NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2012, 15 September 1892, Page 27

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

* # * English mail dates are to the sth Augtist, at which period M. Cannon was at the head of the jockeys' list with 94 winning mounts for the seasoD, and G. Barrett was three behind. I observe, by the way, that "Moray" is getting heavy. He recently had to ride 21b over when the weight was 8.0. On the last day of the Liverpool meeting Colonel North's Nunthorpe won the Summer Cup after an exciting finish with Windgalland Clarence, who rana dead heat for second place, beating them by a neck. There were nine -runners for the race, one more than last year, when Rathbeal carried Captain Machell's colours successfully. Colonel North would be specially pleased at the result, for at an election meeting the week before, a person present having varied the proceedings by, asking for a tip, the Nitrate King answered that Nunthorpe would win the Liverpool Cup. Glorious Goodwood opened on July 26 in splendid weather. The chief event of the first day, the Steward!*' Cup, brought about the downfall of the favourites, and Marvel, repeating his success of two years ago, won by a neck from 29 opponents. The race does not appear to have been timed. Large fields are generally associated with thi3 Stewards' Cup. In Croagh Patrick's year there were 45 starters. The Goodwood Stakes, on the second day, found Ralph Neville and Billow starting equal favourites at 4 to 1, and they finished firpt and second, the former winning very easily in slow time by four lengths. Ralph Neville as a yearling cost lOOgs, and did not win a race till he was four years old. This was last year, when he secured the De Trafford Welter Handicap at Man ;hester and was subsequently sold to Mr L. de Rothschild. In his new colours he won the Water Hall Plate at Newmarket Houghton, and was then purchased by Mr C. J. Merry, his present owner, for 1050gs. In the Sussex

Stakes the odds of 5 to 1 laid on the Eclipse Stakes winner were only landed by a head, and there was a marked opposition to the colt for the St. Leger after his victory, 6 to 4 being offered, whilst bis stable companion Watercress advanced to 7 to 1. On the third day, Buccaneer easily landed the odds betted on him in the Gordon Stakes ; the Rous "Memorial, won lastyearbySirHugo, felltoMedora ; Silcneran the six furlongs of the Prince of Wales' Stakes in 1.16 ; and there was a rattling finish in the Cup, two miles and a-half, between Martagon and Blue-green. On the last day L& Fleche stripped rather big for the Nassau. Stakes, but in a fairly-run race, "remarks the Sportsman, she was always first or second, and when Broad Corrie challenged her below the distance, she made such a quick response that the verdict was obtained in the very best style. This created a great impression, and whereas 1000 to 100 had been laid a few times beforehand for the St. Leger, 8000 to 1000 was now booked in a bet, with 2 to 1 offered against Orme. , The reports of the above events are crowded out.

*** We have now before us the results of the first and second day's racing at the A. J.C. Spring meeting. It will be seen that Autonomy was withdrawn from the Derby in favour of Camoola and Arquebus, and that the •»-firstnamed, the son of Chesterand Copm, of whom good reports have consistently come to hand, won rather easily from his stable companion in the excellent time of 2.40. This is not the record. Trident still holds that honour, he having won in 1886 in the clipping time of 2.38, while Gibraltar did 2.39 and Abercorn 2.395. Still it was a good performance on the part of Camoola, and if Autonomy is really his master he must be very hot for the V.R.C. Derby. Something strikes me, however, that Autonomy is not all that he is imagined to be. He was beaten in the Spring Stakes the same day. That in itself is not a hopeful Bign, and may be Camoola is the dandy of the v stable after all. Daredevil had an easy win in ,the Epsom Handicap, for which, by the way, his price is not given in the cablegram, wherefore those who backed him (if anyone did) will have to wait till next week for a settlement. Daredevil is not engaged in the Melbourne Cup. He was entered, but dropped out when the forfeits were declared. Arquebus must have shown capital form in the Derby, for he was made first favourite for the Metropolitan, now run at the same distance as the Derby. He failed, however, to get a shop ; and 60 did our New Zcalanders Florrie, The Workman, and Impulse. The winner, Althotas, put up a splendid performance, doing the mile and'a-half in 2.36 i, which is only a second slower than the best over done in the colonies. , Althotas is engaged in tho Melbourne Cup, for which ho now has a 141b penalty, bringing his weight to 8.9. Camoola has no extra burden in the Cup, boing in the first place handicapped at more thau tho weight to which the wiuuer of the Derby has to be raised. - ' '

* # * A radical change in the totalisator regulations was resolved on by the special conference of metropolitan delegates sitting at Wellington last week. In the first place, no club within 20 miles of a metropolitan course is to have any race of less value than 20aovs on its programme. So far as Otago is concerned this provision will apply to Dunedin, -the Kaik, and the two Taieri clubs. T^he other amendments raise the scale of added money, it now. being stipulated that 150aovs a day must be given by every club holding one meeting a year, 30030vs a day for two meetings, 500dovs a day for three meetings, and 600sovs for more than three.meetings. The chances are Jthat this increase will knock out several fixtures. I do not see how it can be otherwise, unless it is to be supposed that our clubs are making large profits, which is notoriously not the case. The previously existing obligation to give LIOO a day for one meeting, and above that for more than one meeting, operated as a material chepk on profits ; and now that a State tax has to be borne as well, there are many clubs that can | barely make ends meet as it is. The further handicap now agreed on will absolutely cripple some of the clubs. That is of course the 'object in view, but in practice wet shall find the. more remotely situated of the rural clubs duffer most by the new arrangement ; and, as I think these are the very clubs that most deserve encouragement, I am sorry that the new rules.are passed. The 20sovs minimum could perhaps be arranged without a great deal of difficulty, but the raising of the added money is a serious m.atter, especially to many clubs that have but one meeting in a year, and therefore cannot be accused of overdoing the thing, and there will be a great outcry all over the country. The metropolitans will be charged .with selfishness in sitting on their weaker brethren while imposing no real additional restrictions on selves, and such a charge will be,.difftcult to disprove. We are not permitted to know how ttye voting went, nor*what was said, but I am morally sure that the Dunedin delegates did not consent to the motions without protest. It is an open secret that the feeling ot several — I think I may say the majority — of the P/J-C. committeemen was that rather than do an injustice to the smaller clubs the" restrictions deemed necessary should apply to vail 'fclubs, large as well as great, in something like # fair ratio • Some of our members were even" in favour of reducing the Dunedin Jockey OJub's racing days, and it is quite "possible that an offer to that effect was made by the Dunedin delegates. It is a pity that .the proceedings were not reported, so that we might know actually took place. As it is, we have only the bare minutes, for a copy of which I am indebted to Mr Sydney James.

*** It will be noted that the alterations come into force forthwith, which will make things exceedingly awkward, since some of the country clubs have already arranged their season's programmes, and some are passed, while others are perhaps even now on their way to headquarters for approval. Mr Harry James has kindly, furnished me with figures showing how the Otago clubs will be affected. Of the clubs that hold two meetings in the season, North Otago will require to give Ll5O more in added money than it did last season to bring the amount up to L3OO a day net ; the Maniototo Racing Club will require to give L 250 more ; the Winton Club, L3OO more; Taieri Amateur Turf Club, L 45 more ; Palmerston, L 152 more ; and the Southland Racing Club, Ll5O more. Central Taieri will not be affected, as I understand that this club will be content to have only one meeting this season, and the prize money is over the Ll5O required. On the same basis of reckoning—that is compariaglast season's programmes with present requirements — the clubs holding one meeting that will need to raise their stakes are as follow : — Vincent, LSO ; Tapanui, L 63;6 3; Wanaka, L9O ; Clutha, L 5; Riverton, 5 ; Oamaru Tradesmen's, L 10;1 0; Waikouaiti, Ll3 ; Beaumont, Lls ; Wyndham, L2O ; Lowburn, L 25;2 5; jCromwell Tradesmen's, L3O ; Clinton, L3O; Maori Kaik, L 35; Waitahuna, L 35; Mauiotgto Racing Club, L 35; Roxburgh, L4O ; Ettrick, L4O ; Alexandra, L 43;4 3; ' St. Bathans, L 43 ; Lumsden ; L 43;4 3; Wairio, L 46. There are only eleven clubs in Otago that are not affected. How is that for reform ? It will be observed that representations are

also to be made te Government that trotting clubs should be subject to similar regulations, and that proprietary clubs ought to be promptly squelched. I am anxious to see what will happen next. Personally, as before stated, I do not go all the way with those who are making this cry about too much racing. I think it would have been sufficient to relievo the congestion in districts where there is an over-supply and let other districts alone. The conference in their wisdom think otherwise— not without cause, I am sure, but it is open to question whether they have not, through well-meaning over anxiety, gone rather further than was necessary. The next move may be in the direction of relaxing these very tightly-drawn regulations.

* # * There was fine weather for the first day of the Hawkesbury meeting, the fixture that practically opens the season in New South Wales, but the course was heavy. Buckley 10.5 started first favourite for the Hurdle Race, but neither he nor any of the other seven starters were in it when Idle Boy 9.3 began to race. Our New Zealander, Death, had a mount on Zanco. Ten went out for the Two-year-old Stakes, half a mile, and the winner proved to be Welcome Jack's daughter Welcome Spec, who got off well and led all the way, doing the distance in 52isec, and beating her stable companion Budgeree (by Marvellous) by a head. Both are in Monaghan's stable. Pharamond, with a 51b penalty, finished third. Then came the County Purse, won, as the cable told us, by Anteros' son Alcides 7.11. He and Victor Hugo 9.10 started equal favourites at 4 to 1, the other runners being Real Lace 6.11 (second), Miletoss 6.0 (third), Tall Boy 8.5, Cumino 8.0, Quicksilver 7.11, Piecrust 7.9, Can-can 7.5, Spyglass 7.3, Crichton 7.0, and Blacklock 6.7. The two favourites were first away, but soon gave place to Quicksilver, who, followed by Alcides and Real Lace, made the pace to the three-furlongs post, where she retired, and Alcides going to the front was not again headed, and won by a length and a-half . Time, lmin 20isec. Alcides, the winner, was till recently known as a moderate selling plater. Keys has worked wonders with him. The Public Auction Stakes fell to Epsom ; and Real Lace, a daughter of Phil Athol, won the Ladie/' Bracelet comfortably. Wet weather set in (fa the second day.. The Members' Handicap, six furlongs, was rather easily won by the favourite, Thornback (a son of The Drummer), who had only 6.7 to carry. Punters were not, however, so lucky in the next event — the September Handicap, seven furlongs, — for the two horses most in demand were beaten out of a place, and the winner, a three-year-old named Profit, by Goldaborough, was a 7 to 1 chance. For the Hawkesbury Handicap, now reduced to a mile and three furlongs, Vespasia and Donation were withdrawn, this being a slap in the face for backers, and those that went to tho post were Selkirk 7.0 (first), Princess 6.6 (second), Everistas 6.2 (third), Tridentine 9.3, Althotas 82, Gaytime 7.5, Rostellan 7 .4, Lancer 7.2, Barnaby Rudge 6.12, Isaac 6.11, and Hegira 6,9. Selkirk, a Gippsland bred four-year-old by Robinsan Crusoe, from Fratch, was put about as good I goods, and eventually saw the short price of 5 to 2. Passing the stand Rostellan, Hegira, and Althotas were ahead, with the favourite absolutely last. Rostellan led past the mile post, with Princess closing up., Tridentine and Selkirk at the rear. At the half-mile post Rostellan and Isaac dropped out, and they were almost immediately replaced by Selkirk, who came up with a fast run, and at the turn was four lengths ahead of Rostellan, with Gaytime following. The favourite at last won by 10 lengths. Princess being a length in advance of Everistas. Time, 2min23sec. The concluding events were the Disposal Stakes, won by the veteran Southerly Buster, and the Spring Welter, captured by the outsider Bluegown.

*** The St. Leger is over and Orme did not win. Ido not know that we need be very greatly surprised at that. He had obviously not fully recovered from his illness or his poisoning or whatever it was, when he ran in the Eclipse Stakes, and he was very light at Goodwood when he stripped for and won the Sussex Stakes. That he did get home in each of thoHe races was doubtless due to his indomitable gamenesß. But the efforts cost him something — they interfered, no doubt, with the long steady building-up preparation necessary for a St. Leger, the severest race to win that we know of, and hence probably his defeat. What authority have I for these surmises? The evident meaning between the lines of tho best English reports of the Eclipse Stakes and tho Sussex Stakes. La Fleche, on the other hand, was all through doing a careful preparation for the back-end race. At Goodwood, writes one man, it is certain that she was much heavier than she was at Epsom, and she has evidently done much better during the summer than she did during the spring. We must not forgot that September is the mares' month, the time when fillies can be depended upon to show their best form, and as Memoir's sister evidently stays, she may turn out to be. the most dangerous of all to Orme. It is quite possible that when she stripped at Doncaster La Fleche was ever so much better than she ever was before, and no .doubt it was her condition that pulled her through. Nothing else could enable her to win in such company. Last season she was never once defeated, and her first reverse was in the Derby, when Sir Hugo licked her by a length, owing no doubt to her being a bit off. If tho Derby were run' over again La Fleche would be a bigger pot than ever.

*♦* So far as I can see, writes the Sporting Review's correspondent at Napier, Cynisca is the most promising New Zealand Cup candidate we have here. She looks blooming ; in fact it is a long time since I saw her looking so well. Somehow or other I don't think Whisper will see the post ; she has not broken down, but is not far off it. When it comes near the day I think the Hon. J. Ormond will have to rely on Queen of Trumps or Spinfeldt, unless North Atlantic improves wonderfully on his present condition. Abbotsford, by Leolinus— Maid of Athol, is a big raking horse, but has no condition, and I doubt his seeing the post. Strephou seems all right now. He has done gome good work, as also has Chris, who is not a bad stamp of horse. Rosefeldt has thickened out wonderfully, but will want a good many rousing gallops yet. She has blossomed into a nice mare. Merganser is very well. Kofcuku's chance all depends on the character of the field that face the starter. I haven't much of an opinion of her. The best horse that has ever come to Hawke's Bay is undoubtedly the Newminster—Beryl colt. He promises to furnish into a splendid specimen of the thoroughbred, being a real gentleman in appearance, and takes a lot of picking to pieces. The best of blood courses through his veins, and I was not surprised to hear that Mr Gollan was offered L3OO ou his bargain of LIOOO before the colt was shipped to Napier. When trained aud raced he should prove a veritable daisy clipper. Another taking colt at Martindale is Maxims half brother, who is by Nordenfeldt— Realisation. He resembles Maxim somewhat, is very powerfully built, well boned, and gives ouo an idea that he will prove a galloper.

* # * The interests of proprietary clubs appear to have gained the ascendancy in the New Zealand Trotting Association. A special meeting was held on Monday evening at Christchurch to approve of the delegates appointed by Otago country clubs. Objection was taken to the name of one of the delegates signing the requisition on the ground that the club he represented had not held a race meeting during a period of 12 months. This was upheld, and so the meeting lapsed or rather merged into another special meeting called by another requisition. Mr C. Hood Williams (a, delegate of the D.J.C.) moved that all appointed delegates be approved, and in doing so gave a history of the whole of the proceedings of the association. This proved so unpalatable that, to avoid being reported, a majority resolved to go into committee. The rules were then altered, one of the most important changes being to the effect that only trotting clubs or racing clubs which give a whole day to trotting shall in future be represented on the association. This, of course, will exclude metropolitan clubs and most of the clubs in Otago, and for the time being proprietary clubs are masters of the situation.

Horse. Trainer. r GT. i Odds. Prime Warden... Merrie England Cynisca Crackshot Boulanger Hippomene3 ... British Lion ... Clanranald '... Crown Jewel ... Lelsel Morion Fraternite Whisper Strephon Rosefcldt Prestige Flinders Don Pedro Vogengang Merganser Stepniak Coalscuttle North Atlantic The Dreamer ... Zetland ... Dilemma St. Hippo Saracen Launceston Queen of Trumps Captive Spinfeldt Ranee Nu/ia ... Lustre Wyvern Kotukw Abbotsford Au Revoir King Harry Chaos Awarua Rose ... Conjurer King Georgo .. Mystic Reynard Chris Musket . Hybrid Puwerewere Ua Mistral M. & C. Hobbs H. Lunn R. Gooseman C. O'Connor J. Belcher S. Bishop a. Powell H. Lunn P. Butler R. Mason J. Rae W. Butlei R. Gooseman J. Maher J. Mahei A. M'Cormick H. Piper J. Loughlin T. Sheenan A. Robertson ' R. Mason H. Harrison F. Carrington G. Powell M. & C. Hobbs J. M'Guinness G. Wright M. & C. Hobbs 11. Piper F. Carrington H. Piper F. Carrington Fletcher S Bishop G. Powell 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 6 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 76 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 100 to 12 100 to 7 100 to 7 100 to 6 100 to 5 100 to 7 100 to 5 100 tollO 100 to 6 100 to 8 100 to 7 100 to 6 100 to 6 100 to 5 100 to 6 100 to 4 100|to 5 100 to 7 100 to 10 100 to 7 100 to 8 100 to 5 100 to 8' 100 to 6 100 to 2 100 to 10 100 to 5 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 7 100 to 5 100 to 4 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 4 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 3 100 to 6 100 to 5 100 to 2 100 to 2 100 to 5 100 to 2 100 to 3 100 to 4 100 to 4 100 to 3 100 to 3 E. Cutts J. M'Guinness A. Robertson R. Gooseman R. Mason ■ J. Maher V. Collclo R. Mason E. Cutts J. Maher H. Goodman