IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 49

IN A NUTSHELL.

Flower of the West is again in com mission at Eiccarton.

Anna- Carlovna is Hie ruling favourite for the CaulfieM Cup. —L. Wilson has been engaged lo ride Mummer in the Winter Cup. The Wanganui Guineas is to be increased from 400sovs to SOOsovs. The New Zealand Cup candidate, Blackall, was landed from Sydney last iveek. Parable is improving in her displays over the schooling hurdles at Eiccarton. Taskmaster has been thrown out of training, and in all probability has made his final appearance as a racehorse. Something like .£'60,000 Avas given in stakes for trotting events last season, or an increase of about £IO,OOO over the previous season. The writer has been struck Avitli a. Brainwave carrying the idea, that the Maltster— Condiment youngster should be called ’■ Dope.” The New Zealand-bred mare Land .Rose, by Finland from Eose Shield, a sister to lloyal Artillery, has joined Mr E. E. D. Clarke’s stud Daylight Bill, Grey King, Eaupani, Bluestone, as Avell as, of course, The Tetrarch, threaten to make grey the fashionable colour among racers. Some of the jumpers’ flat races in Victoria are open to horses “ that have started in a hurdle rare or steeplechase.” That seems an easy way to build up a field.

The Now Zealand-bred Mere injured a hip whilst running in a hurdle race at IVilliamstown, and is expected to be out of commission for some little time to come. Sunbeam has a. wound on one of his cannons that debars him from being schooled ■ vor hurdles for the time being, although he is getting through useful work on the flat. Maori Chief (Rothschild —Ptarmigan), a brother to Bright and Lady Child, put up an indifferent display in a race which he recently contested at a Richmond meeting. The Masterton Racing Club has concluded the most successful year in its history. Commencing with a debit balance of £367, the year ended with a credit of £271 10s. has been attached to the Stonyhurst Stud for some time past, will occupy the position of stud groom, recently vacated hy T. Stewart. ence the chairman made pointed reference lo the small membership of some of our trotting clubs, and suggested that the matter should be investigated. . —Kilmeny, who is much in the public eye as a prospective National winner, continues to train on satisfactorily in his \vork at Riccarton, where every swish of his tail is noted for future reference. Breeders do not object to pay big fees for horses to which Hiey desire lo breed their mares. For instance, Nimbus, who is still racing, is booked for his first three seasons at the stud at a fee of 480sovs. Names have been claimed for the. two American-bred horses in Southland. The colt by Mexican from Maxim Elliott has been named Mohawk, and the Cesarion —Susie Bush filly will figure as Eager Eyes. The stewards of the Woodville District Jockey Club have decided to erect a new grand .stand on their racecourse at Wpodville, to replace the present one. The work is to be finished in time for the December meeting. There was a doubt as to the identity of a maro named Miss Violet, who started favourite, and won a race at a recent Richmond meeting; but'her owner satisfactorily answered some questions' asked , by the stewards. A demonstration of M’Kewen’s patent starting machine for trotting races will be given at Forbury Park on Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The machine will be worked to -show starting by either a time or distance handicap. The well-known Victorian rider, F. Burn, declined several offers of a mount in the V.R.C. Grand National Steeples, but does not object to riding over hurdles. Burn won the big Flemington Steeples on Bribery and Grafnax. T. Quinliven has no. fewer than live New Zealand Cup candidates in his stable. He trained Bridge when the tatter won in 1910, Midnight Sim in 1912, and last year had Sea Pink and Midnight Sun filling the places behind Smapis. T. Stewart, who was a one-time leading cross-country horseman, has severed his connection with "Sir George Clifford’s Stonyhurst Stud, where he has been employed for several years. Stewart won the first Grand National Hurdles on Ixion in 1890. The three-year-old pacer Derby Bells, by Abbey Bells —Noriee, holder of the Australian three-year-old record of 2.14, won a mile and a-half race last mouth at a 2.22 gait. Ho will appear shortly in an attempt to lower Dillon Bell’s record at the Melbourne Show. The death is reported from Australia of tho imported horse Tostig, one of the few direct descendants in tail male of Hermit. Tostig sired Victoria National Hurdle winners in York and Saxasate, whilst Godwin, a son of Tostig, sired Clontaft, who won this year’s race. —At a recent Adelaide meeting the riders' names for each race were obtained by an official, who gathered them in the jockeys’ room, and by this means they were posted much sooner than by waiting in the ordinary course of events to obtain them from the clerk of the scales. Major George, a one-time well-known sportsman, whose colours were familiar in both Australia and New Zealand, has not been enjoying the best of health at latest reports from England. The “ black-and-white hoops ” were, carried with conspicuous success by Nelson, as well as by Seahorse and others.United Kingdom, who ran second in the V.R.C. National Steeples, has apparently improved a great deal since he finished last in the Williamstown Steeples, run _ on Tune 23. His form on that occasion, said a critic, was 100 bad to be true. Much, however, can happen in a race over fences that does not always meet the eye. Gipsy Belle, who is engaged at Trentbam this week, was foaled in 1905, and must he .about the oldest mare in commission in the Dominion. It is rather unusual to find such a well-bred mare kept in training up to her age. She belongs to the successful Mermaid family, and was got* by Stepniak from Belle Clair, by St. Clair from Dione, by Traducer. St. Clair was got by Musket from Pulclira, and it will be seen that G ipsy Belle is a most attractively-bred xnare. The stipendiary stewards acting for Mr J. Wren at the Richmond trotting meetings apparently endeavour to give the club’s patrons a fair go for their money. On Juno 29 they opened an inquiry into a horse’s limning that had ran third when unbacked on June 1. It Seems rather a big margin to track back for inconsistent running, as a horse can improve ' out of sight ” in a month. However, a club that will go back such a distance stands in marked contrast to some of our clubs that take no notice of an upheaval in form not 24 hours old. share transactions on the Stock Exchange,” says a writer in the Sportsman, ” there exists no more difference than may he ren arked in the facial expression of an alligator .as compared with the generous smile of a crocodile.” The same writer goes on to say that “ the entire prudential principle or system of life insurance is based on a gamble. Every payment, by way of premium is. in the language of the turf, taking long odds against the dark horse, Death, engaged in the Human Life Race he’d on the world’s racecourse.” The Commissioner of Police' appointed Mr C J. Eady to supervsie the- racing at Northall Park recently. He granted permission to the club to use the totalisator only on the understanding that someone outside the club would be appointed to keep an eye on the running. Thus, for the first time probably in this State (says a Tasmanian exchange) has the control of a meeting been virtually taken out of the hands of a club. It would be interesting to know what powers Mr Eady had to interfere. Or was he-.merely to tell the Commissioner what he thought of the racing? This is a very unsatisfactory business altogether. The Canterbury Jockey Club have adopted, an excellent idea, in deciding to postpone the entries for their classical races until the autumn. Owners and breeders will welcome the change, and it will mean that yearlings sold earlier in the season will not be loaded up with engagements, whilst others purchased in Australia will carry opportunity to become engaged in this country. It is a matter worthy of consideration tmcl Adoption by other clubs;

whilst another great step towards the interest of the youngsters would be to defer the running of the most valuable two-year-old events until the back end of the season.

— His Majesty shook an American gentleman by the hand, and congratulated him heartily on winning the Derby with a Frenchbred and trained horse. That was the not unpleasant drop scene on an otherwise unsatisfactory presentation of the annual Epsom "classic” race drama. It was, no doubt (says an English scribe) appropriate that in the year in which we celebrate a century of peace with the United States, w© should also bo called upon to congratulate the victory of an American owner in what English lovers of the turf fondly believe to be the finest sporting event in the world; but the cheers that greeted the victory of Mr Herman H. Duryea’a Durbar II were certainly not quite so pronounced as they might have been. Trainers do not often complain of stakes being too large, but such was the case in connection with the Toolambool Hurdle at Caulfield (writes “ Khedive ”). In 1912 this event Was worth £250, and in 1913 the stake was £350. One would expect the committee to be praised for raising the sura this year to £SOO. Trainers, however, would prefer to run for a “first prize of £3OO, because the fee for a losing mount is then only £5, whereas a jockey is entitled to £lO if the stake exceeds £3OO. The winner on Saturday received £350, so that the.extra £SO meant doubling the fee for a losing mount, while the winning jockey received £ls more than under the lower schedule—£3s. instead of £2O. Racing is expensive, and these anomalies press heavily on those who have to pay. The blame lies not with the committee of an individual club, but with the framers of the Rules of Racing. Eight members of the Chokebore Lodge yearlings were recently given a turn at the practice barrier. The juveniles, considering it was their first attempt, performed remarkably well. They are a really fine-look-ing lot. The Treadmill—Delusive colt, a full brother to Counterfeit, is the smallest of the bunch; but he has a good style of galloping, and shows quality. The San Francisco—Flestfoot colt is a big upstanding gentleman, just a trifle on the leg. He should not fail to go fast. The two Martian colts, one out of To-morrow and the other from Discipline, are both good sorts. The To-morrow colt greatly resembles his dam in general conformation. He is one of the unconcerned sort, and treats his work as a matter of indifference. He is made the right way, and has fine quarters, with plenty of back rib, and a good length of run. On appearance he is easily the pick of the colts. The fillies are also an even lot, being particularly well grown. The Varco—Flitaway filly is a useful-looking sort, with plenty of length. She is not so far forward as some of her stable mates, but looks like one that would go very fast. The San Francisco—Kirriemuir filly is a smart-look-ing youngster. The two Treadmill fillies are also commanding-looking sorts, and should not fail to uphold the reputation of their sire. With such a promising-looking lot (says “ Templar”) the Chokebore stable looks like playing a prominent part in the coming season’s juver Is events. The recital of Carbine’s stake record has served to draw attention to the great improvement which has taken place in prize money provided in Australia during the past 25 years. As matters stand now, it is hardly necessary to say that there would be very much less difficulty for a really high-class hors© to earn £29,476 than when Carbine put that amount together. Leaving out the Melbourne Cup and two Sydney Cups won by Carbine, their value totalling - nearly £13,500, it took the Musket horse 30 wine, six seconds, and three thirds in other races to account for about £16,000 in prize money. There were, it may be remarked (says “ Phaeton " in the Auckland Weekly News), only two stakes in Carbine’s weight-for-age wins that totalled over £IOOO, and in view of the comparative smallness of the prize money for such a number of his races, one cannot help marvelling at his record. Anything where Carbine’s name is involved is always interesing, and I recently entered on researches in order to try to ascertain how much his stake record would have been increased had the prize money he raced for been up to present-day standards. The fact that certain races which Carbine contested have disappeared from the' Turf Register rendered the situation a little unsatisfactory. However, by striking what would, I think, be regarded as a fair balance!, I got figures together, and a totalling up of these brought £51,349 on the slate. Had Carbine been racing in England instead of Australia, and he had put up a similar winning record to that which is down to his credit in Australasia, Isinglass’s record (£57,455), it is reasonable to assume, would not stand at the head of the list. An equine operating table—the first of its kind used in Sydney—lias recently been imported from America by Mr Thos. G. Doyle, M.R.C.V.S., of Randwick, where it is now fixed in his operating theatre. This apparatus simplifies the handling of horses on which it is necessary to perform an operation, inasmuch as it provides absolute security for the horse and ample room for the operator to easily get at any part of the animal that requires attention. The table is about 7ft -by 9ft, of strong construction, and upholstered in stout canvas. The table is supported on a steel cylinder about 2ft high, resting on two strong castiron floorplates, so arrang-ed that its base rotates when required, either for extra space or better light. The table is fitted with the best appliances for securing the horse, and in the lower side, between where the fore and hind legs are secured, is an opening, which enables the operator to get right up clcse to his work. "When a horse is about to be operated upon the table is swung into an upright position by a handle, which works the machinery in the cylinder aforesaid, the horse is brought alongside, his fetlocks are secured by hobbles ’ and heavy canvas straps, which support the body, and are easily adjusted; while the head and neck are similarly secured in position. The gear that supports th© body is tautened up by a winding drum, and ail is ready for bringing the table 1o a horizontal position. That is effected by lbs machinery in the cylinder, and, as the table can be rotated as required, set ,at any angle, or swung over to the other side so that the patient has his shoes pointing to the zenith, the operator can easily and readily get at any part oi the animal that needs' attention. Hy this machinery one man can tilt the table, carrying an ordinarysized horse, while two men can lay the heaviest horse easily and raise him to his feet again, landing him without rope, strap, or fetter to impede his movements, and the whole process is carried out with the minimum of inconvenience or suffering on the part of the equine patient. The English Derby winner. Durbar 11, was No. 43 o.n the race card. Exotic has changed owners, and is now trained by C. Pritchard at Trentham. Altcav is reported to be shaping pleasingly in his schooling over hurdles at, Trentham. Clontait started favourite for the National Hurdles at Flomington, with Obi next in demand. • • Tannhauecr has apparently thrown off

the lameness which he displayed a few days ago. Claims paid from the accident fund amounted to £1745 16s 9d during the past 12 months. The name of Peter the Hermit, who ran thnd in the English Derby, was left out of the race card. The hurdler Forest Prince was sold after his recent win at Rosehili, and is now owned by Mr R. W. Clancy. The New Zealand bred Tip-Top was beaten by a neck in a six furlong race at a recent Geelong meeting. The well-known handicapp-er. Mr J. Eh Henrys, retained to Wellington last week after a brief visit to Sy iney. Stipendiary stewards, including deputies’ fees, travelling expenses, etc., cost £2935 17s 2d for the past 12 months During the past 12 months £2250 wa? received in fees for the registration of horses under the Accident Fund. Olontaft went Sore after winning the National Hurdles at Fiomington, and was withdrawn from the Steeplechase. R. Ramage, who rode Carbine in his famous Melbourne Cup victory, is now employed on a West Australian station. The Southland Racing Club’s autumn meeting is booked for March 24 and 25, with the concluding day on a Saturday. The ’chasers (Sportsman, Kia Ora, Royal Medal, and the hurdler Cardiff have been ridden at recent rune of the Otago Hunt. The attendance at Flemington on the opening day of the National meeting was considered a record for the winter fixture. The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s stable will be' represented at Trentham this week by Peary, Idealism Banian, Haskayne, and. ' Shaki. ! T. Cahill, who was recently disqualified i for 12 months, had the term reduced to six i months as the result of his appeal to the \ V.R.O. Committee. The Sydney sports sometimes see plenty 1 for their money. Including divisions and a run-off, 13 races were decided at a recent Ascot meeting. The Merriwee gelding Julian, who is amongst the acceptors for the Winter Hurdles, is expected to return from Sydney by this week’s boat. Registration of racing colours gathered in £430 4s 6d during the past 12 months This was brought about by the compulsory, registration of colours. The Charlemagne ll—Lady Helen gelding Canute has been sold by Mr G. D. ' Greenwood to Mr D. Thompson, who has gone into business in Newcastle. Glonfinnan has been sold to Mr “S. A. Rawdon,” of Melbourne. The same owner also purchased Broadsword and Sharpshooter from ’Sir George Clifford. It is reported that the hurdler Silver ■King will not join R. J. Mason’s stables at Randwick, ns that well-known trainer is not keen on that branch of the business. Mr B. Price, son of D. J. Price, rods the winner of the steeplechase event for Slemen riders at the Melbourne Hunt ’s meeting at Moonee Valley on June 24. . _ Obi got a bad run in the Y.R.C. National Hurdles. He was kicked whilst at the post, and twisted a plate, which cut him badly in the race, during which he was in the ruck throughout. The Sant Ilario mare Oorrie made a winning debut over hurdles at the North Chn- ‘ terbury meeting held on Saturday, when she comfortably defeated a moderate field which opposed her. , During the 1913-14 racing season iho Racing Conference received £425 in fees from trainers, and £342 in fees for jockeys* , licenses. Emergency riders' rees amounted - to £lll 15s. Handicaps for the principal events to be , run at the Grand National meeting are due on Friday night. It would probably suit owners if they were not declared until tbs conclusion of the Trentham meeting. Some interesting work took place at Trentham on Saturday morning. Bercola, Ruffy, and Captain Jack wore schooled over the fences. The first-named appeared to bo master of the situation. Captain Jack put Amongst the winners on the second day of the V.R.C. National meeting was a New ' Zealand-bred colt in the shape of Golden Rock, a son of Gold Reef and Edith Cureton, that sold as a yearling in Sydney at 140 gs. The New Zealand bred marc Maple Leaf won a five-furlong welter of lOOsovs, run at a recent Williamstown meeting. She had 8.7. and ran Imin 3seo. Maple Leal is still owned by her breeder, Mr J. R. Mackenzie. The ex-New Zealand rider T. Cahill was disqualified for 12 months in connection with his riding of Kuda in the Steeulechaso Flat race run at a recent Moonoe Valley meeting. He has appealed against ; the decision.. ! L. Hegarty had a winning ride bn Corad- 1 jill in the Williamstown Stakes, run at tho latter end of last month. Hegarty is meeting with a good demand for his services, as he was booked for four rides during one meeting. . Blues tone is regarded as a veritable mudlark, and in the event of heavy going at Trentham will be a strong fancy for the Parliamentary Handicap. According to Aucklanders’ ideas the grey is one out of 'the ordinary. , „, An unusually large number of well-known performers over hurdles and" fences are following the hounds in Southland and Otago, and no doubt several of them will be amongst the runners in hunters’ events at the National meeting. , ■ The New Zealand racing clubs disbursed £1129 in grants to hunt clubs during the past 12 months. During the same period £335 10a was given as special prizes at agricultural shows, and hunters’ races carried stakes to the_ extent of £2918. The Australian rider B. Carslake was at the head of the list of winning jockeys in Austria at latest advices, and has accepted a retainer from his present employer for another three years, at an increased remuneration dor his services. Durhar IT, the English Derby winner, is by an English sire out of an Americanbred mare, was foaled in France, belongs to an American sportsman, was ridden by M. M‘Gee (a jockey of Scotch origin, born in America), and was’ trained by Murphy, an Irishman. The champion trotting maro Lou Dillon, 1.58£, has dropped a filly foal by the champion trotting stallion Tho Harvester, 2.1. This is the first colt in trotting history to be sired by the champion stallion out of the champion mare, and its career will be eagerly watched. The rising three-year-old Black All, who claims a New Zealand Cup engagement, is expected to return from Sydney, and will rejoin Quinlivan’s stable. Black All was got bv the Gallivale horse All Black from La Notte, the dam of Nightfall. Noctulform, Midnight Sun, and Moonbria. The motor roller now in use at Rand-

wick comes in for great commendation from the trainers, and it is certainly improving all’the tracks. The weight empty tons and a-quartef, but can be weighted by water ballast up to 4 tons 11 cwt if necessary. It has a rolling width of five In Frantic, on May 19, D. ReifP, the trainer, was fined 500 francs for havmg sent to the post a filly that had been insufficiently schooled at the starting The stewards have announced to the that they will hold them responsible for any trouble 'that is given by their horses at th< Mr John Mayo, one of the best known sportsmen in Australia, was ®° r |° (Vj mwhen the last mail to hand left the Com monwealth. Mr Mayo, who i y ago, won the Melbourne Cup with Lord Cardigan and Lord Nolan and other important races during his long associatio with the turf. • • At a committee meeting of the ooutn Canterbury Jockey Club it was finally decided that improvements est-.nated to cost several thousand pounds arc be put m hand as soon as possible. The club nas been working with a very progressive spirit, and it is to be hoped that its courage will meet with ample reward. There was a rather unusual happening in the Hack Hurdle Race, the fii-fc event on the card at the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. the officials neglected to remove the hurdles in front of the stand, and in consequence the field had to jump a final fence within a chain of the winning post. The crack pacer Denver Huon won the Australian Trotting- Club Handicap of fiOsovs, two miles, which formed the chief event at a recent Victoria Park meeting. He started from 240 yards behind scratch and won by four lengths in 4mm 41eec. The runner-up started from scratch. Den\ er Huon went out favourite. Although the fields likely to be seen out at Trentham this week are fairly strong from a numerical point of view, they will not receive any great assistance in that direction from 'Canterbury trained horses as those likely to make the journey only include Silver Shield, Mcrne Valet, Tim Doolan, Ohakea, and Terry Hymn. Grand Marshal, a three-year-old colt owned by Mr “ S. A. Rawdon, who cost his owner 800 gs as a yearling, scored his first success when he ran home a winner in the Iramoo Welter on the first day of the V.R.C. National meeting. Grand Marshal ■was got by Soult from Lady Hester, the dam of Marshal Soult and Dearest. ■ The death is reported.fropi Sydney Qf the imported naaro (Jtterden, the dam of Martian, Sungod, Boniform, and others. She is supposed to have broken her neck, and tho death of such a grand producer- is no small loss to Mr Wilbam Brown, who purchased her at the dispersal sale of the late Mr G. G. Stead’s stud for 1000 guineas. Dr Robertson’s* team for next season will probably cOJisist of Palisade, Red Unarm, Brooksdale, and a two-year-old filly by •Vasco, from Belle Clair. He recently lost a yearling by. All Red from Kea, which had to be destroyed after meeting with an accident. The team will probably shift to Riccarton in the, near future. One of the' thoroughbreds imported from England to Now South Wales some little £me ago by Mr J. L. O Brien has turned out trumps, and has already won a couple of fair stakes. This is a filly named Royal ]p € t, a daughter of Your Majesty and the Ayrtshire mare Our Lassie, the winner of SSis Oaks in 1903. Royal Pet is to be bred io Beragoon. The first race on each clay of the Wellington winter meeting will start at There are eight races on each card, iHf-d tho horses will probably go to the feast for the first at 11.15. This makes a xfrthor long day of it, and eight races per «ay at this time of the year is a shade oi&r the odds, particularly when the weather is not in a kindly mood. There will be a chance to garner some coin of the realm during the coming season ' ill Victoria. The V.A.T.C. Club has increased its prize list from £40,900 to £45,000, and the V.R.C. will hang up £67,370. The Australian Jockey Club will give stakes amounting to £BO,OOO. The figures quoted above furnish ample evidence of the great prosperity which this sport i.s enjoying in Australia. The Works Committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club paid a visit to Wingatui on Saturday afternoon on a tour of inspection. First "Glance, who has been enjoying a epell since the Ashburton winter meeting, is again to be placed in active commission. Nightwatch, who was an unusually good tw.o-ycar-old, is now training on without showing signs of the troubfo which kept himoff tho scene’during the past season. As far as totalisator fixtures are concerned, the trotting season of 1913-14 has closed. The six owners who have won most money (says the Press) are: Mr J. MlOutoheon, £1130; Mr H. F. Nicoll, £1018; Mr W. Kerr, £886; Mr R. Geddes, £BBI 15s; Mr H. W. Kitchingham, £380; Mr “J. Dennett,” £849 10s. The most successful horses are: Ravenschilcl, £1130; Denver Huon, £835; MandereneU £815; Don Caesar, £765; Adonis, £710; Frandocia, £7OO. There is no great amount of secrecy surrounding the identity of persons adopting assumed names for the purposes of racing in this country. In fact, sometimes it is not infrequently the case to find some papers publishing both tho real as well as the assumed name of an owner. This is rather unfair, and should be attended to by the authorities, who, by the way, gathered £l4l 15s for the registration of assumed names during the past 12 months. Some folks are inclined to rebel against the distance Wingatui is from town, but Eomparatively speaking Dunedin sports are really well off when placed alongside Wellington residents, who will have to leave town about 10 a.m. each day if they are desirous of seeing the horses before they go out to race in the first event at Trontham. Next season Wingatui, under an improved railway service, will bo easier of access than any other metropolitan club in tho . dominion. J. E. Brewer holds tho best riding record in connection with the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles. He was three times successful —on Tim Swivcllcr in 1893, on Emmaloa in 1895, and on Pat in 1898. A. Ferguson rode two winners of the event (The Agent and Ocean) ; the late W. S. Cox, two winning races (Rodleap in 1889, and again, in 1892); and M. Whelan, two winners (Sarasati and York). J. Scobio rode his only winner as far back as 1882, 'when he was successful on Rhesus. The following, from a London paper, suggests that the day is not far distant when an aeroplane will be portion of the equipment of any jockey (professional or amateur), whose services are in particular

demand: ‘‘Baron von Blixen Finecko, after winning a race at Gothenburg on Sunday, May 17, left at 1.45 p.m. on a monoplane for Klampenborg Racecourse, near Copehhagen, a distance of about 170 miles, and there had three mounts, a winner, a second, and one unplaced.” Tho Baron had a strenuous afternoon, to say the least of it. Coradjil, who ran third in the V.R.C. Steeples, comfortably defeated Zophuron wh’cn they met in the Williamstown Steeplechase, run on June 28. United Kingdom, who acted as runner-up on Saturday, was amongst the unplaced lot in tee same race. Both tho Dunedin Jockey Club and the Forbury Park Trotting Club have practically decided to install the Julius electrical totalisator on their tracks. In tho case of the former, it will not bo installed until the Dunedin Cup meeting, and Forbury Park may have to wait for its machine until the latter end of the season. The new machine is far and away • ahead of any other at present in operation. It permits the receipt of investments up to the last moment, and records the individual bets on each horse and the grand total simultaneously until the mechanism is finally locked by the mere touching of a button, after which- no further transactions can be recorded, in a refusal at the logs. Sportsman and Northern fenced safely over a circuit. Julian and Royal Arms went together over the hurdles, the latter shaping well for a novice, Paritutu did a round, and jumped well. Altear had too much pace for Merrie Guy when covering a round over tho hurdles. Altear and Royal Arms appear to have quickly adapted themselves to hurdling.^ Mr J. E. Henrys, the prominent New Zealand handicapper, is again on a visit to Sydney. Mr Henrys, like most New Zealanders, is a thorough believer in the totalisator, and is at a loss to understand why New South Wales owners as a whole do not favour its installation. At the same time (says the Sydney Referee) Mr Henrys does not advocate the abolition of bookmakers, believing good results would be obtained in Now South Wales by their retention in conjunction with the use of the total-'eator —the same position that obtained in Western Australia and Queensland. The Gore Racing Club has applied for March 17 and 18 as dates for its second meeting next season instead of holding it in January as formerly. The Waimate Racing Club has applied for March 18, and" has lodged air objection against the former club being granted the dates asked for. Waimate has for many years held its meetings on or in close proximity to March 17, and in a sense has a prior claim to racing in that week. There is, however, no meeting held in the south during the early part of March, and unless the Gore Club has a strong desire to race a week prior to the (Southland meeting it coxild easily come in a week earlier. A welsher at Epsom on Derby Day endeavoured to escape in a motor car, but had to abandon it to the infuriated crowd, who wreaked drastic vengeance on it. It was overturned and set on fire, and as nobody thought of interfering, the wreck was soon complete. When the fire had died down rrgmy of the spectators, who had suffered at the hands of the bookmaker searched the debris for anything portable that might help to liquidate their claims. The axles, mudguards, and what had been tyres were removed, while one luckier than the rest bore away in triumph the pump, to console him for the winnings on Durbar II which he was not destined to , draw. The trainers and jockeys’ provident funds in the hands of tho different metropolitan clubs are, all in a healthy state. The Auckland Racing Club shows a credit of £1799 2s 3d, of which amount £I6OO is invested in Auckland Harbour Board debentures; the Canterbury Jockey Club has £1053 11s lid on deposit; the Dunedin Jockey Club has a credit of £1202 4s sd, of which amount £940 is invested; the Greymouth Jockey Club has a balance at bank of £*69 17s; the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club funds amount to £777 7s Id; the Taranaki Jockey Club has on deposit £998 11s 7d; the Wanganui Jockey Club has £1216 7s 6d, of which amount £IOBO is on fixed deposit; the Wellington Racing Club has £366 3s 7d on fixed deposit. The total amount to credit of the different clubs is £7483 5s 4d. Reports from Christchurch state that the two steeplechase events at the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday were marked by vei-y sorry displays on the part of tho majority of the competitors, though the public derived a good deal of amusement from them. In tine first event, the View Hill Steeplechase, there -were four competitors, but with little more than half the journey gone, Tim Doolan was tho only horse left in the race. Obligate ran off at the first fence, and the brush at the turn out of the straight brought down Opuka and Terry Flynn. The former refused repeatedly, while Terry • Flynn got over, but lost his rider. Terry Flynn evaded recapture for some minutes, and when he was caught his rider again put him at the fence at which» he had got into trouble before. Ho pot another spill ’and then retired from the contest. Meanwhile, Obligate’s rider decided to make an attempt to secure second money. After considerable persuasion Obligato scrambled over one fence, but refused at the next, and was then called off. In the North Canterbury Steeplechase there were five competitors, but by the time the second fence was reached Opuka, Starfaoo. and Troika had run off, and Selwyn and Ohakea were left to continue tho contest. Selwyn winning comfortably. SOUTH CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB. A meeting of the committee of the Sotith Canterbury Jockey Chib was held on the 9th inst.; present—Messrs H. Lowry (in the chair), E. H. Reid, ■ O. H. Gresson, G. S. Cray, A. S. and H. Eilwort-hy, W. Baxter, Dr Thomas, and C. S. Fraser (secretary). It was resolved that a voting paper be sent to each financial member of the club containing the names of each member standing for election for the committee. In the matter of improvements, the Finance Committee- reported that it had the offer of sufficient funds to complete ail tho improvements. The report was adopted, .and it was resolved that a tea kiosk, separate from the grand stand, be proceeded with if it can be completed in time for the next meeting. The Ground Committee reported that the pumps were being renovated, the fences were being cut, gorse grubbed, and tree stumps removed. The following new members were elected: Messrs H. Victor, T, Thistleton, W. F. Dawe, W. Scarf, W. L. Henderson, J. W. Kelly, H. T. Bring, R. J. M‘Keown, Howitt, Croxford, C. Studholme, F. G. Kerr, and J. A. M'Kenzie. Accounts ' amounting to £52 l-is 3d were passed for payment. ,

After arranging- to meet on the ground to decide where the tea kiosk and outside stand were to be placed, a very long meeting, during which liabilities amounting to several thousands were incurred, terminated.