TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 25

TALK OF THE DAY.

BY MAZBPPA.

*#* The programme issued by tbe Cromwell Club for its Christmas meeting provides for the disbursement of £330 in two days' racing, The chief events are the Darby of SOaovs, an established race that generally pro* vides an interesting contest, and the Jookey Club Handicap of 50aovs, besides which there are minor flat handicaps worth pioking up, a couple of hurdle races, a maiden, a trot each day, and come selling races. The balance of the Derby sweep is due on the night of general entry, the 23rd met.

*** Waikouaiti races this season will be held on the Cherry Farm coureo, which they say will be more suitable than the paddock near the railway station. There will be £127 to run for in stakes, and something to be extracted from the totalisator. Nominations will bo taken by Mr lempleton on the 12bh inst.

•„• To those who like a day in an accessible country district the Maori Kaik Club offer special attractions for Boxing Day at their new course at Lower Portobello. There will be £100 given in stakes, and four of the events are open, so that we sball probably see a good entry list. The chief event is the Plate of 2030v5, two miles. Owners intending to have a cut in should not forget that nominations for the Hurdle Race, Maori Kaik Plate, District Handicap, and both trots must be in the bands of the secretary, Mr David Seaton, by the evening of Saturday first, the 6th inst.

"V The Vincent Club offers £250 in added money at its New Year's meeting, which as usual is to last over two days. The chief events are the Jookoy Club Handicap of SOsovs, one mile and a-half, and the Matakanui Handicap of 35sove, one mile and three-quarters. Among the other events there is a race for three-year-olds bred in Vincent, Lake, and Maniototo Counties, called a Nursery Handicap—a title, by the way, which is apt to mislead, nursery races being generally for two-year-olds only. Nominations for the chief events at tho meeting are due on December 13.

•V There will be £107 to race for at the St. Bathans meeting on the 26 th inst. The programme is a well arranged one, the distances being such as should suit a large number of the horses likely to enter,and I expect to Bee a satisfactory entry list in Mr Hanger's hands, Nominations for the prinoipal races, the St. Bathans Handicap of 30aovs, are to be made on the 16th.

*** The Wanaka programme is out, showing that there will be two days' raoing, on the Ist and 2nd January, with a total of £200 in stakes. The principal races are the Stewards' Handicap of 20sovs, the Albertown Handicap of 20sovs, and the Jookey Club Handicap of 30sovs. Nominations are due on the 16th hut., and Messrs Studholme, Ewing, and Urquhart will bring out their handicaps on the 30th.

*** Mr T. W. Hungerford, when down here with Heather Bell, informed me that he has purchased two yearlings — one a brother to Thackeray, by Apremont from Becky Sharp, and the other by St George— Rupee, and therefore own brother to Merrie England. I hope that these purchases will turn out lucky, for Mr Hungerford is a good sportsman if not the luckiest. I further learn that Captain Cook has gone amiss and is unlikely to do much for a time, but that Exchange is perfectly sound and will, if the weights suit, come down here in February for the Cup. Exchange covered a few mares last season, but has not been used for stud purposes this season.

*** The death is announced of the brood mare Wai-iti, by Towton out of Waimea, and consequently full sister to Puriri (winner of the D J.O. Derby), and half-sister to those raoing clippers Manuka and Papapa. She was bred by Mr Redwood in 1874, the year that Lurline won the first Dunedin Gup, and had therefore attained to a fair average age. Wai-iti never raced herself, and as a brood mare her reputation depends almost entirely so far on two of her progeny. One of theee was Iri?, the undoubtedly fast daughter of Traducer, who was made such a certainty for the G J.G. Champagne of 1882. That was a memorable race. There were, eight starters, including such racers as Nonsense, Siesta, Vanguard, and Leonora. On the strength of private trials the race was considered as good as won beforehand by Iris, who was ridden by Derrett, and started at 6 to 4 on, and when she got clean away from her field owing to a bad start very few dreamt that she could possibly be caught. She was, however, overhauled by Nonsense at the rails, and a few strides further Iris was clean done, Nonsense winning by half a length. The other well-known racer that Wai-iti produced was Fusillade, winner of th 9 New Zealand Cup. He was a horse of which very little could ba said by way of commendation boyond this one pQrforaianos, but still ho wup aracahoree, and I oftcu wondered why Wai-iti wan not sent to Musket again s on the chance of getting another nag good enough to wm a Cup, instead of mating her with a fresh eira every year, %* "Freelance" has something to say as to coining craoks. A Melbourne Cup, ha remarks, generally leaveß a little leenon behind it. Carbine, laat year, for example, ran second with 10 1 on his back, and (.boaa amoDgst us who were partiaacioua and plucky exiough to fitisk to the groat horse iv spite of bis leviathan

wejght of 10.5 have probably profited by their pertinacity and pluck. Have we been introduced to another Carbine this time? I am afraid not. They don't bloom every year, neither do they blossom each deoade. Once in a century, perhaps. But only once then. All going well, Mr Donald Wallace's great horse will probably tower as high abovo his contemporaries in 1891 as he has this season. But if all doesn't go well with him— what then ? In Megaphone his owner possesses a worthy suoceßsor; but there are three other three-year-olds coming forward, eaoh of whom will between this and next season challenge the claims of Megaphone to be considered the coming Carbine. The Admiral I take to be the best of tbe trio> Whatever may be said to the contrary, those in the know are fully cognisant of the fact that Mr Cook's colt is, to say the least, susceptible of improvement. Yet I fancy he would have beaten Megaphone badly in the Canter 1 bury Plate on Saturday if that stirrup leather hadn't given way. And right here I may interpolate—while I think of it— that 'twas Hales' own saddle and saddlery which caused the trouble. Our premier horseman, expariencing a difficulty ia getting down to the weight, naturally looked around for the lightest saddle obtainable, and elected to sit in own, an affair weighing about a pound, the appurtances of which proved unequal to the strain of even 7.6. Hence the fracture of a bit of leather on which many thousands of pounds depended. Reverting to The Admiral and his future, I consider that the son of Riohmond is entitled to rank as about the best three-year-old of the spring. Whether he will maintain that reputation right through the season of course remains to be proved, but he has beaten Megaphone once, and I expect to see him do ditto when the pair of cracks meet again, even under the most favourable conditions. Malvolio, a beautiful 3on of Malua, out of Redfearn's old pet Madcap, will also, I predict, be heard of agata, and in tiptop company. The colt didn't run at Flemington, but he has made a rocord. He badly beat Highborn at Oakloigh Park in fast time, and— which is very much more to the purpose —Highborn was very heavily backed by his party. There waß no fluke about it, no blocking, no interference. The L, 8 n. were down, and Malvolio, at the first time of asking, beat a really brilliant horse in Highborn. Mr Forester's horse ran second in the Cup. Ergo, Malvolio should be worth following in future. Litigant, who was beaten by Savanak at Ballarat some weeks back, couldn't have been very well then, although Bhe was well backed Thie daughter of Martini- Honry won her Oaks so easily that I must include her in my list of the coming cracks. Crown Jewel— a wonderful pony thiß— will, under a light weight, win another important handicap or two. The little fellow beat Meeaphone, Corythus, and Don Giovan, each of whom subsequently distinguished himself in tiptop company. Sir William, who seemed to be a bit sore, was unquestionably the unlucky horse of the meeting. After Carbine and Melos, I don't know where one could put one's hand on a better four-year-old than the eon of the expatriated Sir Modred. Correze, on his Cup and V.R.O. Handicap form, must be labelled dangorous for all his autumn engagements ; and as no colt displays more apparent inclination to train on, I am disposed to bracket this son of Newminster with Megaphone, The Admiral, and Co., as one of the crack throe-year-olds of "the spring, Teksum, a wonderfully speedy son of Musket, is another gentleman who will, I think, be worth following, whenever the right people consider him worthy of an investment next autumn.

*** The last fatal steeplechase accident in Victoria, that by which Mr Alfred Watson lost his life through Explorer falling with him in a hunters' race at Moonee Valley, has prompted a letter from one of the jurymen who sat at the inquest. The writer states that he wished the jury to add a rider to their verdict of accidental death, with the hope of preventing, or at least lessening, the risks of accidents to steeplechase riders in future, but tho other members of the iury and tbe coroner did not endorse his views, He, however, states in effect that he has made inquiries, and has come to the conclusion that the risk of accidents in steeplechase races may be minimised — firstly, by discarding all unqualified horses ; and secondly, by increasing the distance to four or five miles. On this question of absorbing interest, not only to those immediately interested, but to the sporting public generally, the Sportsman has had several authorities interviewed on the matter. Mr J. O'Loughlan does not see that the increasing of the distance of a steeplechase course will necessarily lessen the speed at which the horses are taken over the jumps ; and as regards the suggestion that unqualified boreea should be discarded, he wants to know how a distinction oould be drawn. A horse may jump very well one day and very badly another. He may jump well on one course and badly on another. One horse may come down half a dozen times and not hurt his rider, while an ordinarily safe jumper who comes to grief once in a while may come such a cropper that his rider is seriously or fatally injured. Mr J. King is against ordinary steeplechases being run over long courses. Ho sees a new element of danger in such a suggestion. A four or five-mile steeplechase would be run at a slow pace, and this would bring down horses that are used to taking the fences at a good rate of sp9ed. He has_ no hesitation in expressing an opinion that it is not wise to have two mile hunters in steeplechases, which was the distance of the Moonee Valley event which had such a disastrous result. In the hunting field the horses are taken at a moderate pace over the jumps, and aa soon as they are hustled over a twomile race, there is extreme risk of their coming to grief. Mr King also paints out that in the afternoon the sun shines full in tho face of horses taking the jump at which the accident happened, thus causing them to blunder. Mr I. Foulsham thinks that hunterB 1 steeplechases should be run over long courses, as the hunters are used to it ; and if the race be confined to bonajjde hunters, there is not likely to be any racing over the jumps. Ho is of opinion that reformers should look more to the condition of the courses than to the horses. Mr W. G-lassoock remarks that the majority of hunters are half or three-quarter-bred horses, and a long journey of, Bay, five miles, would probably see more accidents, owing to their condition failing them, than is the case over a shorter course, Mr W. P. Whitty is of opinion that tho lengthening of the courses would bo most advantageous both to horßeg and riders. It stands to Mason that horees when going at th9ir top caunot make soceitain of negotiating &n obstacle' as when they go slowly at one. Mr Godfrey Watson is greatly ia favour of lengthening Ihe steeplechase courses, but vary much doubts whether evea that would prevent accidents. Mr T. Corri gan i 3 of opinion that steeplocb»so3 should not be run ovar lees than two miles and a-balf, but a longer distance would no doubt ba preferable, although, as he remarked, accidents would occur if the distance were 10 miles, "Green" horses should be prevented from starting, as far as possible.

*«* It does not often happen that a field of hordes is started from the wrong post, as

was the case in the Petone Stakes at Welling* ton. Such a mistake (says " Vigilant " in the Post) could be easily rendered impossible by having eaoh furlong marked by posts or on the rails. That such a precaution has not been taken on the Hutt courae long ago is very surprising. A singular ciroumstance attending the mistake was that the horses were at the wrong starting placo half an hour before tbe flag fell, and it is very curious that no one during all that time should have noticed it. A Berious complication was averted by the same horae winning both the falso and the true rac9. After Boulanger passed tho post tho first timo a large section of the people present rushed off to catch the train, many throwing away or destroying their totalisator tiokets. This led to a curious scene. When the edict went forth that the race was to be run again, certain shrewd individuals were observed to start off on a searoh for cast-away tickets. Some scoured the paddock and lawn, others followed the track of the crowd who had gone to catch the train. Numbers of good tickets were picked up. Had any other horse than Boulanger won the run off there would have been a howling and gnashing of teeth on the part of those who bad thrown away winning tickets, and proportionate glee on the part of those who had picked them up. And then, what would have become of the "dead money" — the divr dends which could not be claimed because the tickets were destroyed? It is possible this might have amounted to over £100. A nice haul for the totalisator lessees, I suppose, for Ido not see who else could claim it. By tho Rules of Raoing, a starter who starts a field in front of the post is liable to a fine of £50. This is not likely to be enforced in the present case, but it is just as well it should be borce n mind.

%* While the public are still marvelling over Silvator's wonderful performance in running a mile ia lmin 35£geo, says a Western mathematician, there are a few who have, through comparison and analysis, sought to realise what a terrific burst of speed this is. It is nearly 40 miles an hour — a rate averaged by very few of our fastest railway trains, There are 5280 ft in a mile, so that every one of these 95aec — for every beat of a man's pulse — this wonderful horse covered 55 and 3 -10 ft of ground. The shortest space of time noted by a turfman's watch is a quarter of a second— an interval so brief that the eye can hardly observe, the mind can hardly appresiate it. Yet in every one of those 38 quarters of a second that magnificent creature leaped 16 3 10ft.

* m * The appointment of the stipendiary steward in Victoria has so far not produced any diminution in the amount of roping that goes on. The i apers on the other side keep on complaining that this is growing worse and worßO. A Ballarat writer remarks on this Bubjeot: — "Whether the recently appointed stipendiary has been overwhelmed with tbe magnitude of Flemington events, or whether be has arrived at the conclusion that whatever is is right, I know not ; but it is a f aot that he is romarkably quiescent. I do not think that he has done all his duty when he has struck out a few ponies which are over height. The weight of his duty appears to me to rest in connection with consistency or inconsistency in running. A oouple of most glaring instaucos of reveraal of form occurred at Flemington, and at Moonee Valley, Williamstown, and Oakleigh Park, several men and hordes ought to have been struck out for life."

%* The Spring meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club commenced in tho same way as the meeting last February, with an unexpected win forWaitangi. On paper, his feat this November was tbe more surprising of the two, inasmuch as he was carrying more weight and over a longer distanoe than in February, and in the autumn race the best of hia opponents were Torrent and Mammoo, whereas he on this occasion had to meet about as strong a field as could ba mustered in these parts. Good, honest horse though Waitangi doubtless i 3, I think he was lucky to win. Abua and Ixion jogged along placidly all tho way as though it was merely an exercise gallop that they were doing ; The Spy was labouring like a ship in distress when he was six furlongs from home, and was manifestly not right ; Romulus ran right through a hurdle damaged in the first round, and lost his rider at a time whon he seemed to be surely collaring tho leader ; and Littlo Arthur Beemed to slightly under-rate the black horse, allowing him to get too much lead in the fiist mile. A further bit of luck for Waitangi was that he did not quite come down when he hit the hurdle, in runtaing through which Romulus got into trouble. If the same field ware to meet a dozen times in succession, all trying, Waitangi might perhaps win once, but he would always be the outsider. Hazal was ridden remarkably well in the Maiden, and is a good mare of which we shall hoar more.

%* Everybody made a point of watching Occident's preliminary for the Otago Cup. They wanted to find out whether he was lame or not. After Beeicg his cantor some said he was lame and Borne said he wasn't, and those who said he was went straight to the totalisator, with those who said he wasn't, and put "one on him on the off chance." There were enough of these " odd opes " put on to make Occident a hot favourite, which was very bad betting, for, though Occident was no lamer than any number of horses that go out to race, he was certainly a bit stiff in his action and manifestly unfit to race with any hope of winning from fit horßes. The truth is that the public expected, or perhaps it would be more correct to say hoped for, a miracle to happen. Occident would warm up before he had gone far, nnd than with that light weight of his (for 8.12 was too little to handicap him at) he would get home. I never remember a horee that was so followed at the Forburv as this Occident is. If Stuart Waddell were to saw one of the four logs eff and screw a wooden one on in its place, the public would still make Occident first favourite. Well, the miracle didn't happen. Occiden was being ridd6n at six furlongs, he was unde. punishment at a mile, and though his game ness and White's horsemanship conspirod t . land the horse into third place, for whic : he was just about a dead beat wit St. Malo, he at no time had the least chance of winning, and only baat the horßes that were pulling up. It was but too plain that Occi dent's trouble was a genuine one. They say that he had been suffering from warbles and that he had also wrenched his hind leg. His gallop in tha Cup and that on the third day did the horse no harm, I am glad to say, and with ordinary luck, we shall have Occiden racing again before the season is cut, Th race for the Cup in fully described elsewhere, Prime Wai den and St. Malo made the running ; the three-year-old was soon done wit!), but St. Malo lookod dangerous till the homo turn was reached, when Wolverine rcado his effort, and neomed to bo winning until Freedom put in his claim. Tho actual fiaish was confined to those two. Freedom did not tura a hair in tha race, though he seemed to bnvo nothing to Eparo. *** The result of the Dunedin Stakes was to Bhow up May badly. She ought to have won if worthy to be elapsed with luorrie, but • the laat named ia not only fast but a willing trier and decidedly she won on her merits 1 .

Morpheus ran a good colt, and Huguenot, a speedy daughter of Apremont and Martyr, made up lost gronnd with a surprising dash of foot. Altogether, this youngsters' race was an interesting one. There was nothing but St. Andrew in the Federal Handicap. Ha got off well, and was only asked to keep in front of Miss George, who maintained a hopeless chase of the favourite throughout tbe ratio. A number of persons professed to espy a swindle in Silver Pine's performances, and there was any amount of growling when be got home in the Selling Raoe. I am not with those who Bay that he waß stiff in the Maiden. In the Maiden be bad 9.0 to carry over a mile and a-quarter, be was meeting some very good three-year-olds, and he got off badly. In the Selling Race he had 8.0 for a mile, had a poor field opposed to him, and got off beat, while two of the most dangerous of his opnonents were left at the post. It is possible that Silver Pine might have got among his horses in the Maiden if he had been punished, but those who say tbat be was stiff must maintain that Clifford ought to have persevered in a race which be had no earthly show of winning— a doctrine that is not preached even in the rules. If you ask me why Silver Pine was started for the Maiden at all,. I cannot supply an answer — unless it was to put the public off of him for the Selling Race, but surely we are not going to make it a orime to enter a horse out of hi class, and that is what must be affirmed before we oan conviot of a swindle in this instance. Tassy was second away and Cajolery third in the Two-year-old Selling Race, and these two had the finish to themselves. And a great finish it was. One of the best ever seen on the oourse. Tassy had apparently been Ret going pretty well at top to out down CEnone, and when she was Battled be had to meet Cajolery, who came like a rocket at the home turn. White was, however, on the alert, and called on Tassy with all the vigour he oould command, and a great race ended in Dan O'Brien's colt getting home first by just enough to swear by. This Tassy is undoubtedly as game as they make them, and I waß rather surprised to find that his dam is not a Stud Book mare. It so happened by bad luck that Miss George, tbe favourite for the St. Kilda Welter, was one of the pair that got away best from the very bad Btart we had in that race, and the result was that she won all the way. A very pleasant thing for Mr Dooley, but he and tbe mare's backers were the only ones who took any interest in the event after the flag fell.

%* Ixion won the mile and a-half hurdle raoe on the second day with such ease sb to cause grave suspicion tbat he had not tried very earnestly on tbe first day. There was not, bowever, quite enough proof in the circumstances to justify action being taken, as when he won be was carrying half a stone less than on the first day and over a much shorter course. The Spy was again unable to do anything ; Waitangi was closely shepherded from the jump, and had no chance of getting away ; Ahuatook a feeler as to the Btrength of the field at a quarter of a mile from home, and finding that Ixion was all right retired again— that is what it looked like ; Maxwelton (on whom Jimmy Cotton had his first ride since bis return from Australia) and Mohawk were outclassed ; Garibaldi was third merely on sufferance ; and the only opposition worthy of the name that Ixion had to contend against was tbat offered by Little Arthur, who ran as honestly and gamely as he always doeß, but lacked spirit for a finish.

*** Hazel fulfilled her mission in the President's Handicap with the greatest success. She made tbe pace a cracker, and tended Wolverine and St. Malo with suob pertinacity that when she handed them over to Freedom they had all the steel taken out of them, and the Cup winner was able to get home comfortably. If (Freedom had not come, Hazel could, I think, have won herself. To be fair, however, it must be mentioned that St. Malo lost a little by Btumbling in the straight, and that Wolverine was not at bis best, having in some way gone wrong during the race. He was.palpably lame in front as he pulled up, and be walked borne a regular cripple. Tbe Criterion Stakes was a capital race, though it seemed to some of us that Lebel was not quite all out at the finish. Union Flag lost at the start what Borne folk believed was a good chance. St. Andrew might have won the Onslow Plate in a canter ; but bis rider preferred to gallop tbe oolt, and the consequence was a dreadful showing np for Diadem. Inez ran a very fast seven furlongs in the Spring Handicap and then melted away, being passed by both Heather Bell and Dispute, and having several others close up to her. Dispute is the horse tbat would have 'won if he had been a little more forward in condition — that is with the start that there was, though if they were all to go again at the same weights to-morrow Ruby would be as good a favourite as anything. He got badly away, but not so badly as Red Gross, who was absolutely left. Heather Bell's owner, I hear, had only one tioket on her ; another gentleman had five to his own cheek. St. Andrew got a bit the worst of the start in the Musselburgh Plate, but I think that Florrie would have beaten him even if they had got off together. If St. Andrew is a wonder be should have beaten Union Flag fot places, instead of allowing the latter to repaos him at the people's stand. It was a wretched start but a capital finish in the Tahuna Park Handicap. Wayland and Milord were two of the worst away. About seven of the dozen were heads and tails at tha distance. Perhaps the beat one at tbe weights won, but that is not a certainty. Mariner might have beaten him from a fair start.

*#* In the third day's hurdle race The Spy had a material concession in regard to weight, and this tempted the public to make a favourite of him ; but he was not well, and, though his honesty and his quality enabled him to keep ia front of the rear division, he was never daugoroua, and would not have been even third but for Romulus easing up when he could not win. As a matter of fact there was only one horse in the race. Ixion simply played with his opponents. Half a mile from home Stewart went to the front and measured the strength of the field ; then being apparently satisfied that the race was at his mercy, he steadied Ixion till reaching the last hurdle, when the son of Le Loup went to the front and won by as much as was considered necessary. After such a performance, it was not surprising to find that % strong feeling of dissatisfaction existed in reßpeot to Ixion's running on tha firßtday. His backers for that event had reasonable cause to suspect that they had inveeted on a non trier. What are the facts ? Oa the first day Ixion carried 11.5 ; he was in the rear &U through, excepting that for one moment he ran into second place ; and finished a bad fourth, last of all bar hi? stable companion Atua. Oil the sscond day Ixion wen Tbatdid not cause much of an outcry, for he had half a atone less to carry and 1120 yds loss to travel, and though moßt people shrugged their Bhoulders, they were inclined to givo the persons suspected the benefit of the doubt. But when Ixion won on the third day, carrying 21b more than he had when he waß so badly beaten on the first day, aid having apparently a stone in hand, and covering ths two miles in 4min O^oc, whereas he was nowhere in the two roilee and a distance race won by Waitangi in 4miu 30aec— when the public noted these oir-

cumatances it became as plain as anything could possibly be tbat tbere was, to put tbe matter in the mildest possible form, urgent necessity for an inquiry as to what Ixion was up to on the first day ; and disappointment and astonishment were freely expressed that the stewards did not immediately call on Mr D. Rutherford (the owner), Mr H. Lunn (the trainer), and T. Stewart (the rider), for a full explanation. Persons without number have been disqualified on no. stronger proof of pnlling than the public here saw with their own eyes. Maybe the parties concerned could answer a charge if it bad been brought against them. If so, they too have a grievauce in that no opportunity of answering the informal accusation of tbe public was afforded. From every point of view the stewards were dearly and seriously to blame for neglecting the obvious duty cast upon them of protecting the public. They have allowed it to be assumed that questionable running is not an offence at the Forbury, and they have handicapped themselves in regard to the future, for if the next oase of the sort Bhould be one in which a poor man is concerned, they cannot punish him without exposing themselves to the reproach of partiality in favour of a man of influence. I speak strongly because Ifeel that a grave scandal has arisen in connection with tbis Ixion affair.

%* Of the remainder of the racing not much need be said. Occident's party seemed to have an idea that be would prove better than Mariner in the St. Andrew's Handicap, and the horse did run very well until challenged with an undeniable rush by Prime Warden, who got up just in time to bsat Mariner. From what I have beard I believe tbat Prime Warden waß trying all through the meeting, and if bo bis win was well deserved as it was fairly earned. * # * The concluding events and those of the fourth day are sufficiently well dealt with in the report appearing elsewhere. It_ only remains to add a Bpecial word of praise in favour of Mr Dowse'a handioapping, which was on the whole satisfactory and judicious, showing tbat be had watched the running very closely. The general arrangements were ateo up to the mark, Mr Sydney James and his efficient staff leaving nothing to luck. Messrs Mason and Roberts were as usual in charge of the totalisators, and did their work well, though a more expeditious method of paying out is sadly needed. *** Our notice of English racing, particulars of which arrived by this week's mail, must be short. There was a great boil- over in the Kempton Park Champion Nurßery Handicap, of lOOOaovs, run over a seven furlong course in the first week of Ootober, There were 13 starters, and the favourite, Mr H. Milner's St. Kilda (8.1), finished no nearer than tenth, the race being won rather easily by the Munoaster filly Bondage (7.2), one of Sir R. Jardine's lot, who started at 100 to 7. * # * The Newmarket Second October meeting began on the 7th, on which day the oldfashioned Clear well Stakes was decided. For this event, a six-furlong spin, tbat in years past has been won by snob celebrities as Bluegown, Atlantic, the Repentanoe colt, Silvio, Jannette, Rayon dOr, and Dutch Oven, there were but two Btarters— Mr Fenwiok's Mimi and Prince Soltykoff's Woolsthorpe, the firstnamed being favourite at 8 to 1 on. The favourite, a daughter of Barcaldine and a mare by Lord Lyon out of Sadie, waited at the girths of Woolsthorpe for half the journey, when she drew level, and coming away inside the rails, won easily by threff parts of a length. Riokaby and Woodburn both drew 21b overweight in oonsequenoe of tbe rain, but were passed by the stewards. Tbe Australian pair, Ringmaster and Lady Betty, started in the next event, tbe Cambridgeshire Trial Plate, of 300aovs, Lady Betty (7.13) being favourite at 4to 1, and Ringmaster (8 1) next in demand. Neither got a place in the first three, the race being won by tbe 100 to 9 chance Evergreen (4yrs, 8.1). Tbe Sportsman says that Ringmaster failed to squeeze through between Evergreen and Plato at tbe finish, and nearly came down. It was an almost imposBible feat, and would not have been attempted by any of our first-class English jockeys. Tbe handsome little Australian horse finished close up fourth after the scrimmage, and bis owner, in reply to a question from a prominent trainer, aßked 3000sovb for the aged son of Firßt King and Yardley.

V For the Middle Park Plate, one of the world's chief two-year-old races, founded in 1866 by the late Mr W. Blenkiron, there were nine Btarters, and the prize was won by the French-bred horse Gouverneur. The stake was worth £2260, the smallest amount since the race was established, bar 1888, when Donovan won. In its first year the Plate waß worth nearly £5000. Concerning Gouverneur, one writer Bays that he won in gallant style, though not without some rousing when Oannon asked Siphonia to look for her race, and returning, the great, lengthy, upstanding chestnut was generally described by an admiring circle of critics the grandest colt of his year. For size, strength, and quality combined I do not think the generation includes quite his equal, even bearing in mind Valauris, though it may bo one his match as to racing merit has carried a jacket this season. An account of this race and also ef the Oesarewitch appears in another column. Amph'on easily beat Memoir and Blue Green in the Champion Race. *«* Mr N. O. Potts, the obliging secretary of the Tuapeka County Jockey Club, has sent a copy of the race programme just issued for the meeting on the 21st and 22ad January. There will be £370 given in added money, divided over seven events each day, the chief of which are the Lawrence Handicap of 40sovb, a mile and a-quarter, and the Jockey Club Handicap of 50sovb, one mile and a-half. Nominations are due on the 20th inst.

%* Sir Modred's speedy son Tournament is making a big name for himself in America, One of the latest feats of which we have a record is hia winning the Mosholu Stakes, one mile and a furlong, with 9 2 up, and he also annexed the Hickory Stakes, of lO.OOOdoI. Referring to these performances, a local writer aayß : _«' Our Australian fellow sportsmen may make note of the fact that the big son ot the stallion hailing from their country seemß to have simply nothing .in his year that can begin to make him race now, Undoubtedly the three-year-old class of 1890 is far below the standard, but be is a wonder, and though he has had his full share of racing he Beems to improve. The line wo have got must be very false indeed if be is not a prodigiously good three-year-old, and to judge from this year's form he will be vastly better next season."

*** That well-known trotter Betsy is dead. She will be remembered as Our Pony. In that name she was one of the best known animals in New Zealand 10 yoara ago. She was bred in Wanganui and was Bupposod to bo got by Akoako. If my memory ib roliable, Mr Kirkwood brought her down here and sold har to Mr Taggart. She had passed out of Mr Tapßarl'a hands when she ran her great match with Native Or.t on tho Forbury at the February meeting of 1881. That waa a race which everyone will recall to mind. The match was threo inileß, for 2Cosovs a side, Native Oat conceding s^ec. He was ridden by Harry Goodman and Our Pony by Thomson, To quote

from my records : " The sseo start gave Our Pony an advantage of not more than 50yds. All the way to the finish the little bay increased this start, particularly in tbe last mile, when repeated breaks on the part of The Cat made the distance between them wider. At tbe three-quarter mile post The Cat lost nearly 50yds by one break, and again at the quarter mile a like distance, bo that ere the winning post was reached he was 250 yds behind. Our Pony never broke at all. The time was 8.38£, although the official time was S^seo shorter than this." Mr E, Pritchard was said to have lost £2300 over the match. Our Pony stood exactly 13 hands 2in, and for her size was perhaps the fastest trotter ever seen in New Zealand.