TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VI, 9 August 1902, Page 337

TURF NOTES.

Coronet is to be put Into work again. Reclaimer is in work again down Wanganui way. Mr L. Harris, owner of Cavallero, went South on Sunday. The Hempie has been blistered and turned out at Wanganui. Bacchus is in work again. This gelding has put on a lot of flesh of late. Hypatia, full sister to Strathnairn, is now in A. Williams’ hands at Ellerslie. Battleaxe is said to be a sure starter in the N.Z. Grand National Hurdle Race. The Victoria Racing Club made a profit of £6OO over their Grand National Meeting.

One Auckland oenciller’laid a thousand to fifty about Tortulla for the New Zealand Cup.

The Castor filly Circe was beaten a neck for the Townsville Cup. after a great race by Araxes.

Sultana has gone from New Plymouth to Christchurch' under the care of Mr B. Russell.

Strathnairn’s chance In She Js.Z. Grand National Hurdle Race is favoured by West Coasters.

Siege Gun was first favourite in Christchurch for the New Zealand Cup a few days ago.

One of the smartest two-year-olds in training at Ellerslie is I’orirua s lull sister Kamo.

The birthday of the racehorse falls on Friday this year, since Friday is the Ist day of August.

Gipsy was jumped over the schooling hurdles at Ellerslie on Tuesday by McGregor, and shaped very well.

Mr E. D. O’Rorke and Mrs O'Rorke leave on Sunday to be present at the New Zealand Grand National Meeting.

Horses doing smart work at Randwick are Blue Metal and Gauleon, while Australian Colours is said to be going on nicely.

Rufus returned from Wellington a bit the worse for wear. One of his hind legs suffered from concussion with the brush fences.

Frost. Whangaroa, Oracle, Baron Bay, Jack o’Lantern, Chorister, and Harkaway have been scratched for all engagements at the Grand National meeting.

Mr L. Harris will be a visitor to Christchurch to see his horse Cavaliero compete at the New Zealand Grand National Meeting.

The Queensland Turf Club held 21 days’ racing last year, and made £6253, and have more than doubled their stakes in six years.

Final payments for the N.Z. Grand National Meeting have to be made on the Bth August. It is expected, that the fields will be large.

Mr Joe Thompson, the one-time leviathan bookmaker of Australia, is expected to re-vislt the Island continent shortly from England.

The Australian penciller Barney Allen left Australia for India with 38 horses on the 19th July, his trainer Lynch and assistants going over with them.

An English horseman named Potts arrived’Here a few. days since, and has accepted an engagement in G. Wright’s stable at Ellersllp. He can go to scale at 7.12.

Northumberland wears a boot at exercise. He has been very unlucky, for he picked up a nail and has had a festered foot, which has interfered with his preparation.

Toaer has Soultfish, a five-year-old son of Boult and Fishgirl, in hand. Thia gelting was somewhat wayward at two

years old, but seems to have settled down In the interval.

Alorganette, dam of the Derby winners Ard Patrick and Galtee More, and of Blairlinde, was a pronounced roarer, but is now voted one of the greatest brood mares in existence.

Kohia, one of Mr O’Rorke’s hunters, who won a hack race or two before coming to Auckland, jumps very well over hurdles, and may win hurdle races during the coming- season.

Nonet te still maintains his place as favourite for the New Zealand Cup, and 10 to 1 is the best price on offer about him. Siege Gun and Tortulla are next in request at 14 to 1.

There will be a first payment for the New Zealand Cup on Friday, on which date forfeits are due for the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes, Derby, Oaks, Middle Park Plate, and Eleventh Challenge Stakes.

Kos Heaton is working Paul Seaton, who looks all the better for the rest he has had. His poisoned leg appears all right again. The son of Leocant is bigger than I remember seeing him before.

Though Ringman’s name appears amongst those left in the Great Northern Guineas, his owner, during the week, accepted 1000 to 30 from an Auckland penciller abo it his chance in the New Zealand Cup.

The progeny of Persimmon, the King’s horse, have now won more money than St. Simon’s gets did last year. Perseus and Cheers, sons of his, ran first and second in the Goodwood Cup on Thursday. The consistent Fowling Piece, by Carbine, was third.

Tortulla was backed during the week for the New Zealand Cup for about .£l5OO at hundreds to four and five, and it is presumed for the stable, as at the same time of day in -other centres the mare was a’so being supported.

Sceptre went to France to compete in the Grand Prix de Paris, but failed to get a place. Sceptre was second favourite at 3 to 1, the favourite (11 to 8 against) being Retz, who ran a dead heat for second place with Maximum.

The racing season of 1901-2 closes tomorrow with the South Canterbury Hunt Club Steeplechase Meeting, and that of 1902-3 opens on Friday with the Amberley Steeplechase Club’s annual meeting. Both are Canterbury meetings.

A colt by Far Niente from Rivula, by a well-known New Zealand racehorse in Welcome Jack, is said to be doing well in T. Pay ten’s hands at Rand wick. His name is Still Water, and he won a race recently in New South Wales.

Nominations and general entries for the New Zealand Grand National Meeting are in exce-ss of those received last year by 46. No fewer than twenty five nominations were received for the new race, the Jumpers’ Flat Race. The hunters’ races have filled well.

Mr Hector Norman Simson, who has announced himself as a candidate for Auckland City at the coming general elec tions, is a nephew of Air I lector Norman Simson, who was a prominent breeder of thoroughbreds, indeed, one ot the biggest breeders of horse stock in Victoria in the early days, going well back into the forties.

Beddington, Lavalette, and Lord Seaton, full brothers, are working at Ellerslie, and it is, quite on the cards may be seen out shortly at one meeting. Lord Seaton, who had a cobby appearance a short time back, is diminishing in bulk. Taken altogether, Miss Letty’s progeny are of the angular sort.

Haydn has been supported during the last few days in doubles, principally with Straithnairn and Cavallero, in the Grand National Hurdle Race. There is a lot of betting over the Grand National double locally on account of so many Auckland horses having gone South. One penciller is nearly round on a £6OO book.

In South Australia an attempt is to be made to get parliamentary sanction to extending the use of the totalisator to all country clubs that can show a list of 75 bona fide paid up members. It would go hard with New Zealand Clubs if such a rule were in force. There are not many that can claim such a roll.

Though it was thought some few weeks since that Moonga, dam of Seahorse, was not in foal, it transpires after all that she is, and this should prove a cheap investment to the syndicate who purchased her at Major George’s sale, for her colt by Cyrenlan is a good sort, and her owners have a chance of securing another Seahorse to the old champion Nelson.

Stepntak has opened his winning account this season by the aid of a daughter called Scylla, from the St. George mare Whirlpool, who won the Amberley hack race. Scylla is engaged in the Ladies’ Bracelet at the N.Z. Grand National meeting.

Ard Patrick, the Derby winner, did not start in the Eclipse Stakes, won by Cheers, son of Persimmon, as he was lame, so we are informed by cable. Persimmon’s progeny have won nearly as much money during this season as did the gets of his sire St. Simon last year, when they ran up the fine total of £28.964.

T? Connop, the Hawke’s Bay horseman, after staying a few days in Auckland, went on to Rotorua on Tuesday, where he purposes remaining a month, in the hope that he may be benefited thereby, as he has suffered a good deal from his injured leg, which was smashed through Victoria Cross falling with him in January last at Walpawa.

Chaos, who was runner up to Euroclydon in the New Zealand Cup. was got by a two-year-old known as Total Eclipse, from Ravenswing, who, while carrying him at three years old, won the C.J.C. Autumn Handicap. Chaos, for a time owned by a good sportsman in Mr Brabazon, now in England, was, I notice, represented by a winner at the Amberley meeting on Friday, in a hunter called Brab, an abbreviation of Mr Brabazon’s name.

The name of Fleur de Lys as a sire of winners seldom occurs now-a-days. The son of Traducer, foaled In 187 S, was sold for fifty shillings in Christchurch about two years ago. He got a good many winners of small races, trotters as well as gallopers and jumpers. Doopey, who won a double at Amberley, is a son of Fleur de Lys, who was from the French bred Fleurange.

There had not been a single instance of two brothers winning the Derby until Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee accomplished that feat in 1896 and 19<)0; but, says the “Field,” we have another case now, as Ard Patrick is a to Galtee More, who won it in 1897, both being bred by Mr Gubbins at his stud in Ireland.

Three bookmakers obtained licenses to ply their vocation under the auspices of the Hungarian Jockey Club at Buda Pesth, Tutts, and Tatra-Lomnics. The conditions imposed were increased by a prohibition to bet beforehand on weight-for-age races of less value than 400sovs and on handicaps prior to the publication of the weights.

Laureate has been sent back to his owner, Mr Donald Frazer, and the lease has terminated. Laureate appears to have been rather harshly handicapped all through the piece, probably on account of his relationship to Advance. Laureate has four white feet. There is an old saying about white footed horses which runs: “One buy him, two try him, three doubt him, four go without him.” This is what Mr Douglas Gordan has at last decided upon doing with the most in-bred horse to Touchstone and to Emilius that I have ever read of.

Air J. G. Clarke who raced Battalion and other horses in Australia, won the Club Welter Plate, of 150sovs, one mile and a half, at the Ling-field Park Meeting, in England, on June 10th, with an unnamed throe year old filly by Avington from Breach. A three year old gelding by the Australian bred Kirkham ran second.

Referring to the rather unexpected death of Air Robert Richards, an Australian paper says that that owner had not attained such a high place in the turf world as the Hon. J. White, but nevertheless stood at the top of the list of horseowners of the present day, and filled the most prominent place. His death creates a blank in our list of colonial horseowners which is to be deplored. We have so few straight-goers that the loss of one is a serious one to the racing public. Few colours in these days can be followed without questibn as could the blue and white stripes of Mr Robert Richards.

Just two-thirds of the horses nominated for the New Zealand Cup were accepted for on Friday night, twenty having dropped out. Cruciform, Renown, Achilles, Golden Vein, Northumberland, Ghoorka, Menura, Exmoor, Dingo, Tercelet, Grand Rapids, Triumph, Convoy, Huku, Legion of Honor, Laureate, Comfort, Secret Society, Punamu, lolah. and Ora are those that have dropped out. Of this lot Crticiform, Achilles, Ghoorka, Grand Rapids and Convoy were each backed, Cruciform probably for most money.

The jockey Randall, who rode Sceptre in the Derby, got into trouble at Lingfield, according to an exchange. The officials being dissatisfied at the manner in which he handled Air Gardiner’s Racine in the Maiden Three-year-old Plate, and regarding the explanation tendered by him as unsatisfactory, suspended him during the remainder of the meeting, and reported him to the English J.C. The ruling body, however, while admitting that the Lingfleld stewards acted rightly was of opinion that the evidence was somewhat contradictory, and acquitted

Randall of any intention to act dis honestly.

The days are lengthening, but it will be some time before many horses are worked at Ellerslie before breakfast. Some of the trainers, chiefly the few who have large teams, are the early birds, and It is necessary that they should be, or they would not get through. About twenty horses come out between half past six and eight o’clock, and after a short Interval others appear on the scene, and work goes on till about 10.45 a.m., about one hundred being put through their dally exercises during the forenoon. About 2.30 p.m. another lot make their appearance, while a few of those that go out before breakfast are taken out a second time.

A prominent Indian trainer, Oscar Dignum. was interviewed recently, and spoke thus of racing there:—“l am positively certain that racing is straighter in India than in any other part of the world. It Is very rarely indeed that a horse starts for a race without being meant'to win it if he can. Horses, after all. are not machines, and there are times when they are not quite up to the mark, and do not run up to form. At such times youngsters who know nothing whatever about racing, but who have lost a few rupees on a horse, favourite or outsider, it makes no difference, leave the course and air their opinions freely to others who know as little as they. The ressiflt is to leave a bad impression on the inind of the general public. No; you can’t beat India for straight running.’’

Bay Eagle won £2176 in stakes last season in Australia, though not voted a top-notcher. This is considerably more than the earnings of Royal Conqueror, and almost double the amount The Guard has won. A Alelbourno writer of this horse says: “The plodder was ever a fine fencer, but I have painful remembrances of the last tipre he appeared at Flemington, and would not stand him again, though he has undoubtedly improved vastly during his sojourn In Sydney. I remember his -sire, Stationer, running once or twice at Caulfield and Flemington, but he was of very ordinary quality. Bay Eagle’s dam, I understand, is a very coarse, heavy mare, with very little breeding; but I can’t vouch for the absolute truth of the statement.”

Of the twenty-one three-year-olds left in the Avondale Guineas, seventeen are known to be lu work. This race is run on the 2-1 th September, on the second day of the Avondale meeting, and there is every prospect of n good field being at the post, as with th re exceptions, viz., Dodoua, now owned by Mr I’. Baldwin, of Welling ton ; Sensation, owned by Mr Walcot, of Wanganui ; and Mr F. Bedford’s Liquify, owned in Napier; those engaged are all locally owned. Ti.e field will come from the following lot : —Northumberland, Grey Seaion, I n Valet le, La Vallere, Mary Seaton, Liquify, Dodona, Spalpeen, Gladlsla, Kelburn. Idas, I.avadel Austerlitz, Sensa tlon, the Hotchkiss—Vixen filly, Marshall Soult, and Wairlki.

Air John Gubbins. who won the Coronation Derby with Ard Patrick, is a thorough sportsman, a fox-hunter in his time, master of hounds, a most capable breeder of hounds, and a great supporter of hunter-breeders. One of his thoroughbred sires fathered the Liverpool Grand National winner this year. Referring to the Derby winner, “Augur,” of the “Sporting Life,” said: “Nothing could look filter than Ard Patrick, a very good-looking coll, with beautiful shoulders, good length from pin to hock, and on capital limbs. The hunting men voted him just a bit long in his couplings, and not quite long enough in his back. In their language, another rib was wanting, but that, of course, was a matter of opinion. I liked FovUingplece very much, as lie is a grand colt to meet and to follow. If Carbine gives the country this sort of animal he will be of use, indeed, in giving the right sort of stallion for the cavalry remounts.”

The “Leader” writer, in referring to the speech of Mr J. Wilson, jun.. at the annual meeting of the Geelong Club, says that there is much more In the outspoken remarks of “Young Jim Wilson” than appears on the surface. This overshadowing of the sporting part of racing by the introduction of the business aspect has done, and is doing, the turf a lot of harm, and the worst of the matter is that, as at present conducted, there seems no escape from the evil. The withdrawal of true sportsmen and those who can afford to follow the turf for the pleasure it brings, quite irrespective of tho gain, is already having its baneful effect on the breeding industry in this State, in regard both to the number of breeders and the horse.% bred. New South Wales is far ahead of Victoria in the horse breeding industry, and Is rapidly forging ahead in that direction. while Victoria just as rapidly is drifting to leeward. Serious attention should be given to this state of affairs, and a means devised by which matters could be placed on a more satisfactory footing as regards the interests of the turf in this State. Perhaps the incoming commit tee of the V.R.C. to be elected early next month may contain the man for the occasion.

The nominations for the minor races of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s New Zealand Grand National Meeting were not telegraphed. Auckland is nevertheless much interested. In the Ladies* Bracelet there are eight engaged, and the name of Royal Conqueror appears in the list. This gelding has not won a race on tha flat, but he may not unlikely run well. Mr E. D. O’Rorke will likely have the mount. The name of Shellback likewise figures in the list. The son of Nelson and Hestia was purchased at Major George’s sale by Mr L. De Pelechet, manager for Mr S. H. Go 11 an, who may not unlikc'y ride this gelding. Shellback should be a useful horse for this class of race. There are some well bred ones engaged. Phaetonina, by Phaethon, from Kulnine's sister, is one. Wet Blanket, by Quilt from Ua, is another. Then there are Kiore. by Ahua from Ultima, and Playfair, by Saracen from Justice, and two others, Glitter and Scylla.

Carbine’s progeny keep on winning. At the Kempton Park First Summer Meeting early in June, the Kempton Park Two Year Old Plate, of 785sovs, special weights was won by Lord Dunraven’s b g Salute, by Carbine--Festa, 8.9, who started favourite at 7 to 4 against In a field of 16. and won a good race by a neck. An objection to Salute, on the ground that he did not carry sufficient weight, had not been decided when the mail left England. Subsequently at the Lingfleld Park Second Spring Meeting, the High Class Selling Handicap, of 293sovs, 1 mile, was won by the bay filly Warsop, by Car-bine-Semolina, who started at 7 to 1 against, and won in a canter by five lengths from seven opponents. Warsop was bought in for 530sovs. On the same Course on the following day. the Ford Manor Plate of lOOsovs. weight for age, with allowances, 1 mile, was won by Randbag. by Carbine, who was unbacked In a field of five, and won a fine race by a bead. At the Lincoln Summer Meeting, held on -the same day. the Australian bred horse Syerla. by Gosso—Cerise and Blue, easily won the Witham Selling Plate, of lOOsovs. straight mile, by three lengths, and was sold for 125 gs.

The last has been seen of San Fran on a racecourse, for. according to an exchange, the son of Gozo and Procella developed lameness in his “good” leg, and Payten has decided that it is useless to persevere with him. The leg he struck in the Melbourne Cup—the off fore leg—was considered sound enough by experts to stand a Cup preparation. Payten was certain of it, but last week the near fore leg began to fill in an alarming manner, and the horse was stopped in his work and put Into Mr T. S. Clibborn’s hands for private sale. San Fran won £6359 in stakes, and was, with the single exception of The Grafter, the winner of the greatest amount of prize money of any horse sired by Gozo. The writer in the “Leader” says: “Very few better stayers than the beautifully bred son of Gozo have been seen here, and a gamer or fiore generous horse at home or abroad never lived. His Melbourne Cup performance. with 9st 7fb up, stumped him the best, horse in Australia, and it is a thousand pities he struck himself in that race and laid the foundation to the trouble that has caused his retirement in the prime of his strength.” As there are a good many members of the same family in Auckland and other parts of New Zealand—that is, on the dam’s side—these remarks about San Fran should be acceptable.

It will be remembered that one of the results arising out of the proceedings connected with the Easter meeting of tne Queensland Turf Club was the disqualification for three years for inconsistent running of the mare Truancy, her owner (A. King), trainer (E. H. Trew), and rider (R. O’Neill), and that subsequently writs were served upon the club for damages for alleged wrongful disqualification. The service of the writs caused quite a little stir of excitement at the time, but it was thought later, for various reasons, that the matter had been allowed to drop. That litigation still pending, however, is clear from the fact that the statements of claim were last week handed to the club’s solicitors. King, as the owner, claims £lOOO for wrongful disqualification and £lOOO for defamation by the printing and publishing in the “Queensland Racing Calendar” of a record of the disqualification, and also injunctions restraining the defendants from continuing the publication, from preventing Truancy or any other horse belonging to him from racing at Eagle Farm, from his entry and lawfully using the course, and from continuing the of the mare. Trews claims are similar to those of the owner, and O'Neill claims £lOOO for wrongful disqualification, a like amount for defamation, and an injunction.

“Ranger,” In the “Illustrated S. and D. News,” says:—Mr Musker showed judgment when he gave 5200 gs for the Ladas — La Fleche filly last year. This costly youngster, now called Baroness La Fleche, made her debut in the Acorn Stakes at Epsom. She came with a high private reputation, is a beautiful filly, and everybody expected her to prove as good as she Is good-looking. Punters would not look seriously at anything else. Accordingly, in a field of 19 ninth rs, Mr Musker’s “flyer” was backed with the utmost confidence down to the short price of 2 to 1. Neither did she fail to realise expectations. Shaping like an old hand, getting well off, and showing no signs of greenness, she made all the running and won comfortably by a length and a half. After this race was

decided high-priced yearlings became a topic of conversation, curious opinions being expressed. Much depends on who buys these juveniles—whether ne knows anything about them or not, whether he ha < judgment or simply capita*. A practical man like Mr Musker is not likely to take much harm. But rich neophytes, who enter this business (which they de not understand) for the sake of notoriety or Society, are sure to pay pretty dearly for their amusement. Things are puffed up for them, and they cannot discriminate. If anyone invests money in any sort of enterprise as to which he is entirely ignorant, what can he expect the result to be? He will have to pay his footing, and soon, unless he is very rich indeed* there may be standing room only for him outside.’ By the death of Mr Robert Richards, which took place very suddenly at his residence, “Hoikham,” Sydney Rd., Randwick, the turf in Australia loses one of its best and most liberal patrons. Although he raced some of the best horses money could buy, and was successful at the big meetings at headquarters, unlike most men who can afford to keep a big string he was not content with waiting for the plums at Randwick and Flemington, but contributed largely to the fiel'ds at the suburban meetings, and was not ashamed to run his horses in his own name. In fact, scarcely a week passed that he was not present at the weekly meetings, and rpresented by one or more horses, and, in fact, on the day of his death he had Limc/ick Boy, Starling, and Aurantia engaged in as many races at Warwick Farm. Like most owners, he liked to get the fair odds to his money, but if his horses were well the public could always rely on getting a fair go, Irrespective of the price, once the colours w r ere up. As he had a lot of horses in work at a timq, and had such a capable man at the helm as Albeit Cornwell, it was only in Accordance with, the fitness of things that he won a number of races, and some days ft often happened that two or more victories were placed to his credit. Although the luck on the turf, good or bad, is said to run in patches, Mr Richards, on the whole, was quite as successful as his enterprise and liberality deserved. Men of his calibre on the turf are extremely rare, and it is no exaggeration to say that he will be sadlymissed in racing circles.” — “Town and Country Journal.”

Suggestions have at various times been made that racing clubs throughout the colony should appoint assistant judges. Now that so much more depends upon the successful placing of the second horse, and consequently, though in a lesser degree, the third, the advocates of an assistant judge have some argument on their side. In very close finishes between a number of horses, when two horses for instance are running a nose and nose race to the chair, and two or more others are fighting out a finish, perhaps not more than a neck or half a length away, and, as may be the case, at extreme sides of the course, one pair of eyes may not be equal to the task of locating the actual third. A correspondent has revived the subject, and after asking my opinion, expresses his, that the judge should place the winner only, and the assistant judge the second and third. It has happened that a judge has placed a horse second that scores of self-constituted judges have be*'!! quite satisfied had won. In a very dose thing, we might have the anomaly of a judge declaring a ifbrse a winner and the assistant judge placing the same horse second, or it might be that the judge would be satisfied that a dead heat had been run between two, while the assistant Judge would be fully satisfied that he could split the pair. We cannot improve on the system which fixes the sole responsibility of deciding upon one man: but we can nevertheless allow’ him to have a steward with him in the box if he so desires.

Mr J. Wilson, jun., a very successful owner-trainer, at a meeting of the Geelong Racing Club, of w’hich he is a member, recently did some very plain speaking about the class of owners in Australia. and in opposition to a proposal to extend the local race meeting to two days said: “In days gone by, when true sportsmen patronised the turf, such a scheme would be possible, but it was out of the question now. The majority of those who follow the sport afe ‘gentlemen guns.’ Out of all the owners in Australia, only about four ran their horses purely for sport, and the others are, like myself, on business bent.” Commenting on this, a writer in the Sydney “Referee” says: “The pity is that Mr did not go a bit further, and name rnose few gentlemen who race solely for love of the game, whether he claims a monopoly for Victoria, or whether he credits It would be interesting to know New South Wales with one or two of those straight-going owners. Racing. as we all know, is purely a business with nearly everyone connected with it in Australia, and the trainer who remarked that he ’raced as straight as he could afford to’ sized up the situation pretty correctly.” Surely this Is not giving due credit to a large number of genuine sportsmen who do exist in Australia, and whose friends will resent the very forcible but somewhat overdrawn illustration of the condition of racing affairs in the States as presented by Mr Wilson, and supported by the writer quoted above. Racing is no doubt run largely on commercial lines everywhere, but the sporting element Is very strong all the same, and that Is what does so much to keep the national pastime alive.

“Pentagraph,” in the New Zealand “Referee,” has furnished his annual table of big dividend payers for the season just closed. I reproduce the list of those that have paid over £3O. Here it is:— £ s. d.

The coming election of six committeemen for the Victoria Racing Club is thus referred to in the •’Australasian”: “An election for the committee is always to be ■welcomed. The retiring men may be worthy of re-election, but an election once a year serves as a stimulant to keep members interested in the doings of the club, and also to remind the committee of the responsibilities of their office. The committee not only manages the affairs °£ t . he V.R.C., but it controls the racing affairs of V ictoria, and is looked up to for guidance by racing bodies in other states which recognise the immense influence of the V.R.C., and the good it has done in the past by force of example. We want the committee to be composed of the best men available, and, fortunately, there is always a keen desire among leading racing men to obtain a seat on the committee. The positions are as eagerly sought for in Victoria as membership of the Jockey Club is in England. But occasional changes are desirable. Good men cannot last for ever, and some who seem in every sense desirable find afterwards that they cannot find time to put in a regular appearance at meetings. There is a deal work to be done in connection with the V.R.C., and with some members not ,f. belr share - double duty falls on the willing ones. It would be only fair to the chief workers to let members know before an election the state of the attendance book, lhe chief cause of grumbling against trie present committee is their erratic conduct as stewards. Their decisions during the last few years have been very contradictory. Several times we have had totally opposite verdicts upon the same set of facts, and this sort of thing serves to make people lose conhdence in the very stewards who sit in judgment on minor stewards, who are not supposed to be gifted in the s ££ e a ?r- a ? men elected to govern the turf ■ Pro ?ably the unwieldy systern of having twelve men as stewards accounts in a great measure for the famtv tinn Vlb atloll V Kle “ ia Ston. A reduction of the number to three or five would be an improvement, but the true solution of the difficulty clearly i s the 0/ Paid stewards to do the PP wdrk within the radius. work

The Flemington steeplechase course has , be ?" referred to as the most formidable in the world, on account of the unyielding nature of the material of wnich the fences are composed. In a rpcent number of the “Leader” “Javelin” devotes a special article to one of the obstacles, from which I quote the follow-ing:-“The stone wall at the back of the Flemington steeplechase course, commonly called ‘the cathedral,’ has achieved an unenviable notoriety on account of the great number of serious accidents for which it has been responsible. It is by no means a dangerous-looking obstacle and to look at it one would say that any horse worthy to be called a steeplechaser ought to be able to hop over it like a bird It certainly looks less formidable than the similar obstruction in front of the stand, and yet it is continually the scene of disastrous trouble, while Pt is most unusual for a fall to take place at the other. Some people dismiss the subject by-saying —‘lf they didn’t fall there they would fall somewhere else,’ but that is hardly sound argument. It, can scarcely be mere chance or coincidence through which more falls take place at this particular jump than at any other, and possibly the cause, which has hitherto been searched for in vain, may some day be discovered by accident. Tne slight decline by which *the cathedral’ is approached is certainly not sufficient to account for its notoriety as a man-trap, and, as already stated, it does not present the appearance of an obstacle that should stop even a moderately good jumper. As. however, the fact remains that more horses come down at this particular jump than at any other, something should assuredly be done to lessen the frequency of these mishaps. In a steeplechase of three miles its danger may be that the horses, having galloped and jumped for over two miles, are tiring wnen negotiating it for the second time, but as it is no more difficult—in appearance—to clear than any of the fences which have to be subsequently jumped.

that view suggests no reason for looking upon ‘the cathedral* in its present position as any more objectionable than the fences met with nearer the end of the journey. It is possible that as the horses approach this stone wall there is sometldng in the background which affects their sight of |£, but which has not yet been discovered by riders or spectators. We know that at cricket a black coat or top hat in the reserve far away, but behind the bowler’s hand, will blur the batsman’s sight of the ball, and it certainly may be that there is some such disc which catches a horse’s eye as he is measuring his jump at ‘the cathedral.’ However this may be, the stone wall certainly should not be allowed to remain situated as it is. The mere fact of its much discussed notoriety adds to its danger, fon there must be even to stout nerves something uncanny about putting a horse at a wall which the rider knows is notorious for causing accidents. The substitution of a brush fence, or logs, or even changing the position of the present structure, would be a step in the right direction, and would probably lessen the number of accidents by decreasing the anxiety of riders.”

The Auckland Racing Club -must be considered very fortunate in receiving such liberal support for their classic races in the first instance, and in finding so many owners continuing engagements for their young horses. There are always some left in through inadvertence, and at times the inability of their owners to remove them from the lists, but while this is so. it may be presumed that in the long lists of names after declaration of the withdrawals, the proportion of horses which it was possibly not the intention of owners to leave in is small. We are more immediately concerned with- those still left in the Great Northern Guineas, numbering no fewer than thirty nine. A careful perusal of the list will show that wiih a few exceptions all are in active work. Seeing that the race is run for in the spring, at a time when the. New Zealand Cup and Canterbury Derby and Cup races are on, it may surprise some people to find the names of Porirua, Ringman and Sensation still in. Seeing that the two last named have been backed recently for the New Zealand Cup, it may be taken for granted that their owners have overlooked the date w’hen they should have been withdrawn. There were originally sixty six entries for the race, so that we nd that twenty-seven have been withdrawn. Mr P. E. Baldwin’s pair, Dodona and Sergius, are both in training down way, the first named being a recent winner; Liquefy is in work at Hastings; Muskerd&le is working at Ellerslie in F. Macmanemin’s team, and so is Powerful. . Three of Mr H. Friedlander’s four are in commission, in Pounamu, Gladisla and Kelburn, the two last named being in J. Thorpe’s hands at headquarters. Idas and Lavadel, Mrs Lennard’s pair, are regular attendants at the track, under G. Absolum’s tuition; Mr L. Marshall’s Spalpeen, Mr A. Morgan’s Austerlitz, Mr McKinnon’s Loch Fine, Mr T. W. Armitage’s Mary Seaton, Mr D. H. Lewis’ St. Hilda, Mr Bradley’s Wairiki, Mr W. Walters’ Marshal Soult, and the Messrs Nathans’ La Valette, Northumberland, Lavallere, and Grey Seaton, and others are also in training, so that come what may, we are likely to

Bee a good field at the post. In a month’s time the second forfeit will be due, when the list will undergo a further reduction, and perhaps it will be advisable to refrain from speculating as to the chances of candidates until then. So far, however, as can be judged, shcfiild Porirua come North, he will have a good deal to say in the settlement of the question, and perhaps Idas may prove equal to holding her own with the Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan’s lot, Wairikl, and the best of the outside opposition that may come along. Dodona, however, is claimed to be a smart and promising filly, and there are H. Friedlander’s pair, Kelburn and Gladisla, and a few others whose presence should ensure a good race. However, between now and the decision of the event owners having more than one likely representative may split up thejr forces. There is the Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring programme, which is an attractive one for the owners of three year olds claiming engagements in the C.J.C. Derby. New Zealand Cup, and Oaks, and there are other events, such as the Canterbury Cup and the special weight races in which three year olds may compete against two year olds, and horses of ah ages, that owners will also have an eye on. Whether Auckland owners will send some of their young horses South remains to be seen, and in like manner we must wait to learn the final intentions of those owners at Napier, Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington who have left representatives in the Great Northern Guineas. The lists of those left in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, Great Northern Derby, and High th Royal Stakes augur well for the success of the summer meeting of the Auckland Racing Club.

The following is the annual report and balance-sheet presented at the A.R.C. annual meeting on Monday:—

Gentlemen, —Your committee have rhe pleasure of submitting you the annual report and statement of accounts for the year ended 30th June. During the past season we have held, four meetings of 13 days, giving in added money the sum of £21,770—an increase of £1720 over previous year. The totalisator investments amounted to £164,711, as compared with £153,399—a record. The net profit carried to capital account is £1992 6/5. a fallingoff as compared with last y ar of £330 6/10. This, however, must be looked upon as eminently satisfactory in view of the fact that we gave £1720 more added money during the season under review, and after writing ofc £1264 5/3 off property, etc. The club has to be congratulated upon the steady reduction of its secured indebtedness, and likewise upon the acquirement of a complete and up-to-date dining-room plant. You have to elect six members of committee, as Messrs J. T. Armitage, H. T. Gorrie, A. Hanna, Thos. Morfin, E. Mitchelson, and Herbert Thompson retire in terms of rules, but all. being eligible, offer themselves for re-election, with the exception of Mr Mitchelson. The following gentlemen have also been nominated in accordance with the rules, and are eligible for election:—Messrs E. Colson, F. Earl. Alf. Kidd. M. McLean. H. O. Nolan, and G. W. S. Patterson.—Thomas Morrin, Chairman of Committee. Balance-sheet of the Auckland Racing Club for year ending June 30th. 1902.—Dr.: To capital account, £24,436 6/2; creditors secured, £3500: Great Northern Foal Stakes, 1902-3, £32; Great Northern Foal Stakes, 1903-4. £4; Great Northern Derby. 1902-3, £2O; Champagne Stakes. 1903. £7; Great Northern Guineas, 1902, £22; Great Northern Guineas. 1903, £4; 'Bth Royal Stakes, 1902-3. £53; 9th Royal Stakes, 19034. £7; 4th Century Stakes. 1903, £4: sundry creditors, £139 12/1. Total, £28,222 18/3. Cr.: By racecourse, buildings,etc.. £22,420; water reservoir, £6.38; latrines, £650; furniture, £700; working plant, £276; diningroom plant, £1875 0/3; unpaid subscriptions, £46 10/: sundry debtors and securities, £ll4B 13/6; cash in hand and bank, £474 14/6. Total. £28,222 18/3. Profit and Loss Account.—Dr.: To secretary, £500; accountant, £ll2 10/; handicapper, £250; caretaker, £130; wages, £554 16/; interest and exchange, £306 2/1; fire insurance, £99 4/1; office rent. £7O; rates and taxes, £96 8/3; charges, horse feed, etc., £5BB 12/7; advertising,£297 19/2; printing and stationery, £175 17/4; donations. £l5 10/; legal expenses, £29 2/4; members’ refreshment room, £BB 18/3: periodicals, £l6 13/6; sundry outstandingg accounts written off. £376 6/7.; grandstand, £lB 13/9: working plant, £l9 12/6; lavatories and ambulance. £l6; racecourse, £2O 19/; timber, £ll 11/; improvements, £5 4/9; fan and sand, £265 6/10; Spring Meeting, £3Ol 15/; Autumn Meeting, £228 IF-'1O: balance to capital account, £1992 6/5. Total, £6588 5/3. Cr.: By members’ subscriptions, £l2OB 10/: subscriptions* £1568; gentlemen riders, £l5; assumed names. £l9 18/; and fines. £3; rent of course, grazing, etc., £127 10/; training fees. £289 18/: Summer Meeting, £2331 15/3; Winter Meeting, £1024 14/. Total, £6588 5/3. Capital Account.—Dr.: June 30, 1902—T0 balance, per balance-sheet. £24.430 3/2. Cr.: June 30, 1901—8a1ance,£22.437 19/9; profit for year ending June 30, 1902, £1992 6/5 —£24,430 6/2.

Balance-sheet of the Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Provident Fund.—Distressed Jockey Fund—To balance 30th June, 1901. £276 18/7; interest, £9 13/2. Total, £286 11/9. Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Disabled Fund—To balance 30th June, 1901. £274 6/; interest, £9 11/9. Total. £283 17/9. Jockeys’ Provident Fund—To balance 30th June, 1901, £465 9/7; interest, £l5 4/11; licenses, £112; fines, £44. Total, £636 14/6. Trainers’ Provident Fund—To balance 30th June, 1901, £202 7/11; Interest, £6 V; licenses, £52; cash. 2/6. Total, £2OO 11/6. Distressed Jockeys’ Fund—By Auckland Savings Bank, £286 11/9. Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Disabled Fund—By Auckland Savings Bank, £2BB 17/9. Jockeys' Pro-

vident Fund—By disbursements. £7O 13/; ambulance, £56 5/; medical appliance, £l4 19/4; Savings Bank, £492 1/; cash, £2 16/2. Total, £636 14/6. Trainers’ Provident Fund —By ambulance, £56 5/; Savings Bank, £204 6/5. Total. £260 11/5. Statement of Accounts Spring Meeting. 1901.—Receipts: To nominations. £825; gates, £347 9/6; grandstands, £lB9 3/6: booths, cards, etc., £534 2/8; stables. £l4 13/; protest. £2; totalisator, £2278 17/10; less tax, £360 11/; totalisator bonus, £25; balance to profit and loss, £3Ol 15/. Total, £4157 10/6. Expenditure: By added money, £3620; band. £27; judge. £3l 10/; starter. £26 5/; clerk of the course, £10; clerk of the scales, £10; totalisator clerks. £l5; wages (gatekeepers, etc.), £l5O 2/6; caterer, £64 13/; Pakuranga £200; sundries, £3. Total. £4157 10/6. Summer Meeting, 1901-2.—Receipts: To nominations, £1782; gates, £l4BO 7/; grandstands. £1290 2/6; booths, cards, etc., £l4ll 19/11; stables. £l9 3/: totalisator. £6936 6/; less tax. £llO3 1/9; totalisator bonus £25. Total, £11.841 16/8. Expenditure: By added money. £8900: band. £36; judge, £42; starter. £26 5/; clerk of the course. j£10; clerk of the scales. £10: totalisator clerks, £24; wages (gatekeepers, etc.). £235 17/6; caterer. £llB 8/6; sundries. £lO7 10/5; balance tn profit snd loss, £2331 15/3. Total, £11.841 16/8. Autumn Meeting. 1902.—Receipts: To nominations. £1265: gates, £519 13/; grandstands. £335 5/;bodths, cards, etc.. £617 19/; stables. £l4 15/: totalisator. £3147 8/6; less tax, £497 15/10: totalisator bonus, £25; balance to profit and loss. £228 15/10. Total, £5656 0/6 Expenditure: by added money, £5250; band. £27: judge, £3l 10/: starter, £26 5/; clerk of the course. £10; clerk of the scales. £10: totalisator clerks, £18; wages (gatekeepers, etc). £139 7/6; caterer. £75 1/; sundries, £3B 17/. Total, £5656 0/6. Winter Meeting, 1902.—Receipts: To nominations, £950; gates, £572 9/: grandstands. £l4O 1/; booths, cards, etc., .£640 5/; stables, £l6 2/6; totalisator, £3200 17/11* less tax, £509 5/8; totalisator bonus. £25; proceeds sale winner of Selling Steeplechase, £45. Total, £5380 9/9. ' Expenditure: By added money, £1000: band, £27* judge, £3l 10/; starter, £26 5/; clerk of the course, £10; clerk of the scales. £10; totalisator clerks, £18; wages (gatekeepers. etc.), £l4B 7/6; caterer, £BO 3/6; sundries, £4 9/9; balance to profit and loss £1024 14/. Total. £5380 9/9.

Leo Delaval, First Hack Handicap, Takapuna Summer (inside) 322 4 0 Ballistite, Settlers’ Hack Haudicap, Napier Park Winter 122 4 0 Gold Purse, Juvenile Handicap, Hawke’s Bay Spring 76 3 0 Terrapin, Criterion Handicap. C.J.C. Metropolitan 57 14 6 Nereid. First Hack Handicap, Takapuna Spring Hnside).... 54 0 0 Te Taiaha, Flying Handicap, Wairarapa Summer 52 19 Of Syndicate, Opawa Welter Hack Handicap, Marlborough Autumn 50 2 0 Dick Turpin. Waihi Handicap, Egmont R.C. Winter 45 5 6 Lady Avon, Anniversarv Handicap, Takapuna Summer (outside) 43 10 6 Leo Delaval. First Hack Handicap. Takapuna Summer (out--side) 3S 3 0 Boxer, Hunt Club Handicap Hurdles. A.R.C. Spring 37 3 Of Osborne, Final Hurdle Handicap, Wellington R.C. Winter 34 14 6 Matamataharakiki. Autumn Handicap, A.R.C. Autumn.... 32 3 6 Lady Avon. Anniversary Handlcap, Takapuna Summer (inside) 32 0 0 Gold Web, Stanley Handicap, Taka puna Spring 30 17 6f Greek Maid, Welcome Slakes. C.J.C. Metropolitan 30 13 Of