TALK OF THE DAY. BY MAZEPPA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2003, 14 July 1892, Page 26

TALK OF THE DAY. BY MAZEPPA.

*#* Since last week I have taken the oppor. tunity offered of looking round the Hon. G. M 'Lean's horses, and it is a pleasure to be able to report that M'Guinness has the whole fleet in excellent health, and what I may call forward oondition for winter. The brother to Wolverine is growing into a fine sturdy horse with a good barrel like the Cup winner, but standing on a shorter set of legs. The other yearling, Skirmisher, by Vanguard from Ouida, is a slashing racing-looking colt, taking more after his sire in appearance every time I see him. Dilemma is taking kindly to his work, and can be got fit to race at short notice. He was never better in his life, and M'Guinness is evidently a bit proud to show off the condition of this honest son of " the old mare." Conjurer keeps in robust health, and Ozioso has apparently recovered from whatever it was that gave trouble this season, while Pique is as well as could be wished, and the three-year-old colt by Gorton from Lady Evelyn, a thick-set youngster that may grow into a useful horse, is just commencing to gallop. This stable is almost sure to win a bit during the coming season.

*#* It would seem that my confession of partiality for the chances of Lyndoora in the Napier Park Steeplechase was not altogether an admission of bad judgment, for she hurt herself at one of the fences, and yet struggled on so well as to gain third place. The full account of the race says that Whalebone was the first to come away, with Lyndoora and Otaieri next, and Chance last. The first two j urups were taken in thi s order,and then Lyndoora and Chance took up the running, leaving Whalebone and Otaieri some distance in the rear. All took their fences capitally, and at the water jump Chance and Lyndoora jumped together, with Whalebone seven lengths away third, and Otaieri still lying last. The double in front of the stand was taken in perfect style, and by the time the town bend was reached Chance and Lyndoora both rose together, and had increased the gap by about 20 lengths. This running was kept up until reaching the town bend again, the fences, sod wall, and water and double being taken splendidly. At the town bend the second time Chance " turned a seven," and Whalebone had decreased the

gap between him and Lyndoora. After the next jump Lyndoora seemed to slacken a little, and Whalebone was soon on terms with her, Otaieri coming at the same time ; but although at the top turn into tho straight Otaieri looked as though he was going to make a fight for first place, Whalebone held his advantage and won a splendidly-ridden race by 10 lengths from Otaieri, with Lyndoora a fair third. *** The Melbourne Cup handicap seems to be very well received on the other sido. It may interest those who make a winter study of this problem to have the opinions of other writers as well as our own special, and I therefore select a few first impressions of the best authorities. It will be seen by tho full list appearing elsewhere that there are several corrections in the weights as telegraphed. Pigeontoe has 8.2, Sternchaser 7.2, Singapore 7.1, and Danton has "Martindale" (Town and ' Country Journal).— btrathmore is particularly well in, and in my opinion is sure to beat Malvolio, who, I think, has been somewhat harshly treated when asked to carry 181b more than he won with last year. In fact the top weight appears to hold all safe down to Gnaroo. The lot that please me most are Strathmore, Forty Winks, Penance, Candour, Honour Bright, Gnaroo, Little Bernie, Mcli Ruenalf, Ducrow, Althotas, Malolo, Azim, Sundial, and Daredevil. "Nemo " (Sydney Mail).— Down to 8.0 I like best the prospects of Strathmore, Correzo, Portsea, Tirailleur, St. Albans 11., St. Blaise, Pigeontoe, and Autonomy, notwithstanding the great weight that has fallen to the share of the young son of Chester and Aveline. jr«««a "The Old 'CTn" (Sydney Referee).— To my mind the weight put on Autonomy in the Melbourne Gup is the worst feature in the handicap, 8.0 has been put on him— a real crusher. It is 81b over the weightfor-age scale, which makes him equal to Strathmore. According to this Autonomy must be tho best three-year-old that ever ran in the Cup. My selections at the weights are Strathmore, Malvolio, Zalinski, Oxide, St Albans 11, Correze, Pigeontoe, Autonomy, Mcli, Camoola, Freedom, Malolo. T .' st t rlm X" (Sportsman). —Atfirstsightthehorses I like best arc :— Strathmore, Malvolio, Zalinski Oxide, Pigeontoe, Pilot Boy, John S, Steadfast, Malolo, Dpera, The Rebel, The Captain, Culloden Ducrow, and Polly Mohr. "Ribbleden" (Australasian) —Mr Dakin has been blamed for beginning the Melbourne Cup on too high a scale ; but, to give the many moderate horses in the race a chance, he was almost forced to begin at 9.8, the weight wo find placed opposite the names of Strathmore and Malvolio. At this impost I incline to the chance of Malvolio, who is not only a robustcr horse, but is more capable of carrying the weight than is Strathmore, who is light in the barrel and narrow to follow. At the present bitt : ng I shall merely express a liking for tho following dozen :— Malvolio The Rebel, Portsea, Anttcus, St. Blaize, John S, Malolo, Camoola, Azim, Mcli, Honour Bright, Sternchaser. " Cranbrook " (Sportsman).— I like the following :— The Admiral, Tarcoola, Portsea, The Workman, St. Albans 11, G'Naroo, St. Blaize, Forty Winks, Steadfast, Althotas. Malolo, Penance, Opera, Bel Giorno, The Captain, Sternchaser, and Honour Bright. There will be plenty of time some months hence to try and select the winner. "Asmodeus" (Leader). — In glancing down the list I am influenced in the belief that it will not be necessary, to search lower down than 7.5 for the winner, and the dozen I like best are Malvolio, Strathmore, Zalinski, Tarcoola, Portsea, G'Naroo, Pigeontoe, Autonomy, Malolo, Mcli, The Rebel, Azim, with a preference for the Derby winner, Pigeontoe, and Malolo. " Caspian " (Weekly Times).— l fancy the following: — Zalinski, Freedom, Tirailleur, G'Naroo, Pilot Boy, Malolo, Camoola, Azini, Danton, Sternchaser, Singaiore, Honour Bright. "Tarn o' Shanter" (Tasmanian Mail).— With two or three exceptions, it does not seem likely that any Melbourne Cup candidate handicapped under 7.3 has a show, and the best dozen on paper are Malvolio, Strathmore, Zalinski, The Admiral, Freedom, Oxide, Correze, G'Naroo, Autonomy, Steadfast, Bel Giorno, and Launceston. " Pakeka" (Tasmania).— l am inclined to think that the likely winner should be found among the following:— Strathmore, Malvolio, Sir William, G'Naroo, Meli. "Trumpeter" (Adelaide Observer).— Mr Dakin would appear to have made a splendid handicap. Some expected to see Strathmore start the handicap with a little under the 9.8 opposite his name, but I think the St. Albans colt has been given a chance. Malvolio is well entitled to his weight, as apart from his Melbourne Cup victory last year he showed himself tho equal of Highborn at weight for age. At present I fancy Strathmore, Malvolio, and Zalinski have as good a chance as anything engaged. It will t be observed that of the selections quoted, five include Strathmore, five Zalinski, five G'Naroo, four Malolo, and six Malvolio. %* Following up the same notion, I append a few opinions as to the New Zealand Cup handicap : — "Castor" (Canterbury Times).— ln choosing a dozen horses which at this stage appear likely to contain the winner, I shall take Prime Warden Merrie England, Rosefeldt, Crown Jewel, Morion, Strephon, Stepniak, North Atlantic, Saracen, Captive, Ranee Nuna, and Reynard. " Spectator " (Weekly Press).— There are many horses that would appear to have a show were they to be depended upon to see the post sound ; but one in dealing with them must necessarily indulge in "ifs" and " buts." That being so, attempting to pick one or even a half a dozen out at this stage, from which the winner will come must be pure guess work. All the same, while I would favour the chances of Merrie England, Crackshot, Lebel, and Crown Jewel should they stand, if I have a preference now it is for the following half dozen .-—Prime Warden, The Workman, Don Pedro, The Dreamer, Merganser, and Vogengung. " Vigilant" (Wellington Mail).— Mr Henry has given us something to puzzle over during the winter, and there is nothing which stands out as exceptionally well treated. To take half a dozen against the field I shall go for Hippomenes, Merrie England, Lebel, Don Pedro, North Atlantic, and Saracqu ; my straight out fancy being Lebel or Don Pedro. " Phaeton" (Auckland News).— After a careful study of Mr Henry's work, it appears to me that that gentleman has succeeded in concealing the winner as well as he did last year ; but taking into account that there is nothing very great amongst the top weights, I may say that at present 1 have a leaning towards the three-year-old division Vogengang, Saracen, Captive, and Spinfeldt ' "SirLauncelot" (Sporting Review).— l shall expect the winner to come from the following eight : — Cynisca, Crackshot, Crown Jewel Whisper, Prestige, Coalscuttle, North Atlantic' and St. Hippo. *** The first of the series of Wellington steeplechase meetings was held in July 1881- on the Island Bay course. It epened with a dead heat between Jumbo and Home Rule in the Maiden Steeplechase, and later on the big event resulted in a win for the Daydawn stallion Early Bird, carrying 10.6 and ridden by Herd. There were Beven other starters, of whom the best at the finish were Wideawake 10.0 and Jumbo 10.0. Coacher was mortally injured during the race. The dividend on Early Bird was L 7 10s. There were some good horses engaged at the 1885 meeting, which came the very last or the season, and that sturdy member Faugh-a-ballagh pulled off two events, the Local Steeplechase and tho principal race. For the latter the fivvourite was Macarcni 12.6, but he failed to gain a shop, the three placed horses being Faugh-a-ballagh 10.4. Orient 10.12, and Erebus 9.10. The two lastmentioned survive to this day, so far as I know, as racers in a humble capacity. Faugh, who was ridden by Chambers, paid the nice dividend of Ll2 2s. There were six starters for the Steeplechase in 1886, when that smart mare

Denbigh 11.5 got home by a head from Secretary 10.0, with Victor 9.7 close up. Orient, who had won the Hurdle Race the same day, was the next to finish. Denbigh paid L 4. In 1887 we saw Echo 9.10 securing first honours, but only by a nose from Maugaohane 11.4, the consistent Orient 11.8 being placed third. There was a rattling field, including Belle, Secretary, Jilanimoc, and Kangaroo. Echo paid Lll. The following year vras that in which Kangaroo, now being trained by Poole, put up 10.10 and defeated Artist 9.2 and Deubigh 10.7 for places, Chemist and Waitangi finishing behind the trio mentioned. Kangaroo paid L 5 Is. Earlier in the day Shillelagh had paid L 23 16s in the Hurdle Race. There was a regular boil-over in 1889, Rossiter 9.3 beatiug Kangaroo 10.10 and Panic 9.5 for places find paying L2B 13s. Doctor was the only other one to avoid a mistake, eight of them coming to grief. In 1890 old Orient 10.4 was the lucky one, getting home half a dozen lengths in front of Sir Maurice 9.7, with Doctor 9.8 third (dividend, L 3 18s) ; aud last year there was a dead heat and a division between Whalebone 10.0 and Oeo 10.0, with Darnley 10.5 third.

*#* This year's meeting will be long remembered for the defeat of Whalebone in the Steeplechase. There was a field of 13, and this youug horse carried top weight, and the going was heavy ; yel the public backed him down to 20 to 11 on. What price would he have started at on a fine day ? At least 3to 1 on, I should guess, for surely 6ome who fancied him were choked off on seeing the state of the track. Whalebone seems to have gone very well up to about two-thirds of the distance, when he ran off. It is an annoying way to lose a race, but better than coming down and injuring rider or horse. My selection, Flintstone, also ran off, and so did two others. In so large a field they shove each other off. Ingorangi, the winner, is a fair performer handicapped on his worst form, but it is too late now to argue that he was chucked in. We should have noticed that before. I confess that I did not think he would win, nor did many others. I have compensation, however, in the knowledge that I recommended Raven with Flintstone for the Trial Steeplechase. Raven got home and paid a thumping dividend. The inconstant Waterbury scored a win in the Hurdles, which was a capital betting race, and Gondolier captured both flat races. It is evident that the handicappers have not yet got the measure of this uicful grandson of Traducer. But the handicapping at the meeting must have been good ou the whole to produce such fine fields.

*** Whalebone's performances at Hawke's Bay have secured for him the honour of top place in the handicap for the Grand National, thus relieving Ahua of that uncoveted position. It is doubtful, however, whether this concession will enable Ahua to win. The little horse has been under a cloud, and for that reason is best left alone till the stable make a move. But he is of such undoubted quality that if he is backed in the right quarter, I think he is worth investing on. Whalebone, too, has a show, and I prefer him to any of the top weights, with the exception of Couranto, who, if a steeplechaser at all, must have a say at these weights. I think that ho is a steeplechaser, but an unlucky one so far. Shillelagh has enough to carry for a lightish horse ; Norton and Waterbury are hurdle racer 3 only so far as we know them ; Somnambulist has gone wrong ; ditto Commotion ; but the next three in order of weight — viz., Sir Garnet, Kangaroo, and Lyndoora — have a show, and of those that follow I prefer Auckland and Flintstone. I take these to be a pretty fair lot. Waitangi is too slow nowadays, I fear. Without analysing the handicap in detail, I select Couhanto, Sin Gahnet, Lyndoora, Kangahoo, Auckland, and Flintstone as the six which appear to me to be the most likely to produce the winner. When the acceptances appear I shall reduce this to a smaller selection. As to the Hurdle Race, I am satisfied to take Torrent and Captain Webb against the field, and I have just now a decided preference for the latter, who is reported to be already an accomplished performer over the little sticks.

*#* The rules and regulations of the National Trotting Association of America have been revised and came into force on February 10th 1 ist. Trotting men will be interested to know that an important alteration has been made in regard to breaking. Section 3 of rule 30 now provides that in case of any horse repeatedly breaking, or running, or performing in a mixed gait, he shall be placed last or distanced. A horse breaking four times in a heat may be regarded as repeatedly breaking, but nothing in the rules shall be construed into permitting a horse to make four or less number of breaks without being liable to the penalties prescribed. If in the opinion of the judges a driver allows his horse to make repeated breaks for the purpose of fraudulently losing a heat, he shall be liable to the penalties provided for frauds and fouls.

*#* The proposal to form a New Zealand Jockey Club has been once more blocked at the conference, and it now stands over till the date of the Wellington Spring meeting. Why till then it is hard to guess. This is one of the many points regarding which a fair condensation of the proceedings would have been interesting, instead of our having to put up with an abstract of the minutes. Another matter on which enlightment might have been afforded is as to how far the Auckland Club is helping the Dunedin Club in opposing the proposal. The instructions to the Auckland delegates were, I understand, to vote for the formation of the New Zealand Jockey Club if the other delegates were unanimous, and, seeing Dunedin's representatives hostile, the Auckland men probably deemed it their duty to vote with them. What we should like to get would be a summary of the arguments used in discussing this proposal. As it is we know nothing excepting that delay is resolved on so as to enable the malcontents to be reasoned with. Another subject of interest is dismissed in a brief sentence. I refer to the. question of pony and trotting races. We are left to conclude that those metropolitans which countenance such racing by including it in their programmes were told that they oughtn't to ; but here again there is provoking ambiguity as to what was really done. With so little to go on it is impossible to express an opinion as to whether the conference deserve our thauks or our cen&ure.

*** New Zealand supplied the winner of the Hurdle Race at the V.A.T.C. meeting at Caulfield on June 25, this event being captured by Mr Gollau's Kimberley with 11.6. Ihe Cambria Handicap was run in two events — the Plate (won by Graduate 6.7, with Competency 7.3 second, and Accident 7.7 third), and the Pur.«e (which went to Berrigan 7 0, with Martha 7.12 second, and Malolo 8.0 third.) Commenting on this stake, the Argus says : — The value of the time test in racing affords material for frequent discussions, though it must be admitted that where it is so perfectly taken as it is at Flemington and Caulfield, where electrical appliauces, which act instantaneously, are brought into use, the test must be of some use, especi-

ally in [the shorter "distance races, which are usually truly run, at all events by the horse which makes the time. On Saturday there were two six-furlongs races run by horses all originally handicapped together, and then separated into classes. By the handicap, the horses which ran in the Cambria Plate were pronounced to be better than those which ran in the Purse, and by the field being divided into two lots the horses originally heavily weighted were reduced 2st. They thus carried corresponding weights to those of the lighterweighted division. Under the circumstances it should result that the better horses would cover the six furlongs in less time than the others, and this proved to be the case. The Cambria Plate, in which the better division was engaged, was won in lmin 20sec, while the Cambria Purse time was lmin 21£ sec." lam not much of a believer in the time test on the training track, but in a true-run race it is always worth noting when a reliable " clocker " is on. Trials are very deceiving if run merely on the time test. lam a thorough believer in the old system of trying horses — namely, with other horses that have shown good handicap form, and are known to be fit aud well at the time of the trial. What a splendid line Pay ten, for instance, will have through Autonomy, Camoola, Trieste, and Warpaint when he puts his two-year-olds through the mill. Trials with such cattle are worth all the time trials in the world.

*** Six horses have been paid up for in the Timaru Guineas. Of these two have never started — viz., the gelding by Tasman — Adulation, who should be a good one on his breeding, and the Otago-bred Warrington, who comes of the speedy Gorton family. Ozioso has started, but has not been exhaustively tried in public so far, and the same maybe said of Reynard, who is half brother to Sultan and Prime Warden, and, besides, is in a stable that is always dangerous in regard to young stock, the rule being to clear out early anything and everything that is likely to prove a frost. Mistral has been privately proved to be pretty fast, and was heavily backed for the Welter at the D.J.C. May meeting that was won by Don Pedro. But the daddy of the six is of course Vogengang, who ought to win straight out, on public form, if at all well. I should think that the field will be reduced to at least half the present number if this crack goes to the post. Yet tha outsiders may take heart of grace, remembering that it is in races of this sort that certainties go down. Medallion in the Hawke's Bay Guineas was a case in point, and Moraine in this very Timaru Guineas two years ago ; while it was in an early three-year-old contest on level terms that the champion Carbine was dished. It is rather early to conclude that Vogengang has quite won, but he certainly has an uncommonly good show.

*** Mark Lane Express says that two years ago a farmer purchased, on Norwich Hill, for less than Ll6, the winner of the Alexandra Park Trotting Plate. Fortunately the winner is a mare, and therefore may be expected to breed ; .whereas, owing to its obscure birth, it would probably have been turned into a gelding had it been a male. The farmer drove it for some time, and although it showed a rare turn of pace, it proved so tractable that his wife also frequently drove it. After owning it some time Mr F paid him a visit, with a view of buying some beast. After looking at the beast, the farmer drove him to the station, and Mr F 's eye told him he was sitting behind something good. Would he sell ? Yes. What price ? L6O. And after a little discussion it was settled that he would not take the beast, but would have the mare. After he became owner of the mare he found the milestones had a way of gliding by very quickly, so occasionally he timed her, and found that she could always hold something in hand out of three minutes. One day he was in a public house when the Alexandra Park trotting races were being discussed by those present, among whom was the owner of a winner. Mr F asked what time it took to do the mile, and, on being told, said he had a maro that could beat it. After a little talking a race for LSO aside was arranged, and the mare subsequently won easily. She was afterwards put into more strict training, and again won, and, we believe, was sold for L 196 to Mr Woolley, who carried off the Plate with her. As she is still young she ought to have a brilliant future before her. Doubtless there are many horses in England capable of doing big things in trotting if the demand was such that their best efforts were brought out. Not long ago we knew of one owned by a cattle dealer, in Staffordshire, which, with a heavy cart behind it, was frequently tiaied to do the mile in considerably less than three minutes, without any training whatever. The Americans find out a trotter and develop it. As a rule it is sufficient for the owner in England if he has ahorse that can give his neighbour's the "go by." A good horse deserves better recognition of his merits.

*V* Beautiful weather was experienced for the Lancaster Park trotting meeting on Saturday, and there being a good attendance the fair sum of L 2051 was passed through the machine. No fewer than 20 started for the Maiden Handicap, one mile, in saddle. Baker's Maid, 12sec, was made favourite, but Maid of Cotherstone, 14-sec, led all the way and won by three lengths, her time being 3min 7sec, and the dividend L 5 7s 6d. Duncan Abdallah, starting from scratch, was unplaced. Parnell with lOsec start won the race for ponies or galloways, giving Bide-a-wee II 13sec in a mile and getting home first by 80yds, after doing the mile in 3min. The gallant little fellow paid a dividend of L 8 18s. In the Winter Handicap, two miles, Sunlight was at scratch, and Sandgate, 25sec, was made favourite, but these and 10 others were unplaced, the winner turning tip in Tennessee, 37sec, who beat Polly Plum, 32sec, by 50yds, and paid L 6 12s. While going in this race, Sandgate fell, and the sulky he was drawing was smashed to pieces. Punters were again disappointed in ths Lancaster Park Handicap, two miles, Victoria 11, 35sec, who was pitched upon as favourite, being beaten in the last stride by Rover 33sec. Rover's time was smin 50sec, and the dividend L 6 6s. Tikaro, starting at scratch, was unplaced. Bide-a-wee won the Selling Race, doing the mile in 3min 6sec, and she was bought in at L 9 10s, Little Duck with 40sec start had a very easy win in the President's Handicap, two miles, the distance being covered in smin 55sec. The winner was first favourite, but she paid a dividend of L 4-. Of the 24- goers for the Final Handicap, one mile, Maid of Cotherstone 25sec and Belinda 18sec were chosen as the best goods, but Paulina 24-sec got home first by 100 yds from Erin's Hope 22sec, her time being 3min 19sec and the dividend Ll7 2s.

*#* The Australasian speaks out very plainly on the subject of betting stewards. Stewards, says the writer, fail to recognise that they are required to be not merely judges, but detectives, though the occupation of a thief-catcher may not accord with their fine sense of what befits a gentleman. Defects of this kind are slight, however, as compared with the case of men who find it convenient to be stewards, who are, by their experience on the turf, specially qualified to deal with trick-

sters, and who yet systematically ignore the most glaring breaches of turf morality. The significant thing is that the men who thus accept a duty with tho intention, apparently, of protecting rather than punishing evil-doers are, in certain cases, heavy bettors ; and the absurdity of a man who is a plunger being appointed to regulate proceedings by which plunging may bo made profitable or otherwise is apparent. Yet these are practically the lines upon which some of tho minor courts of racing are now constituted. It is hardly sufficient that the stewards should not interfere in cases where he is directly interested. Every consideration of justice and honour demands that much at least, though, unfortunately, the honour of some racing men is not always sensitive to such a demand. We know of a recent case in which a man of some social standing and considerable wealth took a leading part in an inquiry where there were good grounds for believing that the reversal of the judge's decision would benefit him to a considerable extent. The decision was reversed. The other extreme is that of being ostentatiously honest. An illustration is the case of a steward who prior to an inquiry walked out of the room with the explanation, " I can't act in this case ; I stand to win on The Sloth." As well might he have said, "Gentlemen, I leave my Sloth interests in your keeping ; I will do as much for you some other day." Honesty in such a case is heavily handicapped as against friendship. To abstain from betting on the particular course where they act as stewards is not sufficient. For a betting steward bets and wins to-day on information supplied him by the man whose misdeeds he is called upon to give a verdict on to-morrow. The very wagers such a steward wins are aften the fruits of systematic scoundrelism, and he knows it ; yet he is content to act as receiver to this common racecourse thief.

*** The Australian trotting horse Commander is still competing on the English tracks. At the meeting of the Alexandra Park Trotting Club on 23rd May, Mr H. Bartlett'B horse took part in the 2.45 Class Trot, one mile, and in the first heat finished second, the distance having been covered in 2min 38 l-ssec. The contest for the final heat is described in Sporting Life as follows :—: — " Commander was the first to show in front, but breaking badly, soon let Sador get close to him. Going down the hill for the second time Commander again went into the air, but gained on the gallop. The first half mile was made by Commander in lmin 18£ sec, with Sador 10 lengths behind. The others were struggling in the rear. Going down the hill for the last time, Commander not only went into the air, but went very wide, allowing Sador to shoot past on the inside. He then drew away at every stride, and eventually won by five lengths, despite Commander's running. The latter finished six lengths in front of Starchy Jack, but was set back for running. Time 2min 42isec." After the second heat a mare named Red Rose was called before the stewards for suspicious running, and the subsequent proceedings are penned as under: "The scene that ensued when Mr Woolley wes called into the judge's stand was a most exciting one, and had it not been tor the squad of mounted police that escorted their 'suspect' to its stables, Mr Woolley would not have had any chance to argue and appeal. One infuriated individual hurled a brick at the hapless driver, and the missile just shave 1 his head." The mare and owner were suspended.

*** A Victorian correspondent of the Australasian remarks that horsebreeders generally give little heed to the female lines of descent in their brood mares and sires they mate with them, so it may be useful to mention for their consideration and study that about 20 or more of the most prominent sires in English or Colonial history at the stud spring in female line from but five mares. These dams strongly prevail in the engrafted or male components of each pedigree. Looking into such records corrects errors as to what is desirable in breeding or outcrossing. Regulus, Lottery, Birdcatcher, and Venison come from the mare Grey Robinson, as does St. Simon ; this consistent persistence of goodness is further exemplified here in Marvellous. Miss Makeless gave Blacklock and Voltigeur (inbred to her), also Solim, Sir Hercules, Galopin, and Carbine. From Spectator's dam we had Whalebone and Melbourne, with Bend Or and others of less note. The True Blues gave Sir Peter, Tramp, Buzzard, Musket, also Richmond and Abercorn here. Trumpator and Touchstone come from the Oldfield maro (whence Grand Flaneur ; bufc does he get sufficient from his sire to yet shine as a sire ?). Barcaldine, though in male live from Trumpator, descends in female line by both sire and dam from the germinal source of the great Matchem. It is beyond doubt right to engraft successful males as sires ; but they should be shapely, pure bred, and — above all — sound animals, otherwise they weaken the root in female descent if a strong one, which I fear are not over-plentiful in the colonies.