TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XXIV, 12 December 1903, Page 17

TURF NOTES.

The Castor —Lady Peer colt was recently emasculated, and died soon afterwards. B. Nichol is training the P<?ay cuisine at Ellerslie. Rebellion, the Wairarapa stud horse, is dead. S. Lindsay goes tc* WxMlville to ride on the 9th and le:h. R. J. Mason will nrtng Gladsome, the Searon De-aval fiHy. Auckland for Mr J. B. Reid. Cyrus Is being more highly assessed In handicap eveurs Than is consistent wkh his public showings. Tc-wbat-i. a piomisiuz hunter ‘chaser, broke down just before the meeiing. Mr L Arm : 'age intends re visiting England, and will hold a clearing s-ile short‘v at Ellerslie. The hurdle horse Major was put np for sale by auction <-n Friday, but failed to fin i a purchaser. ~ meeting ftl Ing Club Is to c»e Held in Februarv, on a day to be fixed. Lissadurn is the last of ihe Sylvia P rk mares to fosi. anl has added a co’i to the list of foals at the stud there. Mr Stead will be represented at the Summer Meeting by Golden Ll.y. Silkworm, and probably by Machine Gun.' Motor, 8.12, is top weight in the Woodville Cup. The so., of Hotchkiss is now owned Fy Mr Ross. Nonette. Romeo and Strathavon have each been paid up for in the Auckland Cup and Stewards* Handicap. Sir George Clifford has two representatives still in the Auckland Cup in Treadmill aud Quarryman. Mr 11. Friedlander will dispose of a number of his horsesun training after the A.R.C. Midsummer Meeting. nippowai has be.-*:! taken up after a long spell at grass, an. I is looking well. D. Morrigan has him in hand.

Caimcngate Is back agalu a» headquarters In J Chaafe, jnnr.**. hand*, and has resumed work on the track. G. Wright thought Numa at Messrs Buck laud and Sons* yards on Friday, the purhase money beinff 200 guineas. The last foaling announced st Glenlort Park Is that if I-ady Musket, by Blairgowrie from Murker-na. whe has a colt to Soult. The two-year-old filly Veldt, by Seaton Delaval-Stepfehlt. Is in F. hands at Ellerslie. She is a rare shaped little lady. The paiuters are busy on the Kileralie Ct urae renovating the grandstand snd seats, and otherwise brightening up the wooden structures. There sre eighteen acceptors in th*' Auckland Cup, twenty-two in the Railway Handicap, and fifteen in the Auckland Steeplechase. Mr George Cults has been appointed starter to the Auckland Trotting Club for the season, aiw) so will new act for both our trotting clubs'. Ou paper Inchcape looks to have a chance In the Auckland Steeplechase, though he has yet to give evidence of his ability over the Ellerslie fences. Matuku’s owner Is a go-id backer, i»nt did not have a cent on that mare at Felld Ing when she won and paid the handsomo dividend of £l4 odd. The bay mare Freewill, by Freedom — Duchess, changed hands at the Haymarket sale on Friday for 24 guineas. Mr W. Snook being the purchaser. Fit and well on the day. Pi pi must finish wherever Haydn does in the Auckland Steeplechase on past form. He should negotiate the hill all right, too. Mr Paul Hunter has been appointed honorary starter for the Waipawa County Kacing Club for their January meeting, which extends over two days. F. Macinant’mSn has been suffering a g>"*o«l deal lately from insomnia, and purposes going fcr a trip to Rotorua for a time, in the hope thaL he may obtain relief. Nonette and WairlkL the f «p weights, have l«een paid up for in the Auckland Cnp. and Hohoro and Nonette. the top weights, are left in the Railway Handicap. No penalty was incurred for the Auckland Cup by Hinetaura when she won the Sr. Andrew’s Handicap at Feilding. for the reason that no penalties attach to the race. After winning the St. Andrew’s Handicap a: Fellding Hiuetaura was all right, ’.uc her trainer declined to start her next day In the Manchester Handicap with a rise of 121 b in weigh:. Trained spetially for the Railway Handicap. and s<€U fit nt rhe post, Low many will l*eat Nonette in that event? Huh r.ouly has to be as well as we have seen him to play Lis part satisfactorily. The catalogue of the Wellington Park Stud Company. Limited, is to hand. Messrs Alfred Duck’.and and Sous will sell. There are twenty-«even yearlings to Im* disposed of. comprising no end of choice lots. Only the very slowest of work has been apportioned to most of the horses at headquarters, as the wet weather has rendered the tracks unsafe for strong tasks. There Is really ihtle to report from Ellerstie. Golden Rose l< not being worked over a long distance apparently, and some shorter races than the Auckland Cup will be her mission. The daughter of St. Leger has act raced since the antumn. and dies not bear the same seasoned appearance that she has done.

Should Romeo run in the Railway Handl* eap at the A.BC. Summer Meeting J. Galnsford will have the mount.

There H a movement on foot to start a Horse Owners’ Association on the Wanga-nui-Taranaki coast.

Boxes have been engaged at the Harp of Brin stables for four boxes for the Hon. J. D. Ormond, two for Mr Friedlander and one for Mr Tescbmaker.

According to the Australian papers to hand. Air Motor will not retire from the turf until after the January races at Raudwlck.

Wind, who was favourite in the first open race he has started for, at the Fellding Meeting, with the handy weight of 7.8, failed to show’ expected form.

Weights for the Thames Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting were to have been issued yesterday, but owing to the postponement of the Takapuna Jockey Club’s second day’s racing will not appear till Thursday next.

Mr Bedding ton, a gentleman who has been visiting New Zealand, and who purchased a number of the thoroughbreds for the Messrs Nathan in England, including Seaton Delaval and San Francisco, left by the Sierra on Friday Homeward bound.

Nominations for all events to be decided at the Summer Meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club, on December 28th, 30th and January 9. 1904, close with Mr C. F. Mark, the secretary, next Friday, December 11th, at 9 p.m.

Few who luiv’e- watched the career of Treadmill question that colt’s ability, but there are some who do not think the son of Bill of Portland too reliable. Age should make him more solid. He had influenza rather badly at two years old.

For the Auckland Cup Treadmill continues a decided favourite at 4 to 1 (taken and offered), but there Is not a great deal doing in straight out business over the race, and double betting has not been so brisk as usual at this time of year.

Mr Tinker, the horse dentist, has operated on Achilles and Wairiki aud other champions this season, aud is coming to Auckland next week from Hawke’s Bay, where he has been going through the Hou. J. D. Ormond’s big stud.

The Flintlock—Thelma mare Ziska handsomely repaid her followers on the first day at Fellding, when she won the Flying Stakes, and claimed a dividend of £lB 8/, winning by a bead from Starshoot and Full Cry.

At a meeting of .the Coromandel Racing Club held on Thursday evening It was decided to hold a hack race meeting on Boxing Day. A programme of eight events was approved, and a committee was appointed to canvass fur subscriptions.

Two races have been run over wrong courses this season In England, and on the first occasion, which was at Epsom, the Judge was fined £5O; and on the second, which occurred at Newmarket, •‘the man In the box” was fined £2O.

Some of Sir Daniel Cooper’s Newhaven yearllugs were offered at auction in England recently, but, no doubt owing to their sire being barred from the Stud Book, there was no demand for them, and only one was sold —a gelding out of Myakka, who went for 120 gs.

A Tasmanian correspondent writes that thanks to the huge cheap advertisement given hho by the anti gambling party, “Tattersall” did a greater business than ever on the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, Ids numerous sweeps on the latter event filling with astounding rapidity.

At the annual meeting of City Tattersail’s Club, Sydney, last month, Mr James Clarke was re-elected chairman, and Mr J. Barkel treasurer, while th? following were elected members of committee for the ensuing year: Messrs J. Harper, J. 8. Kerr, J. Kilbeg, H. White, S. Harris, F. Molloy, and R. Howarth. The sum of 20 guineas was voted for the purchase of a memeuto with which to practically recognise the services of Mr J. Barkel as treasurer over a very long period.

Prior to Ribbon wood’s departure for America, the Now South Wales Trotting Club wii! try to arrange a meeting between him and Almont in Sydney, says the “Referee.” If this cannot be arranged, Inducement will be held out to Rlbbonwood’a owner to give an exhibition.

The Otahuhu Trotting Club will come out well financially over their Spring Meeting. The pony fiat races proved the most payable of the events on the two days’ programme. The sum of £4713 was passed through the totallsator as against £2855 last year.

At the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Show, held on the 3rd December, General Average, a two-year-old colt by Hotchkiss from Crecy, by Hippocampus, took first prize for thoroughbreds of his own age and championship honours for thoroughbreds of all ages, beating Sylvia Park, St. Paul, Malatua, St. Clements and Gilnuckle.

Prince Soitykoff, whose death was announced by cable the other day. was for many years prominently connected with the turf in England, and was a member of the Jockey Club since 1867. Though he owned a number of good horses he never succeeded in winning one of the great classic races, but his colt, Mask, filled third place behind Bend Or and Robert the Devil lu the Derby, 1880.

A returned visitor to the Feildlng Meeting Informed me that probably two or three thousand pounds more might have gone through the totalisators on the opening day of the Fellding Meeting had there been more totalisators to do the work. The Feildlng meetings are very popular. It la a far cry to the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting. It will not be for the want of rain should the ground be hard three weeks hence. Just row the Ellerslie racecourse Is soft enough, and it would require some drying winds and plenty of sun to make the course cake up.

Out of all Mr 11. Friedlander’s horses, that owner has not left anything in the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap. The Porirua stable is also unrepresented, as well as those of Mr Stead, Mr Lawry, Mr Watson, and several other owners, who, it was hoped, would have starters in those events.

Tipi and Agitator are South Island horses left In the Auckland Steeplechase. Tipi, it will be remembered, ran second to Haydn in the N.Z. Grand National of 1902, and second, carrying 10.0, to Awahiri, 11.3, in the same event this year, Haydn, 12.4, being third. Agitator Is a half brother to Liberator, and has won a few hunters* events.

The A.J.C. Derby winner Belah has been treated to a rest (says an Australian exchange), and In consequence of soreness in the feet, w’hich he developed in Melbourne, he has been blistered round the coronets and otherwise treated for the trouble. In a few weeks Belah, who is in splendid bodily health, will be fit to start work again.

The work of shifting the fence In front of the grandstand at Ellerslie, and replacing it with a fancy iron railing fence, is being proceeded with. The width of the straight will be Increased by about six feet the entire length of the lawn, and a considerable portion of the straight extending below the People’s Stand. All the work will be completed before the Summer Meeting, when Ellerslie racecourse will be seen at its best.

An English writer says that it Is worthy of note by breeders who expect young sires to get winners straight off that Birdcatcher’s first stud season produced but one winning two-year-old In 1839, while Touchstone led off in 1841 with two winning two-year-olds who captured SOOsovs. between them. Stockwell, the greatest of all stallions, had twenty foals to his credit in 1856, but of these there were only two two-year-old winners, Drapery and the Terrona filly, who took no more than 270 sovs In stakes. These seem surprising figures, Indeed, now that we know what those horses really did in later years, and it Is fortunate for the breed at large that breeders then were not so precipitate and fanciful as they are apt to be now.

The trotting events at the North Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring meeting, held at Rangiora on Monday, provided good dividends for speculators. Ocean Wave, starting from scratch in the Seftou Trot, ran second, and paid the handsome sum of £l4; and Woodleigh won the Ashley Trot, paying £l2 2/.

Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan Intend selling out all their horses In training, and will go right out of racing and breeding altogether. It was hoped that these gentlemen, who have been such consistent supporters of racing for so many years, would have kept a team of horses going as usual, and the announcement that they Intend to sell out their racing as well as their breeding studs will be received with regret.

For once In a way, says an exchange, It Is safe to say that Mr R. Sievier was not enthusiastic over a performance of Sceptre. This was when that great mare wou the Duke of York Stakes at Kempton last month, beating Happy Slave a head in the last stride. The latter is trained by Sceptre’s ex-owner, who was probably going for a good win at a nice price, as his horse started at 20 to 1.

Up to the year 1833, racehorses in both America and England were hot considered two year olds until May Ist of the second year after foaling. At a meeting of the English Jockey Club, held on April 25th, 1833, the following resolution was passed:— "Be It resolved that from and after the end of the year 1833, horses shall be considered under the rules of this Club as taking their ages from January Ist, instead of May Ist.*’ Shortly after, the example of the English Club was followed by the racing authorities in America, probably much to the detriment of the sport they were anxious to benefit.

“Augur,” in “Sporting Life,” In an article on breeding, refers to the impending sale of the Sylvia Park Stud, and suggests that the success at the stud of St. Frusquln Is sufficiently pronounced to cause English breeders to re-purchase his brother, San Francisco. The writer speaks in the highest terms of the breeding of the mares in particular In whose pedigree the names of Nordenfeldt, Sir Hercules and Fisherman appear.

The Rotorua Jockey Club will hold their annual meeting on February 24th. There will be eight events, including the Rotorua Cup of 60sov*s, a hurdle race and two pony races. The stake money has been increased since last year in order to make the programme attractive to outside owners. The meeting Is held at Carnival time, and is becoming most popular, and is certainly unique. Nowhere else in the colony Is seen such a large muster of natives, In gay and diversified attire. Visitors get a lot of fun out of Rotorua racing reunions, the novelty of the surroundings being very marked.

Imperator, who wou two races at the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s Meeting, Is by Imperious from Kate, a mare once owned by the late Mr James Martin, and who trotted into a place in one of the heats In the big Trotting Handicap at Dunedin In Exhibition year, when Princess was successful. Kate was by a Traducer horse called Matipo, and her dam was a black man? who, under the name of Nettle, won a number of races on the Wanganui coast, and performed with success at the first purely trotting meeting ever held in New Zealand, which readers may be surprised to know was held on the Wanganui racecourse.

“While a Japanese man-o’-war was visiting one of the Australian States, several of the officers attended a local race meeting," says “Javelin.” “One of them had just turned away from the notification board after looking at the names of the jockeys, when a ‘whisperer* sidled up, and in the pigeon English which ignorant persons invariably use when addressing foreigners, said: ‘You puttee monee on number slxee! Welly good! You savee?’ “Thank you so much.’ replied the Jap., in purest English, ‘buf I’ve just put a tenner on No. 3. and if you take my advice you’ll have a bit too—it’s pretty good!’ ” The whisperer afterwards told th? story of his own discomforture, and added: “By gum, the little ‘chow* was on a good wicket, too, for No. 3 started at fives and won in a saunter!**

J. Gallagher, who has been training for Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan for soma time past, and who has been with the riding of their horses for the past 10 or 12 years, has taken over Kohimarama stables and the racecourse and grounds, aud will there carry on the business of public trainer after the end of the present year. Gallagher has shbwn his ability as a rider and trainer, and should do well when he starts on his own account.

A Sydney scribe says:—‘‘The attempt to again train old Blue Metal looks very much like being a failure. The old horse was out last week trotting on the sand track, and his near shoulder showed the effects of extensive aud comprehensive blistering,which may be a useful experiment in the Interests of science and knowledge, but old Blue Metal’s splendid deeds deserve a life pension instead. He exhibited decided lameness as he pottered about.’*

There have been several record-breaking performances In America this season, says an exchange, and one of the most remarkable took place at Harlem (Chicago) a few weeks ago, when a three-year-old colt named McGee ran five furlongs and a-half in Im 5 l-ss, easily beating Don Domo, who Is accounted the fastest two-year-old In America. McGee was bred In England. As the previous world’s best was Im 6s, a substantial lump was cut off the record.

Since the acceptances for the Auckland Cup, Railway and Steeplechase Handicaps there has been very little change In the betting over the first mentioned event report as far as Treadmjll is concerned, but four to one Is that colt s price, and he has been backed for small sums at the quotation. Idas has shortened to 7 to 1, Wairiki Is at the same price (offered), Strathavon and General Symons at 8 to 1. Romeo at 10, Nonette, Golden Rose and Hinetaura at 12 to 1, Melodeon at 14 to 1. Onewa at 16 to 1, Quarryman, Menura and Needle at 20, Walwera (who was laid at 100 to 1 last week) at 25, Mars at 33 to 1, Putty and Jewellery at 50 to 1. In doubles Hohoro, Petrovna and Gladsome are most sought after.

“Javelin” tells the following story: “It was at an up-country race meeting and a trainer from the metropolis had got into hot water, and was up before the stewards. The chairman, who was the most solid man In the township, chief storekeeper, publican and mayor, and particularly ostentatious, was slating the metropolitan culprit unmercifully, and the latter was .about “full up of It.” “You people from Melbourne think. I suppose, that when you come here, yon come amongst novices, but let me tell you that you never made a greater mistake. I flatter myself that the chairman of the V.R.C. couldn’t teach me much about the duties of a ‘steward!’ ’* “T should think not.” said the other (who had lost his temper), “considering the experience yon had as a ‘waiter’ at that restaurant in Bourke-street. Many a bob I’ve tipped you In the old days!” Sensation and bell for the next race!

‘‘The Indian Planters’ Gazette.” referring to the severe methods a dented by Australian trainers In preparing horses, says! Very few will stand a huckottlng racingpaced gallop twice a week, and even often er —which is what a very large percentage of them are asked to do through the Calcutta cold weather racing season—and It mrv he taken as certain that if houses were asked to race less In private thev would wfn twice as manv races In public as thev itt present do. We never see a horse tried three or four times to find out whether the Hock was right the first go, but we say “another 71h on his back for next Saturday when he will have to try and do that In public.” How often have we not seen the valuable prizes of the Calcutta meeting hopelessly left behind ‘‘on the training track?” Therefore, though Great Scot’4 friends from Australia may advocate his being “galloped to death.” .as they put It, wo shall be much surprised If a man of Watson’s experience does not run his own lino, and decline to risk the almost certain result of sending him to the post sore aS a cat on walnut shells. Wp know what the horse’s form Is: It onlv remains, therefore, to have him tn health and hard to calculate upon there being a reasonable possibility of his repenting It.

The withdrawal of the license of Jockey Bucbauan at Harlem paseee almost unnoticed (says the New York “Sports of the Tlutee’’). Yet here Is a boy who In thia country could scarcely get out of his own way as a rider, who went to France and blossomed Into a world's wonder, while we at home read the accounts and rubbed our eyes and read again to make sure there was no mistake! Then—for some cause or another—he returned to this country, struggled around the winter tracks and the West with little success, and, coming East, rode at Buffalo and on the northern circuit, riding very little, which la probably the reason of his license being recalled. He now passes, with the Reiffs, Henry, and Sloan, Into tihe list of "has beeua" who would have done so much better In the long run If they had remained in their own country, and not been unduly transformed into equestrian comets which went fizzling—out—into space!

Though on public form Quarryman and Melodean appear to be too close to Treadmill In the matter of weight in the Auckland Cup, the last-named Is of such a highly strung temperament that he may not be caught Just right on the day, and I should like him best in a small field. Melodeau struck me as a colt likely to stay well. The only other three-year-old In the race, Onewa, is being quietly talked of as one that may show a good deal of Improvement on his running at the A.R.C. spring meeting, but I fancy that the form since shown by Geordle, whom he beat in the Malden Plate, has caused people to view his chance as at least a fair outside one. Should Hlnetaura. General Symons, and Idas be landed well at the post, it will take a pretty good three-year-old to beat them. I don’t fancy either of the top weights, at their weights, are likely to do It. Wairlkl has been set a particularly severe task to carry 9.8 to the end of two miles, good as he Is.

According to the “Argus” the handicaps for the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup will be declared a fortnight or so later than usual next year. If the customary practice had been followed they would 'have been declared on January 18— a fortnight after the taking of entries—but the committee decided to hold them over until Tuesday, February 2. This will give the handicapper the advantage of knowing a little more of the form of the horses engaged, as the Williamstown, Sydney, and Adelaide anniversary meetings will be taken In, but the Oaklelgh Plate and Purse will not be run until after the declaration of the Newmarket weights. The committee decided not to otherwise Interfere with the conditions of the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup. The former will be a sweepstakes of 25sovs each, with lOOOsovs added, six furlongs; and the latter a sweepstakes of 25sovs each, with lOOOsovs added, 2i miles.—“ Sydney Mall.”

Visitors who come to Auckland during Christmas and New Year time always go away with the fixed Intention of renewing their visits. This is partly because we have plenty of entertainment for them In the fair North, and partly because they receive a hearty reception and good treatment during their stay. That we shall have a big muster at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting goes without saying. The big sales of blood stock will prove a great attraction this season, and we shall have buyers from all parts of the colony, as well as our sister colonies, and those who have seen the many choice lots to come under the hammer without reserve will agree with me that no such numbers of fine thoroughbreds have ever yet been put into the market south of the line at one time in such perfect condition and upon such terms. Unreserved sales are the ones that have been the .most successful lu the past, and though some lots may realise what appear, or what prove, high prices, there are invariably many good bargains. Between the high-priced and lowpriced oues a fair average is usually reached, and there would appear to be an unlimited market for likely racing material throughout the colony. Auckland has been looked upon for a long time as the chief nursery for the thoroughbred in the Australaslan colonies, and tbe large amount In stakes won by horses bred here Is an advertisement In Itself.

“If It Is true, (says the “Australasian”) that the United States of America is the greatest horse producing country In the world, it Is also true, according to an article by Mr J. G. Speed, In the “Century Magazine,” that “there Is at this time no distinctly American horse type. The racing thoroughbred Is English, the heavy draught horse Is French, the hackney Is English, and the trotting horse, as bred at present for track and road service, Is not a type at all. An animal cannot be said to be established until it reproduces Itself with reasonable certainty. This the standard-bred trotting horse, on which we have plumed ourselves for 40 years past, does not do. Not more than 2 per cent, of the standard-bred trotters fulfil tbe Intention of their breeders and trot fast, and not more than 50 per cent, of those that develop any notable speed are not trotters at all, but pacers. So it is absurd to call this a type, on account either of gait, action, speed, or conformation. In conformation they appear to come In all sizes and shapes, and to be as far from a fixed type as possible.”

"Some men are bora great, others achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” says Malvollo In Twelfth Night.” One of these was Parsons, the stable-boy who achieved worldwide notoriety as the jockey of Caractacus in the Derby. When It was decided that the horse should take part In the contest for the Blue Riband It was Intended that poor Jim Goater should ride him, but that Jockey afterwards elected to have the mount on Spite. Driven Into a corner, William Day decided that Parsons, the lad who looked after” Caractacus, should bare the leg-up In the race; but to prevent him from becoming nervous he was simply told that

in a few days be would have to ride a trial, and that to get up his weight he must live well—eat and drink as much as he liked, and whatever he fancied. Though not told what he bad to do till tbe eventful morning, Parsons received the news without tbe least trepidation, rode bls race with a coolness that would have done credit to an experienced baud, and, as everybody knows, finished in frourt. Even then, however, It was a narrow shave that he did not lose the stakes. With all bis high living It was such a near thing at the scales that the bridle had to be sent foe before he could draw the weight, and the welcome "All right!” pronounced. Caractus was one of the surprises of the Turf. As a yearling he cost no more than 250 guineas at the Middle Park sale: he ran three times as a two-year-old, and twice the following season before winning the Derby, each time meeting with defeat; and the secret of his Epsom success probably lies in the fact that, like Common in 1891, it was his good luck to be boru lu a moderate year.—Sporting Sketches.

The Parts correspondent of a London paper says that the question of the superiority of English and American training still perplexes French owners, and adds —“There Is one gentleman who took his horses from bls English trainer and transferred them to one of the fresh arrivals from across ‘the great dampness,’ who promised much. Promises were of such a piecrust nature that the owner In question lias now confided his horses to his coachman. Eugene Leigh Is the only man who has shown any ability among fils colleagues. Coming to France with the horses and the support of Mr Frank Gardner, he hold an exceptional position. He has been able to pick and choose. His judgment prompts him to decline the honour of training for gentlemen who fancy their geese are swans and Imagine that a close study of the Turf Oriental question, the ‘figure system,’ ought to make every foal from their studs a Derby winner. The cruel necessity of living Is Imposed on tbe Englishmen who have come out here to train; whose talent and advice has brought the French Turf to its present proud position. They cannot pick and choose, and they have to break In their youngsters and endeavour to do their best (or a master Into whose ear hope is always telling some flattering tale.”

Subsequent to her Duke of York Stakes’ win a challenge was thrown out on behalf of Sceptre, inviting the owner of the crack French mare, La Camargo, to a match over a mile and a-half at the Newmarket Houghton Meeting, for as much money as M. Abellle, La Camargo’s owner, "liked to put down.” It was added that, although Sceptre’s best distance was a mile and three-quarters or two miles, the concession of meeting La Camargo over a mile and ahalf, the latter’s best course, was made eo as to counterbalance any disadvantage that might ensue from the cross-Channel voyage. In reply to tills, La Camargo s owner, M. Abellle, said he was perfectly willing to run his mare against Sceptre for a distance of a mile and a-half if the match were run In France, but under no consideration would he entertain the idea of a challenge if the race was to be run at Newmarket. “Fix it for Chantilly, or anywhere else In France, said M. Abellie, “and La Camargo is sure to win. But If the mare Is obliged to cross the Channel, Sceptre Is equally sure to be victorious, Neither Sceptre nor La Camargo can stand the voyage across the Channel, and that makes all the difference. If the last Grand Prix had been run in England, Sceptre would have won as she liked, but she had to cross tbe Channel, and, in consequence, was defeated by a far Inferior animal. The last time that La Camargo went to England she did not eat a grain of oats from the time she left Boulogne until she got back, so that she was four days without food. No, I desire nothing better than a match between Sceptre Camargo, but It must be run in France.”

There are a great number of people who have to do with racing that appear to find little else to occupy their time than find fault with the decisions and rulings of racecourse officials. In referring to some recent disqualifications by a country club In Australia, the Sydney “Town and Country Journal” says: perhaps the lesson taught the offenders against tbe ruling of the C. will have a good effect. The following facts of the case we take from the Corowa “Free Press,” which states that a meeting of the stewards of the Corowa Race Club was held on Wednesday afternoon last, for the purpose of dealing with certain jockeys, who recently inserted an advertisement In the Corowa “Free Press” that they woud not ride again at Corowa race meetings conducted by the present officials and secretary of the Corowa Race Club. Seven of the jockeys attended at the meeting, and evidence upon the matter was given. W. H. Jordan admitted getting np the petition, and also signing Mulligan's name to it. Mulligan's consent was not obtained until after the paper came out. He got the petition up because he came to the conclusion that Leech had been too severely dealt with In connection with the Courtesy case at the charities’ race meeting. He suggested to the others that they should boycott the club. Signed Mulligan's name, because he thought be would agree to It. Knew that Leech was a trier. Would havo wrltetn an apology, but would not be a "blackleg” to the others. Jordan, continuing, said he bad a few drinks In when ho took the advertisement down to the “Free Press,” and after considering the matter he went down with Hyland to take it out, but they were too late. W Woods, D. F. Hoban, R. Bailey, and A. Hyland admitted signing the petition. Hoban also added that Martin put down Ryan’s name unknown to the latter The reason given for their action was that the disqualifications In connection with the Courtesy case were, in their opinions, unjust. After brief discussion, the following disqualifications

were Imposed: R. Bailey, three years; W. H. Jordan, three years; W. H. Woods, one year; D. F. Hoban, H. Connors, G. Simon, F. Martin, A. Hyland, and E. Collett, six months each. Bailey's term was increased by two years for tbe insulting manner In which he gave his evidence.

After the recent success of Australian Colours In the November Plate at Hurst Park, England, the following particulars gleaned from an exchange should be Interesting to our readers: “Australian Colours is a full-brother to Australian Star, whose English successes include the City and Suburban Handicap, 1891, and the London Coronation Cup, 1902. He was bred by the Messrs Eales Brothers at Duckenfleld Park Stud, and at the dispersal of that wellknown breeding establishment was purchased, with his dam, by Mr Francis Foy, who presented the colt to his partner, Mr J. J. Macken. Australian Colours only carried silk twice as a two-year-old, and did not earn a winning bracket until the following season, when he annexed the Malden Stakes at the A.J.C. Autumn Meeting, and later on in the afternoon ran that good horse San Fran to three-quarters of a length for the Sydney Cup. On the subsequent days of the reunion at Randwick Australian Colours carried 8.11 Into second place in the City Handicap, and 8.5 into a like situation In the Place Handicap. As a four-year-old he carried 8.11 to victory in the Maribyrnong Cup, and was well supported for the Melbourne Cup, won by Revenue, and in which the son of the Australian Peer failed to get a situation. He was not raced last season, but In March the horse was sent to England in charge of the Randwick trainer J. Allsop, but did not score a win on English soil unt-Il Saturday last. The November Plate at Hurst Park Is not a very Important race, but now that the son of CoTours has developed form he may do better next season. Cappawhlte, who finished second to Australian Colours, Is an Irish-bred horse, and escorted Sceptre and Rock Sand home In the Jockey Club Stakes! while Avocation, who ran third to Australian Colours, was also bred In the Emerald Isle.”

Horse breeding In Queensland has become a Government question, and in the evidence tendered by Mr P. H. Morton to the select committee appointed to consider what steps should be taken to Improve the horse stock of Queensland, the Barrengarry studmaster, who has had a life long experience In that department of Industry, put his finger on the sore spot, says “Galtee More,” when he said the cause of deterioration lij the Northern State was bad management throughout the stations, with few exceptions. “In the first place it was not the business of stations where horse breeding was carried on to breed horses for sale or export, but for stock purposes. Therefore as long as a station manager could pick 20 or 80 for his own use out of the 200 bred on the station, he did not care what happened to the rest; while in the second place the pick of what horses were not required for Stock purposes were sold for India, nnd the station bred from the rubbish that the Indian buyer would not take. A third cause was the purchase of cheap and Inferior stallions—chiefly broken down racehorses, or blood horses that were never good enough to race—“wasters,” in fact. Some racehorses were not fit to race because they were badly made, and should never have been allowed to exercise their reproductive powers. In order to avert further deterioration the first thing that should be done was to get rid of the Inferior mares—sell them for boiling down purposes, or cut their throats—sort the rest out, and use good stallions. Mr Morton advocated a stallion tax of £5 per annum, and suggested that the Government should enable Small breeders to have the service of a good horse at a reasonable fee, for no man would breed from an Inferior animal If he could get a better at the same cost. He was against the use of cross breeds as sires, and advocated tbe use of the English blood horse. Furthermore, he stated, In answer to a question as to whether he would start with the horse or mare to Improve the breed, that he would begin with the horse, who would influence the breed of 50 or CO, while the mare could only Influence one. “I went to Europe,” he continued, “three

years ago and specially Investigated the question of horse breeding In France, Germany, and Austria. They are working from a different cause to what we are here. The object lu Australia la purely commercial — to make money for ourselves; but there the object Is to provide for the defence of their country, and they can afford to spend money in breeding good horses so long as they (the Government) have tbe right—aa they have —to take those horses from the people at a price, Tbe Government studs contain from 50 to 100 stallions In the off season, but in the breeding season these are all sent out to different districts, there their services are placed at the disposal of the people, and at a low fee.”

It was a truly wonderful performance for Sceptre to win the Duke of York Stakes carrying 10.0, but still greater, considering that she won lu ordinary working shoes, as it was found that she went lame Inlinedlately she bad been plated, and they were removed. “Martindale,” in “The Town and Country Journal,” on this subject, says: "Some years ago an Australian persuaded an English horseowner to allow bls horse to run without shoes, with the result that the animal, which had been badly beaten In a race on the previous day, won easily. The Australian racing man long since arrived at tbe conclusion that an ounce on the feet was worse than a poms( on tbe back. At the present day the fact that a horse has his shoes on is quite su®cient for the animal to be left alone In the betting ring. There are some, however, who cannot think that It makes such a great difference. They, however, have never had experience in athletics. Ask an old footrunner what difference It makes If the ‘lad’ has a piece of thin sheet lead neatly placed In the sole of his running shoes? In the course of many years' touting the training, I have noted the wonderful difference shoes make In the way of galloping to some horses to what It does with others. Some carry very little Iron. It Is these that make the flash gallops that so often delude the amateur watchholders. Some of our modern touts are not halt so keen In this matter of shoes as were those of the old brigade. The late Mr William Forrester would not take any heed of a gallop unless he knew what sort of Iron the horse carried. It was that Jt thought she was very lightly shod that made me somewhat underrate the great New Zealander Cruciform when she was putting in such smart work on the tracks ft Randwlck. However, she was one of he exceptions. Still, I must say that even now J don’t think she was superior to Wakeful, who was not quite herself at the time. However, that Is only an opinion, as I would not for a moment think of underrating the lopeared chestnut mare, who is quite fit to stand In a class with such a* Briesls, La Carabine, and Wakeful. Thai shoes do make a great difference, we have only to turn to last Saturday’s doings at Caulfield. There a favourite In Abdallah was badly beaten. Now, If there Is one thing the Victorians are keen on. It Is hurdle and steeplechase racing. Backers tn the southern capital are very clever at finding the winners of jumping races. Thus they were almost dumbfounded to see their favourite, and also The African, badly beaten. The form was unaccountable until It was discovered that both horses, through an oversight, had been sent out to race with their shoes 0n..” Let me add that 1 always held In respect that good horse Hohoro from the Midsummer Meeting of the A.R.C. when he ran four such good races, the last against Advance, over a mile and a-half, at weight-for-age, handicapped with working shoes on hts feet, and at the time very bad and broken feet at that. How good Hohoro was wa shall never know, for he has suffered from an affection of the wind too long.

The Felldlng Jockey Club’s Spring MeehIng was one of the many successful ones that club has experienced. On the opening' day the sum of £10,067 was passed through the totalizators, as against £8422 last year, and the fields generally were very good, rto fewer than twenty-three starting in the Fltzroy Handicap, won by Gold Dredge, a slx-year-old gelding by Gold Reef, who won two races recently at Otakl, while the Musketry gelding, Tutungsrehu, who was a double winner last month at the

Poverty Bay Turf Club’s Meeting, was •econd. The Flying Handicap resulted !n 4 surprise win by the narrow margin of a bead for Zlska. whu won three races last season, but ran badly la the autumn. Starshoot, the runner-up. I** by Hotchkiss, and was giving away 211 b to the winner. The Malden Hack Plate was won by the finelocking Torpedo three-year-old gelding fullbrother to The Shannon. Materon. The Bro »k. la. and Brooklet, the Bt. Leger— Cniralha filly being second, a number of well-bred ones being included amongst the runners. The Bt. Andrew’s Handicap fell to the good little Robinson Crusoe marc Hl net aura, who has been more or leas under soapiclou of unsoundness since she finished second to Advance In the Welllugton Cup, but has nevertheless run some good races for Mr G. Richardson this season. The ground was too hard for her at Klccartou, where she did not show her true form last month in the N.Z. Cup and other races, her trainer having been obliged to restrict her work, lllnetaura was one of my N.Z. Cup selections after seeing her race at Wanganui and Napier. She would be one of my selections for the Auckland Cup if brought to Ellerslie and prepared for the race on the tan track here, for she is particularly well treated, on form. Tradewind, who was second, ran with his usual consistency. Ghuorka, who was third, has not performed nearly so well as either of the pair that beat him, and was none too well served through them on the score of weight. I fancy a shorter distance suits him best. The strapping fine Torpedo gelding Roseshoot had a moderate lot To beat in the Aorangi Hack Handicap, which he won under the nice Impost of 8.0. It is hard to say how the Spring Hurdle Race would have resulted had Beau Ideal kept his feet. He Is a fine strong gelding, and has lots of pace, and was the medium of a good deal of speculation. Waiwera,* the gallant old battler, appears to have been in great form, and his owner was very sanguine that he would beat all but Beau Ideal, who won at Wanganui early in October, and showed a lot of pace. Waiwera had the services of Percy Johnstone, and Evening would likely be ridden by Walwera’s old pilot, A. Hall. This mare was second, ant! her running confirms the opinion I expressed after seeing her race at Hawke’s Bay—that her supposed improvement was not justified. The fact is. she met an inferior class of horses, some of which were not ready to do themselves justice. She will have to Improve to be of much service over country at Onkaparinga next season. The form shown by Arona in the Waltuiia Hack Hurdles was consist ent with his Otakl running, but Pushful, who beat him in that race, has no doubt been got fitter by racing, and Is faidj good over a mile and a-half. He went up a lot In weight for his win. Convoy, the useful Vanguard geldlug, signalised his reappearance after a long spell by winning the Kiwitea Stakes from the light-weights Warwick and I.ivonia. who at best represent modernte form. Some surprises were experienced on the second day of the meeting. the Gold Reef mare Matuku commencing by winning the York Stakes, and paying the substantial dividend of £l4 8/. Jeanne D’Arc, who is a four-year-old filly by St. Andrew from Montdread got home in the Ntkau Hack Handicap, her supporters being rewarded with £9 for each £ Invested. Then came the Cheltenham Hurdles, which ended in a win for the uncertain Levant, whose backers got £l6 19/, while those of received .£5 6'. Dexterity, who beat Gboorka hi the Manchester Handicap, paid £6 13,. This was followed by a dividend in the Welter Handicap of £2l returned on Waipawa, who was at one time thought likely to make a Cup candidate.

The victories of Maximum and Arizona at Ascot led almost inevitably to a revival, says “Vigilant.” of the “London Sportsman.” of the stock Jeremiads as to the lack of stayers in England, ami the consequent decadeuce of the British thoroughbred. Those who from time to time ventilate these views never pause to consider whether the so-called stayer is in fact an animal better calculated to improve the breed at large t ;n is a mere miler or sprinter. In other words, is a little rat like Maximum likely to make a better stallion than Lord Bobs? No, they assume, without any at-

tempt to prove it. that ability to win over long distances is the sine qua non of a good horse, and that mere speed is not far removed from a defect. Of course, th’e ideal horse is one that can win over aii disTtiuees, such, for instance, as St. Simon, isinglass, or Persimmon, and at the same time show no deficiency of power and bone, but ns between a mere plodder who lacks npeed, and a sprinter who %uir.<t get more than a mile, it is any odds on tue latter proving the better stallion. People write and talk as if short d>s:ante races encouraged the production of v reds, and long distance on»’s favoured the development of more robust and powerful animals; whereas. in point of fact, the exact converse of this is the case. There are strong horses that can stay, no doubt—we may take Wavelet’s Pride or Aurum as extreme instances of this phenomenon—but as a rule, tbe stayer is light framed and light muscled, and he g«-ts a distance mainly through having good at tlon and not much of a carouse to oairy. Such a hors** Is Maximum, mid many ethers might be mentioned, for example. Sinopi. and Congratulation—or. at an earlier period, Ragimunde. Now these are very sterling bits of stuff, but when it comes to selecting horses with a view to Improving the breed nt large, the powerful and bigg, r boned sprinter has all the best of it. After all, we have to bear in mind that ability tn win n flat race over two miles is no conclusive demonstration of stamina in a general sense, for the sprinter will win a two mile hurdle race, and outside that the constitution of n horse Is not known by a Cup victory any more than ft Is by his success in a five furlm handicap. No one will suggest, surely, that Maximum would last longer a campaign

than Suudridge, just because one is good at two and a half mile Hut raring and the other st six furlongs? It would as reasonable to contend that the hundredyard pedestrian is physically Inferior to the miler. I agree at once that from the point of view of sport and pleasure short distance handicaps are an abomination, white a good long distance contest is always worth watching, but it seems to be quite forgotten that during the last few years races of more thau a mile have been considerably increased, and those of five furlongs decreased by the operation of rule 47. which ordains that there must be two laces of the minimum aggregate distance of two miles ami a half in each day’s programme, and that there shall not be more thau one live furlong race to which three-yeur-olds and upwards are admitted. To read whet has been appearing in the papers, one might imagine that tills comparatively new rule did not exist, and that the Jockey Club stewards had been fostering short distance raving at the expense of long. Now, in the old days, when, as we are constantly l>eing told, horsts were so very superior to those of the present day, there were as many sprint races as anyone pleased, and some of them over four furlongs; there were even races for yearlings. I have said, however, that I fully agree that a five or six furlong Handicap, even though it be a Goodwood Stewards' Cup or a Portland Plate at Doncaster. is anything but an edifying show, but this objection by no means applies to a weight-for-age contest over a similar distance when the champion sprinters are engaged. Then, I think, rhe sport is as good as when a cup is run for. The early seventies are quite as memorable for the meetings of such as Prince Cha'rlie. Blenheim, Ecossais, Trappist, Springfield, and other short distance celebrities, as they arc fo& the cup victories of Cremorne, Boiard, Doncaster, and Apology. Moreover, the stud successes of the two classes work out in favour of the sprinters, for though Doncaster, of course, established a great position through Bend Or and Muncaster, Cremorne, Boiard, and Apology did little good. On the other hand. Prince Charlie left flourishing lines in both America and Australia; Ecossais was a gelding; Trappist got good winners, such as L’Abbesse de Jouarre, and Springfield, amid numerous successes, may best be referred to this year as the grand sire of Rock Sand. It is pretty certain that Sainfoin, sire of Rock Sand, did not stay comfortably more than a mile or a mile and a quarter at most, but his son, Roek Sand, would, I believe. find no course too far for him. As against this, Doncaster, who was a stayer of the first order, and won both the Ascot Cup and Alexandra Plate, scored his greatest stud success by siring Bend OY, whose best distance was from a mile to a mile and a quarter. The real reason why owners and trainers hesitate to run for the Ascot Cup is not that horses cannot stay, but that the more valuable stakes are to be run for so shortly afterwards that it is almost impossible to give a horse a cup preparation and then have him ready fo these races.

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB’S SPRING

MEETING,

. The postponed meeting of the Otahuhu Trotting Club was concluded on Saturday and financially proved a decided success, the sum of £4713 being handled during the two days, as against £2855 last year. Both the pony events were the medium of plenty of speculation, and each resulted in close finishes, tut with the exception of tbe last trotting race on the programme, each of tin other events were easily won, aud ibe horses came in at fairly long intervals. The track was a bit on tue slow side, and no very fast times were recorded. In a field of fifteen .in the .Trial Handicap, a three-year-old 'filly called Lady Love, by Wildwood, was made favourite, and the curiously named .Kidney Pai was next in request. The winner turned up in Mr W. J. Baker’s Judge Belden gelding Kiteonetea, who is said to hail from up Henderson way. Carbolic, a horse of unknown breeding, made Kiteonetea put his best foot forward for the greater part of the journey. but most of the runners appeared to go to sleep at an early stage of the proceedings, and one of the number who appeared in a road cart, would have required a half mile start. Ills driver was subjected to some good natured banter. Rosalind, who finished third, made up about 17s of her handicap, ami trotted well, and later on in the day this daughter of Huon, Jun., had an easy win in the Second Harness Trot of two miles, in which Mooress. who led for exactly two circuits, tired right to nothing, and Victor Hugo, who trotted unsteadily. was third, a position be occupied in a previous two mile event, the Otahuhu Spring Trot, which was won easily by Imperator, a son of Imperious. This gelding, who won on the first day. ga.ve Belladonna 2s start and beat her by 4s. and could have increased the gap. Polly IL. by Viking. had the Class Trot won before three furlongs had been covered, and thereafter had matters all her own way. giving Baxter, a gelding ridden by W. Scott, Ils, and beating him by another 10s. Baxter was favourite. Several horsemen were admonished for not riding or driving their horses out, and Lohnet was fined £1 for doing a preliminary the reverse why of the track. An interesting finish took place down the straight in the Telephone Trot I etween Bert. Talhoa, K. 0., and Rushlight, and was won by Bert with a little to spare. The First Pony Race was won after a good race by Annoyed, tbe top weight, who beat Solitary a length', while lanly Lottie was not more than a nock away. Orange and ’Blue ran well, but was beaten two furlongs from home. In the Flying Slakes Solitary beat Garnet a

length. Lady Lottie, who lost several lengths at the start, finishing fastest, was almost on level terms with Garnet, Orange aud Blue being fourth, Sentinel, who was left badly leu the first race, Cuisine, Ngßhere, and Stockbridge being the other runners, the last named pair being loib and 141 b respectively overweight. The starting was fairly well managed by Mr G. Cutts. the handicapping by Mr Johnstone produced interesting finishes to several events, and Mr Youge, the new secretary, and the executive, got through their work satisfactorily. Results:—

Trial Trot Handicap of 25sovs, one mile and a-half.—W. J. Baker’s blk g Kiteonetea. aged, by Judge Belden, 27s (Hillh 1; Carbolic, 2; Rosalind, 3. Also started: Le Rosier, Redleaf, Bert, Berlinwood, Black Diamond, Lady I.ove, Miss Dunmore, Kidney Pai, Cleve, Wanganui. Albertorlous. Nell Gwynue. Won easily by 50 yards, Rosalind 50 yards away third. Time, 4.22 1-5. Dividends, £2 9/ and 17/. Class Handicap Trot of 35sovs, one mile and a-half.—Mrs S. Hird’s blk m Polly 11.. Viking—Alma, aged, 5s (Hill), 1; Baxter, 2; Lusitania, 3. Also started: Talhoa, Duke C.. Typewriter, Sir Robert, Little Ben. Polly went through her field in the first quarter of a mile, and won by 100 yards, third 40 yards away. Time, 4m 2Js. Dividends, £2 and 11/.

Epsom Pony Handicap of 30sovs, second Bsovs, six furlongs.—T. (7. Bray’s b m Annoyed, Regel—Torment, 10.1 (Speakman), 1; Solitary, 7.3, 2; Ixidy Lottie, 8.6, 3. Also started: Orange and Blue, 10.3; Sentinel, 7.12. Won by a length, solitary a neck In front of Miss Lottie. Time, 1.19 3-5. Dividend, 18/.

Otahuhu Spring Trot Handicap of 50sovs, 2 miles.—G. Foster’s br g Imperator, Imperious—Kate, 10s (Lohenet), 1: Belladonna, 2; Victor Hugo, 3. Also started: Rushlight. K.D.. Colenso, Miss Huon, Erie. Won easily by 40 yards, same second and third. Time. 5.38 J. Dividends, £1 10/ and £1 8/. Second Harness Trot of 35sovs, 2 miles.— A. G. Gilman’s ch m Rosalind. Huon Jr.— Unknown, 12s (Watt), 1; Mooress. 2; Victor Hugo, 3. Also started: Little Ben. Lady Florence, Duchess of Rothschild. Won by 50 yards, 40 yards between second and third. Time, 5.36. Dividends, £1 18/ and 10/.

Flying Stakes Handicap of SOsovs, five furlongs.—J. Risk’s ch m Solitary, Recluse —Queeuie. 7.12 (Gray). 1; Garnet, 7.0 (Cotton), 2; Lady Lottie. 8.9 (Mooney), .T Also started: Orange and Blue, 10.6; Cuisine, 8.2; Sentinel, 8.2; Ngahere, 8.2; Stockbridge, 7.8. Won by a length, a neck between second and third. Time, 1.9. Dividends, £1 8/ and 15/.

Telephone Trot Handicap of SOsovs, one mile.—H. S. Canham’s er g Bert. Albert Victor —Lucy, 19s ((’anham), 1; Taihoa and K. 0.. dead-beat, 2. Also started: Rushlight, Miss Huon. Imperator. Isabel, Bryn, Duchess of Rothschild, Nat Gould, St. John, Gay Rel’.e. Won by a neck, Taihoa and K.O. a dead-heat for second. Rushlight a head away. Time, 2.59. Dividends, £2 18/ and 17/ and £1 7/. A protest against K.O. for galloping was dismissed. ® ® ® p'F.P,

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Graphic.”) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The Southland-owned horse Glenelg, by Ike—Enchantress, has retired to the stud. Pipl and Petrovna to-day lefT Dunedin to fulfil their respective engagements at the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting. Kathlinda. the dam of St. Denis, has foaled a colt; My Fancy, by Apremont— Whim, a colt; Britannia, by King Cole— Masthead, a colt: and St. Ulva, b»y Beadonwell —Ulva, a filly, all to Peerage, by Australian Peer. Naomi, the Gipsy Grand —lima filly, which was knocked down to Mr J. R. McKenzie, of Otago, at the Elderslie sale, has been resold to L. C. Hazlett, the Duuediu trainer. The betting market on the Auckland Cup aud Railway Handicap is restricted, aud there is not very much mouey available about any of the combinations. The most popular double here is Treadmill and Hohoro, aud all the money to be got about this pair was taken some days ago. In the

atraisbt-out wagering ou the Cup Treadmill Is still a stroug favourite. It is probable that Hewitt will ride for dir Geo. Clifford st Aoekiaed when be la not wanted for Mr Stead's boreea. This means that he will have the mount ou Treadmill In the Cup. Mr D. J. Evaus. the secretary to the Westlaud Kaelug Club, has returned from a visit to England, lie saw some racing at Home.

Pampero resumed work a few days ago, but almost immediately had to Ims eased again. It is quite certain that he will not fuiai his engagements at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s summer meeting, and It is doubtful whether he will be got to the post again until the back end of tue season.

While his stable companions—Treadmill, Quarryman. Golden Vein, and company—are engaged at Auckland, Canuie Chlel will probably be representing Sir George Clifford at the Manawatu Racing Club's Summer Meeting. The sou of Clauranald is very well Just now. Welbeck's full sister is coming up from Ashburton shortly to Join Lewis's team. She Is spoken of as a most promising filly. Maybud. by Medallion, has foaled a filly, to Sant Ilario.

Greek Maid, by Musketry—Psyche, haff visited Pallas. Sporting Grove has gone to Bayonet, a three-year-oid son of Musketry and Psyche. Aura, the dam of Aurum, has been covered by Multiform. Hobbs is having some trouble with Denote and Gist, both of whom have shown signs of soreness lately. At a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club held on Tuesday, trainers' licenses were granted to D. Moraghan and J. J. Williams, and jockeys’ licenses to W. Porter and A. J. Ward, The following transfers were approved:—L. H. Darlot to 11. Friedlander, Ropa, by St. Leger—Brown Alice, Syrs; J. Trlstra to C Haslett, br f by Gipsy Grand —Una, Ivr- J Harris to Easton and Austin, eh e Purder, by Musketry—Fatigue, 2yrs. An appeal was received from J. MeCombe against his disqualification. A letter Mr T. M. Wilford and the report of the stewards ou the case were also receivedIt was resolved. “That the stewards having decided as a question that J. McCombe was guilty of foul riding dj lug another horse, the committee cannot entertain the appeal.

CHRISTCHTRCH, Tuesday. Mr W H E. Wanklyu, the secretary to the Canterbury Joekey Club, who has been in bad health for some time past, win leave Christchurch ou Friday on a trip, to England.

Djin Djin’s poor display in the North Canterbury Handicap is attributed to the fact that he collided with a post in the early stages of the race. Secret Society is in need of a rest.

For some unexplained reason the Christchurch Racing Club omitted to make provision for penalties for its meeting, and vonsequentlv Speculate, who is engaged m tbe Windsor Handicap, the principal event, on the first day (Saturday), is not penalised for his victory at North Canterbury. With but 6.7 to carry he ought to win, unless Nell Gwynne has recovered her best form. The Nursery Handicap should go to Master Alic, with Malakoff next; the Flying Handicap to I.olah or Tbe Malster; the Selling Hack to Nor’-wester: aud the High Weight Handicap to Narcissus* Maiden Plate to Mundera. The Dunedin reps.. Petrovna and Pipi. passed through on Saturday on their wax to Auckland to fulfil their respective engagements at the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting. Here they will be joined by General Symons and Count of Kolmar* who left on a similar errand.

Mr H. A. Knight, the well known Canterbury racing man, who has been absent from the colony on a visit to England for the greater part of a year, is expected back in February. Walda, by Perkin Warbeck ll.—Chiara, has foaled a colt to Finland, and has visit* ed Pilgrim’s Progress. During the week the following Business has been done locally on the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicaps:—4oo to 12 against Romeo and Hohoro, 300 to 9 Treadmill and Dclania, 250 to 5 Wairiki and Gladsome, 200 to 8 General Symons and

Rohoro. 200 to 8 Treadmill and Gladsome, 200 to 3 Golden Rose and Black and Gold. 200 to 6 AVairlki and lloLoro, 200 to 2 Stratbavon and Matuky, 200 to 8 Walrlkl and Petrovna. Sir Geo. Clifford s mares Eleusive, by Newton Duclensis, and Teredlna, by Maxim—Tereda, have retnrned home from Ashburton, where they have been on a visit to Pilgrim’s Progress. George Clifford’s team, comprising 1 readmill. Quarry man, Brave Heart, Windwhistle, Golden Vein, and Stronghold, are booked to leave for Auckland by the Mokola on Wednesday. Treadmill, who is very well, is still favourite for Che Auckland Cup. It is probable that he will be ridden by Hewitt. As far as I can learn, Mr Stead’s team will consist of Machine Gnu, Golden Lily and Silkworm, and, as I told you previously, they will be accompanied by Gladsome. Ardchatton and Lady Waybid will arrive at Kiccarton In a few days to join Cutis’ team. The former, who is a full brother to Terrapin, has been trained previously, but the latter, who is a full sister to the Welcome Stakes winner, To-morrow, has not been broken in yet. Lee-Enfteld and NauCiloid, who have engagements at the Dunedin Summer Meeting, are also engaged at the Manawatu meeting. It is not unlikely that thev will patronise the latter gathering. Their trainer. Lewis, has been on the sick list lately, but is nearly well again.

J. Harris, who has taken a position as private trainer to Messrs Easton and Austin, of Fox ton, has come down to get his pony Cyclas Parva, a two-year-old gelding by Lakeshell—Tiread. and a yearling halfbrother by Lakeshell to Purdey. Owing to the fact that Its official handicapper is unable to be present, the Dunedin Jockey dub has arranged with Mr T. H. Davey, M*H.ll.. to make the handicaps for 1-he second day’s racing of its Summer Meeting.

The Forbury Park Racing C'lub has decided to hold its annual race meeting on 16th -January. About £3OO will be distributed In stakes.

The Southland Racing Club intends to admit bookmakers to its course and allow them to operate at its Summer Meeting on payment of a licensing fee. The following horses remain in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes of 250sovs, six furlongsi—Hon. G. McLean’s b f Isa, by Stepaiiak—Mist: Hon. G. McLean’s eh f Puna, 4»y Lord Rosslyn—lstral; Sir G. Clifford’s ch f Chrysesis. by Clanranald — Golden Crest; Sir G. Clifford’s ch c Stronghold, by "Clanranald -Safeguard; Sir G. Clifford’s oh ~t Tessera, by Clanranald —Teredina; Mr G. G Stead’s br -c Savoury, by Simmer —Melodia; Mr G. G. Stead’s br f Golden Lily, by Multiform—Corolla; Mr H. Friedlander’s b c Uranus, by Castor—Cissy; Mr M. 'Deed’s b f Cirima, by Cyrenian—lrma: Mr G Sponge’s eh f Quickflre, by Hotchkiss— Ahreria: Messrs Ellis Bros.’ ch c Ouid-aform, br Multiform —Guida; Mr C. Michell’s b g Master Alex, by Stepniak—lrene; Mr J. Tennant’s ch c Btepchlld, by Stepniak Cobweb; Mr F. J. Reid’s br f Ailsa. by Wallace —Far Away; Mr C. L. Cadelis br c by Gipsy Gr^nd. —Reel: Mr 11. A. Knight s ch o Somaroff, by Stepniak—Argon.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. The following acceptances have been received in connection with the A.R.C. Summer Meeting:— THE AUCKLAND CUP of 1500sovs. Two miles. st. Ib. st. lb. Nonette .... 9 9 Gen. Symons 7 8 Wairlki 9 8 Hinetaura .. 7 7 Treadmill .. 8 0 Menura 7 6 Strathavoli 711 Mars 7 4 Romeo 711 Walwera ... * 4 Golden Ros* 7 11 Putty 7 4 Idas 711 The Needle.. 7 0 Quarryman 710 Onewa 'lO Melodeon .... 7 9 Jewellery ... 6 8 RAILWAY HANDICAP of 400sovs. Six furor.gs. st. lb. st- lb - Ilohoro 9 6 Delanla 712 Nonette 9 5 Idea <ll Petrovna .... 8 7 St. Olga 7 9 •Romeo 8 6 Cygnel. ... ... J 8 Strathavoa .. 8 5 Green & Gold t 8 •Austerlitz ... 8 5 Waipuna .... 7 t Gladsome ... 85 Hack & Gold / •» Marshal So: It 8 0 Neotorini .... 7 5 Starshoot ... 8 0 Middy 610 <?ordou Rouge 8 0 .Merry Rr.rlt.. 6 < Golden Vein.. ’( 12 Lady Annie.. 6 7 AUCKLAND STEEPLECHASE of 300sovs. About three miles and a-half. st. lb. st. lb. Uavfln 12 3 The Pullack.. Ulo Nor’-west ....11 2 Evermore .... !, 9 Karnin 10 7 Agitator 9 7 Princess Thule 10 6 Lingnrd 1) . Rufus 10 5 Aanqmsa .... 9 7 Marine 10 3 Inchcape .... !» 7 Dingo io 2 Ko>vhai l» 7 I‘ipi 10 2 The Great Northern Foal Stakes of 500 bovs, six furlongs.—Ouidaform, Stronghold. Silkworm. Gladstone, Kilmarnock, Reau Seaton, Nervine, Sir Percival, Golden Lily, Becky Seaton. The Great Northern Derby of 750sovs. one mile and a-half.—Melodeon, Onewa. Quarryman, Treadmill, Brave Heart, Irix, Gladsome, Bonheur, Ropa, Lady Anule. The Ninth Royal Stakes of 500sors, six furlongs.—Machine Gun, The Middy, Onewa, Treadmill, Quarryman, Bonheur, Delanla, Gladsome, Irlx, Ouidaforin, Stronghold, Silkworm, Beau Seaton, Kilmarnock, Nervine. Gladstone, Romola, Rose Seaton, Golden Lily. —.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB S SPRING MEETING.

For the Dunedin Jockey Club’s race* the following handicaps have been declared:— First Hurdles erf 80sovs, If mile.—Roller 12.2, Catherine Gordon 10.13, Ilex 10.8, Southerly Buster 10.8, Arapata 10.2, Plain Tom 9.9, Hairtrigger 0.2, Dormant 9.2. First Hack of 50sovs, 1 mile. —Juniper 10.6, Narriatais 3.9, Royal Crown 8.5, Thunderer 8.3, Rotekoto 7.9, Koputu 7.7, Ahuan«e 7.5, Fairy Rose 7.0, Dormant 6.12, Quagga 6.7. Dunedin Handicap of lOOsovs, 4 furlongs. —Ailsa 8.3, Stepchild 8.0, Isa 7.9, Puna 7.9, Somaroff 7.3. Otago Handicap of ISOsova, 1J mile.— Canteen 9.4, Terrapin 7.13, Juniper 7.6. Leonore 6.11, Roscommon 6.9. Pampero was scratched before the weights sippea red. Federal Handicap of lOOsovs. 7 furlongs. —Pampero 9.6, Red Gauntlet 9.4, St. Denis 9.2, Blazer 8.9, Secret Society 7.7, Bulawayo 7.7, Lee-Enfield 7.6, Crown Imperial 6.10, Flower o’ Clutha 6.7, Casque 6.7. Second Handicap of 50sovs, 6 furlongs.— Juniper 10.5, St. Monica 8.12, Red Ronald 8.5, Sarchedon 7.13. Gist 7.13, Nautiloid 7.13, Aldiugu 7.11, Witch 7.8, Winnie 7.8, Happy Home 7.7, La Russe 7.3,’ Boisterous 7.3, Zingarelia 7.3, Reform 7.3, Plato 7.3, Irish Moss 7.3, Cairn 6.12, Quagga G.lO.

First Welter of 75sovs, 1 mile. —Ardnarff 10.7, Sychem 9.9, Juniper 9.8, Glenelg 9.6, Secret Society 9.5, Bulawayo 9.2, Roscommon 8.12, Flower o’ C India 8.12, Battler 8.5, Sirius 5.2, Natili 8.0, Transport 8.0.

TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING. The following are the weights for the Taranaki Summer Meeting:— Hurdles, 13 mile. —Moturoa 11.13. Pharos 10.7, Ranana 9.9, Toledo 9.7, Morelli 9.5, Flying Shell 9.0. Christmas Handicap.—Rita 8.8, Pareora 8.8, Maureen 8.7, Inglewood.B.s, Sandy 7.13. Lurcher 7.2. Black Cat 7.2, Cyrenian—-Chic gelding 7.0. Ladies’ Purse. 1 mile.— Joe Chamberlain 11.13, Pharos 11.7. Yeovil 11.7, Levant 11.4, Bawn Boy 11.4. Veshtl 10.10, Aureola 10.0, Ba sb lane 10.0, Tortoise Shell 10.0. Welter, 7 furlongs.—Maureen 10.13, Little Turk 10.3. Lurcher 10.0, Alas 9.10, Bawn Bov 9.10, Van 9.3, Courier 9.3. Park Shot 9.0* Vashti 9.0, Bishop 9.0, Ebbtide 9.0, Okarawa 9.0, Ngatimaru 9.0. Flying, 6 furlongs.—Sandy 8.9. Silver Star 8.9, Tambourinn 8.1, Nonceii 8.1, Inglewood 8.1, Kidbrook 7.12, Rustique 7.11, Siandra 7.19, Park Shot 7.2, Pupu 7.0, Pieklow 7.0, Yseult 6.12, Pemmican 6.12, Sylvrie 6.T-, Lakeshcll—Chiara 6.12, Gipsy Grand—Sortie 6.12. Stewards’. 1 mile. —Pareora 8.12, Rita 8.12, Maureen 8.10. Inglewood 8.7, Sandy 82, Little Turk 7.12, Rnstique 7.11, Lurcher 7.9, Black Cat 7.9, Pharos 7.0. Pieklow 4.0, Cyrenian—Chic gelding 7.0, Gipsy Grand - Sortie 7.0.