TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3, 21 January 1905, Page 17

TURF NOTES.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Wind. Remnera.—-Yea; Wind was a starter in the Flying Handicap, won by Rusttque. W.H.—Nelson did not win two cups lu one year. He won in 1885. 1880, and 1888. Lochiel won the second Cup In 1888. Wager.—The list of winning jockeys has not been published for a number of years, but if you can give the exact year required we will endeavour to give the information asked for. Sonoma is being treated to a spelL Mahutonga was shipped South by the Talune on Saturday. Settling over the A.R.C. Summer Meeting has been very satisfactory. Forth is now a member of J. Thorpe’s team at Ellerslie. John Rae has had a couple of additional boxes built to his already extensive stables. Mr J. Chadwick has been appointed handicapper to the Napier Park Jockey Club.

King Paul, who recently changed hands. Is now an inmate of Frauk Mactuanemin’s stable.

Sally Horner is for private sale. Partlticulars are to be found iu our advertising columns.

Mahutonga has been scratched for all events at the Wellington Racing Club’s Summer Meeting.

Royal Artillery’s brother True Blue, is the sire of Blue Spec, winner of the Perth Cup of ISOOsovs,

Black Reynard, recently purchased by Mr Dugatd Thompson, has gone into J. Mailer’s bauds at Palmerston North.

An effort Is to be made to get another race out of Cannongate, and he was put Into work again on Thursday.

The colt by Phoebus Apollo—Bangle, purchased at the last Wellington Park sale by John Thorpe, has been added to the list.

la view of their Takapuna engagements, a large number of horses are working the reverse wuy around at Ellerslie.

The tracks at Ellerslie are very hard at present, and the bulk of the work Is being done on the tan, which is in splendid order.

Annoyed, who has been off the scene for a little while, was a starter In the New Year Handicap last Saturday, but failed to run prominently.

A number of Auckland horses have been nominated for the Gisborne Racing Club’s Summer Meeting, which takes place on 9th and 10th February.

Mr K. D. O’Rorke is undecided whether to leave Hipstone in Auckland to be raced or to take him to England with him and race him there.

To Arolia, who has been indulged In it spell for five or six weeks. Is again lu work at Ellerslie. She is still an inmate of Frank Macmanemln’s stable.

Bainbridge, the English horseman, had Ills first ride on a. colonial horse ou Thursday, when he rode Canuougate slow work at BitenUa,

J. McHugh, who has Lady Rose and the colts by Boult—Lady Musket and Swordflsh —Botfly in his care, is working his charges in a paddock close to the Veterans* Home.

The Pupakura Racing Club are out with the programme tor their aunual meeting, which is fixed for February 11.

St. Harp Is now an Inmate of W. Gall’s stable at Green Laue, having ticeu leased by a patroii of Gall’s from his owner, a Waikato resident.

It would occasion very little surprise If R. J. Mason takes a string of horses to Australia In the autumn to find Mahutonga as one of the members of the team.

Private advices received in Auckland state that Walrikl Is getting ou splendidly, and, all going well in the meantime, he will be shipped home at (he cud of March or early in April.

Patnperia, the half brother to Spalpeen, by Cyreniau, has, at last, succeeded iu caking liis uisi'dcnliooK Fie ti (’•counted for the double at the recent Kamo Racing Club’s Meeting.

Mr C. O'Conuor has definitely decided to make his home in Auckland, and he left for the South last week for the purpose of bringing his wife and family to this city.

As the owner of Legorite was tinahie to obtain the services of a light-weight jockey to ride his horse In the Grandstand Handicap last Saturday, be was compelled to put up no less than two stone overweight.

Swimmer and Glen Rose were given a turn over the schooling hurdles at'Ellerslie last week. The former jumped proficiently, and the latter shaped falriv well for a beginner.

At the recent Rangitikei meeting, the three Prices, W„ C.. and G., had the mounts on the three placed horses in the Fnkenui Welter, finishing in the order named.

Evidently Exmoor is to be tried over hurdles, as his name figures amongst the nominations for the back hurdle events at the Taranaki Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting.

Kremlin wasted away a good deal during uis Northern trip, aud it is said Is not at all a good traveller. He has showu better form than he displayed at the A.R c. bummer Meeting.

It is entertaining to read of the consistently in-and-out Canuie Chiei being written of as badly treated in some of his engagements. though perhaps we have seen the best of him.

Convoy’s place performances in ills recent engagements under weights ranging from 9.2 to 9.0, are, probably from a weight-carrying point of view, equal to anything he accomplished this season.

A private cablegram received in Auckland states that Tradewiud, who was taken to South Africa by Mr C. F. Pratt about a year ago, won both the holiday handicaps at one of the recent South African meetings.

The light weight jockey Carruthers, who had his hip dislocated as a result of Marisa falling with him ill the Pony Race on the concluding day of the A.R.C. Summer Meeting, is progressing favourably In the Auckland Hospital.

Rongoa, who was taken South a few months ago by H. Franks, won the Hurdles and Welter at the Kaikoura Racing Club's annual meeting. He was ridden in both his races by the ex-Aucklaud horseman, C. Hart.

Lualla, by Hotchkiss—St. Mary, who was sold cheaply at auction In Auckland last November, opened her winning account at the recent Opuuake meeting, winning the Final Stakes of five furlongs. Lualla was favourite, aud won easily.

Mr E. D. O’Rorke, the well known local sportsman, who Is leaving for England in March, has made a present of Mars to Uls

old trainer, John Rac. One of the conditions Imposed by Mr O’Rorke was that the old gelding was not to be raced again.

Moat of the yearlings and brood marcs purchased at the recent blood stock sales In Auckland by Southern sportsmen have been shipped to their various destinations. The Mokoia, which left for the South last week, had a large number on board.

Ambition aud Mauku were companions in a schooling gallop of a mile aud a half over hurdles on the course proper nt Ellerslie last week. Ambition shaped in good style, and Mauku also performed creditably for a beginner, although tn> tired badly at the finish.

Mr J. Wren, on whose behalf the colts out of Snnnlngdale and Edith Cureton were purchased at the last Wellington Park Stud Co.’s sale, lias made arrangements for the colts to be left here for three months, in order to give them every opportunity to mature.

Alisa and Crichton were to have been shipped South last Saturday by the Tarawera, but at the last minute it was decided to wait for the Mokoia, and they left by that steamer last week. The pair are to be landed at Wellington lu order to fulfil their engagements there.

A Southern exchange chronicles the death of Mr E. Woods, who was well known In racing circles in the Taranaki district. Mr Woods was a successful breeder of racehorses, aud amongst the number bred by him may be mentioned lonic, Pyroxylen, Inglewood, Austratlna, and Princess Ina.

The Whatawliata Racing Clnb had a wet day for their recent meeting, the third in succession. Some clubs are unlucky in the matter of weather; but the West Coast club which had two fine days tn succession, the first experienced for 14 meetings, must hold the record.

Orange and Blue, who was galloping In good style on the tracks before the A.R.C. Summer Meeting, seems to have lost all form, and although she was only awarded the light impost of 7.12 In the New Year Handicap last Saturday, she made no sort of a showing, and finished outside the placed division.

According to the Victorian trainer, R. H. Frew, who visited New Zealand with the idea of making a purchase or two, fair horses are not to be bought there at a reasonable price. Owners want full value for anything that shows form, which is not surprising, though, as, thanks to the totalisator, liberal prize money is the rule at most of the meetings.

Hakarla scored his maiden victory over the small fences on the first day of the Whangnrei Jockey Club’s meeting, when lie accounted for the hurdles. Hakarla was in with the minimum of 9st. and the field was a weak one, so there is not much merit attached to the victory. Hakarla also won on th esecond day with list In the saddle, her performance being a big improvement on that of the opening day.

J. Buchanan, who had his foot badly cut by being bumped on to the rails while riding Black and Gold iu the Newmarket Handicap at Ellerslie, is still suffering a lot of pain from the injury, and is unnble to nnt his foot to the ground, aud it is doubtful if lie will be recovered sufficiently to ride Mahutonga in the Wellington Cup. This is hard luck for Buehanau, who has been riding iu splendid form of late.

Tiiere must be something wrong either with the Auckland Racing Club’s or with the* Auckland Trotting Club’s standard for measuring ponies. Two or three ponies who failed to pass the A.R.C, measurer were passed by the Trotting Club’s measurer. It Is a pity that such is the ease, and the clubs concerned onght to get an outside authority to teat their standard. One of them must be incorrect.

In the New Year Handicap, run last Saturday. Gladys Rose was made a warm favourite when she finished close up third, but strange to say, in the Grand Stand Handicap, run later iu the day. she was allowed to pay the good price of £3 19/ for 10/. Probably the distance had something to do with it, as Gladys Rose has generally been looked upon as more of a stayer than a sprinter.

An interesting item in connection with the great fluish lu the High Class 'lYot Handicap, decided last Saturday at Epsom, when the three placed horses were only separated by heads, is the fact that two of the three are out of the same mare, Twilight, so are consequently half brothers. Specialist, the winner, Is by Specification, and Rushlight, who ran third, by Young Irvington.

It Is not often, in present day racing, that side bets are made on races, but the other day an argument arose between the owner of Sally Iloruer and a connection of the owner of Laodlce as to the relative merits of the two ponies, with the result that alkout twenty pounds was wagered, horse against horse, in the New Year Handicap, run last Saturday, at Epsom. Aa Is nowknown, Sally Horner’s party got the best of the argument, she beatiug Luodlcc by a couple of lengths for first honours.

Someone bon written stating that ▼«- •eer, half-brother to Makutonga. Is a better horse than Mahotonga was at the same age. This 18 not so, but there la no tolling what age may do for Elm. The yearling Oily by San Fran from the same mare shouM make a One brood marc, for, like tier dam, she shows a lot of quality, whereas neither Mahutouga nor Veneer would be taken for sons of hers, as they are not remarkable for tine quality, being of planF er monk).

Mr R. W. Patterson, of Wellington, lias had a number of horses racing for several Bensons past, but has found them unprofitable, for, though he has won a number of races, Including the Hawke’s Bay Cup with Kingman, he has not been a lucky owner by any means, considering the amount of racing he has done. Mr Patterson is one of the few bookmaker-owners that have been racing in southern parts of this island, find his horses have Invariably beeu run on their merits.

Tn another column will be found full particulars of the programme for the Summer Meeting of the Otahuhn Trotting Club, the dates of which are fixed for February 18, 22, and 23. The club are giving away no less than £lOl5 in slakes, which is an increase of £4O on last year’s amount. One pleasing feature of the programme is the cutting down of the time limit,which should bring about ipore interesting racing and consequently increased public interest. Nominations go in on Friday, 3rd February, at 9 p.m.

Trotting is. at present, on the boom in Auckland, and a few more meetings like the Summer Meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club will put it ou a very firm footing. Never In the history of trotting !n Auckland has such exciting racing been seen, and when there is more class racing on the programmes (an object the Club is keeping steadily in view), we caa confidently expect similar crowds at as those which attend the Metropolitan Trotting meetings in Christchurch. The A.T.C. Is to be congratulated on its success.

Just as they finished the High Class Trot at Epsom last Saturday, what might have been a serious accident was only averted by the presence of mind of C. Hird, the driver of Rebel Boy. After they passed the post, Rushlight seemed to force Specialist over on to Rebel Boy, the pair colliding with sufficient force to throw Hird out of the sulky, the wheel of which went right over him. up, however, pluckily held on to the reins, and managed to stop his horse, which, had he got away, could not have helped smashing into the other two. Hird fortunately escaped unhurt.

The nominations received by the Taranaki Jockew Club for their Summer Meeting are probably a record for the club. Auckland owners have made a liberal response, and no less than thirty-three localowned horses arc nominated, as follow: — General Average, Numa, Marshal Sonlt, De Lui la, Lovellnk, San Paulo, Sergius, Ben Blair, Golden Sands, Noteorini, La Cigale, Engraver, Khnma, Glasgow. Hautapu, Dolores, luniskillen, Manganiahaki, Hakariq, Ambition, Iriffh, Mauku, Strathavon, Putty, Idas, Gladstone, Zuleika. Pearl Necklet, Bean, Alba Rose, Ijudy Annie, Millie, and Scotty.

lu connection with the suspected “dosing** of the racehorse Aurega during the Northern Walroa meeting, Mr Hillary, the owner of the horse, received the following communication from Mr Stehr, secretary of the N.W. Racing Club:—“Dear Sir, —The stewards, after hearing your statement and also Mrs Hillary’s and your sou’s, feci satisfied that your horse had been tampered with, and sympathise with you, but they don’t consider that you have? sufficient proof and evidence to get a conviction at a police court. But should you be able to sheet the action home to any person, the club will assist you In bearing the expenses of a proBeeution.”

XV. Bainbridge, an English trainer and jot-key, arrived in Auckland during the week. Bainbridge, who has been forced to comp to New Zealand principally on account of the health of his family, has excellent testimonials from his late employer, Major Edwards, for whom ho has trained no less than 63 winners in one sea-

son, including Santo*, who won the Jubilee stakes, and a number of ether rates. Bainbridge has ridden a number of winners, both on the flat and ever country, and can go to scale at 8.3 when in condition. Me was out on the tracks at Ellerslie yesteiday morning having n look around, but did not get an opportunity to display bis abilities as a horseman.

They arc gradually getting up to date in connection with racing m&ttera in England. An exchange mentions that a matter which came before the stewards nt Derby recently was the loss of time caused by the jockeys appearing to weigh out without having tried their weights in trial isca’es beforehand. It appears that -the jockeys do not weigh in their room before going to scale as at leading racecourses in Australia and on the Continent, and this naturally causes a lot of delay when they are being officially weighed cut. The Derby stewards decided upon placing a trial scales in the jockeys’ dressing room, and it was mentioned that this improvement was also to be adopted at Hurst Park, and probably at other meetings.

While doing a gallop of a mile and a b;>lf over hurdks on the course proper, iu company with H aka ria, Maroon and Gold, who fenced in a slovenly manner throughout, struck the last hurdle heavily and turned a somersault. As both the horse and his rider, S. Fergus. Jay stretched out on the ground without moving, it was feared a serious accident had happened, and a rush was made to the spot, but to the relief of the spectators who were present, it was found on reaching them that Fergus had his foot jammed in the stirrup, and that he was holding on to the horse’s head to'“provent his rising. Willing hands soon extricated him from his position, and he escaped with nothing mere serious than a bruised ankle. It was a lucky escape. Ha-' karia jumped proficiently throughout.

After the last November meeting of the A.R.C., when two or three unfortunate accidents which resulted in the death of some of our premising two year-olds, a few members of the stewards of the Racing Club gave a lot of time and trouble trying to get at the cause of the accidents, and to do so called a number of trainers, jockeys, and officials of the club before them and took a lot of evidence .on the mailer. In addition to this they also spent several hours in personally examining the course and surroundings. The whole of the evidence, as well as the stewards’ recommendations, were forwarded to the committee of the club some time ago, but so far no acknowledgement of the same has been received, nor so far as can be determined have the committee taken any steps to go into the matter.

The prominent jockey, W. Lane, had not been moved from Llngfield up to the time the latest papers left England. One of his first remarks on fairly recovering his senses was: “Well, I suposc I must soon pack my bag to go over to France to ride Pretty Polly.” When he was told that the mare had run and been beaten, be was very disappointed, and was also surprised l to hear that W. Halsey had not had the mount, as he had ridden her to victory as a two-year-old. Lane is said to be doing well, but his mind is still affected, and apart from the doctors and nurses only his mother and father are allowed to see him, even his brothers being denied admittance to the sickroom. .Lane rarely alludes to raring, and as far as possible his mind is kept off that topic. When the lust race meeting was held at Llngfield the patient’s’ ears were stopped with cotton-wool, so that he might not hear the noise.

A valuable foal is always worth looking after properly, and it is not only in the supply of a -proper allowance of food that he requires attention. There is always a risk of accidents befalling him, and if (says an American writer), as often happens, the foals are running with yearlings and two-year-olds, the latter are disposed to make things hard for the younger ones. It is most desirable, therefore, that the meadow should be visited as often as possible in order that it may be seen how the young stock are going on, an»additional advantage gained by the presence of strangers being the familiarising of the horses with the presence of mankind. Dogs, unless they arc absolutely steady and under control,

ought never to be allowed lu the meadows where foals and other young stock are kept, for the memory of a horse is particularly keen, and as first Impressions therefore are retained for a loug time, the fear of dogs may last a foal for life, and lead to serious accidents when he goes to work.

The horse population of the United States fluctuates considerably. In 1882 the statisticians of the Department of Agriculture returned the number of farm animals as 10,521,354. This number rose steadily, says an exchange, until 1893, when the total of farm horses in the States waa given as 16.206,802. From the year 1894 this number steadily decreased until 1900, when the figures stood at 13,537,524. lu 1901 it sprang up to 16,744.723—the highest total ever reached—and the last two years show no *? rious f « n <ng off. The United States in 1902 exported over 103,000 horses, and nearly 27,600 mules. The increase in the exports of mules during the last 10 or 12 years is even more remarkable than the increase in the number bred In the country; J°, 1 ’ '? 1892 the number of mules exported fell short of 2000 head. The value per head of the mules exported in 1892 was J2ldol. i T 'll? * h, } t cf thc ,lors< 's was given as 180dol. 46e. lu 1902 the average value of the. mules ha «l fallen to 97d01. 60c., but that vlz th 97d°l S< s3 ba<l shruDk t 0 a Khade *««»-

A writer in the "Austrai-*»'a„” I. spousible for the following:—The Christmas race meeting was on, and Mr Green won the District Cup with his horse In“ taker.’ Parted at 15 to 1, and no n. a rhere was g,oom 0,1 Mr Breen’s . ca ’ uc “P the stand steps to accept the trophy from the president's wife. i? 1 ,?!. w7 '^ s glad to win a trophy,” he said. I d sooner wiu tills trophy than a hundred-pound stake—it's something to Show my children. I din’t think I had much chance, and din t back my horse, but ’ e ‘ «■’? on his merits, and I think the publie will give nlc PrP(lit for beln „ a straight goer. He took his trophy with a smile and eainc away, but in the paddock his whole expression ehanged. “Where’S that infernal jockey?” lie scowled. “I’ll flay him alive if I catch him. I told him that I had arranged with O'Brien to win with his mare, and that he was to pull Innocent. Yet here he goes and wins, and me not backin’ him for a shilling. How can a man make racing pay with a gang of thieves all around him.”

A French writer says that when Flying Fox arrived at the Jardy Stud and was boxed in the sires’ quarters there was little or no change out of a million francs (£40,000), and yet he had nothing save his blood and past racing career to recommand him. M. Edmond Blanc took the risk, and, now that his three-year-olds Have been seen out, he has won the record sum of £52,226 10/, had Gouvernaut been able to show his best form at Epsom and accompany Ajax to Doncaster, no doubt the record obtained by St. Simon in Persimmon’s year of £59,728 would have been beaten. The Flying Foxes are not early horses. They want time, and last year their absence from the early events on the French Turf led some owners to believe that they bad representatives capable of offering a stout resistance, to the wearers. of the orange jacket and blue cap. From the running of Zimpanet and other smart three-year-olds with the younger generation at some 201 b for the year, it is difficult to imagine that the coming three-year-olds of 1905 will show up very brilliantly in the spring. M. Edmond Blanc’s stable will be followed by the public in ail the seml-classlc events at Longchamps in 1905, and his colours will again be regarded as worthy of being carried by an imitator of Gladiateur in England.

Starting with but little, the )a«te Fred. Swindell managed to accumulate a handsome pile, but the greater part of his money was made by backing his own and other people’s horses—not, as many might suppose, by making a book. Of course, “Lord Freddy” did lay’ em, and in a big way occasionally, but frequently this part of the business was only used to accelerate the working of the many backing commissions he frequently bad fn hand. One day previous to the St. Leger, thirty years back, a gentleman who had attracts some attention by his plunging propensities remarked that It was a million pounds to

ene agilnat an animal that had bc«R up aa a likely outsider being relnraed tMK winner. "N it?" rejoined Swindell, w>Ua hla pronounced twang more noticeable thaw usual. "Well, I wish you’d lay me haJS that price, or a quarter ot it. and stale the money. I’ll guarantee the horast should win right enough. Oh, yes! he'A certainly win; with half a million I ceuM easily afford to square the others, and then pocket enough to make it worth ms while.” This was rather a large order, and probably the challenge was thrown out In fnn, but those who knew the “Turfl Talleyrand” well detected an undercurrent of seriousness in the remark that tol<l of the arrangement not being so improbable as it seemed. In what it la the fashion to term “the good old days” squaring was by no means uncommon, and the turf is certainly in a healthier condition now than in Swindell’s time.

Much has been said and written concerning the accident which befel Nightfall in the Great Northern Derby, and the stewards have been severely taken to task foe not taking steps to inquire into the allegations of foul riding made against CresS (the rider of Gladstone in the race), botb by Mr Stead and Hewitt, the rider of Nightfall. These adverse comments have been keenly felt by the stewards of the A.R.C., and in conversation with a member of that body, who takes' a prominent part in all matters connected with the weltare of racing, ho informed me that had the stewards had the slightest suspicion that there had been any interference in the race or had Mr Stead seen fit to have made his complaint to the stewards (which as aui official of the Canterbury Jockey Club Mr Stead should have known were the proper body to hare complained to), they would have immediately sat and heard the statements of those coneerjied. As It was, the stewards, who were in an excellent position from the look-out tower on the top. of the stewards’ stand to view the race, were perfectly satisfierl that there was nothing occurred which called for any Interference on their part, and the first they heard of auy dissatisfaction expressed by Mr Stead is what appeared in the press on the following morning. That Mr Stead should have taken up the position he has in the matter the stewaids cannot understands and under the circumstances they fall to see that they have been in any way lax in the carrying out of their duties, which at all times are not of the pleasantest, and which are only made more onerous when they do not receive assistance from horseowners, who by virtue of their position ought to do all lu their power to make the work of the governing body as light a« possible.

"Milroy” in the Sydney "Mail” pens the following: —Three "wrong ’uns” filling the places in one race is certainly a trifle strong, but it is not a ringing-in record. I think the best known record in this direction was made in the Barcoo country at a place called Forest Grove some 29 years ago. A horse named Sir John (by Grandmaster), who once defeated Myles-na-Coppaleen and Cerise and Blue at Walgett, was taken out that way aud raced under another name. He won the principal event at Forest Grove, and when be passed the post the owner of the second horse made a ? ‘bee-line” for the "stewards' stand,” a rough structure made of logs, erected for the purpose of giving the officials a better view of things in general than outsiders, as well as adding to their importance among the rough plainsmen who were present in force, and in a more or less state of hilarity, brought abou; by frequent visits to a booth where the local publican dispensed strong drink at a shilling a time. Suspecting the intentions of the owner of the second horse, the proprietor of Sir John Intercepted him and whispered a few hurried remarks. Meanwhile, the owners of the third and fourth horses in the race joined In the conversation, and after a short, earnest confab they dispersed, and Sir John was declared the winner. These four horses won all the races at the meeting, and after receiving the stakes the owners stayed over a day or two drinking each other healths and success io horse-racing; but they quarrelled in their cups, and it came out that the four horses were, all "ringers” from New South Wales. When the local owners, who were so badly beaten by these rovers, heard the "revelations” they became angry and demanded blood or their money back, but they got neither, for at the dead of the night, while the locate were sleeping off the

•leep «f the drvuk, the “rtagenT' sobered ?p, saddled, up. and rode off In different trecttons lu search of fresh flats aud [insures new.

Seme 50 years aco Doncaster possessed a jby no means enviable reputation on ackonut of the rough element that frequented the course, the crowd In this respect differing altogether from the orderly throng which assembles on the Town Moor nowadays. The St. Leger day, especially, was generally one to be remembered by visitors who did not care to patronise the enclosures. Ou the. afternoon when Voltigtier and Russborough fought out their now historic close flush the outside crowd was greater than ever. It was impossible to keep the course clear, and when the two horses mcntloued passed the post so close together that it was difficult to sav which had won the judge’s view of the race was greatly impeded. Before the man in the box had time to give his decision he was knr rounded by nn enormous crowd. “Volwon! Voltigenr’s won!” was thy cry they raised, and, confused by the clamour, to say nothing of the threats made It t! i e . verd,c t were against the favourite, the judge gave it as a dead heat, though backs of “Volti” declared that the piner horse had won. When the numbers Were hoisted side by side the disorderly awemWy quietened down somewhat. Directly It became known that the dead-heat tO zA bcoff * excitement again ran lu Ithl* 1th l* occasion- the crowd, despite the efforts of the authorities, spread right SSJST ■ t “° course, and some yards from the f 11 Kcen,ed impossible that c ° n ' rt he m ? dt ' ‘he horses, so thickly were the people packed. A clear nossa-e wMiJ*°r eTe^ kep i for job *“* Russborougli was greatly hampered. . clo ’« finish was witnessed, and thre»(£n£i“ uS J,ldge was mobbed and y lt ’ l personal violence it Voltir 9 “? t g,ven th e decider. Fortunately V!** had won by a head, and further trouble was avoided, hut as a specimen of racecoutwe rowdyism the scene wltou this occasion wanted some beat~l4ie Calcutta - paper, “The Asian ” states there are signs that the Calcutta T C exe- “ J’ther keeuer 6 "- aereet than usual in the proceedings of j,«tn iookniak o rS 11 thlB seaaol ». and there has i e fluttering among their doverotes iu consequence.. Instead of being allowed to deposit their security money on the day before racing commenced, aud pemg granted their licenses as a matter of Jfourse, the. bookmakers had thus time to Mend In theie applications for permission Ro bet some days beforehand. A notice was also posted up on the course thnt no potl'ug would, be permitted there in the (morning during _ training hours on race days. The “Asian" goo, on to say: The latter action is doubtless intended to counteract the forestalling that took place on Several notable occasions last season when owner* on appreahetng the lists found thnt their horses were at prohibitive, odds before an anna of stable money had been invested. We rather doubt the efficacy of the new enactment, and think that it any action at all is necessary it should take the form of prohibiting the double and treble event batting which has now become so popular with a certain class of racing men. Every race morning there ia a stream of these individuals to the haunts at which the ringraen most do congregate, and the wngering is considerable and undoubtedly has au appreciable effect on the betting durlug the afternoon. In confcequonee of it the market on the first race is always a poor one, as the bookmakers not unnaturally are inclined to cramp their prices until they see how the ■ first “leg” In the numerous doubles and treble? has fated. - And if another favourite wins the second race the odds are smaller still. Personally we do not think any legislation is needed, and consider that lu nine case, out of ten when an owner is forestalled it Is bis flwn fault, due wither to his having opened his own mouth too wide or not having his trainer aud .Jockey properly in hand, but if anything Jvlll stop it it is Vetoing double and treble event wagers altogether. In South Africa the local jockey clubs not only will not Resist In the. recovery of a bet of this Bort, bert make au undertaking not io lay one. a condition precedent to granting a license.

In commenting on the way in which a sire’s reputation cau be easily destroyed, “Milroy," lu the Sydney “Mail,” writes as follows:—A stallion’s reputation is as easily marred as a woman’s. The rise and rail of Orell was another Instance of an idol losing caste in a season. wiien this line son of Ayrshire arrived here he was much admired, and it was generally ad.mlttcd that he was a splendid specimen (pf the Kuglish thoroughbred, but a fault must be found, aud his evil English reputation was fallen back upon, and it was (Itscusscd for all it was worth to bis disadvantage. Oizil was unquestionably the best two-yenr-old of Ills day i u England, but he was run off Ills legs aud developed temper, as many a good youngster did before him, and will do again. in nine eases out of ten temper nnd rogulshness •re brought about by bad management, fl’roperly handled, the thoroughbred, though eager and fiery, is docile aud easily managed, but still easier to spoil. When Orxll weut into Duggan's stables to be trained he repented his Engltsh-Jearnt tricks, but in a very short time was Haught manuere by a capable rider and a firm trainer, and he settled down as steady as any horse at Randwick. Naturally, his Uisi>ositldu was docile and generous, but Ills English reputation followed him to the stud, and he was not patronised at first an liberally as a howie of Ids style and breeding should have been. But his owner, Mr Pat Osborne, had some stoutly-bred Curranduolep dames to mate with him, and Mr George Osborne followed stilt with some Follow mare*. That gave him *

chance, and -Kllfera, Bassinl. Dumont, and Qverdale came In his first season. The trio named fitvt each won as two-year* olda in the antamo before iaat. and Overdala came later. This quartet sent their aire- up sky-high iu the estimation of racing men and breeders, but last season Kilters, Dumont, and Basdnl failed dismally, aud Ursil’s reputation dropped to aero. At the best, it was argued, ills stock were only sprinters, and did not train ou. When five yearlings by him came in last April racing men looked nt them with a cold eye, out three’ out of the five have won races during the season, and the ‘‘mere sprinter libel” has been disproved by Dumont and Overdale, the former having won two well-endowed handicaps of a mile and three-quarters each, and Overdale went one better by winning Tat terra H’s Chip. Orzil’s reputation is now rehabilitated, aud, doubtless, if Kilfeera is tried over long courses, he, too, will add considerably to his sire’s prestige. (To the Editor.) Str, —Tn your sporting notes of Saturday night last you mention that I overlooked the acceptances for Wellington. This I wish to deny; ray reason for not accepting with Hohoro was that I thought he was unjustly treated. Trusting you will pub llsh this contradiction, and thanking you iu anticipation,—Yours truly, W. LOVETT. @ © TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB. The following weights have been declared by Mr Knight for the minor events of the first day’s racing at, the T.J.C.’s Summer Meeting:— Ferry Handicap.—Dr. Paulo 8.10, Jean 8.10, Zodiac 8.10, Daffodil 8.9, Elspeth 8.9, Romola 8.5, Malanta 8.0, Soult Maid 7.13, Nervine 7.13, Field Marshal 7.13, Laodlce 7.12, Rosette 7.10, Cuiragno 7.10, Sol 7.9, Virago 7.4, Lucy Godfrey 7.4, Engraver 7.4, Loch Fyne 7.4, Bully 7.4, Kereru 7.4, Sir Godfrey 7.4, Frankton 7.4, jLunetta 7.4, Zion 7.4. First Pony Handicap.—Girton Girl 9.2, Forth 9.0, Lucreee 8.6, Orange and Blue 8.6, Manoeuvre 8.4, Inspiration 8.4, Sally llorner 7.11, Solitary 7.11, Miss Cuirassier 7.4, Storyteller 7.4, Rapid 7.4, Wheturere 7.2, Whawhai 7.0, Sentinel 7.0. Marisa 7.0, Legerite 6.12. Stewards’ Handicap.—Hohoro 9.4, Minna •8.8, Strathavon 8.8, Black and Gold 8.6, Lady Auirte 8.5, Avalanche 8.4, Geordie 8.2, Waipuna 8.’4 The Middy 8.0, Waikato 8.0, Hautapu 7.12, Te Aroha 7.12, Lovelink 7.4, Calle Iris 7.2, Seabird 7.0, Lillymea 6.10, Desdemona 6.10. Handicap Maiden Plate.— Klug Paul 8.12, Noteoriui 8.4, La Cigale 8.4, Rookby 8.4, Native Rose 8.4, Air Gun 8.3, St. Harp 8.3, Golden Sauds 8.3, Sergius 8.3, Seabird 8.0, Romola 7.8. St. Rowan 7.8, Albuera 7.6, Reckless 7.6, Rosette 7.2, Evert 6.10, Simple Simon 6.10, Lion 6.10. Calliope Handicap.—Kilderkin 8.7, TTorsa 8.5, Luresome 7.12, Annette 7.4, Idol 7.4, Devonport 7.4, Dardanus 7.4, Syren 7.2, Miss Nina 7.2, Hiro 6.10, Miss Delaval 6.10. Handicap Hurdles. — Princess of Thule 11.5, Dolores 11.5, Spalpeen 10.12, Glasgow 10.7, Walraka 10.2, Loch Lomond 10.0, Irish 9.4, Maroon and Gold 9.0. Zealandia Handicap.—Hohoro 9.9, Black and Gold 9.0, Liberator 8.6. The Middy 8.5, Alba Rose 8.4, Waikato 8.4. Te Aroha 8.0. Ben Blair 7.12, Lovelink 7.10, Gweniad 7.10, La Cigale 7.7. Millie 7.7, Discoverer 7.7, Romola 7.4, Woodmount 7.4, Muthema 7.0, Rosette 7.0, Hector 6.12, Sllicia 6.12, St. Cyril 6.10, Desdemona 6.10, Taihora 6.10, Lillymea 6.10. ©. © © WHANG AREI JOCKEY CLUBS ANNUAL MEETING. WHANG ARBI, Friday. The opening day of the Whangarei Jockey Club’s annual meeting was held today, and was a great sucess. The weather was fine and although the attendance was not large, speculation was fairly brisk, the sum of £849 being passed through the machines ia 10/ tickets. The day’s sport was well conducted by the secretary (Mr R. Dent), everything passing off without a hitch. Results:— Mack Race.—Havelock, 7.7, 1; Pamporia, 7.10, 2; Bras D’Or, 7.10, 3. Dividends, 18/ and £1 7/. Nine stavled. First Hurdles.—Hakarla, 9.0. 1; Peter Simple. 10.3, 2; Sirdar, 12.7, 3. Dividend, £l. Time. 2.57. First Pony Race.—Lady Howitzer and Nguwhaf, dead heat; Vera 11. 3. Dividends —Lady Howitzer £2 8/; Ngawhai 12/. Whangarei Cup.—Mr A. H. Lloyd's b e Sir Gilead, 4yrs, by Gilead—Merry Kate, 0.0 (Julian), 1; Mr A. Tooman’s b m Boinroiana, 4yrs, 7.5 (Cotton), 2; Mr A. A. McKenzie’s b g Corporal, aged, 8.12 (Gosnell). 3. Calle Iris was scratched. Time, 2.28 45. Dividend, £2. Publicans' Purse Handicap, seven furlongs.—Mr A. Bray’s ch m Seatonla, syrs, by Seaton Delaval—Leocant, 9.0 (Julian), 1; Mr Harris’ b g Rainbow, aged, 7.7 (Somwell). 2; Mr D. Lynch’s ch g Snndini, aged, 10.0 (Wutkiu), 3. Time, 1.34 2-5. Dividends, £1 14/ and £1 3/. Railway Handicap, one mile.—Mr A. McKenzie’s b g Corporal, aged, 9.7 (McKenzie), 1; Mr M. McLeod’s Bras d’Or, 4yrs, 7.0 (Searle). 2; Mr R. Armitage’s b g l,avadel, C»yrs, 9.5 (Stewart), 3. Time, 1.48 2-5. Dividend, 15/. Flying Handicap, six furlongs.—Mr A. Tooman’s b g Bonomiinia, by Hoult—Eileen Bawn. 8.10 (7’otton), 1; Mr A. Barry’s b g Woodfield, 6.8 (Julian), 2; Mr N. Finlayson’s ch g Havelock, 7.0 (Gosnell), 3. Time. 1.20 2-5. Dividends, £1 4/ and 8/. SECOND DAY. Malden Plate.—Bouomiana 1, Lunetta % Woodfield 3. Dividend. 17/. Second Pony Handicap.—Lady llowitser I. Vera 11. 2. Dividend, 12/.

Park Handicap.—Seatonla 1, Corporal 2, Calle Iris X Dividend, 16,'. Stewards' Handicap of 2500v5. one mile and a quarter.—Mr J. M. Mel*eod sb g Bras “ P r » by Cuirassier—Day Dawn inure. 6-10 (Searle). 1; Mr J. Kerr's b h Doctor, aged, 6.7 (Buckland), 2; Mr A. Drover’s b g Pamperia, 4yrs, 7.0 (Gosnell), X Won by three lengths. Dividend. £1 12/. A protect ou the ground that the trainer of the winner was not licensed was dismissed. Hurdle Handicap of 25sovs. About one mile and three-quarters. - Mr W. Foss’ b g llakaria, aged, by Reynard, 11.0 (Wilson), J ' Short B b g Revealer, aged. 10.10 (Met a be). 2 . Won easily by four lengths. Dividend, £1 «/.

Settlers’ Handicap of 20sors. One mile and u-qnarter.- Mr A. A. McKenzie’s b g L?^P ora ’ by Blairgowrie—Ma Petite FilHe, 10.11 (McKenzie). 1; Mr O. Child’s h g Newhaven. aged, 7.7 (Flukvi), 2. Won easily. Dividend, 12/'. Farewell Handicap of 20sovs Five furlongs. Mr A. Tooman’s br m Ronominna. 4yrs, by Soult—Eileen Bawn, 10.12 (Cotloni, 1; Mr C. Manning’s b m Lunplin, < G 2. Won by a h e ;d. Dividends, 17/ and 8/. © © OUAUPO RACING CLUB’S MEETING. The following acceptances have been received in connection with the above meeting;— Handicap Hurdle Race, one mile ami a half.—Glasgow. Saturn. St. Rowan, Mangamahaka. Fairy. Nick Hunt. Evermore, Putting Bil’y, Maiden Handicap, five furlongs. Cabaret, Piper, Au Revolr. Sul, Tul. Reform, Vanquish, Bromide, Maugapiko, Pihrorh. Ohaupo Handicap, one mile and a <piarter. Zuleika, The Needle, Needlew’iu k, Fvert inty ’ SL Kawau ' Cabarol ’ Kingsinau, Settlers* Handicap, six furlongs. Whakahihi. Certainty, Cabaret, Plpere, Ro<«kless, Tasman, Au Revolr. Evert. Sol, Fairy, Tlri, Mangapiko, Bromide, Pibroch. Flying Handicap, six furlongs. —Zuleika, The Needle. Needlework, Wh-akahihi. Ceitaint y. Cabs ret, St. Rowan, Reckless. Sol. Tul. Evert. First Handicap Trot, two miles.—Rushlight, Tataraimaka, Nancy. Comma, Next Time. Prince Imperious, Schoolboy, Mid, Nokomai, Jess, Miss Gallagher,’ Topsy, Ohaupik Second Handb*ap Trot, one mile and * half.—Rushlight, Miss Emtnerxon, Talar,-il-maka, Nancy. Comma, Next Time*. Prince Imiverlons, Schoolboy, Mid, Nokomal, Jess, Miss Gallagher, Topsy, Ohaupo. © © © ONEWHERO RACES. The following handicaps have been «rcclared in connection with the Onewliero hack races, to be held on Friday, January 20th:— Handicap Hurdle Race.— Tj»op?r 11.0, Rewal 9.10, Frank 9 10. Barney 9.7, Kore Awatea 9.5, Young Whangape 9.5, Jack 9.5, Mona 9.5. Midnight 9.0. Maiden Plate. Nskt Nora 9.10, Nell 9.10, Mona 9.5, Bessie 9.0, Jack 9.0, Bully 90, Young Whangape 9.0, Tommy Dodd 8.10, Larry 8.10, E.K. 8.10, Whirlwind 8.10. Onewhero Handicap.—Whangape 10.0, Frank 9.10, Kore Awatea 9.0, Nell 8.12, Young Whangape 8.12, Opotaea 8.10, Lurry 8.10, Pony Handicap.- Barney 9.5, Lariy 8.10, Bessie 8.7, Winnie 8.7, Piebald 8.0, 15. K. 8.0, Bully 8.0. leaping Match. —Bell, Mystery, Rewai, Sky Pilot, Nugget, Haupuku. Settlers’ Handicap.—’Whangape 10.0, Barney 10.0, Nel! 9.0, Kore Awatea 9.0, Bossy 8.10, Hippo 8.0. Maori Handicap. - Frank 10.0, Naki Nora 9.10. Rowai 9.5, Rimutaka 9.0, Young Whangape 8.10, Tommy Dodd 8.10. Settlers’ Trot.- Rewal sei at ch, Gipsy 10s, Bloss 50s, Opossum 00s, Wvka 60s, Dolly 60s, Athol tXJs. © $ © FOXTON RACING CHUB’S MEETING. PAIHATUA, Thursday. For the Foxton Racing Chib’s meeting the following weights have been declared by Mr Henrys:—Flying Handicap. —Kudu 8.13, Sardonyx 8.12, Dalky 7.13, Walkakaho 7.7, St. Amelia 6.13, Patuna Kl2, Furneaux 6.12. Fishermaid 6.11, Kahautoraugi 6.10, Chartreuse 6.7, Tuklua 6.7, Pastime 6.7, Sedgemoor G.T. Foxton Cup.—Ruseal 8.10, Douche 8.1, Sunfish 7.9, St. Joe 7.8. Ngatarua 7.1, Sea gull 7.0, Tlrolc 6.13, Tomahangi 6.l'A Rapids 6.10, Rnngarawa 6.9. Stewards’ Handicap. — Kudu 8.10, Sardonyx 8.9, Variation 7.13, Bonhenr 7.13, Shanks 7.11, Notos 7.9, Cumulus 6.13, Taklna 6.7, Olivia 6.7, Bourrasqun 6.7. First Hurdles.—Valkyrie 11.11, Anadeja 11.0, Athol Maid 10.5. Grand Jury 9.13, Lauree 9.10. Peruvian 9.9, Flanagan 9.3, Gipsy Jack 9.0, Wakatuatahi 9.0, Ilaererc 9.0, Kotniuga 9.0, Levant 9.0. Summer Handicap.-- Black Reynard 8.13, Shrapnel 8.9, Lass o’ Cowrie 8.8, Auratus 8.1, Kaharoa 8.4. Sunfish 7.11, Ziaka 7.11. Delarnero. 7.10, Ngalarua 7.3, Thole 6.13, Rungarawa 6.13, Sea Liou 6.13, Turepo 6.10, Gold Dredge 6.7, Goldwal 6.7.

Welter Uaudleap. 9.13, Valkyrie l>. 12. I’uahful 0.11. Alias Klug O.IU Mutos 9.7, Dalky 9.5, Vlelorta I’arlt B.IS, Cuuiulua B.IX Kuroki H. 13. Amaryliaa 8.12, Katertiia 8.11. Fireball 8.11. wild Duck K. 10, Keane 8.7, Weary Bill 8.7. The Kumaur d. 7, Sanioy 8.7, Lerlita 8.7, Listen 8.7. © © © I’AUIATL’A KACIN’O CLUB’S MHETINO. WKLI.INGTON, January 11. Flying Hack Handicap, 6 furlongs. Hlnctewa I, Sardonyx 2, I'atuna .’!. Won very easily. Time, I.IBJ. Dividends, ill IS/ aud 17/. Hark Hurdles, 1J mile.-Slecpwell 1, Moeraki 2. Athol Maid 3. Time. 3.2 U. Dividends, X’3 19/ and Cl 18/. Trial Hack Handicap, 7 furiougs.—Electric (Sun I. Victoria Park 2. Lavinia 3. Won by a length. Time, 1.34. Dividends, £0 19/ aud 15/. L'ahlntna Cup. 1J mile.—Hydrant I, Jeanna d’Arc 2, Plaidic 3. Won t.y a neck after a splendid rare. Time, 2.11. Dividends, £9 15/ and £1 IB,'. Telegraph Hack Handicap. 5 furlongs.— The Seer 1, Royal Blue 2, Miss Lancelot 3. Won all the way. Time, 1.5. Dividends, £9 10/ and £1 17/. Welter Hack Race, I mile.—Victoria Park I, Hainua 2, Lctheriu 3. Won by a nose. Dividends, £1 7/ and £2 IT/. Railway Handicap, G furlouga.—Platypus 1. Bounce 2, Wind 3.. Won by a length. Time. 1.1(1 1-5. Dividends. £1 2/ and £3 13/. Koniid Handicap, 7 furlongs. — Polyanthus 1, First View 2, Moctoropuku 3. Won without the whip. Time, 1.31 2-5. Dividend, £t 16/. The amount put through the tntn’fsntor ■w.ns £65397, SECOND DAV. WELLINGTON. Ja Newmarket Hack Handicap. a 1, Royal Flush 2, Mamlugn 3. AH tstaru-d.. Time, 1.3 3-5. Dividends, £2 12,' anti £3 1/, Hack Hurdles. — Talune 1, Morpeth 2. Weary Bill 3. Scratched: Flanagan. Time, 2.57 2-5. Dividends, £5 1/ and £2 15/. Makuri Hack Race.--Notos 1. Royal Flush 2. Patuna 3. Al! started. Time, 1.18. Dividends. £3 aud £1 11,'. Itaclug Club Handicap. -Npnecn 1. Sunfish 2. Mystification 3. Scratched; Rustique. Time, 1.5(1 4-5. Dividends, £5 12/ and £1 7/. Mangahao Welter llatidieap. tlamua 1. Isiuguld 2, Victoria Park 3. Scratched: Talune, Notos. Won easily. Time, 1.46 2-5. Dividends, £2 8/ and £4 17/. Maiden Hack Scurry.—Miss I-nncelnt t, Larina 2, Apili 3. Scratched: Bombay, Hoturoa. Won by a neck. Time, 1.5. Dividends, £" 5/ and £2 10/. Stewards’ Handicap.- Catspaw I. Turcpo •A. Rustique 3. Scrat cited: Sunfisli. Won by :i liend. Time. 1.174. Dividend. £4 3/. Grandstand Hack Raee.- Svlverie 1, IT«mna 2. Moeloropnku 3. All started. Won l>y a length. Time, 1.30 15. Dividends. £4 8/ and £t 1/.

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The Dunedin flteepteebase horse I’ipl is •likely lo be sent to Sydney - i In the cross-country events at the ilian J. C. Autumn Meeting, It is rumoured that later in ihe season, towards the luick end, in fact, Pallas majr go to Melbourne to rare there. The Otago mare Wild West, by Silvermark, has foakd h colt Io Black and Red, and has visited Silkworm. /k Soulhlnnd breeder is bewailing a piece of had lurk, lie ha.s two mares, one of which he sent to a trotting horse, and tln> other to Silkworm. Unforl unatedy, owing to some unexplained mischance, the two wore mixed up. with the result thnt the thoroughbred was served by the trotter, and his trotting mare by the thoroughbred. The Seaton Delaval mare Becky Seatou was priced in Southland recently, but as 250 guineas was asked no business resulted. At the Waikouaiti Clubs races on January 2 Mr Wise’s Stepnstde, after winning the Maiden Plato, carried off the Bray Memorial Stakes, thp conditions of which stated (hat the race was open to horses that had not won au advertised race of 25sovr or over. The owner of Trump, the necoiHl horse, protested*, on the grounds that Strpaslde was not eligible to start, having previously won the Maiden Plate, an advertised race of 25sovs. The stewar<L» dismissed the protest, but I lie Dunedhi J.C. on Thursday, in accordance with previous rulings given by them, upheld (lie a ppeal.

The report that Mr 11. A. Knight hdentlg to retire from racing is contradicted. horses wHI, however, be offered for Fata itfler the Canterbury Jockey Chib’s Sum* mor Meeting. K. J. Mason left for Welling!ou on Wwb uesday. taking with him Golden Lily Munjeet. He is greatly improved iu health. The yearlings purchased itu Auckland l»jf Messr Stead and Palmer arrived oh Saturday. Those bought by Mr Hobbs got down on Wednesday.

Mr Mend h.n« mad** another addition to his lengthy string of horses in Culroy, a threo-year-vld tilly by Wallace from Hortense, who finished second In this year’s Western Australian Derby after finishing a dead-heat for first place. The price paid for (he fiily was 250 guineas, and tho seller was Mr Dariot, of Western Austra-

lia. Local racegoers had a most enjoyable outing on Thursday, when the Hororata Racing Club held Its annual race meeting. The weather was lovely, and the attendance large, and if the racing had only been a little more interesting the meeting would have been reminiscent of the club s palmiest days. Mr Reynolds’ recently-patented toiallsator was used, and £852 was passed through it, against £768 handled at last year’s meeting. The field for the principal event, the Hororata Cup, consisted of Ihe Mohican (8.13). Secret Society (810), Clanburn (7.7) and Wet Blanket (6.11). ll>e -race looked to be a good thing for Jh* Mohican, who was very well, and was ridden by Hewitt, but after a capital struggle Aynsley’s horse, who started favourite, was beaten a length by Clanburn, in whom McCracken has wrought a great deal of improvement. Wet Blanket was a poolthird. and Secret Society, who is iu need of a spell, a bad last. Clanburu reappeared in the Welter Handicap, but with 10.8 ill the saddle, finished unplaced, the race falling to the Reflector gelding Calotype, who an hour or two earlier had won the 1 a rulers’ Plate, beating the Medallion horse Eubank Welbeck’s three-year-old half-sister, Pensive. defeated King Stork with something to spare in the Bangor Plate, and her stable companion, Cathron, also by Oto 11gado. accounted for the Halcion Stakes, in which Hoard of Honour finished second, and King Stork was third. The Selling Jtace fell to the Phaeton gelding Kye. Hewitt had an off day. He rode in five racc.s without catching the judge’s eye. CIIRISTCH URVII, Wednesday. The weather has been warm and dry for the past fortnight, and the tracks at Ricearton are beginning to feel its effects. A shower would do good now, although wc <l<» not want much rain. The Canterbury .C. received poor nominations for its summer meelug. It never expects much patronage from outside owners for this particular meeting, and when it receives very little, as in the present case, it is not disappointed. Moreover, it is generally content to make a deficit on

jlhe meeting. Aynsley was quite out of luck at ITororati». As 1 told yon on Saturday, he lost the Cup with The Mohican, a circumstance to which a bad start and injudicious riding largely contributed, and in addition the horse was lame when he returned home. Furthermore. The Gnesser broke down .while competing in the Welter Handicap. It is stated that R. J. Mason was desirous not long ago of buying Mahutonga ahd sending him to Australia. I was aware that Mason thought very highly of the son of Quilt, but did not know his opinion had extended to the point of wishing to buy him. Directly Beau Seaton was landed on his return from Auckland he was despatched to Oainaru t<> his new owner. Mr J. Buckley. On their return from Auckland on Wednesday To-morrow and Signalman were given an easy time. The former has an

enlarged fetlock as the result of her fall in the County Handicap, and Signalman has been injured slightly by a collision with rails. The latter has now fully recovered, ami is iu strong work again. Stronghold and Glonowlct left for Wellington on Friday to fulfil their respective engagements at the Wellington Racing Club's Summer Meeting. Muster Alix will leave to-day (Wednesday). The Clanranald mare, Woathereye, who has been to Hawke's Bay on a visit to Birkenhead, ret turned last week, and will go on to Sir George Clifford’s stnd shortly. Magnificent and Conal did not return from the West Coast with th*' rest of -the Canterbury contingent. Tho former was transferred to a West Coast trainer, and the latter was sold. The Multiform -Marion coll. Highland Fling, has been’thrown up for a spell. He is growing very fast, and is lame into the bargain. Manjess is throwing off the shoulder lameness which has been troubling him, and Will probably resume work in a few days. Slow Tom and Zealous are again in Strong work. James Pine has left W. Pine’s employ, and J. Butler has transferred his services from F. Holmes to Derrett. Tho following business has been done during the week.—Wellington Cup and Telegraph Handicap: GOO tc 3 against FJameu and Ailsa, s<M> to 19 Quarryman and Petrovna, suo to 21 Starshoot ami Good Intent. ;>OO to 4 Convoy and Good lucent, 500 to 12 Quarry man and Golden Lilv, 500 to 5 Joo Chamberlain ami Ailsa. 5<K) to 24 Flaraen and Solution. 4<h> to 26 Nightfall T!! 1 400 to * bowman and w ßed G ‘Hinthd and Golden Idly, 4W to 11 Nightfall and Chivalry. 400 to 10 Quarryman and Chivalry. 40 to 1 Hops and Ailsa. 300 to 7 Red Gauntlet and Chivalry. .300 to 4J Nightfall and Good Intent. 300 to 9 Nightfall and Petrovna, 300 <0 6 Nightfall and Solution. 300 to 3 Joanne D’Arc and Ailsa. 300 to 1$ Jeanne D’Arc and Solution. 3(H) to 14 Melodeon and Solution, 800 to 7 Melodeon and Ballarat. 300 <0 « Ghoorka and Ailsa. 300 to 3 Joe Chamberlain and Solution. 300 to 3 Convoy and Solution, 300 to 6 Convoy and Golden* Lily. Dunedin (’up and Publicans’ Handicap: I<M) to .3 against Red Gauntlet and Pallas, 100 to 3 Red Gauntlet ami Vladimir.

ENGLISH RACING.

LONDON, December 2. The flnt race neaaen of 1004 came to a end last Friday, the inter ven-

Hon ef Messrs Frost, Blizzard, and Fog causing the abandonment of the remaining fixtures, Including the Manchester meeting, the piece de resistance of which fe the November Handicap. So, somewhat earlier than usual we are able to sum up the results of the year’s “legitimate” sport on the turf and make a note of those whom fortune has favoured. As usual, a glimpse at the

WINNING OWNERS of the season discloses at once the fact that it has been this year very much as of yore —“To him that hath,” etc. Thanks to the victory of Hock Sand in one of the £lO,OOO stakes, Sir James Miller heads the list for the second year in succession, his total this time being £27,928, this being over £3OOO iu excess of his gains last year. Thanks to Pretty Polly, who has won £18,440 of the £19,899 standing to his credit, Major Eustace J>oder stands second on the Jist instead of third as last year, having changed places with Mr L. de Rothschild, whose winnings this season aggregate £17,032 as against £18.8.36 last year. To the former total the peculiar-tempered Derby winner St. Amant has contributed no less than £11,750. The millionaire Duke of Portland, who had a wretched run of luck last season, has come to the front again this, and with £13,099 to his name stands fourth on the list, closely followed by Lord Carnarvon wltJr £12,143, whilst Lord Rosebery and Mr F. Alexander bear each other still closer company, their winnings being £10,122 and £lO,llB respectively. To his unbeaten colt Cicero Lord Rosebery chiefly owes his prominence, for the son of Cyllene and Gas has won no less than £8591 during the season. Our American friend Mr James Musher has also had a good season, his stakes account running to £9826, whilst Pretty Polly’s trainer, Mr r. P. Gilpin, has won £8650 with his own horses. Tenth on the list is the ex-South Australian sportsman, Mr R. H. Henning, who from £7BO last year has jumped up to £7518 this season. Another expatriated Australian who has done fairly well is Mr Lionel Robinson, who has won nine races and £4704 10/. Others over the £5OOO mark are Lord Howard de Walden (£6627), Sir E. Cassel (£6587), Lord Derby (£6424), Mr A. P. Cunliffe (£6072), and Mr K. Dresden (£5946). His Majesty the King has had a very poor season, his stakes account amounting only to £1903. WINNING JOCKEYS. For the fourth time in his career as a jockey tnat fine rider Otto Madden heads the list of the winning jockeys with a total of successful mounts equal to that of his 1898 record of 161. Possibly he owes his premiership this year to the terrible accident which overtook his great rival, W. Lane, early in September. At that time Lane headed Madden by nine points with 124 wins, a record that has proved good enough to retain for him the second place in the list. Still Madden deserves the honour he lias gained, for there is no more reliable horseman in the business at present, and as a finisher he has no superiors among his contemporaries. “Danny” Maher, the popular YanPee jockey, has materially improved on his last year's figures, ami stands third on the list with 115 wins, and his percentage, 24.89, is considerably better than that of Lane, Madden, or any other jockey, Laue being second with 21.8, and Madden third with 20.40. no other rider having achieved equal to 20 wins per hundred mounts. E. Wheatley, with 84 successes, comes fourth; but the striking feature of the season has been the success in their first year of two clever apprentices, E. Sharpies and W. Saxby, the horsemanship exhibited by the last-named having been particularly meritorious. M. Cannon has had 329 mounts and scored on 47 occasions, as against 349 mounts and 53 successes in 1903. The following arc the total rides and wins of the first 12 jockeys for the season:—

Mounts. Wins. Madden 729 161 Lane 568 124 Maher 462 115 lE. Wheatley 510 84 W. Halsey 582 83 ♦Sharpies 502 77 IL Dillon 381 75 W. Griggs 650 66 Trigg 642 61 Randall 303 56 £axby 436 49 M. Cannon 329 47 The Australian jockey F. Bullock, who is attached to C. Brewer’s stable, has done moderately well considering bis limited opportunities. Out of 94 mounts he has scored 8 times, has had to play second fiddle on 13 occasions, and has managed to squeeze hia mount home third 9 times. Amateur horsemen on the fiat make a poorer show in the riding statistics year by year, and for that just concluded the figures present little of interest. As in 1903 and 1902, Mr G. Thursby is easily first both as to mounts and wins, and since “Mr Abington” joined the majority aud TL Randall the ranks of the professionals he has had things pretty much his own way. His figures for the year arc 40 mounts, 11 wins, 11 seconds, and half a dozen thirds; and bis nearest attendant is M. C. de Para v ictal with 6 wins out of 23 mounts. We now turn to the winning trainers of the season. Last year G. Blackwell easily headed the list with a total of over £34,300. but though he has won 31 races worth over £30,000 for his patrons, he has been displaced from the post of honour by Mr I*. I*. Gilpin, whose horses have won 44 races of tho value of £35.659 15/. There is a big drop down to the third in the list, who is none other titan John Porter, who, <hanks chiefly to Dcrley Dale's winnings of £101,410, is credited with neatly £20,000. P. GreusU, with 45 races to his stable's rredit, is fourth with £15,001, /ust ahead of W. R<fi»inson, who has captured 41 events, worth £15,141; whilst FaHon and Hayhoe’a homes have rredHed their respective stables w-4th* £ILS6B and £14.566. and Percy reck has turned out wißueni of

£12,708. The credit ot tnrniug out tt>e greatest uumber of winners, bowerer, belongs to W. Elsey, who has during tbe season taken TO races. But he is only elerenth on tho list of winning trainers, with a total of £lO,OOO, bis speciality being "tittle fish," the average value ot the stakes won by tils horses being about £126. The exAustralian trainer, Brewer, has done well, considering the modesty of his merit, and thanks chiefly to tbe doings of Mr Henning's horses. Brewer has turned out twelve winners ot 24 races, worth £T,788 10/ during year, ami must be held to have held his own with our best. And now we come to the money spinners themselves, it was a duel between Major Eustace Loder's three-year-old Pretty Polly (Galllnule—Admiration), and Sir James Miller's four-year-old Derby winner Roeksaud tSalnfoiu— Roquebrune, for pride of place among the winning horses of the season, and but for her unaccountable defeat in the Prix du Consell in Franee, the ally would have won As it is, though she had not the £lO,OOO race credited to her, she makes a good second, Roeksand's five wins being worth £10,719, whilst Pretty Polly's seven victories enriched her owner to the extent of £13,440.

St. Amant (3 years) come third on the list with £11,750, the son of St. Frusquin and Loverule having borne the ‘'bine and yellow” livery to victory only once after he bad placed the Derby to Mr L. de Rothschild's credit. The Duke of Portland s three-year-old Da-riey Dale (St. Simon — Ismay), though not within a stone ot a first class animal, has been lucky enough to credit his noble owner with a couple of races worth £10,410, which places tbe colt fourth on the list, and Lord Rosebery’s two-year-old colt Cicero (Cyllene—Gas) comes fifth, having won five races worth £8591, without tasting-the bitters of defeat. Mr Mester's fine three-year-old colt Henry the First (Melton— Simena) has won four events worth £6342, and Lord Howard tie "Walden's four-year-old Zinfautlel (Persimmon—Medora), and Jx>rd Carnarvon’s Robert le Diable (Ayrshire—Rose Day), 4yrs, have both narrowly missed the £5OOO mark, the former having won £4984 in five races, and the latter elx events worth £4914. A better performer than this pair, however, was the three-year-old colt Dalaunay (Fortunio—Pet), which won no leas than ten races worth £4622; whilst old Ypsilanti (Galore—Stefanette) proved his six-year-old worth by capturing half a dozen handicaps and weight-for-age races of the value of £4507, and Andover, a three-year-old son of Rightaway and Sister Lumley, won four events worth £4i23. Next to Cicero, the best performers among the two-year-olds seen out were Galantine (Galllnule —Volante), which won four races and £3754; Vedas (Fiorixel — Agnes), which carried off six events ot the value of £3529; and Comedian (Orme — Blare), which credited its owner with four races worth £3107.

In conclusion brief mention may be made of the principal winning stallions of the year. The most successful of the season was Pretty Polly's parent Galllnule (Isonoiny—'Moorhen;, who has gone one better than he did last year, when he ran a good second to St. Frusquin with £26,478 to bis stock’s credit. This year 17 of Gallinnle s progeny have won 34 races, worth £30,105, to which total Pretty Polly has contributed £13,410.

Sanfoin (Springfield—Sanda) stands next on the list, hi® stock having won 14 races worth £21,929. but to that amount Rocksand alone contributed over £19,000. Third comes old St. Simon, who, after a poor

season last year, comes up stalling tMfl with 15 wins to hb credit, end a total of £17,576, Darky Dale’s -eonUHmtloa thereto being over £lO,OOO. St. Simon’s non St. Frusquin, thanks to St. Amant, runs bio sire close with 19 wins and an Aggregate of £17,341, and Cyllene, ehietiy owing to Cicero's wiimiugs, takes fifth place, bls stock bavins wop 26 races worth £15,54T. Ayrshire takes pride of place In the matter of actual wins, 20 of his offspring having annexed 45 races of a total yaiue of £l5»468.

The other sous ot St. Slmoa show np well in tbe list, uaniely, Florlzel 11. and Petsimmou, the former’s stock having won 34 races, worth £13,091, aud the latter's progeny £10,308 iu 21 races. This pair is split by Rightaway and Melton, at whom the former’s offspring have won 23 races, worth £11,990. whilst Melton, very materially assisted by Henry the First's earuiugs of £G4BI, just beats Persimmon with an aggiegate of £10,337. Of the Antipodean sires ot stock running iu England, there is little to choose between Musket’s sons Trenton and Carbine, for while the former is the sire of ten winners of thirteen races, worth £4550, ten of Carbine's get have won between them sixteen events of the total value of £44SO. Tbe other staJHons known io you some out very indifferently. Derringer and Chain Shot are each credited with one winner of a race worth a modest £lOO, Merman figures in the list as the sire of a winner of two races worth £236, Auruni 11. as the sire of the victor in a race worth £l9O. and Australian Peer of the winner of a eolitury, event worth £273. Bill of Portland may, Inter do credit to bis sire St. Simon on this side of the water, but only two of his progeny have won races thfe year, tbe value of the stakes being £685. In connection with the foregoing figures it should be mentioned that Irish and Comtlnental races arc ignored, and only flat races between the opening of the season at Janeoln and its premature closure by Jack Frost are taken into account.