TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue IX, 30 August 1902, Page 529

TURF NOTES.

There are forty trainers at Rantlwiek, ami amongst them they have upwards of 250 horses.

Of ten yearlings broken last season by Mr J. Wiison, jv.n., in Victoria, but one won a race.

The point-to-point steeplechase of the Pakuranga Hunt Club will be held on September 6th.

T. Jackson, a Southern horseman, came to Auckland with J. Rae’s team on Saturday. and purposes remaining.

Marshall Soult was scratched for the Flying Handicap at Avondale at 9 a.m. on Monday. The lien Godfrey-Satanelbi colt Stibbington, who was kicked during the week, is making satisfactory progress. Cannongate, Mars, Winsome and Matarawa returned from Canterbury on Saturday, via Taranaki and Oueliunga. On Thursday, Haydn, Tresham, Cava Hero, Royal Conqueror, and Scotty returned from the New Zealand Grand National Meeting. A Press Association w.-re says the committee of the Masterton Racing Club have reappointed Mr J. E. lienrys as handicapper, and Mr Cameron starter. The Pakuranga Hunt Club will hold a race meeting at Alexandra Park at an early date. Taltersail’s Club members have guaranteed £5O towards the stakes. A prolit of about £lOOO was made over the Caul Held Grand National Meeting. Last year, with the stakes some £3OO less, the profit was close on £2OOO. The Hon. H. Mosman will send three of his mares to Soult this season. They are The Witch, by Cuirassier-Sybil, Jessamine, by Musketry-Jenny, and Din-o’-war, by Artillery-Manga. Amongst the names of horses still left in the A.J.C. Derby is that of Seiisatron, by Hotchkiss from Guida, an evident oversight on the part of his owner. Mr Michael Corcoran, whose death was announced last week, at one time owned a racehorse named Rawenata. The funeral of the deceased was largely attended. Dayntree is being broken to harness. The other day he was seen working in the body of a team of heavy horses. Probably after earning his living in a new role, he may come out and race again. At the Findon Harriers’ Meeting, near Melbourne, recently, the New Zealand bred Full Charge won the Steeplechase. Full Charge is by Torpedo from Honeysuckle, therefore full brother to Tortulla. G.8.G., a jumper purchased by Mr. Armitage, a hunting enthusiast at Ellerslie, at i he recent National Meeting, so badly injured one of his joints that he is ro:; expected to be got sound enough to race again. J. Gainsford has returned to New Zealand after an absence of a few months in Sydney, where he states racing matters are quiet. G-alnsford has some engagements to fulfil at Avondale, and should get plenty of riding during the coming season,as he is a very handy weight. Returned visitors say that the Canterbury Jockey Club’s tracks were in splendid condition. The old plough has been turned into a new grass track, and inside of the present grass track, and next the cinder trfick, a new plough gallop has been laid down. The outside of the course proper was used for a lot of the work done on the eve of the National Meeting. Nonette had resumed his place as favourite for the New Zealand Cup in Canterbury and was quoted at 8 to 1 there on Saturday. Locally the same price is on offer against the son of Seaton Delaval, and Siege Gun is quoted at the same odds. Tortulla and Glenaladale have each received support recently. Tortulla is quoted at 10 to 1, Glenaladale 12 to 1, St. Michael and Pampero 14 to 1, Cannle Chiei 16 to 1, and from 20 to 100 to 1 others. . _ .

It is said that the cause of Royal Conqueror running off at the first hurdle m the N.Z. Grand National Htirdle Race was that the flight had only six hu rates, and this was not wide enough for fourteen horses, ana no room was left for Royal Conqueror to jump.

Chatting about Viceroy Cup winners, th? “Indian Planteis* Gazette’’ says that a really first class horse has never yet won that race, which is tantamount to saying that a firs! class horse has never been brought into the country either from England or Australia. The only North Island candidate for election to the New Zealand Trotting Association Is Mr J. (I. Pollock, who resides in Wellington, and who. If elected, will have to make special visit to Canterbury every month, if not more frequently, when special meetings of the Association are held. In France the authorities have made matters as unpleasant as possible for bookmakers, but now they arc to be suppressed altogether, as Parliament has reported in favour of the adoption of a measure dialing with betting under which bookmaking- in France will be impossible. The death of Mr A. Williams, who had been assistant secretary to Mr W. Fcr'dval at the Auckland Racing Chib's office for* twelve months, and totalisator clerk for a long period, took place on Friday at Ponsonby. The deceased was the successful applicant from a large number at the time of his appointment, and was well liked by those with whom business brought him in contact. The nominations received by the Canterbury Jockey Club for the Canterbury Cup. Jubilee Cup. and Stewards’ Handicap, are very satisfactory. In the Canterbury Cup are the Auckland three-year-olds Kelburn, Grey Seaton, and I.a Vidette, and the four-year-old Nonette, and the same four and I.a Valiere are in the Jubilee Cup. in the Stewards’ Handicap Auckland is represented by a half-dozen, lloboro and all those already named being in the list. The following notice appeared in the English “Racing Calendar’’ last month: “The stewards of the Jockey Club have decided that if the gate fails to act property when the lever is pulled, or if the webbing is broken by a horse, it shall not be. a start, and the horses must return to the post.” There is also a notice that as horses from certain stables give a lot of trouble at the machine, the stewards will fine any trainer whose horses are not properly schooled. Double books are open on the Avondale meeting, and several candidates have already been supported at prices ranging from hundreds to throe to hundreds to one. the Avondale Cup and Flying Stakes Handicaps being the events operated upon. Scotty. The Shannon, St. Olga. Ma tamntaharekeke, and T resham are fancied in the Cup. and Scotty, St. Olga and Walriki are popular selections in the shorter event. Tn America there are professional dyers of horses, whose natural colour their owners wish to change, from aesthetic or other reasons. In a New’ York paper one G. F. Richards advertises himself as “an artist in running colours.” “I can make a chestnut coloured horse in 24 hours, no matter what the colour of the animal brought to me. To make a black or a brown horse requires from six to ten days. 1 have made a white horse out of a black one, but I don’t like doing It, as the experiment is attended with danger to the horse.” In New South Wales, says a Sydney confrere, there dre a few men who are good at altering the colours of horses, a fact that Is wellknown at unregistered meetings in Sydney. A capital programme of events has been drawn up by the committee of the Pakuranga Hunt Club for their sports meeting to be held at Alexandra Park on the 13th inst. There are six events to come up for decision, the chief of which are for farmers, and nice trophies nre to be given. The meeting is purely a sporting one, and it has boon decided that any profit made out of the meeting will be given to a laudable object. That it will be a ’well patronized meeting by inembora of the club, and lovers generally of hunting and sport, goes without saying. A good many hunting enthusiasts from furthermost coun-

try districts in which the Fakuranga hound* have appeared thia tvnd in previous seafwoe, intend lending their assistance. Mew bers of 'L'attersaH’s Club have guaranteed £5O towards the meeting.

Abington continues to do good work, and with ordinary luck he will go to the post for the Epsom Handicap in first rato condition (says ‘Pilot” in the “Referee”). Many racing men are of opinion that a mil© Is a trifle far for the buy gelding, but I do not think such Is the case. Prior to last year’s Epsom he showed great track form; In fact, nothing ran a faster inlle trial than he did, and on that particular occasion he finished really well. However, that spin probably settled him. as he went all to pieces in the Epsom and was subsequently so lame that he had to be thrown out of work. In ap-

pearance lie is a better horse than last year, and as his recent win shows that he retains all his old dash, punters and books are making no mistake in again treating him with respect for the mile race.

A private telegram received in Auckland on Monday states that Mr Charles Goodman, at one time well known in Auckland as an amateur horseman, and for some seasons huntsman to the Fakuranga Hunt Club, died there last Friday from heart disease. Mr Goodman was a son of Mr Alex. Goodman, of Lincolnshire'. England, who was well known in hunting circles, and a first class crosscountry horseman in his time, having had the distinction of riding Salamander to victory In the Liverpool Grand National in 1866, In a field of 30 starters, rhe largest number with one exception in the history of the contest, and that was when Abd-el-Kader won in ISSO, when there were 33 runners. Mr Goodman, sen., as far back as 1852 won the same race on Miss Mowbray. The deceased was a fair horseman, and won a few races hereabout, but was unlucky in many of his cross-country ventu res.

Some time ago there was talk of discontinuing steepleeliasing at 'Randwick, but the following is suggestively honeful: The steeplechases at the coming A.J.C. Meeting will be decidedly Interesting If only half the horses nominated go to the post. Victorian owners have contributed with unusual freedom, and nearly every Sydney horse with cross-country pretensions is engaged. The newcomers include smart hurdlers In King Pin. Crescent, and Seafarer, who should be quite equal to negotiating the course. From a spectator’s point of view, the Randwick steeplechase course Is hard to beat, and with good horses taking part a race over it will always prove one of the most interesting Items of a day's sport.

The following resolutions have been adopted by the Avondale Jockey Club:—“That the membership of this club shall not nt any Lime exceed seventy five (75), and that from the Ist August, 1002, the annual subscription for each member shall be £2 2...” “Entrance tee for new members shall be £3 3/ each, and new members shall only be elected from subscribers.” “Subscribers may join the club on payment of £1 1/ each, receiving in return the same privileges at all the club’s race meetings aa members, but they shall not have any volet* in the control or management of the club’s property or affairs.” “That no tickets be issued without payment of subscription, an<! that non payment of subscription shall render member or subscriber liable to be struck off the list.” The committee appointed to deal with the application from bus proprietors for free admission of their buses, decided that 2/G he the admission charge fo> the vehicles. A sum of two guineas was voted to the publishers of the “Turf Register.” ami one guinea to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Wargrave, by Carbine, was beaten a head by Royal George In the Victoria Cup, of 1170sovs, 1J mile, at Hurst Park, on June 80, and it Is supposed that his rider mistook the proper winning post. On the subject, the London “Sportsman” says: “The authorities at Hurst Park find it necessary to requisition a couple of judges’ boxes, which are situated on the members’ lawn, within about thirt/ yards of each other, and, not being collapsible, as at Lingfield and elsewhere, nothing but a .small flag denotes which box is in use. It lookeJ very much as if the Jockeys on Wargrave and Royal George were under a misapprehension on the present occasion, and timed their finish for the further box, which is in general use. Instead of at the nearer one. It was a desperately tight light between the two, ami at the further box Wargrave hail won by a head or more, but when they passed the Judge Royal George just had his head in front, and secured the verdict by that margin.” The following is from the pen of “Pilot,” in the “Referee”:—“Wakeful is still standing her ground in the Melbourne Cup, for which the withdrawals are not numerous. Ma later remains, as well as the New Zealander Nonette, and with the exceptions of San Fran, Hymettus. Sequence, Khaki, Lucknow, Limber, and Australian Colours, the over Sst lot are standing their ground. Blue Metal. Klnglike, Palmer, and Gauleon have each been doing well enough to inspire hope.

•nd though The Victory has deserted at Caulfield, he remains here. Galtee More, Verne. Robato, Street Arab, Sir Evan, and a few three-year-olds with nothing •pedal to recommend them have dropped out, but there are no surprises. Owners have now the privilege of keeping horses in until a week before the race, when they can get out for another three sovereigns ” Nonette's owner probably overlooked the fact that forfeits were due. Sydney pencilled, are quoting Nonette at 30 to 1.

The A.J.C. licensing committee have decided upon making a distinction in the licensing of trainers. Only trainers who have suitable stables—either their own or rented — will be permitted to train at Randwick. Anyone making application will have to satisfy the committee on this point. It Is thought In this way to improve the status generally of trainers.and check the overcrowding of the tracks with horses. It is found necessary to limit the trainers operating at Randwick, and If possible reduce their numbers. Trainers unable to satisfy the committee in regard to the pretensions and accommodation of their premises will be licensed to train on other courses. In the ease of trainers taking horses to Sydney to be raced at A.J.C. meetings they will be granted permits to work at Randwick, but trainers visiting the metropolis to race horses at any of the suburban meetings will not have this privilenge extended to them. About 250 horses are at present i i work at Randwick.

At last stipendiary stewards are to be tried on the metropolitan and suburban that they shall be installed for the metropolitan racing district of New South Wales. This decision was arrived at by the A J C. committee recently, and the matter of details for carrying the new departure into effect will be considered. The scheme will entail expense, but between, a number of clubs it will be nothing considerable. The cost will be divided among those concerned. No doubt after the matter of the new appointments has been fully gone into prompt action will be taken. Rumour has been busy with the names of men likely to be requested to act, but it is quite likely there will be disappointment when the selection is made. There will be none on the part of the sporting public if independent capable, and impartial stewards can be found, and, if so, the sport is sure to benefit as a result.

At Ellerslie on Saturday a lot of good work was got through. Jewellery, alone, Grey Seaton, Lavalette, and Lavaliere, in company, galloped a mile well. Drudge finished in front of Manifesto over six furlungs. Beddington and Rosella each did good working gallops. Sans Puer and Kamo galloped three furlongs on the course proper, keeping together. Nonett# assisted by Geordie, over four furlongs, and by Ragabrash over the last five furlongs, galloped a little over a mile and a quarter in good style. ’ Formula traversed a mile Muskerdale running home the last half mile with her. Stepaway and Gladisla slipped along fast over six furlongs, and Spalpeen and Irish registered a similar task. Kelburn, with Geologist to assist the last five furlongs, got over a circuit of the grass at a sound pace. Powerful, Bobs and others also worked. After the adjournment for breakfast, Matamataharckeke, Bluejacket and Landlock did a useful gallop in company over six furlongs. Idas and Vai Rosa traversed six furlongs fast. Gipsy jumped a few of the fences. Orange and Blue had more to say than Lavadel over five furlongs, in which Hypatia joined after a furlong had been traversed. Cordon Rouge and Delaiiia had a three furlong spin, and were brought home by Nonette’s sister. Camille, HohorX and a number of others were at work later on.

“Vigilant,” of the London “Sportsman,” says: ‘lt is a curious thing that in Australia they are beginning to tire o-f St. Simon blood, declaring it to be soft and delicate, just because" some of the Haut Brions do not stand knocking about like the old colonial lines of Yattendon, Fisherman, etc. Tn the last race won by Revenue (son of Trenton), he started very slowly, and was ridden under the whip for a mile, ultimately winning easily. A writer in the “Australasian” asks: Where will you find a St. Simon who could stand this? Well, I firmly believe William the Third would stand It. Indeed, he got plenty of stick last year on several occasions, but it Is surely better not to need the whip than merely to be able to stand It. One does not associate St. Simon and Galopin brilliancy with whips and spurs, nor does this class of horse thrive on the terribly searching preparation which the Australian trainers give to the hardy descendants of Musket, Fisherman, and Yattendon. Nor, it may be. does !t suit them to run on each of the four days of a meeting, though Sceptre and William the Third would not fail on that score. But if the Australian trainers would treat their St. Simon-bred horses with more consideration, instead of galloping all the life and tire out of them, they would find It better business than abusing the results of their own handiwork.”

Trotting stands upon a much higher footing in France than it does in England. and the Minister of Agriculture was present in his official capacity at the contest over the St. Cloud course.- for the race known as the Prix du President de la Republlque, with £2OOO added, for three-yoar-o’.ds. This prize is given with a view to encourage the breeding of trotters. Bay* an exchange, and it Is, of course, the richest trotting prize in the world, though In the Exhibition year Its value was doubled for that single occasion. All the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture were present. Including M. Horney, who had been appointed Director of the Go-

vernment Haras In succession to M. Plazen. who has been a frequent purchaser in England of late ye-ars. and the race was a very interesting one. for there were 21 starters, the winner, a brown colt by James Watt—Moshowa, accomplishing the distance (a mile and six furlongs) in 4m 325, beating the second by 4s. and the third by 41s, and the fourth by 6s. The winner had the race In hand all the way. and the victory was a very popular one, to judge by the cheering which greeted it, but this is not surprising, for the stable to which he belongs runs its horses very straight, as, for the matter of that, most of the owners of trotting horses do in France. We have a colt in New Zealand who showed a better average rate of speed than that quoted at the same age, in Ribbonwood, who covered two miles in 4m 525.

Just now the following on the subject of insuring jockeys, from the Sydney “Referee,” should have an especial interest In New Zealand, seeing that the Racing Conference have had the subject under consideration:—A special arrangement for insuring jockeys against accident or death whilst following their profession has been proposed in Adelaide, and. It is said, is likely to find favour with the racing bodies In that State. There will be no objection to such a scheme, if It can be carried out without too much strain upon the pockets of those concerned, and the idea Is well worthy of consideration. Jockeys run considerable risks, and when laid by as the result of accidents do not get too much out of the fund kept for that purpose. Triose not well-off must, therefore, be considerably pinched for funds until they have undergone repairs, and a provision by which they would be entitled to assistance seems to be a wise one. The payment of a fixed sum in case of fatal injuries is just as much to be recommended, for most jockeys, like other people, have relatives more or less dependent on them. An Accident Insurance Co. in Adelaide has submitted a scheme which would require the payment of a premium of £l2 12/ for each day’s racing, to be paid by The clubs on a three years’ contract. Jockeys woud be entitled to a payment of 30/ a week whilst incapacitated by accident (with a 12 months’ limit), and £2OO w’ould be available in case of a fatal accident to any authorised representative. Some such scheme seems to be advisable, if it can be found workable without too much diificulty or any undue strain in finding the cost of it.

A number of the visitors from Auckland to the New Zealand Grand National meeting have returned, and speak in the highest terms of the reception tney received at the hands of Southern sportsmen. They found the weather somewhat colder at Riccarton than is experienced at this season of the year in Auckland, but a warm welcome and good fortune that attended most of them made the trip an enjoyable one. Visits to several of the local stables and the private studs of Mr G. G. Stead at Y’aldhurst, and of Mr J. B. Reid, of Canow’e, Riccarton, left behind pleasurable recollections, and nearly all are enthusiastic over the splendid contests that they witnessed at the New Zealand Trotting Club’s winter meeting, which attracted such large attendances of the public. It is estimated that the attendance on the opening day of the New Zealand Grand National meeting, which was said to be a record oue, was not perhaps so large as on the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club's Great Northern Steeplechase meeting, and on the second and third days had fallen off very considerably. One thing that struck them was the presence in the paddock of bookmakers calling the odds and betting in the vicinity of the totalisators, and they think that the persistence of the bookmakers in such a course must in time operate to their disadvantage. They prefer the Auckland system in setting apart a portion of the grounds for licensed men.

Tt is probable that the Works Committee of the Auckland Racing Club will set about getting a sand track made at Ellerslie with the advent of fine weather. The number of horses in work at the headquarters of racing continues to increase, and a track of this kind is really wanted there to cope with the requirements of trainers. The committee cannot start too soon in getting the sand brought to their railway crossing, and the .track formed. Tn my opinion the best’ sand track could be made by converting the half of the grass track nearest the tan Into one, while the old plough, which has really done little service, could be formed properly and then carefully laid down for a grass gallop. The present gruss gallop cannot be made a good one without being lowered and levelled in places, whereas the present plough, which Is seldom used, could be made an excellent one. There are practical men on the committee who might do worse than consult with the trainers at ■'Ellerslie on the subject, as there are many little points that are worth considering, such as a better grade and the throwing up of at least one of the turns, which is somewhat abrupt. The tan track, which has been of such great service, was unfortunately made a Ifttle too narrow when laid down, and in many places Instead of earth being excavatea as a bed for the stone foundation, the ground should have been raised. These are little matters that are learned by experience, which In the putting down of further tracks can be turned to good accouit.

It seems to be a general, or I should say an almost general, opinion that the Auckland Racing Club intend to appoint another starter in place of Mr George Cutts, who has held office for some years, I believe longer than any official ever did

before. So much has been assumed, consequent upon the decision come to at a meeting of the new committee held ths week after their election, when other officials were elected by them, to leave the appointment of a starter in abeyance. Last year applications were Invited for tho position, and a number of aspirants had their claims considered, but It was resolved to reinstate Mr Cutts as the manipulator of the barrier, a compliment to their old servant thus being ?aid. Since so much really depends upon he w’ay in which fields of horses are despatched, the question that clubs have to decide is how to secure the services of the best men to do the work. Smart, competent men, with the essential qualities of firmness and fairness, men who will command and exact obedience from the jockeys, and who can judge when they or their horses are in fault, and treat them to their desserts, and who can be relied upon not to favour anyone, are required to fill such positions. It is not suggested what course the committee of the Auckland Racing Club intend to take, but It is a fact that enquiries are being made as to the qualifications of some men who have seen service, and a change of starters may take place. Mr Cutts has the respect and sympathy of a large section of the racing public of Auckland, and no club could appreciate his straightgoing qualities more than the Auckland Racing Club do, but there are times when sentiment cannot be allowed to predominate, and if the committee of the Auckland Racing Club think that they can secure the services of a man who will give more general satisfaction sentiment must be set aside. Can such a man be got? This is the question that the committee will shortly come to a decision upon, and in the event of making a change they can be depended upon to treat their old servant well.

The number of horses that had seen some service on New Zealand racecourses before being taken to Sou.h Africa as troop horses or remounts was not large, but nevertheless a few went by nearly evertransport, and we heard of one Auckland-bred on?, lu the Nelson mare Cleopatra, winning at an impromptu meeting about eighteen months ago, and at some of the sports meetings decided on the veldt reports came to hand announcing that New Zealand horses had been successful. I remember seeing in the lines at Te Fapapa camp, Onehunga, w’hen the North Island section of the Ninth Contingent were stationed there, the bay pony Venus, by Carbineer, who had been a well known competitor at meetings held at Alexandra Park, principally in pony jumping contests. Venus at best was regarded as only useful on the fiat, and was sold at troop horse price. A report has come to hand nevertheless that this pony has found her way on to a South African racecourse, and trained by Clarence O’Neill, who left Mr J. B. Williamson’s employ, and went out as an officer’s orderly, won two races on the flat for galloways at Durban, where a race meeting was announced to take place recently, in which nine events were on the programme, one of which w r as of the value of £lOOO. All going well with some of the ponies that were taken over In May last, New Zealand will be heard of there as a racehorse producing colony.

The Queensland correspondent of the Sydney “Town and Country Journal” has the following reading which should cause New Zealanders to fee! that they have much to be thankful for:—“We, in this unfortunate drought-stricken northern State of the Commonwealth, are still in the position of not knowing what the times of the near future may have in store for us. Never in the previous history of Queensland has there been such a prolonged season of relentless drought, and never before have the coastal districts suffered to such a degree as they are suffering now for the want of rain. At this time of the year, just as the winter months are lifting, one does not expect to see fields of smiling green and rich herbage by the wayside, but such a picture of aridness as the present is not within the memory of the oldest inhabitant either this or the other side of the Main Range, which stands as the boun-dary-line of the coastal region. Such a

condition of things must naturally have an enervating effect upon the publio mind, and it is little wonder that, under the Influence of retrenchment and the Imposition of a drastic income tax, with an all too dismal outlook for a recovery, apprehension should have reached its epidemic stage. Day by day the votaries of pessimism are strengthening their forces, and now even the stronghold of the turf is being assailed. The note of warning sounded by the treasurer of the Queensland Turf Club, Mr L. Ek Walker, at the recent annual meeting of the club’s members, when he said that there was surely a bad time coming, seems to have taken root in the minds of many who before were disposed to look only upon the bright side of things, and shout hurrah because of the apparent immunity of racing interests, as depicted by the happy results of the past successful season. And there is no doubt at all but that the treasurer’s warning was a timely one. The pinch of the yoke may not yet be within hailing distance, but though the new year’s round of racing may start off with the bit between its teeth, it Is not at all unlikely that it will be a better sprinter than a stayer. It would, indeed, be too much to expect that racing alone should flourish during the next twelve months. The difficulties to be contended against must increase both for the race clubs and those upon whom they have to rely. Things were never so bttfl, however, but that they might have been worse, and we can but hope that nature may smile upon us in the spring.”

It was reported some time ago that an organisation was started In Dunedin having for its object the abolition of the totalisator, and that similar organisations were being started in other centres of New Zealand for the same purpose. The open-air meeting conducted under the auspices of the Anti-Gambling League in Christchurch on Saturday night, and at which Bishop Julius presided, was fixed for a convenient time, as residents in the Cathedral City ana visitors from surrounding country districts and from various parts of the coiony, who had been worshipping at the shrines of St. Hippo and King Tote, had lust concluded the sixth day of a big favourite winter carnival, three days of which were spent at Riccarton, five miles from the city, at the N.Z. Grand National Meeting, and three at Addington, two miles away, at the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting. Visitors speak in high terms of satisfaction at the sport they witnessed at both these meetings, at which the totalisator played such a prominent part. Though the sum of £39,583 was passed through the totalisators at Riccarton— a large amount certainly for the three days —it was less by £359b than last year, and the turnover at the New Zealand Trotting Club’s meeting was £18,601 as against £20,519 for the corresponding meeting of 1901. These figures show that speculation is very keen on trotting as well as on other races. Good stakes only can attract horses of the best class from distant parts, and money is thus drawn from different parts of the colony from the followers of such horses, as well as from a large number of people who are present to witness the racing themselves. Some no doubt attend meetings without indulging in an investment, but speculating on the chances of the horses gives zest to the proceedings, and the proportion who do not speculate to some extent is probably small. Those who indulge in putting money on contribute indirectly, though largely, to providing the sport. Unless good prizes were forthcoming the horses could not be got together, since a big proportion of owners are racing quite as mu.ch with a view to making money as for the pleasure it affords them. Those who are working with the object of trying to get the Government to suppress the totalisa f oi‘ must be given credit for their good intentions, but it is generally acknowledged that they have an uphill fight. The Government will not undertake the task it has been suggested for fear of incurring the displeasure of a large section of the community who are getting a living out of racing, which has become a gigantic business, and it has been supposed they would not care to lose an enormous revenue derived from the totallsator tax and through their Post, Telegraph, and Railway Departments*

which would certainly enow a big falllngoft It any aerie us blow ware struck at racing. From the reply ot Sir Joseph Ward to the question askeu tn the House last night It la evident that the ActingPremier la of opinion that the fate of the totaliaator should be determined by the people and not by Parliament. It has come to this, that if all who clamour tor the totallsator could have their way totalizator permits would be asked tor for three or four times as many meetings as are now held. Some people would nave totalisators run In all cities on outside meetings, and in tact allow free trade in their use, which means abuse. It is only by keeping the totallsator within reasonable limits and refusing it to a lot of the clubs of mushroom growth which are not fiurely sporting institutions, and by llmltng the number ot days' racing of many et the clubs, that good can be done. The Pacing and Trotting Boards of Control should see that racing is not overdone, as there is good ground for knowing It is at times in some of the larger centres.

Weights for the Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting made their appearance on Wednesday. As might have been expected, Nonette heads the list of those engaged in the Cup, run over a mile and a-quarter. Remembering that in April last Mr Evett handicapped this colt at 1O.« in the A.J.C. Autumn Handicap, run over a mile and •-half, it was quite expected by many that he would give Mr Ryan’s horse over that weight in the event under notice, seeing that from April to September a colt is supposed to improve from 81b to 101 b. If this theory did not depend upon circumstances, Nonette would assuredly be a great horse next month, but whne experience may have led the framers of the weight-for-age scale to conclude that colts would on the average improve so much, it would be a mistake to suppose that anyone of long racing experience would contemplate an Improvement of 101 b in a colt like Nonette, who was so well seasoned and right at the top of his form at three years old in the autumn—very often the best period in the life of a racehorse. Personally I think Nonette has been given enough for an early spring engagement for even a good four-year-old in 10.5. St. Paul was a very good colt, and won at the same age, carrying 9.2, and also at five years, carrying 10.8. Kosella at this distance, fit and well, under 9.8, would have a chance even with Nonette on previous exhibitions of form, but on this particular course I should take the top weight. Beddington has raced well in heavy going, but has, through those above him, received his full quantum, and it will be seen upon which widely different terms Highlander has been treated as compared with Nonette, when Nonette just led him at the finish of the A.J.C. Easter Handicap, which was a quarter of a mile shorter. Now, without allowing anything for improvement in Nonette, Highlander is handicapped on. considerably over a axne worse terms through that colt. If Highlander has retained the form he showed just afterwards, he must, however, have more than an outside chance. Vai Rosa finished third at Avondaje to Highlander and Beddington. and reads well enough on paper at 8.5, meeting both on so much better terms. Matamataharakeke, in my opinion, would only have to be as wed as she was in the A.J.C. Autumn Handicap to give the horses she beat then a beating again, provided the going is heavy. The Needle has plenty in view of his most recent form, and Formula has her share. The fact that Scotty has been raced recently is in his favour, and at 7.13 he reads all right. St. Olga, 7.12, should stay better this year, and has not got anything to complain of ; and The Shannon reads nicely in at 7.11, a weight that should tempt her owner to start her. Tresbam’s Christchurch form has earned him the consideration of the weight adjuster, and schooling over hurdles does not appear to have dulled h.s pace. Mars, on the other hand, may have lost some of his dash, otherwise 7.9 would not be an impossible weight for him. I cannot see why Up-to-date should be with Military and above Solo, Ragabrash, and Durable. The three-year-olds Grey Seaton, Kelburn. and Spalpeen are about in their right places, and the two first-named may run well, but I have preference for Scotty, The Shannon, Vai Rosa, and Matamataharakeke on paper at their weights, though with no recent form to guide one outside the two first-mentioned, it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty which will win. The Flying Stakes Handicap should prove within the reach of Scotty, St. Olga, and perhaps Wairikl. Formula has been working over a distance, otherwise would be as likely as any of them to succeed, as she Is a useful mare at this distance. It will be time enough later on to make definite selections.