TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VIII, 22 August 1903, Page 516

TURF NOTES.

What a hurdle bo:®;' noreas would have made. Mr F. Watson talks of retiring from racing shortly. Mr T. Wylli * has sold his trotter Sierra to a Canterbury buyer for £lOO. J. Cameron, who rode Awaburi, rode a fine race on that horse, and deserved his win?' Though Ost ink broke a blood vessel on the eve of the National meeting, it is nothing serious. Mr J. Clarke, of Gisborne, has claimed the name of Casino for a three-year-old iilly by Monaco from Gia uv Ina. Pipi. who ran second in the New Zealand Grand National this year, occupied the same place last year. Auckland visitors to the Grand National speak in appreciative terms of the kindness shown them during the week. Mr R. JI a ley rode for Hie first time as a professional rider on Slow Tom in the Grand National Hurdle Race. The North Otago Jockey Club have altered the date of their Spring Meeting from September till a Lime to be fixed in OetoStepnhik. who heads the list of winning sires last season, has made a good start again through Vladimir capturing the Winter Cup. The Wairnrapa-Masterton Trotting Club have nominated Mr C. F. Mark and Mr Shannon for the two North Island seats on the New Zealand Trotting Association. Mr W. 11. E. Wanklyn, secretar” to the Canterbury J.C., Is on the month t- was unable to attend the Grand Natio-u.. Meeting. Agitator, who won the Hunters’ Steeplechase at. Hlccarton on Thursday. Is supposed to be a half-brother to old Liberator, by Artillery.

It is said that the names of a number of bookmakers have been taken with a view to further prosecutions on the f-art of the Canterbury Jockey (Tub.

Hipstone was sore both before and after racing on the second day of the Gram! National meeting, and both he and Mars did not continue their engage meats.

The totalizator turnover for the first two days of the Grand National Meeting exceeded by over £209 rhe amount handled on the corresponding day of last year.

Mr G. I*. Donnelly has arranged with Mr Clarkson to continue racing Awahuri, and Shearsby will train the big horse for future engagements ‘hat may In. made for him.

Firefly, at one time owned by Mr 11. ITanks. ami now in the stud of Mr Hugo Friedlander, at Kelburne Park, Tinwald. Canterbury, lost her foal to Finland last week.

Mr Stead has had further bad luck through a beautiful filly by Multiform from Aura getting one of her legs cut badly in a wire fence. The injury will prevent her racing.

The names of Faro ami Croupier, given to his horses by Mr J. Clarke, of Gisborne, are names by which horses appear in the stud bool:, so that both will base io be chinged.

The veteran Goldspnr, who won the August Handicap at Rleearton on Thursday, won the Easter Ham Heap on the same course as hmg back as 1897, but still retains a lot of speed.

Mr Dunean Rntherford. the Canterbury sportsman, who has owned so many good fencers in his time, pointed to Zealous after the Maiden Hurdle Race on Tuesday, and remarked regretfully to the writer, “This Ib iny only representative.” The bister to

Seahorse is certainly one of the smallest Mr Rutherford has over raced; it is Io be hoped he will get hold of something bigger and

Cameron, who rode Awahuri to victory in the Grand National steeplechase, feared only Battleaxe in the Grand National Hurdle Race. Scottish Minstrel is blamed for bringing Awahuri down.

Sir Geo. Clifford’s colt, Treadmill, is showing splendid form at Rlcearton just now, and, with ordinary luck, will fulfil the promise he showed during last season. He is all over a Derby colt.

When Mr Neagle won on Fair Rose on Thursday at Rlcearton he was in receipt of a 71b allowance, which altered the handicap in that mare’s favour. Mr Neagle is as good as most professionals.

Fright, who was placed third in the Enfifld Steeplechase at Rlcearton, was the oldest horse racing over fences there, being fourteen years old. He is a roan son of Duntroon, and, like all that sire’s gets, a line jumper.

One of the finest looking horses racing in the Grand National Meeting was Typhoon, by Na tor, from Hippona, therefore a half brother to Boreas, lie is a splendid jumper, but lias none of the sped his brilliant relative displayed.

When Scottish Minstrel fell in the Grand National Hurdle Race he injured the frontal bone of his nose. It transpires that before he reached the hurdle he broke a blood vessel and choked, ami never saw the hurdle, into which he ran head first.

Mr Lowry, of Hawke’s Bay, informs me that his Hotchkiss colt, Royal Fusilier, is doing nicely, though bo was somewhat light and flabby last year, when he was growing faat. IB? is now filling out, and his owner is hopeful of him proving a useful horse.

A. Hal’, who is admittedly one of the finest cross-country horsemen in the colony, had never ridden a winner of the New Zealand Grund National Steeplechase, and his win on Walwera In the big Hurdle Race makes his first success in that particular event.

Durbar has no doubt improved in the Lands of Mr C. riper, the Canterbury trainer, but the lime he registered at the New Zealand Metropolitan ground can be accounted for more by reason of the faster track than that at Alexandra Park, where he also showed good form.

Dunedin horses were remarkably successfid at Riceanoii during the week In the ••hief flat race.-j. It was hard luck for McGuinnc.ss, their former trainer, tiiat Vladimir and Red Gauntlet should each beat Fnuipero in turn in the most important flat handicaps at the Grand National Meeting.

The wording of the conditions for the Hunters’ Steeplechase Handicap, the first r’icc on the programme for the third day of !ho C.J.C. Nailonal Meeting, caused a question to be raised as to the qualifications of Victory, who won the Enfield Steeplechase on the opening day.

Auckland backers from all accounts lose a lot of money over the failures of Haydn and Battleaxe to materi.. iso in the big Southern jumping events. A lot of money was sent from dstant parts of the colony to the secretary for investment on each of the big Grand National events, ami Auckland sent a big pruporiion of the amount.

The new grandstand at Rfccarton will, when finished, seat about ISOO persons, and as it is so situated as to give a fuller view of the racing will prove a great boon to racegoers who patronise the enclosures, while G'.u people generally will be catered for in future in this v.ay at Riccartoh as no other club in the colony caters for a racecourse assemblage.

Glenaladale now makes a noise, and it was probably owing to that cause, and to make room in the stable for something else, that Sir George (Tlfford put the son of Chinrnnaid in a selling race at Riccarton. The owner of Narcissus would receive £3O of the .salv price, and the race fund would profit by a like amount.

Victory, winner of the Enfield Steeplechase, is a rare fine cut of a gelding, by Dreadnought from Victrix, by Gladiator from Swindle, dam of Morag, Roscius, and other good cross-country horses. If kept for stoopieehiisjng and given a fair chance, he will pay his way, for he is a line fencer. He went wrong in training when owned by Mr Ormond, his breeder.

I am decidedly of opinion that had Tupara been started for the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race, instead of Battleaxe, the younger of the two brothers would have proved the better horse. On his maiden running he must have defeated Evening, who ran ft great race. Tupara might have made Waiwera move a bit faster. Some think, however, that Evening ran his best race in the two-mlle event.

There Is no doubt whatever that had Waiwera been pressed he could have knocked a second, or, perhaps, two, oil’ the New Zea land Grand National Hurdle record of 4.47. There Is no doubt also tuat Record Reign, when be won in 3.46 2-5, carrying 12.12, or 22Ibs more than Waiwera, could have done eoine seconds better. Apropos of time, it was erroneously stated that Awahuri’s record of 7.20 was the record for the Grand National Steeplechase. That Is not so. Gobo covered the course in 7.1 G 1-5.

Though Battleaxe probably ran the best hurdle race of his career, he did not struggle on to the finish, fts the other beaten ones did, but was stopped by the weight and distance. Waiwera was meeting him on IGlbs better terms than in the Rcmuera Hurdle Race, and on 801 bs better terms than in rhe North New Zealand Grand National. Bartieaxe would probably have beaten Waiwera at the same handicap as when they met in the liemuera Hurdles, even allowing for the better ground.

After the running of the New Zealand Grand National: Asked how Hipstone was going just, before he fell, Fergus, who rode Haydn, said: “My old fellow was gone then, and Hipstone was travelling well, and I think would have won, as Pipi appeared to have Awahuri doing his best just In front of us. Pipi tired in the last pinch, which made Awahuri’s win look easv in the run home.” The three placed horses and old Straybird, it may be said, came out of the contest without injury, save for a little scratch on one of Haydn’s heels.

Mr J. O’Driseoll, owner of Waiwera, Is one »»f the few who backed the winning double of Awahuri and Waiwera for the Grand National. He had supported Haydn ami Waiwera well, but accepted the tempting odds of £5OO to a fiver the Winning way. By backing these horses on the doubling up system, at machine price, full limit, less than £lO9 would have been the return for £5. The double, Haydn and Battleaxe, touched the short price of 10 to 1. Backers would have got a much better price than that from the machine, although both horses started favourites. Such are the chances of the game.

So far, the only New Zealand Cup horses seen out since the weights appeared, are Pampero, Mars. Lavalette, Kohupapa, Volley, Bombardo, Secret Society, Nell Gwynne, Count of Kolmar, mid Cruesot. At the present time Pampero and Mars would probably beat all the others named, but Pampero, though about the best handicapped horse in the race, on his best showings does not run on like a stayer under weight, and may not do so even with his lenient impost.. Ho seems sound enough, though one of Ills legs may have caused his trainer some anxiety only recently, for there could be noticed h scurf petupa, the result of the application of an embrocation.

Lavalette did not run like a New Zea’ land Cup horse on Thursday last at Ricear* ton. He met au ordinary lot, but was unequal to the task of making the best of them race at tiny stage of the mile and aquarter handicap won by Stepdancer, the full-sister to Orloff.. Bombardo looks likely to improve more than Lavalette, and if he keeps sound should pay his way. No doubt ci good deal of improvement can be remarked in some of the runners, but it does not appear likely at this stage that any of those mentioned will get to any other than a long price. Il would have to be a long price about them nil bunched to tempt Ihe most sanguine punters to give them support on tiny form witnessed at Ricear* ton.

The world-famed original Sylvia Park Stud, which was probably the most valuable collection of thoroughbreds ever submitted, was sold by auction on January 3rd, 1891, and consisted of four valuable young stallions, including Nordenfeldt (who rea* Used the then record price for Australasia of 5600 guineas). St. Leger (490 guineas), Hotchkiss (355 guineas). Fusillade (175 guineas), 41 man's, mostly with foals at foot and in foal to the above horses, Including Mersey, with Carnage at foot, 2300 guineas (another Australasian record), and 24 yearlings and one foal, making 70 lots altogether. Wealthy buyers were present from far and near, and the bidding was spirited all through. The sale totalled £22,0u0. The best private offer was £13,000. The writer and an umpire valued it at £17,000 as a speculation. The phenomenal success of the sale was probably considerably helped by Carbine’s great performances a few weeks previously, when he put up his sensational record in the Melbourne Cup.

If will further interest my readers to learn that Awahuri is virtually no longer Mr Donnelly’s property, that gentleman last year having agreed to hand him over to Mr W. Clarkson, son of Mr W. B. Clarkson, the well known stock dealer of Christchurch. after this meeting. Before Awahuri showed form last year, Mr Clarkson

wanted to buy the horse tor a hunter, but Mr Donnelly said that he would not part with him until he won the Grand National with him, promising then and there to make the horse a present to Mr Clarkson when such an event should happen. Whether Mr Clarkson will allow the big fellow to remain with Mr Donnelly and finish up his racing career, or take him next work, remains to be st*en. Shearsby, his trainer, would very much like to take him to Australia- As things have turned out, Awahurl is a handsome present, but Mr Clarkson himself is hardly likely to race the horse. Hewitt leaves for Sydney on Friday to ride for Mr Stead. Crouje <*hangvd hands last week in Christchurch for forty three guineas. Messrs Barnett and Grant laid £l3OO the double Awahurl and Walwera. £22,30(i ptisscd through the totallsators at the New Zealand Trotting Club’s meeting, £3779 in advance of last year. Mr Dngald Thompson sold Scallywag after the National meeting to Mr Lowry, of Hawke’s Bay. In future the son of Turquoise will be hunted. Frank Macmanemiu has returned from his trip to Canterbury, which extended over nearly a month. Mark Ryan also came back on Tuesday. Showery weather on Thursday made the course holding at Riccarton for the last day’s racing, but the track on the first and second days was fast. Awahuri has been nominated for the Australian Jockey Club’s steeplechases on the second and third days of the Spring Meeting,' and will be shipped to Sydney on Friday. J.,Cameron will take him over. Auckland visitors to the New Zealand .Grand National meeting speak in the highest terms of the way they were treated by the executive members of the Canterbury Jockey Club and the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. ■Though Mr Wanklyn was not present at tlie New Zealand Grand National meeting, he was much improved in health, and was able to get to the Christchurch Racing Chib’s Office and attend to his secretarial duties on Friday. The Gryphon injured himself so severely when he fell in the Lincoln Steeplechase at Riccarton on Saturday that it will be some time before he recovers, indeed, it would appear very unlikely that he will race again.

The lion. J. I). Ormond’s cast-offs. Victory, Reliance and Defiance, were each winners at the New Zealand Grand National meeting: while another in Mars ran well.

The totnlisator turnover at the New Zealand Grand National meeting reached £41.277 for the three days, as against £39,583 last year, the investments this year constitute a record, and for three days’ racing, and three days in August, Canterbury has never achieved previously such a large totalisator record.

The New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase has been won three times by Maori named horses—Mangahone, Ahtia, and Awahuri- —and two of these, the first and last named, belonged to Mr P. P. Donnelly, of Hawke’s Bay. Waiwera is the first Maori named one to win the National Hurdle Race,

After racing on Saturday the Taranaki horses Waiwera, Paritutu and Durable were put on the Rotomahana and brought to Wellington, and the two first named were taken through to New Plymouth on Monday. Paritutu and Jack o’Lantern were left in Wellington as the Manawatu Railway Company could not bring them.

Mr J. 11. Nixon’s Sedgebrook, the Wanganui sprinter, was recently reputed to have started in 110 races, but it has been figured out by his owner that he competed in no fewer than 157, winning 20, being second 25 times, and third on 31 occasions; while he was unplaced 75 times. A good record, this.

It seems to be in the blood of Irishmen to own •‘lepping*’ ’chasers and jumpers. They like to see their money iu the air, and, bedad, I confess to a weakness that way myself. At the New Zealand Grand National meeting hurdle and cross-country horses owned by Irishmen were much in evidence, as Awahuri, Haydn, and St ray bird, who accounted for the chief steeplechases, and Waiwera. who got home In the lending hurdle event, bear witness.

The Wanganui Jockey Club have added £420 to the prize money for the coming season and made some alterations to their programme. A race has been added to the March meeting--a handicap for two and three year olds, on the first day; and for the two hunters’ races, which proved a failure at the winter meeting, a race called the Connolly Handicap of 300sovs, one mite and a distance, and a hack handicap of 70suvs, one mile and a distance, have been substituted.

Writing to the Sydney “Referee,” W. W. Naughton, the American correspondent, says:—Someone has figured out wbal it costs a couple of millionaires to maintain racing stables. The rich owners in question are AV. C. Whitney nuil J. R. Keene. It is made to appear that in salaries to trainers, jockeys. and help, in payment of entrances and forfeits, cost of feed, travelling expenses, and maintenance, in purchase o£ yearlings, and in sundry expenses, Whitney disburses 138,000d015. yearly. His probable winnings are placed at 60,000d015., so that, bis turf operations show a deficit of 78,00i)dols. annually. In Keene’s case the total disbursements are 110,000dols. and the probable winnings 40,000, a deficit of 70,000d015. If the figures given arc correct, it Is made to appear that the racing stables of the rich are far from being self-supporting.

The Paris correspondent of a London paper says that Sloan, the disqualified jockey, is to be seen in *he paddock at all the races, ana. as far as he is practically concerned. the sentence published in the official calendar has fallen like water on the back of the proverbial duck, without making any impression. Sloan has got his various legal actions under way, and pleads that the course taken against him is an unwarrantable and arbitrary proceeding, calculated to cause him not only pecuniary prejudice, but also to reflect on his honour. He argues that, as he had no license to ride, the Jockey Club had no control over him. and that if he did ride Rose de Mai at exercise on the morning of her race, it was at the request of her owner and trainer, who he supposed had taken the necessary steps to obtain permission to use the gallops at “Les Algles.”

A Sydney weekly recently spoke of the great Australian plan of riding a race from end to end, and making great play at the start. Australian jockeys, says “Bondi” in the “Referee.” probably do go iu for that kind of play rather often —Kuhn gave us a brilliant example of it when he sent the top-weight Sequence along at top speed from start to finish, but it is not peculiar to Australia. Fred Archer won many a flutter by the same trick, and he also had a great desire to save ground at any risk, and to go by the shortest possible route. Accordingly at the noted “Corner” he liked to hug the rails a» closely as possible, though he did not throw’ his leg over them, as. some, da ring reporter stated. Ills argument was that if he did not travel quite as far as the others In the race, he would not be quite so tired at the journey’s end. And also, if he could got into the straight with a good long lead, he could rest a while and catch wind while those behind him had to “sit down and flog.” By getting a good lead at the start, when one’s horse is fresh, a jockey often makes the final struggle easier, as his opponents have to burst themselves, while already wearied after the journey, to get level with him, and then he can sail away from them with comparative ease and freshness. Archer had the ability to know how to suit his riding to every occasion, ami In the pigskin that is the next best thing to good luck.

It is the belief of the majority that in a general sense the racehorse of the present day is not equal In stamina to those of the past. There are those, however, says a writer in the ‘Town and Country Journal,”

who argue the other way. They point to the fact that the times recorded for the various distances at which horses run are much faster than anything that can be shown in-the “good old days.' No doubt xnch Is a fact, but then It Is pretty certain that the improved race tracks are in a great measure accountable for the wonderful fast times nuw recorded. AA e need no better Illustration of this than Randwick. In the days when Yat tendon was champion. 2.12 was a record for a mile and a quarter race. Now we find commoners doing better time, yet these who knew Yattendou would not agree that the latter were better borsea than the mighty son of Sir Hercules—Cassandra. The majority of those who hold rhe idea that the hor.se U degenerating are people well up in years. They recollect when racing was vastly different to what It Is now. There Is not the slightest doubt but what present day racing, so far as the Australian colonies are concerned, has a harmful tendency. Early two-year-old racing and distances reduced to fust sprints must tell in the long run. So far. however. we think little harm has been done. If it should happen that the turf loaders of the various States were to make it a. law that the distances over which the leading events are to bo run were increased, we think it would be found that the horses are quite equal to the occasion. Perhaps, however, the majority of the trainers might not be quite so competent at preparing the horses for such contests as they are for shorter courses. Believers in blood horses for racing of every kind are in a majority, but none of the horses that finished in the Grund National run at Riccarton last week are clean-bred ones. Awahuri Indeed has a pedigree that contains plenty of thoroughbred blood of the best; but it. Is a Tact that he runs back to a pony mare for his ancestress on the maternal sire. Bls breeding on the side of his sire is somewhat obscure. Kaiwhaku. his sire, was got by Piseatorious, son of Tradncer, and the Fisherman marc. Fanny Fisher, from Black Bess, by Nutwith, son of Sir Hercules: but Black Boss was from a Sydney mare whose pedigree was nut traced. It is unlikely that she was quite of pure origin. Awahurl's dam was an unnamed daughter of Muto, son of Fireworks, and the Fisherman mare Fennel la; and her dam was Lady Mary, a good performer, by Tradncer, from a black marc that left also a useful cross country performer iu King Don. who will be remembered by Aucklanders and Wanganui race-goers. The breeding of this marc has been furnished by Mr Donald Fraser, who had her sire, a horse culled Dick, by Figaro; and her dam was a pony of a small breed, one of a number imported by the late Mr Danniells, who gave a half dozen or more to sons of early settlers in Rangitikei, to ride and keep for twelve months. At the end of that time they competed for a £2O prize, with the result that Jessie, the pony from which. Awahuri descends, won. As Awahuri Is the biggest steeplechaser racing in the colony, this fact is worth making known. The double strain of Traduccr and Fisherman coursing through Awahuri’s veins is worth noting, and there is no doubt he is nn extraordinary horse, considering his lineage. Black Bess was the dam of Mangahone, also a well known• performer, and Mute, who sired Awahuri’s dam, claimed Mutiny and Dummy, both previous winners of the Now Zealand Grand National.

Commenting on a proposition which emanated from a member of one of the leading Australian racing clubs to rake the minimum weight in all. flat races to 7st, “Umpire” in the Sydney “Referee” has the following interesting article on the subject:— It Is like working over old ground to discuss the advisableness of raising the minimum weight in handicaps at this juncture, for it is not so long since the question was pretty thoroughly threshed out in this State. On the last occasion, when the advocates of a 7st minimum sought to have it made racing law in New South Wales, all the available facts and figures were marshalled and set forth in support of it. They were outnumbered by those who believe that the present minimum, fist 71b, is the proper thing, and it will probably be the same again when the subject is dealt With nt the coining annual meeting of the Australian Jockey Club, •veil-wishers of the Turf, however, who believe that a raising of weights would bo advantageous in getting move capable riding, without injury to the horses lacing under them, are perfectly justified in returning to

the charge as often as they like. It Is a matter of opinion, aud always will be. nut there will be difficulty in ever proving that race riding is any better all-round than it was when the scale was lower than It is at present, it is more than likely that an attempt will be made to argue that recent

accidents at Raiidwick, or some of them, were attributable to the light, i or younger jockeys engaged, but those who know most about the eonipctruey of Jockeys are aware that among the oldet riders the percentage of foul aud clumsy riding is high er than generally supposed. Some Joekevs of ripe experience get badlv out n't date often for reasons which they might control it they wished, and the common Idea that the younger ones should be diobped upon whenever anything occurs mav not be histtliable. A higher scale of weights would al low the older jockeys to last longer, but the main consideration is whether, with due regard to the safety of racing ami the competency of riders, the present minimum atlows of a sufficient supply. The answer is not difficult, and will be given in the affirmative. Very recently there has been evi deuce, in the especial races for apprentices, that light boys who promise well are not

unduly scarce, and the A..1.C. regulations are now framed for the proper training of jockeys. If their masters do their part in attending to iheir education, the .lit of ra e riding should improve in the near future and that will be more effective than raising weights. Most of the principal trainers are against raising the weights. I bat has already been put on record. Owners are, perhaps, more evenly divided about it, but the ideal standard seems to be gelling qualified riders on as light a scale as is compatible with physical considerations, the safety of racing. and the maintaining of a proper standard of horsemanship. AU this is possible, I think, without raising the minimum, and ns to the argument of requiring horses to display weight-carrying ability as well as speed and staying power, this is required in the welter races, the number ot which can be increased if found desirable And the fact that handicaps may not bo begun at a less weight thnn fist 51b is an item to be consid ered side by side with this question. Occasionally handicappers cannot get down to the (Ist 71b. It is perhaps unlikely that there will be any attempt made to lower the minimum, but there are many who would advise an alteration that way, and could quote, in support, the number oi very light jockeys who have been qualified riders and successful ones. In fact, we arc sure to hear comparisons nude with the day when sst odd was a common impost, both in England and Australia, with lite deduction that riders were better then generally titan they are now. If so, there must lie some thing wrong with the present generation of jockeys. The biggest handicap events in Australia have often been won by horses carrying a lot under 6st 71b, and in England under sst was common enough once. Still, few would be found to advocate revolting to that sort of thing. The list 7,b minimum seems to answer all requirem-nts very satisfactorily, and it will be difficult to get a majority vote to the contrary. However. Mr Dowling has his opportunity to make converts to his standard, and possibly be has something new to advance on the subject that will be interesting.

The early racing of two-year-olds has engaged the attention of many writers. The following from the pen of •empire" in the "Referee" Is of Interest:—Thete are manv people who feel firmly convinced that the racing of two-year-olds before the summer months is bad policy. Mr V. J. Dowling, a member of the A..J.C. Committee. Is of this opinion, and he intends to make another attempt to forbid the appearance of two-year-olds under colours until December in each year. When the subject was before the A..1.C. members tour years ago Mr Dowling did all he could to convince them that an alteration in the rules was advisable, but without success. lie will return to the charge next month, and has given notice of ills intention to move that two-year olds shall not bo allowed to stm t in any race before the first day of December. In New South Wales, October is the date fixed for the beginning of two-year-old taring, as in Victoria, but the youngsters tun earlier in South Australia. There are matters In connection with racing which ought to be on one plane all over the Commonwealth, and the regulation of two-year-old racing is one of them. If it is good to debar youngsters in New South Wales from being put under the strain of racing until a certain stipulated date, the same reasons exist for such nn arrangement in other States, and an all-

wund agreement on the point is advisable. This could ouiy be arrived at by united action ou the part of the ruling clubs iu each State, mid that will not be brought about until the general principle is accepted that other items iu racing law au * procedure should be made uuitorm in Australia. it has been more than once suggested that delegates from the leading ciubs should meet in conference with the object of developing a scheme fur federated authority, which would be on a prac'.kal working basis, and there is much to be said in favour ©f the proposal, if it should so happen, for instance, that two-year-old racing were forbidden until December In this Slate, o\\ m rs could race their youngsters iu other parts of the continent, and there is no doubt Victorian courses would be patronised very largely, in that way the object of such an imaginary New South Wales regulation would be defeated in a great measure, for the yuuugsters would be racing elsewhere, aud doing themselves all the harm which those who think with Mr Dow dug believe comes from working them hard too soon. For this reason it would be well to have such a subject adjusted iu the same way ail round. The day may come wnvu unitorm racing rules will be adopted foi the wuoie of Australia, and the idea is one well worthy of consideration, in many points tne V.R C. ami A.J.C. rules are at variance, and a uniform code would be advantageous in many respects. There is no insuperable ditbcniiy about this, and some day the proposition may be a reality. If leading racing men are of this opinion the question of two year-old racing is one which might well be deterred. Meanwhile the time seems inopportune to attempt any upset of present arrangem. nts, and it will probably be found Dial a majority of A.J.C. members will recoid their opinions to this effect next month, it is a general principle easy to approve of that horses not nearly matured should not be put under severe strain. A bard-worked youngster is much more unlikely to develop into a rtrstchiss racehorse as a four or live year old than another allowed to grow ami develop iu a more reasonable way. Bui there is a medium in ail things, and the question is whether there is absolute necessity, iu the interest of maintaining and Improving the standard of thoron gun reds, to put further restriction on the racing of young ones than the present rules dictate. Many- competent authorities, with ample experience to guide them, maintain that the moderate early training and occasional racing <»f a young two-year-old is advisable iu bringing about the development of a racehorse, and probably they are right. Because there are owners and trainers who are prone to o' eido young ones, work out their vitality, and damage their constitution before they are nearly matured, is scarcely an argument that prohibition should be ordered against more sensible people. It is all a matter of degree, and I think that the balance of argument is in favour of allowing present arrangements to stand. The first two months of tne racing season are barred, and youngsters that come to band early, particularly fillies, are not likely to be injured by judicious racing. Others whose development suggests that time should be given them are not likely to be knocked about by owners with judgment and a regard foi their own interests. There are no two-year olds to be seen at the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, but they arc specially catered tor at Caulfield in October and at Flemington in Novembei. It may be that they are too much catered for at Flemington under the latest arrangements at the spring meetings, but it is (jiff ere nt in this State, where there is no important two-year-old event until December, it is not in the interest of breeders that any further delay in the date of allowing two-year-olds to make their appearance should be ordered, ami the breeders have to be studied. The early abuse of youngsters woiiid be a matter to be deplored, but there is scarcely any serious danger under present aiiangements, and Mr Dowling will have an uphill battle to convince members of the leading club that any alteration is advisable.

Under the uom de plume of ’‘Bleeder," a ■vriter in the London "Sportsman” says: — it is necessary to go back to the days of Whalebone. ronchstonc, aim Stockwell to g« t anything like St. Simon in his extraordinary success at the stud. The Duke of Portland s hero has sired two Derby winners, lour Oaks winners, four St. Leger winners, ;.nd one of bis sous has pioduced a Derby and a St. Leger winner, and another au Oaks and St. Leger winner. Then Ills daughters have beaten all others as winnerproducers for the past five yeais or more, and the old hurse is still alive* and vigorous. That his daughters of the highest producing order were at the head of the list lately is another reminder of St. Simon s wondrous value, and it may be useful to look around for the strength of the family as seen in British lauds. Dis Majesty the King has a pretty good share of it, whqu mention is made of Persimmon. Diamond Jubilee, and L lerizel 11., but with three st al nous so bred there is lit l ie requirement for St. Simon’s daughters, though, it I am no. mistaken, Mousme, by St. Simon out of Fauehette, by Speculum, and Nndejda, the own sister to the famous brothers, are still at Sandringham. Of course the castle of the S:. Simona is Welbeck, where the ulu horse has been chief champion for lb years, lie has had a worthy son there in St. Serf, uud until very recently, Raeburn, wniist in regard to his daughters, the Duke of Portia nd has had many more than he wants, and. be it honourably said of his Grace, that lie never sought excessive prices for bis valuable possessions. They have been sent up to auction, and when sold privately, for. reasonable figures. He sold the late Mr Fo -est Tod Lady Frivolcs and Simoon for XlBOO the two, and when one was put up at the December sales she made £3dUU, and Lady Frivoles made £2500 last winter, after having had two foals (one a winner). Sir Blundell Maple has always replenished his magnificent stud at Cbildwick with the best St. Simon blood he could find regardless of cost. It will be remembered how ho stalled off everyone to get possession of Childwick, the subsequent winner of the Cesare witch, and at one of the Duke of Portland’s sales at Newmarket he bought the three twoyear old fillies—St. Theodora (or 430, St. ICdcna for 500, and Altna-bea for 1000, the

three lots coming in succession, whilst on another occasion he gave the Lop figure of the week for Cimiez, by St. Simon out of Antibes, by isonomy. in using St. Simon besides a good deal, 1 should say Sir Blundell has more St. Simon blood in bis .stud than can be found iu any other. Lienee, perhaps, dome of qie good fortune that uas recently attended the Falmouth House stable. There are 70 St. Simons registered in the last volume of the Stud Book, and a large proportion of them have pioduced winners. St. Simon and Wisdom crossed has succeeded almost as well as Galopin and Wisdom, au instance being Charm, by St. Simon out of Tact, by Wisdom, and in her turn sue has thrown the winners Dum Dum and Magic Mirror. Up tu last wo k Wisdom mares bad a slight advantage over the St. Simons by nine to eight, now they are „ vol in point of numbers, as St. Simon has had tbre* wii.xer producers, and Wisdom two. it is therefore 11 all; nut the bt. biinons have produced the greatest winner, as instanced by Roquebrune, the «.am ot the Two Thousand winner, Kock Sand, and Sir James Miner lias determined to test the excellence of the line—first by uniting her to Sainfoin with a very satisfactory result, and Uu-r to uie stout ctialeureux. More kudos comes to the St. Simon family again in the One Thousand, as the winner was by St. r rusquiu, by St. Simon, and Mr Leopold de Rotnsciiild s champion is getting tne very beat 01 stock, it is remarkable now strong the branches are from the parent sto k reason is given to support the aons of St. Simon as sires, and to choose the daughters of the latter as the likely brood mares of the future, at a time when St. Simon mares are so valuable as to be almost out of the market; mares by Florizei 11., Sk. Erusquin, Persimmon, Simon Mimi, Child wick, Simontault, Tarporley, St. Serf, Petros, Raconteur. St. lliliaire, Simon Fraser, aud Adieu should never be missed if tneic is an opportunity to buy them. There will be later editions again from Diamond Jubilee, Solixnan, and i>iil of Portia uu. Kwquebrone s sisters in fame last week wore Silene, the dam of Martinet, and she has Hitherto produced Ugolino and Ardeer, bom winners, and Senderling, the dam of Sandbag, her first living foal. The Wisdoms coining second are accounted for by Resetvation, the dam of Reservist, and Pallas Athene, the dam of the St. Simon colt, so another instance of the two great lines hitting. Ayrshire, whose daughters have been honourably mentioned from the beginning of the season, has two in Hairdresser (the dam of Linford), and Scotch Brose, yhose son, Farthinghoe, has again won, and it is Linford), and Scotch Brose, whose son, with her foal Farthinghoe, and in foal to The Rush again, at the dispersal of the late Mr Charles Winteriugham’s stud during the first July sales at Newmarket in 19J1 for the sum of 14 guineas. The mare was then six years old. Surely one of the greatest bargains ever known. Edward the Confessor follows with two, and Gaillard two. 3’he stork of 37 mares werd winners of 42 races. ©(•><•> C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. (By Telegraph.—From “Whalebone.”) CHRISTCHURCH, August 11.

Never was a New Zealand Grand National Meeting commenced under more favourable circumstances that that with which a new racing season was heralded in yesterday at Biccarton, for the attendance was a record, and thoroughly representative of the whole colony. Though His Excellency the Governor and suite were present for once in a way, the almost total absence of members of Parliament was noticeable. The fields were large and generally of a useful class, the courses were in excellent order, the weather simply perfect, and the racing nearly all interesting, and in several of the events exciting. As evidence of the increased attendance the totalisatur turnover, it may be mentioned, reached Che large sum of £15.140, being £1479 more than last year. Of the sum mentioned, £tr4B4 was passed through over the big cross-country race, while £3227 was handled over the Winter Cup, the popularity of which race continues to increase. Bookmakers were doing business openly all the day both in and out of the paddock. The Winter Cup was keenly fought out by the two Dunedin horses, Pampero and Vladimir, who were never more than three parts of a length apart after they had got well started on the journey, aud their respective horsemen, McComb and Dei reft, rode with much determination. The veteran was seen to great advantage, and succeeded iu landing Step well’s son a winner by a shot neck. The ex-hack Nell Gwynne was a < ouple of lengths off third, with Battleaxe and Grand Rapids close up fourth and fifth: while Rawira, the favourite, fullbrother 10 Waiuku, after running prominently to two furlongs from home, faded away and finished further back. Shrnpuell Shell was somewhat sore before the start, and lost his place in public estimation in couse<]ueuce.

There were seventeen starters, a nice field, and most of the runners appeared in fine condition.

The start was a capital one, Pampero getting beaten by Vladimir. It was particularly bard luck for the Hon. George Mi-Lean, who sold the colt a short time ago to Messrs W. T. and L. C. Hazlett, also of Dunedin.

The race for the Grand National Steeplechase, which followed, furnished a field of twelve. Accidents befell no fewer than seven of the number, the others being the only ones to complete the course. It was, nevertheless, a good race, and but for the falling of the Aucklander Hipstone would have been still more exciting. As It was, Awahuri, who ran well and fenced in dashing style thioughout, wore down the Dun-edin-owned Pi pi, who led nearly all the way, and beat him with a little to spare in the home run. Haydn struggled gamely on, though beaten a long way before reaching the judge’s box, and finished a close third. The evergreen Straybird, who has

frequently failed to stay out the long course, wan some distance off fourth, while Jack-o’-Earitern. who pulled up lame, was eased up, and was well down the course when Awahurl crossed the line. Hipstoue was racing a few lengths behind Pipl, and Awahurl had already taken the measure of Haydn, at which stage his rider, Howard, was metaphorically shaking hands with himself, aud was confident that his mount would see out the finish along with the pair in front of him. It was hard luck to get so far on the journey and then to spoil that chance. Hipstoue during the early stages of the race lost ground in his jumping, but ran so well that it was clear that he only wants more experience to earn winning honours at the game. Though the honours of the race belong to Haydn, who was conceding Awahurl iolbs, the last-named is one of the most useful sorts that ever jumped the country, as far as looks go. His owner, Mr G. P. Donnelly, of Hawke's Bay, is a genial Irishman, who has ever been a keen patron of this particular branch of sport, and who deserves, if any man in the country does, to win a Grand National. In Awahurl he possesses a jumper who takes less work to prepare him than nineteen out of twenty cross-country horses. We have, of course, seen better horses than Haydn and Awahurl race over the Riccarton Downs. The last-named, however, might improve considerably by being raced more frequently. Of the other runners, we did not see the best of Hurricane, who was not doing justice to Mr Thomas, who was piobably not fit to ride (owing to a recent accident), and allowed the son of Gorton to drop out of the race a long way in the early part, and he would certainly have been a marvel to have ever got up after the first mile had been ruu. Scallywag, safest of conveyances, fell at the first fence, Cron jo at the second, while Sultana and The Gryphon mil off, and Schnapps was pulled up. t he race was run in 7min 20scc, and consequently was the fastest on iccord. As Awahurl is the biggest steeplechaser we have racing, here is exemplified what a useful big one can do. There were 13 in the Hunters’ Hurdle Race, the Ashburton horses Plain Tom and Eair Rose wearing down the re*t. The winner, Plain Tom, who is a son of St. George, is owned and trained by a lady, Miss Button, whose successes with flat, hurdle, and trotting horses bare been remarkable.

The Maiden Hurdle Race was won on merit by Tupara, the full brother to Battleaxe, who was made favourite, and won with a little to spare from the Hawke’s Bay mare Evening, whose jumping was more uniform throughout. Tupara made a bad jump nearly half a mile from home, and had to be ridden to catch Evening and Comfort, but, when he had accomplished this, Comfort, whose measure he had taken, came down at the last hurdle. Catherine Gordon was running at the right end, and her lesson in public will not be lost on her, and, though not a big one, she should prove useful over small sticks. Khaki seems unreliable, but Wet Blanket and Aratapa may both improve. Waiwera is evidently a very uifferent horse on dry going than he has shown himself of late in soft and holding courses. Nothing of much account opposed the jumper, but Stepdancer, who was second in the lead, proved the runner-up. Victory, an aged son of Dreadnought and Victrix, who won races over country for Mr Ormond, easily, though somewhat unexpectedly, defeated Umslopogaas in the Enfield Steeplechase, in which nothing else had the slightest chance, Fright being the only other SECOND DAY. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday.

Racing was continued at Riecarton yesterday in perfect weather—really more like advanced spring than the back end of winter. The attendance was again large, and the fields were excellent in several of the events, 15 horses starting in the Grand National Hurdle Race, w’hile the large sum of £14.212 was passed through the totes, showing an increase of £G4S over last year.

The Governor and suite were again present, and the racing was full of enUrtainmeut. The course Was faster than on Tuesday. Bombaido and Lavalette we<c made favourites for the Sumner Handicap. The last-named looked to have a chance before reaching the straight as he drew up to his horses, but, though he got near the leaders, he failed to sustain his run, and Stepdancer came on and with Bombardo fought out the finish, winning by a short margin, which might have been reversed with a little further to go. Bombardo stripped in big condition. Juniper, who finished third, was probably there on sufferance, as several were easing up, Including the top-weight. Backers of Stepdancer received the nice dividend of £5 6/6.

The nice field of 13 went out for the August Handicap, for which Matukn was the favourite, having a slight call o\er the topweight, Exmoor, aud the four-year-old Nell Gwynne, Goldspur and Paratutu coming next in the estimation of backers. Indeed, it was a good betting race, aa indicated by the tote, no less a sum than £2366 being invested. Goldspur was always in the front after a hundred yards had bceu traversed, and won with a little to spare by about a length, Matukn, who had been racing in second place to the distance, retiring beaten, while Reclaimer, who was always in a good position, and Windwhlstle finished strongly close In line. After the pair there was a gap of several lengths, Red Gauntlet leading the ruck. The win of the Dunedin horse was well received, and the time (1.17) shows that Goldspur retains mum of his oldtime dash. Agitator easily accounted for the Hunt Club Cup, after an interestli, • race with Glenogle, who started favourite, and made it clear that he would have iustified the support he received on the first day had he not fallen in the Tally-ho i’.ale. Victory and Gladys had to be withdrawn, as they were not qualified. Then came the New Zealand Grand National, and the greatest interest was manifested as the horses were being got ready. Battleaxe, who was made favourite, was stripped in the pink of condition as far as it was possible, aud his connections were quietly confident that he wouid run a good race, if not so sanguine as many of his admirers. Waiwera’s running iu the Ladies* Bracelet served to bring him more generally into favour for the race than he might otherwise have been, and when Stepdancer, whom he had so decisively defeated in that race, won the Sumner Handicap, it still further pointed to the probability of the winner coming fro mthe veteran performer, and his owner was very pronounced iu the opiuion that he would win. Waiwera looked really well. Old Mars was sent to the post fresh and tea-’ty and was well hacked. Slow 3 em s ner and his trainer were both confident that that gelding would make a bold showing, and he came in for support of a solid character; but there were others that were backed more extensively, and they were Tradewind aud Awahuri. The firstnamed looked ragged and light in flesh, aud displayed marks of wear. He had received injuries <»u the way from the North on shipboard, but he never has looked well; indeed, he disp*aye l the characteristics of the Sou’wester famiy in a marked degree. Awanurt went out locking none the worse for his race in the Grand National Steeplechase, aud Mr Donnelly and his trainer aud rider were not afraid of anything in the race and anticipated most danger from Battleaxe. Huku hid a few friends, aud he certainly looked well. Ncnlng stripped more bright than Nance O Neill, who was put about as a good thing from the country. Kohunui wore a long coat, and looked out of sorts, but little fault could be 7cund with the appearance of any of the immeis.

The story of the race can be told shortly. Huku was probably iu front over the first hurdle, but then Siow Tom and Nance O’Neill were taken to the head of affairs, and they came down the course and passed the stand and were still in front to Cults’, leading the field at a great pace. Waiwera, however, was never very far away, and at that stage went up to the leaders, aud along the back took command, followed by Tradewind, Battleaxe, and Kohunui, Awahuri and Scottish Minstrel having fallen. There wa» no change as they went to the end of the first mile and a quarter and miie and a half, but, while Waiwera was out 20 lengths in

front of Tradewind, the last-named was several lengths clear of the favourite, who was Joined by Evening. Three furlongs from lome Tradewind struck a hurdle, and then Buttleaxe nearly got on terms with him. .All up the straight Waiwera continued to tend, and everything was In trouble behind him. the Held, with the of Tradewind, Battleaxe, and Evening, being strung out. It was in vain that Tradewind tried to get up, and Battleaxe, after a flattering effort, which brought him nearly on terms with Trade wind as the distance was reached, then shot his bolt, and Evening and Mars, who had been creeping up, both headed and beat him out of a place, though he had been backed to finish 1,2, or 3. The pace at first set by Slow Tom and Nance O’Neill, and carried on by Waiwera, demoralised the field, and nothing short of inexperience and thorough seasoning at the game wrought about the discomfiture of Tradewind. As for Battleaxe, he finished up his task most feebly—quite like a Sunday horse, for no horse could have been ridden a more patient race, and nothing fenced cleaner throughout; so that there is no excuse to offer for him, none whatever save that he was carrying the top weight. The time of the race (*>.'47/ is only a fraction higher than Record Reign occupied. Waiwera is a son of the Dunedin Cup winner, Gipsy King, from the Premier mare whose dam, Vol carina, gave us that good horse Recluse. His performance was a good one, and it goes to show that he is partial to a dry course for he has failed repeatedly on heavy ground, and last year, when the going was heavv, could get no nearer than third to Tresham and Mars; and yesterday he was meeting the nast-named on exactly 141 bs better terms. The sum of £3326 was invested on the race.

The ever-green Straybird was a little better favourite for the Beaufort Steeplechase than Scallywag, but while the son of Wanderer went well and won, Scallywag, after making the pace for nearly two miles, was beaten and retired, finishing a long long way back, while Roller, who ran a fair race, and Cronje filled the place, a dozen lengths separating Roller from the winner.

Fairy Rose, with 71b allowance and the services of Mr P. Neagle, had an easy win in the Hunters’ Hurdle Race from Wonderful and Promoter, who foffowed her home at short intervals. Plain Tom, the favourite, fell. Pampero and Rawiri were backed as if the Islington Handicap would be fought out by them, but Red Gauntlet, who had finished fourth in the August Handicap, won by several lengths from the other Dunedin horse. Glenelg finished in third place, a head in front of Shrapnel Shell, who continues sore. As Red Gauntlet was the outsider of the nine starters, his backers received the nice dividend of £l3 17/6. Rawiri again failed to run up to public expectations, and Sanfoin appeared t o get Into difficulties from which he could not extricate himself.

The Australian-bred gelding Victor 11., who has only been in this country a few months, but who has run some good races where he came from, was backed ns the best of good things for the Jumpers’ Fiat Race, which he won with case from Levant, Khaki, and four others, Including Hipstone, who was sore after his knocking about in the Grand National Steeplechase, but nevertheless ran a fair race. Victor’s Supporters received £2 0/, but those of Levant got £5 2/, a good return. THIRD DAY. CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The frequent showers experienced since Thursday made the course a bit holding for Saturday’s racing at Ricearton. when the Grand National meeting was brought to a close. The attendance was again good, but the fields were hardly so good as on the preceding day. The racing was rarrly good, but some surprises eventuated. The totalisator takings amounted to £11,913 for the day, and the grand total came to £-11,277 for the three days, as aaiust £39,583 last year, an increase of £1794. HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE of 59sovs; about 2 miles. There were but three starter- in the Hunters’ Steeplechase, and Agitator had an easy win from Swagger, Mr Ell worthy riding the last-named home without tire saddle, which had become displaced, and was right under the horse from the last fence home. Balfour ran oft at the back of the course. Time, 4.19 1-5. Dividend, £1 16/. HEATHCOTE HANDICAP of ISOsova; 7 furlongs. Red Gauntlet made all the running in the Heathcote Handicap till nearing the winning post, when Windwbistle got up and won cleverly by about a length. Shrapnel Shell and Reclaimer were handy in third and fourth places. Windwbistle was the favourite. Time, 1.35 4-5. Dividends, £2 14/ and £1 19/6. SYDENHAM HURDLE RACE of 200sovs; li mile. Walwera was made a strong favourite fur the Sydenham Hurdle Race, but from end to end was behind the field, and the heavier course and the increased weight stopped him, besides which he was run without plates. Tradewiud was second in demand, and ran a sterling race; but Huku, who has only been up six weeks, was improved by the race in the Natioual, and the softer ground suited him. He won after a good race by about two clear lengths from Tradewiud, who beat Slow Tom by about a similar margin, while Mourner and Hurricane were not far off. The good dividend of £9 11/ was paid on Huku, whose win was a popular one. Tradewiud returned his supporters 19/6 in the £l. Time, 3.27 2-5.

THIRD HUNTERS’ HURDLE RACE of sOsovs; once round and a distance.

Wet Blanket was most favoured for the Third Hunters’ Hurdle Race, but fell at the Initial jump after approaching It in nice style. Reliance cut out tho work with Mo*oMhiti to the home lead, when the last-named

retired, and Single Event and Wonderful Joined issue with Reliance, who won by three lengths. Single Event beat Wonderful fully a length. Time, 3.19 4-3. Dividends, £4 15/t and £2 1/LINCOLN STEEPLECHASE of 2Uosovs; about 2$ miles. The Lincoln Steeplechase was a pretty one, Sultana and Umslopogaas leading over the best part of a mile, wain Scallywag went up and headed Sultana. Roller assumed command after passing Cutts fences, and Haydn and Straybird went alter him, with Pipi some distance away but closing up. Scallywag tired of the pace and Tell hack, and The Gryphon and Sultana came down ar the last stone wall, The Gryphon being hurt badly. At the turn for home Haydn and St ray bird were on terms with Roller, and the top-weight landed over the last fence a length ahead of Straybird, and beat Straybird by about three lengths. Roller and Pipi were close up. Cronje and Um slopogaas finished, but a good way back. Time, 5.9. Dividends, £2 12/6 and £1 16/. SELWYN HANDICAP of 13Osovs; 6 furlongs. The Selwyn Handicap was won cleverly by Matuku, who beat Reclaimer, Secret Society, and five others, including Go Ids pur, who made most of the ru luiug, and Ostiak, who bled at the nose, having broken a small blood vessel in the head. Time, 1.19 1-5. Dividends, £4 19/ and £1 17/6. FINAL HURDLE RACE. Zealous, accompanied by Levant, made the running in the Final Hurdle Race to the turn for home, Osborne running third. There Kohunui went up, but he was done with a little further on. and Mourner, his full brother, came strongly, and, catching Zealous, beat her by two lengths. Comfort and Kohunui were handy. Victor 11. started favourite, but was never dangen>is, though running prominently in the straight. Mourner returned the nice dividend of £l6 17/, while the runner-up. Zealous, the outsider of the field, paid £7 8/6. Time, 3.8 1-5. HUNTERS’ PLATE. The Hunters’ Plate Handicap fell to Icefiance, the favourite, who won comfortably from Reliance, his relative. 1 ime, 2.54 1-5. Dividend, £4 2/6.