TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIV, 2 April 1904, Page 17

TURF NOTES.

Docbard has been sent home to ais owner at Tuakau. Mary Seaion has been working in a rogue’s badge. Mark Ryan will ride Jewellery In the A.R.C. Easter Handicap. Mr La wry is sending Madrigal from Hawke's Bay to the Auckland Meeting. Moifaa Is referred to in an English paper as the gigantic Moifaa. The yearling colt by Cyrenian —Aminta died last week. Mr C. O’Connor, the Auckland Racing Club’s starter, has arrived iix Auckland. General Average, by Hotchkiss —Creasy, arrived from Taranaki last week. Spalpeen pulled up sore on Wednesday morning, and walked lame on leaving the course. D. Morrigan has had another addition to his team in Siivermere, by Muskapeer —•-Jeanette. Morpeth, a Gisborne gelding, is engaged in some of the jumping events at the A.R.C. Meeting. Regulation, the Hawera mare, full sister to Regalia IL, arrived from New Plymouth last Saturday. Vai Rosa acquitted himself well over liurIdes on Saturday in company with Lady Raven, who did not fence with dash. Wairiki and Romeo are expected to be the local favourites of the Auckland-owned horses in the AR.C. Easter Handicap. Mr P. J. Delany. of Paeroa, owner of Romeo, has come to Auckland, and will reside at Devonport for a few months. Rambler has been very bad with strangles, and will not race again this season. Strathavon was withdrawn from the Easter Handicap some time before the weights appeared. The course at Ellerslie and enclosures look a perfect picture, and the tracks are all in fine order. Papatu, the Gisborne hurdle gelding, has arrived, and has gone into D. Morrighan’s hands at Ellerslie.

Dolores' and Daffodil were not left In R. Hannon’s charge very long, they are now in C. Coleman’s stable, at Ellerslie.

De Wet and Crespin were schooled over a few hurdles last week, and De Wet for a beginner, shaped fairly.

An Auckland lad known as Babs Shaw is race-riding in France, and with success, aud a good trait Is shown in the fact that he Las not forgotten his people at home.

Mr S. Kohn has purchased Bastion, by Cuirassier—Dolosa, for a Fiji resident. Bastion was sent to Suva by the* Moura ou Wednesday,

The Au<*klar.<l Trotting Club have reason to be pleased with the n<>uiimid ions for their Autumn Meeting received pa Friday nlcht.

’The ’chaser Star bled at the vosc after running in the Steeplechase at Paeroa on the sororxd day, ami was pulled up. The same thing happened at the Thames.

Khaina ha? been blistered and Is having an easy time of H. It is hardly likely ho will be started at the A.R.C. Autumn Meeting.

Frank McManenxln lias a nice cut of a two year old by Phoebus Apollo — Lady Wellington, owned by tho Hon. 11. Moss-

uiau, lu work at Ellerslie. E J. Rae has been doing n little with each of the six colts purchased by clients at the summer sales in Auckland, and they Lave all got nicely over iufiuvxxjsa troubles. Jack Brown was well supported away from the course for the Minors’ Union Handicap at the Thames, and some of Ids supporters got G to 1 on the ground from visiting pencil levs, his closing price being three to one.

F. Davis is expected North to ride Star shoot in the Easter Handicap on Saturday.

Apprentice and Argyll ran a dead heat for the Telegraph Handicap at Reefton on Saturday.

On Saturday night local pencillers were offering 4 to 1 Wairiki, Romeo, and Starshoot for the Easter Handicap.

There were two races at Reefton on Saturday for which horses walked over. Petroline thus secured the Shand Handicap, and Magnificent the Jockey Club Handicap.

The Seaton Delaval—Leocant two yearold colt lias been named Leoendia. and will fulfil his engagement in the A.R.C. Champagne Stakes.

A balcony is being built from the lookout on the stewards’ stand at Ellerslie, to give it a more finished appearance and add to Its usefulness.

The Hotchkiss—Sunningdale filly has been withdrawn from the Northern Champagne Stakes, and the Hotchkiss — St. Laura colt from the Century Stakes.

The gelding Liberator ran in Mr J. Hannon’s name at Ohlnemtiri, and has evidently changed hands since the Rotorua meeting, when Mr McVittie owned him.

Dolores over-reached while working during the week, and is not likely to start on the first day of the A.R.C. Autumn in coiisequeuce. The injury is not serious, however.

Klondyke, who is well-known about Auckland, won the Flying Handicap at the recent Whakataue meeting. Klondyke carried the welter weight of 11.12, aud won easily by three lengths.

The Recluse gelding Plppo jumped well in the Thames Steeplechase, but could not stay more than two-thirds of the journey, and then retired, being above himself in condition.

Lingard was offered at Messrs A. Thickland and Sons Yards on Friday, but failed to reach the reserve. lie was afterwards sold privately to a well-known hunting enthusiast.

I understand from Mr Hazel that had he decided to race Dolores over hurdles during the coming jumping season, he would in all probability have left the mare in Mr Hannon’s charge.

Tn the now almost certain absence of Achilles from the Century Stakes, the backer who the other day took TOO to 33 about Wairiki for that event would appear to have a good wager.

Dr. Paget bred the winner of the Welter Handicap on tho first day of the Stratford meeting, and this in a measure consoled him for his defeat with Dick Turpin, on whom he rode second.

Mr A. Nightiugal. the English cross country gentleman rider, up till last month, had not ridden in public for a year, as a result of a fall. He recently rode the New Zealander Moifaa in work.

There is no doubt as to the light in which the owner of Convoy regarded the treatment of his horse in tho A.R.C. Easter Handicap, hence bls defection from the list of acceptances for that event.

It was intended that General Average should be boxed at F. Macmanemiu’s stables, but that trainer had no room for the colt, who came North in the charge of his trainer, Brough, from Hawera.

Putty met with a slight accident on Friday morning, and was not on the track this morning, hut It is not thought that the accident was a serious one, as he has been accepted for in the Easter Handicap. Between those that are over anxious to get away & those that are not, our starters no doubt, have great <litiicult*es to contend against at times, and Mr ('utts has had his share of such experiences’ up this way. A now iron fence has been erected nt Ellerslie (corresponding with the one running down the straight in front of the grandstand) between the judge's box and the stewards’ stand. Starshoot and Float, Madrigal and Rose Madder are the latesl arrivals engaged ut the A.R.C. Autumn Meeting. They came by the East Const on Sunday Ln the Ze ilia nd ia.

J. Thorpe has four yearlings In work. They are the Phoebus Apollo Miss Gladys colt, tho Season Delaval Campanil colt, the Cyrenian Kllmorley gelding, and tho Explosion— Waltemata fi'.ly.

Mr Do Pelechet, of Hawke’s Bay, went to Sydney early last week to see Gladsome run. 1 would ixot be surprteed were the New Zealander to bring a few brood tuareo back with him.

The Palmerston North gentleman who part based the yearling sister to Seamus** IL, nt Wellington Park, would be plea soil nt the prominent position occupied by Seahorse in the International Hurdle Race iu England last week.

Kiara. Captain Scott's horse, who. It will be remembered was wrecked at the Cape a few year? ago, when on the way from the colonies to Knglaxxd. was second top weight iu a steeplechase ruu at Manchester ou the IGtb February.

The owner of Convoy appeals to th<» Racing Conference against the decision of the Wellington Racing Chib in awarding the stakes in the Wellington Cup aud Handicap to Gladsome.

Thus “Tho People ” W. Pullen, one of our veteran, and yet most cnpnble, steeplechase jockeys, had practically premised himself not to ride again after 32 years’ active experience - but, as usual, with a really keen man, he forgot the vow this week.

IT. Franks disposed of the unnamed Seaton Delaval—Leocant colt, who has uot yet been raced. He was broken In some time ago, aud had only been In work a few weeks, and showed that he had pace lu the short tasks set him.

Elspeth, the full sister tn Cordon Rouge, who is trained in private at Kohlmaraimi, is reported to have done a good gallop over the Northern Champagne distance. Since going into ,L Gallagher’s hands she has Improved out of ail knowledge.

The acceptances for the A.R.C. Easter Handicap and Brighton Hurdles must be considered satisfactory, and the general entries for the minor events arc very good, the hurdle events being the only ones that have not drawn so well as usual.

A ticket office at the crossing of the railway Hue on Graham-street road, leading from the EJerslie racecourse to tho main South road to thv Harp of Erin Hotel, has been erected, and will prove a convenience there.

Last week Haydn and Up toDnt? went two miles over hurdles, aud .-x-xa Aka and Cannongate a mile and a-lxalf. the flrstnamod not shaping too well. Native Rose fell while doing a turn over the battens with Tahae.

A good many Auckland sports ami pencillers .Tourneyed lo the Thames on Thursday to the meeting of tho Thames Jockey Club. The meeting passed off pleasantly enough, but was far from profitable to some layers ami several punters, but there were a few good winners on the day.

Zulelkn has not raced well since her gruelling gallop against Liberator at Rotorua after she had run hi the Rotorua Cup previously on the same day. She was favourite In the Miners’ Union Handicap at the Thames, and ran last nearly all the way. The Messrs W T. nnd A. F. Douglas, of Te Mahanga, Hawke’s Bay, have fixed the date of the twelfth annual sale of thoroughbred yearling? from their well known stud, for the 29th April, and, for the first time, they will be sold at l‘al-xuerstou-North. Kiatcre followed up his success in tho Opotiki Cup by winning the Whakataue Handicap. Kiatere carried 9.12, ami won by two lengths. His stable companion. All Fours, won three races at the molding, the Maiden Plate, Hurdle Race, ami Forced Handicap falling to him. Tho nominations for the loading events of the Avondale Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting are almost confined to Auckland horses. With the exception of Heroism., Durable and Maro there are no outside horses entered, but the local and Waikato entries are fairly good. Ghoorka and Boris arrived from Wellington via Taranaki last Saturday lu charge of their trainer, .1. Prosser. C. Jenkins also came North by the Karawa. Achilles has not arrived, from which it may he Inferred that the golden chestnut may not be with us at the A.R.C. Easter Meeting. Tho French SLe- phsliase Society has decided t<» forbid absolutely all use of stimulants for horses entered to cmnpete in their races. Anyone found to be evading the regulations will be warned off the course, aud the. horse which has had stimulants given it will be disqualified for the rest of the met Ung. Whatever the Yablhurst throe year old Martian, by M.irtagon from Ottenien, may accomplish, I have no hesitation in saying that Sun God, by Multiforin froqi the same mare, is about the fiuest yearling I have seen this scasofi. Marti in was bred to English time, and U consuqueutly some six months younger thau our three yearolds. Captain Jackson Barry, in his new book, claims to have hoen rhe tirst to ship Timor ponies to New South Wales, which were obtained T.y trading with the Malay natives, who were at tho time a very treacherous people, ami kllb <1 it good xutuy traders nt different periods. Home of those 'Timor ponies reached New Zenlaud.

The work nt Ellerslie every mor*JT>& bemore entertaining. One of the features for no me time past lihh been the appearance of a thirteen hand pony ridden by a townsman a In Sloan, whether with the object of getting the pony tit or for the pifrjjose of getting fit ti lines If deponent sayeth not. The |x»ny usually finishes up a two round task under pressure.

Jt has been decided by the South Australian Jockey Chib that on every nomination paper the place where the horse has been trained shall l>e stated, it will not be a sufficient compliance with tills rule to use the word ••private,” or name of the trainer of the horse nominated, and any other equivalent, but the actual name of the trainer must be stated.

The King of the Belgians Is an id by the English paper " World *’ to have decided to exhibit his racing colours on the Belgian turf, and tu found a racing establishment of his own in imitation of his cousin. King Edward. It is at least certain that be is going to spend £MO,OOo in the laying out of a raccourse at I/ucken on the lines of Ascot. In glancing through the catalogue of the Missis Douglas' yearlings. 1 note that the game little marc Whaltiri, who ran ?ee- « nd to the champion Nelson in the Auckland (’up twice, and Racing Club Handicap once, also winning that event once, and second in the Wellington Cup, besides winning other litres, has produced no fewer than fourteen foals, in fifteen years', seven of which have been returned winners. Baltimore, who was entered for the A.R.C. Easter Handicap, ami treated to Sst., was not accepted for. as his owner was m t satisfied with the impost allotted. Not having started in a race and being now four years old. Mr Evett must have feared that he was something out of the ordinary t.o treat him to the weight he did. On P< digrcc lines Baltimore hits nothing special f« iccominend him. The A.R.C. starter and official measurer. Mr ('. O’Connor, is taking re-measurements of ponies on behalf of th- Auckland Rat ing < lul and certificates of measurement will be furnished. All ponies racing must be measured before the Easter meeting. Annoyed and Signal are the first that have been put under the standard since Mr O Ci ijm.ii s arrival. The Canterbury Jockey Club has decided io try the experiment of a five shilling totallsator on Easter Monday and Tuesday. The club has also under consideration the opining of a ’‘double event" totalfsator on I.h( (.'real Easter and Groat Autumn Handicaps. available to occupants of both enclosures. Money will bo returned lo investors if the winning double is not picked. on Wednesday a backer took l(»0 to 20 Wairiki for the Easter Handicap. and 100 Io 33 Wairiki for the Century Stakes,' from n local IsMikinaker. whw. on reading over the a<«i-ptunres for the Easter Handicap.* a.ud jearning that Achilles had not arrived with the other members of the Porlrua team. .■.. minded that the backer had a bit Hie best of the second wager at all events. At the same time he laid 50 to lu Achilles, CO to 5 Bulawayo, and 30 to 5 Starshoot. The most notable defe. tio’»« from the Easter Handicap at the A.R.C. Meeting are Achilles. Convoy. Exmoor and Gold Seal, of horses that were expected to come North. Few could have anticipated that Rod Gauntlet, Grand Rapids ami Buluwayo v.ouiil make the journey from Hie South Island: indeed their presum e in the acceptance list nt the C.J.C. Meeting prepared most people for their absence, from the Nrthern event. The "Spi rin’ f'oinniissimH r” of the London "Spoilsman” says that the late Sir J. Blundell Maple would long ago have attained io the height of bis ambition and won a Derby had tin management of later years been adopted earlier. The plan so often advocated by the writer named of giving th< stock complete change of air and pasture has worked wonders already, but too late to be of any practical good now except to the buyers of the Childwiek mares, foals, and yearlings that will come ni for sale next July.

Sportsmen must feel regret that we are not to see AchiHes at the A.lt.-C. Autumn Meeting owing, it is reported, to his having!} cont raided a cold at Wanganui from which he did not recover in time to be got ready for the trip North. To miss valuable welght-for-age or classic engagements is a serious matter. Good homos almost invariably receive plenty of weight in handicaps, ami Achilles in that respect has been highly estimated.

The "Referee” states that Mr Stead had intended sending a handicap horse to Auckland with Silkworm, who was engaged in the Great Northern Foal Stakes. The weights for the Easter Handicap did not appear in time in the South, and Mr Stead reluctantly abandoned the idea of sending any horses to Auckland. It appears that the handicaps published In Auckland on Monday morning were not published in Southern morning papers until Wednesday, and owners were waiting without knowing the reason for the delay.

In Hungarian studs a number of wellbred English stallions are doing duty at lbw fees. Janissary (sire of the Derby winner Jeddah) is about the most expensive, his fee being 42 guineas, but only KJ guinease each are asked for the services of The Rush, Piety, and Orwell, the latter being a brother in blood to Ormonde. Royal Lancer is the latest English addition to blood stork in Hungary, and he is at the Royal stud. Kisber. where his services will be available to Hungarian owners at 125 guineas, and foreign owners at 25 guineas.

Old Nelson, one of the hardest worked and hardest raced of our thoroughbreds, and one of our very best stayers and most Reflected sires, looks a different horse to the wreck he appeared when his old mentor Cutts got him, as a gift from Major George on leaving for England, and for whom he did such signal service. For years the old horse did not carry any flesh, but (’utts’ soon got him as sleek as a seal, and •he is a great favourite at Chokeboro Lodge. The dual Auckland Cup winner will be twenty four years old next spring, and will have a few more representatives on the turf in all probability later on, a? he was mated with a number of marcs la Kt season.

Our London correspondent writes: "Mr Spencer (Julian's Moifaa, which in the season 1900-1 won 11 races in New Zealand. including the Wanganui Steeplechase, and the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase, under a burden of 13s t. ran third in the Male Handicap Steeplechase, a two mile event, decided at Sandown Park last week. The field numbered a dozen, and Moifaa, which <arried 11.10, started at 10 to 1, led fer a mile, and then compounding rapidly in the boggy ground, was caught and passed by Azno (11.4), and Herd tens (12.4). the former winning by a neck, with the New Zealander four lengths off.”

Monoform is the name by which Sic Hotchkiss-Formo two-year-old colt is to be known. This colt is a good mover and has pace, and is sure to come to hand sooner or later, all- going well-with litm, but he is one of the sort that it should pay to give time to. Another colt by Hotchkiss that has not to be hurried is General Average, and he has already shown his ability to gallop. lie may run well during the coming meeting of the A.R.C., but should hps a useful colt next spring, and he and Monoform look as likely to furnish into Derby candidates as anything at Ellerslie just now. They are both in the Champagne Stakes to be decided on Saturday next.

The Phoebus Apollo—Musket Maid, the Phoebus Apollo —Hilda, and the Boult — Princess Alice colts, purchased by Mr T. Fenton, of West Australia, are to remain in New Zealand to fulfil New Zealand classic engegements, a piece of news which should be very pleasing to Aucklanders generally. The Musket Maid co't is not heavily engaged, or would have made more money at the sale that he did. He is a rare fine chap to look at, and so also the Hilda colt, and the Princess Alice colt is a level tMkvis- little fellow. The Hotchkiss—Lady Augusta, the Castor—Radiant, and the Phoebus Apollo—Chrysolite colts, all nice ones, are to be sent to West Australia after the Easter meeting here.

Contrary to traditions, the Arabs have do written pedigrees. Family connections of Arabian horses live In the memory of the owner only. Alleged pedigrees of Arabian horses represented as being carefully carried about In n leather bag hung around the animal's neck are pure Action, gotten up by horse dealers. The breeding of Arabian horses Is carefully preserved, however, and Is a matter of common knowledge among the natives, which renders it difficult for an owner to sport a false pedigree even If he rhould wish to do so. Some of the natives are not noted for their yeracity; they have been known to lie about the age of their horses, of their marvellous qualities, buL regard to pedigree they are straighter* than some published record? in more civilised countries.

A New York paper ha* it*that at some time during the latter part of the season, the St. Louis World's Fair people hope to bring together Lou Dillon, Dan Patch, and the horse that is recognised as the best racehorse of the year, if such a decision can be made. These three are wanted as special attractions for the autumn horse show that is to be a feature of the Exposition. There will be no opportunity to show speed, but the people will appreciate seeing Lou Dillon and Dan Patch in the show ring of the amphitheatre, even if there is no opportunity for them to be shown at faster than an ordinary road gait. The runner that will be sought to complete this exhibition of the champions of the three gaits is difficult to select nt this time. Last September there were about “ four greatest horses in America," and the same condition may exist next autumn.

The C.J.C. acceptances must be accounted very satisfactory. There are eighteen paul up for in the Great Easter Handicap and fifteen in the Great Autumn TTandicap. Fit and well. Field Battery and Lady Lillian would be a hard pair to beat on their side of the Easter Handicap, but Field Battery is unsound and Lady Lillian has done no racing for some time. Full Cry has recent form to recommend him. and cannot be written out. 1 opine that most danger may be looked for from those lower down than above him. Quarryman and Brave Heart. Grand Rapids and Bulawayo, should have winning chances, if dressed in their best, and the English-bred young three-year-old co’t Martian, in the Yaldburst stable, reads nicely treated for a beginner in both his engagements. Ruluwayo, Full Cry, Grand Rapids, and Bagpipes are those that may furnish the winner of the Autumn Handicap, so many of the others being stale, recently out of form, or up from enforced retirement.

In America in a discussion as to who was the champion three-year-old colt of that country last year, it was agreed that Dick Welles, the Western crack, was entitled to the palm because he started in fourteen races, was beaten once, and made a new world's record for a mile, 1.37 3-5. He did not rheefr Africander, Irish Lad, and Golden Maxim, consequently Eastern men are not willing to •concede the superiority of the son of King Eric: He won* eight times in fifteen starts, was second three times, third once, and -unplaced three times, carrying all kinds of weight and winning the Realisation at n mile and five furlongs and the Saratoga Cup at a mile and three-quarters. Irish Lad ran six times, winning three races and finishing second in each of the others. Savable defeated McChesney, but the race was rather a fluke. There were 230 three-year-olds who won last year, twenty-three of them capturing ten or more races. Irish Lad, Fiying Ship. Virgin Soli, Captain Buckle, and Reliable were never outside of the money.

Country stewards in some parts of this colony are often referred to by racegoers as groat sinners, but in iny experience they more often err through Ignorance of racing law and usages, than through a commonly accepted belief that they find It to their benefit to run the proverbial coach and four through the racing code. There is always a class who attend race meetings who are ready to put the worst possible construction on the action of racing officials, and there are here and there a few racing officials who will take war risks in order to make money by speculating and sitting in judgment in cases in which they

are monetarily interested, but the proportion of aueh men, It i« to be hoped, is small. The influence of men who do these things is exorcised very often to such an extent amongst those who know' little of racing that unfair decisions are come to, but on the whole even handed justice is aimed at by the majority of racing officials acting to the best of their light, up to the spirit and intention of the rules, and when they fail it is almost invariably. through want of knowledge, and h'Tj led away by tendered by intefested parties.

If Englishmen are not very careful and alert (says an exchange), they will eventually lose their prestige as the breeders of thoroughbred stock. Other countries are rapidly overhauling them. For years the French, German and Russian buyers have been outbidding them at the ringside. What is more, they will have to make some radical alterations in the management of their race meetings. A Home paper says: "When compared to racing in France, the expenses in England are enormous, and only the other day we were talking over the matter with Mr Frank Gardner, who used to keep a large racing stud at Foxhill, Wilts, and sold the entire lot at the Newmarket December sale of 1902. Although Mr Gardner had a very fair share of luck indeed on the English turf, and could not complain of not winning races, his balance was always on the wrong aide, and he never had one single wining year. In Fiance (Mr Gardner informed us) his expenses were not more than one-third of what they were in England, w’hlle the prizes were more substantial.”

Horse-owners, particularly along the West Coast of the North Island within Taranaki, Wanganui. Wellington, and Hawke's Buy iueiropviituu areas, iiaVc uu end of race meetings at which to engage their horses, and are besieged with requests for nominations, and it must be said respond most liberally. There are many, however, who think the time has arrived when clubs should only ask owners to nominate for first day events, leaving nominations to go in for the second day when acceptances are due for the first day handicaps. and they are thus given an opportunity of satisfying themselves as to the treatment their horses have received. The nomination fees for most races are light, but when an owner nominates for as many as two races per day, and he is not satisfied to go on after the appearance of the first day s weights, it comes heavy, and more especially to owners who have a number of horses nominated at a number of meetings at one time. Shortly put, owners complain that nominating horses for so many races is a heavy part of their expenditure, and that they are often unnecessarily taxed in this respect.

Much interest, as well as curiosity, Is being shown in the mode that will be adopted by the authorities in establishing the proposed G-overinment Stud to supply remounts. for the army (says a London writer). That it will be run on the same lines as those of France and Germany and other Continental concerns of the sort is mere than probable, but the difficulty will be in the commencement, as, from what ever side it is aproached, there are obstacles which would seem almost insurmountable. In the first place there are not a sufficient number of suitable mares in the country from which to breed anything like the supply of remounts that are required for the army. As a matter of fact, the United’ Kingdom has been drained of all the best breeding marcs by the foreigner, who loses no opportunity to outbid English buyers when any useful mares are in the market. He is to be seen at work amongst breeders of all denominations, and in all parts of the country. He attends all the big fairs and shows, and at the great exhibition at Dublin In August, where it is known the greater part of the exhibits are sent for sale, he is by far the largest buyer. It has been proved times out of number that it does not pay to attempt to breed horses for military purposes other than for officers’ chargers, and it Is only the misfits, namely, such animals as are not good enough for hunters or high-class harness horses, that eventually And their way into the army. Over these the breeder loses money, for the highest price given by the

Government for troop horses leaves no margin for profit after the animal has been kept till he fa five years old, before which age it is not fitted for any kind of hard work. The registration scheme, so far as it went, worked well when war was declared with South Africa, but the SUPP'V of horses was not anything like sufficient to meet the demand; it la probably due to the difficulties which were afterwards experienced in securing remounts that the War Office has awoke to the fact that something must be done to prevent a recurrence of the same in the future. It is sincerely to be hoped that whatever plan is adopted in the establishment of a stud it will be carried out In a practical way.

There are plenty of moderate hurdle horses in the country, but not many recent additions to the ranks that can be pointed to as anything out of the ordinary. Wo have nothing so good as Spalpeen In Auckland, and this young horse has no superior at his age in the colony, and Waiwera, Who has been racing longer than most of ear jumpers, has earned the distinction of being the best hurdle horse of the elder division at present in commission within its borders, and is probably as good to-day at ten years old in his sixth season as ever h“ was. These horses are thoroughbred ones, and no doubt there are other pedigreed horses that would do equally well if put to the jumping game. A good many that have come under my notice during the season would make fine nurdlc horses, but their owners find it more profitable to keep them to flat racing, for big huidle prizes are not numerous enough to tempt them to school their horses. In England and in France there are owners who pick out certain of their horses who do not run too generously on the flat, and while they are young subject them to an easy course of schooling over, hurdles, and by lacing them in hurdle events have found that it has improved them for flat racing. No doubt some of our racehorses would be al! the better for tuition of this kind. We have had instances In this colony of horses racing well on the flat, over hurdles, and across country, but mixing the tasks set horses is not to be recommended. A hoise requires different training for each particular business, and cannot at one period of his preparation be expected to be au fait at any two games or at all three. Marmont, who won the Australian Cup recently, is also a Giand National Hurdle winner. At the time he won the Grand National Hurdle Race he could not have won a race like the Australian Cup with the preparation ho received for the jumping race, nor could it be expected that he would have won a big hurdle race on the day following his Australian Cup victory with such a weight as would have been allotted him. Experience shows that when horses are wanted for paiticular lines of business they must be trained specially therefor, or to succeed in more than one line must receive a great advantage in weight for the particular race they have not been got ready especially for. A horse in condition to show his best form over huddles could not be expected, to show at his best on the flat, say on the following day, though good horses have been often known to run well.

I have been present at many enquiries upon what is termed inconsistent running. Protests under this head were tendered with persistent regularity a few years ago. and as often as three times in one day. The mere fact of an apparent inconsistency of form was quite enough for some people to put in a protest on, and many an unfortunate owner had the fruits of victory taken from him under the old order of things, simply because his horse had not shown the same form or something approaching it each time it had run. It was common, indeed, to have protests put In because horses that had run indifferently a week or two previously had come out and reversed "positions with other horses they had met. One never hears of such a thing new, aud Sir George Clifford’s ruling on the question of inconsistent running has put a stop to so many frivolous “off chance” protests, and there would be still fewer were every horse owner in the colony furnished with that ruling and asked to commit it to memory. Inconsistent running we shall always find since horses are not machines, and happeniugs in races in the riding and starting enter into account. Inconsistent running in the absence of proof of connivance thereat and conclusive evidence is not punishable, and should not be. At a recent enquiry, at which I happened to be present, an owner had protested against another owner's horse for inconsistency. He had no evidence whatever to offer but simply trusted to the stewards to act on the evidence of their own eyes. The protestor owned the horse that had run second. That horse and the winner had met over a shorter course earlier in the day, and the winner had then finished third, and the protestor’s horse sixth. The weights on each were practically the same each time. The protestor’s horse was closer to the horse protested against than in their first go, when lie was last almost throughout. The difference in the way the race was run and ridden brought about different results, but what most people were surprised at was to see the protestor’s horse finish in second place after ids backward position in his earlier engagement. Apropos of inconsistent running it seemed strange to read In the report of the Ohinomurl races that a protest entered on behalf of Corporal’s owner for Inconsistent running was lodged against Pnkehoa, the winner of the Walkino Welter Handicap, remembering that Corporal’s owner had only appealed against a decision given against him a week before for a similar thing.

Though there is just now a scarcity of good horses in commission for jumping •vents, we are within measurable distance Of the winter season, when we should see gome flat horses of promise being got ready for the chief jumping races of the colony, provided during the months of May, June, July, and August, and I |iave no doubt

Auckland wll contribute a fair propoitlon during the season. Cavaliero, not alto aether a past light, is working. The Wanganui and Taranaki districts will continue to send horses out from the hack ranks, and some that have been racing on the flat down that way look likely enough sorts to perform with credit later on over sticks, while fiom the back hurdle ranks we should see some useful ones. Further south there are horses in a number of right stables to receive education in the jumping line, and from the hunting fields In different parts of the colony we may expect a good many recruits for steeplechasing. Though nt present there are not many first-class hurdle or steeplechase horses racing, there is reason to anticipate that the winter season will provide us with fields well up to the average of previous years, both as to number and quality. Looking at the field engaged in the Brighton Hurdle Race, we find Spalpeen, our best huidle horse, handicapped at 12.11, a stiff impost, indeed, and giving away weight ranging from 17 lb to as much as 531 b To many 12.11 will read as a little short of a cruel weight for a four year old, and It Is about the first time such an impost was ever allotted in New Zealand to one of the same age over such a distance if my memory serves me. Some may Infer from this that our jumpers are not getting bettor, or that Spalpeen is an exceptional young horse. It is euiious to turn to the Easter Handicap and find one of the same age ns himself in Achilles set to concede him no less than 421 b. How would they both meet in a hurdle race? Achilles, on appearances, has more to recommend him than Spalpeen for jumping, yet a more perfect hurdler than Spalpeen would be hard to find. Given a nice course of schooling, what a smasher Achilles would probably make over the battens. No horse of such class was ever put to tlx game in this colony, yet I cannot recall such another hurdler as Record Reign either in this colony or out of it. Turning to the horses in preparation for the coming meeting at Ellerslie, there is not much to be said. Old Haydn continues to do fair work, and Up-to-Date is piobably on the improve. Princess of Thule is tic Ing good work at Gie Thames. Lady Raven is doing well. Aka Aka is* full of promise, but Vai Rosa is moving short. Hautapu and Mocassin have been racing lately, and they both look well, but the firstnamed has not been doing any schooling work. Lingard docs not appear to have improved at all since being put to the cross-country business, and is evidently not now as good as he was last winter. Ills halfbrother Hippowal, notwithstanding his wind trouble, has been doing better than ever before, but bdi success may be put down more to the inferiority of the class he has been opposed to than to super-excellence he may now be supposed to possess. He has been staying better lately than previously, and his jumping stands to him; but a good hurdler would present him with a liberal allowance in weight. Cannongate is going over more and more at the fetlock joints, and it is a wander he stands up so well. Khama has been blistered, and is an Improbable runner at the meeting.

Referring to the generosity of sportsmen. the Sydney “Town and Country Journal” has the following:—We are again reminded of the liberal spirit which finds a place In the breast of the sporting man. Knowing that the late popular secretary of tho Kensington Race Club, Mr I*. O'Mara, had not left his widow too well off in the way of worldly goods, the kindly spirit of the racing men is once more demonstrated. This time it is not the aristocrats of the turf, but the people who have to do with that branch, of the sport known as pony and galloway racing. Such heartiness and good fellowship have they thrown into the matter that, should the weather prove* fliie ou Wednesday, there is not the least doubt of the meeting being a great success. Now, this sort of thing stands out boldly when contrasted with the actions of those who are always railing against sport and sporting men. They never have a good word to sav for anyone who happens to partake of" a little pleasure, no matter in what class of sport, for they look and hold up their hands in holy horror at any and everything that comes under that heading. We do not, however, include in tills c’ass the good, honest churchman of any denomination, as amongst our best and straightest goers on the turf, players in the cricket field, athletes of all descriptions, and rowing men, we could name numbers who never miss their church duties, and live good and clean lives. Very few people have a good word for the bookmaker, yet we know that amongst those who have made a living in the past, and are doing so in the present, by the laying of the odds, are men who would scorn to do a mean or dishonest action. What is more, take them as a body, they are generous to a fault. In fact, we feel sure that we are making no boastful or untruthful statement when we say that in Sydney alone no body of people give away anything like the sum of money in a year to charity as do the bookmaking members of Tattersail’s Club. They do it. too, in a most unostentatious manner, no

looking to see their names blazoned forth in the columns of a newspaper, as do others. Take, for instance, one man a sporting man who lives by betting. This man supports a wife and big family, yet he cares for ami supports his aged mother in a style ami manner which reflects the greatest credit upon him. Such cannot be said of many who talk loudest against sport aud sportsmen. It is not very long since there was held In Sydney a meeting of ladies for the purpose of raising sufficient money to endow a bed in one of our hospitals. A Randwick trainer happened to be Mayor of a suburban borough. Ills daughter attended at the meeting. At home that evening she explained to her father what was required—£looo in a lump sum or £BO per year. The father threw out the hint that If the daughter wrote to the wife of one of bls patrons—a leading racing man—that she might assist hi the matter. The daughter did so, and the result—a cheque for £lOOO. Now comes

the question, do we ever hear of such kindly acts and assistance being done by those who profess to be so much better than the followers of sport? No; and, what is more, when they do fail, and are in want of assistance, It is invariably the sporting man who comes to their rescue, for he does not discriminate as to whom he should assist. A fellow creature is in want, his hand goes into his pocket, and comes out well filled. It Is given with a kindly heart, and when all is reckoned up, wo feel sure that the kindly acts and charitable deeds of the sporting man far out-weigh those of which he is adjudged guilty of by antigamblers and their friends.

The cable received on .Saturday announcing itbat Mr. S. 11. Gollan’s New Zealandbred gelding Moifaa had won the Liverpool Grand National is about the most welcome item of sporting information that has ever reached this colony from the f)ld Land, and I venture to say that it will be received alike with feelings of satisfaction by sportsmen throughout our sister colonies as well as In New’ Zealand, and by all admirers of a plucky owner—indeed, all Britishers will accord Mr. Gollau hearty congratulations at the success his horse has achieved, for no victory of a colonial owner ou British soil could have been more thoroughly deserved than that which has come his way. Bent on trying to win the greatest jumping race on earth, the New Zealand owner, with the greatest confidence In New Zealand horses, made many purchases in this colony in order to try and secure one with which to accomplish his object. and i»t is believed that his secret ambition was not only to own a Liverpool Grand National winner, but to ride one himself. Norton good, honest, weightcarrying, big fencing Norton was the first with which he essayed the task. James Hickey, a New Zealand horseman —now Mr. Golkrn’s head trainer in England—being Norton’s pilot. Norton was a good horse in this colony, a reliable conveyance over big fences, but probably not an out-and-out stayer, and, moreover, was somewhat delicate to train, and though ho won steeplechases in England, was probably never seen qutie to the same advantage as In Nev/ Zealand. It is not improbable that under more reasonable Imposts, horses of Norton’s class would bo good enough to win Grand Nationals occasionally. Moifaa wns a comparatively young and unseasoned horse when he left this colony, but had demonstrated that he was a eu«t above the ordinary, though there is no doubt whatever that we have had a number of horses that performed better than he had done before he was taken to England, and we have bad many that, were just as capable, if not more so, of worthily upholding the name of New Zealand. It is not my object here to make comparisons, but to heartily congratulate Mr. Golfan aud Mickey, his trainer, Moil'aa’s rider, aud all concerned in the great achievement, which in its import a nee dwarfs into insignificance the deeds of Australian Star, Seahorse 11., ami other horses Mr. Golla.ii has raced at Home. To win tho Derby is an achievement of the highest order, but in the opinion of a multitude of people winning the great Jirmping blue riband is an event which is second to none other, and. whereas since the day when the Frenchbred Gladiateur broke the spell of British supremacy on the tnrf, by carrying off tho Derby, and owners and horses from other parts of the world have succeeded in win ning that race, no horse bred outside of England has won tho big coveted crosscountry race. Colonial-bred hoixses have been set the task from time to time, but none ever succeeded until the Maorilandor Moifaa triumphed on Friday, so that New Zealand has special cause to rejoice. Moifaa’s New Zealand performances include winning the Great Northern Steeplechase. Wanganui Steeplechase, Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, and other events. Moifaa’s breeding is obscure in the back lines, but lie comes of fine stock. Nalator, his sire, produced no end of winners of flat, hurdle and steeplechase events, and so also did bis grandsire, Traducer. His dam. Denbigh, was a game, good performer over hurdles and between the flags herself, and was one of the many excellent jumping daughters the Marquis horse. Painter, left during his all-too-short stud career. Natural jumpers wore the Painter’s gets, ami rare stayers, and the pages of tho Turf Register testify to the deeds of horses possessing his blood. Denbigh’s dam, a nice mare, was got by Nut with, a son of Sir Hercules and Flora Mr Ivor. who gave the turf in New Zealand many wiry, game horses with good legs, and there is no reason to believe that the Nut with mare which Moifaa claims as a maternal ancestress was of thoroughbred origin. Many of Nutators’ gets were big. plain horses, indeed, his son Traducer left horses with lots of bone and substance, combined with size, some of them quite as big as Moifaa, whose dam Denbigh was a mare of medium size, as also her dam. Moifaa has demonstrated what a good big one can do over a succession of big obstacles that take

a lot of jumping Mr A. milngham Moifaa during his career in bis New Zealand, and sold him to Mr. De Peleebet, acting on behalf of Mr Gollau. for 50Q guineas aud contingencies Mr. Eiling ham, brother <to Mr. A. Kliinghain. bred him. and Denbigh was bred near Wanga nui, where Norton. Mr. Goltaa's prevloue representative, was raised. Amougtit other horses Mr. Gotten had from this colony in England may bo uieiitioned The Possible, Sternehoser (a brother to Norton), Waiuku. Opae, Torlki. Seahorse 11.. ami others, including Australian Star from Australia, but though only successful with the two last named to any extent and Norton previously, the win of Moifaa would be the crowning oue of this plucky sportsiiran s successes. Now that Hie special committee of tho Wellington Racing Club have dismissed the claim of Mr Walter Young, owner of Convoy, to the stakes won by Gladsome at their January meeting in the We lington Cup and Racing Club Handicaps, comment can fairly be indulged, as it is improbnlde that Mr Young will seek to take the case to appeal. A good deal has already been written on the subject, and opinions were freely expressed in the papers while the matter was sub judice. Most of my readers are aware that Mr Young based bis claim upon the fact Unit Jones, who rod* Gladsome, had no Hcciise. ami relied upon the rules of racing am the point bearing upon training aud ruling without license in support <’i bis clu’ni. With tin* ruhs of racing only a small proportion of followers of t.-e pastime arc iam.r.ar. out that they wore framed for the proper .viihirt of the sport, far the guidance alike those *outroiliug It ami thsse racing tor plcasur-* »r profit, so that even-hand • i justice might bo d«»no to all participants, na >n“ can gtin say who has taken the trouble to read them. That cases not provided for in these rub's are • nnlomulal ‘d is •lear. and n special ru e t mpowers stewards »r corn miltees to determine <uch cases to the best of their judgment. in determining th* claim ftf Mr Young, the commit tec set up t<» deal with the facts would first have t<> decide whether the ease was providt il for under the rules, and then interpret tin* rules as to lheir intention limkr rub* 143. section 1, it is provided that only luild rs of jockeys and appr e.tiers’ licenses <>:ill !»•< qualified to ride. Jones, an apprentice, bn I not applied for am! rec* ived a lic-'iise, aud was therefore not qualified to rub*. ilo did ride, however. \Vh'U’r ■oau's the penalty for so doing? What rule provides Rule 1-1.3, s ctiou vii, reads: Any dwiun- or trainer who shall knowingly employ in unlicensed jockey, or any train-r wlio shall train or take any part in training, with out a license, sha I be fined a sum not exceeding £2O, and any horse so train *d »r ridden in n race shall ’>• distanced.” No mention is here made of apprentice. s<» that no penalty whatever is actually provid'd for employing an unlicensed apprentice Al.owh’.g, however, that for th? word j«»- - key (for an amateur or a gentleman rider inigUt have been in J mes’ pbu < > the word rider had been substHui d. then th'- ex trerne penalty for employing uch tiller I.< fixed at £2O, aud tin* \|»: d a in-lug >f th • hors? ridden. Now. how -cul l such a <»n struction lie pl-ucd upon this s‘<tiou of th* lire, as to determine th l committee in d - priving Gimlsonie's owner of the races'slu' won. For knowingly employing jockey or trainer who is whlnuit Hcerse. a fine’ not exceeding £2O but f>r employing i well known registered ippr.-m we, without a black mark against him. and the taking ont of whose license was a in re oversight, to cost an owner some humireds of pounds sterling, would !>•• far from the spirit and intention of racing rules, oqult/, and good eonsrienre; but even reading or conslru lug the rules in th ii- strictest seime, it would bav“ been required to be fu’.ly vs tablished that Mr Ri'id hail employed someone he knew io he without a prop w qualification before pen ill.-iug him. Only persons with little sense >f responsibility, or thus? prepared to take wir risks, do such things, 'ihe next Racing <’infer'tn e. we may take it all the same, will see some material alteratums made in the wording of the rules, for they ar.* not s.» complete as even those who **inlenvuur Io make them selves conversant with them find o»is? of Interpretation. This is b. ing found our every year, and many cases it mn.v In* sai I have stijj to be provided for. One I tn ay mention here that 1 quite expected would be dealt with at the last conference, 't here is a rule bearing on Ihe hack definition. When n horse lias won a race of the value of SOsovs, bls hack status Is gone. Now. when two liorses run a dead heat, aw! divide a stake of loOsovs, both arc deemed winners for penalty purposes, but there is nothing to determine why both slum! I or should not be deemed winners for the purpose of estimating their position in the matter of winnings, vide rule 44. Th - actual amount r-oeiveti or payable to each should be the basis to work on.

AUCKLAND R.C. II ANDI CAPS. (By Keptater.) The long-d* ’ayrd weights fur the Easter Handicap made their appearance last Monday', and the handicap as a whole has Lorn favourably commented on. With Achilles engaged there was no denbt wftnt wonld be !<•!» weight, and in awarding hnn 1<».7, or 21b leas than the impest given him by Mr H« nrys in the C.J.t . Easter Handicap, übkh is a furlong shorter, Mr Evitt has given him a good winning chance. Walriki within filbs of Achilles is about in bis right place, but I think that he will be letter suited over a bit mere distance. Convoy. 9.1, Mr Evitt p.ssrsscs s’hs higher than Mr llcnrys. and I think hr could have let him off with a few pounds less. Rod Gauntlet is nicely treated, but I clot* l expe» t him to make tn. journey. Mr Evitt Is evidently determined not to throw away a <banco with Grand Rapids, nnd in awarding him 8.8 has Heated him harshly. Ho differs to the ext< nt of bibs with Mr Ilenrys’, who has seen him perform. Mr Evitt may have private information regarding this horse, as ho is .rrta’aly nfit handicapping I ini on his public form. I expect him to drop out. Romeo. S.G. Is one of the picks of the handicap. ar.d has already been well supported in doubles. Exmoor, on some of his form, nnd Star.sheet, on hi- recent running. are also favourably treated, and should the former b«> preferred to his stable-mate Achilles will take a lot of heating. Gold S<l has been given a live racing weight, and wli! proba’ly run well, bur Jewellery, 7.10, Las been given a few pounds more than expect' d tin* last time Mr Evett handicapped Jewellery and Romeo over a mile and a half, lie gave Romeo 3.12, and Jewellery C.ll. a difference of 201bs. Romeo did not start, ar.d Jewellery won. Now he has only made a difference of lOlbs over a course that will be lucre to Romeo s liking. On paper. Romeo must hold h: r safe*. Waipuna is a badly treated horse. Mr Evitt handicapped him at Wanganui, whore he awarded him 7st in a mile race amongst the second raters. Waipuna was a non-starter. Now ho has jumped him up 91b in a first-class field. Waipuna will be a non-starter. Mr Evitt has evidently little fancy for Buluwnyo, and has given him a great chance in lotting him off with 7 9. if his owner f-. him up ho will take a power of heating. Ho is very leniently- treated. Ihitlv and Numa have r.et been crushed, and the rest of the pair mr.y inn well. Austerlitz 7 7, Is one who is being whispered about as likely to supply the winner. Certainly she has nothing to complain < f on the score of weight. Scotty am! M- rsltall Soult are also nicely placed. Init Annoyed has Loon mads to pay the penally of ’ her recoct wins. She has a nice <banco with Buluwavo at a difference of 31bs. I have no fancy for any <f the others lower down the list.*with the exception of De’ania, who must he given a good outside chance. To sum the matter up I expect to see Hip winner come from Dresner's selector, Romeo, Buluwavo or Austerlitz. * a In tho Brighton Hurdle Race. Princess- of Thule and Up-to-Datc seem to be the most leniently treated. THAMES JO KEY <’ t s B AUTUMN meeting. The went b? r w.;s perfect for the Thames *? Ut r.T n and the course was In splendid order. There wr.s a good atlendam e of the public. a number of visitors being presour tTm.n Auckland ami the ub conntiy di-t:ri. t<■.. M v W . bhirton offit inted as judyo. The starting of Mr O’Coun«r was cart led <ct in that gentleman’s usual stylo, and was a revelation to tho loi-ai ilt handicapping of Mr J. had wick produ- cd seme good finishes, notably In th-- flnllwi’v Handicap, where only c .1 the place il horses. I nt- meeting was well managed l.v tin officials. headed by th:- Secretary. Mr \v. |*. T 11 ?’ !U;,i ' ; s successful from every point VI view. Speculation was fairly brisk the Mint of £l|.- t being r .-., S od'tliroiiab the "’>• lunes in JO tic kets, an Increase on last year’s total of £412 Proceedings opened with tho Maiden 1 hit--, the six acceptors on tin- eflTil going !*’ i'fi'lg made f; vvuiite. Hen 1.1.-tlr was fir t prominent. and was in flout till well Into the strnt'jni, when tho favourite put in his c laim, ami soon having Hen Blairs u.i.-asut-e. went on and won lev two lengths from 8,-n Blah-, win. was a length In front of Be Bean. 'riiorc were two withdrawnb- from the Hurdle Raev, leaving a field of four to fare the star Hr. Ilij.powal on his running <f late was made an <rdds on fawurlte Mocassin wns resi t.nsiL’n f or th. j-. nlw u till catering th.' st-nlrbt. where the favourite got alongside of him. and finishing under punishment. won bv n icnctb nod n-’riif. Vanquish was a furlong away third. Kmanui the other starter, ran u£f at tbc fi’.t hind Ic. A foil of five saw the pnsf for the l.jg rwnt . f the day. th. Mln. rs’ I’nior ii nd!enp. Z ilieka being pi. hod «.nt the m-st HI * Iv to store, with Jack Brown next in drrinnd Th<> f.<LI wire dispatched t.. an ev.-n start, the colours of Jac k Brown wr»o fiist or« ininr'.t, and he showed the wav out of the straight just elenr of N< teorlni nn<! Gic.v Si alon. As they turned fnr home. Jack Brown was still in commnr.d. nnd although « hnllengcd In the run home by Grey Senton. lasted h.ng enough to win by n length nnd n half. Mali innt nhnrnki'ko. who came very fast in th. last couple < f f ••longs, wns the snr o distance away third, Nvteorini fourth, and the favourite last. Five was ngnhi tho field fnr the Pcnv Handicap. Little Mabel having ninat suppoi t«'rs. After Sentinel had been hidulffod In the lead for about five fuilongs, Ftepi.vy

took charge, and holding his advantage In the run lu the post, rvuu u good race by u length. A prute«L Iw iiKrouaisteut ruaukig Wiib disuiihTseu.

Five runners lined up for the Steeplechase, Hjrias was the only one backed with any spirit. I‘lppo was In the lead for the first inllo, where he retired beaten, and Hylr.s getting to the front cleared out from the field and had no difficulty lu winning easily at the finish by 20 lengths from Dingo, who was kept a long way out of it in the early singes of the race, but put hi a great run at the end oi’ it. The Fuiiack was third 50 yards behind Dingo. Star broke a blood vessel in tho early part of the race and was pulled up. The Railway Handicap only at traded a field i f fev.r. Anchorite being made favourite. Tho favourite was the first to shew prominently, and led till a furlong from home, where Jack Brown and Le Beau both put In a strong challenge, and a desperate finish re? -.lited in Anchorite winning by a head from Jack Brown, who was a similar distance In front of Le Beau. Grey Seaton ran inside a post and was pulled up. WakaLlki was made favourite in a field of five moderates who lined up for the Hack Handicap. Minna was first on her feet, ami was never headed, winning at the finish by a length from Wakahikl, who was under pressure the whole journey. The meeting was brought to a close with tho Final Handicap, for which seven, the largest field of the day, went to the post. Geologist was made a slightly better favourite than Anchorite. Vulpine and Ben Blair wore also well l.acked. Mr O’Comjor dispatched the field to an excellent start, the whole seven running abreast for a couple of chains, when Anchorite showed out and was first Into the straight, and holding her own in the run home, won by throe lengths from Noteorini, who was a length in front of Ben Blair, the rest of the runners close. l up. • • • AVGKLAND RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING. ACCEPTANCES.

THE HANDICAPS. The following weights have been declared by Mr Evett for the minor events of the lirst day's racing:— TRADESMEN'S HANDICAP of lOOsovs, one mile and a quarter.

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB’S AUTUMN MBETING. ACCEPTANCES FOR THE I'RINtTPAL EVENTS. The following acceptances were ported to-night In connection with the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting:— GREAT EASTER HANDICAP. Seven furlongs.

Buluwayo ... 7 12 The following handicaps have been declared by Mr Heurys for the minor events at the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting:— Kildare Hurdles: Scottish Minstrel 11.5, Slow Toni 11.3, Hukn 11.3, Catherine Gordon 10.9, Boiler 10.9. Levant 10.9, Zealous 10.7, Dr. Bill 9.0, Phaetonitls 9.0. Epsom Welter: Welbeck 11.3, Ostiak 11.0, Blazer 10.10, Kremlin 10 3, Clanburn 9.9, Blackstone 9.6, Count Kolmar 9.5, Djin Djin 9.3. Nell GwynneB.l3, Ragabrash 8.13, Royal Crown 8.7, Happy Home 8.7. Cerise and Blue 8.5, Natalie 8.0, Bill Perkins 8.0, Antigone 8.0, Blndcrbuss 8.0. Russley Plate: Malakoff 8.13, Rublg 8.10, Lady Ly oners 8.8. Tapuwal 8.8, Signalman 7.10. Quickfire 6.7, Blyth Maid 6.7, Somaroff 6.7. Sockburn Handicap: Bagpipes 8.13. De La Rey 8.11, Blazer 8.9, Terrapin 8.3, Secret Society 7.7. Clanburn 7.7, Stepdancer 7.7, Sychem 7.7, Scottish Minstrel 6.10, Narcissus 6.7, Speculation 6.7. • • • FIELD 1 NG ACCEPTANCES. The Fielding Easter meeting acceptances ar© as follows:— Ranfurly Handicap, six furlongs.—Westguard 8.11, Black Reynard 8.10, Ballarat 8.2, Lass o’Cowrie 8.2, Reb.ua 7.3, Merope 7.2, Mussel 6.9, Rustique 6.7. Kawakawa Hurdles, two miles.—Walwera 12.13, Killarney 11.0, Tupara 10.11, Beau Ideal 10.9, Otairi 10.8. Sabreur 10.6, Midia 10.5, Merry Boy 9.10, Mourner 9.5. Taonui Hack Hurdles, ij miles.—Pharos 11.9, Lissa 11.7. Miss King 11. G, The Gnesser 10.3, Pushful 10.0, Lurcher 9.11, Toledo 9.6. Fellding Cup, miles.—Convoy 9.8, Shrapnel 8.9, Hinetaiira 8.8. Fleka 8.8, Tirol© 8.2, Melodeon 8.12. Armistice 7.3, Heroism 7.2, Cyrus 6.13, Asteroid 6.12, Hydrant 6.11, Tercelot 6.10. Onepnhi Hack Welter, one mile. —Kai Potipeti (late Croupier) 9.13. Waipawa.9.B, Tomairangi 9 3. Ngatarua 8.9, Rouble 8.8, Waiplpi 8.5. Kangaroo 8.3, Furneaux 8.0, Florio 8.0, Ropv 8.0, Highland Noll 8.0, Gold Trip 8.0. Haltrombe Welter, one mile.— Halberdier 10.0, Dexteiity 9.10, Asteroid 9.1. Handsome Rose 8.9, Perfection 8.8., Sou it inn 8.8. Rehna 8.7, Benefactor 8.2. Roseshoot 8.0. St. Alba 8.0, Louisa 8.0, Hokio 8.0, Glory 8.0. • • • ELLERSLIE TRAINING NOTES. ELLERSLIE, Saturday. The course porper, outside the hurdles, was open at Ellerslie this morning, and trainers took advantage of it to sena their charges along. Cauuougate was first out, but was net asked to make time. Tc Arolia had the best of the lioichkissrForuio colt at the end of five furlongs, run in 1-9. Kamo and Rosesiiiei.t finished together over four furlongs in 54. Baltimore finished two lengths iu front of Yolette at the finish of seven furiougs, run iu 1.35. Numa and Kopa were associated over a mile, Lua ha assisting over the last four last four furlongs*. the distance being covered iu 1.5 ‘J. I p-to-lhrte and Ake Ake were net ridden out over a mile run in 2ruin, Ilohoro, with Solo as a companion, ran a strong six furlongs in Lt. Olga easily beat Bonoiniana over five furlongs in 1.9. Delaine and Bonficur finished in front of Scotty at th ■ end of a mile, the lest 7 furlongs being run in 1.35 Annoyed alone with a light weight up ran a n;he in 1.49, tire last gallop of the morning. Bother skipped over five furlongs in I.B£. Bean Seaton easily held Portland Lass nt the end of five furlongs In 1.7 3 5. Love Link alone, ran four furlongs in 55. Muthema had Eoutfish as a companion over six furlongs, the last live run in 1.10. Wairikl with Galnsford up, and Romeo with th© light weight Cotton in the saddle broke away at the mil© post, and kept company for about six furlongs, when Romeo had his companion In trouble, and finished up the mile with a good hold In 1.50 3-5, brating Wairikl by about five lengths. It was u good gallop. Wairikl wa» coucedlng Romeo about 3 stone, and seemed to loaf a bit in the end. Manoeuvre bad a little the best of General Average and Dunmore over five furlongs In 1.0. The ponies Signal and Garnet took 1.27 J to run six furlongs. Whawhal ran seven furlongs in 1.41. Souit Maid and the Heaton Delavftl colt ran four furlongs, from a standing start in 55 the colt having a lot the best of It. Jewellery with M. Ryan up ran seveu furlongs

longs In 1.21 J. Seatonla alone on the Inalone In 1.3&4. Woodmost shaped fairly well over six furlongs in 1.25. Gid Mara, assisted by The Needle, over the last part ran a round in lhe Tan in 1.57 1-5. Waikato spurted four furlongs lu 53|. Avalanche, Eureka, Cavahero, Lady Hume, Hadya, Lady Anufe, White Kose, were also out, aud performed useful tasks*. Vrl Rosa aud Lady Raven were given a round of the schooling hurdles, Vai Itc«a jumping well. After breakfast Lady Bobs ran lour furlongs In 524 Sonoma and Crcssy finished together over s'x furlongs in 1.23. Mary Seaten alone ran live furlongs in 1.8, Sally Horner takiag 2secs. longer for the tunic distance. Mauku was too good for Lady Norah over six furlongs In 1.21 J. Sealcnia a’oue on the iuslae grass track ran six furlongs in 1.16. A number of others were out, but only performed light exercise. • RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. A sharp frost and fog were experienced this morning. Work commenced at a quarter past five, Treadmill covering once round the plough at Ihree-quarter pace. Cannle Chiel easily beat Brave Heart over seven furlongs. Ragabrash finished four lengths ahead of Djin-Djin over seven furlongs on the plough In 1.33 4-5. Quarryireni covered the same distance in 1.34?, not fully extended. Signalman held Tessera safe over five furlongs on the grass, with flying start, In 1.4. Stepdancer, with a light web lit up. covered a mile and a quarter on the plough In 2.161 by herself. Stronghold gave Chrysels weight and a boating over five furlongs on the grass. Nell Gwynne wont three-quarter pace work. Summer Rose, Antigone arid Cerise and Blue were associated In a mile on the grass. Antigone finished two lengths ahead In 1.47 3-5. Zetland went five furlongs on the grass, the f :r in 51sec. Zealous easily I>eat Malakoff over half a mile ou the grass. Delarey started off at the seven-furlongs’ post. I.olah picking him up at six. The pair finished together. It was a g-oed working gallop. Welbeck went a mile on the plough in 1.46 i. the last seven In Lsdy Lillian joined in between the six and furlongs’ post, and the pair finished abreast, though Lady Li’iim was going best. KreraHn, carrying nearly nine stone, beat Petrovna (6.7) over five furlongs from a standing start, on the grass in 1.3|. This was the best gal’op yet dene. Secret Society covered a mile at three-quarter pace. Clanburn was tc»o good for over half a mile on the plough. Pill Perkins, ridden out six furlongs on the plough took 1.20 1-5.

EASTER HANDICAP of 65OSOVS. One st. lb. Wairiki .... mile. st. lb. Madrigal ... . 10 7 7 Romeo .... . 8 6 Float 7 Starshoot .. . 8 Austerlitz .. 7 7 Ghoorka . .. . 8 3 Annoyed .... 7 6 Miss Lettie. . 8 •> Durable ..... 7 0 Regulation 8 1 Mato fj 12 Geordie . ... . 8 0 Delania ..... 6 1’2 Jewellery 7 10 Wellcast .... 6 7 rut tv 7 8 Lady Annie 6 7 Numa . 7 8 Te Arolia .. 6 7 BRIGHTON HURDLE RACE of lOOsovS. Two miles. st. lb. st. lb. Haydn 11 7 Prin. of Thule 10 8 Cannongate 11 7 Aka Aka .... 10 2 llippowal .. . *O 11 Vai Rosa .... . . 9 10 Fp-tc-Dnte 19 9 Lingard 9 0 Hautapu ... . 10 8 Mocassin .... 9 0-

St lb. st. lb. Dolores J» 2 Yolettc 7 G Putt J 8 12 J da Sir 7 2 Idris 8 12 .Jack Brown. T O Mars 8 1U Bonheur (i 1 Austerlitz ... 8 3 Lady llune. mi Maio Matamatahura12 Fian. Lovejoy Sou Irtish G 10 G 10 keke i 11 Wellcast ... 6 10 ONSLOW STAKES of lOOsovs. furlongs. st. lb. Five st. lb. Gladstone ... <» The Error.... 8 0 Dunmoie .. X •* Akaraita .... 7 11 Eureka 8 1 ovelink .... 7 G Gen. Average 8 o Elspeth 7 0 Portland Lass 8 0 Carburet .... 6 12 Celerity 8 0 Stromuess ... C 10 1*0NY HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Seven furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Anneved IO 8 Whawhai 7 8 Avalanche 10 Lady Lottie. 7 7 < Irange BInc • ) Shrewsbury 7 G Ssniii»n::i 9 It Solitary . . . .. 7 G Forth 8 r. Ma noon vie .. 7 0 Girton Girl... 8 o Stockbridge 7 0 Gladys Rose 4 11 Little Mabel 6 10 EDEN 11 AN •I< AP of lOOsovs. Seven urlongs. lb. st. lb. Kopnlation •» . > Avalanche 7 11 1 I- L<> i T < ) 4 i’e Aroha... Put IV X 12 Lady. llune..« 7 G S< • i <» 8 1'' Crecy 7 f > Madiiral .... 8 ‘J Waikato .... 7 G Hai tai ’1 .... a S .. Le Beau .... v r» 8 Woodmount 7 4 Delania 8 - Lady Annie 7 0 TRAMWAY II AN I )1< ’ AP of lOOsovs. furlongs. st. lb. Five St. It). H<*horo 10 4 7’o Aroha ... 7 8 Numa '» r. Black & Gold 7 7 Austerlitz ... J) ( I Crecy 7 G Marshal Sou It 8 Paratulu ... 7 G Solo ...» 8 11 Lady Rose... 7 5 Kamo 8 10 Rose Madder 7 3 Bother 8 Ben Biair .. 7 0 Millie R 7 Bonomiana .. 6 12 Ft. Olpn 8 0 Seatonin .... G 10 Nowtown .... 7 9 Geologist ... G 10 Lady Bubs . • 7 0 Seabird C 10 Tukapa •.» Mmy Seaton « 0 Cygnet 1 8 Merry Sou It 0 7

st. lb. st. lb. Red Gauntlet 9 6 Quarry man .. 8 0 Lady Lilian.. 8 11 Canute Cbiel. 8 0 Vladimir .... 8 JO Grand Rapids 8 0 Pampero ..«« 8 9 Bulawayo ... 7 11 Canteen . 8 8 Kremlin .... 7 10 Welbeck .... 8 6 Martian .... 7 4 Petrovna .... 8 4 Brave Heart.. 6 12 Full Cry .... 8 3 Lolah 6 7 Field Battery 8 3 Sychem 6 7 GREAT AUTUMN HANDICAP. One mile and a half. st lb. Ft. lb. Canteen 8 12 Fr»l! Crv ..... 7 7 Red Gauntlet 8 10 Bagpipes .... 7 7 Pampero .... 8 10 De la Rey . .. 7 2 Welbeck .... 8 7 Blazer 6 12 Cannle Obiel 8 1 Martian 6 11 Field Battery 8 0 Rvobem 0 1 Grand Rapids 8 0 Stepdancer .. 6 1