NOTES BY MONITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue VI, 5 August 1899, Page 197

NOTES BY MONITOR.

Sportsmen will regret to learn of the death of Percy White, the wellknown horseman, w’hieh occurred last Wednesday. A throat complaint had troubled White for some time, and last month he came to Auckland en route to Sydney, but was too ill to complete the trip. He went to the Auckland Hospital for two or three weeks, afterwards returning to Napier, where a week later he died. White was well-known on the New Zealand turf, and among other notable successes may be mentioned victories on Waiuku in the New Zealand Cup of 97, and Coronet in the Summer Cup of ’99. The deceased jockey was a native of Auckland, and leaves a wife behind who resides at Hastings.

The returned delegates to the Racing Conference report, that Wellington was terribly crowded during the recent week, and the accommodation for which fancy prices were asked was taxed to the utmost extent, in fact in some cases the bathrooms were utilised as bedrooms for two or more occupants. The arrangements at the racecourse were a long way behind those existing at Ellerslie, this being especially noticeable with the totalisator, from which it appeared that money was shut out on every race.

It seems doubtful that the Aucklander Nor’-west will be sent South to fulfil his engagements at the New Zea- * land Grand National Meeting. If so it will be a blow to the many admirers of the chances of the Sou-’wester gelding. Another about which a similar doubt exists is Dummy, who is stated to be suffering from a throat ailment.

It was reported last week that the jumper Shylock had ehanged hands for £l5O in Wellington, but there seems however to be some doubt about the sale. The price asked was £2OO, and a deposit of £lO was lodged, but was not covered. The little geldin" returned home last Saturday.

Word comes from Christchurch that Defiance is a strong fancy there at present for the G.N. Hurdle race. Napier people also are very sweet on his chance.

Although Sloan has introduced into England a novel method of riding, it would seem that he is not to have the field all to himself in this respect, as another American named Malerba, who hatfls from south of the Isthmus, promises to rivel his northern confrere in the matter of novelty. Malerba recently had the mount on La Uruguay a, which he rode without either saddle or stirrips in the Craven Stakes at the recent Epsom (England) meet-

ing. Summing up his performance a writer states that as a consequence Malerba’s mount swung out at the home turn, while when it came to a finish the South American rider was of no assistance to the filly, who did well to get second place under the circumstances.

Latest English files record the death of the great English sire Galopin, at the advanced age of 27. As long ago as 1875 he captured the English Derby and although unsuccessful in the St. Leger, he afterwards defeated the winner Craig Millar, besides winning a great match against the mighty Lowlander. The progeny of Galopin have between them won the colloss.nl sum of £246,104, but this is easily accounted for when it is remembered that among his descendants figure the names of such great horses as St. Simon, Donovan, Gilliard, Disraeli, Galletta and Corrie Roy. Probably the best of these was the unbeaten St. Simon, which many consider to be the “horse of the century," and which has proved such a marvellous success at the stud. Last season the defunct horse headed the winning stallion list with £21,698, while his sons St. Simon and Donovan were fifth and sixth respectively.

I notice by a recent cable that the English newspaper “Truth” states, that the starting machine has proved a complete and ignominious failure in America. In the absence of any confirmation of the statement contained in Mr Labouchere’s organ, I take leave to greatly doubt it. In any case it is hard to conceive of any method of starting which would prove a greater failure than was—say in the ease of the last English Derby. This is probably only another instance of the rabid hostility shown towards the starting gate by many of the English papers.

The stallion Eros by St. GeorgeIdalia, was sold last week at Hunter and Nolan’s yard to Mr Jos. Carrie, of Devonport. who gave 20 guineas for Sir Modred’s brother.

The newspaper “Truth” states that machine starting of races has proved a complete and ignominious failure in America.

Morag followed up his win at the Wellington Meeting by carrying off the Open Steeplechase at Napier last week. He carried list 21bs, and was seen home by Carnival (lost 21b) and Ruby (list 71b), Waterstone (lOst 61b). Won the Open Flat race from Will o' the Wisp and Pinafore. Both the Hunters’ Hurdles and Hunters’ Final Steeplechase fell to K. Jams Carnival taking the Hunt Club Cup. The Phantom the Bracelet, and Evening Wonder the Flat Bace.

Mrs Langtry, who prefers to race under the title of Mr Jersey, hits had a good deal of bad luck in connection with her horses of late, but judged by recent cable it would seem that this has changed, for I notice that the chestnut horse Merman by Grand Flaneur—Seaweed, which this ardent sportswoman bought some time since from Australia, proved quite the hero at the recent Goodwood Meeting. The speedy chestnut won the Goodwood Cup of 800 sovereigns over 2.) miles, and this victory he followed up by annexing the Goodwood Plate of 700 sovereigns over 2} miles. In the first event there were but three starters. King’s Mssenger finishing in second position, while another Australian in Newhaven II whipped in. In the Plate, Merman was seen home by Miteham and Merry Buck, but the first named was not able to get nearer than three lengths to the son of Grand Flaneur.

A horse to be struck out of all engagements at the coming C.J.C. Grand National Meeting is Splinter, which will come as a shock to ills early backers.

It will be bad news to many to read that the ex-Australian horse Newhaven 11. has broken down. He competed last, week in the Goodwood Cup, in which fie finished third, but injured

the suspensory ligament of one of his legs, and it seems doubtful if he will be able to race again. This is hard luck for Mr Cooper, for, according to English writers, the son of Newminster was in splendid form aud was looked upon as the finest handicap horse in England. Up to June sth Newhaven had won £2980 in stakes for the season.

The A ictoria Racing Club had a very prosperous season judging by the bal-ance-sheet just issued. The Spring Meeting showed a profit of over £ll,OOO, but £2350 was lost over the Autumn Meeting, so that the Club is £9OOO to the good on the year's transaction. The total amount of stakes paid away during the season was £ 37,650.

Mr E. J. Dalton's new purchases—the pony Fair Nell and the two-vear-old Ferret, by Oberon—Weasel—are to be sent across to their new owner’s quarters in Sydney by the s.s. Westralia on the 21st inst.

Among the list of acceptors for the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase, which is to be run on the 12th inst., figures the name of the Auckland-bred Ditto, which has 12.4 to carry in the race in question.

Mr S. H. Gollan is now on his way out from England, which he left on June 24th in the s.s. Papanui, to Christchurch, where it is his intention to witness the Grand National Meeting.

The Austrian Government is said to have made a handsome offer to Mrs Langtry for the Trenton horse Aurum, but so far there has been no deal.

Lancaster, by Hotchkiss—Frailty, a much thought of candidate for the V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup, was made favourite for a two-year-old race at Caulfield on Saturday, but so far from winning he was one of the last three to get home.

Royal Rose, once the property of Colonel Fraser, of Auckland, but which for some time has been racing in Sydney, was recently shipped to India.

The Auckland-bred Cravat is highly thought of by turf watchers for the Metropolitan Handicap. He is striding along in great heart in his work, generally defeating his fellow-worker, Cocos.

In a letter to a Melbourne friend, J. E. Brewer stated that all his horses had been suffering from influenza.

Dummy is the biggest stake-winner among the jumping division this season. Another Taranaki-owned one, Muscatel, was the best jumping winner during the previous twelve months.