NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 29

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

* # * For the Welcome Stakes the payments number 32, or six more, than those of a year ago and two in excess of the total for 1891. With so large a crowd at the present time, and the promise of a large field on the day, the race is full of interest, especially to those who love thoroughbreds for their own sake and take delight in pedigree studies. In this connection I may remark that in this Welcome, all going well, we shall see the first of the Maxims, the first of the Chainshots, and the first of the Castors. These are going to be great sires. One of the Castors is Otago's property, Mr M'Master's son of Bangle, and there are four others in the stake hailing from this part of the colony. The Derby has 20 still engaged, one fewer than in each of the last years. I observe that Loyalty continues his engagement, on the off chance, I suppose, of an early return from Australia, and that Riversdale, Pegasus, Skirmisher, Stanmoor, Purepu, Outpost, Tussock, and Westmerearethe colts that have paid up. Great things are expected of Phaeton, Mr Stead's son of Trentojt when he comes fit, and perhaps he may be inform on Derby day, but so far as present appearances go I rather fancy that our Dunedin pair, Outpost and Skirmisher, are going to have a say in this race, and it is possible that they and Pegasus and Westmere may be found the choice goods at the start. It is, however, rather early yet to talk about picking such a race. The Oaks has a dozen engaged, or two more than last year, and five fewer than in 1891. Noyade and Eve are the pick on two-year-old form, but Persuasion and Spinaway are both improving fillies, and Goosander is well enough bred for anything.

* # # An English writer remarks that the death of the universally popular M. Lupin, the father of the French turf, at the advanced age of 86, brings to a cose the career of one of the last of the sporting gentlemen of the old school — that of Mr Payne, of the "impetuous earl, the Rupert of debate," of Admiral Rous. Not long after the death in 1834, at the age of 83, of the twelfth Earl of Derby, by whom the famous race at Epsom which bears his name was founded, it was remarked that an active connection with the turf is conducive to longevity. In confirmation of this opinion, a well-known writer quoted the cases of the Duke of Queensberry, who died at 86 ; of the Earl of Egremont, who died at 84 ; of the fourth Duke of Portland, father of Lord George Bentinck, who died at 86 ; of the Hon. Richard VernoD, who died at 88 ; of Mr Peregrine Wentworth, who died at 87 ; of the old Duke of Graf bon, who died at 84 ; of £Lord Clermont,' who died at 84 ; of Sir Charles Bunbury, who. died at 82; and of Mr Thomas Panton, who died at 87. The list might easily be extended by the addition of the more recent names of the late Sir Tatfcon Sykes, General Pearson, Lord Stradbroke, Admiral Raus, and General Peel ; but with the exception of M. Lupin, the same cannot be said of tha mos-t prominent founders and patrons of the French turf, living or dead. The French Jockey Club was founded, for instance, in 1833, and of its three leading officials, all passed away at a comparatively early age. Lord Henry Seymour, the first president, was born in 1805 and died in 1859. Of the two first vice-presidents, the Prince de la Moskowa, eldest son of Marshal Ney, " the bravest of the brave," was born in 1803 and died in 1857 ; while the life of his colleague, M. Rieussee, was prematurely cut short, as he was one of the 18 victims to whom Fieschi's murderous attempt upon King Louis Philippe was fatal in 1835. M. Chatles Laffitte, the famous banker, and father of the first Madame Erlanger, and of the famous beauty and leader of fashion, the Marquise de Galliffet, first treasurer of the Jockey Club of Paris, and better known under his norn de course of "Major Fridolin," was much younger when he died than the English octogenarians and nonagenarians whom we have quoted above ; but in M. Lupin, who was the oldest member of the French Jookey Club, we have another instance of the longevity of sportsmen.

*»* Splendid weather prevailed for the Ascot meeting. A larger field than for many years past contested the Ascot Stakes, which, fell to a somewhat disappointing performer in Bnniskillen, and Sir R. Jardine/e colours were

also carried successfully by Red Ensign later in the afternoon. Sir R. Jardine, remarks the Sportsman, is no stranger to Ascot Stakes honours, his representatives having previously been successful on six occasions— viz., Lord Lome in 1890 and 1889, Greenbank in 1884-, Ishmael in 1883, and Teviotdale in 1880 and 1881, though it should be menbioned that in the latter year the race was awarded to Teviotdale on the disqualification of Retreat on the ground of cannoning and boring. The colt by Hampton out of Illuminata, who on the occasion of his first public appearance upset a "good thing" in Glare for the'Woodcote Stakes, followed up his success in the Coventry Stakes. He made himself out a good colt by the manner of his win, and will evidently have to be reckoned with by the best youngsters that may oppose him in the future. Van Djck, who started second favourite, destroj ed any chance ; he may have had by breaking a blood-vessel during the race. May Duke, who won the Thirty-ninth Triennial Stakes at Ascot last year, repeated his victory in the race.oand had no difficulty in landing the good odds betted on him against his three opponents Childwick, who cost Sir J. Blundell Maple 6000gs as a yearling (the record price in England), carried silk for the first time in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, but he did not give a very encouraging display, and was easily ditpostd of by both Red Emigu 1 . and Treasure. The necessity of 6trikiDg oat Llanthony deprived the Royal Hunt Cup of one' element of interest, but it was still the chief feature of the day, and resulted in the victory of the Frenchbred A man dier, who was well backed by the connections of Hayhoe's stable. This horse, who was bred in France by his owner, Baron de Rothschild, had not previeusly carried silk in this country, and ran untried, though he had done well enough in his home gallops to warrant a large amount of confidence being placed in him for the task he had in hand. Aveline, the dam of Amandier, the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup, was foaled iv Eugland in 1882, and was sent to France in 1885. Since Dame President's mishap, while running for the Derby, she had been able to take plenty af walking exercite daily, and it was detei mined to <-tait her fur the Coronation Stakes. She was iv good market request in company with Silene, for whom M. Cannon's services had been obtained, and the result of the race home between the pair was the victory of Sileue by a length. A iarge entry in response to the substantial increase in the value of the Gold Cap led to the hope that an exceptionally strong field would this year do batil-s for it, but, from various causes, only four horses were placed under the starter's charge. Penty of interest centred in the contest, however, irom the antagonism of Buccaneer (the winner last year) ond ftlarcion, between whom it was generally anticipated the issue would rest. That anticipation was realised, but those who bad the highest opinion of the merits of Mr Vyner's three-year-old were scarcely prepared for the exhibition he made of his opponents when allowed to stride along towards the finish of the race. The verdict in his favour was eight lengths, a distance that might have been greatly increased hat} his rider so willed it.

*** The annual sale of the Rancbo del Paso yearlings, bred by the Californian studmaster, Mr J. B. Haggin, was held at New York on the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd of June. The sires represented were Salvator, Sir Modred, Fresno, Jo_e Daniels, Ben Ali, Hidalgo, Darebin, St. Blaise, Tyrant, Eyrie, Daly, Alexander, and Midlothian. The youngsters sired by Salvator seemed the highest prices, 15-for whom he was responsible having realised an average of 3870d01, a colt from Lou Lamer toppiDg the market with 7300d01, while others brought 6500d01, 6200d01, 5750d01, and' sQoodol. The lot sired by Sir Modred numbered 27, and realised a total of 29,400d01, 'or an average of 1088dol, the best figures being 2700d01, 2500d01, and 2000dol. Darebin's youngsters numbered 19, and they realised a total of 11,900d01, or an average of 626d01. The Derby winner, St. Blaise, was responsible for two colts and a filly, and they realised 3600d01, 5100doL and 2500d0l respectively. Altogether 132 head were sold for a total of 149,125d01.

* # * The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club commenced last season with a credit balance at the bank of £223, but ended with a debit balance of £447 103. Permanent improvements, however, have been made at a cost of £1114. The total income was £7138. The chief falling off was £387 in the totalisator receipts. The club last year added the Government tax (£448) to the deductioa of 10 per cent., but in accordance with the resolution of the Racing Conference will not do so this year. This will make some reductions in stakes necessary. la the Spring meeting programme £75 has been knocked off The Guineas is raised to 300sovs, with lOsovs sweep, but the Spring Handicap is reduced to 200sov8, -and all other stakes are somewhat reduced.

*** The New Zealand bred filly Day Dream, carrying top weight (9.0), ran in the Thames Handicap Plate, five furlongs, at the Windsor (England) meeting on Jane £0. Day Dream started at 10 to 1 and finished fifth, the race being won by Toreador, a Bon ot Thurio. Whiht at the 'starting post Bungalow lashed out viciously at D»y Dream, and narrowly escaped kicking T. Loates, who was riding the latter animal. The jtckey in his endeavour to get out of harm's way, threw his leg t>o quickly over the saddle that he lost his balance and toppled over to the ground. Hay Dream, being thus free, indulged in a wi!d gallop for quite a mile before being caught, and in consequence of this the odds once accepted about her naturally expanded. Day Dfeam was also a starter in the Soham Plate, a welter handicap, five f uriongs, at Newmarket on June 28. There was a field of 13, the New Zealand bred filly leading for the greater pait of the distance, and eventually finishing fifth. The winner was the top weight, Conachar, who carried 95. Day Dream's impost was 3-3.

* # * The Argus says that the conference between the V.R.C. committee and the delegates appointed by the geneial meetiDg of members have agreed to several modifications in the rules of racing. Three-furlong races for twe-year-olds are allowed in the months of August andSeptember. Another important alteration made by the conference was in regard to inconsistent running. The original ' rule proposed by the V.R C. committee provided that in cases of inconsistent running on different courses the local stewards could hold an inquiry, and if they thought fit disqualify the horse or person concerned. Under the rule as now passed the local stewards are not granted this power, the V.R.C. committee retaining to themselves the privilege of holding inquiries in such cases. In Rule 24 an alteration was also effeoted. As the rule now stands, the V.R.C. committee cannot cancel or withdraw a jockey's or trainer's license during its currenoy until the person concerned has been oalled upon to show cause why it should not be revoked, Rule 55 has also undergone a change. In the form originally brought up by the committee the use of numerals (IL 111, &o.) in the caae of horses similarly named was sanctioned, but this privU

lege is now withdrawn, and the same name cannot be claimed for two horses located in Victoria, but the provisions of the rule are not to apply in any case where the committee are satisfied that a horse bearing the same name as a horse whose name has been allowed by the committee has raced under such name, or is generally known under such name, in some place outside of Victoria. No horse except a foal can be nominated without a name. An addition has been made to Rule 61/ providing that the death of a nominator does not invalidate a nomination. Rule 128 was also altered by the conference, and in the form, passed the settlement for a horse purchased out of a selling race is to take place within an hour after the sale, other* wise the purchaser forfeits his right to the horse, but- the owner may insist on the purchaser taking and paying for the horse after expiry of that time. In connection with Rule 133, an important modification of the committee's original proposal has been agreed to. The rule framed by the committee provided that every sale or lease of a racehorse should be reported to tha V.R.C. committee. This was generally looked upon as impracticable, and the rule as passed now provides that only sales, leases, &c, of horses which may take place after nomination and before the race is run shall be reported to the. V.R.C. committee, and to the secretary of<> every racing club -at which 'such horse may have any engagement. This provision does not apply in the cases of yearlings or horses which have not previously run under V RC. rules, though unless a sale or lease in such case is registered-with the V.R C. the responsibility for payment of fees by the original nominator does not cease.

*** Jimmy Cotton is not so happy in>Australia as he might bo. He has recently been before one of the courts, and some of his troubles came to light. It appears that he was engaged by one James Marshall, a Sydney owner of ponies, at a wage of £2 per week. The billet was got through the instrumentality of our old friend Billy Weston. After a while dissatisfaction arose between Marshall and Cotton, and the former went to Granvill® on the 14th ult. to get his ponies, Sligo, Vortex, and Ipi, with the idea, of selling them. Cotton refused to give up the keys of the boxes till certain moneys alleged to be due were paid. Marshall denied any liability, and forthwith went about looking for an axe with which to break open the boxes. He 'could not find one, therefore had to do the best he could with a screwdriver, and with this implement he had released Sligo and Vortex when Jimmy took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and dared the man with the screwdriver to proceed further. A fight ensued, and Weston, who was there at the time, had just started to get a constable, when Cotton jumped on one side, leaped on the other pony's back, and rode it away barebacked. The pony threw him, but he remounted her and rode away. Then a charge of horsestealing was laid, and the matter came before the Police Coutt. The Bench decided to commit Cotton for trial, but they accepted light bail, and refused to direct the police to hunt the pony alleged to have been stolen. These particulars are written from the report appearing in a Farramatta paper.

* # * New Zealand had a- big say in the Oaklands (Victoria) Hunt Club meeting, on the 29th ult. The Hurdle Race, a mile and a-half, which opened the programme, was reckoned a fair thing for Knight of the Garter 11 3, and the Maorilander Leonardo 9.8 was thought to have a show, but both these were unplaced, Titanic, the four-year-old son of Leolinus and Titania, leading from end to end and winning in .a" canter. This win was a conspicuous reversal of previous form, but even those who remark the fact are ready to express their belief that Titania's running, though inconsistent, was perfeotly honest so far as his owner, trainer, and rider were concerned. Darnley, once fancied for the New Zealand Grand National, was a starter in the Hunters' Hurdles, but could get no closer than third. The Selling Race went to a gelding named Jersey, by Trenton. Our New Zealander Paddy was fancied, but he shut up when the point came, and is now spoken of as a rank cur. The Open Steeplechase went to the first favourite, Riverton, and the Amateur Steeplechase to Dolphin ; and the last race of the day, the Glenara Handicap of lOOsovs, one mile, resulted in the success of Loch Ness, a two-year-old that may fairly be regarded as to some extent identified with this colony, Beeing she is by the New Zealand Cup winner Lochiel, out of that great mare Nonsense, who ran second to Tasman in the year the Cup received its new name. Loch Ness carried 6 7 and was ridden by Shrimpton. She caught ifigyptus'7 9 before reaching the distance, shook off John S. 8.11 and Quality 8.13, and won with comfort by a length and a-half in lmin 45^seo.

*** As Mr S. G. Cook's horses are expected to play a prominent part in the Australian spring campaign, some remarks about the team from the pen of " Terlinga " will be of interest. The Dauphine, he says, is a fine mover, close to the ground, and it would be difficult to find a lovelier horse than The Rebel, whose stud duties have evidentlyagreed with him ; but as the winner of one race only he is surely entitled to more consideration than he receives -at the hands of our handicappers. The Larboard Watch and The Armourer were coupled for similar work ; the~*latter, who is a half-brother to Straight hob. going well. The Larboard Watch— l wish Mr Cook were more economical in his nomenclature — is like most of the progeny of Discard, light- fleshed and weedy looking. Mr Cock's "old hack," The Admiral, was walking about in company with The Sailor Prince and The Captain. Dental troubles trouble The Admiral no - more, and now that there is a chance cf bis teeing the post in top-top fettle, it is quite on the cards that the handsome son ,of Richmond will surpass himself ere he leaves the post for the paddock. The Captain seems to have grown a bit, acd he may yet return to the form he displayed in his earlier dajs. '' The Sailor Prince has always been a favourite of mine, and as I looked him over he more than ever impressed me as likely to make a great racehorse, but whether it will be next season or the season after time alone can tell. The Sailor Princestands fully 16hds high, and his great forearm and his big banging quarters denote power such as few two-year-olds passess. As an unfurnished colt he won the Maribyrnong Plate, but when Light Artillery and Carnage appeared on the scene his brilliant victory was forgotten. Past merit is often overshadowed by present success ; but if The Sailor Prince strips for the Victorian Derby and carrries Mr Cook's confidence he will prove a most formidable opponent, although, at the same time, I say, aa 1 have said before, I think he is most likely to show to advantage on the turf as a. four or a five-year-old. -