NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 23

NOTES BY BEACON.

On all hands one hears the handicap "for the Duoediu Cup spoken of in high terms, but I cannot admit that I am entirely satisfied with it, for a fatal mistake has baou made by Mr Dowse iv letting Nelson in too 1 light: That horse should have gob lOst 51b, or lOst 4lb'at the very lowest, and I consider that if hejremains in this country, the raco is at his mercy. As the acceptances close on Wednesday next it would be waste of time to go through the whole list just now, and weigh the chxnces of the respective horses, for several of them are sure, from various reasons, to drop out- on that day. I shall, therefore, merely skim over -the names, and mention such as strike me at the first glance as being well or badly in ; a closer analysis will follow later on. Leaving Nelson out of the question altogether, we should have at the head of the list Tasman and Rubina, and this pair of Dan O'Brien's would hive nothing to complain of. Pasha is also well treated, aridthe delicate invitation extended to' him to put in an appearance will doubtless be accepted. Thunderbolt and Fusillade are both under suspicion, but Spade Guinea is not. She meets Nelson on 111b worse terms than when she beat him in the New Zealand Cup, and if at her best, she may again give him trouble. Lochiel, at 101b better than when he met Nelson in the New Zealand Cup, and at 81b better than in the Auckland Cup is pretty w_ell used ; still I think Major George's horse will beat him again. Be of course meets Spade Guinea on very different terms to those in which they fought each other in the New Zealand Cup, and the mare has now to give him a lump of weight for her victory on that occasion. Disowned is not badly in, but Artillery is certainly badly treated in being put at level weight with Mr Robinson's oolt. In the NJZ. Cup Disowned finished fifth, while Artillery was nowhere ; in the Canterbury Derby Disowned beat Artillery easily; and at Auckland Disowned won the Derby as he liked, while Artillery, failed to run into a place in a race for which only five horses started, and in which Mitrailleuse, Formo, and Scot Free ran clean away from him. How 4 Mr Dowse can now make the pair. meet at level weights is not easily understood. Maligner is unreliable, while Captain Webster is turned out. Turquoise, at 7st 81b, is very leniently used, and should certaialy be sent down this way. Tetford, if over his lameness, should have a. say in the race ; but July, Alpine Rose, and First Lord are all unsound. Hermitage gives signs of coming back to the fair promise of his early days, but Moana seems to be no good at all. Derringer has broken down, while Cinderella is, on^tfae strength of her recent performances, unlikely to put in an appearance. Titbit is not badly in, and this improving horse may run very forward. Ruby and Leon do not appear to be of much account just now, while we have .beard nothing' of Itepo for some time. This laat-named is a good colt and worth watching for his first big engagement. Torrent cannot complain of, his weight, while Fair Nell has several friends. Quibble is not class enough for the company, nor. T think is Patrician. Cremorne and Lady Norab are good Auckland performers, - but '. it •. will be time to estimate their chances . when it is seen that they accept. Derwenter is a good, honest horse, and is not overburdened with weight, but I think he is not quality. enough. Longwaist is away up North, and unlikely to come down, while Knickerbocker Sam could not win with nothing on his back in the shape of weight. Charmer's day is, I think,goneby, while the Aucklanders— 'Torpedo, Howitzer, and Scot Free — are doubtful acceptors. Water King is not good enough, while Apropos has yet to show that she can get a distance. Wildrake is an Australian-bred horse, of whose condition I know nothing at present," 'but St. Ives and La Rose we know well as speedy customers, and if they can stay they ought to run forward under their light imposts. Beresford finds many friends, but on what grounds I fail to make out, while Weasel and St.,r!lair'are not likely to trouble the starter. At present I fancy those from whom the placed horses will come are Nelson, Spade Guinea, Lochiel, Disowned, Pasha, Rubina, Tasman, Hermitage, Lady Norah, Itepo, Titbit, Turquoise, and Tetford. In betting circles Nelson has been >made a great favourite, so much so indeed that he lias been backed down to 100 to 15., Since then, however, rumours that he is going over the other side have caused him to recede, and IQO to 12 is now on offer. Lochiel and Spade Guinea are most in demand, and both have been heavily backed, while several other horses have been supported at the undermentioned prices :— -

DUNEDIN CUP. 100 to 12 ngbt Nelson 100 — 11 Locbiel 100 — 11 SpadQ 'G.uinea 100—8 Disowned 100 — 8 Maligner 100_ 8 Tasinan 100— 7 Pasha 100 — 7 Torrent . 100— 6 Tetford 10J— 6 Fair Nell * 100— 6 Artillery 100 — 5 Turquoise 100— 5 Patrician 100 — 5 Derwenter

100— 5 TiVbit -

Some people were enabled to get the weights for the Dunedin Cup early on Wednesday last instead of having to wait until the proper hour (4 p ra ) at which they were to be- made" public. Mr Sydney James was the innocent cause of this unfortunate state of affairs, for with a desire to have cards of the weights .posted all over the colony as soon as possible he gate" the

weights to the jinnter early in the morning — and through the printer the weights must have leaked ouc to a favoured few, who did not scruple, to make use of the information they obtaiued.

The weights for the Tuapeka meeting appear in this i>sue, and the; seem to have been compiled with care. The meeting is not till nvxfc week, so that it will be time to say something as to probable winners when the acceptances come oat.

The Island Bay Cup handicap is not a very satisfactory production, and it is not surprising .to find that Pasha and Rubina were,- scratched immediately the weights appeared. Imagine putting only 151b between Nelson and Pasha ? Why, at any distance from a furlong to three miles the latter could -not have a ghost of a show with Major George's crack at weights like these. When the acceptances appear I stall have something' more to say about the race, but in tbe meantime I should think Waitiri and Pearl ought to be aboub. '

■ At the Waikoikoi sports two hack races were run, with the following results:— Hack Race '(ojien to maiden horses'' only) — Mr' Hugh M'lutyre's Gay Lad 1 ; Mr G. M'Donald's Little Donald 2. Hack Race (open to all comers)— Mr A. M'Donald's Mignonette 1 ; Mr Robert Boag's Larry 2.

The programme for Tapanui races on March 3 and 4is ta hand. It shows that some £250 will be given in stakes, the best prizes being the Tapanui Handicap, of 50.*"ovs ; R.C. Handicap, of 45sovs ; and Novel Race, of 30sovs.

The Dunedin Jockey Club have passed the following programmes : — Maniototo Jockey Club, February 3 and 4 ; Tapanui, March 8 and 4 ; Clutha, March 4.

At the first day's racing of- the Poverty Bay Jockey Club's annual meeting on Tuesday, the following were the results :— Maiden Plate: Privateer.l ; Maiata, 2 ; Waitangi, 3.. Flying Handicap : Squire, 1 ; Sylph, 2 ; New York, 3. Hurdles : Dualine, 1 ; Kangaroo, 2 : Gipsy, 3. Handicap Hurdles : Charlie,!; Sussex, 2. Taurauga Stakes : Nora, 1 ; Laird, 2. , Won after an exciting finish.

It turns nut that several of the purchases made at Sylvia Park (says " Phaaton" in the Auckland Herald; were for others than the names given at the sale. A good deal of curiobity exists as to who Mr W. W. Robinson acted for in the purchase of the Musket—Erycina colt, and the Mu&ket — Pearl Ash filly, but all that has been vouchsafed on the subject at present is that they will go into James Kean's stable, and will probably race in his name.

In the course of his notes " Ph»ton " has the following : — And now for a little matter that the public have been discussing very bitterly during the whole meeting. There is no disguising the fact that we in Auckland are a long way behind the rest of the Colony in the working and> management of the totalisator. Meeting after meeting takes place, and yet the same long string of complaints are heard of short dividends, wrong tickets, and the long delay in paying out, while the arrangements for the issuing of tickets and bustling that has to be gone through to get dividends is on all hands condemned. * These complaints are never hoard of in any other place but Auckland meetings and the sooner the stewards initiate some steps to remove the fault-finding that has been so rampant a feature at the late gathering the better will it be for all concerned. This matter, I hope, will receive the early attention of the A.R.C,, for they must recognise that «t is of the most vital importance to them as a racing institution. Distant rumblings tell us that the totalisator is none too safe, aiid therefore everything should be done to have its working complete and satisfactory.

Nelson has been nominated for the Newmarket Handicap, Australian Cup, and Sydney Cup, and Spade Guinea for the last-named race." Mitrailleuse and Lochiel are also t understood to be nominated for some of the Australian races.

By the English papers just to hand 1 find that Wood made no attempt to beat Archer's record for the year, but absented himself from two or three meetings where he could have ridden, still he got within three of the deceased jockey's total, scoring 167 wins to Archer's 170. The figures of tbe leading jockeys for the last six years are as follow : —

1881. 188^. 1883. 1884. 1885. 1886 Archer, F. ..: 219 210 232 211 246 170 Wood.C. ... 152 182 186 158 155 167 Barrett, G .., 61 7,3 63 72 112 121 Barrett, F.... — 12 18 tl 96 9-1 Watts, J. ...- 33 45 46 61 89 93 Giles, A. ... 23 26 36 39 71 It Fagan, J. ... 38 30 36 42 50 72 Cannon, T.... 77 58 38 66 42 60 "White. A ... 3 4 28 42 39 43 Snowden, J. 29 22 20 26 39 23 Woodbum, J. 8 30 33 58 38 4) Martin, 8. ... 20 35 50 19 35 39

Our Christchurch correspondent telegraphed last Wednesday night as follows:— The Duqedin Cup weights were not posted here until between 9 and 10 to-night, although they must have become known in Dunedin early in the day, telegraphed commissions having been received here soon after mid-day. There was a strong demand from Dunodin for money about Spade Guinea, and she was backed down to 100 to 15, which led to the surmise that she had been thrown in. She is certainly not hardly treated, and if sent to the post as fit as she was in the New Zealand Cup, and if wanted, will again bpat all that finished behind her in that race. Indeed, unless some of the many cripples and non-stayers in the handicap oome to life, it is hard to spot one likely to beat her. Lochiel is considered well treated, but Artillery very much overweighted ; otherwise the handicap seems at first sight to be a fair compilation.

BETTING. 100 to 15 agst Spade Guinea and Lochiel 103 —12 — w Nelson

100 — 8 Pa«ha, Fusil'ade, Disowned, Fair Nell 100 — 6 Turquoise, Hermitage, lt-po, Derringer, Fair Nell 100 to 4 to 100 to 1 the others.

At the settling on the Auckland Summer meeting, the club paid £5624 in stakes as follows: — Major George, £1095 ; J. Ohaafe, (nominator), £961 ; Hon. W. Robinson, £839 ; Munn, £826 ; Lennards, £304 ; Robertson, £253 ;' Bobbet,£l9o; P. Butler, £173; Wright (nominator), £170; Raymond, £150 ; Twohill, £126;' 'J. B. Williamson, £121.

At the Clinton races on New Year's Day Mr Quin's Claret walked over for the Clinton Handicap, and won the Publicans' Handicap. Mr Trumble's Maori won the Maiden Plate, Mr M'Kenzie's Envy the Trot, Mr Redpath's Mayflower the Hack Selling Race, Mr Pacey's Kuriwau the District Handicap, and Mr M'Kenzie's Pegard the Consolation.

Administrator's correct weight in the Island Bay Cup is Sst 101b, and that of Pearl Bst 71b.

■ Disowned, Torrent, Nelson, Waitiri, Silver Prince, Master Agues, and a number of yearlings purchased at the Stud Company's sale were shipped by the Waihora, which left Auckland for the South on Friday morning. '■ -. ". . Nelon wasLScratchedJotthe Island Bay Cup at noon on Satutday.

- Our. Christchurch correspondent telegraphed on Wednesday ■ evening . as follows: — "Thare is a strong, inquiry for Nelson . for the Dunedin Cup, 100 to 14 being wau4:d, but 100 to 16 is the best offer; very little, otherwise, is doing.; Lochiel and Russley have been nominated for tho Newmarket Handicap at the V.R.C. Autumn meeting. Mr Stead is not well pleased with the weight in> posed upon Lochiel in the Dunedin Cup, and if he. is better treated by the Melbourne handicapper he will probably take a team to Australia, as I indicated some weeks ago."

Tasman was. scratched for the Dunedin Cup at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The following weights for the Island ,Bay Racing Club's first day's races have been declared : — Handicap Huhdles.— Master Agnes, 12st 71b; Orient, list 7ib ; Freebooter, lOat 71b ; A'rolm, lOat 71b; deputation. 9st sib ; Buccaueer, 9st ; Long John. 8.-t7lb. '

Tramway Stakks.— Pasha, iHst 8Ib; Foreater 9st 61b ; Maligner, 9st <JJb ; Silence, 8a 1 61b ; Soudan, ,Bst 51,b;- Socket, Bat ; 51b; Titbit, Bst, 21b ; Galatea, 7st 101b j Atuol Daisy, 7st 61b; Revoke.' 7st 4lbj Salisbury, 7st 21b; General Thornton, 6st 101b; Teddy Yuille, 6st 71b ; Smooth, 6st. Island Bay Oup.— Waitirl. Administrator, Peirl, Tlgredia, Spade Guinea, Tithit, Silence, Rumour, Soudan, Fardingale, aud Kevoke.

The following are the results of tho second day's races at Gisborne : — '

POBLICAX'B Purse : Sylpb;- 1; Kangaroo, 2; Nora, 3. County Stakes : Penguin, I ; Auda<ity, 2 Tradesmen's Handicap : Kangaroo, 1 ; Fitzjames. 2 ; Laird, 3.

There was some capital racing at Hororata on Friday. Panic won the Hurdles by a head from Johnnie; Fickle the Farmers' Plate; Archduke (7st 121b) the Cup, one mile and three-quarters, by a head from The - Gem (Bst 41b), with Kingask (9st 3lb) third. The Gift Handicap, one milo, fell to The Gem (Bst 41b), who beat. Lavender (6st 61b) by - & head, with Kingask (9st 91b) only a neck away. Wee Rhoddie had an easy victory in the Ladies' Braclet, the other starters being Haidee and Conundrum.

An Auckland telegram states - that Lady Florin, by Musket, has. been purchased on behalf of a Napier sportsman for £500.

An Auckland telegram states that the totals eat'or management paid the balance of the dividends on the Victoria Handicap to investors applying for it.

Rubina has been scratched for the Inland Bay Cup.

At the second day's racing of the Waimate Jockey Club on Monday Mr Greener's Trapper <10st 101b) won the Hurdle Race, Mr Slee's Juggler, who was pulled out and won the Hack Hurdles which followed, being second. Mr Crocker's Nelly (6.-t 51b) beat Mr Hobbs' Jock (9stlolb) in the Tradesmen's Handicap. Mr Sherwin pulled, off the Ladies' Purse with Quibble, and the same owner's Tenakoe won the Flying Handicap. Thn Trot was won by Mr Lovegrove's Venus, and the Consolation by Vik-

The Manawatu Times says that Mr Abrahams had a misfortune at the Awahuri races which must certainly have marred his pleasure, as it swamped up the whole of his profits from the totalisator. It appears that in one race ho by accident paid out £5 notes instead of £1 notes to winners of dividends, and of course was not able to trace the persons to whom he paid them.

A sale of yearlings took place on the 6th inst. at Mrs W. Walters' Glenlora farm, Papakura. The following lots were sold :—: —

Gs Filly by Mußket— Hippona, Mr W. Peroival ... 250 Brown colt by Musket -Xatterina, Mr Chim'de Victr-

sme ictona... ... ... ... 7CO Chestnut ttlly by Leolinus— Rosarina (dam of Hosebnd), Mr W. Adams ... ... ldl Browu colt by Hippocampus - Grand Duchess, MrGarrefct ...

Black filly by Leolinus or Cap-a-pie—Fisii-womaa.MrW. Adams .. ... ... 55 The total proceeds of the sale of five yearlings was 1186gs or £1245, an average of nearly £240. On the return of the special train a sale of racing stock took place afc the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's ground, when the following were sold : —

Gs. Bay filly, by Musket— Norah, Messrs Duder ... 81 Brown filly, by 'Musket— Kosalie (own Bister toDerringer), Mr Kavauagh ... ... 52

Chestnut filly, by Auteros -Bessemer, Mr M'Lea->, Nader

Brown filly, by Aiiteroa— Fallacy, Mr M'Ledii. Napier

Bay colt, by Oauogan — The Jilt, Mr J. StephenEO

Brown colfc. by Lepliaua— Pmigawerewere, Mr I urnbull. Dunedin 1"

-,— ... ... ... JO Roan colt, by Anteroß— Vivandiere, Mr R Ray 200

Sundry lots were then offered. Tho steeplechaser Fair Lillian was sold to Mr J. B. ; Williamson fcr 27gs; the grey brood mare Alice Hawthorne, with foal at foot to Leolinus, and served by Leolinus, to Mr Chirnside, at 22gs ; Dommetr, a brown mare, with foal at foot to Ingomar, and served by St. Leger, also to Mr Chirnside, at 30gs.

The Auckland Herald says : — " We do not think the result of tbe sale of yearlings at Sylvia Park can bs considered as otherwise than most gratifying. It is true that all the highestpriced animals go to Australia or to the South. If things here had been prosperous, there probably would have been more competition and better prices would have been realised ; but aa it stands, the sale was a very successful one. It shows, in the first place, what a splendid horse we had in Musket, and, secondly, bow suitable in all respects this district is for breeding horses. We have had a . good deal in our columns lately about breeding horses for tho Indian market, and we should think the - authorities in India would be more readily inclined to come to terms in regard to a supply which is absolutely necessary for them when they see that buyers come from all parts to the sale of the Auckland Stud Company. As regards the .company itself, yesterday's sale must be a great encouragement. In some of the departments which it has undertaken the company has not been successful, but it is evident that in this one of breeding firstclass horses it has gained a reputation which it would ba a calamity to the district if it were to disregard how that reputation is to be maintained and extended. This isa matter for the directors, but we may mention that the general opinion "is that a first-class thoroughbred Eire should be obtained from England to mate with the splendid crowd of mares at Sylvia Park."

In connection with the above a telegram states that Major Walmsley, managing director of the New Zealand Stud Company, leaves shortly for England, chiefly for the purpose of purchasing a stud horsf to take the place of Musket.

It is gratifying to find that our two principal Dunedin owners have little intention of giving up racing. At the Auckland sales tho bay colt by Cadogan — The Jilt, and the bay colt by Musket — L'Orient were purchased for Mr John Stepbenson ; while the brown colt by Leolinus — Pungawerewere was bought by Mr Turnbull for the Hon. G. M'Lean. .Details /of the Lake County-meeting appear m t&s i&utfj as famishfed Vy dux local cSrr&s-

pondent. . It will be seen that it was a thorough success in every way. / Mr J, Stephenson won three good races—two with Captain ,Cook and one with Mihß Webster. -The other events seem to have been particularly evenly di-itributod among various owners. 'Over '£2000 passed through the totalisator and' soine capital divi« dends were paid — among them being £34 on Birdcatcher in tho second/Hurdle Race, and £18 odd on Captain Cook in the Grandstand Handicap. ,;

The rumour is revived that -Locuiel ia to bo sent over to Australia in the Autumn. In case there should be any truth' iii the report I tnny note ' for the benefit of- those who meditate having a shot about Mr- Stead's horse for the Dunedin Cup that the Victoria -Racing Clubs Autumn- meeting commences-in the same week as ours. It is impossible, therefore; for Locbhl to take part in our Cup and also fa;the Newmarkeb Handicap or Australian Cap on the other side of the water.

I was assured the other, day by a friend of Ted Cutta' that the latter says be lost money over Nelson's victory in the Auckland Cup, because • after having worked him 'regularly with Waitiri he came to the conclusion that the mare was the better horse, ami consequently put his money on her. This seems to show that Ted must possess at least one fault — he must either, with all_ his years' experience, be an exceedingly bad judge of a horse's form as shown on the training ground, or else he must not be a very strict observer of the truth when communicating with his frieuds/-

• I have received an enormous sheet-prograsstr c of tho Southland Amateur Turf Club's meeting on February 11. It is an elaborately got up affair, having for its heading a highly-coloured picture of the finish for a hurdle race. From the contents of the bill I learn that prizes to the value of 130sovs will be given to berao3d for. "

The Hamilton-Sowburn races were held on the course at the latter place on Boxing Day The attendance was good, the weather fine and warm, the racing excellent.and the number of horses entered in each event somewhat above tbe usual average. Tho Maiden Plate, of 7sovs, was won by Reid's Lorua, from a field of six, with Hall's Gregory second. The winner of the Sowburn Handicap of 10sovs,turned up in Hall* Adelaide, Inder's Winnifred being second, and Spain's Troubadour third. A protest on tbe ground oF a cross in the straight was lodged against the ridorof Adelaide; but. after consideration, it was not upheld by the stewards. The Trot of 7sovs brought forth seven candidates, tho victor being Kerr's Prospector, with Inder's Nelly second. Four horses were sent for tho Hamilton Haudicap of Bsovs, which fell to the lot of Hall's Adelaide, Inder's Winnifred came iv second, and Reid's Benedict a short' distance aht-ad of Glengarry. The Hurry Scurry of 4sovs was carried oft" by Mountain Boy (first), aud Typo (second). Winuifred won the Consolation of £5 10s, Gregory being a good second. According to "Senex" the Canterbury New Year. meeting has resulted iv a loss to the Jockey Club of some £700.

Th<- nominations for the Timaru Racing Club's meeting include Quibble, Borderman, Tasmania Fusileer, and Jack.

Very good eutriefi have been sentMn for the Tuapeka races, and the meeting will doubtless prove a great success. The Dunedin horses that have been lately doing the inland circuit are among the competitors.

Iv commenting on the recent Hawke's Bay meeting, one of the local . papers says that London was scratched for the Christmas Handicap so lato that upwards of 20 had invested on bim in the outside machine. The rules, revised, corrected, and. confirmed only a few days ago, say the amounts shall go towards the dividends. The machine proprietors returned the money and thus did fairer than ; the rules, but it was a strange conflict, the rules saying one thing and the workers of the instrument another.

The Hon. James 'White has nominated two colts for the Auckland Derby of 1888. The youngsters are Abercorn, by Chester-Cinnamon ; and Cranhrook, by Chester — Le Princesse.

Kowai Pass races are to be held 1 on March

At the Woodville races on the l6t inst., the jockey Montague, rider of Mr Grant's mare Flora, met with a serious accident. The horses were all coming together at the top of the straight when Flora, who was on the inside, in trying to crush through, came into' violent collision with a tall post, which broke and was sent spinning in the air. Of course' Montague was thrown violently to the ground. He had struck the post with such force that his left side was smashed tvt vp — leg, ribs, and collarbone broken, and a severe wound on the head

• ' - ' i Races were held at Beaumont on the 31st ulfc. at which Mr T. Dwyer's Massetto ■ won the Maiden Plate from five opponents. The Beau monfc Handicap was taken by Mr* W. DraperArchie, beating Sir Audley and Miss M'Clel land. The Trotting Race went to Mr F. Ross Johnny, in a field of seven ; while a Hack Race was won by Mr C. Bennett's Cockney. In the Consolation Race, Mr Tubman's Bess proved victorious.

Some details of the Vincent Jockey Club races have already appoared, but more are supplied by the Duustau Times; That paper in its account of the meeting says that in several of the events it was manifest that a considerable amount of jockeying was indulged ib, and in ouce instance, the Novel Handicap, the offence was so glaring that the stewards, after.investigation, disqualified two of the horses for the remainder of the meeting. The punishment awarded was not proportionate to the offence, and in .any future similar • occurrence' we hope the stewards will visit .tipon* the guilty bipeds, both owners and jockeys, a punishment, and not show their indignation in so farcical a manner as by merely disqualifying the horses for a couple of hours. Owners and jockeys should be like Csesar's wife, beyond suspicion, and when they deviate the punishment should be such as to act as a deterrent. The rajpein question is described as being a deliberate' swindle, and the stewards showed their, sense of it by disqualifying ~Mr Holt's. IJagshot, and Mr Laughlan's Sweetbriar for the rest of the meeting- r */ Eastern Bush races resulted as follow :— Maidea Pla"te: Mr Tapper^ Cliff 1, Mr Dcdd's Nellie 2, Mr Sullivan's 'Speeler 3. , Trotting Race: Mr Sutherland's Bonnie Jane 1, Mr Finn's Maori 2, Mr Scobie's Dandy 3. Open Race: Mr Tapper's Cliff 1, Mr Smith's Florence 2.

At the Motueka meeting the Hurdle Race of 20sovs was won by Mr Green's Dangerous (list), with Mr J. Page's Oeo (list 41b/) second, Mr Hagan's Leo (lOst) third. The Hack Hurdle Race was secured by' Mr Wrattau's Myrtle from four others, and' a Hack Race on the flat by Mr Delaney's Master Juan, who a little Inter on won another similar event. The Cup, of 30sovs, bad five starters, and the winner turned up in. Mr J. Driscoll's Stella, with Oeo second,. Regret third.' A' Hack .Race was wen by Mr Reißy'sLa^bird, "and another by. Little Fetf, while Wo Consolatkfo Btra&s Afftit ft Ott>

who had only one opponent.' In this race there was only one investor, so that although he backed the winner be lost money on the transaction.

At Ahaura races oh the sth inst. Athol Daisy (10.-vt 31b) won the J.O. Handicap of 40sovs easily, while Daisy carried off the Produ c Stakes of 25sovs and Hurdle Race of 25sovs. The Trotting Handicap of 15hovs was won by Sam, and the H <ck Race by May boy. The Kttefton meeting passed off well, and ■omethiug over £2500 passed through tho totftH-vator. Mr Jones' colt British Lion, the three-year-old son of Leolinus and Spritsai), carried off the Inangahua Cup of llOsovs and the Midsummer Handicap of 80aovs. In the first race he earned Bat 121b, and beat Mr Wood's Misa Barnum (Oat 31b), Mr M'Williams' Cardigan (7st 121b), and three others. In the second handicap he carried 9st 81b, and won easily from Young Perkins (6st 31b), Mixs Barnum (9ib 81b', and Cardigan (7st 131b). Miss Barnum somewhat mado up for her two defeats by carrying off the Miners' Plate and the Boatmans Handicap. Opunake races were remarkable for the fact that the totalisator was not worked in an entirely satisfactory manuer, either to the public or the proprietor, the latter having discovered at the close of the meeting that he had paid away far too much money, and one or two of those who hod tickets were unable to be settled with in full. There is no doubt that tho system adopted by the proprietor opened th i door to fraud, which must undoubtedly have been practised. So says the local paper, which quaintly adds : " The bird on the wing was the only game on the ground." As to the racing, I find that Mr G. Naw»ham won the Hurdle Handicap and Maiden Plate with Jubilee, and the Opua Handicap with Tongariro ; while Mr G. Gibson carried off the Hack Hurdle Race and Hack Flat Race with Notice of Motion, in addition to securing the R.C. Handicap with Swordsman. A Maori race was won Mr Haw^huri's Mistletoe, Trotting Race by Mr W. Fowler's Sultan, District Handicap by Mr M. Carroll's Hawthorne, and Consolation Stakes by Mr Jones' Juliet. An accident- occurred at the Fortrose races which resulted in the death of Messrs Littleworth and Lawson's horse Warrior. The accident occurred at the start for the Ladies' Bracelet. Warrior had always been a bad starter, and in this instance he reared and brought himself and his rider, Lawson, heavily to the ground. Lawson escaped with a shaking, but the horse received such injuries that he afterwards had to be shot. At the meeting in question the races resulted as follow : — Ladies' Bracelet and Fortrose Handicap, Mr A. W. M'Kenzie's Regard ; Hurdle Race, Mr Preston's FHget; Maiden Plate, Mr J. M'Kenzie's Blackboy; Trotting Race and Pacing Race, Mr M. M'Keuzie's Envy; Consolation Stakes, Mr J. Curran'sMouutain Maid.

At the Pine Bush meeting, Mr Jose carried off the Hurdle Race and Pine Bush Handicap with Swagger, Mr Curran the Maiden Plate with Mountain Maid, Mr A. M'Kenzie the District Handicap with Regard, Mr M'Leod the Tro'ting Race with Douglas, and Mr Littleworth the Consolation Stakes with Warrior.

At a recent meeting of the Timaru Racing Club a letter was read from Mr B. G. Kerr, acting-secretary of the S.OJ. Clnb, informing the Timaru Racing Club that the oharge of £35 per day for the use of the racecourse could not be reduced for the summer race meeting to be held on the 10th February. It was resolved to pay the sum demanded, and to admit free to grandstand, lawn, and saddling paddock all life members of the South Canterbury Club on production of their medals. Four tenders to work the totalisators at the summer meeting were received, and it was decided to accept Messrs Mason and Roberts' offer.

A correspondent writes as follows : — Mr G. Baruett, an old and widely-known settler near Arthur's Point, Shotover, has had singularly bad luck with his horses lately. Just previous to the last spring meeting of the Lake Jockey Clnb his horse Dead Heat died in some mysterions manner. Being a " dark horse," certain suspicions were afloat as to the cause of the sudden death. A few days ago Mr Barnett's thoroughbred stallion Garibaldi broke out of his paddock, and while chasing some mares fell with four of them over a precipice overhanging the Sbotover, more than 100 ft in height. The stallion and two mares belonging to Mr Barnett died shortly after the accident ; the other two mares escaped without serious injury. Thus, within a few weeks' time, Mr Barnett has lost four valuable horses. Garibaldi was insured in the Australasian Mutual Live Stock Insurance Association for £30— an amount which is not nearly half the value of the horse, which was a renowned steeplechaser.

That amusing " X " of the Canterbury Times mikes one of the most cool suggestions that I kave come across for a long time. It seems that the Christchurch New Year race meeting, which has always entailed a loss to this club, has gone from bad to worse, and has this season culminated in a deficit of something like £700 ! Of course a meeting at that time of the year was never wanted— as I pointed out at the time it was originated— except by some greedyowners who were not possessed of sufficient enterprise to stir from their own locality, and who thought such » fixture would givo them a good opportunity of snatching up a stake or two while the crack horses were away at Auckland. However, the loss being an- indisputable fact, this is what "X " has to say about it : " There can be no doubt that the numerous small country and suburban meetings "held during the spring and summer months interfere very materially with the financial rf suits of the metropolitan gatherings, and jt seems pretty certain that some more drastic measures will have to be iutroduced to keep the former in t reasonable check. " The new rules provide, after a rough-and-ready method, that the amount received by clubs from the totalisator commission shall be paid to owners in stakes, but this does not go half far enough." So the minor clubs, many of which have been in existence for years and years before the Christchurch New Year meeting was ever thought 'of, are to be jumped on "and ground out of existence iv order to make up the losses incurred by their big brother through' his sensoIsss extravagance. The small clubs have already had quite enough to put op with from 'their autocratic relation, and I should imagine they will kick vigorously against any moro restrictions being put on them.

The Cromwell Argus has the following note on the recent races there:— "Had the proverbial • clerk ' had the ordering of the weather nothing better could .have been wished than what favoured Cromwell. Not only was thoweather propitious, bub the attendance and general surroundings of the meeting were exceptionally good. Notwithstanding this dullness toat has prevailed during the past 12 months, money seemed to be plentiful enough, as is attested by the fact that nearly £2500 vras put through the totalisator by Messrs Murrell and Solomon. The arrangements iv connection with the carrying out of the programme left no room for adverse criticism. , The were prompt- aaad perßev'ering in. their respective

duties, "and all ""things consequently worked smoothly. The gathering was quite up to the high standard achieved by the Cromwell Jockey Club, and fully maintained the credit of the officers. Of the racing it need only be said that every event was run on its merits; and the finishes showed that Mr George Dowse, the haudicapper, knows pretty well how to put his horses together. Altogether the meeting was a big success, and was marked by more hilarity than for -some years past." The date of the Napier Park Autumn meeting hab been altered to March 9 and 10, and the added money will amount to £1150 The principal stakes are the Napier Cup, of 300sov«; City Stakes Handicap, of 15O.sova ; Hurdle Races, of lOOaovs and 80iovs respectively ; Flying Handicap, of lOOiovs; and Waverley Handicap, of lOOiOVS.

Nominations sent in for the Waipawa Autumn meeting in March include Fardingale, Pearl, Waitiri, Rivulet, and General Thornton. Ihe entries for the Wellington Racing Club's Summer meeting are fair in number, and the quality also gives every promise of a successful gathering. There are no important withdrawals from the Wellington Cup, which with its dozen acceptors should furnish a good race. If Artillery is himself again when the day comes round he should about win, while hia most dangerous opponents are most probably to be found in Lady Norah, Fardingale, and Silence. Spade Guinea has accepted, I notice, but I fancy her going North is doubtful with her valuable engagements in the Dunedin Cup in view. There is, however, plenty of time yet wherein to deal with the Wellington meeting, especially as the Island Bay gathering comes on before it. The Rangilikei Racing Club cleared £200 over their recent meeting. On the first day the Hurdle Handicap, of 40sovs, was won by Mr 8. Powell's Geruaaine (9st 101b), beating Mr J. Reed's Orlando (10st 71b) and another. A hack race and two hurdle hack races were secured by Mr D Scott's Waitangi. The Flying Handicap, of 40sovs, went to Mr Hill's Strenuous (Bst 101b), this son of St. George and Strenuer beating Mr J. Harrison's Hagar (7st 51b), Mr Utiku's Stiletto (6st4tb), and four others. For the Rangitikei Handicap, of 200sovs, a field of eight started, but Mr Tancred's Administrator (9bt 41b) won easily, with Mr Scott's Pandora (6st 61b) second, Mr Thurston's My Dream (6»t) third. The Maiden Plate, of 40sovs, was won by Spray. On the second day the Hurdle Handicap, of 40sovs, was again annexed by Germaine, who put through a party of four. In the District Handicap, of 40sovs, Stiletto (7st 41b) gave Mr UtiiiU a turn, beating Hagar (7st 61b), Lady Artist (Bst), and two more. Armourer secured the Stewards' Plate from Germaine and Pandora ; aud aevea competitors then went to the post for the Railway Handicap of. lOOsovs. In thisßuapehu (6st)~ who had looked like winning the big event on the previous day, but cut up badly — now came out in great form and won from start to finish. Armourer (Bsfc 91b) was second, Rimu (7st 21b) third. The in-and-out running of Ruapehu was the tmbject of much comment, and the stewards called on Mr Powell for an explanation. Powell stated that the horse was a bad plucked one, and ouly ran his best when indulged with the lead from the start, shutting up when closely pressed. This explanation was accepted as satisfactory. The Selling Race, of 25sovs, was won by Miss Puritan, and the Consolation Handicap by Rimu. In noticiug the Waitara raced the local paper says that the money offered by the club this year was small, owing to the straitened circumstances in which the club found themselves. It was a prudent course, therefore, to retrench on the expenditure for a time till the club's affairs get into a more flourishing condition. As a necessary consequence of the reduced stakes, horses from distances along the coast were not attracted ta the meeting, but there was a goed show of local horses. The performances of the animals, on the whole, were very good, Landseer particularly coming to the front, he carrying off both the Waitara Handicap and the Flying Handicap. An Auckland telegram states that notice of motion has been given in the City Council to the effect that the council is of opinion that legalising the use of the totalisator is prejudicial to the best interests of the burgesses of Auckland, and that a petition be forwarded to the Government praying that the portion of the Gaming and Lotteries Act authorising its use be repealed. This is another sign that dark days are in store tor the totalisator, and when it becomes a thing of the past, those bodies that have abused its use will have only themselves to blame for the loss of that which, properly employed, would have provided a steady and legitimate source of revenue.