TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 49

TALK OF THE DAY.

Bi Sentinel.

THE NATIONAL HANDICAPS. In the conditions attached to the Grand National Steeplechase is a proviso that no horse shall carry more than 12.7, and in compiling his figures Mr J. E. Henrys did not find it necessary to go closer than Bib to his limitation. The principal cause is due to the fact that the best ’chasers seen out last season —such as Bercola, ihe Spaniard, and Glenmore —have not been in winning vein this winter; and hence been piling up their handicap. In compiling the National Steeplechase Handicap Mr Henrys has by no means lest sight of the best form of last season, and has, for instance, restored Bercola to the top of affairs, whereas some of the other weight adjusters have been dropping The Officer—Noon gelding m their adjustments. In the Wellington hteeplea Bercola was in receipt of olb from Ihe Spaniard and Peary, Glenmore was allowed ]ib, Jackman 111 b, and Captain Jack 141 b. Apart from the last-named,, who appears to have scored in excellent style at Trentham, it will be seen that Bercola now meets Ihe Spaniard on 61b, Peary on bib, ana Glenmore on 81b worse terms. It would appear from this that Bercola is expected, to make a better show at Riccartqn than he did at Trentham, where he finished behind The Spaniard, and has been handicapped as if ho should have finished in front of him. Captain Jack goes up 171 b on Wellington form, and meets Jackman on 131 b worse terms. Sir Lethe meets Captain Jack’ on 20ib better terms than when finishing a moderate third at Trentham, and here again Bercola, who, however, is a better stayer, meets a horse in Sir Lethe a place-getter well m front of him when they last mot, at 61b worse terms. Bercola, however, receives a concession of 141 b from Captain Jack and lib from Jackman on the Wellington running. Bercola has been' sent up 101 b on what he carried to victory in last season s National, and now meets The Spaniard on the same terms as when he beat him by a narrow margin, whilst Glenmore, who was beat into third place with heads between the lot, now comes in on 6lb better terms. This seems a.very fair adjustment, with a little in Glenmore’s favour. The ancient Paritutu meets Bercola on last year’s race at 281 b better terms, and some indication of the improvement which Captain Jack has made, or is supposed, to have made, m 12 months is indicated by the fact that he goes from last year’s burden of 9.9 to 11.13, and now meets Bercola on 221 b worse terms, whilst on the Groat Northern Steeplechase running, where Peary beat him, he comes m on 101 b worse terms through the Birkenhead gelding. At Auckland Bercola finished fourth, and now meets Captain Jack on 16T better terms. It is sometimes interesting to travel further afield than recent form, although no great value may result from the excursion. Sir Lethe, however, has struck winning form, and scored, decisively at Wellington. He is a brilliant ’chaser, but not a particularly, good stayer. Still, it is interesting to recall that in the race of two years ago he was set to give 141 b to Glenmore. The latter subsequently beat him when in receipt of 231 b in the Beaufort, and was still giving 51b when they met in the Lincoln, won by Paritutu with 1111, Armagh second with 11.3, and Sir Lethe third with 11.7. Armagh had previously run third to Captain Jingle and Paritutu in the National, and as a place-o-etter in the race should help to make matters interesting if he can get back to form, which in a rising -10-year-old home is very doubtful. , XT , There is a long tad to the National Hurdles, in which 28 arc handicapped below 10.0. six in the 10.0 division, and five above 11.0. Peary has been handed out different treatment over hurdles than some assessors of his form have been inclined to administer. For instance, in the Hawke s Bay Hurdles Peary was asked to give Player lib. whereas, at Riocarton there is 91b more between them and at the scale of weights it is no small margin. On Riccarton form Peary is meeting Kilmeny on 21b wors» terms, but taking a line through the Wellington figures, the Kileheran gelding is a little better off at Riecartcn than ho was at Trentham, where he was asked to meet Player at 3!b instead of the 51b that is now between thorn. Morning, who ranks as lastyear’s winner, goes up from 9.12 to 11.1. On that occasion Morning won nicely in 3min 44 2-ssoe. which stands as a record for the i-:'--. Kilmer”- won in t ,> '> Au+nmn with 11.5, in 3rnin 42 l-ssee; and it will bo Seen that their form is rated as about even. TV Ornra won the Great Northern Hurdles with 9.0. the Remnera Hurdles with .10.4, and is now amt up an additional 101 b. lie is a voting and possibly improving sort; .and another that has latterly come into the limelight is Grey King, 'whoso form has been impressive enough to get Idm in close, proximity to the proved goods slightly above him in the adjustments. P'mther down the fist is Ngatiruanui, who was making a bold show in last year’s race when be clouted a hurdle. Ho has been dropped 71b, and meets Morning on 241 h better terms. Reports from Auckland claim him to be jumping and gallopincr in good style, and he may represent a dangerous factor " in the field. Some of the others, such as

Royal Arms and Cheddar may be relied upon to have improved in their hurdling as a result ■ of recent experiences, and an acceptance for the Steeples, Hurdles, and Winter Cup, failing duo on Friday, niay thin out the fields a bit and show what owners think of the adjustments THE A.J.C DERBY. Mr C. W. Cropper, secretary to the Australian Jockey Club, has kindly continued his usual practice ot sending the list of nominations for all events, wlucrx closed on Juno 2, for the coming season of Ul*15. In conning over the list of entries for the A.J.C. Derby, of SOOOsovs added money, together with a 20sov sweepstake, it is found that New Zealand is fairly well represented m Australasia s richest classic, which closed with 299 nominations. Mr E. J. Watt has a trio engaged in the' shaxDC of Mombassa .(Ail Black—Kilindini), Mountain Knight (Mountain King —La "V eille), and Black All (Ail Black—La Notte.) The last-named, however, has become ineligible, owing to being added to the list, and has been shipped back to Hawke’s Bay. Black All, however, claims engagement in the New Zealand Cup. Mr Harvey Patterson has three nominations, and Mrs Harvey Patterson 'has engaged the Menschikotf— Themia filly Atheldana. Mr Patterson s lot consists of Fabrikoff (Mcnschikoff—Fabia), Tuniso (Audria —Tunis), and Giraldakoff, a filly by Menschikoff from Giralda. Mr Fred Hall has two fillies in the shape of ono by Marble Arch—Erry Roc, and another by Penury from Lady Hester. Mr G. D. Grecnw'ood has engaged Camulus,.- the sou of Martian and Lady Wayward 11, whilst Mr T. H. Lowry is represented by; a- Chariemagne II —-Neva colt. Mr E. Bidwill has a brace in Reputation (Martian —Stopfeldt) and Moderation (Elevation —Intelligence). Sir George Clifford has engaged, a quartet, but two of them, in First .Flight ana Botanist, may be passed over, as the former has become ineligible and the latter been sold. The others are Don Francisco —San Francisco —Madowla) and Merry Trick (Treadmill—Delusive). From this it will be seen- that there is not much chance of the “ blue-and-gold chequers ” being unfurled at Randwick when the valuable classic conics up for decision. The Messrs W. G. and G. L. Stead has a trio opposite their names with Goodnight (Boniform--Dreamer), Ringform (Boniform —Ringdove), and Los Vegas-, a filly by Boniform from La Valiore. Mr J. B. Reid had a solitary representative in Cortes, by Vasco from lima, who nowcarries Mr H. Fricdlander’s colours ; but this youngster is another of the ineligible.?. Mr Highden ” has Pariform, the Boniform— Parera colt, among entries from this country. Youngsters sometimes make giant strides of progress in form from their first to their second season; but the New Zealandbred lot do not at present appear to hold any great prospects of success. In addition to the above-mentioned lot New Zealandbred sires and brood mares are well represented, so that we can take both a direct and indirect interest in the race. THE RACING CONFERENCE. The most-discussed question before the Racing Conference proved to be the motion which proposes to debar owners from betting with bookmakers. It i? a matter in which Sir George Clifford has long been very keen, and he made such a strong appeal to the conference last week that it passed the motion into law by a very substantial majority; but-whilst one must admire the spirit which has created a new law' on the method of betting, not a little doubt is entertained as to the spirit in which it will be observed. It is greatly feared it will be more honoured in the breach than in the observance by the rank and file of owners who have been placed on parole, although there is not the slightest doubt also that a large number of others will obey even if they are sometimes strongly tempted to exploit a market. The decadence of starting-price business and antepost betting will tend to case the situation to a certain extent, except, perhaps, on a race such as the Now Zealand Cup, about which there will always remain the longshot chances likely to tempt the cupidity of some owners. The new’ law', if one may re--gard it as such, will create rather a peculiar state of affairs. Australia is the Mecca of New Zealand owners, who, when they besiege that part of the w’orld with a team of horses, will bo forced to bet with bookmakers or not at all. It seems, then, that what is a crime on one side of the road in the racing world is not a crime on the other. It is quite possible that some of the Australian fielders who are in touch with the Dominion may open volumes i on our chief events either straight out or in doubles. In the event of such a thing happening, owners may feel quite at liberty to do business, so long as they do not transact it with a Now Zealand odds merchant. A New Zealander on a visit to Sydney would have no compunction in betting under the conditions that obtain there, and on return may continue the connection. There is only an elongation of distance between the principals of a possible w'ager to record which -would be a small matter if the high principle to which the president of the Racing Conference desires to lift owners does not. block the way. Sir George Clifford was once an opponent of the stipendiary steward system, and on ono occasion referred to the idea of appointing them in somewhat derogatory terms. Now, however, ho has spoken with praising tones not only of what stipendiary stewards have accomplished, but also as to what they are likely to accomplish, as well as the deterring effect their presence on a racecourse is ’sure to carry. The svstein has had a fairly good trial, and there is not the slightest doubt much benefit has followed in its train. Still, it would not bv any moans be wise to think that everything is now coiffeur de ros“. and so have our racing authorities lulled to a sense of security that may not stand a very ~r r„ t- she'- 1 -. Th« present state of the tnrf in Now' Zealand may satisfy .some, but certainly not all, and the sport would not suffer, but rather benefit a good deal if the stipendiary stewards wore a little stricter in their supervision of racing per se, and concentrated their attention on that part of their duties instead of looking after things which do not greatly concern cither them or the snort, but which could ho safely left in the hand* of the police or others appointed to act in that capacity by the various racing clubs. What does it matter to the sporting public if some undesirable or other is on the fringe of a racecourse if form that cannot be linked together goes seemingly unquestioned. It is quite possible that the stewards have “ got a little list ” of target? for which they are loading their guns to shoot into oblivion when sufficient evidence has been gathered as to the why and wherefore of snspiciously-belated j-nns from some riders, and who are sometimes inclined to Irko their mounts on the

outside of the track, whore the “best going exists—perhaps. However, it s quite safe to predict that the seed which was sown last season will bear more iruit and more fruit as time goes on. It seems a pity that whilst we are continually preaching about racing improving the horse, more consideration was not given to the proposal to encourage the development of stamina by the compulsory provision of a few more races over a mile. Erroneous ideas, however, exist as to what constitutes stamina. The fact that our programmes bulk largely in the direction of sprinting docs not necessarily mean that our blood stock, as it stanus at present, is deficient in the ability to go a journey, io contend such a thing betrays a superficial knowledge, and seems to suggest that om breeders and stud masters dchbe.atcK attempt to breed a sprinting instead of an equine such as Carbine or Lochiel. who both snrinted as well as stayed The writer has never yet mot a person who has bred a horse unless he started off v. ith i idea of breeding a marvel m the waj of a racehourse. Perhaps an error of partially attributable to a meagre purse, has occurred by breeding to the wiong or According to some ideas wo would have to destroy the Now Zealand thoroughbred a it stands and start anew’ if vve wore slid doniv called to demonstrate stamina bj doubling the length of all our races. It should be sufficient for us that om stud books arc becoming richer and r^ e , 1 . in strains of Wood that go to make the d s.i able racehorse; and no groat anxiety about stamina need be entertained so ong moderate performers on the flat can w n over long distances, over .fences, and hurdles, with the accompanying m f erenco of staying power, even if a little kckm m brilliancy. Some people are particular_y keen on having all racing inquiries,’ the hearing of objections, protests, etc., thrown open to the press; but it is, not altogether desirable that such should be the case? The racing steward is generally active in that position for only a bnot period of the yearly round He may strive to his utmost to purify the turf, and do everything in his power to give the pubno good, honest sport, but if full reports of all racing matters were published, it is more than possible that a person might prove himself a good steward, but, as a result, suffer a great deal in some other direction. It would be sufficient if the public were granted a bit more information than what they have obtained in the past. Those who pay the piper are quite within their rights for 'wanting to know why certain tunes are played, even though they may not know much about music—or racing. FASHION IN BREEDING. Under the heading of “ Fashion in Breed in"-,’’ Mr G. L. Ohcscrton contributes an interesting article to the London Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News. Ho states that in the early times the general tendency was to out-brooding, and it was even considered most desirable to continually change alliances/ In more recent jcais it was a long time before breeders deemed it expedient to give any consideration to inbreeding to Sterling. “ Inbreeding to Galopin,” ’writes Mr Chesterton, “ initiated by the first Duke of Westminster with complete success in the instance of Flying Fox, led to. further developments in this direction, and a variety of circumstances tended to encourage a favourable trend in the direction of Sterling, chiefly through Isonorny. The end has justified theWnoans, as wo may perceive by noting the deeds of the Kempton Park Great ‘Jubilee be enlarged, if needed: —Absolute, wanner of the Kempton Park Great “Jubilee” Handicap, was bv Gallinulo (grandson of Sterling), from Cherry Lass (great-grand-daughter of .Sterling); Black Duchess, granddom of Absolute, was likewise grand-dam of Bayardo, wdio also claims two crosses of Sterling; Counterfeit, a winner under both rules, claimed Sterling as grandsire on each side of his pedigree: Cellini is another example, ho being bv Cyllcnc from a daughter of Gallinulo ; Cherimoya, winner of the Oaks, was by a grandson of Sterling, from a grand-daughter of Isonorny; Electra \win nor of the One Thousand Guineas) was by Eager (grandson of Sterling) from Sirenia, by ° Gallinulo. The Guller (winner of the Chester Cup) was- by The Gull, a son of Gallinule, from a mare descending fom -Sterling; that famous ex-plater, Long Set, was by Robclais (grandson of Satiety, by Isonorny) from a grand-daughter of Energy, by Sterling; Mushroom, by Common, was from a grand-daughter of Cherry, by Sterling; Minoru, winner of the Derby, was not only associated with the Sterling line' through Cyllene, but also through Mother Superior; Pietermaritzburg, sire of that good stayer Mynora (winner of the Northumberland Plate), was_ from Sea Air, by Isonorny, ivhose full brother Fernandez was grandsire of Memoria, dam of Mynora.”

Tho writer quoted says tlmt Stockwell-on-Newminster, was considered 11 par excellence” bv old-time breeders; but they refrained from “ enthusing ” over Hermit, whose tendency to break blood-vessels made them suspicious. However, children of Ascetic (by Hermit) have proved such stayers, and particularly fencers, over a distance, of ground that results of' tho Grand National redound to his considerable credit. Latter-day stud masters have some of them been “greatly daring.” and have not hesitated- to experimentalise in the direction of ascertaining whether two strains of Hermit in a pedigree would bring them the fortune associated with similar developments in the oases of Galopin and Sterling. Father B’ind. who twice won the Great Metropolitan. was by Father Confessor {-grandson of Hermit) from Sunblind, a grand-daughter of Hermit. Cyllene and Sweet Balsam both descended from Hermit, and their alliance resulted in the foaling of Hymettus; Sundridge and Absurdity (both " tracing to Hermit) have been responsible for Jest, winner of tho One Thousand Guineas and Oaks of 1913. Moscato, winner of the "Royal Hunt Cun, shows two crosses of Hermit, through Marco and Prisoner. Tho sensational winner of the 'Cambridgeshire. Marcovil (now making a name as a stallion), was by Marco, bis dam. Lady VilUkins, being a grand-daughter of Hermit. Fovtunio was a grandson of Hermit. His alliance with Pet, grand-daughter of Hermit, produced the brilliant Delaunay. Tiie stalwart Stodfast is by Chaucer, and his dam. Be Sure, also traces to Hermit, through Acheron. In conclusion. Mr Chesterton savs :—“ Tho taste for dual strains of Hermit has even reached the Royal Stud, and a winner last season, with classic engagements.' was La Marquise, bv Marcovil, dam bv Gallimile, grandson of Hermit, who is doubly represented in tho ped'groe of Flippant. The success of The Tetrarch may induce increasing desire to continue inbreeding to Doncaster and his- son. Bend Or, and. it will be noted that if Bend Or was really the son of Clemcncc,

and not ot Rouge Rose, The Tetrarch descends from own brother and sister.” IN A NUTSHELL. The New Zealand horse-owners are now on parole. The well-known Australian horse Cider has been shipped to India. - Peary appears to have developed an inclination to shirk his fences to race in a hood nr blinkers. Haskayne has acted r.s gleaner of the last two Win tar Oats at Trentham. The Rivsrtcn Racing Club have donated £3O to the funds of the JBirchwood Hunt. Friday of tins week is general entry day for the C.J.C. Grand National meeting. - The field of 17 which faced the starterin the Wellington Steeplechase is a- record for the race The July Steeples at Trentham proved a bit of a fiasco, as far more ran off than what ran on. Mr H. Cunningham, the well-known North Otago owner, has become “mine host” of the Winton Hotel. Mr L. C. Hazlett has sent his maresDecoy and Estelle down south on a visit to Pallas, the sire of Palisade. The Tetrarch will commence stud life in Ireland, where he was bred, and a 400-guinea is being- asked for his services. The crack pacer Kibbonwood, as sire of 25 with marks of 2.25 or better, stands at the comparatively modest fee of logs. The application' of the Rivenon Hack and Steeplechase Chib for registration by the Racing Conference was not granted. Messrs W. E. Taylor and James Tobin have presented a trophy which will form part of the stake attached to the nest Winton Cup. The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s stallion Hymettua has achieved a remarkable success with the stock which represent him for ihe first time in public. The New Zealand Cup candidate Bonny Helen is again in the active list after a spell which is said to have put her in good shape for another preparation. An acceptance is due on Friday next for the National Steeples, National Hurdles, and Winter Cup. A final payment for the same events falls due on Friday, August 7. Royal Arms appears to have made a very creditable show in his debut over hurdles. He was sore prior to the Winter Hurdles, and in some quarters regarded as unlucky to lose. One aspect of the handicaps for the principal events to lie decided at the National meeting suggests that some of those engaged have latterly not been running quite “to the top of their form,” as it were. Leonata is reported to have struck a hurdle and slightly injured himself wdien being schooled a few days ago. Up to that stage Tm had been acquitting himself fairly well in his new line of business. The votino- on the Dunedin Jockey Club’s proposal to raise the minimum in handicaps 1o 7.0 was 20 to 13 against an increase. It would have required a threefouiths majority to place it in the rules. Grit Lawless and Haskayne appear to have contracted a mild habit of winning on the second day of the Wellington winter meeting, as both horses won the same events on. Saturday as they scored in .12 months ago. A rather unusual occurrence took place at the Manchester meeting held in the early part of June. A two-year-old entered to he sold for 50sovs in a Selling Plate had a walk-over, and was afterwards bought in ait 2O0g«. Captain Jack appears to have won the right to promotion—in public estimation at least —notwithstanding the fact that he showed his somewhat meagre caudal appendage to the enemy in the Wellington Steeples. The Sylvia Park gelding Kew, who was a place-getter on the flat at each day of the ‘Wellington meeting, has been shaping well in schooling lessons over hurdles, and may he given a run over the sticks at Riccarton. Admiral Sonlt’s weight in the Grand National Hurdle-s is, 10.5, not 10.8, as originally appeared. Cloudy Dawn, who was handicapped at 9.13 for the same event, should not have appeared in the list, as he was not nominated. At last week’s meeting of the Racing Conference it was agreed that any owner who has never received any payment for training or riding a horse may train his own horse without a license, provided such bores is under his own supervision. The one-time Australian trainer Mr De Mastre, who now trains a team in England, scored an important win just before the last mail to hand left Home. He won the Manchester Cup, of 256050v5, with Junior, who heat the Spearmint colt The Curragh three parts of .a length. from the so-called hack class until it has won one race of ISOsovs in value, or JOfisovs in the aggregate. This means that horses on the verge of passing out of the hacks have been granted a further chance to distinguish themselves in minor events. Bercola and The Spaniard wore reported to be “looking well" when they stripped for the Wellington Steeplechase. It is pleasing to note the fact, as one could easily imagine, from the report of the race, that they would require binoculars to see Captain Jack at the finish. England can sometimes fail on her own ground. The cosmopolitan Durbar II captured the Derby, and the latest news to hand shows that a recent winner at Newbury was bred in America; the runner-up also hailed from the States, whilst the third was by a horse bred in South Africa. Dame Rumour, originating in Oamaru. states that Clvnelish, one of the ruling favourites for the Winter Cup, is_ causing his trainer some little anxiety. When the colt ran at the Dunedin winter meeting he sported an enlarged fetlock joint in front, and perhaps this is the seat of the trouble. A programme carrying £45,000 in stakes will be hung up in connection with lightharness racing at the Panama Exhibition. Among the events will be a 4000sovs slake for 2.10 trotters, and one of similar value for a 2.6 class amongst the pacers. A grand stand is being built to accomodate 18,000 nc j.| allc | ;R ac i n g Chib’s course at Ellerslie is confidently expected to be one of the beauty .spots of the Dominion when the installation of flower-beds and o' her improvements now under way are completed. The most beautiful “spot” at Ellerslie, as well as on other racecourses, will still, however, remain the successful anticipation of a big dividend. Alerte VI, the winner of this year’s French Oaks, of which particulars came to hand by the latest mail, was got by Ramrod. .a son of Carbine. Ramrod was out of the’ ordinary in his time on the turf, rod won the Newbury Cup as well as running a very close third in the Two Thousand Guineas won by Gorges in 1908. Alerte VI is out of a granddaughter of Si. Simon. There has been a lot of writing and talking about the last two Derby fiascoe*. I met the Rev. Cecil Regard in St. James’s square the other day (says the “Special Commis&ionex’ 1 ), and. lie saidj How would

you handicap Kennymore and Durbar II over the St. Loger course?” 1 suggested that Keuiiymore should concede 7lh; but this very bast of all parsons declared his belief that Kenny more would give 141 b and win. "Look at ha wo animals,” said he. “It is almost impossible to compare them!” Now there' is no better judge of a horse than the Rev. Coed Legaid. and his opinion is always worth noting; but it brings into glaring relief the ridiculous character of the race for ihe Derby both this year and last for. of course, it is of the highest importance to maintain the prestige of this the greatest race in the world. There is a doublebarrelled significance in the above. The Australian-bred gelding Bullawarra, who was sent to England some little time back with the object of contesting the next Liverpool Grand National, is working in distinguished company. He is reported to ha looking big and well, and on the occasion under notice got through steady cantering exercise with Lutteur 111, who won the big 'chase at Aintree in 1910, and gained a place in this year’s race. - The New South Wales sportsman Mr Francis Foy, who left Sydney recently en route to Paris, intends selling Iris stud farmin Prance and sending his brood mares to Australia. They include the well-known performers Piayaway, Lord Ullin’s Daughter, and Charmed Life, dam of The Christian Brother. The mp.res are all stinted to Prestige, sire of Sardanaple, the best of this season’s three-year-olds in Franca. Judging by recent photos of the Derby winner, Durbar 11, ho does not show any* thing like the quality one likes to see identified with a hem of the Blue Ribbon. Ho is apparently rather mean-quartered and of varminty type generally, in addition to being a bit peacocky. Still, the photo may not flatter the colt, and the fact remains that he was the winner, and won easily, no matter what excuses are offered on behalf of others in the field. Tire Newbury course is evidently a track over which a horse can make haste. A field of 11 contested the Newbury Summer' Cup, of 1027eovs, run on June 11, and the winner turned up in the Florizel II colt Florist, who ran the mile and a-half in 2.30, and won by two lengths under 9st. The unplaced members of the field included Shogun (trained by R. Woo ton), a colt that was fancied for last year’s Derby, but on this occasion not mentioned in the betting. According to a Wellington exchange the special feature of the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, on tire first day of the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting, was the' exhibition of given by R. Gray on. Northern. Entering the last round Northern had such a lot of ground to make up that his chance seemed hopeless; but Gray cut off all the corners between the fences, and so placed his mount in a winning position by the time the straight was reached. Gray has also won a lot of praise for horsemanship .exhibited over fences .at Wingatui as well as at the Southland meetings. Mr W. T. Hazlett, president of the Southland Racing Club, opposed the motion debarring owners from Iretting with bookmakers, and said that he diet so although he agreed with the objects which the president sought to achieve by carrying tha motion. Personally, he did not bet with tha bookmakers, and he did not believe that any member of the conference did; but he thought the rule was too drastic, and too much like interfering with the liberty of the subject. It had surprised him to learn quits recently how many people in good positions were in the habit of betting with bookmakers. He failed to see, however, how the rule was going to be enforced if it were carried. If the conference was really desirous of prohibiting double betting with bookmakers, why not bring pressure oo bear on Parliament to get back the double totalizator? Just prior to the departure of the mail from England a report was received telling of the death of the stallion Matchbox, in Austria. It is a coincidence (says an exchange) that his great turf rival, Ladas, died only a few weeks previously. Matchbox, by St. Simon from Match Girl, was foaled in 1891. Ladas beat him in the Two Thousand Guineas, and again in the Derby. After that the colt was sent to France to run in the Grand Prix de Paris. The English colli was again unlucky, the stake going, to Dolma-Baghtche, though not a few of those present contended that Matchbox had actually won. During the course of his second and final season on the turf Matchbox was sold to the Austrian Government, the purchase price being 15,000ge. He subsequently achieved notable success as a stallion, his progeny having won over £150,099 in stakes to date. Matchbox was unfortunate in being foaled in the same year as an even better colt in Ladas. ( A petition signed by a number of horseowners was received by the Racing Conference, asking for relief for the mother ol a jockey named Macintosh, who was killed in a - race at Blenheim. The president (SR George Clifford) explained that the owuei of the horse had not paid his accident fee and was not entitled to relief. He.was really the person who should give relief, which, through his negligence, was cut out of the proper fund. Mrs Macintosh had taken legal action against the owner, but judgment had gone to the defendant. One had, of course, great sympathy with one who was imable to get compensation through the negligence of the owner; but the petition railed a dangerous precedent, and it rested with the conference to consider what to do with it. After a brief discussion, the petition was referred (with a recommendation to favourable consideration) -o a committee consisting of Messrs E,- W. Alison, Hugo Friedlander, and P. Miller. When opinions clash. In a conversac tion with “Pilot,” of the Sydney Referee, Mr J. M‘Mahon, chief stipendiary steward, laughed at the suggestion of dubious practices being common in New Zealand. According to the Wellington Post, Sir Georgs Clifford is reported to have said, when discussing the proposed alteration of the rule bearing on the draw for places, that "very wreat frauds are perpetrated in the drawing, for places.” Evidently the gentlemen comnosing the conference also thought so, as it was agreed that in future a special box approve if bv the conference is to be used when drawing for places at the barrier. Naturally, the question arises. Is it only in the draw for places that fraud is perpetrated or atiempted? If riders are prepared to take a risk under the very eyes of officials and others who usually attend the weighing out and the draw for places generally taking place on passing the scales, what will they do m a race when distance blurs the view and discounts the chance of trouble following a risk? Perhaps Sir George Clifford was unnecessarily emphatic in his remarks, and his opinions as to the stale of the New Zealand turf arc. not really so much at variance with those of Mr M‘Mahon. although they read somewhat opposite in print. . Probably the hottest favourite to go down in a Grand National Hurdle Race was Sheet Anchor, who, starting at 5 to 4 against in a field of 10. failed to finish among tha first six. Tha l was the 1885 event won by The Acent. Mr M. Lough) in had tried Sheet Anchor well; and (says “Austral”) as tha horse had 'he services of Tommy Corrigan, and had what was considered the nico weight of 1012, the stable regarded him as next door to a certainty. Two friends of the

owner, both of whom are now prominent figures on the Victorian turf, accepted between them at the Victorian Club on the night before the race the wager of £3OOO to £2OOO about Sheet Anchor. Their feelings may be imagined when they saw their horse hit a hurdle early in the race, and practically drop out of the contest. Naturally, the two “plungers” were crestfallen after the race, but Mr Loughlin cheered them up oy assuring them that they would get their money back with interest. Mr Loughlin was as good as his word. Sheet Anchor came out in the Melbourne Cup less than four months after his National failure, and, with Mick O'rSrien in the saddle, won after a great race with Grace Darling and Trenton. As Sheet Anchor started at a good price, the two friends who lost so heavily on him in the .hurdle race had a good v in over the Cup. The Grand National won by Tho Ageni ried £4OO in added money, and the ’ velbotirne Cup Sheet Anchor was successful, in was of £IOOO value. This year the National . was worth £1750. The added money for the Melbourne Cup is £BOOO. The annual report and balance sheet of the Winton Jockey Club states that the committee has much pleasure in congratulating the members upon the past season’s operations, the result from which proved very successful. At the beginning of the season the total cash credit was £l4ll 11s 4d, and now stands at £92 11s sd. When it is considered that the sum of £2165 6s has been expended on the erection of a new and most up-to-date grand stand, the financial position of the club must be regarded as highly satisfactory. When your committee resolved to carry out extensive improvements involving heavy expenditure, it was deemed wise by them that the amount of the stakes for the season should remain the same as last season’s. The totalisator investments (£18.306) did not quite come up to the record established last season; but when all the adverse circumstances under which this season’s meeting took place are taken into consideration the members will realise that the ■results are extremely gratifying. The Government stamp tax for the two days’ racing amounted to £474 6s 6d —an exorbitant demand upon the resources of a racing club, and a questionable imposition on the sporting section of tiny community. Your committee consider '%a !■ the time has now arrived when the recourse property and its improvements should be transferred from tho present trustees to the club itself. In the event of the Winton Club becoming an incorporated body y<mr committee will request your consideration of the following resolution : —“That the club be resistered under ‘Tile Incorporated Societies Act, 1903,' and adoption of rules.” ' The following list of imported horses are engaged in the Melbourne Cup; Messrs Baillieu’a b c The Sap, 3yrs, by Eager—Quar, 7.5. Messrs Baillieu’s b g Defence, 4yrs, by Carbine —Pola, 6.7. Messrs Clarks Bros.’ ch h Audacity, 4yrs, by Melton —Sagacity, 8.1. Mr 11. G. Casey’s ch c The Vergar, 3yrs, by St. .Fmsquin—Virginal, 7.3. Mr R. C. Casey’s b f Regality, 3yrs, by Eager—Galore, 7.1. Mr L. Robertson’s b f Ben, 3yrs, by Benvenuto —Karess, 7.0. Mr L. Robertson’s b h Phineus, 3yrs, by Chaucer—Andromeda, 7.0. Mr L. Robertson’s b h Torbane, 4yrs, by Tcrpoint—Ferelith, 7.7. Mr L. Robertson’s b g Capricious, syrs, by The Scribe—Caprice, 6.7. Mr L. Robertson’s ch g, Lempriere, syrs, by The Scribe—Calline, 6.7. Mr L. Robertson’s b h Don Regnaldo, syrs, by St. Frusquin—Douetta, 7.12. ‘ Mr L. Robertson’s ch m Hamburg Belle, syrs, by Plancedos—Saratoga Belle, 7.9. Mr J. Brennan’s br m Lindera, 4yrs, by Radium—Tap Han©, 7.0. Messrs Robinson and Clark’s br h St. Spasa, 4yrs, by St. Amant—Carita, 7.9. Messrs J. and F. D. M'Mast.sr’s b m Waltz, 6yrs, by Yorkshire Lad—Cakewalk, 7.3. Mr W. Norman’s ch h Embracer, syrs, by Woolsthorp©—Embrace, 7.7. Mr G. Marlow’s blk f Trinobantes, 3yrs, by Dinneford —Lady Cruickshank, 6.9. Mr H. R. Dennison’s b h Danum, 4yrs, by Santry—Vain Chick, 7.7. Mr H. R. Dennison’s b h Greyspear, 3yrs, by Spearmint—Kitty Grey, 7.7. Mr H. Main’s ch h Limelight, syrs, by Daily—Umbrossa, 7.7. Mr G. Main’s b m Necktie, 5 yrs, by Collar —La Laide, 6.7. Up to May 23 the positions of the leading sires in England were as under: Races . Winners, won. Value. £ John o’ Gaunt, by Isinglass 2 3 7796 Polymelus. by Cyllene .. 9 10 7485 Your Majesty (Argentine) by Persimmon 3 3 .5186 Spearmint, by Carbine 4 6 4481 Chancer, by St. Simon ..5 8 3174 St. Amant, by St. Frusquin 5 10 3157 Maroovil. by Marco .... 4 5 2670 Marco, by Ba.rcaldine .. 3 7 2410 Cicero, by Cyllene .... 8 9 2237 Beppo, by Marco .... 3 2 2130 Robert le Diable (Austria) 6 6 2099 Santoi. by Queen’s Birthday 3 4 2066 Dark Ronald (Germany), by Bay Ronald .... 6 7 1872 Count Sc." g berg, by ’Aughrim 4 6 1861 Picton,, by Orvieto .... 4 5 1839 Willia' mthe Third, by St. Simon .. • 4 4J 1838 The White Knight, by Desmond 5 5 1829 Simon Square, by St. Simon 4 8 1819 Raupani figures as favourite for tho Wintci Cup Autumnus has been taken in hand again after a spell. Veritas will in future be trained by E. Scoullar at Rieearton. Kiiosteri l?roke down when running on the first day at Trenth’m. Ruffy was squeezed off at tho first jump in the Wellington Steeplechase. Stevedore is training on nicely, and will strip an improved horse, next season. The Southland Trotting Club has decided to hold a two-days’ meeting next season. Tho New Zealand Turf Register is to bo published in the first week of August. Sir George Clifford sold Veritas before the colt ran in his race on the first day at Trentham. Stevedore and Slogan were companions in a gallop on Saturday, when the former moved attractively. The Wellington Racing Club recorded £312.767 at Trentham this season, or £65.560 above tho previous season. G. Hope took the Southland ’chaser True Blue to Riccarton last week to wind him for engagements at the National meeting. If tho Auckland ’chaser Armagh stands up to his work it is contemplated to include him in a team for Australia in the spring. \ It is reported that Spo.tsman was improving his position and likclv to gain a

place when ho came down in the Wellington Steeples. Glonfinnan was shipped on the W arrimoo for Melbourne, where he will join Skirving’s stable, to be raced in Mr “ S. A. Hawdon’s ” colours. E. Rae, who rode Captain Jack in the Wellington Steeples, is minus a foot, which he lost as the result of a railway accide% some few years ago. The Kilchoran —Poltava, mare Orotava has been hunted regularly with the South Canterbury Hunt, and is said to be shaping well at her fences. Tatirni got hung up in the barrier at the start of the Stewards’ Handicap at Trenthain, and did very well to get second under the circumstances, Goodwin Park has been scratched for all engagements at the Grand National meeting. The Sylvia Park horse has broken down, and it is doubtful if he will ever race again. The boycott of the Sydney associated pony tracks is of a practical nature, as owing to the paucity of entries a meeting proposed to be held at Kensington Park had to be abandoned The Cromwell Jockey Club held its annual meeting' last week, when it was decided by 13 votes to 8 to change the dates of the annual race meeting from December to some time in March. It is reported from the north that Bercola is regarded as an unlikelv runner at Riccarton. The declaration . f acceptances on Friday next should provide the most reliable indication on the matter. Mr P. Selig, the Trotting Association delegate to the Trotting Conference, when speaking on the question of stipendiary stewards, said that at least £SOO per annum should be offered to get suitable men. The speedy filly Marsa is attracting the attention of the Riccarton folk by her work. Apparently she is already up against the watch, and promises to bo either fit or failing during the early part of the season. According to some accounts. Royal Arms was unlucky to miss the Winter Hurdles at Trentham. He got shut out at the last hurdle, after changing his line of running from the outside ot the track to nearer the rails. Zephuron, the winner the V.R.C. Grand National Steeples, started one of the outsiders of the field, and won from end to end. Coradjell, who filled third place, with L. Hegarty in the saddle, went out favourite. , _ The well-known starter, Mr H. Piper, has left the private hospital in which he has been an inmate for some few weeks, and from all accounts is, it is pleasing to learn, on the high way to his former robust state of health. Owing to the unsatisfactory state of the weather, the demonstration of Mr M'Kewen’s patent starting machine, which was bo take place at Forbury Park this afternoon, has been postponed Until Wednesday next. From all accounts several of those tnat contested the Wellington Steeples were not in particularly hot pursuit of Captain Jack at the latter end of the journey. Several horses missed the last fence, and apparently were so well beaten that their rider’s did not take any unnecessary risk. A recent happening makes it appear that proprietary racing in Queensland is to be attacked. Things in that direction have not been too pleasant of late, and that may bo one reason why Mr D. Gunn, M.L.A., has given notice of motion before the Legislative Assembly for the abolition of proprietary racing. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club opposed the appointment of stipendiary stewards under trotting rules, but the club intends to appoint paid officials for future meetings at Addington. Mr Ritchie, representative of the N.Z.M.T. Club, thought that the cost of the proposed officials would fall very hard on a few clubs. Several of the rich stakes on the Australian Jockey Club’s programme have been liberally patronised by owners. The A.J.C. Derby closed with 299 nominations. The Champagne Stakes filled with 372 nominations. The A.J.C. St. Le,gor with 297, the Sires’ Produce Stakes has a list of 299 entries, the December Stakes closed with 228, the Gimciuck Stakes with 192. and the Breeders’ Plate with 193. An enlarged photograph of the late Mr Charles Russell, well-known in New Zealand, who lor a number of years hold the position of secretary of the V ictorian Trotting Association, is to bo placed in tho association’s committee room. The committee has sent a letter of sympathy to deceased’s family, and recorded appreciation of Mr Russell’s services to the association and the sport of trotting. The appointment of stipendiary stewards under the rules of trotting was apparently killed on the score of expense. That may be so from some of the trotting clubs’ point of view, but no doubt the public, which supply the sinews of war, would cheerfully allow the authorities to make the appointments if it resulted in punters getting a better run for their money than has been very, very frequently the case in the past. . ' . Tho following nominations havo been received in connection with the annual election of officers of the Ashburton Trotting Club President, Mr H. F. Nicoll; treasurer Mr R. F. Courtis; committee — Messrs J. M‘Donald, W. Bryant, and J. JLewis; stewards —Messrs W. Anderson, J. R. Brown, J. Davison, W. B. Denshire, D. Friedki.ndcr, J. Hesoltine, F. Knox, D. M'Donnell, W. G. Roberts, and F. B. Robilliard. , , The Queensland Turf Club has just passed through a successful year, the balance sheet ■allowing a profit on the 12 months’ transactions of £6842 3s Id. During the period mentioned the Q.T.G. expended £BOBB 3s Id in improvements. £38>570 in stakes, and passed over £12,001 in “ tote ” tax. Among tho receipts were: —Members’ subscriptions, £1745; bookmakers’ foes, £7759; nominations and acceptances, £9418; gates and booths, £19,190; and from the totalisator, £30,901. An exchange reports that Mr James Brennan (president of the West Australian Trotting Association) intends to nominate Hector Mao for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, of £2500,-, two miles,’ to be run in November. Mr Brennan holds the opinion that tin's horse will do better abroad on the forgo tracks than ho has done on the local rinks, which are too small to suit him. Mr Brennan has disposed of Bell Oar (who was purchased in New Zealand) to Mr Maloney for over £IOO. The French Jockey Club baa successfully defended the action for damages brought ■i rr-toiSt : t bv tho owners of Bonhnn Ttoo-. who objected to tho manner in which tho horse was examined by the, club’s veterinary „„ ..>■ . > , - *,,p -r examination Bonbon Rose was declared to have been “ doped.” and was disqualified for the valuable cup it had won. Tho finding of the court was to the effect that

the plaintiffs failed to bring- any proof that the Jockey Chib had at all exceeded its -,<rhs in examining the horse at the time.

A new rule regarding the amateur concessions has been adopted by the New South Wales Trotting Club, which reads that in races of one mile and one mile and a furlong horses trained or driven by an amateur may bo allowed a concession up to 3seo on a performance, put up by a horse ridden or driven by a professional; in a mile and a-balf race the concession may be up to 4sec; and in two mile events up to ssec. It will be observed that by tho use of tho word “ may ” the actual concession allowed is discretionary with the handicappers. Mr E. J. Wright, who has long been in the employ of the Victorian Racing Club, was recently tendered a complimentary smoke concert by a number of friends, including many members of the betting ring, with whom he frequently came in contact in the course of his duties. Mr R. Heatley presided, and during the evening presented Mr Wright with a valuable gold chronometer, set in diamonds. In returning thanks, Mr Wright remarked that though there were on a big clay at Flemington over 180,000 transactions, the average number of disputes daily was only about eight or. 10. A Sydney writer says that the pedigree of that great pacer Denver Huon is usually given wrongly as by Huon Junior, a daughter of Leila, Leila was by the imported Arab, Amur, from a mare of The Italian, by Lord of tho Hills. Lord of the Hills was sire of Glencoe, who won tho Melbourne Cup for honest John Tait in 1863, and maybe it is from this ancestor that Denver Huon gets his marvellous staying powers. Young Leila, tho dam of Denver Huon, is by Honesty (imp.), who for many years held the Australian trotting records for one mile and two miles with 2.303 and 5.13 respectively. L. H. Hewitt has experienced a modicum of luck so far as this season in England has travelled. Up to date he has received very few rides, and they have ?oncrally been on articles not held in narticularly high estimation if the betting is any reliable criterion in that direction. At Newbury, on June 10, however, Hewitt landed a race, and apparently won as the result of horsemanship. as his mount only got there by a short he'ad. Ho was up on Lord Cholmondelcy’s filly Pipistrelle in a field of 24 that contested a juvenile selling plate, and, after being one of tho first away, finally won by a narrow margin Pipistrelle was not mentioned in tho betting, and was bought in at 260 guineas. Among tho recent horse arrivals at Randwick is Silver King, owned_ by Mr E. S. Lattrell, a gentleman who is not by any means unknown here. Silver King is to be trained by F. M‘Grath, who has also Mcrrimax in'hand. There seems (says an exchange) to bo a desire in some quarters to boom both these horses, and therefore it is not too much to expect them to command attention the first time they are started here. Silver King, though _ a maiden, is spoken of as being something out of the common, and so is Mcrrimax, 'which Frank M'Grath describes as beingone of the least attractive horses he has seen. The newcomers may be all that ‘ report says, but “the book” does not endorse *t, and it might be profitable to if they withhold their hands until public form justifies investments on either horse. It will not require a very good horse to win over hurdles or fences in this State. It will be of interest to any number of racing men to know that during the past 20 years 343 horses started in the V.R.O. Grand National Steeplechase, and 143 failed lo complete the course. This indicates (says the Sydney Telegraph) that there were some bad years. For instance, when Guncap won in 1912, _ only seven of the 17 starters gnished; in 1904 (Tho General’s year), but nine of the 21 starters got over the course; and another big shortage was in 1908, when but half of the 22 competitors arrived. There were other disastrous years. In 1898 six disappeared out of 11 runners, nine out of 21 in 1899, 10 out of 16' in 1900, a similar number out of 19 in 1901, and nine out of 18 in 1902. When Beilis and Decoration beat tho opposition a dozen of the 19 starters finished on each occasion, and in 1910, when Grafnax won, only eight of the 17 runners completed the course. During the period referred to, the most successful Grand National was that which Hayseed won in 1897. There were 12 starters, and 10 finished. ; When Dungan won, 10 out of 13 got over tho course, and three years ago 11 out of 14 got round. Mr J. M‘Mahon, for many years an A.J.C. stipendiary steward, and now similarly employed in New Zealand, has returned 1 to Australia for a couple of months’ holiday. Mr M‘Mahon has a lot to say in praise of Now Zealand and its sportsmen, and laughs at tho suggestion of dubious practices being as common over there as many people would have ns believe. “I have an idea” (says “Pilot,” in tho Sydney Referee), “that Mr M‘Mahon has found that as in Sydney, many dominion punters discover a “ dead ’an ” in nearly every beaten horse they happen to back, and in consequence often make a great outcry about nothing. Mr M'Mahon does not think the horses at present racing in the dominion are quite up to our form, and gives the palm to Autninnus as tb" Vst 1m has th-rc during his stay. Unfortunately, Autumnus has not - trained on. Respecting appointments, Mr M'Mahon regards New Zealand racecourses generally as far ahead of those in New South Wales ’with tho exception of Randvvick. I might add that from what 1 can glean from exchanges Mr M'Mahon’s appointment has proved thoroughly satisfactory.” I notice in tho dates of meetings for the coming season that tho Forbury Park Trotting Club has not made any alteration, but still adheres to the idea of having two days’ interval between tho first and second day’s racing at its January and May meetings. I have frequently written (says tho Chr.stchurch scribe “Argus”) on tins subject. The club in November races on consecutive days, and this meeting is just as successful as tho January and May fixtures. If the racing was held on consecutive days visitors could attend without any great loss of time. The club is in a totally different position from most others, in that, whilst it provides good stakes, 1 which attract the best horses, there are few local performers, nearly all of tho competitors coining from Canterbury and Southland. Surely, those wjio actually provide tho sport are entitled to some consideration from tho club. Under the present conditions those owners -who attend meetings in Dunedin have to practically lose a week for two days’ racing, except in November. It has been freely stated that the dates selected by tho club ,ai-o not chosen solely with a view to socur-

ing local patrons on the two weekly halfholi days. At the Trotting Conference hold on Tuesday Mr W. J. Gore moved, on behalf of the ’ For bury Park Club, that the rules be altered in order to give an individual tile right to appeal to the conference from the decisions of the association. Mr Sclig said that the Trotting Association was sot up in 1899, and he had presided over the body since its establishment, and therefore knew its rules. The board was disinterested, and this was the first time serious objection had been taken to its administration. He pointed out that they had to consider, in altering the rules, whether it was in the interests of trotting. He thought it would be a retrograde step. The association took the place of the conference, and decided all appeals, and inflicted penalties according to their judgment. The appeals locked up totalisator moneys, and the association expedited their hearing as much as possible. But if they were going on to the conference the money would be further tied up, and the public would take further exception to the matter. The members of the association had interpreted the rules to the best of their ability. The chairman (Mr J. Rowe) said that this matter wanted very careful consideration. They had just turned down the stipendiary stewards’ proposal on account of expense, and if this proposal was; carried the executive would be called together perhaps three or 20 'times a month. This would mean a great deal of expense, and if they were going to give everyone the right of appeal it would lead to endless trouble. That it is not always profitable to accept export advice with reference to a racehorse is a well-known fact. Expert advice lost the late Mr William Gannon thousands of pounds. “The fact had slipped my memory (says “ MartindaJe,” in . the Town and Country Journal), “though when mentioned I remember Mr Gannon recounting the particulars one afternoon when we were out fishing at Botany Heads. A friend in New Zealand recently sent over to Mr F. Gannon a copy of the Otago Daily Times, in which mention ; s -made of the matter by a gentleman under the name of ‘ Paul Jones.’ It is a Carbine tale. The late Mr Gannon owned Melos, who was in the V.R.O. Derby and other events, but he was so much token with Carbine that, on the advice of ’ Paul Jones,’ re decided to nur chase the Musket colt. The price was 1500 guineas, at which a cheque was just on the point of being made out to complete the deal. Mrs Gannon going to got the cheque book, when, unluckily. a gentleman came into the room, who was recognised as a pedigree expert. The business was explained to him, and ho at once went into the colt’s breeding on figure lines The result was that he convinced Mr Gannon that the colt would never stay, and, consequently be declined the ctoal, Wh-m Mr Dan the expert’s summing up, he offered to make a match for his colt ‘ against anything on four logs. £IOOO asid". seven furlongs, at weight for age.’ Nothing came of it. though there was an offer made to back The Australian Peer, if Mr Gannon would consent to the match, which ho would not. The gentleman who wished to back ‘The Peer ’ was Mr Donald Wallace, who afterwards bought Carbine.”