TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 26

TALK OF THE DAY.

BY MAZEPPA.

*** Steps are being taken to float a company with the object of turning the paddock near the tram terminus at St. Clair into a recreation ground. The project is, I believe, practically a revival on a new basis of the Dunedin Amateur Trotting Club, which recently gave up possession of the Carisbrook ground ; but the aim will be, so far as I understand it, to encourage and provide facilities for all kinds of manly sports as well as trotting. Estimates have been procured for draining the paddock — . it is at present a cow run — and forming thereon a cinder track 620 yds in circuit, made so as to be suitable for athletic sports such as running, walking, and bicycle racing. The venture is in good hands, and I wish it all the success it deserves. No club that we have had ever went to more pains to please their patrons and keep trotting square than the D.A.T.C.,and if they undertake the management of that branch of the business I have no fear that there will be any reason for complaint.

* # * Mr J. M'Kewan'sthree-year-oldJßaccarat is dead. While Hankins was away for a trip to Christchurch tho colt either fell on to a rake that was left lying in the paddock or stepped on it and in some way caused the end to rise suddenly. How the accident exactly happened is not known, but there is the fact that on Sunday afternoon the youngster got hurt, and so badly that he had to be shot. The teeth of the rake had pierced tho intestines. Hankins was naturally very much put about, but it was clearly not his fault in any way. The accident was simply the result of a lad's thoughtlessness. The other horses in this stable are coming oa nicely. I saw Assyrian King do ago the other morning with Wayland and Adventurer, and if they had all been let out I fancy the little chap would have got home first.

*** A biting easterly wind prevailed at Addington last Friday when the Canterbury Trotting Club brought off its first spring meeting, but there was a large attendance, and no less than L335G was passed through the totalisator, and this despite the fact that there was virtually no machine wagering on one of the races. The meeting would have been more interesting to Ofcago men if Stella and Maori Jack and Carisbrook had gone up, but neither put in an appearance. Stella was handicapped to give Tikaro Bsec in the two miles of the Addington Plate, and that choked off the owner ; just as well perhaps, because, though Tikaro did not win, there was a member in the raceSpider— who did the distance in smin 37£ sec, and the Dunedin mare would have required to break the record to beat that with her handicap. Maori Jack also was reckoned to be not well used in being put on the same mark as Eos in the mile event. These are the reasons why this pair of Dunedinltes were absent. Nevertheless, the report, as given in another column, is interesting as to some extent disclosing present form. It will be seen that Duncan Abdallah made a poor display in the Maiden, which was won by the well-backed limit mare ; that Miss Hilda was only third in the Telegraph Stakes won by the veteran Tommy — the fellow that has no numerals after his name ; that Parnell had a very soft thing in the Pony Race ; that Tikaro was unplaced in the Addington Plate; that Miss Hilda beat Kentucky in the threemile event, the Btallion couoeding lOsec, and wap herself put down by an over-looked.

daughter of Berlin ; and that Eos was one of the unplaced division in the Electric Stakes. All these and other matters of interest are disclosed in the report, and visitors to the grounds likewise saw a good contest in the race for stallions. For this there were 10 starters, and Kentucky at scratch was made favourite, but he broke twice at an early stage, aud only gained third place, though he was but five lengths astern of the winner, the outsider Blue Gown, who paid the thumping dividend of L 62 12s. There were two other nice plums for the few lucky ones duriDg the afternoon.

*#* First in importance among Otago's breeding establishments is the Hon. G. M 'Lean's stud farm at Warrington, on the breezy hillside between Blueskin and Seacliff. There is no healthier spot in the world. This farm has already something more than a local fame, for Blizzard and St. Malo and others born and reared there have won good races in various centres in New Zealand, and some have earned money on tho great continent across the Tasman Sea. If lam not much mistaken these successes are but the forerunners of even better luck. The racing blood at Warrington is undeniably worthy, there being a capital collection of irreproachably-bred mares, and three stallions of fashionable descent. In regard to the latter the owner proposes again this season to place their services at the command of private breeders, there being not enough home mares to fill their lists. St. Clair, a son of the mighty Musket from a direct descendant of tho Oaks and Leger winner Formosa, is one of the three sires referred to, and a horse whose sterling value as a racer was proved on several occasions, notably in the D.J.G. Handicap of 1887, tho Birthday and Provincial handicaps, and the Burke Memorial Stakes and Napier Cup, while as a sire he already has credentials in Mr Goodman's colt from Lady Gertrude, Mr M 'Master's filly from Lady Emma, and Mr Mercer's colt from Dione — three remarkably fine two-year-olds that commanded admiration in the sale ring and found ready purchasers. St. Clair is to be limited to 20 approved mares, so that thoss who want to be sure of a booking should apply early. Gorton, a well-begotten and handsome horse, and known far and wide as the sire of Blizzard, St. Ives, St. Malo, Lady Bell, Pique, Conjurer, Emmason, Enlield, and hosts of other winners, is sure to command attention ; and the third horso of which I am speaking is Rubezahl, a son of the Cambridgeshire winner Seesaw, from imported Fairyland (daughter of the Derby winner Orlando), and sire of LadyMab, Omimi, and Dilemma. Otago may count herself fortunate in having such a selection of desirable stallions to breed from, and as will be seen by the advertisement, the terms are within the reach of every owner's pocket.

*** I have to thank "Kestrel," of tho Tasmanian Daily Telegraph, for a print containing his statistics of racing in the one-island colony for the past season. About LIO,OOO has been given away in stakes during the 12 months, and the winnings have been pretty evenly divided. In looking at the table showing the winning owners it will be seen that Mr C. S. Agnew has superseded Mr J. Powell, with a total of L 965, or Lls more than appeared against his name last year. Mr Powell's total amounts to L 946 — considerably less than last year, owing to some of the horses in his stable having been nominated in owners' names. Mr R. O'Connor has made a big jump, mainly through the aid of Retreat, and Mr T. Keating comes a very good fourth. ; while Mr S. M. Wilson is gradually coming back into winning form, having LSOO to his credit. Just about the same number of horses returned in the season 1890-91 as winners of LSO and over have to be recorded this year. The positions of the horses have, however, altered considerably. Again a son of The Assyrian (Retreat) heads the list with the respectable sum of L 525 for three victories for seveu starts. Next comes that honest mare Babylon, who has won six times out of 11 tries. Young Lapidist, one of the gamest of horses, has secured L 370 at the legitimate 'game, and that clever steeplechase mare Ouida carries away L 325. To show the cleverness of Ouida, I may point out that she has started on 12 occasions, won four, was second four times, third twice, and was unplaced on two occasions only. Hopetoun, our Melbourne-Cup candidate, follows with L3OO, representing liis single win. Amongst the two-year-olds, the Jersey Maid holds pride of place, with four wins from five starts, and Serpent follows with three out of six. Jack-in-the Green bears the palm for having competed in mojfc races, he having started on 20 occasions.

'V* Some well-meaning but not wellinformed people in New Zealand profess a desire to sco consultations legalised in this colony. My own opinion is that we were lucky to get rid of them. In Sydney, where they are run for the whole of the Australasias, whey are exercising a pernicious influence on racing, and that is only one of the several evils which, they bring about. For evidence on the subject read what "Ajax," a Sydney writer, has to say. He remarks that many owners whose horses have no earthly show will have their animals in the Melbourne Cup up to the last moment, and, perhaps, start them too in view of possible eventualities in regard to the big sweeps. Take two horses at random — Waratah and Cherry Girl. The former, who is trained by Mr A. F. Bradshaw, of Yellow Hammer fame, is worth LlO at the outside, and has never shown form good enough to win a decent selling race. It would be impossible to bring Strathmore and Waratah together. There is over 3st difference between them now, but if the difference was 13st Waratah could have no possible show of beating Strathmore. Cherry Girl has hitherto been run almost exclusively in pony races, aud even there showed no particular brilliancy, so I will leave my readers to judge for themselves what sort of a show she has in a Melbourne Cup. She is just the sort of an animal to lead for a mile, say in the Cup, as she is very smart off the mark, and this would probably be regarded as a wonderful performance for a pony ; but the winning post in a Melbourne Cup is not at the' end of a mile. There are at least a score more with no better show in the race than these two, but still there are people to be found who will back anything. Waratah, for instance, is a nice sounding name, and how many, ladies especially, try to pick the winner of a big raco on the -name of the hoise only?

*** In the New Review for June there is a readable article by Mr T. Longueville on racing, in the course of which he remarks that whether betting on races can be allowed to rank with whist, as a game of skill combined with chance, is a question on which something may be said in favour of the former as well as of the latter. There is much to be remembered in a hand at whist ; but it consists exclusively of what has happened in a few minutes, and only for a few minutes has it to be retained in the memory. Iv betting about a great handi-

cap, on the contrary, the public form of months, and sometimes of years, has to be kept in mind, and it may have to be remembered for weeks ; indeed, so long as betting on the race continues. If it be replied that while betting on races requires the most deliberate calculation, whist is a greater test of rapid decision, I should answer that when a neighbour on a racestand offers a tempting bet as the horses are approaching tho distance, the decision as to taking it has to be made more quickly than any in a rubber. Curious problems and combinations undoubtedly occur in many games of whist ; on tho other hand, is not public form on the turf sometimes still more complicated and involved ? Then, whist-playing is entirely a matter of brain work ; whereas racing, m addition to demanding memory, comparison, and other mental qualities, affords ample opportunities for the skilful use of the eye. One man can see that a horse is beaten a couple of hundred yards further from home than another can ; or he can perceive that a horse wins with 71b in hand, although by a head only, when another man imagines the race to be a hard-fought one ; or he can observe that one jockey, sitting almost still, is getting every ounce out of his horse, while another, who is apparently riding an energetic finish, and is supposed by many to be making a brilliant effort, is either not in reality trying to win, or else exhausting his mount by his bodily vacillations. Tho man who can see all these things, and more also, has a great advantage over his fellow backers. To such a man racing is a practical science as well as a study — a matter of observation as much as of calculation.

* # * There is no startling change to report in the betting on the New Zealand Cup. It will be observed from the subjoined table that Prime Warden is still first favourite and that Lebel and Vogengang are now quoted at 100 to 8, while Captive is hardening and several of the others are correspondingly on the decline. Yesterday's quotations were as follow :—: —

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

*#* It is time that the review of the past season was finished. Here goes. We comlnenco with March. The first meeting of any importance that month was tho Wanganui gathering, at which Commotion won the opening Hurdle Race aud was beaten next day by another of Somnus' get — viz., Hiamoe — both fresh from the ranks of tho hacks. A fairish field of 10 went out to contest the 18th Cup, and Crown Jewel smothered the lot for staying, helped of course by her light weight of 6.12. Ssie got to the end of the mile and threequarters in 3min 6sec, which is the best record since tho distance was made what it is now, and only one second slower than tho fastest 14 furlongs ever run in the colony ; but Queen of Trumps being second and the well-worn Dudu third (with top weight) somewhat discounted the form of those behind them, this lot including Cynisca 90, Fraternite 8.2, and Awarua Rose 7.0. The one gallop seemed to be enough for Crown Jewel, as with 7.11 she was unplaced at a mile and a-half next day in the Wanganui Stakes, this race being captured by Whisper 8 9, who ran the distance under 2min 41sec. Ranee Nuna placed to her credit two meritorious wins, and Musket and Awarua Rose each scored once, while North Atlantic and St. Katherine accounted for the two-year-old races. The Hawke's Bay fixture brought together a fine lot of horses. The ball was opened by the resurrected Scot Free travelling a mile in the Autumn Handicap in something less than lmin 45sec, and Crown Jewel was to the fore in the Cup, which x she won with 7.6 up, being run to half a length by the much-fancied Retina 7.5, who had shown her trainer a decent trial. The mile and threequarter this time took Butler's mare a tick over 3min Bsec, but it was a rattling performance, there being behind her such dons as Cynisca, Crackshot, Morion, Thame, and Krina. On the second day the mile aud a-half was well within Crown Jewel's compass this time, she capturing the Bourke Memorial, with 8.2 up, and in good time, though conceding weight to everything in the race bar Whisper. Winning two-year-old form was once more endorsed by the performances of Wakawatea and North Atlantic, who were wisely sent for different races on this occasion ; and among other winners I note the name of Merganser, who went a rmle in 1.44 and thus at a bound won a reputation for speed. As to the other meetings in March, Harkaway, Mariner, and Lady Zetland scored at Greymouth and Reefton ; Liberator and Count d'Orsay at Waimate ; Peri won the Marlborough Cup ; Tempest and Er.lield was the winning double at Central Taieri ; and Mjss Mack and Melton were tho stars at Palmerston ; while Prestige, whom we hear people talking about for the New Zealand Cup, annexed three events at Taranaki. In the principal race he carried 7.0 and ran the mile aud a-half in less than 2.40.

*#* Two other meetings that month deserve something more than bare mention. One of these was the Anniversary fixture at the Forbury. Waitangi was made favourite for the Hurdles in a weak field, but was buried for pace by Inchkeitb. ; and Mr Goodman's stable also provided the winner of the Anniversary

Handicap, Galtee acting well in the mud and running home in front of Miss Mack, with the favourite, Tempest, third — the time the slowest ever made in the race. Huguenot to some extent made amends for her stable sister's defeat by capturing the Cliffs Handicap in a canter, Langley and Pique following her home ; and Fiuetta rather unexpectedly dished Lustre and Mistral in the Kow Handicap. Tho Holiday Handicap on the second day was a peculiar race insofar as the betting was concerned. The stewards and starter were hurrying \ip the proceedings and the flag went down when there was only L 125 on the machines. At that stage Tempest was rather a bettter favourite than Hippomenes, whereas the latter was really the more fancied of the pair, though both were spieling against Lei nster. As it proved, Hippomenes won in a walk, and showed form which indicated that he had more than an outside show in the Easter Handicap. In the Electric Stakes there was a splendid struggle between two Gortons — Conjurer and Mistral — and the former squeezed home by a neck. Miss Mack nicked the Consolation Stake. The other meeting to which I referred was that of the Napier Park Club. Here we had Scot Free B '2 winning the Cup after a fight with Boulanger 8.13, the mile and a-half being run in a tick under 2min 42isec. The lightly - weighted Bay Bell finished third, and Strephon 8.8 and Crown Jewel 8.6 were among the unplaced contingent. Mystic got home in the Sapling Stakes, beating Variety on the post by a neck, but the latter turned the tables on Mystic at six furlongs the following day. The t Cup mare Ua was beaten both times. King George, who is engaged in tho N. Z. Cup, got home from a weak field in the Redclyffe Stakes, a mile ; and Bay Bell 7.6 scored in the City Stakes, doing the mile and a-quarter in 2.17, and beating 10 others, among them Strephon 8.4, Kotuku 7.2, and Dreamer 7.0 ; while Kriua was the heroine of a great struggle in the Waverley Stakes.

*V* April also was a busy month. At Southland we found May King winning a double and Matamata successful in the Flying. At the North Otago meeting Don Pedro 7.2 managed to upset the pot in the Cup, beating Tempest 8.2, Prime Warden 9.5, and Galtee 8.7, and doing the mile and a-half in 2.43£ ; but in the mile and a-quarter race next day both Prime Warden 9.4 and Galtee 8.6 beat Don Pedro, who was raised to 8.2, and Tempe3t 8.6 was last of the four. Roseleaf struggled home in the Flying and paid a L 25 14s dividend, and Pique was winner of the Waitaki Plate, beating Galtee, Roseleaf, Huguenot, and Finetta, who were all giving weight to the white-faced mare. At Riverton the winning double was Victory and Cinnabar, both paying decent dividends, and at the Taieri meeting Don Pedro secured both of the leading prizes and Cocksfoot got home in the Flying. The Christchurch Easter meeting was one that I was privileged to attend. Erin-go-Bragh downed the more-fancied Norton in the hurdle race on the first day, and then Vogengang romped home the easiest of winners in the Champagne, beating Daydream and Wakawatea for places. Dunedin visitors had no anxiety in tho Easter Handicap, for Hippomenes, whom they were backing to a man, was away smartly, and nothing could head him all the way to the post. Bay King had nothing much to beat in the Epsom Welter, and Reflection effected a surprise by beating Captive and Variety in the Russley Stakes, while the day's sport was brought to a conclusion by that useful mare Lady Zetland winning the Sockburn Handicap. On the second day Idler proved his claim to rank in the first flight of little-stick performers by giving Erin-go-Bragh 71b and a beating ; Captive landed the odds betted on him in the Nursery Handicap, though he had not a great deal to spare, that smart colt Reynard being troublesome ; and then Prime Warden walked home in the Autumn Handicap, thus fairly exposing his real ability and proving himself a worthy brother to Sulta.n- Hippomenes was never in trouble in the Challenge Stakes, though I still think that in another trial at the same weights Clanranald would give him some difficulty ; and the meeting was brought to a close by Aquarius' sensational defeat of Conjurer in the Templefcon Handicap, Cajolery's easy win in the Addington Plate, and Boulanger's success in the Consolation. The features of the Auckland meeting were Cynisca's double win — in the mile and a-quarter race she gave Morion 181b and a licking ; the triumph of Hune in both Hurdles and Steeplechase ; and the unexpected form shown by St. Hippo. This last mentioned son of St. Legcr was undoubtedly lucky in getting a four lengths' advantage at the start in the Champagne, this having a great deal to do with his defeat of North Atlantic ; but next day, when asked to give North Atlantic 121b, St. Hippo ran with great ganieness, and was only beaten by half a length. This is a performance worth remembering. The South Canterbury meeting was remarkable for the double success of Liberator ; and at Wellington we saw Kupenga effecting a surprise in the Thomson Handicap, and Cynisca paying a good dividend in the Autumn Handicap.

*".** The month of May was ushered in with the Ashburton meeting. On the iirst day we had the half-fit Saracen getting home from Tom Field in the Stakes, and Don Pedro 6.12 beating Liberator 8.9 and three others in the Autumn Handicap, the mile aud a-half of which was run in 2min 42sec. Lady Zetland 8.2 was rather too good for Don Pedro 7 13 in the Grand Stand Handicap, but Loughliu's horse had a soft thing in the Welter, in which he beat Eriu-go-Bragh at level weights, and had a fairish lot behind him. Lady Zetland furLher added to her winning account by appropriating the Autumn Handicap at Geraldiue, aud Shillelagh started the steeplechase season by securing a double at Egmont. This brings us to the Birthday meetings, ajbrief reference to which will be sufficient, seeing that they are of comparative recent date. At Winton the chief event was taken by Milord, and Finetfca accounted for the Flying ; at Wanganui Couranto beat Lyndoora in the Steeplechase ; at Blenheim Mr Pilbrow's Jack was able to defeat the ancient Orient in the cross-country event ; at Takapuna a surprise was effected by Ida ; and last but not least there was the twodays' meeting at Dunedin, where we saw Cactus paying a good dividend in the Maiden, Don Pedro securing the Birthday Handicap and the Welter, Kulnine beating Prime Warden in the Provincial Handicap, and Lady Zetland getting home in the Tradesmen's. It was at this meeting that Mr Powell gave his first exhibition of starting at the Forbury. That, to my ruiud, was the most conspicuous feature of the meeting. The June and July results pertain mostly to jumping. Belmout won thn Grand National Hurdles at Auckland, and Shillelagh was first^home in the Steeplechase, Couranto being second in each event. At Hawke's Bay Kaimanawa was successful in the hurdles, and Whalebone smothered all opposition in the steeplechase. Whalebone followed up this success by getting home also at Napier Park, where Waterbury won the hurdles. At Wellington the cross-country race fell to Ingorangi, and Waterbury was again successful iv the Hurdle liace ; and Morok and Flint&tone

was the winning double at the Wellington Hunt Club steeplechases.

*** The totalisator statistics for the past season, compiled by " Pentagrapb," of the Weekly Press, show that the total amount passed through tho machiue is L 753.120. This exceeds expectations and cuts the record, being L 117,596 more than the total I brought out for the previous season, which was the biggest to date. Premier Ballance should be well satisfied, for by the 1£ per cent, tax he gathers into the Treasury no less a sum than L 11,296, or over LIOOO in excess of tho estimate. From a revenue point of view, therefore, the present tax is sufficient, as some of us said it would be when 2£ per cent, was being talked about. The gross total of machine investments has more than doubled in nine years. That is as far as I can go back. Prior to thv.t period no one, so far as I know, ever made up the tally. In 1883-84, when I began the task, the rough total was L 330,000 ; in the 1884-85 season there was an advance to L 470.600 ; in 1885-86 a further rise to L 560,000; k 1886-87 the total reached only L 509.000; in 1887-88 the amount was L 515.000 ; in 1888-89 we experienced a decline to L 491.000 ; in 1889-90 the returns sprang up to L 579.414 ; in 1890-91 there was a further advance to L 635.524 ; and now we have L 753,120 for the season just passed. Auckland is the largest contributor to this total, counting by metropolitan districts, and Otago comes next. In the previous season Otago topped the list with L 25.000 odd more than the sub-tropical district. Taking the leading clubs' totals for 1891-92, we find that the Dunedin Club shows the way, Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay following in that order.

*#* For my part I see no reason to be alarmed at the increase of totalisator investments above noted. I take it as a sign that the people of this colony as a whole are not so dreadfully hard-up as some seem to suppose. Nor do I quite understand the reasons for the cry that we have too much raciHg. I know some owners who on the other hand say that we haven't enough to let their horses pay their way. At the same time wo cannot shut our eyes to the fact that there is a prevailing impression abroad, with or without reason, that it would be to the general interest to have less racing ; and those who hold that opinion may be comforted by the thought that the question is being taken up in several quarters by men of standing and character who undoubtedly have the welfare of the colony aud of the turf at heart. I refer to such prominent sportsmen as Mr O. Hood Williams, of Canterbury, Major George, of Auckland, and Dr Earle, of Wanganui. The proposals of Mr Williams and Dr Earle are that the stake minimum should bo raised. This would be an excellent plan in one respect — viz., that it would provide what I may call an automatic check on the use of tho totalisator without making it necessary for metropolitans to perform the disagreeable duty of snuffing out any ptrticular club. The objection to the system, as the matter presents itself to my understanding, is that many old established and deserving country clubs would suffer — some of them might even have to go under, simply because of their littleness and their poverty, I should be sorry to sco this.

*** The well-managed country meetings deserve the assistance of the totalisator just as much as the larger ones in towns, and are more in need of it ; and if tho screw were put on in the way suggested I fear that it would work an injustice in this way. The clubs that would stand the most secure would be those at a convenient distance from large centres — the clubs, I mean, that draw their attendance to a great extent from the towns — and these are the very clubs that are the least wanted, since a man living say 50 miles from a metropolis can easily come in and see the races once in a way, while the digger or station hand residing away in the back blocks can very seldom afford the luxury of a trip, his only chance of a day's sport being the regular country meetings. Ido not pretend tp have a scheme for the settlement of the question, but I rather think that if something more is required than the operation of the law of supply and demand it would be desirable in the first place to adopt the Wauganui Club's idea of refusing to sanction new clubs. That step ■would be generally ' approved of. Then we are promised an agitation for a uniform system of charging the State tax to clubs instead of to investors. The Canterbury Jockey Club has given notice of a motion to that effect to bo discussed at tho November conference. For reasons given, I personally prefer the other method ; but if tho oxamplo set by tho Dunedin Jockey Club becomes tho universal practice another check on the use of the machine will be in force, since tho profits will be lessened. The whole subject is likely to come up for discussion in November, by which time no doubt other schemes will be thought of. Whatever is done, I do hope that the better class of country clubs will not be sacrificed. I would sooner for choice have a go at some of the suburban clubs.

*** An Auckland telegram states that at the meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club the annual report showed L 562 to the credit of tho profit and loss account. The net balance on the year's working was only L 126, owing to extra expenses to which the club were put during the season in connection with sever.il unusual matters now notorious — namely, tho Brandy and ltufus case, sending representatives to Christchurch, and law expenses. The total receipts of the year are L 2356. The committee suggest that at least LI2OO be given away in stakes at tho Summer meeting, the leading item to be the Auckland Trotting Cup, of 300sovs. In connection with this race they recommend that a substantial purse be offered for any horso breaking the New Zealand record. The report and balance sheet were adopted. — By tho Mouowai another valuable addition to the thoroughbred sires in the colony was brought over by Mr Holgate, of Kawau. This is Paddy's Land, a rising five-j ear-old, got by Ascetic (a son of Hermit) from Waymouth, by Old Victor.

*#* At the sale of her Majesty's yearlings in June the 18 youngsters disposed of realised 5270g5, an average of close upon 293g5. The highest price was given by Mr W. Cooper for a filly by Minting out of Gallantry, and for a filly by Springfield out of Merino Captain E Baird paid 610gs. The ordinary Newmarket sales followed. On the first day the brood mare Waltz (by Isonomy out of Spinaway) realised the highest figure, 1200gs being given for her by Mr J. Waugh, and at 200gs less Count Lehndorff took Gazelle (by Springfield out of Roselle). Of the horses iv training, Mr H Milner supplied th<3 biggest b.itch, and among them the bei.t price (600 b 's) was obtained for the three ye<vr old filly Solaco by Isonomy out of Alone. On tho following day the Blankney yearlings came under tho hammer. Amongst these were three, the last of the Hr rmits. Two, however, did not change hands, but a bay colt out of Princess Mary provoked a lot of bidding between Baron Hirsoh, Captain Machell, and Mr A. Singer. The youngster, put iv at 700gs, was eventually knocked clown

to the Baron for 1550g5. In all only seven of Mr Chaplin's lot changed hands and the total sumj paid amounted to 3235g5, or an average of just over 4694g5. As the sales progressed the bidding was sometimes very spirited. Captain Machell gave 2000gs for Navarino, a yearling colt by Galopin out of Pampeluna, and Mr Wallace Johnstone had to bid 1650gs before securing the filly by St. Simon out of Josyan. Mr Basil Hanbury gave 1050gs for a Galliard filly out of Labyrinth ; Grand Hampton, a magnificent colt by Royal Hampton, was purchased on behalf of Mr B. Maple for 2200g5 ; while at 2100gs Son and Heir, the first of the Ayrshires to be offered for sale, was taken by Mr Fairie ; and Mr Wallace Johnstone paid 1250gs for a grand colt by Minting out of Scotch Rose.

***Af a meeting of the Palmerston and Shag Valley Club, hold on Thursday evening, it was resolved that the Spring meeting be held on Thursday, November 3. The Programme Committee brought up a rough draft of programme which was adopted, and comprises a total of added money of some L 220 divided amongst" eight events— President's Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, 35sovs ; Spring Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, L3O ; Threemile Trot, L3O; Two-mile Trot, L 25;2 5; Novel Handicap, L3O ; District Handicap,- L3O ; District Maiden, and Hack Race. The Ground Committee have been and are effecting considerable improvements to the training track, and are calling for tenders for fencing in the straight running with a picket fence. Seed sown after tho late meeting is now well up, so that altogether tho course should be in grand order by tho time the races come ofF.

*** American dates are to the middle of July. Afc New York on the 17th June Sir Modred's son Dr Hasbrouck started favourite for a five-furlong race which he won in 59£ sec. At Sheepshead Bay on the 18th June, the Suburban Handicap fell to the first favourite, Montana, a son of Ban Fox, who ran the mile and a-quarter in tho clipping time of 2min 7 3-ssec. Tournament, one of Sir Modred's five-year-olds, captured the Sheepshead Bay Handicap, doing the nine furlongs in lmin 56sec. Gloaming, a mare by the same New Zealand sire, won a sweepstakes at nine furlongs, her time being lmin 58sec, and later on — these meetings stretch out for weeks — she won another event afc high weights, doing 11 furlongs in 2min 26sec. Dr Hasbrouck's second win was an easy thing for him over the Futurity course, which he covered in lmin 10 2-ssec. Comanche, a two-year-old by Sir Modred, won tho Spring stakes, over the same course, in lmin 12 4-ssec ; and Shellbark, another of the same family, accounted for the Sea and Sound Stakes, the nine furlongs of which were cast behind in lmiu 57 2-ssec. Reginald and Matthew, two more of Modred's sons, are also returned as winners about the same period. It was not tho New Zealander's luck for one of his get to secure the valuable Realisation Stakes, this classic race for three-year-olds falling to Iroquois' son Tammany ; but in one way and another the representatives of Maoriland are keeping up their end of the log in the land of the bfcars and Stripes.

*** " Asmodeus " of the Leader remarks that advocates of the totalisator are under a, debt of gratitude to Mr J. Murray for his unceasing efforts to get the machine legalised in Victoria. Tho memb?r for Warnambool brought his pet measure before the Legislative Assembly on the 3rd inst., and after determined opposition on the part of the minority, who stonewalled until 3.3 C o'clock in the morning, the bill passed through the second reading and was committed pre forma. Hon. members recognised an old familiar friend in the bill, which has regularly appeared on tho notice paper for many years iv succession. Hitherto the measure has been invariably blocked in tho Legislative Council, where it was only lost by two votes on one occasion. Mr Murray in a humorous speech explained that the object of the bill was to provide a legitimate source of revenue to racing clubs by the legalisation of tho totalisator. A portion of the receipts from the machine is to bo set aside for the Melbourne charities, aud by taking away the bookmakers' occupation, provide backers of horses with a safe and fair means of wagering in a moderate way. The arguments in support of the totalisator were marshalled in a forcible way by Mr Murray, who, however, found a determined minority, led by Sir Henry Wrixon, indibposed to give the measure any quarter, and who questioned whether it would "have the effect of putting down betting. The discussion was carried on with spirit, and something approaching a quarrel arose between Mr Campbell and Mr L. L. Smith, who ranged themselves as champions on either side of the question. Mr Campbell read hon. members a sermon on the shocking vice of gambling, and said a few hard things about bookmakers. This provoked Mr L. L. Smith, chairman of tho Victorian Club, to retort in a violent speech, iv which he twitted those who were loudest in denouncing gambling on racecourses as being greater sinners by speculating on tho Stock Exchange and elsewhere. Later on the Premier and Mr Harper came to hot words, and altogether the debate was a lively one.

*** The machine figures showed plainly that the public didn't know what to back for the Hunters' Hurdles, the race that opened the Cirand National meeting at Christchurch last weuk No fewer than five of the eight starters carried over LIOO and less than Ll5O of investments. But the uncertainty as to finding tho wiuner grew rapidly less and less every second after the flag fell. Black Hawk, a work manlike little son of Burlington, sailed right away by himself, and showed such good form in jumping and galloping that nothing ever got near him. Perhaps there were one or two of the crowd that didn't try very zealously. Mr Lunn indicated his confidence iv Cajolery for the Maiden Hurdles by leaving him to do battle for it alone, reserving Kulniue for future events, aud this confidence was in the end justified, as tho four-year-old son of Flattery, excellently ridden by Clark, managed to get home rather easily at the finish, but his t many backers felt very uneasy during the' progress of tho race, Cajolery'u jumping being by no means of tho surest. It was his pace between the fences and the skill of his ridur that brought him in a winner. Ahua had all his work to get home iv the Grand National Steeplechase, aud I am told by some who saw tho raco thntif ho and Norton had been run right out the latter would hive wen by a chain or two. lie fenced with tho clovernesy of an Agent, and lasted thedistance without tho least distress. Ahua also performed well, and clcaily beat nil but his stablo companion, but he hud to bu pushed along. I by no means blame (ho stable for winning with Ahua. Tho rulo which demands that whun two horsos are started iv a raco they shall bo run out is in practice seldom if ever adhered to, and there are in this case tho obvious arguments that the stablo were bound to win with the 1 1 Jcr horse— a f-tallion, loo— if possible, and that they did not attempt to mislead the public. It

was well understood beforehand on the day that Mr D. Rutherford would win with Ahua if he .;ould. Really, however, there is no call to excuse Mr Lunn or his principal. No one accuses them of wrongdoing in steadying Norton to let Ahua win. My duty is rather to compliment the stable on their skill and luck in landing this important and valuable stake. Their success is well deserved. They buy the best horse 6 that can be got for money, and carry on their operations in a manner which is sure to command some degree of what we call good fortune. This, then, is my comment on the Grand National : that Mr Lunn's crack stable deserved theirwin, and that I am glad they secured it. Of the other horses the most prominent were Magpie, who ran a really good race, and Whalebone, who was Btill sore but nevertheless shaped fairly well. Poor old Waitangi ran as well as ever, but clearly had no chance in such a field. Mr Gollan's excellent horsemanship had something to do with the success of Mtrangai in the Tally-ho Steeplechase; the Bracelet was merely an exercise canter for Captain Webb, who had his head pulled into his chest the whole way ; Norton made a holy show of the pair opposed to him in the Maiden Steeplechase ; and the Winter Handicap found Crackshot and Merrie England, the favourites, badly beaten by the useful Bay King.

*#* The opening event of the second day, tho August Handisap, found "Wanganui first favourite — why, I do not pretend to know — with Samoa next in demand ; but both and some others were beaten by Aquarius, who made a runaway race of it from the jump off, and completely justified his claim to be classed among the good secondrate sprinters. In the Hunt Club Cup our Dunedin representative Waitangi made a bold bid for victory, Poole adopting his old tactics — the only chance he ever has with the old horse — of making the pace from the start. As it proved, however, one of the field managed to survive to the finish, and this one, Glen, easily downed the black in the run home. Kulnine, who looked fit to run for a king's ransom, had a very easy win in the Grand National Hurdles. The Dunedin horse, Iroquois, ran round one of the hurdles, I believe. At the time this happened he was in a good position, but I doubt whether he could have had the least chance with Kulniue. For Captain Webb the excuse is made that he hit one of the fences very hard. That was bad luck, wasn't it, but if the excuse is a good one the horse nas not beaten on his merits.^and I think he will be worth watching in Australia. He is a better one than Kimberley ever was, and I should say about as fast a hurdler as we ever sent the other side. Ahua's weight stopped him in the Beaufort Steeplechase ; Rangiora looked all over a winner of the Second Hunters' Hurdles when he fell at the last fence ; Iroquois would perhaps have been dangerous for the Final Hurdles but for his efforts in the previous race ; and the meeting wound up with the Hunt Club Bracelet, in which the well-bred Mountain Maid got home sasily.

Horse. Trainer. Wgt. Odds. Prime Warden . . . Merrie England Cynisca Crackshot Boulanger Hippomenes British Lion Clanranald Crown Jewel ... Lehel Morion Fraternite Whisper Strephon ltosef eldt Prestige Flinders Don Pedro Vogengang Merganser Stepniak Coalscuttle North Atlantic The Dreamer ... Lady Zetland ... Dilemma St. Hippo Saracen Launceston Queen of Trumps Captive Spinfeldt Ranee Nima ... Lustre Wyvern Kotuku Abbotsford Au Revoir King Harry Chaos Awarua Rote ... Conjurer King George .. Mystic Reynard Chris Musket . Hybrid Puwerewere Ua Mistral i M. <fc C. Hobbs H. Limn 11. Gooseman C. O'Connor J. Bplcher S. Bishop H. Lunn P. Butler 11. Masou J. Kae W. Butlei R. Gooseman J. Maher J. Maliei A. M'Cormick H. Piper J. Loughlin T. Sheenan A. Robertson R. Mason H. Harrison F. Carrington M. A- cTilobbs J. M'Gninness G. Wright M. & C. Hobbs H. Piper F. Cavrington. H. Piper F. Carrington Fletcher S Bishop G. P. Donnelly A. Robertson P Butler H. Redwood 8 10 8 9 8 9 8 8 8 4 8 3 8 2 8 2 8 1 8 0 8 0 7 13 7 12 7 9 7 8 7 7 7 7 7 6 7 6 7 4 7 2 7 2 7 2 7 0 7 0 7 0 7 0 7 0 7 0 (5 13 6 12 6 12 6 11 6 11 6 10 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 100 to 10 100 to 6 100 to 6 100 to 6 lUOto 6 100 to 7 100 to 4 100 to 8 100 to 5 100 to 8 100 to 5 100 to 5 100 to 5 100 to 5 100 to 4 100 to 4 100 to 3 100 to 6 100 to 8 100 to 7 100 to 6 100 to 4 100 to 8 100 to 4 100 to 2 100 to 6 100 to 5 100 to 3 100 to 4 100 to 3 100 to 6 100 to 5 100 to 5 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 5 100 to 2 100 to 2 100 to 2 100 to 3 100 to 2 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 4 100 to 3 100 to 3 E. Cutts J. M'Guinness A. Robertson R. Gooseman It. Mason J. Maher V. Collelo R. Mason K. Cutts J. Maher 11. Goodman