Turf Gossip.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XII, 20 September 1902, Page 721

Turf Gossip.

By

WHALEBONE.

TURF FIXTURES.

September IS, IS—Rangitikel R.C. September 20, 24, 27—Avondale J. September 25, 26— Geraldine R.C. October 2, 3— Wanganui J.C. October 8, 9—Hawke’s Bay J.C. October 8, 9—Otaki Maori R.C.

October 8, li—Dunedin J.C. October 14, . 15—Napier Park R.C.

TURF NOTES.

Programmes of the Hawke’s Bay and Dunedin Jockey Clubs have reached rr e.

The book programme of the Dunedin Jockey Club has reached me .

The annual meeting of members of the Auckland Trotting Club is fixed for Monday next.

Mr A. Davis, manager of the Sylvia Park Stud, has been laid up for some days with influenza.

Mr King, of Ponsonby, has been appointed caterer for the coming meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club.

The annual meeting of the Otahuhu Trotting Club Is fixed for Thursday, 18th September.

A motion to license bookmakers on ths Wellington Racing Club’s course at th* Hutt was negatived by 7 to 10 at the annual meeting.

A subscription is being raised amongst the sporting friends of the late Mr J. J. Russell, of New Plymouth, for the purpose of raising a tombstone over his grave.

A commission was worked In favour of Lavalette for the New Zealand Cup on Wednesday and Thursday, and about £5OOO obtained at an average price of hundreds to £3 10/.

Bay Eagle, the Tasmanian steeplechaser, winner of the V.R.C. Grand National, continues in winning form, and yet it is said that his dam was an ordinary sort of utility mare.

The Shannon, who arrived from Hawke’s Bay on Saturday, is under the care of her trainer. T. Quinlivan. jun., who had her on the course at Ellerslie on Monday morning. She looks well.

The following handicaps have been declared for the Geraldine Racing Club Handicap of 7»osovs, one mile and a-quar-ter:—Dundas 9.3, Muscovite 8.9, Terrapin 8.5, Cameo 8.0, Ardnarf 7.13, Flame 6.10, Amazement 6.10.

Stud news from Cambria Park this week, for which I am Indebted to the manager, is to the effect that Silk, by Grandmaster —Crysophase, has foaled a filly to Cyrenian, and Dolly (Solo's dam) a filly to Brigadier.

The stud horse Cardigan, who won, amongst other races, the Hawkesbury and Metropolitan Handicaps in N.S. Wales, and who is by Goldsborough from Signora, arrived by the Eliugamite front Sydney on Monday;

It is reported that the yearling full sister to Port run died last week at Sylvia Park. This is another stroke of bad luck for the Messrs Nathan, as the filly was a nice one and would have sold well next December.

Bill of Portland’s progeny-'keep showing to advantage in Australia; and Strata Florida, from that good mare Lady Trenton, who won the New Stakes at the A.J.C. Spring Meet’ng, and Homeward Hound, who won the Spring Maiden Stakes, are evidently good ones of their

The success of Air Motor In the Epsom Handicap on Saturday comes as a welcome piece of news to the Cambria Park Stud Company, where Windmill, his dam, is located. No three-year-old gallops faster at Ellerslie than her half brother, Spalpeen, but he has run somewhat in keeping with his name so far.

The names of Mr C. H. Chevannes, of Wanganui; Mr C. O’Connor, of Canterbury; Mr J. Cameron, of Rangitikel; and Mr J. Dingle, an erstwhile Taranaki settler, but now of Auckland, are mentioned

as probable applicants for the position jf starter to the Auckland Racing Chib. There arc quite a large number of local aspirants for the position also, and doubt* less the field will be a big one.

The victory of Queen of Sheba in tho Metropolitan Stakes at Randwick on Monday, though a surprise one, gives another lift to tho groat Frailty family, Niagara, her sire, having been bred from Frailty. The top -weight division seem to have been carried oil ihelr legs. Air

Motor, the winner of the Epsom, got off a fair performance in running third, but she started at 20 to 1, the winner at 14 to 1, and the The Persian, who was second, was not even Quoted. Patronage went out at 6 to 4. The bookmakers would likely have a good innings over both races.

The book programme of the Auckland Racing Club for the coming season has made its appearance. Slakes to the amount of £21,320 will be given as against £21,570. which is the largest sum ever given by the club. Twenty years ago the prize money only amounted to one-fourth what it is now. Since 1892-3, when the stakes were only £B9OO, there has been a regular increase, with the exception of the year 1894-96, when it was £8550. From 1891-2 to 1896-7, there were five meetings during the year.

Cheers, who won the rich Sandown Park (Eng.) Eclipse Stakes last month, according to an exchange had never previously run first, but in opening his winning account in a £lO,OOO race he Lully atoned for past failures. Other English horses which forfeited their maiden certificates under similar con<uuons were I.e Var, who won the Princess of Wales Stakes in 1895; Laveno, Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, 1895; and Merry Gal, Princess of Wales Stakes. 1900.

A letter from an Australian sportsman now resident In South Africa states states that Mr S. Griffiths, of Melbourne, had considerable difficulty in disposing of the horses he took there some time ago. Some prices mentioned are for the 13h Sin pony Mirth, £250; Liz Manton, £67 10/; Bess (a maiden), £100; and Trillian, the prizewinner at the Sydney show, £l5O. Somerset, Tosca, and others of Mr Griffiths’ horses, were submitted, without changing hands.—-Ex-change.

Though Lavalette would now appear to bo the stable elect for the New Zealand Cup. it is, I am assured, intended that Grey Seaton will go South with Beddington’s brother and be a competitor In the big handicap. It is expected that Northumberland will be got ’fit enough to represent the stable In the Auckland Guineas. The Hawke’s Bay Guineas and Wanganui Guineas will be contested for on the way South. Penalties will have to be considered. After the Avondale meeting it will be easier to indicate how the colts will be placed.

The sixteenth annual sale of bloodstock at the Cobham Stud, Surrey, took place on the 17th July, and the catalogue embraced some animals of fair class. There was ait average number of buyers around the ring when Mr Somerville Tattersall announced the first on the list, and the majority of tbo lota changed hands. The highest priced lots. It is pleasing to say, were got by Trenton, a filly from Blow and a colt from East, by that horse, being purchased for 500 guineas each, by Mr W. Allison, while a filly by Auriim realised 350 guineas.

The odds are considerably against Carbine being responsible for the winner of the English Derby of 1904, says “Fllot,” in the Sydney “lieferee,” his only representative being a colt out of Musa, owned by Mr Douglas Baird. Three of Trenton’s progeny are engaged, and one by Newhaven Mr 11. V. Foy’s colts, by Dochlel out of Champs Elysees and Countess of Aberdeen respectively, are. in the list, and the New South Wales sportsman has the Locliiel— Farthingale Ally in the Oaks. Racing ine*n in this part of the world would be delighted if an Australian bred horse were to pull off one of the Engdish classic events but it is almost too much to hope fur. 'I he following account of the high jumping competition at 'the Singleton Show*, which concluded on August 29th, should prove of interest:—A great record for Australia was put up by the grey gelding Rattler, owned by Mr R. R. Pritchard, of Gundah, who negotiated the I ole at 6ft ICjJln. Rattler failed at the first and second attempts, but at the third time of asking took off splendidly, and with a grand effort rose well over, ni.d dropped safely on the other side, merely brushing the top of the polo. A great cheer arose from all portions of the ring, which was thickly outlined by spectators. Hats were thrown into the air, and intense excitement prevailed. Rattler was ridden by A If. Warden, who, with the owner, came In for much congratulation. The performance Is a record for Australia, the previous best being by Spondullx, who is credited with having topped 6ft Win. Sceptre has further demonstrated what u great tUly she is by winning the St. Eegor, and having won the One Thousand Guineas, Two Thousand Guineas, and Oaks has established a record that has not been quite equalled by one of her sex, though Formosa, the granddam of Formo.

the dam of Multiform, Uniform, and so many good ones, succeeded in winning the St. Leger. Oaks, and One Thousand Guineas, and ran a dead heat for the Two Thousand Guineas with Moslem. In duo course we shall be told that Sceptre should have won the Derby also, but as she did not have Ard Patrick to beat In the St. Leger, this will be a moot point. A great filly all the same Is the daughter of Persimmon and Ornament. Ono of the latest sporting Items from the Land of Popcorn and Presidents, say 3 “Bondi” in the Sydney “Referee,” tfells of the* crack blood mare Kllse, which, having had one of her legs broken by a kick, has just been furnished with a wooden limb, and W’ill be retained for stud purposes. That reminds me that a noted stallion of Texas, named Telamon, has been doing stud duty for some years, although he sports a near-sido foreleg which is wood from the knee down. It would be a happy thought, therefore, and some level-headed joker is sure to think It over there, to send the woodenlegged mare Elise to the wood on-legged stallion, and thus test the worth of the old saying that “wooden legs run in some families.” Of course, I don’t see any benefit to be derived from raising a lot of wooden-legged racers; we have more than enough “proppy” prads as it Is, but the thing would be something new. and the ’Murkans hanker after novelties as hotly as the Athenians of St. Paul’s time hankered after news. A little new Ufa has been infused into the New' Zealand Cup betting by tho backing of Lavalette, the unknown quantity in the stable of Messrs L. I>. and 1€ A. Nathan. The price obtained about ths full brother to Beddington Is a tempting one, as the commission averaged 100’s to £3 10/, and the fact that £5OOO could be obtained, and that that does not represent quite the full extent of the market, goes to show’ that there is still some, demand for the layer of straight-out odds. Lavalette had been quietly backed for the big Southern event by small punters at hundreds to one and two locally. Wellington pencillers laid more money probably than the Auckland bookmakers, but the commission was done In all centres. St. Michael was supported in Auckland yesterday at hundreds to six. an-l one backer took five hundred at that price. A local penciller laid 500 to 15 against Bowman. At a time when colour breeding is absorbing more than usual attention, -the researches of an American seeker after light upon the subject may be read with interest, says an exchange. He deals with the offspring of 131 grey mares, 96 of which were served by bay horses, with the result that there were fortynine grey foals, twenty-four bays, ten browns, six chestnuts, four blacks, and three roans. Thirteen grey mares wero served by brown stallions, throwing nine greys, three bays, and one chestnut. Eleven chestnut sires put to grey mares threw eight greys, two bays, and one chestnut; whilst five blacks got three greys and two browns; four greys got two greys, a bay, and a brown: and one dun threw a grey. From this it appears that seventy-two grey mares out of the 131 threw grey foals; whilst 50 per cent, of the grey mares put to grey horses produced grey foals. Of course, the influence of back blood must count enormously in such mutters, but if the above statistics prove anything it would appear as though the influence, so far as colour of their offspring Is concerned. Is divided pretty equally between the sire and tho dam. The quantity of rain that has fallen since the small hours of Thursday morning, when there was a deluge lor about four hours on end, flooding many parts of the Ellerslie track, quite restricted training to alow work before breakfast on that morning, and afterwards on the same day very little sound galloping was done, Vai Rosa and Ida.* perhaps doing the strongest work. A lot of fadrly sound work has been done since, and this morning, on the inside grass, which wa-s thrown open, pretty well all the horses engaged at the Avondale Spring Meeting Were brushed along on It. One long-dis-tance gallop w’as registered. This was by Nonette, who covered a mile and ahalf. having Formula with him for a round, and Koi burn. who Joined in at tho winning-post for the last circuit. Formula being eased off after completing tho first nine furlongs. Nonette is certainly acquitting himself very well, and works more freely perhaps than was his wont last season. Idas and Vai Rosa, Winsome and Mars, Bluejacket, assisted by Middy. Grey Seaton and Lavalette, Drudge and Geordie, Paul Seaton. Gladisla, Geologist, Tresham, and St. Olga were some of tho early workers that got through strong exercise. Mr Strathern achieved the remarkable feat at Hamilton Park on the 19th July hays “Hotspur” In the London “Daily Mall”) of winning five races In success on. In the sixth and last he unfortunately had nothing entered, or he might have swept the board. Three trainers and two jockeys were associated with him in this wonderful performance, but the hero of it was George Chaloner’s ap-r-entlce, tho boy Miller, who rode four rf tho winners, Mr J. M. 801 l bestriding the other. It mattered not whether the horses came from Ayr or Baumber or Westbarns, or at what price they started, and the market hardly presaged the success of one or two of them. In tho jargon < t the turf, they “rolled up” in dazzling succession, and when Dandy Lad rounded off the sequence the enthusiasm was unbounded. There la probably no narnllol to Mr Btrathem'e feat In tho history of our own turf, but nt fl meeting In Hungary some limo agn the same owner won

al', the races—five, I think — and Sam Loa tea’s nephew, Heapy, rode all the winners. Loatee remembers it because he had promised the boy £IOOO if ever he accomplished such a feat, and he paid up with avuncular pride and pleasure.

The Auckland Racing Club’s committee have issued licenses to the following:— Trainers: Pat Conway, R. Hall, H. Barr, Kos Heaton, F. Macmanemin, Dennis Moraghan, T. Greenwood, W. Gall, H. Gillespie, G. Wright, J. B. Williamson. W. Wilmot, R. G. Middlemas, E. J. Rae, B. Nichol, A. Butter, H. French. Jockeys: W. Mooney, W. Bird, Jas. Buchanan, F. Conway, B. Deeley, J. Gallagher, J. H. Gainsford, F. Howard, R. Hall. Dennis Moraghan, H. Phillips, J. Pennell, Joe Pennell, M. Ryan, J. Stewart, F. fepeakman. W. Satman, R. Teddy, T. Jackson, G. Moore, E. Potts, J. McAuliffe, E. Pope, T. Taylor, A. Butter, D. Snodgrass. Apprentices: A. C. Percival, F. Porter.

The Wanganui Jockey Club have received splendid nominations for their spring meeting, and there are many Aucklandbred, though few Auckland-owned, ones set down as likely to compete. After the Avondale Guineas is decided the Wanganui Guineas may attract some of the Auckland-owned three-year-olds, and I believe it is the intention of the Messrs Nathan to send one, either Grey Seaton or Lavalette. Sir George Clifford, Mr G. G. Stead, and Mr J. Monk are others that may be represented. In the handicap races the names of a number of New Zealand Cup horses appear, and it will be interesting should any of them compete. Porirua and Achilles are the best performed ones in the Guineas.

Racing in England is at times just as remarkable for reversals o£ form as in the coionies, as the following from Kobin Goodfellow s pen in the “London Laiiy Mail" shows: Some dramatic alterations in form which besmirch the records of the past few weeks, and especially those of the two July meetings at Newmarket, where the stewards of the Jockey Club have the sport under their personal surveillance, received an addition when The Solicitor successfully gave away lumps of weight in the Coombe .Plate. For various reasons, not always, perhaps, entirely edifying, The Solicitor is one of the most interesting horses on the Turf. The chapters which go to make up his “strange, eventful history" have invariably been replete with incident and not infrequently with sensation. When beaten recently at Salisbury, with substantial odds betted on him, it was urged in extenuation that Lord Carnarvon gave insufficient notice of his being wanted to run, and in consequence he was not ripe. Another explanation is that he has suffered, or was suffering, from rheumatism, which made him stiff and unable to do himself anything like justice. In either case he was quite a different horse on Saturday. His variegated antecedents naturally affected his market status, and there was a moment when, after he had been favourite, he was driven to 4 to 1, and although he rallied to some extent, both Warminster and Theorbo were preferred to him. Apparently there are two Solicitors, and it would be well if one of them were struck off the rolls. Something happened to Theorbo half - way through the race, putting him out, and going in front rounding the bend The Solicitor stayed there to the finish.

The secretary of the A.J.C. (Mr T. S. Cllbborn) has arrived in Sydney on his return from England, and appears to have benefited by his holiday. A local paper says that the greater part of his time away was spent in Ireland, but he attended a few race meetings in England, failing, however, to notice any Improvements made since his previous visit. Mr Cllbborn, at the invitation of Lord Durham, explained to some of the members and the officials of the Jockey Club a number of the racing rules of the Australian Jockey Club, more especially those bearing on protests for incorrect entry and the nomination of a horse on the death of the owner. The working of the starting machine was also explained, ard Mr Clibborn found that sportsmen generally were decided that the machine should have a fair trial. Mr Cllbborn impressed on the officials of the English Jockey Club the Importance of having the machines properly erected, so that the webbing could be drawn tight. It was the practice in England for the horses when lining up in front of the bariler to spread themselves over the breadth of the course, keeping well apart. This, of course, made the task of despatching tne field on even terms all the more difficult for the starter, as each horse had ample room In which to turn round at his will. Illustrations of large fields being sent away In Australia were submitted and surprise expressed that such a result was possible. Mr Cllbborn made it plain that If proper methods were adopted the same thing would, as a matter of course, follow In England. Speaking of the various racecourses and appointments, Mr Ciibborn repeated what has been said before by colonial visitors to England. Altnough some of the English courses have elaborate grandstands, they are far behind Rand wick or Flemington In other respects, the sanitary conditions being bad, and the lavatory arrangements insufficient. Generally speaking, the horses and jockeys are better than we have in Australia, but it Is due to the fact that v ealthy men follow the sport who would not stick at price to obtain a horse that would be likely to turn out a winner.

Talking of proppy prads, a story from the South tells of two owners who were grieving together over the scarcity of competent jAckeys. “My horse can win,”

said the first owner. *Tve backed him to win, and I want to make sure of it.” “My horse can win, boo,” said the second owner, “but I haven’t backed him to win. and I want to make sure he doesn’t.’* Then they both went searching round for suitable riders, and the first man, who wanted to win, put up a stable boy who was honest, but had no great skill. The other man, who wished to run a secured the services of an old, well-sea-soned jockey, who knew every move on the board, and the results suited all parties concerned. The first man’s horse won by the length of a clothes Tfne, and the second man’s prad lost by many furlongs, so that the crowd shouted as the horse came ambling down the straight: “S-tooards! Where’s the bloomin’ stooards?” And others sarcastically asked the clever rider: “What delayed you, sonny? Were you afraid of falling off?” But the “stooards” saw nothing that called for investigation; in fact, one suggested that all the beaten jockeys should get the Victoria Cross for pluck shown during a desperate action. And it really does require some nerve to lose on a horse whose form has already been exposed.

The “Deutscher Sport” has been unveiling some of the gentlemen. who advertise in the columns of certain German papers, and, without regard to the law of libel, which is so ridiculously absurd in "Merrie England,” where newspapers are not allowed to call a spade a spade, has fairly put the cat among the pigeons. Betting is prohibited in Germany, the bookmaker is barely tolerated on the racecourse, and is compelled every now and then to answer for his sins to the police. The- law is evaded in every possible manner, though the money has to be sent away “out of the country,” not a day passes without bets being made at the “totalisator” New industries have sprung up; there are men who pick up and sell the old vouchers thrown away by losers, and who find customers among the agencies, who have to prove every now and again by vouchers that they have carried the money entrusted to them to the “totaasator.” Another industry has sprung up among backers who have every interest in the return by the “totalisator” of the longest prices possible, for regulating the bets entrusted to certain agencies. A few confederates assembl at the small gatherings, where there are only a fsw offices for taking money, and block the cash taker with a number of small transactions which require time to register, and prevent others, who would have put their money on the favourite from getting near until the signal for the start is given.

The Great Northern Guineas is an attractive spring event, the first of the classic races of the season in Auckland, of the value of oOOsovs. On Friday, September sth, the final forfeits were due, and the result was that twenty four were left in, some of the number, it is supposed, owing to neglect on the part of their owners. Under the forfeit system this sort of thing will always occur, but there are probably only a -few that would have been withdrawn in any case, for nearly all the horses are in commission, and two months may cause the race wear a different complexion to what i. does to-day. A fair proportion claim spring engagements at Riccarton about the same time, and there are some engaged at Avondale, Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay in the interval, so that we need not wonder at the full list. Those that have proved winners and shown fair two-year-old form are Idas, Grey Seaton, Wairiki, Northumberland, Dodona, Spalpeen, Kelburn, Gladisia, Gold Purse, Gold Dust, Liquify and Austerlitz; while amongst the other half of those engage d there are several winners and fairly promising young horses, Lavalette and Marshal Soult being a brace that come under the category for probable usefulness. The Avondale Guineas may throw some light on the contest, meanwhile I anticipate that Idas will take a prominent part in the settlement of that question, and go on and give a good account of herself in the more valuable stake, for she appears to be going very well. However, there may not be much between the best of the young horsts at headquarters this season, and some of them have done searching preparations and must run prominently. Brilliancy rather than staying ability seems to be the forte of both Wairiki and Spalpeen, and at the moment I would take Lavalette, one of the untried division, as about as likely to be useful as any of them.

There are many racegoers in New Zealand who look upon 10 per cent, as a quite sufficient sum to be charged by clubs for investing their money through tne medium of the totalisator, but they have to pay much more dearly in Queensland. The local correspondent of the “Town and Country Journal” has the following on the subject: The question of the tax on the totalisator betting in Queensland has been occupying a deal more attention in the public mind and at the hands of the turf clubs thai) it did when under consideration by the Legislature. In fact, it needed practically no consideration whatever to direct its passage through both Houses of Parliament, for the reason that from the offset it was generally conceded that under the present circumstances the Treasurer was decidedly moderate in his demand for a larger share of the profits derived from the betting machine’s. The public, or, at least, those of the racing public who tire not careless in matters of this kind, are concerned as to the source from which the extra 2J per cent, is to be obtained, fearing that there may be truth in the statement which had been openly made to the effect that it was to be made an addition to the existing 12ft; while the committee of the Queensland Turf Club

have on their part been exercising their minds In endeavouring to - discover how such a proposition would be regarded. By the latter the matter has evidently been gone into pretty thoughtfully, and there is some reason to believe, after all, that they are not too confident of what the result might be were they to throw the full burden upon the shoulders of the totalisator investors. Two shillings and sixpence deducted from every pound has always seemed a pretty high premium to charge for the privilege of betting by machinery, especially when it is considered that in eight investments the pound became totally absorbed by the machine, and this is one of ihe strongest arguments advanced in opposition to an extra impost upon the public. On the other hand, the committee do not relish the idea of losing sixpence in every pound which goes through the totalisator at their meetings, and thus having their customary profits curtailed to that extent; and as a way out of the difficulty a notice of motion has been tabled by the chairman, Mr W. W. Hood, to the effect that as soon as the new totSTlsator tax comes into force (and that will no doubt be forthwith) the extra 2J per cent, shall be borne equally by the club and the Investors. If this is carried, the distribution of the totalisator moneys will give 86J per cent, to the winning investors, 62 per cent, to the club, 5 per cent, to the Government, and 2 per cent, to the proprietors of the totalisator. That there will be some complaining against this is certain, but the totalisator medium of betting has taken too strong a hold upon the average racegoer in this State for it to have any very disastrous effect.

That the backing of Lavalette for the New Zealand Cup has occasioned surprise at racing headquarters amongst the track watchers can generally be gathered from the remarks of most of them. There was only one good three-year-old at Ellerslie last season, and that was Nonette. After him the rest belonged to the common variety. Nonette could give them all lots of weight. He stood out by himself, as he did in his two-year-old career. During the season just over we had a lot of two-year-olds all so close to each other who kept winning in turns that It was really impossible to believe that there was actually one high class one amongst the lot, for it seldom happens that when a number of two-year-olds are found to be about the same class, that the class can be of the best, useful though they may be. If we allo.w that the best of the two-year-olds we had racing here belong only to the serviceable class, then it can, I think, be claimed that we have assessed them fairly. That they were as a lot superior to the previous season’s crop would be conceded by most people. It remains now to be seen whether they will prove better three-year-olds also. For my own part, I feel sure they -will be of better average, but at present no Nonette looms in sight. Many thought that the last New Zealand Cup was thrown away because Nonette’s owner did not send his colt down for it. Nonette had a penalty that brought his Impost to a stiff weight for a three-year-old in the spring of the year, and I do not agree with those who think he would have won. Tortulla, the winner, had a nice impost, 8.2. This year she has 9.3, or 151bs more, and yet we find her owners prefer her chance to that of his three-year-olds, or we are told prefers to trust her than give the younger ones a severe preparation. Now, if there is an ordinarily good three-year-old engaged this season this is surely the year for one to shine, for all the proved performers are set to carry lots of weight, and it is remarkable that horses with big weights do not succeed over this particular distance. During the past 19 years 8.9 is the highest weight borne to victory, and while three horses have been successful under that weight, only on two other occasions has over 8.0 been won with. Tasman., Vanguard and Lady Zetland each had 8.9, Waiuku 8.6, and Tortulla 8.2, when they won. It has needed good ones to carry these imposts. There are croakers who declare every year that the Cup horses are the worst they have seen, and I admit that at times it would seem so, but I don’t know of a pronounced bad one that has actually succeeded, and depend upon it the one that wins In this year of grace will not disgrace the list. We are now within eight weeks of the event, and every week the interest will increase, and other candidates will no doubt find favour. Nonette and Siege Gun continue favourites.

The Avondale Jockey Club have received very satisfactory acceptances for their spring meeting, which commences on Saturday next, for there are just a dozen in the Avondale Cup, and the same number in the Flying Stakes, and as nearly all the candidates in each of these events have been going well, the double is o-ne that may not prove easy to pick. The presence in the Cup race of The Shannon, the Napier mare, who is perhaps the best handicapped, and of the Taranaki gelding Durable, will lend interest to the race. Up-to-Date is not working at Ellerslie, but is said to be well, though it is just a question whether a horse can be got really fit on the Pukekohe course from wtyat I have

beard of It. The other nine are trained at headquarters, and each having done pleasing gallops, the race wears a fairly open appearance. Most Interest will centre In seeing how the three-year-olds Grey Seaton and Kelburn shape, as they claim so many valuable engagements ahead, both being In the New Zealand Cup. The material Is in the race to give the youngsters a severe trial. The Shannon, Formula, and Vai Rosa may be the most formidable they will have to encounter. The Flying Handicap ought to be won by a three-year-old, If there Is a good one amongst them, but Formula, specially prepared and fresh for this race, would have been a very good trial candidate. The New Zealand Cup candidate Lavalette is engaged, and having been backed in doubles with Grey Seaton, is likely to compete, and he may be expected to race well. Wairiki has been eased in his work; somewhat, and It Is ramoure. may not be just at bls best. This colt has been the ruling fancy for some time past. I fancy a good race will result. In the Malden Plate, Drudge and the two top weights, La Vallere and Mechanic, can be looked upon as having the best chances. If Bellman is really well, he may race well In the Hurdles, but that race is fairly open; and the Steeplechase also. Dingo would be hard to beat if he would show the generous side of hi. nature. The top weights, Lavalette and Marshal Soult, in the Hack Race, and Girton Girl in the Pony Race, read well. There is every prospect of the classic races, the Avondale Stakes and Avondale Guineas, furnishing Interesting races, as there are several fast twoyear olds at headquarters. and the meeting for the lirst time this season of 3-year-olds claiming important enan attraction for breeders and racegoers generally all over the colony. ® ® ® STARTING RACEHORSES. (To the Sporting Editor.) Sir,—l write having noticed that the Auckland Racing Club are about to appoint a new starter. In the past Mr Cutts has had very tedious work in starting, and, a lot to put up with. On the Continent several courses have two posts 80 yards from each barrier,with the words ‘Line up” on a signboard. When the starter is in his place he has a handbell which he rings twice, once to line up and the next is to w’alk up from the line-up post to the barrier. He never has occasion to speak to the jockeys, only when he raises the barrier for starting. It Is fair to the public, owners, trainers, and also to the jockeys, who are supposed to know their places before leaving the saddling paddock.—l am, etc..

A PUNTER WHO HAS LOST HIS BIT . AT THE POST. ® ® ® AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUBS SPRING MEETING. The following acceptances were received last night by Mr H. H. Hayr in connection with the Avondale Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting, which opens on Saturday next; — AVONDALE CUP HANDICAP of SOOsovs; second, 40sovs; third, lOsovs. One mile and a-quarter.

Maiden Plate.—La Valerie 8.7, Mechanic 8.0, Rosiphele 7.12, Sly Miss 7.11, Drudge 7.11, Cygnet 7.10, Setona 7.7, Waimana 7.7, Gold Web 7.4, Romeo 7.4, Strowan 7.0, Aurega 7.0, La Polish 6.12, lota 6.10, Strathavon 6.10.

First Hurdle Handicap.—Mars 11.6, Tim 10.10, Cannongate 10.8, Bellman 10.4, Dingo 9.7, Commodore 9.0, Winsome 9.0, Mokomoko 9.0, Sirdar 9.0.

First Hack.—Lavalette 8.11, Marshal Soult 8.5, Irish 7.12, Lingard 7.10, Ben Blair 7.7, Setona 7.7, Hawera 7.7, Hippowal 7.7, Romeo 7.4, Hipstone 7.3, Loch Fyne 7.3, Strathavon 6.10, Minna 6.10.

First Steeplechase Handicap.—Cannongate 12.4, Nor’-west 11.10, Dingo 10.5, Tarragon 10.4, Hinemoa 9.12, Stockman 9.10, Pungarehu 9.10, Matarawa 9.10, Kowhai 9.9, Pullack 9.7, Gipsy 9.7, Sirdar 9.7.

First Pony Handleap.—St. Loanda 8.10, Sentinel 8.5. First Whisper 8.0, Girtoa Girl 7.8, Whereklno 7.5, Avalanche 7.5.

st. lb. st. lb. Vai Rosa . ... 8 5 MatamatahaThe Needle ..8 3 rakeke , . 7 7 Formula .. .... 8 2 Up-to-Date . 6 St. Olga . r. . 7 12 Solo . 7 5 The Shannon 7 11 Grey Seaton 7 Tresham .. ... 7 10 Kelburn .. 7 3 Durable 0 FLYING STAKES HANDICAP of 100 sovs; second, lOsovs. Six furlong-. st. lb. st. ] lb. Highlander ..9 6 Landlock . .. 7 Bluejacket ... 8 12 Lavalette .. .. 7 7 Formula r. .. . 8 9 Durable ..... .. 7 6 St. Olga . .... 8 7 Spalpeen ... .. 7 6 Jewellery . ... 7 7 Gladisla .... .. 7 5 Wairiki ... .... 7 7 Orange and Blue 7 0