TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2303, 21 April 1898, Page 31

TALK OF THE DAY.

*a* Mr &. S. Myers had a cheerful statement io make at the annual meefciDg of the Tahuna Park Trotting Club, held on Friday last. It e&me to this: that whereas the year commenced with £102 in hand and £200 on deposit, the club wound up with £259t in the bank, an addition of £149 to the plant—represented by the sulkies now provided by the club, and which constitute a realisable asset — and £100 due for entries and subscriptions (which could be readily collected), whila on the other hand the liabilities did not cx r eed £70. Over the June meeting the club made a profit of £50, at the summer meeting there w&s a loss of £61, and the autumn meeting turned in a profit of £235. This is a satisfactory statement, and I am sure the members ought to be pleased with it. The figures represent a year of hacd work and progress. The only point on which a question could be asked is as to the £100 due for entries and subscriptions. This is rather a large sum. Strictly speaking there ought to be nothing owing under these headings ; but as a matter of f«ct there is hardly a club in the colony that scrupulously Hve3 up to the rule forbidding credit for entries, and probably we could not find one that is clear of overdue subscriptions, wherefore I am not disposed to rate the committee for neglect in this respect, but rather to interpret Mr Myers's statement that these debts can be collected as an intimation that they will be collected, and to congratulate the Tahuna Club on its escape from loss on these accounts. I have every confidence in the management, and feel sure that the step in advance taken this year, with the view of bringing trotting in Otago up to a higher level than it bas hitherto occupied, may be regarded aB simply the inauguration of a policy the principle of which, will never be abandoned co long as the club has such a good sportsman as Mr Myers in the chair and a capable secretary like Mr Harry James at the head of the detail work. The elections resulted in the return of two new members to the committee in Messrs J. M'Ghie and W. Ande;sou. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Hooper for his past services. I think it was an oversight not to pay a similar compliment to Mr K. S. Bsgg in recognition of his services as treasurer. Mr Begg rtsigned during the year owing to pressure of business engagement 1 :, and I am sure members of the club realise that by his resignation they have lost a good man.

##* The third Earl of Bradford died on the 9th of last month at the age of 78 years. He was for 40 years a breeder and owner. One of 'the firat of his mares that made any mark was May Bell, by Hetman Plattff, who bred him Salpinctes and Black Lily araong*t other winners. Salpinctes he sold to Captain Kiog, and in the latfcer's colours the colt won the Cesarewitch in 1865, beating by the shortest of heads a great pot in Gratitude, trained specially for the race by James Waughj'and owned by the Hon. W. Robinsoa. Salpioctes was no doubt the best racehorse that May Bell bred, bitt Black Lily, though not of much use herself, lived to a great age, and produced for Lord Bradford no fewer thaa 13 foals. This Cesarewitch result gives tha deceased nobleman's name a sort of value to New Zealanders, but; I find a stronger connection as between Lord Bradford and this colony in the fact that he owned and raced Zealot — eire of Castor. Zealot won the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ai-cof", beating Petronel, the Two Thousand Guineas winner, and many other races, though his classic essays were not attended with success, or even distinction, albeit he was fourth in the St. Leger to Robert the Devil. He beat Mask in a Triennial Produce across the flat, but at the end of his four-year-old season was taken out of trailing, bi^ limbs having succumbed to the exigencies of training. Chippendale, who was bought as a foal with bis dam, Adversity, for 350gs, was another good horse raced by the deceased owner. This horse (says the Sportsman) did not run till he was three years old, but he then made up for lo&t time with a vengeance. He started by winning by a short head the Prince's Park Plate, beating Palmbearer, who subsequently finished second to Sir Bevys in the Derby. He next won the Epsom Summer Plate, the A=icoC Derby, and beat Silvio, tha Derby and Sb. Leger winner of 1877, in the Hard wicke Stakes. He suffered two defeats later in the year, but was specially trained for the Cesarewitch, for which he was handicapped to carry 7.5, and won in gallant style. He won a Qu=en's Plate in the same week, and altogether this seffson credited his owner with about £7000 in stakes alone. Next season he won the Jockt-y Ciub Cup and the Great Metropolitan, bub could only get fourth in the Cesarewitch, in which he carried Lord Bradford's first colour.", with the second borne by Retreat. He ran in the Cesarewitch once more es a five-year-old, carrying 8.12, and made a bold bid for victory, but he had to knock under to Foxhall, to whom he was giving a stone, and who a fortnight later carried his penalty home in the Cambridgeshire, showirg clearly what a tartar Chippendale had been taking on. Chippendale might have dove even better on the turf but for breaking a small blood-vessel during bis career. Quicklime, who ran second in Shotover's Derby, brought fame to the stable, and Sir Hugo crowned its success in 1892 by pulliDg off the Derby, beating La Fleche.

*#* Should it ever be necessary for Mr Henry

I what he can do as a handicapper he can point to the Feilding meeting of this Easter as somei thing to be proud of. The. betting was pecaI liarly even right through the meeting, and in I only one race did the public selection get home. I I refer nay readers to the report appearing in I this issue for confirmation of these statements, j and as an example of the way Mr Henry levelled j up the chances I would call attention to the in- ; vestments in the Flying Handicap, each of the I horses being in the one hundreds and the actual I favourite third. There were also some good finishes during the meeting, but I rely mainly on the way backers were puzzled as proof of the excellent handicapping. In the Flying Handicap the first to lead was Aquatic, but she did not hold her own when chased by Indian Shot, and in an interesting race the latter got home by a head from Ben Varry, with Aquatic third. Next day there was a race of the same sort, the distance being the same, the time the same, tha horses the same. I refer to the Denbigh Stakes. In this Indian Shot and Ben Varry were each raised 51b and Aquatic w*b lowered lib, and this difference sufficed to briog Aquatic horae. The two races were run differently so far as Aquatic was concerned. She rushed away with the lead in the Flying and waited on the others for awhile in the Denbigh Stake*. Perhaps that made some difference to the result — not much, howe\er, since there could have been precious little waiting with the six-f urlong cut out in lmin 17aec. My point is that we do not often see 61b allowance causing a third to change places with a first. It was gratifying to me to learn that Voltigeur won the Cup, since this was the borae I recommended. Light and Primula made the pace, and Volligeur had to be shoved along earnestly in order to get up to them. Once up he had to keep going to reply to the effort made by the pair mentioned, and whips were out on the three as they ran into the straight, but Voltigeur stood it the best and ultimately won, if not easily, at any rate decisively, in the rattling time of 2min 39sec. Previous winners of this Feilding Cup are here shown :—: — 1891— Pyramus ... syrs 7 0 2min 42 sec 1892— Kupenga ... syrs 6 13 2min 43 sec 1893— Uangipuhi ... syrs 8 2 2min 38J«ec 1834 -Pin rose ... 3yrs 8 7 2min 40|sec 3895— Lorelei ... 3yis 6 13 2min 454 sec 1896— Man-o'-War ... 4yrs 7 0 2min 43 sec 1897— Lotion ... syrs 8 8 2min 47 sec J B9B— Voltigeur ... 6yrs 7 9 2min 39 sec Again I would remark that these timings are nob cffki&l, but to the nearest quarter of a second. It will he observed that in these years Voltigeui's record is the second best, having been beaten only by the *ecord of Rangipuhi, who, by tha way, started in the Feilding Cup of 1892, 1893, and 1895, as well as this year, and now finds the juniors a bit too swift for him. In the Easter Handicap on the second day Voltigeur was raised 6ib and Light 3lb, while Primula was lowered 31b and Rangipuhi s'.b, and ihis difference helped Primula to a win, though I expect the reduced distance had even mote to do with the result than the concession in weight, as she can gallop all the road for a mile and a- quarter, but wants something left in her if she is to get well to the end of a mile and a-half. The unpleasant incident of the meetiDg was the disqualification of Return in the Makino Handicap. In the Winter Oats on the first day, the same distance, Return finished third. On the second day he beat; the same horses in a race that was a tick faster. The stewards inquired into this, and finding inconsistency without fair excuse they ruled Return out and gave the race to Ben Varrey.

## s Mr Allison it was who recommended Bill of Portland to Mr W. R. Wilson when that gentleman wag on the look-onfc for a St. Simon stallion to take from Sngiand to Victoria. Now that Bobsdil has practically made Bill of Portland's name in the colonies "the special commissioner" pardonably claims credit for the recommendation, and though his argument may not commend itself to everybody, it is put in a readable way, and also embodies a large amount of demonstrable truth. This is how the writer puts it : Doss not Bobadil's tuccess justify my oft-repeated policy of going for class first and soundness after, whether it bs a Prince Charlie, an Ormonde, or a Bill of Portland that you are dealing with ? It is not correct that they do not have roarers in Australia, for Resolute is a roarer, and he has recently won some thousands of pounds, but the infirmity is one which is always likely to be rare in that climate. The main point is, however — and let anyone consider it — that for a moderate price you could only buy a very sccond-olass Sb. Simon horae, with a vet's certificate ; yet for that same price you could buy the brilliant Bill of Portland and dispense with the vet. Now, given sound stock — and sound horses get fully us many roarers as do uosound ones — which would any sane man back 10 get the greater number of winners — Bill of Portland or the sound mediocrity ? The question does not need to be answered, and if it did, Bobadil, in Australia, has already scored heavily for Bill of Portland. It remains for future years to show what the other St. Simon horses in Australia will do. Of these, howf- ver, Ido not for an instant doubt that Haufc Brion will make a big name, for the yearlings by him at Howbury are so good, and I hear ho haa seven or eight foals in Australia. Then there is GHgue, also by St. S'rnon, at Mr Hordern's stud, and in New Zealand there is Soulfc, a protty smart horse in his day,.but faulty of hock — and here is the point where breeders should take warning as to the 'combination of Galopin or St. Simon and Musket. Both of these breeds have a tendency to imperfect hecks, and in any interbreeding especial care should be taken in selecting the individuals. I need hardly aay to the initiated that because St. Simon or Sb. Simon horse 3 succeed on uiares of Musket blood, it does not in tha least; follow that the reverse cross will be equally succpssful. Musket horses need an altogether different study.

*#* Jack Rae, the well-known trainer and steeplechase rider, has got into senous trouble in Auckland, having been warned off the course and disqualified for 12 months for striking J. Katterns in the jockeys' room at Bllerslie aud for alleged foul riding in the Steeplechase. His trainer's and jockey's licenses were "also catcalled. Rae admitted haviug U3ed the language imputed to him under provocation. Ho asserted that Levanter was tidden ouband beaten fairly by his stable companion Magpie. Mr Archibald, the owner of Levanter, said he had confidence in Rae, and believed that he rode LevaDter out. Other jockeys, however, asserted that Rae interfered with Mies Nelson. Katterne, the rider of Mias Nelson, alleged that R%e called him a thief and struck him twice in the jockeys' room, that in the last round of the Steeplechase he was interfered with by Kae, and that at the lasfchurdla both the rider of Magpie and Rae on Lavanter pulled in. Rae is one of the moat experienced men in the colony. He has ridden The Ajjent, Chandler, Alaric, Falcon, Orangeman, and Levanter to victory in the Auckland Summer Steeplechase, and climbed to tha goal of his ambition last August when he won the Grand National on Levanter. No doubt he is wa of the best steeplechase tidecs that we

I have. His sentence is therefore a significant \ lesson to the profession.

* # * Of the nine horses that have won the C.J.C. Champagne Stakes for Mr Stead, Altair is probably the luckiest, and perhaps the one concerning which the owner had the least hope beforehand. Of Altair's speed there could be no question, since he had in the spring niada a record of 47sec for four furlongs, but his later performances were not encouraging, and he hardly has the size for a Champagne colt. The chances are that had Conqueror kept well he is the fellow that would have carried the stable's confidence ; bnt the breaking down of Conqueror in the racs gave Altair an opportunity, and we know him now to be a better colt than be was generally supposed to be. The experience emphasises the need that exists for the C.J.O. to fall into line with the other leading clubs, and bracket together horses the property of one owner. In such a case as this Champagne, wbeee one of a pair is under suspicion! the bracketing would be an advantage even to the owner. In other cases it would relieve an owner from any suspicion of workiDg his stable in his own interests, as opposed to those of the general public. In this case the reason of the favourite's defeat was plainly seen — he came in lame. In other casrs there may be just as solid ground for a favourite's defeat without anything showing. Mr Stead has had a great run of success in this Champagne. He won with Trenton in 1884-, with Maxim in 1887, with Medallion in 1890, and from 1893 hs has caver known defeat in the race, bis winning representatives in order being Strowac, Bluefire, ManDlicher, Bombshell, Multiform, and Altair. Speaking subject to correction, I think this i« absolutely a unique record. Mr Stead's success in the Challenge Stakes has also been remarkable. He won this event in 189* with Bluefire, the next year with Mannlicher, in 1896 Dauntless beat his Epaulet by a head (BombsheH, the favouriterthird), and since then Multiform, Ihe noblest Roman of them all, has won twice. It may be taken as a compliment to Dundas that Mr Stead stripped Multiform as well as Gold Medallist this year. As things turned out Medallist proved good enough to beat Mr Hobbb's colt, but the Yaldhurst party appavently had their doubts beforehand. As to the handicaps. I understand that Cannonshot's patty did not fancy him enough for the Easter to back him seriously, ie being given to me as a fact that the Messrs Friedlander had between them less than a fiver on the horae. The win of Goldle*f in the Autumn Handicap was very popular. Sir George Clifford is one of the very best of our sporting owners, and he would be specially pleased with the result, seeing that Sit bred (he filly.

*#* Two or three horses stand out prominently as likely candidates for the Thompson Haadicap, the mile race, which constitute* the chief attraction at the Wellington meeting on the 27fch ir.st. Waiuku is one of these. He must have a cbance at 10.3. "With a few pounds Us* he would be reckoned a really good thing. - I grant his defeat at Christchurch, and would at the same time point out that he finished close up in a race which was an extremely difficult one to win. St. Paul has a 71b penalty for winning at Auckland, otherwise I would give him a «how. The next on the list, Multiform 9.6, is my real fancy. He shouldered 9 4 in the Challenge Stakes and decisively boat a particularly select field at seven furlongs, done in very fast time. Nine-six, therefore, will not stop him, and I am pretty sure that tha extra furlong is in hia favour, fioce be has won at all distances. Passing over Zanella, who is amiss, and pretty sure not t:> start, we come to a possible in Daunt, who may bs expected to race better at Wellington than he did on the righthanded course at Auckland ; but I certainly think that Gold Medallist has at least an equal show with D*unt as a question of weighs, and if asked to make a selection, Mr Stead's sturdy chestnut should certainly not be overlooked. These are the ones that I have a real fancy for. Looking through the names of -the other ones engaged, Sir Launcelot, Amphion, aud Ticanfc d'Bau catch the eye, and Red Lancer would certainly have to be reckoned with if he were to be started (as a matter-of-fact he wiil not be) ; but none of these are so much to my liking as the upper division, and I name Waiuku, Mr Stead's pair, and D»unt as the best of the lot so far as my judgment goss.

*#* Aboiyt 600 persons attended the Beaumom, meeting on Easter Monday Heavy rain had made the going a trifle heavy. In most of the races the fields were good, while the finishes — excepting the Two-mile Trot and Hack Race — were tame. The Tuapeka Time 3 says that Soceress had a soft thing in the Maiden Plate, while Little Totsy, who was a warm favourite, won the Maiden Trot almost anyhow The Beaumont Handicap brought out only three contestants, and again the favourite won. The result would probably have been different had Waikaia not swerved in the straight. The Two-mile Trot produced a dead lieat — not a very common finish in a trot. Protests were entered against each other on the grounds-of .galloping, and the result was that Manuka was disqualified and Kangaroo declared the winner. The correctness of the stewards' decision can scarcely be called in doubt, for coming into the straight Manuka broke and had galloped several chains before he was pulled into proper gait, and he was then on even terms with Kangaroo. The supporters of Manuka maintained that their horse lost instead of gained ground by galloping. The owner of Manuka and his friends were dissatisfied with the decision, and gave notice of appeal, but afterwards withdrew it. In the Novel Race only four out of 10 acceptors faced the starter, and a good race resulted in a win for that popular old horse Blizzard. Fret^a was favourite, but he got a bad start, and this possibly affected the result. As it ■Has he gave the old horse " a good go " for it. In th.3 Flying Handicap a very even-looking field of six started, but the public picked the winner, Picket, who managed to beat Blizzard by about a length. Kangaroo won the Mile and A-half Trot easily The final event (Hack Race) was productive of a good deal of strong language, owing to Epic and Georgie Sharp boing left at the post. The starter says he distinotlf said '' Go !" and is supported in his assertion by other officers of the club. Some who were interested in the race contend that the word "Go!" was never given by the starter, but by some of the public. The stewards, however, upheld their starter, and the race was given to Claremont, who beat Lady Tedclmgtoii by half a length. Speculation was not so brisk on the totalisator as last year, there being only £1017 put through as agaiusr £1200 odd last year.

*#* The death of Mr Edmund Tattersall has caused the writing of many readable articles concerning' the family whose name was borne by the deceased. The original Richard Tattersall known as " Old Tatt," died in 1795, and the hammer passed into the hands of his son Edmund, who, however, only wielded it for 15 years before he died very suddenly, and his soil Richard reigned in his stead. This was the most famous representative of a famous family At his death in 1859 the business was carried on by his gon and his ue.ph.ew

Edmund, the latter of whom had entered the firm in 1851, having previously been in business on his own account near Newmarket. Richard did not survive his father for many, years, and Edmund then became the chief representative of the famify. Of the firstf Richard Tattersall a story is told by " The Druid " : The pikeman near Granthorne once said to him, when he was on his way to meet the Duke, "Don't go on, sir; I've had several through to-night and they've all been robbed." "Never mind, my man," said the little hero ; "no one ever stops me," and on he went. Two miles further and a masked hor3em~n was at his side, and they rode silently for some 200 yds together. At last there came the husky voice of the knight : " I think your name's Tattersall." " Tattersall — of course it is," was the reply ; " Richard Tattersall all the world over." This was quite enough, and with the courteous rejoinder, '" Ah. 1 thought so ; I beg your pardon, sir," and a mutual good-night, they parted. In town as on the road the purse of Mr Tattersall seemed to bear a charmed life. The popularity of the man with all classes was wonderful.

* # * Waipukurau races, held on Easter Monday, drew an attendance estimated at 2000. The course was as hard as a road. In the Hurdle Race the lead was taken by Outlaw up to the last fence. On. the flat, however, Great Britain smothered him for pace. Moonraker got bumped about in the early part of the Easter Handicap, but, working himself clear in the straight, he challenged Whitirea and beat him in a punishing finish. Backers selected Beauharnais as a good thing for the Trial Handicap, but when it came to a pinch, this horse could not live with Te Ori; a son of Wonderland. As Mr Mackersey was interested in this horse he vacated the judge's box in favour of Mr Gaisford for the time being. Atlas White had the honour of riding the Hon. J. D. Ormond's Martyrdom to victory in thn chief event of the day, the Waipukurau Handicap of lOOsovs. Maid Marion and Dottrel cut out the pace, the latter leading into the stiaight, but she was collared six lengths from the post by Martyrdom, who in a fine and well-timed rush just got home, having done the mile and a-half in 2min 41sec. King Wai won the Welter very comfortably, and Dottrel paid the best dividend of the day when she got home in the Flying. The "dead bird" ' or tho meeting was Pansy for the Final Hack Race. They backed her down to 20 to 13 on, and she won all the way. The sum of £4514was passed through the totalisatoi% Greenstone could not start in the Hurdle Race, it being discovered that he had been placed in the forfeit list for a debt incurred by a previous owner. Complain'; is made of the railway arrangements in connection with this meeting. There was a shortage of carriages, the lights went out on the home journey, and numbers of passengers had to wait about at side stations till all sorts of hours.

*** While, at Hobartville recently, says the Sydney writer " Milroy," I had a long yarn with Mr James Wilson, sen., -who is staying over at Chipping Norton with Reaper and Relic. Mr Wilson is the kind of man that would have got on in any walk of life, but no doubt he struck the right and most congenial path when he threw in his lot with the ' Horses. He is a man 'of prodigious memory,' and remembers Muley Moloch, the sire of Alice Hawthorne, standing in the same part of England as he came from. Muley, Mr Wilson says, was a brute, and one of the worse stallions in England, and if . it were not for his fluking Alice Hawthorne he would have been forgotten a week after his death.- Mr Wilson told me how he became possessed of Dinah, the fourth dam of Newhaven. She was a very fine rr.are, bred at Bukulla by Messrs Wyndliam, and when she came into Victoria she had a foal by Commissioner (an Arab). Mr Wilson in due course bought this foal, who was afterwards the famous Buckley, and ran till he was 16 years old. When Mr Wilson discovered the worth of 'Buckley he determined to buy a few sons of Commissioner when he next visited Sydney, but John Higgerson told him the stock of that horse were worthless, so he at once concluded that Buckley got all his excellence from his mother, and when he returned to Victoria he tried to buy Dinah, but the owner would not listen to any proposal to purchase. However, in time the owner of Dinah became involved 'in financial difficulties, and Mr Wilson got the mare. There was no such thing as a stud book around in those days, and he did not bother about her breedino- being quite satisfied she was thoroughbred, but had he imagined breeding would have come to the pitch it has he would have written to Messr3 Wyndham for her full pedigree. The first foal she bred for him was Eleanor, the granddam of Mermaid, with whom he won the Sydney Cup in 1871. Then followed Ebor, the best horse of his day 'in Victoria. With him Mr Wilson took the conceit out of the followers pf the Sydney crack, Tarragon, in the Adelaide Cup in 1865. The late Mr Richard Holland took many large bets thai, he woul.d win the Adelaide Cup of 1865 with his nomination, and to win those bets he secured the be3t horse in Australia, Tarragon, but Ebor beat him and won Mr Wilson a pot of money,. Musidora, who followed Ebor, was a good race mare and the dam of Briseis, who won the V.R.C. Derby, Cup, and Oaks in 1876, and her sfster, Idalia, was the dam of Oceana, the dam of Newhaven. Mr Wilson has no douot about Dinah being purebred, both from her looks and the excellence of her stock, and the best proof of his opinion of her purity is that her stock were good from the first, and since she foaled her first foal for him in 1856 he has stuck to the blood to this day.

*#* The cause of George Barrett's death was diabetes. For years past he lias been more or less of a sufferer, until in October of 1895 he finally determined to abandon his occupation, and he handed back his riding license. He was present at Ascot in 1896. but the disease from which he suffered was of so exhausting a nature that even the exertion of attending a race meeting was too much for him, and from his return to his residence at Newmarket he was confined to his bed for snany weeks, being in a critical condition for a greater part of the time, and the victory of his colt, Donegal, in a little race during the Newmarket First July meeting, on the same day that St. Frusquin carried oft the Princess of Wales's Stakes, did not improve matters, the excitement attaching to the success of his horse bringing on another seizure, and the poor fellow gave an extra pathetic touch to the sick-bed scene by imagining in his delirium that he was riding a winder. These particulars I gather from the Sportsman, whose editor adds: The news that George Barrett is no more will occasion 110 surprise, and his death can only be regarded in the light of a happy release. After being apparently in a hopeless condition for upwards of 12 months, he regained liis bodily health in a remarkable degree last summer, and put on weight very rapidly, but the improvement was only delusive, and latterly he had wasted away to a mere shadow. He was always able to ride at such a nice weight tha% he commanded. a_ny uAyaber of, - m,oun,ts.N bu4^

enough a good sound jockey and one who was invariably well up in the winning list at the and of each season, he never, to my mind, <#nked quite in the first class. *a* Though the consultation man's office has been pushed out of the mainland of Australia, his business runs on there just the same jts before the marbles and tickets were taken nver to Tasmania, and, though straight, is ytill a confounded nuisance to the turf. '* Martindale," of Sydney, speaks for others a.3 well as himself when he puts the case thus : If Mr J. A. Sparr was alive at the present time and making handicaps he would be heartbroken at the manner in which horses are nominated and scratched for handicaps on account of the sweep money. Years ago 'Mr Searr tabled a motion the purport of which was that if any horse was scratched teithin a certain period^prior to a race the <*wner should be called upon by the committee \o give an explanation, and in the event of the explanation not proving satisfactory a js.eavy fine, or perhaps disqualification, was lo be the penalty. It is a pity that the motion did not pass and remain on the rule book, as it would have proved to have been just what is wanted at the present time. It is a noted fact that some horses have been left in handicaps lately to " milk " the public, while others are left in to the last minute on the chance of a "cut being obtained from the weep." Such, was the case in connection with the Hawkasbury Autumn Handicap. The book told of 50 as eligible to start, but .when the numbers were hoisted there were only 13 on the board, and the only excuse that the owners of the others could have made was, " Oh, I've got nothing oiit of the sweep." __ ]

*** The first race at Hawkesbury (N.S.W.) on the 2nd inst. was the Park Stakes, practically a maiden plate, which found the favourite, Hempie, beaten two lengths by W.W.C., ji six-year-old by Canzoni. Precaution, the colony's record holder for six furlongs, had a strong following in the Clarendon Handicap, run at that distance, but she was beaten 'out of a place, the race being won by Cabin

'Boy, the five-year-old son of Gozo and Kathleen. Backers picked Typhoon, son of Enfilade and Monsoon, as the good thing of the

Nursery Handicap, and in this they made no mistake, the favourite winning by a length from Albater, with Woodlark close up. Sailor Boy, burdened with 10.10, disappointed punters in the Welter Handicap, but the other heavy weight, Pharamond 9.11, raced it out very well and beat all excepting

■Earl Rosebery, one of Niagara's sons, handicapped at 8.10. The only other event on the programme was the Hawkesbury Handicap, in which Merloolas, a Queensland horse racing for the first time in New South Wales, ■liad such a steady backing that from 10 to 1 on the previous evening he shortened to 7 to 2 on the course. In the early stages of the race it looked as if those who had made so certain of the visitor were going to lose their Even up to the home turn the race appeared to be simply -a duel between Syerla and First Mate. But below the distance Merloolas, who had had a very rocky passage that {far, came out clear, and, putting in a few.long

strides, he settled the leaders in a sensational (fashion, standing punishment bravely and winning by half a length a rac*e that very few -'horses could- have pulled out "of the fire. ■ Merloolas is a very big horse, and was not trained as a youngster, so he is as sound as a bell, and probably has his best races yet left in him. As previously remarked, he claims as sire St. S within, bred by the Hon, G. SVl'Lean.

*** There was a great muster of backers Bt the Wairarapa meeting, and by the look of things they were not doing much arranging, for on the first day backers picked the winJier of only one of these events — namely, ,Bylph, and Cavendish, who ran second, was Almost as good a favourite. This Sylph is a daughter of the expatriated Chainshot, and .Cavendish, who won later on in the day, as by W,aitiri's brother Hiko, a horse that should have had better chances. The other •hack event, over hurdles, went to an outsider in Master Jack, who claims Master 'Agnes as sire. Master Agnes is the one l-.orse who is keeping alive in the colony the memory of his sire Cassivelaunus, once well known in Otago, but now seldom mentioned anywhere. As the Fair Agnes colt, Master $Lgnes was a fast horse of the burly and bigbened type, and he has grown to be just the kind of stallion to beget useful weightraiv'TS. He had another winner at the iWairarapa meeting in fair Agnes, who easily beat his opponents in the Open Welter, and Jbe also ran a good race in the Telegraph Handicap, being only a neck behind the winner jCoin, and beating Ruamahunga, to whom he »wa3 conceding a stone. The time for the ffelegraph l-andicap was nothing wonderful, »ut the form of Coin an.. Sir Agnes seems to ,3be pretty fair when it is considered that |&uamahunga, placed third in this race, was able to win in the chief event of the meeting, A" o Easter Handicap. It may be assumed {that the distance helped Ruamahunga. 'ihe tethers were with him for about a mile, after which he alone ran on as a stayer. King's Bowman once more failed to live out the distance. Previous winners of the Easter Handicap have been-. — 1894— Prince Cole ... 4yrs 8 9 2min 42Jsec 1895— Eevolution ... aged 8 7 2min 43sec '1896— Prince Cole ... 6yrs 9 0 2min 50Jaec SB97— Nero 4yrs 7 4 not timed IS9B— Kuaaiahunga 4yi"3 7 11 2min 42£ sec timings are not official, but to the nearest quarter of a second. Whereas on the [first day a howling gale blew, the weather on Jfche second day was perfect and the public jturned out in large numbers. It was a favourites' day, the only exception being in jfche Farewell Handicap, when a dividend of dBS was declared. For all that the racing was (Interesting. The Stewards' Handicap was a 'splendid race. Nero led the field to the back pi the course, where they closed up. 'oundfing the turn Whario and Ruamahunga w ere in Jfche van, with Australina coming fast. The fwhip? were out on all four horses as they turned into the straight, and a great tussle ensued, resulting in a win for Ruamahunga by half a head from Australina, with Whario a 'quarter of a length away third. Prior to the Hurdle Race the jockeys were called before jfche stewards and warned that "their riding (would be carefully watched in consequence of ftt being rumoured that the race had been arranged. The sum of £5625 was put through the machine for the two days, or £509 more t'lan last year

*** The Northern Miner (Queensland) records an unusual totalisator experience as having occurred at the meeting of the Towers Hibernian Jockey Club on St. Patrick's jDay. QDuring the running of the Second Hack Race fchere was quite a scene at the totalisator. {When the bell rang and the barrier went up .Centipede shot away, and his backers felt in great good humour. Their joy was soon (turned to indignation, however, when they noticed a man in the totalisator box Belling Centipede tickets as fast as he could. •As Centipede flashed pa^t the half-mile post Syith a 10 lengths' lead several knowing oj*es

clsmoured for tickets on him, while legitimate backers of the horse, who saw their dividend dwindling afore their very eyes, vigorously denounced the sale and applied strong epithets to the seller. Still the sale went on, the last two parcels being three tickets and two tickets on Centipede respectively. When the horses were three furlongs from home the funny business ceased, and then the smarties, who had . betted on a certainty, had the pleasure of seeing Phantom overhaul and down their " dead bird," while those who held genuinely issued Centipede tickets, though losers themselves, laughed loudly at the discomfiture of the backers of a certainty.

*** The death of the brood mare Onyx is reported from Auckland. She was a mediumsized dark brown ihovring a tremendous amount of quality even in her old age. as I saw her some five years ago. Mr G. Petty bred her in Victoria in 1872, her sire being Argleir and her dam imported Chrysolite, by Sfockwell. In Australia she bred Sardonyx to Fireworks, and this gallant little horse proved good enough to make the came of any mare. Onyx was, however, bought by the Auckland Stad Company long before Sardonyx commenced to race — when, indeed, he was but a yearling, — so it was on her own merits that she was selected for the company. Major Walmsley brought her across in company with Sylvia. They turned cub to be- two great mares, and, if Sylvia's fame somewhat overshadowed that of her shipmate, Onyx still did well enough to be held in high respect by all sportsmen and breeders. Her one crowning act was to produce Nordt-nfsldt, who grew to be a great racer and a still greater sire. Enfilade no doubt counts as ihe second best of the old mare's progeny, and for racing purposes the only others worth mentioning are iEjyptilla and Stanmoor, sons of Ingomar, JadeBtcne, by Sword Dance, and Chrysolite, by Castor, survive their mother and are, I beliefs., still in Auckland. -

*** The form of Merlo-.las at the A.J.C. meeting almost brought him up to first-class. In the All-aged Stakes on the second day he challenged all comers at weight for age, and though beaten I shall expect to find that there was a considerable amount of merit in his getting second to the phenomenal Bobadil. On the fourth day Merloolas did a great stroke by winr-iog the Place Handicap, with 9.2 up, in 2miu 36&ec. FloddeD, winner ot the City Handicap, is one of Lochiel's sons. Amberite won the long distance weight for age race on both the Thursday and tfas Saturday, and evidently had a. pretty e&gy job on both occasions, though in the Cumberland Stakes he had to gallop to beat the consistent Battalion. To us New Zaalanders the Final Handicap was peculiarly interesting, since in it the Taranaki horse got home, and no doubb paid the expenses of his trip. Backers all over New Zealand heard of him as a good thing, and the stable would hardly be likely fee let him go unbacked.

*x* Two wins for Norton and one for Ebor are reported in the English papers to hand last week. The New Zealander, ridden by his owner, Mr Gollan, had little difficulty in winning the Park Steeplechase at Lingfield fiom Wilhelmsbad, who was' his only opponent. Odds of 6 to 1 were laid on him, and taking the lead a mile from home he won by a -distance, repeating the success he gained in the same race last year. Mr Gollan was also the rider of the old chestnut -when he won at Plumpton. He seems to have allowed the fast horses to run themselves out by tiring or falling, and then to have made use of his steadiness to win. Hickey, who met with an accident whilst riding exercise at Lawes, reappeared in the saddle at Windsor in the Berkshire Handicap Steeplechase, and rode Bbor, who has so often been entrusted to his handling. The Australian-bred horse started favourite, and though he blundered somewhat at. the last fence, he stalled off Summer Lightning and won by a head.

*#* A curious case has been decided by the Hungarian Jockey Club. It is customary all over the Continent to allow a certain percentage to trainers, and the custom has become an unwritten law. A dispute arose between an owner and his trainer, and the latter was summarily dismissed without notice or percentage. The trainer brought the case before the Racing Tribunal, as the winnings of the stable during the past year came to some £3000. There was no written contract to fall back on, but the Jockey Club has decided that, as far as the question of percentage was concerned, the trainer lias the right to receive the usual 5 per cent., while-the question of the term of notice the trainer can demand has been left to a civil court to decide.

*** My selections for the South Canterbury meeting are as follow: — High-weight Handicap, Paladin; Washdyke Welter, Epaulet, if sent for it in preference to the Autumn Handicap, in his absence Izal; Autumn Handicap. Vandyke, with Pitch and Toss next best ; Flying Handicap, Firefly , Selling Race, Stockfish. Mr Gordon P. Wood has kindly forwarded an invitation which I should be glad to acept if my engagements permitted, for it promises to be a pleasant meeting. The acceptances appear in this issue.

#** It ia with great pleasure that I note the making of a record by gallant St. Paul. The little horse well deserves the distinction. Up to last Saturday the best time for a mile in New Zealand was lmin $l£sec, by Merganser in 1892 and by Warricghon a yea? later, both performances being made at Christchurch. St. Paul hag chipped the half-second off. Bearing in mind his weight and the size of the field, the performance is not far short of wonderful, and when we consider that the son of Satanella has been in constant work and racing regularly since the very beginning of Ihe season, the merit of the gallop is still further increased.

* # * At a sale of thoroughbreds in Sydney last week Merloolas was passed in at 1800gs, Chief fetched 700gs, Loch Mane was sold to a Victorian sportsman for lOOgs. Vedette changed hands on Friday. Accounts differ with regard to his price. The Sydney Morning Herald states that Mr M'Kenna. purchased the Vanguard — Venus Transit gelding for £600 on behalf of an Indian sportsman, while the Daily Telegraph says the figure was £525.