TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 44

TURF TOPICS

By "Advance.”

WAIRARAPA RACING CLUB.

The annual meeting of membea’s of the Wairarapa Booing Olub will be held at Grey town North to-morrow. The report is as follows: The year started 1 with a credit balance of £243 6s Od, and' liabilities £209 2s Bd, and ended with a credit balance of 14s 10d, and liabilities £2 ( 29 15s 6d, but against this £lO2l 4s 5d has been spent on on property, etc., and £255 on increase of stakes, making a total of £1452 4s lid. During the year the custodian’s, trainers’ and jockeys’ residences, also twelve loose-boxes, have been erected, which have been very much appreciated by visiting owners and trainers at race times. It is proposed during the year to ’build up-to-date latrines, cloak-room and accident ward, and to enlarge outside stand by erecting a kitchen and other additions, also to provide shutters for inside stand. With the consent of members, it is proposed to erect offices in Feather-stool at a cost of about £250, including some spare rooms that can be let for business purposes. The matter of railway communication to the course has been, very fully considered by the stewards, but they are sorry to say they have no proposal to lay before the present meeting. It is with very great regret we have to report the death of Mr Nat Grace, one of our vicepresidents, a gentleman, who, for the last thirty years has taken a keen interest in the dub, and 1 sport generally in the Wairarapa. The stewards appointed Mir Q. Donald in the place ptf Mr Grace as vice-president, and Mr

A. M. Wilkinson in place of Mr Donald as steward. It is recommended that the incoming stewards be allotted 1 up* to £3OOO for stakes, and an addition l £IOOO if a permit is obtainable for a steeplechase meeting. It is to be hoped all members will avail themselves of the new rules for voting for officers of the club for the ensuing year. It may be pointed out there will he no votes taken after 11 a.ml. on the day of the meeting. The stewards recommend all voting papers be posted to the secretary, F eat hers ton, as early as possible. You will be asked to elect three vicepresidents, judge, timekeeper, clerk of scales, hon. surgeons, treasurer, two auditors, and six stewards. Those retiring are:—'Vice-presidents, Messrs H. S. Wardell, W. E. Bidwill, and Q. Donald; judge, Mr G. Tully; timekeeper, Mr T. Bentcm; clerk of scales, Mr Wm. Dalrynrple; hon. surgeons, Drs Bey, Palmer, and Deamer; treasurer, Mr A. J. Toogood; auditors, Messrs A. H. Knowles .and G. W. Oobb; stewards, Messrs Si. Oundy, T. Benton, W. J. Nix, C. Elgar, J. W. Card, and A. M. Wilkinson.

The balance-sheet shows that the receipts amounted to £5611 7s 9d, including totalisator commission £2438 14s, nominations and acceptances £928, privileges £323 ss, race books £248 15s, members subscriptions £320, tea pavilion £±24 7s, lawn gates £4OO 10s, outside gates £473 5s 6d. On July 31st there was a credit balance of £243 6s. The largest items of expenditure were stakes £2820. totalisator tax £386 17s 7d, salaries and wages £602 11s Bd, printing and advertising £lB3 12s 4d, buildings and alterations £lO2l 4s sd. The following notices of motion, moved by Mr J. W. Card, will come up for consideration:—

Repeal Rule 20 and substitute: “20. Canditdates for any office shall he nominated by two members of the club, and the nomination paper signed by two such members and by the candidate, shall he delivered l to the secretary at least 14 days before the day appointed for the annual meeting. If the number of candidates exceeds the number of offices to be filled, the secretary shall cause voting papers containing the names of such candidates to be printed and posted to each member of the club, not later than seven days before the annual meeting. Every member voting shall strike out the name of the candidate or candidates for whom he desires rot to vote, enclose the voting paper in an envelope marked “Voting Paper” sign his name inside the envelope, but not on the voting paper, and then seal up and enclose the voting paper in thatenvelope and' return it to the secretary not later than 12 noon of the day appointed for the annual meeting. Should any member leave uncanoelled a greater or lesser number of names than there are vacancies to be filled the voting paper sha,ll be invalid. In the event of there being a lesser number of candidates than there are offices to be filled, the stewards in office may fill the vacancies.” Repeal Rule 21 and substitute: “21. Three scrutineers shall be appointed at the meeting who shall open the envelopes and first, cause a list of the names of the voting members to be made out from the envelopes, shall then cause all the envelopes to be destroyed in their presence, and shall then open the voting papers and report the result of each election to the meeting. In | the event of more than the required number of office bearers receiving an equal number of votes the question of which of them is to hold office shall be decided by lot, to be drawn by the I chairman of the meeting.” Rule 15. Strike out 10 and substitute 14 in line 2 Rule 10. Add: Not less than 21 days public notice in a district, newspaper ; shall be given of such meeting. j THE 1 WOODLANI 1 HUNT CLUB.

The Woodlands Hunt Olub, which meets in the district between Pahiatua and Dannevirke and winds up the season with a steep lee) meeting held alternately on the Da 4nevirkt\ Woodvilie and Pahiatua coartJfes, brought „ff its annual meeting last week at Messrs O'. C. Cooper and W. W. McOarv dle assisted as judge and starter respectively. The weather r'AS showery,

but more favourable than that experienced at Diannevirke a year ago when the ground was covered in several inches of snow. P. Neagle, whot purchased Cairo at Napier Park, won the principal event with the Gipsy King gelding. Had The Vagrant not come to grief the Wanderer gelding might have .secured the doable in which he was successful a year ago. He came to grief about a mile from home, but. got round safely in the Kumeroa steeplechase, two miles, later in the afternoon, and accounted for eight others. The only double winner during the afternoon was Ganjanedes (Handsome Jack —Sweet Marie) who put down four others comfortably in the Hunters’ Hurdles, a mile and a half, and the Hunters’ Flat Race, two miles, for which six started. G. Hirst soared on Ganymedes, N. Hir-4 won the Maiden Flat Race with Starlight {Dreadnought—'Wild Rose) and A. W. Hirst pulled off the Hack Scurry with Tiratiu (Dreadnought—S'pinaker). The well-bred Gargoyle (Jet d’Eau—■ Le.onie) was placed in the Maiden Race. Mir A,. Best won the Trophy Race Handicap on Unknown, whose breeding is uncertain. Marcus (by Bay King) ran second in the Hurdles and was similarly placed' in the Woodlands Hunt Olub Steeplechase. Maringa and Hukanui, the progeny of the St. Leger horse Papakura, were placed in the Trophy Race and Scurry. There were four spills during the afternoon, but none of tihe riders were injured.

SUCCESSFUL AUSTRALIAN SIRES.

The most interesting feature in the “Sydney Mail’s” compilation of winning stallions for the season just ended is the position Lochiel holds 1 . Breeders and students who interest themselves in these anpual reckonings, which, by the way, embrace the whole of racing in Australia and the winnings in New Zealand of the progeny of Australian stallions, are fully aware that Lochiel is no stranger to the position his progeny have placed him in on the before-men-tioned list. Since the proprietors of the “Mail” instituted these valuable and exhaustive stallion statistics in 1898, Lochiel has played a star part among stallions, for during these eight seasons he headed the poll on four occasions, was second thrice, and third once, truly a splendid record, gained, too, without the aid of a. big two-year-old race, or the assistance of a Derby winner. In 1898 he topped the poll with £15,570, his nearest attendants on that occasion being Carbine. Trenton, and Gozo, who finished below the son of Prince Charlie in the order named. At the finish of the following racing year, Lochiel was second to Gozo with £12,209, or nearly £6OO behind the Tucka Tucka stallion, who, it is to be regretted, has joined his old antagonist in the land of shadows. In 1900 Lochiel made his big record of £18,109, the value of 141 races, Gozo on that occasion finishing fifth. . Lochiel was again on top in 1901 with £14,686, beating Gozo, who finished second, by nearly £IOOO, while Trenton filled third place. The year following, however, Gozo came to the surface and headed the list, with Trenton second, and Lochiel third—the latter nearly £3OOO behind the premier of the season. Thanks to Abundance, Pilgrim's Progress beat. Lochiel for first place, in 1903, by £650, and his (Loohiel’s) stud mate Grafton came out on top last year, beating the old horse by nearly £4OOO. This year Grafton fills second place, over £2500 below the son of Prince Charlie, and tihe position of this pair establishes a record for two stallions in the same ownership, being first and second twice in succession. During the eight seasons touched upon, Lochiers progeny have won 1013 races, and £112,448 in stakes, which is the biggest record yet made by an Australian stallion, the next being Trenton.

The list shows Grafton second with 48 winners of 108 races, worth £14,911, while Wallace is third with 18 winners of 38 races, valued at £12,721, and Gozo', who had no young horses, running for him, follows the Victorian horse with £12,049. Except that Simmer has come up into sixth place, while Haut Brian has dropped down the list, there is not much difference in the positions of the leading stallions to. those held last year. Posbiano' having lost his best son, Lord Cardigan, has dropped from third to I.2th place, and that consistent sire of winners Medallion has come up from eighth to fifth place. Medallion beats all opponents except Loehiel for the number of races won, and the number of winners, while he has improved upon last year’s position by over £4009 in stakes. Simmer has improved upon his last year’s total by over £SOOO. Bill of Portland, since his return to England, has dropped from fifth to ninth place, while the defunct Malvolio holds a somewhat similar position to that of last year, and Pilgrim’s Progress lias improved his by over £IOOO. St. Blaise is not so forward as he was a year ago, but little Bernie keeps his place well. True Blue and Projectile have made forward moves, the former having gone up £2OOO, while Projectile’s stock won 60 races worth nearly £3OOO. Chester man has considerably improved his position, and that extraordinary sire of little winners, Sunrise, is still to the fore ■with 107& races, despite liis ripe age of 25 years. Arsenal has more than quadrupled the figures of last year, and Niagara nearly doubled his while the

position of the New Zealand stallion Seaton Delaval is due almost entirely, to his brilliant daughter Gladsome. Orz.il has emerged from the temporary cloud that enveloped him last year, for he has jumped from under £SGO to £2711. Stout-hearted old l Carlyon has fallen off nearly £IOOO, but, thanks to another Grand National Hurdle Race, his second in succession, Tostig is well up. Padlock has fallen off considerably. The Sbuth Australian sire Broken Hill gets into the £2OOO division for the first time, as does B'obadil, who is shaping well at the stud. The list published in this week’s “Mail” deals only with those stallions whose stock have won £SOO or over. Next- week thos© whose progeny have won under that amount will be dealt with.

FASHION IN RACEHORSE BREEDING.

It is to be supposed l that breeders of thorougjhbreels believe in the mn/xim that nothing succeeds like success, otherwise it is difficult to account for the ever-growing practice of breeding to fashionable sires. Fashion isi followed in breeding pedigree cattle, the greyhound, and the foxhound, but it is the racehorse, though, that betakes so much of mystery in the magio word of fashion. There is only one absolute source, as all must trace through the “Stud Book.” The volumes of this invaluable work contain as much about the insignificant plater as they do oorcerning the Derby and St. Leger winners : but the difference is immense in both the abstract and the real. The value of the one may be easily £20,000, and of the other a modest ten-pound note. In “Baily’s Magazine,” Mr G. S. Lowe has written an interesting article on this subject, and he gives many instances of great success following quite unfashionable experiments. Once upon a time v a Mr Moss gave three guineas for a poor cripple of a mare in York Market. She was well-bred enough, but none of the big breeders would look at her. Her name was Rosalind, and she was by Consander from Wildgoose, by Highflyer, the best horse of his day. At the time Rosalind was only seven years old. She was sold for the proverbial old song, and became the dam of Blacklock, the greatest horse of his time. His descendants, tracing down to. Persimmon, Ard Patrick, and Sceptre, may be said to have won almost millions of money. Nobody would believe that Colonel Hancox could breed a Derby winner from Progress, a mare by Langar from a Blacklock mare. He could see neither the dam nor the yearling, hut just before the colt was two years old a brother officer, Colonel Anson, more out of good nature than desire, gave 120 guineas for him. This youngster became known as Attila. He was the best two-year-old of his season, won the Doncaster Champagne Stakes, and the Clearwell Stakes, and in the next- season secured the Derby. Attila was by the unfashionable sire Colwick, whose fee was five guineas. Progress was used as a hack. Barbell©, the dam of Flying Dutchman, . was picked up for 40 guineas, after she had produced Van Tromp to Laneroost, and she was sent to Bay Middleton, because his fee, 12 guineas, was 1 cheap. Sir Joseph Hawley was one of the exceptional good judges, who would buy either dear or cheap. Money did not stop him if he wanted' a horse, but he dearly liked to feel that he knew a little more about it than other people. His was a rare bargain, when he bought Miss Twickenham and her foal for £250, with the contingency of £IOOO if the latter won the Derby. The foal was Teddington, and it is said that Sir Joseph won £BO,OOO over his Derby. Musjid was purchased at the Doncaster yearling sales for £SOO, and won the second D'erby for Sir Joseph. In mating his mares this authority would send them to the most' expensive stallions if he liked them, but he let Mendicant, for whom lie gave £2500, go to the somewhat despised Weatherbifc, standing at 15 guineas, and thus he got Beadsman, his third Derby winner. Fashion had few associations with Alice Hawthorn. No one would give £l9O for ner, so her breeder had to train her himself. Thus, says Air Lowe, the buying division missed the best mare of the century, and yet she became the great line to breed to. Queen Alary was another entirely unknown to the fashionable world. One of the I’Ansons bought her for £SO. Her sire, Gladiator, was sold for £IOO. The produce of Gladiator ard his daughter, Queen Mary, in Eingland and in France, have won more than a million of money, and there are five Derby winners in the family. Wild Day roll’s dam cost £SO, and his sire lon’s fee was £l2. This alliance produced a Derby winner, and a long line of great racehorses through Buccaneer and See Saw; another Derby winner, Kisber, and a St. Leger winner, Formosa, coming from the stock. Sir John Astley sold Laura for £25 to Mr Gosden. This mare, besides giving other good winners, produced Petrarch, winner of the Two Thousand and Derby, and sold for £IO,OOO. Paradigm was out of a mare that General Pearson bought for 18 guineas as a hack for Aim Pearson. Paradigm herself was no good as a racer, and was also used as a hack. But she became the greatest stud matron of her time, and lives for ever as the da,m of Lord Lyon, winner of the Derby and St. Leger, of Achievement, winner of the Oaks and St. Leger. ana

granddam of Placid a, Jeannette, Mintatg. and Ormonde. Paradigm was very unfashionably bred, according to the book, as she was by Paragone, by Touchstone, a hunting sire standing in Northamptonshire at the modest fee of three guineas. Whisper, before she Was purchased by the late Mr Graham for the Yardley Stud' and became the dam of Sterling, took part in a celebrated moonlight steeplechase in the Midlands, carrying the late Mr William Xtort, a well-known hunting man, and pointer enthusiast. A SUCCESSFUL STEEPLECHASER. After Beilis had won at Flemington the New Zealand representative was set to meet the Lochiel gelding on 221 b better terms! at Caulfield. Marmont ■was not handicapped in the cross-coun-try race at Flemington, but at Caulfield Mr Maitland considered him a 10'lb better horse than Beilis. The field which Beilis beat on Saturday last included the South Australian mare Isis, who acted as runner-up in the Flemingtom race. She was meeting Beilis on a stone better terms. O'niy oin three' previous occasions (Game. D'aimio, and Redleap) has the double been won in the same year. Daimio won the Flemington event two years in succession Eaglet, won the Caulfield race in: 1888 and at Flemington in 1889. The Caulfield country is easy and heavy imposts have failed 1 to stop good horses. Game canned 12.12, Redleap 13.12, Daimio 13.3, Domino 13.5, and Colonel Shillinski 13.2. Beilis is the property pf Mins H. C. White and is leased to Mr W. E. White, of Bell trees. The Grand National winner’s dam, Belle of Trent, was also bred by Mr White, and is by Trenton from Belle of Cobham (12), a mare by Restitution imported to Ho’bartyille by the late Mr Andrew Town, who bred that sterling good son of Grand Flaneur from her. Prior to the V.R.C. Grand National meeting the Sydney scribe “Milroy” had the "following concerning the Lochiel gelding:—Beilis is undoubtedly a stayer ia a thousand, hut may not he as seasoned a jumper of big fences as a major- _ ity of his opponents. Jumping, like boxing, is all a matter of practice and courage, but so far as steeplechase fences are concerned, Belli® has not had much practice, though he has done plenty of hurdle jumping. , However, he has apparently profited much by the little schooling he has had, judging by the maimer in whiclh he cut down that prince among timber-toppers, Springfield, at Williamstown. The fences at this waterside course are certainly not formidable, but are all in favour of a quick jumper like Springfield, whom 'Bum ride® over the fences “Tod Sloan” fashion, and the home jumps them much quicker than some do hurdles. Springfield has won many steeplechases in his time by cutting-down tactics, taking the fences almost in his stride, and making evey post a winning one; hut' in the steeplechase at Williamstown on Saturday he proved very soft corn for Beilis, who won pulling up. There may have not been anything very glittering about the performance-of Beilis, but the value of the run as a lesson is, I think, very great. Last, year Beilis was tried at a few schooling fences at Randwick and he got over them without much effort. He then went to Melbourne, and ran second in the Grand National Hurdle Race, and had the late Mr H. C. White consented to his starting for the G.N. Steeplechase the gelding would not. have lacked support, from judges of the jumping game, despite his inexperience. His next lesson over big timber was a very short, one immediately prior to his running in the two steeplechases at the late A.J.C. meeting. In the first, race he was interfered with, by a loose horse at the fence opposite Kensington, and narrowly missed making a mistake. . He fell six fences later, but his downfall was brought about by Skylark as he was rising at the fence, and not. on account of defective fencing. Two days later Beilis ran again, and jumped the country without an effort., winning .pulling up. This with, the Trace he had on Saturday sums up his big-timber practice, and as he got over Rand wick, there is no. reason, except the luck of the race, why Flemington should stop him. WOODVILLE DISTRICT JOCKEY CLUB. The annual meeting of members of the Woodville District. Jockey Club was held on the 14th inst. The President (Mr 19.- Bolton) occupied the chair. The President moved that the report and balance-sheet be received. The report is as follows: The Stewards have much pleasure in presenting to you the annual balancesheet, and congratulating members on the continued success of the Club. Since the last annual meeting the improvements to the course and buildings have .been completed, and we raced for the first time in December last on the new course, which gave satisfaction to all parties concerned. The cost, of the improvements so far amount to £2062 18s Id. The profit for the year is £938 18s 9d. The stewards to retire are Messrs Pattison, St ace. Maokie, and J. H. Harris, who are eligible for re-eleqtion. Mr W. resignation as a steward owing to leaving the district, wa© re-

ceived to-day. It will therefore be necessary to elect, five stewards to-night to fill the vacancies.

In speaking to -the motion he pointed out that there was a sum of £6l, fees outstanding from previous years, and that this was estimated to produce only £S 15®. He considered the amount should be wiped out as far as the club was concerned. He mentioned that the club had passed through a trying time. They had altered their course, and gone in for up-to-date conveniences at a big expense. At the - present time their course was second to none in the colony, and their appointments were as good as those of any club holding the same position. In view of a prospect that the totalisator might be done away with altogether, he ddd not think the club was justified in doing anything to assist what might he a dying institution.

Mr Pattison seconded the motion, which was carried.'

The election of officers was then proceeded with.

Mr Bolton was unanimously re-elect-ed president, and Mr Leithead, vicepresident. The ether offices were filled' as follows:—Judge, Mr W. H. ; Hart gill; clerk of scales, Mr K. J. McLennan; starter, Mr O. H. Ghevannes; timekeeper, Mr F. M. Kenney ; clerk of the course, Mr G. Peebles. There were eight nominations for the five vacancies on the committee, and Messrs Pattison, Staee, Mackie, White, and Avery were elected.

Messrs Whittington and Nicholson were appointed auditors. Some exception was taken to the appointment of Mr Nicholson as he was also the investment. clerk of the club. It was pointed out,'however, that the auditors did not audit the investment account. Mr Sta.ce was re-elected treasurer. Hearty vote® of thanks were passed to the stewards and to Mr Gothard, to whom most eulogistic reference was made. i Some discussion took place on the balance-sheet,, which was finally edThe rules as printed were laid before the members, and referred to the steward® for completion. Mr Redwood moved that it be a recommendation to. the stewards that the smaller stakes be increased. This concluded the business, and the meeting adjourned. CHATTER. Some material alterations have been made in the programme of the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting compared with the biil-of-fare issued to owners last October. The open, hurdle races, which did not receive much support from owners, have been deleted. In place thereof there will be a hack hurdle race each day of the value of 80 sovs, the distances befng a mile and three-quarters on the first day and a mile and a half on the second. The N misery and Juvenile Handicaps have been struck out aind the Wellesley and Wellington Stakes, which formerly appeared on the programme of the summer meeting, fill up the blank. This latter innovation should meet with the approval of owners of juveniles, as after doing the Hawke’s Bay meeting, they can race at the Hutt before fulfilling their engagements at Riccarton or Auckland as the case may be. The added money at the forthcoming meeting will be £2380, against £2120 a year ago., being an increase of £260. Mr A. E. Whyte, secretary of the Wellington Racing Club, was amongst the local visitors assisting at the Grand National meeting this week. After first forfeits, 99 horses remain in the Second Manawatu Stakes to be run at Palmerston next April. Those left in include the champion Achilles, who .ran second to Machine Gun in the initial race, Maniopoto, Signalman, Stronghold, Lady Wayward, To-morrow, King Billy, Merriman, Boris, Promotion, Declination, Culmination, Fontenoy and Martelß. The annual meeting of members of the Wellington Racing Club will be held on the 31st inst.

At the Maribyrnong (Victoria) meetring this month the three-year-old colt Two Step, by Blindook, won the Trial Handicap, five furlongs. Bundook (by Carbine—Moonga) is a half-brother to Seahorse, and full brother to Mongonui, at present in Mr W. J. Douglas’s" Te Mahunga Stud. Owners of jumping horses will be pleased to learn that the Wanganui Jockey Club has decided to alter the hurdles used at its meeting in the direction of making them lighter and less formidable than formerly. The falls which Pave occurred at Wanganui have been put down to the solid nature of the jumps, which were composed of a top rail of ironbark. This has been done away with and in its place timber of lighter material substituted. This announcement, which has been officially received from Wanganui, will no doubt, be welcome news for owners of jumpers and should be borne in mind when the time for entries at the spring meeting becomes due.

T. Oonnop, a prominent light-weight horseman of a few seasons back, made, his reappearance in the saddle at the Woodlands Hunt Club meeting last week. He rode Hector- McDonald unsuccessfully in two events. Yalinaut. by Autaeus (son of Sir Mod-

red) worn the Park Stakes at Newcastle first month. The progeny of Autaeus won £1290 in stake® in Australia last month.

Incision, by Trenton, won the Jockey Club Handicap at the Maclean (N-S.W.) meeting last month.

At the Broken Hill meeting last, month Nipper (by Thunderer) won the Flying Handicap. Thunderer is by the South Australian sire Thunderbolt (son of Musket—Locket) from Queen Consort (by St. Albans) and full brother to Thunderer Queen. W. Davis, the Hutt owner-trainer, who paid a flying holiday trip to Sydney, saw a good many horses at Rancfwick, hut nothing that took his fancy and consequently returned emptyhanded’.

Ballet Girl (by Medallion—Choir Girl) full sister to the Riocarton-trained Handel, won a race at the Broken Hill meeting last month. Jeanne d’Arc, who claims an engagement in the New Zealand Cup, is in ■work at the Hutt.

The successful double at Flemington (York and Beilis) also prevailed at Caulfield. York is owned in Sbuth Australia and Beilis in New South Wales. Both horses must have had a good deal in hand at Flemington. York won £I6OO and Beilis £2150 in stakes.

By winning the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase, (worth £llOO to' the first horse) Beilis 'has given Lochiel a good start on the winning sires list for 1905-6.

At the Gurraghi meeting in Ireland on 27th July, Aura, who is by the V.R.C. St. Leger winner, Aurum, won the Scurry Plate, of 50 sovs. There were eleven runners, Aura starting at 10 to 1, and winning by a length. On the second day of the meeting Aura ran second to Westminster Lass in the Curragih Plate, of 100 sovs, a selling race. Cinder Bill, by Bill of Portland from Cinder Ellen, was successful in the S'tewardb’ Stakes, of 200 sovs, for two-year-olds, five furlongs, at the Curragh meeting in Ireland on 29th June. There were sax star tens, and Cinder Bill went out at sto 2 on, and won easily. Both the sire and dam of Cinder Bill were foaled in Australia. Cinder Ellen, who is by Trenton, raced in India after leaving Australia. A Sydney scribe thus refers to the Yaldhurst team at present at Randwick:— Nightfall, who is the principal performer of the party, i® little changed since she was here last year. Noetuiform is a. three-year-old brother to Nightfall, and a better sort, than his brilliant sister, being very strong and short on top, with no end of length underneath. He is also, a chestnut, with a narrow blaze down the face. Sungod is a half-brother to Martian, who. outstayed even Lord Cardigan at. Randwick. Sungod is a very low-sot, brandycoloured bay, with black painted tops. Pie is Martian over again in all except perhaps width. Oil looks Isolt is the nick of the party. She is a lengthy whole bay filly, with. most, perfect shoulders and a splendid length of style, but is a trifle light in the back ribs. Isolt has never raced, or been away from home before entering upon, the trip to Sydney, but she behaved herself as became the lady she looks, and even set her more experienced mates an example in deportment both, on and off the boat. Lochiel and his sons Holbrook (£1147) and Le Var (£490) appear among the Australian winning sires for the season 1904-5.

Colonel Hall Walker, whose horses have lately been performing very successfully in England, and Mr Craven, another prominent owner, were last month called upon, by the stewards of the Jockey Club to explain the running of their horses during the year. The explanations as to the running rvere accepted, but Mr Craven, it is officially stated, could not explain the position occupied by his horse Sir Daniel in the Royal Hunt Cup betting. In that race Sir Daniel, who is a. three-year-old, was handicapped at 6.8, and started favourite at 9 to 4 in a big field, but after leading most of the way he was beaten out of a place.

At a sale at Melbourne last month the Maxim.—lris horse Bloodshot, who ran second to Newhaven in the Melbourne Cup, changed hands at 130 guineas.

The Tradueer—Jdalia. horse Sir Modred, who was a champion sire in America, was successfully represented in Australia during the past season by Antaeus (£890) and Sir William (£375). Slight, a three-year-old colt by Carbine, won a race in England a few weeks ago. It was the Brighton-Sussex Plate, of five furlongs, that he succeeded to, and was unbacked in. a field of eleven. Slight ran in hood and blinkers. At the Albion Park (Brisbane) meeting last, month, the Hon. EL. Mosman won the Welter Handicap, six furlongs, with the twO'-year-old colt Horsa, by Eliladi —Monsoon. Horsa was bred at Auckland. His sire, by St. Leger— Hilda, was formerly known as Hengist. Monsoon was bred by the Hon. G. McLean and is by St. Clair from Mistral. The question of issuing permits for stable servants has not been provided for under the Revised Rules of Racing. The position is now that a trainer or owner wishing to employ a servant must have a recommendation from the servant’s previous employer before he can employ him. If a previous employer refuses to give a recommendation or

gives an adverse tne, then the matteß, if application be made, may be invests gated by the Metropolitan Committee. The stewards of the English Jockey Club at their last meeting, made it clear that they desire, to have the rules of racing modified in several important respects. Thc©e which refer to the; compulsory disqualification of horses fos offences committed by their owners, authorised agents or jockeys, either through carelessness, forgetfulness, or negligence., and not through any fraud', deception, or concealment of facts, they favour being amended so that when breach occurs by negligence or forgetfulness, it shall be left to the discretion of the stewards to d'eal with minor offences in a lenient way, instead of being compelled to disqualify the horse. One of the rules referred to is similar; to that which caused so- much trouble in Melbourne recently, viz., that, a horse foaled out of the United Kingdom shall not be qualified to start for a race until there have been deposited at the registry office a foreign certificate, and a certificate of age, etc. These formalities are very simple, but they might not be complied with, and though the horse was perfectly well known., the stewards have no option but to disqualify him for any race. The stewards of the Jockey Club are of opinion that there ought to be some easier means of escape (there is under A.J.C. rules) on occasions of this kind, and the rule is likely t-o be altered so that the stewards may use their discretion. Another rule touched upon was that, which runs: —* “All partnerships, and the name and' address of every person having any. interest in a horse, the relative proportions of such interest, and the terms of any sale with contingencies, lease, or arrangement, must, be signed by all the parties, or their authorised agents, and lodged at the registry office, or withi the clerk of the course for transmission! to the registry office, before a, horse sold with contingencies, or leased, or which is a joint property, can be etn,tered or start for any race.” It is thought that the rule should be altered! so that a fine, or some other punishment, may be inflicted, and disqualification only exacted in cases where there are distinct malpractices. The Elnglish horse Voyon, who rani second to Merriwee in the Melbourne Cup of 1889, claimed a winner at Moorefield (N.S.W.) last month, when Bluster won the Two-Year-O'ld Handicap. The youngster is particularly well bred, from Blowing-stone (imp.) by Skylark—Marie Antoinette, by Gladiateur. Sandboy,' winner of the Hurdle Race at Moorefield (N.S.W.) last month, is a grey gelding by The Dancer (by Sword! Dance —Vivandiere), who accompanied one of Geo. Wright’s Ellerslie team to Randwick.

The idea that fabulous sums can bei won in bets on the racecourses in England would appear to he all moonshine, that is if a writer in “Sketch” can be accepted as an authority. He says:' “According to- rumour, the ring is in ai bad way, and ever • since the lamented! deaths of Messrs Pry, Ben Cooper, Alec. Hands, and Rowson, the market has been unstable. There is a fine opening in Tattersall’s ring for young men with money and brains to 1 lay the field. The fact of the matter is, many of the bookmakers trading at the present time hg.ye become far too old to do their work correctly. They have no nerve, and are afriaid to field properly. The outcome of this iis often a bad! book, when, if they tried) to lay against' every, horse in the race, they would often) stand on velvet. The layers to-day are too easily influenced by winks and nods, which, when they come to be analysed’, are quite meaningless. The bookmaker, to succeed 1 , should assume that every horse in the race has some sort of a chance of heating even a hot favourite. Many of the fossilised layers begin by, offering the odds bar one, and they continue singing the same tune right upj to the end of the chapter.”

Acrasia’s Melbourne Cup win placed Mr Humphrey Oxenham at the head ofwinning owners in Australia with £5383 to his credit. Mr S>. Green, owner of. Gladsome, was second on the list with) £4319, and Mi- J. Wren, owner of Murmur, sixth, with £2BBO. J. Scoibie, tne well-known Ballarat trainer, is having a metallic circuit telephone installed at his stable®. This instrument, which is the first in the Ballarat district, ensures secrecy of conversation in regard to inquiries from Melbourne and elsewhere as to the progress horses are making in their training. Some time ago. unpleasantness was created because of the leakage or important stable information, hence the steps which S'cobie has now taken.

Musket’s name no longer appears on the Australian winning siree list, bub several of bis sons and a great many grandsons appear in the list for the past season. The most successful was Wallace, who had 18 winners of 42 races of the value of £12059. Next season Carbine’s son will probably head the list. Medallion’s stoek won £8395* Thunderbolt £2380, True Blue £2767„ Strathmore £1976, Escutcheon £IO2O, Zalinski £865, Firelock £Bl3, Manat £746, Scots Grey'£6s7, Martini Henry. £O4O, Bloodshot £584, Havoc £3BO, Oscillator £343, Jacinth. £.275, Teksu:R £245, Fusilier £203, Cambria £202. •When the last files left London, Mr Hall Walker topped the list.of winning owners for the current season. He

was right out by himself with a total of £17,909 10s, the next higgest wmner being Lord Rosebery with £8225. W. T. Robinson y?a& the most successful trainer up to that time, with £25,878, .W. Elsey following with £9113, but a good race was going on for first place among the sires, for while Oyllene (sire of Oioero) headed the list with £13,660 ss, Isinglass (sire of Cherry Lass) was credited! with £13,187. Although Trenton lias been iiy England some years his name appears on the list of winning sires in Australia, for the past season, when he was represented by one winner of four races of the value of £6Ol. Several of Trenton’s sons also appear in the winning list as follows:—Light Artillery £2138, Oambooya £9OO, Trenchant £513, Redcourt £432, The Inquisitor £399, Deleware £305, Gerard £2BB, Trentmoor £2BO, Renown £256. A number of horses either bred or foaled in New Zealand appear in the list of winning sires in Australia during the past season. Lochiel heads the list with £15,,227, the value of 97 races. Further down the list appear the names of St. Swithin £3340, Niagara £3250, Hova £2052, Russley £1644, Dunkeld £389, Alcinous £299, Town Moor £2lO, Mikado £2OO. Musket’s eons and grandsons are keeping that sire’s name green in England. Mr G. Faber’s colt Gala-pas, by Trenton from Black Duchess, was successful in the Horseshoe Handicap, of 150 sov®, one mile and a ■half, at Gattv iok, on 27th June. There were eight starter, and Galapas, starting second favourite at 4 to 1, won by a head from Fireman.

An unnamed fi-lly, four years old, by Carbine from Stream of Geld, won the Emlyn Plate, of 100 sows, five furlongs, at the Gat.wick meeting on 28th Juine. She started at 6 to 1 in a field of six. The Victorian jockey, Bullock, rode the Avington—■Ankles filly to victory in a two-year-old event at this meeting.