TURF TOPICS

Otago Witness, Issue 2504, 19 March 1902, Page 48

TURF TOPICS

A story is told of Senator Stanford and IRobert Bonner which shows the value set upon the quality of fine equine blood as well as any of the romances that have amused the American public. The king 'of Senator Stamford's stable had given to khe world two coltp, Arion and Sunol. Bonbier, wliO was a lover of horses, as soon as jthe news reached New York, hastenM to aSan Francisco and Bought the genial Senator on his ai rival. It was a joyous frlendlv Imeetinsr. for each had the most profound admiration for the other. "What brings you to California?" said Senator Stamford. "I came to se? you." replied Robert Bonner. "Ah. indeed," replied the Senator. "What can I do for you?" "I've come to take homo with me, Senator." "Oh, no, Bonner; Arion is not for sale " "Everything at its own price, Senator, and if I nan't get Arion I'll try to get along with SSunol." "Suuol and Aiion I will keep as & team for my own private use." " Oh, come now." said Bonner. " I'll go you halves." "No, no, they ohall not be separated," said Stamford "Come, set a price," said Bonner. " If I should," said the Senator, "it would be so far beyond your reach khat you would never answer such a call," and he added. jokingly — " £20,000." Bonner made a dash for his cheque book, bat before he could fill it out Senator Stair. ford backed squarely down. |Ie did not Want money, he did want Arion and Sunol. (Millions of dollars wore at his command, Ibut there were only two such colts to be found that side of the deserts of Arabia.

A facetious sportsman, who signs himself " Flemington," writes to the Times of India as follows: — "On the principle ihat ,there cannot be too much of a good thing % novelty might be introduced before the end of the season by haying a race set a«ide for /bookmakers, in which they must nominate their own horses and ride them. This would pive the long-suffering public a chance to Bay the odds, and the satire conveyed in the idea of the bookmakers bnrkinpr their own mounts would be comp'c-ie. The question of woights would have t.> lie abandoned, a 1 ao handicapper tould b.-.ng the fraternity Tip to each other by any roilc of rea'omng-. I will offer a cup valued at 500 rupees if Eiich a race can bo arranged." When Duke of Westminster was piuchahcd for 21,000 guineas (says an English writer) from Mr R. S. Siever by Mr Fabcr, the latter sent the well-known London veterinary surgeon, Mr Williams, to examine him, at the same time requesting Mr Wilham«, if Duke of Westminster passed sound, to travel with the colt to Kingsc'.erc, a 5a 5 Mr John Porter had an important engagement elsewhere and would be unable to clo so. The colt passed sound, and Xewbury wa^reached safely somewhere about du<<k. From Newbury to Kingeclere is a couple of hours' ■walk or more, upon which Mr Williams and Ji:s 21,000 guineas charge duly set out As .they arrived at the common on the lull above Newbury it was dark, and to Mr iWilliams'e dismay ho saw Loicl Carnarvon's motor comint; along at a rare pace. There "was no good tryincj to make the driver of the enr pull up, for it wss out of the question to make him hear. Taking "The ■Duke " on to some gra«s at (ho ude of the road, Mr Williams awaited events with anything but an oasy mind. It was not long odds against the colt breaking away, which Jneant 21,000 guineas worth, and a Derby favourite too, careering headlong through a wildish country on a dark night. Happily for all concerned Duke of Westminster was Hot much unset by the pas^ng car All the Same Mr Williams was heartily glad when ho was able to hand the colt ovci s;ifo anil *ound at Kiug=clere.