THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13619, 14 June 1906, Page 4

THE TURF.

By Skktikzli.

RACING CALENDAR. 1906.

Juno 20, 21—Hiwke's Bay Winter. Juno 27, 2S—Nopicr Pnrk Meeting. August 14, 16, IR-CU.C. National Meeting.

Although the numerical strength of the field which has been engaged in the Now Zcalaud Cup is well un to tho ayerago nomination for the race, still it is somewhat disappointing, as there is an a.bsence of class and an abundance of what appears to be ambitious entry. It is, of course, quite possible that there are some Carbines and Wakcfuls in embryo amongst tho list, hut thero are many who have beon afforded plenty of opportunity to distinguish thems?lves but up to date have failed to do so. Tharo are, it is understood, Eomo attractive stakes to bo hung un in connection with the next New Zealand Cup meeting, and it is possible that some of the horses ate being kept in reserve, as the training for long journeys breaks more horses than it makes. It. is somewhat notable that two suoh strong supporters of the Canterbury Jockey Club as Sir George Clifford and Mr G. G. Stead have not supported tho race with something in their stables, even if it wore only a nomination given for tho sake of nominating. Tlie latter gentleman has in Porcelain. Cuneiform, Huascav, and Seal Rock a quartet who would not look out of place in a Cup field, and it is regrettable that two such strong stables contain nothing worthy of a New Zealand Cup nomination. With the penalty clause attached distinctly, favouring th.rce-year-olds, it is somewhat astonishing to note that promising youngsters such as Cambrian, and other two-year-olds which showed good form this season, are not included in tho list; but it is to bo hoped (bat some of what have been entered will bo strong enough to make a creditable show before the host of visitors who are snr-» to be in that part of tho world in November next to witness the New Zealand Cup unci other things. A comparative list of past entries for the race reads as follows:'S3 'M '85 '8G '87 '83 '89 'HO '1)1 '32 GG 70 Gf 81 70 G2 51 GO 7G 71 '93 '94 '95 "00 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '01 '05 71 70 51 G4 59 49 GO 4G 43 CO 53 59 72 Prior to the nominations closing for the Now Zealand Cup it was in the best interests of the race that nothing should be said against the penalty conditions attached to our premier turf prize, as it might possibly have a deterrent effect on nominators. In the writer's case it was pe.rrois«ible, particularly when it is remembered that he had a good deal to say on the. matter last, year. In his remarks at Iho C.J.C. annual meeting concerning the. penalty conditions attached lo the New Zealand Cup Mr G. G. Stead slated that "the large field which started was practical evidence that Ihe new scale of penalties for tho race was appreciated by the majority of owners." If that is so, tho race itself undoubtedly proved that a good three-year-old who has developed form after the appearance of the handicap will always have the race at his mercy as long as the present conditions are attached to it. Noel inform got, about as bad a. passage as a. horse could possibly get in a race, and he wound uy Tiy simply making hacks of his opponents, who were, it is reasonable to suppose, hen ton with, a stone in hand by then- victor. Noctuiforin, on top of that again, had a somewhat, hurried terminal ion to his New Zealand Cup preparation, owing lo the brevity of the period which elapsed between ihe jime he landed from Sydney and the time he had to 50 to flic post.E It is quite-possible that with a moderate lot of Ihree-year-olds starting the weakness of the clause would not be broujht out so forcibly as what wa.s tho case last year: but the experience of racing proves that a good three-year-old has always had a big pull over older horses when racing at weight-for-ago over a journey, and it; was for this reason that the" writer attacked the clause (and, in fact, was the only one lo do so) when it made its fust, appearance last year. The writer, since ho first attacked Ihe clause, has had convorsatiora on the subject with several persons who have a right to he considered authorities, and nol one of (hem had a word to say in favour of the condition, which is now allied with the race for the Fecond time. On the contrary, there was absolutely nothing but condemnation. It has bow. said thai the hendicapper is left practically unfettered as to what weights he may allot three-year-olds or other horws of any other age eugatred in the race; but. the danger lies in Ihe fact that a colt may develop form, as Noetuiform did, that would fairly ontitle him to the 11'b penally after the handieap had been allotted, A four-year-old which carries wciplit. forage,or n<ssiblv over, and wins the New Zealand Cup is entitled to the prize, because his burden is by no means a light one; but weight for ago on the back of a. good three-year-old cannot be considered otherwise than lenient, because, as previously staled, the fcale is in favour nf hors?s of I hat age. For instance, Paritutn wns one of the test handieappers soon out l!ii« season; still Noetuiform, who carried a nound over w.f.a.. presented Imn with 231W raider that scale and gave him one of Ihe Iwst beatings a hnrso could desire. Quarryman also got 131b and a good bestine—even rememberinir that *he b'fler wa.s travelling on at the finish. Noetuiform followed up his Cup performance by carrying 3Mb "over w.f.a. and making a hack of Mahulonga in tho Canterbury Cup. two miles and a-quartor. In some of the principal handicap races decided in England the penalty conditions read that "the winner of spy race" after declaration nf weifhk his In eai\ry a "enalty. This obtains with the Queen's Prize of iSOOsovs, City and Suburban Handicap of 2000sovs. Great Metropolitan Suites of lf)on?'.vs. and Ihe i>''neiril handicaps decided in Fnidomh whilst in 111" CWwood Cup—o r 2flOOsoy?. two mibwanrl a-half. throe-ve.ar-olds 7.7. four-year-olds 8.12, five-year-olds or ovor9'—'lifl'vinnnr of anv nee earns a oenalty. With (bo Melbourne Cup the conditions are that the wtene-r of spy handicap race must, carry a pcnlt.y. and the winner of the A..T.C.' or V.T? C. Berbv mnst carrv not less than 7.6 which is rathe' different than conditions which slate th.ita wimi"r will not have to rni-ry above weight for aire. A Hircc-year-old engaw' in the Melbourne Cup at a handica" eniul to weighl-for-nce could incur Ihe 'ugliest penalt'- a*faeb>» to the.race, but in the New Zealand-Ciin a colt cannot incii'- a usually which will give hini a sreater burden than w.f.a. The conditions attached to these two races ere a? wide arart as 'he poles in their action. What; the racing public think of a good colt at w.f.a was evidenced last, vesr when Noch'ifr>-m. carrying over that, burden, was hacks.! ''own to about 2 to 1 on in a field of It,

and the son of Multiform proved by his form in the race that the odds were about. \ to 1 on his chance of winning. Tho chairman of Iho Canterbury Jockey Hub, in his address at tho annual meeting of that body, stated that the actual cost, to racegoers of investing on tho totalisator is tlio 10 per cent, commission which is the legal charge made by clubs running a totalizator. It is well that someone should disabuse Mr Stead of iJiat idea, as it is safe to fay that an analysis of the money which passes through tho totalisator would undoubtedly prove that 10 per cent, commission is never charged tho public for hacking their fancy, but always more, and sometimes nearly double that amount. One never buys a suit of clothes or a dress without buttons or trimmings tacked on, and in the case of the totalisator the trimmings are the fares to and fijpm a course, the gate charges, a. race book, which alone total 13s or lis a day if one is a paddorkitc. Tack that amount on to the "10 per cent." and the odd money which many clubs keep back from the public in a. manner which is far from creditable. The C..T.C. pay sixpences on their dividends, but. many clubs which run 10s totalisators havo such a reprehensible method of carving up totalisator money in order to arrive at tbc dividend that not infrequently the actual percentage deducted from the gross total is nearly double the legal amount. No club should be permitted to divide the dividend at per pound into a dividend payablo to 10s investors, and then double it back again in order to make a price payable to tho £1 investors. It is distinctly unfair to start with, and on the top of that again it makes a distinctly illegal charge on the public. Jt is to bo honed that some of the leading, spirits will effect, a remedy at ihe next conference in order to do away with what has been a scandal long enough.

Amongst tho matters dealt with at this month's meeting of the Now Zealand Trotting Association was Iho proposed championship gathering which it was suggested able replies were received from the New Zealand. International Exhibition. Favourable replies wcr received from tho New South Wales Trotting Association (in which an old New Zealander in the shape of Mr R. Hungcrford is a prime mover), the Victorian Breeders' and Owners' Association, and the International Trotting Association of America. The majority of our own clubs have also looked with a favourable eye on the scheme, with the only proviso that if a financial risk is taken 'a proportionate share of the possible profits should also no garnered. This is only reasonable, and it is somewhat astonishing to find that the only club which does not favourably outertain (he scheme is the Now Zealand" Metropolitan Trotting Club of Christchureh, which would undoubtedly lie the greatest benefactor should the idea ultimately prove a financial and sporting success. Supposing a couple of trotting meetings be held during the currency of the Exhibition, and they proved a success, it would give the light-harness horse a boost in the space of a few short, months that he would not otherwise, garner in yours, Then it would not, he 100 much to pee- a speedway laid down in Christchurch. There is ample space and facilities that do not obtain in any other part of the colony, and looking at the question from every' point of view, it is regrettable that the club which in many minds was looked tipon as tho instigator of thoJiiovomont, or at. least the one which woiiffl certainly he the. chief benificiary, decTiiies to fall in line and make the national instead of a local feature. Visiting sportsmen would rather win a "New Zealand Championship" than a "Christchurch" race, and it is very disappointing to find the so-called N.Z.' Metropolitan Club declining to lake part in a movement which could not do otherwise than greatly enhance the prestige of the trotting horse in our colony. Looking at it from a sordid point, of new, it is permits not. difficult to find a reason why the N.Z.M.T.C. declined to ally themselves with the. movement. It does not require a great depth of Ihough! lo see that, in the ordinary course of events a. trotting meeting held in conjunction with an exhibition should prove a success. Meetings hold at the New Zealand Cup, Grand National, or other Tticcarfon gatherings invariably proved a success, and the fact, of the trotting fixtures being a success has not tended to assist the meetings held by those whose interests are centred in the'"runners." And in parenthesis, it is somewhat astonishing to find that the Canterbury Jockey Club have-not done something to block the trotting element from sandwiching itself with the Riccarton fixtures, and unquestionably doing them more harm than good. Based on experience, a trotting me-ling held in connection with a. meeting at Riccarton bus every prospect of proving a success, and how much more so is ono held with an Exhibition attractiveness likely lo garner the financial fruits without which' no meeting is deemed successful in these days of totalisator percentages. In justice lo the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, it u hoped that jt is not mere selfishness that in preventing them from allying themselves with a movement which had the colonial welfare of the sport at heart, but if it is, one of the motions brought forward at Hie coming trotting conference should have for its effect that no club with a purely local action should be permitted lo have a name which has the dignity of being colonial. The news of (lie death of Samuel Fergus as a result, of the accident which ho met with whilst, riding Silicia at the Auckland mooting will be received with great regret wherever the unfortunate horseman was known. He was a fearless rider over country, and ono of the most capable men that ever 6at in a saddle, and as he was very iiopular in sporting circles poor "Sam" will be greatly missed wherever there is racimr between the. flags. Fergus was not a well-known jockey on our local tracks, but as far back as 1890 he was riding at tho Otago Hunt Club's meeting of that year, his mount being the Somnus gelding Sir Maurice, who fell in IhoTallv-ho Steeplechase won by Daddy Longlcgs. He was also un on the same lioree in a hurd-'-c race woii bv Garibaldi, and later on in the day got second to Waitangi in a Consolation.' Latterly Fergus has been identified witli Haydn, and rode the game little son of Sou'-wester when he won the C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechase of 1902, Ho also rode Haydn when "he won the Great Northern Slecplecha=o of 1903, and Ihe Wangamii Steeplechase of 1901 was captured by him on the same horse. Fergus steered Havdn into second place behind limiskillen in last year's National Steeplechase, and the previous year was Haydn's pilot in ihe same race. Haydn fell at tho post and raiU at the home turn. In all Fergus rode Haydn in four C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechases, and was first in 1902, second in 1905, third in 1903. Amongst, other races ho won with Havdn were the Lincoln Steeplechase and Beaufort Steeplechase, whilst he was also second in the same race? when I hey were won by Phaetontis and Eclair. He rode Haydn without success at ihe last A.J.C. spring meeting, and was also identified with him in many other races. St,

Simon. Mozel, and many other good horses wero ridden to victory. Fergus was up on Romeo when that lior.-e started a strong favourite in the last Grand National Hurdles, and met with a. fatal accident in the race. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss, together with a large circle of friends and acquaintances. — Thirty-thr?" of the horses engaged in the New Zealand Cup aro quoted at 50's to 1 or over.

— Miss King and Kuroki, two well-known performers over hurdles, have been shipped to Sydney.

"— The English-bred horse Condor, by Gallinule—Tragedy (the dam of Birkenhead), is in tho private sale list. — Tho gelding Koya-lwood, who was taken across to Australia by the Messrs Hobortson Bros., was recently sold out of their stable to an upcountry buyer. — The well-known horse None.lto was included amongst a shipment, of horses which Mr E. T. Averson, of Palmerston North, sent tc Australia a couple of days ago.

—At Christch'irch Tattersall's on Saturday the trotting mare Flush was sold for £40, the pacing mare Sweet Nell for £34 10s, and tho trotting gc'.ding Kaffir Boy for £20. — Until tho Carbine coll Spearmint landed the double, English Derby and Grand Prix do Paris, no other liorso had achieved tho feat sinco Kisber brought it off in 1876,

—An American writer reports that Tod Sloan, tho onc-timo famous jockey, has just been beforo a, referee in supplemental}' proceedings in connection with a judgment against him for £800, and had to admit that he is broke.

— During the reason which terminated with their recent winter gathering the Auckland "Racing Club put £193,064 through the totalis&tor, as against last year's figures of £150,117. when the fielders plied their calling at Ellerslie,

— The yearling colt by Sir Foots from Wigelmar, purchased for IGOOgs at the lato Sydney sales by Mr ~W. Leonard, will be known on the racecourse as Master Foote. This youngster is in W. S. Hickcnbothani's stable at Fiemington.

—It is reported that amongst the mares likely to be mated with Machine Gun during tho coming season are Emir's sister Birida. and the Newmarket winner Pendant. The progeny of Machine Gun and Pendant should bo responsible for some record-breaking achievements in the sprinting line. — Quotations on the New Zealand Cup show that Boomerang is installed favourite at 12's to 1, and next in order come Faritutu, Makaroff, Solution, Multifid, and Gladstone. The ouesiders of the fiold are Balsam, Assegai. Ben Zene, La Torpedo, Royal Crown, and Tsitsihar, who are each quoted at 200's to 1.

— Just before the lust mail to hand left England last year's Derby winner, Cicero, gave indications that he still reining form by winning the Forty-sixth Newmarket Biennial Stakes, of £578, in a canter from a solitary opponent, after cutting out tli© Inst mile and a-lialf of the Cesarewitcli courso in 2.32 4-5, with 10.0 on lu3 back.

— The sale of Convoy to Messrs J. Loughlin ■and K. Solomon has lapsed, as Mr J. Buckley intimated that he could not fulfil the condition of sale which stipulated that the horse should be dcl ; vered sound after the A.R.C. meeting. Convoy, it is understood, baa since been sold to n northern buyer at something in the neighbourhood ot a century. —An exchango reports that W. Lano, the English jockey, who visited New Zealand a few months ago, is slowly reducing his weight by continual oxercise, and can now go to scale at 5.6. Some time will, however, elapse before he rides again. Lane has been out of the saddle since he met with his severe accident at Lingficld in September, 1904.

— Tlio tact that tho siring of a good winner or two does not always create a rush for a stallion's services is evidenced by the fact that tho Australian-bred Kirkliam, the eiro of Liverpool Grand National winner Kirlcland, is advertised to stand at 9gs. Another Aus-fralian-brod horse in Nobleman (son of Australian Peer) is hooked to stand at the same figure.

— Tho totalisator is frequently regarded as' being an unrivalled means of a gamble for making profits, but it is not in the same street as the roulette tables of Monte Carlo, where 3 profit of £l.'ilo.SOo was garnered for tho season of 1904-5. Of the amount £70,000 went to the Prince of Monaco, and M. Blanc, who is well known as the owner of Flying Fox, also holds large interests in the company.

— The English Derby in 1881 fell to tho Americans with Iroquois, when a good deal of money was won over him. On .that memorable occasion a great feat of telegraphy was performed between England and America. As soon as Archer, who Tode Mr P. Lorillard's colt, passed the post tho result was cabled to New York, and before Archer had reached the weighing scales tho news was posted outside the Now York Herald office.

— Tho annual meeting of the Duncdin Jockey Club will bo hold on July 9, and nominations for office close on tho 25th inst. The retiring members of tho committee are Messrs'* G. R. Bullock, W. J. Coughlan, J. Mills, J. Sinclair Thomson, and J. Gow. Now that the D.J.C. are entering easy water thero should be no trouble in filling offices on the committee, as' no doubt many will tako a hand at the wheel in fine weather who wouldn't get up on the bridge when the storms of adversity are blowing hard.

— From accounts to hand, the Kalgcorlie Racing Club netted during the year the handsome sum of £12,222 3s Ud. The commision from the totalisators at tho anniversary, spring, and summer meetings amounted to £13.109 5s lOd, but the expenses attached to working the machine totted up to £2442 3s fld, while the loto tax took out £SSI 8s 4d, and in bookmakers' fees tho club received £2137 10s. The K.R.C. paid £8031 in stakes, £1217 12s Id in the purchase of water, gave £550 in charities, and spent £109S in improvements to the course^

— Amongst the winners at the Epsom spring meeting, held in April, was a. four-year-old named Gallinago, a son of Gallinulc, who ran a mile in 1.33 and created a now track record. Tho mile record for England stands at lmin 30 4-ssec, which v/as put up on a "straight mile." Other times put up in the Old Country over the same distance at 1.32 1-5 and 1.33 1-5, whilst Salvator ran a mile in America in 1.35 J. Charles Stuart ran a mile last season at Randwick in 1.38, but the effort has aparently settled him, as up to date he has proved a failure this season.

J -A subscription ill aid of the widow and orphans of the late S. Fergus, .the wellknown and popular horseman, who was killed at the recent Auckland meeting, has been started in Wellington and Auckland. Should anyone feel disposed to contribute from this end of the island the writer will be pleased to take charge and forward anything which may be sent in. Poor Fergus was as game a horseman as ever sat in a saddle, but cross-country riding is not, sad to say, a very lucrative business, and a little practical sympathy meals a lot.

— The London Sportsman reports that lliere lias just been despatched from Thames Ditton a bronze Blatne o[ the King's Derby winner, Persimmon, which H.K.H. the Prince of Wales has hod executed by Captain Adrian .Tones o.s a gift for his Majesty. The statue, which has been cast at tlia Thames Ditton foundry by Mr A. B. Button, is just over li(e size, and when mounted on a granite pedestal is to be erected in the grounds of Sandringliam. The figure is extremely lifelike, and Captain Jones's work has been well reproduced in bronze. — A great deal of doubt has always existed as to the breeding of Queen Bee, the dun of Slow Tom and others. The Wellington writer "Advance" recently stated that she is by Cheviot (Traducc-r—ldalia), brother to Sir Modrcd, July, and Idalium, from Brenda (by Traducer-Fanny), a black mate that competed successfully in hurdle events in the Ashbutton district. Bealey (by Apremoni) was a half-sister to Slo'w Tom and Ability, aud Billy (by Pcrkin Warbeck), who won a lot of races in Hawko's Bay, was similarly related. Some of the family came up to the llawora, district some few years back, where Brenda produced a brown gelding to Howitzer. Sporting Life (full sister to Billy) bad a bay gelding by Howitzer and a filly by Foul Shot, which were submitted at auction at Hawera.

— What is the "sport" coming to whon it creates such rules as arc embodied in the folfowing par which appeared in the Sports of the Times:—"This year finds the jockeys secluded within quarters' during the racing hours, thus cutting any communication with the oulsido world. Their valets have b«n carefully scanned on application, and are uniformed in Ithaki, so that none can receive, or give, any information without great chances of being seen by the argus-eyed official watchers. Club-houto speculation has been curbed and localised to a tremendous extent. Heavy bettors have been warned their actions are. not desirable, new positions have been created, and officials apointcd to further all reforms, the changes aiming at convenience to the owner, trainer, and the general public are manifold. Hacing in the Bast was never—absolutely never—on a better plane." — The well-known sporting writer, the "Special Commissioner." in mentioning that Cornstalk, a iour-year-old son of Trenton and Glare (dam of Flair), was being retired to the stud, consequent on going wrong, soys that ho is as good-looking a horse as man cculd wish to see, but tho bad luck which seems to attach to all Trenton's sons in England has "done him in" just when the prospect 'seemed bright. Mr Henning lias freely used his Trenton horse, Foundling, this season, having put six of his best mares to hiin. Foundling was another victim to bad hick, and he and Cornstalk arc a good deal like ons another. So bad, however, has been Mr Henning's luck that an attack of influenza which visited his stablo last November left all his old horses except Airship hois do cr.n:bat. Hough Croix and the rest have become more or less affected in their wind, and Nottingham, a grand-looking son of Gallinule and River Trent (sister in blood to Wakeful), is now a bail roarer.

— The following will interest your readers, and I think (says a correspondent of the London Sportsman) is worthy of a place in your valuable paper. Swag, a brown mare, 17 years old, by Machcath out of Bootv, which I sold at the last Horse Show sales in Dublin, covered by Sir Hugo, (b Mr Cotton for exportation to Queensland, was insured by him with Messrs Dalgety and Co., OG Bishopsgate street Within, London, who have forwarded me the following letter:—"lt may he interest-

in» to you to know that the iu-foal mar; Swag, which I insured through you and brought out with mo in s.s. Moravian, slipped fcur filly foals—three chestnuts and one brown—lo days after arrival here. As your risk expired the day she arrived safely here, I can" unfortunately make no claim under the policy. She foaled six weeks before her time, and I am afraid testing so often with (.he Malloin test (four times) in Sydney may have had sonietlmiß to do with it. but this is only a surmise." Tho niaro slipped twins twice wltila I had her in 1900 and 1905, and had dead foals in 1893, 1694, and 1893, which I think was a good dead due to her excitability. I think tho caso is a record one.

— Carrots are often looked on as a kind of delicate food for sick horses. \ If a horsi is out of sorts and off its feed, refusing almost everything and eating with the greatest indifference, and carrots ore- offered, they are eaten at once with much appreciation. They help to Testore the appetite and give condition to the horse. In these respects carrots are invaluable, and may well be looked on aa safe correctives. But their usefulness extends beyond Ihc period of sickness and depression, and horses in health may rcceivo llicm frequently as a good food to maintain condition and activity. When first given their effect is a little laxative, but that is desired in many cases, and once given regular, they ant as qualifying food. They aTe an excellent food for itchy horses and all in bad coat, ns they are eoo'ing to the blood and give a glow to the hair. Horses o! all aget may receive them, including even the youngest backward foals or the oldest and frail. Carrots should not be looked on as mere additions to other or ordinary foods, but .substitutes, for them, ns they are quite capablo of acting as a real food. They ara often given whole, but I prefer them pulped and mixed with the corn and chaff, or tho latter only.

— Most of ns are aware by this time (sayg tho "Special Commissioner" of the London Sportsman) that Multiform has proved an extraordinarily successful stallion in New Zealand, and that his sons had gone over to Australia from that colony and defeated all th-; bo*t Australian form'with (lie greatest ease. It is interesting, however, to have a few more details, such as aTe givpn in a recent letter from Mr G. G. Stead, of Ohristohurch. N.Z.:—"I have only just returned from Auckland, and consequently am nresscd for limo. but I may mention ihat Miiltifld, by MnHiform, won fjie Great Northern Derby in Auckland; Cuneiform, by Multiform, won the Hoyal Stakes, and. Nightfall, by Mrififomi, won the Auckland Plate. I was recently asked by an Australian buyer if I would take IO.OOOgs for Multiform, but my rcplf was that the liorso was not tor salo. I donht if any dim is worth in.OOflgj in this country; but as T am breeding for pleasure, and not for sale, I do not care to ronsider a, proposal to part with a hoTse that has ?iven ni« po much (satisfaction. Althousrh Multiform was only put to 10 mares four vofl.r» ago, he got Noctuiform, Snngod, IfoH, Multifid, and Cuneiform in one season. Multifid won the Great Northern Derby last week in record time. I doubt if any other sire has ever got five surh winners out of 10 jnares in one season in this colony."

— Writing about horses likely to be seen out in America during the present year. Will F. Pond has the following in the Sports of tlie Times concerning the champion, Sysonby:-"Of the last year good horses Sysnnby lias furnished tremendously, ami is a gigantic bulk of muscle, with practically no fa 1. If ho rmi3 up to his muscle, anil thero is no reason why he should riot, ho will be a phenomenal horse this year. I say this year because 1905 was comnaratively easy for him. There was little" of any account against him, and he simply had the flam? ■ horses to beat time and again. Thin year he is under different surroundings, a nd will meet more good horses with weight off, instead of practically even terms, which means a tremendous lot more, no matter how good a horse is. There are thousands who are longing to see Sysonby enter the stretch with some good gams- horse at his girths, so weighted as to make the champion ran a, really championship race from start to finish, something he has never been asked to date. I throw his Futurity race, out entirely, becau<=» I consider he was badly ridden, was twicn taken anoss the course, and. even if he did 'stop' in the final furlong (and I am nob sure ho did so), if my eyes saw correctly what happened'down the chute, I am uofc Burorised at his stopping. It now remains to be seen what he will do when challenged by a good horse after travelling a mile and a furlong."

— T was asked Hie oilier day to account for the diminution in the numbers of out bloodstock during the last 10 or more years. The reason is not far to seek, and it is that the export of mares is constantly increasing, and the number of bloodstock breeders shows a alight tendency to decrease. That is to burn the candle both ways. The French buyers have been especially active in the last two or three years, and (says an,.English wtilerl. thanks almost entirely to Flying Fox, they have begun to trench badly on our own international bloodstock market. There is.no reason, however, for serious apprehension' on tha.l score. All experience teaches that they or any other foreign or colonial breeder have to come back here for reinforcements if they want to keep their stock up to the mark. That, however, in no way justifies us in lr-Uing the home stock go down. Every effort should be made to keep on improving it On the mere question of numbers I should fake no serious objection, for many of our studs have no 'doubt been overstocked, and quality rather than quantity should bo aimed at. but there is the fear, amounting to a certainty, that quality has been depleted even more than quantity by the recent exports of our mares. A stallion or two, no matter how good, may be let go and never missed, but it is impossible (lift wo should perpetually sell tho best class of mares to M. Edmand Blano and others without coming perilously near to killing Ihe goose that lays the golden eggs. If these gentlemen simply diminished the number of our brood mares by taking an average samplo of them, good, ha/, and indifferent, no particular h«.rm would be done, but, according to their lights, they take the best, and our only safety lies in the fact that their lights are not infrequently of the lucus a non lucendo order, and thus one has seen not a, few specious flat-catchers taken abroad at high ptioes. But what now remains to be done? To my mind, breeders should lay themselves out to get young brood marcs together as well as to produce yearling. By all means supply the foreign demand, bub to do that safely more attention should bo paid to keeping up our stock' of brood mares, so that what the foreigners take • may not diminish the capital value of those still kept at home. There is, I suppose, a peculiar glamour about the sa'es of yearlings, though it leads to endless disappointments.