TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 44

TURF TOPICS

By "Advance.”

THE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

The meeting which concluded at Ricoarton on Saturday last was, both from a racing and financial point, one of the most successful jumping fixtures ever held in the colony. The falling off in totalisator revenue during the previous season was put down to the double machine, and in consequence that was done away with. Last August the turnover amounted to £39,507, which was £2270 behind the aggregate figures of 1893. At, the recent meeting the totalisator showed a total of £44,584. which is £5077 more than when the club used the double machine, which was instituted at RAcoarton. Another item of receipts, nominations and acceptances, •will be heavy, and the club, which caters so liberally for owners at a minimum cost, should come out with a satisfactory ci’edit balance. During the three days twenty-four races were decided, and only in four cases (Crichton, Jolly Friar, Makuri and Playfair) were double wins recoi'ded. Sensational dividends were paid in two events. Although the North Island contingent more than managed to hold its own, the Hutt-trained horses failed to win a single event. The most successful the trainers from North Island was J. Gravesitock, who, took down three horses, with which he won three events and ran second in another. In some cases horses which showed good form at the Hutt were again in winning form. Jewel Gun, .who won a double lit the Hutt, pulled off the Trial Hurdles with something to spare, and is evidently going to he more serviceable over fences than when raced on the flat. The lot he beat included two useful ones in Taxpayer and Daredevil. From the appended table of winners of the Winter Cup it will bo seen that the progeny of the Ellderslie sire (Stepniak) have a great record in that event. Ia last week’s race Master Alix and Kremlin, both by Stepniak, but neither bred at Mr Reid’s stud, were heavily supported, and the last named, although third favourite, paid the good price of £6 ss. Kremlin was unplaced in the same race a year ago behind Mahutonga and Shrapnel Shell. Full Cry’s position at the finish came as a surprise, but Exmoor was well up in the Parliamentary at a mile, and he ran well at Riocarton, carrying top weight. Most of the others would he better suited hy a shorter distance. After winning at the Manawgtu meeting last autumn twelve months, Kremlin was purchased by A. Hall (trainer of Kaitere) and has since been trained at Ellerslie. He won a double on tbe second day of the last, Easter meeting, which was his last success prior to the Winter Cup. Kremlin was brought to the Napier Park and Wellington meetings with Kaitere, but did-not start at either place. Following are the winners of the Winter Cup:— Following are the winners of the Winter Cup : 1899 —Jupiter, syrs, 9.9. Time, Imm 49 sec. _ . 1890 —Spider, 4yrs, 9.0. Time, lmin 47 1901 — Ostiak, syrs, 10.5. Time, lmin 44 3-ssec. _. t ■ 1902 — Waiwhera, 4yrs, 9.6. Time, lmin 49 4-ssec. „ _ . 1903 — Vladimir, 4yrs, 10.12. Time, 4mm 1904 — Mahutonga, 4yrs, 9.10. Time, lmin 45 2-seec. . 1905 — Kremlin, aged, 10.12. Time, Imm 45sec. Lucky Star, who was picked out as the best of the runners for the TallyHo Steeplechase, a race for trophies, gentleman riders, came to grief. Playfair had too much foot for Agitator (a half brother to old Liberator) and settled his opponent without dilhculty in the run home from the last, fence. Those who picked Haydn to beat Kaitere in the Steeplechase on the woik they had done at Riocarton proved to be reliable judges. There are few bet-ter-known performers at Ellerslie than Haydn and Pipi, who filled the places behind Enniskillen, who is trained by C.

Weal, who had bad luck last year with Ores pin, Aikeake and Tahae. Enniskillen was bred in the Hawera district by Fraternite (The Dauphin—Sissie) who won the Wanganui Guineas in the colours of his breeder, Mr William Wilson, of Whenuakura, who imported Sissie. Egaiite, who took up stud duty in the Wainarapa district, was a lull brother to Fraternite. Nightingale (dam of Etnniskiren) was imported from Australia by Forest King (Maribyrnong —Xarifa) from Alloway, and is the dam of Bowman, Loch Erne and Pplycaste. At the Takapuna May meeting he won the Maiden and Handicap Steeplechase and had a good following for the big events at Ellerslie. He fell in the Hurdles and was pulled up in the Steeplechase. A remarkable thing about tbe race was that only the placed horses finished. Winners of the race are as follows:—• 1876 Royalty, 10.0; 6 starters. 1877 Fakir, ’ 10.5; 13 starters. 1878 — 'Mousetrap, 11.4; 9 starters. 1879 The Agent, 12.8; 12 starters. 1880 — .The Agent, 12.7; 12 starters. 1881 — Clarence, 12.2; 6 starters. 18S2 —Katerfelto, 10.0; 8 starters. 1883—‘Kosciusko, 10.5; 5 starters. 1834 — The Agent, 12.6; 4 starters. 1835 ‘Moody, 11.0; 6 starters. 1886— Canard, 12.10; 6 starters. 1887— Faugh-a-Ballagh, 11.13; 13 starters. 1888 — Mangaolxaiio, 12-2; 9 starters. 1889 — Chemist, 12.7; 11 starters. 1890 — Daddy Longlegs, 9.7; 6 starters. 1891 — Freeman, 9.2; 12 starters. 1892 — Ahua, 11.9; 13 starters. 1893 — 'Waterbury, 10.2; 12 starters. 1894 — Norton, 12.8; 7 starters. 1895 — .Mutiny, 11.5; 8 starters. 1896 — Mutiny, 12.4; 8 starters. 1897 — Levanter, 12.6; 16 starters. 1898 — ‘Dummy, 10.13; 10 starters. 1899 — Blackberry, 10.6; 9 starters. 1900 — -The Guard, 10.6; 13 starters. 1901 — Gobo, 10.9; 8 starters. 1902 — Haydn, 10.9; 14 starters. 1903 — Awahuri, 11.3 : 12 starters. 1804 —Slow Tom, 11.0; 12 starters. 1905 —Enniskillen, 9.13; 11 starters. Newtoavn, a stable mate of Enniskillen, who had been heavily supported in doubles with the Steeplechase winner, was backed down to nearly level money in the Jumpers’ Flat Race, and scored by a length from Tupara, who won the race last year. On both occasions Cavalry filled third place. Newtown, who is full brother to- the Thompson Handicap winner (Lottie) won two hurdle races at (Ellersiie in June.

Six of the eight runners in the Enfield Steeplechase fell down, leaving Te Kohau to score easily from Noxious Weed. T© lvohau competed successfully over the Riocarton fences a year ago, when he won the Hunt Club Cup. He was bred in the Wairarapa by Duke d’Amour (Duke of Edinburgh—Rose d’ Am our) a half brother to Pusha and Resefeldt, who was not. much use as a racer.

The solid support given Flying Spark (half-brother to Treadmill) who, had been putting up track records for E. Outts, enabled' backers of Jolly Friar to get a better price than they otherwise would have done.

Two wins on the second day that should have been popular were those of Haydn and Exmoor, both of which had run well the first day. Backers sent Etxmoor out nearly a level money favourite, probably on account of the weakness of the opposition. The Grafton gelding won comfortably in slower time than the Winter Cup took. Neither the owner (Mr J. Monk) nor trainer (J. Prosser) were at Riocarton to see the horse win.

Out of seventeen runners in the Grand National Hurdles the public, who are pretty good judges, picked everything bar Catherine Gordon and Outer to beat Creusot. In previous years the form shown in the Jumpers’ Flat Race has proved a fairly reliable guide for the Hurdles. Waiwera won the Ladies’ Bracelet (two miles, on the flat) the day before his victory in the Hurdles. Tresham won the Jumpers’ Flat Race the same day as the Hurdles, the order of events being then reversed. This year, with the exception of Tupara, the form proved most unreliable. Creusot and Waiwera, winner and! runner-up in the Hurdles, failed to show any form in the Jump el's Flat Race. Newtown, the winner of the last named event, could only finish fifth. Four of the seventeen runners, including the favourite (Romeo) came to grief. With two exceptions the time put up was the fastest otn record. South Island horses have only won this race five times in sixteen yeai’s. The winning record is appended: 1890— Ixion, 10.2. Time, 4min 5 2-ssec. 1891— Couranto, 10.0. Time, 3mm 52sec. 1892 Kulnine, 11.5. Time, 4mm, 1893 — 'Liberator, 10.10. Time, 3mm 55sec. 1894 Liberator, 12.6. Time, 4mm s|sec. 1895 — Donald McKinnon, 10.3. Time, 4mm 1896 — Dummy, 9.12. Time, 3min 59_l sec 1897 — Umslopogaas, 9.5. Time, 3mm 53 1898 — Social Pest, 10.13. Time, 3min 1899 Defiance, 11-0. Time, 3min 56 2-5 iSOO—Record Reign, 12.12. Time, 3min 46 3-ssec. 1901 — Haydn, 110. Time, Smin 55 4-ssec. 1902 Tresham, 10.0. Time, 3mm 55 4-5 •s ec. —.Waiwera, 11.4. Time, 3min 47sec. 1904 Medallions, 9.5. Time, 4mm 1 l-sseo. 1905 — Creusot, 10.13. Time, 3mxn 49 3-ssec. Wi Wiaka, winner of the Hunt Club Cup, is an Auckland-bred gelding hy Seoiantis (sire of Romeo) and was in receipt of two stone from Playfair, who

was second. Excepting Te Kohau, who appears able to hold his own in ope» company, Playfair was the best of th® hunter class seen out at the meeting. Six of the nine runners in Beaufort Steeplechase made mistakes and Hayda scored easily from Manazona, who had a great battle with Te Kohau for second money and dividend'. Blythmaid, who showed some form at the Hutt, gave G. Price a winning ride in the Sumner Handicap, in which she put down a favourite in the Wairarapa*owned S'ilverlene.

Jolly Friar, who was making his first appearance in open company, was made a pot for the Ashley Handicap. He was no match for the Locbiel horse Crichton, who changed hands a short time back for a substantial sim.

For once in a way followers of G. Jenkins got a good price. Li the WoolStone Plate Whatarou, that horseman’s mount, paid £5 Is.' The Newforest gelding went to the owner of Bill Perkins, who ran second, for £3O, but according to the conditions of the race only cost half that sum. Sex Lion, who was on the first day asked to concede Whataroa two rtone, was easily beaten at level weights. On the concluding day old Pipi scored a papular win in the Lincoln Steeplechase. He competed unsuccessfully at Wanganui and Ha,tings a couple of months back and had not won a race at Riccarton since he got home in the Enfield. Steeplechase on his first appearance at Riocarton four years back. In the interval he ran three times second and once third in the Grand National’ Steep 1 echase.

North Island owned horses were successful in four events. Bill Bailey partly retrieved his reputation by winning the Ladies’ Bracelet from Mergihae (Gold Reef—Merganzer) who also hails from Hawke’s Bay. Narcissus put down a good favourite in Taxpayer in the Hack Hurdles. Tupara scored a deserved win in the Sydenham Hurdles. Crichton, by winning the Heathcot© Handicap, proved that his first day’s win was no fluke and that he was a

cheap purchase at the figure quoted (£500). In the Selwyn Handicap,* six furlongs, Wet Reef could only get fourth to Jolly Friar, which form makes Mr Cotter’s gelding out to be decidedly useful. Daredevil, after running in the Sydenham Hurdles, came out and won the Final Hurdles from Magnificent, who showed a glimpse of his old form. Captain Campbell started both Playfair and Makuri in the Hunters? Plato, and at the finish they were separated hy Wi Waka. PAHIATTJA RACING CLUB. The annual general meeting of members of the Fahiatua Racing Club will be held on the 20th inst. The report states that a perusal of the balancesheet discloses the fact that the dub ’is in a sound financial position. Since the end of the financial year the purchase of the race course property has been completed, and members are to be congratulated on owning the freehold of an up-to-date, well-appointed course. During the year the expenditure has been kept well within hounds, and the policy of the stewards in the past in making full allowance for depreciation has been adhered to. The receipts for the year amounted to £2430 Is sd, including subscriptions and entrance fees £lO7 Bs, nominafTons and acceptances £3OO 10s, gates £139 2s 9d, totalisator £1192 16s, privileges £139, miscellaneous £133 4s 9d. The largest item on the expenditure side was stakes, which amounted to £IOOO, totalisator tax £2Ol 12s, salaries £l4l 19s lOd, rent £ll3 15s, improvements £lO6 12s 6d, leaving a balance, of £283 11s lid. The balance of assets over liabilities is estimated at £1449 12s. GOBO. On the eve of the Grand National meeting the death was announced of the chestnut gelding Go<bo, by Natator, from the P'aUnter mare Germaine (dam of The Miser, Gaspard and The Baillie). Gobo was bred by Mr F. G. Andrews, at Shannon, in 1894. Neither GasparcL nor The Baillie were much account, but Th© Miser and Gobo were both good stake winners for Mr Prosser. Gobo made his first appearance at the Hutt in the spring when three years old, and finished among the unplaced division in a maiden hack race. In his other two engagements he failed to show any form and appeared the following season with a maiden certificate. At. Wanganui he acted as runner-up to First Result in a Trial Handicap. His first success was in a hack handicap, at the Hutt. After running two seoondis to, Bush Rose at Ash hurst he was brought across to Tauherenikau and won a mile and a quarter hack race. He scored a double at Otaki in the spring of his five-year-old career. He made his first appearance as a jumper at the Feilding Autumn meeting, when he heat Waiwera and others in a hack hurdle race, one mile and three-quarters. He next appeared in a flat race at O'taki, in which, he was also successful. As a six-year-old he only sported silk on three occasions, and was not seen out until the end of the season. He ran third in a Hack Hurdle Handicap at Otaki. All

the Hutt he was beaten by Nipapu in {be Maiden Steeplechase, and; on the second day of the meeting brought off a surprise in the Wellington Steeplechase, for which he was one of the least fancied and paid the goodi price of £8 14s. This performance was followed by an important victory in the Grand Nar tionai Steeplechase at Raccarton, carrying 10.9. The Natal or gelding was then at his best. He went to Wanganui in the spring, and carrying 10.13 won comfortably, running two miles and a distance in 4min 12seo. He then went into retirement until the Wanganui Winter meeting, when he competed unsuooessfuEy in' the principle hurdle race and steeplechase. He fared no better at Ellerslie and failed to run prominently in either of his engagements at Hawke’s Bay. In his last race of the season he was successful in. the Wellington Steeplechase under 11.3. At eight years of age Gobo competed unsuccessfully in the Grand National and Wellington Steeplechases. His principal successes were achieved in the colours of Mr Douglas Gordon, but he also won for his trainer and Mr R. Puaha. During six seasons Gobo. sported silk on fifty-one occasions. He was first; in eleven races and second in seven, and won about £1620 in stakes. NAPIER PARK RAGING CLUB. The annual meeting of the Napier Park Racing dub was held on the 16th instant. Mr ’ J. O. McVay (president) in‘the chair. The annual report of the committee stated that they had much pleasure in submitting their annual report and balance-sheet, which showed a profit of £2O 16s lOd on the year’s operations. The smallness of the profit was, no doubt, caused by the inclement weather, as it rained every day at each of the three meetings.. The> club’s property was ip. good order, and the grounds were -in. first-class' condition. The racing and traJining tracks were also in capital order. The committee had very greatpleasure in tendering . their hearty thanks to the honorary surgeons of the club, Drs Henley, Wilson and Macdbnell, for the kind service® they have so cordially rendered. The members of the committee. who retired under the rules were Messrs A. Ellis, A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R.., D. A. Baxter., W. I. Peacock, and F. G. Smith, who were eligible for re-election. There was also a. vacancy on the committee, caused by the resignation of Mr S. Bennett. The balance-sheet showed receipts £5382 3s lOd (including spring meeting £1589 Os 6d, autumn meeting £1559 8s <kl, winter meeting £1799 9s 4d, subscriptions £322 4s), and expenditure £1425 3s, autumn meeting £1379 6s 9d, winter meeting £1291 6ls 4d, rent of course £409, salaries £3BB 3s lOd, advertising £127 6s lOd, bank interest. £63 13s, general expenses £l5O 9s sd). There was a. credit balance of £2O 16s lOd. The assets of the club were valued at £1624 2s 2d, and the liabilities at £llß7 2s lOd. The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, adversely criticised the action of the Napier Licensing Committee in refusing a license for the club’s meetings. He mentioned that the committee of the club had decided to run their own totalisator for the future, and anticipated making a considerable profit. He hoped that the club would wind up next year ' with a. better credit balance. Mi* C. B. Headley seconded the motion , which was carried. The retiring committeemen were reelected ; also the auditors (Messrs W. J. Tabutean and S. J. Williams). Several new members were elected, and the meeting terminated after passing a vote of thanks to the chairman. EGMONT RAGING CLUB. The annual meeting of members of the Elgmont Racing Club was held on the 12th inst. Mr M. F. Baird presided. - The annual report, submitted by the treasurer (Mr Sutton), regretted that a loss of £l4 9s lid had occurred, and this was attributed to the wet weather on the second day of the winter meeting. Privileges were less by £2Ol (all gate money) and the total!sator by £369, while interest was £l3B more and the stakes were increased by £l5O as compared with the previous year. The farming and course had been under the management of Messrs Baird and Tonks, who had done their arduous duty in a satisfactory manner, the issue being a credit balance on the year’s working of £ll3 6s lid. The question of putting down a sand track had been before the committee, and after careful consideratiou it was decided to shelve the matter until next February. The committee tendered their thanks to the club’s honorary officials and to the secretary for their careful attention to their respective duties. The chief items in the receipt® (£4764 6s 9d) were: Totalisator £2203 19s Bd, nomination and acceptances £928 IQs 6d. .Mr Sutton said they had unfortunately not the same position in the balance-sheet as last year. They had a loss of £l4 odd, and had not written

off as much for depreciation as they would have liked. He mentioned that it was the intention of the committee to bring the improvement and grandstand accounts into line. The improvenent account dealt with such things as the track, and the expenditure did not produce a realisable asset. The speaker traced the operations of the club since 1903-4, when the stakes were increased, and referred to the fact that in 1905 there was a further increase of £l5O in the stakes. He did not think it was the wish of anyone to go. back on' those stakes. They had laid out about £4OOO on the grandstand, thinking they had to do that after they had got every convenience for the horseowners. The old stand did not give the required , accommodation, and the comfort of patrons had to he considered. The liabilities of the club were now pretty considerable, but they were in a very sound financial position. With regard to the proposed sand track £SOO would he required. In committee on this question the voting was equal and the chairman, thought it- would not be advisable to undertake the expenditure without consulting members. If members decided what should he done, no doubt the incoming committee) would carry out their desires. Tie view of the committee was that they should wait until it was ascertained what action was to be taken by the Government with reference to the totalisator. At the present time they must go slow and when they got fair-ly low in their liability then they could go in for further expenditure. The caretaker and horse committee said they could put in another plough track, which would carry them through the present winter; that was for the incoming committee to consider. He moved the adoption of the. rep out and balance-sheet. It was agreed that in future meetings would be held at 2.30 in the afternoon, instead of at 8 o’clock, which was inconvenient to country members. Mr Davidson drew attention to the fact that previously, when the club’s indebtedness was £4OOO, members signed a joint and several, but now the trustees were responsible altogether. When that £4OOO was wiped off it was thought to •be unnecessary for members to sign. Since then, however, their liabilities had again increased to nearly £4OOO. He thought they should start afresh with the joint and several, and meved in that direction.

Mr Adamson seconded. 1 the resolution, which was carried. Mr Goodwin asked how the estimate of £SOO for the sand track was arrived at.

Mr Sutton: The club called for tenders.

Mr Goodwin asked the depth of the l sand, and upon being told that it was proposed to lay eght inches, replied that if the club were afraid they should start with half that depth. It would he a. great benefit and the work could be done gradually.

The chairman said that in this soft country they had found that eight Inches would Be required. Mr Goodwin thought other people’s ouinion would differ. He was sure four inches would .be better than none at all. They did not want two plough tracks, and it was incorrect, to say that the present plough was worn out. He suggested that the incoming committee consider the matter.

Mr Davidson gave notice that he would move at the next general meeting of the club that the initiation fee he raised from £1 Is to £5 ss. He thought that would increase the status of the club.

Mr Jury asked -why local people could not he given a chance to do the catering He thought they should not go outside for caterers when local people could do the work as well. He recommended the incoming committee to consider the matter.

Mr Sutton said they had tried district people some time ago, and they had declined 1 .

Mr Davidson moved, That a paid auditor he appointed. He suggested Mr Meek. Mr Webster seconded the resolution, which, was carried. Dr Westenra. and Mr R. Hicks were appointed scrutineers, and the election of office-bearers resulted in the following being appointed : —President, Mi R. B. Nolan; vice-president, Mr M. F. Bail’d; bon. treasurer, Mr H. W'. Sutton ; stewards, Messrs Adamson, Brewer, Budge, Good, Gray, Hick®, Symes, Tonks, Dr Westenra; general committee, Messrs Adamson, Davidson, Good, Grant, Gray, Hick®, Spratt, Symes, Tonks, J. Quin, and Dr Westenra. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. LOWER VALLEY JOCKEY CLUB. The following is the annual report of the Lower Valley Jockey Club for the year ending July 31st, 1905, to be submitted to members at the annual meeting to be held at Martlinborough on the 31st inst. Your stewards are pleased to present a satisfactory report, and bal-ance-sheet for the year ending July 31st, 1905. The club commenced the year with a dehit balance of £135 10s 3d, and the result of the year’s racing was the clearing off of this debt with a credit balance left of £132 18s 3d. During the year sundry improvements were als> carried out. The estimated value of assets oven liabilities is £lll4. The

question of fencing off the training track from the course, erecting a new' publican’s booth, alteration to the members’ drive and public horse paddock and other improvements has been fully ensidered by your stewards and they have decided that these works must be carried out without delay; most of tlm work has already been completed and the total cost will be about £250. The stewards and honorary officials retire as usual and their successors will he elected at the annual meeting of members. STRATFORD RAGING CLUB. The following is a copy of the Stratford Racing Club’s annual report, to be presented at the annual meeting of members, which takes place on the 24th inst. The balance-sheet for the year 1904 to 1905, which is here presented for your inspection, shows a considerable falling-off in the profit for the year, and, looked at purely from this point of view, the year’s working has not been so successful, the profit of the race meeting having shrunk from £B2B iss 4d in 1904 to £340 17s lid in 1905. This is accounted for by the increase in stakes from £BOO to £IO3O, and incieased expenses incurred in paying freight on visiting houses, and also a considerable decrease in receipt®. Although the expense of paying freights and providing accommodation for visiting horses was considerable, it was much appreciated by owners, and undoubtedly conduced materially *to the success of the meeting, many visiting horses racing here which would otherwise not have done so. In spite of th 3 decrease • in profit, the committee considers that a policy of advance must be maintained, and thinks that by curtailing the expenses the club may tide over another season without reducing stakes. Oh the profit and loss account you will notice that the year’s working shows a loss of £34 14s sd. Strenuous endeavours have been made -to obtain a second totalisator permit, as the heavy annual expense due to the expensive improvements make it very difficult for the club to maintain its position from a sporting point of view and at the- same time make a profit. It is to be hoped repeated representation to the Racing Conference will eventually impress upon it the necessity of protecting the finances of the clubs which are showing advance by increased stakes and up-to-date appointments, by granting them additional permits where they now have only one, thus enabling them to keep their finances on a sound footing without being forced to conduct their business on a purely profit-making basis apart from consideration of sound and honest racing which is inseparable from adequate stakes. The depasturing of sheep upon the course and the care of the caretaker (J. McKenzie) have resulted in a great improvement in the racing track, as was evidenced by the fast times established in some of the races. New loose-hexes have been, built in the saddling paddock, and., with the exception of the steward’s rooms and the secretary’s office, all appointments are thoroughly up-to-date. Your committee recommend that no further improvements be undertaken at present, as it is imperative to reduce the indebtedness of the club. According to the new rule by which three of the committee retire by ballot, Messrs WYoung, A. Ba.yly, and S.' Pitt retire, and are eligible for re-election. In conclusion, your committee wish to heartily than is all officials, honorary and paid, for the satisfactory manner in which the race meeting was carried through. BETTING MARKET. Messrs Scott and; Martindale report the following business on the NEW ZEALAND CUP. 500 to 25 Quarryman. 500 to 10 Bulawayo. 500 to 12% Probable. 350 to 17% Mlelod&on. 300 to 3 Ability. 100 to 3 Jeanne d’Arc. 700 to 16 Melwood. 300 to 12 Paritutu. 1000 to 30 Veneer. 700 to 35 Achilles. 500 to 25 Mahutonga. 500 to 5 Lyrist. 550 to 22 Sir Tristram. 300 to 1 Rosegrove. 100 to 5 Nightfall. 800 to 50 Maniapoto. 200 to 2 Joe Chamberlain. 700 to 8 Lyrist. 200 to 2 Douche. 1000 to 20 Shrapnel. 500 to 7% Armistice. 100 to 5 Golden Knight. CHATTER. At a meeting of stewards of the Nelson Jockey Club the dates for next annual race meeting were fixed at 29th and 30th January, 1906 (Carnival week), as sanctioned by the Racing Conference. It was resolved that the stakes offered at the meeting be £BOO, an increase of £l5O compared with last year. The following were appointed a programme committee to draw up programme and submit to the general committee : Messrs Hunter, Hunt, Bartlett, Coleman, Harley, Silcock, and Lipscombe. It was resolved to purchase a new weighing machine. A jockey’s and trainer’s license was granted N. Williams; The

president, vice-president and treasurer were appointed a sub-committee to wait upon the finance committee of • the A. and P. Association with regard to the lease of Richmond Park.

A review of the New Zealand Cup weight® will appear next week. York carried 13.0 in the Adelaide Grand National Hurdle Race, ’including 101 b penalty. The Victoria Racing dub, when the last mail left, were holding an inquiry into York’s form in, two races at Flemington and Mooney Valley between bis two victories in Victoria.

Haydn acted as runner-up in the Great Northern and Grand National Steeplechases this season. D. Maher, the American horseman, who is now the leading jockey riding in the Old Country, sketches his career as a jockey since he arrived in England in 1990, and discusses race-riding generally in the “Btidminton Magazine.” Ambition should absorb the hoy who desires to become a jockey, and one of the secrets of success in the saddle is to study the horse that is to he ridden, and adapt the style to the animal. “Some horses must he driven, others won’t stand it, and it is always a good thing to he gentle with young ones. A young horse, like a baby, wants gentle handling, and is easily frightened. A lot of horses hate racing, and the reason of this most often and most likely is that they have been knocked about. One of the worst fault® of the bad jockey is that he will drive a willing horse. That’s wicked. A horse can’t do more than he can, and it’s absurd and cruel to ask him. Of course, nothing can spoil a horse’s temper- like that. Yon must put in work at a finish sometime®, but the longer you can sit still the better. It stands to reason, doesn’t it? If you have anything on your own shoulder, and it is firmly fixed, you can run with it much better than if it is wobbling about. If a jockey shifts his position in the saddle, the horse is likely to change his leg, and every time be changes his leg he loses ground. As foil when you make your effort, that comes to you in a race. On a non-stayer you: naturally keep the effort hack as long as you can; on a horse that you know stays well you can take more liberties. And a jockey must be fond of it—most of them are fond of riding, and that is why they are hunting in the winter.” Neither Messrs G. P. Donnelly nor Wi Hutana saw the Grand National meeting out. Both were called away by urgent private business. From Mr W. H. E. WankTyn (secretary) I have received a copy of the C.J.C. hook programme for 1905-6. During the present season the sum of £22,310 will he distributed in stakes as compared -with £23,145 last year. The stakes at the winter, spring and summer meetings are reduced. No alteration was made in the added money at the autumn meeting. Gobo died at Mi- Douglas Gordon’s stud farm at Wa-ikanae.

The Avondale Jockey Club’s book programme for the season 1905-6 is to hand! from. Secretary H. H. JEEaye, and acknowledged with thanks. The club reached its stake limit the past two seasons, when £3775 was given in stakes. This year the amount to be distributed among owners is £3565. Most of the clubs in t-lfcs island are increasing the stakes, and the Auckland suburban club is an exception. Club. The balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed cash assets of £25 9s lid, liabilities nil. The following officers were elected, subject to> their acceptance of office: —President, Mr J. B. A’Deane; vice-presidents, Messrs T. Prescott, H. T. -F. Carlyon, J. Leithead, and S. Johnston; treasurer, Mr W. Ellingham; judge, Mr J. Leithead; handicapper, Mi* W. G. Nightingale; staider, Mr W. Ellingham; clerk of scales, Mr R. Isaacson; steward®, Messrs Speedy, Baker, May, Paikea, O’Grady, O’Connor, H. Hobson, W. Hobson, White, Downing, Mackay, Symons, Devereux, Isaacson, Power, Schroder, and Oonnor; judicial committee, Messrs Baker, White, Speedy, and Mackay. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr J. B. A’Deane, the president. of the club, for his gift of a bracelet; Mr S. Johnston, for a whip; Messrs G. and T. Prescott, for use of paddock j Messrs Ellingham, Symons, Nightingale, and all other officers for their past services. Captain Campbell, who is on General Babington’s staff, had a good time at the National meeting with his hunters Makuri and Playfair, who raced con r sistently throughout the meeting and finished up by running first and third in the Hunters’ Plate, a mile and a half on the flat, at a difference of 31b. Playfair is not unknown in Canterbury, having been bred there and last season carried Mr W. G. Stead’s colours. He is somewhat inbred, by Saracen (St. George —Fair Nell) who is at present doing stud duty in the Wairarapa district, from Justice, by Winchester (son of St. George—Miss Fiat). Winchester was formerly known as Manchester, under which name he journeyed to Melbourne with Liverpool and Thunderbolt as a member of one of the late Hon. W. Robinson’s team.. Little has been heard of him since he returned, he having failed to make a name as a sire. Justice is also the dam of Chivalry and it will not be surprising, therefore, if the latter

takes kindly to the jumping business. I a.m not certain about the breeding of Venus (dam of Justioe), but fancy she is a daughter of Albany. Mr W. O. Webb, the old time Canterbury sportsman, who kept the Bush Inn on the Riccarton road and for many years trained there, owned the Malton mare Wave and raced her progeny, also that of her daughters. In 1887 Wave, Venus (by Albany) and Veno (by Cadogan) were supposed to visit Bundoora, but it is probable that the progeny, all fillies, may, like the children in the opera “Pinafore,” have got mixed up' somewhat. Wave’s filly was a chestnut, afterwards known as Diadem, which won the Timaru Guineas and C.J.C. Oaks in the colours of her breeder. Veno had a bay filly which was supposed to have died, but which may be identical with Justioe, a bay filly foaled in 1897., The writer resided in Canterbury at the time and had several conversations about. Wave and her progeny. Venus also produced a bay filly, which was named Vanity, but which I. do not. remember racing in this colony. She turned up in Tasmania, where she won the Hobart Cup in the name of Pauline for Mr J. B. Curran, a Tasmanian racing official. She was returned as breeding unknown. A colt by Gaul us from Pauline is said to be one of the smartest two-year-olds in training at Randwick. To return to Riccarton, Makuri is the same colour as his sire Country Boy, a grey horse, who stood in the Manawatu district. Country Boy was brought from- Australia, and is by imported Countryman (by Stock well) who stood at the Richmond Stud in South Australia. where he left several fillies, including Footstep (dam of The Admiral, Surefoct, Fleet Admiral, Footßolt and others). At the Woodlands Hunt Club meeting, held on the Dannevirke course a year ago,'Makuri, then known as The Clown, won the Hunters’ Hurdles after a great finish with. Captain Babington’s Union Jack, which W. H. Keith raced in Victoria this winter. Mr John Wren, the owner of Murmur, wishes the public to know that he has net backed the horse, for a shilling for either the Caulfield or Melbourne Cups, nor has he authorised anybody else to do so. The inference to be drawn is that the horse has been boomed by some members of the ring. /

A copy of the Wanganui Jockey Club’s book programme for the season 1905-6 is to hand from Mr Frank Moffatt (secretary). The stakes for the spring meeting have been increased by £ls, and the Cup meeting by £45. The added money at the steeplechase meeting has been reduced by £6O. The total for the season (£6940) is exactly the same as last year.

Lboh Bowman and Enniskillen, three of the progeny of Nightingale, ■have all won races at Riccarton. Polycaste (by Nestor) may prove to be the /best of the family if she trains on. Romeo and Trumpery, who met with fatal injuries while competing in the Grand National Hurdle Race, were both entered for - the New Zealand Oup. Trumpery was Withdrawn before the weights appeared. During the past season Romeo won £729 and Trumpery £435 in stakes. Romeo was more successful as a five-year-old, where he won the Racing Club Handicap at Ellerslie in the summer and St. George’s Handicap in the autumn, and he also acted as runner-up in the Summer Oup, Woodville, Egmont and Wanganui Gups and Auckland Autumn Handicap. t Backers of the Yaldhurst horses, Golden Knight and Savoury, at Riccarton, were wishing Hewitt or Tones were there to ride them. Creusot and Waiw'era, who acted as winner and runner-up in the Grand National Hurdles, were similarly placed in the Remuera Hurdles at Ellerslie in June. Old Waiwera has a happy knack of bobbing up serenely in important races.