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Observer, Volume 1, Issue 13, 11 December 1880, Page 116

The Ring do love Roper ! North's £4000 sweep on the Wellington Cup will be drawn on the 20th inst. Mata's name ought to be changed to Martyr' at least, so poor calumniated Eny and Vallance say (I !) Mata was one of the top weights for the Sandhurst (Victoria) Cup. Jack Harris, George Belcher and Mr. Drake arrived by the "Te Anau." The Canterbury Times selects Foul Play, Virginia "Water and Betrayer to win the Auckland Cup. Matthews, who rode Ariel to victory in the last two Auckland Cups, was backing the "old un" freely on Monday evening 1 . The public are backing Betrayer for the Cup as if it was all over. Let us hope he won't turn out another " Sinking Fund." I learn from the Australasian that Lurline has dropped a filly to Tubal Cain, and goes again to the same horse. According to "Sinbad" there is nothing in the Dunedin Cup of 1881 but Le Loup, Sir Modred, and Virginia Water. Besides the regular bookmakers, a large number of "whisperers" and other enterprising outsiders arrived by the "Te Anau" on Monday. The Herald, by-the-way, didn't note this important fact. Apropos of the Auckland Cup "Sinbad" of the Press writes : — " Assuming that Foiu Play puts in an appearance, I shoiild reckon that the race woiild lie amongst the following :— Foul Play, Betrayer, Virginia Water, and Lara, "Sinbad" says : — "There was a rush to back Betrayer for the Auckland Cup last Thursday. In about two hours he came from 100 to 6to 100 to 30. I shoiud not advise backers to take this price at any rate at present. Mr. J. W. Dangar has received a severe loss, and breeders generally, by the death of Malta, better known as the Valetta colt, by Kingston (imp.) from Valetta (imp.) He was one of the few well-bred Kingston horses at the Stud.

Woolbroker is a roarer. Le Lonp is expected. What games the Ring will have if lie comes. Sinking Fund and Hilda did walking exercise only on Wednesday morning. Ariel's position in the market is much about the same as it was this time last year. Lone Hand looks wonderfully improved, quite a different horse to what he was last year. Jack Sheppard is said to have a "leg," but his owner backs him nevertheless. Mr. Darron has purchased Ratcatcher from Mr. Horsfnll. He is entered for all the principal events at the Thames. Maid of Honour, who seems all the better for her rest, did a rattling gallop on Wednesday morning. Mr. Drake has a suit of clothes at the bottom of his portmanteau, which it is confidently anticipated, will tarn Auckland's jeunesse dorSe green with envy. Billy Lyons tested the Southern "talent" nicely re the number of Auckland Cups won by Ariel. The confusion arose out of the fact of the race being run twice in one year. The sport-loving Prince of Hanua, who won a lOO.OOOfI. race Inst year at the Vienna Spring Races, has fallen again into fresh difficulties, for the sheriff's officers have taken possession of all his family chattels, picture gallery, armoury, antiquities, including even his decorations, which must go to the hammer. The appearance of the handicaps for the Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland Cups, was productive of some interest at Dunedin Tattersall's, and much criticism was brought to bear on them. It was generally held that the Dunedin race looks the most open, the best in it being- thought to be Le Loup, Volunteer, Sir Modred and Virginia Water. No wagers will be quoted in this journal save those that really have been laid or are on offer. It is easy enough to ramp up a long list of pu rely imaginary quotations, but I would warn backers to be careful how they listen to such willow-the-whisps. Nine times out of ten it is impossible to get within four or five points of the prices named. The good round sum of £600 will be given in added money by the Southland Jockey Club at their annual races on March 3rd and 4th next, the principal stake to be the Southland Cup of 150 soys., with the Derby of 75 soys., and other good stakes. The full programme is not yet out, but as the meeting is judiciously fixed for the week after the Dunedin annual meeting, it will doubtless be wox-th the attention of some Auckland owners. An Indian correspondent of the sends the result of tbe St. Leger, Umballa, Sweepstakes. The total number of tickets at £1 each sold was £13,005. The first prize, which fell to the drawer of Robert the Devil, "Dalce Dornnss of Roorke," wns valued nt 63,168 rupees, or about £6316. "The One Horse Confederacy of Simla" drew Cipolata, the second horse, and became entitled to 31.551 rupees, or about £3158, and " Dada of Indore" drew the third, The Abbott, winning 15,792 rupees, or about £1579. An unselfish individual, who says he was "in the swim " and could tell a lot if he chose about sundry mysterious swindles perpetuated at the last summer meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, wishes me to request the stewards of that body, to keep their eyes and their opera glasses open this anniversary. My friend's grammar is not over good, but his language is powerful, very powerful. If I were to print the reflections he makes about sundry estimable sportsmen, there would be a nice how-dye-do. Tlio.se who go out to see the morning gallops at the racecourse are warm in praise of the energy and hospitality of the worthy secretary of the A.R.C., Mr. Percival. At a quarter to four on Wednesday morning that gentleman was up looking to the chains, and seeing all properly prepared. Subsequently he took a party of gentlemen to his house, and, besides giving them some delicious droughts of fresh milk, sent them back to town loaded with fruit and vegetables. After turning out of a warm bed at 3 a.m., one appreciates this kind of thing. I The Wagga Gold Cup at the Murumbigee Meeting was won by Mr. T. Ivory's Lord Burghley, Bst. 71bs.; The Pontiff, 83t. 31bs., second ; Auckland,7st. 91bs., third. Twelve started. Betting, 5 to 4 ngainst Lord Burghley. Won by a head, a neck between second and third. Time, 3min. 34sec. Pulling up after the race, Rookwood, who had broke a blood vessel in the race, collided with Lord Bnrghley. The both fell heavily. The former injured his round bone, while the latter so seriously hurt his spine that he could not rise. His i owner, however, refused to have him destroyed, and he lingered in great agony for two hours. The jockies escaped with a shaking. ! Bedford Lodge, Newmarket (England), the most princely training establishment in any country, is not to go out of the Dawson family. Arrangements have been made for the famous Matthew Dawson to take possession nt the end of the season, and, ns heretofore, he will train for Lord Falmouth, Lord Hastings, and several other gentlemen. Included in the latter category will be the Duke of Portland, for whom several yearlings were purchased at Doncaster. Heath House will, in all probability, be leased to Fred Archer, whose greatest triumphs have been associated with Matthew Dawson's stable. Archer is deservedly a great public favourite, and will enter upon his new vocation of trainer enjoying the good wishes of all. Incrensing weight will prevent Mm from riding in any bnt Welter races in 1881. | In many papers, both in Australia and New Zealand, it has been stated that Chandos and Blinkboy cost Mr. Cox £12,000. On referring to " Bell's Life " I find that Chandos was sold to him for 750 guineas, whilst Blinkboy had been knocked down previously for 100 guineas. The sum therefore must be 1200 guineas. Chandos was a fair performer on the flat and promised to make a steeplechase horse, being a good weight carrier of undeniable pedigree, but, unfortunately for his owner, broke down. Gfang Forward and Musket must therefore be considered the two best stallions imported to the southern hemisphere during the last few years. Their performances will bear the strictest scrutiny, and seldom has there appeared a horse on the English turf that had the speed and staying powers of Musket, as he was as good at one mile as he was at three. In remarking upon the heavy losses made by bookmakers on the V.R.C. Meetings, "Falcon " says : — " Most of the money won from the ring has gone — as in Chester's year — to New South Wales, never to return. The ring is severely hit, having received a blow it will not readily recover. The accumulation of years with some have been lost in one lump sum. It was bad enough in Chester's year, but not equal to the losses sustained on this occasion. For years to come the name of Grand Flaneur will linger in the memory of the rnetallicians, for he has been the cause of all the mischief. Those who made legitimate books got round and made money, and the losses can be attributed to no other cause than plunging against certain horses and stables. The chief members of the ring trusted to the St. Albans stables to pull them through, and the smaller fry followed their leaders. Those who gamble must summit to its reverses. Mr. Hateley has been appointed handicapper for the Hawkes Bay Racing Club. In him, Mr. Griffiths has a formidable oponent, should he go in for the billet of general handicapper for the colony, as he is a man with plenty of experience, having owned racehorses in the old country thirty years ago. Mr. Griffiths' handicapps, according to Southern writers, do not seem to have given satisfaction, especially the Auckland Cup and Steeplechase. Tbe latter is declared no handicap at all, while the former Is said to be spoilt by Betrayer, who is now first favourite, and declared by many Southerners to be the only horse in it. One thing must be borne in mind that Mr. Griffiths was part owner of Betrayer, but he is supposed to have disposed of his share to Mr. Stead, still, however, he ought to know the capabilities of his horse. Time, however, will show if the public opinion is right still on paper, Foul Play ought to beat him. ' '~

At the meeting* of the delegates at Christchurch it was proposed to have a public handicapper, whose salary should be £500 a-yeor and £200 travelling expenses — a sura that would be quite inadequate, as no really competent person could afford to do it for that, as the expenses attached to the appointment would be very large. This sum would entail a contribution of at least 5 per cent, from each of the principal clubs and something from the minor ones. Christchurch, Auckland, Dunedin, Oamaru, Invercargill, and Hawke's Bay would, contribute, while the other clubs stand aloof. It would be much better if the different clubs had their own handicapper, for as things now stand Christchurch will try all they can to have their own man. If Mr. Edward. Griffiths is to be that man he will never give satisfaction. Great dissatisfaction is shown by the public at the way the Auckland and Wellington handicaps have been compiled, and experience teaches \is that a Christchurchi andicappor always favours Southern horses. Apropos of the ill health of Mr. Brewer, owner of Eobert the Devil, the " Sporting Time 3 " says = " Despite the doctors, if the truth were really known it j was suppressed excitement that killed the late Lord. Hastings. What did he say on his death-bed about Hermit's Derby, and of the imperturbability he displayed, when he descended from the Jockey Club Stand ani patted the horse's neck as though he were a winner, and. not hopelessly beaten. "I bore it well, didn't I, old. fellow ? but my heart was broken." There are backers who are not moved either by victory or defeat, but we never knew a bookmaker who did not let you knowwhen he had lost. The most heroic man in defeat is Mr K. Ten Broeck, but in him there is a lot of Dutch Blood, and that means a phlegmatic temperament. It is said, of him that when he had £150,000 at stake on the Derby of 1860 he made a bet of £100 that he would whistle " God Save the Queen " as the horse passed the post j and he won. Wo do not know whether it is true or not, but he of all men was the man to do it, and the story is too good to contradict. A well-known Timaru resident, at present visiting Melbourne, has been giving to the local Herald! his impressions of that city, and this, inter alia, is what he had to say concerning the races: — "The Cup was a magnificent sight, but I have no doubt in my own mind as big a swindle of the kind as was ever perpetrated. Whether Mata was drugged or pulled, I don't know. Ono thing I can swear to, which is that he was never ridden out, and came in nowhere. The next race day the same thing occurred, but yesterday he won th& V.E.C. Handicap without an effort in the quickest time, I believe, on record, against as good horses, with one exception (Grand Flaneur), as he ran against the Cup. He was on the outside all the way, and was never touched with the whip, and simply cantered in. The V.B.C. stewards held a meeting immediately after the race to see if they could do anything. I hear they had Mr. Bob Eay, Mr. Harry Prince, and Mr. Vallance up, and expressed themselves very strongly. One thing is very clear — Mata's career in Victoria and New South Walesis at an end, for he will in future be so weighted that he must be out of everything. Public feeling is very strong on the matter. The horse was in the very pint of condition. The Aiickland Racecourse now presents a lively appearance of a morning, many horses engaged at the coming meeting being in work. I am afraid that most of them, however, are inferior, and will not distinguish themselves. Ariel, though looking well, appears to have lost his fire, and does not move as freely as he did. The Thorpes, I think, have nothing very brilliant in their stables. They seem to be unlucky, as, since Ariel, they have had nothing of any account entrusted to their charge, and no trainer can make a bad horse into a good one. Donald Taylor has two very useful colts under his charge— Kenilworth and Othello. The former has greatly improved, and I think will prove himself the best of the three-year-old at the meeting. Othellopromises to go a great pace, but I am afraid his fire legswill trouble his trainer, as he is a heavy topped horse. Mr. Horsfall has King Quail doing good work, and this useful little horse will, no doubt, pick up a race or two before the end of the meeting. Mr. Smith has Tim Whiffler and the Maid of Honour striding along. The former has not grown as he might have done. The Maid, however, is looking very well, and I cannot understand Phaeton's remarks when he says that there is a lot of superfluous fat to bring oil' before she is fit for the Cup. How light does he want her to be for a race of two miles and a quarter ? At present only three Southern horses have arrived, but it is reported that Foul Play, Betrayer, Lara, and some others will arrive by the " Eotorua," which is due here on Monday next. Then some interesting work will be done of a morning on the course.