INTERPROVINCIAL SPORTING GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5740, 7 December 1896, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL SPORTING GOSSIP.

[Correspondents " Canterbury Times."J AUCKLAND, Nov. 28. Very little training work of importance is being done at Ellerslie. St Paul and Nestor are striding along nicely, and the former is looking really well. Since Day Star arrived he has been treated only to mild exeicise. G. Wright was expected back yesterday from Wellington. Mr Morriu informs me that he will recommend swimming exercise for the colt. Fabulist has been treated to a mild dose of physic, and is stated to have brightened a good deal since he took up his old quarters at i Mangere. Of the jumping horses in training at Ellerslie, nothing is looking or going better than Levanter. Aucklauders lost heavily over the defeat of St Clements in the Federal Handicap at Dunedin. So great was the rush to back the son of St Leger that at the finish the bookmakers would only accept even money. I understand' that Sfc Clements went off his feed, which probably accounts for the poor display he made. The pony Fidget changed hands yesterday, and was bought by Mr A. Bowden for 30gs. The old steeplechase mare Hopeful Kate fell over an embankment at Newmarket this week, and fracturing one of her shoulders it was found necessary to destroy her. Private advices have been received from Wellington that J. Gallagher is making a good recovery from his recent accident, but it is doubtful if he will be able to ride again before the autumn. The annual meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club was held on Wednesday, when the Chairman Mr E. W. Alison had a pleasing tale to unfold to members in reference to the financial position of the club. The statement of accounts showed that the receipts during the year had amounted to .£4149 against an expenditure of =83366, leaving a' credit balance of .£782. This must be taken as. extremely satisfactory, for the club gave in stakes during the season over .£2OOO. When the improvements that are now being effected at Takapuna are completed they will tend to further increase the popularity of the North Shore Club. Mahaki is, I understand, expected to arrive in Auckland shortly, with a view to his fulfilling his engagements at the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting. The Takapuna Jockey Club has dropped its spring meeting this year.

NAPIER, Nov. 26. Of the £1444; paid away in stakes by the Wellington Racing Club, Hawke's Bay owners could secure only about .£3OO. Wellington is generally a happy hunting ground for owners from these parts, but the horses running at the Exhibition Meeting were of the best class, and only a few smaller stakes fell to the lot of horses from here. The winner of the Waiwetu Handicap, Mr W. Rathbone's Barshot, will, I think, prove himself a more than ordinary performer. He is a four-year-old gelding by Chainshot — Watersprite, and he won his first race at the Napier Park Racing Club's Spring Meeting, at which he defeated a field of excellently bred horses. Barshot looks a sprinter all over, and the first time I saw him he struck me as being the very cut of a Great Easter Handicap winner. Perhaps that will be his aim later on. The Guardsman, after failing to run prominently at Otaki on the Prince of Wales' Birthday, effected a surprise by annexing the Flying Hack Race at Wellington, and paying 17s. At Otaki the son of Cuirassier and Sybil was heavily supported by Hawke's Bay people, for he used to be trained on the Hastings course, but his supporters, thinking the company too good for him at Wellington, left him alone much to their disgust. The colt .was purchased at Mr Nathan's sale in Auckland for 125gs by Mr T. R. Moore, of Waimarama, who subsequently disposed of him to Mr Portland. When a yearling he suffered from a spinal affection, and at one time there was a likelihood of a law suit over him, but judging by his win at Wellington he must have got rid of his ailment. At a ' meeting of the committee of the Waipawa Racing Club, Captain Howard was elected a life member and Mr A. Baker's resignation as clerk of the totalisator was received with regret. The following new members were elected:— Messrs J. B. Rhodes, G. Corskie, G. Vesty, H. P. Tuckey, Philip Ropiha, Martin Ropiha, Gr. Oakenfall, Wilson Tipene, G. Hunter, F. Ormond, J. Orinond, W. Douglas, J. M'Vay, G. Swan, Ashton Nopera, F.'Moeller, E. J. White and G.JA. Dillon. No nominations having been received for the Christmr.s Handicap the race was struck out of the programme. The declaration of weights was deferred until Deo. 7. Mr J. Grant's well-known brood mare, Voltarina, dame of Recluse and Voltigeur had one of her forelegs broken by a kick one day last week. The services of Mr Worthy were procured and the mare placed in slings. Hopes are entertained of her recovery. It is stated there is a hitch in the sale of Gipsy Prince, and Gipsy King's black son may not stay in Auckland. The Guardsman, winner of the Flying Handicap at Wellington, was sold before the race for .£IOO to go south. Mr M. Jones, of Taranaki, has leased from Mr Bishop a three-year old sister to Kanaka. Mr Bishop has placed a four--year-old full sister to this filly in the hands of Mr D. Teed, jun.