NOTES BY MONITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue VI, 11 August 1900, Page 246

NOTES BY MONITOR.

Word conies from Christchurch that Thorpe's team, Cavalerio and Record Reign,are putting in some solid work, and the pair so fur have done all they have been called on to accomplish in a very satisfactory manner. Both jumpers are greatly admired by the Southern people, and it is considered by many that the young Ellerslie trainer holds the key to the G.N. Hurdle Race, which comes up for decision next week.

Old Morag has again been accorded strong support this year for the big Steeplechase run at Ricearton on Tuesday next. This equine, who belongs to the Hon. Mr Ormond, has proved a very consistent but unlucky horse in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase. In 1897 he finished third to Levanter and Mutiny, the following year he occupied a similar position behind Dummy and Rhino, while in last year's race be slightly improved on this by running second to Blackberry. It remains to be seen if he will go one better this year. At the annual general meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, held last week, Dr. ( onnolly moved “ That the position of judge be a paid one, and in the event of this being carried that the by-laws be altered accordingly.” This was seconded by Mr Hatrick, and carried by 24 to 1. An English cablegram received recently announced the death of the well-known A ietorian bookmaker, Mr Alfred Josephs. That well known and capable horseman. Percy Johnson, will steer Cavalerio in the Grand National Hurdles and The Friar in the Steeplechase. The juniper Kanaka left for Christchurch on Monday last. The black son of The Australian looks well to the eye. having improved considerably since being located at the Lake under Ross’ care. All going well with Kanaka. he may pick up a race at the meeting, but I scarcely' think he has undergone a sufficient preparation to score in the big steeplechase, although I hear his owner is said to have stated that he is only afraid of the topweight in the race beating his gelding. The well known cross-country rider, Frank Burns, went down in charge of Kanaka, and the plucky little horseman will steel* him in his engagements. Mr S. H. Gollnn’s horse The Possible. who returned to New* Zealand recently in the s.s. Papanui, is now located at his old quarters at Napier. It is stated that another of Mr Gollan’s horses is to be shipped back again shortly,this beingWaiuku, whom the English racing authorities have refused admission to the Stud Book, therefore he is of no use ns a sire in the Old Country. A horse that lias improved considerably of late at Ellerslie is Mr Sy. Coombcs’ chestnut gelding Brilliant. The son of St. T.eger and Friendship wore a jaded and overworked appearance last season, but he has since filled out all over, and is now doing well at headquarters. The gelding has shown us on one or two occasions that he can muster np pace, and it may be that he will win a good race for the well known Queen-street bonifaan.

At the Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting, held on Saturday last, the Caulfield Grand National Hurdle Race was decided. The winner turned up in Mr J. J. David's chestnut Redeemer, an aged gelding by Lord Wilton from Grey Lady, who defeated Mr J. Cripps' Beau Brummel by a length and a half. Delusion, who finished in third place, looked all over a winner until the last fence was reached, when Redeemer came with a fast run and settled the opposition. The winner started at 10 to 1 against, and was ridden by Skirving. The time given for the journey, which is three and a half miles, was 7min sJsec, and is somewhat slower than it took Chrysolite to. win the same event last year. A point which Mr. Nathan, who presided at the annual meeting of the A.R.C., emphasised was the fact that at present several gentlemen acted as stewards at Ellerslie and also in a similar capacity for the suburban clubs. Mr. Nathan was of opinion that this practice should be strongly discouraged, as many points cropped up at the suburban meetings which were referred to the senior clubs to adjudicate upon. In his opinion, it was impossible for stewards acting in a dual capacity to give an unbiassed opinion on such events. Mr. Nathan also thought that all stewards should refrain from betting, so that when any question of in and out running was dealt with they would be able to thoroughly- sift matters in an impartial spirit. At the Goodwood meeting (Eng.) held last week, Mr J. A. Drake’s chestnut horse Royal Flush was first home in the Stewards’ Cup, which is run over a six furlong course. The American bred horse Americus, who is owned by Mr Richaid Croker, ran second, while the other place was filled by the ex-Australian horse The Grafter. The winner was a good performer last year, for he won no fewer than four races in eight starts, the best two being the Salford Borough Handicap, of 816SOVS. one mile, and the Cumberland Plate, of 422sovs, one mile and a quarter. All the retiring members of the A.R.C. Committee were re-elected on Monday last unopposed. Last year's transactions were of such a satisfactory nature that the result was a fitting reward to the gentlemen in question, who have worked so hard to achieve the good result attained. Plain Bill and Record Reign are still in strong demand for the Grand National Meeting, and 12 to 1 has been accepted freely about the combination, while Dundee and Record Reign have been backed at 16 to 1. The Auckjjander Kowhai was coupled with the ’ Castor horse at 200 to 1. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, which was held on Monday last, the balance-sheet presented to members showed a very healthy state of affairs, the profits for the season standing at the respectable figure of £3.690 2/9, after the sum of £1,142 14/3 had been written off for depreciation of plant, etc. I notice that the Wanganui Jockey (lub, by an overwhelming majority-, decided the other day to appoint a paid judge to act at all future meetings. It is understood that the Auckland Racing Club intends acting in a similar manner, and it is probable that the question will be decided at the next meeting' of the committee. Should this be done it is greatly to be hoped that the Avondale JockeyClub and the Takapuna Jockey Club will follow in line, and indeed all the larger country clubs might take a leaf out of the same book. On Saturday next the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase comes up for decision. The ex-Auekl:' er Crusado figures among the list of starters, and the. black gelding is son>. what fancied on the other side. It will be remembered that in last year's event the top weight Domino proved sui cessful, romping home eight lengths in front of his field with the. crushing load of 13st. 51bs. on his back. Last Wednesday was the equines’ birthday, nil horses having an extrn year tacked on to their age. The first foal of the season made its appearance •t Wellington Park, when Mr Morrin’s

brood mare Gann produced a filly to Hotchkiss. This cut matters very fine, for had the youngster seen the light a day earlier she would have ranked as a yearling, although only a few hours old.

In his opening speech Mr. Nathan advocated altering the date of the Auckland Cup to the second day- of the Summer Meeting, and placing on the programme of the first day instead a weight-for-age race over a mile and a quarter. He was also of opinion that “The Oaks” should be added to the list of fixtures on the concluding day, while the Derby should take place on the opening- day. The southern jumper Dundee is considered by many to possess a big chance of annexing one of the plums at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting next week. Mr Livingstone’s baygelding has undoubtedly- a nice handy impost opposite his name, having been awarded lOst 51b in the Steeplechase a id 71bs extra in the Hurdles. Dundee has already won several hurdle races in good company carrying far heavier imposts, for it was only in March last that he won the Halswell Handicap Hurdles by ten lengths on the first day of the Canterbury meeting, while he followed this up by- carrying the crusher of 12st 131 b to victory in the Belfast Hurdles, run on the concluding day. So far Dundee has not been raced over country in public, but I am told he takes the big obstacles in good style, in which case he must not be left out of the big race at Ricearton on Tuesday next.

Over the Summer Meeting a profit of £3,104 5/8 was made; at the Winter Meeting there was £324 9/1 to the good. The Autumn fixture showed a credit of £687 18/9, and the Spring carnival disclosed a satisfactory balance of £7OO 2/5 on the right side. During the week the cable gave us the result of the Goodwood Cup, which fell to Mr Douglas Baird’s four-year-old bay horse Magazan, by Martagon, from Maize. Second position was filled by- Mr J. W. Lnrnach’s three-year-old brown colt Strongbow. by- Morion from L Fleehe. while Lord Wm. Beresford’s bay gelding The Jolly Tar filled third place. The race is run over a 2J miles course, and besides a cup is worth 2O(I0sovs. It will be remembered the ex-Australian horse Merman was first past the post in this event last year. Betting on the New Zealand Cup has not been causing very much interest during the week, backers having their attention taken up with trying to solve the jumping double at Christchurch. Quotations for the two-mile race remain much the same as previously quoted, Malatua is still at 8 to 1, while 10 to 1 is on offer about Record Reign. 12 to 1 Tortulla, 14 to 1 Seahorse, 16 to 1 Fulmen, St. Ilario, and Miss Delaval. ® ® ® CHRISTHVRCH GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. On Tuesday next the Canterbury Jockey Club will make a commencement with its three days’ Winter Meeting. The fixture is alway-s a popular one, consisting, as it does, of so many jumping events, which have attracted competitors from all over New Zealand, the North Island, as generallyis the case, being strongly represented. There are eight items to be decided on each of the days. The two principal events to be run on the first day are the N.Z. Grand National Steeplechase of 65050v5., and the Winter Cup, of 300SOVS. For the firstnamed event there should be a field of at least a dozen runners sent to the post, including some of the best cross-country material New Zealand can produce. That good horse Plain Bill figures at the top of the card with 12.8, and, despite this heavy burden, it will require a good horse to defeat Flintlock’s son, for it is stated he will strip a much fitter horse than when he ran at Wellington last month, in which case he should show the way home to the field, while of the others who may make a bold bid for" victory arc the Hawke’s Bay representative Roller, and the Southern-owned Dundee, and I will place them in the order

written. For the Winter Cup there is a large field entered, no less than 23 liorsea being down to compete in the mile race, including several New Zealand Cup candidates. The Auckland-owne® Record Reign stands at the head of the poll with the crusher of 12.9 opposite his name, and, despite this weight, should his owners decide on starting the big Castor horse, he is sure to make a bold showing, although it seems doubtful if they will run the risk of winning, for it means that, in such an event, the horse will have to put up a 51b penalty in the New Zealand Cup. Of the others, Ruamahunga and Crusoe each read to have a winning chance. The fields entered to compete in the minor events are not large, but still —should all the horses fulfil their en-gagements—there-will be plent yof material to provide some real good racing. In the Hunters’ Hurdles Hairtrigger should play a prominent part, providing he is in the same form as he was at Gisborne last month, while of the others Mr Wilfred Stead’s hunter, Crash, is well spoken of. The Maiden Hurdles has among the field Record Reign, with an impost of 12.12, and should his owner decide on giving him a run he should be quite able of settling the opposition, of which I take Coeur de Lion and Dr. Bill to be the ones that may make a race home with the Castor gelding. In the Enfield Steeplechase, which event is run over a two-mile course, I like Straybird’s chance, while of the others lower down the card the Wellington representative Pipi catches the eye as one that may trouble the Aucklander. The two concluding days of the meeting will be held on Thursday (16th) and Saturday- (18th), so I will be able to deal with them in next issue. The following are the acceptances:—

FIRST DAY. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE ot 650sovs. Three miles ami a-half.

® ® ® NEW ZEALAND CUP ACCEPTANCES. On Friday last the first acceptance fell due for the New Zealand Cup, and, indeed, from the long list of acceptors, owners must be well satisfied with the weights allotted their respective equines by the handicapper, Mr Henrys. With Advance out of the way, Messrs Nathan’s fine horse Explosion holds pride of place with 9.7 opposite his name. The big black is being apportioned a good sound preparation at Ellerslie, and it is to be hoped he will stand training and remain sound for the long race in the spring. Seahorse is another who is putting in some solid work, but so far his owner's intentions are not known publicly as to whether Nelson's son will be sent across the water to compete in the Melbourne Cup, but should Major George decide on starting him for the New Zealand race the chestnut is sure to have a large following on the day. Record Reign is a strong Jancy among many good judges, but his prospects will he better summed up after the G.N. Meeting next week. At the present time Mr Dan O'Brien’s horse Malatua is the fancied one, and is quoted at 8 to 1. The same owner has another string to his bow in the three-year-old colt Military, but, by the way the money- has been staked on the older horse,.it would appear as

thoug-li be was to be the representative. .Is aril.three of my early fauey —Seahorse, Malatua and Nobility—still remain in, and us they are all doing well, 1 see no reason to alter my first verdict. Taken as a whole, the acceptances are distinctly good, as at the present stage no less than 36 horses still remain in, which points to there being a very big field for the Cup this year. The following are the acceptances: — THE NEW ZEALAND CLP of ISOOsors; second horse to receive 200sovs, and third horse lOOsovs from the stake. Two miles. Run Saturday, November 3.

Pla'ii Bill .... st lb. 12 8 Dundee .... .. 10 5 Black Dust .. 11 6 Gillie ...10 0 Blackberry .... 11 4 The Friar . Koller 11 3 Tataramoa . ... 9 s Morag 11 2 Stray bird ... ... 9 8 Kauri Gum .. 10 9 Tally-ho ... ... 9 7 Kanaka 10 7 Apremete ... ... 9 7 Dr. Bill 10 0 Jack ... 9 The Guard .... 10 6 Kowhai ... 9 7 Kai mate 10 4 WINTER CUP of 300sovs. One mile. st lb. st lb. Record Reign. 12 9 Huku 13 Lancelot.. 11 9 Female Fran- ,. 11 8 chise ... 9 1 Conqueror .... 11 2 Spinner .... ... 9 10 Ruamahunga. 10 11 Bristol .... ... 9 10 Bush Rose .... 10 9 Cameo ... 9 10 Nihilist 10 8 Phryne ... 9 8 First Blood.... 10 5 Susannah .. ... 9 7 Ideal 10 5 The Miner . 0 Stratbnairn 10 4 Sp'der ... 9 0 Sundial 10 0 Lapidary ... ... 9 0 Lasting 10 0 Proposal .... ... 9 0 •SECOND DAY. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE of 500sovs. Two miles. st lb. st : lb. Cavaliero (late Torpina .. 10 11 Cavalier) .... 12 8 Htmrlri .... ... 10 Record Reign. 12 Light ... 10 r: Plain Bill .... 12 0 Kai ma to ... ... 10 3 Ilex 11 8 Coeur de L ! on 10 0 Roller 11 2 Dr. Bill ... ... 9 10 Marina 10 13 Paria ... 9 o Dundee 10 12 Halcyon ... .... 9 0

st lb 9 7 Major F. N. George’s Seahorse, 4yrs.. 9 5 Mr J. E. Thorpe’s Record Reign, Gyrs 8 11 Mr D. O Brien s Malatua, 5yr.s 8 p Mi- 1». Gordon’s Tortulla, 5 yrs 8 4 Hon. .1 1. I). Ormond’s Jabber, 5yrs.... 7 13 Mr J. Boreland s Fulmen, Gyrs 7 13 Mr M. Hobbs’ Dundas, ovrs 7 11 Mr <L G. Steads Sant Ilario, 4vrs.... 7 12 Mr Da n McLeod s .Miss Delaval, 4vrs 7 12 Mr E. Cutts Djln-DJIn, 5yrs 7 8 Mr J. < . N. Griggs Conqueror, 5vrs.. 7 7 Hon. J . I>. Ormonds Ideal, oyrs ... Mr G. I’. Donnelly's Antnia, 4vrs r~ Mr J». O Brien s Military, 3yrs 7 4 Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan's Beddington. 3vrs 7 o Hon. J . D. Ormond's Paphos, dvrs .... Mr G. G. Stead s Skobeloff. 4vrs . rr Mr J. Watts Nobility, 3vrs 0 Mr Eovett s Hohoro. 4yrs *7 0 Mr 'I. Sheenan s Ben Farley, oyrs . — Mr V. Harris’ Strathnairn, Gvrs ... 13 Major F. N. George's Labourer. 4vrs 13 Hon. H .Mosman’s Hengist. 3vrs G 13 Mr S. H. Gollan’s Robert McCarthy, Mr J. II. Harding's Materoa, 4yrs. 12 Mr C. P. Mnrray-Aynsley's Huku.byrs G 11 Hon. J . D. Ormond’s Apollo. Bvrs ... 6 11 Hon. H. Mosman’s Formula, 3vrs G 10 Sir <4co. Cliffords Scottish Minstrel, Sir Geo. Clifford's Glenaia’da'ie. 3vrs 6 Mr G. 1. Donnellys Kahuwai, 3yrs .. 7 Mr G. Absoluin s Fabricator, dvr's (j Mr G. G. Stead s Field Rose, 3vrs . Mr G. G. Stead's La Notte, 3yrs .... G Mr J. Cress’ Volley, tiyrs 7 (Tlie ages are given at time of runnir »g. )