TURF NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8036, 7 January 1905, Page 3

TURF NOTES.

FIXTURES,

January, llth and 12th.—Pahiatua Racing Cl,ub Annual. January, lStliand 19th.—Goro Racing Club Summer.

January, 21st and 23rd.—Wellington Racing Club Summer. January, 23rd and 24th.'— Foxton Racing Club Annual.

The Wairarapa-bred mare, Lady Agnes {with filly foal by Eton) was disposed of at the Cambria Park sale, at Auckland, on Wednesday, for twenty guineas. En Garde," who was purchased for ISOOgrs by Mr Gubbins to lead Ard Patrick in his gallops, is to go to the stud in England. He is by St. Simon out of Engagement (ihe' sister to Martini - Henri), by Musket out of Sylvia, by Fisherman out of Juliet, by Touchstone, and is referred to by the special commissioner of the London sportsman as " being perhaps the best-bred horse in the world," as he combines St. Simon with all that is most suitable in the Australian blood.

R. Knox has Cureuagh very tit at present, and under ordinary circumstances the Saracen mare should pay her way.

The old Wairarapa steeplechaser, Dromedary, was destroyed at Carterton, a few days ago. Novgorod died from the effects of pleurisy at Featherston yesterday. Noneen was the unlucky horse of the Wairarapa Racing Club's meeting, running second once, third twice, and unplaced once, out of four starts.

The American jockey, Hildebrand, is credited with having received £14,000 in presents and fees during the past season.

Mr G. G. btead's Itubia died last week as the result of an attackof inflammation of the bowels.

The English cross - country horse, Manifesto, who is now close on seventeen years old, broke down recently whilst running in a steeplechase at Liverpool, and is to be retired from the turf. Manifesto won the Liverpool Grand National twice, was third three times, fourth once, fell once., and was ninth last year when Moifaa won. His racing career extended over 12 seasons, and when G. Williamson won the National on him he was presented with a cheque of J;2000, which is said to be the highest sum a jockey has ever received for winning a race under National rules.

Amongst the recent arrivals in this Colony is a well-known English jockey and trainer, W. Bainbndge, who intends to settle in Auckland, where he will take up training and riding. Mr Bainbridge, the season before last, trained sixty-three winners for Major Edwards, and he rode San Toy to victory in the Jubilee Stakes, the Brighton Cup and the Free Handicap at Newmarket. He has also trained and ridden for Captain Gordon.

At the sale of yearlings on behalf of the Cambria Park Stud Company, a brown colt by Eton—Dolly was knocked down to Mr C. F. Vallance, of Masterton, for 75 guineas.

Wairarapa horses have been nominated freely for the Pahiatua Racing Club's Annual Meeting.

The Grand Sefton Steeplechase, which is supposed to occasionally give a line as to the probable result of-the Grand National, was run at Liverpool in November, and the fact of Mr Spencer Gollan starting Seahorse 11. and Moifaa makes the result of some interest to racing men in this part of the world. Moifaa, who had top weight, 12st 71b, was preferred to Seahorse 11., list 61b, but neither horse was really in demand. Moifaa showed up in the early part of the race, but Seahorse 11. took charge a long way from home; and it was not until reaching the last fence he was headed, eventually finishing an indifferent third to Phil May and Hill of Bree. Only five finished, and of this lot Moifaa was last to get home.

Mr Stead has definitely decided to retire Cruciform to his stud farm at Grasslea. Her retirement removes from the turf one of the greatest mares that has ever sported silk in Australasia. As a yearling the daughter of St. Leger was purchased for 325 guineas, and her earnings in stakes amount to £7*218.

While running in the Ruamahunga Hack Handicap, at Tauherenikau, on Tuesday, Sagacious broke a bone in the near hind leg. She was afterwards disposed of to Mr J. Orr for £12.

The French breeder and sportsman, M. Edmond Blanc, has purchased the celebrated mare La Camargo (Childwick —Belle et Bonne) for £8000, with the intention of mating her with Flying Fox.

Great Scot has now won the Viceroy's Cup (India) twice in succession, and on each occasion he has been followed home by Australian-bred horses. Great Scot was purchased in Australia by his present owner for £2200, and the race is valued at £2500.

For the American racing season 1904, Meddler heads the list of winning sires with a grand total of 213,545d01. to the credit of his progeny. Ben Brush comes second with 153,505d01., and Ben Strome third with 106,305d01.

The death of Abercorn recalls some interesting struggles on the Australian turf in the late eighties. In 1887, Abercorn came out as a three-year-old, and it was at once seen that he was one of the best, if not the best, colt in Australia that year. Among other notable races, he won the. A.J.C. Derby, Metro' politan Stakes and St. Leger in 1887, and the Victorian Champion Stakes in 1888. In the latter year Abercorn would probably have won all the big races had he not had to meet the redoubtable New Zealander, Carbine, who was, perhaps, just a shade too speedy for him. Another good horse of 1888 was Melos, and the struggles between this trio in the great weight-for-age races will long be remembered by sporting people. The horses were so nearly even in merit that they almost ran each other closely right to the post, often breaking previous time records, but the majority of wins went to Carbine, Abercorn next, and then Melos. In each event, however, the finish was so close that the public eagerly looked forward to the next meeting of these champion equines. Abercorn died in his twenty-first year

Gladsome, after a month's spell, has returned to FJemington, and resumed work in view of the autumn racing campaign. Royal Blue has been nominated for the hurdle race on the second day of the Pahiatua Racing Club's annual meeting.

They occupied opposite ends of the sofa, and the gas was appropriately low. " Don't you wish, Fre*i," she remarked, "that we were at a big, fashionable concert ?" "At a concert ?" he returned. " Why, what do you mean, my darling ?" " Oh, well, you ..-■lk. know, the hall-keeper would come and say, 4t& 'Sit a little closer, please.'"- The hint •was duly taken.