Cap and Jacket.

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 44, 17 July 1909, Page 15

Cap and Jacket.

By Box.

Racing Fixtures. August 10, 12 and 14— C.J.C. Grand Nati&nal Meeting.

The Cunningham appeal case is to be heard at Wellington on the 17th inst. The King's horse Florizel 11., who fell dead recently, was insured for £15,000. An Australian buyer has been negotiating tor the purchase of Chanteuse. ' It is understood that California will leave for Sydney towards the end of the month. Ability is movimg satisfactorily and jumping well at Riccarton. ' The question of his standing is doubtful. Explosive is proving an apt pupil in his schooling tasks, and gives promise of making i»to an able jumper. It is anticipated that a record number of horses will be found competing at Trentham during the Wellington Winter *Meeting. In Ceylon recently, during one afternoon, a trainer turned out seven winners. Thife is claimed to be a world's record of its kind. Sootty's schooling work at Ellerslie has been of ia most satisfactory kind. If he keeps his form in the South he should render a good account of himself. Applications for trainers' . and jockeys' licenses for the season 1909---10 must be made to the secretaries of Metropolitan Clubs not later^ than Monday, July 19th. The Rand took the Napier big country the other morning in very clever style, the manner in which he completed his task creating a very favourable impression. J. H. Martin., who rode Sir Martin in the English Derby, says that colt did not actually fall, but went down on his knees. Martin stated his mount was going well at the time of the mishap, " but,' he added, " that does not prove anything ; there was another half-mile to go." Speaking of the Soult Iforse Seddon's win at the V.R.C. Grand National Meeting, a Melbourne writer says : " Another easy win was that registered by Seddon in the Winter Handicap. MeLaehlan was brought specially from Sydney to ride him, and the New Zealander went more kindly for him than he has for C. Cooper in recent races. Seddon is, however, an erratic customer at the best of times, but, all the same, he may run well in the Caulfield Cup, in wbich he is very favourably handicapned at 7.3. Monody ran third, but he had no show against Seddon at any part of the race." In chatting about the betting position in New York, and the difficulties besetting backers, an American writer says with operations conducted as at present the odds are ridiculous, and. besides, the system in vogue op«*ns up a fruitful field for the welsber. Tbe "regulars" are adopting the English system of bettin pc " on the nod," with a settlement each dav. but the oocasvnial visitor to the track finds some difficult v at present in getting his bit on. However, in tbe city, nool rooms are still flourishing, and here reasonable odd* can be obtained, strange to say. And -.ret the reform element pretended that it was rfsally the betting rooms in New York and tfcrouahout the State they were mainly attacking.

Gravitation 6cfatched for New Zealand Cup. Wellington Winter Meeting opens on Saturday. J. Deerey will ride Scotty at Southern fixtures. Waitapu is schooling satisfactorily over hurdles at Foxton. The name of Sea God has been given to the yearling brother to Achilles. A Riccarton writer says that Lapland,, in his schooling work, is improving at every effort. The Wellington Winter Meeting, which opens on Saturday, is the last, fixture of the present racing season, Te Arai, having earned a 71b penalty in the Grand National Steeplechase, will now have to carry lOst. 61b. Mr D. O'Brien's yearling colt by Persian Knight-Thea, in work at Ric- . carton, is spoken of as a very promising youngster. The Park Steeplechase at Gisborne was a match between Te Arai and Mozart, these being the only starters. Te Arai won easily. Though Don Hannibal has pleased the critics at Sydney in a general ' way, objection has been taken to him • on the score that he is a " wilful customer." Among the winners at the Aspendale Park (Vie.) on June 23 was the New Zealand-bred gelding King Paul ("St. Paul-Coalscuttle), who beat a hot favourite in the Jumpers' Flat Race. Mundic changed hands last week, a Christchurch buyer, who had the seoond refusal, taking him at 500gs. It is stated that Mr G. Payne offered Mundic's new owner an advance of lOOgs., but the offer was declined. Moccasin, it is said, may not be started at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting. His owner would > like to win the Grand National Steeplechase with him, and the Hippocampus gelding may, therefore, be kept in reserve for that event. Moreykoff (Menschikoff-Kilmorey), who has been on the retired list for a few weeks, is again in active commission. The making of a good one is this chestnut (says a Hawke's Bay writer), and I am prepared to stand or fall by my prophecies as to his abilities. Capitol is spoken of as a sure starter in the Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton, where the stiff fences will just suit this fine jumper. The Great Northern winner was very favourably treated at Gisborne, but he was not accepted for there, his owner evidently being unwilling to knock the horse out by the sea - voyage. Should Jack Pot compete in the Wellington Steeple (says "The •"■ Blade," in Wellington "Post"),, visitors to Trentham will see one of the most happy-go-lucky customers that can be iamgined. When Jack Pot draws to the obstacle he tackles it with a sort of " here I come with my little lot," creating a feeling in the mind of the observer that clearing timber is a mere detail in the day's work. The American Jockey Club has issued an edict that everyone (except ■ reporters) will have \o pay an entrance fee to the grounds. This will apply to owners, trainers and J jockeys. The authorities consider that everyone making a living out '. of racing should contribute towards its upkeep, and so help to keep alive -•._ the sport which has almost received its death-blow from the Agnew-Hart- , \ Anti-Betting Bill. The entrance to ..." the tracks this season will be 10s. _•-? The following par graph appears in '"! the London " Sportsman " of 15th . May : — " A correspondent who is in ■touch with the detective agencies in '.;■ New York suggests that we should ■ warn jockeys in England and on the ;v Continent against getting on speak- V ing terms with strangers from Ameri- '' ; ;.;' ca at hotels or places of entertain- ,/-.£ ment. There are arriving almost . • •.!-) daily in England undesirable people '■''> from across the Atlantic, and thie:.;;. probabilities are that the nets come a of them will cast will he bkited toy entrap jockeys," A"