TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 29

TALK OF THE DAY.

BY MAZEFPA,

*** Messrs Mason and Roberts are empowered by the Dunedin Jockey Club to take orders from a distance for the execution of commissions on the totalisators working at the Dunedin Cup meeting. The inside dividend will be the one paid out to such investors. . It should be noted that in every case cash or a money-order telegram must arrive with the instructions.

V Bad luck has visited Stuart Waddell's Btable. Bay Bell, who up till recently was going very well, and certainly appeared to have a look in at some of the events of the coming meeting, has caught a severe chill and is knocked out for the time being. This, however, is not the worst. Gitano has broken down. He pulled up quisby after a spin one morning not long ago, and later in the day it was discovered that the back tendon of his near foreleg was severely strained, necessitating an absolute withdrawal from racing in the meantime. He may, perhaps, come right after a lengthy spell, but the owner does_ not care to trouble further with the colt if a fair price is obtainable from anyone wanting an eligible young stallion. . They tell me that £700 was refused a while ago for this brother to Gipsy King, and he recently showed Waddell such gallops as to make it a certainty, bar aqcident, that he would win races soon.

*.£* My mpr#iog visits to the Forbury course were commenced on Saturday . The weather was not inviting, light scattering showers descending at intervals ; but a start was made just before 5 o'clock with a gallop by Hippomenes and Tempest on the outside of the course. They went a mile and a-half, the mare on the outside, exercise lads of about equal weight up, and the pair kept together the whole of the way, both going strongly and pulling up Bound. Tempest wanted a little shaking up to hold her position in the last furlong, but she responded in such a manner as to show that she is quite well, thank you, and

the freshness she exhibited on walking back to the box demonstrated the fact that she is well advanced in her preparation for the Cup. Hippomenes, too, is well, but perhaps hardly so forward as his mate. Bishop also worked the other pair he has in preparation for this meeting, Derby and Forbury, sending each for a steady half-pace gallop. Forbury is evidently not far from fit for whatever spriutiug tasks may be allotted him. M 'Guinness had a team of five at work. Dilemma shifted himself freely in a gallop of a mile and three-quarters, accompanied by Rangiatea for a mile, and by Skirmisher for the balance of the journey. The Cup horse showed no sign of soreness, and Rangiatea was pulling the lad out of the saddle when asked to stop. Wolt's Crag and Ambush did a merry sprint at nearly top pace. They went either five or six furlongs — I did not notice them jumping off — and were together pretty nearly the w hole journey. Beadonwell and Mountain Maid had a set-to at five furlongs, and shaped very well. The colt will win a race before the meeting is over if he goes on as well as he is going now. No horses from the north or south had up to Saturday morning put in appearance.

* # * Broad daylight had set in for half an hour or more before either trainer, tout, or horse appeared at the Forbury course on Monday. It was an off morniDg — very much off — for when a start was made there was nothing done beyond a series of easy canters. M' Guinness opened the ball by sending Dilemma, Raugiatea, and Wolf 'B Crag in procession. The Cup horse moved rather gingerly, as though he were footsore. This has happened to him, off and on, ever since he returned from Auckland. Skirmisher was kept to walking exercise ; but Ambueh, who is growing a bit and furnishing into a nice mare, was allowed to canter, and would willingly have gone faster. Jim Allan watched the easy movements of Mountain Maid, Francotte, and Revenge — the latter a matured daughter of Taiaroa and Windsor's dam (Mabel). Mountain Maid keeps well. Mercer had Beadonwell going slow, the colt evidently ready for fast galloping, and he will not be far from ready for racing when the meeting begins. Bishop's quartet, consisting of Hippomenes, Tempest, Forbury, and Derby, followed each other in steady work. There is nothing wroDg with either of them, though it may be that in point of condition a choice is possible in favour of Forbury. Goodman's team came on the ground just as I was leaving, but I understand that they did no more than the others present. Casket has evidently improved a good deal of late ; and Rancour and Claremont seem as well as can be expected. Stuart Waddell stripped Captive and Empire, and cantered them quietly. Captive keeps his condition, and Empire looks pretty well, in spite of the ugly lump on his leg. These are the only representatives the stable will have at the meeting, for Douglas is now in Cotton's hands at the Taieri, and Bay ball and Gibano are temporarily on the shelf. The mare has a bad cold.

*** Following the general instructions of Mr Sydney James, the outer circle of the racing track was thrown open for the use of trainers on Tuesday morning. The going was a bit heavy, but sound. Bishop was the early bird. He stripped Hippomenes and Tempest and sent them for a rousing gallop o.f a mile and threequarters, at the end of which neither was the least distressed, though Tempest showed the least sweat. Derby did a steady canter, and Forbury had a lark with Jack Harkaway, accompanying this hurdler in a mile go at the latter's best pace. This, of course, was only a canter for Forbury, who was fighting for his head the whole way. M'Guiness began with Rangiatea and Dilemma, who did a two-mile spin at easy speed, and, being held in, they appeared to poor advantage, their 'action being short and cramped. Ambush glided round a couple of times at half pace in a very taking style. Skirmisher, who is on the improve, cantered, and Wolf's Crag was kept to walking exercise in the inner enclosure. Loughlin gave Mount Royal and Aldershot a thorough pipeopener in the shape of a two-mile go, one-half of which was as fast as they cared to make it. I fancied that Mount Royal stayed rather better than the other, but there was not much between them. Galtee was supposed to be restricted to cantering, and it was probably quite impromptu that this half-fit horse, who is not being prepared for the coming meeting, joined in a passing gallop for a couple of furlongs. The performers whose company he thrust himself upon were Waddell's Empire and M. Allan's Mariner. They went a fast mile and a-quarter, with the result that Mariner hardly hung it out so well as the hurdle-racer. Mercer gave Beadonwell long half-pace exercise. James Allan had Francotte going at half speed for about six furlongs and Mountain Maid fighting a merry seven furlongs with Waddell's Captive, the issue of which was that the latter drew away in the straight, shaping very nicely. Goodman had four on the ground, but Blizzard has gone amiss again. Rancour has just begun easy walking exercise after getting the better of his curb, and the two-year-olds were the only working representatives of the stable. Casket went alone to the five-furlong post and there was picked up by Claremont, the pair finishing at nearly top speed.

* # * On Wednesday morning the exercise at the Forbury was pretty well a series of half-pace gallops on the plough track, whj.ch had been freshly dressed with the harrows and was in capital order after the influence of a drying wind. Dilemma went as fast as any of the horses brought out before breakfast, his task being a couple of circuits, with Rangiatea and Skirmisher to carry him aloDg in turn. The pace was sound throughout. The Cup horse galloped freely and altogether Bhaped in improving style, and I was pleased to see Rangiatea showing no symptom of shortness in his action. Ambush was sent a long steady canter, and Wolf's Crag jogged along quietly by himself. Hippomenes, Tempest, and Forbury formed a procession at half speed, all looking well, the mare trying to tear away every now and again, Captive had a useful mile and a-half canter, and Empire was allowed to go a little faster. The latter is improving daily, Medium-pace work was performed by Jack Harkaway, Queen, Cactus, Mountain Maid, Beadonwell, Revenge, Leona, Lady Teddington, and one or two horses that are not wanted for the meeting just ahead of us. Lawson made his appearance on the track and informed me that he had brought up Remembrance and Surefoot from Winton.

*#* This (Thursday) morning, the weather being fine, a lot of good work was got through. Hippomenes and Tempest performed their usual task — a mile and three-quarters gallop at about three-quarter pace. They evidently moved very willingly. Hippomenes's wind was quite clear on pulling up ; Tempest's always is. Sl 'Guiness' s team cantered on the plough, Wolf's Crag being kept dead slow, though there does not seem to be anything wrong with him. JPoole's first appearance before breakfast during this apell of training was for the purpose of giving Rebel and Smuggler a pipe-opener. This pair did two miles at nearly top speed. Smuggler

is as bright as he can possibly be made, and Rebel also seems quite fit. Leona ard Mariner went six furlongs fast, the mare heading her mate all the way. Omimi, Jack Harkaway, and Rondinolla raced a mile and finished in the order named. Captive and Empire travelled a mile and a-half, slowing down towards the finish. Beadonwell, Casket, and Claremont went five furlongs on the plough at pretty nearly top speed. Beadonwell appeared to hold Casket pretty safe, and the other chap was decisively beaten. Forbury galloped once round the plough, and was joined by Derby at half the distance, the latter beating him home. It was a good go. Mountain Maid and Revenge did a mile pretty fast, and Cactus went six furlongs with Queen. Butler, Sheenan, and Derrett brought their horses down on Wednesday night.

*** The Dunedin Jockey Club's principal rsce meeting of the season, to be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday of next week, has not attracted quite so many general entries as usual — the defection of such performers as Lady Zetland, Gitano, Bay Bell, and others that have succumbed to the effects of training being seriously felt, while the probable withdrawal of Pegasus, Thame, Johnny Faa, and Stepniak for various reasons is also to be deplored — but still we shall have a good meeting if the weather is favourable. The proceedings open with the Hurdle Race, at a mile and a-half, for which I should select Rebel straight out if assured that he would be the representative of the stable ; not that he is any chuck-in at the weights, but he has a fair chance and knows how to get round the corners, and Poole's choice is generally dangerous.- But he has paid up for Smuggler as well, and the little Duntroon may be better than the big one at the distance, wherefore I take the precaution of having a double string to my bow and select Poole's Best to win. Justice is said to be likely to have a confident following, but I would rather expect danger from Cajolery or Empire. The latter is fast improving. The Champagne Stakes constitutes a perfect puzzle to the tipster. Those candidates that ate performers have all been beaten at one timo or another, and if Ambush has the best credentials on public trials there is the counterbalancing consideration of the 7lb penalty which she has incurred for winning the Dunedin Stakes. She is, however, improving as the season goe3 on, and I shall have her on my f>ide, notwithstanding the half stone extra, for she is very well just now. But it would be risky to stand her alone before seeing the other candidates, and it seems to me, in looking round for the next best, that I cannot improve on Neroli. What I mean is th-\t on present information I look to Neroli to btat Ambush if Ambush is beaten, and I couple the pair in this anticipatory tip, reserving the right to amendment if deemed advisable when framing my finals for the Daily Times. One has to speak cautiously when there are such well-bred members as Maxim's youngsters to arrive. lam told, however, that the Maxim two-year-olds now in training are exceptionally dull at acquiring a knowledge of galloping. Neroli, on the other hand, is fat t and well up to weight, and so is Ambush, so far as I know her.

*#* Then we have the Dunedin Cup. Twelve are yet engaged, but the final payment will prove fatal to Stepniak, Pegasus, Johnny Faa, and Thame — the latter, by the way, was generally reckoned a sure starter till a week ago, and I fear she has gone amiss ; and Dilemma's starting is by no means assured ; while it is on the cards that ene of Mr Stephenson's representatives will also drop out, and the field is hardly likely to exceed six or seven. Prime Warden is a pretty sure starter, and he has a weight that he is master of. Clanranald has been, they say, legitimately backed by the stable, who, since his Wellington win, have been more sanguine than ever of this handsome chestnut turning the tide of his bad luck at the Forbury. Stepniak is to drop out, and the declaration to that effect, published in Dunedin yesterday, solves one of the mysteries that we had to deal with in tho earlier stages of business over this race. I fear that the defection is caused by Stepniak having failed in a trial, or, perhaps, having gone amiss, rather than to any startling performance in private by Ich Dien, and it may be wise to exercise caution before coming to the conclusion that this filly is a really good thing for the Cup. At the same time, being compelled to risk an opinion thus early, I have little hesitation in saying I think she will be very hard to beat. I judge by her early spring form this season. She is not here at tho time of writing, but if she comes down and is fit enough to carry the owner's confidence, she will be one of the best investments in the field. As between Mr Stephenson's pair, having seen them working, I declare for Tempest. Hippomenes, is not, so far as I can judge, quite so ready for a stiff trial over a lengthy course, and if he can win he i 3 a wonder. Tempest is coming on fast, and if not quite so forward as when she won last year, she ■will at anyrate set them a go for a sound pace, and there must be no humbugging or she will win again. Ido not, however, think she will quite do the trick this time. Ido not fancy Liberator or Remembrance. The latter, by the way, arrived on Tuesday night. Looking at the puzzle as it was presented to the public on Wednesday (yesterday), I see nothing for it but to declare provisionally for ICH DIEN, and it may be that the ones she has to beat are Prime Warden and Tempest.

*#* The Selling Race candidates are a rather odd lot, and the ancient Dhruy may be worth an investment, though Lord Aston is almost sure to be well backed, and Lady Mab has a show. For the Publicans' Handicap the Stephenson stable must have a big say, and it runs in my mind that the better of the pair at the distance is Hippoineues, who, if not fit for a Cup, can geb to the end of seven furlongs very nicely with any reasonable weight. Holding this opinion with some confidence as to its correctcess, I make it public because of the probability of Persuasion making it necessary to send the better of the two that Bishop has in charge. Forbury is very well, but can he keep going to the end of the seven furlongs ? That is the problem. Beadonwell also has a good chance. It appears to me that there is no need to look further than the four mentioned for the winner of the Publicans'. If satisfied that Hippomenes would be reserved for this event I should tip him straight out, but there is some uncertainty as to what race this horse will be sent for, and in such circumstances I look for the one that is likely to give the stable the greatest trouble, and pitch upon Persuasion, whose trial at Wellington was a good one. Wolf's Ci!ag is on paper a likely sort of customer for the Maiden Plate, though, in view of the awkwardness of the situation, he being also engaged in the Publicans', it may be wise to mention a second one — say Lord of Misrule — as having a chance. P*lliser once ran in the Publicans' and then won the Maiden, but a performance of that sort is quite exceptional. King Wai has claims to respect among those engaged in the Two-year-old Selling Race, and Barmby may

possibly be dangerous ; and for the Stewar Stakes, while the pick in my estimation is Persuasion, I fear that she may start and have enough of racing in the Publicans' wherefore with some reluctance I pass her by in favour of the top weight, Exile, who may meet with most opposition from Maribyrnong. As before remarked, I propose to reserve my finals for the Daily Times.

*#* A deputation consisting of Messrs H. Gourley, J. Stephenson, S. S. Myers, J. A. M'Quinaess,S.Waddell,J.M\Kewen,snd S.James (secretary D.J.C ) waited on Messrs Scott and Kouayne, Railway Commissioners, on Monday, and asked that the freight on horses being conveyed to race meetings should' be reduced one-half ; in other words, that ouly one way should be charged for. The speakers supported their request by stating that polo ponies on their way to tournaments and gentlemen's hunting horses were allowed the privilege, and as racing was an expensive business to carry on they thought that they too were entitled to a similar concession. In reply, the commissionera said that in the north they had been interviewed on the same question. After the tirat interview they thought they would not entertain the idea of granting any concession, but since that time they had been waited on by other deputations who urged the same request, and they now thought that the question was of so much importance that they would give it further consideration. When they did so, the result would be communicated to the deputation. Ib was jusb possible, they said, that some concession would be made.

*** On Thursday of last week I went out to Warrington with the Hon. G. M'Lean to look at his yearlings to be offered by auction at St. CUir next week. George Mason, who has succeeded the late James Dobbin as head man at the farm, has the youngsters in splendid condition, and buyers may be interested in learning that not one of the colts or fillies has ever had a day's sickness. Tho colt by Gorton from Lady Gertrude possesses siza in all measurements, hia height to the wither being balanced by goodly proportions in shoulder and quarter and capital arms and thighs. Many two-year-old winners have been no bigger than he now is ; yet he is not awkwardly big — simply a fine well-nourished colt that will develop into a sightly and probably powerful racehorse. They call him Young Gorton as a stable name, from his close resemblance in many respects to his sire; bub the youngster bids fair to have the better quarters. He is, of course, full brother to Blizzard. Tho filly by St. Clair from Dione is altogether of a different stamp — one of the short-legged, lengthy sort, and on finer lines than her brother Beadonwell. I should tako her to be a mare that will race eirly, though she is a very late foal, having been dropped on December 24. A soft lump on the inside of the off hind leg, just about the fetlock, is a slight disfigurement at present, but it is neither a serious nor a permanent blemish. Buyers are sure to admire the filly by St. Clair — Lady Emma. She is a beauty, seen from any point of view, combining substance with quality, and as I looked at her fine limbs, her short back, lengthy rein, powerful quarters, and great girth, it seemed to me that I was gazing on the best of Emma's progeny and one that must ripen into a racer. The colt by Maxim from Lady Evelyn has grown to greater stature than the average of yearlings, and, haying thriven in all respects, he will stand in the ring an example of the highont; type of the thoroughbred. His colour is a rich bay with black points, and his outline may bt> summed up as gentlemanly. If he does not race it will be a very strange thing, se( i*v that he is by that wonderfully successful hoide Maxim from Lady Evelyn, who, admittedly k very fast mare in public, once developed tho phenomenal speed in a private trial of lmin 13sec for six furlongs. This may be news to most of my readers ; it is nevertheless a fact. Certainly she was carrying only a four-stono lad ; but has anything else bred in the colony ever done such time P I doubt it. The colt by St. Clair — Mountain Lily is the dead image of his brother, Claremont, a plain, strapping bay exhibiting the promise of great weightcarrying power. He should make a capital hurdle racer when past his prime for galloping on the flat. The colt from Indolence is her first one by Rubezahl, and the nick is apparently a success, as this youngster is shapely and gamelooking. He is one of the best furnished of the lot, being already like a racehorse on a galloway scale, and he will probably win money as a two-year-old.

*** The mares at the Warrington farm are all keeping well. Mistral makes an excellent mother to her first-born, and L,ady Emma looks no older than she did three or four years ago. She has a splendid colt foal by St. Clair. Pique is believed to be in foal again. She keeps her shape pretty well, and almostlooks as though she would stand training again. Lady Florence has one of the nicest foais of the batch on present appearances. This mare, who is sister to Pique, was taken in exchange for Matanaka, a horse whose name is remindful of many serious disappointments. Great things were expected of this fellow as a youngster. It was thought that as Raupo had produced such a good one as Mata to Dead Shot she would be likely to throw something quite first-class to the then all-con-quering Traducer. Expectations were never more hopelessly frustrated. One of hia sells was when The JilG bowled him over on the day Adamant won the Dunedin Cup. He was then a three-year-old. At the end of that season he was cut, and, keeping ia retirement for a while, he had reached the age of five years before being started in the Maiden Plate in Vanguaid's year. For that race he had done a really good trial in clearing oufc from five others one mgruing with absurd ease, showing such pace that Jitn kean felt it necessary to tell \)ia brother Jack, who had the mount, to be careful not to win by too much. Alas ! the stable's good thiDg never had the ghost of a show with Leon and others, and I think he finished last. It was at Toko that he eventually broke his duck s egg. He was never any good, and is now lost to sight, having disappeared somewhere in the wilds at the head of the Waitaki. Some believe that one reason of Matanaka's failure in his late career was that he was apcir dentally hurt at or after the castrating operation. If so, it was doubly unfortunate that he was ever submitted to the knife, for almost immediately after the operation had been performed a large sum was offered for him by a South Australian breeder who had not heard of the intention to turn the colt into a gelding. Tantalising, was it not ?

*** Racing for the stakes alone. A writer in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News states that a considerable share of the big races have been wo a this year by owners who bet little or not at all. Mr M'Calmont, who is, of course, at the head of winning owners, bets very little (though he had a treble event about Isinglass), often not backing his horses for a shilling when he fanoied them greatly. The Duke of Westminster must be well up with Orme'B Eclipse and other races, and yet he never bets. I do not think the Duke land ever does so now, though formerly he some*

times had enough on a horse in a big race like the Derby to yield a sum sufficient to provide presents for those who had aided in the victory. Mr Houldsworth, who never bets, won the Jubilee with Orvieto. Mr Douglas Baird has carried off some usefnl stakes with Harbinger, and he never bets. Whether or not Lord Rosebery does so now Ido not know. He was a great plunger in former days, but report says that he does not back his horses now ; so that nothing but the stakes followed the victories of Ladas. Prince Soltykoff, who won the July and Chesterfield with Speed, bets very seldom. At the head of the list of winning owners indeed will bs found the names of several .who have little.— or, in some cases, absolutely nothing — to do with the ring. The leading sporting authority in America, the Spirit of the Times, remarks:— This tendency, away from speculative methods, finds a counterpart with us. The Messrs Keene, the largest American winning owners of the season, patronised the ring but very moderately ; the Messrs Morris never back their horses at all; Mr John Hunter, Mr Gal way, and Mr P. J. Dwyer bet (if at all) very moderately. In fact, outside of such well-known plungers as MrM. F. Dwyer and Mr G. E. Smith, the heavy ring speculation is confined to the owners of the smaller stables and to professional bettors, although Mr Lorillards and Mr A. F. Walcott's occasional plunges are feared by the ring. The proprietors of our large establishments are seemingly content to race for the very liberal added money in the two and three year old stakes.

*£* There was a good muster on the Richmond course on January 31, when the trotting match Houor v. Statesman took place. The Richmond course, though only half a mile in circumference, is admirably suited for this kind of event, the track being dished and the going fast. The match was over a distance of two miles, and it was confidently expected that the record of smin 2£sec put up by Statesman in a race on the same course a few weeks ago would be beaten. At one time during the afternoon, reports the Australasian, it looked as if the match would fall through, as the parties to it could not agree as to the mode of starting, the Statesman people wanting a flying start, and the other side a standing one. Finally a compromise between the two styles was agreed upon, according to which the horses were to be given a standing start from a point 50yds only behind the mark, with the understanding that if either broke before the proper starting point was reached it would be declared no start. The betting indicated that the match was a genuine one, Honor being slightly the better favourite at 10 to 9 on. There was not much delay at the start, and when they were eventually sent away Statesman quickly took the lead, but before half a mile had been covered Honor passed him, and never allowed Statesman to see the way he went afterwards. It was a very soft thing for Honor, who trotted very evenly throughout, whereas the pace told its tale on Statesman in the last lap, and ho broke. Honor had 100 yds to spare at the finish, and he cut out the two miles in the splendid time of 4min 57sec, which how stands as the Australian record, though Mystery has paced the distance in half a second less. The best time previously recorded by Honor was smin 4^sec in a race on Mr J. L. Reilly's Ascot course. The winner is a son of Honesty, an imported American horse, who for many years held the mile record for Australia. Mystery is also by the same sire. A match between Mr Robbins's mare and Honor is talked about, and a meeting between these fliers would, no doubt, create a lot of interest. Both Honor and Statesman were ridden, Mr Wil 1 Whitburn, the well-known music hall favourite, having the mount on the winner, and handling him throughout with a good deal of ability and judgment. Messrs John Robertson and W. T. Kendall acted as judges, and Mr F. H. Samson as starter and timekeeper.

*** The exact sum passed through the totalisator by Mason and Roberts at the Lumsden racea was £599, a considerable decrease on the total of the previous year, and the attendance was also disappointing ; still it is reckoned that the club will come out about square over the meeting. The course, naturally hard, was somewhat improved by recent rains, though not in the best order. Mr D. Fraser, the starter, was not uniformly successful. The general arrangements were, however, satisfactory on the whole, the stewards receiving credit for pushing on the proceedings, and thus enabling visitors to see the last of the racing and catch the train. This is a matter of considerable importance to all country clubs. Supervision with respect to this branch of the management invariably brings its reward in the form of hearty, if unexpressed, thanks. In the Maiden Plate, the badly-named Dunluce — surely the namer knew of the original Dunluce introduced to us by Mr Schluter — shook off the lameness that was seen in his preliminary, and headed his field almost from the jump off, winning by several lengths. Dunloo, the first favourite for this race, had £24-, not £34, invested on him. The Lumsden Handicap proved to be a good betting race considering that there were but three runners, and the contest was so far interesting that the result was in doubt for a mile and a-quarter. Up to that point Rebec looked as likely as either of the others, but when she stopped pulling she stopped racing, and was eventually dished not only by Wild Wave, who won easily, but also by Billy, who huug it out with characteristic garneness. Wild Wave's time was 2min 51sec. Primrose was the chief sufferer by the bad start in the Flying, and it was a good performance on her part to finish within a length of the well-away Emperor in the fast time of lmin 19sec. Wild Wave had a 101b penalty in the Jockey Club Handicap, thus bringing her weight to the 8.12 stated, notwithstanding which she romped over Rebec the whole way. Dunbar, winner of the Three-mile Trot, started from a handicap of 4-Osec, nob 4sec as telegraphed. The Welter Handicap field were sent away fairly enough, but Baumber managed to persuade Getaway to shift himself smartly as soon as the flag was down, and the two or three lengths thuß gained practically decided the race in favour of Amulet's son, who finished a couple of lengths in front of Primrose, the latter having been slow in getting away from the mark. Reflection was less fancied for the Consolation than either Billy or Rebec, yet she be^t them both and won, all out, by a length from Billy. The daughter of Moonray was one of the sufferers by the start in the Flying, and never showed up in that race.

*#* The withdrawal of Lady Zetland from the Publicans' Handicap, after the acceptance fee had been paid, and her absence from the general entries, seem to indicate that she has gone amiss, and if this be the case the chances are that she has pretty well come to the end of her racing career. I hope not, but on the assumption that she is retiring it may be pardonable to give a summary of her doings on the race track. Lady Zetland was bred in 1887 by Mr B. Gates, and was got by Perkin Warbeck II from the English mare Forget-me-not, dam of Trefoil (sire of Johnny Faa) and Mikado, who under the name of Mikado II has come to the

front as a steeplechaser in Victoria. Lady Zetland did not race as a two-year-old. Her first appearance in public was in the Maiden Plate at Ashburton on the day Richlake won the Cup, when she was ridden by Bobby Ray and ran seoond to Ben, beating Breadalbane and five others. The next day 6he scored her first win in the Allerton Handicap, a mile race in which she carried 6.7, and was piloted by 17. Holmes. In the course of her career she has neatly always displayed great finishing capabilities, and, though her record is chiefly that of a good performer up to say a mile, and seven furlongs has been perhaps her best distance, she haa won at a mile and a-half. One of her most remarkable races wa3 this season's Federal Handicap. She got to the end of the six furlongs, on the relatively slow Forbury course, in lmin 153ec. I doubt whether Hobbs's stable has ever had such a reliable performer as thia wellworked mare, and there are indeed few better of her class in the colonies. If she has stopped rasing her record is a creditable one. Here it is in figures :—: —

A sovereign invested on Lady Zetland every time she has started would have resulted in a net profit of £4- 7s. Sticking to her for New Zealand alone there would have been a gain of £13 7s, but the Australian tour took the gilt off the gingerbread. She raced there nine times, and lowered her average badly, for during that campaign she registered two secondß (to yEgyptus at Sandown Park at the end of her four-year-old season), one third, and six unplaced performances.

*** Mr J. H. Davis, owner of Woorayl, who ran second to Pennant in the Trial Handicap at Sandown Park on the 23rd ult., has requested the committee of the club to withhold the payment of the stake, alleging that Guinane, the rider of Pennant, was not eligible to ride, having ridden less than a week previously at an unregistered meeting, and not having subsequently obtained a license to ride under V.R.C. rules. It will be remembered, says "Asmodeus," that at the Sandown Park meeting Guinane was suspended for three months for disobedience at the start for the race in question. The circumstance was duly reported to the V.R.C. committee, by whom the suspension has not yet been dealt with. This, however, has nothing to do with the case. It appears that previous to the Sandown Park meeting, Guinane applied at' the V.R.C. office for a license, which, however, has not yet been granted, and the official weigher at Sandown Park was aware that Guinane's application had been made, but was not cognisant of the fact that he had ridden at an unregistered meeting during the previous week. Rule 13 in the recently revised Rules of Racing provides inter alia that any jockey riding at an unregistered meeting shall be perpetually disqualified for all races or race meetings held under V.R.C. rules, provided always that the V.R.C. stewards or committee may at any time remove such disqualification. Guinane was evidently not qualified to ride at Sandown Park, the meaning of the above-quoted clause in Rule 13 being clear and unmistakable. The fact, however, remains that he was duly weighed out, was permitted to ride, and won, and under the circumstances ib is doubtful whether the matter can be dealt with under any other rule than No. 158, which provides that "any owner or trainer, or both, who ehall knowingly employ an unlicensed jockey, shall be fined a sum noc exceeding £25 each." Whether the owner and trainer of Pennant knew that Guinane was unlicensed or had rendered himself ineligible by riding at an unregistered meeting, of course remains to be proved.

*** Messrs Mason and Roberts draw my attention to the fact that the totalisator returns at Tapanui this year were more this year than last, not less as stated last week. Apropos of this subject, the following appears in the Tuapeka Times: — " ' One Of Us,' in the Tapanui Courier, writes : It is a pity the Lawrence people did not manage to cope with the cash fielder and spieler class as well as the stewards of the Tapanui Club. Had they forcibly ejected the 'wolves in sheep's clothing ' it would have been better for their funds too, as the machine would have earned more money. At Tapanui the attendance of the public was computed at 500. Lawrence was patronised by 2000 people, and yet Tapanui put most money through the machine. The cash betting division must have injured the Tuapeka Club very materially, and I think the management was very foolish in not taking more stringent measures to keep out the intruders who rob them of their legitimate revenue. If the Tuapeka Club had a few energetic stewards, and a man like Constable Parker to back them, I guarantee that the walking tote fraternity and the ' camp followers ' ot legitimate racing would be kept off the course. — ' One Of Us ' overlooks the fact that 6port is cultivated over this way for the pleasure and relaxation that it brings rather than with the exclusive object of squeezing the public and enriching the Jockey Club. Five hundred people at Tapanui put more money through the totalisator than 2000 did at Lawrence. Well, we should say it's about time racing at Tapanui got a spell — for the sake of the 500 and their friends. We would even prefer the spielers to the sbate of morality ' One Of Us' artlessly layß bare."

*#* Of the business transacted at the Dunedin Jockey Club's committee meeting on Tuesday evening, one of the most important items is the resolution to introduce a half-aovereign totalisator at the Anniversary meeting. It is thought that this will suit investors of smill sums. I think it is wise to try the experiment, though expert authority could be quoted on the opposite side of the argument. Messrs Mason and Roberts are appointed to work the machines for .another year. This, of course, was only what might have been expected. The club have never any trouble with M. and R., they possess the complete confidence of the public, and bu3iness relations of so satisfactory and pleasant a character could not be disturbed without disadvantage to all parties. The Gore question as to Tom Buddicombe's riding of Specton was advanced a stage by the reading of the explanation made as requested by the Gore Club, and there it stands for the present. I fancy we shall not hear any more of it. The rest of the business is pretty well .explained in the report, and comment is unnecessary, but I may take occasion to express gratification that the metropolitan has at la^t reinstated Mat Barnett. He had been on the retired list for a long spell; he was quite entitled to ask for reinstatement; and it is indicative of an absence of vindictiveness that the D.J.C. should restore to him the privileges of the course before instead of after the big meeting. The case will, I hope, show our country stewards the advisability of making their sentences for fixed terms instead of " during the pleasure of the club." It was a sentence of the latter sort that caused a division of opinion in the case just quoted. I wonder, by the way,

why the other men involved im the Palmerston disqualification did not also apply to the D.J.C.

*#* In framing the handicaps for the Tahuna Park Trotting meting, Mr Dowse has looked well after the limit horses, probably with a view to guard against any more of the " Susan " business. The limits have been considerably reduced, which is decidedly a step in the right direction, but in some cases horses have, to my mind, been treated rather severely. Woolston was handicapped at Lawrence to receive 6sec in two miles trom Caberfeidh, and 14sec from Lady Jane. Although Woolston was nowhere in this race, he is now called upon to give Lady Jane 33ec and Caberfeidh 12sec in the same distance. In the Pony Trot Passmore is badly treated with the scratch pony, and so is Graphic. On her recent performances Lassie has been treated with exceeding leniency in all the events for which she is entered. Dexterina also reads well ; she is a fairly good mare when at her best. Ido not, however, go so far as to say straight out that these horses will win. They read well, but by the time we see the acceptances other candidates may appear to be equally dangerous. I prefer to act cautiously in picking these handicaps, experience having taught me that a handicapper'a judgment is often triumphant in the long ruu even when it seems to be faulty at first sight. There are some excellent performers engaged, and I reckon on an interesting meeting. At any rate I hope so, for the management deserves success. Next week I will try to pick a winner or two. The acceptances close on Saturday night.

Un- Stakes Starts. Wins. Second. Third, placed. Won. £ L t3yrs 9 3 3 2 1 67 .t4yrs 30 13 5 4 8 812 .tsyrs 20 3 5 2 10 204 ,t6yra 12 3 2 1 6 291 71 22 15 9 25 £1374