IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 41

IN A NUTSHELL.

— Dunedin Cup, Wednesday, 21st March. — The 21st March is the day on which the Dunedin Cup is to be run. — The course at headquarters, by which I mean Wingatui, is in splendid order. — James Jewitt, the English trainer, who died recently, left £70,000 behind him. — Antarctic, the winner of the Brown Hill Handicap in Adelaide, paid a dividend of £128 16s. — Torn Weldon is to replace Tod Sloan, the American rider, as first jockey for Lore Beresford. — J. Hickey has started training in England. Mr S. H. Golian is going to send him one or two horses. — Tommy, winner of the Cup at the Clutha Hack Racing Club's meeting, hails from Catlins River. —At the unanimous wish of the D.J.C. committee Mr Grindley has consented to accept the staitership. — The imported horse Orzil (Ayrshire— Merry Miser) has been put into work at Randwick by W. Duggan. —At the Stratford meeting the owner of' Coral was fined £5 for late scratching in the Hurdle Race. — St. Denis was put in work this week out o$ Wingatui, Teddy M'Kewen having charge of " the little horse." —Mr J. G. Clarke's Tornado II won the Maiden Hurdle Race of £200 at Gatwick on Wednesday, January 31. • — The death is announced of the English trainer W. Viney, who trained Euclid, winner of the Jubilee Stakes pi 1892. Jupiter and Decoy were taken to Christchurch last Saturday. The former did a fair mile and a-half gallop on Thursday. — Boreas, with 9.2, is my pick in one for the Wanganui Cup. Of the light weights I like Advance and Rosella, but Boreas is my choice. — Patna, who is in the Newmarket Handicap, has been sold to Mr J. M. Roberts for 200gs. In future he will be trained by J. Hewton. — Scallywag, winner of the three hurdle races at Wairoa, is by Turquoise. Mtmnurj by Wonderland — Whisper, also won three races at this meeting. — Light-weight jockeys were in demand at the Maniototo meeting, and in their absence the carrying of overweight had to be resorted to in several races. — The trotting stallion, Young Burlington, by Burlington £. — Dolly, was bought last week by Mr J. M'Kewen, who will enter him for the Tahuna meeting. — The Ascot Gold Cup has closed with an entry of 32, amongst which is that good horse Flying Fox, who, together with Calveley, is nominated by Mr Norman. — Bluecap 11, the A.J.C. Challenge Stakes •wii:ner, was formerly known as Svengali, and as far-back as June, 1896, he "" went out " for six moi.ths afc Moonec Valley. ' — The timber for the syndicate's six new boxe3 at Wingatui was being carted on to the ground last week. The contract time for completion is Ihe 10th March. — - The sum of £850 is offered in stakes at the Tahuna 'Part trots on the 22nd and 2Sth March. Th" total chaige in fees to an owner starting a horse in every lace is 'only £30 10s. — The Musket horse Artillery, now in the States, had four youngsters to represent him on the turf last year. One oi these named Big Gun, out of Linda Vista, won four races. — The two-year-old colt Rothwell, who won the"' Maidcil Plate at Epsom (Vie), is full brother' to the Maribyrnong Plate winner Lady Mostyn, by Neckersgat from Miss Mostyn. " — Bluecap 11, winner of the Challenge Stakes at Randwick, is a recruit from the " pony ranks, which at one time also claimed such fliers as Djm Djin, Water Colour, and Fitzroy. — The Wellington Racing Club stewards have decided not to interfere with their decision in | the Wedlock case, as no fresh evidence was adduced when Free Holmes appealed before them. — Offers are, under consideration for the purchase of Tarcoola in America. The .price put on this Melbourne Cup winner is 10,000dol. In Australia he would not have brought half the money. — The Trotting Association has decided to refer the Hero appeal (Gore Club) and the Nigger (Tapanui Jockey Club) appeal cases to the respective clubs, fresh evidence having been adduced. —Mr W. A. Phillips, who commenced the promoting of sweeps on turf events in South Africa, and was known in that part of the world as the " sweep king," died recently in England. — Tyto sons of the Melbourne Cup winner Malvolio, fought out a determined finish for the Mordialloc (Vie.) Handicap, and it was only by a short head that Tabilk succeeded in disposing of Benvolio. —An English writer is responsible for the statement that Aururc will ultimately find his wav back to Australia. An offer, he says, of BOOugs wa.s made on 7th tilt.,- but Mrs Langtry asked 10,000. — There was a thoroughbred sale in connection with the Egmont meeting. Top price of •20gs each was obtained for a five-year-old mare by Vanguard — Volley and a yearling filly by Lakeshell — Vivat. — The most expensive and magnificent grandstand in the world is the one iust finished on the .trotting track of Moscow, Russia. It took two years to build, and cost the Imperial Government £100,000. — According- to late English files, the New Zeala^ider Waiuku had left F. W. Day's stable at Newmarket, and was being schooled by J. E. Brewer for hurdle racing. Waiuku is still owned by Mr S. H. Gollar- — M'G^Knes's lias eight horpes in his stiblc. — The D.J.C. advertises that money from afar can be wired to the office during the Dunedin Cup meeting, so that backers all over the colony can secure the full dividends. —On the second day at Egrnont the owner of Australian-bred Minerva II was called on to make a statutory declaration that the mare had not been disqualified over the other side. So I learn from the Hawera Star. — Two well-known horses aie away with the third contingent. I refer to Blackberry, winner of the Grand National, and Daring, son of Dreadnought and Elflock. Blackberry is to carry his owner, Mr R. M'Culloch. ,—, — Sir George Clifford, chairman ot the Racing Conference, has thrown out F. Holmes's appeal against the decision of the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club in the Wedlock case on the ground that it is a question of fact. — Nihilist was taken up this week, E. M'Kewen malar,* a start with him at Wingatui. This -horse had not previously had a gpllop since he won at Waikouaiti. Mr J. M'Kewen says he does nob want a great deal of work. - —In giving evide2ice at a recent trial in London, Tod Sloan told the Court that he kept a secretary and valet. " What work have you for a secretary? " asked the cross-examining lawyer. «'•' That is my business," was the cool reply. — The Austrian Jockey Chili gave Mrs Rumbold, the widow of the jiicl'cv who was killed while riding in a race at Vicjui on "^o'-eiuber 6, the sum of 6000 florins (n^mly £600) „vi of the fund for cases in v,],nl. a,w l| ';(t is iieeded. —Of the 13 horses left in th« VT'.C St. Leger five were probably left in by nii'4 ke. T2io survivors JU'e as felJows; Scorn, GiiilL':;< c,

Tabilk, Grizzle, Nitre, Shell, Merriwee, Sheen, Ropata, Tho Ravoncr, First Consul, St. Clare, Parthian. — The coloiued jockey Pete Clay is in an h.sane asylum at New Orleans. Clay rode Imp last year in a number of her important engagements. His insanity is due to a fiacture of the skull received two~years ago while riding at Montreal. — The V.R.C. committee has decided to give fcho Empire patriotic fund a substantial lift by holding 'a race meeting at Flemington. The club would have given a donation direct, but it was considered there was no power to so apply the funds. — Davis, the bookmaker, who used to make a £100,000 book on the English Derby, began life as a carpenter ; and Harry Hill, who made a £10,000 book regularly on every big racing event of the year, was at one time boots at a small hotel. — Out of five starts in Sydney, up to the Turf Club's meeting, Brokerage on each occasion had had up a different rider. Of these, in two he fell, and ran second in another. He is a big, slack-looking fellow, by The Bioker, full biother to Melos. — There was very little betting on the Newmarket on the 7th inst., 100 to 5 being offered on the field. Tarquin, Silvermoor, Sequence, Stand Off, Henry and Foret, were at that price. Merriwee was at 7 to 1, and Seahorse at 8 to 1 for the Australian Cup. — On the second day of the Maniototo meeting a protest was entered in the Hack Race on the ground of a cross, but after the stewards had called the accused rider before" them and questioned him they were satisfied there were no grounds for the complaint. — Mr Herbert Rymill, who died in England in January, won good races with Rosy Cross and Bruce. The latter started in Shotover's Derby, finishing fourth — it was said that he shied at some whirling pieces of paper; and he afterwards won the Grand Prix. — The well-known Kirkham Estate, p t one | time the property of the late Hon. James White, and lately owned by Mr H. L. Mackellar, has been sold to Mr George E. Faithfull, who is acting as trustee. It is not yet known to what use it will be put. ' . ! — Bumside, who fell in .the Brown Hill Handicap at the Adelaide meeting on the 3dr, broke his leg and had to be destroyed. He was a fairly useful horse in his time, and was by Thunderbolt fiom De Novo, dam of Marryatville, Rose Park, and Dequeltville. — Tiraillement, by Mousquetaire — Florence Macarthy, won his Maiden Plate in hack company at Wairoa. This horse was bred in 1894, and is closely related to Tirailleur, for the latter was by Musket — Florence Macarthy, and Mousquetairc is by Musket's son Nordenfeldt. — " Malua " writes : Del Paso, the Aemri-can-bred stallion, has been placed in George Grant's hands to be trained for the Tahuna Park meeting. I doubt veiy much whether this horse will be got ready by the time the March fixture comes round, as he is too big in condition. —Mr P. Lorrillard has purchased the English stallion Giganteum, brown horse, foaled 1891', by Bend Or, dam Tiger Lily, by Macaroni out of Polly Agnes, by The Cure, and he will take the place of Sensation (dead) hi the Rancocas stud. Giganteum is a brother in blood to imp. Ormonde. — The owner of the disqualified horse Pokoinoko infoims the Sporting Review's correspondent that he intends to get at the bottom of the way his horse was run at the Takapuna meeting. Mr Lucena stated that he was thoroughly deceived, and hints there was something behind the scenes. — The evidence taken Isy the Tuapeka Club in connection with the disqualification of Erin in the Mile Trot, decided at the club's Summer meeting, has been submitted to the Trotting Association, and after the several affidavits had been read it was decided to remit the same to the club for peru-sp!. — Annoyance, by Boz — Tease, now six years of age, was bought in the yards for s£9 on Saturday 'by Mr J. M'Kewen. This horse won several races for Mr Friedlander, and has had a long spell, from which he emerges apparently sound, though if so it seems strange that he should have brougnt only £9. — Celia, who won the Licensed Victuallers' Handicap at the Adelaide Summer meeting, is the progeny of two horses well known in Victoria. Her sire is Richelieu, and her dam, True, used to be raced by the late Mr H. Connolly, Tarsus, who is engaged in the Australian Cup at 7.9, ran second with 9.4. —In Great Britain in 189S there were only 228 races run at over a mile and less than two miles, while last year the number run between ih? distances named went up 41. As compared with previous years, there was a big falling off in races of between five and six furlongs, tli3 total being 666 as against 822 in 1898. — Seahorse had his first gallop on Austialian 3oil at Randwick on the 4th ihsl., in company with Landmark and Tnflueuza. The distance was once round the middle grass track, and the New Zcalander, who went lazily, beat Landmark by six lengths, with Influenza a similar distance off third. The time was 2min 31?scc. — Bewailing the small entries for iccent lumping races. Sporting Review says: We believe that if the Racing Conference barred lumping events from the end of October to the beginning of April wo should have better jumpers, "many more of them, and far more inteiesting sport during the proper season of the year. — Governess, owned by Dr W. H. Lang, died on the 4th inst. on the racecourse reserve at Corowa (Vie). Death was caused by the limb of a tree falling and breaking her back. Governess was the dam oi! Beckwith. Bluebell. TCey, Locksmith, and Ariadne, besides Jane Eyre, the grey mare owned by Mr H. Crrig, of Lawrence. — Before commencing the Manioto'o races ths stewards called all the iockeys before them, and told them they intended to adopt severe measures against all unfair riding oi disobedience. This, says tho Chronicle, had a beneficial effect, for no complaints were recorded during the day of either disobedience or foul yiclmp. — Two notable Ameiican sportsmen have sus-<.i-'iifcl physical damage in England. Foxhall P. Kcene, whil-^ hunting with the Quorn Hoauds at Melton Mowbray, met with a paiufu' ftcc;dont, in which his collar bone was biokon and Jus phoulclei dislocated ; and Richard Croker had his leg broken by falling from a bad-tem-pered hack. —T. Loates has decided not to accept a retainer for the coming racing season from MiLeopold de Rothschild or any other owner. It is his intention to take life more loisurelv in future, and though he hopes to be in the saddle pretty freauently, he will place himself uncle*no obligration to ride except when he is v disposed to do so. —In America a high-class trotter or pacer will always bring -his full value, and an exchange mentions that a couple of Boston sportsmen -recently offered £'1000 for the trotting stallion Jiipe (2.71). The owner, aMr Snell, replied thai the horse's price was £6000, pnd he was not particularly anxious to dispose of him even at that figure. — That Mcrloolas was light off at the Calcutta meeting was conclusively proved when, on the last day, wiLh 8.6, he finished nowhere in the Club Cup, one mile six fui longs 132 yards, won by Ailie 8.1, -with Vedette, 8.13 in second plpce. Despite his previous indifferent foun, Merloolas started favourite at 3 to 1, Ailie figuring at double these odds. — Jack Taggart, trainer for Mr J. R. Mackeffzie, Tn-oiiglit from Canterbury to Posaahaka.

last week two youngsters, brothers to Paladin, by St. George — Nellie. This Nellie was bred by Mr Webb in 1880, got by Albany from Seadrift, by imported Sledmere from Spray. The SpTay family's great representative in the last geneiation was " old Tempieton." — Kmght of Athol, winner of the Te Aroha Cup, is the 1894 foal of that fertile mare Maid of Athol, who began hei slud career by producing a perfect fraud in Snider (by Musket), but in later years, gave birth to the magnificent and unlucky Kiupp and afterwaids gave us, amongst others, Scots Grey and Queen of Trumps. Knight of Athol is her fourteenth, foal. — Mr H. Byron Moore, who in the interests of breeders has for a long time past been working in the direction of getting more prize-money apportioned for two-j'eai-olds, estimates that during the five weeks from October 1 until the end of the V.R.C. Spring meeting about £6000 will be available as stakes among the different metropolitan clubs for two-year-old races. — Mr J. R. Gooke, who trained Saladin when the grey ran the double dead heats for the Australian Cup with Flying Dutchman m 1872, and later on prepared Mernmu, Mentmore, and other winners, has once more taken up the role of trainer. He has had sent to him from one of Mr Whittingham's stations up i»oith a fine big, good-looking bay gelding by Courtenay. — Last month the Messrs Weatherby published a supplement to the Stucl 'Book containing a return of brood mares for 1898 and ]899, and a. list of foals for the latter year. There are 5734 thoroughbred mares in England, Orvieto has the greatest number of foals to his credit for 1899, his total being 38. Carbine had 27, but five of 'those died ; and Trenton 26 (three dead). — In the whole 120 celebrations of the Derby, only 10 geldings have competed for the Blue Riband of the turf. These were : Darus (1812) , Palaemon (1841), British Tar (1844), The Old Fox (1819), Gholab Singh (1851), Special License (1857), .Roquefort and Taraban (1876), Curzon (1895), and Ballyleck (1899). All of these were unplaced failures, except Curzor,, who was second to Sir Visto. — The death is announced of John Sholto Douglass, eighth Marquis of Queensbeiry, at the age of 55 years. The deceased Marquis siicceeded his father in 1868. He married, in 1866 Miss Sybil Montgomery, the marriage being dissolved in 1887. He married in 1893 Miss Ethel Weedon. In the following year this marriage was also dissolved. The Marquis many years ago paid a visit to Australia. — Says an American exchange: Lord William Beresiord deserves a vote of thanks. He has purchased the three-year-old colt, Neurasthenipponskelesterizo, from Mr H. M. Dyas, and has changed that horrible name to Waltzer — not a bad name for a son of Saiaband. The former name was simply atrocious. The Americans have had Prestidigitatrice, Huitzilopochtli, and two or three other pretty bad names. — At the sale of the Oneonta stud, at Madison Square Garden, New York, last month, several brood mares by Darebin and Sir Modred were submitted and brought good prices. Electric Light (Darebin — Agnes) topped the list with £650, and then came Royal Purple I'Darebin — Bavaria) £440, Dextrix (Darebin— Lotola) £400, Alesia (Darebin— Alice) £300, and Wedding Gift (Sir Modred— Blithesome) £240. — Seahorse had a fine pa&sage from Auckland to Sydney, being landed without a scratch. After seeing the colt exercised at Randwick, ''Unrpire" wrote: Seahorse is 0 big chestnut colt, with nothing remarkable about him. He looks better in front than behind, looking a trifle narrow 111 the quarters; but he is muscular m the thighs, and has a good set of legs. He will remain at Randwick for a few days. — Among the defenders of Mafeking and Kimberley aie several trainers and not a few jockeys. No one seems to know what has become of a dozen horses who were under preparation at Johannesburg when war was declared. The Natal Times stated that the goldfields trainers and horses had made their way for the Cape, but the tram which was conveying some of their number was stopped on the way. —In his comments on the past season's American racing, W. S. Vosbuigh, in the Spirit of the Times, has something to say anent the jockeys seen out during the year. He gives the palm to Turner, who has a good seat, fine hands, and is always master of himself, never getting flurried. Continuing, he says :"He is the greatest race-rider I have seen since Sloan left us, and I do not know when I have seen a better one." —On the concluding day of the Newmarket blood stock sales, Miche, a three- j ear-old chestnut filly by Saraband from the Australian-bred Mons Meg, was clisjjosed of foi 500gs. The dam of this filly was one of a team bred to English tune and sent to the old countiy by the late Mr James White. She is- a full sister to Singapore, being by Martini-Henri fiom Malacca (imp.), by King of the Foiest from Katinka, by Paul Jones. — A Hobarl writer says that one of the most striking uniforms seen out for some time past 0.1 a racecourse there was that worn by the winner of the Butchers' R. C. Ladies' Bracelet. The jacket was of pink, ami on. the back and front centres woie white circles, in the middle of which were aces of clubs. The colouis were brought from the Straits Settlements, and belonged io a Dutchman following the sport in that part of the globe.

— Says " Tarquin "' : Plorses in ay come and go, but The Duke seems to go on for ever. He won the Perth Cup nine years ago as a four-year-old, and six years back annexed the Onka-pai-inga, Hurdle Race. Now we find him to the fore by winning the Steeplechase at Adelaide on the 3rd inst. Mr James has reason to feel pround of the performance of the old son of Wellington, and he deserves ciedit for the condition in which he sent him to the post. — A majority of the Sydney jockeys have drawn up a petition for presentation to the A.J.C, asking that the riding ices, may be fixed at 10 pei cent, on prizes up to £100, and 15 pei cent, for any amount over, with the losing fee to be always £2. At present the fees are 5 per cent lor winners., and 10s 6d up to £100 for loseis, so that riders' chance« of getting a fair living wage arc veiy remote when the sparsity ot hoise meetings is considered. —An inquest wis held at Burra (S.A), on February 1, into the death of a jockey named Dohcity, who sustained severe injuiies through falling irom a horse on the Burra lacecourse on the previous day. It transpired that the lad was only 12 years of age, and it was stated in evidence that the boy was not able to manage his mount. The juiy returned a veidict of accidental death, and ndded that the lad's parents were to blame for allowing such a small boy to ride. — In connection with the laige profits made by jockeys, the story is told of three men who were iiatives of the same parish. The ibst two were gentlemen's sons, and of these one eventually earned £100 a year at the bar and by literature, while the other became a haidworking city clergyman on £327 a year. Tho third was the son of a gioom and housemaid, who had been servants to the parents of the first and second, and he made £2000 a year as a jockey. — A case aiising out of the scratching of Tarquin for the llailway Stakes on New Year's Day was hcaid at the Perth Police Court,. An information was laid by Patrick Quinlan charging " Bob " Phillips with having received £5 as a bet Two similar chaiges weie laid by William Murray, who claimed the leturn of ,£lO and X 5. It was contended for the defence that the information disclosed two offences, therefore it "was bi»d in lav/. Tho inforinatiojis were dismissed. — When Blue Qpwn v?oa the Derby, Sir

Joshua Hawley presented the rider of the animal with the stakes won on the occasion — nearly £SOO0 — -although the colt " ran entirely for the benefit of the betting public, not being fancied by his owner, whose liking was centred on other two of his horses engaged in the same race, and which he supported to win him a very laige amount of money." Sir Joshua gave the rider of Teddmgxon on honorarium of £2000 when that horse won the Derby.

— The horses trained by E. W. Day at Newmarekt include the following Australian or New Zealand horses: — Tirant d'Eau, owned by Sir E. Cassel , Cranbeiry, owned by Sir E. Vincent ; Chesney, owned by Mr Abe Bailey ; Form, Old Go', and Georgic, owned by Mi H. C. White. He has also in his chaige a couple of two-year-olds, bred in England, by the New Zealand sire Mou&quetaire, the property of Mr Gollan ; and a three-year-old colt by Ayi shire fiom Voisme, owned l by W. T. Jones.

— Results of Te Aroha meeting on the 10th and 12th inst.— Maiden Plate, Lieutenaut, £4 9s; Hurdles, Snider, Us; J. C. Handicap, Honesty, £12 9s; Pony Race, Yarra. £2 2s: Miners' Purse, Swiftfoot, £3 13s; Hack Race, Harata, £8 Is; Flying, Honesty (money leturned); Tourists' Plate, St. Elmo, £1 13s: Hurdles, Stockman, £1 10s; Cvp, Knight of Athol, .£1 ss; Pony Eace, Repetition, JSI 11s; Publicans' Purse, Puhia, £1 2s; Hack Race, Rifle 11, £3 4s ; Forcecl Handicap, Puhia, £3. — The American three-year-old Jimp, by Donatello out of Lady Rossington, commenced last season on January 28, and between that date and December 15 took part in no fewer than 59 events, of which *he won 16. This calls to mind the performances of Fisherman, a notable horse in the " fifties," who as a three-year-old ran in 34 races and won 23 of them, an. l as a four-year-old took part in 35 and won 22, and the next year ran m 32 and won 21. This was a pretty good average, winning 66 out of 99 races in three years. — According to all accounts, a gentleman whe did nol make Ins fortune in England last year was Mr Tod Sloan, and I do not think that this year there will be the same eagerness to secure his services there has been in the past, say a" A Breeder 'in Man of the World. I can plainly see that the 3ockey who will get most riding next year is the elder Eeifi, who is> considered a much more vigoious finisher than Sloan. The worst of it is that the big professional backers have now seized upon him, and consequently his mounts will figure- at a very false price. , — Winners at Wairoa on the j 6th and 7th inst.: — Hack Hurdles, Scallywag, -£2 "*l6s_; * Scuny, Norine, £2 Ss ; County Stakes, JEine- 'j pare, £7 6s; Maiden Plate, Te Moere, £11 4s, Hurdles, Scallywag, .-C2 2s; Hack Rucc, Murmur, £1 19s; Awatere Stakes, H.M.S. Pinafore, £10 10s; District Plate, Waioeia, £i> 18.=. Second day: Hurdles, Scallywag, £1 13s; Hack Race, Murmur, £1 8s; Frasertown Handicap, Pinepinetekuri, £i 7s; Maiden Hack Race, Tiraillemenl, £3 9s ; District Plate, Patu, £1 19s ; Flying, Whitirea, £3 16s; Scuny, Norine, £1 los ; Forced Handicap, Murmur, £3. — "Crackshot " reports that W. Keith has taken a- team of young horses over to Victoria. Five of the seven are practically untried. They comprise a three-year-old chestnut gelding by The Woikman fiom Whatitiri; a three-year-old brown gelding, by Vanguard from Lucy; a brown mare, six years, by Wapiti from Brunette; a brown mare five years, by Foul Shot, from dam of Menadava ; a bay gelding, four years, by Vanguard from the dam of Hop Bitters; The Goth, an eight-year-old gelding by Sou'-wesier from Stella; and the gelding Full Charge, full brother to Indian Shot and Tortulla.

— " Milroy " reports that Mr James Thompson, the owner of Lochiel and the Olinda stud, has purchased the imported stallion G-rafton for lOOOgs. Graflon was purchased in England at the sile of the late Baron Hirsch's stud by Mr Agar Wynne, of Victoria, and on his arrival was leased to Mr Thomas Payten, and later to Mr Thompson with the option of purchase. MiThompson gave the son of Galopin several of his best mares, and awaited results. The foals came good, and as they grew they impioved so much in style and character that Mr Thompson concluded the sale, and now the magnificent brown is his own property. Grafton is by Galopin out of Maid Marion, by Hampton, and as a yearling fetched 3800gs. — A man is said to have started for Kemptom Park in the May of 1890 with only a £10 note in his pocket. In the course of the morning he was unexpectedly repaid an old debt in the form of a £1000 note. Before the start for the Jubilee Stakes, wishing to back Amphion, who started at 12 to 1, he gave, as he thought, cue of his £10 notes to a bookmaker, saying, " I want you to lay me the odds against Amphion to this note in ready money." His surprise may be imagined when, on going to bo paid after the race, the bookmaker, instead of giving him, as he expected, £130, gave him his own bank note for £1000 and a cheque for £12,000, with an apology for not having the full amount of ready cash to hand over. — Among the many English sportsmen who have volunteered for service in South Africa vith the English Yeomanry are the Duke of Mavlborough, the Earl of Dudley, the Earl of Lonsdale, the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Haddington, Viscount Valentia, Viscount Galway, Lord Chesham, Lord Harris, Lord Annaly, Lord Arthur Grosvenor, Loid Kenyon, Sir Elliott Lees, M.P. (winner of the House of Commons Point-to-Point "Rare in 188S and 1890); Sir John Dicksou Poynder, MP.; Hon. E. S. Douglas-Pen-nant, M.P., Mr Hennon Hodge, M.P., and Sir James Miller, a well-known patron of the turf, who early in his racing career won the Derby with Sainfoin, and more recently secured the Oaks with La Sagesse. — " Milroy," of Sydney, writes : The appearonce of a Gozo horse from the country at a metropolitan race meeting seems in itself to b? sufficient warrant for the jjublie to back him.' The latest performer under this head is Ferryman, from the Moree district. The public seized on him at Rosehill, and his owner scratched him. At, Warwick Farm Feiryman stiried a sound favourite m the Faun Stakes, which he won with consummate ease Ferryman is P long, heavy-boned, and powerful gelding, huiK on plain lines, but nevertheless knows how to gallop, and ought to bo a first-cli'ss welter horse. Ferryman was bred it Minger, I'ie same r>lt>ce ns Baabee and Fasaifern, by Mr Alfred Hill. Foam, the clam of Feirjiusn, is by Maribvrrons from Surf (imp.).

— The Sydney Mail says- Mr W. Foivpstrr was unfortunate at Warwick F:n-m on the 3id. He had backed Sara^wati and War. God to viv the double. Flying Handicap and Wai wick Hancßcap, for a good sum, but at the ifist moment Saraswati v^& found lo be suffciing <"iorn influenza, and ;is she was l.itp 111 being scrpirhed Mr Fon-efbcr was fined £5. Iho Watchdos, was in the Flying Hondicpp, nrd as he had been also coupled with War God in the betting fo far there was not much to complain, of, for he v.on the Flying Handicap with perfect ease. On the way to the course, however, War God got down in his box, and. on being examined after The Watchdog had won it was deemed advisable not to starl the son of Carbine, as he had injvued one of his round bones, and all chance of winning the double was at an end.