NOTES BY MONITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XI, 15 September 1900, Page 486

NOTES BY MONITOR.

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING. The racing season will be commenced next Saturday in the Auckland district, when the Avondale Jockey Club lead off with their spring meeting. The acceptances have been very numerous for all events, and the racing promises to be of a most interesting nature. The course is looking wonderfully fresh and green, and the tracks are in capital order, so that if the weather only proves fine the attendance of the public should be a record one for the popular suburban course. Mr IT. H. Hayr has been working very hard getting everything in good order for the coming fixture, and all details have been well attended to. The entrance to the ground, •which was formerly a very dangerous one, has been altered, and there are now separate entrances for vehicles and pedestrians. The chief item on the opening day is the Avondale Cup of 300 sovereigns, run over a mile and a quarter. In this thirteen yet remain, with the veteran St. Paul at the head of affairs with 9.12 against,his name. The son of St. Leger is reported to be in great ■heart, and as it will be remembered that he has won this event on three previous occasions, he must be labelled very dangerous. Bluejacket is also doing good work, and at a stone less may trouble the top weight. Coronet with 8.10 I have no great fancy for, but Miss Delaval with 21bs less should run prominently. 1 have a great fancy for the Messrs Nathan’s representative Rosella, who has successfully undergone a thorough preparation, and with 8.5 to carry should prove particularly hard to beat, I have no fancy for Ilohoro, but Honesty if started is left with a capital chance. Of the other six perhaps Zealous reads with the likeliest prospect, but to sum up I will take Rosella, St. Paul, and Bluejacket to fill the places. Next to the Cup in importance is the Avondale Stakes, and this event will serve to introduce to the public the two-year-olds of the season. There are 21 of these listed to compete, including some beautifully bred youngsters. As it will be their first appearance it is of course impossible to forecast a result, but judging by the good work he has done on the training track I am inclined to support the chances of Seahorse’s full brother Rattler, while of the others Jewellery and Chantilly should run prominently. For the Flying Handicap a good field is engaged, of which St. Peter, Firefly, and Vai Rosa may prove the most formidable.

In the i’ony Handicap Blue Paul strikes me as possessing a capital chance, while in the First Hack Handicap Golden Rose will probably catch the ind-’-

The First Hurdles should be productive of a good race, and I expectto see Drum Major, Cannongate, and Tim in the van at the finish. In the Handicap Steeplechase Straybird or Dingo may do the trick, while in the Maiden Plate I incline to the chances of Swiftfoot or Perseverance. The privileges for the meeting were sold at auction last Friday, Mr Drake purchasing the gates for £175, which is considerably less than last year; the cards realised £96, the refreshment booths £3 10/, and the stabling £l. The booths were disposed of privately. The following are the acceptances: — AVONDALE CUP of 300sovs. One mile and a quarter.

Flying Handicap, six furlongs.—Firefly 8.12. St. Elmo 8.8. St. Peter 8.7. Hastings 8.5, Formula 8.5. Winsome 8.5. Kettledrum 8.3. Vai Rosa 8.2, Cuirasette 7.12, Labourer 7.12. Miss Blair 7.10, Swiftfoot 7.6, Knight of Athol 7.5, Rosiphele 7.4, Blaircarrig 7.4, Porangi Patoe 7.4, Toroa 7.4, Brilliant 6.10, Volee 6.7. First Pony Handicap, six furlongs.— Slave 9.8, Blue Paul 9.3, Lena 9.2, Lady Avon 8.7, Pipiwharauroa 8.4, Clansman 7.11, Brookland 7.10, Nora 7.10. Mara. 7.9, Trooper 7.8, Wee Tottie 7.7, First Whisper 7.7. Mamoa 7.5, Myrene 7.0, My Lord 6.11, Rapit 6.10, Motukorea 6.7. First Hack Handicap, five furlongs and a half.—St. Elyn 8.0, Matamataharakiki 7.10. Balbirnie 7.10, Takapuna 7.10, Castor—Sunrise colt 7.10, Ambition 7.8, Brookland 7.7. Golden Rose 7.7, Valedictory 7.7, Nereid 7.7, Crescent 7.5, Aminta. 7.5, Fairy Bower 7.5, Minerve 7.3, Wahine 6.10, Myrene 6.7. First Hurdle Race, one mile and three quarters.—Bellman 11.7, Drum Major 11.7. Tim 11.2, Straybird 11.2, Cannongate 10.10, The Master 9.10, Forty-seven 9.9, Tip 9.8, Hinemoa 9.3, Hylas 9.2. Handicap Steeplechase. about three miles.—Straybird 11.12. Natation 11.7, Volcano 11.4, Dingo 11.4, Stockman 10.0, Marksman 10.0, Kowhai 10.0, Kapai 9.10, Hinemoa 9.7. Hylas 9.7, Kate 9.7. Maiden Plate, six furlongs.—Swiftfoot 8.0, Matamataharakiki 7.7, St. Amy 7.6, Balbirnie 7.6. Belfast 7.6, Perseverance 7.0, Blossom 7.0, Soultfish 7.0, Minerve 6.12, Volee 6.10. AVONDALE STAKES of 150sovs. Four furlongs. Jewellery, by St. Leger—Necklace Br f, by Hotchkiss—Sapphire Br c, by Hotchkiss —Queen Cole Liquidator, by Seaton Delaval—Liquidation Chantilly, by Seaton Delaval—Charente Br c, by St. Hippo—First Love Gladys May, by Regel—May Maroon and Gold, by St. Hippo—lda Bona Rosa, by St. Hippo—Vieux Rose Rita, by Hotchkiss—Reproacn Perimis, by Musketry—Katipo Shellback, by Nelson—Hestla Rattler, by Nelson—Moonga St. Margarette, by Nelson —Sister Agnes Hesper, by Lochness—Dreamland Loch Lomond, by Lochness —Pikau B f. by Soult—Helen McGregor Green and Gold, by Soult—Rose and White Lady Soult. by Soult—Hipporina Little Bess, by Seaton Delaval—Bay Bess Kissaline. by Hotchkiss—Brown Alice AVONDALE GUINEAS of 150sovs. One mile. Vai Rosa, by Seaton Delaval—Vieux Rose Fabricator, by Fabulous—Acacia B f, by St. Hippo—lnnisfail Beddington, by Seaton Delaval—Miss Letty Brookland, by Brockley—Megoulet Br c, by Soult—Cressina Soultfish. by Soult—Fishgirl Landlock, by Flintlock—Dreamland Minerve, by Nelson—Hestla Zealous, by Nelson—Moonga Aminta. by Castor—Vivandiere Golden Rose, by St. Leger—Bangle Valedictory, by Cuirassier—ValentinTa Stiletto, by Cuirassier—Yattaghan Mell wood, by St. Leger—Ladybird Matamataharakiki, by St. Leger—Bellona ® ® ® Doubts still exist as to the intention of Major George in regard to Seahorse's movements in the spring. He has been left in both New Zealand and Melbourne Cups, and backers are at g loss to know for which race to support him. Personally T think that the Nelson horse has far better chance at the Christchui. h meeting, but his sporting owner is always ready to throw down the gauntlet to Australians if possible, so that it may be he will be sent to compete in Victoria. Should such be the case it is to be hoped the Major will ship the chestnut across the Tasman Sea at once, for if it is left much longer he will have little nf showing

anything like his true form when pitted against the Australian cracks. Several wagers have been taken recently about Seahorse for the N.Z. Cup, which would seem to indicate that he will be allowed to endeavour to repeat his last year's performance in the N.Z. Cup.

As I anticipated last week. Maltster had small difficulty in accounting for the A.J.C. Derby, although in Sydney Hautboy seems to have been in greater demand. Maltster, who is by Bill of Portland, from Barley, by Barcaldine, and therefore comes of a wonderful running strain, was bred in Victoria by the late Mr. Matthew O'Shannessy, Mr. R. Orr securing him as a yearling for 810 guineas. Maltster opened his winning account by taking the Hopeful Stakes at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting, in which he beat Haulette, Kinglike and nine others. On the second day of the same meeting he romped home ahead of the Maribyrong Plate winner Finland in the Ascot Vale Stakes. In the Champagne Stakes at Randwick, when carrying a penalty, he was defeated by Haulette, and also succumbed at the hands of Hautesse in the Easter Stakes, when he was attempting to concede the filly nearly two stone. His win on Saturday In the Derby was his first performance as a three-year-old, and on the strength of it he bids fair to see a very short price for the V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup. Tortulla is going on w’ell with her New Zealand Cup preparation at Porirua, and she is reported to be looking very fit at present. The mare may be given a run at the Wanganui meeting before being sent south. Record Reign still holds pride of place in the betting on the New Zealand Cup, and Thorpe’s fine horse is now quoted at 6 to 1. The price is a ridiculously short one, considering the event is nearly two months ahead, and backers would do well to wait for a bit. 1 notice this is not the opinion of a well-known punter, who luis accepted in all £5700 about the son of Castor’s chances.

A list of winning jockeys in England, compiled up to the end of July places S. Loates at the top of the list with 73 wins out of 381 rides. The little Yankee, Johnny Reiff, comes next with 64 wins out of 258 mounts, while Tod Sloan figures in third place with only one less success against his name. Then .follows O’Madden, 59; L. Reiff, 59; M. Cannon, 54; F. Rickaby, 54; B. Ribby, 33; K. Cannon, 31; and J. H. Martin, 28. The game little St. Paul still continues to please the touts at Ellerslie in his daily work, and St. Leger’s son is looking as bright as a star. All going well he should take no end of beating on Saturday in the Avondale Cup.

Mr. E. J. Watts’ three-year-old colt Nobility has been withdrawn from the Auckland Guineas. St. Leger’s handsome son is said to be going on the right way in his New Zealand Cup preparation at Napier, and he has many admirers in that district for the big two-mile event.

It is said that the two fastest trotting horses ever bred in Clark County, Kentucky, were both used for menial purposes during their careers. They were W.G., 2.09}, who drew a milk cart, and Laundry Boy, 2.10}, whose name was derived from hauling a laundry waggon. To-day (Wednesday) the Rangitikel Racing Club will commence their two days’ spring meeting, and the fixture will be concluded to-morrow. There are the usual seven events to be decided on each day, and, given fine weather, the gathering should prove a great success. The principal events to be run throhgh to-day will be the Rangitikei Steeplechase and the Sirring Handicap. In the former event there is a good field entered to compete, and of those engaged I like Kauri Gum (11.9) or Cairo’s chance. The Spring Handicap has but a small field. Bush Roe or Will-o'-the-Wisp should fight out the finish.

Paul Fry's win in the Spring Stakes at Randwick on Saturday was a very easy one, and everybody was pleased to see the success of Sir Rupert Clarke's colours. The gelding should

prove very dangerous in the Melbourne Cup if started for that event, for the Spring proved little more than an exercise canter for him.

Recent udviees from Christchurch state that Mr. Dan O’Brien’s horses are getting through their preparations in a very satisfactory manner. Malatua is being apportioned plenty of long work, and appears to thrive on it, while both Military and Cavalry are being kept up to the collar. A cable received from England during the week gave us the result of the Regulation Plate, which was run at the Kempton Park meeting this mouth. The winner turned up iu the ex-Australian horse Syerla, by Gozo, from Cerise and Blue, who is the property of Mr. Oxenham. Goldspur had small difficulty in settling the opposition in the Shorts, for lie won with a lot in hand, while in the concluding event on the first day’s card Spinner defeated Ga-meo by a neck. In the Gladstone Handicap, run on the concluding day, Sara had a runaway victory, for sJie romped home fully fifteen lengths ahead of the field. The Rhodes Memorial Stakes fell to Jupiter, who beat Nihilist and four other runners rather easily. The Seadown Handicap, a five furlong flutter, resulted in a very fine contest, Paladin just defeating Warrington by a head. In the Trot Young Berlin won rather easily from thirteen others, and returned the useful dividend of £2O 14s. The Stewards’ Stakes was annexed very easily by Abercrombie, while the Farewell Handicap fell to Proposal, with Nihilist and First Blood in the other places. The South Canterbury Jockey Club held a two days’ race meeting on Wednesday and Thursday last at Timaru. There was a fair attendance on both days and the racing proved of a very interesting nature. The sum of £3778 was passed through the totalisator, which shows a large falling off compared with last year’s returns. The jumper Huntingdon had an easy win in the Hunters’ Hurdles on the opening day, while he also scored in the Second Hunters’ Hurdles on the concluding day. Another horse to secure a double was Skipper, who placed both Handicap and Spring Hurdles to his credit. Eight horses went to the post to contest the Cup, and a good race ended in Nihilist getting home in front of Strathnairn, while Conqueror was in the other place.

It seems evident that Lancaster has greatly improved with age. As a two and three-year-old he must be considered a failure, but lately his deeds have been worthy of his famous ancestors. It will be remembered that the Hotchkiss horse accounted for three good races in Victoria, and no-w at Randwick he further demonstrated his galloping capabilities by winning the Trial Stakes from a good field in a common canter. The Auckland bred horse has been heavily supported for the Melbourne Cup, in which race he seems to possess a wonderful chance. ® © © AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB . SPRING MEETING. The season’s racing was inaugurated in New South Wales on Saturday last, that being the opening day of the A.J.C. Spring Meeting. The programme was a very interesting one, including as it did the Derby, Epsom Handicap, and Spring Stakes. Proceedings opened with the Hurdle Race, for which there were ten. runners, Mr R. O’Connor’s,black gelding Oberon, by Trident —Quail, winning easily from the Labourer and Abedare.

The Trial Stakes, which followed, was particularly interesting to Aucklanders, as the Wellington Park bred Lancaster was engaged. Fifteen horses came out for this event, which is run over a mile and a quarter, the son of Hotchkiss being backed down to even money. The ex-Aucklander justified the expectations formed about him by winning in a canter from San Fran and Barbarossa.

Then followed the Derby, and for this a very select field of seven sported silk. The Sydney representative Haut Boy, had an immense following, and lie' ultimately started at 10 to 9 on, while the Victorian, Maltster, was at 3to 1 against. A chapter of accidents occurred during the race. Philibeg fell and Yarrabee and Lord Rudolph, who were behind him, fell also. S. Cullinan, the rider of Philibeg, had his collarbone broken, while Woodgate, the rider of Yarrabee, was severely injured. Hautesse made most of . the running, but entering the straight Hunt Boy went to the frout. The latter was, however, unable to respond te

a vigorous challenge thrown out by Maltster, who drew away and won by a length and a half. No less than thirty-three runners filed out for the Epsoui Handicap, the top weight. Dandy, being most favoured at 7 to 1 against, while Reviver was at a point longer. The light-weight Range had a long lead as they entered the straight, and it looked impossible to catch him, but he tired away and the Victorian Ampier coming through won in a canter by two lengths from Cyanide and Dandy, who were only separated by heads. 'Hie Spring Stakes was considered a good thing for Sir Rupert Clarke’s representative Paul Pry, and this was proved to be the case, the Lochiel gelding winning in a common canter by eix lengths from Tarquin and Mora. Ats usual, the Kensington Handicap attracted a big field, no less than twenty-seven going to the post. The ■winner turned up in Mr Miller’s chestnut mare I.och Clieveden, who won by half a length from Stelene and Boreas ir.

St. Paul 9 19 Ta Gloria.... Blue Jacket.... S 12 Winsome .. 7 7 Coronet , 8 10 Landlock .... .. 7 6 Miss Delaval... 8 8 Laetitia .. 7 5 Rosella 8 5 Zealous .. 6 10 Hohoro 7 12 Toroa .. 6 9 Honesty 7 10