NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 22

NOTES BY BEACON.

The following interesting history of racing in Dunedin appears iv the Sydney Town and Country Journal, and it is headed by a dashinglooking likeness of Mr Sydney James, our Jockey Club's secretary :•«-" Racing in Otago began shortly after the discovery of gold in the district. The earlier settlers bad no love for the noble sport. They were folly occupied irr subduing the wilderness and planting JPresbyterianism. The Gabriel's Gully rush broke, out in 1861 ; and it brought about a large influx of miners and those connected with mining from Victoria. Tbese men— the • new iniquity/ as distinguished from tne •old identity' element — were the founders of racing in this Scotland of the south. The first horse race of which there is any tradition extant, was run on one of the flat-topped eminences adjacent to Duuedin, just above the spot where the Moutecillo Club plays football now. Thw was early in 1862. The first regular meetiug in Otago wa3 held in the same year. Mr Shadrach Jones who had just come over from Sandb.ur.st with Mr C. E. Bird, and bought tho then flourishing Proviucial Hotel, was the promoter. Thn idea of getting up a race meeting came apparently quite suddenly into his head, n»d, such was the vigour and offhand character of the man, that no sooner had he given the matter five minutes' consideration than he took the first step necessary to putfingitinto effect. ' Loi'k here, George,' he said — addressing George Smith, then a lad With him, now a middle-aged man— •• look here, we must

have some races. They tell me iiiere, is some flat ground away at the pack there. Go and pick out a course if you can} and be back sharp.' George went, and after some exploration in what was then new ground to many of the residents of Dunedin, lit upon an eligible spot at the head of the Taieri Plain. The site selected consisted of two 50-acre paddocks adjoining the Silverstream creek. Messrs Jeffrey and Robertson, the farmers who owned these paddocks, were net at all inclined to acquiesce in George Smith's proposals when the subject was first mooted. But they gradually relinquished their objections; and, to make a long story, short, George Smith was able to return to his employer with the tidings that his mission had been in every way a success. It may be here remarked that the Silverstream course thus selected proved thoroughly, adapted for the purposes of racing. A mile track was laid out, and on this many a contest was fought out, notably the champion race in which Mr Redwood's Ladybird dressed down the Australian representative, Mormon. Indeed, as a matter of fact, the ground is even now occasionally used for racing purposes, the Taieri Club having held its meeting last November in paddocks which include part of the old arena. The distance of the Silverstream course from Dunedin is about nfue miles and a-half by the Half-way Bush road. But in 1862 this track had not been cut, and all wheel traffic was by the Main South road, making the distance nearer 11 miles. It is hardly necessary to give all particulars of the first race meeting. Suffice it to remark tbafc a substantial sum was guaranteed in stakes ; that horses were brought from Canterbury and from Victoria (Sam Waldock sending over Falcon, Othello, and the Premier horse, The Professor); and that the venture was in every way a success. These three horses, by the way, were left in the colony. Othello was raffled for £400 ; The Professor was sold privately, and ultimately found his way to Southland, where he did duty at the stud ; and Waldock made Mr Jones .a present of Falcon. Harry Goodman, now owner of Apropos, Silver Mark, and other well-known horses, was one of the jockeys who rode at that Silverstream meeting. The ball having been once set rolling was kept on the move. Clubs were soon formed in Tokomairiro and the Dunstan and'elsewhere ; and the Dunedin folk acquired a perfect itch for racing, which found development in sundry small meetings held in the suburbs. One of the more notable of these was the' Anderson's Bay steeplechases, at which the chief event was won by Mr Arthur Smith's Tasmanian bred black horse Jordon, with Squire and Will-o'-the-Wisp as his immediate attendants, in front of four or five others. Jordon fell once, but was caught, and remounted in time to win. Another well-remembered meeting was that at the head of the Glen— somewhere about where the Mornington Tramway Company's extension line now traverses the Belt. The winners of the two chief events at this gathering were ridden by Mr Taggart. Dan O'Brien also took part in the meeting. There were occasional races on the Ocean Beach, got up by Mr A. Smith, Mr M'llroy, and one or two others. But the most important outcome of the Silverstream meeting was the formation of the Otago Jockey Club. Prominent among the founders of this club were Messrs S. Jones, D. Corsan, J. Stephenson, G. Dodson, H. Driver, W. H. Taggart, 0. Moore, J. H. Chaplin, S. James, and G. Dowse, Mr Sydney James was chosen secretary, a«d under his management many very enjoyable meetings were held on the old course. Hatter, Schoolboy, and Virginia were among the winners of the chief events, the Dunedin Handicap, annually run on March 23 (Anniversary Day); while of the jockeys, Stuart Waddell, Harry Yeend, and Jimmy Monaghan have sinco acquired more than a local reputation. The Otago Jockey Olub survived till 1868, when from a variety of causes— one of the principal being the difficulty of collecting funds for races held so far from town — it collapsed. In 1869 the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh prompted the local racing men to get up a meeting in honour of the Royal sailor; and it may be of interest to note, in passing, that at the preliminary meeting the chair was taken by Mr Fitizwilliani Wentworth. An influential committee was formed, iucluding Mr (now Sir> Julius Vogel and Mr Laruach. Mr Sydney James was appoiuted secretary. The affair was a great success ; the chief event being won by Mr E. Devine's four-year-old Captain Scott, who was afterwards mortally injured in the neighbourhood of the Forbury. It was aboiit this time that the Forbury Park Company was formed. The object of its existence was to secure a suitable ground for sports, races, &c. close co the city. The site of operations w:\rt a marshy piece of ground about two and a-half miles from the centre of the city, close to the Sandhill? which stand as a rampart between t.hu southerly suburbs of Dunedin and the ocean. Thtj site was an excellent one in all respects — tbat is when viewed from any of the many eminences surrounding it. But there was one drawback. Ib was a bog. The company set about its task in an undaunted manner ; and by degrees great improvements were made. But the work of reclamation was costly and tedious ; and, instead of it being used as a racecourse in 1870, as originally intended, it was March 1871 before a start was made. From the ashes of the Otago Jockey Club sprang, phcenix-like, another bodj, the Dunedin Jockey Club. It was called into existence at the end of 1869, and made a beginning with a membership of between 60 and 70. At its first committee meeting Messrs G. Dowse and Caleb Moore— poor 'Harry' as he was always called— were appointed to report as to a course ; and they reported that they had engaged the Silverstream. The first president of the dub was Mr John Stephenson, who is still to the fore, a hale and hearty old gentle- j man. Mr Stephenson, in connection with his partner in racing (Mr James Hajslett), is the owner of one of the chief racing establishments in Otago, and owner for many years past of well-known winning horses. Mr Hazlett's name appears as one of the earliest supporters of racing in Otago. As far back as 1873 be owned Novice, Musician, Atlas, and other well-known winners. The first treasurer of the club was a well-known and highly respected gentleman, the late Mr James Marshall. Mr Marshall skiltnlly piloted the club through its preliminary financial difficulties, and on his decease the Marshall Memorial Stakes, now run at the Autumn meeting, was established. The present' president, the Hon. George M'Lean, is an ardent supporter of racing, being the owner of several wellknown racehorses (including Lady Emma, twice winner of th« Duuedin Cup). His racing and breeding establishment is one- of the finest in New JZealand, and Mr M'Lean is hell in high esteem by all classes of the comrnunitM . The first race run under the club's auspices was the Maiden Pls^te, won by Mr R H. Morton's Southern Chief (ridden by Monsgbau); aud the most important event of th<; niei-tiiig was the Duuedin Handicap, of I3osov-i, with a swflypstake of $sovs each^two miles; this event also falling to Southern Chief, ridden by Hill. In February J. 870 the Forbury Park Company had completed its task, and the new racecourse was ready for use. The racing track, measured 3ft from the fence, is exactly 11 yards more than a mile, and is nearly circular with the exception of a flattening so. as to give 15 chains of a straight run home and a baok stretch of

i, | 9 chains. The designs for the general laying : out of the ground were prepared, by the late Mr [ R. C. Bagot, and as they left his pen they were j very much on the plan of the Geelong course. But in working them out some slight alterations were deemed desirable. The Dunedin Jockey Club's first meeting on this ' course was held on March 23, 1871, when ' the Maiden Plate, the opening event of thejprogramme, was annexed by the Malton-Revoke mare Swindle, and the Forbury Handicap, of 120sovs— the forerunner of the Dunedin Cup, was won by Catapult, with Bobby Burns sedond, and Sir Tatton third. The course was at i first very heavy, except in very dry weather ; and the approaches were bad. A change was gradually accomplished. The D.J.C. .purchased ; the ground; and a comprehensive aud systematic effort was made to permanently overcome the natural disadvantages of the site. This work involved an elaborate scheme of drainage, by which the surface water is conveyed to cisterns and by self-regulating windmills pumped into the conduits outside the fences ; also the formation of a tan track for exercise, which was made by putting in a thick layer of rubble, overlaying it with turf, and then covering it with the spent bark ; and ina,ny other minor but expensive undertakings, all of which have proved useful in making the Forbury course what it undoubtedly is, one of the best in New Zealand, for horses can exercise on it within a few hours after the heaviest rainfalls ; and, being hollow, it is light and springy to the feet. The terms of purchase of the course were the payment of £2000 down and 4 per cent, per annum on £28,000; this bulk of the principal being due in 1901. Before it made this purchase the club had to pay so much per meeting ; a manifestly unprofitable arrangement, as the initial expenses made a big hole in the profits Since entering into the proprietorship of the Forbury Park, the club has spent large sums in farther improving it. A large new stand, • the people's stand,' has been erected for the convenience of those who cannot afford the half-guinea admission to the lawn ; three totalisator booths are placed in convenient situations and provided with the most improved machines ; 10 new scraping sheds have been added during the past year ; also a neat cottage for the caretaker ; the entrance has been made more commodious; the carriage paddock extended ; long rows of macrocarpa and pther evergreen trees have been planted inside! the fence ; and last, but not least, the formation of a third track has been begun, situated between the tan track and the ditch. This, when covered with grass, will make a useful gallop for tenderfooted horses in fine weather. And yet, in spite of all this outlay, the club has improved its financial position year by year. At the last annual meeting, held in January, the accounts submitted, covering a period of 18 months, showed that whereas at the .previous meeting the club owed £600 odd, there was then a balance of £1220 to the good. This tells its own story ; and it is needless to comment farther than to echo the general congratulation heard on all hands that, during the unparalleled depression which has wrecked many commercial enterprises and given others a terrible shaking, the Dunedin Jockey Club continues to more than hold its own ; and at the present moment there is not a more solvent institution in New Zealand. The satisfactory position of the club is largely due to the ability and unremitting zeal of Mr Sydney James, the worthy secretary, who is a very old colonist, having landed in Adelaide from England as long ago as 1849. He shortly afterward went to Victoria, and was one of the first members of the Melbourne Hunt Club. He is one of the oddest friends of Mr George Watsou, the starter of the Victoria Racing Club. Mr James reached Dumedin in 1858. He was the first secretary of the first racing club formed in Otago; acted in]that capacity at the races got up in honour of, the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh ; was appointed secretary on the formation of the Dunedin Jockey Club, and has held office ever since. So that he has been in harness continuously for just about a quarter of a century. Mr James' lengthened experience and mature judgment, combined with a ready apprehension of both sides bf a question, constitute him an authority on all matters pertaining to racing. Hence his counsel is not unfrequently sought by other clvb s5s 5 when difficulties arise. The old rules of the clubnow superseded by a complication to suit the requirements of the day — were framed by Mr James ; and in his office is to be found a unique collection of racing annals, including many volumes containing New Zealend programmes ever since 1873. Though well up in years, Mr | James is still an active man ; and, besides being secretary to the D.J.C, he holds office in the ! Masons as secretary of the District Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland, E.C., is one of the auditors to the city corporation, and secretary to the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The business of his office having largely increased of late, Mr James is now assisted by his son, Mr Harry James, who is at present engaged in writing up a comprehensive reference book containing details of all the race meetings of which Mr James has had the management since 1866. Mr James is an enthusiast in his work, and it will be a happy day for him when he takes possession of the deeds of the Forbury Park on behalf of the club which he has so skilfully piloted from the timp it was launched." The following Melbourne cables were received on Wednesday: — It rained heavily during the night, but i 3 now clearing up. Nothing of importance was done this morning either at Caulfield or at Flemington. All the members of the ring are away at the Bacchus Mar?h raws; consequently there is nothing doing in town over the V.R.C. meeting. Discovery has been scratched for the Melbourne Cup. — Australian Peer now stani's at 12 to 1 for the Melbourne Cup. Betting on the other horses is unchanged. The second day's racing of the Waimate Jockey Club's meeting was somewhat more satisfactory than that of the previous day. Only £206 was put through the machine. A dividend of £15 6s was paid on the Hurdle Race. The Hon. W. Dundas, Timaru, officiated as Btarter, and was very successful in getting his fields away on even terms. The following are the results :— HANDICAP HURDLE EACE, Of 30sovs. One mile and a-half ; over six flights of hurdles. Mr M'Mahon's Platcatcher, 9st 71b ... ... 1 Mr Felhain Jones' Coryphee, lOst 71b ... 2 Mr W S Armitage's All Pours, lOst 71b ... 3 Knrearea (lOst 101b) and Miss Guy (9st) also started. All Fours carried 7£lb, and Miss Guy 191b overweight. Woa after a splendid race. Of £51 in the totalisator, only £3 was on the winner; dividend, £15 6s. The favourite Karparea led for half a mile, and then All Fours shot to the front, only to be displaced by Corypheo, and eventually by Flatcatcher. The win was a popular one, aud the owner was loudly cheerei. OCTOBER HANDIGAP. Of ISsovs. Onfi mile and a-quarter. Messrs Hobbs' Jack, Bst 31b... ... ... 1 Mr A Bpvle's Vanity Fair, BSI ... ... 2 Mr A Cowie's The Brewer, Bat 21b ... ... 3 These were the only starters, and Vanity Fair looked like an easy winner till Jack came on even terms with her on entering the straight and

won by a short head ; the Brewer a bad third. Time, 2min 15£ sec. Of £67. in the totalisator £27 was ou the winner ; dividend, £2 4s. TROTTING HANDICAP. Three miles. No weight under lOst. Mr W S Martin's Wm-if-I-can, scratch .... 1 Eleven others started. Won by nearly a quarter of a mile. Dividend, £1 10s. A complaint was made to the stewards that Martin had not ridden the winner on the previous day, as she easily beat the other in the first two miles, but nothing came of it. > HACK SELLING RACE, Of lOsovs. Six furlongs. Winner to be sold for £10. No weight under Bst. Mr Garden's Freemason (late Fancy Fifteen) ... 1 Won easily. Of £31 in the totalisator, £9 was on the winner ; dividend, £3 2s. CONSOLATION HANDICAP, Of lOsovs. About one mile. Mr Cowie'e The Brewer, Bst 71b ... ... 1 Mr M Sherwin's Corunna, (3st 31b ... ... 2 Karearea (7st) was scratched. Won by three lengths. Of £30 in the totalisator, £17 was on the winner ; dividend, £1 10s. At the Gisborne Spring Meeting the weather was perfect and the attendance large. Results : — Maiden Plate.— Uranus Bnd Nina ran a dead heat. Uranus t.siving passed inside a post, Nina was awarded first place. Dividend, £18 9s. Jubilkk Handicap, of loOsovs. — Warama, 1 ; Fitzjames, 2 ; Norah. 3. Dividend, £1 18s. Hukdlk Handicap.— Uranus, 1 ; Kangaroo, 2; Duadine, '2. Selling Hack Hack.— Charon, 1 ; Bachelor, 2. The Songster filly fell at the last hurdle and broke the rider'B (Griffiths) leg. Flying Handicap. — Audacity, 1; Ponowa, 2; Longwaist, 3. Selling Each Handicap.— Off Chance, 1 ; Inch, 2 ; Minstrel, 3. Forced Handicap. —Warama, 1; Songster, 2; Audacity, 3. Thursday was a damp morning in Dunedin, but Turnbull and Cotton were out early at the Forbury Park nevertheless. Mokoia and St. Ives were sent two miles on the racing track, going steadily the first time round, and increasing the pace to three-part speed over the last mile. St. Swithin went a similar distance, St. Malo picking him up at the half-mile post and bringing him home at top. Tangi colt and St. James were restricted to walking exercise. Garibaldi, Le Temps, Camerine, and Ishmael went twice round the tan in company, covering three-parts of the journey steadily and finishing up fast. Trapper and Mayboy were treated to a two-mile pipe- opener, Mayboy pulling up very lame. The Baker went three times round at half-speed. Goodman, Waddell, White, and Smith worked their teams on the sand at the Ocean Beach. Heartburn and Falsehood were sent three miles at three-part speed, and Dunluce covered a like distance at a similar pace. Fairy Maid went two miles at halt-speed, and Captain Webster covered three miles steadily. La Rose did useful two-mile work in view of her Timaru engagements, and Captain Cook was stripped and sent a mile and a-half at a fast rate. First Lord cantered a mile, and hopes are entertained of his eventual lecovery of his two-year-old form. Silver Mark went a mile and a-half sharply, as did also Apropos and The Bard; and Sommeil negotiated a mile at three-quarter speed. Drover, and Whalebone Dick did nothing beyond cantering exercise. Consequent upon twisting a shoe and hitting his leg while at exercise on Weduesday morning, St. Clair is confined to the stable, and the application of poultices to the injured limb has been found necessary. Waddell's Tasmanian-bred colt by Lapidist— Pet, who has hurt his back badly, is now standing in slings. Friday morning was stormy, and the softness of the racing track and tan gallop necessitated training on the sand at the Ocean Beach. Trapper trotted two miles, and a sister to The Brewer galloped a mile steadily. Jenny negotiated two miles sharply, and Dunluce was s sent four miles at half-speed. Falsehood and Heartburn went a like distance at a better pace. First Lord, who wears bandages, cantered two miles, and Sommeil covered a mile and a-half, finishing up fast and moving in grand style. The Bard went three miles steadily, as did also Apropos and Silver Mark. La Rose was sent four miles at half-speed, and Captain Webster covered three miles at a similar pace. Fairy Maid galloped two miles sharply, and Captain Cook was stripped and sent three miles at three-part speed. Garibaldi, Le Temps, Camerine, Ishmael, and Snapshot cantered two miles in company, and St. Malo and Tangi colt were given a serviceable gallop over the same ground. Sweetbriar went two miles, going the latter half of the journey at a fast rate, and Drover travelled three miles at a useful pace. St. Swithin, St. Ives, and Mokoia were restricted to walking exercise. St. Clair's mishap is not of a serious nature, though it has necessarily effected a slight stoppage in his work. Saturday was a beautiful morning, and trainers were more than ordinarily busy. Arethusa was out early, and went two miles at half speed on the sand; and Falsehood and Heartburn were also exercised at Ocean Beach. Cotton's Garibaldi, Le Temps, and Ishmael were sent twice round the tan, racing home over the last half mile, Camerine finishing in front of Le Temps and Garibaldi, with Ishmael beaten off ; and this horse is apparently a non-stayer. Snapshot (Cotton up) cantered three times round. Waddell's La Rose went two miles on the racing track, covering the last mile at a fast rate. Fairy Maid was sent twice round at a, switching pace, moving freely and finishing strong ; and Captain Webster (in quarter cloth) and Captain Cock compassed two miles at three-part speed. Tnrnbull's Mokoia went three miles steadily ; and St. Ives and St. Swithin were sent two miles, increasing the pace over the last mile and finishing up fast. St. Swithin gallops very awkwardly. Goodman's Silver Mark and Bard were sent a mile and a distance at top, Sommeil picking them up at the halfmile post, and running clean away at the finish. Apropos went two miles, going a mile and a-half sharply, and covering the last half mile in company of Turnbull's St. Malo at top. First Lord, Tangi colt, and St. James cantered to the far side of the course and raced home over four furlongs, First Lord (with all the best of the weights) fairly smothering his younger opponents, Poole's mate (own sister to the Brewer) by Guy Fawkeß cantered three-quarters of a mile the reverse way of the tan, and afterwards went a mile at three-part speed. Trapper (Sharp up), accompanied by Smith's Dunluce, was treated Jto a two-mile pipe-opener; and Drover went twice round at a sweating pace. Mercer's Shifnaland Sweetbriar were restricted to walking exercise, and St. Clair was not out. In the afrernoon The Jilt (gelding) and Fallacy (filly) went a mile and a-quarter steadily ; and Fireball and Apres Moi cantered on the tan. Turnbull's chestnut filly by Gorton covered a mile at half speed, and The Baker went twice round at a useful pace. Sunday was a raw, cold morning, with occasional glimpses of sunshine. Snapshot and Garibaldi went twice round the racing track — going steadily over the first mile, and increasing the pace to top the second time round. Fairy Maid went two miles at half-speed, as did also La Rose ; and Captain Webster (in clothing) and Captain Cook were sent twice round, covering the last mile at a fast rate. In a rough-up gallop, once round, with Camerine (Le Temps joining '

i in at the half-mile post), Mokoia appeared to be >r \ outpaced, but came again on nearing home and I ultimately finished close up. Le Temps had all I the best of the spin. St. lyes went two miles at a good rate, and St. Swifhin covered a like dig. tance at half-speed, Sweetbriar accompanyinc him for three-parts of a mile, when she (Sweet briar) bolted, and overpowering her jockey, raced round the track alone. Silver Mark (Masdonald) Apropos (Price), and Bard (Dyer) were sent » mile against the watch, Silver Mark, who lay behind for half the journey, finishing clear in front of Bard, with Apropos several lengths away. Sommeil and St. Malo cantered round to the two-furlong post, where they jumped off and raced home— Sommeil, hard held, winning any hgw. The Baker went .twice round. 1 Monday was a pleasant morning at the Forbury, but the racing track and tan gallop are still very soft. Tho Baker was ont early, and went three times round in view of his Taieri engagements. Cotton's Garibaldi, Camerine and Ishmael cantered two miles, Le Temps going a mile further at a better pace. Snapshot only cantered. Smith's Dunluce covered two miles aft half speed, and Dispute went once round at a fast rate. Poole's Miss Guy (it is intended to re-name this mare) went a mile sharply in company of Trapper, the latter (Sharp up) completing another circuit at top. Jenny was given a serviceable mile gallop. Waddell's Fairy Maid moving freely, compassed two miles at a useful pace, and La Rose was sent a similar distance covering the last mile at top. Captain Websttt (in clothing) went a mile steadily, and then joined Captain Cook in a sweating gallop twice round. Goodman's Silver Mark went three miles at three-part speed unattended, and Apropos negotiated a like distance at a fast rate, First Lord accompanying her over the first two miles, Bard was restricted to hack-cantering exercise," and Sommeil was sent two miles steadily. White's Heartburn went twice round at threepart speed, as did also Drover. Turnbull's St. Ives went three times round, increasing the pace over the last mile and finishing up strong, Mokoia and St. Switbin went twice round at three-quarter speed, and St. Malo went a like distance at half pace. Dione filly and St. James cantered two miles, after which they returned to the distance post and raced up the straight, finishing nearly level. Billy cantered twice round the tan, and Tangi II filly went once round the racing track steadily. Tuesday morning was cold and stormy, and the^going was uncommonly heavy ; but some interesting work was got through, nevertheless. Arethusa was early out, and worked on the sand at O^ean Beach. Poole sent Trapper two miles at half speed on the racing track ; and Jenny compassed an additional circuit at a better pace. Miss Guy, by Guy Fawkes, cantered once round the reverse way of the tan, and afterwards went a mile at an easy rate. Smith's Dunluce was gent two miles at three-part speed, and Dispute hackcantered. Cotton's Garibaldi went two miles steadily, as did also Fireball and Le Temps ; and Camerine covered a mile at a similar pace, Mercer's Shifnal cantered a furlong, pulling up .lame ; and Sweetbriar covered two miles, finishing up fast. White sent Heartburn once round steadily. Waddell's La Rose went two miles, increasing the pace to top the second timo round ; and Captain Webster and Fairy Maid raced a mile, the "Captain" pulling over the mare for three-parts of the journey. Goodman's Apropos and First Lord went two miles at half speed, and the latter is now tolerably sound apparently. Sommeil (Price up) and Bard (Sharp riding) cantered to the far side of the course and jumped off at the half-mile post, the two-year-old going in grand style and moving superbly. Turnbull's Mokoia and St. Ives went a mile at. a sweating pace ; and St. Clair and St. Pwitbin vi'pit sent two miles, St. Malo picking up tin- latter at the two-furlong post and bringing him home at top. St. Clair shows no trace of his recent lameness. Captain Cook and Silver Mark were put together over a mile and a-half. On covering seven furlongs "Cook" dropped back, but coming again on nearing bomp, he finished close up. On a firm course Silver Mark will run a nailing race at a mile and a-half. In the afternoon Turnbull brought out Mokoia, St. Clair, and Dione filly, and ihp Oup horse went two miles steadily, pulling up souml. Mokoia and Dione filly were restricted to walking exercise. Waddell's West colt cantered; and Fallacy filly and The Jilt gelding went half a mile at top, finishing at the far side. Fallacy filly is a rare goer, with machine-like action ; but her forelegs are a bit light above the knee. Tangi II filly negotiated a mile at a useful pace; and Cotton's Apres Moi, Gitana colt, and Ishnaael walked on the tan. Mayboy's tendons have given way, but his trainer hopes to bring him round in the course of a fortnight. We have to report the death of Mr W. H, Tagpart's well-known trotting stallion Pinole Patchen, which resulted from his getting cast in bis box during Friday night. The horse was hearty and well on that day, but the effects of his accident were to injure him internally ; and though Messrs Douglass and Farquhars.on, the veterinary surgeons, attended him assiduously, the horse died on Saturday night. Pinole Patchen was purchased in America some years ago, with some other trotting stock, by Mr Kerr, of Nelson, who sold him to Mr Taggart for £300. The horse came of the best blood in America, and during the past three or four seasons he has spent in Otago has got some very promising stock. He had a very good season before him this year, and Mr Tageart has telegraphed to Mr Kerr to ascertain if another stallion of the s«nne breed is obtainable to take up Pinole Patchen's engagements. A Melbourne cablegram informs us tbat Mr A. Drake intends returning to New Zealand at once, having " had a bad time of it " over the other side. That can well be imagined, looking at the poor performances of his horses, which were, he will now probably be the first to admit, a poor lot to put against the Australian cracks. But as Spade Guinea, Teddy Yuille, Pasha.and Vinaigrette have been nominated for various events at the V.R.C. meeting, Mr Drake is likely to see at least that gathering through— unless, indeed, he has " gone broke " and had to part with his horses. Of the New Zealand horses in the Melbourne Stakes (w.f.a.) I find Spade Guinea and Silver Prince; in the Hotham Handicap, Spade Guinea, Pasha, and Teddy Yuille; in the SelliDg Race, Rocket and Teddy Yuille; intbeCoburg Stakes, Vinaigrette, Pasha, and Escutcheon ; m the Railway Handicap, Rocket and Teddy Yuille; in the Nursery Handicap, Bellissima; in the Van Yean Stakes, Escutcheon, Pasha, Spade Guinea, Vinaigrette, and Enfilade; in the Flying Stakes, Bellissima, Rocket, and Spade Guinea ; in the Spring Handicap, Tranter, Escutcheon, Pasha, Spade Guinea, Enfilade, Silver Prince, and Thunderbolt; in the Royal Park Stakes, Tranter, Escutcheon, Pasba, Spade Guinea, Silver Prince, and Thunder* bolt; in the Veteran Stakes, Teddy Yuilie, Pasha, Thunderbolt, and Silver Prince; ro the Maiden Plate, Tranter and Whakawai; in tb.4 Flemington Stakes, Bellissima; in tne V.R.C. Handicap, Escutcheon, Pasha, Spade Guinea, Silver Prince, and Thunderbolt; w we Canterbury Plate, Tranter, Escutcheon, Sp^e Guinea, and Silver Prince; in the Free Handicap, Escutcheon, Teddy Yuille, PasWh ■Silver Prince, and Thunderbolt. It will-be « bit of hard luck if none of these good things to say nothing of Derby or Oup, come this way,

A good story (says " Hippo ") is told of a w ell-known racing man in Napier. A great tragedienne was receiving in town, and the racing man, who is a half-caste, was introduced as a great Maori chief, while his friend was presented as his private secretary. The latter incidentally mentioned that he had seen the distinguished tragedienne some years previously, and on being asked by her in what character, replied "Marie Antoinette." This was too much for the racing man, who had hitherto kept silent, though as good an English speaker as is to be found, and he was heard to remark " Damn Silence." The private secretary had to explain that Marie Antoinette was the dara of Silence. His chief had largely backed the latter for the New Zealand Cup, and knew the horse had gone crooked. Bangle aud Turquoise have been scratched for all engagements at the C.J.C. Metropolitan meeting. Messrs J. R. Mills and Co. have sold by auction Athol Daisy, she being knocked down to Mr J. Barry, Orepuki, for the sum of £31. The Egmont Jockey Olub have decided to hold two days' racing at their next meeting, which is to take place in February. I commend to the notice of those interested jn the Winton Derby business or in the generally vexed question as to who is the actual breeder of a foal, the following from the pen of the editor of Sporting Life :— " Mention of deductions from stakes for breeders leads me up to say that an action at law is threatened, according to seme reports, and on rather curious foundations. The buyer having bought a mare in foal, and the produce having subsequently won a race wherein there is a bonus for breeders, claims the sum as his right. On the other hand, the man who originally had the mare, and mated her, claims to be entitled to the allowance as the real breeder of the offspring. I daresay the matter will be settled amicably, but for my own part I should not hesitate at all to declare in favour of the man who originally had the mare and sent her to the horse. He is certainly the hreeder, and her subsequent possessor the rearer. Itputs me in mind of an argument once brought before a negro debating society in the States as to which was the mother of a certain brood of chickens, the hen which laid the eggs or the hen which hatched them. It was learnedly put forth that if the hen had not laid the eggs there would have been no chickens, and that her's was the real task of perpetuation. On the other hand, it was advanced that if there had been no hen to hatch the eggs there would have been no chickens, and that consequently the incubator was the real mother. At last one member hit upon an idea, and said : ' S'pose these was duck's eggs and the ole hen hatched 'em, would that ole hen be counted the mother of dem little ducks ? ' This question seemed a poser, and was in the favour of the layer against the hatcher— or the breeder against the rearer — until the chairman, who had a bit of a bias, rose in his place, and said, with great dignity : ' Gemmen, the question afore this society is chickens, not ducks, i Ducks aint go« nuffin to do with it. I therefore rule ducks out of the argument.' Then there was a free fight, and the real question has not been settled, so far as I have been able to learn, up to the present moment. Should, therefore, the breeder or rearer trial come to judgment, the great egg-hatching question may be put in a fair way for solution." Still another letter to the Southland Times on the Winton Derby question— this time from a member of the club, as follows: — "In your issue of to-day appears a letter over the signature of Mr John Shand, in which he tries to refute the assertion of the secretary of the Winton Jockey Olub re the unanimity of the club, Mr Shand excepted, respecting the rejection of the nomination of Streamlet for the W.J.C. Derby. Mr Shand states that at the first meeting, when the matter was considered, he and others were in favour of receiving it. Now, the facts are that neither Mr Shand (who, as president, ought to have been in the chair, tho meeting beingan annual one), Mr Patterson, nor Mr Broadbent were at the meeting at all, and the nomination was rejected unanimously. Regarding Mr Shand's communication to the Dunedin Jockey Club on the matter, it was purely private to Mr Shand, as ho was not authorised by the club to submit it to the D.J.C, nor had he power by virtue of his position to do so. The club having the rules of racing to guide them in the matter, knew that it was unnecessary to submit it to the D.J.C, even had they had any doubt as to the correctness of their decision, because the D.J.C. bye-laws distinctly state that should any case occur not therein provided for, nor provided for in the rules of racing, it shall be decided by the usage of Newmarket, which the W.J.C. have correctly done. With regard to the amount in the bank to the club's credit, I may say that to my knowledge Mr Shand knew less about it than any other member of the club until he made inquiries on or about the 16th September 1887. —I am, &c, . A Member W.J.C." I have received a catalogue of the Russley yearlings which are to be sold at auction at Mr Horsford's stud farm on November 12. The sires of the youngsters are Albany, Cadogan, Apreinont, and Hornby; while the dams include such highly bred mares as No Name, Zelica (a daughter of The Peer), Trinket, Siesta, Nonsense, and Athole (a daughter of the great Blair Athol). The lot are to be sold without reserve. The Auckland correspondent of the Press writes as follows : — " A cable received here on Saturday morning \irom Mr W. Dakin stated that he was very confident of winning the Caulfield Guineas with Escutcheon, who was the favourite at 3to lagainst.— The Thames Jockey Club hold their annual meeting on Boxing Day and the day following; the added money to be given totals up to £500.— Writing to his partner, Mr R. Blakie, Mr Lyons states that Too Soon andQueenieare progressing satisfactorily in their work. They are trained at Liverpool, and it is certain that the pair will not be seen out till later on in the season. In our English racing news will be found the result of the great two-year-old race— the Middle "ark Plate. The aptly-named Friar's Balsam, wao has not yet suffered defeat, proved the v ictor, and he will, doubtless, be a very hot winter favourite for the Derby. News of the race for the Champion Stakes is amo i to hand, and that proves to have been carried °« °F the veteran Bendigo, who had a couple ° l days before achieved another of his great <U v by runnm S second in the Cesarewitch "takes. Ormonde was not entered for the Stakes this year, but Minting was nominated, and may have started. The only further news to hand by the mail in connection with the sentence passed on the Marquis of Ailesbury, is the following -.-The Rewards called on Martin to explain his riding n . * ao fi rst heat, and, having heard the evideuce oiLord Ailesbury, Martin, and others, were of opinion that either an attempt was made to win 8 y an unjustifiably and dangerously short distance, or that Everitt was wilfully stopped, and roierred the case to the stewards of the Jockey „ . • Wno have withdrawn his license pending an investigation. On the Oamaru nomination business the fol™'B S tester appears in the local paper :— " I «c oy a local in the North Otago Times of this morning that the committee of v he O.J.C. are

at their old game of deluding nominators. They issue a programme for the 3rd and 4th November, in which they state that nominations will not be received after the time stated (meaning lOfch of Octobe:) under any pretence whatever. They put an owner to the expense of training a horse, and when he nominates according to programme, and the committee find that the nominations do not suit their book, they, of their own sweet will, ignore all racing law, and postpone the nominations for a week. Of course they will have the secretary writing, as usual, to the Hon. So-and-so and other owners, saying that the committee have taken the liberty of nominating for them, apologising for taking such a liberty, and excusing themselves on the plea of having few nominators and indifferent horses, so that they might kill two birds with the samo stone — namely, suit their books and induce the big grab-alls to come and do a quiet loaf on a local trainer or a poor farmer, by simply doing them out of their training expenses, entry money, &c. Truly this is a most flagrant breach of racing law that has been introduced into our O.J.C. within a short period. Sbill they say that they run under the Dunedin Jockey Club rules. Please read the footnote enclosed from the D.J.C. and add to letter. — I am, &c, Another Nominator. — (Enclosure.) Ths nominations of Strenuous for the Cup, and Forester for the Publicans' were not delivered till 9.20, and were not received." Darebin and and Sir Modred are being given every opportunity of distinguishing themselves at the American stud. Their importer, Mr J. B. Haggin, the well-known horsebreeder, of California, has invested the sum of £150,000 in land near the town of El Paso, Texas, with the view of establishing a stud farm there. The section of country is 6000 ft above the level of the sea, and the climate is supposed to be eminently suited for stock-raising, as it is free from snow in the winter season, while the summer weather is cool and pleasant. The following paragraph from the Melbourne Sportsman is worthy the attention of the Canterbury Jockey Club :— " The Great Foal Stakes furnished an exciting finish, for the judge failed to separate Lady Betty and Consequence, although from the press stand the former seemed to have won easily, notwithstanding Gorry's rush on the favourite. Another illustration this of the stupidity of placing reporters where they cannot see the finish properly." The press stand at the Christchurch course is placed so far down the running that anyone looking at a race from it gets an absurdly erroneous impression of the position of the horses as they pass the judge's box. I could never understand why the press men take up their positions there while they can get a perfect view from the stand or lawn, at id the more is the wonder when I have often told them that a race which they took to be won by. say, a head, was actually secured by a length and a-half or more. The Wanganui Jockey Club have (says " Flaneur ") let the totalisator to Messrs Hill and Poole again ; and the writer expresses a hope that it will insist on sixpences being paid out to investors, as the le.tter have a better right to the odd money than the club and the totalisator lessees. All other Metropolitan Clubs pay out sixpences, and the Wanganui should do so too. Ten per cent, commission is surely enough to charge the public for the privilege of putting their money through the machines, without mulcting them of the odd money, which averages fully another 2| per cent, all the year round. I have received the following letter from the owner of Streamlet : — " Invercargill, October 16, 1887.— Kindly give me your opinion as to how I shall proceed in reference to my nomination of Steamlet for the Winton Derby, as the Winton Jockey Club still refuse to accept the nomination, although it was sent to them, and received by them in due time, as per advertisement. They advertised their Derby as open to all horses bred in Southland ; and the mare Streamlot, in point of breeding, has been proved by every reliable authority in New Zealand and Victoria to be eligible for their race. Shall I take my mare there and run her ? How shall I act in reference to weighing out and in, and if the starter refuses to start her ? In fact, favour me with your advice on the whole matter, and oblige, yours, &c.,— J. R. Richards."— [While sympathising thoroughly with Mr Richards, I cannot give him any advice on the matter, as it : might lead him into a difficulty. He had better apply to a lawyer, and see if anything can be done to enforce his rights. — Beacon.] The weights for the Taieri races are to hand, and it will be seen that Captain Cook heads the list in the principal races with a bit above 9st.; but as Mazurka, Camerine, Factory Girl, and the hurdle racers Trapper and Mayboy are his principal opponents, he should win one or both of the events in which he is engaged — that is to say, if he still possesses the turn of speed that he has shown us on occasions. Le Temps might prove a thorn in his side, but I should apprehend the most danger from Camerine or Trapper, There are a lot of good goers in the Trotting Race, and it would be advisable to wait until some of the 23 competitors have dropped out before trying to select the winner. The following letter appears in the Referee : — "As a careful observer of trotting, aud one who takes an interest in its welfare, I venture to suggest to the various clubs, through the medium of your valuable paper, that all the clubs which offer stakes for trotting races shouldjappoint one handicapper who would be competent, and I think that if the services of Mr Dowse, of Dunedin, could be procured the appointment would give general satisfaction. I think when I say that our handicapping of trotting races in Canterbury for the last 12 months has been far from satisfactory, I am expressing the opinion of a large majority of the owners of trotting horses, and I have been told by a number of owners that they nominated their horses in the hope of getting a show, and finding that their handicap would not give them a 1000 to 1 chance they paid up in hopes that the handicappers, after seeing their horses perform, would rectify the mistake next time, but hi most cases their horses have had even a worse chance than before. I know that it is a very difficult thing to bring trotters together, but still I fell sure that if a careful and painstaking handicapper like Mr Dowse were appointed, the horses would be brought much closer together, and horses such as Bob Gawn, Frolicsome, Claret, Lunatic, and a number of others, would not have been placed (as they are by our present handicappers) hopelessly out of it. Hoping that you will find space for this in your valuable sporting paper, and that the clubs will consider the suggestion, I beg to subscribe myself, — A Lover of Trotting." Wanaka races have not attracted particularly numerous entries, still the flat handicaps have filled fairly well, the lists comprising about the best of the local horses. An alteration has been made in the date of publishing the weights, and they will not be out till the 25th inst. Mr Dowses handicaps for the Maniototo Racing Club's Spring meeting appear in this issue, and if a fair proportion of the horses engaged there accept, the meeting will be as great a success as ever. There is some good quality among the candidates for the Spring and Puketoi Handicaps, and of the lot I should look to Viking and Don Jose to prove the most

dangerous* The Trotting Race has a score, bar one, of competitors, and our old acquaintance Wanderoo has the place of honour among them. Some of the trotters that come down to the Dunedin meetings from the Maniototo district occasionally give our local owners a bit of a fright, and possibly something good may be unearthed on this occasion. The Dunedin Jockey Club have passed the programme of the Invercargill Racing Club's meeting to be held at the New Year. The races will extend over two days, and the prize smoney amounts to £234. The principle stake is the luvercargill Cup, of 46sots. Oamaru nominations appear in another column, and it will seen that they are not very numerous ; in fact, they are only 45 in all, as against 55 last year. The principal falling off is observable in the hurdle races. Among the entries for the other handicaps will be found the names of Captain Cook, Snapshot, Quibble, and other well-known performers. For Tattersall's Club meeting, to be held at Christchurch on December 16, nominations are due on November 19 as follows: — Tattersall's Club Cup, of 200SOV8 ; Anniversary Handicap, of lOOsovs; Corinthian Handicap, of 50sovs ; Hopeful Stakes (for two-year-olds), of 75sovs; and Hurdle Handicap, of 75sovs. The capital bill of fare provided by the spirited promoters of this gathering will doubtless attract numerous entries. I hear that the Dunedin Jockey Club have dropped legal proceedings iv the celebrated Meteor case, generally known as that of Stuart v. the Dunedin Jockey Club, The latter body appear to have discovered that they have no chance of success under the law as it stands, and have handed over the money which Stuart sued them for. That money it will be remembered, was invested by him in the totalisator on a horse that did not win — and the law seemingly allows him to get it back. The entries for the Wanganui Spring meeting are excellent, being very numerous and I with some good performers among them. The ' names of Pearl, Administrator, Rivulet, Lady J Florin, and Strenuous stand out prominently among them. What horse Silver Prince can be Ido not know ; but at least it cannot be the Hon. W. Robinson's Melbourne Cup candidate, arid the question then arises, How do we get a second Silver Prince bred and owned in New Zealand? Necklace is given top weight, with 9st 71b, in the Prince of Wales' Stakes to be run at the Auckland Spring meeting. This is a lump for her to carry, and I shall look elsewhere for the winner when the acceptances come out. In answer to a question by Mr Sydney James (in connection with the Streamlet affair) the j secretary of the Victoria Racing Club, Mr Byron Moore, writes that the practice in Vie- i toria has been to consider the owner of the dam at the time she foals to be the breeder of the foal. I did a foolish thing last week in attempting to spot the best horses in the Caulfield Cup, and deservedly came to grief most signally. When they can't drop on to the winner over there it is, I must confess, somewhat presumptuous for us here to attempt to do so. A few lucky sports in Dunedin fluked on to Oakleigh and pocket a dividend of £24 each thereby. Oakleigh has carried out to a successful issue what is evidently a well-prepared coup, the winning of the Caulfield Cup. He had previously run 24 times and won only three races — the Trial Stakes at Newcastle when a two-year-old ; the Trial Stakes at Rand wick at three years; and the Smeaton Cup last year. In the lastnamed race he carried Bst 41b, and since then he has run only three times— twice this season — and without success. He is engaged in the Melbourne Cup at 7st 41b (including 10lb penalty) Remus, who somewhat unexpectedly ran second, has 6st 111b in the Melbourne Cup; while Dunlop, who, by the bye, had 9st "(mchiclmg 71b penalty) at Caulfield, has Bst 51b (including 71b penalty) in the Melbourne Cup. The less said about the sorry figure cut by the New Zealand representatives m the big Caulfield race the better. There have been inquiries here for Lochiel for the New Zealand Cup during the week, and his price has shortened to Bto 1. Nelson, however, still maintains his position as first favourite, apything over 6to 1 being readily taken ; while the best odds going about Artillery are only a point longer. Then comes Lochiel and Maxim at 8 to 1, with Sextant next in order at 10 to 1. Prices about the others are merely nominal, none of them being asked for in fact except for an occasional hundred or two. St. Clair seems to be coming on well, and he found backers on Wednesday at 100 to 6. Practically there is scarcely anything doing in Dunedin on the New Zealand Cup, backers apparently taking more interest in the Melbourne Derby and Cup, on which all our bookmakers are busy. Prices straight oufc on the Cup range from 5 to 1 (Algerian's present price) to 100 to 1 ; while doubles on the Derby and Cup are taken freely at from 100 to 8 to 100 to 1. This shorter price is, of course, only taken about Abercorn and Algerian. The Cromwell Jockey Club's Spring meeting, which came off on Thursday, furnished some good racing, all the events being well contested. Over £1000 was put through the totalisator. The various events resulted as follows : Maiden Plate, Kea ; Spring Handicap, Mr Rivers' Don Jose; Trotting Handicap, Lucy; Cromwell Handicap, Don Jo6e; Hack Selling Race, Archie; Hurdle Race, Mr SewelPs Tenakoe. The nominations for the Hawke's Bay Guineas of 1889 number 85, of which large total the New Zealand Stud Comany are responsible for no less than 27. Otago is represented by the Hon. G. M'Lean alone, but that gentleman has entered five youngsters, four of whom are by his highly bred sire Gorton. George Fordham, the celebrated English jockey, died on Tuesday. He was the most successful rider the world ever saw until ill-health caused him to gradually give up riding, when his place in the first rank was taken by the late F. Archer. t The nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club's fixtures that have just closed are somewhat smaller than last year's, owing to there being a falling off of 18 entries in regard to the Challenge Stakes. The comparative figures for the last three seasons are as under : — 1885. 1886. 1887. Hurdle Eace ... 20 17 17 Stewards' Stakes ... 34 27 30 Middle Park Stakes ... 23 31 30 Challenge Stakes ... 41 59 41 118 134 118 Mr Wm. Souness' mare La Bohemienne has dropped a chestnut colt to Trefoil.