NOTES BY MONITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue II, 14 July 1900, Page 61

NOTES BY MONITOR.

Trotting in Auckland has for some tiiue been at a very low ebb, but with the formation of a new club there seems some chance of a revival in this once popular sport. The reason of the new club, which is termed the Northern Trotting Club, being called into existence is the fact that for some, time past the general publio have been greatly dissatisfied at the exceedingly lax way in which cases of suspicious running have been attended to, and this had reached such a state that the general public practically refused to attend any more meetings at Potter’s Paddock. Mr Gentry Bingham, who represents the Auckland Electric Tramway Company, which has acquired the lease of the ground, recently notified the trotting authorities that unless the sport was placed on a sounder and purer basis no more meetings would take place on the ground. This communication had a good effect, for, at the meeting organised by Mr Kidd, there was a good attendance, and the new club started with a strong committee of management.

The Gisborne races were favoured with wretched weather for their second day’s racing, which took place on Thursday last. In the Hunters’ Flat Race, which .opened proceedings, the locally-owned Hairtrigger proved too good for the opposition, and he followed this up by annexing the Tally-ho Steeplechase. Only four went to the post in the Hapara Handicap, which event resulted in a fine tussle. between Paria and Argyle, the former eventually winning by a length* In the Second Hack Handicap Perseverance had an easy win, while the Final Handicap, which ended in a great battle being fought out up the straight, resulted in Daphne just beating Piuepinetekura by a nose. A protest was entered against the winner- on the grounds of inconsistent running-, but was not sustained.

The July meeting of the Auckland Coursing Club will be held on Saturday and Wednesday next, when the chief events to be decided will be the BraceletStakes and the Waitakerei Cup. The former has attracted a good entry, but the Cup, which carries with it a trophy presented by the judge, Mr F. \V. Coombes, has not secured the number of nominations which could have been wished. Still there is sufficient material for some very good sport, and no doubt a successful meeting will ensue. The hurdle mare Korowai was shipped to Sydney last week, but it remains to be seen how she will shape, on the other side. Judged by her running- in Auckland, the daughter of Hotchkiss is far from being in the first flight, but it may be that as the jumping cattle in N.S.W. seem to be exceptionally moderate she may earn her oats across the water.

The new Wellington Park stallion Phoebus Apollo is now on his way out from the Old Country on the s.s. Papanui. On the same ship Mr S. Gollan’s horse The Possible is being returned to New Zealand as his form in the Old Country has been so poor as to make it apparent that he was not worth persevering with. Also are coining out three young mares consigned to Mr G. G. Stead. These are Otterden (by Sheen, out of Spring Morn), Saucer (by Sorcerer, out of Angola), and Stresa (by Orvieto, out of St. Mildred). Betting on the New Zealand Cup so far has been light, the Aucklander, Record Reign, ranking as first favourite at 10 to 1 against. Locally the following wagers have been written:—2oo to 8 Skobeloff, 500 to 25 Seahorse, 700 to 35 Seahorse, 1500 to 75 St. Ilario, 1000 to 25, Autaia, 1000 to 10 Fabricator. As far as present betting indicates, the popular selections for the Caulfield Cup are Mora, Malster, Horace, Kingliße and Hautboy, while for the Melbourne Cup the most fancied are Wait-a-Bit, Geo. Frederick, Malster, Vocalist and Kinglike.

Another horse to leave Australia for the Old Country is Severity, which was recently purchased for 1500 guineas. Although not a champion Severity is undoubtedly a fine handicap horse, and if he strikes form should pay his way in his new home. Mr. Jno. Leonard’s pair of New Zealand Cup candidates, Vai Rosa and Fabricator, are undergoing their preparations at Mangere. Both horses are said to be looking well, and 1 notice a wager of 1000 to 10 was recently accepted about the latter’s chance in the big race. On the opening day of the V.R.C. Winter Meeting the chief event was the Grand National Hurdle Race, for which a field of nineteen went to the post, the favourite being- Goldfinder, who started at 5 to 1 against. The race was a good one, Arcadia and Beau Brummel leading the field for the bulk of the journey. At the last hurdle Aquarius got past on the inside, and won all out by half a length, with Rackstraw’ and the favourite in the other places. The winner is an aged gelding by Niagara, out of Rosary, and belongs to Mr. A. McKenzie. He carried the minimum weight of list, and started at the remunerative odds of 33 to 1 against. Very good accounts have come to hand recently regarding Nobility, one of the three-year-old division engaged in the New Zealand Cup. This colt is the property of Mr. E. .1. Watts, of Napier, and is by St. Leger, from Lady Emily. Already there lias been a lot of money written about his chance in the big two-mile event, and as the stable have plenty of good trying tackle, perhaps it will not do to overlook Nobility’s chance too lightly, although personally I would like public form •shown over a distance before backing him in preference to some of the other three-year-olds engaged. The result of the Princess of Wales’ Stakes, one of the rich 10,000 sovereign races run at Newmarket, is to hand. This was expected locally to have been a certainty for the Prince’s colt Diamond Jubilee, but he proved unequal to giving 151bs to Mr. 11. Chaplin’s three-year-old bay filly Merry Gal, by Galopin-Mary Seaton, who beat the Derby winner home in a good finish. Third place was filled by Lord William Beresford’s Caiman. The Winter Cup, which event is run on the first day of the Grand National meeting, has a big field entered, including eight New Zealand Cup candidates, viz.: Record Reign, Huku, Djin-Djin, Ideal, Conqueror, Scottish Minstrel, Ben Farley and Strathnairn. Mr. W. C. Hird, well known in trotting circles, left for the South last week, taking Victory and Billy Wilson with him, who claim engagements at the Canterbury Trotting Club's meeting held next month. The local-owned horses, Record Reign and Chevalier, were shipped South during the week. The latter is engaged at the Wellington meeting, while Record Reign’s first run in public will be ?.ix the Wintex- Cup at Riccarton next month. The gelding Straybird was in great form at the Gisborne meeting last week, no less than four of the jumping events on the card falling to the son of The Wanderer’s lot. By the small amount of the dividends there can bo little doubt that his quartette of victories was fully anticipated by th* horse’s connections. Major George’s chestnut colt Seahorse is being apportioned plenty of, good, sound work at Ellerslie and moves in a very taking style. The son of Nelson should l>e cherry ripe by the New Zealand Cup time, in which event it will take a real good horse to bring about his defeat. Hl has however not leaked out whethet the major intends sending the colt over to Australia again to try his luck at Flemington in the Melbourne Cup. Mr Stead’s champion colt Screw Gun, who goes to the Old Country shortly, leaves New Zealand’s shores with a splendid record opposite his name. Up to the present the son of Hotchkiss has started in twelve races, having caught the judge's eye first, on nine occasions, twice he ran inot second position, while in the other he filled third place. Truly a great performance, and it is to be hoped he

will do as well, or better, for his new owner, Sir Edgar Vineent.

A horse that will probably be heard of as the dale for deciding the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups draws nigh is Gauleon, a full brother to The Grafter and Gaulus. Many admirers of this horse are of opinion that he has never yet shown anything like his true form, and as the family are stayers of the first order this son of Gozo should prove very dangerous in the big spring handicaps. A big wager is reported to have been taken about Mr .J. Crozier's pair Belcniite and Gunja Djin for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. The two have been coupled to win a. stake of £40,000. The jumper Dingo was a passenger io Wellington in the s.s. Te Anau on Saturday last. Coleman has the son of Sou’-Wester very well at present, and it is quite on the cards that he will having something to say in the settlement of the Wellington Steeplechase next week. The Friar is reported to be in great heart at present, and there are quite a number who fancy his chance in the Wellington Steeplechase. The little son of Iliko certainly shaped will in the race which he won at Ellerslie last month, and as the Wellington course is well known to him, it is quite possible he will render a good account of himself. Admiral Hawke came up a strong tip on both days of the recent Gisborne meeting, but he quite failed to run up to expectations. There is no doubt the gelding was well looked after by the handicapper, for on the first day he was awarded 12st, while in the Final Handicap he had the burden of list 111 b to carry. During the week Hengist was supported to win the New’ Zealand Cup, one wager of 1,000 to 35 having beer, written about his chance. As the cold is engaged in the Melbourne. Cup with exactly the same impost (list. 131 b.). it is hard to say at present what bis mission •will be, but by the size of the wager booked it. looks as though the horse was to be kept here, although it was reported recently that he would journey across the water to join the Hon. Mossman’s team, which left Auckland some little while back. Mr R. S. Seiver. who is a plunger of the first magnitude, has been making a great stir in turf circles this season in the Old Country. The ex-Australian, it will be remembered, was reported to have made a great haul over The Grafter’s win in the City and Suburban, and now comes word that ho has been spending it freely at theyearling sale at Newmarket, when th« youngsters bred by the late Duke of Westminster were offered. For a filly by Persimmon from Ornament Mr Seiver gave no less than 10.000 guineas, while two others fell to the same bidder for 5000 guineas and 5500 guineas respectively. The weights for the N.Z. Cup were posted to Mr Wanklyn, secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club, before the weights for the Melbourne Cup were cabled to New Zealand It is interesting to note the difference in the estimates of Messrs Dakin and Henry s in dealing with the New Zealand horses engaged in both events. The table hereunder speaks for itse'lf:

GISBORNE RACES. At the Gisborne races on the first day, Cronje won the Hunters’ Steeplechase. Mercury being second, and Peter Osbeck third. Ngarlki and The Gryphon also ran. Dividend. £25 12/. Argyle won the Winter Oats Handicap, Pinepinetekura second, and Admiral Hawke third. Dividend. £5 10/. On the second day the two concluding races resulted Tally-ho Steeplechase —Hairtrigger 1. The Gryphon 2 Peter Osbeck 3. Mercury also started. Dividend. £3 4/. The Final Handicap tell to Daphne Pinepinetekura second, and Admiral Hawke third. Canopus also started. Dividend, £5 14/.

THE PRINCE’S SECOND DERBY. DIAMOND JLBILEE FI’LFILS EXPECTATIONS. A GOOD RACE. (From Our Special Correspondent.) A biting north-east wind—such ns we have been too familiar with this spring—kept thousands away from Epsom on Wednesday, and obliged those who went to snuggle into warm overcoats and travel down by rail. Of* course, everybody was In a bad temper, and Dick explained to Harry and Tom to Bob that the Prince’s colt couldn’t possibly win. Nevertheless it appeared everybody was going to back it. At first covering money from France made Forfarshire favourite, but Diamond Jubilee quickly displaced him again, and finally Mr It. 8. Sievier accepting a nice bet of £12.000 to £BOOO created the starting price. The cold wind notwithstanding, the (to mo) familiar scene on the Downs looked much as usual, save that the crowd was neither so dense nor the enthusiasm so frantic as when the winner’s elder brother won H.It.H. his first blue riband. DERBY STAKES of TOOOsovs. For three-year-olds. About 1$ mile. 11.R.H. the Prince of Wales’ b c Diamond Jubilee, by St. Simon—Perdita 11. (11. Jones) 1 Duke of Portland s b or hr c Simon Dale, by St. Simon —Ismay (M. Cannon) .... 2 Mr Jas. R. Keene’s b c Disguise 11., by Domino —Bonnie Gal (J. T. Sloan) .... 3 Sir E. Cassel’s Bonarosa (L. Reiff) 4 Also started:—Mr A. Steadall’s Most Excellent (K. Cannon); Mr J. Masker’s Chevening (Madden); Eord Rosebery’s Sailor Lad (<’. Wood); Mr T. R. Dewar’s Forfarshire (S. Loates); Mr E. Blanc’s Governor 11. (T. French); Mr A. Stednll’s First Principal ( Rickaby); Lord Win. Beresford’s Democrat (Weldon); Lord Cadogan’s Sidus (T. Loates): H.R.H. the Prince of Wales’ Frontignan (R. Jones); Mr W. T. Jones’ Dewi Sant (E. Jones). (Winner trained by R. Marsh, Newmarket.) Betting at the start: G to 4 against Diamond Jubilee. THE RACE. The favourite was much liked in th(* paddock, and from 2 to 1 rapidly hardened to G to 4. On the other hand, Forfarshire, a handsome chestnut with a white blaze on his face, did not meet with approval. His starting price is returned 100 to 30, but this was offered rather than taken. I could have got plenty of fours. None of the others had many followers save Disguise and Bonarosa, the latter being a strong place investment. Mr Coventry hadn’t much trouble with the 14 at the post, as only one break-away occurred before pent-up excitement announced the fall of the flag 14 minutes later. As the field streamed up the hill past Sherwoods, Dewi Saul, hard ridden, was showing the way to Cheveuing, Forfarshire, Bonarosa, and Sidus, while Diamond Jubilee, who had been cannoned against, hail to make up some ground. He quickly did so, however, and at the mile post,where Dewi Sant gave way beaten, Cheveuing showed in front, Forfarshire taking second place, with Diamond Jubilee third, and directly they began to come down the hill Forfarshire began to “pitch” and yielded second place to the favourite, while the French horse went on fourth in front of Bonarosa and Disguise IL. with Simon Dale next, and thus early the race was reduced to small dimensions. Rounding Tattenham Corner, Forfarshire was well beaten, and coming round on the outside Disguise 11., who cut across the rails at the road, hampered Chevening and Diamond Jubilee. Chevening did not last much longer, and the shout of that good judge. Mr Leopold de Rothschild, “Diamond Jubilee wins!” was prophetic, as a quarter of a mile from home the favourite cleared Disguise 11. on the rails and Simon Dale on the outside. The American was the first beaten, and at the distance Morny made his effort on the Duke of Port land’s colt, but Jones had Diamond Jubilee nicely in hand, and in answer to a thunderous roar the handsome bay kept the reins light in his jockey’s hands, and long before he sailed past the post half a length in front the sky was black with hats and the welkin rent with cheering. His time, Snihi 42scc. was exactly the same as his brother. Persimmon's, four years ago—a somewhat singular coincidence, both being records In the Derby. On tin- Turf 1900 will always bp known «s the Prince’s year, for he has already won four of the great events of the season, three* of them with yesterday's winner. They are:— March 2(4—Grand National, Ambush 11£1975 0 0 May 2—Two Thousand Guineas, Diamond Jubilee 4700 0 0 May 10 —Newmarket Stakes, Diamond Jubilee 3425 10 0 May 30—Derby, Diamond Jubilee 7000 0 0 No big winners are announced. The Prince’s set landed a thousand or two apiece. Mr L. <!<• Rothschild being perhaps the biggest bettor. R. S. Sievier is said to have another £15.0(10 to the good, but where these stories Concern professional backers I receive them with reserve. Mr R. S. >’:ev?or had little difficulty in winning the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom on Tue-day with his lo.ouo-guinea purchase Toddhigton (by Melton- Minora), who with odds of 11 to 4 laid on him (nu<l plenty of money down) literally walked away from Mr Gubbins' Revenue and four others. Mr Sievier also landed a soiling plate, the Ashstead Stakes. with Crarae, 3yrs, 8.7, and again gave the Ring “snuff,” Al first SievJer's colt was a 5 to 4 chance, but the heavy support awarded Sloan’s mount, Orris Root, eased matters, and the stable placed a large commission at 7 to 4. In the Epsom Plate the Australian horse Oban was favourite in a field of nine, but could get no nearer than third to Mr Rothschild's Racripant.

M, lb. Cup. N.Z. Cup. Difference. st lb st lb lb Advance 9 5 9 9 4 more Seahorse 9 0 9 5 5 more Malatua S 8 8 9 1 more Tortulla S ‘2 8 4 2 more Military 7 3 7 4 1 more Hengisit . 6 13 6 13 none