a great pot for the principle event, but failed to concede Ganburn nearly two stone and a half. The Clanranald gelding was the least fancied and paid £l2 6s in a. field of five. Petrovna is apparently tin her best form at present. She beat Lady Lillian at level weights and others over five furlongs comfortably. Oonal, winner of the Welter Handicap, 'is "by Conqueror—Aloestis, and was ridden by L. H. Hewitt. Black Child was set a- big task in the mile trot to concede AJ/iee Wood 21sec. The latter won pulling up in 2min 47®eo. Alice W ood is b*y Wildwood from Alice Azmoor, bo th imported' from America. Autocrat-, winner of the two-m;ilo trot, is a grey and half-brother to the well-known give and performer Dictator. Several of the progeny ot the latter are competing in Marlborough. At the Wairau Trotting Club’s meeting Dick Stevens, who is out. of ai sister to Ear us, won the principle race. A couple of Dictator’s progeny competed! at the recent Aiarlborough meeting, hut have not b.een properly taught. Air O. Tapp, who owned Dictator when m Marlborough, has a couple of the stock both greys, who may be heard of later on.