SPORTING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1688, 29 March 1884, Page 19

SPORTING NEWS.

' ' 1834. April 1, 2.— Taranaki Autumn. ■' • ' ' A. .vil i, £.. — 'J.'>.>ko<riairir<j A.mutl. ■ j)f i! iJ, i — Adhburtoii Aufiimu. F A!<riiß — VVfti-erley-Wi.i'. jtaia s-utamn. ' .'j>-ill£. — Tftinri Amateur, Turf Otabv< '> ' Afjiii 14, 16 — HukitiJcii An.ami., v , ' April 14, lfi.'--Aii<*!aud Autumn ' " ""'' ' lApnl.U. 15 ■•-Canterbury Autumn.. ■: • ,Apii! .£2,— P,^linerstoa,(UJajfo)Auau*l. ,„.. , ! April 21, 25.— Titnaru Anauil ,' , ' 'April 20, 10 — Invercargill Autumn. -'-"» l> ' ' Miy Zi. -Gfaqil Natiooa! SBuepleeftiwes (Canterbury) > <May2t— ' DunediifWimcr. ' ''. """ ' , ■ May 24— 'Cronfwfli'Win-eYl'i'^i'i '«> e>. Mty 23, 24.~rUuu$(Un Winter. - i>. •< ' ', ! ' "-''" ANSWERS COIt\4ESP'OKDBNT3: J.R.! wV,' Mullocky Gully;— lt rhakoa a 'second run of in 13 four. I-.', v<.: --I'mdj'i ■pi< T i.'f." J ,'■ f V. S,, I^Hnedin.— Jdr,, Q. r PjiJn,)l3 the sectary, and 1 he \i l ill'doul)U">'s l.if rm y-m.*- - „ . . X. V. 'Z"; JOHuo'lii^'-Tiij-frulo' veJrie"«''lH- different 5 , placos; the V,K,0,, fjirrinstauce, haye 1 abolu-h.'d the declaration t'j win, -t ;, „„ , f'oskTANT Sufl-oiußitii', Black'V— ( V.'a average for ths two manias would DoiJ'J. the .'.ins SouS out 1 ' inning j , not counting i>i striking, tha ,avorjnf«j. .though tne ' 'runs in each iuhiugVare added together. I ,!. " ' [ i J. 1 ■' ■> NOTES BX, .BEACON.' . The weights for the Tuapeka races ,were declared, so late that ,it is uq iuse publishing them now, for tbe meeting >vill- be f . over before this issue appears.,, It is, a pity that, the Jockey Club did not arrange to have them. ready at the'begin'ningf of last ( week inatflaj^pt only on Monday last, which is withui y three ( (iays of the races. „-.'*„ , ,[ c ' , •- Acceptances for the v 'Taieri Amateur Turf Club's races are due on the Bth of April. From the full programme of Palmereton and Shag Valley ; races, , just to; handufrpm Mr Gwynjie, I tuui'that.nominations close oh Monday (31st inst.) for the Hurdle ' Handicap, of 15 soys ;.Paluierston Oup, of 40 eovS; District Handicap, of 15 soys ; and Shag/Valley.Handicap, of_2o sovb. r - , v j ,f.,.r.- h r A Bouthern contemporary states that a meet! ing of gentlemen favourable to holding races at Wyndhain on the 24dh May, was held in the Farmers' ' Arms Hotel on 1 Friday eVeiiihg, when the following were appointed ■ offica-baarera :—: — President, Mr (J. F. "Richardson,;,, secretary and treasurer, Mr B. ,£. Dennehy ; committee, Messrs Winter, Kidd, Black, Milne, Roff, Tray nor, Forsyth, Moaaghau, Ayaon, 1 Laahy, Mortimer, Runkin, Boyd; Paul, and Mitchell. The membership fea was fixed at one guinea. A programme of sporta was, drawn out, and other matters were arranged. Mr Driver ha« withdrawn his resignation of the position of judge for the Dunedin Jockey Club and resumed Office. ' ' ' Handicaps for 1 Tokomairiro races have been framed a* under by' Messrs Dowse, Souness, and Taggavt :— > TOKOMAIRJRO HANDIOiP, 1 -: Ono mile and a-luU. . ' . • st> - < - ■ > stlb Tjia'-oa.. .. 9 2 Prosps.ro , , ..7 8 Thou,c. .. 813 Billy' .. ~ .. 1 A Ojn Jo-w ..8 7 .Molly Rawn ,! ..7 0 <J iptaiu \Veb3fi9r .. 8 2. 'Blu-jacke* ..7 6 Blaukboy ' .."8 0 Alinule..' .. 6 & PUBLIOANS 1 HA.NDIOAP, ' ', ' Ojc mile. ■■- st Ib - - . i 9t ib ' Don Jo 3« „ .. Blg . Larry i, . '.. 7 o Captain Webster .. 8 7 .Jenny .. ..6 10 Warwick* '.. 712 Ktiara 1 .. "' ' 6 8 Molly Bawn ... 7 7 < ..5 12 Proaiit.ro .. 7 6 Cmtanetto fllly .. 6 » B.lly ... ..7 2 , TROTTiNG HANDICAP. " „ Three miles. _ Wakitu .. scratch Boojjm ' „ 55 sea Bella .. ''15 860' Billy.'. " ' 55 «q" Fred , .. 82 see Nollie - .. 55 88 u Aceo£Club3 .. 82 sec Oatina .. go sc <h'irie'- -■' ..' 40 f 8(/c L "'Erriioa* - „ flOsoc Evanxdino'' .'. 40 s- c ' Ladybird ' .. 65scO Sgott'd Maiden.. 60 Bee Nancy .. 65 see Hogcr ' .'I 50 See Sulkie 1 '"'.,. 66 sec " HUBDLE HANDICAP. Two miles. '"at Ib ' - -• . pt j, Little John , .. 10 10 . Birdca6cher\ < s 0 O SpectatJr „10 0 Siumel . , „8 7 Gienlora .. 10' 0 ttanurer.' '.' ' ..8 7 Larry .. '<• .. •& 7 Qatway,- L,< ■ ,**. g y ' PRBSIDEJiTr'S HANDICAP " Taiaroa. 4\4 \ . ' Don Jose' - > , Uaptjin Wi'bstor , , - .Blaonljor, ,-" (Ji stanet; ' t ' Biily Warvrtok '• '" •'• ' Theuge ' ' Molly Ba-vu , Proapero .■ , Blue Jacket r Misa Griffiths. The aboy,e meetipg .will be held, on; Thursday and Friday next, and with fine weather should meet with' all the success that in variably attefided the' Tokdmairird' meetings ih'days of old. A large number of townspeople may ba expected to have a look in, the course beingnearly reached by rail. Tho handicaps appear to have been carefully framed, and it is a difficult job to pick likely winners/, Captain Webster is looked upon as being well in the Tokomairiro Handicap, aria possibly his quality may pull him .through;! still I fancy that Mr Goodman's Billy has a good- show, and next to him I apprehend danger , from Theuge. , The Trot ha 3 some well-known horses in "it and of the lot 1 1 prefer Fred' and Evangeline/if only they ' go steadily.- The f Publicans" Handicap depends so much on the running for tbe Tokomairiro Handicap that I,shaH not meddle with H bU l ' John lo?k^ a B?°<i.thing for the I hear that'Taiaroa has 'developed a bit of & leg, and has 'consequently had to be eased in his work. This is unfortunate, with the Canter* bury and Timaru meetings in view. The hon; treasurer of the Benevolent Institution • has received from the Danediri Jockey Club a cheque for £60' 2t 5d, the proceeds <f the Benevolent Scurry at the last race meetiii".. At Hyde'races tHe Hurdle Handicap w.. •> won by Mr Gordon's Cinderella (9st 4lb), h« t - only opponent being Mr Laverty's Peepii," Tom, who ran round the first hurdle. T) o Maiden Plate was won by Mr Lavdrty's EUpringfcon ; Hyde Cup, by Mr Reid's Benedic -„ who subsequently won the District Handicap also.; Trot, by Mr Scott'a Auld Reekie ; Selling Race, by Mr Laverty's Peeping Tom ; ami Hospital Race by Mr Laverty's veronica. A well-attended meeting of the Invercargi.l Raging Club was held in the Prince of Wale* Hotel on Tuesday, Mr Thomas Surman in the chair. The amount of the rent due on the Park reserve was passed for payment. The secretary and troasurer were empowered to arrange for any necessary works on behalf of the Club. The tender of Mr' J. Mackney for covering and otherwise completing the grand stand was accepted, and the work of fencing in a lawn and erecting a judge's box and stewards' stand was loft to Mr F. Burwell to carry out. Some conversation ensued as to the desirability of appointing a paid handicapper, a gentleman who would not be interested' in' any of the horses running ; but as his services would not be required for the forthcoming meeting, definite action was deferred. At the Lowe? Hawea races on St. Patrick

Day, the Hospital Race was the' 'cause of a deal oJ excitement. Each horae entered in this race had to be owned and ridden by a lady. Three horses faced the starter, and an exciting race ensued. The fair equestriennes entered iuto the contest with gre^i spirit, and showed . admirable skill and dexterity in managing their steeds throughout the race. Miso Annie M'Leod'a Jenny Nye landed a winner by a few lengths. Miss M'Leod rode a splendid race, aud was loudly cheered on passing the judge's stand. The meeting was a great success in every way, and the stakes were well divided among the competing owners. The Maiden Plate was won by Mr Hardie'B Mount Iron, with Mr M'Leod's Jenny -Nye ssdond ; Hack Race by Me Urquhart's Antelope ; J.O. Handicap by Mr M'Lennan's Moose, with Reindeer second ; a second Hack Race by Mr Wilson's Sir Garnet; the Hawea Handicap by Mr Urquhart's Reindeer, with Port . Philip Buck second ; and the Consolation Stakes by Mr M'Kay's Port Philip Buck. Wallace races were spoiled by rainy weather The durdle Handicap was won by Mr J. Hay's Cathodral, beating Mr Lyon's Bobby ; and the victor then carried off the Maiden Plate from four others. ( The Couuty Cup and District Handicap were both won by Mr K. Fraanr's Fidget. Mr Eraser's Sam secured the Selling Race and- Hack Race ; while Mr Hayes' Paddy won the Hospital Race. The Ettrick meeting was successful enough; , though there waa little speculation. ,Mr A. M'Pherson'a Marksman won the Maiden Plate, and another horse o,t the same name, belonging to Mr Loudeu, carried off the Consolation Handicap, after running second to Mr Mervyn's Sir Audley in the District Handicap and the Farmers' Purse. Mr Mervyn won three eventß in all, the J.C. Handicap falling 1 to his lot by the aid of Bla'ckboy. An Otautau correspondent writes to tho Riverton -paper :— A- numerously - attended meeting p|, the jQckey Club was held on Friday, evening at I) elargey's Hotel. Last year's committee was reappointed, with power to add to, their number., , It was resolved fhat races be held lon faster Monday. 1 , /It is anticipated that witb. the balance in jhand .from, ilat>t year the Committee., will, be'; able ,to offer prizes sum-, cientljft Valuable .to induce good competition' and, a, large attendance! ', meeting of the. Oamaru Jockey Club was held on Tuesday, aayirthe North Otago Times,. Mr A. Thomson being in the chair. A deputation, consisting of MessrsCreagh and Rule, waited on the Committee to,request the Oamaru Jockey Club to carry out under the auspices of the 1 plub a programme of four races for cavalry horses on Saturday, April 12, aud that the secretary be requested to apply for the use of the totalisator on that day. It was unanimously; resolved' that' the application be granted. The stewards of the* late meeting' lodged. an information tbat Marchioness Neil had riot been scratched for St. Patrick's Handicap in accordance with'the rules embodied in the programme, in' consequence of which dissatisfaction and inconvenience had been caused. It was resolved that the owner of Marchionefcs Neil (G. Lawson) be fined the sum of £2 2s, and that the secretary notify him of the fact, that the same must be paid within 14 days. A'letter was read from Mr A. Rodgers to tho effect that the police had interfered with the privileges of games purchased by him, whereby ha was 'obliged to. return the money collected for same. It jvas" resolved that as the privilege had been purchased^at Mr RodgarB 1 risk, . the Club could not entertain the matter. It was decided to 'hold a steeplechase meeting on Thursday June 12. Messrs Moss, Hill, Thomson, and, the. secretary were appointed a committee to draw up a programme, to consist of three steeplechases and three fiat races, the amount of the programme to be not less than . £300. Acceptances for the Canterbury Autumn meeting have been received as under : — GREAT AUTUMN HANDICAP, . Of 300 nova. . „ ' «t. lb. . , e t. lb. Tasman '.. ..9 5 Th&Poet .. .. 7 5 Mischief .. ..' 9 1 Rubina .. ..7 2 LadyEtiim*' ;. 9 1' Kelton .. ..7 0 Oudeis '..' ' .'. 8 8 Katakau „ .. 7 v Nonsense .. ..8 6 Spinaker .. .. 610 Vanguard . . ..,8 8 Comet •.. ..6 10 Salvage," „ ..8.2 Captain Wobster .. 6 f> Sou'wester '„. .8 1 Helena .. ..6 8 Turquoise,.. .. 8 0 flippodamia' .. 6 7 Ike '..>.. ..80 Hazard . . ..63 TheugoO .'. 712 The Jitt .. ..6 0 Taiaroa .. .'.7 10 Leodogran .. ..CO Tim Whifflor .. 7 8 Piincess Roj»l „ 0 0 - OHRISTOHUUCH STEEPLECHASE '' o OfiOOBOVB. • - ', ' Et. lb. ■ St. lb. Olarenca .. .. 12 9 Barbiry .. .. 10 12 Hercules .. .. 12 9 Black Doctor .." 10 0 There is thus a fine acceptance of 26 horses out' of 36 entered for the Autumn Handicap. Until the betting market has fairly settled down; I give tho following as approximate quotations, they being culled from Mr Snider's advertised list of the beginning of the week :—: — . .5 to 1 agst Vanguard < If 0 — IB Nonsenso 100 — 12 Oudeis 100 12 Sou'-woaJer 100 — 18 Taiaroa . • '10 — X \ ady Kmma ' I 1 ,10—1 M sciiief ' I 10 — 1,; — J-alvage / ." 10 — ,1 — — Turquoise 12—1 Hippndamia ' 100 - 7 Taxman ' ■ - -i '100 — ' 7, Ike 100 — 7 Tim Wbiffler' ' „,- , 100 -'7 Theugo 100—7 Captain Webster ?0— 1— — The Poet ' ■ 20— i Rubina ■' •- 20— 1 ~— '-Nelson ■ „ fv, '. 20-- 1 Spinaker • w 20 — ' 1 Hazard »v . ,< JJO— , I^— ! The Jilt • ,?0 — , li—r- P*inpeßß Royal <■ 100— 8 Utatalm ■' 100—3' — ' Of met ">- ■- 100i~ ,3 Lo (in^ran • •100—8 ~— Helena. ' f " Senex " says that "by their victories at Wanganui and Hawke's Bay The Poet and Sou-w ester are each penalised 51b for' the Great Autumn Handicap. They will have to earryii-The Poet 7st; 61b, and Sou-wester Bst lib." "If'would be 1 difficult to crowd more mistakes into the foregoing few lines than are to be 1 found in them.. Inthe'first place, The Poet incurs no penalty for winning at 1 Wanganui, for' the meeting was over some days'before the Great ' Autumn Handicap weights were issued ; secondly, The Poefincura no penalty for winning at Hawke's Bay, for even the gross value of the race he Won there did not reach 150 soys ; thirdly, if he had incurred a penalty at Hawke's Bay, it would have amounted to only 31b j and fourthly, if he had, as " Senex " nvors, incurred -a slb penalty at all, it would have brought his weight up to 7st 101b, and not 7ist 61b. # The nominations for tho Fairlio Creek Cup inHude Milo, Orange Lightning, and Trapper. iteally tho Christ church spoiting writers are an extraordinary set of men 1 Here wo have ; Senex now complaining that lin a late issue of the Witness made it appear that tho " disclaimer" of the paper for which he writes was a withdrawal of bis oommejits on the Pun, edin races. The truth is that there was not

the slightest approach to a reference to him, and his latest statement must therefore be tak«u as boiug made apropos of nothing at all, and simply to allow- him to glorify himself over the fact that one would never catch him, apologising for anything he had written, how erer unfair aud uujust it might be. The only re-i*mblance that I can trace between what "Seuex" aud hia interesting fellow- writer said lies in both paragraphs having evidently been written by individuals who were not near the racecourse on the Cup day. " Senex " was certainly not there, and it is heavy odds that his confrerb was not there either, so they must know a lot about a subject on which they have written so venomously. A meeting waa held at Temuka on Friday evening last to consider , the question of organising a race meeting. There were about 12 persons present, Mr W. A. Murray in the chair. After some discussion it was decided to appoint a sub- committee to confer with the Ger-aldine Racing Club, with a view of arrang- < ing a steeplechase meeting at Tnmuka during the hunting season. A trotting match has bean arranged between Mr Josephus Murphy's eh m Nelly and Mr Matthew Whiteman's g m Wail-a-while, for £20 a side. The match is to take place on the Timaru racecourse, on April 16, on a three-mile course, no whip to bo used, and neither weight to exceed 12a fc. The following are the weights for the Malvern Cup, to bo ,run for at Sheffield laces : — stlb stlb Robecca . . 8 9 Fair NpII ..77 Oao .. ..8 9 Uu.li ..7 4 Weeßoddio .. 8 2 The Fawn ' .. 612 At a general meeting of the Ashburton Club on Friday, Mr C. \V. Purnell in the chair, the chairman called attention to the fact that the Committee had been authorised to expend the sum o£ £200 in improving the running and training tracks. The Committee bad given every consideration to the subject, and were of opinion that the soil of the present racecourse was not sufficiently good for the purpose, and recommended the purchase of a separate piece of land. Two blocks of land amounting f?o eighty acres close to the present course had been offered to the Club. A lengthy discussion ensued as to whether the offers of land should 'bo accepted, and ultimately an offer to lease a piece of land from Mr Braddell was accepted.. On the motion of Dr Ross, seconded by Mr J. Carter, it was resolved not to "expend any more money upon permanent improvements upon the present racecourse. .For the principal events at the Elleamere races handicaps have been framed as under — ELLESM2RB CUP. st lb. at. lb. Youth .. '..87 Fair Nell .. 712 Weeßoddiu ..8 4 Nor'- Wester ..7 4 FLYING HA&DICAP. St. lb. st.lb Curate . . ..87 Fair Nell ..82 Youth .. ..8 7 ladyKllen .. 712 Gold Coast ..8 4 King Philip .. 7 0 Burlington .. 8 4 In commenting on the New Brighton meeting "Senex" writes: — "To say that it was absolutely an enjoyable outing for the visitors would be drawing too strongly on the imaginative. People as a rule attend this ( ryst for the sake of the holiday by t c seaside, with the attendant excitement cf a bit of racing and gambling, but it happened here that this part of the business was dragged out and dawdled over ad- naugeum. This is to a great extent consequent on the distance the horses have to travel from the saddling paddock to the starting post, which frequently occupied half an hour, and co long as the races aro run straight on end along the beach there seems little chat cc of improvement in this respect, and for the same reason it is impossible* to work up an excitement over the events while being run, for the position of the horses cannot be distinguished until within a few hundred t ards of home. We would, therefore, suggest to the Committee the propriety of starting the races at the winning post, running the horses along the beach for half the distance of the race, then round a post and back again to the start. This would rectify the present unavoidable delay, and the public would see just twice as much of the sport. If the New Brighton gathering is considered by the promoters as a race meeting where high class racing is tho object, then we must apologise to them for our suggestion, but we look upon it as a skylarky meeting for third and fourth-rate crocks, and tho more fun that can be got for the money the bettor. The races, as we propose, would not go t6 the swiftoßt, but they would offer a premium for clever horses, and bo a capital test of the judgment of their jockeys." It has beon arranged to hold the annual races at Tinwald on April 23, and an attractive programme of events h'»9 heen issued. The stakes amount in nil to £90. The principal event is the Tinwald Cup rasa of 25 snvs. Waiau races will be held on April 18 and should be a success, ovor £60 having fcoen already subscribed towavdn the funds. Greymouth autumn races this season, which were pretty fully telegraphed last week, are reported to have been the most successful ever held there, the weather and attendance being good, while, speculation was so brisk that £2283 passed through the totalisator. Mr S. Oaborno made a good start by securing the -Produce Stakea with his three-year-old filly Hakateramea, beating four others handsomely ; and I he followed this up by immediately landing the big event of .the meeting, the J. O. Handicap of 125 bo"8, "with that cut-and come-again customer Jack. Messrs Mason and Vallance'fl old servant carried the lowest weight (Bst lib) in the race, and won easily from Sincerity (Bst 81b», Mario Stuart (Bat 41b), Dan (9st 71b), and Volunteer (9st). Mr > Cameron got a couple of turns in the Railway Handicap and the Hurdle Handicap, winning the former with Happy Jack and the latter with Harkaway. The last-named was rather lucky, however, for of his two opponents Levant ran off .at the last jump but one, and carried Whalebnne off with her. Before the race came off, and while the horses were having a preliminary canter, Mr Nottle's mare Lurline cannoned against Cob, and had her shoulder put but. The Argus says that Bhe was immediately driven to the river and made to swim acrosß it, that being said to be the best possible thing to do. under the circumstances to force the joint back into its place. The' mare swam across, and was left on that side of the river for the night. On the second day, as though to keep everybody in a good humour, different owners had an innings, Mr Clarke's Levant beating Whalebone in the second Hurdle Handicap, while Mr M'Gafßn won the Goldfifkls Handicap of 100 toys, with Sincerity (Fst), who unexpected ly dofoalcd Jack (Bst '91b) and Marie Stuart (7st 111b). Mr Clarke cairiyd off the Giey Valley Handicap of GO soys with La/ly TTanis, and Mr S Emerson took (he. Consolation Klakea with thi aid of Marie Stuart. In the final event, the Forced Handicap, Hakateramea and Happy Jack fell, leaving Lady Harris an easy victory. Particulars nf the first day's races of the Boatmen's Jockey Club are to hand, by which it appears that the Trial Stakes of 15 soys' (w.f.iv ) w^s won by Mr Reilly'a Albion, bjsifcjng Comstock and Parnell with ease. Com-

stock credited Mr Duggan with the Handicap Hack Race, defeating seven others. In the Boatmen's Cup of 50 aovs Ale Duggan scored anothor.win, this time with Lillipee (9nt), who won comfortably from Albion (10*t 4lb) and Forester (Bst). A Eandicap Pony Raca tell to Mr M'Giulay'« Kate. Of the second day's racing we know little, but Oomstock won bo! h the Ladiea' Purse and i-aruipra 1 Plate, Lillipee tho Miners' Hand?cap, and Albion the County Purse. "Day Dawn," in writing in the Nelson Mail on the eubjpct of this week's race-meet-ing there, Bays : — " The Nelson Jockey Club is to be congratulated upon the larger number of entries received for the vaiious events. The Club, formed only two years ago, has shown considerable enterprise, and undor its management tho Nt-lsOn races now bid fair to approach what they wore in former years when Nelson held the premier position in racing matters in New Zealand. Alter two successful meetings held at Hope, the Club, encouraged by their success, entered into negotiations with Mr Charles Cauniug and flnnlly purchased a beautiful piece of land of 100 acres at Richmond, within a stone's throw of the raihvay-etation, for a racecourse. The price, £3000, was generally considered' high, but aa there was no other place so eminently wuitablo for a racecourse to bo had I think that the Club acted wisely in securing this one. To find the necessary lunds £500 had to be raibed on debentures bearing interest at 5 por cent, and these debentures were almost without cxc ptiou taken up by membess of tho Jockey Club, thus showing that a real practical interest j exists amongst the members. • The Nelson public have hitherto displayed an intense love of this truly national sport, and it is to be hoped that their zeal will never flag while good honest pport and fair play are the characteristics of their meetings. The course will not be in good going order for this meeting, as • the lateness of the season prevented the ploughing, &c., go essential to make 'good going,' but with the short time allowed to prepare it, the course has beon improved a good deal. A contract has been Jet to Mr Lyons, who seems to bo doing his duty well. One-third of tho course will bo very heavy, while the remainder will be just as hard, so this ought to suit everybody. Ifc is to be regretted that little or nothing has been done to make a training gallop, in consequence of which several owners are training their horses on private ground. The privileges for the meeting were sold by auction last Saturday, and. realised £140 more" than last year. The stewards appointed Mr Kvett, of Wanganui, the handicapper for, the first day's Hurdle Race and the J.C. Handicap, and although many considered that the handicaps could have been framed here, I think on the whole that it is more satisfactory to appoint one who is so thoroughly qualified in this respect." The following entries have been receirad fcr Waverloy-Waitotara Autumn races :— HANDICAP HUKDCES. Parnell Kelpia Denbigh flume Rule txcmnge Claude Somnui* D uid Onopu r>ußk Chevalier New Year < Notice of Motion S^rut.inter FLYIKG HANDICAP. La"i«l Pointer Mr George lmsk Hinemoa LeoncßM Ottbblb Ariiai Flora M'Donuld ftweet Hr.no Martha Patience Notice of Motion Blue Gown AOTUMN HANDICAP. Flora M'Donald Refrigerator Sir George Knipavain Ciaude Vint Water Leonessa Tauwira J-liuemoa Ahua Dusk Lauicl Aimouier Eayaid Sweet Home Martha Patience Hipt on* Notice of Motion In the list of acceptances for the Taranaki races, Laurel was omitted from the J.C. Handicap, Auctioneer from the District Handicap, and Painter (late Raphael), from the Plying Handicap. I'inal acceptances for the J.C. Handicap of 250 sovb close on Monday next. Cambridge races are fixed for April 30 and May 1, when close on £400 will be given in money and plate. The best prizes are the Cup, of 100 8 3vs ; two Hurdle Races, of 40 soys and 30 soya respectively ; Publicans' Handicap, of 50,8nvs ; and Steeplechase Handicap, of 40 soys and a silver cup. Egmont races were attended by over 2000 people, who were treated to fine weather and excellent lacing, though many of the finishes were not particularly close. In the Hack Race occurred the only accident to mar the pleasure of the day. A Mania boy, named O'Connor, was riding Apology, and had a good show of winning, when ho goL near a post, and striking it, was thrown heavily, sustaining fracture of lan arm and a leg. The public subscribed £30 for tho lad. There was talk of a protest iv connection with the Hack Hurdle Race. One of the horses entered was named Fair Play on the totalizator ; but after many people had laid their money, there was added to hia name "late Himalaya." Himalaya was known to bo a flyer, and the investments doubled on him in a very few rniuutes. There was a good deal of talk about tho matter. On inquiry, the stewards found that the owner gave the name Fair Play to the secretary in a casual way at first, but when paying his entrance foe ho gave the full name, and it was then posted up. The Hurdle Handicap, of 50 sovp, was won by Mr F. Harrison's The Druid (9st 51b), who beat eight opponents pretty easily, and paid a dividend of £12 18s. The Hack Hurdle Race was won by Mr J. Chadwick's rather inappropriately named Fair Play, referred to above. In the Flying Handicap, of 30 soya, there were seven starters, but Mr A. Standish's Witiora (7st 101b) won with a bifc in hand, Mr G..Clout' H The Pointer (6st 121b) running second ; Mr P. Tancred's First Water (6at lib) third. Sir George (Bst 71b), who seems to have lost all his form' of late, was among the unplaced contingent. The Novel Hack Race, of 30 soys, was taken by Mr Peter's The Pearl, and after this came the Egmont Handicap, of 130 boys, in which a fine struggle took place between Witiora (7st 12lb) and Refrigerator (7st 41b), the mare, however, scoring a second clear win. First Water (7st 61b) again occupied the unenviable position of third place. The winner paid a dividend of £8 14a. A fine field of eight contested the Maiden Plate, of 40 soys, and a hot favourite in Mr Fleetwood's Martha justified tho support accorded her by winning easily. The Nursery Stakes, of 30 soys, proved to be a match between Mr Paneti's Miss Puritan and Mr Gibson's Koromiko, the former winning oa c ily. A capital field of nine horses met; in the District Handicap, of 50 soys, which \v,is carried off by Mr D. Caropion's Laurel I7st 91b), with Normanby (Sst 121b) second. In the Consolation Handicap Mr Standish scored his third victory of the day with Okato. The sum of £1.900 passed through the totalv Bator during the meeting. The Hawke's Bay races have been pretty fully telegrapJxed down bere^ and tha,re onjy remains to jjive a few detoiis gleaned from

the local papers. The weather was fine, the attendance numbered about 8000 for the two days, and the "machino" had £9196 invested in it. The starting appears to have been particularly bad, however, and led to a great deal of growling. A Hawke'a Bay papar says that Mr B. G. Bessee, of tho Bay State Studio, had hia camera on the raceourse during the first day's race meeting, and took a view of the grand ! stand and surroundings as the horaes were j entering the straight in the Napier Handicap, j A most telling picture is the result. The tier upon tier of anxious faces in the stand ; the eager pushing of the crowds in front to get a view of tho race ; the climbing up on carriage wheels ; the standing on box Beats, are all depicted to the life. The picture was taken by the instantaneous process. The Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association have resolved to offer to the Jockey Club their right, title, and interest in the whole of their land at Hastings used as a racecourse and show-ground, less 20 acres occupied by them for shows and sales of rams, together with all improvements thereon, and the right to use the grand stand and racecourse during the day or days set apart for exhibitions of stock or the sales of rams for £7500. The Hawke's Bay Telegraph says that a very foolish statement that was made by thd Herald about Mr W. .Douglas having refused an offer of £500 for his horse Loch Lomond, on the ground that the object of "the purchase was for bettiug purposes, has not a particle of truth in it. Mr Douglas called to request us to contradict the ridiculous assertion, as it made appear that he wished to cast a slur on the bookmakers. He assured us there was no foundation for the story whatever. • Nominations for Takapuna Autumn races have been sent in as follow :—: — • FILING STAKES. Merlin Swordsman Mystery MUraitleuse Fiageolut Nigger Kewi Vubtttill Kalo Pißhwomau Parameua Dinuthu > BASTfIR HANDICAP. . Merlin Paramona Vortex Golden Crown iJyetory tiwortltttnan F.'ageolet Kigfft-r ! Brj'an O'Lynn Tiubi Bill Viahwomau • Taipouti Winnie Rewi K.tlo Diabthus. I , STEEPLEOHASF. Chandler* Shotover 00/rigan 1 inman Harkaway Chris: Unas Angler. HURDLE RACE. Shotover Woodpecker Otara Minuet (late Highland King Hum) Harkaway Christinas I Angler Quilp (late Old Ireland) Over £300 w»3 given at Henderson's Mill Autumn racep, and about £1300 passed through the totalisator. Proceedings opened with tho ' Hurdle Handicap of ,60 soys, which was won by Mr E. Halatead's Minuet in a field of six. Mr H. Kavauagh won the Maiden Plate of 35 soys with Bryan. O'Lynn, who beat seven others very easily. Next came tho Cup of 100 soys, in which Messrs Lyons and Blaikie'a cross-country horse Woodpeckor (7sfc 41b) won by three longths from Fiahwoman (Sat 41b), Mystery (6*t 101b) finishing third in front of four others. Mr W. Potter's useful horse Paramena secured another of hia favourite selling races ; and ( the Corinthian Cup then fell through owing to only_ one horse (Mitrailleuse) being weighed out for it. The Railway Handicap of 50 soys saw Woodpecker (Bst 71b) again in the vein, he winning handsomely ironi Paramena (7at 7lb), irishwoman (Bst 51b), and four others. The Novel Race of 25 aovs was taken by Mr Duder's King. Weights for the Auckland Autumn meeting have been issued as follows :—: — EASTER HANDICAP Two miles. 8t lb it lb Leonora .. 8 10 Normanby .. 7 2Leonata .. Hi Administrator .. 7 2 Tho Poet ..8 4 \V»pni.. ..7 2 Hercules .. 7 12 Escopeta .. 6 Si tuba Bill .. 710 Radames .. 6 0 Maori .. ..7 8 Myotery - ..Co Libeller .. 7 8 Briar .. ..6 0 Pish woman .. 7 6 Uilderoy ..6 0 Noleon.. .. 7 4 Larrikin ' ..0 0 Kalo .. .. T 2 , STEEPLECHASE. Three milou. St lb a* lb Hercules ' .. 12 7 Chevalier .. 10 0 Chan<i]er .. 11 12 FlyiiigrScud .. 10 0 New Year .. 10 12 Shotover .. 10 0 Woodpecker .. 10 10 Harkaway .. 10 0 Billy-go-bj -'em . . 10 10 . Ohtistmaa . . 10 0 A WORD ABOUT MA.TAKU. TO THK SPORTING EDITOIt OTAOO WITNBSS. Sir, — In reading your sporting uotea from Chriatchurch I was highly amused when I came to the portion of the notes alluding to the Waiau races, wherein it states that any horses going there would have to meot such horses as Mataku and Montrose ; also, that the former's light was until now hidden under a bushel, and that he carries 16st at his morning gallops. Ab to the wonderful shining light he is, ho failed to show it at the Hurunui races about three weeks ago, he having been beaten by a common livery -stable hack at welter weigh t-f or- age, one mile and a- quarter, in the Waitohi Plate. I may say the pony he ran I against is. of ten, used for hiring purposes, not for carrying her owner, as he is about 163t ; and as for Mataku's doing his morning gallops with 16st up, his trainer and jockey (Murfitt) j is only about. lOst. I must remark in conclusion that your Christchurch correspondent ; mtfst be either misinformed or, as "Beacon" says regarding tho Canterbury writers, very imaginative,— l am, &c, Subscribes,