TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXI, 21 May 1904, Page 17

TURF NOTES.

Iladyn is doing good solid work at Ellerslie. Monoforn, the high priced colt, is doing useful work at Ellerslie. Cannongate has made his re appearance on the track at Ellerslie. Soultflsh has been transferred from C. Coleman’s to T. Cotton’s charge. Geordie is reported to be showing improved form on the Takapuna tracks. The totalisator turnover at the Egmont meeting fell short of last year’s by £1321. Revealer is doing some good schooling work at Ellerslie. The double Up-to-Date and Cannongate was backed last Friday for £I3CV. Haydn and Delanla are to be taken to Wanganui to fulfil their engagements there. H. Cotter has a nice cut of o, hunter, half brother to Huku, by St. Ives, in work at Ellerslie. The pony by Soult—Bit o’ Fashion. In Tozer's stable, is to be called Fashionable. Street betting is to be put down in Stratford if the local borough council can accomplish the object. Annoyed, who has been treated to a short spell, has made her re-appearance on the training tracks at Ellerslie. Kakino jumped a few of the steeplechase .fences at Ellerslie during the week. She is improving in her jumping. A strong commission was worked each day in Wellington on Rose Petal in the races she won at Marlborough. The Soult—Musket maid filly In Frank MacManemin’s stable has been named Lvcla. Ringman, who was recently purchased by an Otago racing man, has begun work at Wingatul. Merry Soult is striding along in good style at Ellerslie, and may run well at Takapuna. Flower of Gold was given a turn over the steeplechase fences on Thursday afternoon, jumping well. Dolores is looking well and may be worth watching in some of the welters at the A.R.C. winter meeting. Glenelg and his half-sister, Fate, by Stepnlak, have changed hands in the South during the past few days. Unless something unforeseen occurs, Aka Aka is to be shipped South next week to fulfil his Wanganui engagements. Inquiries have been made from the South for Waiwera and Eclair for the Wanganui double, but no business resulted. Crcspin and Papatu word taken to the Shore last Saturday, to be given n turn over the Takapuna steeplechase country. Mr W. Kelso’s Fuselphone was offered for sale for 25 guineas just before he won the Warwick Farm Hurdle Race. Grand Rapids, Full Cry, and Lady Lillian have all been backed for the New Zealand Cup during the last week. Mr J. Cameron 1# his starting nt Egmont was said to an fatt. A pony called Pupa broke the barrier so often in one race that the start had to be made without him. Pupil is a live year old by Lnkeshell from Auterina, and Is sinatt but erratic.

Princess of Thule, Kurauui and Stockman were brought up from the Thames on Monday evening, and are located at the Shore.

V. Cotton, the successful Auckland light weight, left last week to fulfil riding engagements at the Ashburton Racing Club’s meting.

Last Wednesday Hipstone, after jumping one of the schooling hurdles, jumped the double and sod wall. He fenced in good style.

Flower of Gold. Lady Raven, and Cavalry were schooled over the small hurdles at Ellerslie during the week. The trio shaped fairly well.

John Rae had a number of his young charges at the opening meet of the Hunt Club on Saturday week, getting them accustomed to the crowd.

Solution, who won the Nursery Handicap on the opening any of the Hawke’s Bay winter meeting, makes the Goth winner sired by Soult.

Slow Tom was schooled over big fences at Riccartou the other morning, and fenced capitally. A. Hall will ride him in his Auckland engagements.

Lady Bell, who claims engagements nt both the Taka puna and A.11.v. winter meetings. was brought from the South yesterday morning by the Rarawa.

The hack races Introduced by the Dunedin Jockey Club in place of the disposal events have led to an increased entry at the coming winter meeting.

Lady Bobs, Woodmount, and Jewellery were brought back for the South last week by the Rarawa. They look a bit light after their trip.

An effort is to be made to get another race out of Cordon Rouge, and he is now an inmate of K. Heaton’s stables. He is still owned by Mr T. W. Armitage.

Fox, who lias joined C. Weal’s stable was given a turn over the schooling hard les at Ellerslie last Thursday morning and shaped fairly well for a beginner.

Cavalry and Fox were schooled over the small hurdles last Saturday. Cavalry fell at the second obstacle, but was remounted and jumped the rest in good style.

A colt by Wilmington (the American trotting sire owned by Mr A. R. Harris), bred by Mr Kelly, of Papatoitoi, was recently sold for 200 guineas to an Opotiki resident.

F. Rhodes is expected to arrive from Gisborne on Sunday morning with Roseplot and Mangamabaki. Boxes have been engaged for the pair at C. Warren’s, Ellerslie.

Much sympathy is felt in Christchurch for Mr. J. B. Reid over losing the stakes won by Gladsome. He is such a good sportsman that it is felt he deserves better luck.

The Messrs Friedlander have changed their intentions regarding the offering or their horses for sale at Christchurch, and the whole of them will be put up in Auckland, early in-June.

Splendid acceptances have been received for the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeples. Twenty-one have paid up for each race. The entries on the whole for the minor events are also very satisfactory.

As evidence that the Messrs Friedlander are determined to retire from racing, they have released their jodkey, J. Buchanan. from the agreement for first call on his services.

The pony Annoyed has been sold to go to Sydney. The sale was effected by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co., and the price paid it is understood was 400 guineas.

P. Conway has shifted his quarters from Mt. RoskiH to more convenient stables on the Penrose Rd. lie has several horses in work, the principal ones being Air Gun, Revealer, and Sir Gilead.

The ex-New Zealand pony Belle Colo accounted for the Rosebery Park Handicap, for 15 hands horses, at the recent Rosebery Park meeting. Bello Cole carried 7.6, and started at 7 to 4 against.

Bother has been given a turn over the schooling hurdles lately. That she Is looked upon as a good Jumper by her connections is evidenced by the fact that she is sent over the fences without a companion.

Nugget who won ■ number of race, on the Went Coast a few year. ago. was brought up from Taranaki last weeh It la mere than likely that lie will be hunted dur lug the season.

Some of the trainers at Eflorslie are already letting their young cbargen wpnrc along a furlong, and a few of them ah«*w great promise, although it is rather early* to try tiud pick which are likely to luru out racehorses.

The tracks at Ellerslie, after the long spell of fine weather, are in first clots condition. The outside of the course proper has been open the last few mornings, ami trainers are not slow in taking advantage of it, to give their charges fast work.

Ilippnwal. who has a good outside chance In the National Hurdles, is going in good style at Ellerslie, and last Wednesday had the best of Vai Rosa over a mile and a half on the flat, on the outside of the course proper, the distance being run In 5.1.

Spalpeen and Vai Rosa were schooled over the hurdles on Thursday afternoon. Spalpeen improved a lotion his display of last Saturday, and his prospects for (lie National look a lot brighter than they did a week ago. Vai Rosa fell at the last hurdle, and his rider, A. Julian, had his collarbone badly broken.

That the Hawke’s Ray Jockey Club made a wise move when they decided on altering the dates of their autumn meeting from the 17th March to May 11th and 12th is evidenced by the fact that the totalisator investments show an Increase of £4159 over the corresponding meeting last year. Judging from the muster of likely looking horses, ns well as the proved ones, who turned out at the opening meet of the Pakurauga Hunt Club, the hunters’ races to be decided at the A.R.C. winter meeting ought to fill well, and keen competition ought to result.

I’ippo, the New Zealand steeplechaser, was awarded top weight. 10.7, in the steeplechase at the Sydney Turf Club races, which were run last Saturday. They arc either estimating I’ippo at least a stone above his N.Z. form, or else the steeplechasers in Sydney are a very poor lot.

A number of horses by the successful sire of jumpers. Ascetic, were sold in England prior to the commencement of the Lincoln meeting. An eight-year-old mare named Aunt May realised 1800 gs, the Reveu-year-olds Jubilee John and Jubilee Jack realised TOOgs and sOOgs respectively, and Aesthetic Anno (eight years) went for 500 gs.

On the same day that Molfaa won the Grand National, Mr Edwards' Oasis, carrying 10.7, and described as another A>*»trallan bred one, landed the Hurdle Race of 500sovs. Oasis is by Cranbrook. Karakoul. with 12.9. who ‘ran tn this event, is claimed to be one of the best hurdle horses in England. Oasis rat the two miles in 3.50, fast time for the course.

It is worthy of mention that Queen Bee, by Young Cheviot, Is the dam of four recent Southern winners in Slow Tom, Magical, Beaiey,and Ability,and it Is remarkable that Ben ley, who won at Ashburton, Is an aged pony and claims in turn as her son a trotter known as Brown Ribbon, who holds a record of 5.20 or thereabouts. Brown Ribbon was got by one of the best-bred American trotting horses over landed bi these parts in Irvington, his dam being Pride of Lincoln, a mare possessing' strains of thoroughbred and Clydesdale blood.

The ancient hunter Nock or Nothing, by Gladiator, who, if my memory serves inc right, made his debut at the Raugitikei Hunt Club meeting sixteen years ago, and who has been a conspicuous figure in the hunting fields about Auckland for a number of seasons, is to be pensioned off for the rest of his days by his owner, Mr (’. Purchas. It is pleasing to see owners showing such consideration for their old slaves.

The yearling brother to Flying Fox, In the Eaton stud, has been named Pipistrelle. He is described as being on a far larger scale than his brother was at. the same age, and he moves with a long, easy swing. The yearling sister to Sceptre will rare as Crown Jem. She was a late foal, but Is growing fast, and bears a striking resemblance to Sceptre. Just before the mall left England Vampire foaled another brother to Flying L ox.

Concerning brood mares, an eminent Authority on horse-breeding once wrote: “As to the best conformation for a brood mare, it is impossible to lay down any but the most general rules. Mere size is of small account. A little mare, if wide and roomy, will often produce bigger and finer foals than will a much taller matron. Width and roominess are essential characteristics of a successful brood marc, fur It is rare indeed to find one that runs up light behind flic saddle and Is narrow to'folldw producing foals to any account.”

A good yarn is told against one of the largest agricultural employers in a certain district in the North Island. says an exchange. Tire mon \vcre engaged ditching, and asked to get off for the races. The employer, who Is a canny Scot, said they could go if they took the ditch as far as n

certain cabbage tree. To tbla the men cheerfully agreed and set to work. Their task seemed a hopelean one, but they -were VeternUued to eoeeeed, and ao they 'did; for, finding It Impossible to reach the cabbage tree in lime, they dux up the tree find planted it at the end of the drain. They .went to the races.

’ The London "Sportsman,” in referring to the New Zealand bred Gold Medallist, who was thia year again awarded the King’s Premium, says:—The son of Medallion la one of the finest horses that have ever been shown for a premium. As a racehorse, he. was considered the most brilliant two year-old that ever raced In New Zealand. In England be never ac'cHinßiiaed properly, bo far as racing went, and trainers could make nothing of him; but there can be no possible doubt (is to hl« great merit, and. coming of one of the best branches of No. 1 family, he Im very likely h® get racehorses, as well as hunters, if the chance is ever given him.

At the recent meeting of the stewards of the Western Jockey Club (America), JO. Keene, who had trained Irish Lad,- the most successful colt of the year in Russia, wan granted a license to train this year. It had been in doubt, as Ihe Russians had suspended him. believing that he bad used dope. Keene vigorously denied this, and gives as bis reason for such great success mh he had with his horses that he did not wall and allow his horses to get hog fat. ns is the practice in Russia, but got to work with them early, thereby having his string half fit when l hey emerged from their winter .quarters, and ready to go to strong work at once.

The quest lon of jockeys is still a burning one in Franc*, and, with the amounts open for winning owners and the expenses of keeping up a racing Stable; it is hard to see where ail the money is to come fioui for the payment of -those American riders whose emoluments exceed a Cabinet Minister's. There is no betting to speak of. Field money is almost unknown, and when those who Jay the odds find the public unwilling to back more than one or two out of a large field, the prices quoted can be anything but remunerative to many of the gambling owners who have taken up racing as a variation to speculation 041 "Change.” Betting is brisk over the A.R.C. Grand National double, as short a price as hundreds to six being accepted about Up to Date and Haydn. Mr IL Clelaim reports the fv-lowing business:— MX) to 10 Up to Date-Mocassin. 230 to 12$ Up to Dale-Haydn to JO Up io Datc-HipKtone 500 to 15 Spalpeen-Haydn. bon to 10 Banana Rannna MX) to 5 Tupara-llaydn WKJ to 5 Vai Rosa-Comfort SOO to 10 Slow Tom-Slow Tom Mr J. Beckett reports the following — 300 to 6 Bpalpecn-Cannongate 200 to 0 Spalpecn-Haydn 200 to 4 Spalpeen -Comfort 200 to 10 Up to J*ate-Haydn 309 to 9 Up to Date-Cnnnongate 300 to 5 Haydn-l’apatu 300 to 3 Haydn-Cannongate 200 to 8 Haydn-Slow Tom 300 to 7. Mars-Haydn 200 to 4 Mars-I’rlncess of J hole

The news that Mrs Langtry is going to make a serious business of the breeding of thoroughbreds will he no surprise to those who know how passionately she has loved a horse ever since she could toddle in the Jersey lanes, says an exchange. She was barely eleven when she became the owner of one undivided moiety, of a real racehorse, fhe name of “Flirt”- the other half belonging to a sporting brother of tender years. ••Flirt'’ cost the partners £4 10/, and, beyond boasting four legs, seemed dear at the price. Mrs Langtry loves to lecull all the little artifices by which they concealed "Flirt’s” real character from their father, the Dear., and smuggled her out to the common for her trial spins. “Flirt” was no fraud in any sense of the word, and xeyvftrded her owners’ confidence by winning

the first race she ran In, and £3O by way of a prise. Could-any enm«l sportswoman desire a etart, and who can wonder that l*efore' she had reached th* dignity of long feorks Miss 1> Breton bid bought several successors tv ••Flirt?”

The Ashburton racecourse. Is, I have always maintained, the fastest of all Southern racecourses upon which any great amount of raring has taken place. It was on that convincing-ground that Tasman, nearly 16 years ago. established the then New Zealand mile and a-ha If record of 2m 3«js. This was lowered in the spring of 1902 by Nonette,who carried a much bigger impost than Tasman. There* have been no emi of brilliant performances from a time point thereon over short courses as well as long ones. Secret Society’s 2.22js constitutes a New Zealand record for a mile and three furlongs from a barrier start, and is not milch outside the Australian record. One i» tempted to ask what a flyer like Achilles would do thereon. Reduction, the winner of the Pony Race, with a flying start ran the four furlongs on this course in 48 3-ss; Lady Lillian, carrying 9.9, deadheated with Mohican, 7.0, over six furlongs, doing that distance in 1.15; and Ability ran six furlongs in 1.15 1-5. Horses like Advance and Achilles would break all New Zealand records on this course.

The death is announced at Wanganui of Mr George Elliott, who for many years identified himself- with the publication of the New Zealand Stud Book, which work his father before him brought out. Mr Elliott was born in Nelson, New Zealand, where bls father, Mr Charles Elliott, come to reside from England in 1840, and there established the Nelson "Examiner.” His sou George, the deceased, was born two years later, and received his education in the Nelson College, and was afterwards in his father's printing office, but did not follow the business long. On the death of his father about thiity years ago he took up the editing of the Stud Book, and continued to do so until the New Zealand Racing Conference look it over. He was an enthusiast on pedigree lore, and but for that a work of national Importance would not have been continued, as it must have been, at great pecuniary loss and but small reward. To the deceased the country is largely indebted for the preservation and the completion of the thoroughbred record we have to-day. and when the history of the New Zealand turf is w’ritten, the name of George Elliott must occupy a prominent place In Its pagers, as also that of his father. Mr Charles Elliott, or Nelson, and Mr A. Elliott, collector of Customs. Wanganui, are brothers of deceased. who died on Sunday, in the Wanganui Hospital.

The decision of the Appeal Judges in the Convoy-Gladsome and Platypus-Benefac-tor cases has made it abundantly evident ihat the rules of racing, which have been amended time after time, stand in need of still further amendment, so that it will be impossible for intelligent men appointed to conduct race meetings in ,the interests of the people to . interpret them iu any other .way than one having for its end anil nim the protection of innocent and straightforward owners.’ Etperts have interpreted the rules bearing on these particular cases in different ways, and the judges who constituted the final Court of Appeal, Three in number, have done what they conceive to be their duty. They have read the law as they found it, and have construed it strictly in a legal sense. Yet it must be patent to anyone who studies our very imperfect racing catechism that the rules were framed to guide all concerned in racing and to prevent malpractice or fraud in its conduct, not to be oppressing and permit of the infliction of severe punishment upon innocent persons such as the judgment of the Appeal Court carries with it. and the owners of Gladsome and Benefactor will have a large measure of sympathy on their side. In connection with the Gladsome case it is asserted that a few weeks ago a provincial sportsman offered to insure Mr. Reid s case at three per cent, outside the races won at Wellington by Gladsome whin carrying the same unlicensed rider. Sir George Clifford, Mr Bradley, and Mr J. Holmes are owners interested.

A question of interest in racing circles has arisen over the legality of a disqualified hvise.owner to bld fit a sale of a winner on • racecourse. At the last >Hibernian races at Orange-<N.R. W.), the winner of the Public Auction Brakes, of £lO, was Mr Quinn’s Tiny, the conditions ef the race being that the winner was to be-sold for £lO, with allowances off the selling price down to .nil. The horse was offered and bought in by the owner for £2O 10/, the owner thus losing 10/. Feeling that he was unnecessarily run up, he discoveied that the principal bidder against him was a person who, it was alleged. had not long before been disqualified for throe years, the disqualification being endorsed by the A.J.C. Mr Quin took legal advice. . mid subsequently * applied to the Hibernian Club for lOgs. as money wrongfully withheld from him. The committee decided to refuse the application, and legal proceedings are threatened. The opinion of Mr Cllbborn, secretary of the A.J.C., was obtained, and he, on the details sent to him, considered that the sale whs not conducted according to .A.J.C. rules, inasmuch us a disqualified person had no right in the enclosure, the club being liable to a tine of £2O for allowing him there. The club hold that they had no official knowledge of the disqualification, nor of the presence of rhe poison referred to in the paddock, and that the sale was therefore bona fide.

Those who have seen the Trotting Derby fit Caen will be persuaded’that rhe French half-breeds, as three-year-olds, are hard to beat on the trotting track, but for speed and . endurance they cannot be compared with the thoroughbred (says the London ‘‘Sportsman’s” Paris correspondent). In 1878 Baruii Fiiiot backed his game little mare, Jaclnfhe, against Zethus, a wellknown American trotter. The distance to be covered was eighteen miles and threequarters. Jacinthe not only won as she liked, but a few days afterwards won a race over a country. This match led to another. Baron, Flnot ran Triboulet, a steeplechaser, who was a long way from being first, or even second class, against Tambour Battant, belonging to M. Amedee Khan. Tambour Battant was considered to be a very good horse on the road, and the match was made to be run on the macadamised road surrounding the racecourse at Longchamps and over a distance of 25 miles. The trotter was driven in a light American machine, and Triboulet was ridden, with the condition that he was to gallop the whole distance, while the trotter had no restriction as to pace. Triboulet revered the distance in a little over an hour and twenty minutes, while the trotter, after going two-thirds of the distance, was dead beat, and had to be pulled up.

When the Polo Pony Society turned its attention to the preservation of our native breeds of ponies, and the maintenance of their correct type, they perhaps initiated one of the most important movements in modern horse-breeding (writes “The British Yeoman” in the "London Sporting Times”). The polo pony may, or may not, be an exotic, but theie is no doubt about the hardy ponies that wander at will about the hills of Wales, the Highlands of- Scotland, the Cumberland fells,- or the -New Forest. They are hardy enough, and no horse can do as much work on so little food in proportion to tileir size as our native breeds of ponies. That, they would have disappeared or been bred out of recognition, at any 4ate for some time, is unlikely, even if the Polo Pony Society came to the rescue. But it is obvious to any observant man that the improvement of these native breeds of ponies tended in the direction of harness. It is the riding pony that is the special care of the Polo Pony Society, and 1 lake leave fb think that the riding pony is of national Importance. For he is the best; indeed, it would scarcely be too much to say that he is the only foundation from which to breed remounts for mounted infantry. Those who have seen, as I have, the weights that these diminutive Exmoor and Now Foicst ponies can carry through a "rounding up” won’t require much persuading on that point. The third supplement of the last volume of the English Stud Book came to hand by

the last mall. It contains a return of brood mam for 102-3, a4td a list of foals for 1903. The iota! umeber of *ma¥es accounted fnr in 1003- was' MB4. time 1665 toad celt foals, 14W5 ttlly foals, 1276 were barren. 721 slipped their- foals, and 1098 were not covered, or put out of count itr some other wav.* A record of 1275 barren ms roe against ’3O6C with foals gives an Idea of the owner of a mare takes in paying a stud fee of two or three hundred guinea* for a f?.rtiionable sire. Turning tt» the sires and the foals, I find that our old friend A*bcif ecim hag only three to his credit. Bill of Portland, who is supposed to have missed u good many of tits mares during his last season in AustraHa, got 22* foals In 1903. Mr Aliisou says he did'well with his public m»’es. but not with his owiicr'-s, whk’h, Mr Allison says, were too fat. Aurum only got six foals, aud they were all Allies. Carbine is credited with 22-, but two of thdse d?<*d. Chain Hhot (New- Zealand) had 3, C hicago 1, Gold Medallist 2, Kirkham 2, Merman 10, Mousquetalre 4, Narelkui 1, I’atrbu 10, Resolute 4, Stoccado (Cranbery) 4. and Trenton 14. Newhaven. of course, does not appear. The Messrs Wotherly, will not admit him in the Stud Book, because he cannot be traced back to English sou ces. Of the crack sires, Bt. Frusquin got ‘*2 foals, Persimmon 26, Orme 22, Ladas 27, Isinglass 29, Gallinule 30, Florlzell 11.30. and Ayrshire 26. Despite his age, St. Simon had a very good year, there being 19 foals credited to him.

The Ashburton County Ra’cing Autumn Meeting was hold in perfect weather, and there was probably a record attendance on the opening day, though quite half the visitors went by express train from Christchiirch. On the second day, however, there was a very marked falling-off,- due to the fact that it was raining heavily all through the night and during the morning in Christchurch, and people there were under the impresiou that It would be wet also at the popular country meeting, and thus refrained from making the journey. The racing on both days was interesting, and a few horses of a useful class Were seen out, none better than .Lady Lillian, who, if yet somewhat behind her best form* is showing signs of Improvement and. may, (before the se»wn closes, win and their race or two. She only started in a sixfurloug race on the first day. and in that dead-heated with Mohican, whom she was conceding 371 b. Some thought Monica n should have won, but the mare would beat him at the weight on good going if they were to meet agaiu. Petrovna was nqt seen at her best in her only race, and will likely do better at an early date. She came out and caused Stepdaneer, on whom Victor Cotton had the mount, to run wide in the Autumn Handicap, or that mare might have won. As it was, she suffered a beating from the favourite, Secret Society, who lit this was beaten three-quar-ters of a length by Terrapin. Secret Society likewise met with a slight interference when making his run. This is a useful horse. Terrapin stands out as about the fourth best—that is. for racing over a distance of ground. Goldspur can still gallop a few’, furlongs fast., and looks as well as ever, and his win in the final race over a moderate lot was’ easily achieved. Outside those mentioned there was nothing out of the ordinary racing, unless I mention Ability, who is a three-year-old with possibilities that may, with age, make a useful horse, and a likely one to race over hurdles with credit. There were several useful sorts among the ponies, though Bealey, the best of them, would have no chance with the best of the Auckland ponies on even terms. Some of the ponies that ran will improve With racing and age, and Miretta, a threc-ycar- old, and Manjess* a four-year-old, are a pair that may pay their way In pony events. By her inches, however, Reduction is of good class.

The totalisator seemed to be in a bad way in Tasmania a little while back. The Lotteries Amendment Act, now going through Parliament, deals with the totalizator. The Government, as is. the tendency of Governments nowadays, wanted to make something out of the machine. The Horse of Assembly agreed to let the Government retain 1 per cent, on the totalisatoi turnover, and also half the "broken

money.”., Where a dirldeiKl. arnmnU to, «vyt.>£l UtyH, Hu* od<l elevenpence-is retafnetf by. the -Hub,. and this Is called broken . laeuejr.:. In Kouth •■Australia this odd •or btoketr money Is dhstrHmted among the • haritleai .but the Govern inept now imthe total amount received w i!s owu benefit. Well* the Tasmanian Ihwse ot Assembly agreed to the (iovernluent pvvposals—and they were reasonable cotwgh-and all went well until the. Attor-ney-General wanted to extend the use of tin totalizator to athletic sports meetings. This n embers would not agree to, and th** Attorney-General, •‘apparently in a lit of I tone” at his proposal being rejected, tarried a resolution abolishing the tot allsat or system. However, this week the Attorney Ceneral came to his senses. The .’eport says: “The Attorney-General attempted to explain why Tie had proposed to abolish tne totalizator altogether, and stated that ho was prepared to withdraw his amendment and insert it in another bill by and by. ’ After a “sarcastic’* discussion the Premier put things right, and the bill was passed through all its stages. If tho Legislative Council approves of the bill as it left the Assembly, the Government expect to make £IOOO a year out of their share of the percentage money.

One. of the events on the card during a meeting at Stockton (England) in 1877 was a selling race, for which the numbers of seven ruuners appeared on the board. When the starter called over the names at the post, however, it was found that only half a dozen had assembled there, the missing one being Mr Deighton’s Mak’siccar. Just as the held was-rtl>out to go. however, the tardy one was seen making the best of his way towards the starter, but that official, rosolving not to wait longer, gave tho word and the horses were despatched on their journey without lilm. Gwendoline was the winner, but as the jockeys tiled past the judge’s box on returning to the weighingroom a terrible discovery was made—the judge was not there! Soon it was rumoured that the race would have to be run over again, and in the course of a few minutes came the explanation of the, fiasco. The previous winner had been objected to by the jockey of the second? on the ground of an alleged cross, and the several witnesses who were examined complicated matters to such an extent that the man in the box was called upon to give evidence, with the result'that the affair took so long to decide that the engrossed official did not notice how the time had passed, and was thus not tn his place to adjudicate upon the following event. When the horses started again for the race in question Gwendoline, on the strength of her easy victory, was made favourite at 5 to 2 on, while, a lot of money went oh Mak’sicear at tens. On .finding that his animirl had-not taken part in the first contest, Mr Heighten helped himself to all the good prices that were to be had, wisely arguing that he must be fresher than the others. Mak’siccar won rather easily,.'iind landed for his party <t sum that was simply, due to the jockey failing to reach the post in time, for he never won another race.

The appeal case, McKinnon v. the Auckland Racing Club, decided by. the Appeal Board of the N.Z. Racing Conference last Thursday, opened up a very big question. The Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan raced for .some time without registeiing their partnership with the Racing Conference, as required by the rules. The omission was purely an oversight, aS the Messrs Nathan entered all their'horses in their own name, and their, partnership was registered with the A.R.C., but they omitted forwarding Hie registration fee, 2/6,. to the Racing l' on " fereuce. According to the strict reading of the rules, this must be-done-before a horse is eligible to start, for any race, and If a claim for the stakes had been made at the 'time, it would have been successful. Rule 117 gives fhe limit for which an objection for fraudulent entry or wilful misstatement or omission in the entry under which a horse has run can be lodged as twelve months after the race, but Mr xvlcKjnndn did not consider that his case, came under, the heading of the above, and to test the matter, claimed the stake won by Beddington in the Sylvia Handicap in 1900, and contended that as the rules gave a vested right to lodge claims, and provided no limit for any such claim, an objection could be lodged at any time. In deciding the Gladsome case, the Wellington stewards took the. view that in the absence of express limit, the claim could only be made within such time as they considered reasonable, and were evidently guided by rule IG, which gives the stewards power in the absence of any rule bearing upon any case before them such case may be decided in such a manner as the stewards or committee think fit. Mr McKinnon’s reply to this was that if the : stewards of each club had that power the main object of the confer-, epce rules, viz.,, uniformity, would be done away With, as (he limit for lodging claims not specified by rule 117 could be different in - each place, and that in such a case as Gladsome’s, the claim could be made in Wellington, and possibly thrown out elsewhere, although the grounds of each case might be identical. The telegraphed .report only gives the bare result, but the official judgment will probably appear in the next calendar, • when I think that it will be found that the Board have decided that the case was covered by rule 117.

Even at a time when deed* of d erring do In the saddle were of common occurrence, there were few men who could outshine the:Hou. Robert; Grimston over a country. Passionately fond of the sport, he had plenty of mounts during the illegitimate season, and. of course, his share of falls.

“Our dinner hour Is so uncertain jtfst now," th£ daring amateur’s mother. Lady Verulam, once told a friend; “for about least ones a - week a servant announces, ’l’leaso, my lady, Mr Robert has been brought home on a hurdlo again,’ ”•

Aylesbury win • favourite.' meeting with thfas undaunted sportsman. ami tt was here that, while watching his brother's white rap anti Jacket making the running, Lord V’ertvlam suddenly saw it disappear. Nearing home the aniitiua nobleman saw a jockey in brown was leading the Held, and to hia surprise recognised his i dative, who had changed his colours by failing into a muddy ditch. Though holding such a prominent place., the horse was I>eateu at the time, and. failing at the last fence, rolled ou his rider, hurting the latter so severely that he.was quite unable to rise. ‘Tt’s oil right,? the prostrate one called out. as. Lord Veiulaiu hastened to his assistance; “but what a Lark it has been! I never enjoyed myself so much lu all iny life!” It was at a meeting over the same course that ••Boh” met a. friend who was too Indisposed to ride himself, but wanted his horse to run. ‘T'm qualified,” the Hon. Robert said. ‘ and I’ll ride him; but someone must lend me a cap and jacket, as 1 haven't one with me.” A garment that would fit the gentleman rider’s broad shoulders could not be found, however, but he foiced himself into one offered, though the unwonted strain caused it to split up the back; and a yellow silk handkerchief twisted round the head was substituted for the necessary cap. After all this trouble to secure the customary attire Fortune might have favoured Grimston, but his mount, after going some distance fighting for his head, suddenly bolted, and finished up by pitching his itdcr out of the saddle with sufficient force to severely injure him, and once more he had to' be “brought home on a hurdle.” “Look here,” the frequently-fractured sportsman said on one occasion to the physician who invariably attended him. “you’d better have my skeleton when 1 die; thou you’ll be able to see how neatly you’ve patched it up.”—“Sporting Sketches.” @ & ® ELLERSLIE TRAINING NOTES. The course proper outside the trestles was opened last Saturday, and some interesting work was witnessed. Scotty was first out, and assisted by Dunmore over the last six furlongs rau a mile in 1.50 3-5. Austerlitz finished In front of Kamo over six furlongs in 1.21. Dolan la bad the best of Te Aroha at the end of five furlongs, run in 1.8. Up-to-Date and Cannongate did a couple of rounds at a good, strong pace, both moving well. Cnnudngate is standing up to his work in a manner that gives the idea that he wilt get to the post all right. Dolores and Idasa rau unco around in 2.9. Newtown. Lady Hnne, and YolOtte did a similar task in the same time. Lady Annie, alone, ran a mile in 1.53 1-5. -•St. Olga and Bonomiana doing the same journey in 1.52 4-5. Hinekoa, with a light weight up, ran a mile and a quarter in 2.20, Rambler assisting over the last six furlongs. Albuera, alone, ran six furlongs in 1.-211, the first five being done in 1.7. C respin (assisted over the last round by Ngaru) ran two miles in 3.57. Spalpeen ran a mile and a half in 2.55 4-5, Cygnet going the first six furlongs with him. and Girton Girl bringing him home. Spalpeen finished up his task in good style, and has come on wonderfully fast .since last Saturday. After breakfast. Grange and Blue ran five furlongs on the tan in 1.6. Whawirii and Fashionable on the course proper spurted four furlongs in 55. Solo and Sunshine covered five furlongs in I’B, Lady Bobs taking 1.9 to do a similar journey. Morpeth had the best of Sergius over six furlongs, run in 1.24 - Manoeuvre and-Inspira-tion were together at Ihe end of five furlongs in 1.9 J. Sonoma easily beat Jean over five furlongs in 1.9. Revealer and Gilead did a similar task, the last: four taking 56. Papatu finished in front of Hippowai over a mile and a half in 2.581. Bother, alone, ran six furlongs in 1.22, and Avalanche did, a round of the sand in 2.5?. A number of other horses were out and did useful work.

Ou Saturday afternoon a large crowd was present to witness the schooling at Ellerslie. Tahac, Mars, and Aka Aka wont about • two miles and a distance over the hurdles on the course proper. Tahac, who had a very light weight up, finished in front, Aka Aka being a little In front of Mars, who pulled up a bit Janie, and was very sore when he walked away. The time registered was fast, but Tahae con’d not have bad more than 8.0 in the saddle. Haydu and Dingo went about two miles over the steeplechase country, going over the hill. Haydn jumped a little slower than usual, but otherwise went well. Dingo shaped in good style and fenced well. Revealer and Needle went about a mile and a halt over the schooling hurdles, Revealer having the best of the gallop. On Saturday morning, at Takapuna, seme interesting schooling was indulged in. Princess of Thule was seut twice around the steeplechase course, Stockman going with her over the fences on the flat. Princess of Thule jumped in good style, but Stockman fell nt one oi the hurdles, neither horse nor rider being hurL Kaki no, Kuranul. and Tuni were also sent twice around over the big fences, the trio fencing well. Swagsman went about ft mite and a half over the schooling hurdbs, Ptingnrehu assisting the last round. Swagsman shapes well for a beginner. (£(•>(•) CONVOY-GLADSOME APPEAL CASE. AN IMPORTANT DECISION. NAPIER, Thursday. *tho Appeal Board of the Raetng Conference delivered judgment to-day in the cases submitted to them. The appeal In the Convoy-Gladsome case way upheld, tjie

board giving as reasons (bat rule 143 expreaaiy states that only balden* <*t jockey** •iud apiM-rnticfM Jicenae* are qualified to ride, and the judges held that this lute supported by other subjections, an apprentice U only qua lifted to ride after he has nerved one year <rf apprenticeship, and after he has applied for and obtained a license. The l>oard also upheld .the appeal hi Ute Platy pus-Benefit ctor .case on similar grounds. D. McKinnon’s appeal In connection with the registration of the ownership of Buddington. when he won the Sylvia Handicap at the A.R.C. summer meeting. 1900, was dismissed. [The deiusfon of the Appeal Board in the Gladsome-Convoy case will be received with interest by all sportsmen. It will be reinembered that Mr W. Young, the owner of Convoy, lodged an objection against Glad some, owned by Mr J. U. Reid, being awarded the stakes in the Wellington Cup and the Wellington Raring Club I landleap, won by that mare, on the grounds that 11. Jones, htw rider, did not hold a license. and causequently was unqualified to j ide. After hearing the evidence the stewards of the Wellington Raring Club dismissed the objectton, and gave a lengthy judgment setting out their reasons for so doing. Against this decision Mr Young appealed, with the above i-vsnlt. The decision of the Appeal Board will have a far-reaching effect, and we may VX £S < see complications arise. The appeal of Mr I>. McKinnon against ocdaington was based on the grounds that at the lime that horse won the Sylvia Handicap. the partnership of his owners. the "«“*?• ; ” an< * N ™ not 8 Ed*) e '* ad b X Hie ru es.