TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XXIV, 10 December 1904, Page 17

TURF NOTES.

Mr C. O’Connor has oeen appointed starter for the Ohiuemuri Jockey Club. Nominations for all events at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting close next Friday, the 9th lust., at 9 p.m. Only two horses have succeeded in winning both Hie Auckland and Now Zealand Cups—Lochiel and St. Hippo. Nominations for all events at the Auckland Trotting Club’s Summer Meeting close next Friday, the 9th inst., at 9 p.m. Mr W. Knight’s handicaps for the second day of the Takapuna meeting wore not up to that gentleman’s best form. The pony Wheteroro was brought from Gisborne last Sunday, anil has gone into F. Stenning s stable. Whvtorere is a full sister to Calle Iris. J. McHugh, the trainer of Wairiki, returned from Melbourne last Sunday. It will probably he live or six weeks before Wairiki will be able to return. Mr W. Walters on Monday informed nm that at Glcnora Park there are 25 mares running, including his own and other owners’, which have at foot foals by Souit. Three boxes have been engaged at <’. Warren’s, Ellerslie, on behalf of F. Holmes, who is expected here shortly with three of Mr Friedlander’s horses. Accommodation for three horses has been engaged at the Harp of Erin Hotel for Mr E. .1. Watt, whose team will probably consist of Melodeon, Starshoot, and King Billy. Dolores is to bo put to the illegitimate game, and it is almost a certainty we will see her name figuring amongst the hurdle races to be decided at the A.lt.C. Summer Meeting. •John Kao has received an addition to his team in the shape of a three-year-old by Cuirassier Repulse (by Castor Aidan win) was recently purchased by a patron of his stable from Mr J. Muir. Frank McManemln is handling a fine nig upstanding threo-year old tllly by St. Crispin -Zip. The filly is ou nod by Mrs E. Davies, and the name of Bad Nows has been claimed for her.

Goordio and Black and Gold have both incurred penalties lor th- Railway ilainljcap. Geordie has earned 71b, bringing his weight up to Sst. and Black and Gold 31b, making his weight Sst 611». Nervine, by Phoebus Apollo Eve. who has been turned out for abc*it twelve months, has been taken in hand again by W. Mobberley. Nervine has been grided during his retirement. The Whatnwhata Raving Club are making great preparations for their forthcoming meeting. Tne course has been ploughed down, anti a number of improvements have been made, and the commit tee arc looking forward to a successful gathering. Beyond a few small linos business over the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap double is virtually at a standstill. Backers are evidently boding off until after the acceptances arc declared on Friday, 2nd inst. The racehorses Malanta. Native Rose. Sol. and Liberator wore offered for sale at Messrs A. Buckland and Sons’ yards last Frirtay, but in each case the reserve was higher than the amount offered, and th y were passed in. Return d visiters who were present at the Wailara Meeting last Thursday, have a good word to say for Man’opolo, by Souit— Fishgirl, who won the Maiden Plate there. Maniopoto is spoken of as likely to win further distinction before long. The following country programmes have been passed by the Auckland Raving Club: —N.” unguru. December 26; Coromandel Hack, December 26; Te Puke, January 2; Ohnupo, January IS; Waloweka. February 17; Ohlnemuri, March .17 and IS; ami Mauku Fein uary 23. Maliutonga has not been ask’ d to overexert himsvlf sime his arrival nt Ellerslie. He is looking big and well, and from Ids appearance one would not think that he had gone through the amount of racing that he has of late. Sergius ran a good race In the Trial Handicap at Takapuna on the opening day, and his display was in marked contrast to that lie gave at To Aroha, where lie was well supported by his owner. Last Saturday, the owner’s commission was under a round. At the usual nmntlily of the commit tee of the A.RJ’.. the following Ibenses were granted: Trainers: N. Cunningham and A. .1. McKmizle. Jockeys: W. Wilson, P. Walsh, A. Berry, A. Blnshford, J. W. Heaps, \\. Gosnell, and J. Gunney. In Hip Writer 11. ■ m!!< ap run at Takapuna last Wednesday Numa was made a very warm favourite, but < ace again h * disappointed hbs connect ions, and at the finish of the rare he was last but onp. Numa must have been a pi cUy costly purchase for George Wright. At the Takapuna Spring Meeting, a man was caught loying totnltsaior odds. Tic committee held a meeting, and after hearing the statements of the parties concerned, decided to warn him off the course for Hfr. The A.R.C. Wii' be asked to endorse the disqualification. Charlie Weal Is getting quite a large t‘.mi together. During the week his stable was increased by tin* addition ot' a four year old mare by Lcolantls—Klug Quail mare, and a half brother to Loch Erne, by I’raternitc Nightingale. Both arc good looking sorts, and should turn out useful. Ilnrsa. who is tralnv<l In private by W. A. Scott, nt Mangere. showed a great dash of pace in the Cumbria Handicap at Takapuna. After the field hail gone a ehnhi, there was only one in it, and that was th** winnar. Ilorsa would have returned a dividend of about fifty six pounds had ho not hecii bracketed with Luresome, the favourite, who i an second. Mr I’. L. Armitage, who rcvoiiHy went home, arrived tlicie hi time to attend the second October meeting at Newmarket, nnd saw Bachelor's Button win the Champion Stakes, and Carbine's son Wargrave win the CcMnewitch. The weather, lie said, was g’';rl< us outside of London, but in the city th’« k with fog. Mr Armitage will bo pleaM’d nt the success of his tllly Lytla at Takapuua on Saturday when lie leceivvs the news.

A well-known pencil ler recently laid a owner £’do to £1 that Savoury beat hIH home In the Hallway liandicnp. twdh t« start and one to win. The peiK-lller. wk >a generally noted for his shrewdness, must think that the race Is a moral for Mr Stead’s colt, as the horse he backed him to beat has been given a chance by some of the turf sciilMM*.

Bellman, who raced so we I at Taknpm.a on the opening day, must be put down mn one of the most surprising of equine timber jumpers. He has pulled up very lame on al least five occasions to my knowledge, apparently broken down, and not expected to see the post again, but he comes up milling at regular intervals, and it is doubtful whether lie was ever very much bitter than on Saturday last.

After Loch Lomond’s faulty jumping on the opening day of the Takapumi Jockey <'tub’s meet lug. which resulted in the death of his rider. A. Butler, he did not find many supporters for the hurdle race on the second day, which we won, paying the good price of £ID odd In a field of six. Loch Lomond’s display of jumping, both in the Hurdles and Steeplechase, was perfect.

At the monthly meeting of the committee of the Auckland Racing Club, held on Thursday, the previous resolutions granting licenses to bookmakers other than members of I’attersall’s was rescinded. and another passed to the effect that only members of Tattersall’s Club i «• allowed to het at lhe club s meetings. 7he passing of the hitter res< lutlon will be greatb appreciated by members of Tatiersali’s.

Otto Madden is gradually creeping away fiom W Lane in the list «>f winning jockeys in England, but racegoers will be glad tn know that the injured jockey is improving, though s’.owly. Madden had scored at last count 120 times out of a possible 640, as against Lane’s 124 out of 568. D. Maher has got over his century by one. but he has only had 379 mounts. Halsey is next, but n long way behind.

At the recent Agricultural Show, la good looking sort cf a gelding named Tat. by Leolnntis out of a Natator man-, dam of Tnnlwha, was award, d first prize for best three year old filly or gelding. I’at attracted the attention of a patron of (’. Coleman's stable, with the result that an offer was made to his owner fur his p;irghapo, which was accepted, and Fat is now In training at Ellerslie.

The issue of the Auckland Guineas has at last been finally settled, and the stewards of the A.R.C.. at a meeting held last week, instructed the lata lisa tor proprietors to pay out the dividends on Boris as first and on Gladstone as second. The dividends payable are: Boris, £3 19/, ami Gladstone 9/6, and can be collected at any lhue-at ‘ the ’office of Messrs B. 11. Hayr and Co.. High-street.

A short lime ago <’. weniad’s owner wr.s Advised by IL. French that it was useless t< persevere with the mare, as. there was very little chance of her standing a preparation.- This fact came to the-knowledge of Frank Boss, with the result that he made overtures for her least* which were successful. As again evidencing the fact of Ross’s skill with cripples, the little Brigadier mare faced the starter in the Stanley Handicap last Wednesday, and getting t« the front early made no race of it, wini lug easily I y a couple of lengths.

The winning sires at the Takapuna Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting were Soult <-•?», Senton Delaval (2), ami Brigadier. Flint lock, Gilead, Recluse, Freedom, Lord of the Isles, Bi hid, Muskapeer; Tasman. Hotchkiss,’Tetford, and Cuirassier one each. R. Hannon is nt the head of winning trainers with three wins. F. Conway and McLennan two each, and Ross, McKinnon, Heaton, Gall, 1 feeble, MaLinanvmin, Scott. Weal, Barr, aud Butler one each. Of the jockeys, Julian, Marchant, I’lnkcr. Cha.'rfe, and Deeiey had two Winning mounts api’fco. add Gray, Murray, peoble. Ryan, St.lmnn, Howard, and Herat s one each.

In a private letter from a friend who finw Pretty Tolly meet with her first defeat which was In the Prix Du Cons'ii Municipal at Boulogne, in France, the •writer says ho never saw a worn • example of bad judgment than Mali: r exhibited, fie

was watching what be thought was his only (lunger, Zinfandel,.and the selling pater, Presto JI., was presented with a win which in a true rnn rave would never have happened. This was very annoying to Major l.odor. The best of horsemen everywhere make mistakes; we find this the case in New Zealand.

Writing from Ireland anent the defeat of Pretty Folly, lhe correspondent of the "Hportsman” says:—"For Pretty Polly’s defeat I can find no excuse. The mare looked and went well. 1 have seen it stated that Maher on Pretty Polly and M. Cannon on Zinfandel should have gone after Presto 11. sooner. Had they done so. I do not believe that the result would have been different. Doubtless the going, which was holding, was against Pretty Polly and In favour of Hie winner, who Is a much better horse than most people give him credit for. It is said that these closely connected with Presto 11. landed a good stake, lie Is trained by Lawrence at Mai-sona-Laffitte.”

When Bellman and i .an finished first and second in the hurdle race at Takapuna, a good many people appeared to have forgotten that Hl nan was the same that laceil at Ellerslie, winning the first maiden hurdle race of 13 miles at Hie winter meeting of the A.R.C. 1901. In 3.22 3-5. Hinau raced in the spring of 1901 in two steeplechases and two hurdle races. since which time, three years, he had not carried colours. Binau is getting on in years. He was considered a very useful gelding when taken to Australia* to lace about five years ago, but was generally very unlucky. He may be considered so to have bumped up against Bellman on Saturday.

This is how American "Sports of the Tine, s" refers to a disqualification imposed: "J. K. Hughes, the elongated owner and bookmaker from Dennison, Texas, will race no more at Delmar.. He has been promint ntly connected with St. Louis racing for several years, and owns a very useful lot of platers, but they couldn’t run to form, and Judge Murphy has crib red that entries from the Hughes stable be refused. The stable has frequently offended. particularly with lidgardo ‘r|.»t J’erquoi Pas. It was a very dull race run by the latter that resulted in the banishment of the stable. Mr Hughes is free to »•««•? on any other track, but be is nut desired at Delmar.’’

At the inquisi touching lhe death of. the Messrs R. and K. Dudci’s trainer. But lor. caused by the blundering of hurdle horse Lix-h Lomond at th? Takapuna races, a question was asked as to whether any of the jury knew if the deceased had backed the horse he was riding, as that, said the coroner, would indicate whether he wanted It to stumble. One can scarcely imagine that such a question should have been asked. Horsemen don’t go out in hmdie races with the fixed intention of trying to-bring their mounts down while racing at a speed of belter than two minutes to the mile, and don’t contemplate suicide in that way. It is Poinfnl to think that a suggestion of such a thing should have crossed the mind of* anyone, the case having been a sufficiently distressing one.

Another pressman has passed away to the Never-Never Land in the person of Mr Andrew Jackson —"Hippona,” who attended to lhe sporting columns of the "Auckland Star'* for many years. Until about four years ago. when overtaken with a serious nlfl.ction which incapacitated him from fur-, tiivr literary work, the deceased was an energetic news-gatherer, but from that lime dropped quietly out of sporting journalism. hut continued on in commercial business for the Brett Printingand Puldishing Company, with .which firm he iiad been connected In variqns departments for about 710 years. A few weeks ago he was suffering.from paralysis,' H.bd. Mjas.removed from, the Hospital to his father’s residence at Glasgow terrace, Grafton road, where he- passed away on Sunday. He was burled at I‘urewa last Tuesday. In writing the obituary notices of sportsmen, my late confrere invariably closed with a hope that the sod might rest lightly o’er their graves—a nice sentiment, which may be repented of deceased, ami will’be endorsed by a great many of his friends and’ acuiiulutances.

During the progress of the Te A rob a _ meeting 1 pakt a visit to John* faun, which is situated a few miles from the Te Aroba 'township, and bad a Lookover the three yearlings which it is John's intention to offer for sale at oue of the forincoming yearling sales. The Jot, which are three in Humber, comprise a bay filly by Beaton Delaval—Vieux Rose, by Hippocampus— Rosarina. full sister to Vai Rosa, Alba Rose, and Curl Rosa. The filly, which: was foaled in Octolier, is well grown, and should produce keen competition when she appears in the ring. A brown <<olt by Phoebus Apollo—Roxana, by Cuirassier —Vieux Rose, foaled in Septemlivr, is a fine, compact little fellow who looks like coming to baud early, and is just the sort likely to win the Avondale Stakes. He ought to fetch a good price. The bay colt by Hotchkiss— .Dorothy, by Dauphin—Bragela, foaled in October, is a fine, commanding colt, and has every appearance of turning out a racehorse. Altogether the trio are equal in looks and conformation to any that I ha\e seen this season, and the Te Arolia sportsman should have no difficulty in quitting them at a payable figure.

The fact that a couple of gentlemen held opposite ideas as to the age in which a horse develops bis best pace brought about an inter, sting match last month in Chicago. Mr Williams held to the theory that thoroughbreds arc raced too early. He is working on this idea, and has saved a number for racing purposes. These are not raced until after they are four years .old. A Mr Sydney Paget is of just the opposite opinion. He believes in early two year old racing. The argument became so strong that it ended in a match being made between a four year old and a maiden 2 year old to gallop over three furlongs for £5<K) a-sidc, owners up. the winner to lake both horses. The match aroust d a lot of interest, but it was a poor contest, as the two year old won easily. This is ouly what I should expect. The youngster would beat the old horse over such a distance. Of course there are exceptions, but I should say that ft would ho good business backing lhe youngster every time.

The Middle Park Plate was first run in 1M56. and has been Avon by many horses of note, including Melton, Minting, Donovan, Dime, Isinglass, Ladas, St. Frusquin. Galtec More, and Pretty Polly. Jardy's sire won the Derby and other classics in 1899. and his dam. Airs and Graces, captured the Oaks in the previous year. She was purchased by M. E. Blanc for 3000 guin001*8, while for Flying Fox the French owner bid up to 37,500 guineas. Both have well repaid him. Nor since 1890 had a French horse carried off the Middle Park Plate prior to yesterday. Gouverneur won the i ace that year for M. E. Blanc, ridden by J. Woodburn, and nine ran. . History is repeated somewhat on the present occasion, for Jardy credited M. E. Blanc with the race recently,- and there were again nine starters. It was in the corresponding race in 1898 that Caiman CSioan up) defeated Jaidy’s famous sire, Flying Fox, ridden by M. Cannon, by a length and fi half, the pair bring equal favourites at .7 to 4, and nine faced the starter.

The Budapest!} correspondent of an English paper says that Mifcholl. the American jockey, who had ah cugagemeut for two months for lhe stable of Mr Blaskovirh, lias left, his engagement having ended. The continual misfortune which pursued the bearers of the Kincsem colours’ this season, he says, stems to have lessened rhe ci edit of American training, and Mr BlaskovicJ) will try to change fortune by returning to the old fashion. Dyer, the American trainer of the stable, is negotiating for a new. engagement as trainer »n one of the largest raring stables, while the establishment at God, where Dyer is training the horses of Mr Blnskovich. is to be leased. It is a time honoured establishment./ connected with the name of the families of Hesp and Madden, where llesp, the father of the present, generation, trained the famous mare, Kim sem, in lhe •*s« ventles.” and innumerable winners for Mr Blaskovlch. Aud Madden, father of the present English champion jockey, I think, used to ride these winners.

The following story of Fred Archer, lhe famous jockey, is told in the reminiscences of a well known turfite. It appears that when Archer was nt Doncaster one year for the St. Leger, he received, the evening before the race, a parcel, which on open-

Ing he found to contgin. £lOO jind a slip «C paper, updn which waa Wtfttau a promiM to Rend him another £lOO if the horse Which he was to ride on the following day did not win. Archer wont at once to the owner of the horse, Lord Falmonth, told him what had happened, and asked that another Jockey should be given the inonnL But I.ord Falmouth woud not hear of this, and told Archer to keep tire money, and also his eugagemrst to ride. The great jockey accordingly rode the next day, and was, unfortunately, beaten by the shortest of short heads, after a ding-dong race. On his return home Fred Aicher found on his table lhe other £l(M>, as promised, and a letter thanking him for having obeyed the behest of his anonymous patron. "But,” said the letter, "please do not cut• It so tine another time."

Robert le Diablo achieved a great performance hi winning the Duke of York Stakes. lie gave weight away to al! his fifteen opponents, and to several of them nearly one-third of his impost. To Fermoyle. who followed him home, he conceded 231 b, and to the third. Flower Seller, 32ih. Few backers looked far beyond the son .of Ayrshire (writes the "Sportsman”) for the winner. "Robert" had previously won the City and Suburban and Doncaster Cup this season, in addition to other races of less importance, and is probably our best handicap performer. The field of sixteen was one more than did duty a year ago. when Sceptre scored, and it was Maher’s first success in this event. Ju the canter down, Fermoyle, Pharisee, and Antonio went best, and of these the first two were prominent, almost from the fall of Lhe flag, their colours being difficult to distinguish from one another. Tney stayed right in front for a long way, aud rounded the bend together, but Maher had got Robert le Diable nicely placed on the lxside, and it was quickly seen- that the topweight was master of the situation. Flower Seller was running well, but nothing had any earthly chance against "Robert,’' who won without a serious effort.

Bachelor’s Button competed in the Cha inpion Stakes instead of waiting for the Ceearewitch. Only four ran, but the field was representative of quality, and was quite in keeping with the history of the nice (says the "Sportsman"). Indeed, not since Friarls Balsam won In 1888 have more than a quartette faced the starter. A year ago Sceptre had only a couple of op-poii-ents. ' Yesterday the first three were quoted at 2 to 1, with Kroonstad at "tens." Mr S. R. Jorl’s five-year-old won handsomely by three Jengtjis from William Rufus, who relegated the Derby winner into third place. Speaking of the performance, the "Special Commissioner”-writes:

"Bachelor’s Button’s stylish performance ’ in the Champion Stakes yesterday puts the sou of Winkfield quite In the front rauk, r and. when retired from racing, magnificent' specimen of a thoroughbred as he is, he should, prove a very valuable stud horse. Had Mr S. B. Joel reserved the five-year-, old for the Cesarewitch, I am inclined to think that, with all his weight, he would as nearly as possible have won, and another Irish-reared colt—reference is made . to the winner of the Clearwefi Stakes — Shah Jehau—is likely to do further good’service, for Sir Edgar Vincent, and credit, to his sire, Persimmon. The youngster le evidently a rare sticker.’’

. From the moment that M. E. Blanc expressed his Intention of sending Jardy. Across the Channel (writes "Vigilant") to. throw down the gauntlet in the Middle Park Flute, grave apprehensions were entertained lest our premier juvenile prize should be taken to a foreign shore, and yesterday the worst fears were realised. Not that we begrudge our Gallic neighbours their hand-somely-earned suecesH, for, after all, Jardy is English-bred on the side of both bis sire and dam. hut the poverty of the land was so glaringly exposed that the outlook for our classic races next year is decidedly grave. - Indeed, the situation would look* welbnigli desperate it the rumours that. Cicero has become a little thick in Iris wind could l>e proved to have any foundation in fact, for Jardy is certainly not the best; candidate that M. Blanc has engaged in the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger of 1905. The Son of Flying Fox created anything but a favourable impression in the paddock owing in the main to the fact (hut he was ladly broken in his coat. He is a hard brown with a white off hind Stocking, and has the white snip down bis nose.that distinguished his sire, but he Certainly does not inherit .the excitable

temperament of ttee latter, for both tn the birdcage aud at the pout iiU behaviour whv most exemplary. He seems a little short in* the rein and somewhat narrow, and though exception can be taken to hla forelegs, they are doubtless sound enough. A good deal has naturally been written tn the English sporting papers about the defeat o' Pretty Tolly »u France, lit th- “ Sportsman” “Vigilant” writes: —“After Maher had ridden Robert le 1 liable he departed for France to fulfil his still more Important engagement. * It is many years since there has been such an exciting international contest as that which was brought off yesterday. The defeat of Pretty Polly, not to mention that of Zinfandel, by M. Gaston Dreyfus* “ugly duckling,” Presto 11., can only be regarded as .« gigantic fluke, for the winner has not only recently been twice defeated by Goi»vernant, (to whom he was once third and once unplaced), but also by Ilebrou, who only last month gave the son of Reuil 121 T» and a beating at Maisons Laifittc. Yesterday, however, Hebron, conceding an additional 61b, was not in the first tour, and the very heavy going evidently was just to the liking of Presto 11.. who was never .headed from start to finish. It is said that Maher and Cannon lay somewhat too far out of their ground, but as I did not Fee the race, I am not in a position tp judge of that. Better judges of pace thin ■•these two jockeys it would be hard to find, hut it is, of course, quite possible, as our French correspondent says, that they were so much occupied in watching each ■other that they ignored Presto 11, until too near home. Such catastrophes have happened before now.”

The acceptances for the Auckland Cup, Railway Handicap, and Auckland Steeplechase fell due last Friday, and from the .lists that appear in another column it will be seen that the events have undergone considerable reduction. The Cup has been, .reduced to 10. which Is distinctly disappointing. Mr Stead has withdrawn ail of his team with the exception of Cruciform, and the fact that he is content to rely upon her to score a victory for his colours must be taken as ii strong tip In her favour. Mahutonga, Melodeon, and Romeo all remain in, as does Scotty, wiHle Starshoot, who is in the same stable as Melodeon, has also been paid up for, and If he Is preferred to his stable companion on the day may prove the hardest nut for the top-weight to crack. Ghoorka is the only representative of Prosser’s stable, and this fact alone entitles him to respect. At present it looks as if Cruciform or Starshoot will provide the winner. The Railway Handicap drew forth an acceptance of 17. and Mr Stead seems to hold the key to the position with Savoury and Rubia. The Steeplechase has only eight acceptors, and on paper it- looks as if Up-to-Date would score a comfortable victory.

The judgment of the Appeal Court in the case of Jeffs v. the Canterbury Jockey Club, which club had disallowed his claim to the stakes in the Criterion Handicap run in November, 1903, was published on Saturday, and was a complete reversion of the finding of the club. We are becoming used to very lengthy judgments in connection with eases requiring interpretation of our racing laws, but the judges in this instance were replying to a statement of the club’s case made by a sub committee, which statement has not been published. They went exhaustively into the matter, and it is quite clear that they relied more upon what the custom had been in receiving entries prior to November, 1903, by clubs generally than the rules themselves bearing upon the question of entry. Mr Jeffs’ mare Petrovna having been so often entered and raced and properly described on the C.J.C. official card while his property aud by her previous owner, a question of informality, amounting to what would have been an insufficient description of any horse entered for the first time, and a sure ground for disqualification or forfeiture of claim to stakes, could not well hold In the present case. The judges asked for the production of the whole of the entries of horses for the November, 1903, meeting, but the executive of the club, for reasons best known to -themselves,neither produced the entries nor offered any reason for their non-produc-.tion, which called forth the displeasure of the judges. Whether they were right in asking for the nominal ion papers of all owners for other races than the one upon which the claim of Mr Jeffs was based Is a matter for argument. We are nowhere told that Mr Jeffs had asked for them In trying to make good his claim. Almost every secretary and other officials know that the rules of racing relating to the entry of horses have been and still arc more honoured In the breach than in the observance, and that but few-owners make their entries strictly iu conformity, with the rules. It Is a fact that very few secretaries see that entries are properly completed as required. There are, however. Some exceptions. Now most people know what the custom has been. It is known that the rules have been Infringed in the matter of making entries and In various ways through carelessness or ignorance, but custom cannot be urged against wellU efin cd rules. No one with the instincts of a sportsman could.take pleasure in learning that an owner had lost a race through a trilling informality in an entry, or from an oversight In employing a rider who had been riding without having obtained a license; but it would now seem that wo are having racing conducted more on commercial lines than ever, and that the smallest point Is seised upon by some of our racing men to take advantage of the most trivial breaches in the racing code. We have had no end of legal opinions on racing matters during the past year or two. It Is to be hoped that when we get the revised rules they will be more easily understood by all concerned, for the many cases we have had from time to time have served to show that numerous lawyers have differed greatly as to the proper construction to be placed upon •ur racing laws.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB. This Club concluded their Spring Meetiug In fine weather. The attendance was large and the raving interesting. The totallsator turnover to £U2I3, which included £SIU invested in Robertson's double tot a lisa tor, which appeared to meet with favour. The increase on the two days as com part'd with last year amounted to £434, the grand total being £14.389. The tota...salor staff employed by Mr Blomfield carried out their duties satisfactorily, as did Mr Wynyard (secretary) and his assistants. The first race of the day whs contested by half a dozen runuers. Bellman was favourite, and Ilakaria and Loch Lomond the outsiders. Ilakaria did not acquit himself at all well. Loch Lomond and St. Rowan made the pace, and Loch Lomond was In front all the way, Bellman with his substantial impost being unnblc to catch him. though he ran a good race. Irish whs some lengths off third. Loch LoidoimTh supporters received the fine dividend of £U> 13/. The jockeys In this and subsequent races wore crape on their arms out of respect to the jockey Butler, who was killed from his fall from the last-named gelding on Saturday. There were nine competitors for the Stanley Handicap of four furlongs, aud Mr .((’(’minor mounted the platform about half a dozen times only to sec the horses become disorganised. At last patience was rewarded with a good start, the horses going off in perfect line. Anchorite showing out. soon after the start in first place, but leu.ng Gwenhid up next the rails that filly shot through and led the rest of the journey, and a good race home resulted in Liberator, who hung In on Anchorite, just beating that in are for second place, while Blarle and Gold, the favourite, was fourth. Gwenlad paid the good dividend of’ £G 11/. but for a time no second dividend was declared pending an Inquiry into the alie-ged interference with Anchorite, which was finally settled by Liberator being placed second, the dividend being £1 7/. The Spring iiamiicaj> also attracted nine runners, aud Avaianciie was the one that had most friends, though Geordie had nearly as many supporters. After Geologist and Te Aroha had made play for about six furlongs Avalanche went to the front and galloped homo an easy winner by quite three lengths, after her coming Zuleika and Te Te Aroha; but Geologist stumbled at the turn, and Maro fell over Batman. Geologist’s rider, find had to be destroyed. Dixon (who rode Maro) and Batman were both temporarily knocked out, but neither was seriously injured. The Vauxhall Handicap produced a capital race between three from the half-dis-tance home, to which point Jean had led Sir Gilead. Then Lycia came at Jean, and after a great set-to Sir Gilead won by a head, with Lycia a neck off third. After these came at an interval of four lengths King Paul aud Simple Simon. King Paul did not begin well, or would likely have been upside with the three leaders. If not in front. Julian and Ryan, the respective riders of Sir Gilead aud Lycia. were pever seen to greater advantage In finishing. There were 12 runners. For tiie Second Pony Handicap half a score, of runners weighed out.. From the entrance to the straight. Solitary came through next the rails, and Pinker sitting still landed the stake with the somewhat uncertain daughter of Recluse by about three lengths. Dividend, £9 11/. The scratching pen was used just before the Cautley Handicap, leaving only four starters, aud of these Black and Gold was a strong favourite. He was very fretful, and so also was Liberator, but the lastnamed went to the front aud led all the way, The Middy, the outsider, getting into second place, Black and Gold finishing lust of all. The Steeplechase was a pretty race, and was won In the last half-mile .>y Princess of Thule, who would have found Wairakn more formidable opponent had ho been kept closer to his horses at an earlier stage. The Welter, the concluding item on the card, was won easily nt the finish by Zuleika, who had King Paul and Yolette as nearest attendants. Numa was favourite, but ran a bad race. © © © AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING. ACCEPTANCES FOR THE AUCKLAND CUP. The following acceptances were received last night for events to be run at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting: —-

don 10 0 GREAT NORTHERN FOAL STAKES of HOOsovs. Six furlongs. Mr K. W. Alison’s br c Foremost, by Phoebus Apollo—Forme Mr 8. Bradley’s b c by Boult—Lady Musket Messrs It. snd- R. Dudcr's br c Devunport, by Boult- Anna

Mr J. A. Harding's b f by Phoebus Apollo —Field Rose Mr A. Leuuards b c Car! by Seaton Delavn! —Vlfcux Rose ' Mr J. D. Min so ns b c by Stcpu ink— Ranee Nona Mr D. O’Brien’s br c Multifid, by Mutlifortu — lieriot Mr J. p. Sinclair's br c l»y Hotchkiss — Mantle Mr G. G. Stead's b c Suiigod, by Multiform —Otterdeii Mr <«. G. Stead’s ch f Noetuiform, by Multiform — La Notte Mr G. G. Stead's br c Delaware, by Seaton Dels val—Stvpfeldt Mr E. J. Watt's br c King Billy, by Merriwee— Indian Queen. GREAT NORTHERN DERBY of T.VMovs. One mile and a-ha If. Sir George Clifford's ch c Signalman, by Clanranald—Weulhcreyo Mr H. Leek’s b c by Cyreuian lliuvnioa Mr F. Macmanemin’s ch c Dunmore, by Hotchkiss— Dunoon Messrs Sa rich and White’s br c by Explosion—Sybil Messrs Jackson and A. J. Simmelhag’s ch c Gladstone, by Seaton I tela val Miss Gladys Mr G. G. Stead’s ch f Nightfall, by Multi-form--lu* Notte Mr G. G. Stead’s br c Savoury, by Simmer — Melodia Mr J. Tristram’s br c Zecchino, by Musketry—Scquhi Mr K. Turnbull’s ch c Boris, by Stepniak— Shepherdess Mr W. Wood’s br c Rambler, by Hotchkiss —Queen Cole. TENTH ROYAL STAKES of oOOsovs. Six furlongs. Mr F. B. Ross’ br f Gweniud. 3yrs, by Brigadier—Gwendoline Mr 8. Bradley’s b c, 2yrs, by Soult—Lady Musket Sir George Clifford's ch c Signalman, 3yrs, by Clanranald — Weaihercye Mr H. Friedlander's b f Czarewna, 2yrs, by Stcpniak—Brltomart Mr J. A. Harding’s b f 2yrs, by Phoebus Apollo—Field Rose Mr 11. Leek’s b c, 3yrs, by Cyreuian — Hineman Mr A. Lennard’s h c Carl Rosa. 2yrs, by Seaton Delaval —Vieux Rose Mr W. Morgan's ch c Ottoman, 3yrs, by Hotchkiss—Crescent Mr E. Morgan’s Hiro, 2yrs, by Cyrcnlan - Epfue Mr J. D. Manson's b f, 2yrs, by Stcpniak - Ranee Nuna Mr D. O’Brien's br c Multifid, 2yrs, by Multiform—Herlot Messrs Sarleh aud White’s br c. 3yrs, by Explosion—Sybil Mr J. P. Sinclair’s br c Air Gun. 3yrs. by Hotchkiss--Mantle Mr G. G. Stead’s b c Rubia, 3yrs. by Stepniak—Madder Mr G. G. Stead’s b c Sungod, 2yrs, by Multiform—Ot terden Mr G. G. Stead’s ch c Noctuiform, ‘4yrs. by Multiform—La Notte Mr G. G. Stead’s br c Delaware, 2yrs, by Seaton Delaval—Stepfeldt Mr J. Tristram’s, br c Zecchino, 3yrs, by Musketry—Sequin Mr K. Turnbull’s ch e Boris, 3yrs, by Stepniak—Shepherdess Mr K. J. Watt’s br c King Billy, 2yrs. by Merriwee —Indian Queen Mr J. White’s b c, 3yrs, by Cyreuian Windmill Mr W. .Wood’s br c Rambler. 2yrs, by Hotchkiss—Queen Cole.

AUCKLAND ’UP Of laWsovs. Two miles. Mt It* st lb Cruciform ... 9 9 Ghoorka 7 9 Ma hu tonga .. R 12 Starshoot .... 7 8 Melodeon .... 8 8 Gladstone ... 7 (t Romeo R 7 Miss Lottie.. 7 Scott v r r3 RAILWAY HANDICAP of 400sovs si 3 furlongs. st. lb. st lb Hohoio 9 9 Lady Annie 7 9 Marshal Sonlt 8 7 Avalanche . . 7 8 8 (> Numa 7 8 Kremlin .... 8 5 Stiathavou 7 S Savoury .... 8 4 To-morrow 7 CL R 4 Seabird 12 Black and Gold 8 « Beau Sea ton « 10 Golden Vein 7 11 Crichton ... 6 € Alisa 7 1() AUCKLAND STEEPLECHASE IIANDICAL’ of 350suvs, about 3} miles. st. lb. st. lb. T'p-to-Datc. . it :t Bellman .... 10 0 Prln of Thule 10 9 Pharos 9 12 Din go 10 5 Loch Lomond 9 7 Catherine GotIllnau 9 7