TALK OF THE DAY. BY MAZEPPA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1979, 28 January 1892, Page 27

TALK OF THE DAY. BY MAZEPPA.

*** Notwithstanding withdrawals on account of infirmity and " other arrangements," and all causes over which a handicapper has no control, the progress payment for the Dunedin Cup has been made on account of 14 horses. This fact is to some extent an answer to those who affirm that the Cup is a gift to Occident, and there is every reason to hope that we shall have a fairly decent field for the race. We never do get a very large field for it nowadays. The distance is, I think, mainly the cause of that. The same cause operates elsewhere. In Melbourne, where they have large stakes and tons of money in the betting market to attract horses from all the colonies, they seldom get a largo field for the Australian Cup. That race has been run 22 times, and I find that there have been 287 starters, or, say, an average of 13. With that fact in view, I think that Dunedin, a corner of.little New Zealand, depending entirely on horses from our own colony, does very well to secure fields of seven and eight for her long-distance handicaps in the autumn. *#* As to the winner, I may now take the opportunity of saying that I think it will come from this batch : Merrie England, Occident, Rosefeldt, Thame, and Don Pedro. |That is a selection of five out of 14. I shall make a narrower choice later on. So far we do not know what horses are coming, nor anything very certain as to the condition of some of the candidates. Occident is a firm first favourite, but that is owing to a large extent because he is on the spot and going well. If a fair representation of the Northern horses put in an appearance and indicate by their work on the tracks that they are seriously bent on contesting this Cup, I shall not be surprised to see Occident's position materially weakened. At the same time there is no doubt that at present he has a good show. I specially admit i that for the information of some of my friends t who seem to be deeply concerned at my hardi- [ hood in venturing to say that Mr Dowse has been particularly happy in handicapping this local representative. That Occident has a good show no one can doubt. What I say is that others also have a good show, and that the handicap is a very fair one. I find some people arguing to the contrary, but others are of the same opinion as myself, and there the matter must restfor the present. Meantimethose|whoswearby Occident alone have a bit the best of it, for, as remarked, the horse is here, and I am glad to I say that he is training on satisfactorily ; but it may be as well for them not to be too sure about their fancy. He has never compassed the distance yet, and may fail again this time. Personally I don't care a straw what wins. All I hope is that we shall have a good race, and I believe there's a fair chance of that. There is i not much betting straight out. Occident has, they tell me, been laid for small sums at 3 to 1, and 5 to 1 has been accepted about Merrie England. The following odds were on offer yesterday : — Dunedin Cup, 3 to 1 agst Occident 5 _ 1 Merrie England 7 — 1 Prime Warden 8 — 1 Morpheus JO — 1 Galtee 10 — 1 Blizzard 10 — 1 Cruchfield 10 — 1 Crackshot 12 — 1 Coinage 15 — 1 Dilemma 20 — 1 Don Pedro On the double, Cup and Publicans', the business is particularly lively, at from 100 to 4 to I 100 to 1. Clauranald, Morpheus, and Hippomenes are most frequently asked for, but others are also taken, and in fact this Publicans' is considered a hard race to pick. Major George's reason for withdrawing Reprisal and Fiesole, referred to by our Auckland correspondent, may be taken as a playful excuse. Pique cerI tainly beat Reprisal last year, but since then the mare's performances have been consistently bad, and if she should win the stable will be pleasantly surprised. Major George can hardly be very much afraid of Pique when he is taking Reprisal to meet the best of the Australian | cracks. * # * Referring to recent remarks made in the press concerning the starting of certain horses three or four times in the same day, ' ' Castor "in the Canterbury Times says: — "The idea that .a seasoned and thoroughly fit horse is not capable of covering, Jsay, jrour |[mjles (Minnie Clyde's races were all short distance ones) at racing speed at intervals during the afternoon is all fudge. What comparison is there between the endurance required for a long distance cross-country race and several short flutters on the flat ? If an interdict were to be passed against a horse performing more than twice in a day on the flat, we should soon find people protesting against a Grand National Steeplechase taking place. No sportsman worthy of the name would subject an animal to cruelty, but I cannot see that it is essentially cruel to gallop a horse four miles in an afternoon." *«* As I was one who drew attention to the matter, I may be excused for making a brief reply to this paragraph. What I have to say shall be very short. First, it is a mere assertion to characterise the objection as "all fudge." The illustration employed to prove the assertion does not necessarily do so, because it seems to me that the circumstances set forth in the illustration are not on all fours with those of the case as originally stated. The djfference is that in a four-mile steeplechase a horse is asked for only one finish, whereas in four separate i races of a mile each a starter that is honestly trying is called upon for as many severe tests of its courage and speed, and in the light of the maxim that "It is the pace that kills the four efforts may be regarded as much more taxing than one. It is a pity that we cannot have the evidence of the horses themselves on the subject. In default of testimony of that sort we must accept the next best, and that is the evidence of owners. The great majority of these seem to hold the same opinion as myself, for it is only occasionally that we hear of a horse starting three times in an afternoon ; it

is very rare indeed that one is started four times ; and, mark this ! it is only horses of comparatively small value that are ever set such tasks. On that fact I rely very firmly. If it does a horse no harm fco race three or four times in a day, if it is not detrimental to the animal, how conies it that our Carbines and Marvels and Ormondes always escape, and that the job is left to mokes not worth much money ? Certainly the inference is that owners are careful not to knock out the valuable horses.Jand are indifferent as to the welfare of,those of less value. I am sure that " Castor" would not advocate cruelty to a horse, and I with pleasure acknowledge that there is something in his argument. But there is also something to be said on the other side, and it must have been in a momentary lapse of judgment that he wrote of my objection as "all fudge."

*** Is it really a fact that Musket was a roarer ? The assertion that he was is made in apparent seriousness by a Sydney writer known as "The Old 'Un." He says in one sentence: — " Musket was a bit of a roarer." Later on he makes this assertion : " There is a son of Musket, who was classed as a roarer, though by no means a bad one, at Randwick, called Scots Grey, who is a great roarer. He makes a loud noise when he raises a gallop, and perhaps he may have inherited it from his sire." I have never heard this before, and cannot presume to say whether it is or is not correct, but we may be sure that our Auckland friends, who are specially jealous of the champion stallion's reputation, will quickly make answer if there is one to bo made. They will do so with pleasure, even if only as a matter of sentiment. From a practical point of view it does not matter a farthing whether^Musket was a roarer. He may have had that infirmity, or ailment, or peculiarity, or habit, or whatever you may choose to call it, when hi the Old Country, and got rid of it on the voyage or during tho early days of his residence in New Zealand. Some think that this climate cures roaring ; and in any case we have evidence that roaring stallions do not always transmit their trouble to their offspring born in the colonies. I rely on Lochiel as a case in point. He was sired by a notorious roarer, and yet, after a lengthy racing career, passed to stud duties a particularly sound horse so far as I ever knew. Further, if it is now discovered that Musket was a roarer, that fact will not tell against the value of his stock. His immediate descendants were nearly all fast rare stickers, and the second generation are about as good as can be bought. Roaring or no roaring, they can gallop, and that is what gives them their value.

* # * At the annual meeting of the Palme rston and Shag Valley Racing Club the report showed I that the two race meetings held during the year showed a slight debit balance ; but it must be taken into consideration that the expenditure incurred in improvements to the racecourse was a considerable item, and one that will not likely occur again for some years. The expenditure for improvements, law suits, and totaligator tax amounted to] some L9O odd, so that there has been a sufficient margin on the year's transactions for congratulation. Additional improvements have been made on the racecourse, which has been considerably lengthened, and some sharp corners obviated, the whole sown down with grass, rolled and harrowed, and which must tend to give satisfaction to the patrons of the club, and will ultimately make the course one of the best in the province. The committee had had under their consideration the matter of the erection of a stand, saddling paddock, &c, but considered it advisable to refer the matter to the incoming committee, and ventured to express the opinion that if the ways and means are available it would be a wise course to proceed with the work at oqce, previous to the Autumn meeting. The receipts from all sources amounted to L 660 2s ; and the expenditure to L 692, leaving a debit of L3l 18s, which reduced the last year's balance, Ll5O 8s 4d, by that amount, so that the sum of Lllß 10s 3d was available to begin the year's transactions with. The* date of the next races was fixed for St. Patrick's Day (17th March), and a subcommittee was appointed to draw up a programme. The following" officers were elected : — President, Mr R. Ewing (re-elected) ; vicepresident, Mr G. E. F. Schultze ; treasurer, Mr W. Robertson; secretary, Mr J.. T f Gwynne; handicappev, Mr G. Dowse; judge, Mr Fagan ; starter, Mr J. M. Sutherland ; clerk of the scales, Mr J. Arkle ; clerk of the course, Mr H. O'Neill; timekeeper, Mr R. Ewing. * # * The English flat-racing season practically closed with the Manchester November meeting, and next day the Sportsman came out with the first batch of statistics for 1891 — viz., the list of most successful winning jockeys. The premier place is taken by Mornington Cannon, after a very close contest with G. Barrett, only four wins separating them. For 1890 G. Barrett was second to T. Loates, who is now on the retired list, and J. Watts was then third, as he is for 1891. Young Cannon rode his first winning race four years since, and in that year (1887) he got home nine times ; the next year he scored an even dozen ; in 1889 his record was 21 ; in 1890 he had crept into the middle division with 39; and from that modest total he jumps at a bound to 137. He is spoken of by a leading writer as a fearless rider and a most determined finisher, and victory has on many occasions been his through the judgment and vigour he has thrown into his work towards the end of the race. Of this , be gave a striking example at the Liverpool July meeting, when in a very persevering battle for the St. George Stakes ho landed Simonian (who was presenting his two opponents with a considerable amount of weight) a half length winner, though his antagonists in the saddle were J. Osborne and Cannon i>lrc. Of those that climbed into the first dozen in 1890, those besides Barrett and Watts who are there again in 1891 are Woodburn, Weldon, Rickaby, and Fagan. Two of the brothers Loates, with Calder and White, have fallen out of the ranks altogether, having lost their licenses. The foli lowing is the list ofj the first dozen for 1891 :— Mounts. Lost. Won. Cannon, M. ... ... «09 472 137 Barrett, G. ... ... «71 538 133 Watts, J. ... ... 483 309 114 Woodburn, J. ... 503 415 DO Chaloner, K. ... 501 425 76 Weldon, T. ... ... 307 245 G2 Loates, C. ... ... 303 242 61 Chaloner, G. •••:£§ WRW R £8 Rickaby, F. ... ... 375 316 59 Fagan, J. ... ... 318 265 53 Chandley, S. ... 340 281) 51 Allsopp.P. ... ..". 494 445 49 M. Cannon's record includes four dead heats with a division. Among the gentlemen riders Mr Abington is again an easy first. He has ridden less frequently this season than usual, owing to his accident at Derby in September, this causing seven weeks' idleness, but still he managed to take 87 mounts, and of these 29 were winning ones. For 1890 he had 142 mounts and 42 wins, and for 1889 his score was 137 mounts and 61 wins. Mr G. Lambton is again second, with seven wins out of 24 mounts.

* # * The list of winning owners is headed by Mr N, Fenwick, who with five horses to work

for him has amassed L 20.519 in stakes, of which Mimi contributes"Ll2,4ss. Her principal successes were in the One Thousand Guineas and Newmarket Stakes. In 1890 Mr Fenwick I was 24th in order of winning owners. Colonel North, who then stood seventh with L 10,654, is now second with nearly twice that sum, but he has not been over-lucky considering tho tremendous stud he keeps, and it has taken 19 horses to make up his total. The most successful of these are Nunthorpe, Lady Hermit, and Simoniau. Mr H. Miluer was third in 1890 and again occupies that position, with about LIOOO less than in the previous season. His chief winners are Lady Caroline, Adoration, and Bread Corrie. Mr B. Maple has risen in one season from the 22nd to the fourth position in tho list. Scarborough, |Priestess, Clarence, and Prince Hampton were his best stake-earners. Common earned the whole of the L 11,710 credited J,to Sir F. Johnstone, and Surefoot's successes in the Eclipse Stakes and New Biennial at Ascot brought to Mr A. WMerry the L 11,545 10s with which he is credited. The only other owner whose total reaches five figures is the Duke of Westminster, and of his L 10,931 Orme is responsible for over LBOOO. The following is a list of the 1 principal winners in order :—: —

* # * Among the winning sires, the list is headed for the second year in succession by St. Simon, who, towards a total of L 26.860, had such good contributors as Signorina and La FK'che, who between them won L 12.38 6; whilst the second in order of merit, Galopin, with over L 21.000, had assistance to the tune of nearly L 14,000 from Gantlet, Flyaway, and Galeopsis. Barcaldine's stock between them won 29 races of the value of L 20,533, and Isonomy's chief help towards his L 18.992 came from Common, whoso four wins — Two Thousand, Derby, St. James' Palace Stakes, and St. Leger— amounted to the sum of L 15.960. Tho name of Hermit is kept green and in the front rank, the total to ljis credit being L 13.18 3; Rusticus, in winning the Leicestershire Royal Handicap, helping this sum to the extent of L 5347. The defunct Robert the Devil was represented by 22 winning horses, who between them won 52 races of the value of L 14,628. To these remarks of the Sportsman's I may add that Wisdom, who was second in 1890, is again well up with L 17,833, of which sum Surot'oofc contributes nearly L 12,00 0; that the American* bred Foxhall has but two small winners ; that Ormonde's three representatives have secured LlQffiil; that Petronel (by Musket) has three winners ef L 284 0; that our New Zealand-bred Martini-Henry claims a place with the L3OO won by Mons Meg ; that Seesaw (sire of Rube9ahl) has nine winners of L 1179, *#* The Sydney Driving Park Trot on the last day of the year was conspicuous f.or an exhibition of one of the most impudent performances of roping thai ever disgraced a racecourse. This was the view of the stewards, who promptly awarded the offender 12 months' disqualification for himself and his horse. Speaking of this affair, Sydney Referee says that it was a three-mile go, and Statesman, starting 15sec behind scratch, caught his horses at half way. Then it was evident he had got tired, or something was wrong. This rider suddenly lost his energetic style and bumped about in the saddle, dropping back again behind Jack, a competitor he had previously caught, and who started on scratch. This we> .t on for a round, and the onlookers bogan to murmur. The finish was approaching, and Statesman closed up to Jack and another who were in front. The finish was one of heads and neck, and Jack won. Then some of the riders struck the happy idea of doing an extra round for "luck." Statesman joined the fray, slowly at first, but when he had dropped about 100 yds to the rear of two others in a kind of diminuendo movement, he woke up after the style of a brass band when the conductor gives the office, crescendo at first, then fortissimo (with it all on). In the last furlong the old horse illustrated just how he could trot if he was wanted to, and everybody who didn't drop their coin over it were intensely amused. Those who did joined the chorus which invited the committee to "send him up" with considerable vim and lung power. This extra round after the race was over was one of those fatal blunders which the greatest of diplomatists commit at times — trotting riders especially. Everyone was at once convinced as to what could have won, and the 12 months' disqualification that followed was only a mild rebuke. Hiders of this stamp drag sport in the mire. *** The Canterbury Jockey Club's Summer meeting, now a comparatively small affair, is to be held on Saturday of this week. The handicaps appear in this issue. Writing of necessity before the acceptances appear, J should say that Cruchfield ought to have a big show in the Midsummer Handicap, the next best at the weights being Pal}iser, though if assured that Merrie England would start, and was fit and well, I should take him in preference to the pair mentioned. Morpheus or Regina may win the Craven Plate, and perhaps little Tassy may get home in the Hornby Welter. The Middlepark Plate will no doubt produce an interesting race, but I should think that Wakawatea will just about manage to win. Silverpine will make it merry in the Selling Race if he starts. The only scratching up to yesterday afternoon was Kulniue for the Midsummer Handicap. *** The D. J. C. Committee election last week resulted, as most people thought it would, in the return of the retiring members who were candidates, with Mr Peter Miller filling the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr Dowse. Mr Miller's appointment is one to which nobody can take exception. He has had a considerable amount of experience in the class of work that should fit him for the position, and no one who knows him can doubt that he will make a useful member of committee. As to the discussion concerning the totalisator tax, it seems to me that it would have been as well, since the question was raised, to have decided there and then whether present arrangements are or are not to continue for the year. I fail to see any advantage in

leaving it as a mere recommendation to the committee to refrain from charging the tax to investors. The committee will of course continue their present practice even if there had been no recommendation, as long as they see their way clear to do so. The question is j what they are to do if they see that that policy is leading them into difficulties. With this recommendation staring them in the face, they will probably deem it their duty to consult the members before proceeding to r hift the tax on to the shoulders of investors. Thus there will be a second meeting. The need for this would have been obviated if Mr Fish's motion had been fully discussed and a vote taken on it iv its original form. *** I do not profess to know how such a vote would have resulted, but it is an open secret that some members are doubtful as to the wisdom of handicapping the club so seriously as is the case under existing arrangements. And the position is one that demands consideration. Express it in figures and you will see. For the twelvemonth just ended the club made a profit of LBOO after deducting L 350 as State tax. Add in that sum, and we have LllsO as the result of the year's work. The L 350 for the four days' racing is an average of say LB7 a day. The club has 13 days' racing ft year. At that rate the tax for a year would come to Lll3l. Where is the margin which a prudent treasurer, deems necessary ? There is practically nothing left to come and go upon. What then ? In such an event, which is at any rate possible, the club would either have to reduce stakes, or run the risk of a deficit, or alter the present arrangement as to the tax. In the long run it comes to this, as I have said before, that this tax must be borne either by owners or investors. There is no escape from that conclusion. For my part, I sincerely hope that our club will never feel the pinch, but be able to go on as at present. I am not sure, however, that it can ; and if it is forced in self defence to follow the lead of other metropolitans in charging the 11^ per cent., I 'shall, unless some great change takes place in" my ideas, strenuously resist any attempt to brand it as an extortioner. It is all very well to bid for popularity by declaiming against the tax as oppressive. It has to be paid, I suppose. If the people don't like the tax let them sing out against the Parliament that made it, not .against the clubs whose disagreeable duty it is to collect it. *#* Glorious weather was experienced on Saturday for the Waitahuna Jockey Club's inaugural race meetiug, and the large attendance included visitors from all round the district. The club has a fairly good course close to the township. Messrs Mason and Roberts passed L 556 through the machine during the day. It will be seen by the report appearing in another column that Enfield Avon the Publicans' Handicap easily, and that Cinnabar effected a surprise iv the chief event of the day, while the Clutha mare Frances got home twice, on one of these occasions beating the resuscitated Louis Philippe, of whom we have not heard much lately, by a neck. Blacksmith followed up his Lawrence victory by collaring the Trot in the easiest fashion. If this horse had made his debut on a metropolitan course he might have secured a hatful of money, but I do not know that the handicappcrs have not now found out his measure. *** Last week we had word by cable from America that L 50,000 had been offered for the two-year-old trotter Arion, by Electioneer from Manette, by Nutwood, who on November 10 last year broke the two-year-old record by trotting a mile in 2min lO^sec at Stockton, California. "All comparisons fail in the face of this peerless performance," says the Spirit of the Times, " yet it is only by comparison that we can get an idea of its surpassing greatness. It equals the aged stallion championship up to the close of 1890. It is within one second and a-half of the present stallion champion record. It passes the three and four-year-old stallion champion records, and is only 2|sec behind the world's trotting record of Sunol, 2.8^. Every line of this colt's pedigree is closely allied to the greatest trotters of the past. Electioneer, his sire, has 96 representatives in the 2.30 list, 21 of which are in the 2.20 list. No other stallion ever approached either point. Electioneers dam, Green Mountain Maid, has eight representatives in the 2.30 list, which is a greater number than any other mare. Nutwood (2.185), that got the dam of this remarkable two-year-old, has 59 trotters in the 2.30 list, six of which are in the 2.20 list. Arion's performance is regarded by expert horsemen as the most extreme and astonishing of all the surprises that the science of breeding and art of training has yet brought to light. It is safe to say that should his owner and breeder, the Hon. Leland Stanford, sec fit to part with him, he would quickly bring more money at auction or otherwise than any horse of any breed ever sold." The Australasian adds that directly he heard of Arion's performance the owner of Allerton telegraphed to his owner offering to book 10 daughters of Allerton to the champion two-year-old stallion for the season of 1893 at the enormous stud fee of LSOO each mare. Mr Stanford has accepted this offer, and has stipulated that he may have the refusal of one of the co T ts during the season of foaling at the price of L2OOO. * # * The annual meeting of members of the North Otago Jockey Club was held last Saturday. Mr A. Bl 'Master was re-elected president, Mr C. Nicholls vice-president, and Mr G. C. Probert treasurer. The following gentlemen were elected a committee for the year — namely : — Messrs J. F. Reid (Elderslie), Gardiner (Papakaio), J. G. Nicolls, R. M 'Master, C. W. Reid, H. Schluter, R. Aitken (Gleniffer) : town members— Messrs W. Bee, C. C. Probert, J. C. Anderson, A. G. Crengh, E. P. Lee, and E. P. Burbury. On the motion of Mr Anderson it was resolved— (l) That the Oamaru Racecourse Reserve Trust be respectfully requested to endeavour to get an act passed by the Legislature for the purpose of putting the financial arrangements and general management of the Oamaru racecourse reserve on a more satisfactory basis. (2) That a committee | be appointed from the North Otago Jockey Club to confer with the trust as to the best mode of dealing with the matter. *#* The Tuapeka meeting last week provided interesting racing to the conclusion of the programme. In the Lawrence Handicap there was a capital contest between the three placed horses, ending in the Oamaru mare Miss Mack beating Warlock by a head, with Dunville handy. Assyrian King, who went out second favourite, finished ui^laced, but on the following day, with a bit of a pull iv the weights and a little farther to go, he won the Jockey Club Handicap after a great struggle with Miss Mack. Enfield also managed to secure a win on the second day — a bit of luck that was deserved, for he seems to have been spun out in most of his races lately, and he certainly ought to have got home in the Publicans' Handicap on the -first day at Lawrence. Kauroo was stopped by the 91b extra he was called on to put up the second day, and neither Ben Dunville, Warlock, nor Cinnabiiv -was able to secure a first during the meeting, but Lady Mab ran a good race in the Stewards' Purse and in the Consolation The Chief proved himself at least a match for Cinnabar The Wolf owes his one turn of lues to an accident which befell Shovover when thib

son of Raiigatira seemed to be winning the Hack Selling Race. His jockey (James Young) was thrown heavily through the horse falling, and had to be taken to the hospital. This lad is most unfortunate. It is not so very long ago that ho started riding again after laying up with a broken leg, that injury being sustained while riding Gazelle at the Taieri. Sharp was also unhorsed in this race at Tuapeka, but escaped unhurt. The only other matter worth noting at this meeting was the inconsistent form of the trotter Ruby. On the first day she would not keep steady at any stage of the race. The next day she trotted in splendid style in both her races. In each case she had to undergo the ordeal of a protest on the ground of being " stiff " on the previous day, but the stewards could not find sufficient proof in the evidence tendered, and they overruled the protests, at the same time returning the deposit moneys and administering a caution to the owner of the mare. Messrs Mason and Roberts passed L 2486 through the machine during two days, or L 2 more than last year. The general arrangements of the meeting were highly satisfactory, so far as I saw, during my brief visit, and I have pleasure in endorsing the remark of the Tuapeka Times' reporter to the effect that much of the success of the meeting was due to Mr Dowses handicapping. * # * A leading section of Australian bookmakers have seen fit to endorse the recent action of the chief club in the direction of suppressing unauthorised race meetings. At a gathering of the Australasian Bookmakers' Association in Melbourne on the 18th inst. it was resolved that the desires of the V.R.C. be accepted, making it prohibitive for members of the association to attend unregistered meetings, but it was decided to respectfully request the V.R.C, before revoking the license of any bookmaker for attending unregistered meetings, to allow the association to first inquire into the circumstances attending the visit of the bookmaker, as it was possible some business of a private nature might cause him to attend. Another motion passed at the meeting was one to the effect that the bookmakers who have shops refrain from betting on races taking place on courses other than those recognised by the constitutional authorities. Between the V.R.C. and the A.B.A. the unregistered meetings will have a poor time of it, and there is little doubt that their day of doom has come. *#* The admirable report of the Wellington races sent by the Press Association leaves very little to be said by me. Backers led off badly in the Anniversary Handicap. Whisper, who by the way carried exactly the same weight as when she finished second to Prime Warden a year ago, was made favourite,- but was never dangerous, the race being won by Foxton's half-brother Cretonne. The time — 1.45 — shows this colt to be a goer. . The Hurdle Handicap was a splendid betting race. It was a triumph for Mr Evett to so bring hacks and racers together as to completely puzzle the talent. Little Arthur was the outsider of the party bar one, from which I conclude that he has lost the form he showed at Dunedin 11 months ago. The eighteenth Wellington Cup was the third race on the programme, and, as will be seen, it was captured for the third time in succession by Cynisca, who thus equalled Nelson's triple record in the Auckland Cup. It may be further noted that Boulanger, who was this year second, occupied that position last year. He was not beaten badly, and perhaps there was not much in it as between him and Cynisca, beyond the difference of horsemanship. Derrett, who, by the way, scored his first win in the race on this occasion, is riding in great form this season, and if he had been on Boulanger he might possibly have reversed the j verdict. That is the impression left on my mind on reading the report of the race, and what leads me to the opiuion is that Boulauger i made a long effort, whereas when Derrett won on him down here he waited very patiently, delaying his one run as late as possible. Those were the tactics that succeeded with Boulanger at the Forbury, and might have answered again. This, however, is mere surmise, and I purposely disclaim any intention to impute bad riding to M'Cormick, who had the mount on Boulanger. He may be and probably is a good jockey, and yet scarcely Derrett's equal. Cynisca's time this year was slower than on either of the previous occasions, but then she had a stone more than last year. This and other interesting particulars will be gathered from the follpwing list of Winners of tiik Wellington Cup.

On the second day of the meeting Cynisca was unable to get to the front under the steadier of 9.7, and being eased up, she finished absolutely last in the Racing Club Handicap. This gave Cruchfield a show, and Derrett, who was on him, thus had the pleasure of landing the double. Itegiua, who won the January Handicap, was the least backed of all the starters. Magpie's two performances in the hurdle races were deemed sufficiently questionable to warrant an inquiry, and the stewards, acting on the motion of Messrs Hunter and M'Kenzie, gathered what evidence they could on the point, with the result that the explanation given was deemed satisfactory. The only persons who got into trouble during the meeting were 11. Buckridge, who was ordered to stand down for two months for crossing in the Hack Race, his mount being disqualified for that event ; and G. Murtagh, who was cautioned for interfering with jockeys at the post, and told that if the offence were repeated he would be disqualified. Mr Evett's handicapping and Mr Powell's starting at this meeting were such as to call forth high praise.

Yr. 18741 [875 1877 [878 [879 [BSO 1881 18S2 1883 188 1 18S5 LSBIS LSB7 ISSB 1889 18!)O 1S!)1 L 892 | Winner. | Tiimburini Korari Guy Fawkes Lara Maritiina Foul Play Natator Hilda i Mischief The Poet Taxman Nelson Pasha i Bere^ford Dudu Cynisca Cynisca Cynisca I Owner. I I D. O'Brien 11. Redwood H. Redwood Bolfcon R. Ray W. Robinson \V. Robin&on ii. Bate P. Martin G. Bate IX O'Brien N. George T. Hill G. .Stead E. (Jutts G. Hunter G. Hunter G. Hunter (A. (5 3 5 a 5 5 \i c 5 5 5 4 3 4 o I Wgt. I st. lb.l !) 13 <> 10 !l t\ I 7 i) i) 4 8 4 '•8 1 « 4 8 10 7 1 i) fi ; 8 4 I 8 4 I 7 8 I 7 7 7 1 7 12 8 12 iTinie. m. s. 4 5 :J57 3 52 3 44 3 4S{ 3 37| 3 38 3 45 3 41+ 3 48j 3 38 3 3t>* 3 33 3 371 3 37 2 3SIJ 2 40 2 43

Mr N. Fenwick 20,519 Mr BrodrickColonel North... 20,118 Cloete ... 4282 Mr 11. Milner... 1»,311 Mr J. Chavlton . . . 4111 Mr B. Maple ... 12,040 Duke, of Hamilton 4101 Sir F. Johnstone 11,710 Lord Pcnrhyn ... 3«li8 MrA.W. Merry 11,545 Lord Dunraven ... 3545 Duke of West- Duke of Beaufort 3519 minster ... 10,931 Mr W. I'Anson ... 3133 Chev. Ginis- Lord Gerard ... 3307 trelli ... 0071 Lord ltosslyn ... 32157 Mr .1. Houlds- Mr D. Cooper ... 32152 worth ... 9019 Mr A. Kilsyth ... 30W Mr CD. Hose... 8773 Mr Deacon ... 2927 MrL.de Roths- Mr J. Joicey ... 278(5 child ... 857(1 Captain Maehell 2773 M.Blanc ... 7977 Mr A. Taylor ... 2<ißl Baron do Hirsch 7809 Mr 11. Gladstone 258(i Lord Alington .. 7(i()l Lovd CholmondeMrJ-. B.Leigh 1*273 ley... ... 2555 Lord Durham... 5910 Sir K. Jardine ... 2512 Lord Zetland ... StJliO Lord Hartington 2497 Mr 11. Bass ... 5347 MrJ. T. Whipp 24(52 Duke of Port- Mr It. H. Combe 2428 land ... 520S Mr W. Stevenson 2398 Mr Abington ... 5174 Mr W.G. Stevens 2377 Mr It. C. Vyner 5158 MrE. Weever ... 2371 Prince Soltykolf 4913 General Byrne ... 2203 Mr J. Lowther 4777 Mr P. Fings ... 2201 Mr Fairie ... 43J4 Mr W. de la Rue 2099 Lord EUesmcrc... 2051