TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 8 May 1890, Page 25

TALK OF THE DAY.

BY MAZEPPA.

*** I understand that the Dunedin Jockey Club's committee 1 decided, at their last meeting, to send out letters to those owners who withdrew horses from the Cup and Publican's Handicap, inviting them to state to the club the reasons which prompted that action, so that a full inquiry into the whole circumstances may be held at the time of the Birthday races.

\* Mr H. Goodman has at present only three horses in work — the smallest team he has taken to fche Forbury for ever so long, consisting of Red Enßign, Blizzard, and Belvidere. These horses are all doing well. Don Czeaar remains in the paddock. He is not mending very fast, [and, so far as I can make out, is not likely to be put into strong work yet awhile, his dicky leg prohibiting anything beyond an easy walk, and even that would not be necessary but that he is naturally a sluggish horse, taking no more exercise when turned loose than he can avoid.

* # * Three months ago, or thereabouts, a report was in circulation to the effect that Guy Fawkea, the celebrated son of Ravensworth and Fidget, had just died, So far as I am aware, it has not been stated since that this was a mistake, and I therefore) take this opportunity of stating that a South Canterbury gentleman who was in Dunedin last week tells me that the horse is still alive, though showing in an unmistakeable manner the effeot of frequent travelling round the country ; indeed, the poor old chap is becoming frail, and bis end cannot be far off. His present owner is Mr Sullivan, who used to have the trotting stallion Shales. Guy Fawkeß was foaled in 1871, and was in his day one of the stoutest and the gamest horses we had (on the turf, distinguishing himself at a time when such celebrities as Templeton, Fishhook, Ariel, Daniel O'Rourke, and Danebury—horses that would hold their own against our racers of the prasent timewere to .be met with. As old Guy is still in the land of the living I do not propose to write his history yet awhile, but doubtless many readers will be interested by the perusal of a romantio story concerning him told some years ago by Inspector Emerson to a representative of the Inangahua Times. I do not think that the story has ever found its way into the sportiog prints.

*** The dam of Guy Fawkes was Fidget, by Sir Hercules from Flirt, and she was bred by Messrs Eyes and Empson in the Marlborough district more than 20 years ago, in the old leather flapping days, before racing had gained any status, or well-bred horses valued at their proper price in the colony. She was trained for the Blenheim racea, and at three years, with 10.0 up, could beat all of Mr Redwood's Btud of that day. Two or three days before the races, however, she was kicked by her etable companion, Miss Rowe, on the knee, and the blow fractured the knee-cap, apparently laming her hopelessly for life, so badly, indeed, that it was nearly determined to Bboot her. She was given a respite, however, and turned out on the run to take her chance. Subsequently she got .upright again and was put to rowton, by which horse she had Kettledrum, a fair performer in those days. She was afterwards stinted to Ravensworth, but was held to ba of little value, and was sold for a small sum to a man named Smith, a cattle dealer and farmer at Tua Marina, who rode her in cattle expeditions. Dunne one of those excursions he visited the Wairau, mounted on the mare, then in foal to Ravaaavyorlh, and carrying the future Guy Fawkes. Smith was by no means a first-rate horseman do-tpite his trade, and the mare was n little too much tor him. On the journey in question, whilst following a mob of cattle, he came to one of the ditcheß along which are tracks for stock, and tried to turn Fidget to follow the track. Instead of that the mare cleared track, ditch, and all, and in doing so jumped clean from under her rider, greatly to the discomfiture

of her owner, a rather heavy man, who was left up to his neck in mud and water, and struggled to shore in a Bomewhat sorry plight. The mare having thus got rid of her burden waited on the other side without attempting to run away, but Smith, nothing appeased by this, declined to mount again, and led her into Blenheim,

%* Almost the first person he met was a well known character in that day, Constable Patrick Sullivan, [who, policeman as he was, had an eye for a horse, and was a general favourite Smith detailod hia mishap, probably with tho colonial embellishments common in those days, but now happily bauished from everywhere but the House of Representatives, and asked Sullivan if he would buy the mare, aB he (Smith) would never ride her ogaia. Barter was the order of the day about 1860 in the Wairau, as woll as in other parts of New Zealand. Sullivan, though willing to purchase, had not the ready money to do it with, but said he had a heifer in calf valued at £G that he would trade for her. The bargain was struck, the latter became the property of Smith, and Sullivan possessed Fidget. In due time she foaled, and her offspring was offered by Sullivan to Mr H. Redwood, admittedly one of the beat judges of thoroughbred stock ia the colony, if not in the hemisphere, for £15. He would not purchase at any price, saying the foal would never be any good. Afterwards when it was about six months old, Sullivan asked Mr Emerson to have a look at it, and he did, but the price was raised, and the result of the interview waa that the future Guy Fawkes passed into the latter's hands for the aum of £30. So good a bargain had he made that he was offered £140 for the youngster a few dayß afterwards, but refused the money, greatly to his advantage as it turned out. The colt waa named Guy Fawkes, through being dropped on the sth of November, a day in which that historical character figures conspicuously. Guy was raced in Marlborough, when a two-year-old, and beat all the cracks in R9dwood's stable. When three years old Emerson let him to Stevenßon and Fiven, and at a Blenheim meeting by made a clean sweep of everything with the exception of one race, where he was led off by Papapa, who bolted, and he was nearly drowned in a creek. The colt had to be pulled out with ropea by a number of men, but was dried when got ashore, and won the Forced Handicap the Bame day by 20 lengths.

*** Mr Redwood in the following year, and for three succeeding years, leased the horse at £150 a year, and to detail the victories he achieved at all weights and every distance with him would fill a newspaper, but we may say he won in stakes £2500 in one year. Eventually work told on the conspirator, and he broke down in the stifla, notwithstanding which Mr Emerson sold him for £700 to Keith and Lyford for stud purposes, and Mr Studholme, a runholder of South Canterbury, subsequently became and is now his possessor, but keeps him for hia own marea only. It is said that the veteran has thoroughly recovered, and that it is not improbable he will face the starter once more. His present owner has been offered £1000 for the despised foal of former days, Mr Emerson subsequently purchased Fidget for £22, and had three foals from her, Ladybird, Marie Stuart, and Oatesby, The latter is by Daniel O'Rourke, and untried, but will appear this season. This history Bnows the uncertainty of raoing ; a horso worth £1000, with Mb dam, was swapped for a cow in calf, and the chief cause of either ever being brought to the front was the fact of a badly seated cattle dealer being thrown into a ditch.

%* There were 19 starters for the Lincolnshire, the first important handicap of the season in England, run on the 27th March. This I learn from the cablegrams seat to America, but the lists of starters published do not exactly agree, and we shall have to wait for next mail to obtain full particulars. It appears to be tolerably certain, however, that Lord Rodney's Danbydalo, a five-year-old son of Arbitrator and Bendigo's dam, carrying 7.5, started first favourite at 4 to 1, Sir R. Jardine's Sweetbriar (4yrs, 7.9) being quoted at the post at 9 to 2, while Laureate and Royal Star were also backed at the finish. The Rejected was well spoken of in the last English papers to hand, of date about the 22nd March, but he appears to have declined in favour as the day drew near, and at the post was neglected, his price being 18 to 1. Shimmer, who by the way is by Rubezahl's sire Seesaw, started at 12 to 1, and Lord George at 50 to 1, Sweetbriar led to the half-mile post, where Lord George wont to the front, and held the lead until within a quarter of a mile from home, when The Rejected and Shimmer passed him, Tho Rejected won by a length and a-half- four lengths separating Shimmer and Lord George. The winner was trained by A Day and was probably ridden by Rickaby, who had the mount on Kirkham in the Hastings Plate.

*** One of the principal races at the Liverpool March meeting, commencing on the 27th, was the Union Jack Stakeß, of lOOOsovs, a mile race for three-year-olds. For this there was a field of eight, the favourite being Touchwood at 6to 4 ; but this colt was unplaced, and the winner turned up in the Duke of Westminster's Orwell, by Bend Or — Lizzie Agnes, who was followed home by Mrachosi and Edgardo. Orwell won only one race out of Bix last year. Other important races at this meeting were the Mulyneux Stakes, a five furlong spin for two-ysar-oldp, won by Mr Abington's Macuncts, a son of Uncas, sire of the New Zealand Stud Company's Ingomar ; the Prince of Wales' Stakeo, of SOOsovs, which fell to Mr Warren de la Rue's Shillelagh, got by the American-bred horse Brown Prince ; the Bickerstaffe. Stakes, of 700sovs, for three year- olds, in which the 2 to 1 on chance Rightaway, belonging to Mr Low, won by four lengths from Heresy ; the Softon Park Plate, of 70030vb, for two-year-olds, won by tho 20 to 1 chance Cloudberry, a daughter of Macheath and Miss Mainwarinß ; and the Liverpool Spring Cup, of SOOnovs, won, as the cable told ua, by Father Confessor, with Theoßopbist second, and the Australian Ringmaster third. We now learn that there were 12 starters for this last-mentioned event, and that Father Confessor, who started at 6 to 1, won by three lengths from the 4 to 1 Theosophist, with Ringmaster, whose price at the poet waa 12 to 1, half a length away. *£* As to the Liverpool Grand National, Mr Georgo Masterman made no secret of his belief that Ilex could not be persuaded to stop at any of the fences, and that he had foot enough to smother the rest of the field if no accident prevented him from landing in the straight with them, and backed up bis opiuiou by laying £2000 to £800 tliat bis hone heat the slow and-sure Gamecock, who was at tbe tiraa regarded as one of the safbFt horsed to gat over the course. Aa a natural result;, Ilex w&h made first fiivourito, and started as such, hia price at flag-lall being Ito 1, liollona, who v/aa pro bably ridden by lxukur, waa ascend favourite at sto 1 ; and the other starters wore Voluptuary, Why Not, Battle Royal, Frigate, Empsror, Gamecock, Fetiche, Ilettie, Braeaborough, Baccy, Brunswick, Pan, and Fireball. Gamecock and Ilex v/ero firt=t away, and led tho others for three inileti, when Gamecock failed. Pau then moved up into second pl&cf, but waß unable to reach Ilex. A mile from

home Ilex took a commanding lead, and coming on, won by three lengths. M.V. was a bad third. Pan started at 100 to 1. Mr E. P. Wilson was to ride the Prince of Wales' mara Hettie, *** The result of the Two Thousand Guineaa run at Newmarket on the 30fch ult. is to hand by cable. The race was won by Surefoot, who on his two-year-old torm waa regarded as a splendid investment for the Derby, but during the past month or so had been Bupplanted in the betting on that race by La Nord, thus suggesting that the crack was under a cloud. Whatever was the cause of his falling off in public esteem, he has now amply assured his friends that there is nothing amiss with him, aB he not only met but beat Le Nord, and thus at a bound jumped to the top of the trea in the Derby quotations, his prosant prioe being 6to 4 on. But though for a time out in tha cold, the chances are that on the day of tha race Surefoot was in request for the Guineas. People would remember what a wonder he waa the previous season, and when they saw him strip fit and well, as he doubtless was, they would rally again to their allegiance. I fully expect to learn that at flag-fall he was at least second if not first favourite. Anyway, tha result would not bo so surprising to backers aa on the two previous occasions. In 1888, it will be remembered, Friar's Balsam went out for tha Guineas at 3 to 1 on in a field of Bix, and finished last but one, the race being won by Ayrshire, while laßt year Donovan started at 4 to 1 on and was beaten by a head by Enthusiast, who went to the, post at 100 to 4 against. Surefoot's wins last year were the Woodcota Stakes at Epsom, tbo New Stakes at Ascot, and the Findon Stakes at Goodwood, and ha waß beaten only onee — viz , by Semolina in tha Ascot Biennial, He is engaged in the St, Leger as well as in the Derby. Le Nord's wina last year included the Dewhurat Plate ; and Blue Green was a fair performer. Tt will ba observed that neither of the Hon. J. White's colts started in the Guineas. Some particulars as to Surefoot's pedigree and previous winnora of the Guineas appear with the formal statement as to the result of the race.

*** The lucky Duke, his grace of Portland, who pretty well swept the board last season, has started pretty well this year. Ha in all probability had something going for him in the Two Thousand, and if so, he sustained defoat, but the One Thousand is a good stake to win, and it is a clipper that has won it. Semolina waa one of the best two-year-old performers England produced last season, having won most of tha races she started for, including the Brocklesly Stakes at Lincoln and the May Blate [at Windsor, Memoir and] Fatuite did not do anything extraordinary last year.

*** Lovers of a good horse for its own sake will not think it a waste of space to print a good judge's opinion of tho colt that has won the Guineaa and bids fair to become the champion of his season — a colt that would appear to be a bit too good for our Australian representatives. Narrating what he saw during his viait to Jousiffe's stables at Lambourne, tha special commissioner of the Sportsman says : It was impossible to help seeing that Surefoot had ' let down and thickened ' in a marked! degree, while more careful inspection of tha big bay confirmed first impressions. His trainer said, • This is Bendigo's box, and you may go up to him and handle him ; he's quiet.' So to the boat of my lights I buckled to the task, and during the time spent in his company Surefoot's behaviour was that of a sensible, well-cared for thoroughbred, making the best of his life, and his manner on the downs had been much the same, denoting confidence and an easy-going disposition. It is but right to say this, another story having come to my ears, whilst personally I must admit to having Been traces of irritability or nervousness about Surefoot last season. On looking him over one cannot but be struck with his silken, mouselike coat, worn during all seasons —aa in the case of Bendigo— and which would befit a Newminster, Regarding height, I should take him to be 16hds o£in at least, and once more it is only hia due to describe Surefoot a3 nearly the finest throe-year-old which lever looked over in or out of his stable. That he is gross of constitution become 3 quickly apparent from grasping hia crest or running the hand along his barrel, notwithstanding a rare amount of work already done ; but after all this may be for the best, Jousiffe being a past master in bringing horsos to the post, if seemingly luaty, free from internal fat, and clean in the pipes, their outward condition giving them strength and vigour to last out what would utterly bnfHa a too finetrained rival. Take, for example, the figures of Bendigo aud Kinsky when submitted to that most delusive of all testa— namely, paddock criticism. To the best of my belief I never set eyes on Surefoot until last summer he walked down the slope away from the quieteat of tho several sidings at Epsom. He then carried aa appearance beyond his years, and if tall was not a bit 'on the leg' fora two-year-old. SubBequently it was my duty^to look him over carofully before and after battles, all of which he won save whon the riper Semolina, mite though ebe then was, through experience and gameness marvolloua for ono of her inchoa, ran him out of the finish for the Ascot Biennial.

%* Whenever, in bis first season, Surefoot came before me, physically he showed progress ; but I fain admit to not having expected that extraordinary muscular develop* ment which ho now represents. Always ahowiDg a charming top line, with fore hand more powerful, yet resembling that of Ormonde, and depth of girth to match, he haa laid on Bolid hard material to remarkably well hooped back ribs, whilst his quarters and thigha have filled out in proportion. In fact, as seen now among really first class racers, I very much doubt if I have looked on a moro powerful two-year-old, oven bearing MintiDg in mind. Nor is there a coarse point about Surefoot, the combination of Orlando and Gladiator having perhaps tone! down what might be expected from mingling of Sfcockweli, Rataplan, and Voltigeur ; but then we must not overlook the fact that to Tbe Baron, behfc of all Birdcatcher's sons, Surefoot claims relationship in tail male. It has boon said tha Saven Barrows crack is not gifted with bone in proportion to an exquisitely-modol'ad yet burly frame ; but such is ever a very dangerous question to raise, inasmuch as the casual exarainor can by no manner of moans appraise the texture of a racer's supports, whilst it goes without saying that soft and full bono are very difforenl to fine, hard, wearing material. Theu, again, Surefoot's pasterns, springy yet strong, must help him materially, and with shapely, serviceable feet tboro ia Beomingly no reason whatever (spepkiug of a threa-year-olrj in March) why ho should not carry himself tlvoucrb the trying time which r-.!l equine celebrities in turn muui. ontor ai this particular season. Ifc scarcely would bn too much to say that Surefoot id now on tbort la^n ; although carrying a thick covering, ho is finn to tho touch, and it only romuiut to repeat lLat hio progress is more than I bad ant : cipated, i\]y racing friends will rocollect v.'h&t he w&a at Epsom tnd Ascot. They can rest assured cf hia now showing mora than average improve" ment.

%* The racing at tbe Soutlihmd meeting last woek wia mainly confined, though not iv tentionally bo, to local horaea, Quibble did no

go down. I did not for a moment suppose that he would, or that it was intended to send him. From the accounts to hand the meeting seems to have been an enjoyable one. There was no accident or protest, and the finishes ia the Autumn and Flyinjr Handicaps wore alone worth the money. Vaultress, it will be obBeryed, pulled up lame after the Becood race in wbicb sbe ptarfcod. Messrs Mason and Roberts passed £956 through the totalisator.

%* Duntroon races were remarkably -well patronised, the cheap excursion fares by rail from Oamaru helping considerably towards this end. Everything passed off without a hitch, and the racing was on the whole very good. One event, the Jockey Club Handicap, was each a close thing tbat Carina, who seemed to be winning until the final pinch, waa dona out of a place, while the District Handicap was won by only half a length after a slashing Betto. Mr H. M'Gregor's duties as secretary are said to have been ably performed. Messrs Mason and Roberta passed £950 through the totalisator.

*** The Mail tells us that a number of speculators on a workingman's totalisator run by an elderly gentleman at the Duntroon races were let into a wrinkle that might sharpen them up in the struggle for existence in this life. The tickets in this totalißator for times of depression were sold at a small sum, and in the third last race of the day it happened that no one had backed the .winner of the race ; but the elderly gentleman did not, as is the case with the ordinary totalisator, return the money to the investors, less 10 per cant,, but coolly pocketing the total sum, left hie supporters to reflect on some of the wicked ways of the world. No one asked tho elderly gentleman to become a member of Parliament, nor yet did anyone carry him down to the Waitaki to ask him to refresh himself in its crystal waters. „ *** The ninth volume of the " New Zealand Stud Book " has made its appearance rather unexpectedly. For months paßt wa have heard occasional rumours as to how the work waß getting on, but no date was authoritatively fixed for publication, and many of ua feared that it waa advancing to completion very slowly, if at all. The pleasure of fleeing the book is thereby the greater. And now that we have it, the cause of delay ia apparent. Mr Elliott tells us in his preface that various causea retarded its publication. One of these, probably the chief, is that the compiler had a long and tedious task before him in undertaking to bring out, not merely a continuing edition, but a '• Stud Book " tbat for all practi- i cal purposes is "as complete a reference as j possible in itself, and independent of former volumes and other works ; " in fact, Volume IX of the " New Zealand Stud Book " will be to New Zealanders what Mr Yuille's book of 1878 was to Australians, a record dating from the earliest periods, I for one never suspected that Mr Elliott was engaged in bo comprehensive a task. The index alone oovars 19 pages, and the whole work 263 ; and to give an idea of the completeness of the compilation it may be mentioned that the proportion taken up by purely Btud book matter consißtß of 223 pages, whereas in the previous volume 102 pages sufficed. Taking the headings in order, we finst have a summarised history of Nelson and his performances, set off by a lithographed copy of Mr Fodor's portrait of the horse while ia training as a five-year-old. This informal dedication, if we may deem it such, ia if a little irregular, not undeserved, seeing that Nelson waa the beat performer in the colony we have ever had. Then we have the 223 pages of mares, Btallions, and their produce. As showing that Mr Elliott fulfils hia promise of taking us back to the earliest times, I may mention that we find in her proper place the Emiliuß Mare imported to Wellington in 1841, this mare and Figaro being the two first thoroughbreds brought to New Zealand. Althaea is also there, with her long list of produce, dating back to 1853 ; while among other old mares whose names axe to moat of us mere traditions we find Batty Martin (1853), Cassandra (1854), Chatty (1850), Chloe (1853), Cloud (1852), the New South Walea Countess, Emily (1840), Emma (1844), Finesse (1849), Flora M'lvor (1828), Gipsy (1840), Jessy (1842), and many others, those mentioned being fair samples of the old matrons. I observe also that the compiler has added numerous notes, giving particulars of the dates of death and other things ; for instance, we are told under the heading of " Lady Ravenswortn " that " the mare waa burnt in 1884 with some of her later progeny," and so on ; and the produce of produce is also stated in a concise manner. Another new departure is noticeable. The old classification of (a), (b), and (o) tnarea is now abolished. Those that in former volumes had the prefix of (o)— that iB, mares from stock having faulty pedigrees — are net admitted, and by employing the word 11 imp," the classes (a) and (b) are sufficiently separated without the use of the letters. It is only to be 9xpeoted that Mr Elliott will have stirred up a hornet's nost in exoluding a number of mares that were included in previous volumes ; but lhafc sort of criticism will soon die out, The compiler appears to anticipate the objection, for he says that " the discrimination exercised in selecting and discarding from faulty pedigroes may in certain cases be questioned, but, however that may be, such selections have been made conscientiously, without favour." In renpect to the mares, it might have been an | advantage if more of the blanks had been filled j up with tho names given to the produce, but I presume the fault lies rather with the owners than with Mr Elliott. The next section of the book is a long and apparently exhaustive list oi horses brought to Nuw Zealand from the Australian colonies ; then follow pedigrees of wine colts and fillies purchased recently for New Zealand at the yearling sales held in Australia ; pedigrees of Australian- bred sires wboae names occur in some of the pedigreas of stock brought to New Zealand ; a list of stallions imported to the colonies from the earliest records to a very recent date ; a list of Arab stallions brought to the colonies; and'a catalogue of mares imported to Australia whose produce and descendants appear in the Stud Book. Following these there is a copy of the catalogue of Mr C. Smith's ea^e in 1845 — a perfect curiosity ; and then a list of tabulated pedigrees — a branch of tho work which indicates a reduced amount of patronage from studmasters, only nine pedigrees being inserted. This brief reference to the headings of the work will be sufficient k> show that the new volume has not been delayed in vain. The book ia invaluable to all who take an active interest in the turf. It was printed by Mr Willis, at Wanganui, and tho typography is on the whole creditable, ihough tha " reading " does not appear to have oean quite up to tha mark. Achievement, for r-xample, a mars bred in 1877, is set down aa r aviag had a foal in 1855 ; and this is not the tnly "literal" that could be mentioned. Other errors, for which the reader is not tharceablo, include such misprints as " Poarlblossom " for Poasbloasorn, * l Red Cjiumoner " for Rad Comyn, "My Lord " for Milord, and I also cbaorvo that Alcinous i 3 said to be daad, Thero are, ia foot, evidenced of a hurrying up to get tue book finished ; but tha mistake 1 ) are neither numerous nor likely to mislead so far my observation goes, and I think we ohould anite io iuankiug Mr Elliott very heartily

for giving us the moat complete work of its kind ever seen in the colony, and one which must be to a great extent a labour of love. Those wanting copies can, I presume, obtain them by forwarding the price to Mr George Elliott, Nelson.

*** We cannot shut our eyes to the fact (says " Asmodeus ") tbat doubts are entertained in respect to Titan undergoing a searching preparation, essential to a Derby winner. These fears, it is well known, have been engendered by the suspicious, if not suggestive, appearance of his forelegs ; and without desiring to cause Walter Hickenbotham unnecessary anxiety or alarm, I think I am justified in saying that the task of preparing the world's highest priced gelding for his three-year-old engagements is one that a majority of our foremost trainers would, were the matter optional with them, decline rather than eßsay. Titan's enlarged fetlock joints are not likely to be improved by the treacherous nature of the Flemington training tracks during the winter months; but natural growth and increasing strength during the few months' furlough he is about to indulge in may be instrumental in obliterating prevailing blemishes, apparent and imaginary ; and it is to be hoped that Mr Brodribb'B enterprise in giving 4600gs for a horse who will in all probability wind up bis career between the shafts of either a buggy, a cab, or a costermonger's cart, will at least be rewarded by seeing Titan at the Derby post in perfect health and condition. Were a legitimate Derby market opened to-morrow I fancy Gatling would be honoured with the position of second favourite. His great length and consequent apparent lack of substance and quality between his fore and hind quarters have been pointed out as defective points in his conformation. He ia certainly a bit wasp-like and genteel about the barrel, as well as light across the loins and couplings, not imparting the idea of being a weight carrier, and perhaps pace rather than stamina may be his forte ; still there is more room for improvement in him than in any horse I know of his own age, and he will probably fill the eye better as a Derby colt six months hence than he does today. At present I will content myself with the prospective notion that the four horses likely to blossom into the most daugerous rivals to Titan are The Admiral, Gatling, Whimberal, and Medallion ; and if there is anything destined to create a furore from amongst the ranks of the outside division it will be Jew Boy.

**♦ The handicaps for the Dunedin Jockey Club's Birthday meeting, or rather for the first day thereof, appear in this issue. In the Hurdle Race Mr Dowse has commenced at what I consider a fair thing with Ahua at 12 9. No one can read of bis race in Chiiatchurch and say that the horse is crushed, and at the same time if be wins he deserves to, considering that the minimum is 9.0. I would sooner back Ahua than Ixion at present if both were to start at a difference of 161b ; but Ixion is not a bad one, and he may be a more likely starter than his stable companion, On paper form Waitangi should be beaten by Garibaldi, and Maxwelton also should finish in front of Poole's hot in —I take a lino from the running at the March meeting ; but Mr Do who is, I think, just about right in his calculations, for Waitangi is very well, while Garibaldi is distinctly " off," and is an unlikely starter. Maxwelton, might, however, have had a pound or two more, and, seeing tbat there are valuable engagements ahead for the best cattle, this Southlander may, perhaps, be as good an investment as one can find in the raoe. In the Two-year-old Handicap Mr Dowse has again declined to work by the rule of thumb, and has done what some may regard as a daring thing in classing the unperformed candidates. Forbury, one of these, has 8.5, Pique 7.9, while the Remnant oolt and Dunmore are let in at 67. There is not the least doubt, however, that if all were to start the public would justify the handicap by backing Forbury in preference to, say, Dunmore. My fancy on the weights is Beu Trovato and Tempest, but if Dreamland were to come she would probably beat them both. Theie is an awful lot of rubbish in the Birthday Handicap, or rather I should say there are a lot of horses in it that will never see the post. St. James and Don Pedto were scratched for all engagements before the weights appeared, and others might as well go out at once. Without wading through the list, I may say tbat my fanoy is that the winner will come from this quintette : Occident, British Lion, Mon Loup, Blizzard, and Catamount. The weights seem to me to be well calculated, and I regard this as a good handicap. La Rose and Ruby appear at first sight as well treated as anything in the Tradesmen's Handicap, though there ia a dangerous trio in Milord, Lady Bell, and Quickstep in the six stone division. The Trot I shall not touch at present, further than to remark that I have a notion that Count will be heard of at this meeting. Acceptances for these events ate due on Tuesday, the 13th inst., and at the same time entries are to be made for the Maiden Plate, (Selling Race, Selling Hurdle Race, Novel Race, and Selling Two-year-old "Race, *** This week we hear by cable of the death of Hermit, one of the best known thoroughbreds England ever produced, at the age of 26 years. He was by Newminsfcer out of the Tftdmor mare Seclusion (dam of Steppe, one of the mares brought to New Zealand by Mr Stead), and as a racer ia known as winner of the Epsom Derby of 1867, a race over which large sums of money were lost and won in big bets, Mr Ohaplin, his owner, netting a tidy fortune by the transaction. Hermit started at 1000 to 15 for that event, and was ridden by J. Daley. Marksman and Vauban finished second and third. The '.race is generally said to have been run in a snowstorm ; at any rale snow fell on the day. Hermit also started for fche St. Leger, but in that evaafc was defeated by Colonel Pearson's Achievement. As a racor, Harmit was nothing more than a sudden visitation— he retired as quickly as he bad advanced, and but for the heavy betting on bis Derby the race would not have been so well remembered. It is as a stud horse that Hermit has chiefly made his mark. His first stock were not very highly prizod, but tha victories of Shotover, St. Blaise, Thebaia, and other notabilities brought him fame, and for several years past he has been one of the moat fashionable stallions in the Old World. In 1885 his Btock won £30,121 ; in 1886 they were in the statistics a good Becond to Bend Or's, having won £22,758 as against £22,803 by Bend Ore j in 188? the total was £25,536 (second to Hampton's); in 1888 the amount iell to £13,269, being beaten by the stock of Galopio, Hampton, laonomy, Bend Or, and Springfield ; and last season Hermit's get h»d 32 wins, earning £12,206, Heaume, who won the' Two i Thousand the other day, baing the chief conI tributor.

%* A question of precedence came up for consideration at last wesk'a meeting of tho Canterbury Trotting Association, the Duuedia Jockey Club having fonvarded a latter asking : (1) Is it intended that metropolitan clubs, who hold supreme authority under the New^ Zealand rules of racing, and wfao run trotting races with the other racas ia the programmes, should submit their programmes to the propoaed New Zealand Trotting Association? (2) la it intended tbat country clubs who run trotting races with tho other races iv their programmeo, and whobe programmes

(according to the New Zealand rule* of racing) be passed by the metropolitan club of their district, should again submit such programmes to the proposed New Zealand Trotting Association? Mr James' lettor intimated that on receipt of the association's rgply the Dunedin Jockey Club would consider tho proposed rules, and in the meantime they would recommend the following additions to them:— (l) Notwithstanding anything in these rules hereinbefore contained, it shall not be necessary for any metropolitan club who run under the New Zealand ruleß guiding flat, hurdle, and steeplechase racing, to submit their programmesto this association, provided bucq metropolitan club advertise that the trotting races in their programmes will be run under the rules of the New Zealand Trotting Association. (2) Notwithstanding anything in these rules hereinbefore contained, it shall not be necessary for country cluba whose programmes have been approved by the metropolitan clubs of their district, to again submit the Bame to this association provided that Buch club advertise that the trotting races in their programmes will be run under the rules of the New Zealand Trotting Association. It was resolved — " That the metropolitan olubs affiliated to the New Zealand Trotting Association be not required to submit their programmes, and that they be empowered to pass all programmes containing trotting events within their respective provincial districts, provided the necessary fees are paid to the association, in accordance with tho rules.' %* If this arrangement is accepted, and I don't kuow of any reason why it should not be, there is an end to all the difficulties of divided authority that have so far presented themselvea; and if any further questions arise I hope to sac them as quickly settled aethey may ba^if both parties are anxious for the common good and to achieve this are willing to como to a reasonable compromise. There is an absolute necessity that this Trotting Association should prosper. We in Otago do not feel the need bo much as it is felt in placeß where the metropolitan olubß profess to ignore trotting altogether, but it is right that we Bhould not stand aloof. The stronger the association becomes the greater will be its power for good ; and I think we may *ake it that the businesslike way in which the D J.C. has addressed itself to tha questions at issue indicates not a desire to raise difficulties, but to face them and overcome them.

*** Replying to Mr William Day, the advocate of the totalisator being introduced into England, Lord Granville Gordon says that it is by tho interference of the State that the present low state of ready money betting exists, A tradD which might be carried on by influential and upright men is driven into the hands of welshers and the lowest scum of mortality, because it is unrecognised and illegal. Am I, he aßks, a blaokguard for laying you 400 to 100 against Surefoot fcr the Derby ? If so, you can lay me 400 to 100, and in my humble opinion you can still be a gentleman, and such a transaction between man and man ought to be binding, and as recoverable as any stock exchange or other speculation in the world. Welahera and Bcamps would not now be openly plying their frauds at every mooting, and pioking up the unwary, if it were not for the existence of a law which forbids honest men to start a market. Nothing in the world could find a finer level than " Freedom of Trade "in a ready money ring at a race meeting. Competition is as keen amongst bookmakers as it iB in any legally recognised business, and if you Bee your way to offering 2 to 1 when your neighbour is offering 7 to 4, why, do so. The day will come when these oppressive laws which hamper every trade in the land, barring that of the lawyer, the usurer, the agent, and the undertakor, will either have been wiped away by a sensible assembly of our rulera, or well, we shall be wiped away. %* A good deal of this is doubtless quite true, or containing in it much that is true, but it would have been more satisfactory if Lord Gordon had {stated the caße against the totalisator, instead of the case for its natural enemies. It seems to me that Mr Day has slightly the best of the argument, when in his reply he saya :— " I repeat that betting is not illegal, and is not proscribed by the laws of the oountry, and does nothing of the kind. What it doeß do, and very properly so, too, is, ".that it forbids ready-money betting, and discourages welshers, ticket snatchers, and other obj actionable parties whom it would appear that his Lordship wishes to see in the ring side by side with the respectable and legitimate bettor. The legitimate layer has no restraint placed on his operations. Anyone with capital sufficient to purchase a penny book and pencil is entitled to enter the betting arena and lay his pounds or thousands with as much freedom as the old and most xespeotable member of this clasß. Then why, or on what principle, should the par'-mutuel be excluded from taking part in its particular mode of wagering for the benefit of a dominant party, that they may thrive whilst others must starve ? "