CAP AND JACKET

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 779, 2 December 1893, Page 10

CAP AND JACKET

[By Remington.]

RACING FIXTURES. Dec. 2.— A.vou(iale Jockey Club. D eo g._ < Hahuhu, Oaehunga mid Surburban Bncing flub. Dec. 26, & Jan. 1 & 2.— A.E. \ Summer Dec. 26. — Hawke' 8 Bay Jockey lub. Dec. 26 & 27.— Northern Wairoa Kacing Club. Dec. 2o & 27.— Thames Jockey Jlub. Dec. 23, 28 & 30.— Auckland Trotting Club Summe-- Meeting. Dec. 28. — Drury Racing Club. Dec. 30. — S juth Aucklaud Racing Club. The Otago Cup is ran on Wednesday next attheForbury. There are nine a ceptantsi and on paper a rattling good contest seems likely to result. If I were back-in? one against the field I would he inclined to put my money on Response, next to whom Hike Skirmisher, Rangipuhi, and Melinite.

Fishmonger has been jumping: well. I saw him schooled the other day, and he took the jumps in a very taking fashion. Neli is now located at Green Lane, J. McHugh having shifted her quarters there. JMeli is a wild brute in training and takes a bit of handling. In addition to winning: the Derby with Carnage Mr W. H. Wilson has the credit of breeding both. 2nd and 3rd ; the Sailor Prince and Pounamu. J. McHugh, who has fur years trained at the North Shore, has shifted his quarters to Green Lane, in the pre- I mises owned by Mr. Harfurd. Sir Roland is being trained at EUers lie. I don't think this fellow with the aristocratic name han much in him. If he wins, I think it will have to be in pretty poor company, unless he should improve a terrible lot. Cleveland is a nice port of a horse. He is in J. Kean's stable, having come up some time since with Otakeho. Cleveland should make a farisb chafer, he is built that way, and, twing strong made, should carry a bit of weight. I have seen prints in the Referee and Sportsman purporting to be true copies of the instantaneous photograph of the finish of the Caulfiald Cup. Those who see them will say with me that since the machine must be true, really, things are not what they seem— to us. Major George's filly Cleopatra, though she did not win ,money South, will I fancy score something decent for the Major in the near future. This filly has been somewhat decried, but she has a bit of the dash the same as her half-brother. The Dancer has improved wonderfully in looks. Eeally a fine -looking horse. ! His spell has evidently done him good, i They used to call the big roan the * white I elephant ' at ELerslie, and perhaps he has been one so far, but if he goes on right, he should yield somy ivory— pieces. I know of some who use all their energies and brain power (if they have any) in analysing almost to ounces every handicap which appears, and who spend all their time not occupied in breadwinning picking winners. They come off short weight. The ' cuter ' does not go into such too deeply, but picks out a good one — and sometimes wins. The description of the race for the Melbourne Cup, which appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, was unique. Poetry in sporting writers is not expected, but the writer of this account is an exception. Certainly he did not attempt to rhyme, but there is a full tide of poesy floating through his description of the last Melbourne Cup. Jt was after the race. He had taken £6 to £2 about the winner. With watery eyes he informed the ' bookie ' he had lost his ticket. The ' bookie ' remembered the wager, and paid him eight golden sovereiens. Later came one of the same bookie's best customers, and presented the missing ticket. ' Why, I paid the young fellow who took the bet,' said the ' bookie,' 'he told me his ticket was snatohed.' ' Can't help that,' said the punter, ' I bought the ticket off the same young chap. Said he had to catch a train. Gave him a fiver on account ; balance to be sent to this address.' The book matter rather than offend such a customer paid out the fiver. He is still on the lookout for the pale faced youth.

Ben Godfrey has gone into Adam Byers' stable. Byers has also received another addition to his string in the shape of promi sing-looking youngsters. Mr Dan O'Brien has returned from Sydney. The South sportsman is looking younger than ever. Apparently the Australian climate agrees well with him. Forme is growing. She will be a biggish mare. I like this filly, and tho' she has not so far been so consistent as I expected, I have n<» doubt Bhe will be a good mare later. The Workman is very big looking. One who did not know the horse would scarcely think him fit to race, but he ap> parently races big. Otherwise the horse is very well indeed. The pony Sepoy is now in G. Wright's stable. The little roan has not had a great many shows, and, though not brilliant, might score a win or two if light in and a moderate field. Trainers are sending along their charges at Ellerslie all they can. There is a big number of horses in work, the greater part of the training being done very soon after sunrise in the morning. Domino is the champion colt of America. He is by Himyar from Mamie Gray, and won the Futurity Stakes, six furlongs (lees 52yds), in lmin. 12i|sec. He is inbred to both Sultan and Emilius. Tattenfeldt .is doing a iairish amount of work. This colt if he goes on improving should have a show in our Derby. At any rate he should be the best of our looal representatives. He is well enough bred, and has showed fair form. Blue Mountain, 39 sec start, won the Champion Saddle Trotting Handicap, 2 miles, at Lancaster Park. There was little merit in the win. Blue Mountain broke repeatedly, and showed no good trotting pace throughout. The stake was .£l5O. Black Belle, by Blackwood—Abdallah — Fanny Bell, won tho 2 mile Harness Trot at Lancaster Park, by 150 yds. A protest was entered against the mare on the ground that she started before her time and got a flying start, but the protest was dismissed. The Lancaster Park (Cbristchurch) Amateur Trotting Club's inaugural meeting, held the other week, was, notwithstanding prognostications to the contrary, a marked success. Over dSIOO was taken at the gates, and .£4156 passed through the totaliz ttor. Trotting is looking up in the South as in the North. The Auckland Cup time is drawing near. The weights appear after this issue is published. Just now punters are very keen on Skirmisher. It would be as well to wait and see what sort of treatment he gets. Certainly he may be a good colt, but I fancy some few removes from St. Hippo. So far as Anekland horses are concerned, there would be Httle to trouble him whatever weight he carried.

Double attraction on Saturday next — Ponsonby Regatta and Rep Cricket Match. Both good items. The various rowing clubs are preparing the crews for the Ponsonby Regatta, on Saturday next, and some good races can be looked tor. Great run on tennis and cricketing goods at Partridge's, Queen-street. You ought to see the latest shipment before it is sold out. These goods are the very best in the market and yet the prices asked are little if anything, in excess of those demanded elsewhere for inferior articles.