TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 7 (Supplement)

TURF TOPICS

(By “Advance.") Tho death is reported of Mr William Kite, who owned tho ’BS Sydney Cup winner Normanby, and the dual laU torsall’s Cup winner Woolstono. Mr Kite imported Maltese Cross, the dam of Gozo, and also owned tho famous imported sire Comma di Vergy. Mr G. T. F. Hutton, secretary of the Wairarapa Racing Club, was in town last week.

That onto good mare Loch Marie, the winner of a Villiers' and Carrington Stakes, died recently after tbe slipping of a find. Her first foal, by Projectile, realised 2Qogs at the last yearling sales in Sydney.

At a meeting of the stewards: of the Mastorfon Raping Club on Thursday hast Mr A. E. Austin forwarded plans of proposed outside stand and publican's booths, gt an estimated cqst of £2lO. Hie professional efiargea would bo a 2)per cent, on tho estimated value of the building, on completion of plans and specifications, and 2)- per cent, on completion of construction, making 5 per cent, in all. Mr Wardell .moved, Mr Moore seconded, and it was carried; That Mr Austims plan bo adopted, apd that tenders bo called at once for tho •work. Tenders to bo submitted to> the Gound Committee with power to act. Tho secretary submitted the balancesheet for tho twelve months ended June 10lh. It showed cash in hand £39 15s 4d, and a surplus of assets over liabilities, of £llß3 3s 4d. A Napier correspondent supplies the following interesting account of Clarenco’s first victory in tho Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase:—ln 1883 was witnessed what I shall over maintain was the finest steeplechase evee decided in this colony, if not in the world. This statement appears somewhat rash, but I have no doubt that all who witnessed that rpco will endorse my opinion. There were sixteen starters, and when I (spy that* fifteen out of tho sixteen kept so close together all tfie way that a distance of six lengths might have covered the first and last horse at any part of tfio journey, and that fourteen of them came over the last jump in a lino like a squadron of cavalry, some idea of the excitement of the struggle be gained. Mr J. E. Pilbrow’s Cmreuep, by Ilavens>yprth—Curby, with list liib on his hack, and Harry Limn iu the saddle, was file favourite, bu. he was opposed bv the pick of New Zealand's ’chasers." Patsy Butler’s tine 'iasuuuimn fired fiorso Qnnraoy, by -C-is-tle Hi! I .—-Medea, the stylish Loch LoJHUmI, by Hay Hawn, the b>S Mount, by iipn Rian, a good local candidate in Horetapnaa, aijd spee.dy ware ajitL lino fencer in Calamity, and a host of steeplechase winners iu Chandler, Reform, Ngnta, Morning Star, Ruahine, Fashion, Pastime and others who Jiao won over country. It was a great race, and will live long in the mepory of those who saw it. A premonition of tho greatness of the struggle must have been felt by Clarence's; ab]e jockey, for I well remember when Lunn was weighing put with his bridle and everything in, gonial old Colonel White, the then c)efk of the scales, and one tlle trl U est of our early sportsmen, remarked, “You are cutting it rather fine, Lunn; you are only half a pound over, all ind’ “I know, sir,” was tho quiet reply, “but I have enough to carry, and cannot alfprd tq take any pore. J am in as good condition as is the horse, and I am not likely to lose anything unless I cpme down, and X don’t think that will happen.” As the field of sixteen thundered down to the water jump in front of Ffie stand for the first time, a quiver of apprehension filled Clarence's supporters, for the horses wpro m such compact order that it scarcely seemed as though they could take the jump without ah accident. As a njntter of fact Mount lightly touched Clarence, but tho clever spa of Rayons worth landed all right, tfie only mishap at the jump [being that Calamity peeked on lauding, and got rid pf her jockey, afterwards completing the course riderless, and jumping faultlessly. The remaining fifteen kept close order for tfie rest of the jopmey, and when tfiey approached Iho last gorge fence in the straight, they’ wore racing hard, and Horataunga, on the extreme outside, jumped the wing and came do The others got over safely, but Clarence’s recovery was quickest, and as they Btrqjghtefied pufc for the final struggle, the excitement was intense. With Lunn. riding with grim resolution on Clarence, Tom Lyford on Loch Lomond, Albert Lyford on Quamby, Hope on Mount, Taylor on Ngata, and Rao on chandler, riding all they knew, it was a battle of giants. Loch.Lomond seemed to have the best of it, for Tommy Lyford brought him up with a dashme run; but ho failed to maintain his position, and Quamby wearing him down, was left to settle tho issue with Clarence. Just on tho post Lunn gave the gallant old horse a reminder, and he answered as only a good horse can, and won a magnificent race by halt a length. , „ , Mr John Crozier failed to find a man willing to give his price for Cicero, Security’s brother, and Amiable's relative, so hp has them over this side, says an Australian exchange. In the sale ring 70 guineas were bid for Cicero, 120 for Security’s brother, and 200 for Amiable's brother. Portcullis, as the brother to Security has been named, is a nice-looking chap, a lot more attractive in appearance than Security. The brother to Amiable takes more after Loch Fyne in appearance than Amiable, and has that crany look of Loch Fyne’s. Writing of two-year olds, Mr Thomson had tna Bloodshot—Wanda polt at Mnrphettville, but one felt disapponted with him. Quinn has a couple of nice youngsters in Crosskeys and Hob Shot, both bays, tho former being the property of Mr H. R- Hixson. Ballarat Howie has a nice-looking Broken Hill gelding which he has named Mt. Lofty. Footbolt’s sister was on view at the Port the other day. She has a bead lake Foptbolt’s, but is bay in colour. Mi James was telling me on Saturday that King Edward, tho Bill ot Portland— Aurariji colt, is doing splendidly, and is filling out well. At first it was thought that he would bo nothing more than a pony, but Mr James was saying that he expected Edward to be all 15.2 or 15.3 when he finishes growing.

At the Charters Towers (Queensland) Meeting on June 21st, Entic, by Tit (Maxim —Florence Maoarthy) won the Millchester Handicap, of JOO sovs, one mile and a quarter, and paid £55 9s dividend. Entic was bred by_ Mr Gollan, and was one of his Victoria team, but did not stand training. Tigress showed R. Gooseman a satisfactory trial last week, and was expected t p “materialise” at Napier Park. She failed on the first day, after leading most of the way, but on- the second clay won over seven furlongs and paid the satisfactory dividend of £lB. This is the first race the daughter of Dread*

nought—Tigrcdia has vvon since she scored in tho Suburban Handicap at the Hutt over three years back. In his preliminary remarks on Uie New Zealand Cup weights, the Dunedin scribe, “Menschikoffremarks : —Last year Fulmen was burdened, probably, with a few pounds more than ho would otherwise have received as the result or a largo commission that was worked in his favour prior to the declaration of weights. San Remo this year seems to have got all that he is entitled to—perhaps for (he same reason. I hardly think the handicapper was influenced by enquiries made for San Remo before the weights appeared. Seme of the betting public might take it that he was worth backing. On the other hand, supposing a firm of pcncillers had information that a well-known performer in a big stable was in queer street, might they not quote that horse as having been laid at a certain price so as to get some dead money into the book which otherwise might not bo forthcoming. At Auckland 500 to 15 has been accepted about Okoari for the New Zealand Cup, but no* on behalf of the stable. “Whalebone/’ states that as short a price as 8 to 1 has been accepted about Advance.

A southern buyer went to 400 guineas for Yal Rosa (the three-year-old colt by Seaton Delavel—Vieux Rose) ,but his breeder, Mr John Leonard, who has given up his farm at Mangere and taken the Harp of Edin Hotel at Ellerslie, values tho youngster at 500 guineas. A sound horse and good sprinter can soon win that amount at Ellerslie. The promising Maiden Hurdle horse Royal (Conqueror, has been purchased by Mr J. G. Ralph for 105 guineas. He is a six-year-old gelding by Flintlock (McKinnon’s)— Ladybird, anil is closely related tp Lottie. Royal Conqueror ran a couple of good races at Auckland last month, and is engaged in the Grand National Hurdle Race, the weights for which are duo on Saturday next.

The well-known Hawke’s Bay amateur hprsemap, “Paddy” Neagle, has won the Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club steeplechase four tim e s in succession. He was on Hilda 11. in 1898, Puketoi in 1899 and 1900, and K Jam this year. Mr J. B. Clark, whose colours have not been seen on tho turf for some time, has a nomination in the next Maribyrnong Plate— a gelding named Milner, by Grafton (imp.), from Loch Lava.

No fewer than- eight of the horses entered for the Melbourne Cup, viz., San Fran, Hoop Iron, Fighting Mac, Gay Gordon, Hautboy, Grasspan, Lord Rqclolph, and Klimbo, are trained at Randwick by Tom Payten. Industrious, engaged in the Melbourne Cup iu the name of Mr J. Baron, is a < hrec-year-old sister to The Grafter and Grudin,, by Qozp from Industry. Gauleon, a full-brother to the three named, lis also entered for the race. He is tho property of Mr H. Oxenham. No fewer tlmq. a dozen of the horses nominated from Sydney were sired by Gozo. Vocalist and Boonal, entered in Melbourne, Pare also by Gozo. In referring to the Charters Towers meeting, “Milroy” stated that Entic, winner of the Millchester Handicap, was by the Dreadnought horse Tir. The sire of Entic was bred by Mr S. H. Gollan in 1892, by Maxim, and is half brother to Tirailleur, Bessie Macarthy and Tire, all of whom did good service in tho magpie jacket. In future, at the yearly sales at Sylvia Park, there will be no reserve placed on any of the horses offered. This action has been taken in consequence of some dissatisfaction having been expressed over two of the colts offered at tho last sale having had a reserve of IOOOgs apiece placed on them. A paragraph has been going the rounds that th© meaning of Moifa (the name of the well-known steeplechaser) is Welsh for Summer. A Hawke’s Bay correspondent writes me to tho effect that there is no snob word in the Welsh language. Watercress, the sire of Mr W. C. Whitney’s 10,000 guinea yearling, was bred in England by Springfield from Wharf dale, by Hermit.

“PhaetoTi” is in error in staling that Mr Henrys'has not handicapped a New Zealand horse at lOst. Waiuku received that impost in 1898, when Tirant d’Eau .won.

“An owner of jumpers” writers me with reference to the heavy fees charged by some clubs for entrance and acceptance. My correspondent argues that with travelling expenses, jockeys’ fees, etc., owners have all the worst of ' it and find it difficult to battle through the winter. To start in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, worth £l6O to the winner, it cost £6l, which is altogether too strong. Owner has my sympathies. Three and three-quarters per cent, for entrance fee is certainly too high, and does not tend to popularise a club. I have taken the trouble to work out the cost of starting in some of the principal races in this colony. The list reads as follows:—Wanganui Cup, worth £6OO to winner, costs £8 to start, 1 l-3rd per cent; Auckland Cup, worth £BOO, costs £lO to start, 1} per cent; Takapnna Cup, worth £360, costs £6 to start, 1 2-3rd per cent; New Zealand Cup, worth £I2OO, costs £22 to start, 1 6-6th pere cent; Egmont Cup, worth £2lO, costs £5 to start, 2 l-3rd- per cent.; Avcndal e Oup, worth £260, cpsts £7 to start, 2 9-13th per cent.; Wellington Cup, worth £SOO, costs £l2 to start, 12 2-oth per cent.; Hawke’s Bay Cup, worfh £250, co=ts £6 to start, 2 2-qth per cent.; Dunedin Cup, worth £351 naki Cup, worth £3OO, costs £8 to start, 2 2-3rd per cent.

Following is the programme for the Woodlands Hunt Club’s steeplechase meeting, to be held on the Dannevirke racecourse on Wednesday, August 7th: —Hunters’ Handicap Hurdle Race, 2 miles, trophy value 5 sovs. for first horse trophy value 1 sov for second horse; Hunters’ Handicap Flying, 6 furlongs, trophy value 4 sovs for first horse,- trophy value 1 sov for second horse; Open Handicap Flat Race, 1J miles, trophy value 4 sovs for first horse, trophy value 1 sov for second horse; Woodlands Hunt Club Steeplechase, 3 miles, trophy value 10 sovs for first horse, trophy value sovs for second horse; Ladies Bracelet Handicap (flat), 1.) miles, bracelet value 5 sovs for first horse, bracelet value 1 sov for second horse; Kumeroa Steeplechase Handicap, 2 miles, trophy value 5 sovs for first horse; trophy value 1 sov for second horse; Consolation Race, 5 furlongs, of 5 sovs, trophy value 10s 6d for second horse. The following refers to a youngster engaged in the Wellesley and Wellington Stakes: —Soon after the sale of the Focal stud in March last the brood mare Storm, who with her foal by Splendor, was purchased by Mr J. B. Williamson on behalf on Mr Leonard Marshall, of the One Tree Hill stud, New Zealand, for 310 gs, succumbed to strangles. The foal also contracted the disease, but recovered, and has reached Auckland in safety. The imported trotting sire Huon (3.28-5-V who proved one of the best stock-getters in Australia, and had left a good many excellent performers there during the past ten or twelve years, is dead. He was purchased two years ago by Mr L. Wilson, of Christchurch, from Hr Slate, of Sydney, and was in his twenty-second year. Huon Jr., who holds a stallion record of 2.24 J, is a son of Huon. 1

The Vanguard mare Mamaku broke down while competing in the Hurdle .uace at Roschiii on June 29th. The people who bought her were in a terrible hurry to get the century purchasemoney back. The Mokok, had a rough passage across, taking about twenty four hours over tho usual time. The mare, who had not previously made a sea trip, got down iu her box on the way across and was anything but well on arrival. She was, however, raced about a week after arrival, and shaped anything but well. There is no reason why racing clubs in this colony should clash in holding their meetings on the same day. Some-

thing should be done to improve matters on the West Coast. Everyone excepting, perhaps, the local hotelkeepers, will agree that a one-day meeting is quite sufficient for such places as Westport, Reefton, Greymouth, Kumara and Hokitika. Increased stakes as compared with tho existing state of affairs would probably bo appreciated by local and visiting horse owners. For meetings which it is proposed to hold next winter tho Auckland Racing Club have submitted Juno 3rd, 4th and 7th. The Egmont Racing Club and Manawatu Racing Club have each selected June 3rd and 4th. The Auckland Club can afford to go on their own, and it is to the benefit of the other clubs that they should select other dates. Horses com peting at Ellerslie could work the Egmont meeting the following week, say June 10th and 11th, and the Manawatu meeting could fit in either before or after the Wellington meeting. Some of the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s horses are not too well handicapped at the Hutt, and I shall not be surprised if the squire of Karamu withdraws the lot and waits for Christchurch. The cerise jacket was; not seen out at the Thompson Handicap meeting. «■

The Guard beat Roller pointless at Napier Park, and at the Hutt Mr Ormond’s gelding, meeting the Porirua horse on lib worse terms. Mr Evitt was not present at the Park, but from information in the newspapers h e should have made a befter shot at the respective merits of the horses. The horses The Guard beat at Napier h e meets on the following worse terms at the Hutt : Waitio, 11b; Kauri Gum, 31b; Opaxu, 6lb. The owners of these horses might as well save their acceptance money. Captain Russell has lost the services of the appropriately named Coeur de Lion, the game son of Dreadnought breaking down in the Hawkes Bay Hurdles, and running last all the way. Like his dam (Leonora) Coeur de Lion did good service in the “buff and black jacket.” If he never races again he should make a useful station sire.

The well-bred Wakelyn (Dreadnought —Lady Florin) was among the unsuccessful hack hurdlers at the Napier Park meeting. >

Mr Cecil Wynn-Williams informs a Christchurch scribe that he had the pleasure of witnessing the contest for the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase, and naturally closely watched the performances of the New Zealand bred horse Levanter. Tho son of Oaptivator, Mr Wynn-Williams states, appeared to him to be somewhat fine in ‘ condition, but the horse ran a really good race, finishing fourth. Levanter not only blundered at one of the fences, but he evidently slipped on to his nose on the flat, which, of course, did not improve his prospects. Mr Wynn-Williams holds the opinion, however, that the Aukland horse could not have beaten Grudon, who won as he liked, but he might have filled second position. The famous Aintree course is a particularly trying course, as is generally known. Mr Wynn-Williams went round the course before and after the race. He states that the stiff obstacles cannot be compared to anything in this country, the Riccarton Naubnal fences being playthings in comparison. Douglas Watt rode six winners at the Hawkes Bay and Napier Park meetings, besides being in a place on as many occasions. Moifa has no doubt brought Watt to the front. He rode the son of Natator in his schooling work. Watt was a light-weight with Con Boyle, who was succeeded as trainer to Mr “A. Portland” by Mr Alf- Ellingham. Judging by the mounts Watt had at Napier some of the local owners haye only just arrived at the conclusion that he can ride. Probably bis recent successes brought him under their notice. When in Con. Boyle’s employ Watt scored a double with Primrose and the big race with Rangiatea in the spring at Hastings. Boyle did most of the riding, but Watt won another double with Primrose at Hastings in the autumn. At the Park he won the Cup on Primrose, scaling 6st 71b the same afternoon. During the time Mr Ellingham trained for Mr Portland he won several races with The Plug, "Rip Van Winkle, Aphony, Lady Somnus, and others. W. Whittaker did the riding, Watt being employed by Messrs Douglas, Lowry, Rathbone and others. The Wiltop Park-bred horse Gunbearer, by Nordenfeldt from Hebe, now in West Australia, j g a candidate for the Melbourne Cup. It appears that the name was mutilated in transmission by telegram, and appeared on the nomination list as Sunbeam.

Tigress is the first New Zealand Cup candidate to score since the declaration of the weights. By her victory at Napier Park she dpes not incur a penalty at Riccarton.

The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s filly Goyt showed a great reversal of form at Napier Park compared with Hastings, where she finished in the ruck. With two furlongs further to go at the Park Govt met Daphne and Whitirea (who ran first and second at Hastings) on 91b and 41b better terms respectively, and made hacks of them. Goyt did not take on the big race the second day, but competed in a hack event. She was only raised 81b for winning the big race the previous day. Mr Danvers meted out similar treatment to Tirea for winning a back event. Goyt was backed down to less than level money in a field of seven, and although Fred Davis rode a flash finish won by a short nose-

A London bookmaker named J. T. Crossley filed his schedule a few weeks ago. His statement of affairs showed a total indebtedness of £10,669, of which £9197 is unsecured, and assets £B, in addition to doubttful and bad debts, ..069, from which nothing is expected to be realised. The debtor estimates that from April, 1897, to the date of the receiving order he made a net profit of £12,870 17s 4d • out it apepars that .during the same period he made payments and incurred liabilities amounting to £17,452, on behalf of a foreign Count, in respect of which he received no consideration.

Three of the progeny of Kaiwaka (Piscatorious —Black Bess), Tirea, K Jam, and Waitio, won seven events between them at the Hastings and Napier Park meetings.

The English horse Pheon, who was shipped to South Africa a few weeks ago, died on th e voyage. Cap Martin, who was the first chosen for the stnd to which Pheon was bound, also died on the way. Buamahunga competed five times tinsuccessfully at the Hastings and Napier Park meetings. The nearest the son of Voltigenr could get was third to Terror and Bobin Adair over seven furlongs at Hastings. His weight only dropped from list olb to list.

Messrs Barnett and Grant report the following business for the week:

NEW ZEALAND CUP. 1000 to 50 Wdl-o’-ths-Wisp. 400 to 40 Advance. 300 to 24 Pampero. 300 to 6 Tigress. 200 to 12 Ideal. 200 to 10 Renown. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES AND HURDLES. 200 to 10 Moifa and Cavaliero. 200 to 6 Moifa and Needle. 200 to 4 Cannongate and Dartmoor. CAULFIELD, MELBOURNE, AND NEW ZEALAND CUPS. 1000 to 1 Watchfire, San Fran, and Pampero. 1000 to ILa Carabine, Dreamland and Advance. 1000 to 1 Klimbot, Bonnie Chiel, and Materoa. 1000 to 1 Gazelle, Cornhill and Battleaxe. 1000 to 1 Wakeful, Advance and Pampero. 1000 to 1 Kinglike, Maltster, and Cannie Chiel. 1000 to 1 Kinglike, Maltster and Glenalladale. 1000 to 1 St. Mars, Amirel and Okcari. 1000 to 1 Carbineer, Australian Colours and Benzoin. THE ELDERSLIE STUD. The Dunedin scribe, “Menschikoff,” recently visited Elderslie, which is the principal breeding establishment in the South Island, and supplies the following interesting account; The first horse led out for inspection was Stepniak, the son of Nordenfeldt and the imported mare Steppe. The dam of Stepniak never threw a bad ’un, and her son by Nordenfeldt was perhaps the best of her offspring. Stepniak is now close on twelve years old, is in snlendid health and condition, and brimful of vitality. He walked round with buoyant step, and carried himself in a manner that gave one the impression that he knew his worth in the equine world, and was well awar e of the aristocratic blood that courses through bis veins. To get such winners in his first two or thre e seasons as Stepniak has produced is seldom the lot of a young sire, and there is no doubt that the son of Steppe must be considered one of the most successful" sires New Zealand has ever seen. Stepniak is a beau-tifully-tempered horse, and his legs are remarkably fre e from blemish. Stepniak’s breeding leaves little or nothing to be desired, and although I do not pretend to be a student of breeding on a, Bruce Lowe, a glance at this horse’s pedigree andj the names of his cannot fail to impress the most” woodenheaded sport that was ever within ten miles of a racecourse. His dam left us a host of good ’uns. A visit to Doncaster previous to her leaving England resulted in the production of Russley, and he has made a name at the stud .in Australia, besides being a first-class horse under silk. To Cadogan she produced Lady Norah, who was a good performer, and Too Soon was the result of her union with Anteros. Besides producing Stepfeldt (a Derby winner) and Stepniak to Nordenfeldt, she left that good mare She, the dam of Bqbadil. This latter horse was bv the St. Simon horse Bill of Portland, and was considered to be one of (he greatest flyers Australia ever saw. Seclusion, the dam ef Steppe, was the dam of the “mighty Hermit.” On the sire’s side the world-famed Musket blood rules the roost, and that is perhaps all that can be wished for. Nordenfeldt was a winner of the V.R.C. and A.J.C. Derbys, andi at the dispersal of the Sylvia Park stud was purchased by Mr S. Hordem for what was then a big price for a horse—that is, 5600g5. That prince of riders,the late Wally Clifford, said that Stepniak was the gamest two-year-old he had ever ridden, and anyone jyho ever witnessed th© son of Nordenfeldt finishing will endorse that opinion.

Gipsy Grand (th© s on of Grandmaster and Naomi;, was next inspected. This horse has furnished into a magnificent specimen of a thoroughbred stallion, and one locks in vain, remembering his size, for the slightest suspicion of cartiness about him. The only blemish he has is a small lump on the near fetlock, the result of a wrench he received when doing a gallop. Gipsy Grand was, I think, one of the beat horses that ever trod the New Zealand turf, and although he capturcd'some good stakes during his brief careefi on the tracks, they do npt represent his true value as a racehorse. After he won the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, his owners were offered and refused close on 2000 gs for him. Gipsy Grand’s first crop of youngsters were not remarkable for anything they did in public, but very high reports' reach me as to the merits c f his second season’s stock. If good breeding, good health, a splendid individuality, and a remarkably brilliant career on the turf are not sufficient recommendations for a sire, what are ? Mr Reid has every confidence in th e son of Grandmaster, and I am sure that Gipsy Grand will make his mark in the world as a sire of racehorses An additional recommendation is perhaps his relationship to the English Derby winner Volodyovski, as I suppose Mr Reid’s stallion is fully entitled to be called such, Gipsy Grand is by Grandmaster from Naomi, and Naomi is out of Wild Fire. Th e sire pf Wild Fire was Wild Oats, and the Derby winner’s grand-dam. Hue and Cry, is a full sister to Wild Oats. ■ That is, Gipsy Grand’s grand-dam was sired by a full brother to th e grand-dam ©f Volodyovski. Leaving the stables, a short walk introduced us to a fine-looking chestnut, rising two-year-old filly by St. Leger from Stepfeldt. This filly’s dam is .an Auckland Derby winner, and a full sister to Stepniak and She, the dam of Bobadil, the Australian, crack. File filly is on the small side, and if-she never carries silk, on her breeding alone she should prove an acquisition to the Elderslie stud as a brood mare. She is a good-shaped ’un, and her size may he remedied in time. A companion in the same paddock is a two-year-old bay filly with black pcints. She is by Stepniak—Tempest, and has plenty of size and if placed in a sale ring would be sure to . command a good price.

Leaving this pair of aristocrats, we crossed to the paddocks, where this year’s crop of youngsters were running They will soon be yearlings, and are fourteen in number. I have no doubt that when they are placed under the hammer they will cause heads to nod as freely as anything ever sent from the stud has done. The brevity of my visit does not enable me to fully describe them, but out of a particularly fine lot some of them command more than passing notice. A chestnut oolt by Gipsy Grand from Coronal, the full sister to Gold Medallist, is a well-grown fellow and has a very racy appearance. The brown from Fairy Maid by Stepniak will find admirers wherever he goes, and a bay from the Gossoon mare Madder is another that ono likes to dwell over. This filly is sired by Stepniak, and arrests the attenion of everybody who sees her. The daughter of Wallace and Faraway is another that catches the eye of eVen a hurrying visitor. As I shall endeavour to visit Elderslie in the spring, I shall postpone a detailed description of' the youngsters. Mr Reid does not prepare his young stock for the sale ring by feeding them like prize oxen, but feeds them in a way that experience proves is most beneficial to the i

youngsters’ future trainers. Tho paddocks are very large and well sheltered, and the youngsters have plenty of room to learn how to gallop and develop themselves. The brood mares were next visited, but unfortunately a large number of them were in a distant paddock, and time would not allow me to see them. Bello Clair has developed such a matronly appearance that I did not recognise her. Far-away, by Bill of Portland from . Happy Land is a mare that any studmaster” would be proud to own. Happy Land was the dam of Hova, and was sired by Musket from Atlantis, the dam of St. Leger, the crack Auckland stallion. Far-away’s sire the St. Simon horse Bill of Portland, left stock in Australia that drew English buyers’ attention to him, and h e is now in England, where he will undoubtedly gain fresh laurels at the stud. The mare by Fitz Donovan from lolanthe should produce something extra special as a result of her mating with Stepniak. The Gossoon mare Madder is another that will help to build the fame of the stud, if looks and breeding go for anything, and) tho same applies to the Goldshorough mare Firccross.