SPORTING AND SPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13958, 18 July 1907, Page 10

SPORTING AND SPORTS.

By Sentinel,

THE TURF.

THE NATIONAL HANDICAPS.. Tho appearance of the handicaps for tho principal events to bo decided at the C.J.C. National meeting- marks ono of tho most important periods of our racing year. Their publication is taken as tho death knell of tho past season, and at tho same time heralds tho birth of its successor. They appear at a timo whon our sporting world, is having a brief rest from past campaigns,, and act as a warning, that the lighting material for fresh battles must bo put in order. With a great number of pcoplo . lho many cross-country' ffathorings which precede tho Ricoarton fixture are looked upon as,just so many flnger-p'oste showing . tho way to the C.J.C. meeting., Muoh of the form displayed from tho Wanganui Steeplechase meeting to tho Uiccarlon gathering is not taken as proof positive of ■ tho actual merits of tho different horses. Somo are racing themselves into condition; Bomo aro almost ready to race, but by no m'eans too anxious in tho meantime; and Bo'm'o aro picking up tho crumbs whilst othore. aro waiting for tho plums. One of tho golden rules of racing is to win when eBIo,. but many do not entirely belioveJn •adopting ,a. short-sighted polioy. Judging by the burden Kiatoro lias been awarded, if is evident that thero has not been much of tho waiting policy adopted with the son of Castor,' as is 13,3 is 171b more- than ho was allotted for last year's race, in which lid unshipped hie rider. He stood up and boat Fhaotontis in the Beaufort Steeples (two miles and a-half) when givinjj tho Phaothon geldiiig7lb; but, despite his win at Auckland, it ;ie a fairly stiff task to' carry 33.3 and fjivo away 221b to last years winnor. Kiatero, it tho writer's memory it, not false, saved a good deal of ground over the last portion of tbo'Beaufort-'by cutting off tho corncre in the run over tho last of the p&ir of top-woighte 'Phaetoritis'is looked, upon' by'the writer as having' tho hotter chanco. This would bo particularly tho oaso if tho going should happon to bo on tho eoft sido. Haydn knows every inch of the country. He won ', in 1902 with 10.9, earned 12.4. into third jilaco behind Awahuri and Pipi. and . finished eeeond with 11.8 to Inniakillcn. From fJiis ho does not read harahly treated with 11.3, or 81b lees than what ho carried into fourth placo behind Kiatore at Auckland. Haydn now meets Kiatore on 121b bettor torms—an allowance which taeans a bit moro than the actual figures. Haydn also meets Witarero on 201b hotter terms 'thjin-'whon tho latter a'cted as runner-up to Kiatero. Slow Tom lias been dropped 31b on tho|mirden which ho oarricd into third place last year; jind, bearing in mind that , Jio wasi a ' fast-finiehing horse after hitting , a fence in tho last circuit ho reads to have -.a'chanco on tho , allowance of' 2olb which liae bcon inatlo in his favour. Waitaroro. won at Wangonui, and meets Kiatere on 411> worro terms than when defeated by tho latter in tho Great Northern Stopples. • Irish has • got 41b above. \vhat ho. carried into fiooond placo liwt year, when ho was '. handicapped a good doal by striking one of -hie fonces and Btripnin«? the bark from oiiq of his legs. Ho then met Phaelontis on lovol term's, and tho .latter- is sent up 171b for hie victory. Irish is a particularly olo'ver horse, as ho appears to bo equally at', homo ovor email or biff sticks. Ho ran Mcond in tho Northern Hurdles, , and ultliough not himself in tho Steeples, finished up fifth, whilst at Wanganui ho wimo down when 'appearing to ;be a winnor. Nadador won a-t Wanganui with 10.0, and meete Irish on 131b Worse terms, and tho latter is preferred to tho fornior, despite her success nt Hawko'e Baj. Injiifilcillon lias 10.7, or-Bib moro than ho carried when he won in tear-away stylo a couple of years back. It is eaid that since then ho has settled down, and appear. , ; to havo ran fairly, well at Auckland, although not Eo forward as many of hie opponents. It is reported that ho has continued lto train on sinco, and ho may be expected to (,'ivo a good account of himself. Romany Lad eoorod on both days nt tho Napier meeting, whoro ho appears to havo shaped fairly well. Evonlode- is roported to bo unsound, and that all-Important fact will hot liolp him in a difficult task. Loch Fyno and Eclair aro both recent winners ovor country. Tho former apparently recorded meritorious wins on the concluding daye .at Auckland,, where ho won tho Tally-ho ! Steeples, and also defeated Waitawrc, Ba/pdn, and others in tio Winter Steeples; whilst, Eclair scared in the.Kawkc'e Bay Steeples last month, but finished behind Rorriany Lad on each day of the Napier mooting. At tho present stago a fancied quartet' are comprised by PHactoiitis, Waitiro.ro, Irish, and Inniskillon. Tho field engaged in the National Hurdlee suggeelß that that raoo wijl require a good deal of winning, ne thcro is not a little irerit represented in the; long list of horses which have been handicapped. Cuiragno holds "tho prido of place with 11.13. or a, riso of 2116 nbovo.What lie scored with in laet year's race. After running indifforcnily in tho Great Northern Hurdles, ho won with 10.10 on tlie Hccond. day, and on the final day again won comfortably with 11.9 in oniin Slsec. Tho form displayed suggests lii> is aii improved horse, and with all his 11.13 Cuiragno is worthy of great respect. Exinoor is out. and Paritutu lias suob excellent credentials across tho flat that if lib has bceiii taught how to hurdlo his pace should make him a dangerous contender, Lady Huno and Creusot will havo to improve on their ■ Auckland form to have a chaneq with tho top weight. The Mohicmi is niooly placed if he can come back to form, and Kremlin has been 'dropped a oouplo of pounds on what ho failed un(!or l*t year. Auratus is in the same fcox as Paritutu, and tho Wellington meeting should throw some lipht on how they are to, bo regarded , as hurdlers, as far as trying to pick a handicap is concerned. Mahoo was tho sensational horse at Wanganui, whoro ho appears to havo made hacks of ' his: opponents. goes up 181b for his Century Hurdles victory; whilst M/rnwai, )vho finished out of a place with 9.3 and mibeequcntly scored in the Great Northern Hurdles 'with 9.2, goes up. 121b for the win. ' Merriwai' is a- young hurdler, and likely to improve, but Mahoo may prove his master at Riccarton, despito ' the fact . that tho , Wanganui winnor liad to be put by after running at tho last-named meeting. Mahbo now iueeta his Wanganui opponents as follows:—Lo Beau at 171b, Bonheur 171b, Creusot 181b, Evcnlodo 291b, Maui 19tb, . Pushful 181b, Cavalry 291b, Block Reynard 221b, and Aqua Regia at 28lb worse terms. These figurce indicate a substantial rise, but a« the lift only brings him up to 10.9, or wliat might bo termed a' good raoing weight for a hurdlor, ho Tcacls to have a good chance. Proepoc'tor ran third in last year's lace when in receipt of- 31b from Cuiragno, and subsequently turned the tablee on tho latter in tie Sydenham HwUes when in receipt of 131b,- , over a milo and three-quarters. Cuiragno ha 3 now to concede 181b, and Prospector ehould run well, although his form at the recent Hawko's Bay meeting does not read too good. Irish ran second to Merriwai at tho Auckland mooting, and now mcete his viotor on ,101b better tornw.. I.andloek fell at Auckland, but in May laet. he won at Avondale, over ono milo and three-quarters, with 11.6 in 3min 23 4-ssoe, and ovor two lriiles with 10.7 in 3min 526 cc. On noither occasion was ho followed by a National field, but they were promising performancoa for a horse who\hag acted well on, tho flat, tuid. lie should run well if ho is capable of racing over tho battens properly. Slirapnel is another horse with speed between his fences, and on paper his win at Takapuna with 10.13 over two miles in 3min St 2-ssoo reads nicely. Particularly is this tho case when it is remembered that lie is meeting ■Cuiragno on 401b better terms tlian when lio dpfeat«d tho latter in the Jumpers' Flat Race, oiw'nu'lo and a-half, at the last National, meeting. Shrapnel, howover, . did not show up too well at Auckland. Tho chances of Black Reynard, Merriwai. and Ability are preferred to tlioeo that follow jn tho handicap, and "tho winner may come from Cuiragno, Mahoc, Ltindloek, Shrapnel, Prospector, and the three named above; while to fine tho list down to three Mahoc, Cuiragno, and Landloek aro selected.

In tho Winter Cup a' fineied quartet aro Cross Battery, Holeu Portland, Kuku, and Gwendolina. THE TOP-WEIGHT IN THE NATIONAL. If Kiatere succeeds in the Grand National Steeples under his allotted burden of 13.3 fco will aehiovo a weight-carrying record for tho race. Sinco tho "Cross-country Derby" was established, ill 1876, tho hißliost weiffht successfully carried is tho 12.10 which Canard won under in 1886. It is a notable fact that prior to the distance being reduced hi 1890 to three milea and 12 stone or over was carried to victory on ebc occasions", whilst since then the burden mentioned eloyo. has been carried by a winner on iftreo occasions only. No horee has ever 13 stone into a plaoo, but Mutiny l»n second with 12.13 to Levanter, who tarried 12.6, and Norton was second, with 12.12, to Watorbury. Ahua was sent out favourite with 12.10 in 1891, and finished fifth, and a somewhat similar compliment ■was paid to Moifaa when ho wont out a good second favourite with 13.6 on his back. Moifna holds tho record of essaying tho greatest task over attempted over the Bio wuton country, nni this ecsur.rsd. nka-lio-

shouldered 13.13 in the Lincoln Steeples won by Boiler. Both in tho National Steeples and Linoohi Moifoa was running a great liorso, but unfortunately xan off in both , races, In thoso days' Watt, his rider, .walked about 8.0, and tlie amount of deadweight between him awl his mount would not tend to strengthen his grip of the pigBkin. ' In tho big Steeples ho tost both irons before Moifna ran off when going really well, and tho big son of Nataior also appeared to be going as well as anything in tho race when he ran off in tho Lincoln. There was not a. littlo merit in The Guard's form when he ran second to his stable companion Gobo with 12.2, and lie was running like a. winner when he ca-me down the following year with 13.2 up. Kiatere has a field underneath him in, the handicap which will probably make him feol tho full weight of his burden, and time alone will solve the question as to whether ho can achieve success whoro so many others have failed under big weights,

— Xfr A. Moss is quoting 'business on the National treble at 1000 to 1. —A. rising two-year-old half-brother to Mahutonga in training at Hftwko'e Bay is stated to bo of very attraotivo appearance. — The Oblujodo-MiK) Betty filly is shaping well in her sprinting at the Forbury. '— Santa- Chins bruised. ono of his feet a iow days ago, but a brief epoll is expected to put him nght again. — Liouheart and Bcllis were to be offered at auction at the conclusion of tho Y.R.C. meeting. . ; — Pipi and Petrovna, continue to get through fairly lenient tasks at tho Forbury. — July 26 is general entry day for tie C.J.C. National meoting. — Nominations of sireo for tho "Kinaru Sires' Produce Stakes close on Auguet 1. —A. payment for the C.J.C. National Steeples, Hurdles,. and Winter Cup is due on iho 26th tout. — Applications for trainers' and riders licottßes must be- made not later than Saturday next. '• ■ —According to tho Australasian, Bribery started at 33 to 1 for the V.R.C. National Hurdles. — Enooor and Maui were scratched, at 9 R.m. on Monday for nil engagements at the Grand National meeting. ' —Magical, the brother to Slow Tom, continues, to do good striding work at tho Forbury, but he looks rattier oig in oondition. — According to the National handicaps, the difference between Kiatere us » 'chaser.and hurdler, is 401b. — ilr J. Loughlih leaves for Wellington thW week, and after spending a few days in the PurHamentory City 'travels on to Sydney. — One English punter is eaid to have laid 6N)O to 4000 on Sliove Gallion a few d»ys prior to the decision of the Derby, — Harvest was scratched for tho Winter dip at 11.25 a.m.. and Pretty Maid for the Grand National Hurdles at 0.45 p.m. on Thursday. ■ r-St.. Kooriuga ie being supported for the National ■ Steeples in doubles and trobles. Principally .because ho is credited with 'having a jumper's chance. — Gwondqlina, the' promieing daughter of Fem»lo Franchise, displayed form in her races at Wingatui which suggests ete is entitled to a'Winter Cup. chance..

-4-St. Kooringa, tho local candidate for National honours, etruok one of his knees whilst being schooled recently, but the mishap ie not regarded as being a serious injury. — Somateria atntok himself whi'st doing a gallop last week, but fortunately ho tnado a complete recovery after being a bit lame for, » couple of days, ' ■ ,

— The interest taken in Slieve Gallion, the defeated Derby favourite, is instanced by tho fact that biograph, viowa of him at oxowise were a feature at one of the London theatres.

—It is understood that there is a prospeot of Master Delaval being seat over to Australia,.with a- view to 'fulfilling his engagement'in tlie Melbourne Cup.

—Helen; Portland is stated to be training on nicely lit Wanganui, and there is a, good prospect of her fulfilling engagements at the CJ.C. meeting nest month.

—At a Warwick Farm, meeting (Now South Wales),; bold on June 29. Brazier, a halfbrother by Projectile to Red Gauntlet, waa amongst tie winners during the day, — Kiatee. the lop-weight in the National Steeples, hoe started twioo previously in Iho race. '■ Last year he carried 12.0, and in Inniekillen's race ho carried 12.5.

— Waitorere'and Phaetoutia aie the ruling favourites for • the • National Steeples, and Cuirogna and Paritutu occupy the same position in tic Hurdles. * ' '• ■•

— Queensland's champion trotter, Harold, who has been failing for some time, was shot recently. He held the Queensland mile iecord, m«de 12 years ago at Eagle Farm— 2min 22Jsec. . . . '. '

—It is reported from Australia.' that Seddon, the rising three-year-old brother'to. Wairiii. has been substantially supported fo win the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups and V.R.C. Derby.

— taking a line through his handicap in the National Hurdles ; it would appear "that Parituhi has an excellent chanco' of scoring at .Wellington, whoro, he haa less to carry tlian he vrilj have to take up at .Biocorton. —A Ouistohuroh , telegram . states that "Romany King was scratched for all engagements at the C.J.C. Grand .National meeting at 0.45_ p.m.,- and Maniapoto was. scratched for the v Winter Cup at 4 p.m. on Friday. —If Buccleuch could bo landed fit and well at the post for the Winter Cup' ho would require a power a. boating. He is just tho sort to score in such a race, as ho is. up to weight and-,-brilliant iip to a mile.

—It is not a, , case of "like father, like son" with Medallion and his son Achilles, os the former is standing at 15ge, and the latterls owner wants a laigo number of maTes at twice that figure before ho will send his crack to tho stud, ■

— Some of the field'which contested the last National Steoplee have travelled a journey since they last ran between the flags at Riccarton: Playfair has since won in England, ana". Bongoii has , travelled to the "happy hunting grounds." — Phaetontis, who won the lost National Steeples with 10.6, has been allotted 11.9 in •the race to bo decided next month. Innjskillen, who won in 1903 with 9.13, has been allotted 10.7. Cuiragno, who scored in last year's Hurdles with 10,6, has been asiod to carry ,11.0 in this year's race. ■ — Against Flora Mac, who won the lost race at tie recent Kalgoorlie meeting, a bookmalier laid £100 to £1 and £100 to £2 just before the start of tho race. The late Fred Swindells would have eaid, "That man must havo been hungering :for £3." .Flora Mao paid £17 4s in tneßtraiglrtrouttoUlisator. ' ' —Mr Wren expresses his determination to run off Ins big £3000 raco next November, notwithstanding the fact that the V.R.C. reguhit ion relating to Ihe disqualification of torses running on unregistered' courses has been sanctioned by the Government. —Mt J. Wren his sent an application to tho Chid Secretary for permission to hold a charity race meoling at Richmond (Melbourne) on July 11, the proceeds to bo equally divided between the Molbourno, Women's, ami St. Vincent's Hospitals. ' —Nominations for the positions of officers for the Auckland Racing Club closed on Saturday. The Hon. E. Mitchclson was elected unopposed as president, said "Mr H. T. Gorrio as vice-president. For the eleotion of five committeemen 10 nominations have been received. . ,

— The blood stock breeders of France aro agitating against the restrictions placed on betting in that country, and have petitioned the Minister of Agriculture on the .subject. Ho has promised to put the matter before tho Select Committeo deputed to examine nil questions connected with racing. — The French four-year-old Mainfanony who has been Tofcd from the turf, cost Mr Vanderbilt £921 as a yoarling. and won him £30,331 in stakes, In all, Mainlouon won 11 races out of 1G starts, and only onoo missed a place, A strained tendon brought about his retirement.

—II is an indisputable fact (says an American writer) that to-day wo have not more than three or four boys competent to handle a hor&c »t the post, to control him, keep him in hand, gather him and "get away" with a field, or near it with a sluggish mount. This is demonstrated start after start, yet only the official starter is blamed for it.

—It is reported from West' Australia that the "dope" bad been used on certain animals before running' at tho recent Kalgoorlie meeting, and that tho matter was in the hands of a private detootive, who, however, up to ;dute had 'failed to find out anything. It has caused a gro&t sensation' over there, and several trainers fool unsafe as regards their chargos. — Since the declaration of the handicaps for ■the principal evonts to be decided at the Riccaiton : National mooting, the .selections innde hy double backers ato somewhat varied, and by no means confined to a few names. There is, however, amongst the wiseacres a disposition to go for Waitwero and Pb'netontis to the Steeples and Cuiragno in tho Hurdles.

—On May 27 Gallinule easily headed this season's winning stallions in England, with a total value of £C 659. His nearest rivals are Orme,aSo2; Desmond, £3937; Love Wisely, £3543; Hmco, £3383; 'Amphion, £3103; Pioneer. £2822; St. Frusquin, £2820 ss; Pietormaritzburg, £563 10s; Janissary, £2174; Diamond Jubilee, £2132; Bill of Portland. £2033; ■■ Sou of Mine, £3050; Matchmaker, £2049.

— The Special Commissioner of the London Sportsman was one of the critics who must have been considerably surprised by the result of the Dorby. After Orby had run a mile and β-half race at Baldoyle on May M he scouted the idea of that colt beaming Slieve Gallion. and. furthermore, expressed his belief that the latter was superior to Polar Star. Ho regarded Galvaiii as Slieve Gallion's most duiigorous Derby opponent, but thought that the latter only had to escape accident to win. — The State Executive Council have passed the regulations giving the V.R.C. complete control, of the Flemington racecourse, and authorising the V.R.C. to charge the following fees per year:— Bookmakers— Paddock, £(5; Mllj fSiiflat, fft, Clerks-Paddack, £5;

hill. £2; flat, £1. Jockeys, 10a; trainers, 10s; and'£l'{or each horse trained ou the course yer half-year. Hawkers,. 5s per day. The V.U.C. is given power to eject those who do not comply with the regulations.

— Tho acceptances received for the Winter Hurdlee to be decided at Wellington are disappointing in the fact that nearly ell the beet horses engaged have dropped out of the race, Cuiragno. Exmoor, Lady Huiie, Orucsot, Shrapnel, Landlock, Ability, and Black Reynard are amongst thoso inc'.uded in the missing list. The presence of some of the above lot would have made a considerable difference in the interest taken in the race. and probably shed some light on tho National Hurdles.

—If he can be landed at the post fit Mid well. The Mohican is entitled to a National chance with, 10.10 on his back. Some of his performances over the "amall sticka" nro us follows: —Kildaro Hurdles, 2 miles, won •with 10.13 in , iiiniii 49 <-ssec; Spring Hurdles, 2. miles, won with 11.0 in 3min 51 4-osec, and Port Cooper Hurdles, once round and a distance, won with 11.13 in 3min 11 3-sscc. A spell of stud work, however, does not assist a horse to repeat his racing form, and the son of Mauser will require, to show something on. the track before he can be given si winning proepeot. . —Wo hear (says the London Sportsman) that several of his Majesty's borees in baining and brood mares will shortly be offered for sale by auction, and thoi sale will be an important one; but this must not be taken that the King intends in any way to withdraw Ms patronage from horse-racing. On like contrary, hie Majesty's love of tho sport is as keon and his appreciation of the praotical good which it does to the country as emphatic as over, and ho has not tlie smallest intention of withdrawing from tne turf, but ho is of tho opinion that there is too much of one blood at Sandringbam, and has determined to maltc a change. . — Messrs Burnett and GTant report the following business on the Grand National double;-1000 to 2 against Hikairoa-Idasa. 900 to 7 Romany Lad—Laridlock, 900 to 6 Evenlodc—Paritutu, 800 to 4 Loch Pync— Gold Dust. 800 to 2 Hutana—Top Rose, 800 to 2 Innisk'illen—Kiatere, 800 to 2 Kiatere— Kiatere, 800 to 2 Kiatore—Lull, 700 to 9 Waiterere—Crousot, 700 to. 7,Romany liad— M*hoe. 600 to 9, Waiterere-Merrijvai, GOO to 2 Slow Tom-Top Rose, 600 to 6' Phaetontis —Ability, 600 to 2 Phaetontia-Gold Dust, 800 to 2 'Waitoiere-Te Via, 600 to 2 Needlework—Needlework, 500 to 1 Silicia—Kaipctipeti, 500 to 1 Pawa—Prospector. — The Wellington Racing Club'e winter meeting commences on Saturday..next, wad will be sure to attract a good , deal of attention even from those who regard it as a curtain-raiser for the Riccarton fixture. There has been'» considerable shrinkage in the list originally engagod in the Winter Hurdles, but there is still amplo material left to furnish a good race. A good' field has. accepted in .the.'.Wcllington Steeplechase, and it should provide a contest well worth going a, journey to see; The minor events have filled well, and there is every indication of a successful gathering taking place »t. Trentham. '■ . .

— "It has always been my opinion" (aays. "Javelin") "that the day upon which the weights are declared is tie best time, to endeavour to piok.the winner of a ;big' handicap. Judgment is then formed on' facts and occurrences, and not warped by 'information' subsequently gained and generally misleading. Of course, everything depends on horses training on and standing sound preparations, but that .is a matter which cannot be dealt with in anticipation., Assuming that all goes well with regard to training operations, if I were asked to pick a.double for theCaulfield Cup and Melbourne-Cup at the present time, I would name Mazarin and Dividend."

— The English jockey Eandsll, an cxamateur, is highly connected. The London Sportsman, in drawing attention lo Una said in a recent issne: "The victory of Brother Bill in the Trial Selling Plate at Newmarket yostorday was followed by the victory of Billy Boy in a selling plate a coup'.o of hours later, and the fact that Eandall rode both winners is a matter for coagratulation, because this was the jockey's first appearance in the saddle sinco his recent indisposition. His mother, Lady Bandall,' paid'her fii'st visit to 6 racecourse this year yesterday, and jt is easy to, understand bow pleased she was when Brother Bill got. home. Sir. Henry, Randall bought Brother* Bill in the sale' paddock at Newmarket last year for 030gs, and ho eold him after , the race Jof 620g5." ■ * — Orby prefaced his Derby victory by winning tlie Baldoyle Platei'one inile and a-half, at the Baldoylo May meeting,-and for which ho started at 13 to 8-on in & big field, aid covered tho distance in 2min 42 4-ssec. Captain W. Scott was represented in the Baldoyle Plate by the Abercam filly Hinemoa, but she did not get a place. Orby then left for England, protected by a bodyguard of 17 stout Irishmen, which doubtless was-arranged'by wily Mr Cwker aa a slur upon the character of the English rather than witti any fear of the colt meeting with foul play. Tho English Jockey Club started tho trouble by refusing to allow Mr Croker's horses.tq be trained at Newmarket; therefore, owner has no reason to hold kindly feelings towards his ex-friends in England. — A special cable to aa Indi%u paper gives some particulars of the running of the English Derby. John Bull led at the start, but after a quejter of J mile Sliove G-allion took command, followed by Betonian, Gfalvani, All' Black, and Orby. On;coming into the straight, Orby. closed up, passing his field, araltook the lead at the. bend.. Wool .Winder, who' had been making up ground fast, challenged the leader on neaiing .home, but Orby .maintained his advantage. It is already known that Orby was ridden by J. Eeiff, bu4 later advices show that Wool' Winder waa piloted by Madden, and Slieve Gallion by Higgs. The race wan robbed of some of its interest by the withdrawal of (.he FTench Dorby winner, Mordant 11, and also of Ouadi Haifa. The latter, liowever. ran unplaced in llio' French Derby, and registered a very disappointing performance. — The. great pace set up l>y Liouheart completely disorganised the bulk of the field which contested the V.B.C. National Hurdles. The Australasian, in referring to the raoe, said;—" Never in the history of the National has a horse led so far in the first two miles as Lionhoart did. At one time, he must have been nearly a-furlong in front. ITie only way lo follow the roco was to -watch him jump a hurdle, then turn the glasses on the others until they Tteie over, and pick Lionheart up again. It was like a hunt, with Lionheaitt. as the fox and the field as hounds. Backers of the fox. are to be sympathised with,-and so are thoee the fox beat through bustling them off their leas at the start! is one thing oortain—Lionhcart will got' a, great riso'-in tho weights for two-mile Taces." —Up to the end of June the revenue of Victoria had benefited to tho extent of over £5000 by the fees imposed on racing olubs under the Gaming Act of last year. Altogether 101 clubs have leceived licenses, which cost £1 each, and the 2 and 3 per cent, charge on the gnoss takings of 'these olubs amounts in all to £4991 Gβ 10d. the total rovoiiue thus being £5032 Cs 10d. There is still a.large number of racing,olubs that have not been licensed, but these are chiefly small country clubs that hold only one meeting in a year, and they mil not in many cases contribute anything beyond the £1 fee, as flieir gross revenue does not exceed £600, so that the aggregate revenue will probably not be very largely increased. The two big metropolitan clubs, the V.K.C. and V.A.T.C.. contribut.*] Bomewhere about one-half of the total amount received.

— At. tho Salisbury meeting, held on May 31, Howitt won the Salisbury Cup of 267sovs (oue and a-lialf miles) on Mr J. Buchanan's Golden Measure, who dofoated eight others, including tho Australian-bred Dalkeilh. Golden Measure woni out second favourite at 9 to 2, and apparently ' the New Zealandor was not allowed to ride his own race, as, contrary to his usual practice, ho was behind his field until a quarto of » mile from home, when ho came through and won comfortably. On tho second day of tho Epsotn spring meeting Hewitt had another winning mount by ridin? an 8 to 1 ohanoe in a horse called Shy" Lad -to the front at the finish of a selling race. Shy Lad was owned by Major Edwards, and sold utter tho race for 410gs. Hewitt also had a ride in a race on Dorby Day, and tho fact of his getting info prominence at such a meetins; would no doubt be a splendid advertisement fpj the lonnor Yaldhurst horseman.

RUGBY.