SPORTING AND SPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 10

SPORTING AND SPORTS.

* THE TURF, Bx Sentinel. THE FORBURYTABK MEETING. The latter end of nest week will mark a very important period in the history of light-harness racing in Otago, _aa it will sec, if all goeß well, the opening of tbo new coureo which lias been constructed at a great deal ot oxpar.o on the old Forbury Park Raoecourso. There has always been a great deal of sentiment surrounding the Forbury Park Racecoursc. It was thoro that racing flourished when many other now prosjxsroua clubs wero unthought of, It wan thero that some of tlio beat of our old sportsmen niado racing in Ot&go amongst the best in Now Zealand, and it was there that famous battle# wero fought and loft tho victors famous in turf history. That atmosphere of sentiment lias never left tho old ooureo, and one is continually hearing expressions of regret that tho Dunedin Jockey Club ever I' the old plaoe. If the Forbury Park '1 ; Club can revive and add to the olu attachment to Forbury Park, tho future is an assured success, and trotting meetings held there will grov in popularity from meeting to meeting. But tho club doos not require to rely on memories of the past to make their .meetings at Forbury Pary of an attractive nature, bcoause to-day they havo one oi the bcet-anpointod trotting tracks in Australasia, and their prize list is sufficiently rich to attract sow© of tho best horses in training. There appears to ba no doubt about tho future prospects of Forbury Park meetings if tho management givo satisfaction to tho public and the raoing is 6uperviaed' in a manner calculated to preservo and advanco llto best interests of the sport. During tho past few seasons there has been a decided iinpi-ovoment in tho quality of tho sport witnessed at T'ahuna Park, but it was still open to improvement, end with progressive programmes, strict control, and a, desiro to ploacc the public this club should never lly their flag' on their property without Racing Ao enclosures well-filled with an evergrowing army of patrons. Tho club is doserv'jig of great success for having tho courage to undertake their now venture, and the writer will be backed by many Others in wishing tho new course all tho good luck it deserves.

THE CUP MEETING. The N.Z. Cup meeting 'which was Drought Ui a 6iiCoC66ful termination on bafcurday last, stands out as one of tho ' r y best held at Riccarton in reoont years, vcipilo tho bad weather which happoned along on Cup Day, the attendance appeared to. rival that of tlio Exhibition year, and during tho romainder of the gathering tho enclosures appeared to be inoro liberally Ittironised than usual. Many well-known fnces .woro missing, and Otago and Southland woro not 60 well represented as at previous meetings, but their absence was not noted in the vast numbers which had journeyed from tho North Island and tho West Coast. It is quite elear that tho principal meetings at Riccarton are steadily growing in popularity, and no doubt the reason why southornora do not so liberally patronise tho Cup meeting as formerly is on account of the attractions furnished by tho Winton and Taiori meetings. A couplo or thrco seasons ago the stand accommodation at lticcarton promised to bo amplo for many years to come, but on Cup Day the stands were taxed to their utmost capacity—particularlj- when the ram set in—and many. people were unflblo to obtain shelter when they most tho track and lawns bore tho tax on thorn the track and lawns boro tell tax on them in a remarkable manner, and at a casual glanoo the turf looked ulmost as fresh and green on tho last day as it did on 'jto The track was in excellent order if 0110 can judge by tho rapid times which were registered during the meeting, and this despiU) the luin which saturated the going on the first <lay ami tho strong breeze which was in frequent prominence and blowing against tho fickla as they raced up the home strotch. Tlip Riccarton straight is long enough for any. thing, n,nd far too long for many horses accustomed to race on smallor circuits, whero tlio. winning post is comparatively speaking just round tho corner of tho homo turn. Accentuate tho severity of the last quarter mile by a still' head breez? and it 's no wonder that many horses stop to nothing ill tho final slriigglo For supremacy Throughout the meeting the interest in the sport was kept alive and full of vitality by large fields. olos* an.| exciting finishes, and the fact that all tho luok and intelligence the public could bring to bear in (heir efforts to locate tho winners failed to achieve siiceces in raco after race Nothing will waken a man (juioker than to find somebody olne's hand in his pocket, and at Riccarion tho downfall of favourite after favourite must lmvo kept the [wople on the alert in their endeavours to stein (he golden lids which was flowing out. of (heir poi'kets. In the handicap events the public were very wide' of the winning mark, as only one favourilo gotfup on the liirt day, jionti on the second, two on the (hird, owing to Saxifrage being fortunately coupled' with Tenterhook, and not one on tho final day, It must not. be imagined, however, that everybody let. A fow of tho wiseacres had a good win over somo of tho l'acess, but their success was duo to extra spccial information not public property. Thero was a minimum of enthusiastic cheering as tiie winners returned lo the bird-cage, and it would bo unnatural to expect pcopio to found (he loud hurrah ivl-.en they have (o trumpet through an empty pocket. Still, to anyone who made modest wagers .and wnto.hed tho running without being extittinely alarmed as to tho financial results, and those fond of racing and poetising a fair knowledge of what transpired between the riec of the barrier and tho I final dash past tho winning post, the ontim meeting was a. most enjoyable one. The general management of tho meeting lift very littlo to be desired, but in sendiiia riders out in tho rain to wait several minutes at tho post tho stowarda displayed an utter lack of consideration f.proplo scantily garbed as possible. It is to be hoped that such a cast-iron and thoughtless adherence to the regular rule on Ihe point will not again bo observed at Riccarlon. It. is quite elear that Mr J. E. Ilenrv's handicapping was disl.inct.lv puzzlim: 'to bacKois, but Mr If. Piper's starting was not Hi happy as usual. In nearly every raco, however, tho horses were well iu lino when) sent awa.v, but in (lie Case of Slaney mil Lady Lucy 011 (ho hist day these horses did not appear to liavo ail equal chance with their opponents at the start. The customary crowding of tho publio at the mile and u-quarUir post obscured tho viow of tho start for (iio Fendalton Handicap, and consequently no decided opinion car bo expivssed as to whether- fxuly f.ucy was left, through being turned the wrong way or merely bpcauso her rider was teni|>orarily iii the! land of nod. Tho steward's inquired into tlio running of a couplo of houses, but did not vouchsafe to furnifch any information to tho Press room. Apart from tho inquiries of which tho publio learnt tho fact tliat they had. takon place, thero was 0110 or two othor happenings in tho running which invited the attention of the offroials Possibly oilier inquiries were held in a moro or Itvsa formal manner according to the official opinion of their seriousness, but whether that is so cannot fco said owing to the reticence observed. It must be said, however, that tho publio aro entitled to more information than they liavo been getting in tlio past. Thcv lind tlio money, and it is but. scant consideration to treat them as at present. It should bo mado publio as to how and

why tlw etowards eanctcnm or condono tho various happenings on which tho club's patrons venturo u vast amount; of money. IN A NUTSHELL. The well-known nicer Harvest is now doing harness work. — Tho C.J.C. paid away 15,51050vs in stakes over tho Cup meeting. Tawhaki was passed out of tho aalo ring on Monday last at 175 guineas. — uflieo Girl was sold for 300sovs during (lie currency of tho Wintou meeting. — Lady Lucy, tlio winner of the Now Zealand Cup,' was sold aa a Youngster at 3-gs. — Mr Francis Fey has offered a cup of tho valuo of lOOgs to Uio Sydney Cups of 1910 and 1011.

— Maltster, who is proving himself one of the crack sires of Australia, cost his present owners 1350g5.

— Kairoma is brilliant on tho flat, a good fencer, but apparently has a heart about tho size of a poamit.

— Royal Fusiloer was represented at the Cup meeting by a couplo of smart two-year-olds in and Kohinoor.

— King Post was put under tho hammer on Monda-y, but failed to find a buyer. It is understood the reserve was 300gs. Effort was well backed in tlio Cressy Welter on Saturday last, but she failed to stay on in a solidly run six furlongs. Passion, who whs doing particularly brilliant track work prior to the Cup, failed to show up in her racca at the meeting,

— Merrie Zealand galloped short when ho went down in his preliminary for Ills Metropolitan Handicap, and he did not finish in tho first soven.

— The TVyndhun Racing Club will give away 400sovs iu stakes at tboir annual meeting. The principal mcs will have a 70sov etak«j ~

The Seer, who won the Shorts' Handicap | on Cup Day, was put under the hummer . at Riccarton on Saturday, and bought in at 45sovs.

— Mi 69 Mischief was made favourite for the Cressy Welter, and after being with tbo leading division throughout the race, finished close up third.

Formedon's races in the early part of tho Cup meeting sharpened him up a bit, and he ran a good race when he scored in the l'iohoer Handicap.

— Oiyoi began fairly well in the Fendalton Handicap, hut ho got lost in tho crowd after going a coupto of furlongs, and did not finish in the first six.

— Valdimar tan a good race in , the Members' Handicap, and had ho been placed with less ambition would in all probability havo proved a winner at the meeting. Gunboat got blocked at the bottom of the straight as the field raced to tlic distance in the Seymour Handicap, but onco clear be put iu (v fine run and won handsomely. During tho four days of the Cup meeting 90,36050vs was put through the totalisator. Tho amount mentioned represents an increase of £-2151 over tbe last year's figures. Master Soult made his only appearance at the Cup meeting in the Members' Handicap, in which ho finished in great style after getting a had .passage in the early part of the race.

— Bobrikoff was the only favourite to, score on the last day of the Cup Meeting, and punters on tbo iavourito got wide of the mark in going for a recovery over the gathering.

— A fine finish was witnessed in the Pioneer Handicap on Saturday, when Fonnedon won by a head from Martyre, whilst Lord Kolviu was a neck away third, and Warsong close up fourth. '

— Sortie's produco usually make good prices when they go under tho hammer as yearlings, but last week the filly representing the. dam of Orloff. appeared to sell cheaply at lOOgs,

—'l'heodoro has plenty of pace, and ran well for six furlongs in the Avon Wetter. On tho dash he displayed in that race no should be found winning over short courses during tho season.

— Xaumai is on tho dam's side devoid o£ pedigice, but over a short course lie can show his heels to horses whose ancestors can bo traced back to the first volume of the Er!>li«h Stud Book.

Gold Lace paid an excellent dividend when she won tho Members' Handicap, and apparently the public feigot ?he was iu tho race, or oould not believe she bad won the Stewards' Handicap.

—It is understood that Mr J, B, Reid goes Home to England 'in February' next and whilst in the Old World it is possible that he may purchase something to further strengthen his stud.

tfyland was one of the most • brilliant horses that raced at .-the Cup meeting. He is, howevery, a bad beginner, and is apparently limited to a five-furlong course when running in good company. — Zetland looked particularly well when racing last week, but the class he was in appeared just a bit too high. He ran a good fourth in Cressy Welter, and had somo fairly fast horses behind him at the finis'h. — The Sylvia Park maro Dolce was regarded at liiccarton as one worthy of being kept in mind when she was tunning, but slip failed to materialise even when it is said the stable imaeined they bad a winner. Flitaway ran badly in her races at Eidcarton, and although undoubtedly brilliant, IB too timid to show her best galloping abilities when competing in a large field. Hdr previous form goes to strengthen that opinion. C. Jenkins is reported to be mailing a, steady progress towards recovery. It is not known whether tho club held an inquiry in order to find out the cause of the accident which has put Jenkins under the doctor's care. '

— Nominations arc due on Friday of this week for the Dunedin Jockcy Club's summer meeting. Several well-endowed events arc on tho programme, and •their value should attract a liberal patronage from horseowners.

The, numerical strength of the fields 6con out at Kiccnrton was maintained in a remarkable manner, and an average of about 13 for the handicap events shows that the publio had something to look at during the meeting.

Boutade was left at the rise of the barrier in the Fcndalton Handicap, and it is surmised aho went over tho rails, because she could not see where she was going in the dust raised by the others as they raced away from the post.

— The profit made over the Winton meeting will bo in the neighbourhood of OOsovs. There was a splendid attendance, and the totalisators registered .<9711i, or ijC33 above Inst yenr's total, whilst six bookmakers were licensed each day.

Tawhaki finished well in tho Cressy Welter, and if he had experienced more luck in (he early part oi the racc would have been able to concede Sharpshooter the Sib difference between them in tho handicaps, instead of suffering defeat by a neck.

Roosevelt was one of ihe unluekiest horses that ran at the Cup meeting. He was secoud in tho Cup. fourth in the Metropolitan and Jockey Club Handicaps, and third in tho Fer.daiton Handicap. Near enough to keep Ihe weight up, but too .far away to rake in the money.

— Prim ran a good raco in tile Feadalton Handicap, and loolrcd to lioUl a fair chance of winning when she headed the field as they raced up. the straight. . ■ AbfrKrothusk, howevor, beat her handsomely over the last furlong, but she struggled on gamely to keep into second.place.

— The winners were 'particularly hard to find'at Iho Cup meeting, and unlets the solution of Ihe handicaps is easier the bookmakers will be getting all tha nionev. For those operating on tho course tho meeting is said to be the best tile mctailicians have had at Riccuiton for years..

-Vologda, who p„{. away with a flying start iu the Aslioy Handicap, had that race won tram the use ol tlio hairier. Her second in the Seymour Handicap under 'J.lo demonstrated what a hard nut (hey had to crack when she was in the Asliby with a moving .-tar; to help her tbrouji.

showed good form at the Cup meeting, but failed to gain a winning bracket. Ho looked a better 'horse on the last day oi the meeting than he did in the Stewards' Hf.mliiVip, but he could only get second in (ho Members' Handicap (o Gold Lacc, whose form clearly proved her win in the Stewards' Handicap was not a fluke.

The Rothschild gelding, lievcnue, will probably attempt to lower tho Forbury I'ark Trotting Club's mile record during the currency of tlio forthcoming trotting meeting, lo bo held on the new course. Revenue won in 2.15 last week, and if he acts up to (hat mark should esfablisli a new record for tho club if (heir track is in good order. Czar Kolohol was a well-backed horse for the Members' Handicap, but ho could not pace it with tho sniarlcst of (hi) others in the early part of the race, end had a jot of ground lo make up before lie could get inio a winning position in the straight. He did get fairly close to the leaders at the distance, but could not sustain his eft'eri.

— 11. O'J-Xmnell. the trainer lor .\fes=rs Stead Bros., was lined lfisova for semliii" a boy with a whip to assist Kingdom ofT°tlio mark in the J.C. Handicap. The stewards intimated that a. repetition oi the olfenea would probably lead to O'Doimoll losing his license. Other irainers commit far moro serious offences, but frequently escape even a mild punishment.

-In addition to buying the yearlings Which, fell to Ins hd at tho blood stock -ales, 111 St. John liuckley ha? also purchased tho Kilchcran—Ambush filly, which was sold at lOOgs. Mr lluckley an adof 50gs, and as Kilcheran's stock ?ivo promise of being valuable on the rscin« (rack, tho fow of his fillies that are about may ono day bo highly prized by studmasters.

. —All unfortunate accident robbed those prcsont at the aafo of the Elderslie yearlings of Iho ehanro of seeing one of Achilles's stock, the first of that great racohorae's yet to come under tho hammer. This in reference to tho Stepka colt got by the crack son of Medallion. Stepka is a half-sister to Elevation and Provocation, but her colt unfortunately broke his back whilst running in the paddock.

Mr Bruce Christio, of Oamaru, lield what is to be liis first annual snlo of blood stock on Saturday last. There was an excellent attendance of tho public, and tho three yearlings sold consisted of a bay filly bv Kil-chcran—Merry-go-roimd for 00 guineas; a brown colt by Kilclieran—Grand Rain, at 50 guineas; ami a black colt by Sir Dove— Waimato Maid, at 20 guineas. —liingdove won the Jockey Club Handicap in good style, aud was galloping on at the finish of tho which sho ran ill 1.10 4-5. Tho English-bred mare has been unlucky up lo date, as she has recorded two seconds m tho Metropolitan Handicap. In the J.C. Handicap sho was helped off the marl; with a whip, aud her trainer was landed cn the carpet for the breach of rules.

Aborhrothock established a reputation for consistency with those who witnessed him raciug last week. He won tho Fendnlton Handicap with 8.10 iu 2.7 l-ssec, and scored in excellent style. His win in tho Metropolitan was also a meritorious performance, and in both events ho won like a stayer. Evidently his owner made a mistake in not having his horse included in the X.Z. Cup field. —In winning the Avon WeHer, Diafcolo won back some of tho kudos lie earned by running a good third in last year's Derby and second in the Canterbury' Cup. Since then Diabolo has not run up to tho promise of that form, but now that ho has struck ft win may bo found doii'tr belter work under silk, He certainly ran liko a stayer in the Avon Welter, and may be found winning over a journey.

Lady Lucy looked far better to the eve when sh& went out l'or tho I'endalton Handicap than she did prior to the Cup. She was left standing at the post in her last race, aud took no further part iu the frav. Tlie Cup-winner was well backed, biit the majority of the people failed to sec that tho i߻ie was left, #nd were somwhat mystified

when they could not see her during the race or ihoot out at the finish to win in the manner in winch shq annexed the Cup. —R. Lewis has ridden in 15 Melbourne Cups. Lewis had his first Cup piopnt on Onward in 1&95, nut! lie has ridden in the big twomil" race every year since. The late Tom IInle;s rode in 16 Cups, and his record lias not been excelled. Trafalgar's jockey (Barden) ha 3 had nine Melbourne Cup mounts. li. Lewis and J. It. Flvnn were the only jockeys riding in the lns-t Cup that had already a Melbourne Cup win to their credit. Lewis succeeded on The Yidory in 190*2, and Flynn rode Lord Nolan last year.

— The Messrs Stead Hros. were not conspicuous buyers at the yearling sales held lost week. They . only purchased one oi Mr J. F. Iteid's lot. and this was the Stepniak—Britoiuarto 'filly, which went to them tit 80gs, and the Quarrjman—Mist filly at Sir George M'Lean's sale. The Meiers Sten/J have evidently a partiality for stock running back to Lady Gerlrude, as both their purchases aTo of that family, and may have been acquired with a view of subsequently being added to their stud.

— The late Mr John Gunn, partner in the firm of theatrical entrepreneurs, Meynell and Gunn,' had bo lived, would have been a gcod winner over Aborigine and Prince Foo'e, he having backed the double "two Cups," also the first-named straight out for a fairly large sum, half of which bet was paiu over to his executors as the result of Aborigine's dividing tho .Caulfield Cup with Blue Book. As Mr Gunn died ill the interim separating tho two Cups, the salid wager he bad concerning Aborigine and Prince Footc, became, of course,, void,

— The Stcpniak-Madder yearling did not find a purchaser at the blood stock sales last v/eeit. Unfortunately she met with an accident which injured her head and left defective sight in one of her eye?. Apart irom Hint, she was an attractivoly-built youngster which, from close relationship to All lted and others ot the same breeding, must have had a good value for racin ,r purposes. The Mudder filly entered tbe ring with a 200gs reserve, and was passed out at that figure. Possibly slie may be raced, but it is iiiore likely that she will bo given an early opportunity to prove her value as a producer.

— Slaney put in a big jump at the first fence of the I J ort Coopsrs Hurdles, and came down through over-jumping. lie cnrawled and knuckled after landing, and after k staggering on a bit unshipped his rider. Slaney evidently requires a good leak it his fences, and' vroiiid probably do best in front of his field. In the race under notice b aney appeared to be in front of the post whan the others jumped away, but as he bad to ba turned round he was last to got going. Under the circumstances it appeared m* i i have no chanc-o of getting tho stakes, but all doubt on the matter was promptly seltlert at the (ir=t fence. Personally, I hove always been in .avour of the (otalisator, and as a private member introduced a hilt more thp.n once providing for its adoption,' said tho Premier of Victoria when referring to the surrcsW - H- broker, a member i n , Vw'. 9 0lmi ! kc . at a gathering iiGKI at JMefnington; but in answer to n question Mr Murray said he did not think it would be the slightest good introducing such a bill in tho present Legislative Assembly, as it would have no hope of passing. Tills the Premier stated wis the strength of a general knowledge of members' views. .

-Amongst tho fillies sired by Kilchcran and purchased by Mr J. Duncan was one out of Ishtar, who is particularly rich in the allconquering Onlopin blood, of which she receives three strains through her dam and one through her sire. Ishtar was got by Ilaut Brion (son of St. Simon) from Kinevali, whose second dam is a sister to St. Simon. Nineveh wns got by Prince Budolph, a- son oi Prince Charlie (sire oi Locliicl). who represents one of (lie greatest speea lines in tho Stud Book. The Ishtar filly should certainly be a galloper if a preponderance of successful blood iu her veins has anyihing to do with such a thing, and her prospective value at the stud is such tlmt she should eventually prove one of the gl-eat bargains of the sale.

EobrikofT paid a good price when he landed the Stead Memorial Gold Cup for the second time, but a paddock rumour that he was lame no doubt helped lo build the figure. BobrikolT rail six furlongs under 1.11 on tho morning heforo the raco, so that there could not have been much wrong with the speedy gelding. Evidently the .touts had made 11 mistake, as it requires a fairly goodlegged horso to comfortably gallop over 10 furlongs in 2.7 1-5. Last year tho gelding won in D.7, but he did not I]eat Artiilerie so comfortably a? lie did the field he was nil 'gainst last week. Ou Saturday the iisld against him was represented by All Red, who had run three severe races; Husbaudinan, who apparenth is not at his herd; Ringdove. in receipt oi 2!b; and Ingcda, a useful bul by no means high-class filly. An excellent list of nominations has b?en received for the opening of tho new coin-so at Forbury Park, and some large fields are likely to ba seen out at the meeting. It is regrettable that Canterbury is not more liberally represented in the high-class events on (lie programme, but still there is sufficient material engaged to provide some good sport. Judging bv the largo fields seen out at Addington last week there must be a very large number of trotting horses in training in Canterbury, .and it is somewhat strange that more of them have not boon enWgod ill the valuable race-- lo be decided hero at the end of tho mouth. There is, however, a good number o( attractive local meetlugs taking place in Canterbury during the season, and it is quite evident that special inducement has to be held out before some owners can be tempted to travel their horses far from home.

—ft would not be surprising if some of the yearlings vfhidi went under the hammer las! week eventually found their way to Sydney in the autumn and were once more brought np for sale. It was the opinion of moro than one go(nl judge that although fairly coml priccs were made by some "of ihe yearlings in no case was an exorbitant li.-.ure paid. On the other hand soma were sold that should have made bolter pricc;, but there did not appwr to he too much money abaut last weelt for speculation in the thornuehbred juveniles. For instance, several oi Kilcheran's stock would have Bold at small prices if Mr J. Duncan had not stepped 'in and pmcursid the most of them, and, this in the face of the form ahawn by Kiliindini, Kilwinning, and co. Kilcheran was an exceptionally fast horse, and his stock clearly show prospects of mah'ing good, honco his strain may become very valuable. It must of necessity become somewhat rare, as the son of Kilwarlin died some time ago, and an English authority claims Kileheran to bo the best horse that has ever left England for Nev; Zealand since the days oi Musket. If that is so it is really e great pity that Kilcheran's stud career in this country was co 'brie?.

— All Red looked none (l'.ts worse for hi 3 exertions in Iho early part of the Cup moi'tifg, when lie went out- to contest Iho Stead Memorial on the last clay of the gathering, but ho won beaten u long way from home. Xo doubt ho could have" been a bit closer at (lie liniph if his ruler had cloctetl to punish his mount, hut -(lie son of Maddor had iv fairly hard week in rr.cir.g in tho A'cw Zealand Cup, Metropolitan Handicap, and Canterbury Cup prior to meeting a fresh horse in Bobrikcff on tho last day. Downfall did not appear to be particularly well handled in the Canterbury Cup. The rider in endeavouring to keep his mount with tlio rest, of tho field, fought and pulled last year s Cup winner about too ranch to help hmi over a two-and-a-quarter-niile journey, .there is a vast difference between keeping a horso well in liand and continually unbalancing his strido through pilling him about during a race. Downfall is evidently « hit of U handful, or at least he was (or he Jockey who had the rid* in tho Canterbury Cup, and when ho was done milling lie was done going. • * -'1. has severed his connection Still M - vellow u an .f black of tho Messrs btead Bros. At the owners' remtest an inquiry was held into tho riding of llistori in the Oaks. The filly appeared to be gcini; we 1 over the hrst three or four furlongs, but then commenced to hang out badly and lost her place m tho fioTd. She was hoiielojsiy last as the horses turned into the straight. At the inquiry it is understood evidence camo out that the filly is difficult to control on tho training track, and there he matter ended, but M'Comb handed in tho colours and would not use (hem oga'in at tho meeting. M'Comb was again on the carpet, for the riding of Los Angeles in the LlCetric 1 late, and after the race was prevented from leaving the stewards' room until people whom ho stated had backed the horse on his bolmlf were sought for Only one was found immediately aftor tho race and evidently it was -proved to tho satisfaction _ of tho stewards that the horse ms genuinely backed, because after finding fault with M'Comb's riding no further action was taken. A 9 far as the writer knows, no information was furnished lo tho press gal- < /, " IK i fonsequeutly nothing is known ■ot tho official opinion on ihc matter. Los Angeles appealed lo be running unkindly in the early stages of the race. His head was! in tho air, and apparently he oould not pace with the others until reaching tho! rails. Here he got an opening .and cradua ly 'improved his position until he finished dose up fourth. There is no doubt that Los Angeles acted disappointingly, but whether it was duo to the fact that he could not strike- into uis proper stride or because it was his first race on the straight courso or bccanso the horse was not at his best cannot be said, bccause tho stewards did not deem it necessary to make any statement , nm, ' cr - 1' was publio property that MCoinb was on the caipct, that he was asked on his oath what lie knew about tho Ownership of Los Augeles, and that he was kept in a separate room whilst evidence was being obtained as to the backing of the horse, so that there could be no "collusion between him and others on the matter. The existing Star Chamber method of s=dactin« inquiries generally leaves a stigma attached to the carpeted person, and as a matter of

justice racing stewards should furnish the public with information as tothe nature of the inquiry, the gist of the evidence, a3 v/ill as Hie official verdict on the matter.