DUNEDIN CUP. AUCKLAND TRAINING NOTES. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES,

Otago Witness, Issue 1778, 19 December 1885, Page 19

DUNEDIN CUP.

AUCKLAND TRAINING NOTES.

CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES,

100 to 9 agst Lady Emma 100 — 9 Lochiel 100 — 8 Fusillade 100—7 Hermitage 100 — 7 Leon \ 100 — 7 Trenton 100 — 6 Tasman 100 — 6 July 100 — 6 Everton Lad 100—6 Stonyhurst I 100 — 6 Captain Webster 100 — 5 Russley | 100 — 5 Wapiti 100 — 5 Derringer 100 — h Nelson 100 — 5 Turquoibe 100 — 5 Necklace 100 — 4 Tiger Tim 100 — 4 Sou-wester 100 — 4 Fusilier 100 — 4 Tasmania 100 — 4 Ilubezahl 100 — 3 Ascofc 100 — 3 Taiaroa 100 — 3 Capsize 100 — 3 Take Miss 100 — 2 IVJinerva 100 — 2 Jupiter 100 — 2 Miss Cook 100 — 1 Warbeck 200 — 1 Matanaka.

The jockey Derritt came over from Melbourne by the last steamer and proceeded to Christchurch on Tuesday. He will return to Victoria in time for the V.R.C. Autumn meeting, at which the Hon. W. Robinson's horses have some valuable engagements. R. Mason returned to New Zealand last week, and purposes seeing the Auckland meeting through before coming south. Mr Fonnelly, trainer for the Hon. J._ White, has come over to attend the approaching sale of yearlings bred by the Auckland Stud Company. Dan O'Brien ha,s given the name Sextant to his recently-purchased colt by Robinson Crusoe — Sunshine.

A meeting of the Tokomairiro Racing Club was held last Friday evening at Mr J. A. Duthie's office. There was a large attendance of members, and Mr D. Reid, M.H.R., president of the club, occupied the chair. The report and

balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance on last year's meeting of £134 was read and adopted. It was resolved to hold the next race meeting on the last Thursday and Friday in January next. Messrs Mason and Roberts*' offer to work the totalisator was accepted, aud a sub-committee was appointed to draw U2) a programme of events to be submitted to a meeting on Thursday evening next. The amount of added money will probably exceed that given last year, aud there is every prospect of an interesting meeting. There will be some changes in the details of the programme, and I believe that one novelty will be a Consolation Trotting Race to be run on the second day. Mr D. Reid was re-elected president; Mr D. Corsan vicepresident ; and Mr G. Dowse (with whom will be associated Messrs G. Coombe, J. M'Farlane, and J. Parker), handicappers. I hope that if the handicaps are framed at one time for the two days penalties for winners on the first day will be provided. Mr J. A. Duthie is again secretary. The following nominations have been received for the Kakanui races, which take place on Boxing Day : — NOVEL HANDICAP. Mr John Martin's b m Dignity, 4 yrs Mr J R Sewell'B eh m Zoedohe (late Pauline Deschapeles), 4 yrs Mr W S Martin's eh m Ino, 4 yrs Mr O It Wise's eh m Little Jane, 6 yrs Mr C Caldwell's b m The Eagle, aged I Mr AOr Sutherland's eh m Marion. HANDICAP TROT. Mr W Milton's br or blk m Maggie, aged Mr J Frame's eh m Mareweka, (j yrs Mr J Meikle's b m Jean, aged I Mr ( D Gordon's eh g Butcher Boy, aged I Mr D Monroe's b m Molly .Mr W M'Lean's roan m Onward, aged Mr A G Suthei land's b g Darkey, aged Mr C Caldwell's g g Fenian, aged Mr Joseph Black's b g Misraarck, aged. KAKANUI HANDICAP. Mr O R Wise's b g Gaiters, aged Mr W M'Lean's b g Chester, aged Mr J Ward's br g Hob, .aged. PUBLICANS' HANDICAP. Mr Geo Robertson's b g Fishhook, 6 yrs Mr J Russell's eh g Freebooter, aged Mr O R Wise'B b g Gaiters, aged Mr JRSeweil's eh m Zoedone (late Pauline Deschapelleß), 4 yrs Mr W M'Lean's b g Chester, aged Mr J Ward's br g Bob, aged Mr W M'Coue's blk g Mectric, 3 yrs. , The following weights have been declared for the Wairio race meeting : — I HURDLE RACE. St lb gt; Hj Catliedral ... 11 7 Pre-emptive Right 9 7 Mountain Deer ... 10 0 Speeler 90 Gipsy ... ... ?> 7 Tyke ... .['. <i 0 WAIRIO CUP. Spectator ... 9 0 Lady Ellen 7 5 Pre-emptive Right 7 7 Ladybird 7 5 Claret ... ... 7 7 Florence , ... 7 5 TROTTING RACE. Pat Molloy ... Scratch Paddy . i.5 See Bob Ridley ... „ Comet \ 15 Charlie ... lOsec. Belle Mahone . 20 " Quickstep ... 10 „ " " Augur" writes on the sth inst., after a visit to Flemington : — I saw the New Zealanders, all beginning to look well again, though it is doubtful if Vanguard will stand a severe preparation. When this horse goes to the stud I hope his services will be retained for Victoria, where sires of excellence are very few indeed. Mr Morrin is in Victoria on the look-out for a stallion to replace Musket at the Auckland Stud Company's place. He has offered 3000 guineas for Commotion, but Mr Pearson does not care to part with the old horse, and Mr Morrin will probably send to England for a Blair Athol horse. Chance was scratched for the Dunedin Hurdle Handicap on the 10th inst. For the Cromwell races handicaps have been framed as follows : — HURDLE HANDICAP. St lb S (; JDJ D Marquis ...12 0 Boots 10 4 Foul Play ... 11 7 Reindeer "' 10 0 Dunluce ... 11 4 Hnricot 9 n Garibaldi ... 11 0 o>istan "| r j2j 2 GRAND STAND HANDICAP. st lb s fc if, 1 Puck ... 9 10 Thespis g 0 Don Jose ... 9 8 Knickerbocker Sam 7 10 Temuka ... 9 8 Cymero 7 10 Dunluce ... 8 12" Miss Cook ''79 Amulet ... s 12 Statesman "" 7 7 Jupiter ... 8 8 Solitude . 7 0 Young Barwon ... 8 8 Sunbeam 6 12 Epicure ... 8 8 Haricot "" « 10 Blackboy ... 8 (i FLYING HANDICAP. st lb st lb Temuka ... 9 10 Cheap JacJc .82 Foul Play ... 9 6 Miss Cook 8 0 Amulet ... 9 5 Statesman 7 10 Dunluce ... 9 5 Cymero 7 12 Joe ... 9 0 Solitude '.'77 Epicure ... 9 0 Magician 7 2 Thespis ... 8 7 Plunger .". 6 12 Oudeis was sold for 100 guineas for stud purposes. Welcome Jack has accepted for the Tattersail's Cup (Sst 81b), Carrington Stakes, o f 1000 soys (Sst 121b), and Sydney Summer Cup (Sst "Actsaon" asks in the Canterbury Times, " Who ever heard of a margin of sst in a handicap?" I should have thought everyone had heard of an even greater margin than that. In the handicap for the Melbourne Cup of 1869 there was a difference of 6st between the top and bottom weights, s|st between the second and bottom weights, and sst between the third and bottom weights, The handicap started with The Barb (list 71b), Glencoe (list), and Tim Whiffler (lOst 71b), while -it wound up with six horses at sst 71b each. Nominations for the Vincent County Jockey Club's races have been received as under :-— HURDLE RACE. Foul Play Mabel Reindeer Peeping Tom. J.C, HANDICAP. Knickerbocker Lilac Young Barwon Sam Skipper Statesman Don Jose Jupiter Sandy Miss Cook Thespis Sunbeam MATAKANUI HANDICAP. Jupiter Foul Play Don Jose Suubeam Miss Cook Thespis Young Barwon Skipper Knickerbocker Sam. OPHIR HANDICAP, Sandy Miss Cook Reindeer Sunbeam Cheap Jack- Skipper Statesman Don Jose Snowdrift Knickerbocker Sam. Tenders were opened by the Lake County Jockey Club on Wednesday for privileges in connection with the forthcoming races. For the grand stand and booth there were three tendnrers, ranging from £30 to £53— the tender of Mr James O'Kane for the latter amount being accepted. For the gates five tenders were opened, ranging from £32 to £45, that of Mr J. M. M'Dcmald for the latter amount being accepted. There were no tenders ior the other privileges, and it was ordered that, the president and secretary be empowered to dispose of them privately. A meeting of the committee of the Waimate

Racing Club was held on the sth inst. Present — Messrs* Studholme (chairman), J. Molloy, J. S. D'Emden, M. Sherwin, S. S. Revens, and J v Dooley. The meeting was called to receive ten* ders for the right to work the totalisator at the races. Two tenders were received, one from Mr Harris, of Oaraaru, and one from Messrs Mason and Roberts, of Dunediu, the tenders of the last-named firm being accepted. The Ground Committee reported several improvements recently made on the racecourse. The following nominations have been received for the handicaps at the Waimate races on December 31 and January 1:1 :— • First Day. • DISTRICT HURDLES, Of 20 soys. Boi'o Wildflower Firefly. WAIMATE HANDICAP, Of -10 soys. Scaltheen Tim Whiffler Mokarakara Cicero Moody Viking. PUBLICANS' HANDICAP, Of 40 soys. Scaltheen Tim Whiffler Jack Mokarakara Chinaman Vanity Fair Borderman Viking Cicero. COUNTY PURSE, Of 25 soys. Electric Borderman • Vanity Fair ' Second Day. HANDICAP, HURDLE RACE Of 40 soys. *?° co „. Coryphee Borderman* Silver lung Unit Moody. TRADESMEN'S HANDICAP, Of 40 soys. Scaltheen Tim Whiffler Jack Borderman Cicero Chinaman Vanity Fair Viking Mokarakara: LADIES' PURSE Of 25 soys. Borderman Purti-adei- Mokarakara Cicero. FLYING HANDICAP, Of 20 soys. Chinaman Tim Whiffler Jack Viking Electric Vanity Fair In connection with the Christchurch Midsummer meeting owners would do well to remember that acceptances are due to-day (19th) for the Midsummer Handicap, of 300 soysMiddle Park Plate, of 250 soys; and Hurdle Handicap, of 100 soys. Nominations are at the same time due for the Selling Race, of 50 soys • Craven Stakes Handicap, of 150 soys ; New Year Handicap, of 100 soys ; Hurdle Handicap (second day), of 100 soys ; Nursery Handicap of 150 soys ; Hornby Welter Handicap, of 100 soys ; and Flyiug Handicap, of 150 soys. A special general meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club is convened for the 18th inst (writes " Senex") to consider the new code of racing rules which which have been compiled by the committee. It is understood that they have been submitted to the Dunedin Cluß for their approval, and ' there is every likelihood now that these two clubs will shortly be running under one set of rules. A copy of them is to be seen at the Jockey Club's office, and from the cursory view I have had of them I take them to be very complete. At the same meeting it is probable that the question of a paid starter will be mooted, and no doubt the compilers of these new rules contemplated such a move or they would never have perpetrated the absurdity of making an unpaid officer of the club liabl« to a fine of £50 for making a mistake in the start. The following handicaps have been declared for Heathcote races : — HKATHCOTE CUP. St. lb. S (. lb Master Agnes ... Bin Charmer 7 o Billy -. ... M 5 Sediment , " -, n Fusilier ... is f> Titbit ... "' } „ Maligner ... 8 2 Merniaid ""' a i<> Puck ... ... S 2 CorrieVic ""' « ? Leon ... ... 7 s Foreafc King '" « 7 Water King ... 7 5 Nellie ... '"'«/> Patrician ... 7 2 "" J WELTER HANDICAP. Billy ... ...10 4 Silver Queen ... 8 9 Fusiher ... 10 4 Azim ... ... $ 9 Conundrum ... 9 6 Nelly ... 8 <t Charmer ... 9 0 Ingoma,r '" 8 7 Sediment ... 9 0 Curate "an ■J'tbit 812 Oeo ... ' I" , 8 0 Mermaid ... 8 11 Strop ... ... g 0 HURDLE RACE. Master Agnes ...12 11 Azim ... 9 a Ravenswood ... 10 12 Baldie '" 9 a Secretary ... 9 9 Ingomar "" 8 7 Irish King ... 'a r, Polly ... '" s 7 Peter Osbeck ... 9 2 * "" , ' SADDLE TROT. Axe ... ...scratch Linwood 55 sec Lunatic ... 5 sec. Billy Buttons '.".'. 55 ' Cock Kohin ... 17 „ Arthur 55 " Jimmy Brown ... 30 „ Erin ... '" 55 " £"#•',• * •" 30 •' Jenny Lind '.'.'. 55 " Polly (late Maud) 40 „ Dolly ... co 8r511.vB r 511 .v ••■ -10 „ Shakespeare ..'. «o " Miriam ... 40 „ Wait Awhile ... 60 " Titokowaru „, 45 „ Bluoher- i;o " Conger „, ir> „ Frolicsome .'.' 60 " Energy .. .50 „ Tramoro ... 60 " Richmond ... 50 „ Maori 150 " Alaggie M'Qregor SO „ Bess ... "' «g *' Rockwood ... 55 „ Ruby... *."' 65 " HARNESS TKOT. Axe ... ...scratch Erin ... ;,. 40 sec Jimmy Brown ... 25 sec. Arthur .. 40 Curly Kate ... 25 „ D011y.., '" 45 " Polly (late Maud) 25 „ Duohessof Rich-"" Peter ... 25 „ mond ... 45 Narrow Gauge ... 25 „ Bonny 50 Miriam ... 30 „ Dairymaid 50 Billy Buttons ...35 „ Wait Awhile .50 ' Rockwood ... 35 „ Pauline ... 50 Jenny „. 40 „ Maggie ... 50 A large number of sporting people assembled on the Ashburton racecourse on Saturday afternoon to see' a match run off between Mjr L. Bfarkey's Dan' O'Brien and Mr J. Corbitt's Captain. Captain (with the owner up) was carrying lOst, and Dan O'Brien, ridden by W. Mit» chell, Bst 71b. The match was for £20 a side, and the distance one mile, over four flights of hurdles. It resulted in a capital race, the pair keeping together nearly the whole way; and Dan just beating the old horse on the post by about a neck. Bight horses afterwards started in- a hurry scurry race for £4, which was won by Mr Merries Poke. The following training notes are by "Actseon"; •' I paid visits to the racecourse on Tuesday and Wednesday to witness the moaning gallops^ but there was no work of any great importance indulged in. On Wednesday morning. Ji had the pleasure of an introduction to Welcome Jack's, half-brother Chantilly, acd Hermitage's half* brother Secuvus, the property of Mr 6. G. Stead. Both show a lot of quality, as do all the Apremonts I have yet seen, but of the pair above-mentioned I much prefer the son of Miss Elat, who is a gentleman all over, and has a beautiful style of moving. He, in company with Beresford, cantered a couple of miles on the plough, and Securus went once round the tan steadily. Sierra cantered and Marion did halfpace work on the plough, on which track Lochiel also covered three miles, the first half of the journey at a canter and the rest at a'good halfpace. Dan O'Brien gave Trenton easy work on

the tau. He iroves iv such a stiff and clotty style that to look at him in his work one would not think that he was the champion' of the recent V.R.C. meeting. Tasman covered a mile and a half on the plough, and then picked up Water-Colour, and the pair covered a mile at a good striding gallop. I was quite surprised to see the improvement in Water-Colour, who seems to have thoroughly got out of her bad habits. Visitors to the training track previous to the Metropolitan meeting will remember the temper she showed and the trouble she gave in her morning work, but young Bowie, who looks after her, has worked wonders with her, and she now goes as steady and straight as could be wished. Derwenter, Tasmania, and Hermitage did slow cantering on the tan. Fusillade and Leon covered a mile and a half at three-quarter pace, both moving freely and well. Rocket and Conundrum had a three-furlong spin together, the former having a bit the best of it. The remainder of the work was unimportant, with the exception of a trial over a mile and a half between S. Higgott's Patrician and J. Armstrong's Corrie Vie. The latter made the pace very hot for a mile, when Patrician got up alongside her, and then had his own way home. Ashburton races were favoured with fair weather and a good attendance, while speculation through the totalisator was indulged in to the extent of £3859. On the opening day the County Hurdle Race of 30 soys was won by Mr P. Rollitt's Hammock, by Perkin Warbeck (Ost 91b) from Mr J. Corbitt's' Captain (lOst), Mr J. Warner's Wrangler (Bst 101b), and three others. That very useful horse Jack (Bst 10lb) won the Free Handicap of 40 soys for the Messrs Hobbs, heating Titbit (Bst) by a neck in lrain. 45§sec. for the mile ; while Tim Whiffler (Sst 61b) and Little Pet (6st 6lb) were almost beaten off. The Ashburton Cup, with its 125 s.ovs in added money, attracted but two starters — Mr J. Pilbrow's Fusillade (7st 21b) and Mr P. Butler's Talebearer (7st 81b) — and as the pair were the best horses that ran during the day, and the time of the race the .worst, I have no doubt the affair was squared. Titbit (Bst 71b) was pulled out again for the Ladies' Purse, and won it, with a bit in hand, from three duffers, to whom he was giving years and weight, besides. The Post Stakes, of 15 soys, was w*on easily by Mr Roughton's Gold Dust in a field of eight ; and then a very peculiar affair occurred. The Flying Stakes, of 50 soys, was the next event, and the following horses started for it :— Mr H. Hammond's Rocket (Bst 21b), Talebearer (Bst 91b), Jack (Bst 2lb), Forest King (6st 121b), and Redwing (6st). A fine race resulted in a length victory for Talebearer from Rocket, with Jack a good third. The time for the six furlongs being given as lniin ssec led the stewards to suspect (wisely enough) that the horses had been started from the five-fur-long post, instead of the right one. This proved -to be the case, and they declared the race null and void, the money invested in the totalisator (£475) being returned to the speculators. The race was ordered to be run off again at 7 p.m. (!), and as only Rocket then turned up, he had a walk-over. As legal proceedings are not unlikely to arise in connection with this matter, I shall refrain from commenting on it. On the second day proceedings commenced with the Hurdle Handicap of 50 soys, in which Mr G. Rutherford's Master Agnes (12st 71b) beat King Arthur (list 101b), Secretary (9st 101b), and three more pretty easily, though he is said to have pulled up very lame. The R. C. Handicap of 75 soys, was rather unexpectedly won by Mr A. Hai>horne's Spade 'JJuinea (6st 121b), with Leon (7st) second, TaleDearer (Bst 41b) third ; while Tim Whiffler (6st 111b) and Titbit (6st 51b) were unplaced. The County Handicap, of 25 soys, was secured by Mr A. Comyns' The Gem (Sst 101b), after a dead heat with Mr J. Dawson's Tramp (7st 111b). There were four other starters. Mr H. Coulter's Fraud beat eight others for the Totalisator Stakes, of 15 soys ; and Tramp won the Welter Handicap, of 40 soys, for Mr J. Dawson. In the Consolation Handicap, of 20 soys, Mr S. Alexander's Forest King (6st 71b) beat Secretary (7st 31b) and Leon (9st 31b). Weights for the Lower Valley Jockey Club Races have been declared as follows : — PLYING HANDICAP, Of 35 soys. st 1b sfc lb Administrator ... 9 2 Gentle Anuie ... 7 2 Eevoke ... 8 1 Gabble... ... 7 0 Ugly Buck ... 7 12 Fawn ... ... (5 10 Lifebuoy ... 7 10 Theodore ... 6 4 Pilgrimage ... 1 7 Lady Albany ... « 0 The Slave ... 7 3 Capucine ... 0 0 HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, Of 100 soys. Director ... 12 7 Seagull ... 10 3 Claude ... 11 13 Flying Jib * ... 10 3 Kangaroo ... 10 10 Halicore ... 10 2 Skylark ... 10 7 Elsthorpe ... 10 0 Skipper ... 10 4 Jack ... ... 10 0 Loch Lomond ... 10 4 Ngarata ... 10 0 J.C. HANDICAP, Of 85 sovb. Administrator ... 9 7 Revoke « ... 7 1 Ugly Buck ... 8 0 Rata ... ... 7 0 Liiebuoy ... 7 12 Rollo ... ... C itPilgrimage ... 7 12 Theodore ... (5 4 Gentle Annie ... 7 6 All Day ... 6 0 Gabble... ... 7 3 It is understood in Wellington that the Island Bay Park Racing Club intend to curtail the number of their meetings next year. While on the subject of Island Bay, it is but fair to owners and trainers that I should remind the management that, despite the promises they have made and the support they have received, little or nothing has been done in the way of providing a working ground for racehorses. .An eight feet wide ploughed gallop was certainly made, but from want of proper attention it is now as hard as any road. The total sum spent for the benefit of racehorse owners has probably not exceeded a £5-note. Trainers are justly entitled to consideration, and unless the Island Bay management provide something decent in the way of a training-ground, the horses at present located there will have to be removed elsewhere. I have had to put matters thus plainly because it has come to my ears that the directors seem rather to be aiming for the declaration of a dividend than for the convenience of racehorse owners. I would ask them to bear in mind that if they lose the support of the latter they will find it difficult to declare much of a dividend to shareholders. The following nominations were received by Mr Barton (secretary) for the Featherston New Year's Day meeting : — HURDLES. Loch Lomond Pkylark Walk-Over Skipper Halicore Claude NEW YEAR HANDICAP. Kakapo Little ,Scrub Lifebuoy Nikau Administrator Gabble Revoke Gentle Annie. P.H.C. HANDICAP. Greyhound Fritz Kakapo Nikau Administrator Gabble Revoke Gentle Annie. FLYING STAKES HANDICAP. Cribbage Dan O'Connell Little Scrub Lifebuoy Fabrication Lady Albany Copucine Gentle Annie. Betting on the Wellington Cap is almost a

dead letter, 100 to 10 on the field meeting with no response. Pasha would be backed at 500 to 40, but layers only offer 100 to 10. 200 to 3 is on offer the two Cups, Wellington and Island Bay, but backers are .scarce. The following are the weights for the MartonRangitikei races, at the New Year : — HURDLE HANDICAP. Of 60 so vs. s( lb bt II) The Druid ...12 7 Rambler ... 9 10 Totnra ... ••■ 10 12 Patent Safety ... f> 7 Porotawa ... 10 9 Gazelle ' ... 9 3 Anaroa... ... 10 3 LadyAfchol ... 9 0 Loch Lomond ... lv 0 MARTON-RANGITIKEI HANDICAP. Of 200 soys. Administrator ... 9 4 Norraanby ... 7 5 Ascot ... ... 9 2 Trickster ... 7 3 Armourer ... 812 Awatea ... 7 0 Speculation ... 812 Veni ... ... <j 7 Laurel 1 ... ... 8 0 Germaine ... 6 5 Bayard... ... 712 Miss Puritan ... 15 0 WiJbei-foree ... 7 t> Gallant ... t» 0 DISTRICT HANDICAP, Of 50 soys. Laurel ... ...DO Germaine ... 7 5 Bayard... ... 812 Lady Florence ... 7 1 Normnnby ... 8 fi Miss Puritan ... 7 0 Parvenu ' ... 8 2 Hagar ... ... (i 12 Blue Gown ... 7 11 Poppy... ... 15 12 Ringleader ... 7 9 Experiment ... B 0 FLYING HANDICAP, Of 40 soys. Parvenu ... 9 0 Lady Florence^ ... 8 5 Blue Gown ... S 10 Hagar... ... 7 12 Ringleader ... 8 8 Experiment ... 7 0 Awatea... ... 8 7 Escapade ... 7 0 Miss Puritan ... 8 5 By a card programme of the Taranaki race meeting, to be held on the last day of March and first day of April, just to hand from the secretary, I find that nominations are due on January 4 for the J. C. Handicaj}, of 250 soys, Autumn Handicap, of 150 soys, and several other important stakes. The added money at the meeting amounts to £870. The following weights have been declared f or the summer meeting of the Manawatu Racing Club :— PALMERSTON GUINEAS, Of 100 guineas. st lb st lb Administrator* ... 9 4 Trickster ... 7 3 Ascot ... ... 9 2 Parvenu ... 7 2 Speculator ... 8 12 Ringleader ... 6 9 Lnurel ... ... 8 0 Germaine ... t> ft Bayard ... 7 12 Miss Puritan ... (i 0 Wilberfoiw ... 7 6 Gallant ... 6 n Norrnanby ... 7 5 FLYING STAKES, Of 50 soys. Laurel... ... 9 0 Miss Puritan ... 7 7 Bayard ... 8 7 Lady Florence ... 7 <i Parvenu ... 8 2 Poppy... ... 7 0 Nonnanby ... 7 12 Hagar ... ... 7 0 Blue Gown ... 7 12 The Pointer ..6 7 Ringleader ... 7 10 Painter .. <! 0 Tntnrft ... ... 7 7 HURDLE HANDICAP, Of 30 soys. The Druid ... 12 7 Rambler ... 9 10 Totara ... ... 10 12 Patent Safety ... 9 7 Pjrotawa ... 10 9 Gazelle ... *9 5 Lady Bab ...10 7 Lady Lee ... 9 0 Anaroa ... 10 2 Weka ... ... 9 0 The following nominations have been received for the WANG AN UI CUP, Of 500 soys. Armourer Capsize Alpine Rose Speculation Normanby Refrigerator Pasha Salvage ' Woodnymph Verc The Poet Libeller Tetford Salisbury Administrator Gabble St Clair The Laird Grand Duke Victory Laurel Waitiri Rifleman Brown Ascot Hagar Bayard. Egmont races are fixed for February 24, and the stakes amount to close on £500, or about the same money as was given last year. The principal event is the Egmont Handicap, of 200 soys. ; and this is supplemented by the .Flying Handicap, of 50 sovs. ; District Handicap, of 50 soys. ; Hurdle Handicap, of 60 soys. ; Maiden Plate of 40 soys. ; and County Handicap, of 30 soys. Nominations for the handicaps are due on January 12. The following handicaps have been declared for the Otaki meeting :—: — HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 20 soys. st lb stlb Ngafcitoa ... 11 12 Cross Jack Patent Safety ...11 0 (late Gold Dust) 10 n Lady Bab ' ... 10 12 Guitar... ... 10 0 OTAKI STAKES HANDICAP, 01 35 soys. Grand Duke ... 9 10 Lady Bab ... 8 12 Ugly Buck ... 9 8 JL Sullivan ... 8 2 Giriri ... ... 9 3 Goshawk ... 7 10 Potnka... ... 9 0 Some Day ... 710 About £140 will be given in stakes at Waipa annual races on January 29. " Phaeton " writes as follows : — " On Saturday afternoon I to took a run out to Mr Lennard's place at Three Kings for the purpose of having a look at the recently-imported steeplechaser Granville. The Australian I found a very compact little horse, showing a good deal of power all over. Rae has not yet done anything with him in the shape of work, the horse having been in physic since his arrival. The two-year-old colt Silver Prince, by Anteros — Sylvia, was brought back to Auckland by the Rotomahana. At a meeting of the committee of the Auckland Racing ' Club the disqualification of the jockey W. White by the C.J.C. was; endorsed. The committee, however, considered, from the statements made by several members of the Auckland Racing Club who were present, that the jockey was badly treated. Dan O'Brien has engaged Derritt to ride Tasman in the Auckland Cup. Weights for the Otahuhu races to-day have boon issued as under :—: — HURDLE RACE, Of 35 bovb. sfc !b sfclb Granville ... 12 2 St. David ... 9 7 Evening Star ... 10 4 Actress ... 9 <i Comanche ... 10 O Zip ... ... 9 o Rowdy... ... 9 10 SUBURBAN PLATE, Of 6'6 ' soys. Mystery ... 812 Kalo ... ... 7 2 Rewi ... ... 8 5 Mitrailleuse ... 7 0 Sir Bedevere ... 8 0 Nannie ... 6 7 Victoria ... 7 13 Snake ... ... 6 2Alpha ... ... 7 9 Orphan ... 5 8 Castashore ... 7 4 Little Wonder ... 5 7 STEEPLECHASE, Of 50 soys. Granville ...12 3 Julia Ann ... 9 12 Reformer ... 11 9 Comanche ... 9 10 Hawthorn ... 10 7 Tourist ... 9 8 Rowdy... ... 10 3 Huntsman ... 9 7 The following acceptances have been received for the Hawkes Bay Jockey Club Boxing Day meeting : — CHRISTMAS HANDICAP. Of 100 soys. st lb et lb Miss Dargon ... 7 11 Salisbury ... 7 5 New York ... 7 6 Aimee..'. ... 6 5 HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 100 soys. Scrutineer ... 11 10 Denbigh ... 10 8 Bateman ... 11 7 Claude... ... 10 7 Director ... 11 (5 Mangaohane „, 9 io F&ugh-a-ballah ... 11 0 Grayling ... 9 q

HASTINGS HANDICAP. Of 250 soys. Poet ... ... 712 Rifleman ... (5 10 Laird ... ... 7 10 Mystery ... 6 7 Now-York ... 7 8 Liberty ... (5 0 Salisbury ... 7 5 The above acceptances are very poor, excepting in the case of the Hurdle Race. In the Christmas Handicap no le ss than 11 horses out of 15 have been withdrawn, seven of them being at top weights—namely, Pearl (9st), Speculation. (Sst 91b), Minerva (Sst 81b), Soudan (Sst 51b), Clogs (Bst 4lb), The Poet (Sst 31b), and Bonnie Blink (Bst 31b). Of those left in, New York, who was hack-racing last season, appears about the best. There are only four scratchings for the Hurdle Race, and, of the eight remaining, Director and Scrutineer look as well as anything. As in the Christmas Handicap, 11 horses have been struck out of the big event —the Hastings Handicap,—and if The Poet is in good nick, he ought to hold his half-dozen opponents safe. He might find his most dangerous opponent in Mystery. For Waipawa races, nominations have been sent in as follow: — HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 40 soys. Rata Batman The Greyling Faugh-a-Ballngh Scrutineer Denbigh Miss Agnes liimu Director Claude. R.C. HANDICAP, Of 180 soys. Mystery Liberty Salisbury The Poet Bonny Blink Rifleman Miss Agnes Director Clogs Cynthia The Laird New York. RAILWAY HANDICAP, Ot 40 soys. Aimee Elena Miss Dargon Arrow Bonny Blink Clogs New York Abraham.

A lot of interesting work was done on the plough at Ellerslie on Monday morning. Stonyhurst and Wapiti were sent on a fast mile and a-half journey, the greater portion of which was done at their best pace. The Cup favourite went very strongly and freely, and he had little difficulty in doing as he liked with Wapiti. Turquoise, Necklace, Derringer, and Radaines (in company), after accomplishing a mile at medium pace, were treated to a good ding-dong gallop. Derringer went particularly well, finishing home like a tiger, and he is iv such splendid condition that it seems a great pity he was nob left in the Cup. Nelson, Tetford, Foul Shot, Libeller, ! Salvage, and a number of others also worked. j Tasmau, Kingask, Medico, Waitiri, and Christiua have arrived safe at Auckland. Training work commenced shortly after 4 a.m. Turquoise, Necklace, Derringer, and Radames were brought on the ploughed track. The four went away at a great pace, and went round in splendid style. Radames was soon out of it, however, after completing once round, and at the cutting the second time Derringer was pulled out, Turquoise and Necklace coming home at a clinking pace, .and finishing within a neck of each other. Necklace appears to have lost the soreness which was so manifest in her movements last week, and now betrays not the j slightest symptoms of unsoundness. Stonyhurst, Wapiti, and Nelson put' in a round slow, when they broke away for a fast spin, coming home at three-quarter pace. No fault could be found with Nelson and Wapiti, but the cup favourite did not finish so resolutely as on former occasions. Petroleum (in rugs) and Catesby were sent twice round, and King and 1 Musk were sent three miles. The former looks ! very well, but does not appear to gallop so strong as formerly. Foul Shot and Libeller accomplished twice round, the first slow and the last about three-quarter pace, the three-year-old going very free. Tetford went twice round, going much kinder than formerly. Sir Bedevere and Victory were sent once round fast, in which tbe former appeared to have the advantage. Woodnymph (in neck and bhoulder piece) was sent once round slow, when she was joined by Scott Free, when the pace was improved, the two-year-old pacing with the mare nearly all the way, and both finishing well. Revolver and Caoutchouc worked in company, as did also Contractor and Alfred, all doing good work. Tasman in heavy neck and quarter rugs was sent two turns on the plough, moving, very free. Macaroni was sent three miles, going very strong throughout. Capsize and Alpine Rose got a thorough sound piece of work, going twice round, the former appearing to have the best of it. Waitiri did slow work, as did also her stable mate Christina. Kingask got over two miles at an easy pace. The following is the latest betting on the Auckland Cup: — 5 to 2 agst Stonyhurst 3 — 1 Tasman 8 — 1 Foul Shot 12 — 1 Turquoise Five tenners were accepted about Stonyhurst for the Cup and Derby.

By Rata. Christchurch, December 16. There is nothing of importance to report this week. Betting on the Auckland Cup is much the same. Capsize has been backed at 100 to 10 freely. Stonyhurst and Tasman are hardening daily. For the former the best price obtainable is 2to 1, and for the latter 4to 1. For the Cup and Steeplechase either of the above with Macaroni is the favourite pick at 100 to 6. For the Auckland and Dunedin Cups. Stonyhurst or j Tasman with Emma, Lochiel, and Fusillade at ]00to 4 are taken. Beeswing has been supported to win 3000 by a Dunedinite at iOO to 2 and 3. The Plumpton races were well attended today, as were all the other sports. There was grand weather. The racing was unimportant. Patrician won the Anniversary Handicap easily. Some betting has been done already on the Waterloo Cup at the following prices :—: — " 500 to 28 agst Waitangi 500 — 21 Salamander 500 —20 Bordeaux, Ringwood, Grace Darling ' 500 — 15 Miss Taylor, Market Day 300 — 12 Cardinal 200 — sto 200 to (5 agst Princess Charlotte 200 — 5 Garotte. Mr H. D. Bradley has sold Puck, by Leolinus —Titania, to Mr Surman, of Invercargill—price, not disclosed.