TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4978, 30 May 1903, Page 6 (Supplement)

TURF TOPICS

(By “JUlvance."!

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUIS. The winter meeting of tho "Wanganui Jockey Club, held on Thursday ami Friday last, teas favoured with ideal steeplechase « eatbor. Owing to the scarcity ol jumping horses at present, the tuen-ty-ni ii 11 1 contest ior tho Wanganui Steeplechase proved one of tho tamest on record. ’1 ito hunters' event uas also reduced to a match each day. Jn coiisunucncc of want of interest in the events mentioned, speculation in the totalisator showed a falling off oi £1420 compared with last year. Before- reviewing tho racing I would like to icier to the loss the club lias sustained since the last mooting by the death of Ur Connolly. No member ol the club was more enthusiastic over hunting and steeplechase events. . The genial medico owned several good jumping horses. In his colours Dhudeon ran a dead heat with 15 ualiino in the Wanganui Steeplechase in 1883. Proceedings opened with tho Plying Handicap, which brought out the good field of thirteeu. Tho throe best fancied candidates filled the places in order. Exmoor won easily at the finish from Shrapnel Shell, who was in receipt of a stone, which makes the Grafton guiding out to be useful. Black Hoyhard, who tilled tho other place, was interfored witli by some bumping which occurred at tho turn. Glory and Chasseur dropped hack suddenly after going about half a mile. The latter, Crusoo and Blackwing were the last throe to finish.

Scallywag liatl the softest of things in tho Grandstand Steeplechase, which event he won last year. He had too much pace for Tipi. Cron,jo is only a plodder, and was never in tho hunt. Jack o’ Lantern toppled over at a stone wall in the centre of tho course, hut, fortunately, A lick Hall was not hurt. Scallywag, who won by about one hundred yards, should ho useful at _ tho Hawke’s Bay and Napier Park meetings. Paritutu, who failed to show up well at Hawora, had tho reputation of being able to hold his own with Durable on tho track. Probably for this reason he was made favourite for tho Maiden Hack Paco. He won all right, but may have been lucky in boating Firoaway. She was next best fancied, and ran second. Fircaway got hung up in tho barrier at tho stare through ono end of tho machine failing to act properly. Sho carried Mr Pathbone’s colours, and is a four-year-old filly by Hotchkiss— Aida, dam of Impulse and Uhlan. Sho should bo useful'm Bracelet events, if eligible. A. MeMorran, who was riding Tirolo, got humped off on tho rails coming round tha turn. Fortunately, all the horses galloped clear of him. AVaiwora carried top weight, and most money in tho Century Hurdles. The Gipsy .King gelding was never prominent, and finished last but one, which position was occupied by Fakir. Tho official card gave tho distance of the race as two mjles arid a distance, but it was fifty or sixty yards short. During the early part of the race Awahuri and Kohunui wore prominent, tho latter being settled by striking a fence hard. Pounding the bend, Otairi took a turn, and was joined by Merry Boy at the top of tho straight. . After a punishing finish, tho latter won by a neck. Haydn was fourth, and Mars, who camo in the freshest of tho lot, fifth. Kohunui, Lady Bell and Rags followed in that order. The following are the winners of tho Century Hurdles:—l9ol, Haydn, by Sou’-wester—Myra, 9st 71b, 4min 13sec ; 1902, 'TVaiwera, by Gipsy King—Starwater, list. 4min 7 l-ssec; 1903, Morrie Boy, by Memo England, 9§fc, 4min 8 4-sseo.

The top weight was backed as the best of the half-dozen runners for tho Hack Hurdles. Otaio won all right from Highlow, who made most of the running, but found tho distance too far. The Hawke’s Bay-trained and Wel-lington-owned Groat Shot, who was ridden'with great confidence, won the Hunters’ Steeplechase all tho way. Pororc, his only opponent, struck several of tho fences, and gave Mr Roach anything but » comfortable lido. Great Shot, who was making his first appearance under silk, is a powerful gelding by Crackshot—Mute mare. In tho event of his being handicapped out of tho hunter events, he can take ■ his place in open company. Taura and Handsome Rose were backed as the best of the Puma Hack Handicap lot. Tho best they could do was to finish fifth and sixth. Waimoo camo away at the distance, and won easily from Inglewood. After getting well away, Ballarat stopped suddenly at tho back, and finished close up to the placed horses. On tho second day, the Winter Oats Handicap, a mile and a distance, brought out seven runners. All were backed pretty evenly, with the exception of St. Lyra, who came in last. Handwork made nearly all the running, but Shrapnel Shell, who put up a stone overweight to secure tho services of his usual pilot (H. Carmont) won comfortably at tho finish. Regulation, who carried 101 b overweight, may win a raco before the end of tho season. The actual favourite was Lifebelt, who put up 81b extra. Ridden by G. Price, she could got no hearer than fifth. Tho withdrawal of Pipi and Cronje, who wore reserved for an engagement later in the day, reduced tho field for tho Wanganui Steeplechase to four. At tho start Scallywag took the wrong course, and lost about 200 yards. Ho made up tho ground, and got to the front, when Cameron let Kaiwaka out, and ho galloped away, winning by about 100 yards, and finishing very strong. Had Scallywag not maae the mistake, tho result, in my opinion, would have been the same. Haydn was being ridden with the whip to keep with his opponents, when ho came to grief at tho first of a hurdle, double tho second time round in front of the stand. Light got over all right until ho came to a brush fence returning from tho cricket ground to the couf-sq proper. There he baulked, but was got over, and completed tbo course for tho 10 sovs third money. Tho time was tho slowest since Sir Garnet won.

The following arc previous winners of tho Wanganui Steeplechase since 1886

1886—J. B. Williamson’s Guy Fawkes, by Bedouin. Time, Cmin 44 4-ssec.

1887— A. Shearsby’s Orient, by Sultan. Time, Cmin 43150 c. 1888— J. Leopold’s Kangaroo, by The Mute, Time. 7min 4Gsec.

1389 —E. McElwain’s Oddfellow, by The Painter. Time, 7min 36150 c. 1890— P. Lamfcs’s Sir Garnet, by Southern Chief. Time, Cmin 523 see. 1891— J. McAlister’s Ingorangi, by Bothwoll. Time. Cmin 421 see.

1892—j. Maher’s Couranto, by Patriarch. Time, Cmin 4Cscc.

1893 C. Woolley’ Empire, by Mutator. Time, Grain 42 4-osec. 1894 Mrs J. Abbott's Nanakia, by Natafor, -Mr E. Shove’s Booties, by Volunteer (dead heat). Time, Gmin 30 4-Osoc. 1890—A. Nopera’', i iritca, by Hippocampus. Time, Omni 44soc. 1890— E. Shove's Booties, by Volunteer. Time, Gmin 47sec. (H97—-Mi- J. Goodson s Bradshaw, by Castoff; Time, Gmin STscc. 1898—F. Wal.son’s Muscatel, by Eoulslini. Time, Gmin 27 2-osec.

1809—1*. Eoulsliot.

F, Hover’s Muscatel, by Time, Gmin 29 4-ssec.

1909—M. Morrisons Scallywag, by Turquoise. Time, Gmin 30sec.

1901—A. EHingham’s Moifaa, by Nat-ator. Time, Gmin 44sec.

1902—J. H. Prosser’s The Guard, by Vanguard—Vattavvay. Time, 6min 2-1 see.

1903—G. P. Donnelly’s Awahuri, by Kaiwaka. Time, Gmin 51 l-ssoc.

Aims and Kohnnui wore the fancies for 11 io May Hurdle Handicap. The field did not include any of tho horses Mint finished in front of Mars on tho first day. That may have been tho reason be was made favourite. Tile Ingornar gelding made a more businesslike effort, and was in front all tho way. Eohunui struck a hurdle shortly after the start, and dropped right back. At a mile and a half Waiwora moved np, and was alongside. Mars two furlongs from home, but the latter appeared too fast for tho Gipsy King gelding. Kohuimi came on in the straight, and boat Waiwora for second place in the last few strides. I>ady Bell and Fakir wore the last two to finish. Bags came to grief at the second fcnco. Old Gun could not foot it with Great Shot in the Hunters’ Hurdles. The sum of £3 was invested on Old Gun, and £1 on tho winner, who paid £3 12s. In the Hack Hurdles, Highlow, as usual, was rushed to the front, and kept there for about a mile and a quarter, which is about his limit. The Flinders gelding, Tom Flynn, who was favourite, won comfortably at tho finish. Ho jumped cleverly, and should prove a welcome addition to the jumping brigade. Banui and Pangaroa, an aged gelding by Vanguard, came to grief at the hurdle in front of the stand.

Pi pi won tho Final Steeplechase Handicap all tho way. After chancing several of the obstacles, Cronje came to grief at ono of the stone walls. Tho horse was caught, re-mounted, and completed tho course. His rider, Hutchison, was applauded on returning to the paddock. Tho fences consist of two stone walls,. two hencoops, a hurdle double,, post and rails, and two brush fences. They aro all small fences, with the exception of the brush fence leading from tho 1 courso 'proprir' to the cricket ground. All tho competitors cleared this jump without mishap. Mr Morse got tho big acceptance of sixteen for tho Farewell Hack Flat Handicap, which proved the best race at tho meeting. Mr Chovanucs had a good deal of trouble to got them in lino, Taura being the principal offender. Ballarat, who for some reason or other, was made a strong pot, was first away, with Waimoe close up. Aa the half - mile post Siandra and Recoil showed out with tho loading division. had an_ advantage rounding tho bend, where Taura was running through the field in great style on tho outside. AVaiinoe hold his own in tho run homo, winning by about a length. Taura, Ballarat, Opaeao and Inglewood 'crossed the lino nearly abreast. AVaimoo paid the great price of £B.

The meeting was capably managed by Mr F. Moffatt, to whom our representative is indebted for press privileges. Tho following 'gentlemen are the executive officers of the club :—President, Dr Earle; yico-president, Mr H. N. Harrison; judge, Mr AV. H. Hartgill; starter, Mr C. H. Chevannes; clerk of tho scales, Mr E. A. Campbell; timekeeper, Mr A. E. T. Nixon; clerk of tho course, Air Donald MacDonald; handicapper for open events, Mr J. 0. Evott a handicapper for hack events, Air George Morse; hon. surgeon,_Dr Tripe; hori. veterinary surgeon, Air Maxwell Edgar; hon. treasurer, Mr J. H. Nixon; stewards, president vice-president and treasurer (ex officio), and Messrs Allan Cameron, A. Higgle, James Higgle, H. AV. Hole, G. Marshall, Jgs. AVatt; committee, Dr Earle. (chairman), Dr Saunders, Messrs Allan Cameron, E. A. Campbell, Jl E. Cutfield, R. Grace, James Higgle, A. Higgie, G. Marshall, Jas. AVatt, and treasurer (ex officio); secretary, Mr F. Aloffatt. CHATTER, Tho position of handicapper to -the Kalgoorlio Racing Club, rendered vacant by tho resignation of AH' AV. It. Dakin, has been filled by tho appointment of Air It. J. MeGaltech sporting editor of tho Melbourne ‘Leader. There applications for tho position, which is worth J-4UU a year. Visitors to the Wanganui mooting were still talking about tho Highlow Hurdle Race at Hawora. It is said that tho financial part of the anangcments have not panned out as well as the persons chiefly concerned would like. L. H. Hewitt has sufficiently recovered from tho accident he met with some weeks back, to be present at .the Ashburton meeting.

A special meeting of tho committee of TattersaU’s Club was held on tho IGth irist. for tire purpose of considering an application for a rehearing of tho case m which two pencdlors wore recently suspended. One of the pencilled made a statement to tho effect that ho alone was Involved in a certain interview that took place with a certain horse-owner. Tho committee, however, decided not to disturb their previous finding. Regarding this case, ‘'Phaeton” writes, tho committee of Tattvorsall’s Club contented themselves by simply reporting to the A.lt.C. tho fact that they had suspended tho two mombors referred to. the authorities of tho metropolitan body have, however, requested certain other information, and as this has been supplied, it may be anticipated that something more will be beard of tho matter. There is reason to believe that TattersalTs Club is not at present in a very happy state, and if a titho of what is stated bo true, there is little to wonder atn3_that If Tattorsall’s is fo occupy that position necessary to make it a desirable adjunct to tho local turf, it behoves tho members to raise their club to a higher status, or otherwise it will simply become a byword of scorn and derision. Regulation has been purchased by Mr Fred Cooper, of Ha .went, and will in future run in that gentleman's interest. J. tv. Taggart, the Riccarton trainer, has purchased tho hurdle horso Slow Tom.

H. E. Myers, who rode Kidbrook at the Wanganui meeting, was a successful light-weight fifteen years.back, but has not done much good since he went to Australia. During the season 1888 he won tho Wanganui and Egmont Cups on Dudn and the Taranaki Handicap on Tamora. A. McMorran, rider of Merry Boy, and C. Birkett, trainer of Maureen, were in the Cst 71b division at the same time. In tho season named the former won the Hawke’s Bay Cup on Cruchfield and the Napier Cup and Dunedin Birthday Handicap on St. Clair. C. Birkett won the Nelson and Marlborough Cups on Masthead.

Tho fields for the Great Northern Steeplechase and Grand National Hurdle Race are likely to be further reduced to-night, when tho final payments for both events must be made. None of the horses that competed at Wanganui appear to have any chance of beating Awahuri and Mars. They have incurred 51b penalty each, which increases their weight to list 51b and list 91b respectively. Mr W. A. Alenzies, who lias been appointed handicappcr to tho Victoria Pacing Club at present acts as judge at Caulfield. There wore 42 applicants for the position—2s from Victoria, 10 from New South AValos, tour from Tasmania, two from South Australia, and one from Queensland. The salary is £OOO per annum. Concerning tho appointment inadc, the Victorian correspondent of the Sydney “Referee” writes as follows:—“The new V.11.C. handicappcr is Mr W. A. Alenzies, who is at present acting as judge at Caulfield. It was thought from mo first that he or Air Brush would get the appointment, avid these two, with Mr A. Vowlcs, were tho three left in after tho remainder of the forty-throe applicants had been weeded out. Some of tho applicants had as much chance of getting the billot as a Chinaman. Mr Alenzies has yet to prove that lie is a handicappcr. Ho has had a lengthy exporiohccon tho turf, and was lor some time a member of the V.U.C. committee, but liandicappers are born, not made. Amongst tho horses ho owned were Culzeau, AVantagong. Curiosity (a wonderful old steeplechaser), Alisa Craig, Alarago and AVoodbino. Ivlr Alenzies is a good all-round sportsman, and is a firstclass cricketer and bil’iard player. He is married to a daughter of tho late Air H. Rickotson, an erstwhile Riverina squatter. It has csou ,suggested that tho issue of tho Alelbourno Cup weights should ho postponed for a month or so to give Mr Alenzies an opportunity of gaining some experience as a handicappcr. The suggestion seems a good one, and I daresay tho V.R.C. committee will accept it.”

Hard work was sold after the Hawora meeting, but as tho buyer did not take delivery the gelding ran in All' Alorsc’a interest at AVanganui. Great Shot should ho hard to boat in tho Alaidoii Steeplechase, of 100 sovs, about two and a half miles, to be run at Ellerslie on tho 30th. Light is in the same event. Great Shot is also in the Ladies’ Bracelet, Handicap Steeplechase and a .hunt ore’ handicap steeplechase, to ho decided at tho Auckland meeting. Frank AlcGrath has had Siege Gun in work for a few weeks past (the Sydney “Referee” states), so that the Hotchkiss horse is evidently meant to win a race in this State or A 7 ictoria before ho takes up stud duties. A lotwas expected of him in the last New Zealand Cup, but he cut up badly in that race. However, he won a handicap at tho same meeting, and later on annexed the Auckland Cup from one of the poorest fields that ever contested that race. Ho had nothing to spare, oven thou, and perhaps that had a lot to do with Air, Stead selling him. Still, as Siege Gnu - evidently stays well, ho may pay his way' on this side. The late Mr Homy Alaco’s Brooklyn stud farm at Now Brighton has been purchased by Miss Button and her brother.

Oingo is engaged in two maiden hurdle handicaps at Ellerslie. If the son of Torpedo turns out a success over the small fences, at which ho is said to have shaped promisingly in private, Air Donnelly may have as strong a hand aa ho had with tho pair of Pohokura geldings, Mangaohauo and. Owhaoko, some years back. The gentlemen appointed handicappers to the Victoria Racing Club and Kalgoorlio Racing Club aro at present acting as judges at’Caulfield and Flomington. One well-known judge in this colony is of opinion tliat some newspaper scribes in this colony would not make good judges. The victory of Air G. P. Donnelly’s pretty “scarfob and white stripes” on Awahuri in tho AVangannii Steeplechase was received with cheers. The valuable records and data of tho late Mr F. Fi’'Dakin used in connection with his handicapping work, and which aro to bo available for tho use of tho now hand "capper, Air VV. A. Monzies, were presented by All's Dakin to the AMI.O. They will therefore bo always available for any handicapper that may ho acting under tho club. The AV est port-owned Sanfuin has been entered for the sprint events at Otaki. Pareora, who has been promoted out of liack company, and Reclaimer, who has boon spelled since thq Masterton meeting fast October, arc also engaged. A. Shearsby informed mo at AVauganui that ho intended sending Westguard to J. Scaly, the Rosehill trainer, after the Auckland meeting. Air Donnelly’s pair, Awahuri and Oingo, were unlikely to make tho trip to the other side. . . Alessrs P. H. Nolan (president) and Alartin Baird (vice-president) of tho Egmonb Pacing Club were among the racing officials-.present at tho AVanganrii meeting. Leo Enfield, winner of the JuvenPe Stakes at Ashburton, is a hay gelding by Musketry—Melusina. After Sojourner’s running in the South Australian St. Legor, in which he was beaten by his stable mate (Cross Keys) ho was taken from C. Quinn’s stable by Air Erewin, and given to J. A. Hill to train. Sojourner was a hot favourite, and Cross Keys paid £ll 4s in a field of four. AVhen Sojourner won the Adelaide Gap a few days" later he paid £l3 11s. and met with a hostile demonstration.

Haydn and Waiwera, nrevious winners of tho Century Hurdle Pace, were amongst the unplaced competitors last week.

The only representative of Mr Prosser’s stable at Wanganui was Exmoor, who won tho Flying Handicap comfortably on the first day The Grafton gelding was not engaged m anything on the second day. Ostiak Was handicapped for the Winter Oats Handicap, but did not take part. There was only 30s invested.on Beira, who paid a dividend of £44 in the High-weight Handicap at Ashburton.. Beira is returned as an aged chestnut gelding, by Bay Archer. My attention has boeu drawn to the statement in a Southern paper that the jumping horse The Hermit, who met with fatal injuries while competing in a race at the recent Egmont mooting, was not by the St. Leger horse Doncaster (by St. Leger—Virat). As this horse was foaled in 1894, and The Hermit was an aged gelding, it is hardly likely they were so related. Tho Hermit was sired by Doncasler, who was got by St. during h'S stud career in the Wanganui district. He was a son of Nonna, by Baveuswortb —Dunsinaue, by Riddlosworth —Althea, full sister to Daintv Ariel. Norma was; the dam of tho well-known Don Juan gelding The Druid, who won the Wanganui Steeplechase, numerous hurdle races, and later in life won the Hunt Club Cup in Otago. Mistletoe (by Puriri), dam of Pointsettia. was a daughter of Norma. Another member of the familv was Dandelion (by Natator), who was taken to A us-

tralia by AV. H. Keith with R-ob Roy, Tongariro and Soudan. Doncaster won on tho flat and over hurdles, and afterwards did stud duty in the AVanganui district. Ho met with injuries through getting hung across a stable door, and it was considered necessary to unsex him. The dearth of jumping horses was very noticeable at Wanganui. _ There were only fourteen starters in five events.

Air AV. Robinson submitted several thoroughbreds at auction at AVanganui, but in most cases tho offers did not come up to the owner's estimate. Oulcita (Quilt— Waiau) was passed in at 38 guineas, with a reserve j>f £SO. AVaimoo (Sonmus —Watercolour) was passed in at £l9o—a fair price. A chestnut gelding by Burlington—Jessie (.half sister to Hie Plug) returned to his box at 20 guineas, tho reserve being 30 guineas. A tbreo-yc-ar-old bay filly by Torpedo—Streamlet went for 10 guineas. Someone remarked that Air Robinson did not want to sell, and “Old Bill” said “Lot her go 1” and Air Jackson got a sale. . AA’hilo playing hockey last week, Air C. K. Wilson, secretary of the Herowhoima Hack Racing Club, bad the misfortune to sustain a fractured jaw. After witnessing tho racing at Wanganui I iiin of opinion that Alars (in the Hurdles) and Awahuri (in tho Steeples) will bo the hardest pair to beat at Auckland. They have each incurred 51b penalty. On tho opening day of tho Ashburton meeting, tho veteran horseman R. Derritt rode four winners out of five mounts.

Tho Century Hurdle Race winner. Merry Boy, was trained by W. Holmes, who has not led in so important a winner for a long time. Merry Boy was bred in tho Marton district during the time the son of St. George—Rupee was there. Nothing is known about his dam except that she is a daughter of Phantom, a horse imported from Australia or Tasmania, who raced in tills colony with little success. None of his stock gained ranch prominence. Two I remember were the grey gelding Shadow, who won races on the flat and over hurdles at several meetings in Hawkes’ Bay. Better known was the roan gelding Halicorc, who won a lot of hack hurdle races in the Wairarapa. When well up in years he won the Hunt Club Steeplechase at tho Hntt witl: Mr C. P. Skerrett in the saddle and paid a £iiO dividend. Tho only daughter of Phantom I can call to mind is Deception (Phantom —Maggie) who was in Mr S. M. Baker’s stud and produced two or three fdlies by Somnus. Messrs J. Monk, E. D. O’Rorke, W. Smart and J. Courtney, were not present at the' Wanganui meeting to witness tho success of their representatives. Tho latter is the assumed name of a 'Wellington sportsman. Prank Lind was an onlooker at Wanganui, wjth his injured arm still in a sling. Ho hopes to be able to ride at the Hutt.

The Wanganui steeplechase course is very tricky and a lot cf horses have made mistakes there. Scallywag, who had previously been over the course four times successfully did so last week. The Foxtoii Racing Club is making some improvements to its course. A contract has just boon let for a thousand yards of soil for top dressing the track. C. Jenkins increased his record for tho season to 81 at Wanganui. Glencoe wont out lame in the Century Hurdles at Wanganui and broke one of his legs while racing on the flat and was destroyed. The Vanguard gelding was a half-brother to the Wanganui steeplechase winner Bradshaw. After tho, Wanganui meeting A. Shearshy journeyed on to Auckland with Awahuri, (Jingo and Wostguard. Oingo may win a jumping race before the end of the season. Mr Walter Best was present at the Wanganui meeting, tho, first since last November at Carterton, where he disposed of Frost and Oracle. Mr Best has gone right out of the racing game of which he was a patron for a number of years. Among the horses he raced, besides the above mentioned pair, were Giriri, Sweet Bream and Osman. He ‘also bred Velocity and Pure Silver, and owns Silver,, the dam of the last named. She is a daughter of Remington and Gentle Annie (.dam of Springtime, by Tim Whiffier) and was bred by Mr W. O. Williams in' the Wairarapa. Mr Best has *a four-year-old filly by Master Agnes and a two-year-olcl colt by Baystar from Silver, who is in foal to St. Paul. Mr Best is at present milking 100 cows at Wavorley which ho finds more remunerative than horse racing. Tho nominations received for the Qtaki Maori Racing Clufi’s winter meeting, to bo held on Wednesday and Thursday, Juno 3rd and 4th, are very satisfactory. For twelve events no less than 268 entries were received. Provided tho acceptances are equally good the club should have a big mooting. After Pallas had won the Ashburton County Stakes ho was protested against on the ground that ho carried over his proper weight without declaring tho same. According to tho conditions of the race winners up to lOOUsovs .had to carry a penalty of 141 b over w.f.a., but it is alleged that Pallas has not won that amount during tho present season, and consequently .should liavo only carried a 101 b penalty. On tho following day, the stewards met to consider the protest, but they were unable to come to a final conclusion. They, however, issued an edict that all investments on. the race on tho totalizator should be returned less 10 per cent.

With. “Faddy” Noagle in the saddle Great Shot (.Cracksliot —Mute mare) ivili be hard to beat in tho Winter class this winter. Ho is a splendid jumper with, plenty of pace. On his Wanganui form Haydn’s chance at Auckland does not appear too good. He', was being ridden to keep with the leaders, when he came to grief at the first of a hurdle double. .J. Cameron, who rode Awahuri to victory in the Wanganui Steeplechase, is a brother to Tom Cameron, tho wellknown Starter and Alick Cameron, all of whom were well known cross country riders in the Rangitikei district a few seasons back. Jack had not ridden in the Wanganui Steeplechase since 1890, when he was second on Dangerous to Ingorangi. On the same horse ho ran second to Takapau at Jigniont. He won tho Wellington - Steeplechase in 1889 on Bossiter and tlio Egmont Steeplechase in 1889 and 1890 on llossiter and Auckland. Cameron won a lot' of hurdle races during his residence in Australia. His principal cross country wins there were on the Wanganui bred gelding Jack’s the Lad in the Australian Cup Steeplechase and the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase on Larrikin. Since returning Cameron has scored half-a-dozen times on Awahuri.

It is sixteen years since A. Shearsby won the Wanganui Steeplechase 11111) Orient, on which occasion he rode him himself.

At the Kensington (N.S.W.) Galloway meeting on the 13th. Lady Margaret Botreanx (Chainshot —La Rose) won the Fourteen Two Handicap. T. w. Price was disqualified during tho pleasure of the Stewards for disobedience at the post.

Awahuri and his sire wore both bred by Air G. P. Donnelly, of Hawkes Bay. His sire, Kaiwaka. (by Piscatorious — Black Bes-s) is ba.f-brothcr to Aiangaohane, who in Air Donnelly's colours won tho Hawkes’ Bay Napier Park and Grand National Steeplechases. Kaiwaka met with an accident and was never raced. Black Bess is a daughter of Nutwitli. Awahuri’s dam is by Tho Mato from Lady Alary—by Traducer. Lady Alary was owned by Mr David Scott and won hurdle races at Ran-, gitikei and AVanganui meetings twentythree years ago. She was ridden by the late AA’. Jenkins, father of tho successful jockey C. Jenkins. Air Scott was present at tho Wanganui meeting last week., Kaiwaka took up stud duty in tho Hawke’s Bay district at four years of age. After the AA’anganul running Light, Crouje, Fakir and Jack O’Lr.ntern can bo considered unlikely starters at Auckland.

Tho Canterbury Jockey Club Committee, in its animal report, states that tho revenue from nearly alt sources shows an appreciable increase, the exceptions being in tho nomination's and acceptances, which show a'reduction of £2BB. This reduction was caused by tho committee deciding to reduce tho entry and acceptance fees in preference) to increasing the stakes. Tho wisdom of tho policy is shown by the results, as the committee estimated that the reductions proposed would result in a loss of revenue from this source of £BOO, whereas tho loss, as indicated, is only £2B8 —a reasonable sign that tho policy of low nomination fees has been appreciated by owners. The water supply lias been completed and contracts have been entered into for increasing the stand accommodation. Tho presence of the Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Crichton, ■ added greatly to tho pleasure of tho Wanganui meeting. The following programme of selections was rendered in the band’s first class style each afternoon ; —March, “Manhattan Beach,” Sousa; yalse, “Fleur do Australia,” Laski; march, “Under tho Double Eagle,” Wagner; selection, “Puritani,” Bellini; march, “A Frangesa,” Costa; fantasia (descriptive), “In Coonland,” Bidgood; cornet s o.o, “Alas Those Chimes,” Wallace; ■selection, “Satanella,” Balfe; intermezzo, “Victorine,” C. Trussed; waltzer, “Land Un Wasser,” Keller; selection, “Gondoliers,” Sullivan : . characteristic piece, “Conn, Coon, Coon,” Carl Engel; march, “King Cotton,” Sousa;. descriptive fantasia, “The Relief of Ekowe,” Round; “God Save tho King.”

Tho death of the stalllon St. Swithin is reported from Yarrabce Stud, New South Wales. St. Swithin was bred in New Zealand, where he was a failure at tho stud, but after falling into Mr John M'Caughcy’s hands ho proved a wonderful success, having sired Merloolas, Gnullo, Insulator, Trochon, Florin and numerous other winners. St. Swithin was by Cadogan (imp.) from Malice, by Traduoer. Apssrs filament and Grant report the fallowing business on tho Auckland Hurdles and Steeple:— 250 to 10 Cannongate and Otairi. 250 to 10 Haydn and Mars. 200 to B‘Haydn and Tresham. 200 to 8 Awahuri and Battle-axe 200 to (5 Haydn and Awahuri. 200 to 6 Haydn and Waiwcra. 100 to 4 Awahuri and Otain. 100 to 3 Princess of Thule and Awa-

huri. 100 to 3 Princess of Thule and Mars. 100 to 3 Princess of Thule and Otairi. 100 to 2 NoFwest and Mars. 100 to 1 Tuni and Mars.

Had the weights for the Auckland G.N. Hurdles been delayed until after the 'Wanganui meeting, there would have been several alterations thereto. In the Pemuera Handicap Hurdles, run over the same distance, n/olores has been raised 101 b.; Otairi 81b., Awahuri 51b. and Gilnockio 21h. Waiwcra has beep dropped 61b. and Lingard lib. Battleaxe, Tresham, Bellman, Omgo, Miss Brury and Lady Bell have received tho same impost in both events. Oingq has not been handicapped for the Maiden Hurdle Handicap, and ho will presumably make his fii-st,appear-ance in open company. The following horses should run web in their engagements on Saturday next : First Maiden Steeplechase—lnchcape and Great Shot. First Maiden Welter —Poseshoot and Paratutu. Groat Northern Steeplechase—Awahuri and Princess of Thule. . First Maiden Hurdle Handicap—Bolores and Gilnockie. Tho Cornwall Handicap—Burable and Strath avon. Remnora Handicap Hurdles—Waiwora and Tresham. The Grand National HurcUo Pace, to bo decided on tho second day of the, meeting, should be won, by Mars, who will probably meet with most opposition from the winner of the Pemuera Handicap Hurdles.