NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 22

NOTES BY BEACON.

The public are being pretty well mystified over Mr Stead's horses, apd such backers as have supported any of them for the New Zealand Cup feel particularly uncomfortable. Firstly we find the lot simply chucked into the N.Z. Cup. Then we are told in the most circumstantial and decided manner that Marion is going over to Sydney to be put to the stud ; but at the last moment the brood mare Iris is rung in as a passenger, and we are told that Marion will stay' in Christchurch for a month and then probably be sent to Auckland to, visit Nordenfeldt — if not sold in the meantime^ she, Lochiel, and Beresford having since the'weights appeared been offered for sale at a sum fixed by Mr Stead himself. This same offer of three only of his Cup candidates, at a price, is looked upon simply as a bit of bluff because the public have spotted them as being particularly well handicapped. If Mr Stead wishes to part with the trio why does he not do the usual thing and put them up to auction P The .beau? tifui part of the matter is that possibly Jf the

lot were disposed of at Mr Stead's own £gure the future winner of the Cup might be found to haye been left in his stable. "Senex" inspected Mr Drake's team of horses prior to their being shipped for their Australian campaign, and this is what he has to say as to their condition and prospects : — " I was prepared from what I had heard to find tbe team in good useful fettle,, I was quite astonished to find them in the, fresh and blooming' condition they one. and all of them so plainly showed. They certainly reflected the greatest possible credit on Milne, and ,he seemed very justly proud of his charges. I may remark that I met Bob Ray later on in . the day, and he said emphatically that they were "the best-conditioned lot of horses that' have ever left here for Australia ;" and sucti words as those from Bob contain no light praise. They appeared to me to be in great heart, not by any means drawn fine, but with plenty of good serviceable muscle about them, hard on their crests, and a nice little covering of flesh on their ribs, just in the condition to put into hard work whenever required.' Rocket carried a bit more flesh than any of the others, but Milne tells me that he is a horse that always requires to be kept big. With the exception of Spade Guinea they were all as docile as cats, and seemed to like handling, but she is as wicked-looking as she is ugly, and that is saying much, but for all that she is so plain she shows plenty of quality, and I should like to have a few built to order on her lines. Rocket has no pretentions to good looks, or quality either for that matter, and as I gazed at his homely shape, and his long white face looking kindly at me I thought to myself what a take down he was, and how many nice dividends I should have missed had I judged him by his appearance. Pasha is the gentleman of the team, a horse that it is a pleasure to dwell over, and would attract attention in any equine company in the world, and it is not only for his handsome shape* but he looks such a useful one withal. Teddy Yuille I had not seen for some months, and I did not know him until I was told who he was, so much has he improved. Instead of the weedy, mean-looking horse I remember him in the spring with a middle piece like a half starved rat, I found him grown into a really useful lookiug substantial horse with plenty of power and a weight carrying appearance, and not deficient in good looks either. Those who remember his spring form and have not seen him since, will think I am gasing, but I can I assure them that I am not, and if he has improved as much in his travelling powers as he has in his looks, he should be ■worth following. When I entered the box Billy White was bathing a wound on Teddy's thigh just below the stifle where Spade Guinea had landed her hind shoes on him; it was an ugly looking place, but Milne did not think it of much consequence. Vinaigrette has not snoh high credentials as the others, but she has shown herself a speedy filly and .is worth a' place in the stable if it is only to look at, for she is a low set, lengthy filly of unmistakably handsome shape, and full of quality. That, is the team which Mr Drake has sent over to Australia, and considering that it comprises horses good at all distances, I think it cannot fail to be formidable. He has Spade Guinea for the two mile journeys and Pasha for the halfmile less. Then Teddy Yuille can cover a mile and a-quarter very creditably. Vinaigrette is not to be dispised for a mile with a light weight on her back, and Rocket takes a lot of beating in sprint races. We have no doubt had better horses in New Zealand at all these distances than these, but still they are a fairly representative team, and with an average turn of luck I do not think Mr Drake will have cause to regret the venture. I sincerely wish him good

The Sydney correspondent of the Melbourne Sportsman says that the Auckland racing man, Mr Lyons, owner of Too Soon and Queenie, has taken good care that metropolitans shall not know how his horses are doing, they having been sent up to Campbelltown to be prepared. Up there they will be under the care of Mr N. Payten, who had a great favourite in Uncle Ned for an important handicap some little time back, and now has Spoilt Child, Figtree and others. It was reported recently (says " Ormonde ") that the Wellington Racing Club have all but completed negotiations for the leasing of the Island Bay course. Should the negotiations be completed, the probability is that the W.R.C. wiil hold all their meetings at Island Bay instead of at the Hutt Park. The report has been contradicted, but we know there is something in it.

It is stated (says the same writer) that Artillery has changed hands during the last few days, and that Bob Ray is the new owner of the colt, who will undergo his New Zealand Cup preparation at the hands of the' veteran trainer. "X " gives us two strange bits of news. Firstly, he says that Miranda is Templeton's dam, though she happened to be foaled six years after he came into the world. Secondly, he tells us that The Agent may win the Grand National for the third time, a feat which he is popularly supposed to have acheived already. From exchanges I take the following notes: — The jockey Jackson left Christchurch for Napier a day or two back to visit his parents in that city, but he still remains in Mr Stead's employ.— The breeding of Cardale, one of the hurdle' racers that will make his debut at the Grand National meeting is somewhat peculiar. He is by Mammoc, out of his sire's dam— Ruby. Mammoc.it appears, was not "altered" until two years old, and being allowed to run with his dam, Cardale is the result. This much in-bred gelding is well grown, and a capital fencer; but does not in his present condition seem possessed of muoh stamina.— -The Hon. W. Robinson's team of horses were to leave for Australia this week, and the lot will probably comprise Chain Shot, Disowned, Enfilade, Silver Prince, and Thunderbolt.—At a recent meeting of the Waimate Racing Club the report and balance sheet were adopted, the. latter showing a debit balance. Mr M. C. Studholme was elected president, Mr J. Molloy treasurer, and Mr J. S. D'Emden secretary. The stewards and committee of last year were re-elected. — Mr J. Beechey, secretary of the Plumpton Park, has commenced an action against Mr Drake for defamation of character. Damages are laid at £500. The explanation of the withdrawal of the Lance Memorial Stakes from the Canterbury Jockey Club's programme is that the deceased gentleman's family asked that such should be done. This is an all-sufficient reason, still it seems singular that it should arise, seeing that for many years Mr Lance's time was pretty well taken up with racing on his own and other people's account. In connection with the redactions in priae money effected by the Canterbury Jockey Club, I may say that I hear it is possible that the Dun* edin Jockey Club will also 50 in for some slight retrenchment It may be well that such should .be done, bub if it is found necessary I hope that the Cup money will not be interfered with. I was always against its being raised to lOOOsovs, but now that it has become fixed at that sum it would make the race lose caste to reduce.it. Some people say that it- is too much money to give to one, race, and that 250sovs of it should he given to. smaller races ; but they forget that the Dunedin Cup really gives three prizes, foe

the second horse gets 200sovs and the third lOOsovs— and a horse who gets homo second or third incurs no penalty thereby. While on this subject I may note the following remarks by "Phaeton"-. — If the Canterbury 'Jockey Club, with a racecourse unencumbered with mortgage, consider it' necessary to draw in its horns, how much' more so should the Auckland Racing Club, and I hope that body will not be too conceited to follow in the footsteps of its Canterbury brother in this matter. There can be i»o question that the pruning knife can be used on many of the events which figure on our programmes without in any way impairing the success, of the meetings ; and, if we are ever to see that mortgage on tbe Ellerslio racecourse disappear from the A.R.C: balance sheet, the committee should now apply their minds very seriously to the question, for tho totalisator may not always be with us. It is evident (says the Sportsman) that the Victoria, Racing Club Committee have deter, mined to stamp out any bookmakers who fail to meet their engagements, for the latter are now required to enter into a bond for sums fixed- by the .committee. Several applications for registration have been withdrawn as a consequence upon the V.R.C.'s action. The programme for the Ofcago Hunt Club's meeting, to be held under the auspices of tbe Dunedin Jockey Club on September 16 and 17, shows that the good round sum of £600 will be given in stakes. The first day there will be a couple of jumping races and four flat races; while on the second day there will be a someI what similar arrangement. Full details will be found in the programme. There is a very good acceptance for the Grand National Steeplechase, no. less than 16 horses being left in, but I think that King Arthur should win it, with Moody next best. The Huuters' Handicap should be won by Impostor, if sent for it. A detailed report of the Wellington Steeplecbases appears in this issue, by which it will be seen that the meeting passed off very well notwithstanding the week's adjournment. The big race of the day ended in the upset of the favourite, but by a bare nose ; in fact some aver that the favourite did actually win the race. 11 Senex " is begining to come to his senses over the Marion business, as is evidenced by the following extract from his columns of last week : — " It is evident that if Mr Snider did back the mare for the stable, I have been grossly deceived by the statements mado to me." Well, it isßtraDge that " Senex" himself should be the last person to come to that conclusion however, better late than never. He adds : " ' Beacon ' can probablj, if he chooses, obtain a look at Mr Snider's papers, and it is impossible that Mr Snider could have so acted for the stable without his book or settling sheet showing it conclusively." Now, I do not admit that a bookmaker's book or settling sheet shows anything conclusively, for we often get proofs to the contrary. However, as the Snider family left Dunedin on the first day of this month, I don't see how I am to get a look at the late Mr Snider's book— even if the family would allow me to do so. I may, however, state that it^was seen after the race meeting, and a close ncquaitance of the family, as well as other people, informs me that it showed that Marion was "pepper ed " on the first day, and backed heavily on the second day, I may also add that lam informed by one who should know that the treasurer of Christchurch .Tattersall's Club, Mr Roper— whether in his official capacity, or on his own account, or on behalf of anyone else I know not — wrote a few weeks ago to the Snider family, expressing synipathy with their loss, and winding up with the significant request that he might be furnished with Mr Snidcr's book. Perhaps Mr Roper can furnish " Senex " with the information ho requires !