TALK OF THE DAY. IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1974, 19 September 1889, Page 22

TALK OF THE DAY.

IN A NUTSHELL.

BY MAZEPPA.

* # * Those at a distance who won money by backing Garryowen for the Maiden Hunters' Race at tbe Forbury laßfc Friday need not plume themselves upon the correctness of their judgment. Maxwelton fairly smothered him in the last furlong, and would have won if his jockey had taken him along by the rails at a hand gallop, but he was anxious to save the horse as much as possible so as to have him in the Handicap later on, and Mr Cox, spotting the unwariness of the man ahead, made an ex piring effort on Garry and just got up in time, though some thought it was a dead heat. I never saw one horse catch another so quickly. Ten lengths from home Garry was, I estimate, four lengths behind. He is a smart horse, though not such a sticker under weight as Maxwelton, who will one of these days win a big raoe. Mr Smerdon says that when he looked round on nearing home he saw nothing close to him, and thereupon eaeed up, thinking it would ba time enough to set his horse going should he hear the click of a hoof behind him ; but he did not hear Garry j coming. Tramp is the only other of the ! starters that need be Bpoken of ; tho others are slow, lumbering hunters pure and simple, j This Tramp is a bit of a dandy— pretty smart between bis fences and not a bad jumper, but perhaps hardly up to 12.3, and evidently unused to log fences, one of which arrested him. Mr E. Saunders' horsemanship deserved a worthier mount. The young fellow who fell with Cuddy waß Frank Smith, who rode whip with the hounds last season. He sustained a fearful blow on the head just over tbe eye, and Dr Barclay, fearing concussion of the brain, would not allow him to be removed to the hospital until towards the close of the afternoon. On inquiring yesterday I learned that Smith was in a fair way to recovery. %* Canterbury men would have nothing but St. Malo for the Kensington Handicap, and this unswerving loyalty to the hitherto despised brother of St, lyes caused our local I sports to guess that tbe visitor from Riccarton had done something out of the common, so that he Btarfced first favourite, St. James was next fancied, being supposed to be a little more forward in condition than his stable companion Wolverine. So he was, but neither he nor any of the field could compare as to fitness with Malo, who was specially trained for this event, and came to tbe post in a manner that reflected the greatest credit on Harry Thompson, his trainer. And it was this fitness that enabled Malo to outlast those opposed to him, They were all stopping in the straight, while Malo kept Bailing on as though he could keep at it for a week, though I doubt whether he could have gone any faster were the necessity for doing so ever so urgent. Wolverine was palpably eased up in the last few strides ; but I am sure he could not have won even if goaded to the utmost. The following table shows the Winners of the Kensington Handicap.

Prior to 1886 the distance was one mile and a distance. It will be observed that on a time comparison St. Malo's performance is quite up to the average. The table also reminds us that Messrs Stephenson and Hazlett won the race four years in succession, but have not had a look in since 1885, when Everton Lad put down Billy and Matanaka on a very muddy course. *** There are only three cirenmstaases

worthy of note in connection with the Trot — first, that Frolifisonie'B trotting was a treat to witness, She did scud along, and passed clumps of her opponents as unconcernedly as possible in the first mile and a-half. A mile from home it looked 2 to 1 on her winning, bub the pace at avhiph ehe had been ridden fagged her out, and it is open to doubt whether she could have won even if she' had not broken half a mile from home, Second, I observe that Pirate, a nice cut of a horse with a bit of breed* ing about him, pegged away at one pace throughout, and never took the least notice o£ the antics being played up by some of his adversaries. Thirdly, as it always was and asit always will be until we_have some active supervision of these events, a small minority of the starters were ridden in such a way as to beget the impression that their riders forgot they were engaged in a race— they were there, apparently, in the capacity of onlookers rather than performers.

* # * Civis was going yery strong when he ran round in the Tally- ho, but I don't think he could have won it so long as Daddy Longlegs kept up, and he seems one of the sort that don't make many mistakes. Better jumping than Daddy's we need not wish to bob, and r b9ing ridden with excellent judgment by Mr Cox, he simply walked in, The only bad start of the day was that effected in the Shorts—the very race in which a good start was of tb.B most importance. Don Pedro was away last but one, and had to be ridden every inch of the road. A quarter of a mile from home it seemed odds on either Crossbow or Little Shamrock, and at the home turn Pedro was lying about fifth, but once fairly in a run for home Walter Buddicombe brought along the grandson of Musket lit9rally by leaps and bounds— he appeared to go two feet to the others' one, and to. everybody's surprise managed to get up in time to beat St. Malo on the post by the snubbiest of noses It was a capital performance, proving that Pedro with a fair start must have won in a canter, If Alanna's rider had been strong enough to ride a finish I think this mare would have usurped the place gained by Little Shamrock. By the dof eat of St. Malo the Christchurch _ division dropped a large portion of their winnings over the earlier races. They played up almost to a man, and besides, had all thsir doubles upset.

%* The Pony Kace was a particularly open affair. Some backed Stable Jacket because of his size as compared with the others, and not a few wondered how he got under the standard ; others made their selections on the strength of a liking for a particular jockey. In the end Jiks won easily ; that is enough to say about such an event, which is not worthy of a place on the programme,

*x* On the second day we were treated to another aurpriae by way of a beginning, the despised Secretary — a horse that was reported to have become afflicted with the slows — lasting out a fair finish and beating a moderately good field, though at a long pull in the weights. I suppose the fact of Ootton having givon up the horse as used up had the effect of lowering his weight by the beat part of a stone. Crossbow made his firat appearance over sticks in this race, but ran off, and the other new cbum, College Boy, did not shape at all well. Wolverine won his Tolegraph Handicap easily, and it may be worth noting that he disposed of Occident among dthorß.the last-named member being in receipt of 71b from Wolverine. Mexico won the Hunt Club Cup in good style. He is a big grey horse, and one of the safest fencers we have ever had. If jumpers were all as honest and as strong as Mexico there would be less nervousness among the people who watch these races with apprehension lest someone should get hurt. The following table shows the Winners of thk Hunt Club Cup

*By Dunfcroou. tßy Maribyrnong (N.Z.). %* Concerning the rest of the racing, ifc will be sufficient to remaik that Don Pedro, under the 9.0 allotted to him in the Welter Handicap, was not nearly so formidable as he was with a light weight on the previous day, and was rather easily beaten by Little Shamrock ; and that Waitangi was ridden at his best pace from end to end of tho Consolation, and then had but little to spare.

%* Those more immediately charged with the carrying out of the meeting deserve a word of thanks for the able manner in which they discharged their duties. Mr Dowko's handicapping was generally allowed, even by losers, to be particularly good for a meeting in the early spring, when form is so difficul -. to judge ; Mr Driver made only one bad start — it was, however, a very bad one ; Mr Sydney Jamss, assisted by Mr Harry James, got through the multifarious pecret^rial work, much of which is never eo<-n by Ihe outside public, without the semblance of a bitch; and tbo general duties pertaining to stewardship were well looked after, with the exception that the trotting race* were not subjected to any kind of supervision worth speaking of, I should like to see our stewards initiate the practice of watching those trotting races more closely. It may be that I am mistaken, but it certainly seemed to my eyes that several of the starters were stiff.

\* Messrs Mison and Roberts passed through the totalisator the respectable sum of £6785, or £2303 more than at the meeting a year ago. There were a couple of mistakes in the working of the iubide totalisator ; but that is not to be wondered at considering that the method adopted was entirely new, and the arrangements not quite complete. The operators themselves are firmly of opinion that the scheme is a good one, and I think ho, too, The mistakes referred to were of a simple character and quite accidental, and there is no reason to suppose that they are likely to occur again.

%* I hear that Liverpool, one of the unluckicst of Idalia's Bons, but unquestionably a good horse, is ta stand somewhere in Otago this season —his owner has not yet told us in what district. Liverpool ran nine times, with the result that he won once, was once second, once third, and six times unplaced. It will be borne in mind that he was Winchester's companion in the campaign on the Australian turf und^rt? ken by the late Hon. W. Robinson in tho 1885 86 season.

%* When the last mail left England Donovan was such a firm favourite for the St. Lcger that betting was paralysed. Since then Chitabob has come to life, and proved his soundness by winning at Yorkshire, but it will ba observed that he did not gain a place in the classic race at Donoaster, which fell to the mighty Donovan, with Miguel second. Writidg at the back end of July about the prospects of the St. Leger candidates, an English scribe said :•— " As ia only, right and proper after his long and arduous labours,

Donovan has bean taking matters rather easily daring tha l»<3t week or two ; but after the Sussex fortnight is over, George Dawßon will doubtless be sending the crack along with a view to the Doncaater race. After Donovan has lun in the St. Lager he is to carry the Welbeck black and white in the Lancashire Plate at Manchester, which is the very laßt big priza of the season, Judging from wha; is known of the horses engaged in that race, it looks as if Donovan will-add thia to the other big victories, and if he does he will have won an enormous amount in stakes this season. Still, we must not forget that there may be some smart two-year-old 3in the background that have been kept in reserve for this rich priz3, so it will not do to consider that the Derby winner is certain to add it to bis other successes. Donovan will, however, have to perform in the St. Lsger 10 days before he runs for the big Manchester race, and his preparation to win a race over a mile and threequarterß of ground might impair bis speed. This, however did not appear to be the case with Seabreeze, who won both these races last year. At Liverpool, on Wednesday, we saw a bet of 1000 to 70 accepted about Chitabob for the St. Leger, and this is certainly encouraging to his supporters and those people who think be has a chance of taking the last classic race of the season. Chitabob is doing steady work at Malton, and if I'Anson should be able to get him to the vest the contest will be far more interesting than what it promises to be at the present time. Chitabob is a free-striding horße that will make his mark some day on a flat course, if he can be got fit ; but it is by no meanß certain that he can stay the St. Leger course, and I shall always think that his best distance will be. something like a mile, if not under. It may be that I'Anson will find difficulty when he begins to send Ohitabob along in his winding-up gallops. That is the time when the weakness may develop itself once more, and I should not care to advise that he should be supported until we see Mr Perkinß' horse safe and Bound at Doncaster. It is difficult to discover where any outsider likely to lower Donovan's colours is likely to come from. All the other three-year-olds appear to be particularly moderate, beating one another again and again, and unless Hall can get Quartus to the posb it looks as if the Duke of Portland's colt will have little more than a walk over."

* # * A word of advice by " Pendragon "to the Ringmaster party: — "Surely the AngloAustralian contingent who clamour about the way Ringmaster is handicapped over here do not show the 'cuteness we generally note in them. If Ringmaster has too much weight, or more than his owner and others interested in him consider he ought to be given, that is bad luck for them, because they greatly desire to win another handicap with him. Public grumbling and explanation that the horse was not a first-rater in the colonies — a fact I stated a long while ago — will not have the desired effect, but rather tend to keep the weight up. When he has run and been beaten once or twice on his merits, we shall have handicappers take a little less complimentary view of his abilities. The very weakest plan to try is to make known that you are very anxious to get a few pounds down in the scale, beoause it is fair to argue from that desire that with a little ' bit lifted you would have that little bit in hand."

*** In paying a compliment to the acknowledged skill of Mr Nicolson, the Victorian trainer, the writer of training notes in the Australasian has a slap at our Mr Goodman which I cannot allow to pass without- notice, The writer referred to says :—"' There never was a better evidence of what wonders can be worked with fractious horses by a judicious .change of trainers than has been afforded by Apropos and J. Nicolson. Although he has only had her a few weeks, the New Zealand tearaway has quieted down marvellously under her new trainer, and, moreover, is looking big and lusty to an extent that must be seen to be believed " This unfair and therefore illadvised remark will only be laughed at by those of us who know Harry Goodman'B ability as a trainer ; but he is now a comparative stranger in the country through which the Australasian mainly circulates, and 90 per cent, of those who accept the writer of these training notes as an authority will naturally conclude that Mr Nicolson has succeeded in a task which was too much for Mr Goodman. With the object of counteracting this impression, and clearing the minds of Australian readers of the Witness from misconception, I hasten to remark that in this country, where the peculiarities of the Apromont stock are better understood than elsewhere, it is accepted as a rule that they are easy enough to train until just about fit, and while pottering aboutat three-quarter pace work their temper is as docile as could be wished. This 80-called " New Zealand tearaway " waa generally ridden in her work at Forbury by a light boy until approaching racing condition, and as she is now said to be looking big and lusty it is by no means a miracleto find her quiet. I hear and believe that Nicolson is a first-class trainer, but there is no need to magnify his ability at the expense of the mare's former trainer, who could get as much out of Apropos or any others of the same stamp as any trainer in the colonies.

*** Commenting on the more important July events in England, " Pendragon " ssys :—: — "As usual when a lot of money is about, we have a good big dose of Duke of Portland. His Grace did not happen to carry off the Leicester Portland Stakes, an irregularity which so astonished the Duke that he seemed quite unable to make out how it happened. Sweet consolation came later in the Eclipse^ Stakes, wherein there were two chances against him. First, it was not certain that on his merits Ayrshire could beat the field. Secondly, it was doubtful whether he could get the course without going lame. But let me dispose first of Leicester's chief race, a far more interesting affair than Sandown's, which it resembled remarkably in being exclusively a rich man's rich stake. In each we had half a dozen runners, all belonging to big people. Counting the two events, the Duke of Portland bad two starters, the Duchess of Montrose also a couple, the Duke of Beaufort one ; Baron Rothschild, Mr Douglas Baird, Mr Houldsworth, Lord Dudley, Lord Penrhyn, Lord Calthorpe, and Prince Soltykoff supplied the rest. Not one representative of a little or middle-sized owner to run for ail this £16,000 of public money. Singular, yet regular, ain't it? What strikes one as very noticeable in recording Riviera's handsome win and Semolina's first defeat is the extra high quality of our two-year-old fillies in a year when the three-year-old colts are dreadfully bad, with a moderate one easily chief, and not a filly within 211b of the best of these bad colts. Riviera got off in front on Wednesday, and made the best of her way home, with a perfectly clear course before her. She beat Semolina fairly and squarely a very long way ; but I doubt whether she ought to have finished in front of Heaume. Baron Rothschild's strapping Hermit colt could not act coming down the steep hill. He appeared hopelessly outpaced on the descent, and whan he changed from the down to the up grade was for a little while all abroad. After he settled into his Btride he came up at a tremendous ,paoe, but was hampered by Alloway, who polled all over the place. Meanwhile Formid-

able, one of the hardest-looking youngsters Been out for a long while, whose condition reflected great credit on Dick Marsh, was also catching Riviera. Heaume, when free, drew on this pair, and heading Formidable, was only beaten by a neck from Riviera. The Rothschild colt is big enough to carry Semolina, who, if all quality, is not too high for what is now called pony racing. He is a fine stayer, and I think the best of the Portland Stakes field, though he did not win.

*** I observe that the Dunstan Club are advertising the fact that the Clyde course measures one mile seven chains. This announcement suggests another subject that the conference might well take up if they ever intend to sit again, or, in the alternative, it is a matter that might probably engage the attention of the next conference if there ever is one. [I am obliged to put in these " ifs," for all is vagueness in regard to thß Wellington Conference. No ona knows when it is going to resume, or whether it ever will resume.] This matter of the measurement of our oourses is important for two reasons. First, because if tha courses were correctly measured we should only require to be assured of one thing — viz., tha ability of the timekeeper — before accepting the records as authorities. At present there is twofold doubt about the accuracy of country records, and hence it is the rule to disregard them. In the second place, owners would know before entering their hor&ea whether the couvses were large enough to be safe. I remember that at a meeting I attended last season the owner of one nag refused to let it run when he discovered that the course involved two or three laps to the mile. And he was quite right to decline the rials to hiß jockey and his horse As it waß, one poor little fellow got thrown into a hedge owing to the inability of his horae to come round a turn quickly enough, But for the fear of being assailed as the prompter of another injustice to country clubs — I am rather nervous about these charges—! should suggest that all courses should be properly surveyed and registered, and that no meeting be allowed on any course lees than a mile in circuit.

* # * A Benmore correspondent informs me that there was considerable excitement in that disrict when it was made known that Mr D. Campbell, ferret breeder, had offered to run his three-year-old colt Dynamite against Mr Brocket's mare for any sum not exceeding lOOsoys. Anyone who knows Mr Campbell will give him credit for being a good judge of horseflesh, but the majority thought he had made a mistake for once in his life in running againßt Mr Brocket's cob. Mr Brocket's mare was on hard feed and (going through a course of training, while Mr Campbell never even saw his colt all the week till within two hours of the time to start, when he took him in off the graßs, and won at an easy trot by three lengths.

%* The brothers Allan have had the misfortune to lose their brood mare Elfin Maid, who succumbed last week to an attack of gripes. She was bred in 1874, by Architect out of the Malton mare Fairy, and was sold for a hack by Mr Stead to Mr Anderson, baker, of this city, who thought he had made a lucky purchase when it waa afterwards discovered that she was in foal to Oadogan. As, however, the product was that unlucky horse The Baker, who beguiled his owner into a short and unprofitable essay on the turf, it may be that it would have been better luok had Elfin Maid proved barren, as it was supposed she was when sold by Mr Stead. For all that she was not altogether a bad mare, and since then has produced a really likely-looking colt to Duntroon. This youngster, named Dunville, is the property of the brothers Allan, and I take it to be the best of the young Duntroons we have at the Forbury. The rest of Allans' team is composed of the old jumper Dunluce and three ponies — Vanguard, who ran up in the Hack Race on Saturday ; Cottage Girl, the trotter ; and Jiks, the daughter of Duntroon that won the Pony Race on Friday. This Jikß, by the way, never had a bridle on until June last.

* # * Following the example set by the Cromwell Jockey Club, the Waipawa County Jockey Club has determined to resist the arbitrary action of the metropolitan clubs, and to combine all country clubs in an association to run against metropolitan clubs, and to induce others to do the same. It is anticipated that the association will become very powerful, and that all country support will be withdrawn from the Hawke's Bay Club. The Waipawa Club especially resent the action of the metropolitan clubs, because the former is an oldestablished club, its object being to promote good racing. It has a fine course, good buildings, and all the money goes in sport.

%* Thus reads a message from the North. It is not quite clear from the wording thereof whether the aspiration is to raise a rebellion that shall embrace the whole colony or whether the Hawke's Bay district alone is to be the theatre of operations ; but whichever of these two courses is proposed, the promoters have set themselves a task which it is easier to talk about than to bring to a successful issue. The throwing up of the sponge by the Taradale Club is not a hopeful augury, and to an outsider it would appear that Waipawa is burning with ambition to rally the wavering forces that for some time past have been arrayed against the local powers that be, and lead a forlorn hope against the authority of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. Of course it is possible that we in the South do not understand the exact state of affairs up in the North ; but so far as I can see this idea of kicking up a row and relying on a trial of strength is essentially unwise, and I hope it will be abandoned before any harm is done,

*** From the Referee's correspondent I learn that the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club has accepted the surrender of the Taradale Club, but will not remove the disqualification from horses until the Ist of March next. The writer goes on to say :—": — " Many members of the club seem to consider the restriction imposed upon them of waiting until March 1 for the removal to be rather severe, but the majority will, I think, see that the metropolitan club have acted judiciously in imposing some slight penalty for the defiance of their authority which was indulged in by the Town and Suburban Racing Club. Owners of horses whigh have been running at unregistered meetings are jubilant at have the disqualification removed from their animals. They would have preferred that it should have been taken off before March I, but are not likely to risk the chance of another disqualification by again braving the powers that ba." *„,* The Palmerston paper's editor evidently looks through the telescope from the end opposite to that which certain other country editors have placed their eyes against. He thinks and says that the aotion of the Dunedin Jookey Club will do much to remove any grounds of dissatisfaction hitherto existing with upcountry clubs, as their interests could not have b L en discussed in a more systematic or considerate tone. The proposal to hold a conference of delegates from metropolitan olubs during the Exhibition w a good one, Any differences at present existing could bo discussed, and no doubt amicably settled in the interests of all concerned.

*** Sach good ones as Quibble, La Temps, Alanna, and the improved Civic are among the Palmerston entries. The handicaps bs pre-

pared by Mr Dowse will appear on the 24th inst, and it will then be time enough to try and get g, peep beforehand at the results. Meanwhile there is every promise of a good meeting on the 11th October. Mr Gwynne and his fellow workers do not de things by halves. %♦ Meteor (8.2) started favourite for the Mentone Handicap, but he ran very badly and finished sixth. Iris (7.5), with Sammy Cracknell in the saddle, was well backed ; but she could only get an indifferent second to Propounder (6.12), who ran to the front when the straight was reached, and won very easily. Those who have backed Meteor for the Caulfield Cup will not be reassured by the following remarks on the horse and his doings, from the pen of " Plenipo ":—" The owner of Meteor wishes it to be understood that bis horse waa not made a favourite through any action of his at Mentone. The total amount the commissioner for the stable was instructed to invest was £50, and to all inquiries Mr Maitland dbdared that he was only investing a few pounds, the horse having been lame and not doing much work. As a matter of fact, after pulling up lame the Tuesday of the previous week, Meteor was allowed a run in a paddock, and waa absent from the track Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Saturday and tha following Monday he was trotted; on Tuesday spurted on the sand track ; trotted on Wednesday, and finally was sent on Thursday a tbree-partß pace gallop round the course. It may be remembered at the corresponding Mentone meeting last year, Meteor, with 7.12, backed by his stable for a couple of hundred pounds, fell an easy victim to Mustang, carrying 70."

%* Verily the racecourse ramp is an ingenious individual. In England just now (says Melbourne Sportsman) a couple of printers with a small machine turn out the fac simile of a betting ticket (a winning one of course) within five minutes of the original one being handed over to the backer by the bookmaker. Snowy, who has just returned from one of his periodical trips to the Old Country and France (where he fielded), has been telling me the modus operandi of thi? little swindle. A confederate backs a horse with the bookmaker to be operated upon and obtains a ticket. This is handed to the printer, who produces a fac simile barring the number, which is ascertained after the winner is known. Another confederate watches the bookmaker and discovers some of tha wagers laid by him against the winning horse with the number of the ticket. Corresponding numbers are then dropped into the counterfeit pasteboard, which is then promptly presented to the penciiler, who, in nine cases out of ten, pays out.

*** Late Sydney training notes concerning the work on the 10th inst. :— Pet Girl, looking fresh and well, did twice round at a useful pace, and Soldier's Wind just beat Glen Elgin over a mile in lmin 52seo Manton and The Doge galloped once round in 2min 233ec. Manton is coming on fast. Antaeus put in twice round in splendid time, and Sequel finished a head in front of Rudolph over six furlongs in lmin 20seo, Spice being beaten off, and the filly had a light weight on her back. Sinecure, Singapore and Dreadnought galloped once round in 2min 21$ sec. All three went well and finished together. Abercorn galloped a mile and a- half in lmin 53sec. Oranbrook was badly beaten at the end of a mile and a furlong, and Escort failed to stay the last six furlonprs with Abercorn. The Australian Peer and jjWycombe galloped a mile and a-half in 2min 49aec, doing the once round in 2min 19£ sec. Both went well. Arsenal and Melos worked on the tan, and Merriment galloped a mile, doing the last five furlongs in lmin llsec. Honeydew and Monte Christo, both looking well, did useful work, *#* I have had many yarns related to me (writes "Plenipo") concerning the extraordinary manner in which some people soleot winners of big races months before they take place. Dreams are now too common for any notice to be taken of them, but I think the following little anecdote — for the truth of which I oan vouch— absolutely "takes the cake." A young Scotchman, only recently arrived from "Caledonia Btern," &c, has only a very limited knowledge of Australian racing, and so got a friend of his to give him the speoially selected names of 13 horses for the big event to come off in November. Scotty next procured a clutch of 13 eggs, and on them wrote the names of 13 horses, then setting them under a hen. In due time came the hatching, and Scotty became interested to an extraordinary degree. An examination showed that there were 12 chicks duly hatched, and then Scotia's son rubbed his optics, put on bis spectacles, and proceeded to investigate the thirteenth egg. He found that this egg had written upon it the word Tradition, and that this egg was not bad but contained a dead bird. He now is selecting all his old clothes, and anything else he can gather up that will bring in " bawbees" in order to put upon this dead bird for the next Melbourne Cup. This is, I think, about the best story of " counting your chickens before they- are hatched" that I have heard, and especially as 13 is considered the unlucky or "devil's own" number.

%* "Augur " protests against bad naming. At the beginning of the racing season, he says, owners of young stock are much exercised in the choice of a name for their horses ; and while some are to be complimented on their intelligence and discretion, the poverty of imagination displayed by others is deplorable. It almost amounts to thick -headedneas. Hence we find such names as Jack the Ripper, Bruiser, Kicked Out, Kingdom Come, Little Scrub, Ned Kelly, Paddy the Boy, You'll Do, First This and First That, disfiguring the pages of the " Turf Register." Racing men are moved variously in this matter. The Hon. James White's plan, as a rule, is to adopt names the initial letter of which corresponds with the initial letters of the dam's name. Rudolph, from Rusk ; Sinecure, from The Solent ; Knightsbridge, from Kathleen ; and Prelude, from Phillina, are cases in point j and although the names may not always be appropriate in the sense that a good name should suggest the bearer's pedigree, the names are invariably well chpsen, and a.re never offensive. Therefore, when in doubt, follow Mr White's practice, which has at least one recommendation in that it aids the memory in " fixing " the name of the dam. Sir Thomas Elder, the South Australian breeder, used to name all his yearlings before sending them up for sale, and he was singularly happy in the namen he adopted. The names were not only appropriate, but they showed in some instances much intellectual research. But the buyers instead of being thankful to Sir Thomas for having relieved them of a difficult, and at times distasteful, task, objected to the practice. They would rather name their own horses. So the Morphettville yearlings are now sent away without any discriminative appellation whatever, dependent upon the caprice and eccentricity of an ignorant purchaser for a name. The objection of the buyer, however, had no foundation in fact, beoause an owner ia not compelled to enter a yearling for any raoe in the name under which ba bought it. If the name is not to hiß liking he can alter it; and if the alteration is made before the horae is entered for a race there is no necessity to mention in the entry form the name by which the horsß was formerly known, There were, therefore, no real ground*

for the objection. Owners cannot be too careful in naming their horses. The employment of all coarse and fanciful names should be avoided. The saying, "Give a dog a' bad name and hang him " applies with equal force to the racehorse.

*** Some colonist at Home addresses a complaint to the press as to the bad starting in England, and says .that it is as disgraceful as that whioh prevails at Flemington and Randwick. Reply to this is made by a second correspondent, who affirms I that the starting at Randwick is beneath contempt, and that good starts- even at Flemington are the exception. Oommanting on this correspondence, "Asmodeus" says: "There was undoubtedly a time when our prince of starters was ' a bad 'un to beat,' but of late it must unfortunately be allowed even by the most enthusiastic Australian that on the leading metropolitan racecourses in this colony efficient starting has ceased to be a feature of whioh we have any justifiable cause to be Eroud. It is, perhaps^ as well that the subject as bean ventilated, and I only hope that its discussion may have a desirable effect, That there is ample room for improvement cannot, I think, ba denied by those who watoh the matter closely and without prejudice."

*** In Adelaide, too, there is trouble about tha starting, and some folk there are demanding a change. " Trumpator " does not think it certain that a change would be advantageous, and goes on to make some remarks that seem to fit in with the opinion quoted above. If we are to have a new starter, he aays, it is to be hoped he will inaugurate the system of starting his horses from a walk instead - of trying to make them toe the line like so many pedestrians. Beoause Mr George Watson adopts this plan, other starters tbink they must follow in his footsteps. They forget that Mr Watson is an 18 carat autocrat, and that what with fines, suspension, and strong language he has the jockeys in such a state of abject fear that his business is made comparatively easy for him. Other starters have not the same power as the prince of starters, and in trying to copy his mode of operations they fail lamentably. In Sydney the starting has been a source of trouble for years, and even now that Mr Tom Watson receives a big salary for doing the work complaints are constantly heard. The plan of walking the horses up to the post and then starting them appeals to one's commonsense as against the toeing the line system, and I hope one of our starters will Boon be foond with enough pluck to desert the Watson style and try the mode which the late Mr Mac George followed with such success in England.

%* The review of the sporting career of the Hon. W. Robinson imported into these oolumns from the Cbristchuroh Press, made reference to Strop as the winner of the Champion. There is evidently a mistake about this. The Strop that won the Champion at Launceston in 1866 and 1869 was owned by Mr Field, and got by Panic out of a Little John mare. The Strop that Mr Redwood owned, and which subsequently became the property of Mr Robinson, was by II Barbiere, and died in 1860, just after running in a race in which he was ridden by George Cutts, I did not notice the slip until it was too late to correct it for last week's issue.

*„,* There has been a good deal of arguing and much comparing of opinion and searching after rules with the object of determining whether wagers on the Hon. W. Robinson's horses are or are not voided by his death. Many thought with me, that in the absence of any definite rule framed specially to meet suoh a contingency, the case would be governed by the English rule ; but the Canterbury men who attended the Hunt Club meeting were unanimous in declaring that wagers stand. Seeing that they were so positive, and that one of the Christcburoh papers made a statement to the like effect, I naturally concluded that Christchurch Tattersall's had given a formal utterance on the subject, and in order that I might know the particulars I wired to my correspondent for them, the result being.the receipt of the following message :— " No meeting Tattersall's yet. Entries not void by death ; bets the same. " This was received on Tuesday afternoon. The decision bo freely uttered by the Christchurch visitors must therefore after all be but a matter of opinion. I have searched the rules of Christchurch Tattersall's, and find no provision as to what_ is to be done in case of the death of a nominator, and as Tattersall's has not since then met to discuss the matter, we are absolutely without any official guidance on the subject. This is highly un satisfactory, and '.I would suggest that TatterBall's, to whom we look for the law on betting matters, should forthwith call a meeting and pass a rule that shall Bettle this question in a way that we oan all understand. Mr So-and-so's opinion may be valuable, and good enough as an opinion, but we want a law on the subject. It is not sufficient, either, to say that, because the English rule as to nominations being voided by death is rot in force in the colonies, the rule as to bets ought also to be reversed. It does not necessarily follow that this should be so. Better far that we should have a rule of our own. As to the way in which the question should be settled, I am of opinion that it would be more satisfactory that bets should be off- The deceased's own bets, if he has any, are of! in any case, and it would not be unreasonable to say that bets made on the strength of the nominator's bets should also be void. As it so happened, the Hon. W- Robinson had not, so far as we know, backed either of his horses for the New Zealand Cup ; but supposing he had done so, others would in the natural course of affairs follow his lead and accept a short price about a horse that they would probably not have dreamed of backing at any odds but for the owner showing the way. It may be said by way of reply to this that if the horse was good enough to back at the short price that was taken, the layer would have none the worst of it if compelled against his will to stiok to his wager j but this argument is fallacious, because the original owner might have got on at what would be deemed a fair price, whereas the horse's second owner would be asked to accept much shorter odds as coming in after the public, and it would be quite on the cards that he would thereupon decline to take the short odds and make up his mind to send the horse for some other race than the one for which he had been supported. Furthermore, there is the important consideration that in selecting a horse for a particular race many backers are influenced as much by the character of the owner as the ability of the horse. X selects a horse belonging to Z because he knows that if the horse is started there will be a square run for the money • but Z dies, and the horse is sold to Q, a man in whom X has no faith. This is a possible case • and there is some ' reason in Baying that X should not be forced by an accidental circumstance into a transaction that he would never haye loo.fa.cd at if hehad any choice in tha matter. Thesg are the chief reasons that induce me to say that in my opinion Tattersall's should rule all wagers off. Bat there may be a good deal to say on the other side of theargumant, j and the interests of the bookmaker must be conserved equally with those of the backer. Tha bookmakers' interests will, oi course, vary acgording to ti?e state of tbgyr books. I know i

fi

that in Dnnedin we have some fielders who wish wagers deolared off, and others desire to see them Btand. It is an important question, and I hope that Tattersall'e, instead of leaving things as they are, or allowing the' off-hand opinions of its influential members to go forth as authoritative, will seriously consider the matter from both sides of view and give us an early decision that shall Betlle the matter now before us and .stand as a precedent for cases yet to come.

*** From Auckland we hear that the Racing Club decline to support the proposal submitted by- Messrs Freeman and Luokie in regard to the publication of a Turf Register, on the ground that Mr Whetham should not be unceremoniously pushed aside. _These are not the exact words of the resolution, but they embody the meaning. In ; connection with this, I may say that I understand Mr Whetham is prepared, if sufficient inducement is forthcoming, to bring out the Record in quarterly parts, each with a paper cover, and to keep the printing up to time. The delay that took place in the publishing of the last volume could have been avoided if all the assisting club 3 had kept their promises. I hope to see other clubs follow the lead of Auckland in this matter and decline to countenance the trsnaference of the work from the hands of a gentleman who not only possesses eminent qualifications for the task, but who also has a distinct prior claim as one who has so far given hiß time and his labour for less than navvy's wages.

*#* Cotton's team has been weakened by the departure of Ixion and Crossbow. Ixion has been taken to Totkaraki by his owner, and will henceforth be a mate for Secretary ; and Crossbow was sold on Monday for £21 to a patron of Allan's stable. Trapper was put up to auction at the same time as Crossbow, Mr E. Wilson being determined to clear them both out, and was knocked down to Cotton's bid of £26. the old horse thereupon returning to his old quarters.

%* Merriment, the colt that won the Hawkeßbury Guineas for Mr Gannon, is engaged in the A.J.C. Derby, the Cauffield Guineas, and the V.R.C. Derby, but bas no engagement in eitner of the three important handicaps of the springseason. Rudolph and Sydney have also been entered for the breeders' Btakes above referred to, and are both acceptors for the Melbourne Cup, in which Rudolph has 7.8 and Sydney 6.12. Bernardo, winner of the County Purse, is not engaged in either the Metropolitan, Caulfield, or Melbourne Cups. *#* Ellerdale, by winning the Hawkesbury Handicap, has incurred a 71b penalty for the Metropolitan, the Caulfield Cup, and the Melbourne Cup. In the Metropolitan her weight will now be 6 13 ; in the Cups, 7.13. Strange, iB it not, that in Melbourne she should be asked to carry exactly a stone more than in the Metropolitan ? Prior to the Hawkesbury meeting, EUerdale had won but two races — the Newcastle November Handicap, nin6 furlongs, 6.10, and^the Club Cup at Tattersall's Annual meeting at Randwick, when with 6.0 up she ran the two miles in 3min 363ec.

* # * •At the meeting of the D.J.C. stewards held on Monday evening it was resolved — " That the riders of Erebus and Tramp bo informed of their misconduct in racing homo after running round one of the jumps in the Huut Club Cup, and they are liable to be brought before the stewards and heavily fined for the same, and that any repetition of such conduct on the Dunedin course will subject the riders to a severe censure and a heavy fine." It is quite light that the circumstances referred to should not be allowed to pass unnoticed. A horse continuing in a race after he has put himself out of count is liable to mislead the leading horses, and further complications are always possible in regard to the awarding of the second and third place moneys when these are provided for. Horses that are fourth and fifth when the rape is nearly over are as a rule eased up, and if misled in this way these horses might be distanced, and thus miss the chance of a few sovereigns that would ba acceptable and easily earned.

*** On Friday last two bookmakers named S. Asher and W. A. Woods were warned off the course at the instance of the stewards, who were called together to consider the complaint of one Alexander Campbell that the men named had laid him tofcaliaator odds and then refused to pay in full. At the meeting of tho stewards on Monday a letter was received from Campbell stating- that Asher and Woods had since paid the debt, and asking the club to remove thß disqualification. It was resolved that the application be declined, and that Mr Campbell be informed that it was a mistake that he, as the taker of the odds, was not disqualified at the same time, whioh will certainly be the case in future.

— Sockburn arrived safely in Sydney. —All Gold scratched for the Caulfield Cup —The Hon J. White's health is improving. —Ayrshire is to go to the stud next covering season.

—Oamaru Tradesmen's Club declines to join Cromwell.

— Weatland Club has a oredifc balance of nearly £200.

—The Ensign lamenta the want of a training track at Gore.

™~ Tra /^ pp \ the 3 um P"ig horse, is a son of Cloth of Gold.

—The Oamaru stand was unroofed by the gale last week.

—The Victorian Club sent £50 to help the London strikers,

—Jack Loughlin has taken Warlock up to the Lake meeting, —Sydney TattersalPs contributed to the London strike fund.

— Silverton has advanced to 100 to 8 wanted for the Melbourne Cup. iL ~i tha ?^ Mr 0< W ' Maolean for a copy of the Raugitikei programme. —Wolverine, Tenakoe, and Waitangi have gone to Timaru for the races, —The Ashburton Club has expunged the trotting race from its programme. --Major Georgo ia sending his horses South m charge of Brown, the jockey. — Recall is scratched for the Melbourne and Oaulfield Cups and has sailed for India. —At Mr Wilfrid Blunts sale of Arabs tha 15 head disposed of averaged 115gs each. —Exodus on Monday last of men and horses visiting Dunedin for the Hunt Club races. — " Kaiser " Myers has been suspended fo month for disobeying the starter at Epaom. —I regret to have to say that Mr A. T. Price iB confined to his house through illness. — W. C. Yuille and Co. have sold Aplaos, by Apremont from Aglaia, to Mr Vale for 170gs.

—My first fancy for the Hawke's Bay Spring Handicap is Leopold. He is a good one up to a mile and a half.

—1 never knew till reading in the Australapian that "canter" ia an abbreviation of '• Canterbury gallop." -There is some talk of altering the third day *S 8 Exhibition meeting to the 2nd instead of the 3rd December. —Last week Mr R. Brown's lona (by Sfc. Albana pnfc of a Cervus mare) produced a fine filly foal to Sir Garnet.

—Mr J. M'Eligott has been granted a refund of the entrance fee for his horse Wave q the Cromwell Maiden Plate,

—The Hon. G. M'Lean bred St. Malo, the hero of last wook's races ? and whose extended pedigree appears in this issue. —It is reported that Mr Manton was offered £20,000 for Riviera after 1 she had won the Portland Stakes at Leicester.

— George Smith is now working Rotbamstead, the sou of Gorton that was for a short time in Mr Turnbull's hands.

— Touchstone and Minstrel Boy, who gained places at Hawkesbury, are not engaged in either of tbe big spring handicaps. — The horses belonging to Lord Lurgan and Sir G. Chetwynd have left R. Sherrard's, and joined Gurry's team at Newmarket. —Mr G. Coombs, of Toko., tells me that he has Wild Rake in work, but it is not a certainty that be 'will stand training. —Up to July 19 T. Loates beaded the list of winning jookeys in England with 67 wins. Geo. Barrett had 66 and F. Barrett 57.

— " Mr Abington" not long ago sold Hermita, in foal, and another horse for 300gs. At TattersaU's sales the foal fetched 3000gs. — The Adelaide Club have distributed among charities £51 13s 6d, being the totalisator fractions from the Grand National meeting. —A young lord well known on the English turf, and wtio was in the Field Club raid, has returned from Paris, having dropped £10,000 at cards.

— Mara has broken down irretrievably, and Mr Cook has determined to send her to the stud at once. She will visit either Newminater or Tranter

— The Taemanian colt Chaldean has taken up his quarters at Mr Bailey's stables, Caulfield, where he will be joined by The Promised Land.

— Mr Warren de la Rue must believe in cards more than the turf. It ia Raid that ho spent £30,000 before he won anything better than a £200 plate.

— A cablegram received in Oanoaru Btatea that 0. Harris was acquitted of the charge brought against him in Queensland of altering a totalisator ticket.

— Owners' subscriptions to the Eclipse Stakes, worth £11,100, amounted to upwards of £11,800, so that there was actually a profit on this particular race. — Mr Taggart took a subscription list round the course last week in aid of the late Mr Oockerill's family, and will receive any further sums forwarded to him. —A letter from Buenos Ayres says that 28 thoroughbred yearlings have just been sold there for £27,000, most of whom are sired by the well-known horse Phoenix.

—Should Don Jose be getting old I fancy that he will find Avis his most' formidable opponent-in the Lake County Spring Handicap. One of these two eught to win. — The imported thoroughbred horse Buckthorpe, by Donoaster— Jessie Agnes, has been purchased by Mr James M'Gill, of Blacklands, Ipswich, Queensland, for £1000. — Herbert Ridsdale^ publisher of a Sydney sporting paper, was fined £22 or two months' imprisonment for publishing an advertisement connected with a consultation sweep.

— Mr James White has had the bad luck to lose a full-brother to Narellan. The youngster, who was not six months old, and bred to [English time, broke his neck in a paddock. — Epsom Derby entries for 1891 number 209, or 28 less than for 1890 and 20 less than for 1883 ; but with these exceptions the 1891 tstal is ahead of that in any of the last eight years. — King Monmouth (aged, 8.10) in July won the Leicestershire Summer Handicap, over one mile, in lmin 42 1 ssec, the time occupied by Mr J. Lowther'a horse last year being lmin 42 3-536 C.

-The "Jubilee Juggins" is not "broke," although he is reported to have run through between £250,000 and £500,000. His galloway, Miss Puff won the Portland Plate at Ranelagb, value 15sovs.

—Captain Webster i 8 in the private sale list.. If a purchaser is not forthcoming he will travel in the Taieri and Peninsula distriots. Young Diomedes will probably keep pretty much to the Taieri.

— Messrs Pyne and Co. will sellat Christchurch on the 26th inst. the racehorses owned by the late Hon. W. Robinson with their engagements, including Merrie England, Chain Shot, Exchange, and Heather Bell. — " Spectator" ran tbe tape over Gipsy King last week, and says that the following are some of his measurements : — Height, 16hds lin ; arm, 23£ i n; thigh, 21Jin ; below the knee, barely Bjin ; girth, 6ft 3m. £?— The National Breeders' Produce Stakes run at Sandown on the 20th July, was won by •Captain Machell's Rathbeal. by Boulevard — Hollythorn (8 7), with Loup (9.6) second. The stake was worth £1826 17s. \

— There waß a field of 15 for the Morphettville Plate, a two-year-old race on the South Australian J.C.'a programme, The winner was Mr J. H. Hill's Quality (by Neckersgat — Tyropean), who paid a dividend of £16 7s. ' —Lord Calthorpe's forfeit in the Portland Stakes at Leicester amounted to upwards of £368, the Duke of Portland's to over £260, whilst the Duke of Beaufort had to pay nearly £540 over the four great stakes of tbe week.

— The three youngsters entered by the Hon. J, White for the classic races of 1891 are the colt Nepean, by Chester -lolan the ; colt Wentworth, by Chester— Trafalgar ; and filly Monß Meg, by Martini Henry — Malacca.

— The Taieri Advocate hears that Mr James O'Donnell, who formerly owned Factory Girl, has purchased a good-looking ' three-year old Duntroon gelding, which will probably bD a maiden candidate at the next Taieri meeting. — "Trumpator," writing of Newstead, says that if Hill thinks there # is a chance of «he horse standing a preparation he may reserve him for tbe V.R.O. meeting, where he is sure Co get a chance of racing under a light burden. —Garryowen, the horse that won the Maiden Steeplechase at the Forbury on Friday, was bred in the Gerald ine district and bought by Mr M'Clure as a pack horse for £8. The pedigree of the horse i 3 not known to the

— Messrs Fred Woodhonse and Son are bringing out^a work called the "Record of the Melbourne Cup," being the portraits of the horses that have won from Archer to Mentor, accompanied by letterpress description of each race. :

- Rewi (8 13) ran second to Goldstream in; the Warren Handicap, six furlongs, at the Epßom (Vie.) races on the sth. Don Giovan (8,4) Bfcarted favourite, but was unplaced. The Chute Handicap, of lßOsovs, one mile, was taken by Dividend, — Gitana on Tuesday gave birth to a remarkably fine colt foal to Sir Garnet. She' baa never foaled anything but colts. Mr "Jtt. Brown" intends to put bar this season to Le Loup, in the hope, of course, of getting another Gipsy King.

m — Tbe Victoria Racing Olub has issued a ciroalar informing racing clubs that for tbis year they do not intend to object to racing within a week prior to the Melbourne Cap meeting commencing, nor upon the *' off days of the Onp meeting.

—General Owen Williams is sick of a ptiblio training establishment, where everybody knows more than he does, and where outsiders get the cream of the market. In future his horses are to be trained privately at his country seat. The Temple, near Marlow.

— The Argus records some speculation on the Melbourne Cup, Antaeus being backed to win a few thousands at 100 to 4. Carbine also was ' supported to win about 3000 at 100 to 5. For J the Caulfield Cup a wager of £2000 to £100 has been taken about Granbrook. >

—Billy Sharp is new training Gipsy Prince, who is boused at the stable tenanted by Loughlin's team. On Sunday the brother to Gipsy King tried for the first time to master his trainer, but desisted on finding that he had a point or two the worst of it. Si

— By a clerical error it was made to appear in the programme of the Palmersfcon Racing Club that ssovs is given to the second horse in the Maiden Plate. This is not the case, 5 the 15sovs going to the winner. The club have given Messrs Mason and Roberts the right of working the totalisator.

—One of the leading' Sydney scribes saya :— To judge by Manton's present condition, racing men are not likely to. see the aristooratio New Zealander at his best, even if he strips at all, at the Spring meeting of the A. J. 0., and it is unlikely that he can be got quite ready for the V.R.C carnival.

—From Paris we hear that prices for bloodStock are miserably low, and racing, which was an incentive to the breeder when taking place in his own district in the provinces, has been killed by the lessees of the " pari-mutuel," who have established themselves within an easy distance of the capital.

~A private letter received under date Melbourne sth inst., says : — " If Carbine progresses the same way as he is doing at present you need not look any further for the winner of the Melbourne Cup with all his 10 0. Chicago is doing well at Sandringham, near Brighton, and I fancy he will annex the Caulfield Cup again this year."

— At the Oromvvell committee's meeting on the 27th ulfc. it was announced that the following clubs had agreed to amalgamate with the Cromwell Jockejr Club re forming a union : — Wanaka, Tapanui, Maniototo, Lnmsden, Arthur's Point, Fortrose, Vincent, Hamiltons and Sowburn, Roxburgh, Port Victoria, and Gore.

— Melbourne Sportsman says that out of 110 bookmakers registered to bet in the paddock, 62 are Jews, 13 Irish. 1 Italian, 2 Germans, and the balance of colonial, English, and Scotch extraction. Eighty odd bookmakers are licensed to bet on the hill. Of this total only 18 are Hebrews, 21 are Irish, and the balance colonials, English, Scotch, German, and " pedigree unknown."

— The latest thing in unions (says an Australian paper) is the Bookmakers' Union. If the ring act in unison and have Mr A. Josephs to lead them, racing clubs will find the Bookmakers' Union very bad to beat. The only thing the bookies must not forget -is that if they go too far they will bring about the introduction of the totalisator in Victoria, and then the extinction of most of their number will be only a matter of time. — At Ballarat;, a man named James Stewart was charged with larceny as a bailee, or in other words webbing. At tbe last;meeting of the Ballarat Miners' Turf Club a Mr Jenkins laid Stewart £9 to £5 on Hard Times for a pony race. Hard Times won, but when Mr Jenkina went for his money Stewart had gone. The bench was of opinion that a prima facie case had been made out, and Stewart was committed for trial at the Ballarat assizes.

— The Prince of Wales has changed his mind, it seems, with regard to breaking off his connection with the turf. Some time ago it was rumoured that he neyer intended to buy another racer ; but, while at Longohamps, he was so much taken by the Irish steeplechaser Lord Chatham that he bought it for £1000. The horse ran well in the Grand Steeplechase de Paris, but forfeited its chance of a prize by jumping the bank instead of the last hurdle. — The opinion is expressed by the sporting press of the Old Country that any successes which the Hon. James White's colts may achieve on the English turf will be enthusiastically welcomed by the English sporting public, and the splendid reception accorded the American horses Iroquois and Foxhall when they won great races is reoalled to show that the English racing crowd is free from any prejudice against horses competing from abroad.

—By the victory of Ayrshire in the Eclipse Stakes the winning total of the Duke of Popjijand this year was increased £10,500, making altogether £52,681 83 won up to July 19 by his select stud of racehorses. Towards tbis Ayrshire contributes £20,000, and Donovan £23,275. Last year the two between them won £25,162, and the g^and total for 1888 and 1889 up to the present reaches £79,492 18s ; this is exclusive of winnings. t»'y gorges placed second and third.

—We do not for one moment wish to derogate from the importance of our local club, but if it and bodies like it are to undertake the regulation of racing throughout the colony — and we are inclined to think it is well they should — then we believe they ought to cater for all classes, and not put their noses up at pony and trotting racss, which offer just as legitimate sport, and being less professional are probably more honest in the main. — Wanganui Herald. — " Plenipo " has been seeing gallops by the last Oaulfield Cup winner and his mates. I thought, he says, that Chicago went a trifle short, and at its conclusion ne blew like a grampus, and I found on examining the brown horse that it would take an immense amount of work to take the beef off him Whakawai is, on the other hand, a little lighter than I would like him if I were backing him for one of the future " good things," He moved freely and well in his taßk, but had a somewhat stale appearance when pulled up.

—In the Queen's Bench recently Lord Justice Lopes gave judgment in the case of Cochrane v. Moore, which involved the validity of a bill of sale given by Mr Ernest Benzon, "the Jubilee Plunger," for £10,000. His Lordship held that the gift of a quarter of the horse Kilworth by Mr Benzon to Mr Moore was a hona fide gift. He also held that the bill of sale had been obtained by misleading Mr Benzon as to the nature and effect of the document, and it was therefore void. Judgment accordingly for the defendant Moore, with costs.

—When Veracity took up the running in tbe Liverpool Cup followed by Cotillon five furlongs from home, it looked like the pair finishing first and second, but Cotillon collapsed when fairly in the straight, and Veracity had matters all his own way for the last quarter of a mile. He won in the commonest of canters, and it would scarcely be safe to guess who was second best. Peeler ocoupied position, and finished three-parts of a length in front of Ringmaßter, who only became third through passing a lot of pulled-up horses. The Australian started at 100 to 7.

Yr. Winner. Agei Weight. Hider. [Time 1882 Eugenic 1883 Taiaroa 1884 Capt. Webster 1885 Everton Lad 1886 Athol Daisy... 1887 Snapshot ... :'IBBB Le i'emps ... 1889 St. Malo ... et 1b 4 610 Whybrow 4 8 8 O'Connor 4 7 5 O'Connor 3 7 5 Sharp a 8 0 Stratford 5 7 4 M ( Donald i 612 Wisbey 4 7 3 M'Grath m. b. 2 16 2 11 2 2 a 7* 2 22i 2 17 2 23 2 18J

Yr. [St'rs j f Winner. I Rider. Wgt.BBo .881 .882 .883 885 .88(3 .887 888 .889 8 5 11 8 8 7 8 S 8 Blush Kose Eobiu Hood Little John "■Wildboy Chance tWildbay Ma \ boy Civis Mexico Mr Cullen Mr T.iggarfc Mr Percy Jones Mr Percy Jones Mr Jefferson Mr Gourley Mr Gourley Mr Smerdon Mr MurrayAynesley l St. lb. 12 3 13 0 U 10 12 7 11 8 10 10 11 3 11 10 11 7