TALK OF THE TURF.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3311, 18 December 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

TALK OF THE TURF.

TUKF TOPICS, BY " SILVEESPUE.” The champion chaser, Levanter, is bound to run a big horse in the Auckland Steeplechase, if reports received from the north are correct. lie is in tip-top form, and, as he is able to carry weight, he may prove himself capable of annexing the stake. Both Eton and Coronet arc said to be training nicely at Ellorslie. A groat improvement has been effected in the pair, who may be worth watching at the forthcoming meeting. The Lower Valley Jockey Club ought to have a successful gathering on the 20th and 27th inst., the fields for the various events promising to be good. In the L.V.J.C. Handicap King’s Bowman should bo capable of putting down his field under 9st, The Guardsman or Listener may appropriate the Martin Memorial Stakes, and Tupu the Flying Handicap. In the Hack Hurdles Eaupo 11. and Guardfish will likely account for those opposed to them. Te Taiaha, Sylph and Derringcotte look best in the Hack Flying, and Bikoline, Jim Campbell and Tokatea in the Hack Handicap, of ono mile. The weights for the Manawatu Cup, ono mile and a half, have made their appearance. AVith the exception of Boreas and Lorelei, all those engaged belong to Hawke’s Bay. My fancy is Target, who has been given 7st 111 b, and Primula allotted 7st 31b. In the Telegraph Stakes Defiant, Stockade and Indian Shot appear best in ; and Tally-ho and Pokomoko have been given good chances in the Hurdles. The Mastorton Cup proved a very soft thing for King’s Bowman, who was in tiptop condition and had things all his own way at the finish, winning hard held from Tupu. Sir Agnes, who was the favourite on the machine, was unable to secure a position when the whips wore brought into requisition. Mr Tancrcd’s win was a popular one. I was glad to see Mr Peters appropriate the two hack hurdle races with old Raupo 11., who has been shaping none too well lately at either local or outside meetings. Sir Agnes secured the AVaipipi Handicap for Mr AV. Corlott after a good race with The Onyx, and Hillstone, another animal defeated by King’s Bowman in the Cup, managed to annev the Publican’s Handicap. Doreen, who secured two races at the meeting, is by Derringer out of AVater Queen, and belongs to Mr 0. R. Didweil, and Roney, who performed so well, is a daughter of Piscatorious out of Lass of Gledshea. King's Bowman was not equal to downing AVarnoto in the Stewards Handicap at a difference of 311bs, but it was a very close go, only a head separating the pair. AVarnoto was imported jrom Australia by Mr J. Macara, and is by Lochiol out of Minerva.. Dunkeld, by Apremont—Athole, who was bred in the South, has been sold in Australia to go to the land of stars and stripes. The proposal of the Canterbury Jockey Club to offer a thousand pound stake for a race between the New Zealand cracks and Australian horses, if the latter could bo induced to como over, is an excellent ono in every respect if the desired object could be achieved. The presence of a horso like Aurum at Christchurch would lend considerable interest to the gathering, but it is doubtful if Mr AV. B. AVilson would send 'his little champion across. AVo happen to have a few very good horses in the colony at present and a meeting between them and Auraria’s brother would excite keen in the sporting world.

Tho Auckland Cup is the next big event to attract attention, but there is not much wagering over it. Some of the acceptors aro not very much chop, but with such horses engaged as Waiuku, St. Paul, Daystar, Fabulist and Blarney, there should be an interesting contest. On looking through the list I give preference to Daystar and the disappointing Tire. Mr G. O. Stead will be well represented at tho Auckland Kacing Club’s meeting, Gold Medallist, Altair, Conqueror and Multiform having been booked for the trip. A representative of the Mauritius Pacing Club has arrived in Victoria for the purpose of making several purchases of racehorses. When tho horses reach Mauritius they will .be distributed by lottery amongst the members of the club, and they will race them much after the style of the “griffin" race system in Singapore. The visiting agent has already made a number of purchases. Ho has bought seven horses from Mr C. F. Glassoick, chiefly by Tranter and Auchendarrock, and four from Mr Devlin, of Silver Pinos." A glance at the Wellington Cup adjustment shows that St. Paul does not possess a very rosy chance on paper with 9st 71b, seeing that Uniform is on the 9st 31b mark. Tho latter will take a lot of beating. There have been a number of withdrawals already and there will bo a further weeding out on acceptance night. Both Acone and Armilla have been given good chances, and so has Lcda. Woodstock, about whom reports have been from time to time circulated, has got in at 7st, and if he is any good at all may be brought down for the event. The rumour has once again been started in Sydney that Dan O’Brien intends selling out there and returning to New Zealand. His property is advertised for sale or lease. ,

The Great Northern Derby looks a very soft thing for either Multiform or Gold

Medallist, and the former will no doubt be the stable elect on the day. In the Great Northern Foal Stakes Conqueror may prove equal to downing his opponents, but the Aucklander Hylas will have a large following. The old-fashioned idea with regard to the long and low-to-the-ground animal is net now regarded with favour at home, plenty of reach being insisted upon, or very much preferred- Notable examples of the soundness of the idea are forth coming in many of the best horses of the day. Of course, the hidden mysteries of the nervous centres will always render it impossible to declare definitely for any particular type of conformation suitable for the purpose in view, but the English breeder is right in looking for the horse that commands a length of stride. There is ono matter on v/hich Australia can certainly claim a decided superiority—in the general arrangement of her leading racecourses. There is but ono Flemington, and it is neither found in England nor in France, but in Victoria. Nature ordained that nothing should be perfect, but she pretty nearly forgot her commands when apportioning the beauties of England. Goodwood and Ascot (the reflex of fashion) are simply enchanting as landscapes, and the racing powers that be seem content to leave them as such. But as racecourses, they do not equal the V.R.C. Neither does Epsom, Newmarket, Doncaster, Bandown park (very nice), nor Longchamps. The New Zealand gelding Garrick, by AVhiffler—Barbaria, won the Miner’s Handicap flat race at the Bendigo Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting recently. On the second day Sortie, another Maorilander, dead-heated in the Bendigo Handicap with Ayreshire, the latter getting on even terms in the very last stride. Teeoma’s victory in the Sandhurst (Victoria) Cup is set down as one of the greatest surprises ever known in connection with a big race. The sweep prize was .£7OOO, and nearly every owner who started had a thousand or .so to nothing, with nice place money added. Battalion was always favourite, despite bis lOst 21b, the only others backed with any spirit being Majestic and Catspaw. The race was run at a strong pace, Tecoma, Sortie, and Boyton making plenty of running. The dust was very bad, and those not lucky enough to begin well had a very sorry time. Battalion was one of the slow beginners, and after getting round the turn Majestic dropped back almost last. Half a mile from home Battalion drew up, but was very wide, and he could never catch the outsider, Tecoma, who was never thought of by the majority of backers. Catspaw, whose rider was nearly ofi' in a scrimmage at the back of the course, ran well; so did Bacchus and Majestic. There was no cheering over the result, and probably it was the most unpopular victory ever known in connection with the Sandhurst Cup. Tecoma is noted as one of the most in and out horses on the turf. Kallara started well, and then dropped back last in almost a furlong, while Chevalier just ran respectably, and that was all.

The Nursery Stakes at the last Australian Jockey Club races fell to T. Payten’s Lucky Dog, by Martini-Henry—Uralla, who beat Essex, Picture, and a number of others. The Club Handicap on the same day went to Mirella, who belongs to Mr Hordern, and who is by Nordenfeldt, out of Miriam. The dam of Mirella is by Kelpie out of Security, by Lord Clifden.