SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10440, 20 April 1912, Page 5

SPORTING.

Doughboy, a four-year-o'd by Gluten—Go'.dwob, carried 9st 2lb and won the Easter Plate at the last meeting at Victoria Park. Sydney. At the Tuapeka Jockey Club's Easter meeting, tho Maiden Plate was won by Bucco, ft five-year-old gelding by Stepniak —British Queen, by St George—Britomart. The filly by Charlemagne ll.—Sequin, ■which was sent to Sydney by .Mr O. S. Watldns, of Wellington, for the yearling sales, broke a leg while being taken off the steamer and had to bo destroyed. Lochano, who won the Doncaster Handicap 'on tho first day of tho Australian Jockey Club's autumn meetiue, finished a dead heat for teccrid place a week earlier in the Highweieht Handicap at Hawkeabury. The two-year-old Charlsville, who raced p'ominently at Hawkesbury, __ New South Wales, recently, was bred in New Zealand, being by Charlemagne lI.—L» Gloria, who is a half-sister to La Valiere, the dam of Los Angeloe. The New Zealand jockey R. Cameron, who fc*a been in Victoria for some time, has received a Mainer from Mr B. Chaffey, whose horaea will do most of their racing in South Australia.

Mi L. Eobertson, well known in trotting circles, end who has recently drifted into the fallopin? line as an owner and trainor. won ihs Jumpers' Plat Race at Aspendale Park, Mo'.boume, recently, with Merry MonaToh, a four-year-old gelding by Merriwee—Punamu, by St Hippo—-Jadestone, the dam of Explosion. Lets, who won the Second Nursery Handicap at the Australian Jockey Club's meeting 1 on Saturday, is a first foal, and was purchased as a yearling last autumn for 270 guineas. Her dam, Leading Lady, a sister to Melodrama, who was twice successful in tho Epsom Handicap at Eandwick. is» by Trenton—Tragedy.

Motoa, by Conqueror—Marionette, an inmate of D. J. Price's stable, finished third in a race at Aspendale Park, Melbourne, on March 80. On the same day Mr J. Loughlin's Homo Rule, by Wairiki—Eton Lass, won the steeplechase, while Wimmera,' by Merriwee—Mousquetena, and Silver Bullet, by Calibre—Tapuwai, were unplaced in the Aanendale Cup.

Tha American horse Green Seal is topweiyht with 9st 101b in the Goodwood Handicap, Ihe principal sprint event at the South Australian Jockey Club's autumn meeting. Obpono has 9st Sib and Sharpshooter 7st lslb. In the Adelaide Cup, one mile and Are furlongs, in which the English horse Eyeglass has top weight, 9st 9lb, Sharpshooter and Delaware have been awarded 7st 7lb.

In England last month tho Epsom Grand Stand Association obtained from Mir Justice Warrington, in the Chancery Division, a, perpetual injunction against Richard Morgan from riding or exercising or causing to be exercised any horses over Epsom Downs. A couple of months ago the Association decided to temporarily close the Downs for training purposes, and evidently Morgan determined to defy the authorities, with a result unfortun*te for himself.

Winners of the Australian Jockey Club's St Ledger have been particularly unfortunate In the Sydney Cup. Petrta won both races in 1380 and Progress in 1881, but since then Wallace is the only horse that has won the double. In 1833 The Australian Peer, after being beaten by Abercorn in the St Leger, won tha Sydney Cup under Bst 61b, and in 1882 Stromboli, after being beaten by La Tosca, in tho St Leger, oarried Bst to rictory in tho Sydney Cup. For the new ■grandstand in the carriage paddook at Flemvngton, the tender of Mr J. W. Atkinson, at ;£f18.500. has been accepted by (he committee of tie Victoria Racing Club. The stand will be completed in time for the next Melbourne Cup meeting. Another improvement being made at Flemington is an ■■lteration of the turn out of the straight, which will enable the bottle-neck part of tho course between tb> lawn and the betting ring (where tiers is always a. block on big race o»Ya) being widened.

Former, who finished third in the Second KniTMry Handicap at Randwick on Saturday, *a« bred by Mr J. B. Reid, and was purchased by Mr D. O'Brien aa a yearling in Christchurch in the spring of 1910 for 170 guineas. She was raced in Australia earlier In this season by Mr O'Brien, who sold her a few weeks ago, along with all his other horses, a long run of bad luck having - induced him to temporarily retire from racing. Former is by Boniform, by Multiform—OtJerden, her dam. Cyre, being by Cyrenian— M3s) Delaval. At the sale of the Elderslie «tud In January, Oyro was purchased by Mr L G. Duncan for 100 guineas. All the work the newly-appointed Tasmaniao stipendiaries perform does not come to-Hght (says " Nimrod" in the Launcesten Courier"). The riders in a race do not know at what part, of a course they will bob tip. According to report, one boy when rounding the homo tum heard such a shout •f " Let him go!" that he took it that the stipendiary was not far away. The horse won. Taking this as a moral, it might not be a bad plan if the stipendiaries gave loud voice to similar instructions in every race at this critical part of the contest. The manner in which horses have been ridden in some races lately is a matter which might have legitimately been called into question. From South Africa comc3 word of the death of the Fucila gelding Chere Amie, who won the Donoaster Handicap of 1904 for A. Foley, and in South Africa pulled off a Durban Handicap for R. Wootton. It apfiears that Chere Amie had been fired and turned out for a spell on a farm in the neighbourhood of Howick, with a view to being put into training for July and August, but during » storm ho was struck by lightning and killed, the news being conveyed by Mi B. T. Amos, who is recruiting up there, In a Jotter to trainer Russell. The Utter who has made quite a name for himself in connection with Chere Amie and Repartee, had worked wonders with the old horse—who had reached the age of eleven years—and won four races with him between June and November last year.

Reports from Australia for some time past hare conveyed -the information that the jjfew Zealand-bred gelding Gunboat was a greatly improved hone. He showed *ood form recently in Victoria, when his owner, one of the most daring backers in Australia, won a small fortune over a race in which Gunboat was successful. After berng supported for the Sydnov Cup, he electrified the spectators at Randwick one morning by galloping a mile and a/quarter in 2mm lOsee, and he finished sixth in the race. On Wednesday his running la the City Handicap resulted in an Inquiry by the stewards, who accepted, the explanation of hit owner and rider. Gunboat was bred by Mr John Grigg, at Longbeacb, and Is by Calibre, a son of Light ArtilleryHtinntogdale, from Ripple, by Porkin Warbeok n.-~Ap*rima, a sister to Thaokeray and KSSskfi Jcr"*' B * kT sharp ' by n. S 4 t * t if t %, to ,l land ** *•»• lndim mail show that F. WootWg visit to Calcutta must Ef7«i!!? " ltis ** c t°ry alike to himself and wLSI^ dp *J •?»P II <>JW. Mr Galstaun. In all, Z^ n I°** » *Wrty-on« races in Calcutta, £&? Thoburn also scored ten wSCJ'iiK fif i r - sil counts; while nan-rasa noises. However, Australia'* T «. preeentatives did well in fi,. I and In the sevenC <W * ™{"° r *™* i one mtfre win than the T?,.li;£ I ng lota llad bap. tW. remit m, W, P "t" the leligi.u. agitator/ °" •ohoo for the Sisters of R? £ ° i. ths new that the agitator be con.f ? rttyed South Pol.. He referred to"hfflw tU the "Weekly Courier") that tL,V ( - ay 9 agitate thought that everyone who wST horse was hopelessly out of eve?VaJ™ of solvation. He also sa,d: "You c « make acme guess what is going to h app6n in "£ tics, hut in koWMicffl. you can make* ao «afe guess at aIL The horse that everybody aays is going to lose is the first past the take'■ ho. I never did bet on a horse SnH 1 ! n f ed lam a P«<«* ■topid, and if I did bet my money i 3 aa good as gone. Stall, I will admit this • if I only had the gift of prophecy, which 'i asauredly have not, and kn«w with absolute certainty the horse that was g-Mng to cany off the next Onkaparinga, or Randwick, or Melbourne. Cup, I should not have a, moment's hesitation, nor ihe shadow of a scruple ft conscience, in backing that horse for a handsome amount."

In a reference to Mr William Brown, a hading breeder and sportsman of New South Wales, "Milioy," of the Sydney "Mail," »ijs:—"Ml Brown is a. reputed millionaire. Be that us it may, he is wealthy enoupth to provide himself with the best blood available, *n<3 evidently he has worked with that end in view in getting his very choice* bunch of Bjar«9 together. Mr Brown breeds; mainly for his own training stable, but, of course, »• raises more horses than he can do v/ith, •nd when he has satisfied the wants of bis Jrtiner he sells the others. He takes what be thinks is best, and sells tho balance. Ho It only betting on his own udgment, and so ftr the publio have got the beat of it. Well, •t least the three best by Dales of Melton Bare been sold, and last year the Fairwind colt nu kept in preference to Loch Amos, who went at one hid of £IOO, but that did not prevent him from being nearly at the fop of the class for two-year-olds, or maka

any difference to a southern buyer, who vainly off £ red £1503 for him. This year Mr Brown has reserved an extra fine youngster by Multifcrm from Siiis Peur." The deeds of a cood horse are recorded by ft correspondent of the " London Sportsman," who said: Mention of horses reminds me of the record of a tough specimen of the breed. Hore it is: Realm, by Majestic, by Trenton, now eleven year 3 of age. He wa3 sold by hit breeder for 12 toveroigns. What he did 23 a two-year-old Mr Martin, to whom I am indebted for these particulars, does not say> but as a three-year-old ha won 9. few small hurdle races. Subsequently (in Australia) ho won the Willianistowu Hurdle Race; the Melbourne Grand National, worth 1500 sevs; the Caulfield Grand National, three miles and a half, carrying list 121b, value 1000 sc.vs; the Australian Cup, on the flat, two miles, stake 20C0 sovs; the Australian Cup, two miles, 2000 sovs; the Bond Cup, the Sydney Cup, two miles,'2ooo eovs, and a- weight-for-age race at the same meeting. Realm was thou bought by Torn 'Scott, en behalf of H.H. the Keer Sahib of Patiaia, for 1500 sovs, but he went amiss, and was unable to do anything for two years. Meantime he had been sold for a small sum of money, and when once set going again began by winning the Gnnd Annual Hurdle Race af Poena. This season, at Calcutta, he ran second to Mcyfowl, subsequently winner of the Viceroy's Cup- At Tollygunge he lost the Indian G-Tand Xstional by a head; and three days later on won the Tollygunge Plate, three miles, carrying topweight and squandering his field. In discussing past Grand National winners the " Pink 'TJn " has the following acent Manifesto and M. Emil Adam, the celebrated French painter of horses:—"When requested by his owner, Mr Bulteol. to paint Manifesto's portrait, with George Williamson in the Batddle, the great French artist, fresh from Newmarket, where he had been honoured by King Edward with a commission to transfer Persimmon to canvas, and perhaps a bit above himself in consequence, at first demurred, on the ground that it would bo rather '' infra dig." on his part to bestow h:3 talents on what he termed " a mere steeplechase horse." However, the great man's scruples were overcome at last, and he was persuaded to go down to Hampshire and judge for himself whether his subject was likely to do him credit or I 'not. A visit to Manifesto in hia box was quite sufficient. ''Why, he is a racehorse!" exclaimed the artist in rapture, as he ran his experienced eye over the shapely proportions of the gallant son of Man-o'-War. "Ma foil What a meestake I have make, to bo sure! Paint Mm, indeed? Till I not!" And the result was that, so pleased was M, Adam with his handiwork that he a,sked permission from Mr Bulteel to exhibit the picture at the Salon the following summer, where it i»a3 regarded, and deservedly so, by his Parisian. admirers as one of "the artist's happiost effort*.

NOTES. Last week's meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club is entitled to go down in the records as the most successful autumn fixture ever held at Riccarton. The grounds were in grand order and the only fault that couid be found with the racing track was that it was a trifle too hard until the rain cam© on Tuesday afternoon. There was an unusually large contingent of visiting horses, and with "one or more outside competitors in each event the sport was of a much more interesting nature than would have been the case had the fields been composed entirely of representatives of local stables. The prizes were well distributed, too. Seven of the winners—Autumnus (2), Stardancer, The Cornet, Friwolliti, Mercedo, Aimwell—were trained at Riccarton, where Dorando completed the preparation commenced at Oaniaru; Los Angelos and Lady Georgia were trained privately at Yaldhurst; Mira- (2), Royal Scotch and Effort won four races for North Island stables; and Thistledown and Gapon were successful representatives from Otago. It was very satisfactory to find the visitors securing a good share of the stakes, as their successes will probably attract others next autumn, thus assisting to ensure high-class sport. There were one or two respects in which there was room for great improvement at the meeting. The starting, especially on the first day, was a long way below Mr H. Piper's best standard. He seemed to sacrifice everything to a speedy despatch, and some of his starts were very amateurish. The totaEsator arrangements also gave rise to much adverse comment Some time ago, as the result of a general desire on the part of a large section,of the public, it was decided to establish a t«n shilling totalisator. It has been freely stated that the innovation was strongly opposed in certain official quarters, and the manner in which the half-sovereign machine was worked last week certainly gave colour to the suggestion. There were not nearly enough windows in comparison with the number available for pound investors, the result being that in nearly every race, when the machine closed, many investors were shut out at the half-sovereign windows, while there was more than sufficient accommodation at the pound windows, at which, there never seemed to b© an undue crush. It is time the officials of the club realised that a large number of those who attend meetings at Riccarton are content with modest investments on the totalisator. These patrons are surely entitled to consideration, and it would assist greatly m popularising the Canterbury Jockey Club with the general public if better arrangements were provided for the convenience of the small investors' at future meetings. I do not remember any previous autumn meeting at Riccarton when there were so many two-year-olds racing, and it can safely be said that they were as good a lot as we have seen in the autumn for some time. Two-year-old form has been a trifle mixed pn some occasions this season, but not more so than in an average year, and not nearly to such an extent as it was last season. _ My own idea of the present batch of juveniles is that they are quite up to the average, and the best would probably be entitled to a high place. Autumnus was the star performer, and the style in which he disposed of the opposition in the Champagne Stakes and Challenge Stakes made him out a Earticularly brilliant colt. Autumnus as a good record for the season, with a win at Wingatui and five wins and a third at Riccarton. His other three races were run in the North Island, and.but for those failures there would be no argument as to his right to be considered the best of the year. His defeats by Ermengarde at Trentham and Wanganui damaged his reputation, but lie completely established himself in favour again last week, and he must now be given first place. He has plenty of pace, and in both his races fast week he was running on strongly at the finish, so his prospects of developing into a stayer next season look bright. In this connection it is interesting to note that he is bred on good staying lines. His sire, Treadmill, a winner of the Canterbury Cup. two miles and a quarter, is out of a mare by Maxim, a Derby winner; while Goldleaf, winner of "the Oaks and Great Autumn Handicap, is by Stonyhurst, a Derby winner. It only needs Autumnus to make average improvement during the next few months to ensure him developing into a high-class three-year-old. I feel sure we did not see the best of Erniengardo last week. She showed plenty of pace in both her races, but finished very badly eaoh day. That she failed to beat Autumnus was not so surprising as to find her finishing behind others whose claims to distinction v.-ere only moderate. I think we can afford to forget her form last week, but though she may come on again next season, it will probably be as a sprinter that she will be best known. Gnorc* ran well in the Champagne Stakes, and he takes the eye as a solid customer of very useful class, who should win lots of handicaps, even if he is below classic form. Brown Owl is a filly I have always had. a high opinion of, and her display in the Challenge Stakes was very attractive. Treadmill fillies seem to improve with age, and with that in mind it seems safe to expect something good from her next season. Bred as she is, she should stay. Lady Georgia ran like a good one in the Autumn Nursery Handicap, and sho should make a fine sprinter naxt season, though she may

siot do so well over a journey. Stardancer is another brilliant galloper, but she is small and may not do well under weight. Winning Way ran two decent races, and should win races next season if she quite recovers from the disability which necessitated an operation some time ago. Bon Ton showed pace, but does not seem to run on. and he is a disappointment so far, but there is still time for him, and it is hard to believe that Boniform will be long before he leaves a really good winner. Another of his progeny, Spee'ftlform, showed decent form last week, out may never be more than useful. Oxenhope. who finished, second to Stardancer," should win races, but not in the best company. I took a greater fancy to Teviotdalcl and though ho did not run prominently last week, T fancy he will grow into a" good three-year-old. This son of AchillesStrathspey is a well-grown and attrac-tive-looking colt. 6f the other two-year-olds seen last week. Glen finnan may prove the best. Ho can gallop fast on the track, but is a very" lazy customer, and he may require racing to sharpen hira up. There was a fine team of three-year-olds at Riccarten last week. Royal Scotch atoned for a lot of bad luck earlier in the seaeon by winning the Great Easter Handicap in good style* The merit of the performance was greatly enhanced by the fact that he was suffering from a burst hoof .which interfered with his preparation during the days immediately preceding the race. That he won at 'all, under the circumstances, showed what a good colt he is. It was a pity ho had to forfeit his engagement in the Challenge Stakes, as at his best he would have made matters very interesting in that event. Bronze was responsible for a good performance in the Great Easter, but failed _ badly in the Great Autumn, in which race, however, she was set a very heavy task. I never fancied her for the milo and a half event under 9st 21b, so was not surprised at her failure. She is a good filly but not a champion on what she showed last week. Byron continued his record of bad luck by just missing the Great Easter. There is a suspicion that he is not sound, which probably accounts for Sir G. L. Stead being able to secure him at 150 guineas. If all goes well with him, he should soon win a good race. Culprit maintained her reputation for speed but failed to see out the seven furlongs, after having every chance. She may improve in this respect next season but at present a six-furlong course seems to be her limit in the best companv. Masterpiece was one of the unlucky lot at the start of the Great Easter but ran a good race in the Great Autumn and the- reports as to his improvement were evidently well founded. This well-grown colt may yet do something good, as he promises to furnish into a grand four-year-old. Midnight Sun, after cutting up badly in the Sockbum Handicap, put up a good performance in the Oreat Autumn, and with any luck in the early stages would have beaten Masterpiece. Midnight Sun? has improved out of knowledge since the spring. I have heard that some of his connections scout the idea that he is unreliable, but if that is so, some of his running is hard to «Pkm ; , .JJ. 6 stewards held an mqrary ference in his form on the two'days last week and while accepting the explanation offered, expressed themselves unanimously as dissatisfied with his JSJ. Tho other thTee-year-olds seen l£rb week were below first class, but the speedy Blakeney and Bellan should vn/™* if properly placed. Comin" to the older horses, Los Angeles was* easily the star performer his fffort in winning tho great Autumn being quite first-lass and equal to anything he has previously done in New . Zoalfnd. After his latest Performance, I should* say the critics who talked so loudly about his loss of form must be convinced that they wore sadly astray in their judgment. From a mile and a quarter ho is still the best old horse in the dominion, and I should say that Sir George Clifford can have no regrets that he declined to chase him m the Great Autumn with Counterfeit, as it would bave taken a great three-year-old to have beaten the San Francisco geldinc over a mile and a half last week with 121b the worst of the weights on the weight-for-age scale. Los Angelos has not had a hard life, so he may be good for a few more high-class efforts next season. Mira, though a long way from the best class, shaped well each day last week, and looks like improving yet, in which case it is hard to say what he may do later on as he Beems to stav pretty well. Thistledown is evidently good when in the humour, but will not always try, her display on the second day being poor. Dearest raced below expectations, and has evidently gone off. Martino improved on her previous efforts this season, and may yet do something worthv of her three-year-old promise. The Cornet ran two good races, and may be expected to win again soon, possibly before the season closes. Rase Noble, despite his erratic behaviour on the tracks, is evidently not nearly done for racing yet^ The hurdlers were not a brilliant lot, and it looks as if the South Island would be poorly represented in this department in the big events of the winter. Dorando, however, may prove a worthy candidate for cross-country honours. Last season he was reserved for the Grand National meeting, but this year a different ipolicy will be adopted, and the principal winter fixtures will be included in his programme, so that he should be thoroughly seasoned by August.

The Riverton Racing Club had a fine meoting last week, all previous records being eclipsed for attendance, fields and totalisatcr returns. I learn, too, that the racing was of a high class and iho steeplechasing th<* finest ever seen on the coarse. I feel certain, that the success of the Riverton fixture will be well received. The club is managed by a keen body of sportsmen, who are prepared to cater for the best, and it is gratifying to find that their liberality in providing good stakes and catering for the real sporting instincts of their patrons has had such a happy result. It is to bo regretted that the horses in Southland aro not of better class, but a few well-bred stallions have gone into the district during the last year or two, so wo may expect an improvement hefore long. The breakdown of Truo Blue was unfortunate, as he looked like proving a useful representative in crosscountry events later on at Wingatui and Riccarton. In his absence I am afraid we cannot look for any promising Grand National candidates from Southland. I hear, however, that there are a few useful hunters about that district this year, and their presence at Riccarton in August will be welcome.

STUD NEWS. St Simon sires claimed the best record at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting last week, with six winners, Soult being represented by Mira (2) and Aim-well, Treadmill by Autumnus (2) and San Francisco by Los Angelos. For the Muskot line Royal Artillery was represented by Royal Scotch, Stepniak by Gapon and Pallas by Friwolliti. New Zealand breeders who sent yearlings to Sydney this autumn have no great reason to congratulate themselves on tho results of their enterprise, as the prices they received, save in one or two instances, were very poor, and probably much below what would have been secured by exploiting the homo market. Taken on the whole, however, the sales appear to nave been very successful, and, judging by the brief results available, it is evident that there are plenty of buyers in Australia prepared to give big prices for youngsters bred on the most fashionable lines. Full particulars of the sales will be available before next week, and it will

then be interesting to s-ee where the high-priced lots have pone to. According to late news from Sydney, the stallion Hierarch, by Cyrenian— Miss Annie, was to bo offered for sale on Mondav. The New Zealand-bred maro Magneto by Merriwee—The Brook, has been purchased br the Australian owner, Mr J. B. Whitehe&d, who will mate her with Dividend, by Simmer—Lady Trenton. The progeny will be very much inbred to St Simon and Musket. Magneto's sire, Merriwee, is by Bill of Portland, by St Simon, from Etra-weeme, by Trenton, while Tho Brook is by Torpedo, by Musket. Dividend's sire, Simmer, is a sou of St Simon, his dam, Lady Trenton, being by Trenton.^ At the Royal Sydney ehow Warroo, by Positano~-Alga, was placed first in the class for aged stallions, but was beaten in the championship by Sir Aymer, by Sir Hugo—Penkridgo, who was not eligible for the other event, having won the class two years consecutively. Fortunatus, the sire of three winners at the Australian Jockey Club's meeting, two of them on Saturday, wa.< i bred in England in 1898, and is by St ! Frusquin, "full-brother to Sir George Clifford's horse San Francisco, from I Luckv Lady, by Royal Hampton—Lady i Clifton. Fortunatus was imported to I Australia in 1902, and for several sea- ! sons he has been represented by a long list of winners. Last season he had ! sixteen winners of thirty-nine races, but most of the successes were gamed lon country courses, and tho stakes i earned were only £2319. His latest I batch of vearliugs commanded a lot of attention," and a colt from Diffidence realised 900 guineas last week. TROTTING. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club brought off a very successful meeting last week. The conditions on the first day were very bad, the rain which fell on the previous day having left the track in a shocking state, .not less than five seconds slow to the mile, one good judge informed me. Notwithstanding this, however, the fields were very large, and there was some line racing, easily the best 1 ever saw at_Addington under similar traok conditions. With fine weather, the track was in fine order by Saturday, and there was a wonderful reversal of affairs so far as times were concerned, every winner and nearly all the placed horses having to improve materially on their best previous records. The sport throughout the whole of Saturday's programme was of a very interesting character, and, altogether the meeting was one of the best ever held by the club. The totalisator investments were £38,472 10s, compared with £44,739 last year, when tho meeting extended over tnree days. It is several years since I commenced to urge that the committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, in framing programmes, did not adopt a sufficiently progressive policy, not in the matter of stakes, but in providing for the increasing speed of our horses by tightening up the classes. I should think, however, that the experience in connection with the High-class Handicap at last week's meeting should be sufficient to convince anypne that the time is ripe for'faster classes than those provided The High-class Handicap for horses that could 3g 2.18 or better was the fastest class milo race ever included on a New Zealand programme. There was a disposition to regard tho race as not fulfilling expectations when it only, attracted eight nominations, of whom six went to the post. The result, however, showed that it was a very wise innovation, as the totalisator investments were £3049 10s, so that the club did well from a financial point of view, while the race created more excitement and interest than any other during the day. I hope the club, with this race in mind, will now go in for a general scheme of faster races, as it is clear we iave plenty of horses about to warrant an all-round process of tightening up. Considerable surprise was felt at the payment of two dividends in the High Class Handicap at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday. There were six starters, the number stipulated to warrant the second dividend, but as two of them, inmates of one stable, were bracketed as provided for in tho rules, it was contended that for totalisator purposes the field only numbered five.

The Ashburton mare Emnielijie registered a brilliant performance in the International Handicap at . the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting on Wednesday. She was conceding from four to seven seconds to her twelve opponents, which included some of the best horses in the dominion, but she showed a wonderful burst of speed in the early stages, and after going half a mile she was_ almost on terms with the leading division. About two furlongs further on she was in front, and she ran home a comfortable winner. On Saturday, in the High Class Handicap, she was responsible for another great effort. She appeared to lose somo ground when Dillon Bell broke after going about three furlongs, but she showed a great burst of speed going down the back, and though beaten by about two lengths by Discoverer, she finished up the mile in 2min 10 4-ssec, which is easily a race record for New Zealand. The mare and her driver, R. M'Donnell, were loudly cheered on returning to the enclosure, the public being quick to recognise the great merit of the performance. Emmeline's form lias been consistently good * during the present season. She won a mile a ; nd a quarter race at Addington in November, and was successful over a similar course at Ashburton on Boxing Day. A few weeks later, at the Forbury Park meeting, she was beaten by a length in the Dunedin Oup Handicap (two miles) by Dillon Bell, to whom she was conceding a 6econd. On her recent displays she has clearly established her claim to rank as the best pacing mare in New Zealand at the present time, if not the best ever seen in the dominion. She is only a five-year-old, and as she has not been over-raced, she should bo capable of still further improving her record before ehe retires.

R. T. Day made his reappearance as a driver last week at Addington, after a lengthy absence from the track due to the refusal of the New Zealand Trotting Association to grant him a license for several years'. Bon Homme, who was among the starters for the Ladies' Bracelet Handicap at Addington last week, is an American stallion by Bon Voyage—Floradon. He is a square-gaited trotter with good action, and he showed fair pace in patches, but looked scarcely ready for a severe race. Ther.e were thirty-one starters for the Ladies' Bracelet Handicap at Addington last Wednesday. This is one of the largest fields I can recall, and it is certainly the largest that ever took part in a race for unhoppled trotters in New Zealand. The Metropolitan Club is to be complimented on its action in catering in this way for unhoppled horses. The response it received should go far to disabuse the minds of those who raised objections to the encouragement of this class on our tracks. There were many features in connection with last week's meeting at Addington that are worthy of comment, but I am compelled to reserve them till next week.

It is the intention of the Owners', Trainers' and Breeders' Association to try and arrange for a special excursion train to Dunedin for the Forbury Park meeting next month, and all owners and trainers who intend to take part in the meeting are requested to inform the secretary of the Association as scon as possible. It is not generally understood by a number of riders and drivers that they can apply through the New Zealand Trotting Association for any unpaid riding fees. Many riders and drivers complain that a good many pounds aro owing to them in this way, and seem to think that they nave no chance of making owners pay.

Stnrmloss, who won the Borough Trot at the Kumara meeting last wc?k, is a full-sister to the well-known performer Storm, being, by Wildwood from Gertie.

and is also three-quarter sister to Calm. I noticed that Jackeroo, who now races under the nam© of Mahurangi, got third place at the recent Wanganui meeting, and Manga tini also won a race. The latter, together with Violet C, was taken north by W. Fox. Lucky Child, who raced here for some time without success, won the principal handicap on the second day. At the Tuapeka Jockev Club's meeting the Dash" Trot Handicap was won by Oystershell, a three-year-old gelding by R:d Rothschild from Memiaid. the dam of Boldrowood. The stewards of the New South Wales Trotting Club appear to keep their eyes open for malpractices. At tho last meeting they wore dissatisfied with the manner in which Salva raced, after travelling badly in the betting market and after inquiry disqualified tho horse and his driver, W. P. Windred, for twelve months. There was some very interesting sport at the Easter meeting of the New South Wales Trotting Club. Among the events was the Sires' Produce Stakes, for two year olds. The race for unhoppled horses was won by Vice Regal Parole, by Australian Parole— Louise, his time for a mile and a furlong being 3min 13sec. The hoppled division raced in two heats. Stained Ribbon, by Ribbonwood —Pocahontas, won the first heat and the second heat went to Marjorie M., by Belmont M., full brother to Almont, __ from Lady Huon, who also won the final in 3min 3! sec. The Flying Handicap was won by Brooklyn, by Prince Harold—Hard Time, his time, 2min being equal to 2min 21sec to the mile. Chesterwcod, by Ribbonwood, won the Epping .Handicap, one mile and a half, in 3min 34sec.

An appeal of a remarkable nature was considered by the Victorian Trotting Association recently. It was lodged by P. McEntee against the decision of "the Garvoc Racing Club stewards in dismissing his protest against Nimble Lad being declared the winner of a recent trotting race, on the ground that the rider did not wear colours. The appeal was not only dismissed, but tile £lO ledged with it forfeited. Ribbomvocd was very prominent in tho trotting section at the Royal Sydney Show. He won the championship for aged stallions, while his descendants were also to the fore in other classes. The full results of the section were as follows :—Stallion, four years and over— Ribbonwood, by Wildwood—Dolly, 1; Zolock Patchen (imp.), by Zolock— Maud P., 2. Stallion, three years— Springwood, by Ribbonwood—Tib, 1; Whirlwood, by Ribbonwood Whirlwind, 2; Persimmon, by Britannic— Millie, 3. Stallion, two years—Ribbon King, by Ribbonwood—Pretty Kate, 1; Zetland, by Mauritius—Lottie Derby, 2; Dustwood, by Ribbonwood—Rod Dust, 3. Stallion, one year—Joy Bells, by Charming Bells—Kitty, 1; Oxboro, by Tuxedo—Fashion, 2; Charming Ahbey, by Charming Bells—Pet Girl, 3. Brood mare, three vears and over— Wild Duck, by Wildwood—Polly, 1; Roley, by Peri Huon—Grey Steel, 2; Meg, by Almont/—Ballygood, 3.

AMERICAN NOTES. (From Latest Exchanges.) Axworthy is the sire of seventy-five with records better than 2min 30sec, and only four are pacers. Twenty-five years ago "Big" Ben M'Kinney stated that a trotter could bo too well bred to race well, although admitting he might race fast. And there were other horsemen in those days who shared the same opinion. Allerton, record 2min 9isec, is the leading sire of producing sons for the year, with thirty-eight standard-bred trotters, fourteen of which are added this year. Johnson, record 2min 6Jsec, was the first horse to go a mile in 2min lOsec on a mile track,.first horse to go a mile in the same time on a half-mile track, first horse to show in public a quarter better than a 2min gait, in a highwheeled sulky. He won 138 heats in 2mm 30seo or better.

We learn that Kinney Lou 2min 7|&;?<', the Cabforma fcallion that Rosemire purchased at the Old Glory sale last fall, made suoh an impression upon the Russians that he could have been sold at a good price upon seTeral occasions. Kinney Lou was sold to P. V. Makaroff, a wealthy Russian and owner of a good stock farm. Makaroff formerly owned the American stallion Nominator.

M'Kinney has to his credit 149 standard trotters, 13 2min lOseo trotters and 10 2min lOsec pacers. His sons have sired 24 in the 2min lOsec list and 156 otfcrrs, and his' daughters are dams of 34; of these 16 are in the 2min lOsec list. Surely by inheritance and prepotency M' Kinney, is entitled to wear the crown a3 the " king of all sires of extreme spaed." Thus the "Breeder and Sportsman" of March 9: "The colt Dillon Bell, wlk> won the New Zealand Dunedin Oup (two miles in 4min 36seo) is by Harold Dillon, full-brother to Dillcara, owned by the Sacramento Stock Farm, but at present occupying a stall at the Pleasanton race track. These two are without doubt, the best-bred sons of Sidney Dillon foaled."

When Mr Andrew Robertson, superintendent of tho largest farm devoted to the breeding of trotters in Australasia, saw Bon M'Kinney ho said: "There's the best-limbed, bestonade and handsomest type of trotter of his ago I have ever, seen." The stallion Bon Voyage never sired a colt that could not bo at 2min SOsec as a two-year-old if trained.

The Pleasanton track has recently been sold for £13,000.

Basso, a five-year-old brother to Soprano, 2min 3}sec, was recently sold for

A four-year-old trotter named Oeste, who has never started in a race, recently went an exhibition mile in 2min 9see.

At the biennial conference of tho American Trotting Association tho secretary reported that it had 673 members and stakes and purses amounting to £566,920 had been given. The gross receipts for seasons 1910 and 1911 amounted to £10,004 and disbursements to £BIO7.

The now famous brood mare Nancv Hanks, record 2mm 4seo, is the dam of Admiral Dewey 2.4!, Lord Roberts 2.7J, and Nancy M'Kerron 2.105. Rose Leyburn is the dam of ten standard performers. General IL 2.4|, the bay stallion nv- r G , e - >rge Haa S> of Oalgary, ioooA Co,umbl »» won the Charter Oak MUX) purse, and other events two years ago, won a sparkling race over the ice at Moscow, Russia, recentlv, beating among others the Orloff champion Krcp'fVr ™ B ° b R ou g la » 2 - 4 i. for a purse of 25,000 roubles.

The- three essential qualifications for a first-class trotter: Good ancestors, good oats, and a good driver R -, C V , Es , l i ill ' of Lexington,' Ky., remarked half m earnest tL' other day when talking horse at the biennial congress ( >f the National Trotting Association, that the death of Todd, 214! was a good thing for everybody save his owner. In explanation Lo said that it the great son of Bingen, 2.6J, had Jived lie would have put every other trotting eire "out of business." so far did ho outclass them. A similar remark was attributed to John E. Madden, a few years ago, when he war, reported to hare said that if Hanover had lived ho would have "broke" every breeder of -thoroughbreds in the country except the man who was lucky enough to own him. Todd and Hanover were conspicuous examples of what up-to-date students of "heredity term mutations, or mutating animals', of extraordinary potency in stamping their own characteristics on their offspring. Rysdyk's Hnmbletonian, Electioneer and George Wilkes were notable examples among old-time trotting sires, as Bingen. Axworthy, Peter the Great and M'Kinney are among sire? of to-day. No scientist or "practical " horsoman has yet discovered why it is that one stallion possesses this rare power to establish a new family, strain or breed whilo the ten thousand that are just as well bred, and as fast and as perfect of form, i'ai 1 or are only in-

different sires. It is a common sayinjg among horsemen who pa-ss as breeders that ''the family is greater, than the individual," but such horses as Todd and Hanover and the rest go to show that if the saying were reversed it would come nearer the truth. From the days of the Darley Arabian and of Messenger, the groat strides in improving the breeds of runners and trotters have been made through the influence of a few extraordinary individuals, male and female, rather than by piling up successive crosses and combinations of the blood of great families through ordinary individuals.