TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 31

TALK OF THE DAY.

Br MAZEFFA.

V The D.J.C. Committee have blackballed several personi proposed as numbers of the olub, and everybody is talking about t*. wabtor, more than c. little ffumth being euaoitod by

those who are taking sides on the question. Id seems to bavo been assumed, whether rightly or wrongly is not for me to say, that certain of the candidates were b.iing proposed with a view to strengthening tho votiajj power in favour of oji» or more of ihci new raeu nointobfcd fro ths te.sw mitfceo. This idee, being scenteJ. btfciwhttt. &, i>aj* tain menaberuof fhoooinmitieeuse ?& s *fad<bßjij at a weapon of dei'enoe, and tho ucit^cea w«*\* refused membership." A ru!<* <:f rlv <.'!c?h fa that one blackball in fire dierruAWJiw. i>, may be worth while to consider <A the annual meeting of members whether llite should not b* in some way modified. Most probably the question will be raised. Under iw<jsei)t arrangements the committee have it in tbair power to eztrcise a great deal of inflnence in the direotion of Ecouring re-election by blackballing anyone supposed to be hostile who is proposed for membership. This seems to me not the thing. The teeb of fitness for membership should be, not whether a man is or is not a supporter of the party in offloa, hub whether he is a person cf good reputation. In the present case the " pilling" has had the unfortunate result of excluding a man who actually acts as one of the club's honorary surgeons ; while another of the rejected batou is an officer of the Tahuna Park Club, and otherwise also an exceptionally eligible person for membership. It is perhaps as well i» th» interests of the club that the viotims happen to include well-known and desirable candidates foe membership. The oiroumstance has become talked about, and may not improbably lead to a revision of the constitution. The dub (any club, for that matter) in order to be prosperous needs a constant supply of eligible members, for the reason, amongst others; that by this means there will always beaohoiceof good men for office, Changes are sometimes advantageous. Ido nob say we need a change now— as a matter of fact, I believe we have a very good committee, and I should not be at all rorry to see them all re-elected ; but I protest against the rules being used in order to stonewall any proposal for new blood. The men appointed to office should be returned on a free and unfettered elec'ion, and the wider the constituency , that returns them the stronger their power will be to work for the good of the olub. That it the main point—the 7 interest of the club. It is a false docbrine that would for any purpose what* ever seek to make the club a olose corporation. Possibly in this particular oase irritation may have been caused by a parade of what some oC the candidates were going to do, and, further, one can hardly blame the committee personally, for objecting if they- believed their positions were menaced. It is the system that is wrong, and I hope there will be enough spirit in the annual meeting to discuss the possibility of set 1 tiug it right. '

*«* Everybody made sure that the two Otago four-year-olds would head the handicap for tua New Zealand Cup, »nd the bulk of those who have been •peculating as to the weight* believed that Fabulist would be called on to stand mid* way as between Gipsy Grand and Euroolydon on the one hand and the best of the older .horses on the other, the general opinion being that the matured. horses engaged are distinctly weaker than usual. To that extent the prophecies were fulfilled in the appearance of Me Henry's handicap last Thursday. Three four-year-olds appear at the head of the list, as was the case in 1889, when Manton 9 6 was followed by Chainshot and Cuirassier each at 90. The point on which a large number of calouUtors were astray was in regard to the relative positions of Gipsy Qr»nd andEuroclydoo. We hear lots of fellows expressing the opinion that of the two Gipsy is the better colt, bub many even of thoseffrho thiuk tint way acknowledge that they have only fenoy or theory to guide them, and I think that a poll of Otago sports would havere&ulted in Euroolydon being hoisted to top place in the handicap, on the strength of publio form. I propoie to examine tbis form in a moment, bat as a preliminary I give a table showing how the. top weights of the several sections in the New Zealand Cup have been awarded in the past :—

Top Weight. Top Four-year. Top Thr^-year. Nelson and Maxim 9.7 ... Maxim 9.7 ... Sommeil 7.3 Manton 9.6 ...jManton 9.6 ...M. England 7.8 Tirailleur 9.6 ...Tirailleur 9.6 ... Medallion and I St. Andrew 7.9 Tirailleur 9.7 ... Craokshot 9.2 ... Lebel 7.5 Occident 8.11 ...Workman 8.8 ... Vogengang 7.6 St. Hippo 9.lo... 'St. Hippo 9.10... Loyalty 7.8 Merganser 9.B. ..'Skirmi»herß.3... Three Star 7 A St. Hippo 9 8 ...'B. Scotland 8.3 «ip»y x Urand 7.6 Gipsy Grand 9.7 Qipay Grand 9 7 Bombshell 7.7

A perusal of this table dispels the idea that 9.7 is unusually higU to begin with when a four-year-old has to hflftd the handioap. Maxim, who in 1887-88 won all his five r»ces (these being three at Hawke's B*y and the Derby and Canterbury Cup), was given the very weight now appor- ' tioned to Mr Stephenson's colt,' and be it remembered that Maxim did not have tuo New Zealand Cnp to his erf dit, as he did nob sfcarb in that raoe. Manton as a tbree-yeir-qld pulled off the treble ,th»t> Euroclydou landed last season, but, on the other hand, Mr Butler's colt had only 6.10 in the New Zealand Cup, and for the whole 1 season he lost more races tiiau he won ; yet he was imposted at 9.6 for hia four" year-old Cup. Tirailleur had the same weight a year later, and by comparison waa better treated than Manton, since the ltiUer lost; seven and won six races in his tbres-year-old season, while Tirailleur showed tho way he me in every race for which he started. Ia a later year St. Hippo in hi« four-year-old race was handicapped at 9.10, though his previous season's record was marred by that; most extra* ordinary, uniccountable, and almost unbelievable defeat in the Derby. Then, turuing to Australia, we have seen Carbine in his four' year-old season weighted at 10.0, and his son Wallace gets the same impo»t tbis year. Be it noted that none of the horses thus cited won their race ; none but Carbine, and he was aa exception, ever came nigh to winning. Still, there is abundant precedent for whacking out; 9.7 to a fouc-year-old in the New Zealand -Cup, and I do not think that owners have a right to ask for a lighter range of weight for good horses'. Whether it is a fair thing to select Gipsy Grand for that honour .remains a subject for examination, and I propose to do this now. Gipsy Grand's performances as a three-year-old were ass follow :—•

Otaoo Hunt Club.— Third 80 in Kensington Handicap, one mile and a distance, won by Maremma 7.7, with Captive 743 second, beating Beadonwell 8.10, Dilemma 7.11, and Victim 7.0. South Canterbury Spring.— Won Rhode* Memorial Stakes, one mile, 7.13, time lmia 42sacv beatini Maremma- 7.7 by a neck; Barmby B,tt, third; Prime Warden 9.5, Silver Spec 7.10, and Wiuchman 6.10 O.J.C. Spring.— Third In New Zealand Cup, 7.0, woh by Euroclydon 7.0, with Ohaos 6.13 second ; time for the two miles, Smin 3Uaec ! unplaced,, Nortkt Atlantic 9.0, Sternchnser 8.6, Impulse 8.5, Lady Zetland 8.6, Skirmisher 8.4, Pegasus 7.10. Aldershot 7.8, Marino 7.6, and The Artist 7.5. Third In Juvenile Plate, fivo furlongs, 8.7, won by Bloodshot 8.7 with Muiketry 8.12 second ; flva others unplaced. .. . D. J.O. SPRiNG.-Third In Otago Oun. » »Hstdl

a-half. 8.2, won by Barmby §.4, with Marino 7.8 Beyond ; beating Prime Warden 8.13, Aldersbot 7.7, and Silver Spec 7.4. Won Onßlow Plate easily from Prime Warden. Third in Glasgow Plate, 8.9, won by St. Olcmentß 91, with St. Onida (2yrs. 7.1) second, beating Tiara (2yrs, 6.1). D.J.O. Autumn.— Won Dunedin Cup, 8.4, a mile andtliree-quiivtors, 3min 7Jsec, beating Skirmisher 8.6, Dilemma 7.4, and Saracen 8.2, Won Forbury Hancl''cap, 8.12, a mile and a-quarter, 2min lljsec, beating .Saracen 8.11 and Barmby 8.8. Won Marshall Memorial 9.3, six furlongs, lmin lGJsec, beating Saracen 9.7. Gipsy Grand was then trained for the Hawke's Bay meeting, but, being hurt at exercise, he did got race there, nor has he started since, his f.hree-yeor-old record standing at five wins and four thirds. ' Now, then, for Euroclydon'd doings this season. They ate short, sensational, and decisive :— North Otaoo Spring.— Won Spring Handicap, 7.1£, one mile and a distance, lmin 58itec, beating Vandyke 6 7 and Alderehot 8.3. C.J C. Spring.- Won New Zealand Cup, 7.0, two miles, 3nritt Sljsec, beating Chaos 6.13, Gipsy Grand 7.6, and nine others above enumerated. Won Derby, 2min 4Usec, beating Mauper and Hannlicher. v Won Canterbury Cup, 7.6, two nriles and n-quarter, 3min 571 sec, beating Lady Zetland 9.1 and Prime Warden 9.6. It will be seen that the cracks have meb only once ; that was in the New Zealand Cup. It is an allowed fact thnt Gipsy Grand ran very naywardly in that rice, covering a great deal more ground than any of his opponents ; and as •be was full of go at the finish, and got a place, .not very far away, the argument is fair enough , that he proved himself to be at least as fast as, if ■pot faster than, the winner. Still, there is. the ijjlain fact that he did not win. Another matter .of record, though this again is the subject of .explanation, is that Gipiy Grand suffered defeat in his other race at the same meetiog. .Euroclydon, on the other hand, won both his .rices, and these were the events that are recognised as the championships of the colony, the Derby and the Canterbury Cup. Up to that point no handicapper would have hesitated, in the fnoe of actual results, to place Euroclydon above the other cplb. Mr Dowse, when making the weights for the Ofago Cup, burdened Mr Craig's oolt with 61b more than Gip*y Grand. Subsequent to that date, while Enrocljdon hat stood idle, Gipsy Grand has' bad a couplo of defeats at N Forbury in the BpriDg, only scoring when pitted against the played-ont Prime Warden ; and later on he triumphed three timeß in succession at the Dunedin Cup meetitfg. I was very much impressed with Gipsy Grand's performances on that occasion, and am net now going back on the praise I then gave him. Still the fact remains thbt he had not Euroclydon to beat ; also, he has not actu-. ally won at the New Zealand Cap distance. Taking the records aR they stand, I do not see the justification for pl«oing Gipsy Grand above Euroclydon. Fit and well either might beat the other. lam not arguing that Gipsy Grand is not able to beat the chestnut. Want I sny is Chat he has never done ifc, while there is a beating recorded the other way about. Whatever • ire may think as to the capabilities of the two colte, that f&cb is immovable, and must receive .consideration in- a comparison of their performances. To assume that Gipsy Grand is ■better at two miles than Euroclydon is to proceed on mere fancy, -The contention that . •Euroclydon is the better of the pair over the . 'distance could be supported by argument on -recorded facts, and it seercs to me that Mr - Henry would have been able to give solid ■ re.iflon6 for liis judgment had he nude a diffe- ■ rence of 21b or 31b tbe other' way about. [Since the above was in type Gipsy Grand has been icratched.

* # * Fabulist seems to be properly weighted in relation to Euroclydon. We have a line as to Fabulist's value in tbe races he rib at the Auckland Summer meeting. He beat Mauser twice. The last-named colt was third with 8.4- in the Chrfettnae Handicap, a mile and a-quarter, yon by Fabnlibt with 8.5; and Mauter was again third in tbe Auckland Derby won by Pabnlist. This Mauser i« tbe colt that linroclydon beat in the Canterbury Derby. Fabulist defeated Mauser quite as easily as Suroolydon did, and .coupling thab with the other fact that the Auckland Derby was faster than the Canterbury Derby, there is no reason, on Derby form alone, to assume that Fabulist is cot Buroclydon's equal, unless, indeed, disregarding time, we come to tbe conclusion that Mauser at Ellerslir was not bo well as Mauser afc Riccarton. I have an idea that .there is some weight in this qualification. Mauser at Auckland was beaten not only by Fabulist;, but by St. Regel in the Christmas Handicap and by Armour in the Derby— these circumstances suggesting a deterioration in Mr Stead's colt ; and as totbr fast time of the Auckland Derby (2min 39£»e) the course was apparently very fast, since <-n H at and the following days we had six. furlongs done in lmin 14seo and lmin 15sec and teveu furlongs in lmin 29$ sec. Bat, even allowing a little for these considerations—taking it for granted ' that Fabulist's Derby was run under conditions exceptionally favourable to a gofid performance on bis partthere is incontrovertible evidence that Mr Lennard's colt is q^ite in the front rank. Look at his Autumn Handicap win' with 9.5.' That be should receive weight from Euroolydon is, however, fair enoogb, seeing" that the latter relies nob on the Derby alone, but has the two long distance races to hh credit. But I don't Bee why the Aucklander ghou'd receive 91b from Gipsy Grand. On actual results, we find that in the Juvenile Plate at Christchurch Musketry 8.12 ran second, and Gipsy Grand 8.7 was third ; and in the Royal Stakes at Auckland Fabulist 8.13 finished a good second after getting off badly, while Musketry 8 9 (who was fairly well away) did not get a place. In other words, Fabulist beat Muaketry in a short race, giving him weight, and Musketry gave weight and a beating to Gip*y Grand. lam well aware that Gipsy Grand's defeat at Ohristchurch is capable of some excuse— the going did not suit him. But there must be some limit to such excuses. It is impossible to altogether overlook tbe results .as recorded. Common sense dictates th»t we should not be led too much by mere fancies. And, on a careful review of performances, I do not think that Fabulist has shown himself entitled to a 9ib concession from Gipsy Graud in a two-mile race.

*** Coming now to Lady Zetland, there is no one bold enough to say that this gallant little mare has no show at 8.9. During the present season she put up a wonderful performance in carrying 9.1 in the Canterbury Cup and forcing Euroclydon to break the colonial record for two miles and a- quarter n-un -v the other hand, she was only fifth wit" 8 s m iv last New Zealand Cup, and tbr v a ;,'- i< not an advantage to a ni»rcihn' 1 nine year* old when tbe race h r,un, aid hr cheats in the centre and back end of this season sre-m to indicate not exactly that the grasshopper hag become a burden, but that, while as game as ever, she is losing her finishing power. In the Birthday Handicap she was just beaten at a mile and a-half with 8.13. In a really firstolais field I should not consider her particularly well treated noir, but Mr Henry has very properly remembered the weaknesses of

) ! many of her opponents, and wisely made, ' tip his mind ., not to take libarbies with ' a mare that, though on the decline, may ' be far from done with. lam not infatuated with Lady Zetland's chance, but if she trains on . well, and meets a poor lob, her consistency ■ must make her dangerous. Mr Henry has , placed a high value on Brooklet's win in the Wellington Cup, raising her 191b, while Saracen, who finished second, a length and a-half away, is raised only 31b. It may also be remembered that in -the Wanganui Cup, a mile and threequarters, Brooklet, with 8 11, was never for a moment dangerous, while Lady Zetland at the same weight ran Spindrift to a head in an exciting finish. Ido not make too much of the fact thftt Lady Zetland now concedes Brooklet j only lib, for the latter should improve in the interval, while Mr Hobbs's mare cannot possibly avoid degeneration unless she is a phenomenon, but I think Brooklet has quite enough by compnrisoa with Saracen in particular and the field gem rally, and for the present she is not one of my fancies. *** Nobody can accurately figure out what Saracen's weight ought to be, he is such an unreliable horse ; but with from 8.7 to 8.12 in long races and up to about 9 6 in short events he seems generally able to get a place, and I feel quite justified in saying that 8.6 is nob too heavy a burden for him in the Cup. He has started in only one New Zealand Cup, being unplaced with 8.2 in the race won by Impulse ; but you can't reckon up Saracen's form by one race, nor by two or three. He is a real racer — when he likes ; at other times a stubborn mule ; -and; ai just said, it is hard to calculate his .form. For instance, in the Porbury Handicap, a mile and a-quarber, a distance that probably suited both horses, Gipsy Grand won with 8.12, "and Saracen with 8.11. though second, never had a hope. Gipsy Grand was conceding 141 b according to the weight-for-age scale. In the New Zaaland Cup the oolt gives Saracen 151b actual weight and 211b by the w.f.a. scale. On the Forbury Handicap form no one could say that 71b more would briDg the two together. Gipsy seemed to win with a s'.one to spare. But an isolated instance of that Sort proves very little ; to argue from it would lead a fellow to fallacious conclusions. That, at any rate, is my opinion, and I give Saracen a show, though, if the paradox be permitted, he is just one of the horses I should not back, having no faith in his reliability. The Possible, handicapped at 8.5, is another awkward customer to deal with. We possess very little guide to his real ability. Weighttd at 8 8, he started first favourite for the Auckland Cup. In the race he fell just as he was making a forward move, so we dou't ■know what he would have done at the finish. Some use may, however, be made of the preeumption that he had been satisfactorily tried at the weight. If that is any criterion, he should have some kind of show now. Then with 8.7 he ran second- in the Hawke's Bay Cup. Eight-five is a nice racing impost for a six-year-old that aspires to frontrank honours. Judged by the Wanganui Cup, it would seem that Mahaki is not very well treated, for with 8 10 he did nothing in that race/ Bub we know Mahaki, at hit beit'to be a racehorse— quite a first-class handicap performed — and- Mr Henry is quite right in nob ■ taking further liberties with a horse of this . class. Eight-three is really a light weight for Mahaki, considering hie whole career. Eighteen -months ago he won the Welliugfcon Cup with 8.6, beating Lady Zetland 8.3 and North Atlantic 7.10 for place!. If 8 3 does not give him a show, neither would 73. He must race ' some more, and exhibit more defeats before climbing furthsr down the handicaps. I think he has received the utmost allowance that can at present be chimed. Mark, however, thai I distinctly decline to recommend M&haki for this race. I have no assurance that he is sound.

*«* Ngatuere is a little higher than I expeered'to find him. He beat Quiltiri in the Wanganui Derby, and with 7.11 got third place in the Wanganui Cup, bo that he may be a stayer. Mr Henry, I think, saw these races, and, though I thought to see the horse in at a lighter weight, there may ba good reasons for giving him a prominent position. Bessie Macarthy, when she got third place in the Great Autumn - Handicap, was carrying 83. Here is a table showing bow she meets the pair that finished in front of her in the mile and a-half race: —

AuturanHandicap. N.Z. Cup. Bellicent ... 151b under w.f.a. ... 141b under Culverln ... 131b under w.f.a. ... 141b under B. Macarthy... 121b under w.f.a. ... 151b under So that, as judged through the weight-for-age scale (and I don't know how else to make a comparison between horses of varying ages), Bellicent, winner of the Autumn Handicap, is ruised lib; Culverin, who finished second, is lowered lib; and Bessie Macarthy, the third, is lowered 31b. In other' words, Culverin receives 21b for the beating and Bessie Macarthy receives 41b. Thisjs something like a fair thing— cutting it a little fine, perhaps, but there was not muoh .to spare in the Autumn Handicap, and Bessie's Australian perform&ncea are not yet forgotten, while Bellicent baa since Buffered defeat at Dunedin, so that, all things considered, Mr Henry's figures are as near right as possible relatively in regard to these three, and 8 0 being not a heavy weight for a racer, I fancy the group are in about their proper place in the handicap. Lorelei is hardly so well treated, perhaps, as her party wished. She won the double at Palmerston North last season, having 8.4 on the second day, and putting down Barmby, Rangipuhi, and Prime Warden, who wereaH in the eights-tone division, but somehow I don't think these horses were up bo their form on that day. I place more reliance on Lorelei's rnnning at Wellington. There she was unplaced in the Cup, carrying 8 7, and with 8.1 up ran a good second to Saracen 8.8 in tbe Racing Club Handicap. Taking that as a guide, that Saracon gave her 71b and a beating—and I cannot find any more trustworthy race to refer to— Lorelei is not well used now in being asked to meet Saracen at a difference of 61b.

*#* Searchlight won twice at Hawke's Bay in March, at a mile and a-half each day. With 6.8 she did the Cup in 2min 40 3 ssec, and, jumping up to 7.10 for the Burke Memorial Stakes, Rhe ran away with the race in. 2min 38£ sec. Very evidently the handicappers have not yet got Searchlight's measure, and this being so she cannot- be considered harshly used at 8.0. Culverin's chaiice we have already considered. She has a look in if at her best. Irish Twist and Bonnie Scotland mutt have been handicapped largely on guesßwork, and, though I do not rancv either, I do not know that they have anything to complain of. Quiltiri came into notice by beating Bloodshot in the Hawke's Bay Guineas, and after f ooie fairish intervening performances he won the Birthday Handicap, this being his chief feat so far. In that race he carried 7.10, or 51b under weight for age, and now he if assessed at 7.13, or 121b under w.f.a. How thii pans out in relation to the Cup- lob that be beat in the Birthday Handicap is thus shown (I give the first five in the order in whioh they finished) :•—

Birthday New Zealand Cup Handicap. Cup. weight. Quiltiri ... 51b under 121b under 71b less Lady Zetland 21b v Gib m 41b >■ Lord Zetland 2blb .i 281b v 21b n Jane Eyre ... 261b ti 301 bo 41b v Belliceut .„ 21b n 141b a 121b v Sarocen ... 61b it 141b n 81b v New Foresb... 231b ti 321b n 91b v Black and Red 14lb n S6lb v 121b v This table will be of use in more ways than one, bub the immediate purpose is to show that Quiltiri is not badly handicapped in relation to the crowd be meb in the Birthday Handicap. The two Zetlands were the only ones that he had to fight against, and, accepting the inferences of the weight-for-age scale, he meets them both on better terrm, the Lady bciDg 31b and the Lord 51b worse off by comparison in the Cup that is coming ; and the most that QuiUiri ooncedes to those he beat very badly in the Birthday Handicap is slb. Oo figures, then, Mr Harris's gelding is not badly treated ; yet, somebow or other, I have an idea thab he is not a genuine stayer — that he happened to be particularly well on the day he won at Dunedin. At this stage I leave the subject for the week.

*** The story of an Oxford steeplechaser's performance in Franoe is told by a writer in the Field. Charlie Symonds, the well-known Oxford horsedealer in the fifties, was for ever looking out for hones that could carry the sporting undergraduates to hounds or maybe in a race. One that came through his hands was 'The Dean (by Sir Isaac), a 15hd 2in horse with, the heart of a lion and legs of metal. The Dean won a race at Aylesbury, and the performance was reckoned good enough to warrant his being entered in the Grand International Steeplechase at Longchamps. Great was the satisfaction when the weights were published to find that the lictle horse had been moat leniently treated by the lnudicapper at 8.12. Bat who was to ride him at that weight? It was, however, decided that as he had always run kindly with his little amateur jockey, preference should be given to him instead of a professional It was an eventful and anxious day for sporting Oxford wheu Charlie Symonds arrived at Longchamps with his Oxford hack and hi 6 Oxford man — or rather boy — jockey." Their pretence, from old Alma Mater, in the midst of a. dozen of the best steeplechasers that England and Ireland could produce, g.tve rise to much good-natured chaff, to be reversed later on. That brilliant horseman, Alan MacDonough (Ireland never sent out a better), was there with Seaman, who had only succumbed by a head to Bourton (the Liverpool winner of that year) a fortnight before at Warwick. He had also brought with him Augustine, who- had proved herself invincible in Ireland. Tom Golby depended on his oldfashioned perfect fencer, Ploughboy, with that finished artist, Sam Darling, to steer him Ben Liud had brought over^Needwood, about to carry French colours, as he had sold him on the previous day at a high' figure to Count Ptjrigaux, or rather to a syndicate. The foreiga dirision backed Needwood so heavily that be started favourite. Charlie Symouds's instructions to his jockey were to get off in- front, and keep there ; whioh the little one carried out to the letter. Getting the best of the start, he rushed to the front, jumping the fence in fioat of the Emperor's stand with a lead of about three lengths, which wa3 inert 1 ased to six by the time they ueared the big double — a high, broad bank with a wide ditch on either side, which was negotiated safely by all. The Dean, mindful perhaps of a similar obstacle in the old Aylesbury course, was on and off without dwelling a second, and so further increased his .lead, whioh he fully maintained until nearing ' the lost fence, when N«edwood, pVientiy ridden by Wakefleld (a son of the vicar), gradually began to lessen the gap, a-id landed safely ' alongside of the leader on to the fiat racecourse. Two flights of hurdles had still to be Burmounted, at eaoh ef which the Oxford horse, favoured by his light weight, gained nearly a length; but Needwood, running gamely under the whip, and in spite of his additional impost of about three stone, again got to the head of his antagonist, and so they passed the winning post looked together, the judge's verdiot being a short head in favour of the top weight ; Tom Donaldson, on Lady Arthur, an outsider, putting up with third honours, two lengths behind. Many and severe were the openly expressed criticisms over that verdict by tbe English division, who declared that the Frenchman* new purchase nuver quite got up. The game little Oxford chaser was left behind, sold for a big sum, and was never beaten afterwards in the country which had adopted him. His amateur jockey is now a professional, not between the flags, but behind the footlights.

* # * Presuming design in creation, Woodnymph, whose deabh is reported in this issue, might be supposed to have been sent as a " take-down,"-to keep- us from imagining that there was anything like certainty in breeding, and to prevent us from setting up the Musket— Sylvia nick as something to be worshipped. In Martini-Henry we had one .of the best of the Musk'eb breed ; in his sister, the tmbjucfc of this notice, one of the v*ry worst. As a matter of fact she never won a race. Her lir. c t attempt was in the Welcome Stakes at Auckland. Tommy Hodson rode her, and she was well fancied. There is a conflict of evidence as to what was actually favourite, but I think Krupp held the honour, and Woodnymph and Tetford were next in demand. Whatever her price, she had no sey in the race. Krupp and Revo 1 -.- . came down the straight together, ;•• < Trenton get in between them for a he id win in a fine finish This, by the way, was Trenton's first race, and so few fancied him that he paid £27 10s. Later in the day Woodnymph finished unplaced in the Epsom Plate, a five-furloag race at weight for age, in which Nelson beat Mitrailleuse (thanks to the wretched start) by a neck after a capital conte3b. The filly ran three times at the Auckland Summer meeting with no better luck, taking part in the race for the Midsummer Stakes which was such a close thing as between Trenton and Krupp, being one of the lot that finished behind Krupp in the New Year's Gift (run twice), and also finishiug nowhere in the Nursery Handicap won by Necklace, who slipped her field &t the start and was never caught, paying £41 11s. In the Autumn, on the same course, Woodnymph finished third in the Elierslie Plate,' only a length behind the dead-heaters Krupp 8.10 and Necklace 9.4. This performance gave her backers a little encouragement, but the handicapper evidently had no great opinion of the m&re, as in the next season he pub her into the Auckland Cup at 5.12, and in one of the worst fields that ever started for this event she was very badly beaten ; placed third, certainly, but what a third! — eight lengths behind the winner, and she would not have got the honour at all if the . whole crowd had run it out to the end. On the second day she gob a bad doing., in the Derby won by Tigridia from Necklace ; but on the third day she ran second 7.0 to Mitrailleuse | 8 2 in the Newmarket Handicap. At the Easter gathering on the same course she carried 7.0 into second place behind Turquoise 9.3 in the Easter Handicap, and with 7.12 she finished third to Turquoise 9.10 and Buzzard

7.0 in the Autumn Handioap. After, that she was no longer persevered with, but went to the stud, and at the dispersal of Sylvia Park was sold to Mr W. R. Wilson for 500gs. Her blood may yet prove valuable through some of her offspring, but I should say that Woodnymph hers all was a failure all round.

V "Vigilant," speaking of the Cheater meeting, recalls recollections of a most exoiting fight for the Stewards' Cup in 1876. It wa« run over the Grosvanor course (about a mile and a-quarter), the competitors being Thunder [ 9.6, with Fred Archer in the saddle, and Lowlander, carry ing the same weight and ridden by Henry Custauce. On Mr Vyuer's horse 2 to 1 was betted, and Borne of my friends chaffed me beo&use I suggested that ib was no good thing for him. They insisted that; Thunder would have his rival spun out some distance from home, but I diffidently remarked that although that probably would be so if .they met over a like distance at Newmarket, it did not follow that the same result would occur on the Roodee. Ju&t what I expeoted happened. Probably Mr " H. C." still rather prides himself on his performance, and he will permit me, I am sure, to quote his version of the conte3t, taken from the pages of "Riding Recollections." " Archer," wrifceß Mr Custanoe, " said, ' I suppose you will be waiting and messing me about as usual, but I have come different goods to-morrow.' I really thought the same myself. There were only those two runners, and a great deal of excitement was caused, as they were both champions over their courses, although a mile waß quite as far as Lowlander liked to travel. Going past the stand the flrat time there was a sharp angle just beyond the winning post, and Archer, who wag makiug running, slipped his horse along at hard As he could for about EOOycls. I had only to wait my time ; I wasn't going after him there, especially as Lowlander was a big how.c— over 16hds 2in— and with »very sharp turns it would not do to bustle him. Archer steadied his horse back to me, but presently went off with another rush, yet c»me back again. As we ntared the Dee side of the course he was rather fetpk xsd what to do, as I bad placed my horse right behind him. My oKjeoS was to prevent Aichrr from knowing how my mount was going by keeping right in hi* track, juit closo enough not to strike into his horse's heels. About the distance Arcter was looking for me again, but could not see me. Luckily for me, instead of catching hold of Thunder's head and sending him straight home, he waited for one run. Fortunately I got this first, and won by a little less than half a length."

From the Herald I learn that K<uka was fancied by m*ny for the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase on account of his sterling performance when he ran second to Glengarrie on the first day, but they doubted the ability of the little fellow to get Ihe distance over a heavy coune even with an advantage of 3.1 in his favour. Once the flag waß down, however, the son of Admiral strode away in the l^fld, and galloping as if he liked bis work, cub out tne running at a sound pace. In vain the knowing ones waited for him to go back to his field, for in free and swinging style he belted along, taking all the obstacles in his stride from beginning to end, and was not troubled on the way home. So pleased was Mr Donnelly with the performance of Kaika that he purchased him from his preneut owner, the price paid, we believe, being £120. The Plug surprised many people by the way in whioh he tackled the big timber, and Hopeful showed less reluctance to face it than on previous occasions, though he came down at the double near the railway the last time round. Mutiny ran a good horse, and wan unlucky in meeting such a tartar as the little 'mi from Wsirarapa, whose rider, W. Buckeridge, deserves special mention for his careful horsemanship. The ancient and reliable Dromedary ran a gogd race, and her numerous supporters were rather surprised at .her defeat by the son of Admiral. Booties was prominent when two miles had been accomplished, but found the pace a bit too hot for him after that. The Welter brought out a splendid lit Id, and the race which resulted was worth going a long way to see. SK Regel was made a red-hot favourite before a rather sensational incident occurred which led to him carrying nearly half the mont-y on the machinenamely, the ringing oh of £93 telegraphed from afar off in support of the "dead bird" of the meeting. Events proved disaitrous to the backers of the Auckland horse, who could not win, although he got well away and held a likely position throughout. Solitaire made a bolt from her field once in the straight, though Haeata disputed every inch of a terrific finish with her, and disputed what proved to be the dividend of the day. The Final Steeplechase was merely an oafciug for the well-b*cked DoQild M'Kiunoa, though Morag fought out a gallant struggle with him as far us he could go.

• 'V* Mr J. Ellis, one of the raciug firm of Ellis Bros., tells me that he has taken in hand" a couple of yearlings and begun to break them into saddle. Both are irrep-oiobably bred. Decoy is the name bestowed ou one, a filly by the expatriated Medallion from Siren, by Sfc. George— Watewprite, by Tradup^r (imp.) ; and the other, also a filly, nam»d Edelweiss, is by St. Clair from Indolence, by Grand Flaneur — Scraps, by Lord of the Hills (imp.). This is racing blood. The aptly-named Decoy claims as sire * hone deemed worthy of installation at the famed Tccsl stud, and her dam is from the Traducor mare that produced Stonvhurst, a racer of high merit while he lasted. Edelweiss spring* from little St. Clair, who will yet take rank among the best sires of the colony, and the exceptionally well-bred Indolence, who so far has not made herself a name, but ma? be known to fame through some of her progeny— perhaps this very yearling of Mr Etlis's. No one would begrudge J.C. mid his brothers the luck to rear a New Zealand Cup winner, for they are good sports. A four-year-old gelding has also been added to the firm's property. This member, who is to be called Guide, is by Vanguard out of a sister to Lidy'g Maid, therefore brother in blood to Vanilla. ;

*„* Those who are turning their eyes towards America as a possible market for thoroughbred stock or as a likely place to which to send breediDg horseß or mares will be interested in the results of the Rancbo del Paso sale of yearlings. This is one of the biggest sales in the States. This year it occupied three days, during which 85 head were disposed of for a total of 59,450d01. The average on the fir*t day was 502d0l per head, the highest figure being the 2600d0l paid by Burns and Walterhouse for the Salvator— Fleurette colt ; on the second day, when a colt by Sir Modred from imported Oran topped the market with '4000dol (bid by Marcus Daly), the average was 831dol ; and the third day's bidding* gave the best price, 1700 ilol for a colt by imported Midlothian from Rosetta, bought by Marcus Daly, the average for the day being 706d01. For the three days 12 young Maxims were, disposed of at an average of 1175u01, 13 of Sir Modred's Drogeny at an average of 1169d01, and *the five by Darebin aver.tged 145d01. The lowest buying price of I any of the lots was lOOdol, and the highest the 4000dol for Oroa'i too, of. Sir Madred. The

New Zealand horses (I do not claim Parebib f though be is ours also in the sense of being turline's son) seem to be well holding their own. At this sale they were pitted againsfi some of the beat of the blood in the States, including yearlings by Islington, brother to the English ohampion Isinglass.

| * # * The Geraldine Trotting Club'« steward* met on Wednesday week to consider the Sultan* Moody case. Mr Pearpoint, the chairman, ig reported by the Timaru Herald to have made reference in bis speech to the inconsistent statement! made by Bull and others. Bull acknowledged that be knew in January 1896 that the horse was Sultan, and jet in April 1896 he entered him as Moody. Mr C. Ham* inond, one of the^ club's stewards, had also written to a party in Christohuroh telling him to back the horse at Geraldine, acknowledging that he was a " rung-in " horse. He (the chairman) would draw the stewards' attention to Mr Hammond's evidence at the first meeting of stewards in the tent when he propossd that the protest against Moody be dismissed) and the resolution was carried. Then at the inquiry Mr Hammond had stated that the horse Moody ran at Fairlie Creek in 1890 or 1891 when Jumbo ran there. Mr Hammond : That is not correct. Mr Tamer said he heard Mr Hammond say so. Mr Clephane : Mr Hammond said he beard that a horse Moody ran %t d , Fairlie, not this horse Moody. Mr Hammond : Yes, that is correct. Mr' Pe&rpoint said they had evidence to prove that no horse named Moody ran at Fairlie at tbe time mentioned. Another thing, Mr Hammond in bis sworn testimony acknowledged that he knew in November that tbe horse waß Roaeman, and yet he went into the tent and told the stewards that; tbe horse was Moody. The chftirman thea went on to spenk of the patts played by others, thus tracing the doings of the hone. Ftom this it appeared that Mouat cold Sultan at Dunedin (as Sultan) to Rodgers ; that Rodgers sold to Voyce in the horse's right name ; that Voyce gave the animal to Ras, who sold, apparently" to Bull. The matter was considered by the meeting, and alter Htwmond had acknowledged having said ihU he knew the Lo;te was a "ring-in," it was resolved to disqualify for life the horse Sultan, and Messrs Voyce, Hammond, Rae, and Bull. An amendment to leave out Hammond'i) name, in consideration of bis having a wife and family, was withdrawn after discussion.

*a* Dan O'Brie&'n cant-off, Havana, carrying 11 4, and ridden by Biewer, started at odds on for the Hurdle Race at the Caulfleld meeting on the 27th, and, though the grey blundered at the laßt hurdle, he won easily, thanks in large measure to the riding, from the outsider Chummie, who is said to be the makings of a fairish horse for hurdle-racing. This waß the race in which Silver Bees broke hia shoulder. For the Cambria Plate, five fur'ongtt and a-htt)f, Mainstay 8 13 was most ' fnucieu, but he failed to see the distance out. and Sunbury, a five-year-old by Sunset, carrying 7.7, won comfortably by a little less than a length. The false rail was used in this race, and does not seem to have worked very well. "Terlingit" says it appeared to him that it plajed havoc with the chances of most of the competitors. Th*j Steeplechase . weut to an outsider in Nutmeg, a son of Nulii Secuudua— sire of the brown horse Maribjruong that Jack Poole had in training. Will o' the Wisp, who was greatly fancied at that time for the Grand National, fell at the last fence, thus depriving his party of the chance of seeing how ho would tight out a flnifli. The Richmond Handicap iouud Summerlea upsetting a>l the favourites; Sinking Fund (a son of First Water) effected a surprise in the Cambria Puree ; and though " Wilton did backers a turn in the Selling Race, they had much the worst of it with the books in the whole day's operations. Mr Miller let Wilton go for £110 after winning his mcc, Mr L. E. Myer beiDg thY purchaser, and it is mid he got a bargain, as a much higher value was - until reoently net on the son of Lord Wilton and Brown Gip«y, who is now destined for Wcstralia.

*«* At a French meeting some time ago there were three horses running in a hurdle race, two of which had "waiting" orders, consequently those backers in the know lost no time in puttiog their mom-y on- the third. The beast behaved in a, moat repiehet sible tcauuer at the last feuce. The Bullish contingent were on to a man, but the horse stuck with his toes firmly planted and his head over the hurdle, and re : fueed to go over a- any price. To give the other pair due credit, they did all they coald to lose, rushing up to the obstacles repeatedly, and whipping round in a series of most masterly refusals. Then was a well-known English turflte deeply grieved at the prospective loss of his money, and, arming himself with-a hedge stake, he remarked, "Now, boy?, for the honour of old Eog'and." Striding forth, he applied that stake with such vigour in the region of the bristle tbab the well backed concluded be would jump the hurdle. Thu.i did every Englishman preseui, turn an houct penny.

* # * Tumour of the heart was the cause of death of Nightingale, the two-mile trotting champion in America. She was bred in 1835, got by Mambrino King from Minnequa Maid, by Wood's Hamblctonian from » running mare, pedigree unknown ; Marabrino Kiog by Mawbrino Fatchea from Belle Thornton, by Edwin Forrest. This was not considered a fashionable pedigree. Bat she trotted in 77 races, was behind the money only six time*, and, luting eight successive campaigns, she won 48,955d01. She is said to have been a wonder in protracted races, and for stamina generally, and worked up to the moment of death.

* # * I understand that the price paid by the Dunedin Jockey Club for the new course at Wingatui is a little over £3000.

* # * Mr Hayward, of Wellington, has brought from England a' St. Simon stallion as well as Gold Reef. I will lcok up the new horse's pedigree next week.