TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1971, 14 November 1889, Page 23

TALK OF THE DAY.

BY MAZEPPA.

%* Saturday, the 16fch, the day after tomorrow, is general entry day in connection with the Exhibition meeting, and at any time up to 10 p.m. Mr Sydney James will be ready and willing to register as many eligible candidates aB may bs presented for the Criterion Stakeß, of 150sovs Spring Handicap, of 150sovs Tahuna Park Handicap, of 120sovb Novel Handicap, of lOObovb Grand Stand Handicap, of 15030V8 Maiden Two-year-old Handicap, of 120bovs Exhibition Handicap Trot, of 200sova Carnival Handicap Trot, of 150«ov8 Maiden Plate, of 120bovs Selling Race, of lOOsovs Selling Two-year-old Race, of 120bovb Musselburgh Plate, of lOOsovs Selling Hurdle Race, of 70aova Disposal Stakes, of 40sovs. And the balance of the entry money for the Jubilee Plate is due at the same time. With this wide seleotion of events to pick and' Choose from, owners of all horses that can either gallop or trot should find themselves^ suited, and as the money is worth winning in every case there is sure to be a long list when Mr James comes to tot them up on Saturday night. For the Jubilee Plate, Maiden Plate, Mnsaelburgh Plate, and Sailing Two-year-old Race 2sovsahead is demanded; for the rest, lsov each is all that is now asked. *x* There are so many turned-out or broken-down horses in the list of handicaps for tbe Exhibition meeting, and so many others that are doubtful acceptors, that it would be a waste of time and valuable space to closely discuss each horse's chance at present. There will be time enough to do this, and it can be done better later on, when the acceptances are before us. In the meantime I may rest content with a few general observations. Commencing with the Hurdle Race, it seems to me tbat Mr Dowse has not crushed out the top weight. Abua stands in a class of his own, and at 12,6 I would as soon stand this fast stayer as anything in the race. Liberty ia perhaps the best of the others, and I should not be surprised to Bee Satan run forward. In the Exhibition Cup Mr Dowbo had an exceptionally difficult task before him, in that there are certain horses in the race that have not as yet shown their present form ; but after looking up and down the list I have come to the conclusion tbat the handicapper has performed his work in such a manner as to give all a show so far as the weights have any influence. The main question Mr Dowse was called upon to decide was as to how much Tirailleur had in hand when he won the New Zealand Cup from Scots Grey and Occident. The answer is that Tirailleur gave Scots Grey a stone beating and Occident a 301b boating. That is the difference between tho relative weights of the Exhibition Cup and those carried in the New Zealand Gup. As I was not at the Chriatchurch meeting I cannot of course pretend to criticise the equity of Mr Dowses calculations, but if it be true that Scots Grey's Christohurch form can b9 considerably improved on and that Tirailleur was then at his best, I Bhould think the allowance to Soots Grey is a liberal one ; and that Occident has a remarkably good show. Further Mr Dowse estimates that Soots Grey gave Cynisoa a 61b beating in the Derby. In tbat race the colt carried 8,10 and the filly 8.5, whereas there is now lllb between them. On paper I should think that Scots Grey would beat her again, but it must not be forgotten that Oynisca maybe fitter than she was at Chrietohurch, where she was, I understand, troubled with a complaint peculiar to mares. Roughly speaking, then, these two may be considered fairly handicapped in relation to each other. Sultan at 9,0 would be one of my selections if I knew he were coming down. He certainly has a show at the weight. To cut short this preliminary notice, I think ftt present that the most dangerous membsrs in this Cup are Sultan British Lion TIBAILLEDR JET D'EAU Recluse Oinisoa, and Soots Geey Renata Occident A 8 to the Carnival Handicapjl at present prafor tho chances of Ruby, Alsace, Ranata, Golden Crest, and Cyclone ; while St. James and Wakatipu may have a show in the Comniissionera' Purse. There is a lot of betting going on on the Cup, which is turning out a better betting race than was expected. The pros9nt offer is 5 to 1 on the field ? at which odda Occident, Recluse, and Tirailleur are being backed. Scots Grey is backed at 7to 1, Jet d'E&u and British Lion at 8 to 1,

* # * The bookmakers who at the finish laid starting prices about the Melbourne Cup, and on the strength of the Press Association wire to the papers paid out on Bravo at the rate of 10 to 1, have very fair reason to complain, for the Argus, which it may be presumed is a reliable authority, gives the betting at the post aB 8 to 1 Bravo. It is most important that betting quotations should be correctly cabled, as otherwise they are worse than valueless. I hope this protest will catch the eye of the responsible party. %* This is scarcely a sporting paragraph —only inferentially so, but it is by " Dagonet," and that is sufficient for any ordinary reader : — " It is sweetly consoling to those of us who, being dyspeptic, frequently have to live, on beef-tea, and when away from" home have to get it made from 'extraots,' to know that diseased horses are largely used in the manufacture of the article as purveyed by some of the firms who deal in it. We may get extraot of beef now and then. Some of it undoubtedly is genuine, but, according to the evidence in a recent case, a good deal of it is more equine than genuine. There is a well-known bookmaker who always refreshes himself in the ring with beef-tea out of a bottle. The horses that he lays against are frequently ' stiff 'uns,' but it probably never occurred to him tbat he was getting his strength to shout the odds from extract of dead 'uns.'" \* Owners seem to have taken kindly to the newly-established Timaru Guineas, and from the fact that 34 entries were reoeived, including some of the best stock in the country, and not merely local produce, we may take it that the venture has passed the stage of experiment. In practice it is found that races such as this produce but small fields, and in this money-grubbing era of tbe New Zealand turf some heroism is required to take any new departure the results of which, gauged through the totaliaator returns, is doubtful. The Timaru Club have taken this risk, and, whatever the ultimate result may be, they have in the meantime a race on their programme which can be pointed to aB a reference of respectability. Among the sires represented are Assyrian, Le Loup, St. George, Nordenfeldt, Albany, and Cadogan, while the Hon. G. M'Lean puts in a small contingent from these parts. *** The customary attitude of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club of late years has been one of inflexible severity towards backsliders 6f all grades. Strong in its own integrity, it haß bad no clemency for penitent bookmakers who have transgressed the law or for erring owners, jockeys, or clubs who have wandered from the paths laid down by statute. Far be it from me to suggest that in this the club wae to j blame. Strict justice is not so common a ! virtue that we can afford to underrate it, and I am not of those who on general grounds prefer the publican to the Pharisee. At the same time, I am pleased to see that the club referred to has reconciled it to its conscience to relent in regard 'to the term of probation originally determined on in the case of the country clubs that recently asked to be allowed to give up their opposition and come into recognition under the rules. It will be remembered that the request was granted, subject to the condition^ that the whitewashing should not take effect until the Ist of March next. On reconsideration, however, that condition has been abrogated, and tho penalty of disqualification removed forthwith. This act of grace is not in the leaßt undignified, and I dare swear that the minor club 3 now brought into fellowship will be tbe more loyal seeing that they are the recipients of a favour. *** The Canterbury Spring meeting of 1889 may perhaps not have been remarkable for anything actually wonderful in the way of raoing, but the contests were between the very best horses we have fit to race, and the meeting was, as usual, a thoroughly representative one. I purpose to briefly run over the lißt of results. In the Hurdle Race on the first day the surprise to us Ofcago folk was the forward running of Secretary, who gave weight to five of his eight opponents, and managed to gain third place. This may not mean that he really out-galloped all those that were behind him at tho finish, but he at any rate was better than j some of them, and it is evident that there is ■ life in the old dog yet. Ahua blundered at the 'last hurdle, and this is aaid to be the cause of hia defeat. Securus ought to have won, but he shut up just at the critical point when it was important that he should ksep on galloping. There were 15 starters for the Maiden Stakes, the public making Rose Argent and Chain Shot equal favourites. The laßt-named moved very gingerly before the start, and was done with at the distance, the race being won comfortably by Rose Argent. Don Caesar was among the starters. Chain Shot's performance shows ■ that he could not have had a million to one show in the Cup. In that event he was handicapped at 9.0, and waß unable to carry 8.2 for exactly half the distance. As for the New Zealand Cup, there was only one horse in it, and that was tbe winner. His owner, I hear, put £200 in the machine on the colt at the last moment, which practically meant taking a fraotion over even money that Tirailleur put down tbe other seven ; and, moreover, it is said that Mr Gollan was bo confident tbat he refused to save £20 with Mr Cutts; All agree that the son of Florence Macarthy could have won with a pound or two more on his back, and, but for the presence of Scots Grey, ; Tirailleur might have put up another stone | without jeopardising his chance. I have not found out what it was exactly that was troubling Dudu, but everyone tells me that | she was most distinctly "off," and also that Mr Cutts waa on that account grievously disappointed, for he was particularly anxious to win, and up to the last day ok two before the race thought he bad a big show, Occident wasted his energies to some extent by running rather unkindly at one portion of the race, but he could never have won from either of those that finished in front of him. The time of the race was precisely the same as LochiePs in 1887. I append a comparative statement of how the halves were run this year and last :—

Canterbury, Auckland, and Napier were represented in the Welcome Stakes, so and was Otago if we may be permitted to reckon Watercress as one of ours, This filly had no show whatever. Pygmalion had the lot licked pretty early in the race, and the only real contest presented was that for second money between Moraine and Reprisal. I hear good accounts of this last-named young gentleman, and expect to hear something of him as a three-year-old. The Selling Race went to Loo, a filly that effected a surprise at tho Forbury last season. Apres Moi was a hot favourite for the Ricarton Welter, but was just beaten for place honours. \* Ahua's gallop on the first day would doubtless help along his preparation, and he managed to liva to the end of the shorter distance in the jumping event tbat stood at tbe front of the Wednesday's card. He was also better ridden en the second day— that is»

ridden more in accordance with what we ! generally regard, as the correct rule for a top i weight, being carefully nursed in the earlier part of the race, whereas .he . was banged along from the jump 3 off on the first day. And he bad no Ivanhoe to meet in his second attempt, tbe best of those opposed to him on that occasion being Sankey— at best but a moderate— and the improving College Boy, who will yet land a short-distance jumping prize if the handicappers are merciful to him. Tommy Stewart, who owns and trains Rosebud, was called in for an interview with the stewards after his mare won the Criterion Stakes, the officials calling on him to explain her running on the. previous day. Nothing was done beyond administering a caution, Cynisoa, my selection for the Derby, started, a less favourite than three of the five competitors, and as it turned out was the only one of the lot to approach the winner. She made a big run when half a mile from homeland continued it until the horses were well into the straight, when White shook up Soots Grey and he went away from her, winniDg very easily. Concerning this race " Spectator " sayß :— " Probably a more hollow Derby victory haa not been witnessed on the Riccarton course, unless, perhaps, that when Oudeis beat Sir Bedevere, for it was really a hollow one, and proves what a generous horse will often do under seemingly great troubles. As Scots Grey cantered down the straight, and Mason, his trainer, waved his rider White to bring him along faster, and as [ he responded when called upon we could not help remarking what a game brute he was. At Cutts' corner White was kicking him along, . and to see him warm to his work and forget hia troubles and romp home, recalled the lines of the poet,, which are slightly altered to suit the occasion— But sank the sense of pain in generous pride, Nor felt the spur rowels in his side, But struggled to the front like racehorse game, To win fresh laurels for his wreath of fame. There is, however, [nothing wonderful about the victory, despite the easy manner in which the grey won and the time he succeeded in putting up, but there is something remarkable in the way in which the colt performed under his difficulties." Of the difficulties alluded to, the chief one was no doubt the lameness from which the colt was suffering all through the meeting. He seems to be in something like the same plight as Chitabob was in the Leger— only he had no Donovan to meet. At the same time I do not feel at all ashamed of having selected Cynisca to win. When I wrote that tip Scots Grey was. I knew, a bit off —how big that V bit" was I had no means of knowing— but no man in bis senses would in such a case take the cripple to win, and I consider 111 1 did all that could be expected of me in indicating what was the next ' best. Had I known that 3cots Grey was able to gallop, I should certainly have Btood him, for I have always had a regard for thiß colt since I saw him at the j Dunedin February meeting, Writing then of him I made the remark that I should be surprised if this knowing-looking youngster did not ripen into one of the beat of .the next season's three year-olds, and, if well, would I beat all those of his aga that he met at that meeting. Rose Argent won the Juvenile Stakes in a canter. As it happened, tbe only two-year-old that competed in this event waß Ben Trovato. The valuable Stewards' Stakes was a soft thing for Whisper, who, with 7,9 on her baok— a lenient handicap I should reckon — ran the six furlongs in lmin 15|aeo. • Occident with 7.U finished fourth in this event. Tor the Epsom High-weight Handicap Erin go-Bragh (9.9) was a pronounced first favourite, and Don Cseaar (7.7) and St. Malo (9.0) had exactly the same amount invested on them in the machine. The Don won easily, thus scoring first blood for Dunedin and scouring enough to pay Mr Goodman's expenses in connection with tbe meeting. The Sstarters for the Selling Two-year old Race included Lady Mab, the filly by Rubezahl out of Lady Gertrude purchased by Mr Butler from the Hon. G. M'Lean. She is the first of I the Rubezahls to appear in publfc. The race ! was won easily by Tempest, with Lady Mab second. The winner was bought by Messrs Stephenson andHazlett, and was afterwards brought down to Dunedin with Occident. „ _ *** On the third day a field of 11 went to the post for the Nursery Handicap. Pygmalion (9.2) was selected aa favourite. Those who went from Dunedin tell me that he would have won but for the bad start, As it was, he could only get second place, being beaten by Moraine (8.0), the Brockenhurst Stakeß winner. Cynisca justified my anticipation as to her developing staying qualities by beating Rose Argent in the Oaks It may be noted in connection with this race that Alsace ran very well, and also stayed longer than Rose Argent, This may be useful to remember. The race is a good one for a test, inasmuch aa decent weights were being carried. In the Canterbury Cup Scots' Grey got away with a little advantage, and Brown took him along at a great pace, evidently with the object of retaining his lead aa long as possible. The grey had, however, had quite enough of it by the time a mile and three-quarters had been covered, and when Tirailleur made his challenge it was allowed without response, the Northerner going away and winning easily. The face for the Metropolitan showed how easy a thing the Stewards' Stakes must have been for Whisper. In the short distance handicaps she had, as has been mentioned, but 7.9, whereas in the | mile and a-half race they gave her 8.2, and still eh© won. The time, 2min 40aec, bqows the pace at which the race was run; . It is said that Whisper was splendidly ridden by White, S who had to bring in one of his characteristic | finishes in order to get her past Dudu and British Lion. Forester won the Flying Stakes —the race in which he, on a previous occasion, .made the colony's record for five furlongs, I Occident -won the Consolation easily, canyiDg 8.0, and doing the mile in lmin 44£seo. *#* The amount passed through the totaliBfttors by Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin was considerably in excess of last year's total, but not so great as * that of the previous year, as will be seen by the following statement : —

As to the winning sires, Musket's stock won five races— good old Musket j Apremont's, five; Albany's, four ; Puriri's, two ; Oadogan's, twoj and Python, Tramp Card, The Painter, New Holland, Hornby, and Lapidist eaoh scored once. Apremont and Puriri divide ope race between them. Of the jockeys, White had four winning mounts; Boyle, three; Matthews, Collelo, M'Moran, and Thomas each two ; Derrett.'.Jßoyle, Stewart, Ousdin, Gravestock, Kingan, Brown, T. Buddicombe, and Dawson one each. *,* On tbe eve of the St. Leger Mr Perkins announced that Ohitabob would certainly run, but was liable to bo pulled up at any moment if his jockey found him going badly. The colt was undoubtedly lame on the Monday — that is two days before the race, but the touta could not agree in localising the point of weak- ! ness. One writer says : "' I believe the precise ! nature of Ohitabob's unsoundness is not for I certain known, That he Buffers from rheuaaa-

tism admits of no doubt, and though I have ! seen him feel his way with the near fore leg, 1 his trainer tells me that this is merely the i result of saving the other and weaker side. In his early youth, when scampering about, there can be no doubt that Cbitabob injured the lower part of his off shoulder, and the probability is that when a change of climate brings on an attack, it settles in the part where some slight remains of the old injury still exist." Another authority tella us that aa Chitabob walked in the parajdehe went tenderly on both hind legs. After the race he bobbed his poor dear head in a way that made me think it was the off hind leg that was wrong, or was at any rate the worse of the pair. But notwithstanding the fact that Chitabob was lame, he was generally looked to to run a great horse ; and as the reports as to Donovan's roaring were read by many people in the light of carefully arranged excuses to cover defeat if it cameras it must come sooner or later to a colt that is popularly supposed to be somewhat unsound, there were not wanting those who were prepared to field against the favourite. „ : •%* In the race the running for two-thirds of the distance was made by Cheroot ; the three cracks, Donovan, Miguel, and Chitabob, all lying well in the rear. At the point mentioned, says "Pendragon," Donovan was allowed to forge to the front, with Chitabobattending him, Fred Barrett's making the first move enabled him to appropriate the berth on the rails— a point to Donovan; but Chitabob was going with quite as great ease as the Newmarket colt, who looked like staying on right enough. Yorkshire, seeing Bob almost upsides with tbe 'Don, began to roar that Chitabob bad already won. In that regard- they reckoned without Donovan, ananimal they frequently overlooked— to wit, when they concluded that they were bound to beat the duke's horse, because with 41b the best of the weights Ohitabob stalled off Pinzon. Still, with a quarter of a-mile to cover oh Wednesday, ot two horses going well within themselves, though at considerable speed, Chitabob was pulling tbe hardest. Pulling is not always, I might say not often, an indication of ability to stay, because very frequently when a puller has done tiring his riders arms he is then himself done. However, save for the circumstance that Donovan held a slight lead of the^other, there was nothing in it between them at this juncture. As the distance was neared Barrett rode the Derby winner with bis hands, and kept Ghitabob at full tension. The relative positions did not readily alter, but Fagan from sitting still on the second favourite got to rousing him. That did not make Bob regain an inch of the advantage Barrett had taken, and almost at once an evenmoney ohance was not to be represented in figures. Donovan, galloping resolutely on, hut not winning in a canter, if. there bo any difference in that sort of action and galloping, ran Chitabob out. Fagan, being beaten by the winner, did not care how he was beaten. Just as Donovan decisively proved his superiority to the Bplendid failure, Miguel came up and had the best of Bob before he was eased. Being well in front Fred Barrett meant keeping there. Though safe enough, he did not let tbe bad roarer, who could not stay, rest till be was home. Miguel, after catching Chitabob, went after Donovan, and I believe might have been a little nearer at last than be was. Webb, however, was well dear of Cbitabob, Enthusiast, and Davenport, and could not possibly win, ' Chitabob, lameness and all, was third best, but Davenport was allowed to slip into tbe berth." V At a recent meeting of the Cr,omwell ■ committee it was resolved to intimate that the club is unable to accede to the Tuapeka Club's proposal to appoint Mr Dowbo handioapper to the principal country.oluba. At a later meeting the committee were asked to choose between Messrs Dowse and Wrightson, and the latter— a local man— gained the preference, The treasurer • reported that the Spring meeting had resulted in a Bmall profit. It was resolved that the Summer meeting be held on the 26th and 27th December, and that the amount of stakes thereat be £450. Mr Turton was appointed judge, and Mr Denham starter, %* I regret to have to announce* that Wolverine will not be a starter at tbe Exhibition meeting ; in fact Mr Turnbull has had to restrict the horse to walkipg exercise for the past few days. When walking he appears to be quite right, but even a strong caster causes lameness in the muscles ef the thigh, and it will, I am afraid, be the back end of the" season before this undeniably fast horse is seen on a race track again. The black colt by La Loup out of Remnant is growing fast, and will not appear in public until the February meeting. Mr Turnbull thinks he will be quite aB powerful though not so big as Wolverine. All who have the true sportsman's spirit will join me in hoping that this youngster will make amends for the grievous disappointment Mr Turnbull has hadwith Wolverine. I for one used to entertain the hope that Wolverine would prove a second Nelson, but apparently I the Fates have decreed that his full ability as a racer shall never be revealed.

*** A table published in this issue shows that Donovan's winnings up to and including the Leger was as neatly within a pouud or two of double the amount captured up to the came period by any Leger winner for ; the past 24 years, Ormonde was a rattling good colt, but he is simply nowhere in comparison to the Portlander. The lucky Duke also continually receives a fair share of profit from other horses beßideß Donovan. By the bucobss x>i Memoir in the Bradford Plate at Leicester, a slight addition was made to the summon during the present racing season, which at the close of the Doncaster meeting amounted to £60,318 83, inclusive of the lOOsovs forfeit received by Semolina in connection with b6r match with Lord Zetland'siFontainebleau. The value of Memoir's race was £436 7s, so that the total at September 17 stood at £60,754 Us, and tbe amount won by his' Grace this year and last was represented by £87,566 ss. \* Speaking of Donovan and Chitabob, one of the correspondents of tho Sportsman says : ~" It ia perfectly clear that Donovan, though of the plain, wiry, rather than the grand commanding stamp, is an exceptionally game and hardy racer. He has the great advantage of not being overtopped. I should think, too, of becoming ripe on work which would leave others fat internally, and totally incapable ofgalloping at strong pressure a long course. That he is a high-class runner, taking the pbraee to include comparison with the cracks of other generations, I am ready to allow, but Donovan has yet to prove himself of tbe Ormonde order, and it would be interesting to see if, quitting weight-forage society, he could defy the handicappers after the manner of a Sterling, or an Isonomy, or a Minting," As to Chitabob : "If the Legar had been run a fortnight earlier, when the Highfiold chsstnut simply electrified all beholders, I feel certain he would have sorely pressed Donovan, but if a not thoroughly prepared racer finishes his preparation on walking exercise defeat in good company must b9 inevitable. Still, the Highfield people olucg to hoping against hope, and, though beaten, - Chitabob came out of the race covered with glory, and his struggle under overwhelming difficulties, if not in absolute pain, is [of a surety the gamest effort I can

recall from a quarter of a century's racing experiences. His roach and strength, his stamp, style, and sweeping yet rapid action have formed my parable so frequently tbat I shall not weary my readers with a careful description of by far the grandest three-year-old in England."

%* The Southland Times reports that over 20 persons attended tho meeting called for last week for the purpose of forming a racing club in InvercarguV Mr Inatorie occupied the chair, and stated that the committee appointed to canvass the town with a view of finding out what support would be given in the event of a club being formed bad bsen successful in their efforts, and be thought there wa3 /every prospect of a good club being formedr At tbe last 'meeting it had been suggested that the club be called the Southland Raoing Club.— Mr Crouch thought that the name proposed might be the means of its interests clashing with those of ! the Southland Amateur Turf Club.— The Chairman said it was in order to give the club a comprehensive character that the word Southland had been chosen at last meeting in place of Inveroargill.— Mr A. L. Wilßon thought that if they were going to have a racing club it Bhould embrace the whole district, InyercargiJl being the headquarters for all racing in Southland. They might even aspire to the establishment of a metropolitan club at some future time. Mr Crouch said he would not press bia suggestion, ' and \on the motion of Mr Dalgleish it was I resolved that the club be called the Southland Racing Club.— Mr DaJgleisb, who had been appointed along with Meaßrß Howells and Roope to canvass the town, said that moat of the principal merchants and tradesmen, and the managers of tbe financial institutions, had heartily concurred with the movement. He I handed in a list containing 115 names, at the same time remarking tbat the signatures had been put down spontaneously and without any pressing. The annual subscription to the club was fixed at one guinea. The election of officors resulted as follows :— President, Mr G. M. Bell ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Gardner and M. Instono; committed— Messrs J. W. Bain, J. Affleck, E. Bunn, G. A. Birch, E. F. Crouch, W. A. Donald, W. Handyiride, J. Tennant, $, B. Williams, J. A. Mitchell, and Drs Young and Gloss.

%*Mr H. Goodman always brings some fresh horse with him from the Ohristchurch Spring meeting. This year the member he has speculated in is the three-year-old gelding Milord (by Apremont— Strenua),.bred and sold by Mr Stead. From the look at Milord I had in his box, I should say that he is likely to be a useful kind of horse. He appears to be sound beyond suspicion, and is not a bad-looking fellow either, though more of the out of the workman than most of the Apremonts. Apres Moi and Don Caesar returned at the same time— that is at 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning, after a 20 hours' trip by train from Christchurch. Mr Goodman naturally feels aggrieved at having been delayed so long on the journey. His three horses, with Mr Kildare's Ixion, Sincerity, and Seoretary, were fiast put on a slow, train, were picked up at Timaru by tho express, and shunted off at Oamaru without any warning, arriving at Dunedin on Wednesday at 4 a.m. If the Railway Commissioners desire to do a trade in carrying thoroughbreds, they will have.to devise some better arrangoments.

%*A" pleasant day's outing would have been enjoyed by thoae who went to the Taieri meeting on Monday had it not been for the north-east gale that prevailed. As it was, none but those who made money saw where the fun came in. The raoing was interesting rather than exciting, the Two- mile Trot providing the most notable exception to the rule of one-sided finishes. In the Maiden Plate, Miss Ann is said to have been interfered with— by what I do not know— and this is put down as the reason why she was beaten. Certainly she lay a long way behind the leader in the first half-mile. This lat the time put down to bad riding, but was afterwards assured that Young {had no choice. Barney, who came in first in the Trot, is a clever pony, showing points of good breeding, but he is no wonder, seeing that ho was kept going nearly all tbe way and yet took 925 to cover the jthrco miles. Alahna was, I thought, looking a little stale— perhaps she was ; at any rate she mads a poor attempt in both her races, and in the Taieri Handicap St. James could hardly be held so as to be slow enough to'keep within a length or so of her and Cinnabar. This last-named mare was, on -the contrary, bright and fresh, and ran very well, though St. James could have beaten her by 20 or 30 yards had hia rider so willed it. To' speak as I think, I was half afraid at one point of the Taieri Handicap that St. James was being held too firmly ; some horses have a nasty habit of stopping at a finish in such a race. The result, however, justified Walter Buddicombe's judgment. In the Ladiea' Purse Miss Ann met Invermay again, and beat him, though he had 41b tbe best of tbe weights as compared with the Maiden. This shows the running in the Maiden to be not true form. Invermay, I may lemark, ia by Duntroon out of a Ringleader mare, while Miss Ann, as every one knows, is by Le Loup out of Empress. Orion broke when within three lengths of the post in the Two-mile Trot, and for a moment it seemed odds tbat Pirate (who bad himself broken a stride or two earlier) would grot home first ; but Latimore pulled Orion into his stride juefc in time, and he won fairly enough by half a length or more, with Barney (he also broke in the straight) an excellent third. Further comment on the racing is unnecessary, but it may not be out of place to give a hint to the stewards tbat it is their bounden duty to keep the totaliaator workers properly posted as to eoratchings. In the Taiori Handicap two scratched horses wore exhibited as mediums of investment whan the machine was first opened ; and in tbe Novel Race Nightshade was first put up all right, then taken down after £5 was put on her, and eventually put on the machine again aa a Btarter. The blunder in the Taieri Handicap may have been attributable to late scratchings being allowed. *i* Probably these irregularities are to somo extent traceable to the want of proper accommodation for the officials. A wretched dark shed, about 6 x 10, is the place where tbe secretary Has to transact all his busiuesa, and half the room is taken up by the luncheon table, I think I should go mad and do some one an injury if compelled to sit there all day. Better things are, however, in store, if all I hear be true. The club has a substantial baok balance, and can now afford to consider the question of making a course on some ground where they may if they choose erect permanent improvements. The only accommodation tho clab can get at Silverstre&m ia of an unsatisfactory and primitive nature, and the sooner a shift; is made the better.

*** At last Saturday evening's meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club's committee it was resolved that a general meeting of the club be held on the 23rd ihst., that is prior 'to the Exhibition meeting, to adopt the whole of the rules of racing as agreed on at the late conference. It has been, deemed advisable that tho big meeting should be held under the rules which obtain in other parts of the colony, anti rightly

bo, I think, otherwise complications may ensue ; so what it is proposed to do is virtually to bring the new rules into force at the Forbury for the time being, and leave it for the conference, if one is held, to reconsider two or three rules which the D. J.O. would like to Bee altered, It would be idle to attempt to prophesy how it will all pan out, but the D. J.O. ia showing a disposition to be reasonable, and it is to be hoped that this desire to set matters to rights in a quiet way may not be without a good effect in securing permanent peace on a Bound footing between all parties. V The first of the Nordenfeldts to start was King William, the Bon of Pulchra, who was unplaced iv the Maribymong Plate ; the first to win was Mary, the half sister te Trenton, who on Saturday last earned her oats for the season by capturing the Welcome Stakes at Auckland. In this event she was opposed by a field of six, including Mitrailleuse, s half brother Cambria. The telegram does not state the time, but I'll warrant it waa pretty fast. The Auckland Guineas, another race of which we have but too few in the colony, brought about the defeat of Corunna. Oiesy ran off with the start and kept it. The beating Corruna sustained does not disgrace him. It was known that he had been off, and if Cissy waa at her beat it wafl no great feat on her Dart to put him down. We shall see Corunna win a big race bofore the season is out. The Prince of Wales Handicap saw Raglan get the best of a desperate finish with Leopold and .Lady Norah. Evidently this Raglan is in great form, for on the second day (Monday) he put up 151b more and ran borne an easy winner from Leopold, who had 21b less than on the first day. This difference of 171b seems to suggoat that the race on tbe first day could not have beon very desperate. Cissy gave Antelope a stone and a beating in the Spring Handicap, seven furlongs, but with 8.1 could get no nearer than third in the City Handicap. Weight also Btopped Mary on the second day, Bhe proving unequal to tbe task of givmg 21lb to Souvenir in tha Nursery Handicap. */ There were nine starters for the Melbourne Stakeß, Abercorn being backed at evens, while Carbine was at 3 to 1, thiß figure being obtaiflable in consequence of a report, generally believed, that Mr Wallace's crack on the previous day damaged a hoof. Whether true or not, it is a fact that Carbine ran in bar shoes, his off fore foot being bound up with wax thread. At the very end- of the race Abercorn was just getting the best of Carbine, when Melos came thundering down on them, but the rush waa made a moment too late, and Abercorn won by a short head. The Derby race 1b thus described in the Argus :— " For so small a field there was considerable trouble m getting them away, Rudolph causing moßt annoyance. Payten tried to hold him at the mark, but this would not do, so he was left to frißk about and take his chance. Dunkeld was in a vicious mood, and after biting Prince Consort planted both hie heels with some force upon that horse's neck. The favourite atood quietly at the mark as Hales watched the flag. When it dropped the start was a poor one, Dunkeld, through his own perversity, losing some lengths, while Prince Consort, although apparently ready, stood Btock still until the leaders had got a dozen strides' advantage. However, they went easy to the turn, and both horses without much effort recovered their places. Then Rudolph and Tinlander started to make the pace, and had tho lead pretty well to tho straight, where the white jacket dropped away, and the favourite was third, and going atrong. Power oame Blowly up en Richelieu, and thus early the pair who were to fight out the finish could be picked. Power, on the black colt, had made up his mind to try and wear down Dreadnought in a long Blogging finish. At the third distance-post they were both at it, and for a moment Riohelieu Beemed to have the best of it, but it was for a moment only. For a score of lengths they were looked together, both jockeys hard at it, but the black was the first to burst up, and, though the race bad been a hard one, it was over at the half distance, where Dreadnought forged ahead, and won by a length and a-quatter, exactly the Bamo dißtance separating Richelieu and Rudolph. There is very little doubt that Mr White could have won the Derby with either of hiß horses, for had Rudolph bean ridden to win, and not merely to make a paoe for his stable companion, his position shows that he must have been first. V Bravo's win in the Melbourne Cup was decidedly a sensation.^ To give an idea of the position, it may be remarked that after finishing third at Caulfield he was made a warm favourite for the big Cup ; then he was found to be lame, and on being sent back to Ballarat was knocked out to 100 to 1. One bookmaker plunged against him, and laid something like £20,000 that Bravo would not win tho Melbourne Cup, when it waß seen that he had accepted he gradually shortened in price ; the plunger had to pay to get round ; nnd at the last the public took 10 b. It is worthy of note (says the Argus) that he is the first winner of the Melbourne Cup whose Bire had won the race before him, Grand Flaneur, who was never beaten, woe in ISBO. Bravo waa bred in the neighbourhood of Braid wood, New South Wales, and his dam, The Orphan, was descended from the stud of Messrs Hassall and Roberts, who were amongßt the most prominent of the breeders of thoroughbred stock in the early days of New South Wales. Archer, the only horse that ever won two Melbourne Cups, or that bugceeded in winning with lOst or over on his back, was bred by Messrs Hasaall and Roberta, and bo was Tim Whiffler, the famous horse which won the Melbourne Cup of *J* Manton carried 9.9 in the Van Yean Stakes, and was the only one of tbe starters to get near Wild Oat, who ran the mile in lmm 42lsec. Oakleigh's record in the V.R O. Handicap, in which, by tho way, he was ridden by Anwin, Bravo's jockey, was 3min 3sec, being lace faster than the previous record for the colonies cud within 23ec of the world a record, held by the American Glidelia. The glory of Abercorn'B success in the Canterbury Plate is somewhat dimmed by the suspicion that Carbine was not on the job— either that or his previous races had taken all the go out of him. Abercorn'a record to date ib as follows :—

His winnings in stakes alone came to over £12 300. It may be of interest, by way of comparison, fco mention that Trident won £8741, Malua £5679, and Commotion £7700. And if Abercorn had uot won the Metropolitan he would have won the Melbourne Cup. IN ASUTSHLLL. —Mr Sherwiu'a Miss Lucy has visited Vanguavd. —Exchange ia serving mares on the West Coast. —Arthur Smith's stables at St. Kilda are — Ap'hburton races are fixed for the 24th and sth April. , —The Derby of next year will bo run on the thof June.

—There is free admission to the new" course at New York. — Derrett will train and ride Recluse in the Exhibition Cup. —Watch Pygmalion for the C.J.C. Dorby of 1890. He is a gentleman.

—A steam roller is now used to smooth the running track at Flemington. —The privileges for the Taieri races realised £118 as against £100 10 a last year. . — Wally Clifford will probably be unable to ride this season. He must have rest.

—The 5,000d0l trotting match at Boston was won by Harry Wilkea in 2min 1753e0. —At the French horse show Saxifrage gained the award from Le Destrier and Energy. — Taratahi-Carterton Handicap, run on the 31st ult., won by Mr J. Ray's Comet, a son of Tattler. — Stonehenge broke a small bloodvessel the other day, but the results are not at all serious. —"Augur" thinks that Dan O'Brien's colt Whimberal should be hard to beat in the Derby —A Dunedin penciller laid the owner £300 to £15 in one line about Tirailleur for the New Zealand Cup. — Administrator protested against in the show ring on the ground that his pedigree is not fully traced. —The English sira Wisdom's subscription for 1890 is full at 150ga, and for 1891 it will be raised to 250gs a mare. > — Tapanui Club has resolved to hold a summer meeting on Thursday and Friday, the 6fch and 7th February. —I take Forester with (8.9) to be the pick of the bunch for the Hutt Park Spring',Handicap. Whisper (9.5) next bast. —At Wanaka Messrs Solomon and Murrell passed £1073 through the totalisator, being £141 more than last year. —A well-informed English writer says that *•' there are very few true stayers among our present generation of raceborßes." —Messrs A. Josephs and L. Zucker, two of the leading members of the Victorian Ring, intend to go to England and field. — Dreadnought waß reported to be lame on the day before the Derby. Hia sire, Chester, was almost always sore after a gallop. — S3ttling over the Christchuroh meeting is ■not proceeding very satisfactorily in Dunedin. I hear that many small backers* are • behindhand. —Hales has won 12 Derbys— six in Sydney and six in Melbourne. He has also won the V.R.O. Leger nine times and the Champion seven times.

— Benzon started bookmaking at the Doncaster meeting, but the fielders generally had a bad time, and the Plunger couldn't Btay till the finish.

—It was on account of his winning the Baluarring Handicap at the Epsom meeting that Knight of the Garter waß f anciad for the Melbourne Cup. —In a Farmers' Plate at Oaklands (Victoria) the handicapper considered it necessary to handicap Abrupt at 15,7 and Marque at 14.7, to give the other horses a show. —The action of Lord Durham in connection with the racing scandals in England is about to be recognised by a suitable testimonial, and funds for that purpose are being liberally sub* scribed. — A horse, English both by birth and training, Baron Nathaniel Rothschild's Resolute, has won the richest stake ever contested for in Hungary. That is the St, Stephen's Prize, the monetary value of which is £8100. —The celebrated American trotting stallion Ohilda Harold dropped dead at the Richmond stud recently. This was undoubtedly one of the best trotting stallions ever imported, He had a record of smin baea for two miles, and was a horse of great power and substance. —If any of my readers have preserved their tickets on'; Milton's Daisy in the Three-mile Trot, I would oounsel that they still stick to them. Further complioatfona are talked of, and it is just barely possible that the investments the roan mare may turn out profitable. — Tuapeka baa finally passed its programme. As expected, the only alterations from last season's programme are that the stakes in the Novel Race are reduced from £30 to £25, the Two-mile Trot increased from £25 to £30, and the distance in the Distriot Handicap reduced from one mile and a-half to one mile.

—Mr E Mitohelson, writing to a friend in Melbourne, Bays Corunna i 8 all right againi and after fulfilling his Auokland engagements he will journey to the Dunedin meeting. If all goes well with the oqlt it is Mr Mitchelson's intention to send him over to compete at the V.R/O. Autumn meeting. —It iB not often that a horse entered in a race to be sold for 50aovs realises SOOgs atthe subsequent auction, but that price was paid for Wrinkles after the colt had won the Selling Plate of lOOgs at Ayr. The transaction left the very aooeptable Burplus of 450gs to be divided between the race fund and the owner of the second horse. —A telegraphic despatch from Cheyenne (United States) states that a mare mule has given birth to a colt there. The despatch skates that that was the second case on record in the world, one other being in the Zoological Gardens in Paris, where the same mule bore twice, and a third case of the sort has since been reported. — York races are probably the moßt ancient of any that are still held ; as, in the old city records, there are full accounts given of York races in the days when York was the residence of the Roman Emperor Severus. Just 100 years ago, in 1789, a Princs of Wales, he who was later known as George IV, and his brother, the Duke of York, were present at the Great Ebor. t i— The following were the principal amounts paid over in connection with the O.J.C. Metropolitan meeting:— Mr Stead, £1589 9s; Mr Gollan, £1423 ; Mr Hunter, £532 ; Mr Clifford, £401 17s; Mr Hanis, £398 Is; Mr Stewart, £190; Mr Stephenson, £181 9s; Mr Tancred, £156 15s; Mr D. Rutherford, £112 23; Mr Goodman, £106 Bs. These with smaller sums make the total £5603 2s. — " Merlin " Bays that the veteran Manuka, though it is 20 yeara since he electrified the New Zsalanders by winning the Canterbury Derby, Cup, and Handicap, is a grand looking horse still, even if dipped a little in the back. After inspecting hia stock I was not surprised to hear that Mr Symmons had decided to put his mares again to him, and not to sell him, although he had been offered a good figure. —Referring to the Australian colts preparing for the English Darby, the Newmarket correspondent of the London >Sportsman says : •' Among others I took stock of the 'Austra-lian-bred cheatnut3 in training for nest year a Derby. At exercise they fill the eye as big, rough-and-ready, serviceable youngsters, remarkable for Bubßtsmce and bone rather than elegance of moulding ; but more minute criticism must be defe-red until another day. — Brightwater raceß were held at Richmoud Park on Saturday last. The attendance was very fair, and the sport interesting. The Hurdles were won by Mr Dillon's Sawdust, Mr Green's Dangerous second. A protest for crossing was disallowed. Brightwater Cup: Mr Silcock's Victory, 1; York Rose, 2 ; Redwood, 3. Me Redwood's Lavinia

was a*bad last: Second Hurdles f Sawdust, 1; Dan O'Connell, 2. Stewards' Handicap: Thatchpeer, 1 ; Redwood, 2 ; York Rose, 3. — The book Sir George Chetwynd is bringing out will probably prove racy reading, as the writer has given in Jt bis personal experience of life on the turf. His private opinion with regard to sportsmen in general, and one noble sportsman in particular, can scarcely fail to prove interesting j although, if report speaks truly, Sir Charles has most carefully revised the proofs. Possibly he does not care to go through another law court experience, especially with the principal roles inverted, as they might be.

J. 004. J.OOO. « First day Second day Third day Totals £ ... 11,681 ... 13,673 ... 11,919 ... £37,303 s, 10,654 10,692 8,249 £29,595 £ 11,51! 11,7 1 ! 9,821 £33,111

lalf-mile lile lile and half ... 'wo miles Manton, m. s. ... 0 52| ... 1 43| ... 2 40 ... 3 31* i. Tirailleur m. s. 055| 1 51 2Ui 3 3i| r.

At 2yra At 3yr3 Afc -lyrs At syra First ... 6 ... 6 ... '1 ... 6 t. Second 1 3 4 0 i. Third 1 0 3 0 a. v Jnpla 0 1 I 0 21 8 4 2