TALK OF THE DAY. IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3385, 29 January 1919, Page 41

TALK OF THE DAY.

IN A NUTSHELL.

By Sentinel.

THE DUNEDIN CUP. There is some excellent material claimjner engagement in the Dunedin Cup, and with luck in the way of acceptances it should provide a race of widespread intereat It is, however, doubtful if we will have a visit from the North Islanders, as Menelaus, Mascot, Red Ribbon, and Rose Pink have been fairly busy this season, and the only one of the quartet to show recent form is Red Ribbon. The high scale of weights at first blush creates a false impression, as to the handicap, when it is found that a well-beaten horse in Menelaus at 1 rentham is asked to carry 81b more than he failed under last week. He now meets x\ed Ribbon on 101 b better terms than in Wellington, and as Red Ribbon beat him out of a place, she may lead him again. Punka had 7.5 in the Wellington Cup, and appears to have a full share of weight in going up 141 b, whilst Red Ribbon is raised 181 b. Red Ribbon gave her more than a 41b beating at Trentham, and if Punka failed to stay a good mile and ahalf under 7.5, she is not likely to do so under 8.5.. It is this state of affairs which supplies a strong objection to the minimum. Heathercote, who was fourth in the ..ollington Cup with 7.5, and third in the W.R.C. Handicap, goes up 111 b, and meets Punka on 31b better terms. The scale of weights may, however, be more in his favour than the margin placed between him and the filly. " Mascot gees up 91b, Kilmoon lllb, and Rose Pink 81b on what they had at Trentham, and as far as the Wellington Cup form is concerned- the figures read rather well in favour of Red Ribbon. In the C.J.C. Metropolian Handicap Kilmoon gave lib to Rorke's Drift, who was hopelessly left, and now the Calibre gelding has to give 21b. Rorke's Drift has frequently proved himself a Wejght-carrier, and he is one that is favoured by the scale of weights. Margerine has been showing poor form, and has been let away very little on her running at Riccarton in November. She meets Rorke's Drift on 51b better terms than, in the Metropolitan. Adjutant got 41b and a good beating from Rorke's Drift in the Ot-ago Handicap, and now comes in at 51b better tenns. Glendower has 8.4, and as he has accomplished very little since winning the Great Autumn with 6.13, one is not inclined to- fancy him at present. On the Great Autumn form he meets Mascot, who was second, on 61b better terms, whilst Margerine, third with 5.8, is to meet on 171 b worse terms. In her right form Margerine should shape well on those figures, as Mascot beat her only a head, whilst Glendower led them home by two lengths. Melee meets Heathercote on lllb worse terms than when he beat him into third place in the W.R.O. Handicap, and the margin should turn the scale in favour of the Chokebore Lodge colt. Almoner has been off the scene for some time, and Onslaught appears to have trained off since he won at the New Zealand Cup meeting. On his Jockey Club Handicap form he is nicely treated, as he goes up 131 b, whilst Rorke's Drift is lifted 101 b. Glendower Blb, and Margerine 101 b. Samiel would have to be nearer the starting post before one can give him a chance, as he is not too sound. Ho ran a fair race on the second day at Invercargill, and now meets Lindenon 18lb better terms and Marsa on 221 b better terms than in the Invercargill Cup. John Barleycorn displayed something like his old form by the way he strode home a winner at Timaru. He meets .Marsa at 51b worse terms, and on that line reads well treated. Going back to Metropolitan form, Kilrush is meeting Kilmoon l£ib better, and the unplaced Rose Pink at 61b worse. Winter Cherry is not racing up to her early promise, and John Barleycorn should beat Subterfuge at lllb worse than when he won at Timaru. Of the bottom lot Royal Star, Thaddeus, and Mazama read best. Acceptances are due on Friday, February 7, and their publication ma-" make the problem look less difficult of solution than it does at present.

THE FORBURY PARK MEETING.

The Forbury Park Trotting dub has Txsen favoured with an excellent list of acceptances for their summer meeting, which takes place on Friday and Saturday of this week. Since the last race meeting held by the club some important alterations have been made on the course, and the new totalisator house will help to facilitate the handling of investments, a matter which generally gives satisfaction to patrons of the sport. The 1 principal eve:iD closed with 17 acceptors, and such a field should provide a very interesting race. Good fields will also be seen out in the majority of events on the card, and an enjoyable day's sport can be safely anticipated if the track conditions are at all favourable and free from the effects of the heavy downpour of the past couple of davs. The first race is tuned to start at each day.

THE KILRAIN STUD SALE.

Amongst the yearlings to go under the hammer at Mr Bruce Christie's clearing sale is a colt by the imported Markhopo from The Brat, a full sister to Jessie Lowers, the dam of Michaela and Thaddeus. Another colt ia bv Markhopo from Bon Maid, a maro by Boniform from Waimate Maid. Four two-voar-olds by Markhope will also bo offered, as well as several foals by the same sire and Kilrain. Markhope Is a, beautifully-bred horse by Marcovil from a sister to Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee, and ft is confidently expected that

his stock will do woll when they appear on the turf. The sale will also provide an opportunity to secure some well-bred maies by Gipsy Grand and other successful stallions. The salo will commence at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, February 8.

THE ELDERSLIE STALLIONS.

Much interest will bo taken in tho sale of the Elderslie stud stallions Kilbroney, Sunny Lake, and Markhopo, a trio of importations that should arouse keen competition when they are under the hammer. Kilbroney promptly stamped himself as a sire of exceptional merit by the deeds of Kilboy under silk. Kilbroney was a great performer on the turf, and, in addition to siring Kilboy, furthermore proved himself by the fact that nearly everything he has left so far have proved winners. Kilboyne put up an Australasian record for six furlongs at the recent New Zealand Cup meeting, and is one of the speediest horses in training, Kilkrd, Kilbrogan, Kilfoyle, Kilflinn, Killena, Kilrush, Irish Elegance. Kill'em, Kilkee, Kilhope, Kilowcn, Affectation, and others prove that their sire can pass on his great speed and stamina. Sunny Lake has done remarkably well in his first season, as, with very -few representatives in public, he has already made good with Bindle, Sun Dance, and other promising eorts that stamp him as a sire of early speed. Sunny Lake is a son of Sundridge and the Persimmon mare Pearl of the Loch.. When in training he was one of the fastest in England. He won the Grantham Stakes, of lOOOsovs, the Wood Ditton Stakes, and the Triennial Stakes —a trio of events which require a good deal of winning. Sundridge sired the Derby winner Sunstar (£16,398 in stakes), White Star, Sunder, Absurd, The • Story, Jest, Silver Tag, and otner good winners. Ho was sold to go to France before his real worth was discovered and commanded a 500 gs fee after crossing the Channel. Persimmon, tho sire of Sunny Lake's dam, was unquestionably a great racehorse and sire. So much so is that the case that it does not admit of discussion. Markhope, the remaining sire on offer, is a promising young stallion by Marcovil from a sister to Persimmon. He represents the unbeaten Ra.rcaldini in tail mare, and is a direct descendant of Melbourne, one of the great sires that can bo found in the English Stud Books.

A GREAT LINE.

Gloaming's displays of speed at Trentham stand out* as the great feature performance of the Wellington Cup meeting. He not only won, but won well, and apparently with sufficient in reserve to suggest that he is one of the smartest sprinters ever seen in Australasia. On form purveyor had clearly established himself as an exceptional two-year-old; still, he apparently had no chance with Gloaming. A good two-year-old is hard to beat at w.f.a. over half a mile by an older horse. The youngsters gatbi-r speed so quickly, and can dash out so well that the more set and seasoned horses have to be particularly smart to head them off in a short sprint. It adds to the merit of Gloaming's form, that he has been trained to go Derby journeys and did so without taking the edge of a great turn of speed. In view of his performances it is interesting to recall the fact that his sire. The Welkin, has got some particularly smar.t gallopers. The famous Flying Fox. the sire of The Welkin sold under the hammer at the then world's record price of 39,37550 vs after winning 40,OOOsovs on the turf. Flying Fox proved a phenomenal success at the stud (there is, by the way, in Lady Wayward II the daughter of an own sister to Flying Fox in this country), and at once established himself as a rare bargain despite tho record price paid for him. He sired Jardy, Val d'Or, Gouvernaut, Adam, Ajax, and other great horses in his first couple of seasons, and in 1911 his sons sired winners of BO,ooosovs in stakes. Jardy was sold at SO.OOQsovb, Val d'Or at 29,C00sovs, Gouvernaut at 2O,Ooosovs, and Adam at 16,O0Osovs. These figures go to show what a bargain M. Blanc secured when he beat the opposition when Flying Fox was under the hammer. It is from this line the Bend Or, Ormonde, Orme branch of stock will achieve its. greatest honours, and it is still breeding on strong and well.

A RARE OPPORTUNITY.

In this issue is advertised the full list of the mares, yearlings, foals, and stallions booked to go under the hammer at the dispersal sale of the Eklerslie stud. The catalogue is made up by the finest collection of' blood stock_ ever gathered together in any" one 'Stud' in the Dominion, a'nd, indeed, it could be claimed without exaggeration to be one of the finest studs in the history of the thoroughbred in any part of the world. Some of the great English, American, or Continental studs may have excelled in point of numbers, but not in quality. The great war, which held the world in its grip for tho greater part of five years, was chiefly responsible for gracing the Elderslie paddocks with some very choicely-bred stock, as, minus the unparalleled clash of arms, -most of tho imported animals would never havo come on the market, except, perhaps, at a prioc which would not havo justified their importation to New Zealand. The war temporarily caused a big slump in the English blood stock market, and it furnished a golden opportunity, of which Mr J. B. Reid used very judiciously, with tiie result 'that he is now able to effer some beautifully-bred young mares and their stock, which, if breeding counts for anything, are destined to make future fame as gems of the Stud Book. Most students of breeding arc fully conversant with the pedigrees of the Aus-tralian-bred stock in tho catalogue, and henco it is not necessary to go through that part of tho list, which, however, °it may be said has something in common with tho imported stock, as both are bred on winning lines on each side of tho house. Amongst the young stock is a yearling sister and o filly foal sister to Killjoy 1 unquestionably one of th© finest colts that ever carried a saddle in the Dominion. His defeat of Desert Gold in tho Trentham Gold Cup, tho A.J.C. Derby success, and other wins are well known, and a further proof of Kilboy's racing merit is supplied by the fact that ho was much superior in private to Sasanof when both wore trained bv Murray Hobbs. Several other youngsters to b 6 offered are also bred on the Kilbroney —St. Simon combination, which worked out so successfully in the case of Kilboy. Sunny Lake, the sire of Solfanello, Bindio, and Sun Danco has also representatives produced by well-bred mares. Prank, the dam of tho good but somewhat unlucky performer Kilrush, goes into tk» ring with a Sunny Lake colt at foot Prank is an imported mare by Picton (son of Orvieto) from the St. Frusquin maro Bridget, an own

sister to the Derby winner Melton. Prank is bred closely to Light Brigado, one of the_ best colts of his year. Grey Linnet, an imported daughter of Thrush (one of the fastest horses ever raced in England), and Marie Legrayo, she by Diamond Jubilee, a great racehorse and mo&t successful sire in South America —costing his . owner 30,000 gs—rankss—ranks as a beautifully-bred young mare. .She has a colt at foot by Kilbroney, and an early foal dropped on August 13. It is'worthy of note that both Grey Linnet and # Kilbroney_ are members of the No. 2 family, of which the best-known members are Carbine. Oremorno (Derby, Grand Prix do Paris, Gold Cup), Crucifix (One Thousand Guineas, Two Thousand Guineas, and Oaks), Rose-drop (dam of Gainsborough; Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, St. Leger), Yoltigeur, Lord Clifden, Sainipin, Surplice, St. Albans, Blackloct, Sir Hercules, Petronel, The Admiral, and altogether over 50 classio events have fallen to the family, a_ record which places it on a par with the No. 1 line. Another young imported mare is Sprig of Erin, by Desmond (one of St. Simon's most successful sons from Sweet Vernal, by Sainfoin from Musa, by Mortagon, a brother-in-blood to Ormond and sire of Martian. Sprig of Erin has a Kilbroney filly at foot. Brisselette has a Winkio colt at foot. She was got by Picton from Marchpane, by Marcion (son of Royal Hampton) from Gloria, by Rosicrucian, tho sire of Pulchra, one of the greatest taproots in the New Zealand Stud Book. Next on the list is Orango Pippin (with Sunny Lake filly, and service by Kilbroney). a daughter of William the Third (sire of Nassau and Winkie) from Field Sable, by Bend Or. Field Sable is a half-sister to the dam of the Derby winner, Minoru. Mint is another of the Elderslio stud mares bred on most attractive lines. She was got by Mintagon (brother to Martagon) from Brig of Ayr, by Ayrshire (Two Thousand Guineas and Derby) from. Santa Brigida, by St. Simon. Mint has a Solferino filly at foot, and a service by Kilbroney. Christmas Rose is inbred to tho great St. Simon, and she goes under the hammer with a Kilbroney filly, and service by Sunny Lake. Christmas Rose was got by Heliotrope (son of St. Frusouin) from. Evadne, by Sidus (son of S,t. Simon) from You Go Off, by Sir Hugo, winner of the Derby. The im ported mare Esther has a. Kilbroney filly, and served by him again. She wa3 got by Sautry from Persepoli3, by Persimmo from' Medora, by Bond Or. the dam of All British, has a Sunny Lake filly, and was got by Martagon from Ronnetta, by Bay Ronald (sire of Bayatdo) from Frusqui'netta, by St. Frusquin. It would bo difficult to find a mora attractively-bred mare than Marta. whoso pedigree links up some of the most fashionable and successful blood in England. Lady Wayward 11, the dam of Emperador, has a Kilbroney filly, and a service from the same horse. Lady Wayward II was got by Ladas from Vane, a sister to Flying Fox, the sire of The Welkin, who in turn got Gloaming. Flying Fox sold at 39,37550 vs 'subsequent to winning 40,OOOsovs in stakes. It would be difficult to find a more attractively-bred mare than Flowery Speech, a daughter of Cicero (a Derby winner and son of Cyllene, the sire of four Derby winners) from Persian Lilas, by Persimmon. Eglentyne, the third dame of Flowery Speech, is also the ancestress of The Tetrarch. The last of tho imported mares calling for attention is Symbolism, by Symington (sire of tho 6Ooogs yearling Sybarite) from Amphora, an own sister to Sundridge, the sire of -Sunstar. She carries a service from Kilbroney. The above lot of beautifully-bred young mare 3. together with the balance of the stud, supply a particularly rare opportunity to those" anxious to acquire bloodstock bearing every indication of supplying good value for money. Amongst them will no doubt bo some jreod bargains, but perhaps the greatest bargains will be those whicn make the bif? money. It is to be sincerely hoped for the future welfare of the New Zealand turf, that a good portion of the stock will remain in the Dominion.

THE FEMALE INFLUENCE.

Whilst there is ample evidence to show that good strong individuals can be inbred to with advantage in toil male—Musket on Musket, St. Simon on fit. Simon, for instance,— inbreeding to successful taproots does not appear to receive anything like the attention it should. No better name than Pocohontas is known in the Stud Book, and she, through Stockwell and other sons and descendants, has been successfully linked up. It was for this reason special interest was taken in the arrival of Clarenceux in this country. He is strongly inbred to Pocohontautas through Stockwell and Rataplan, and also to the famous Queen Mary taproot. Both taproots are well fortified by the "Vedette —Galopin 6train, as well as Newminster and Rosicrucian, whilst he comes down in tail male from Kin°- Tom, the sire of Mermaid, .and St. Angela, the dam of St. Simon. King Tom got King Lud, the great grandsire of Clarenceux from Qui Vive, a sister to Vedette, the sire of Galopin, and thu3 Clarenceux comes with a rather interesting pedigree, giving opportunity to link up successful taproots. We have reason to appreciate the Sunshine family, as through Otterden we got Martian and Boniform, and now through another branch we get Gloaming, whose dam, Light, is inbred to the Sunshine taproot. Eager, the sire of Gloaming's dam, was got by Enthusiast .from Greeba, by M.elton (sire of Seaton Delaval) from Sunrise, by Springfield —Sunray, by King of the Forest—Sunshine. No Trumps, the dam of Light, is a half-sister to Bill o' Portland (sire of Treadmill, Bobadil, etc.), by Orvieto, sire of Picton and son of Bend Or from Napoli, by Marconi —Sunshine. Glenapp, the sire_ of Fiery Cross, represents the Sunshine family, and so does that great sire of stayers, Positano, as Napoli, the dam of Orvieto, is the grand-dam of Positano. Wo have something nearer home successfully representing the Sunshine family in Kilbroney, whose dam was got by Laveno, a brother to Orvieto. the sire of Gloaming's granddam. The Sunshine line reads doubly attractive in Kilbroney's pedigree, because ho is inbred to Thormanby, the sire of Sunshine. The Tetrarch, the ''spotted wonder" of the English, who is now siring good winners, is a tail male descendant of Thormanbv. and inbred to hitn through Rouge Rose/the dam of Bend Or. Then we have the Paraffin, Frailty, Agnes, Perditta 11, Mermaid, idalia, Pulchra, Nightmare, and others which have proved themselves time after time to be gems of the Stud Book, and show beyond doubt thattho female influence is a* strong factor in a pedigree. This is just a brief glance at the subject, but look at the pedigrees of good winners—• the catalogue of the E'.dorslie stud will_ supply some interesting facts > on the point,— and one will be strongly inclined to breed back to _ a successful taproot as well as a strong lino in tail male.

THE WAIMATE MEETING.

! The principal events at tho Waimato Racing Club's annual meeting will be the Waimato Oup, of 300sovs (including trophy valued at 40sovs), one milo and a-quarter, and the President's Handicap, of lTOsovs, six furlongs. The balance of the programmo consists of the Studholme Stakes, of 120sovs, five furlongs; Trial Plate, of lOOsovs, six furlongs; Morven Trot, of 120sovs, one mile and a-half (3.5 or better); Waitangi Hack Handicap, of lOOsovs, fivo furlongs; Hook Trot, of lOOsovs, one mile (2.30 or ■bettor); and Stewards' Welter, of I2osovs, seven furlongs. Nominations are duo on Tuesday, February 18, at 5 p.m.

THE TIMARU TROTTING MEETING. Tho Timaru Trotting Club has issued a progressive programme for their annual meeting. The Timaru Handicap has been increased from 250sovs to 300sovs, and made a 4.42 class, and tho Trial Handicap and Waimate Handicap have ca<"h been increased to lOOsovs in value. The Seadown Handicap, of HOsovs, one milo and a-half (3.45); Temuka Washdyko Handicap, of loOsovs, one mile (2.24 class); Fairlie Handicap, of 130sovs, two miles (4.52 class); and Farewell Handicap, of 13030v5, one mile (2.22 class) complete the programme. Nominations are due on Friday, February 14, at 9 p.m.

! —Gay Crusader starts his stud career ! at a fee of 400 gs. • Gloaming obscured Surveyor s lino of ! march to the winning post last week. 1 Kilmoon and Punka were coupled on i the totalisator in the Wellington Cup. ; Dene Dillon led from end to end in the Gold Cup, run at Wellington last week _ Kipling, the runner-up to Silver Link at Trentham is a half-brother to Bobrikoff. Acceptances for the first day of the Dunedin Cap meeting are due on February 7. I —Nominations for the North Otago Jockey ! Club's meeting are due on Thursday of this j week. j —The Sydney Suburban Club has now to I give not less tha.n SOOsovs per day in j stakes. i —Affectation and Rose Wreath were ] coupled on the totalisator for the Fitzherbert Handicap. i —The Castashore gelding Gangway was I amongst the winners at a recent meeting in j Tasmania. ' ! —The Canterbury Jockey Clubs midI summer meeting takes place on Saturday of this week. There is a possibility that the Dunedin | winter meeting will consist of a three days' cross-country programme. Heathercot© was close up in both hia races at Trentham, and his displays suggest that he is training on again. —Thistlecrown niade amends for pr&viotus defeats- this season by landing a double at tho Cromwell meeting. Tho Forbury Park Trotting Club will hold its opening meeting of the season on Friday and Saturday of this week. ' Over £IO,OOO was invested on the Wellington Cup, and in adition a good deal of money was shut out of tha machine. The two-year-old Macduff made up a considerable amount of ground to finish third to Bindle and Sundance at Wellington.

Gladiola was a strong fancy for the Gold Cup, run at the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting, but failed to get near the money. The Advance gelding Hurry Up failed to run up to his reputation at Trentham; out there is. no doubt he has a good turn of speed. The Kilbroney—Canibode filly Kilflinn won a mile welter at Epsom on January 11. Kilflinn went out second favourite, and beat 16 others.

—The imported mare Simper, dam of Affectation, was privately purchased Bomo months ago at 1700 gs by the late Mr R. Morrison.

Michaela, was strongly supported for the Telegraph Handicap, but had her chance wrecked by being badly kicked by Nystad when at the post. They must be a bad lot Moorable beat at Wellington, or else Barley .Rigs, who galloped away from her at Timaru, is a much improved horse.

Hymestra, Nanna, Snub, Scornful, Re- : buff, and possibly a couple of others belonging to Mr Kemball were shipped to Sydney on Saturday last. —An excellent entry has been received for the Ashburton Sapling Stakes of 1920. The race attracted the very encouraging response of 93 nominations. Kilboyne shaped disappointingly in both his races at Trentham, and never appeared is anything like the form he displayed at the New Zealand Cup meeting. Nominations for the North ' Ot-ago Cup, of SOOsovs, seven furlongs, and-other events on the N.O.J.C. programme close on Thursday, January 80 at 7 p.m. According to reports, Torfreda has lost form owing to slipping a muscle some time ago. She still retains her speed, but lacks the muscular force to carry on. Lima, a winner at Cromwell, was got by Blackstone from the Birkenhead—ldeal mare ' Strathpefler, one of the Elderslie stud matrons. Lima is her first foal.

The Moonee Valley Racing Club has purchased the stallion Headwind to use as a sire for remounts. He is to serve at a nominal fee for half bred mares only. Menelaus ran so badly at the Wellington meeting that it is doubtful if either ho or his stable companion Mascot will bo brought south for the Duendin Cup meeting.

Solferino's stock ore shaping well in their first season on the New Zealand turf, and there will very probably be a keener demand for them when the next lot come on the market.

There may be developments of such a nature in connection with a recent disqualification that it is doubtful indeed if it will met with the final sanction of the Racing Conference.

The Shannon, grand-dam of Rewi Poto, is a sister to Brooklet, the winner of the Wellington Cup of 1896, and Red Ribbon Is a daughter of Blue Ribbon, the winner of the Wellington Cup of 1909. The crack English two-year-old The Panther, who recently went in the sale ring with a reserve of 40,000g5, was got by Tracery, whoso dam, Topiary, is sister to Tho Wag, the sire of Kilbroney. The Royal Artillery gelding Hendra, once well backed for tho Now Zealand Cup, Went out favourite for the January Welter run on Saturday at Trenthani, but failed to get amongst the placed division. A Reed, who was badly ahaken when Sardinia fell on the first day at Trentham, Was unable to xide again at the meeting. He was removed to the hospital, but his injuries were not of a serious nature. Gloaming's sta-mlna, there is now ho doubi

about his brilliancy. Ho won both his racee at Trentham in good stylo, and, judging by his form, a short course is his pat distance.

Winter Cherry is still inclined to hang on the mark at the rise of the barrier, and thus doubly handicap hereoli in a race. She made up a good deal 01 ground after getting' badly away on the first day at Trentham. The Demosthenes filly Fluency was a strong order for the Fitzherbort Handicap, but she found a better runner in the Kilbronoy colt Affectation, who gave her lslb and a length and a-half beating over n,v4 furlongs in 1.0 8-5. Bindle, the winner of the Nursery Handicap at Trentham, was got by Solferino from Happy Valley, by Wallace—Faraway, by Bill o' Portland. Crowhurst is a halfbrother to Bindle, and Angele (the dam of Kiihope) is a half-sister. Snub has been entered for the Sydney Cup. Estland, Finmark, Punka, and Be<(, Ribbon are also inoluded in the entries. Hymestra, Scornful, Nanna, Kiihope, Eet* land, and Punka are amongst the entries for the Doncaster Handicap. The somewhat ancient Bellman gelding Bell Car was amongst the winners at a Perth meeting hold on January-4. Hal won a mile-and a-half race in 3.38 801 l Car won in, 2.19 J in this country, and had a 4.46 mark over two miles.

Palm Oil, who won a double at Trent* ham, including, the Douro Cup, the richest back race in the Dominion, has scored a sequonce of four wine. He was got by M'aniopoto from Largesse, by Soaton Delaval —Keepsake, by- St. Leger—Banglo. - —Owing to a storm the Kensington Park Club had to abandon two races on the card for a recent meeting. The club divided the added money amongst the acceptors, and in one race the owners received £ll ISa 4d each and in the other £7 15s 6d each.

After glow, the winner of the Trial Plate at Trentham, is an attractively-bred filly by Demosthenes from Sunglow, a. sister to Boniform. and half-sister to Martian*, Sunglow' s previous contributions to thi Stud Book are Moonglow, Xanthos, and Splendant. The rumour that Melee is capable of giving Kilmcion ->a gallop received soma foundation by the fact that the first-named b«-at Heathercote by a length—th« pair Being split by Rewi Poto—when in receipt of 10lb ii the W.R.C. Handicap, run in the smart time of 2.10 2-5.

The Waimate Cup, of 300sovs (including cup valued •at 40sqvs), one mil© ana a-quarter, and the President's Handicap, oi 170sovs, six furlongs, are ■ the principal events on the Waimate Racing Club's -programme. Nominations are duo on February 18, at 5 p.m.

Bebakah, the winner of the Campl Handicap at Trentham last week, is a chest* nut filly got by Bezonian from Snov/ste-Hfc by Clanranald—Safeguard, by Maxima Rebekak is a member of the No. 14 famils made so well known through the success of the Mermaid taproot. Gloaming p'ulled out a burst of spee*' at Trentham; but no doubt Mr Greenwood would be tempted to accept the 10,000gg said to be abroad for ft suitable horse, fo* liidia. It would be a great price for « gelding; but it is hard to say what is th« value of a great racehorse. The Timaru Trotting Club has increased) the value of the principal event on its pro* gramme from 250eovs to SOOsovs, and mad« it a 4.42 class or better. Other stakes on the programme are now worth not less than ' lOOsovs and upwa.rds to 130-ovs. Nomina* tiona axe due on Friday, February 14 ad 9 p.m. The Southland Racing Club contemplates the enlargement of its track to * mile and a-quarter. It i 3 a much-needed improvement, and when completed will meet with the general approval of horse-owners, and incidentally go a great way towards adding further popularity to the Invercargill fixtures. The two-year-old Sun Dance was on* of the strongest favourites saddled up at Trentham. She played up .at the barrier, and, after losing ground at the start, beat all the others bar Bindle. Sun Dance ia * chestnut filly by Sunny Lake —Showano. A' filly foal, sister to Sun Dance, will be sold at the Elderslio stud sale. —■ Biplane was shipped to Sydney IbsS week. The son of Comedv King and Ab? Motor has been doing useful work under tka charge of Murray Hobbs for some fe* weeks, and if he trains on satisfactorily, may be raced at the A.J.C. autumn meet* ilig. Biplane has been entered for tha Sydney Cup and Doncaster Handicap. —The welbknown trainer D. who has been associated for some yeargt with the Messrs Tye Bros, in Victoria, !■ said to be returning to New Zealand. Some years ago L. Robertson was_ one of the most capable reinsmen and trainers ixf New Zealand, and he also proved very sue.cessful with the gallopers in Australia. There was a good deal of delay in hoist* ing the dead-heat decision in the Wellington; Cup owing to lack of proper arrangement* to make any such notification. Eventually one of the officials wrote the verdict on 8f blackboard generally used for posting the' time of a race. Meanwhile the crowd were" making considerable noiae at the delay. —. Rewi Poto. who split winning with Bed Ribbon in the Wellington Cupl started second favourite in the Grand National Hurdles, won last season by Sleight o' Hand. He started a strong favourite in the Sydenham Hurdles run at the meeting, but took a lot of room at hia fences, and was never seen at the finish. Lady Wayward 11, the dam of Em* perador, is amongst the mares to be sold at the Elderslie stud sale. Lady Wayward Itis out of a sister to Flying- Fox, who got The Welkin, the sire of Gloaming. LadaflK the sire of Lady Wayward 11, won the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and £18,513 in stakes. Be sired winners of £96,960 and dams of winners of £58,141 10s.

• —H. Raynor and T. Foulsham~ two of tha leading trainers in Australia, have Raynor is 78 years old, and the best horses ha trained -were IJoner Tom, Bungebah, Street Arab, Arsenal, Melos, The Australian Peer, Ventura, and Mountain Knight. Foulsharn trained Teuton, G'Naroo, Wild Rose, Niagara, Malua, Kingsburgh, Hallow* mas, Lancaster, and others of lesser note. The Kilbr-oney colt Affectation put up( a eniart performance by winning the Fitz» herbext Handicap under 8.13 in 1.0 3-fi, Semper, the dam of Affectation, was purchased from Mr J. B. Reid by the lata Mr Rupert Morrison. She "was imported with several other mares by Mr J. B. Reid, and got by Symington from. Chelys, by Svj# Visto—Chelandry, by Goldfinch—llhimmitii. —At the Perth Cup meeting Malt Marlj was withdrawn from a race by the order of the stewarde because the trainer wa4 oaught giving him a drink from a bottle t An analysis of some of the' liquid 6howe(J that it was composed of whisky and water. The trainer was disqualified during th 4 pleasure of the olub for not obtaining th4f permission of the fltewarda to admin tstefc thfll drink.

~-Tha Maharajah of Jodhpore, who wafl

on© of th© beet supporters of ra<wng In India, died towards the end of last yrar. At the sale of his bloodstock Dark Lcg-and (who ran third to Gay Crusader in UEnglish Derby) sold at 100,OM rupees (£6733 Gs 8d). Dark Defend was got by Dark Bonald from Golden Legend, by Amphion from St. Lucre, by St. Serf from Fairy Gold, by Bend Or. Melee, the winner of- the W.B.C. Handicap, Has given proof that there were eomo grounds for regarding him as an Auckland Cup possibility in the earlier part of the season. He is an aptly-named gelding by Martian from Formless, by MultiformDreamer, by Mostyn—Moorooroo, by Trentton—Nightmare, and so belongs to the same family aa th? Melbourne Cup winner Night Watch as well as other good performers in Noctuiform, Nightfall, and Wakeful. The recently-formed Nov/ South YValcs Bloodstock Breeders' Association has drawn Tip rules, which state that yearlings bred fa New South Wales are to be offered first at the sales. If the number exceeds 630 it will b© necessary for some of the more numerous consignments to b© withdrawn, and those taken out are to be put in the ring on the final day of the sales with the lots from the other States. . Bids for lots up to lOOgs shall not be less than sgs and over the century lOgs. Tho fact that Hyttus beat Melee over a mile at oven weights in the Anniversary Welter at Wellington, and that Melee was capable of winning the principal event on the second day, draws attention to Hyttus, •who, on the book, must be fairly useful. Hyttus had to b© content with second place to Comment (in receipt' of 71 b) on the second day, but incidentally gave 12lb and a beating to Bagdad. Hyttus -was got by Hymettus from Enna, by The Officer—Enid, and so belongs to the same family as Kilmoon. .

'. Comment's win in tho January "Welter at Trentham works her out to be fairly useful. Hyttus was beaten three lengthg

when attempting to give her 7lb over a. mile, although he was a length too good fo: Melee at- even weights over the same I distance on the first - day of the meeting. Melee was''capable of "winning the principal i event on the second day. Comment was got by Provocation from "Wailethe, by Letho— Wairoa, by King Cole —Wainui, by Raven - wcrth—"Waimea, and so belongs to tho Flora M'lvor—Manto taproot, made popular through- one of its representatives, Frailty, the dam of Trenton. Silver Link evidently improved as the result of her race on the first day of the Wellington meeting. _On the first day sho failed to get a place, but on the second won .by over two lengths in 1.11 4-5. Silver Link* was got by Achilles from Secret Link, by Bezonian —Chainstitch, she by Chainshot from Sylph, by Javelin, and so back through the Traducar mare Maid of the Mountain to tho Sharkio taproot. The best-known members of the Sharkie taproot are Tortulla, Diabola, Banksia, Advance, and Eosefeldt. Tortrix, a runner at "Wellington, is ■ a daughter of Tortulla, and shaped promisingly. • Link Up is a half-sister to Silver Link-

Amongst the bloodstock to be offered at the Elderslie stud dispersal sale is a yearling sister to Kilboy, one of the best colts that has ever ra-ced in Australasia. Kilboy won the A.J.C. Derby, C.J.C. Challenge Stakes, New Zealand St. Leger, Trentham Go]d Cup (beating Desert "Gold) and the Great Autumn Handicap,. giving Fiery V Cross a year and 151 b. The yearling sister to, Kilboy was particularly lively young i'.lady as a foal, and when the writer saw .her a couple of days after being dropped, she was showing her great vitality by careening round the paddock in a remarkable manner. dam of Kilboy, has an own eister at foot. _ --The immediate success achieved by ™kie and Nassau, sons of "William the ahird, is merely a oa.se of following in the father s footsteps. "William the Third established the Tight to be considered one of urt-i * ever seen in England. sio ™ ™ th ° rf he won 101 races worth £13,577 10g, and unfortunately had to be retired when at the top of- his form owin°> to injuring, a .pastern. "William the Third went to the stud at a fee of 20Ogs, and in order to obtain his services it was necessary to book' nominations for three years or none at all. Hi? fee rose to 400 gs in 1013, and during the 13 seasons he was at the stud be earned about IOO.OOOgs in fees. He erred in that period winners of 2204 races worth llO.OOOsovs. Amongst his best winners S llIo "y x dl.2l7sovsV Trois Temp (Seilsovs) Boseworthy (7035 5 0v 5 ), "WinkiJE& ais T; to Winkio; is.iTaLovsr and several others over tho lOOOsovs mark Amongst his high-priced yeariings were Ryswick (4600gs>, Lieiella <BBoogsY Sks eovian (3400g5), Reverence (3000g S )f and over 20 others sold at from IOOOgs upwards FoT St %^° Ve^ rea t-? s li; will ha Cresting to r the da c^ e for th * Block caVx£ mg William the Third's strain when on offer at the Elderslie stud sale

Our London correspondent mentions that the breeding stud of the late Lord Falmouth is being disposed of at Newmarket. rt v ■ I ° s is a colfc foal named Perfect Knight, by Amadis out of Panacea, by Cylleno out of Quintessence, and therefore half-brother to Ponmure, one of the best norseg , n JSew Zealand, and Erinoid, winner of nine good races in Denmark.