TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XX, 16 May 1903, Page 1352

TURF GOSSIP

TURF NOTES.

Betsy. by Enrovlydon, has wt.i six r.tc. s <-ut of eight starts recently.

£l5OO has boon refused for Patronage. Indian buyers wanted him.

Mars may be taken to Wanganui to fulfil Ids engagements there.

Jenkins Increased his winning total of rules to 73 at the Manawatu meeting.

Mr E. D. O’Rorke was present at the Eg mo nt meeting, and returned on Friday.

The racehorse Bacchus lias boon purchased on behalf of a Fiji resident, and will be shipped there next week.

Ramil is the euphonious name of a four-year-old hack nicer down the Wanganui coast, signifying “big day” or ‘•holiday.”

Cobra, a half-sister to that good jumper 'rhe Friar, ran last of four in the Second Handicap lluidies at Palmerston last week.

Bookmakers wore offeiing 7 and 8 to 1 against Orange and Blue on Saturday for tiie pony race she won at Alexandra Park.

Nothing has yet come of the talk: d of amalgamation of studs to which lefercnce

The following horses remain in the Ashburton County Stakes of 100sovs, six furlongs: Cannie Chid. Treadmill, Brave Heart, Boseal, King Log, Bayonet, and Pallas.

K.iiwhakaroa. who is nominated for t’o Takapuna mooting, won tne First Hurdle Race at the Manawatu meeting from dare to finish.

Mr AV. E. Dakin lias intimated that h? will not apply for the position of handicapper to the V.R.C.. rendered vacant by tlit* death of his brother Frank.

Chasseur pulled up slightly lame after f e Flying Handicap at the Manawatu Racing Club's met ring. in which he starred favourite and finished second to Livonia.

The contemplated improvements to be effected on the Takapuna Jockey Chib’s ceu s? - really the extension of the running grim, d

- will not bo put in hand before the bpring of next season.

Kobina. who won the Hack Scurry Race :it the Mana win meeting, is a fall sister to Kowheto and a half-sister to First Whisprr. By A premont from Whisper, sue should pay lier way.

Fancy old Legion of Honour bolting once round the course before the Autumn Handicap ;u Manawatu--lame and ail. It to k all the go out of him. and lie finished last hi the r.’.re.

Monaich, who finished second in the Australian J.C. Steeplechase at Easter, was sod by his breeder for £25. Monarch won his fust 'chase at Rosehill last year, and Ims appiuuriated seven like events.

After his successes at Suva at the Easter meeting held then*, Mr T. Brophy intended milling his pony gelding Goetzer, and it was expected there that he would change hands this week.

Inquiries were made soon after the appearance of the weights for the Auckland Racing Club’s Grand National double, but pencilleis would only quote hundreds to four on the Held.

Ruapehu, who promised well as a fencer about three years ago. and went wrong in his wind, is in commission again, and at the Manawatu meeting competed in one of the jumping races.

The Sydney-bred gelding Durbar trotted with greatest, consistency in each of his osZys at t he Auckland Trotting Club’s au'tuinn meeting, and Tozer apparently had the Vaiicleve gelding well.

G. Wright has now in his stable the yearling filly by Hotchkiss from St. Mary, purchased at the last. Wellington Park sale; the Bill of l*oHland filly, ami the Bobadil cot, recently brought from Australia.

Jervis George lias not had much 1 ck for a long time, Mid his double win at the Egmont meeting with Durable would be welcome to the Taranaki owner-trainer, who is one of the oldest supporters of the game theie, and who still takes an active interett in it.

Tom Flynn is one of the first of the gets of the Tasman —Waterwitch horsy Flinders to win a race, but when he defeated Goldmine in the Maiden Hack Race at Manawatu by a head the rider of the last-named was caught napping.

81. Frusqnln, full brother to Messrs L. D. mid N. A. Nathan’s young sire, San Francisco, is further proving his worth at the start. Quintessence, winner of the One Thousand Guineas, is a daughter of that horse. This filly wen a number of important races last season, and is by Lord Falmouth*

The first winner by Gaulus, a Mt ibournu Cup winner, appropriately named Specimen, being from Quartz, got home at an unregistered mooting at Kensington recently.

During the race intervals the Lincoln Handicap was speculated upon, the returned Australian speculator, Joe Thompson, being the chief operator, says “News of the World.” referring to a recent meeting in England.

Mr W. Elliott, of Waitara, has for 30 years been about one of the most unlucky racing men 1 have known; but lie has seldom been without a horse in his stables during that lime, and his successes with Black Reynard during the past three months are well deserved.

If Polly 11. had shown the same form in the Pony race at Alexandra Park as she showed in the class race, Bert would have had to go faster to win. Polly was backed well by her connections in the Peuy race, but they did not support her in the class event.

When Sierra finished second to Polly IT. in the (‘lass Trot on Wednesday, Mr Wyllie’d gelding put up one of the Jest performances of his Now Zealand career. Peri lluon was barely 3s behind the winner, outside* a place, and he put up a good performance.

Awahuri has been supported Cor the G»\at Northern Steeple and Grand National Haidle (■cubic, and is fancied a good deal for the last-mentioned nice. in which lie is considered particularly well treated on his Auckland Easter form.

Rososhoot, who won two hack events at Manawatu for Mr E. J. Watt, comes of that prolific mare Primrose, who has had no fewer than fifteen representatives, Including Bush Rose, Primula and Penrose, each by tiie same sire, the Musket horse Torpedo. Roseshoot is a big useful sort of gelding.

Lady Bell, who numbers amongst her achievements a few good fiat nice performances, showed up the Taranaki l ack hn-dle horses rather badly on Welacsdw, when she won carrying 11.13. Sir* nad s m • luck on her side, iiowever. through the falling of two of the runneis.

Sandy, who has been a consistent placegetter this season, after a head defeat by St( pson on the first day of the Egmont meeting wen the concluding handicap on rhe second day. Sandy, like Crcssy, who went to Australia, where he has raced well, has always been a nervous gelding, but is likely to get over this trouble in time.

Rand wick hasn’t known a more finished lepper than Stcelrail, who won A.J.C. Hurdles (says an Australian exchange). He “flew” his jumps with remarkable power and accuracy, and completely outjump d everything else in the race. I would like to see the Auckland gelding Bellman going with the best of them over a short course. He can make haste over the little sticks with the smaitest I have seen.

At the Wellington meeting a g<od-!ooki g chestnut son of Stopniak, called Stepson, raced carrying overweight in each of his engagements. At the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting he was second favourite in the Maiden Plate, but ran unplaced, ard the stewards held aii inquiry into his running, ac. opting the explanation tendered. By winning at Egmont he did his connections a good turn, for lie was well supported away fio:n the course.

Mr D; J. Price was not allowed to appeal against the, decision of New Zrahn.d Trotting Club. Who disqualified him for alb ged foul driving, and the New Zealand Trotting Association evidently treated the matter as one of fact, for they endorsed the club’s action. ITice, in a letter to the “N.Z. llefeico,” claims that he did not get a fair hearing all the same, and it s a pity that the evidence of all the horsemen who look part in the race had not beep tende.ed at the inquiry ou the course.

How many classes of horses arc there racing? One week we see a little marc like Orange and Blue beaten carrying little over the minimum weight in open company, presumably not first class company cither; a few days later she succeeds in getting home under a light impost amongst the second raters, receiving very liberal allowances from some of them. Yet a few days later, carrying 10.4. she gets home giving away lots of weight to the other runners in a race with a G. 7. minimum amongst ponies of her own size. . . _ .

Mr T. Brophy. Suva, writes and r da'e May 1 to Mr 11. B. Massey that *l»e two ponies Mr Massey sold him, viz., Gcetzer and Frank (the last-named by Tasman—lb sslc) recoiled the programme of four events at ti e Easter meeting. Frank won the Suva Siakts and Pony Race: and in the last-named r.ico he was ridden by Frank, Mr Brophy’s ion, who made his first appearance hi public and went to scale, Lis bodily weight being 4st 2ib.

The last shall be first. Four nags —Mu’ga 11., Nutpatli. Kelp, and Trench*—raced at Redbank (\ h*.) the other day. Kelp passed the judge fir**, but he and Nutpath were disqualified for running inside tne Dost, rnd Trcac/e was similarly dealt with an th? result of a protest that he previously raced on an unregistered course. Mulga, who palled up behind them all, got the coin. Something in the nature of a donkey race result. —“Bulletin.”

A well-known jockey, who vas scept’c I about the powers claimed for tne s anndsiglit man nt the circus, tried him with a horse’s tooth. •“What have I rot li re?” asked the other Howard. “A lioise’s too h,’* was the prompt reply, followed by *’i<? ombariassing addition, “That tooth was lic.uh d out of a horse’s jaw when he was trying to get his head loose coming round the turn at Caulfield.“Javelin.”

Mr Walker, son of Mr W. <*. Walker, of Ellerslie, returned from a visit to the Islands aurlng the week. Passing through Suva, he was present at the Easter race meeting, and got the mount on GCetzer in the two races the Auckland pony won. ilis Excellency Governor Jackson and Lady Jackson were present at the meeting, which was voted a great success. A five shilling tot a. lisa tor was run on the various events, which included a 13 handtt pony race and a match.

It is d considerable time since there has been such a poor nomination for the North Now Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race and Great Northern Steeplechase as far the coming inviting, wnich is sui—lirising. considering the value of the prize money. We have plenty of horses that might with advantage ho put to the jumping game, and especially to hurdle racing, since tin* obstacles nowadays are not so trying as they were at one time.

At the conclusion of a recent race meeting an owner and a visitor were standing talking together, when a young Maori v oman w a‘kcd up to the owner and asked him hi j. ood English if he world join her in a yinss of wine, tolling him that she had lost £3 over one of his horses, at which the ow’ner remarked that he was very sorry. “Oh. never mind,” came the reply, “I see your hersa never try: he wait big race ” naming an event to come. The owner smiled, and the Maori lady took her departure, r. inari<ing that she had a good eye and would get her money back again.

There is now some talk of extending the date of the Takapuna May meeting from the ICth and 20th to the 23rd and 25th. so as to include the holiday as one of the days thereof. It is well to consider the interests of the public, but it is just a little late to think of making such a change, seeing that the Auckland Racing C’lub’s winter meeting is to commence on the 30th May, as the interval would not be a long enough one betw’oen the meetings, judging from past experience. Qi the interests of horses and their owners, it is to be hoped that there will not be any re-arrangement on the part, of the Takapuna Jo-key Club, and more especially as nominations have be?;i taken for both meetings mentioned, is it desirable that faith should be kept with the nominators. . .

Auckland—April 11, 2 miles: Awahuri, 10.7, 1; Bellman. 10.7, 2. Won easily four lengths. April 13th, iy miles: Awahuri, 11.7, 1; Bellman, 11.3, 2: Lingard, 9.9, 3. Inchcape, 9.10, unplaced. Won easily by three lengths. April 14th. 2 miles: Awahuri. 1.2.3, .• ; Bellman, 11.10, 2; Lingard, 9.9, 3. Wen easily six lengths. Wanganui —May 21st: Awahuri, 10.9. Auckland— May 31: Awahuri, 11.0; Bellman. 10.11: Lingard, 9.11; Inchcape, 9.11. At the -Auckland Easter Meeting for the Hurdle Race won by Awahuri. carrying 12.3, Cahnongate received 11.7. but his owner did not pay up with him—a difference of lOlbs. Now Cannongate is set to give Awahuri Gibs- only a difference of IClbs; and neither horse has run since. Comment is needless.

At the Agricultural Hall last month, ns was reported b cable, the New Zealand bred stallion Gold Medallist, now the property of Mr John Wynford Phillips, M.P., was awarded one of the twenty-eight King’s premiums of £l5O, offered for the best animals shown at the show held by the Hunters’ Improvement Society, in conjunction with the Royal Commission on Horsebreeding. For the purpose of apportioning these premiums the Commission divided Great Britain (excepting Ireland) into twelve, parts, and for each of these districts from one to four equal premiums of £l5O are offered, the conditions on which those are awarded being that the winning stallions shall eaeh serve not loss than fifty half-bred mares if required during 1903, and shall stand or travel, as the Commissioners may direct, in the district for which he is exhibited, at a fee not exceeding forty shillings for each mare, and two shillings and sixpence for the groom.

The Auckland Racing Club, Avondale Jockey lub. and Clubs racing at Alexandra Park all run their races right hand ed, and there are a few country clubs that follow the same practice, but outside of Auckland this is not done anywhere else In- New Zealand that I can think of. It Is singular that in each instance referred to the plan was adopted to suit the positions of- the different courses. A majority of horses will race just as well one way as another. hut *hey want tv be work* 3 f*»> ••ordingly. Some never seem to be nu fait, however, and judging from the number we have seen roine right out from the rails v/hon getting tired at Ellerslie, horsemen of. the best have a difficulty they would not experience on left handed courses.

“Javelin” hi the “Leader” refers to the following inconsistencies:—lr* weight forage races geldings are allowed 51 bs all the year round in Victoria, anil 31b In New South Wales: in the Derby and St. Leger geldings have no allowance in Victoria, and 3 b In New South Wales, and a filly’s St. Leg r weight Is 3st 71b in Victoiia an.! Sst s’h In New S nth Wales—2lb less,though nt we g’ t for age It would be 21b more, the A.J.C. St. Leger being run a month later than the V.R.C. one. In connection with this matter of gelding allowance, it would be tut renting to hear the tillers of racing in Victoria explain. if they can. why a gelding should be a flowed 51b in the Maribyrnong Plate and nothing in the Derby or St. Leger! I might heie mention that the Canterbury Jock y Club geldings to carry the same weight aS Colts in their Derby, while th-» . rckland Racing Club in theirs allow a gelding 3’b.

We cannot speak with the authority of experience as to how a course should be Kept in order (says the “Australasian”), but wo can state on the authority of a number of practical men, who know Randwick, and also knew something about the treat me t of a racecourse, and the formation of train ing tracks, that there is a great deal of grumbling about the state of t?ie gallops at Rjimiwh’k. Accidents occurred •’-onstu t y during the late meeting. In all the laces f r wiiicli big fields started there were falls, and we never heard one of them set down to foul riding. According to the critics the going was bad owing to the practice of top-dr ’ssing th? course with street sweeping, composed in part of clay, instead of sand. On the first Saturday the dust rose in <1 uds as horses were galloping, while on Monday, when a sandy course should have been rendered as sound as Caulfield by r he rain, the jockeys.'declared the going was slippery and treacherous.

A writer in the New York paper, the Sports of the Times,” commends the regulation passed by the Australian Jockey Club with i ogard to racing colours, and is of opinion that the innovation would bo a most desirable one in America. Touching on this, the scribe says: “Just think back for some of the, wonderful mix-ups at the finish on leading metropolitan tracks, owing to the extreme similarity of certain colours. I remember one case where three times the numbers were placed before they came coirectly. and that was after a newspaper man went from the Press stand and informed the judges. Not so long ago, either! Ono horse finished in the money, the other about seventh: one belonged to a prominent eastern stable, the other to a western stable, and the mistake was very easy to make, except to a close observer.” “What an unpleasant five minutes a newspaper man would have who started out to set the judge or stewards right at any Australian metropolitan track,” says “Pilot” in the “Re eree” in referring to the above.

Orzil, who distinguished himself at the A.J.C. autumn meeting by siring three winners—his only representatives in his first season—was bred by Mr J. S. Harrison (says “Ribbleden” in the “Australasian”)', who; sold his dam. Merry Miser (with Orail’a foal at foot), for 1050 guineas, to Mr L. Brassey. who, as events turned out. secured a rare bargain. As a two-year-old Orzil won five races right off the reel, including the Woodcote Stakes and the Coventry Stakes, each worth a thousand pounds. Merry Miser has produced seven winners, all to different sires: but. according to the figure system, she is No. 41), which is rather a set back for the thick and thin believers in the Bruce-Low theory of breeding. Ursula, a half-sis-ter to Orzil, by St. Serf, was sold not long

ago for 650 guineas, and Arabi, a half brother to Oral I. by Bay Ronald, won two good races in England last season, and on four other occasions gained a place. Bay Ronald will be remembered as the horse that just wrested the City and Suburban Handicap from Newhaven, who, however, won the race the following year. When Mr I*. 11. Osborne died he bequeathed orzil to his son, Mr Harry Osborne, and the successful young sire atII holds his place at Currandooley.

W< ights for the North New Zealand Gnu d National meeting were declared on Friday morning—that is for the two chief jump! ng races, the Grand National Hurdles and (beat Northern Steeplechase: ami at the same time the handicaps were issued by Mr Evefr for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s Winter Meeting, which Include the Flying Handicap, the Century Hurdle Race, and the Wanganui and '.randstand Steeplechases. Of recent perform©! s up this way ever hurdles. Awahurl Is the pick on form and at the weights: of performers earlier in the yea-. ’. r-’simm and Mars. Canuongate. of rim perfo-nirrs over the Ellerslie country, is lemcinllv s - leeted, a ut some of the wellncvfur.iicd hurdle horses arc in on favourable terms, miu Haydn, .he Grand National winner. ami s'veral light weights must be allowed to possess < bailees. 1 shall refer more 2ul«y to these events later on.

The Cambria Park Stud Company i»r" increasing their stud, and have added six mares thereto from the stud of the lion. J. D. Ormond. They are: Guinevere, 3yrs, by Sir Lancelot from Orientale, by Leo! inns from L’Orlent. This filly is thus a member of the No. 2 family, and three-quarter sister to Daunt Lute. 3yrs, by Sir Lancelot, dam Lyrebird, by St. Leger from Lyie, by Patriarch, therefore three-quarter sister to Renown, a member of the No. 11’family. Bequest. 6yrs, by Dreadnought, dam Legacy, by St. Leger—Yattacy, by Yattendun, served by The Officer. This mare Is a No. 5.

Anadyomine, by Dreadnought, dam Aphrodite. by Apremont. dam Watersprite. Served by The Officer, a No. 14. Sprite, (i.vrs, by Dreadnought, dam Elflock, by Nordenfeldt, dam Elfin, by Musket, dam Sylvia. Served by The Officer. A number .13. Golf, Syrs, by St. Andrew, dam Sabra, by St. George, dam Miss Flat, served by Sir Lancelot.

In days of yore, when match making wps a much more fashionable form <»f amus?m nt than it is at present, it was the custom to write down on paper the names of m rses with which owners were willing to make a mat eh. Admiral Rons, who was the oracle of the Turf in those days, after consulting two of the owners as to whether they we e willing to run, after also due co aside rat urn. and sometimes a scrutiny of a wcll-thi:nTed handicap book, would stand up and sav — “Gentlemen, put your hands in your pockets. You shall run the last five furlongs of the Abingdon Mile for lOOsovs. 50 ferre t. The Blank colt shall carry Bst 1011) and the other Sst lb.”

2kll eyes were then turned on the two owners. If, on examination, it was found th t both of them held money in their hands, the match was made and the half-crowns went to the Admiral, who smiled benignly on the holders and .pocketed the coins; if one only., held nionev the non-content paid him: if neither held money t here was’ficiflier match nor exchange of coins. About the year 1870 there is’ no" doubt that sport- at Newmarket was at a’very low ebb. and matches helped to swell a card that would have looked very weak for a day’s racing without them. In later times, however, there was a fear of overdoing matters, for with two or three matches hi the list the programme frequently extended to as many as ten events. —“Sporting Sketches.”

The “Indian Planters’ Gazette.” in re erring to the fact that J. Lynch, who trained for Mr B. Allen in India, was sui prised at the neat get-up of the jockeys In that country. says:—“The colonial article, when h? arrives here, however excellent a horseman he may b.o, certainly takes no pains to •!< ok the part,’ and yef. we are informed that thrse are the crack representatives of t’ui ir i ref s sion. A lecturing tour on the blessings of a nicely-cut breeches and properly-put ; n b o s would be a very good thing for the coloni's. At present the colonial artist’s id<a of the part Is breeches that fit nowhere, with buttons nearer the back of his knees than anywhere else; boots that certainly reach no higher than three inches above bls ankle-

lM»ne. if an much; his cap be prefers to tie on leaving his ears out. and his ja<-k<«t us often ns not does nut continue in partnership with his Iweeches until the race Is over. The blessings of a neatly-tied hin ting s o k or any other of the minutiae be ’s blissful y iguoraut of. . However, by rhe time t at India has done with him he. ns n mle. g ts converted into the charm of hw-cches that grip you round the knee like a porous plaster, and Imots that fit to nmtcb nnd d » rot give the wearer the appearance of being out. on a shrimping expedition. Spurs als . a knightly appendage that when badly put oi Set the teeth on edge, are usuallv worn by Hie colonial trailing over his heel*, ai d nr r derous weapons they as a rule a°e. When he has been in despised India he finds out that the proper place is well >p above rhe heel, amt sot on square with a longish strap tinder the instep and a short ’mi on top. We are doubtless a backward and benkhted lot in many ways, but we do make an offoit in s<»me directions, and this is one of th m.”

In the cotirso of an article on fho ”Pre«e<*t Law of Gambling.” -11. ’ in -Ihuley’s . lagazinc, has (he following: Ia»l ns now turn to a home field, namely, the turf, and see how matters stand. Here a man mav »et with a bookmaker for an indefinite period of success, but the moment he lust's he may refuse payment, knowing ho is prutechsi by the present Gaming Art. which thus encourages and shields such a contemptible and cowardly thief. Again, we fine the man eaught betting in the street, or tno publican allowing it on his premises, but ] can walk out of my club and within a stone's throw bet in several places with impunity, which naturailv gives rise to the argument of there being one law for the rich and another for the poor. When we are told that the late MiFry was owed over 100,600, can it be won dc-rcd that the ring are nil for bring li♦s'nsed and their debts recoverable by law. A black list has been started by the newLicensing A< t. but if a similar list was published of those who have not settled with the ring, it would, I fancy, he some what startling, and open people’s eyes ns to how_ so-called, or rather miscalled, debts of honour are treated by manv. The* committee whit h lately investigated Into the matter came to the conclusion that, under certain circumstances, betting could not be stopped, and very rightly so, for if it were our national pastime, which is dependent on the support of the public, would <-<‘ase to exist. Surely, the efore. if such be the rase, it Is our bounder duty in rc-turn to legislate for their benefit to* the best of our ability, or else what becomes of our vaunted Idea of fair play. At present the man who’cau afford to bet In *’attersali’s ring ran do so with comparative? safety at most of our nuotlngs. but the mine cannot be said for his poorer brother in the -outer rings.” whore thieves are allowed to break through ami steal with impunity, in the shape of welshvrs. ticket-snatchers, and such like, whose admitted presence is a crying disgrace* to all concerned. On the principle that, the greatest good is that which affects the greatest number, if the law would but take prompt, and vigorous action to eradi-<-atc this objectionable element, and also t<> enable honest men. backers and layers alike, of all denominations to carry out their calling in peace, then in due course Hie status’ of the turf would be greatly improved.

: Thus . “Bondi,” iu the Sydney “Referee” on starting: I once heard a young lad.v warble, “I’m saddest when I sing.” and a male brute observed she couldn’t be more sad than those who heard her were. And now that the Randwiek races arc over, it occurs to me that if she were a man her tunc would be altered to “I’m saddest when I bet.” or rather when the day for settling up arrived. Someone who had evidently been indulging in that perniekity pastime once wrote: “When we trouble to walk to the starting-post for short races, and watch the proceedings there with both eyes wide open, we are sure to see something that will repay us for the little extra exertion.” That’s a fact -at times a fearful fact; one calculated to cause us to sing inverted psalms for the rest of the day, and fIH us with a burning desire to kick someone, even ourselves, rather than not kirk anyone at all. A number <>f sprinters are not always sent off on anything like level terms, even

by meatiM of the “gate,” fur m>me stalls can still be u*>tked. Trier* get left occasionally; noii-trler* stick to the mark till it looks :>h If they had taken root in their tracks. A hot favourite will suddenly do a belief-titicen’s pirouette, and place his head where hi* tall ought to be. ami to own upto a painful truth which must of ue have experienced, winners want a |Qt of finding. And when you d<» find them you occasionally have >onie difficulty hi finding 1 tie boukh* who holds your immey. How pvoph l dare <u bet on short s<-unies with a tr«»op of runners ami a lot of lit tie •’leather-flappers” in a high state of funk perchvAi on fiery, haif.iamrd steeds, is simply marvellous. So much depends on the start in these cases, and the start Is occasiunali.v made on the principle of “all together, one after another.’’ This is often the reason why a horse that doesn’t <-any even the price of a big luer of the stable’s money breaks away with a fine leml ami makes every post a winning one. until ho gets home: while, on the other hand, when “the pot ’spur on,” It may boil over at the start bef<»r»» any .-team is wanted. Starts are not so bad <»n the big courses* but there are some tracts where n big field fill th l * place to overflowing, and how the run tiers ♦•an squeeze their way along Is a mystery. It was one of these play-toy tracks that a small buy with a largo hut level head A-a»no to the starter's aid ami evened up matters in a style that not Solomon in mH his glory, backed up by all his wives. *ould have improved on. ’l'lie horses wore doing polka mazurkas “all over the shop.” ami it looked as though the start might be delayed till the Day of Judgment, or a day or two after, if the weather happened to be inclement, when the mannikin, with the air of n great general. <-alled out: "Now. all you jockeys that ain’t jiggin', give Mister Starter a chance, ami come back to the rear rank along with mo. Any time this year will do me to get away, so 1 enn afford t«» sot you a fine example.” And. smiling sweetly, ho headed his horse to a back seat, again calling out ns he did so: “Now. all you gents as is on the iob, get to the front, and do yer d dest. We ll enjoy the tussle from a safe distance at the rear.” About half the field followed the young nipper’s sensible example: the other lined up in proper style, and everyone complimented the tlag-fiutlever on having made the finest start of the season.

TUKF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

(By Telegraph. Special to “Graphic.") CU RI STI ’ II t RCH. Sa t u rdny. The Christchurch Racing Club’s meeting to-day, and the near approach of the Ashburton County Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting, have given a flicker to the dying season. Moreover, the weather has been tine during the week, consequently there has been quite a mild revival of Interest in the training operations. Cerise ami Blue has disappeared from the tracks with an injury which will probably keep him away from them for tlurest of his life. On the other hand, Lolnh, who’ whs sore after the Canterbury Autumn Mooting, has resumed work. It Is reported that Mr Gates conlomplates putting Benzoin into work again, and, in the event of bls doing so. that he intends to place him in Lewis’ hands. 1 hope, for the sake of a good horse, that the son of Friar’s Balsam will not he Iraim-d again. Ixla, who was recently purchased by :i local owner, is to be schooled over hur il . A similar experiment wiii be Hied with uh stable companion, Narcissus. The half-brother by Benzoin to Welbeck has been named Bueeleugh, and the colt by Seaton Delaval - Lady Moth is to be known as Silkworm. Advance, with his injured leg om-as • I in a plaster of Paris bandage, left for Wellington on Tuesday. I have learned noC.,ing about his future movements, but I should very much like to hear that lie was going into a fashionable breeding establishment, stain on his pedigree though

there Is. Such a bold, free horse could hardly be a failure, and might be a great success at the stud. Mr. Stead has had the bad luck to lose a yearling Ally by Multiform from Bloomer. The youngster, which was a particularly premising one, broke her leg on Wednesday, and had to be destroyed.

Mr. J. Brett, the Dunedin racing man has sold Bed Gauntlet to Mr J. Ellis. The price paid for the son of Lochiel was £4OO. Lady Lillian has already met with support for the New Zealand Cup, a wager of 100 to 3 having been recently taken about her in Dunedin.

Mr Gow, on whose property the Dunedin Jockey Club’s course is situated, has been elected to the committee of the club in succession to Mr Vigors, who has resigned because he is about to leave for England.

Mr P. Miller, well-known in Dunedin racing circles, was entertained at a social gathering there a few days ago, previous to his departure for England. St. Denis got knocked about in the last race at Wellington, and is now idle. A rest will do him good, as he has been on the active list for a very long time. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. The weather was fine for the Christchurch Having Club’s Autumn Meeting cn Saturday, but the attendance was moderate. The racing, however, was interesting, Id spite of defects in Mr Piper’s starting, which was scarcely up to that gentleman’s best form. The unlucky Bombardo beat the unluckier Kahki in the High-weight Handicap in such a style as to suggest that he will do better still later on. Stepdancer at last won a race for Mr Dalgety, who, I regret, is lying in a private hospital rather seriously ill, but there was little merit in her victory in her maiden handicap, and curiously she is a full sister to Menschikoff. She is troubled with the slows. Aynsley started her in the next race, the Christchurch Autumn Handicap, but gave Pine oiders not to knock her about. Whether she would have done better if she had been driven along is problematical; as it was, she was never dangerous. The disappointment of the race was who, ah hough looking better than he has ever done since he arrived here, ran unaccountably badly. Secret Society beat him at 51bs, which clearly points to his having run below his best form. Clanburn ran surprisingly, but he had no chance of boating Zealous, who for once was in a generous mood ai d won easily. The Flying Handicap, a good betting race, fell to an outsider in Ordnance, but Lady Brandt, who started favourite, subsequently made amends for her failure by beating old Cora Linn in the Welter Handit ap. At the time of writing it has not been decided whether or not Treadmill shall fulfil his engagements in the Ashburton Stakes on Thursday. I am inclined to think he will not. I am obliged to make my selections without seeing the acceptances, and I hope the readers of these notes will bo lenient. Zealous can win the Ashburton Handicap If she cares to try her best. If he is on his best behaviour Terrapin may win. Nutcracker mav account for the County Plate; (’ora Linn'or Scylla for the Grove Farm Handicap: Clanburn or Bombardo for the Fail field Welter Handicap; and Hearts or Mauseiette for the Melrose Handicap. The Canterbruy Jockey Club has advised the Akaroa County Racing Club that the Investors on the totalisator in the Maiden Plate decided at the latter club’s meeting on March 10 should be disposed of as under: Money on Nikola to ho i eturned to investors and balance paid to investors on Vhakaraupo. Nikola finished first, but was objected to on the grounds that he was ineligible to compete. Welbeck is all the better for his sp-11. and bis injorod leg bears a much sounder appearance than it did a few weeks aro. 1 il- rim’s Progress is expect* 1 to arrive this week. 1 b ar that although the rising two-year-olds hr Multiform are inclined to be small, the rlslnsr yeaiHngs lack nothing as regards size. The filly from Aura is said to be a beauty. The rising two-year-old brother to Tsnritsa find th* cnlt of the same age ’»▼ Stepnlak— LatTr's Maid were in the paddock at the Christchurch mooting on Saturday. They wore both admired. The following business has been dow 1 >cally on the Auckland Grand National Steeplepbaso and Hurdle Race: 200 m 6 a - ai’ st Cnnroimato and Tresh »m. 200 to 8 TTa-rdn an <i Awahurl. 150 to 0 Haydn and OtnlrL 100 tn 3 against Awahurl and Glencoe. The report that another effort is to b* made to trn'* Renroin turns out to be true. TTm son of Friar’s Balsam is now an inmate of Tx-wlk*m stable at Riecartnn. Nell Gwym»p has heon lame shire her return from Wellington, but Is gradually recovering. The local liimntng division is anvil!. It comprises Social Pest, who made his re-ap-pearance at Riccarton last week; Rowlocks. Sultana. Kharkee. Ayrdn’r. First Shot, and a probability In Ropu. who. however, is lame just now. The Hsing two-yenr-nlds Signn!m'»» and King’s Guest, belonging to Sir Geo. C.i ford, have been broken in. (?) (?) (® EGMONT RACING CLTJIVA ATTT’MN MEETING. Railway Handicap, — Black Reynard 1, Full Cry 2.Crusoe 8, Also starte.l; Anchorite, Tmpati. and Kidbrook, Won by a length. Dividends, £1 11/6 and £2 11/0.

Hack Hurdles. — Lady Bell 1, Rags 2, Cavalcade 3. Also started: Hawera, O.acle, Highlow, The Hermit. Hawera and Hermit €<•11. Lady Bell wod comfortably. Time, 2.59 15. Dividends, £3 6/ and £1 9/C. Tawhitl Handicap.—Stepson 1, San'y 2, Rapids 3. All started but Slandra and Kidbrook. Won by a head. Time. 1.18 1-5. Egmout Cup.—Durable 1, Tupara 2,Blackwing 3. All started. Blackwing led for some distance, but died away in the straight. Tupaia made a determined run, but Durable got home by a length. Time, 2.145. Totallsator, 778. Dividend, £3 3/6.

Waihl Handicap.—Pareroa 1, Stampede 2, Mortoropuku 3. All started. In the straight Pareroa drew away and won comfortably. Time, 1.48. Totalisator, 867. Dividends, £4 7/ and 17/.

Mokoia Handicap.—Waimoe 1, Inglewood 2, Dick Turpin 3. Also started: Rita, Taura, and Seaweed. Won somewhat easily. Time. 2.1 4-5. Totalisator, 1043. Dividends, £4 9/6 and £1 2/.

Telegraph Handicap.—Noneen 1, R coil 2, Silver Star 3. Scratched: Stepson. Won by a length. Time, 1.6. Totalisator, 1089. D.vidends, £2O 5/ and £3 3/. SECOND DAY. Trial Handicap.—Romany Girl 1. Redan 2, Maureen 3. All started but Tangawai and Gold Dust 11. Won easily by a length and a half. A protest alleging inconsistent running was dismissed. Dividends, £2 19/ and £2 2/6. Time, 1.6 1-5. Stewards’ Handicap.—Taura 1, Pareora 2, Dick Turpin 3. Stampede, Toledo and Vacillate were scratched. Won by a length and a half. Time, 1.48 2-5. Dividends. £2 19/ and £2 2/6. Borough Handicap.—Black Reynard 1, Anchorite 2, Crusoe 3. Full Cry and Blackwing also ran. Won easily by a length and a half. Time, 1.32 1-5. Dividend, £3 17/6. Second Handicap Hack Hurdles. —Highlow 1. Lady Bell 2, Oracle 3. Rags and Hawera also ran. Jumping away, Highlow won by a couple of chains. Time, 3.5. Dividend, £5 2/. Opeke Handicap.—Rcdbrook 1, Stampede 2, Tambourine 3. All started. Redbrook got away first, and held the lead throughout. Time, 3-5. Dividends, £l5 8/6 and £2 5/6. Manaia Handicap.—Durable 1, Blackwing 2. Ha rd work 3. Tupara and Oracle also ran. Won by half a length. Ila rd work got jammed in the straight. Time, 2.0 1-5. Dividend. £3 4/6. Ngamatu Handicap.—Sandy 1. Kidbrook 2, Maureen 3. Taura. Stepson, Waima, In glewood, Little Turk, and Vacillate were scratched. Won by half a length. Time, 1.18 4-5. The stewards, after the Stewards’ Handicap. held an inquiry as to the running of Taura on the previous day, but saw no reason to alter the judge’s award. The sum put through the machine amounted to £5923. @ ® ® CHRISTCHURCH RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING. CIIRI ST CIIUR C H, Saturd a y. The Christchurch Racing Club’s autumn meeting was held to-day in fine weather. The totalisator investments amounted to £2BBl—an increase of £l9l over last year. The results are as follows: — High-weight Handicap.—Bombardo 1, Khaki 2. Metallic 3. Timo, 1.-16?:. Dividend. £3 10/. Maiden Handicap—Stepdancer 1. Time 1.32 J. Dividend £1 10/. Autumn Handicap of 55sovs, one mile and a distance. — Zealous, 6.11. 1; Clanburn. 8.0, 2; Secret Society, 8.12, 3. Kelburn. Stepdancer, and Antigone also started. Won by four lengths. Time, 1.58. Dividend, £7 18/. Flying Handicap of 45sovs, five furlongs. -Ordnance, 6.7. 1; Goldenmere, 7.6, 2; Lady Brandt, B.G, 3. Ayrdale, Covenant Maid, Gladisla, and Calotype also started. Won by a length. Time, 1.3. Dividends, £9 and £1 8/. Selling Handicap of 21sovs, four furlongs. Chain Guard, 7.3, 1; Crusader, 8.3, 2; Reflex, 9.2, 3. Stout Commander and Miss George also started. Won by half a length. Time, 525. Dividend, £l5 16/. ‘Welter Handicap of 40sovs, six furlongs. —Lady Brandt, 9.4, 1; Cora Linn, 10.13, 2; Antigone, 9.5, 3. Ayrdale, Ixia, and Calotype also started. Won by half a length, l ime. 1.17 2-5. Dividend, £lO 8/. @ © © TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING. The following acceptances have been received by the Takapuna Jockey Club in connection with their Winter Meeting:— Handicap Maiden Hurdles of TOsovs; 1J mile and KJOyds.—Tuni 10.3, Coma 10.2, Doloves 10.2, Sudden 10.0, Spalpeen 9.12, bt. Rowan 9.10, St. Gordon 9.9. Dayntree 9.9, Tempest 9.7. Gilnoekie 9.7, Kotiro 9.5, Linden 9.2. Pullack 9.0, Little Wonder 9.0, Revealer 9.0.

Handicap Maiden Plate of Bosovs; 7 furlongs.—Sandy 8.7, Bobs 8.0, Ilillflower 7.10, Maorlland 7.7, Swagsman 7.5, Queen Anne 7.5, Joultfish 7.5, Hurrah 7.4, Aurega 7.0, Sugarcane 7.0, Corporal 7.0, Leo Delaval 7.0, Bentonia G. 12, Monnt. Zeehan 6.12, Frank Dodd 6.8, Lanteros 6.8.

Empire Handicap of 200sovs; 1J mile.— Strath: von 8.12, Landlock 8.12, Formula 8 0, Durable 7.R (including 51b penalty). Jewellery 7.7, Paul Senton 7.2, Matamataharakeke 7.2, Marshal Soult 7.0, Zulleka 6.12. Idas 6.7. First Handicap Hurdles of 150sovs: 2 miles.—Bellman 11.5, Royal Conqueror 11.2. II ay du 10.12, Princess of Thule 10.0, Llugard 9.10, Gilnoekie 0.0, Revealer 9.0, Mokopjoko 9.0, Hlppowal 9.0.

First Pony Handicap of GSsovs; 5 furlong*. —Orange and Blue 10.2, Annoyed 9.8, Forth 0.7, (Jirton Girl 9.2, Miami 8.9, St. Luanda 8.3, Vulpine 7.12, Sentinel 7.11, Solitary 7.7, Pure Gold 7.7, Whawhal 7.4, Inspiration 7.0, Report 7.0, First Whisper 6.12, Cuisine C. 12, Irish Boy 6.9, Sweet Marie 6.7.

Handicap Maiden Steeplechase of lOOsova; abr.ut miles.—lnchcape 10.8, Sirdar JI) 0 Marine 9.10, Pullack 9.9, Waimana 9.7, Lecha 9.7, Puffing Billy 9.7.

Royal Handicap of lOOsovs; B furlongs.— Scotty 9.7, Numa 9.7, St. Olga 9.4. Green ami Gold 9.2, Austerlitz 8.10, Cygnet 8.8, Orange aud Blue 8.2, Bastion 7.5, Takapuna 7.5, Bloodstone 7.0, Camille 6.12, Vulpine 6.12, Blaircarrlg 6.7.

Handicap Steeplechase of 225sovs; about •H miles.—Nor’-west 11.10, Princes of Thole 10.12, Toni 10.5, Evermore 9 13. Sirdar 9.12, Hylas 9.8, Pullack 9.7, Puffing Billy 9.7. ® ® ® WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING. The following weights have been declared for the Wanganui Jockey Club s winter meeting on May 21 and 22:— WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE, about three miles.

Century Hurdle Race, about two miles and a distance.—Waiwera 12.3, Cannongate 11.3, Mars 11.3, Tresham 10.12, Haydn 10.10, Awahuri 10.9, Otairl 10.4, Kahuwal 10.0, Glencoe 10.0, Kohunui 10.0, Lady Bell 9.10, Oracle 9.10, Light 9.10, Fakir 9.7 Hawera 9.5, Merry Boy 9.0, Rags 9.0, Shotover 9.0. Flying Handicap, six furlongs.—Westguard 9.13, Ostlak 9.3, Petrovna 8.13, Porlrua 8.10, Motor 8.5, Chasseur 8.5, Crusoe 8.0, Exmoor 7.12, Madrigal 7.12. Hardwork 7.11, Regulation 7.7, Full Cry 7.7, Glory 7.6, Tiklrawa 7.6, Reynard 7.6, Gold Dust 7.4, Optimist 7.2, Blaekwing 6.12, Mussel 6.12, Kidbrook 6.12, Shrapnel Shell 6.12, Warwick 6.10, Jmpati 6.9, Van 6.7. Grandstand Steeplechase, about two miles and a half.—Awahuri 11.11, Scallywag 11.6. Plpi 11.2, Jack o’Lantern 10.7, Kaiwhakaroa 10.2, Old Gun 9.9, Cronje 9.9, The Gryphon 9.9. Hawera 9.9, Sir James 9.7, Tapuae 9.7, Cobra 9.7. ® ® © NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. Mr Evett has declared the -oilowing weights for the leading events of the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting, which is to be held at Ellerslie under the auspices of the Auckland Racing Club:— GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE of 750sovs. About three miles and a-half.

ENGLISH RACING. (From Our Special CorrespoudenU., LONDON, March 27, On the second day of the first spring meeting of the flat racing season- came the event of the meeting, to wit. the Lincoln Handicap of £lOOO, added to a sweepstake of Ifisovs each, and run over the straight mile. The ante-post betting on this event had been feeble, but such as it was left Mr R. Sievier’s four-year-old mare Sceptre, 9.1, favourite at 4 to 1; but when backers and fielders met face to face in the rings, Sceptre was speedily supplanted by Lord Carnarvon’s Mauvezin, aged, 7.11, who was backed down to 100 to 30 ere flag fall. Sceptre, however, had plenty of friends, and after going to a shade longer odds, finished up a 4 to 1 chance. Next in demand were Watershed. syrs, 7.8, at eights; Our Lassie, 3yrs, 6.o—a street corner tip—at tens; Handicapper, syrs, 7.6, at 100 to 8; Mr E. C. Irtshs’ Over Norton, by Adieu out of Lady Why, 6yrs, 7.6, at 100 to 7; Nabot, 4yrs, 7.10, at 100 to 6, and A. P. Cunliffe’s Yrps!lanti. syrs, at 20 to 1; at which odds Raleigh, 4yrs, 6.2, also found friends; whilst at 25 to 1 Bright 11., 4yrs, 7.11, and Happy Medium, 4yrs, 7.4, were responsible for a few bets. The 33 to 1 division included Mr L. Brassey’s Portcullis 11., syrs, 6.6. Pollion, 4yrs, 7.7, Grave and Gay, 4yrs, 6.6, O’Donovan Rossa, 6yrs, 7.0, and Selkirk. 4yrs, 6.8; forties being tendered against Cottager and Macdonald 111., and 100 to 1 against Mr Leo Rothschild’s Carbine colt, Pom-pom, upon whose five year old back the handicapper had placed the “crushing burden” of 5.13. The race in itself needs little description. Portcullis, the moment the barrier was raised, slipped away from the field, and for six furlongs led them a merry dance. Over Norton, Nabot, Portcullis aud Ypsilanti being his nearest attendants, with the rest nicely strung out. At this point Over Norton, who had been hard held by Madden, shot out, and the race was over. Nothing had a chance with Mr Irtshs’ horse, which simply ran away from his pursuers, and won in ridiculously easy fashion by nearly four lengths from Portcullis, which beat Ypsilanti a couple of lengths for second money. Sceptre ran moderately well, and was placed fifth. The time of the race was returned at 1.49 4-5, which compared badly with Bendigo’s 1883 record of 1-36 4-5. and has only been exceeded once, namely, when The Rejected occupied 1.50 in 1890. The winner is a chestnut horse, whose racing career has many defeats, bet as a three-year-old he won the Grand Handicap du Printemps at Cologne, aud a dead heat at the same place with Nicus for the Prix de Donaueschingen. He was recently s©M to his present owner for 800 guineas, with a proviso that an additional 400 guineas should be paid if he won “the Lincoln.” At the spring meeting at Liverpool, a peculiar race was decided, says our London correspondent. This was the Stanley five-year-old Steeplechase of £l9O, decided over 2i miles. This event only attracted three runners, and victory rested with Mr Randall’s mare Red Hand (Tyrant-Wild Cat), the outsider of the trio, which landed an 8 to 1 chance, after an amusing race. At .the second fence Leamington tell, and at the fence before P.eecher’s Brook, Red Hand came to grief. Shaun Aboo followed her example at Beecher's. They were both remounted, but Shaun persistently refused co try again, and thojigh Red Hand came a cropper again after negotiating Valentine’s Brook, her jockey, Morgan, tried once more, and managed to get her safely home, amid the laughter of the crowd. Racing at Kempton Park last Saturday, says our London correspondent on March 2, was seriously interfered with from the spectators’ point of view by a dense white fog, which obscured most of the course from those in the stands. Australia, however, scored a point by the victory of Mr Cohen’s gelding Oban, which son of Lochiel and Venusta, carrying the steadier of 12.4 in a field of six, got home by a short head in the Stewards’ Steeplechase Plate of £132, after a desperate finish with St. Moritz, 11.4. Oban started favourite at 6 to 4 against, and he gave his supporters a rare fright when he jumped short into the water with a tremendous splash. He, however, recovered himself with the agility of a cat, and before the field was lost to sight was seen to be once more in the van, where he remained to the finish. The time of the race was 4.11 4-5.

"Up to two miles Oban seems always to be able to take his own part over country or hurdles, and it is a mystery bow it came about that he would never do his best on the flat in this country. lie had shown brilliant winning form in Australia just before he left, and tbat he was equally good when he arrived here he demonstrated more than once, but unfortunately only in private, and we all remember the disastrous results which followed when he was asked to reproduce his form in the Cambridgeshire. lie has, 1 believe, a delicate constitution, but that alone would hardly account for his amazing failures on the flat. However, he seems to be honest enough at his new business, and seems likely to do good service for his owner during the “illegitimate” season. LONDON, April 3, 1903. THE GRAND NATIONAL. A Grand National so brimful of stirring incident from start to finish as that decided at Ain tree last Friday, has seldom, if ever, been witnessed. No less than sixteen of the twenty-three runners engaged came to grief and even the ultimate winner, Drumcree, in the course of the race, found it necessary to (as one chagrined backer of the second horse iron* .-ally rcmaiked). “make a fifth leg of his nose.” The fact tbat only seven passed the judge is a fair lest of the “qualify” of tha field. Certainly, a dozen of the starters were flattered when they were set down as “steeplechasers,” and only two of those that did complete the course could beat the fifteen-year-old Manifesto (winner in 1897 and 1899, and third last year), who was carrying no less than 12.3, and was giving a stone to the winner, 321 b to the second, and weight to all the rest, bar the King's 1900 winner, Ambush 11.. which carried 12.7. The betting foreshadowed Drumcree’s victory, for the best odds against Mr Morrison’s nine-year-old son of Ascetic and Witching Hour at flag fall were 13 to 2, his nearest attendant being Detail (7yrs, 9.13) at 100 to 14; whilst Aunt May (7yrs, 10.0) and Matthew (7yrs, J 0.7), and Pride of Mabestown (7yrs, 10.8), were 10 to 1 chances, and 100 to 8 was laid against Kirk land—a son of Australian-bred Kirkham—(7yrs. 10.8). At 100 to 6 the King’s horse, Fanciful (Byrs, 11.7), and Inquisitor (Byrs, 10.13) had a fair following, as also did Marpessa (6yrs, 10.11), Fairland (lOyrs, 10.13) and Killmalog (6yrs, 10.9), at twenties. Manifesto, Drumree (7 years, 11.4), and Dearslayer (7yrs, 10.11) were 25 to 1 baits, forties being laid against Patlander (7yrs, 10.7), Expert 11. (6yrs, 10.5), and Orange Pat (7yrs, 9.9), fifties Saxilby, and 100 to 1 against the rest. From a ragged start Ambush led the way, and the ‘fun’ started at the first fence, where Expert and Orange Pat came pur lers, and the next obstacle put Fairland, Inquisitor, and Kilmallog out of court, whilst a little further on Cushenden, Pride of Mabestown, and Aunt May left their backers’ money literally “in the ditch.” At this point Matthew took up the running with Detail, Manifesto, and Ambush 11. as his nearest attendants, but the first-named dropped back after negotiating Beecher's Brook. With changes in the order of his followers, Matthew 7 landed on the racecourse for the first time with a clear lead, but his pursuers were thinned out by the fall of Marpessa and Gillie 11. before the water, and only thirteen completed the first round. Going into the country for the second time, Patlander fell at Beecher’s, and Detail assumed the lead with Matthew, Kirkland, Drumcree, Drumree, Ambuhs and Manifesto in close pursuit. At Barn House fence Matthew took off too soon and came a terrible cropper. Here Drumree took first place, in front of Kirkland, who, however, began to fall back, on which Detail took second place, with Ambush, Saxilby, Manifesto, Drumcree, and Dearslayer lying next. Two fences from the winning post Saxilby and Dearslayer fell, leaving Drumcree with half a length’s lead of Ambush and Detail, Drumree being close at hand, and Manifesto and Kirkland some lengths away. The excitement of the spectators was now intense, for it seemed possible that the King, who was present, might once mor’e lead in the winner of “The National.” But Ambush and Drumree wore both “rocking” badly, and at the last fence the King’s horse never rose a foot, and a cry of dismay went up as the gallant ’chaser crashed through the obstacle and fell, fairly “done.” Drumree managed to get over the fence, but as he landed on the flat he staggered, and his jockey had barely time to throw himself out of the saddle ere the horse collapsed. Meanwhile, Detail and Drumcree were fighting for the lead, and it was only in the last 100 yards tbat the favourite managed to shake off the lightly weighted son of Curley and Rosara, who compounded In the last fifty, and allowed Drumcree to win by three lengths. Twenty lengths behind old Manifesto was having a battle royal with Kirkland, and it was only by a head that the veteran gained the judge’s fiat for third honours. Benvenir, Pawnbroker (two 100 to 1 outsiders), and Fanciful, finished in the order named, some considerable distance behind the placed horses. Though falls were so plentiful not one of the jockeys was severely hurt, and of the horses Kilmallog aloue received bad Injury, a broken leg leading to this animal’s destruction. Drumree laid on the course unable to move for a long time, but pulled round sufficiently to walk to his stable. The winner’s time for the race, which Is decided over four miles 856 yards, was 10m 9 2-ss, the record for the race being Cloister’s 9.42 m 2-5 s in 1893, that grand ’chaser carrying 12.7, which weight has only been borne to victory twice In the history of the National, the second occasion being in 1899, when Manifesto won In 9m 49 4-ss. The value of the race Is £2OOO. A JOCKEY’S FEAT. April Oth, 1903. The opening of the flat racing season In the South of England, at Windsor, last Saturday, was remarkable for the unique feat of little John Watts (a son of the

famous “Jack”) who had five tnountu In the six races which couatltut«*d the day's programme, and caught “the judge's eye'* on each occasion. Commencing on Biddy, in the Taplow Handicap, Watts managed to finish In front of the favourite, Consequence, by two lengths. He did not ride in the Holyport Handicap, but appeared on Grey Tick In the Royal Castle Handicap. Backers chiefly supported Amoret 11., and Australian Star, but Watts’ mount won In a canter. Then on Palaeo Yard, In the T.Y.O. Selling Plate, he secured his third winning ride, again relegating the favourite to second place. In the following event, the Romney Handicap, Strettlngton gave Watts a clever half length verdict, but In the Blough Malden Plate, on Lady Lightfoot, he gained another runaway victory. Although not a record as regards the number of races won (the late Fred. Archer having ridden six successive winners on one afternoon at Lewes In 1882), the performance of Watts was notable from the fact that only one of the five horses he rode started favourite. Indeed, three of the winners mny be said to have been outsiders, their prices being 7,8, and 10 to 1 respectively, while In the case of Archer, already mentioned, five of the winners were favourites, three of them starting at odds on. Archer, on several other occasions rode five winners on the same day (once at Windsor, in 1884), and also six out of a possible seven, but in the majority if instances the horses were well supported. At Edinburgh Meeting, in October last, Trigg, an apprentice, rode five successive winners and a third, though four of the victors were favourites in this case also. Perhaps the best performance on record as regards number of races won, was by Fordham, at the Bibury Club Meeting, 1867, when he won all the seven races he took part in, excepting the deciding heat for the Hamilton Post Sweepstakes.

fit lb Cannongate .. 12 4 Old Gun..... 9 7 Haydn 11 9 Cronje 9 7 Awahuri .... 11 4 Light 9 7 Scallywag ... 10 12 The Gryphon. . . 9 7 Pint 10 7 Hawera 9 Jack o Lantern 10 0 Sir James.... 9 7 Kalwhakaroa 9 10 Shotover .... 9 7

Cannongate .. st lb st lb 12 7 Evermore .... 9 9 Haydn 11 6 Sirdar 9 7 Waiwem .... 11 5 Sir .Tames .... 9 7 Nor -west .... 11 2 Cronje 9 7 Awahuri 11 0 The Gryphon. 9 7 Trosha m 10 9 Coma ....... 9 7 Princess Thule 10 0 Hylas 9 7 Dingo 10 0 Gilnockie .... 9 7 Jack o’ Dau tern 9 12 Hawera 9 7 Sudden 9 10 Light 9 7 Tuni 9 9 Puffing Billy.. 9 7 GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES of SOOsovs. Two miles. st lb st lb v aiwera .... 12 5 Inchcape 9 11 Cannongate .. 11 6 Lingard 9 11 Mars 11 4 Up to-Date ... 9 10 Awahuri 11 0 Lady Bell . . . 9 10 Rl. Conqueror 11 0 Princess Thule 9 10 Battleaxe .... 10 13 Sirdar 9 10 Tr esham 10 12 Fakir 9 7 Bellman 10 11 Coma 9 7 Haydn 10 11 Tupara 9 7 Dingo 10 7 Spalpeen 9 5 Miss Drury... 10 4 Mokomoko ... 9 0 Otairi 10 4 Dolores 9 0 Roseplot 10 0 Gilnockie .... 9 0 Glencoe Light 10 0 Puffing Billy . 9 12 9 0