TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 23, 9 December 1905, Page 20

TURF NOTES.

Answers to Correspondents.

LJ—T cs ; Franklin raced at several meetings in and around the Waikato last season.

J. North. — Oialiuhn programmes can always he bought in the town on the morning of the races. In the case of country clubs, the cards are only obtainable in the place where the races are held. In the Flying Handicap at Te Aroha, Lucreee was No. 5 on the card, and ran second, paying a dividend of £2 13/ for 10/.

Franklin won the first and last races at the Tukapuna Spring Meeting.

The Swimmer was limping after his fall in the steeplechase last Wednesday.

I*. .Tones returned to Ngaruawahia with Bromide and Franklin last Friday morning.

Martyr Ring, Pobleda, and Roseplot wore shipped to Gisborne by the Tarawera on Saturday.

Hohoro has incurred a 3ib penalty in the Railway Handicap, which brings his weight up to 9.9.

Armistice has incurred the maximum penalty for the Auckland Cup, and will now be required to carry 7.4.

The tender of Mr O. S. Craig, £BOO, has been accepted for the erection of a grandbland for the Ohinemurl Jockey Club.

Sol is the first of Soult’s progeny to win either over hurdles or big country. Sol is not engaged in the A.R.C. Steeplechase.

IL McMiken has taken in baud a three year old filly by St. Hippo, half sister to Leonator.

F. Macmanemin has put the unnamed gelding by Sou’wester from a half sister to Splinters dam in work again at Ellerslie.

A Perth paper has it that Rae, who went to W.A. with Mr T. Fenton’s horses some months ago, is going to relinquish training them.

F. "Speakman, who was badly hurt when Forth fell with him on the second day of the recent A.R.C. Meeting, has sufficiently recovered to leave the hospital.

Stepmar was badly kicked when at the post for the Vauxhall Handicap, and the services of a veterinary had to be called

Gwenlad was lame in front when she returned to the paddock after winning the Stanley Handicap at Takapuna last Wednesday.

Sol has competed hi six races this season without suffering defeat, lie has accounted for lour hurdle races and two steeplechases.

The Auckland Racing Chib have secured one of the City Council’s old water carts for watering the tracks at Ellerslie during the summer months.

King Paul, who ran second in the Welter Handicap, on the concluding day of the Takapuna Spring Meeting, filled the same position in that race last year.

Geordle, who accounted for the St. Andrew’s Handicap on the opening day of the Takapunn Spring Meeting, and Gwenlad, who annexed the Stanley Handicap on the se<iHut day, both wou the same races last year.

Six boxes have been engaged at J. Gainsford’s, Green Lane, for Sir Geo. Clifford’s horses, and they are expected in arrive here from the South on Sunday, the 10th tnat.

J. Twchlll tc"k T.j’dy Clare and Rookby back to the Thames* on Friday. There 1r n probability of his fetching Princess of Thule to Auckland next week to finish her preparation for the A.R.C.' Summer Meeting.

Royal Shell knocked himself about a lot when ho fell nt the last fence in the Maiden Hurdles on the opening day of the Taknpuna Spring Meeting. Ho Injured his round bone, while he also bad one of ids knees badly cut.

Nominal ions for the Drury Racing Club’s annual meeting close on next Friday, the Bth Inst., at 9 p.m., either with the secretary. Mr J. Knott, or Mr 11. B. Massey, High street, Auckland. .

The Ngaruawahia I : I.• iu;ld their annual meeting on the L’»ch inst. at Ngaruawabla. A special excursion train has been arranged for and the club can confidently expect a large attendance. Owing to numerous complaints from investors that they were unable to get their money on the outside machines at Ellcr<d’e, the club have decided to enlarge the totalisator house, thus giving greater facilities to those who desire to invest.

Lovelink’s presence in the Cheltenham Handicap last Saturday was due to the fact that his owners, Messrs Williamson and Currie, were laid the sum of £2OO to nothing by a sport who held the only ticket in the double machine on. the combination Geordie and Lovelink.

At a meeting of the Greymouth Trotting Club, held on Tuesday, it was decided that no bookmakers be allowed on the club's property during the summer mooting. The services of two detectives are to be employed to enforce the matter. The other clubs on the coast are taking similar action.

Lcolantis was the most successful sire at the recent Takapuna meeting, with three winning representatives; Soult, Seaton Delaval, and Tasman had two each, and Cyrenlan, Insomnia, Catesby, Medallion, Ben Godfrey, Brigadier, and Explosion one each.

When the field jumped off in the Vauxhall Handicap at Takapuna, last Wednesday, one of the competitors chopped right across the field, nearly bringing several of them down. It was lucky that at least two of the runners were not thrown over the rails.

The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile are holding a sale of racehorses at the Harp of Erin stables next Thursday, when the following highly-bred horses in training will be offered : Sweet Alice, Austerlitz, Sonoma, Kilderkin, Forth, Lady Farrington, and Apologue. Further entries are solicited.

When the field were despatched in the Cambria Handicap last Saturday, Duart soon put a break between himself and the rest of the competitors, and it was thought that Mr McLean’s colours would at last be born© to victory, but when the first turn was reached, he cleared right out to the sand track, and was never afterwards in the hunt.

The list of winning trainers at the recent Takapuna meeting is headed by R. Hannan with four wins, P. Jones had three, C. Weal two, and P. Conway, W. Olive, R. Hall, F. Macmanemin, F. Ross, A. Mitchell, and R. Thorpe one each. Deeley was th© most successful horseman, with four winning rides; Ericson had three, Marchant and. Cress two, and Julian, Jenkins, Cottony Mclntosh, and JRyanl one each.

Mr B. Armitage, owner of Lady Annie, informs me that his mar© met with a slight accident last Thursday and has been under the care of the veterinary surgeon since. Mr Armitage was expecting the vet.’s report before accepting with the mare, but as he was unable to get it before the acceptances fell due he accepted on the off-chance. Mr Armitage wishes this fact to be made public, as there is a big probability of the mare being a non-starter In the Railway Handicap.

One of the most phenomenal runs seen on a course for some time was that put in by Sol in the Maiden Hurdle Race. After they had gone about a mile he seemed hopelessly out of it, but laying down to his work In great style he cut down the leaders In a couple of furlongs, and going on won easily. A short lime ago Sol was in the market, and could have been purchased at a very small figure; but after his recent displays it is doubtful if five times the amount he was then offered for would secure him now.

Legerlte was looked upon as almost a moral by bls connections for the Medrose Handicap last Saturday, and some very knowing ones were quietly backing the sou of St. Leger. Getting away with his rider after doing bis preliminary, he did two or three circuits of the course on his own account. When pulled up, be was in such a stale that the stewards allowed him to bo withdraw’!!, and luckily for his supporters, the money invested upon him In the machine was returned.

Tn the Champion Stakes, 1} mile, at Newmnrket, on the 17th of last month, that great mare Pretty Polly simply made a hack of Hackler’s Pride, for whom Sir T. Sykes recently gave COOOgs. Backers sent Pretty Polly out at 5 to 2 on. and she never gave them any anxiety. Hackler’s Pride must have been In good form, too, as on the following day she beat Nabot and Evergreen ns she liked in a mile weight for age race. On the day that Pretty Polly disposed of Hackler’s Pride, the former’s ■lster Adula was sent out at 11 to 10 on tor the Newmarket Oaks, in which phe wan

in receipt of 9ib from Cherry Lass. The distance, 1} mile, was supposed to be somewhat against the latter, as in the St. Leger she did not shape like a genuine stayer. However, she stayed too well for Adula. whom she beat In a canter, and it is now reckoned that she must have been off colour when Challacombe and Polymelus downed her in the Leger.

The longest flat race of the season in France was run at Paris last month. This was the Prix Gladiateur, 3 miles 7 furlongs, at weight for age. There were only four runners, M. Edmond Blanc being represented by Gouvernant and Cbauiaan. and M. J. de Bremond by Maximum and Toast. Odds of 100 to 30 were laid on M. Edmond Blanc’s stable, but backers went down, as Maximum fairly outstaying Gouvernant, beat him home by eight lengths in 7.40 3-5, the other two finishing a long way back. The prize money was 1200 govs, added to a work of art of the value of 400 so vs.

I have often wondered what had become of old St. Kilda, who in his day was more than useful both on the flat and over hurdles. -In conversation with Mr W. J. Ralph on Saturday he informed me that while riding through the Waikato recently he met a farmer on a decent-looking sort of a hack, and on inquiring as to his breeding, etc., he was informed it was St. Kilda. The old son of St. Leger, Mr Ralph informs me, was (with the exception of an enlarged joint) looking in splendid health, and is now the property of Mr Duffey, of Pukemiru, where he has a comfortable home in his old age.

The defection of Scotty from the Auckland Cup will come as a bit of a surprise toa number of people who have for some time contended that he has been farmed for this particular race. Course watchers generally, however, have been under the opinion that his trainer, F. McMancmin, would have all his work cut out. to get him ready by Christinas, and evidently he himself has arrived at the conclusion that it would knock the horse about unnecessarily to attempt to do so. In allowing Scotty to drop out at the first acceptance his owner has shown a consideration for the betting public for which he is to be commended.

The death of Sungod will be a serious loss to Mr Stead. Sungod was by Multiform—Otterden, and was generally looked upon as being very little inferior to his stable companion, Noctulform, who holds an unbeaten certificate as a three-year-old. As a two-year-old Sungod won the Juvenile J late at the C.J.C. Spring Meeting and the Great Northern Foal Stakes at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting, while he was only once out of a place in his other four engagements. As a three-year-old he ran second to Noctulform in the A.J.C. .Derby, run In record time, and won the New Stakes and Grantham Stakes, his only two other essays at the meeting. Sungod’s death leaves Mr Stead with Cuneiform, Porcelain, and Munjeet as bls representatives in the Great Northern Derby. Isolt is not engaged either in the Derby or Royal Stakes.

With the big fields that are usually associated with racing at Takapuna it is a wonder that there are not more accidents than there are. The course is only a six furlong one, but at the present time the committee are unable to make satisfactory arrangements to secure sufficient ground in order to make it as large as they wish. There is one matter, though, that mey might give attention to in the present state of affairs, which In the opinion of experts would greatly minimise the risk of accidents, and that is to bank the turns as has been recently done at Ellerslie. The outlay, I am credibly informed, would not amount to more than about £GOO, and as this is only a trifling amount where danger to life and limb are at stake I venture to suggest that the powers that be give the question their earnest attention.

Dardanus, who fell during the ruunu 41 of the Cheltenham Handicap at 'Pakapuna lot Saturday, was badly hurt, and it mm with difficulty that he was got home to Green I/ane. With so many demand* upon thA finances of the racing elubs, one hsitffji likes to suggest anything to Increase these demands, but it seems a great pity tha|| considering how we pride ourselves on be< Ing up to date in racing matters, that no provision has been made for a horse ambulance. A few weeks ago I was shown au illustrated book of the New York Society for the l > i*evcution of Cruelty to Animals, and amongst the illustrations wtis a splendid one of a horse ambulance, which w?* 7 fitted up with every convenience. Were t clubs to consider the advisability of a vehicle of the sort mentioned, Mr Air>, the local inspector of the S.P.C.A., has book giving particulars of the way are managed in America.

Betting over the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap double still continues brisk. Mr Alf Adams reports- the following business:—Boo to 6 Scotty and Hohoro, 100 to 2 King Billy, 200 to 4 Scotty ami Landlock,4oo to 1 Scotty and Dardanns, 200 to 4 Scotty and Waitstl, 200 to 1 Scotty and General Average, 40<) to 1 Mabutouga and Dardanus, 300 to 3 Mahutonga and King Billy, 250 to 2J Mahutonga and St. Bill, 200 to 1 Mahutonga and Certainty, 200 to 1 Mahutonga and General Average, 400 to 1 Mahutonga and Foremost, 300 to G Paritutu and Hohoro, 400 to 2 Parltutu and Certainty, 300 to 6 Parltutu and Lady Annie, 800 to 2 Parltutu and Dardanus, 40Q to 8 Parltutu and Lady Annie. 150 to 1 Parltutu and Austerlitz, 900 to 4| Quarryman and General Average, 300 to 3 Quarryman and Waltatl, 250 to 5 Quarry-man and Lady Annie, sOto 24 Gladstone and Certainty, 150 to 1 Gladstone and To-mofrow, 200 to 4 Gladstone and Hohoro, 950 to 3 Gladstone and Dardanus, 500 to 24 Gladstone and General Average, 300 to 2 Zulieka and Glenowlet, 200 to 4 Zulieka and Certainty. 250 to 1 Putty and Carl Rosa, 200 to 34 Putty and Landlock, 950 to 15 Putty and Dardanus, 300 to 1, Putty and Gladstone, 1000 to 3 Heroism and Landlock, 1000 to 3 Heroism and Glenowlet.

The acceptances for the principal event® at the Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting, which fell due oil Friday, must, oa the whole be considered highly satisfactory. Thirteen have paid up for the Cup, sixteen for the Railway Handicap, andseven for the Auckland Steeplechase. In the Cup Mabntonga Is left at the head of affairs and provided he reaches the post in the same condition as when he accounted for the event last year will stand in nerd of a lot of beating. Backers will, however, be well advised to wait further information re his track work before supporting him. Quarryman still keeps his position in the betting market and provided he keeps on all right will probably start favourite. Parltutu has not been heard of since he competed at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting, but from private information received he can be regarded as almost a certain starter. Gladstone has been left in both the Cup and the Railway, and probably his party’s intentions will be made public shortly. Putty is weel enough treated on the score of weight and may prove the best of the local horses, although he might not be class enough to win right out. Mr Watt has paid up for Melodon, but such an unreliable customer can only be given a rough chance. Armistice by her victories at Fellding has earned a seven pound penalty, whieh only brings her weight up to 7.4, and some keen judges are found favouring her chance. She should defeat all below her. In the Railway Handicap all the fancied ones have stood their ground, and the issue at present looks decidedly open.

When the I**t melt left England lainglees sttll headed the tint of successful •teutons, his representetlres haring won £20,099. Gallluule was a close second with £20,686, while those whose stock have won over live figures were :— Cyltene* £17,813 10/; Persimmon. £13,104; Florhsel 11., £11,906; St. Simon, £12,385; ■nd St. Fruaquln, £11,813. The list of winning owners was beaded by Mr W. Hall Walker, with £22,462; and he was followed by Mr 8. Joel, £17,200; Lord Derby, £15,840; and W. Singer, £10.270.

Mr J. B ' J** l ' ias leased BUI of Portland to W. T. Robinson, and this very successfull son of St. Shuou will (writes the Special Commissioner of the “Sportsman”) stand in future at the Foxhill Stud. Bill of Portland no longer depends solely on the great reputation which he gained In Australia. His English-bred two-year-olds have done exceedingly well for him this season, few, if any. of them being incapable of winning a race, while some, such of Bill of the Play, Peter Jackson, and Noisy Bill are smart indeed. There is a prevalent Idea that Bill of Portland is not sure with his mares, but this In a mistake. He is a horse of curious moods and fancies. and needs at times to have a good deal of patience exercised In the management of him. but his foai record is a very fair one, and he will be all the better for another change of air and surroundings. Besides the two-year-old winners by him in England, there is also Cinder Bl!) in Ireland, quite a good colt. He is out of that very good little Trenton mare Cinder Bllen.

There Is some interesting information in the latest volume of the Stud Book published by the Messrs Weatherby. It is the twentieth, and appears after a four years interval. Reviewing the publication, the • Field” remarks that, from the usual analysis, in tabulated form. It will be observed that in 1901, 5801 mare* were accounted for; In 1902, 6001; ia 1903, 5768; and in 1904, 5661. Of these, no fewer than 1416 were barren in the first year, 1380 In the second, 1364 In the third, and 1272 in the fourth, and it may be added that the four years’ total of foals reaches 13,188. A desirable improvement, from a convenience point of view, is ther inclusion of Irish mares amongst the general body of the book, they having been hitherto Rt the end of the entries. The section devored to Arabs, though limited in extent. Is very interesting reading, whilst under the headang of Horses sent Abroad,” the bulk appear to have gone to the United States, and on the Continent Austria and Hungary, Belgium, France, Italy, and Germany, especially the latter, figure, largely. It Is also a healthy sUgn to see so long a list under the Cape, Natal, and South Africa, especially in mares; nor must the exportations to Australia and New Zealand during the four years be overlooked, the incr®ase being quite marked ns compared with Vol. XIX. This likewise applies to South America, so that there can be little doubt about the export trade in bloodsjoek being in a very flourishing condi-

DO^®,S S ?? s "’ ri ?, e . “ T,m Wl’iffler” rertiLi .J 1 ?/ Uo wel > fc u<> ' vn b! ™ Sunrls® J«rlMoi4. he S x- Ver I’lues Stud Farm, near iow ' °" November 13. The old fellow was rolling; when he Injured himself y ’ > a “ d dled shot ’ t! y afterwards. . 'x. who „ wa3 " fuil-brother to the erack New Zealander Sextant was a aa°'Tsx<? 101 ’ 8 M and wa " fl,a ’ ed as fa? bark as 1880 He was therefore 25 years of age. lie was by Robinson Crusoe from bunshine, by Marlbyrnong from Nlffhtlight W,’ J’ y ' 4 lrhy fr '" n Biwhligbt. hr Bay Middleton from Torch, by Lampllsliter. Bunrise was never raced, owing to meeting with an accident as a youngster, but he was a Wonderful success nt the stud, and It may be fairly claimed for him that his progeny have won more races than those of any other sire In the annals of the Australian turf. For many seasons past tsunrlse has occupied a prominent place In the winning sires' list, and the winnings of his progeny during his stud career must have aggregated close upon £60,000 or £70,000. A remarkable feature iu Sunrise » progeny was their shapeliness, and the old fellow produced winners from stud book mares ns well rm from mares whose ancestry was shrouded 4n doubt. In addition to siring good winners on the flat, quite a number of his progeny earned distinction over the hurdles, notable performers in the last-named connection being Rushlight 11., Blitz, Sunflower. Sunbeam, aud Sunshower, whilst he also sired such celebrities on the flat as Orient. Old Gold, Denbies, Heiress, Heritage, Sunbeam. Sundial, Eastern King, Meridian. Roseleaf. Moss Rose, Rosy Morn, Ray Rose. Sweet Rose. Silver Rose, May Dwy, Belgiorno, Sun ora, Dawn, Marechal Nell, as well as a host of lesser lights. In connection with Sunrise’s stud career, it is worthy of mention that not one of his progeny were chestnuts.

Writing of St. Amaut’a resurrection as ■ racehorse, an English seribe Is Interestiskly reminiscent of horses of whom peculiar fads are recorded:—“St. Amant’s cat has been duly recognised by the htstorlana of the Jockey Club Stakes. But I have seen no mention of the odd coliicldence that the Chattts Hill blacksmith who accompanied the ‘saint* and his feline pet to Newmarket was named Dick Whittington. Cats have acted us a. sedative to I,o,s * a before St. Amaut. Charles the Twelfth, the St. Leger winner of 1839. we are told, had a great affectton for a grey stable cat. and tf she were not wattia« to welcome him on bls return he mantlestail the most violent displeasure When ■taken out to run for the Doncaster Stakes, refused to proceed with the eat. who T?”. fetched and put (aside the tuucale Jr at \ hung at the horse's saddle bow. where the, latter could see it. upou which “CharE® gave a neigh of satisfaction. Best Man was also attached to a feline companion, and wheu, after winning the Feta

du Cousell Municipal, he got back from I 1 ranee without her—she was lost on the *”•7 “ e was quite sorrowful about It for days afterwards." The writer could have gone further and recc ?ded an extraordinary Instance of affection that existed between the Godolphlu Barb—head of the once great Mtitrhem Hue—and r cat. It Is stated in history that the Godolphin accidentally flattened out his faithful feline if ate after which lie pined away from remorse till death claimed him though every effort was made to make him forget the past by prttlug assorted cats in Lis box, but he displayed unswerving loyalty to the departed one by savaging every puss bls attendant brought to him. Dungannon, a famous racer In the last quarter of the eighteenth century, and subsequently a notable eta Hl on engendered a strong liking for a iamb, who occupied the same box with him till it became very tough mutton; and Birdcatcher’s particular weakness was, appropriately, a pigeon. Pretty Polly’s deep seated love for a pony friend Is on a par with that of a savage station sire 1 once knew named Cossack. He whs a sou of the great Cossack, and his weakness was an unfavoured and decidedly amellful he-goat. This horse was something of a man-eater, but as long as the goat was around, he generally behaved himself with decorum, and could be handlefl with comparative safety; but If “William” wandered out of sight, as he often did when the grass was green outside the boundary of the stallion paddock, he wov’ 4 be a bold man who would attempt to bridle or baiter Cossack.

Says an exchange: For many years the practice of making nominations void on tire death of the nominator has had vexatious results. Several times a Derby favourite ha* been put out of the-great race through nls nominator dyiug, and an scores of occasions the value of horses that have gone up for sale on the death of their nominator has been depreciated through their being put out of all their valuable engagements, <St. Simon, was a case In point. He could not ran in any of the “elassios.*’ and the Duke of Portland got him cheap In consequence. The stewards do not propose to go the whole hog and eliminate <the rule, but they propose to exempt from Its operation “entries for horses sold as yearling or foals during the life of the nominator, or such as are made under another's person’s subscription.” Commenting on this proposal the editor of the “Sportsman” says:—

“This would, of course, be a considerable relief to buyers of high class yearlings, who may under present circumstances find half the value knocked off by their engagements being rendered void; but I fail to see why yearlings and foals only should be brought within the operation of the proposal. Why not older horses, too? Then, again, no relief will be extended to the case of horses whose nominator dies, and whose entries realty constituted the principal part of their value. It seems to me that a very simple way out of the whole difficulty Is to give nominators the option of paying the entry money and other portions of the stake as they fail dur, and in that case let their nominations hold good In any event. This would be a most reasonable sedation, and Is already in a measure adopted by the conditions of stud produce stakes, ■according to which If the nominator of a stallion pays up his entrance money at the time of nominating, death will not void that entry. It will at once be seen that if ' a man has in his lifetime paid all his forfeits up to the date of his decease, the question as to executors not being able to pay them would not arise, and there would remain no conceivable reason why the nominations should become void.” The argument in favour of the rule has always been that at times the executors might not ba able to par the forfeits, or would refuse to do so. The Jockey Club can only collect from an unwilling debtor through the medium of the forfeit-list. Most men will pay rather than have their name appear in the black-list, but some do not mind readers of the ‘Calendar” knowing that they are in debt for forfeits. However, the proposed exemption is a step towards getting this annoying old rule done away with, and If the “Sportsman” suggestion finds favour it should not be long before it goes altogether.

Despite fashion find tTieory, there is some underlying control whlcl hfrom time to time forces certain lines of blood to the .front (says “Vigilant”) altogether regardless of any design on the part of breeders, instant Shore was a member of No. 9 family, notorious for its inability to produce good stallions. Indeed, Cyllene is the first horse of this family to sire a Derby winner since 1808, and no classic winner at all had been aired by any such horse since 1813, when Alttaldorn. by Diet Andrews, 9. won the St. Leger, but Distant Shore proved herself quite Independent of family weaknesses and traditions, and her sous, St. Damien and Gulliver, have been very successful at the stud In France, while Cyileae could not well have done better than he lias at the very outset of his career. I think, perhaps, Virginia Water is the finest of the old mare's daughters, and she produced not only Whittier, but the magnificent Lady Minting. who Is now at Mr Jas. It. Keene's stud tn Kentucky. I see, bv the way. that Mr Keene has entered Lady Mlntliig's yearling colt by Collar for the Derby 9f 1907. so It Is possible wo may see him in this country. His Is n rare combination of blood—St. Simon with John Davis (by Voltlgeur) aud sister to Ormonde with Minting. Besides the advance of the No. 0 family through Dfstant Shore, there has also been « persistent development of No. 7 blood, first as winners. and now ns sires. Persimmon and hts brothers, following on Donovan, fairly set the ball rolling, and Flying Fox and Wildflower lent strenuous assistauce. It 1s to be observed, too, that these great winners are not uuo to any single great matron of recent date such as Distant Shore, but to three different branches of the No. T faintly, via., Mowerlna, Ellen MMdMon, and Jeu d'Eoprtt. r lying Fox

and Wildfowler both descended from the last-named of those mares, for Vampire tuam of Flying Fox) Is a granddaughter of areasm, by Breadalbane out of Jeu d'Esprit, while Tragedy, the dam of Wlldfowler, Is a granddaughter of Jeu des Mots, by King Tom out of Jeu d'Esprit. Il Is a little curious that both Flying Fox and Wlldfowler should have prominent representatives for the forthcoming St. Leger In Vai d'Or Jar<ly, and Llanglboy, who will be opposed by Cicero, sou of a No. It sire. All the three Hires are youug horses. Flying Fox being only nine years old, thongn he has four-year-old sons; Cyllene and Wlldfowler are each of them ten years. There Is a further rosemblauce In the pedigrees of Flying Fox nnd Wlldfowler, that both are strong tn the h lying Jtutchuian blood, the one through Flying Duchess (twice) and the other through Masslnissa. while although Wildfowler does not gel the Intense In-breei.lng to Blacklock which Is notable tn Flying Fox, he combines .Skirmisher (son of Voltlgeur) with Sweetmeat; and Llangtbby takes In anomer close line of precisely the same Skirmisher blood tnrottgh Ids 'great grauddam. sister to llyshworth. Indeed, ho Is inbred, as was Sirenla, his three-parts sister, to the branch of No. 19 family which produced Galllnulc. Thus It appears that There Is a galaxy of outside blood surging to the top Just now, ami It only remains for Vai d’Or to give No. 39 family its first '•lassie wlnuor to make tills an auuie mlrabllls In racing history.

Fj n u a . ,h ' d, ? s 10 tl,e moa e r n racing scat an English writer said: "To America. It must .wor. ; >n f eSSed Z- We aro ‘“debted for many roro?Jn , ‘7 ent !?u’ '" ld milch desirable Inrniatloti with a very voluminous per ,oo!o ra ’ It , la O1 ? e “ to 1» e «Uon whether the • t under consideration may not be legitimately classed In the latter enteStify. It was adopted of neceaslty br the majority of our English jockeys, anil has since remained In favour. This pecullar position In the saddle was originally Introduced tu the States some six or aeveu years ago. To the craze for records Its h.eeptloii Is attributable, and without ucmlit the duration of races on the flat has been reduced by the Innovation Fivefurlong sprints are now generally achieved In from two to four or live seconds less trine than was the ease a decade ago. But what of that? If the forelegs of a young Ster could cope with five furlongs In' train 6sec aud stand the strain, what Is the advantage to the turf, or owner or backer, or sportsman, good, bad, or Indifferent. tr 3.“ Cr 2 b ? “ salu of 4sec or “'ore at the cost of the tender suspensory ligaments of one of Nature's most beautiful creatures—a two-year-old thoroughbred? This emanation of the confounded Ingenuity of Uncle Sam. who is not aud, It may be respectfully submitted, never was n horseman In the higher sense of the word, but who nevertheless has a knack of getting right there' without superfluous circumlocution or exertion, was simply achieved in the effort, as suggested, to cut time; nud cut time it did at all hazard Weight was rightly regarded as the chief factor In the problem. The question then cropped up as to the most fitting distribution of this great factor. Not ouly how It whs ’to be carried, but how Its carriage could be turned to most advantage. Hence some Interesting experiments. it was found that a racehorse, saddled and bitted, turned the scale nt, say, 10051 b A fockev was found to weigh 1301 b. The horse was then placed with Its forelegs onlv on tho scale, which was level with the ground, upon which the hind hoofs rested. The forepart of the animal In this position weighed approximately 5801 b —more than one-half of its whole weight. Next, the pressure on the forelegs of the horse, with the Jockey seated at ease in the saddle. In a normal position, proved -to be 6421 b an Increase of G2lb—that is. 31b less than halt the full weight of the rider. We now come to the crucial point of what the horse probably thinks a diabolical system for screwing out the coveted tsec In speed beyond Its natural capacity. Thus: the jockey was next stuck up on the neck of the horse. In that position the scale turned at 7081 b -that Is, there was uu Increase of 1281 b In the weight of the forepart of the horse, nr 661 b more than when the Jockey wns seated In tho normal position. It would appear then, that riding a finish in the American style is equal to doubling the weight of the Jockey so far as regards the forequarter of his mount.

mid i-: It is bct'oiHiug Mistmnary to sdop< this crouching position froui start to finlahl tbe in*rt‘ase<l st mtn on the forehand U sustained throughout the race and th® ligaments are thereby frequentiv strained) beyond all power of recuperation. The immediate effect of throwing the burthen to l>e carried forward is apparently to force the horse to take a longer and quicker stride with the hind legs in order t»• got them well under the weight to preserve his balance; hence we get the nd> vantage of our old enemy with the scythe mid the hour-glass, and cheat him of a. few seconds. But it remains to be seen whether the system Is likely to result. Inf the ultimate improvement of our noble friend the horse, or of his rider, or whether the one will in time develop the bind* quarters of a kangaroo, while the other. from bis too assiduous cultivation of what has been termed tho vnoukey-on-a-sttclc style of rhiing, will revert to the prehistoric conformation of the ape.”

Auckland Racing Club's Summitf Meeting. ACCEI**rANCKS FOU I.EADING HANDICAPS. The following acceptances have been received fur events to be run at the A.lt.C* Summer Meeting:—

AUCKLAND CIG* of 1350suvs. Two miles*

The following forfeits have been declared:—

Kieventb Royal Stakes. Gwenlad. Monoform. General Average, Grenade, Beau Seaton, Multifid, Puhtpuhi, Luresome, Cuneiform. Cluuchattan, Gleuowlel, Klug Billy, Annette, Kirriemuir. I’y lades, Cardooii, Conductor, Cambrian, Knasllkoff, Apollinaria, Inglis, Ijoongana.

Great Northern Derby. Multifid, Puhlpuhi, Master Delava], Apologue, 'rhe Rnven, Gay Spark, Clanchattan, King Billy, Boomerang, Annette. Great Northern Foal Stakes. Kirriemuir, Pylades. Cartloon, Cambrian, Conductor. Knastikoff, ApoUltiarU, Lluasear, Inglis, Asoff. © © © Takapuna Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting. The Tnkapuna Jockey Club « < arhulcd their Spring Meeting last W< -dnvsday. The weather was tine till just before the last race, when rain set In. The attendance, was fair, hut speculation wns again stow, and the amount handl' d by Mcb.srs Blomfleid and Co. during the afternoon was a decrease of £7<33 on last year’s amount, making a total decrease for the tuoil.-jys of £2902. Tho double machine was well patronised. the winning double, G .vrniad rtml Millie, being picked by lit investors, who

received £l7 5/ for each sovereign Invested. Thor*' were, unfortunately, three accidents during the afternoon. In the Hurdle Race Lady Clare fell at the first fence, and her rider (M. Decide) was rather badly shaken and cut about the head. He was attended to by Dr. Bruck way. As the Held Hued up for the Pony Race Opotikl started plunging, and throwing her head up struck In r rider (Brown) in the forehead, completely dinting him, and another rider had to be found. In the Steeplechase The Swimmer, when raring with Sol at the last fence, camo down, throwing his rider (W. Wilsoni "With such force as to break his collarbone badly. Both Brown and Wilson were attended to by Dr. Shnrnrin, after which iWllson was removed to t lie Hospital and Brown taken home. Mr W. J. Ralph officiated as judge and Mr <’. O’Connor as starter, and as on the first day the meeting was got through by Mr R. Wynyaril, the ♦egretary, and tin 1 various officials without a hitch. The later results are:— Dnndloek, Agra pus, and Master Dclaval .were the defections from the Spring Handicap, for which Geordle was installed favourite. The start was a splendid one. Millie was quickest on her feet, and joined by Rookby the pair showed the way past the stand, with Certainty and Le Beau at the head of the others. Going along the baeK Millie drew out with a three lengths’ advantage iu Rookby, while Full Cry and Geordle made a forward move. Millie was first to the home turn, and stalling off a challenge by Rookby in tin- run to the post lusted long enough to win by half a length, llbokby beating Full Cry four lengths for second honours. Delanla was fourth. Cor> tainty fifth, and Geordio, who had a had passage, sixth. Time. 1.41 3-5. Dividends, £5 7/ and £1 6/C. King Vanl declined his engagement in the Vauxhall Handicap, which attracted a field of 13. Bromide was favourite. I’uktkohe was first to show out, followed by -Omati and Ben, and this was the order as they went out of the siraigm ami along the .back, where The Raven ran up tn the leaders, and Bromide, who was badly chopped, out at the start, also Improved his position. At the entrance to the straight The Raven look charge, and holding his own in the run to the post won by a length and a-haif from Bromide, who was unlucky throughout. Beu was a length away third, and idol fourth. 'lime, 1.39. Dividends, £4 11/(5 ami £1 -O/tl. The nine- acceptors lined up for Hu* Pony Handiujtp. and Inspiration wt.s made the medium of most support. Inspiration was first on her feet, but was immediately steadied, and Orange ami Blue ami Sonoma got on terms with her. As they enieied the straight Orange and Blue and Inspiration were together, but at the distance Sonoma nut in her claim, and finishing strongly won by tw<» lengths from Inspiration, who was half a length In front of Orange and Blue. Time, 1-4*. Dividends, £5 7/6 and 19/. Akaraaa. Martyr King, and Certainty were, withdrawn from (he Ca Utley Handicap. Hohoro ami La nd lock were -equal favourites. When the barrier lifted Land lock was caught in the tapes and took no part In the race. Miss Winnie was first to make play, and she piloted the field to the home turn, followed by Pobelda and Alba Rose. At the distance Miss Winnie had still the best of it. but Hohoro pulling In bls claim ami quickly settling the leader went on and won easily by half a length from Miss Winnie. with Pobieda two lengths away third. »nd Te Aroha, who was badly blocked when making a run in the straight, fourth. Time, l.lfi. Dividends, £2 11/6 and £1 13/6. Only four came out for the R a kino Steeplechase, llinemoa and Bachelor being the withdrawals. Sol. Nor -west, and The Swimmer wen* all well backed, the former winding up the slightly belter favourite. The Swimmer, Mcrrysome. and Nor*-west were alternately In the lead till they reached the water the last time, where the order was ‘The Swimmer, Nor’-west, and Sol. At the fence at 1 he half-mile post Sol jumped to tile front, but The Swimmer was on terms with him al the mile post, !U )d the pair both hard ridden came to the last feme together. The Swimmer struck hard and came down, leaving Sol io go on alone and win by a dozen lengths from Nur’-west, with Merry some a similar distance away third. Timo, 6.22. Dividend, £2 9. . There were four scratchings in the Welter Handicap, the concluding event of the day, Lady 11 tine, Lovelink, Solo, and Soullflsh drojiplug out. Punters went strongly for Franklin, and he was made a warm favourite. King Paul was indulged in Hie lead to the distance, where Franklin came through, and soon settling the leader wont on and won by a length and a-half from King Paul, with Akarana a length further back third. Time, 1.45. Dividends. £2 1 6 and £2 6/6. & © © Ofabult.il Trotting dubs Spring Meeting. The opening day's racing in enuneetion Mlth the Otahuhu Trotting Cluh’s Spring Meeting took place on Saturday afternoon at Epsom. The weather was perfect, and not withstanding the strong counter attraction in the shape of the floral f» to there was a good attendance. Speculation, however, was not up to last year, the machines under Messrs Blomfieid and <’<». only handling Liu* sum of £2»HW. a decrease o*f £370. Mr R. J.. Absolum officiated as judge and Mr C. O'Connor as starter, the latter gentleman getting through his work in bls usual Style. A It hough some of the events wore won fairly easily, Mr H. Johnston, the ♦dub’s handicapper, had the satisfaction of seeing one or two close finishes. The meeting was gut through in first-class style by •the secretary, Mr F. D. Yonge, and the various officials, everything passing off without a hitch. As usual, the catering was In the efficient hands of Mr 3'.*King. The opening event, the Tria) Trot, saw 11 go to the post, Mangore, Porangl, and Glitters dropping out. Tataralmaka was made favourite. Minus took charge after they had gone u couple of furlongs, anil she led to the dip, where Tataralmaka caught and passed her, and trotting fcteadHy th#

hitherto disappointing daughter of Albert Victor went on ami won by two lengths from Minus, with Olive 260 yards away third. Time, 4.11 Li-5. Dividends, 17/ and 17/.

Redieaf was the only, withdrawal from the .Suburban Trot, for which Autocrat was made a better favourite than Thorndean. Thorndeaa refused to settle to his work when the word was given to go, ami Autocrat took charge, hut was soon headed by Weary Willie, who had command for about a mile, when Harold Abdallah went to the front, and he led to the back, but getting up, Weary Willie again had charge, ami keeping Harold Abdallah at bay over the last couple of furlongs won ail out by three lengths. Autocrat was a hundred yards away thin). Time, 5.15 1-5. Dividends, £1 15/ and 17/. Shrewsbury ami Dr. Quest failed to saddle up for the Spring Pony Handicap, leaving eight to line up at the barrier. Girton Girl was most In favour. The start was a splendid one. Ifurßiiri was uickest on his feet, but soon gave way (<» Solitary, and the latter piloted the field to the distance, where Girton Girl put in her claim, and quickly Fettling the leader went on and won easily by a couple of lengths. Solitary beating Hurihuri a length and a-hnlf for second honours. Time, 1.23. Dividends, £1 3/ ami 14/.

Stranger. Colenso, 'rhe Autocrat, Mnngenv.i, and Fibre ail dropped out of the Mange re Trot, and Prince Tuxie was made a very solid favourite. Prince Tuxie refused to setlie down at the start, and was soon hopelessly out of it. George, one of the limit horsts, made play till about a furlong from home, where General Election got on terms, and the pair fought out a good finish. General Election always having a hit the best of it and whining by a length, wh.’ch might have been increased had his rider desired. it. Empress was half a furlong away third. Time, 4.4. Dividends, £2 5/ ami £2 3/. .

The Ladles’ Bracelet brought out ah the Receptors with the exception of Prince Tuxie and Awhlowhio. Minus was made an miils-on favourite. Settling to her work quieklv the favourite never let the rest of the fieled near her. eventually winning by 50 lengths from Macquarrie, the outsider of the field, who beat Olive a length for second honours. Time, 4.17|. Dividends, 18/ and £<*> 14/.

Colenso and Next ’rime were the defections from the Electric Trot, for which Baxter was most in demand. The favourite overturned his sulky at the start and took no part in the race. Kiteonetea was in charge till the home turn was reached, when Farewell H. got in front, and going on won by a length, with Macquarrle two lengths further back third. Time, 2.3»i. Dividends, £2 8/ and 14/.

Only five came out for the Tramway Handicap, the second pony event, Sonoma, Inspiration, Hurihuri. La Annie, and Conspiress being withdrawn. • Girton Girl was again favourite. Solitary and Mataura made the running to the distance, where Girton Girl was given her head, and soon taking the measure of the leaders went ou and won by a couple of lengths from Solitary, who was a neck in front of Mataura. Time, J.s|. Dividend, £1 7/. The eoni’lnding event of the day brought out seven runners, Farewell 11. and Redieaf failing to appear. Harold Abdallah and Le Rosier were about equally backed on the machine. Lc Rosier bail command for about a mile, when Harold Abdallah headed him, and drawing away won by eight lengths from WaftekauH. who was 20 lengths in front of Typewriter. Time, 3.59 2-.». Dividends, £1 7/ and 13/. © © ©

Maha tonga sL lb st lb . 9 0 •Armistice . • 7 4 Quarrymau . 8 13 Zuleika 6 19 I’arltutu ... . 8 4 Jewellery .... 9 7 Gladstone . . 7 13 Apologue .... 6 T Putty 7 K Heroism ... - G Melodeon .. . 7 7 Mbs. Delavai. 6 i Gay Spark . 7 6 Puhlpulil .... « i •Including 51b penally. RAILWAY IIA ND1C AP of 375sovs. Six furlongs. st lb fit lb *IIohoro .. . 9 8 luindlock .... 7 Lady Annie . 8 9 Boomerang . • 7 9 Gladstone . . 8 9 8 tarshoot .... 7 7 Klug Blily. . 8 8 Certainty ...» 7 ft Annetta . .. 8 7 Wai tat I 7 1 Glenowlet . . 8 K Noteorlnl .... 8 IS <’arl Kosa.. . 7 0 Monoforni ... « 7 »St. Bill.... 7 it <:<>n Avprnffo 7 •Including 3U> penalty. AUCKLAND STE EPLEChASE of 300sova. About three miles and a-half. st lb st lb Inidskilien . .. 11 « Vexation 9 a Nor - -west . . 10 13 Pharos 9 7 Swimmer .. .. 10 r. Buch Fyue... 9 I lluutapu .. .. 1) 12