TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XV, 8 October 1904, Page 17

TURF NOTES.

Wairiki was backed last week to win £7OOO. tlic price taken being 100 to 6.

D. Mora gb an has put Ambition into work again.

Miss Rose has foaled a colt foal to Explosion, and is to visit Boult.

Kakluo, who it will bo remembered, was tried over country, has been broken into harness.

Mr A. Baird's team, Dolores, Muthema, and Daffodil, are now being worked at Ellerslie.

It is reported that Up to Date is to be given a turn over the steeplechase fences during the week.

Mr Tinker, the well known horse dentist, arrived in Auckland from the South, via the Waikato, last week.

Simple Simon has made his re-appear-ance on the Ellerslie training tracks. He is still in J. B. Williamson’s caie.

Romeo is the only Auckland owned horse nominated for the Wellington Spuing Meeting.

There is very little likelihood of General Average seeing the post for the New' Zealand Cup.

The colt by Seaton Defava I — Vieux Rose, in G. Absolum’s stable, has had the name of Carl Rosa. claimed for him.

11. Howe has had Kerevu placed in his charge to prepare for future engagements. It is intended to school her oyer hurdles.

Cabaret was described in the Avondale race books as being out of Cantatrice. This is an error, as the colt is out of Cantiniere.

Local Option, who competed, unsuccessfully at the recent Avondale meeting, was taken back to Gisborne last week by the Zealandia.

Mauku, the half brother to C.'an non gate, who has been indulged in a six months' spell at Kaukapakapa, is back again at headquarters.

1 lie caretaker of the Avondale racecourse deserves a word of praise for the condition or the course and surroundings at the Avondale .Spring Meeting.

General Average changed hands during the week. being purchased by Mr Geo. »V right. It is understood that 750 guineas was the price paid for hiiu.

The colts in John Rae's stable by t.ochness—t”ig<> and Phoebus Apollo—Hilda, will In future, be known by the names of Darkness aud Hildebrand.

Convoy was made the medium of a fair ? s<, . u P ort »«* New Zealand Cup last liridav. 100 to 5 being accepted. In all, about £l2OO was taken.

Fred. Davis has been engaged to ride Halberdier in the New Zealand Cup. l>„ v ls i **loo° ~,ouut ’Nerdier when he won

From the telegraphed account of the running of the Wanganui Guineas, Boris appears to have been the unlucky horse of the race.

The Wanganui Guineas is one of the few classical events of the Now Zealand turf that Mr G. G. Stead has not yet succeeded in winning.

The stable presided over by J. Chambers, in Sydney, Is reported to have won over £BtKX> by Alias’ victory in the Metropolitan Handicap.

C. Weal has had an addition to his string, the chestnut mare Ivy. by Regci — Vasator, being placed in his hands to prepare for foi theomlug engagements.

Romeo* Is working at Ellerslie. It Is understood that it is his owner's Intention to give him a run nt the Wellington meeting before going to Christchurch.

Fred Stennlug has taken in hand again Tahutn, the full brother to llohuro. Tahuta Is now six years old, and has only started on out occasion, in a hack race at Xakapuna.

A lot <>f money was Invested ’o.-ally on Yla'berdior in the Wanganui Handicap. In fact, some of the pcnciilera refused money.

It is reported that a well known West Coast racing man, who Is at present under the ban, had a big win over Lucrece’s victory in the Pony Race last Saturday.

Auckland will not have a single representative in lhe Hastings Stakes, the classical spring two year old race of the Hawke’s Bay Jbckey Club.

Hildebrand, by Phoebus Apollo—Hilda, who it will be remembered developed a splint, and had to be thrown out of work, has been taken iu baud again by John Rae.

The total entries received for the Wellington Spring Meeting arc exactly the same as last year (339). when the number constituted a record.

On last Thursday morning, at Ellerslie, Maroon and Gold and Rongoa were schooled over the small hurdles, both shaping in t promising manner.

The owner of Ilippowai accords his horse plenty of nominations. His name figures amongst the entries for the Otahuhu Racing Club’s meeting.

Ngaru, the winner of the Hunt Club Cup at the last Hunt Club sports, has been accorded a nomination in the Auckland Summer Steeplechase,

Evidently poor old Cannongatc is not to be allowed to rest very long, as his name appears among the entries for the Auckland Summer Steeplechase.

Alba Rose lias at last succeeded in whining a race over six furlongs, the Owen Stakes, on the second day of the Wanganui meeting, failing to her.

Sir Geo. Clifford has won the Wanganui Guineas on three occasions, in 1901 with Windwhistlo, in 1903 with Treadmill, ami this year with Signalman.

Australian writers state that Gladsome is much quieter than when she raced nt Randwick last autumn. It is believed she can be improved a lut before Caulfield Cup day.

The caretaker of the Rand wick racecourse, W. Woodham, who had not missed a meeting for 40 years, was unable to be present at the recent gathering, owing to illness.

The Otahuhu Racing Club have received splendid nominations for their annual meeting, which is to he held on October l?tn (Labour Day), and a successful gathering ought to result.

The Auckland Trotting Club’s nominations for their spring meeting, which takes place on October 15th and 19th, are fully up to the average, and give promise of u successful meeting.

J. Buchanan, the local horseman, has been engaged to ride Mahutonga in the New Zealand Cup. lie left for the South on Monday, and will steer Mahutonga iu -.s engagements prior to the big event.

It was fully decided that Gladstone was to fulfil his engagement iu lhe Wanganui Guineas, but owing to the unsettled state of the weather. It was deemed advisable by iris connections not to make the trip.

Wellcast, and the Sou'wester gelding in F. McManeinin’s stable, were, given n turn over the hurdles at Ellerslie last week. Welleast fenced well but iris companion seemed inclined to shirk tbe obstacles.

It has been stated that Irish Is (Vo first of the gets of Eton to earn a winning bracket, but this is not so, ns Noteortuf, who is by the Castor horse, succeeded In placing a couple of races to bls credit last season.

V. Cotton, the Auckland lightweight, steered three winners on tbe second day of the Wanganui meeting, while he was also ou (he back of Bowman, who ran secund in the Marangi Handicap.

Eljen. by Cyrenlan—l’arora. easily won. the Tria! Handicap at the Epsom (Victoria) Meeting. Eljeu started at 5 to 4 on, .so It is pretty safe to assume that the parties connected with her had a good win.

The price paid by Matuku, the winner of the Flying Handicap on the opening day of the Wanganui Meeting, came as a shock to the local starting price merchants; as. although Paratutu was tho most heavily supported, there was a lot of money for Matuku.

It Is not yet decided as to whether Glad stone is to fill his New Zealand Cup cu

Secret Society may heat any of the South* eruers that have stripped un Southern race* courses this season iu the N.Z. Cup. uud bo a hard nut tu crack Cor the best of the probable runners. gagement or not. His owners have back'd him for a fair stake, and naturally enough are desirous of starting for the race if the colt shows them anything tv warrant their making the trip. During the week, Mr 11. Tinker, the horse dentist has had a very busy time, and has operated on no less than 4<> horses for dental troubles. F. Maeinanemln had 13. B. Armitage 7. C. Weal 6. Geo. Wright 6. K. Heaton 4. T. Williams 2, and W. Mobberiey and J. Scents one each. There was a lot of money iu Auckland for Chivaliy, who won the Maidett Handicap on the opening day of the Waugauul Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting, but strange to say. he was not supported oh the sec* uud day. when he again wuu. Many people, who nre of the opinion that Cymbal Is only a squib, will be surprised to hear that although not yet two years* old. she stands over 14.3. so there is not much chance of her ever going under the pony standard. The Waikato horse Saturn broke a blood vessel during the running of the Steeple* chase on the opening day of the Avondale Meeting, and this accounted for the pour display made by the sou of Fabulous in the, race. Al the Glpuora Park Stud, a full brother to Wairiki and a full brother to Marshal Soult have made their appearance. Both are reported to be splendid foal!?, and it i.< pleasing to see Mr Walters having the luck to have two such valuable additions. The progeny of Ben Godfrey only seem to be showing (heir best form after their sire has gone the way of all flesh. Four good winners at the recent Avondale Meeting were got by the St. Leger horse. Ills erstwhile owner has a number of horsew sired by Ben Godfrey running at his place* A very unusual event was witnessed iu. the paddock at Rand wick after the Metropolitan was run. One punter was lucky enough to obtain the good price of 1000 ta 10 about Alias from Green, the Melbourne bookmaker, and Hie present owner of Glad* some, olid was paid immediately after the race, in notes and gold. Eucrece. who won the pony race on the concluding day of the Avondale Spring Meeting, only paid a dividend of £8 17/6. Had the mare won on the first day of th»* meeting, she would have paid a dividend of £56 odd, and on the second day, £4l odd. Evidently some one was prepared tu seo the mare display better form than she showed in her two previous essays. From New York comes word that (lie members of the Metropolitan Turf Club (a bookmakers’ club) recently passed a resolution (hat it was desirable steeplechaser should be abolished, ami forwarded a note tu that effect to the American Jockey Chib„ with the intimation that iu future they would not bet on such races. The news received from Melbourne last. Saturday to the effect that Wairiki had shown signs of soreness after exercising, had the effect of lengthening his price locally for the Melbourne Cup, but Monday's cable, stating that the horst? had reg'stered a good gallop that morning, without displaying any symptoms of unsoundness reinstated him to his former position in thg betting market. Jewellery, who met with an accident at the Takapuna winter meeting, and which It was thought at the time would prevent: her from ever racing again, has made it wonderful recovery, and is being hacked about the roads preparatory to goiug lulu active commission. Racing nt Geraldine did not introduce to notice anything particularly attractive, but Calibre ran sufficiently well on both days tu cause bls friends to have renewed confidence in his New Zealand (.’up prospects. He 1 should improve with further racing, but he met horses that were not al their bert, and, at their best, not of much account its a New Zealand Cup connection. Signalman, the winner of the Wanganui Guineas, was bred by bis owner, Sir Geo. Clifford, and is by Clanranald—Weathereye, consequently a full brother to Wind* whistle, who won in 1901. Signalman started on four occasions last year, but failed to earn a winning bracket, his nearest approach being a second to llubia in tha Itussley Plato, nt the (W.C. Autumn Meeting. Signalman is engaged in the principal three year old classic events of ittci colony. Two days before (he last mail left London, the St. Leger candidate John o’ Gaunt met with a serious accident. Mr George, Thursby was cantering tlio soil of Isinglass down to come a good gallop on the Woody a tea Down, when the shoe flew up In. the air. He nt once imagined that his mount had cast one: but no, Hie colt had trodden on a shoe lying on ttie downs It flew up, catching John o’ Gaunt's near hind fetlock, and inflicting a severe cut. Intiam-

mation set In, thus necessitating a stop* page in the horse’s work.

Merry Soult bore a wasted look before going out In the Flying Handicap on the opening day of the Avondale Meeting, and by appearance one would have thought tho

u..ughter of Soult bad not been doing f«»o well. li> conversation with Howe, -her mentor he informed inr that when the mare hit home on Friday for Avondale, she was looking better than she has ever done, hut during the night in the strange bos sh .* fretted terribly, anti lie is confident she Jo»t fully two hundred weight of condition. On August 9th, an English writer says. Colonel Anstruther Thomson was 86, and the famous old sportsman is a marvellous example of active, hah* old age. His limiting career commenced in 1824, and he still enjoys a day with hounds Ho holds the unique record of having hunted with 101 different packs and for 40 years combined the dual office of master and huntsman. Nominations foil due last Friday for the leading handicaps to he decided at tin* spring and summer meetings of (he A lick - land Racing Chib, and though there is a falling off, they must, on the whole, bo •’imsidoied satisfactory. cKpecittlly when tin? class of horses engaged is taken Into conFideration. The following tabulated statement will show bow tin* <ntries this year compare with those of lasi year: - '99. 'on. '6l. 'O2. ’O3. 01. 'Auckland Cup .... 58 44 41 -19 52 4 J Summer Cup 67 56 65 66 56' 57 llueing 4 bib Ilndcp. 62 48 43 52 48 46 Railway Handicap 41 49 36 62 54 49 Auckland Steeple. . 28 39 36 25 23 25 In Malversation with Mr 11. Tinker, the horse dentist, he informed me that ’he mouths of some of the horses h:» <»(*»•»•;: u d on during tin* week were in a terribb* Green and Gold. Sonoma, and idasa bring probably lint worst. In Sonoma’s case. one of the front im isors which takes tb.e plauu of the milk tooth, was decayed, am! had i<» be removed, but. strange to say. another tooth is growing down in its place. This is a very uncommon occurrence, as horsts yery rarely have more than one tooth gruw after the milk tooth has been shod. After hearing of the state that some horses mouths gel in. if is no wonder they run iu<,onsis r (e:i;ly at timr.-. and one has only to imagine himself with a steel bit in Ills mouth when lie has a toothache to m-h*:’-Btand what the feeling would be like. Mr Justice Bmknill. in Liverpool, England. last month delivered an important judgment, in a case in which a social club was piosecuted for allowing betting on the premises.- fits lordship said that under sonic ci ret! instances betting was lawful. It was quite clear that this was a bona fide club, in which a great ueal of betting went on at a certain lime of the day, and members were very fond of going there to back horses. That in Itself was not illegal. The club might be brought, to an end some other way. but the members were not doing anything illegal in betting among themselves in a bona fide club. Tlie following foulings have been announced: Wellington Park Slud Company's Cressy, by Hippocampus’- (Tessiim, filly to Mentjehikoff. Mi W. Waiters' llotehkerina, by llotchkif.s Hipporina. colt to Boult. Mr W. Walters’ Rose and White, by Nordenfeldt Rosarina. colt to Sou it. Mr W. Walters' Helen McGregor, by Captivato) Hannah, filly to Soult. Mr J. McNiuoi's Lottie, by Musknpeer— Ladybird. filly to Soult. Mr J. McNicol’s Waiorongomat by llut‘*hkiss Bianca, colt to Poult. Al Cambria I’ark Stud— Lute, by Sir Launeelot—Lyrebird, filly to Cyrenian. Etona. by Castor-- Lady "Walmsley, colt to Cyrenian. D. Mura glia n and IT. French headed th'* list of winning trainers at the recent Avondale Meeting with three winners apieue; then follow Mitt he’d ami Weal with ♦we winners: and Mobburley, Gall. Butler. Cunningham, Tozer, Williams, Ward. Williamson. Thorpe*, George, Ring. McMillan, Hall, and Ross one each. Deeley was th • most successful horseman with six wins. F. Burns and V. Cotton three ea< h, Gray two. mid Pinker, Seeats. Batman, Speakmon. Nearey. Cross, Buchanan, McCabe. Julian, and Murlitt one each. Boult is at the head of (he winning sires, with six wins, then follow Ben Godfrey with four, Cyreiiiaii. Seaton Delaval. ami Wanderer with two. and Hippocampus. Eton. Freedom, Sylvia Park, Richmond. JMuskapeer, Cuirassier, and Pounamu one each.

The London correspondent of the “Australasian" says:—Palsy Cadogan, the largest Irish bookmaker, who died a month «»r so ago. has left over 11116.000. so that it looks as though the so-called “ciisthrcssful country” manages to find some money to bet with, fot Cadogan very rarely came to England, (he Grand National, at Liverpool, being. I think, the only meeting he came over for. After leaving about £26.030 To the Dublin chai ith s. as ho had no children, he, after providing for his widow, left several legacies of £IO,(MM) a-piece to old friends, ami as much as £30,000 to Mr Kavanagh, his godson. I do not think during the whole of my experience 1 have known a bookmaker worth so much, if I except (he < slate of the late J. O'Connor, who of course was also An Irishman, although he betted in England. He left, I think, about the same amount. Concerning Cicero, the '-rack two-year-old of England, the "Field” says: “Of al! the two-year-olds seen this year Cicero stands out. on looks. He Is not one of those very big cues one Ims seen so often in late years, but he is quite big enough, is beautifully turned, and has grout strength of back and loin, ar.d great depth through ih< heart. His limbs me just about perfect, tun. and he is well 0.7 for bone, and has wonderful quality. In fact, be looks like a high-class Derby horse, and. of course, he is a great credit to Cydem*. whose second season it is. According to some who remember the horse. Cicero has a great look of Loi <1 Clifden, who was the tail nrnle grandsire of Ayrshire. Cicero has not the massive substance which is found in so many horses of Stockwell descent, and if is likely enough that ho favours his dam's family in some degree: and yet he is very like his sire. Cyllone. «specially when ho is standing slill. ami Bonavisla, the sire <>f Cyllene. though a biggish horse, was not so great in suhstaiioc as h'S sire. Bcm! Or." "When ra«*i.'b«>r><-s meet with injuries which necessitate their destruction, the nn.st ready and speedy way of despatching them is by aid of the “friendly bullet.” Br.l in the hands of nervous or inexperienced | ejsonr th*.* ordinary firearm is often i*et used with that precision that is dcsliable. 'lbis (•unsideration suggested the manufacture of what is called in America “the Greener killer.” This is an article about the length of a big revolver, broadened out at one end. li is loaded with a eart ridge, just as a rifle wou d bo; the broad end is then placed <*xactly on the spot where ihe animal is Io be shot to insure instant ancons death. The other end is then struck shaiply. or bumped, with the hand to explode the cartridge. <>ne of these hew instruments of sure and sudden death was recent ly received ly Professor W. J. Miller from America, and the interesting novelty is certainly an Improvement on the revolver, which so often i« not in expei 1 hands when emergencies arise on racecourses or elsewhere. <’hat(ing about :i man named F. Foster, who was warned off for life in America last month, the "Sports of the Tinies” r.nys: “It has taken the Western Turf avth< rit?<-*•■ fifteen year? to do this, and it will probably take Foster several months io get back into the good giaces of the W.J.G. H<- has a record that wou <l make a truthful history of FaiLer Bill Daly's career on the Turf r<»a<i like personal remiuiscejicrs of an innocent farmer. There has never b<en another (letiin»<n( to Hie western Turf like Foster, ami one has to wopder what he did to them in Germany ami Austria, where for several years he has heeD (raining. In 1804 lie won (ho “Roby Derby” in March with Disturbnme. anil Foster's feelings were very much hurt when they math* him give it back merc y be<*ausv biflrrliancc was pioved to be a femr-yrar-old. Three months-later he won tin* Brooklyn with Dr. Rice. The Tnrf oarct*r of xin ordinary man would end when it was proven that he was runuhi'f four-year-olds in threc-yeai-old stakf. but Foster is no ordinary owiur. He has been ruled off as often ns Port. Arthur has been reported captured.” A telegram from Sara tetra. Nev-' York, tn the San Fiancisco “Chronicle” rt-tr*s: James R. Keene is the largest wlnn’ng (iwucr on *nu tnrf this season. Tn date, bis (hoinughbreds have won him 135.00(>dol

(£27,066). If his horses do not go amiss he will probably eml the year with 25O.(KK)dut 4£SU,<IUO) to his credh. This will be the largest amount ever won on (he turf in a season by one man, and wHl'c<piul. if wot surpass, the fortune secured by him in 1893, win* u h’s great colt Domino won 210.<MK>do| i £42.o<Mh. Only six hoises won for Koene this *v:ison. All finished first in valuable slakes. Delhi H the largest individual winner. His victory in Hie Great Republic Slakes brought his owner 42.(MH do"!. Previous to that event lie had won (he lieii Withers and Belmont stakes at Morris Park. Next to Delhi conics Sysonby. In less than a month this colt has won close to 35.0D0d01. He started his turf caiecr by winning an overnight event at th* Brighton Reach meeting, and followed it up with the rich Brighton Junior Stakes. Then came the Flash Stakes and the Saratoga Special at this track. If ho retains his speed, and only accident or il ness is liable to mb him of ii. ho will undoubtedly win the rich Futurity Stakes, which will he worth 55,G00d01. In reviewing the afternoon's sport at Tat ters a H's Mooting a couple of weeks back, a Sydrivj' writer t< uebts on the riding of Ilaloya by Th\* New Zealand jockey Hewitt in the Tramway Handicap in terms that are not exactly complimentary to the juuginont <»f the Maoriland expunert of the Tod Sloane styie. The scrihe in question (“Peg*') says: “With the New Zealand jockey, Ib-witt. on top, Haloya was expected to improve on his Rosehill running, and ho did. ‘Win by a street,’ was the advice tendered to Howitt by the owner, who doesn’t like elos<* finishes—they ar? always trying to the neives. whether (he money is on or off but, though Haloya looked like coining in on his own half w:iy down the straight. Howitt attempted Io cut it fine, with disastrous results to Ids backers. Haloya is not a fighter—ho is more of a waster—and. being allowed to slow down when he had the race won. wasn’t having any when Mimer unexpectedly here up on the outside. Hmoya wouldn't go any faster wh n tackled, and while Mimer won nkely. Gptindst beat the favourite for second.” A writer in the ‘“Sporting Judge” says: —Wc are told that the purification of the turf is one of the great desiderata of the time. No doubt it is. but methods for ih<* aceompllshiuent of it may lend to do more harm than good. The appointment of paid stewards, as one of tin* purifying methods, has so fur been a distinct -failure. And it is not probable that the supervision of the gentlemen who constitute the stipendiary pair will in any way assist in the cleansing process. It h* now years since 1 placed my opinion on record that the turf is one of those stable institutions of very consistent character. As it was in the beginning, so it. is now. and so it is likely to he in the future. 'The turf is practically a true reiltetion of Ihe charm, ter of those persons who govern it. Some of them are Fportsincu and others are sportlug men. There are the good ami the bad. the straight and the crooked, and if wc were Io retire for a generation and re-appear, we would mest likely find it just, the same, The sport is about as straight and as fair as it is uceesFaiy to be. If it was any straighter .er fairer than it is professionally, it would not suit a majority of Ihe patrons. Ov/uers and trainers are pleased to do a bit of scheming now and again, and patrons do not seem to mind it very much if (hey du. In its morality the turf is abreast, of the average, and that is quite as good as it is expected to be . If, say. the A.J.C. anti the V.R.C. would appoint a drill inspector for jockeys and let the stipendiary 'business t’ione. it would be a huge benefit. The weakness and ini morality of the Australian turf are. in my judgment, centred in the incompetency of its jockeys. We have splendid horses, first-class trainers, and a flrst-okiss lot of fools to ride the horses. Of course, there are exceptions, but the exceptions can easily Ik* indicated with om* hand. Only one horse can win. ami it is not fair to blame a jockey for not winning a rate - which a score of Ills mates have also missed.

Writing about Air John Kent, who used to train the horses belonging to the Duke of Richmond and Lord George* Bentinck. the “Sporting Times” says: “In 1844 the stable W'on 63 race.';.worth dose on £20,030. including the Chester Cup, which that

year was a very sonsatHma! affair. At that period the idea of a -tbree-ycar old winning lhe.Ohent» r Cup was Hcouted, kut. all the ,same, Hie handicappiug of Red Deer was absurd. Ho bail run only once, when he had for opponents favourites fur the Derby and Oaks, anti yet he was let hi with 4.0. lie won the Somerset shin* .Stakes with 4.11, after running a dead heat wilh Neweourt, and In* was an easy winner of lhe Coffee Room Stakes nt Newmarket. Then came the Chester Cup, in which, not withstanding his victories, he had no penalty to carry. He won by five lengths, and no wonder, seeing that grand old Alice Hawthorn. who was second, was carrying 9.8. The only doubt was whether, being a somewhat impetuous horse, a boy would bo able to ride him. especially as, owing to the size of the field, the horses were drawn up like a troop of cavalry in two ranks, and he was in the rear. Id order lo assist him, and to make a way fur him. Lord George Bcirtinck started Bramble and Best: Bowe iv who w ere, placed hi front of Rud Deer, their jockeys having orders to let Red Deer pass between them when the flag fell. ’Other days other manners.’ What should v. e say now if a man standing to w in a fortune on a horse took care to start Hie field himselfY This is Lord Geo. Bentinck did. and under the circumstances it occasions us no surprise that Red Deer got v>c*lJ away, and was never caught.” Siraybird, who won the two steeplechas \» at the Avondale Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting is now eleven years of age. and has been racing consistently since he was a Hire;* year old. Altogether the old gelding has started in 114 races, of which he has won 26, second 22, aim third 22. Straybird’s winning performances, which should be read with interest, are as follows:— At three year old Won Maiden Pialc, I’ahiatua JLC. Annual; Hurry Skurry. Napier Park R.C. Autumn: and Newst. ad Handicap, .Napier Park R.C. Winter. At four years—Won Spring Hanoicap and Waik;» nae Handicap, Poverty Bay Spring (in the latter event he is credited with running the five furlongs in 1.2): Flying Handicap at Waipawa County RC. Autumn; Welter Handicap. Hawke's Bay J.C. Winter; and Whiter Oats (boating Castashcr.* and others) at. the Napier Park R.C. Winter. At live years — Won Final Handicap, Hawke's Day J.C. Spring; Maiden Hurd cs A.R.C. Winter. At six years Won Handicap Hurdles, Trial Steeplechase. Second Hurdl s, and Par); Steeplechase, nt Gisborne Park Steeplechase Meeting. At seven years - Won Lincoln Steeplechase, C..T.C. National: Handicap Steeplechase. Avondale J.C. Spring: Park Steeplechase, Gisborne Park Winter: and July Steep’echns *. Wellington R.C. Winter. At eight years -Won Beaufort Steeplechase. C.J.C. National Meeting. At nine years--Won Park Steeplechase, Gisborne R.C. and July Stuei»]p< b.ase. Wellington R.C. Winter. At Ipu year.-—Won Beaufort Steeplechase, C.J.C. National Meeting: won Park Steeplecba* * and To llnpara Steeplechase, at Gisborne Park R.C. Winter. At eleven years — Won First and Second Handicap Steeplechase, Avoeda'e J.C. Spring. Prince Lyon, who won the Governor's Cup at (’olombo for Mi* R. J. Farquharson. we.; a very recent importation from Australia, and sportsmen down South ur«ysurprised that he should have been got so fit in such a short time (says the “Indian Planters’ Gazette'*!. The race is thus described.;,, — Toe sbwd-out feature of the stay's racing was I’rinue Lyon’s victory in the GXiVernor's Cup. It created a sensation, for tluc’gh Mr Farquharson's latest importation had a fair Australian reputation io hack h»m, it was never seriously thought that tiie black horse would, wilh his Jit tie (raining in Ceylon, be able to last the mile, and compete successfully against bis stable companion and Mr Herbert's English candidate. It was Rapier and Regalia that the. crowd had their eye on, .but Prince Lyon practically won the race when h<* caught Rapier in the back stretch, ami assumed the lead from Regalia at the bend into the straight. The wild cheering th?G arose as Prince Lyon whs 1 raided T;y Fisher a comfortable winner by three lengths was only natural, and the

young jockey hart good reason to feci proud as he took off Ilia white cap acknowledging the applause which awaited him on his return. Mr Farquharson took the honours with characteristic calmness. He led his horse into the measuring enclosure, but, above all. his first care seemed to be for Regalia and the latter’s bandaged legs. It was the first time in his racing career that Mr Farquhar son had won the blue riband of the Ceylon Turf (successful

owner though he has been), and everybody evidently realised this as he received the much-coveted trophy from 11. E. the Gov* ernor’s hands.

When the starting gate was introduced Into b'uglaud the most uncompromising opponent of it was the London “Sporting Times,” but experience has taught the* well known pink paper the error of its waMs and its old-time antagonism has given place to strong advocacy for the gate. Commentlug on the race for the Goodwood Cup the principal writer in that publication had occasion to refer to the start, and concerning It ho delivered himself as follows:—“The race was started in the old way with the flag, and every obj.. tion that has ever been urged against the ‘gate’ was committed here. Such was the laughter when a false start took place. In which one of (he five was left a long way, and the same again when the real start look place, that people would now look pityingly on anyone who suggested a return to the old methods. The gate, we .were told, was dangerous, inasmuch as horses, not having room to ger away from each other, often became recipients of kicks calculated to disable them, ‘Give me the gate!’ we can imagine William Rufus exclaiming, when, notwithstanding the wideness of the course, be felt on his ribs (wo mighty blows from the heels of the Kings horse. Poor William Rufus! In the day when he was a monarch he felt the blow of an arrow, and to-day that he Is a horse he fell a victim to Monarch.” Britons are slow but sure. TTey dislike innovations, ami cannot see much advantage tn (he Australian notion of numbered saddlecloths; but burly “Gus” Hooke, of Turee. who lately visited Hngland, has (the Loudon “Daily Telegraph” tells us) succeeded in convincing at ’east on? manager to use the cloths. Referring to the opening race at Hurst Park recently, the

“I>. T.” writer says:—“ft may incidentally be mentioned that all the horses in the race carried saddlecloths with (he numbers conspicuously displayed, ami this is an Innovation which should be highly appreciated by the public. The custom "is firmlv established In Australia, and the cloths in question were presented to Mr J. Davis, the manager of Hurst Park, by Mr Hooke, a member of the Australian Jockey Club, whilst on a visit to this country.” * “From time immemorial” (says an exchange) • the handicappers have been more or less denounced by those who groan at being compelled io take what they do not tike, yet cannot bring themselves to leave ft. There always were and always will be protests on the ground of real or alleged inattention to the teachings of common sense in reading performances. One may too readily run to extremes in criticising such a difficult business as handicapping, land overlook extenuating circumstances due to the prevalence of readving tacticshut it does seem strange that the surest guide to be consulted—the market—is so often ignored. As Io affairs on which there is early wagering, some or these could easily put anyone wrong, because a great part of the betting Is sham, got up on purpose to catch the unwary or the uninformed ; Sce th, ‘ ’‘•"'■iieapper w K '-'Mervations foe what they I1I( - woith. He can, no doubt, carry away general Idea, and make ac<'ur::te notes of quite plain dealings:. | int unless the , p inwardness of the market e.-in bo assess'd the look-out will likely enough Im all in vain. A speetat hand is needed for the nurpose „s a rule. At the same time, many l istniiees occur where the market is “o lies lie that -,O suspect a subject of the onslaught of being expected to win would be childishly simple. in , tliitf( ,riiy " J < uses the kuocked-oul one is a bo*-sc wh If all straight, would be n | a short nrim. mid probably about win, ami only on t| r assumption of its being off colour are fa™, odds offered. Without intelligent eoninre he,,in - sotlsfaciory hambapping Is out of the question. Herting by Itself wilt not tell you alt you want to know, and standing oa that stone asa'cH-’ ttnon of trying or roping mar lead to •the d n'i." , . B iuiusti( ’ e - beeauie if oner th< Ung gets an luipression into ils he , l( notluug will persuade it that a horse It does not fancy u trying, although I lie st a ble may tie on; only money can alter the Impression. But you cannot go wroug if you hoed the betting and timl the rmmiug •'N.tespoml with Us forecast. What von «ee hi the ring might lead vow astray so can what you sop on Hie course. Bui when h« two stories dovetail exactly, vmi mav th? . T’ f *' ”? such evidence. Ihe Hue art. Il( h, p handicapper s eraft Iles hi not. relying otr'the-book' as exactly Hunt, but trusting io your own opinion (through shir.lights) of performances' value. The moment you begin to explain you are on dangerous ground. I do not say that because a horse goes to long odds it must necessarily be a mm-trler; but precedent counts for much in Judging character. Outsiders see what gum? is being played. Handicappers should also rerid and mark th? -process, hut too frequently refrain from expressing their conclusions In fig- *••<?«. While that Is so. what is to be done? Legalising the noble game of catch-as-catcli-can has a somewhat Immoral sound, but that would be merely giving all equal chances Instead of tearing such as nlcase to make their own.”