TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XI, 14 March 1903, Page 713

TURF NOTES.

Motor may be a visitor at the Auckland Racing Club’s autumn meeting. Field Battery is Improving in his wind, and is racing nearly at his best. Bookmakers were plying their calling freely at the Wanganui Jockey Club’s autumn meeting. At the Thames Jockey Club’s meeting £lO4O 10/ was put through the totalizator, as against £1919 10/ last year. Too much notice should not be taken of the time registered in the Wanganui Cup. though it is a record for the colony. Machine Gnu unfortunately makes a noise, otherwise he might be put down as about the best two-year-old we have seen out this season.

The accident which befell Strathavon is not considered serious by his trainer, J. Rae, but it may be some time before he Is got really well again.

Amongst the visitors at the Wanganui meeting were Sir Geo. Clifford, E. J. Watt, G. I*. Donnelly, Mr Douglas Gordon, and a few other prominent horse owners.

The starting at the Wanganui meeting, In the hands of Mr C. H. Chavannes, left little wanting. The judging was good, and the decisions were given promptly by Mr Hartgill. The win of Heroism at Wanganui is the best Mr O’Brien has had for a very long time. The sou of Grafton should go on scoring in the near future now that he has struck form.

Rufus pulled up amiss after running ia the hurdles on the first day uf the Wanganui meeting. Bad luck this for his owner, as he will not be able to race for some time. Rags broke a blood vessel, and was not started a second time at the meeting.

Chantress, Independence and Wairiri, the placed trio in the Newmarket, are each mares, two being but three years old. Chantress, who Is a daughter of Bill of Portland, is, I should say, a coding filly, something out of the ordinary.

Mr Bradley threw what looked an excellent chance of winning the Wanganui Cup away by not sending the son of Soult down for that race, for at the weights he appeared to hold Orloff safe, and that geldiug just suffered defeat at the hands of Mars.

Glencoe, winner of the Hack Race at Wanganui, is by Vanguard from a mare called Lady, by Aureleos from Sultana, bred by the late Captain Bailey, of Penrose. A substantial offer was refused for Glencoe, who should make a good hurdle horse.

Achilles was at the Wanganui meeting, but his owner declined to start him with 10.7, the impost Mr Evett asked him to carry in the mile and a-quarter in the Wanganui Stakes. Mr Stead's representative would not run Orloff with the Impost (9.8) that gelding received.

Independence, the runner-up to Chantress in the Newmarket Handicap, was sold on the 23rd February iu Melbourne to Mr S. Green privately, after being put up to auction and withdrawn at 400 guineas. The daughter of Wallace may go to South Africa.

Some of the indifferent starting we have experienced lately has been mainly due to the Inferior quality or the bad gearing of tlie starting machines. Good workmen cannot give satisfaction with bad tools, but they should see to it that they do not use bad gear.

The owner of Talhoa held the only two tickets on the son of Vanguard when he won the Electric Trot on Wednesday, paying a dividend of £52 6/. There were but three tickets on Peri Huon, the second horse, whose supporters received £ll 12/ for each 10/ invested.

At the meeting held at Rotorua, the hurdles were narrow and the wings lower than the hurdles. At one of the obstacles there was only one wing up; a post, to which a dog was tied, indicated where a wing should have been. A Maori, when asked what the dog was there for, replied: “’Spose the dog he look out, the horse no run off.”

J. 11. Prosser, the Porirua trainer-owner, has bad an extraordinary experience. At one of tbe late Mr Douglas’ siib-s al Te Mahan ga, he purchased two yearlings. These he trained with a view to hurdle racing. One, Puna mu, some time ago broke his neck at the first time of asking to race. On Thursday, at Wanganui, the other, called Ureukahika, fell and so badly injured his shoulder in the hack hurdle race, his first essay in public, that he had to be shut.

W. Ross, who rides 6.7, is quietly coming to the fore, and haw already, Ibis season, won 19 races; not bad for a 14 year old boy In bls secund season. Last season he had three falls, and broke his leg through The Frenchman falling in the Final Handicap at tbe Thames, which race lie won on Telephone on Monday.

Truly, racing is an uncertain game. Old Telephone, who won the Farewell Handicap, was very sore after running in tbe Final Handicap at Rotorua, and few expected to see tlie old fellow came up smiling at. the Thames, but there he was, sure enough, and lie showed a lot of bls old dash. On the day following the Rotorua meeting he won rhe high jump at the carnival sports there.

Messrs L. D. and N. A- Nathan have leased Kohimarama. and these training quarters will be used in addition to the stables of their private trainer, G. Wright, at. Ellerslie. Change of scene and air. an occasional run and roll in the paddock, and, when thought desirable, a sea bath or swim can be given, and the grass gallop there can be ust*d with profit. G. Wright, has had experience of Kohimara ma, and will superintend the management of the horses when they go there.

Green and Gold won a double at Walid and a double at Rotorua, and had she got away well might have succeeded hi winning twice at the Thames. On Saturday, at South Auckland, she earned two winning brackets, the penalties Mr Evett imposed being insufficient to bring her back to her fields, in the first instance she was literally thrown in, and in the light of her running previously, the penalties Imposed were ridiculous.

Sixteen studmasters of the 60 written to by Mr t’libborn in connection with the question of renewing the old-esl ablished Sires' Produce Stakes in New South Wales have iCi.Lcd, and 12 have piomlsed their support. Of the other four, one refused to support the project, while the other three stated that they were unable to extend their patronage, as they were not in possession of a suitable sire to subscribe for. The matter has yet to come before the A.J.C. for a final decision.

According to an exchange, the first foal of the season In England at the Eaton stud was rather unexpectedly born a few hours after the Now Year was ushered In. It Is a brown filly by Persimmon out of Throstle, who, in 1894, won a sensational St. Leger, beating Ladas and Matchbox. Had this highly-bred youngster made its entrance in«o the world a few hours sooner the consequences would have been most unfortunate, as it is perhaps needless to mention that the age of all thoroughbred foals dates from January 1.

The method of judging horse at a Danish show is very practical. Those selected by the judges as worthy of a prize had to substantiate their claim to It by performing in harness, in a satisfactory manner, a given distance with a certain weight of draught in a certain time. The Jutland horse is generally a well-bred, good-shaped animal from 15 to 16 hands high, rather heavy ami sluggish in appearance, and suitable for road as well as field work. For many years past English thoroughbreds have been used, and more recently Cleveland blood has been imported.

The modern American trotters “ripe i earlier and fade earlier” than they did 20 or 30 years ago. In those days horses were good from 12 to 15 years of work on the turf; but then they were not asked to make great efforts until they were fully grown and furnished. Lady Suffolk trotted her fastest miles when she was over 12 years old, and ran successively for 15 years. Goldsmith Maid equalled the then record when she was 17 years old, and trotted the mile in 2mlu Uisec when she was 21. Vaud S. made her “world’s record” of 2mln SJsee when 11 years old. Ethan Allan was 11 when he trotted his fastest mile, and wou races until he was 17.

West Guard put up a very fast go for the six furlong raw at Wanganui, ami Field Battery, Shrapnel, and Windwhistle were racing her close to the distance. Then the times for the hurdle races were fast, and for an ordinary hack old Glencoe, by Running a mile and a distance in 1.59£, showed how lively the going must have been. The same thing was noticeable on the second day in nil the races. Wind whistle ran a mile and a distance In 1.57, the hist mile In 1.41 1-5, Waiwern, with 12.8. ran two miles over seven hurdles in 5.49 4-5, Machine Gun six furlongs in l.'Ut 3-5, Muturoa a mile and

five furlongs in 35 4 5 with six hurdle®* Field Battery, with 10.13, u mile from post to post in 1.44, and with 8.8 later, iu the same distance. In 1.41 1-5, Heroism a mile and a quarter in 2 10, while Blaekwing. the hark, took only a fifth of a second over Newmarket Handicap time fu getting home in the Hack Race, in which there were thirteen starters. Can too much cr *dit nut be given to the time test after such displays'?

Says the Melbourne “Argus”: The Caulfield Futurity Stakes, which with its penalties and allowances is something in the nature of a bn mH cup, has survived the adverse criticism it was subjected to in its early history, ami, while it attracts the best horses, and the best horses attract tbe public* the executive is not likely to make an alteration, notwithstanding that it involves the club in a substantial loss. Irwell was an acceptor, but Mr Macdonald decided at the last moment to depend solely upon Wakeful, who looked tit enough to run for a man’s life. Th re was curiosity to see the thousand guinea colt Emir, who carried Mr Ernest Clarke’s colours French grey, pink sleeves, ami cap for the first time. Emir is a very fine colt, but he was rather green, and lacked the necessary condition to run a severe race. Chan tress is only a pony, but she is all quality, and her party expected her to run well. Sir Leonard was also heavily backed, amt, after a great race, won. A lucky win it was, to iny thinking. H is just possible that, with a bit of lurk. Chantress would have beaten him, as U is evident that she was finishing at a great rate, in between Emir und Sir Leonard.

If there is any question as to whether bookmakers or hackers are best informed, I should unhesitatingly, us a general rule, give the advantage to the side of the bookmakers (writes “Larry Lynx" in “The People’’!, whose channels of information are inexplicably good and phenomenally correct. At the prices they lay nowadays it Is really impossible to harm them unless by some extremely unlucky coup. ami. as a fact, it is every whit 3 to 1 against hackers in the long run, as so very many men find In turn, for they come and go after a short life, either as plungers, moderate backers, or owners. In contrast, the fielders nourish, for It Is seldom one of tlu m has to cry “enough,” and bear in mind they are living nil the time nt a high rale on backers’ money, and if they leave «>Cf with nothing it is only the same state in which the great majority of them begin. If it is odds against an ordinaly every-day punter in the first instance, the very illfated happenings that cause him to miss a winner or not be on for innumeralde reasons, make it as an actual fact 3.» to 1 against him. One has further not only to find a winner, txit to make it a practical double event by getting their money.

“In rehilion to the subject of doping, which seems to have a certain fascination for many honest men (appearing in “I he Field’ ), Mr John Porter did not express optimistic sentiments. He knows what optimistic seutlmens. He knows what has been going on. who have been clever practL titioners, and how the game has been worked. In the privacy of his box. say. an hour before the race, a duck-hearted plater may be drenched by his trainer with a stimulating dose; and assuredly there are worse accidents at sea. Some horses begin to lose all their courage, and fade away, so to speak, immediately they air taken on a racecourse. They can beat themselves bebefore they reach the post. A technical term for lids is funking. A remedy dose keeps up his pluck. No particular harm is done, since few of these welshing platers are lent to the stud, and for the ordinary purposes of life they are virtually useless. The idea that they are sometimes doped to such an extent that they become, in effect, mad horses is exaggerated. Little jockeys do not care to accept mounts of that character. Wo must remember, too. that when a good horse is thoroughly tit io do his best, his trainer is quite satisfied with that result. No adventitious aids are employ cd. We cannot expect to beat perfect fitness.”

Of ail old time racing cracks, Joe Thompson thinks Fishhook was the best. He was (says the “Referee") a great overgrown colt, standing about 16.3, with far too much daylight under him. and a nasty habit of boring out. That, however, gave the crack jockey Sam Davis a chance to show what a real tradesman could do, tor in the Launceston Champion Stakes Sam cunningly kept his cranky colt inside his horses at the turns so that he could not bore out, and through that ho won In a canter. Joe thinks the English racehorses are more fiery than ours, but I would account for that by the fact that half our horses are geldings. It is the other way about in England, and that is whore the fire comps in. There is a growing tendency in England to train horses in a natural, common sense style, too, and the sooner our trainers follow that sensible plan the sooner they will get to be classed as millionaires. One English trainer, Blackwell, has had his boxes cut down, so that the horses can see out of them, the result being that bls horses are the coolest and quietest on any course. Americans do tills also, and they use the mudbath, In which a horse rolls, and naturally with great to himself; but that has been practised here for nearly half a century. Finally. Joe thinks wo have too much racing here, which Is certainly true, and one reason why the “sport of kings" is now considered slow, even by cubbiers.

Mr E. D. O’Rorke was not present to see his twelve-year-old gelding Mars win thu Wanganui Cup, but was the recipient of many congratulatory telegrams at his suc-

cess.’ The son of Ingoinar mid Lyre was never so thoroughly well in his life, and J. Rao deserves all credit for the line condition In landed his charge nt the post in. On all tides Mark Ryan was given credit

for a go<>d display of generahihlp. Huggtnj the rails* all the way, he never lost au taL of ground* and, making uae of hla light weight* he let Mara run along In front from the rise of the barrier* and virtually alipix-d the field in the first furlong. He waa the same distance ahead of Advance and Orloff at the cut of the first mile and a quarter* as when they had run a quarter of a mile. Notwithstanding the time made, the course being exceedingly fast, as indicated by the time made la all the races* Mars had still a bit left when he came to finishing, and though Orloff had been well nursed throughout* be hung on a good deal, ami was hampered not a little at an early stage, and only shook himself clear of Advance as the last quarter was reached. Had he act out a little sooner he would have won. As it was, he ran a good race. Heroism* the outsider, ran like a stayer, and the racing he has done fitted him to run the distance from end to end, but while Halberdier looked well* he was hardly so fit as I have seen him —indeed, he was muscle sore. He, however* kept battling away. Advance ran well for a mile and a-half despite his big load, but could not have won over any distance with such an impost. The Shannon looked lighter and more strung up than she has been this season, but showed no form. Hinetaura looked in the pink of condition, but ran disappointingly, and was lame in one of her hiud legs when she left the course after the race. Anchorite began badly, and was really chopped out from the start. He never got Into a prominent position.

Towards the dose of the day at the Rotorua race meeting, three Maori girls in gay costumes, with rosettes on their breasts, and riding astride, came along the running ground and pulled up their st<?eds opposite the stewards’ stand. An impression gained ground that the threo damsels were going to engage in a race. On being asked if this were so, one of the number quickly replied, “Me not jockey, me policeman.” It transpired on further Inquiry that these girls had been boundary riding all day, watching the fences, ;>nd making everyone who attempted to cross the fem es without paying "toe the mark,” and from all accounts they did their work better than men would have succeeded In doing. Who could cheat a good looking Maori girl 7 The purchaser of the gate privileges had a lot of native lady assistants, one of whom a< ted as a sort of relieving officer. A vigilant one she was too, as an Auckland visiting owner found. She was stationed near the grandstand, when the said owner slipped through the fence, and was caught In a trice, and told that he must pay or produce his icket. Not understanding the lady, he went on, but was not to be allowed away like that, for a moment later he was seized by the coat, .and a demand made upon aim for three shillings. He was still unaware of the great responsibility the lady was under, mid to get rid of her. handed her one shilling. Someone who understood what was the matter, explained to the horse-owner who went to the lady and showed her his ticket, thus hoping to make amends for his unceremonious entry to the paddock, only to find, however, that the lady believed that in the meantime be had secured someone else’s ticket. It was only when the Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, came on the scene, and ihe secretary vouched for the bona tides of the owner, that the lady was satisfied. The feeling that she had been accusing the owner wrongfully was too mm b, and good honest Rotorua boiling spring waihine tears flowed copiously before Nlobe was finally comforted. A gate speculator probably never had a more vigilant and coneieutious lot of workers than the Maori girl policemen on duty at the Rotorua races.

Meteor, who Las this season won a num- • >er of races for Mr R. Hannon is a five-year-old bay gelding son of Mitiora and Lady Sarah, and though a horse of light build Is shapely and a good mover, and having had some experience at hunt meetings in the M aikato can jump, and mar not unlikely be put to hurdle racing. Mitiora. his sire, is a son of Castor and thst good Fere mare Victoria, who won so many races about Auckland between 15 and 18 yeais ago. Lady Sarah is from the Traducer mare E’sa, who left amongst other performers that gnrff horse Audacity, r.nd was herself a good performer. Elaa and Zip were half-sisters, sn that Meteor boors fairly close relationship to Castashore,

who claimed Zip as hia dam. Meteor at best is a useful gelding, and may Impiove as he gets more seasoned; but he la probably not nearly so good as some people have painted him. MLa Lottie, who beat ulm in the Rotorua Cup, has met him before and beaten him. This was at one of the sports meet in held on the Mata mats Estate. It wns supposed* however, that Meteor Lad improved ao much that he was sure to beat the daughter of St. Hippo* and some punters actually laid as long odds as 6 to 1 on his ability to do so: one bet of £2O to £3 I heard of. No one felt more certain of victory than Mr Hannon, Meteor’s owner; but before the race was over he could see Meteor was beaten, anil Miss Lottie never appeared to be properly extended. She covered the first half-mile of the race in 51$scc, and the pace seemed to settle Meteor. Miss Lottie Is a fine-looking four-year-old who has frequently shown pace, but has never run quite up to her good looks, and has been voted a jade by many—hasty condemnation this of a young inhre. It was Intended to breed from her this season, but she has not been stinted, and it Is possible that her owner will elect to go on racing her, and It is quite on the cards that she will win a fair race.

There can be no doubt that racing In the country districts of Auckland is not being carried on in the best Interests of the many racing clubs and horseowners, and of the spoit generally, and reasons for this are not far to seek. Organisation Is wanted. An association of clubs could do a lot for the betterment of the sport by arranging the dates of these country fixtures, so that they come at nice intervals following on in rotation. The handicaps for each meeting to be declared immediately after the conclusion of the meeting preceding, thus giving the weight adjusters an opportunity of dealing with the latest form, and attendance at such meetings should be compulsory. It Is impossible for anyone to give anything like complete satisfaction without seeipg what is going on. The penalising system will not work well with these country meetings. Horses sometimes win through a stroke of good luck, or lose through some happening during the contest. The lucky horse receives a penalty that puts him out of court for his next engagement. There are other considerations. There are some fresh horses to be dealt with at each meeting, as a rule, and handicappers should be present to see them compete as far as possible; in fact, see all the racing they can. This means expense, but it is what clubs pay for. and they have a right to expect their officials to attend the meetings within reasonable distance. There is a feeling amongst owners that the meetings of the Auckland country clubs do not come in proper that an improvement could be made In this rcsnect. and a big saving made tn owners who are compelled to travel over unnecessary ground. Any conference of the clubs should consider this question and obtain the views of tlmlr supporters. The starting is a matter that requires a lot of thinking over, and owners would welcome the barrier evervwhero. At each meeting a different starter Is in evidence, and the work from all accounts Is indifferently performed at many of these meetings, and as a result there Is much discontent amongst the owners, trainers, and horsemen, and the public. One good roan could go the rounds of the meetings, taking starting appliances with him. It is all too evident that some of our jockeys are very difficult to manage, and are only too ready to take advantage of good-natured thev meet filling positions thnt they hnve no special fitness for. end to bent horsemen with lers experience than themselves one or two unrnlv lads will demoralise al! the rest, and firmness is required to nut some of them in their places. One starter would get to know the riders and their strong nnd weak points: would also learn the dlsp^sl*tons of the boraes. end be able to treat them accordingly. It is pitiable to see heroes retting knocked about as they are at th« start hy light-headed. hoys who have little or no control over them. The barrier !n the hands of a competent man is what is wanted at all meetings. As matters stand now at country meetings, the starter’s office, very often an honorary one. Is no sinecure, and there is ample evidence that

there is too much bad work performed under existing conditions* and where there is want of confidence oxi the part of the public and owners, limited speculation and loss of revenue f o'low as a consequence. An association of clubs could make better arrangements than at pi esent exist for the carriage of racehorse on the the railways to end from meetings and the accommodation of the horses and their attendants is another mattter that is worth considering. Owners can find but little profit at best travelling round the country meetings, and their convenience and a saving o f expense should be studied. They should get their racing at a minimum of cost as low as possible. Country racing must suffer where the country people look for a golden harvest out of their visitors, who as a body are not a rich class, and who race largely for sport. Expenses are less heavy, perhaps, than was the case some yeais ago, but they are quite heavy enough when the value of the stake offerings of a majority of the clubs are taken into account. The country clubs will find it more difficult than ever to keep up the standard of their meetings now that suburban clubs are catering so largely for owners. Travelling to many meetings for good stakes outside the metropolitan district can now be done at even less cost than visiting meetinea within. The great alm of all clubs should be to try and induce the best class of horses to compete at their meetings, for the presence of good horses invariably means larger attendances and more speculation. and generallv nn Increase of funds to the coffers of the clubs for re-dlstrlbu-tlon in stakes.

After visiting the Rotorua Jockey Club’s Annual Meeting in two successive years, I am satisfied that the club can do much better in future. The carnival of last week is,we are told,to be an annual affair, and as there will be more money to compete for at the Regatta, it will grow in importance. The Rotorua Jockey Club should extend their meeting to two days, increase the stakes all round, giving a Cup of the value of £l5O sovs at least, and a handicap race on the second day of, say, 100 sovs. It can be done all right. Race meetings managed well lu the Geyserland of New Zealand will become attractive. Years ago, race meetings, at which a few hundred natives attended amongst their white brethren, were common in some parts of the colony, but now-a-days the Maori is less enthusiastic on sport, race meetings having become all too frequent for him. In the thermal regions it is not so, for our copper coloured friends there look forward to the Annual Meeting at Rotorua with pleasure, and attend in great force, in gay attire* and as they form a large percentage of the assemblage, and there is always a fair sprinkling of tourists from outside the colony, and visitors from all parts within, the scene is such as cannot be witnessed on any other course in any other part of New Zealand. Outside the racing, it is a show in itself, but greater conveniences are required to draw the visitors, who have hitherto found the grandstand too limited, the paddock and enclosures too cramped, and the arrangements altogether too primitive, while the view of the running ground has been too much obscured by the growth of scrub in the centre of the grounds, so much so that only a comparative few can follow a race from end to end. The present site is an excellent one, and convenient to the town, but it is thought likely that the Council will take the property for town extension purposes, and give an equally suitable piece of ground in exchange, either nearer the railway line or some other locality adapted for the purpose. By such an arrangement, it would pay the Council handsomely to give £2OO or £3OO to the Rotorn a Jockey Club to start a new ground. The Government are spending a lot of money on the Sanatorium, but they might extend their assistance to the preparalion of the racecourse domain, which could be used for sports meetings, cycling, etc. The hotel, boarding house, coaching, and stable proprietaries should be able to render greater assistance to the Jockey Club in the way of subscriptions. A good deal rests with them. All would come back to them in an Increase of business. People are not content with seeing Rotorua once, increas-

ed attractions will brln< them Lack annually, and a good race meeting always appeals to them, so long ks they can find couveulencea. The stewards and committee of the club ure all workers, and they should loose no time in gettlwg to work to try and offer the racing public greater inducements to visit the place. Rotorua oilers greater advantages rh, n many suppose for a successful club, and it would appear only a matter of time when, with a little push and support from quarters from whlcn support should come, it will take a leading. Instead of as at present, a subordinate position amongst the country dubs within the Auckland Metropolitan Racing Club’s jurisdiction. The volume of the “Racing Calendar” for 1003, Issued by Messrs Weatherby, gives the following table, showing the number of races of different distances run Ln Great Britain In the under-mentioned years. Including the races In Ireland, as reported in the English “Racing Calendar:" —

Of the above races, which were run In 1902, there were for two-year-oMs only:— Under six furlongs Six furlongs or upwards, but under a mile 64 A mile W In 1901 there were for 2-year-oWe only— Under six furlongs 48# Six furlongs or upwards, but under a mile S 3 A mile 7 In 1000 there were for 2-year-olds only— Under six furlongs . 423 Six furlongs or upwards, but under a mile 63 A mile T VALUE OF STAKES. The value of stakes won during 1902, calculated according to rule 117 of the Rules of Racing (not including prizes to second and third horses), amounted to—England, £354.970 5/; Ireland, £22,014 6/8; Scotland, £12,066. The classes of races run are also defined, and the number of runners summarised, as below:— Handicaps for 8-year-olds and upwards, or 3-year-olds only—England: Number ox races, 1504, amounting to £147,948 10/. Ireland: Races, 147, £10,610 15/ (including handicaps to which 2-year-olds were admitted with older horses). Scotland: Races 36, £6493. Selling handicaps for 3-year-olds and upwards—England: Number of races 116, amounting to £15.946. Ireland: Races 12, £1093 10/. Scotland: Races 10, £ll5l. Selling races (other than handicaps), excepting those for 2-year-olds only—Englands Number of races 189, amounting to £25,. 973. Ireland: Races 20, £1853. Scotland: Races 18, £2125. Welgbt-for-age races, for 3-year olds or upwards—England: Number of races 317, amounting to £160,651 15/. Ireland: Races 68, £6993 2/8. Scotland: Races 20, £2297. Welght-for-age races. Including those for 2 and 3-year olds—England: Number of races 16, amounting to £4456. Ireland: Races 5, £1463 19/. Two-year-olds only (handicaps)—England: Number of races, 7L amounting to £16,660. Ireland: Races 13, £2210. Scotland: Races 5, £793. Selling handicaps—England: Number of races 24. amounting to £3193. Ireland: Races 5, £435. Scotland: Races 3, £BOO.

Selling races (not handicaps)—England: Number of ra.es 112, amounting to £15,720. Ireland: Races S, £®d. Scotland: Races 5, £504. Weight-for-age races—England: Number of races 239, amounting to £96,358 15/. Ireland: Races 25, £8214 14/. Scotland: Races 6. £12%). The above shows a total of- England: 1389 races, amounting to £478,102. Ireland: 301, £33,020 0/8. Seotianu: 102, £14,953. To this most be added five matches and private sweepstakes In England (two of which did not produce races), amounting to £573. © @ ® WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING. (Special to the “Graphic,” by “Whalebone.”j 'She autumn meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club is always looked forward to with the most pleasurable autitdp.it iona by West Coasters, as well as by visitors from furtner afield. Wanganui is so central, and so easily readied, and being the oldest esVabilshed racing club within the 014 provincial boundaiies and the metropolitan racing area, and one of the best managed institutions lu the colony, meetings un the People’s Domain, situated so close to the pretty little town, are deservedly popular. A spell of dry weather, which evidently has not extended far north of the town, for the country on the Taranaki side is beautifully green, left the racecourse grounds with just the faintest suspicion of a sunburnt tint and a diyness that In some seasons has not been noticeable. Certainly, the racecourse, always in good order, was never in such fast condition, and with the exception perhaps of the great jubilee year of 1898 there was never a larger assemblage of people from the immediate districts, though the writer, who has attended more than thiec-fourths of the Cup meetings since 1874, and has seen racing carried on at the same spot since 1866, though the history of racing In Wanganui dates back to the year 1848, has many a time and oft met more visiting sportsmen from different parts of the colony thaj* were present on Cup day, 1903. Still, there was a goodly sprinkling of prominent visiting horseowners, and amongst those who mustered at the old familiar tryst were a number of friends of sport who attended the first race meeting ever held at Wanganui; and as the writer was leaving the course on Cup day he fell in with Colonel Watt, who was present on that occasiou as a baby in arms, at which time his late father (Mr W. H. Watt) was secretary. Present also were sons of the late secretary, Freeman R., of revered memory, under whose direction and efficient management for a quarter of a century the Wanganui Jockey Club gained a loading place amongst the clubs of the colonies, a position it still maintains under the guiding influences of an executive that is largely composed of long-time officers of racing who look upon the control of the sport in their district as an especial trust which they must administer to the safe lines. The president (Dr. Earl), vice - president (Mr H. V. Harrison), clerk of the scales (Mr E. A. Campbell), honorary surgeon (Dr. Tripe), stewards and committee (Messrs Drs. Connelly, Saunders and Mr A. Higgle), are amongst those whose connection with the club dates a long way back, those of more recent date to take office being Messrs J. H. Nixon, Allan Cameron, C. H. Chevannes (starter, and long-time clerk of the course), J. F. Cutfield, R. Grace, J. Higgle, G. Marshall, Jas. Watt, n. W. Hole, A. E. T. Nixon, Donald •McDonald (clerk of the course), W. H. Hargill (judge), Maxwell Edgar Cion. vet. surgeon), the handicapper of open events (J. O. Evett), and of hacks (George Morse), all being accounted for or In their places; while Mr F. Offatt, who succeeded MiFreeman Jackson to the secretaryship after some years of training under that gentleman, and his staff were much in evidence, and nothing was wanting in the management.

The starting was good, the judging was prompt, and the racing was Interesting, but a few owners had real cause to complain of the rather harsh treatment of their horses in some of the open events and declined to continue engagements for them. Other owners, on the other hand, were more than pleased. Results are, on the whole, satisfactory to the club, and, as in these days the financial aspect is the main consideration of those who run our racing shows, and who know not from experience the disabilities under which owners sometimes are made to suffer, the executive will feel that another step up the ladder of success has been reached. The total investments for the meeting stand as under:— First day, £11,469; second day, £9357; total, £20,826. Last year: First day, £10,200; second day, £8977: total, £19,177. Increase on the two days, £1649. Bookmakers were present in force, and a number of them appeared to do plenty of business in the paddock while the horses were being saddled, and also on the lawn near the total! sators.

The club used during both days the patented box of Mr Deeble, of Sydney, for distributing numbers to the riders, by which they take their places. The Wanganui Club Is the first to use the box In New Zealand, and the trial was eminently satisfactory. The stewards of various clubs saw it worked, and expressed their appreciation of the invention, which is now In general use on all courses in New South Wales, and is to be used by several Auckland clubs who have tried It. There were several falls at the meeting, but none of the accidents were really sertaus ones for the horsemen, Lind, Hall and

Higgins, who on Friday came down in the hack hurdle race. As a result of his fall on Thursday, Urukahika, a four-year-old son of Quilt and Wairoagumal, owned by Mr J. H. Prosser, had to be destroyed, having fractured his shoulder. This was a piece of bad luck, to which the Porirua trainer is not a stranger, having lust some time ago in a similar way a gelding called Punamu, who, like Urukahika, was being raced over obstacles for the first time. Dr. Tripe and his ambulance corps deserve special mention for their prompt services on the course. They deserve well at the bauds of raffing visitors. l he Wanganui Garrison Band, under Mr Crichton, did much to make the proceedings run smoothly, and are noted for up-to-date music. The caretaker had the grounds in fine order, and trainers spoke highly of the condition in which they found the training tracks prior to the meeting. There wore no protests, though there wore several pronounced inconsistencies of form, at which only those who are not practical and who cannot bring themselves to believe that these Is much more honesty of intention and desire on the part of horseowners as a body than they get credit for, were found to cavil. Such persons were in a small minority, and the racing generally was fair and above board, and was not marred by protests or charges of unfair horsemanship; but there was one very pronounced case of a race being lost through a mistake on the part of a rider who stopped riding thinking he had won the race. WANGANUI, Thursday. The Wanganui Jockey Club's autumn meeting commenced to-day. in beautiful weather, and the attendance was 'inobably little short of the assemblage u hen the club celebrated the jubilee of ra ing in Wanganui in 1898. Hundreds of nth .elastic lovers of racing came purposely to see the crack Advance run in the Cup, and the course being in the best possible condition, and the day an ideal one for time making, the large boAy of friends of the black demon would not believe- that defear was at all probable. What matter to Advance though the weight was sue h as no other good one had ever been asked to carry before. In the opinions of the infatuated admirers of a great horse, there had never been such a horse, and their loyalty sent the son of Vanguard to the post a very decided favourite, more than one-third of the money on the tote, or, to be exact, £953, being invested on the people’s Ido!. There were those, however, who shook their heads and expressed grave doubts as to the ability of even a Carbine to win a truly run mile and three-quarter race with such a crusher. Here was a horse not perfect in organs of respiration and inspiration, a horse that had been under suspicion of unsoi.r.dness and upon which the firing irons bad been used, meeting an average cup I>l<l. <n.letgreat disparity iu weights, and it wnj sufficient for the public to accept t b? fa t that the stable were prepared for h in to take on the herculean task for them to plank their money down. He looked well, moved with freedom, and the only thing that suggested the faintest cause for uneasiness as far as actual fitness was concerned were his heels, which betrayed signs of having suffered from concussion with the ground In the work he had done to flt him for the ordeal of a cup race. He, however, showed no signs of soreness, and after he did his preliminary canter the people were satisfied. The story of toe race is easily told. The ancient Mars, never so thoroughiv f t in his life, from a good start, shot om iu front, and putting a gap between himself and the light weight Heroism, and the rest of the field, went on and increased h : s lead to ten or twelve lengths from Advance and Orloff, who were following Heroism, Fakir and Halberdier, after a mile had been traversed. It was not till a mile and a y.after had been covered that Advance, who was being shepherded by Orloff, drew closer, but after making a bold attempt to decrease the lead Mars had obtained, and to head Heroism and Halberdier, the weight told on Advance, less than three furlongs from home. Hewitt then brought Orloff along, and the three-year-old moved up with a good run, and passing Halb.-i tier and Heroism, got closer and closer to Afnrs. who, under pressure, had enough left to struggle home by a half length, !n .ecord time for the race, and record time for the colonies, viz., 3.2 J, Into which brief spa< e much excitement was compressed. While the mile and three-quarter journey was being traversed Hewitt rode a patient race on Orloff, but there was an almost general opinion that had he timed his run a little earlier, he must have landed the Canterbury Derby winner first past the post. The position occupied by Heroism, the outsider of the nine runners, came as a surprise. Mr D. O’Brien’s colt was several lengths off. third, and behind him came the Now Zealand Cup winner, and then Advance, the racehorse with a pack horse impost, not disgraced certalnlv, but beaten, ns the best horse ever foaled probably would have been under such n weight In a ia«*e run from end to end at the pace the Wanganui Cup of 1903 was run. Mark Rvan, who rode Nonette last year, was on Mars, and recognised thnt his only chance was Io race all the war, and Rne had him fit to do so. The result was received very quietly, for there was Intense (lisnpnointment amongst the friends, not only of Advance, but of Orloff and Halberdier. The other races xuuy be shortly dismissed. Olr.gn b-’d an ?r»ay victory over Dexterity, ml the other three starters In the Stewards’ Handicap. Wnlwera had an easy win In the Hurdle Handicap, in whb’h Royal Conqneror. a little more vigorously ridden, wouTd have been second, as ho finished well. Old Gun. with little to spare, outclassed the opposition of Romany Lad and Juryman, and five others In the Hack Hurdles; and Handwork won cleverly from Ton. St. Lyra, Baes. Otnfo. and Ta, m the Petre Welter, la letting her friends down

badly. Glencoe atuck to bls work toe solidly for Handsome Rone, the favourite, biandra, the outsider, and four well backed ones, in the Wiritoa Hack Handicap. While Westguard, the favourite, outpaced 3ud outstayed Field Battery and Shrapnel, the second favourite, who was third, the Auckiaaj Scotty and three ethers, in the con lading race ou the card. £11,439 waa passed through the totalise tor, as against £10.200 last year, an increase of £I2G?. Following are the results:— Stewards’ Stakes. —Oingo (C. Jenkins), 1; Dexterity (W. Price). 2: Trade*. m.l tCarmont), 3. Also started: Musscll aud Livonia. Time, 1.42 3-5. Won bv a long ne-k. Dividend. £1 13/6. First Handicap Hurdles.- Waiwera. 1lady Bell, 2; Royal Conqueror, 3. A’so started: Eclair, Rufus, and Light. Won ia a length. Time, 4.4 4-5. Dividends: a<wera. £1 17/; Lady Bell, £2 9/. first Hack Hurdles.—Old Gun 1. Romany Lad 2. Juryman 3. All started. Time 3.20. Dividends---Old Gun £7 18/6: Romany Lad WANGANUI CUP of TBOscvs. One mile and three-quarters. 156—E. D. O’Rorke’s ch g Mars, by Ingomar—Lyre,aged, 7.7 (M. Rvan) 1 542 —Orloff, 8.10 (Hewitt) . 2 42—Heroism, 6.7 (Young) ” 3 Also started: 953,Advance, 11.3 (Jenkins); 550, Haioerdicr, 9.0 (F. Davi »; 183. Hluetaura, 8.3 (Lindsay); 73, The Shannon, 7.8 (Jones); 129, Fakir, 6.10 (G. F’rice); 170. Anchorite, G. 7 (Gomer). Won by a shert half length. Heroism was a fair third. Time, 3.2 4-5, a record for New Zealand. Dividends, £l2 24 aud £1 3/. Petrie Welter Handicap of lOOsovs; 1 mile and a distance.—E. W. Morse’s Handwork, 10.0 (W. Piicf). 1; Ton, 9.7 (C. JenkinsX 2; Sty Ira, 9.0 (Williams), 3. Also started: la. Ra;_s, and Otalo. Wou easily by a length. Time, 2.1 1-5. Dividends, £4 2/ and £1 «/. Wiritoa Hack Race Handicap of TOsova; 1 mile and a distance.—G. A. Nicholson’s Glencoe. 8.3 (Fahey), 1; Handsome Rose, 7.13 (W. Price), 2: Siaudra. 7.0 (Cress), 3. Also staited: Prisoner, Ballarat, B Lackwing, Ora, and Inglewood. Wou by a length. Time, 1.59 1-5. Dividends, £5 15/ and 19/. Flying Handicap of 230sovs: 6 furlongs. - M. Westguard, 8.11 (Jenkins), 1; Field Battery, 8.0 (G. Price), 2; Shrapnel, 7.12 (W. Raynor), 3. Also started: Scotty, Wiudwhlstle, Full Cry. Shrapnel Shell, Governess. Won by half a length without the whip. Time, 1.15 1-5. Dividends, £2 9/ and £2 14/. WANGANUI, Friday. The weather was again perfect for the Autumn Meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, the attendance was large, and speculation was keen, and the raciug was of an interesting character. The sum of £9,35/ was passed through the totaiUutors, as against £8,977 iast year, showing an increase of £3BO, the grand total lor The two days reaching the respectable sum of £20,826, as against £19,177, thus showing a total increase of £1,649. The management left nothing wanting. Mussel led his field by such a long distance in the Autumn Handicap that it looked likely that he would win, but by the time the distance was reached he had shot Lis bolt, and Durable headed him, aud finally Wlndwhistie got up and won cleverly in gvuu time, Queen’s Guard, who was made a very strong favourite being eased up, while neither Dexterity nor 'Tradewind looked dangerous. Walwera was a long way back last of the field of five in the Hurdle Race at the end of the first half-mile, while Royal Conqueror, the favourite, was running prominently, but half-a-mile from home positions were reversed, Royal Conqueror jumping badly aud dropping right back. Waiwera went on and finally wou In about record time for the course. Machine Gun never gave Advance a chance after the first halt furlong in the Jackson Stakes, which he wou, covering the distance iu 1.14 3-5, a record for the distance on the Wanganui course. Advance made an Inouectual attempt to get up, and actually covered the six furlongs in 1/15, more than a clear length separating the pair. Fire King fell and brought down Sir James In the Hack Hurdles opposite the stand the first time, and Romany Lad fell at the back of the course. Sunmos was winning by a couple of lengths when his rider, mistaking the starting barrier for the winning post, stopped riding, and Moturoa beat him on the post by a head, Old Gun, the favourite, finishing third, truly an extraordinary race. The Hotchkiss horse Field Battery presented weight in plenty to the opposition in the Harrison Memorial Stakes, which he won easily by two lengths, la running second, and Tor third. A penalty of 51bs did not stop Field Battery two hours later winning the Farewell Handicap, In which Scotty ran last of the five starters. Ostlak was favourite for the Harrison Memorial Wolter Handicap, Mars being next in demand.

Olngo being largely fancied also. Ovtiak made play at a lively pace, but In contradistinction Mara started slowly, aud was l*etn< ridden iu last place hard before the first quarter had Leeu ruu, uud aeemtd nuab'e to act. He had Halberdier for a companion two furlongs from home in the rear. Both came well lu the straight, where flerulsns hel»i Ostlak and won by two lengths. Osi ink, who was fast compounding, just beatln< Hal' ordicr for sect*::*! plate. Mats ami Olngo within a lee th neck aud neck fourth and fifth. O’Bilen’s win was well received. Hlaekwing was the Lu i but one to begin, but caught Glory in the »n*r f<-w strides, ar a v.on tU' Matat: va Ha k : .• ii. the recon! hack time for the co. : : mv.c y. 1.15 l-osocs. in a field of 13. Resi-If . Autumn Handicap. — Wlndwhlfd e 1, Durable 2. Musso’d 3. AU Pturted. Time. 1.57. Dividends, £4 19 6 and £2 18.'. So-ond UrnJi ap Hurdles. Walvrra. 1, Eclair 2. 1. cy 11 3. Time. 3.49 4 5 Dividend, £2 12/6. AU started. Sc< end Hack Hurdles of s*'h<vh. 1 mile and 5 furlongs. P. McCrat keuL. Motmoa, 9.6 (Cochrane), 1: Suumoeu 9.6, 2: Old Gun, 10.11, 3. Also stinted: Romany Ixid, Sir James, and Fire King. This race was a chapter uf accidents. Khe Ki nr a: d Motnroa led to tim stand, where Fire King and Sir James fell, and Old Gnu an! Mntnroa went on in the h-nd.. At the bait k course Romany J-ad fell and relied over H :U. Half way down the strai ht Snnr>oo had the race won, but Coebrane snaked up on the outside mid snatched a vi tory on the post. Time, 3.5 4-5. I'ividene’s. £6 2/ and £3 12/. Jackson Stakes of sdo«ovs- weight for ago; 6 furlongs.—G. G. »r' « Machine Gun, 7.2 (Jones). 1; Advance 9.7. 2: Anratns 6.13. 3. Won cteveriv by mtb« r better tuan a dear length. Time 1.14\ Dividend, £2 1«6. Harrison Memorial Welter of inCK-ovs* 1 mile.—W. Davies’ Field Rotterv 10 1.3 (G 1: In. 0 7. 2- Ton. f,. 11. 3. A!r<> startl'd. TJvonbi. St. Tjrr.n. Otaia. and Van Won easily by half a lencth. Time. 1.45 8-5. Dividends, £2 C/G aud £1 18/ti. Wantraaiti Stakes HantJieap of 3.50=0ra: 1} mile. -D. O'Brien's Heroism. till Hrand. 1: Ostlak. s <l. 2: Halberdier. 83. 3. Also started: Oln?o. Mars Queen's Guartl. Full Cry. Fakir, Tradon ird. and Anchorite. Rnteilnr th.» straight Hero'stn came to the front full of rnnntn- and won by two clear lengths from Ostlak. who barely headed Halberdier. Time “10 Dividends. £7 3/ and £l. Matarawa Hack Handicap of 70s<.vs- fi fnrlones.—D. T. Kennett's Blackwing. *7 5 (Jones), 1; Glory, 7.4. 2; Siaudra. GJi, 3. Also started: Ballarat. Opaeae, tattle Turk Itedbrook. Nat Gonld. Catsnaw. Ilately. Commonwealth. Inglewood. Black Snunil Bon all out by half a ieneth. Time 1 151 Dividends. £in 2/ and £2 7 fl. Farewell Handicap of lOOsovs: 1 mile— W Davies' Field Battery, 8.3 (G. I'rici). 1: Mnapnel. ( .s. 2; Governess, 7.0 3 Also started: Scotty. Belie Cole. In a nnuishina finish Field Battery won by » 1..11 - neck lime, 1.42 3-5. Dividend, £2 13 . ® ® ® SOUTH AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S MEETING. The South Auckland Racing Club's meeting was held on Saturday. The weather was flue, with the exception of one heavy shower during the afternoon. The following are the results: — Trial Handicap.—Soultflsh. 1: Lady Deerless 2; Fairy. 3. Scratched: Seatoula Evert, aud Kotiro. Won easily all the way Time, 1.32. Dividend. £1 2/. Handicap Hurdles.—Frances Lovelov 1Mokonioko, 2: Guardsman. 3. x.-rati l’ied : Belle Vue and Sidney. Mokomoko led all the way. and took the last hurdle a length ahead of Frances Lovejoy, who wore him down in the run home. Dividend, £1 10/. South Auckland Cup.—Annoyed. 1; Maid of Honor. 2; Meteor. 3. Scrat' d: Repetition. Time, 2.14. Dividend, £3 9/. Pony Race.-—Annoyed. 1: Cuisine. 2. Freda, 3. Scratched: Repetition. Forth Kesurgum, Dan McCarthy, Itt, and Ngabera Time. 1.20. Dividend. 19/. Cuisine led all the way. and the majority of the public considered she had won by bait a li ngth, but the judge ruled otherwise. A good deal of feeling was shown at the decision.

Handicap Steeplechase.—Tunl, 1; Dingo 2: Puffing Billy, 3. All started. Lady Dash. Reckless and Fairy fell. A grand race resulted between the first two horses Tunl winning by a length. Time 754 Dividend. £1 6/.

Claudelands Handicap.—Green and Gold, 1; Soulflsb. 2; Arena, 3. Scratched: Maid of Honor, Meteor. Swagsman, and Repetition. Maid of Honor, Miss Lottie, and Miracle fell. The latter broke her back and had to be destroyed, aud McPherson, rider

Maid of Honor. Lad him collarbone broken. Dividend, £1 7/. flack Ilaudi* up.—Lady Peeress. 1: Evert. 2; Dau McCarthy, 3. Scratclied: lan. Evermore. Fairy. Hurrah. While leading, Kutiro fell. Dividend, 17/. Flying Handicap.—Green and Gold, 1; Ketiro, 2; Ilepeitlon, 3. Scratched: Num;, Swagamnn, Cuisine, Sidney, and Millie. Won easily. Dividend. 13/. © © © VICTORIA RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING. MELBOURNE. March X THE AUSTRALIAN CUP, a handicap sweepstakes of 25sovs each, with 100.* BOTH added: second horse to receive 200 bovs. and the third lOOsovh out of the stake. For three-year-olds and upwards. Two miles and ft quarter. Hon. A. Wynne’s Great S ot. 3yrs, by Loclilel—Scotch Mary, 8.0 (lib hunison) 1 Adjuster. 0.7 (carried 51b over) 2 Acrasia, 7.1 3 Also ran: Flagship, Abundance. Fcotho’t, Patronus, Vanity Fair, Rienzi, and Lord Kitchener. Betting: 9 to 4 against Acrasia aud Abundance, 7 to 1 Vanity Fair, 8 to 1 Flagship, 10 to 1 Footbolt and Patronus. 2‘) to 1 Great Scot, 25 to 1 Rienzi and Lord Kitchener. Great Sc ot Immediately shot out. and led all the way. At the turn Acrasia ran up tn his girths, but the New South Wales colt drew away aud won easily by two and flhalf lengths. Acrasia tired to nothing, and Adjuster beat her by two and a-half lengths for second place. Abundance was fourth, and Patronus and Flagship next. Time. 4.8 J. t MELBOURNE. March 5 The Champion Stakes of lOOOsovs: weight for ago; 3 miles.—C. L. Macdonald’s Wakeful, 6yrs, by Trenton—lnsomnia, 9.2 (Barden), 1; Great Scot, 7.12, 2; The Victory, 0.0 (Lewis), 3. Also started: Flagship, 9.5; St. Ambrose. 9.0. Great Scot led St. Ambrose for a mile and a half, when Wakeful m-.ved nearer. At two miles St. Ambrose retired beaten, aud Wakeful, going up, joined Great Scot. The favourite th n came away and won in a canter by six lengths, three lengths between second and third; Flagship next. Time. 5.291. ® © ® OTAIIUIIU TROTTING CLUB. The Otahuhu Trotting Club’s summer meeting was brought to a close on Saturday in tine weather, the course being fast. The attendance was very good and the fields well up to the average, but the spurt was marred by unpleasant features, which continue to crop up despite the efforts of the club to get their meetings off without friction. The starter reported that several horses, including the winner Colenso, had gone before the time in the Criterion Handicap, and the stewards ordered the race to be run again, with the result that a number of owners refused to let their herses compete the second time, the totalizator money ou these horses being returned. It was dark when the proceedings terminated. The sum of £2223 was passed through the totalise tors in 10/ tickets, bringing the totalisator turnover to £6552 for the three days.

President’s Trot Handicap of 25sovs. 11 miles.—ll 9 K. 0., 3us (F. Murtitt). 1; 23 Rosalind. 18s (C. Greenwood), 2; 82 Le Rosier 3Ks (Fortis), 3. A’so started: 6 Vi< - torine; 16 BerMii Abba; 16 Nat Gould: 27

Black Diamond; 44 Harry: 8 Joe May. Rosalind led all the way during the first round, until the stand was reached, where K.O. took the lead and was never headed, winning by five yards, with Rosalind the same distance away from Le Rosier. Timo, 4.17. Dividends. 18/ and £1 12/. Second Harness Trot of 35sovs. —169 Bel Itidonna (Mr Win. Humphrey Baker). 1: 129 Peter (W. Tozer). 2; 116 Harold Alula Ilah (Mr IL Charteresi. Time. 5.36£. Dividends, £1 5/ and 11/.

Welcome Stakes Handicap of 33son>; secorn! burse ssovs from the stakes. For ponies 14 hands Gincbes aud under. Distance, 61 furlongs.—Orange and Blue and First Whisper, dead-heat, 1; Leona, 2. Time, 1.27£. Dividend 16/ ou Orange and Blue, 11/ ou First Whisper. Also started; Talisman aud Miss Lauder.

Second I’ony Trot Handicap (saddle or harness) of 25sovs. For ponies 11 hands 2 inches and under: Jingo (Mr Thomas Wyilio), 1; Miss Munro (Mr D. Douglas), 2; Victor Hugo (Mi T. Cotton), 3. Time •1.13. Dividend £2 6/ and 7/.

Dash Trot Handicap (saddle), of 35sovb. Distance one mile: Happy (Mr W. Robin son), 1; Perl Huon (\V. Toser), 2; Doni zelti (Mr J. G. I.ecky), 3.

Second Pony Trot Ilaudbap (saddle or harness) of 25sovs; second osovs. One mile aud a half.—Mr Thomas Wyilte’s b g Jingo, aged, by Brooklyn, 7s (Hird), 1; Miss Munro, 10s (Murfitt), 2; Victor Hugo, 10s (Cotton), 3. Also started: 59 Bert, 12s; 6 Princess. 15s; 36, Queen io, 33 s. Won by ten yards, Victor Hugo a fair third. Time. 4.13. Dividends: Jingo, £2 6/; Miss Mun ro. 7/.

Criterion Trot Handicap of sOsovs: second ssovs. Ono mile aud a half. —Mr G. Robinson b g Colenso, aged, by Ya Iranian. 21s (Moore), 1; Bed of Stone, 25s (Bagby), 2; Empress, 19s (Murtitt), 3. Also started: 18 Sierra. 6s: 41 Miss Huon, 275; 11 La Grand, 30s; 255, George, 31s. This race was run twice. Colenso and other horses started before their time, and the stewards ordered it to be run after the last race, when, after a elose finish, th£ judge placed Colenso first and Bed of Stone second, Empress a poor third. Time, 3.57. Dividend? £1 10/ and £1 2/.

Dash Trot Handicap of 35sovs; second ssovs. One mile. —Mr W. Robinson’s b g Happy, aged. by Imperious— W.oc dbine. IBs (Moore). I; Peri Huon, scr (Tozer), 2; Donizetti, 19s (Brady). 3. Also started: 13 Taihoa, scr; 25 Sierra 2s: 26, Sir Robert, 15s; 0, Bed of Stone, 15s; 14 Miss Huon, IGs; 51 Black Bess, 16s; 21 La Grande, 18s; George, 18s; 60, St. John. 20s; 79, Pleasant Tom, 225; 33, K. 0., 20s' (includiug 2s penalty). Won by 15 yards from Peri Huon, who beat Donizetti by a yard. Time. 2.4 4. Dividends: Happy, £1 1/; Peri Huon, £1 V-

Franklin Handicap of 35sovs; second 5 sovs. Five furlongs. Mr C. Weal’s b m Inspiration. 4yrs, by Freedom —Happy Thought, 7.8 (Deeley), 1; St. Loa nd a. 8.10 (Buchanan). 2; Rapid, 6.10 (Quinton). 3. Also started: 257 Orange ami Blue. 1-1”: 48 First Whisper, 7.12; 96 Ukase. 7.8: 77 Solitary, 7.5; 8 Talisman 7.3. Won by a length, same second and third. Time. 1.6&. Dividends: Inspiration, £2 17/; St. Loanda. 11/. March Trot Handicap of 40sovs; second ssovs. One mile and a half. Mrs S. Hird’s b g Waitekauri. aged, by La Rue —Yum Yum. 15s (Sandall), 1; Heiress. 15s (Baker), 2: Durbar. 8s (Tozer). 3. A iso started: 12 Albert Victor, scr: 29 King George, 3s; 44 Duke C., 6s; 83, Occidental. 15s: 38 Rosebud. 17s: 60 Daystar, 21s; 98 Pioke. 25s Won easily by five yards, same 2nd and 3rd. Time. 9.54. Dividends: Waitekauri, £1 17/; Heiress, £1 13/. ® © © HAWKE’S DAY JOCKEY CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING. The following weights have been declared by Mr Henrys:— Autumn Handicap, once round.--Olngo 9.8. Battleaxe 9.5, Oracle 8.4. Ballyneety 7.13, Tradewind 7.3, Camelot 7.3, Eland 6.10. Hawke’s Dav Cup. one mile end a quarter.—Advance ’ 10.13. Achilles 10.5, Ostiak 8.12, Motor 8.8. Battleaxe 8.7, Ilinetaura 8.5, Oingo 8.3. Shannon 7.9, Windwhistle 7.8. Oracle 7.5, Tupara 7.5, Menura 6.9, Kflhuwal 6.7, Ringman 6.7, Ballyneety G. 7, Tradewind 6.7, la 6.7, Eland 6.7. A.B.N. 6.7. Hurdles, two miles.—Eclair 1112, Kohunui 11.6, Tiroa 11.3, Tauhei 10.7, Scallywag 10.4. Cobra 10.2, Awahuri 10.0, Gryphon 9.7, Defoe 9.0. Rocket 9.0.

Nursery, five furlungs. Sta K-hoot 8.13. Auratus 7.11, Enna 7.10, Tortoise 7.10, Regiment 7.10, Rose Madder 7.3, Trent 7.3. Melodeon 7.3. Tiwha 7.3, St. Evangeline 7.3, Gold Crown 7.3.

Wolter, once round. —Tauhei 9.13, Tupara 9.12, Pa ria 9.5, Inspa u 8.9, Ruseplot 8.8, I’aphos 8.0, Vee 8.0. First Handicap, seven furlongs. -Shackle 8.13, Gold Dust 8.13, Arolia 8.5, Kowhete 8.3, Tanlwlia 7.11, Optimist 7.9, Wheelock 7.3, Vallance 7.3, Kohupapa 7.3, Madrigal 7.3, Rapids 6.10. Lifeboat G. 7. Railway, six furlongs.— Okoarl 9.13, Ostiak 9.11, Westguard 9.7, Assayer 7.8. Floar 7.8, Ballyneety 7.8. Chasseur 7.7. Camelot 6.11, Deerstalker 6.10, Stepdaughter 6.7. ® © ® TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The foal full sister to Tsaritsa and Petrovna has been named Astrakhan. Evening Wonder, who has been nominated for the Onkapariuga Steeplechase, ia looking well, but the work he is doing is not strong enough to that a trip to Adelaide is contemplated. A Souihern writer recalls the fa* t that Kathlinda, the dam of St. Denis, use I to run in pony races. Forward Guard, by Vanguard, broke down so badly while taking part in the Lawrence (Otago) meeting that he has since had to be destroyed. One of his cannon bones was splintered. It is reported that a Melbourne resident has made an offer of £1(JOO for the locai trotting stallion Rothschild. In spite of the unpromising outlook ou Thursday morning, Christchurch racing folk were well represented at Hororata Racing Club’s annual meeting. As, however, the local residents did not muster strong, the attendance was hardly up to the average, and the totalisator turnover showed a decrease of £6 in the amount handled at last year s gathering. The weather turned out finer than early indications encouraged us to hope, aud most of ns, I think, enjoyed the outing. The racing was not uninteresting, most of the events were won comfortably, but not one actually produced a run away victory. Clytie, who started favourite for the Hororata Cup, finished absolutely last of the four competitors, and my selection, Terrapin, won easily by a length from Meuschikoff’s disappointing sister, Stepdancer, who finished strongly enough to suggest that when she happens to be caught quite at her best she will get back a portion of the large sum she has cost her owner. Museox ite and Ayrdale fought out the finishes of the Bangor Handicap and Ilaldun Handicap. In each Instance the former won without a great deal to spare. The feature of the Welter Handicap was the preponderance of highly bred competitors. Of the six starters no less than four were closely related to well known and well performed horses. The winner, Nell Gwynn, is a three-year-old half sister by Captain Webb, to Loyalty. Natalie, who finished third, is a daughter of Phaeton and Neroli. Ropu and Khaki, who were unplaced, are half brothers respectively to the jumper Huku, and the Dunedin and Wellington Cup winner. Djin Djin. I might have included Bombardo, the second horse, who is a son of Hotchkiss and Valentina. Natalie had previously won the Farmers’ Plate, beating a strong favourite in Lady Brandt. The Selling Handicap fell to Nutcracker, a gelding by Perkin Warbeck 11. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. On the whole, the local bookmakers did well over the Wanganui Meeting. The victory of Machine Gun in the Jackson Stakes hit them hard, but they had a skinner over the Cup. Mr J. F. Reid, of Elderslie, has presented the Canterbury Jockey Club with a couple of swans for the lake which the Club is

going to lay out on its lawn at Rlccarton. The Akan*a County Racing Club’s annual race meeting is being held at Little River today (Tuesday), and most of the local spurting folk arc patronising the gathering. It locks as if Mr 11. Friedlander intended to gradually break up bis Auckland team. Kelburn ami Gladlsla have arrived at Kiccartou from the North and entered Holmes’ stable. Both arc in good condition. They were accompanied by the brood mare Annabelle, who was sent on to Mr Friedlander’s stud farm at Ashburton. These additions to Holmes* team will necessitJte that trainer enlarging his stable. I am sorry to learn that the lameness from which Welbeck was said to Iw suffering during his visit to Dunedin, has developed, and it is thought extremely improbable that the colt will be able to fulfil his engagements at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting. His full brother. Dundas, on the other hand, seems to be getting sounder. The local horseman, J. Pine, is suffering from an attack of scarlatina. Cyclas Parva is still amiss. The little sou of Lakeshell needs a rest. Orloff and Machine Gun will not go on to Hastings to fulfil their engagements nt the Hawke’s Bay Autumn Meeting. On the other hand. Sir Geo. Ciiffoyd’s pair, Windwhistle and Deerstalker will. Mr Guinness has taken in hand the halfsister to Pampero and the full-sister to Vladimir, which 1 mentioned in a previous letter. Canteen has made a much quicker recovery than was anticipated from his injury, and will probably resume work in a few days. A well-known Dunedin trainer has had a prubii>it!on order taken out against him. The following are the local quotations on the double. Great Easter and Autumn Handicaps:- 750 to 13 against Red Gauntlet and Pallas. 700 to 12 against St. Denis and Pallas, ;>OO to 15 against Advance and Orloff, 500 to 7J against Red Gauntlet and Pampero, 200 to 6 against Advance and Pallas, 200 to 3 against Achilles aud Achilles, 200 to 3 agnnist Petrovna and Carinio Chiel, 200 to 3 against Petrovna and Pallas 200 to 3 against Advance and Achilles. ’

Distance. 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 Five f. and under six.. 805 822 666 632 704 687 Six f. and under 1 mile ! 240 252 347 852 347 349 One mile.... 538 556 881 3o8 341 839 Over 1 m. and under two 220 228 441 469 494 515 Two m. and under three 67 53 65 61 68 83 Three m. and under four 9 8 8 1 3 3 Fear miles.. 2 2 8 1 1 1 Total.,.. 1881 1921 1911 1924 1S58 1992