WINNERS OF THE HAWKE'S BAY STEEPLECHASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1899, 26 June 1890, Page 25

WINNERS OF THE HAWKE'S BAY STEEPLECHASE.

By this we sea that tbe weight carried to victory is below the average— indeed a lessor one has been only twice brought home ; and further, Jenny's performance is discounted by the fact that she met the smallest and the weakest field that ever started for this event, the four that went out being not yet acknowledged aa in the front rank of our steeplechasers. In the year it wag eatabliahed this race was run in October, and it was then called the Hawke's Bay Grand National, the value beiDg loOaovs. Mr Douglas' Baron led almost from the start and won by 40 lengths. Grey Momus, who went out first favourite, stuck up at the water jump, and Renata Kawepo'a horse Tawera fell and broke its neck at the same place. The race waa then allowed to lapse until the back end of 1882, when a leas pretentious event of lOOsovb and without the title of Grand National was arranged for. This waa won by that remarkably clever horse New Year, one of the last of the Ravenp worths, who was pulled into a canter at the finish, and thus allowed Baron to get

within a length of him. These were the only two who got round the course without check. The great Lone Hand (12.7) baulked at the double, and Grey Momus got stuck up at a Btone wall. Sunray might have been third if he had been ridden out, but his jockey did not want that distinction, and only the two horses were placed. The following aeason the stake was raised to 200aovs, and for this prize there were 16 starters, inoluding Quamby, Chandler, Loch Lomond, Mount, Reform, Lady Bab, and Ngata. The race resulted, as we know, in Lunn bringing Clarence home a winner (for Mr Pilbrow) from Quamby and Loch Lomond. From that year the results will be sufficiently within the memory of our readers. It is a race that will in time b6 one of considerable importance, as the district is conveniently situated near one of our chief breeding grounds for jumpers. 'The club will not, I hope, be dia< couraged because for once in a way it i has had a poor race.

*** They will yet, in spite of the curses of the bookmakers and other interested parties, have the totalisator in Australia. It iB already talked about, A rumour having been recently circulated to the effect that the Hon. George Davia, M.L.C , intended introducing into tho Legislative Council a bill to legalise the totaliaator in Victoria, a representative of the Sportsman interviewed him on the subject, and aaked if there waß any truth in the rumour. " There is and there isn't," was Mr Davis' paradoxical reply ; and he went on to say he had no intention of hiß own accord to introduce such a bill. The matter had beon mentioned over the luncheon table at the V.R.O. racea on the 24th May, and be was asked if he would be willing to introduce such a bill. He was agreeable on certain conditions. " I answered in reply to this query," said Mr Davis, " that I would be prepared to introduce into the Legislative Council a bill to legalise the totalisator in this colony on four conditions, which were :— Firstly, that a resolution in favour of the legalisation of the instrument be passed at a general meeting of the members of the V.R.C. Secondly, that the machine throughout the colony shall beunder the general control of the V.R.C. Committee, who nhall say which olubs may useifc. Thirdly, that no totalisator shall be permitted on proprietary courses or in connection with proprietary olubs. Fourthly, that all machines shall be closed at least a quarter of an hour before the time fixed for the starting of each race." tMr Davis further vouchsafed the information that he was not prepared to bring up a proposal in favour of legalising the totalisator at the general meeting of the V.R.0., but he would support suoh a proposition if made. He believed that the matter would be brought up at the annual meeting of the members of the' V.R.O.

*** There is some wisdom in " Martindale's " remark that if Kirkham's performance in the Derby was bo funny the trainer should have been laughed at< and not the colt ; for if Kirkham was so badly distressed it is plain that he was not fit to run a severe race through the heavy going. " Augur " has something to the Bame effect :— " Had Mr Whita been- in robust health he, would now have been in England, and Tom Payten would probably have gone there to prepare these youngsters for next season's campaign. We should then have seen whether the Australian system of training was suitable or not to the English olimate. I think it would be for tbe "reason that it is very similar to that which William Day favours, and whichhe adopted with so much success. The American system is much after our own, and when Pincus had Iroquois at Newmarket, many of the English trainers regarded him as the next thing to a lunatic. Between the Two Thousand Guineas, in which he was beafen, and the Derby, Pincus found one morning, after giving Iroquois a good gallop, that he waß fat inside, and afterwards brought him out andgave him a sweat. This fairly settled Pincus in the estimation of his critics, but it had the desired effect, for Iroquois came out and won the Derby easily, and also the St. Leger at Doncaster, He was trained to stay the distance ; and so it was with the Amerioan colt FoxhalL who commenced the Beason big and above mmaelf, and the four-year-old Bend Or gave him two stone and a-half in the spring, and beat him, but after that William Day drove him along, and he won the Grand Prix de Paris, and set tbe seal upon his fame by winning the Cesarowitch and Cambridgeshire, in the latter of which he carried 9.0, giving a colt like Tristan a lot of weight, and on that day ho, a three-year-old, could have beaten Bend Or at even weights."

*„,* The Moonee Valley meeting on the 7th was well attended by Melbourne sports, The Maiden Hurdle Race, of 75sovs, brought out a field of 14, and Moonlight, starting at 10 to 1, got homo easily in front of the other outsiders Vimiera and Gulpha. Backers alno lost over tbe Maiden Steepleohase, which was taken by Vulture, starting at Bto 1, the favourite (Salford) falling, Doctor, one of the starters, not only fell and rolled over his rider, but afterwards dragged him for some distance through his foot being caught in the etirrup. One or two riders passed the unfortunate jockey while he was in this predicament, and did not attempt to stop his horse, and Davis, the rider of Lapwing, was groaned at by the crowd for his action in this respect Needless to say that Hod<?es, the unhorsed jookey, waß severely hurt. Mr Morris Jacobs' Tourbillon, by Robinson Crusoe— Cracker, won tbe Ngarveno Handicap, if 75aovs, five furlongs, thus giving plungers another slap in tho face, they being almost to a man on Moonga, who failed to get a shop. There wore 23 starters, For the National Hurdle Race, of 1003ovs, tho top weight, Wyvis (12,6), went out favourite at 7 to 4. At half the distance he seemed to be winning, bat just afterwards ho struck a hurdle and nearly came down, and this settled his hash, the finish being left to Teddington (10 9) and Blue and White (10.4), of which pair Teddington proved tho better. Wyvis was a poor third. In this event Bosh fell at the last hurdle and broke hiß Bkull, dying instantaneoußly. It is suspected that the majority of tha 13 starters were out for an airing. For the National Steeplechase, of lOOaova, two miles, there were nine starters, and the New Zealand-bred Satan, by Barbarian, scored a somewhat lucky win with 9.7 up, tbe top weight: being 11,7, given to Geelong, who was made favourite. The race is thus described : — Archie and Salford led at first, but Archie nnd Waterford fell together after they bad got once round. Archie was remounted, nnd followed on. Wamba led, with Knight, Messenger, and Salford following, and, 'paennT the stand for the pecoud time, Salford, Messenger, and Satan xv»re close logather in front SaJford struck a fence nn tba vineyard side, but kept going. Satan thim got a lead nix furlongs from hnme, and keeping going he held his place, and, finishing well, won by five lengths from Knight, who came very fast in the last half mile. Mesaenger, close up, was third, with Deswell fourth, Salford fifth, Wamba sixth, and Acolyte next. Geelong fell over the last fence but one. Time, 4min 14aeo, In the Galloway Handicap the Musket mare Kariri was beaten by Refuse ; and La Loup's son Orator was second to Sunbeam in the Pony Race. *#* I was always under the impression

tbat in' a Grand National the handicap was not allowed to be started at a less weight than 12 7 That rule has, I suppose, lapsed owing to its exclusion from the new code, I don't know whether we have a rule on the subject at all nov. At any rate the 0.J.0. haudicapptrß, who, it may be assumed, are acquainted with tin law, if there is one on the subject, have baBun their handicap for the Grand National at 12,0. Perhaps they 1 are justified in this, that is on the merits of the horses, apart from rule, for Ahua's lack of size may entitle him to some consideration, and Mangaohane is to some extent a " has been." Still, I would have preferred that the handicap should have been kept up to standard. It is not a desirable thing, for several reaabns, to have a fluctuating scale of weights. For one reason , the owner of, say, a bona fide hunter may enter because he assumes that his horse must gtt the minimum, and tbat being 10.0 the best horse must get, say, 12.7 or 13.0, as the case may be. At tbat scale of weights the hunter may have a show, but in bringing the scale d6wu by a stone the crack must win, whatever the hunter carries. Owners are given to figuring out things in that way, and they have justification for so doing. Taking the handicap as we find it, I cannot see anything likely to beat the better of the two top weights unless 1 it be the slow and sure Daddy Longlegs, and an between the two top weights I certainly profer Ahua, for the reason that we know he is well and Bound. Jenny iB said to have pulled up lame at Napier, and it really would ba a simple waste of space to attempt to estimate the respective chanceß of most of the others until we know what is being done at exercise. Gladius is perhapß deserving of attention, but we don't know as yet that bo is coming down. At present my fancy is Ahua and nothing else. The Hurdle Race is a more open sort of race, for there are several promising beginners engaged. Ahua has a mortgage on the stake if reserved for it in preference to the Steeplechase, but Lunn has also Ixion engaged, and it may bd his game to win the double with Ahua and Ixion. If that is his intention he will take some beating. Eringoßragh will, however, give some trouble if he jumps well. This horse is a likely customer for this game. Later on I shall endeavour to supply advice that may bo worth following. V For the V.R.O. Grand National Hurdle Race there are 38 nominations, or three more than last year, including Lochiel, Donald, and Mangaohane. For the Steeplechase thero are 37 nominations, or 11 more than last year. Tn the list I observe the name of Mr Poolers Waitangi — is it a good omen that he heads the list aa now printed ?— Mr Steele's The Artist, Mr Summer's Satan, Mr Donnelly'.) Mangao bane, Mr Rae's Titokowaru, Mr Corrigan'a Peter Osb'eok. beaides Waiter and Roasiter to do battle on behalf of New Zealand. I expect we shall Bee Waitangi low down in the 10-stone division when the handicap comes out. In tbe A. J.O. Steepleohaße that was run on the 14th, the black horse was weighted at 10.3, Bushman being top weight witli 12.9. %* Since writing the above the handicaps have come to, hand, and it will be seen by the list appearing elsewhere that my guess as to Waitangi's impost is not wide of the mark. He is, I observe, not spoken of in tho early criticisms of the handicap, but another New Zaalandor, Rossiter, has come into favour in consequence of hiß having won at Sydney, having been backed in a double (with Wonderfu in the Hurdle Race) to win £10,000 at 100 to and 100 to 2. Speaking of the Steeplechase weights the Sportsman aayß :—": — " Corythus, 12.12, is badly treated on public form, as he has never yet performed over the big sticks I know him, however, to be just as mud at home over big as little timber, so tha I cannot think him out of the bunt Quantum sufficit can surely be written against Redleap, but his stable companion Eaglet is so well in with only a stone more than he romped home with last year, that he must be dan gerous, if the selected of tbe stable. Mangao hane is deserving of all his weight, and Studley cannot complain with 11.9. Peter Oabeck has lib and Saxon 51b more than when they occupied tbe places last year. The grey has been a great public fancy since he has been in Oorrigan's stable, and allowing fot Tommy's training and riding, he cannot be said to be altogether out of the hunt. Tito kowaru has been taken caro of with 11 9, bu Busaco is well in with 71b less, for he showed himself laßt year to be a very groat performer and if Taylor brings tho son of Wellington out with his usual polish, tho public are Bure to rust the Ballarat horse to a man. Mahdi, with 11.0, is let off very lightly, but Renmark, with 51b less, is one of the best treated horses iv the handicap, 'for the easy manner in which he cantered homo ahead of Lawlor in tbe Maiden Steeplechase last Beason was a performance tc boar in mind. Lawler, 10 6, is wonderfully well in, for no notice must be taken of his last performance. Sir Joshua, 10.5, has now the advantage of tho Ballarat finishing touch to his toilet, I certainly cannot find anything in tho V3ry light weights likely to produce the winner, and am compelled at this early date to write the names of a quintet in which, I opine, the winner will be found. They aro — Corvthus, Busaco, Renmark, LwJer, and Sir Joshua."

*** At a conference of delegates from the various metropolitan raoing cluba of Nev. Zealand, held at Dunedin on December 22 lasr, it wa« resolved that tho committee of the D. J.O. bo requested to nominate two gentlemen to act as arbitrators in tho dieputo between the WestiHnd and Groymouth Clubs aa to which club ia to rank as the metropolitan club of the Westland district, with the power to agree upon and call in a third party in case they cannor agrea upon a decinion, and report tbat deoision to the metropolitan dubs. In pursuance of this resolution tho DJ.C. appointed the Hon. G. M'Lean and Mr H Drivoi aa the arbitrators, »nd their award ia as follows :— (1.) From the conflicting evidence and statements submitted, the arbitrators are of opinion that tho proceedings by both clubs were informal, and that as neither appear to command anything like the unanimous support of tbe clubs affocted, declare tbat neither of the clubs named is entitled to be tho " Metropolitan " for the district. (2.) That owing to the isolated position of the various clubs, and c:nflicting interests involved, it saems doubtful if they can unite in tbe selection of a "Metropolitan," as several of them prefer to belong to the Canterbury or Nelson district. Tho arbitrators are therefore of opinion that thero seems in the meantime no necessity for forming tbe district into a "Metropolitan," and declare that the We«thuid, Westport, Ahaura. Kumara, Greymouth, Roefton, Totara, and Robs Clubp ench havotbe option of joining cr working ucdor tho Canterbury or Nelson metroi olitan district as they may elect ; puch cboino or ortion to bo formally notified in writing to the secretary of the metropolitan clnb co selected before tho Ist August 1890, and s>ny club in the Wortland district failing to make snch aolectinn before tho dnte mentionod shall bo deemed to belong to tbo Canterbury metropolitan district.

*** Sydney Tattersall's races were held on the 7th in most disagreeable woather. Tbn 200sov8 Grand National Hurdle Race waR not competed for by any of the New Zealand contingent, but our colony was well represented in

that the winner, Albert, was ridden by PaddyNolan, whe drove his horße home half a length in front of the favourite, Banjo. Soldier's Wind, a selling plater, was placed third, Spoilt Child broke his shoulder and was destroyed. The Flying Handicap was won by a Queensland horse, Bendigo, by Newbold — Lady Baldwin, who carried 7.4 Victor Hugo started firßt favourite, but was never in it; neither »vas Antelope (7.8) nor Repose (6.12). in the Grand National Steeplechase, Bushman (12 9) went out first favourite, but he fell, and Dr Cortis' Harrie Auhl (9.5). by Danto— Noko, won all the way, beating Marmion (10. 9) and the Wanganui hack Rossiter (9.11) for places. The other New Zealander in the field, Recruit (10.3), cama to grief. The 12 to 1 chance Papua, by Guinea— Roma, won the Winter Stakes, of 250aovs, ono mile and aquarter. He carried 6 10 and ran the distance in lmin 15sec, beating a good field, including Sir William (812), Bonnie Spec (7 8), Eclipse (7.6), Honeydew (7.6), and Tartar (6 11). *** Our Melbourne correspondent writes : — The Moorebank slander action in which Kelly, the trainer, sued Mr Gill, a squatter, for libel in having accused him of " stuffing " the horse and thus preventing him from winning the last Oaulfield Cup, ended in a three fourths verdict in Kelly's favour for £5 That the jury gave him a verdict at all was owing to Judge Williams' summing up, which was strongly favourable to him. It is very difficult to prove allegations like those Mr Gill made, such as that the ring bought Kelly over. The particular member of the ring who was alleged to have done so was Mr Alfred Josephs, and he could not be put into the box because he is on a trip to England. My own impression is that Moorebank was never class enough to win such a race aB the Caulfield Cup, and that where Kelly misled his patron waß in inducing nim to believe be could. The result of the case, adds "Vigilant," can scarcely be satisfactory to either party. Mr Kelly has obtained a verdict for £5, but he has to pay some costs, as the plea of privilege is held to apply to one of the occasions — that at his own house — when Mr Gill launohed forth. In addition to this £5 Mr Gill has to pay the bulk of the costs between party and party, which it is estimated will amount to from £600 to £800 Further than this, each party will have to pay bis own costs as between attorney and client. As usual, the parties to the auit got the shells, but the oyster falls to the lawyers. Mr Kelly gets £5 at a cost of perhaps £100, but the lawyers pocket nearly £1000.

%* The batch of papers to hand by last mail contain a lot of news concerning the spring racing. At the Derby meeting, on the 18th and 19th April, the Sudbury Stakes, a five furlong flutter, with exactly £700, for two-year-olds, brought nine to the post, and the first favourite, Lord Hastings' Jesamy (by Beau Brummel— Jessica) won by nearly a length from Sabra and Polenta. The winner carried 61b extra. The Welbeok Handicap, of £750, five furlongs, was voted an open event, as in a field of nine the first favourite was quoted at 5 to 1 and two others at 11 to 2 each. This was a most exceptional state of affairs. One of the 11 to 2 members, Mr Combe's three-year old Imogene, by St. Simon — Genuine, oarrying 6.9, won rather easily by a length from Morebattle (syrs, 8.1). The chief event on the second day was the Doveridge Handicap, of £550, one rrile, for which Wiseman (syrs v 9.0) was selected as a good thing, but he either could not or would not go, and to the dismay of the students of form, he figured in the rear throughout. The wellfancied Mortaigne (4yrs, 7.11) was in trouble before half the journey had been completed, and then Danbydale (syrs, 6.10) and The Imp (3yrs, 6.6) beaded the rest of the field. The attempt beforehand to infuse Dutch courage into Danbydale failed to prevent him from bearing from one side of the couise to the other, but he did not go quite near enough to interfere with The Imp, and defeated the young horse by three parts of a length. *** At Epsom Spring the Great Surrey Handicap, of 500aovs, five furlongs, was won by Mr J. Hammond's St. Symphorien (syrs, 9.6), who started at Bto 1 ; and on the second day the Hyde Park Plate, of 500sovs, a two-year-old race, resulted in the favourite, Lord Elleßmere's Sabra (by St. Simon — Belinda), beating Hildebert, Derebam, and six others. Full reports of the ohief races at the meeting are held over.

%* The Sandown Park meeting was held on the 24th, 25th, and 26th April. On the first day Lord Randolph Churchill scored in the Princesß of Wales Handicap, of £950, five furlongs, with L'Abesae de Jouarre (4yis, 8 5), who started at 8 to 1 and won by a head from the 20 to 1 chance Admiral Benbow. The favourite was Tortoise, (4yrs, 7.5 , who finished sixth. In the following event, a Trial Plate, the winner, Father Ambrose, waß entered at £100 and realised £500 ! The principal race on the second day was the old-fashioned Esber Stakes, a handicap worth £470, one mile. For this there were 12 starters, Sainfoin being a blazing hot favourite at 11 to 8 on the strength of a high trial It was a good race until reaching the rails, but at that point only two were left in it— viz , Dry Toast (3yrs, 65) and Sainfoin (3yrs, 6,11). Easily as Dry Toaßt would have won inthe absence of Sainfoin, the latter passed him in 6ffortleps style and won by four lengths, pulling up, the time being lmin Slsec. On the strength of this performance 6 to 1 was immediately taken about Sainfoin for the Derby.

*** It is not often that a false start occurs for a three-miles steeplechase, and great surprise was felt when one took placo for the Mammoth Hunters' Sleepleohaae on rhe last day of the Sandown Park meeting. The lot were in pretty good order wl en they broke away, and no fault could have been found if Lord Marcus Beresford had dropped his flag Before their riders were aware that it was not a start Cloister (12 13), Weatherwitch (11 5), Innißfail (12.5), Banshee (11.12), and Old Sam (11.5) had jumped the first three fences and the water. When the signal was eventually given the start was not such a good one as it would have been at the first attempt, but that the horses that had jumped the fences in the "no go" were not seriously upset was shown by Weatherwitch, Innisfail, Cloister, and Old Sam being the leading four at the finish of the contest. Weatherwitch, the winner, is by Lord Gougb out of Weatherglass, and is owned by the Duke ef Hamilton. She started at 20 to I, Cloister being the favourite. Only bix of the 13 starters completed the course, The value of the stake was £1125.

%* The Great Sandown Hurdle Race on the same day was taken by the first favourite, Lord Calthorpe's Toscano (11.13), being followed home by Zelotes and Dornocb, who each started at 20 to 1. For the Grand International Steeplechase of 300'ovs, about three miles and a-half, lh<* starters Gamecook (12 7), M.P. (11.2), Alcseua (1013 . Pan i' 10.9), and Baccy (10,8). Both Alcaaua and Bacoy refused iv the preliminary canter. This proved a warning in the ca a e of Baccy, who, ia his attempt to chirk the second fonco, dropped into tho rfi'ch on the taking-uff Bid(\ When Alctuivi fall a milo from home Gamecock \*--ns demi beaten, and soon afterward' Pan pulled his way to the front, and at the bottom turn long

odds would have been betted against M.P. Still, the experience of the season bad taught Arthur Nightingall the roguishness of Pan, and the favourite's backers raised a shout which might have been heard at Surbiton when the wearer af the white jacket deliberately turned it up approaohing the last fence. For the remainder of the journey he did not travel faster than a rocking horse, and enabled M,P. to finish as far in front as he ought to have been beaten.

*** As to the Newmarket First Spring seating, particulars of the running in the HastingF Plate, in whioh Kirkham appeared, will be given in full next week. On the second day Mr W, Cooper's Australian mare Lady Botty started in the Peel Handicap, of Isoaovs, She carried top weight of 9.5. The other starters were Forest Dancer (4yrs, 8 7), Marvel (3yrs, 8.6), AlbertUß (syrs, 7.9), Rosine (3yrs, 7.3), Alberta (3yra, 6.13), and Hestia (3yrs, 6.0). Forest Dancer was favourite at 3 to 1, but as the flag fell he whipped round and was left at the post. Albertus made play in advance of Alberta and Marvel, with Hestia next. They ran in this order to the rails, where Albertus gave way to Marvel, who drew out in the last 100 yds, and won cleverly by three-parts of a length; a bad third. Lady Betty and Hestia (close together) finished fourth and fifth, with Rosine last. Mr A. W. Merry's success in the Guineas (says the Sportsman) wag one of the most popular victories of reoent years. Mr Merry is possibly not well-known by the general public, but the masses take delight in the triumph of a favourite, particularly if it has stood at the head the quotations for any length of time, as Surefoot has done. It was a pity the horse was not amongst the other competitors in the saddling paddock before the race. He was the only one cf the nine starters whose toilet was completed near the starting post, The son of Wisdom is a grand horse, decidedly the pick of thj Two Thousand lot, but is possessed of so excitable a temperament that his owner aud trainer ieoided not to bring him amongst the crowd. After the race, and while the jockey was passing the scale, Surefoot neighed, and appeared as fresh as though he had only just finished an oxercise canter. His time was lmin 494-5360, and he won £4100 for his owner. Last year Mr D. Baird's Enthusiast (9.0) occupied lmin 52 l-ssec, the race being worth £4000, and the same time was taken by the Duke of Port- i land's Ayrshire! (9.0) in 1888, when the stakes amounted to £3550. In 1887, when Mr D. Baird's Enterprise (9.0) was successful, the sfcakos represented the like sum, and the time was lmin 45 3 sseo.

*** It turns out that Sanfoin, the Derby winner, is jointly owned by Sir R. Jardine and Mr J. Portei. The colt was for sale last August for £2500, but the negotiations with the contemplated purchaser collapsed. A Home paper remarks that it was a fortunate circumstance for the Kempton executive that the registration of the partnership between Sir R. Jardine and John Porter in the son of Springfield and Sanda was not registered in due time, or the Great Jubilee Stakes would have been spoiled by the presence of Sainfoin at 7.3.

*** The results of the chief events at " Royal Ascot " are forwarded by cable. The Prince of Wales Stakes, won last year by Donovan with the steadier of 9.5 on his back, was captured by Alloway, a colt that was spoken about all the winter, with that unfortunate but evidently honest performer Blue Green second. It is rather a singular coincidence that Lord Lome should win the Asoot Stakes, for he won this very race last year. The Ascot Biennial waß won by Colonel North with that exceptionally good colt Simonian ; the Derby went to Battle Axe, a filly by Bendigo's sire ; neither of the Australians gained a place in the Royal Hunt Cup, one of the principal betting handicaps in the middle of the season ; the Gold Cup was appropriately won by Gold, the constant Vasistas again gaining a place ; and the Alexandra Plate fell to Netberavon.

*** Carbine's weight in the Melbourne Cup is just about what was expected, and with all his 10.5 he will be one of the first horses backed. I doubt, however, whether he is a good investment. Just now he may seem to be, because people don't yet know what are likely to train on and come into the market, but it is, I should say, at least 25 to 1 that he does not go to the post first favourite, and if I were a fielder I should not save this horse, great performer though he be, aB it is any odds that one of the "saved" crowd will do him. Lochiel is badly treated, and Tirailleur iB no " chuck-in " at level weights with Dreadnought ; but I would sooner stand Merrie England if I were sure be was going than either of theae. Nine-three is, however, a steadier, and the owner may not be tempted to make the voyage. Sultan has no oause to growl at 8.11. He is better treated than either Dunkeld or Leopold at 7.12 Pygmalion has earned his 7 7, and I think it good handioapping to put him in at 21b above Medallion, though for this particular race I would prefer tho latter. Gatling on the same mark is also fairly handicapped. Wolverine will not be rushed even at 7.4, nor will Town Moor at 7.0, though neither could have bad muoh less. Wayland of course figures at the minimum. My firat impressions about the handicap are— firßt, that the New Zealanders have a worse show than U'jual ; and second, that the following half dozen eeem likely to be dangerous — Cardigan, Singapore, Marvel, Benzon, Prince Consort, and Pakeha ; but as yet the wise polioy is to stand off. Advice that may be of value will be supplied to my readers in a later issue.

%* Delightful weather was experienced for the Australian Jookey Club's second winter meeting at Randwick on the 14th inst. Banjo (10 7) and the New Zealand horae Waiter (9 5) were most fancied of the nino starters for the Hurdle Race, but they were both put down by Charon (9 7 . There was a very bad start in the June Stakes, of 300bovs, six furlongs, and by it the favourite, Pariß (2yrß, 7 12) was put right out of the race. The winner was Ernest (4yrs, 8 2), who won by a neck from Gresford (2yrs, 8.0). Among the unplaced starters were Paddy (6yrs, 8.2), Antelope (4yrs 7.6), and Repose (syrs, 6 12). The Two-year old Handicap went to the favourite, Chorister, a son of Goldsbrogh and Whirlwind, ridden by Pearson. The two principal events at the meeting are described in full elsewhere, and all that is needful to add is that in the Steepl - chase, after Bushman fell, Native and the New Zealander Rossiter cleared away from their horses, and for nearly a mile and a-half the public were treated to one of the finest exhibitions of racing over big jumps that has ever been seen at Randwick. The Victorian horse was the first to cry enough, and the New Zealander Rossiter was left to come home alone, followed at a respectful distance by Graftoa, and the distressed and much punished Native. %* At the request of the Hon. Captain Russell, who acted as chairman of the conference of raoing delegates in Dunedin, Mr H. M. Lyou, of the Wellington Racing Club, has issued a cijcular c nveuiug a meeting of delegates from the metropolitan clubs, to be held in Wellington on Fruky, the 15th August. The business sut down is — " The question of forming a New Zi'iland Jockey Club, and other current business " ; i and clubs aro reminded that whenever any

metropolitan club desires to bring before a conference any important alteration in the rules, notice of such proposals must be forwarded to I each of the metropolitan clubs at least one | month before the date fixed for holding the con- i ferpnee.

.ear. S. Winner Rider. ■v eight. 1879 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 18S9 1890 8 8 16 8 15 11 9 6 9 4 Baron ... New Year ... Clarence Clarence Macaroni „. Denbigh Mangaohane Chemist Oddfellow ... Jenny J Munn Potto H Lunn H Lunn A Lyford Elllngham Eedraond EUingham Pell Johnston at lb 11 12 10 9 12 12 13 2 12 1 10 3 9 12 12 6 10 10 10 9