TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 22, 27 May 1908, Page 15

TURF GOSSIP

(BY

WHALEBONE.)

RACING FIXTURES.

May 23 and 25 — North Otage J.C. Winter May 23, 2o — Takapuua J.C. WiuW May 30 June 3, G — A.R.C. Winter May 23 and 25 — Wanganui J.C. Winter June 3 and 4 — Dunedin J.C. Winter.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

C.J., Mt. Roskill — The only race I can trace the horse you mention winning is a six furlong event, which, was run in

TURF NOTES.

The St. Clements mare Golden Eagle is being given a spell at New’ Plymouth.

G. Phillips has been engaged to ride Le Beau in his Great Northern engagements.

Mr D. O’Brien’s horse Malatua was so at the recent Sydney sales for 10l>gs.

The English "Derby is set down for decision on June 3rd (Prince of Wales’ Birtliday).

The two-year-old Talepitcher is now an inmate of N. Cunningham's stable at Ellerslie.

The Cuirassier mare Lady Hune is moving very disappointingly in her work at aiders! ie.

Irish was withdrawn from the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase at 4 <p.m. last Tuesday. • . • • <=,-

The name of Nukatrtwhiti has been claim ed for the Ilamoa gelding in T. A. Williams’ charge.

R. J. Mastin. the well-known trainer, was to leave England last Fiida’y- bn his return to the Dominion.

It is stated that P. Johnston has been en gaged to ride Kiatere in the Great North ern Steeplechase.

Licenses to bet at the forthcoming Takapuna Jockey Club's Winter Meeting have been issued to twenty-live bookmakers.

The starting at the recent Ashburton meeting came in for a lot of adverse criticism.

The Great Northern Steeplechase winner of 1904, Mocassin, has been put into work again in the South.

The crack American jockey, C. A. Shilling recently rode twenty-six winners at Los Angeles, in a fortnight.

The Hotchkisps three-year-old Advocate is to be given a spell, and will not be seen out again until next season rolls round.

Notwithstanding the rumours afloat re the Castor gelding Kiatere he has been paid up for In the Great Northern Hurdles.

Word from the S’outh states that the seat of Elevation’s trouble is the off-fore-fetlock joint. It is feared he will never race again.

Starshoot's younger full-brother Bally High was far and away the best looking two-year-old seen out at the 11.8.J.C. gathering.

The complaint lodged by a jockey against a trainer for breach of contract nt the recent Avondale faceting has been withdrawn.

The withdrawals from the Great Northern Hurdle Race at the final payment were SwHgsman, Creusot, Capulet, Banana, and Mont Igo.

W. Millar, who was fatally injured by a fall from a lorry during the week, was a well-known cross-country horseman about fifteen or twenty years ago.

The “Canterbury Times’’ is responsible for the statement Chat the Wellington Pony and -Galloway Club is likely to be wound up at an etyly ditto.

With the majority of the horses being engaged at Tnknpuna to-day there, was very little work of Interest recorded on the tracks at Ellerslie on Saturday morning.

Firelock, a gelding by Firearm, which hails from the Opotiki district, is. at present, under F. Macmanemin’s charge at Ellerslie.

The St. Paul gelding San Paulo is the latest aspirant for honours at the illegitimate game, and shows considerable aptitude over the small fences.

After working at Ellerslie last Tuesday, Monti go walked away very lame, but it is not known whether the mishap is of a serious nature or not.

Auckland visitors who were present at the Huntly meeting last Saturday, state that the general conduct of the meeting was in every way up to the standard of a city club.

The Dreamland colt and Miss Annie filly, both of which are iu D. Moraghan’s stable, are showing great-promise in their sprinting work. The colt, especially, is a very fast beginner.

The Castor gelding Pukekohe which, so far, has been a distinct disappointment on the turf, has been purchased by Mr E. D. -O’Rourke, and will in future probably be used as a hunter.

Word from the South states that Mr Wanklyn has resigned from the position of secretary of the N.Z. Racing Conference, and that Mr Roy Sellars, of Wellington, has been appointed in his stead.

Negotiations for the purchase of the pony llughie are still in abeyance. The son of Soult was purchased with a stipulation that he would pass 14.2}, but his official measurement is 14.21, hence the difficulty.

A Southern writer says that “although the racing at the recent Ashburton meeting was, for the most part, free from suspicion, there were a few spectator#, ah'd in One or two instances a question might have been asked.”

The New Zealand-bred Torere er — Undine) ran second in the Jumpers' Flat Kite at Williamstown Oh May .4)/. She was only beaten by a head. Bribery was among the unplaced division.

The well known Australian racer Tartan is to take up stud work next season at a 30-guinea fee. During his turf career Tartan won £8537 in stakes.

J. Maher’s pair, Procpector and Defeat, which are engaged at Wanganui will, all going well in the meantime, be seen out at the A.R.C. Winter Meeting. Both are reported as having done satisfactory work at Awapuni.

Word from the South states that Bonny Glen, which broke down during the running for the last Auckland Cup, is In work again, and appears likely to stand a preparation.

The pony Lady Ferris is now under the charge of J. Chaafe, Jr., at Ellerslie. Luros, which was knocked down to Mr Martin ar Messrs A. Buckland and Sons’ yards last Friday, is still under Chaafe's tuition.

A wag, when speaking of a race about to be run, and upon which the betting was close, said, “The trainer is a rogue, the rider is a rogue, and the horse is a rogue; one. of the three will be sure to put the other two away.”

The Lochie'i horse Ghoorka. which was nominated for the hurdle races at the Wanganui and Auckland Winter Meetings, is said to be suffering from a sprained stifle

said to be suffering from a sprained stifle joint, and it hs improbable he will b? seen out this season.

Now that ih? Telegraph Department have decided to do away with telegraph offices on the course, the Taknpuna Jockey Club have decided to have the telephone laid on to their course, which should prove a great boon to a number of people.

Accommodation lias been se ured at C. Warren’s, Ellerslie, for Belariu and Mnhov, both of which are engaged at the A.R.C. Winter Meeting, and the pair are expected to arrive about Wednesday next.

'Hie Cyreniun filly Cadence has been retired from the Turf, and is to go to the stud. During her short career on the Tur., Cadence was most unlucky, ami with ordinary luck, should have won three or four decent races.

The raeehorsps Aornngl, Moscow, and Imiha, all of which claim engagements at the A.R.C. Winter Meeting, were brought from the South by the Rarawu on Saturday morning.

The acceptances received for the various events on the opening day of the A.R.C. winter meeting arc highly satisfactory. In the Great Northern Hurdle race nineteen have made the final payment, so There is plenty of material for a great race)

When Delaitia met with a serious accident just about twelve months ago, it was confidently thought that her racing days wete ended, hut the daughter of Seaton Delaval has made such a wonderful recovery that it has been decided to put her in work again, ami she has joined F. MacManemiu's active brigade. The Australian parties who were negotiating for the purchase of the pony llughie not having completed tfie sale, the son of Soult was yesterday sold to Mr 11. Clark, the owner of Frederick. It is probable that both Frederick and llughie will be shipped to Sydney at an early date. Owing to the regulations adopted by the various clubs relating to, bookmakers owning horses, Messrs Ryan and De Groen have decided to semi Cachma to Australia, and the son of Leolantis was shipped across on Monday, and will go into F. McGrath’s charge G. Phillips will ride him in his engagements on the other side. The racehorses Tui, Miss Crispin, Tarakihi, and Rosavere were advertised for sale by auction at Messrs A. Buckland and Sone’ on Friday. There was a large attendance present, but bidding was very slow, and after Tui had been passed in at 50gs, and Miss Crispin at 35g4, the others were withdrawn. A private cablegram received in Wellington during the week states that the Stepniak mare Marguerite, which was recently shipped to Sydney, wr.s, on her arrival, transferred to the mail steamer, and li-is gone on to India. The purchase of Margin rite was conducted by Mes rs Inglis, bur so far. the name of the actual purchaser has not transpiied. Notices of motion for t’e forthcoming Racing Conference must be lodged with me secretary on or before Wednesday, May 27th. It is a bit early to dl-cuss what business will be brought up at the Conference, but it is understood that the Auckland Racing (Tub intend moving to the effect, “That in all cases whera a .jockey or trainer, who is licensed by one club : s disqualified by another body, that before the said person is again licensed that the matter be referred to the club imposing the disqualification.” The Calcutta Turf Club is involved in a big action. It appears that C. R. Duggan, an engineer, was removed from the course, in consequence of it being alleged that he was a defaulter. Now Mr Duggan claims 50,000 rs damages for libel, his case being that, the Calcutta • Turf Club has fori two years print ed v lyis pa me in the of <lefaulte.ns without his knowledge, and without giving him any notice. In referring to Mr C. O’Cdnnd: ’s starting at the recent Eginont meeting.' - a Wellington sportsman said, “I think ft is the best starting I ever saw.” Mr O'Connor is undoubtedly a capable starter, and his work is so consistently succesful that owners, jockeys, bookmakers, and the public all have the greatest confidence in him. At the Huntly meeting last Saturday, Ottoman, by Hotchkiss — Crescent, consequently full-brother to that good performer Starshoot, opened his winning a< - count by appropriating the Maiden Welter. Ottoman, which is now five years old, cost 17()gs as a yearling, and it Would be interesting to know what the debit account is against him up to the present time.

It is pot all beer and skittles taking a lady racing (says an exchange). At no place is there a liner show of the fair sex than at Liverpool. Said one charming young lady, who was taking the keenest interest in the proceedings, and was very desirous of having a bet, to her escort: ‘Will you tell me how , I am to put live shillings on the field?-’-- He had himself piH five- pounds on the favourite, but putting live bob on the lield staggered him. The next request made to him was to put a shilling on each of the runners, which staggered him still more. Huckle-my-buff, Mr Leopold de Rothschild’s queerly named colt, that won at Leicester recently, has puzzled many racegoers indeed, as the “Sportsman” says: “No one connected with the stable knew the meaning of it.” Huckle-my-butT is, however, the Sussex born name of a ripping good beverage composed of beer, eggs, and bra ndy. The standard of amateur tiding in England is considerably higher now than hns been the case for some years pa.it. although very few would prove capable of holding their own with professionals on level terms. The riding of the soldiers nt Sandown Military Meeting was excellent, considering that they get very few op r triunities for practice in public. It is said that the authorities do not look with favour upon tin* sport, more’s the nlty.

The late Duke of Devonshire has written bls name large on Turf'history. wot by reason of a great number of important successes, but because he was a sportsman of the truest-type, who loved’the thoroughbred for its*own sake, ami not for its commercial value. The financial side of racing had no attractions for him. find he was no gambler. Many years ago at Newmarket Messrs Steel ami I’eech, having laid him the <‘d‘.‘s to a pony against one of his horses, asked. “Is that all. my lord?” "That’s all 1 can afford." replied the future owner of Chatsworth. During his early days on the turf he raced as "Mr C. J. Stuart,” and his guide, philosopher, and friend was the lato Lord Westmorland. The fund on behalf of the widow and children of the late Thomas Taylor, who was fatally injured while riding I’ohutu in th« Great Northern Guineas last November, has now been closed, and a substantial sum has been handed over. In addition to the amount collected, the trustees of the accident fund of the N.Z. Racing Conference have awarded the? sum of £4>o. Mrs Taylor and family wish to heartily thank the numerous ladies and-gentlemen who so generously subscribed to the fund. The peculiar manner in which a newspaper can "fall in” under the restrictions of the Gaming Act, was shown by an up country paper a few days ago, says the "Wairarapa Daily News." The paper in publishing a local, mentioned some persons who had attended a meeting and won, stating that after a certain race they walked from the? course "jingling six golden sov> ereigns and eight silver shillings.” Thlf sentence is interpreted as on infringement of the law. though the paper, no doubt, published the figures in all innocence. Tn the lexicon of jockeys, "The pace that kills ” evidently has no place, according to a i’urf critic in the Old Country, who says: "I hoar talk of all sorts of races at Brooklands this year, and a friend this week tells me ’hat when up at Newmarket <»u Monday he was chatting with Kempton Cannon, who suggested a race* on Brookland.; fur jockeys, of all people! They nearly all have big cars of their own, and he sa.'d (hat Danny Maher. Griggs, and a lot nn :.* were keen on the idea. Here’s a new idon for *Rodn, and how it would draw the public, wouldn’t it?’’ When the late Duke of Devcns'hirc woi. the Lewes Handicap with Rylstone, lie had more money on than usual, and was on the face of it a winner of many thousands of pounds. The commissioner put in to back the animal was the noblelord .who was known to his friends as He was not always in a position to boast of the possession of a plentiful supply of the ‘‘ready.’’ and, in fact, at this time owed a large sum to the ring. When, therefore, the settling day arrived, the ring took care to deduct the amount thut "Briggs" them, and thus it was the Duke of Devonshire, who had to go short, who cleared hfe slate with the bookmakers. This was not intentional on his part. The Americans continue to do well on the English turf. They have follow,cd up their victory in the 2000 Guineas by capturing the 1000 Guineas, this by the aid of Rhodara, the half sister to last year’s Derby winner, Orby, and like him. the property of Mr Richard Croker. It is of interest to us to learn that the maternal sire of Rubio, the Liverpool Grand National winner, is none other than Sir Modred. Traducer Idalia, who it will be recollected was sold to the American stud master, J. B. Ilaggin, some sixteen or seventeen years ago. Race Reporting in Mauritius:—Down tht. hill King of the Ring and Orion passed Grand Roi. 'The first horse having a head in front of Orion passed the winning post after having gone round in Im in 2Gsec, and this close race went on till half way down the hill, when King of the Ring showed some advantage over Orion. The jockey of the latter, however, giving a slight pull to his horse, enabled the animal to breathe freely and restore itself a little. lie thou once more started it off full speed, and brought him up bead to bead with King of the Ring until a few yards of the winning post; when in the last stride he put on spurs, compelling him to give u final jump, and thus to win the race by half a head in 2min 59sec. - "Planters’ and Commercial Gazette," Mauritius. "You must not look a gift horse iu the mouth." says the proverb, but Cort would probably iike to take us many ns anyone cared to give him. teeth or no teeth, if they turned out as profitably as has Adlyh (says the London "Sportsman"). The son «>t Mccanna was a present to him. and tho Melton Plato, a five-furlong handicap worth £2(h . run at Leicester on March 30, was tho third race lie has won. He was on offer before the numbers went up to anyone who liked to buy him for 100 guineas, but no ono would have him. so Cort was again lucky. Nor was the horse altogether uufancied, for Mr <’. Bewlike, the chief patron of the stable, was persua«!ed to have £lOO on. which he did at starting price. Thus he won £BUO.

There was a great attendance at die Liverpool Grand National, and referring to this a writer in the “Pink Un” says:—

•‘Talking to a well known clerk of the course as we surveyed the stands on Friday, he expressed the opinion that more money Is taken at Liverpool on the Grand National day than at any other meeting on one day In England, not even excepting Epsom on the Derby day and with the St. Leger. The figures show -that about seventy thousand people put down their money to see the race.” Further on the writer adds: “There is a cold-blooded business-like air about Liverpool, and we wondered what the feelings of the jockeys who were about to ride over the course were, when, immediately before the race for the Grand National, the ambulances. one for men and the other for horses, proceeded solemnly down the course to pick up if needs be the killed and wounded. The well-furnished van, with all its appliances, including doctors aud nurses, would make a fine cottage hospital for a country town.”

According to the Continental correspondent of a London paper, the magistrates at .Venders (Belgium) are looking into the case brought before them by the Public Prosecutor against the organisers of a race meeting at Jonkheu. Bookmakers declined to recognise it. There was no pretence at improving the equine race, for the fifty-nine horses bought for the benefit of the fund, and wiuning in their turn, averaged in cost from £7 to £2O, while one crack who was destined to know defeat actually cost 48sovs. Sixty-four thousand pounds, irrespective of gate money and incidental charges, passed through the hands of the confederates, who deducted a commission of 10 per cent when they did not sweep the board with an outsider who dropped from the clouds, and whose ownership was not revealed until the Public Prosecutor put his nose into the books of this snug little concern.

What heart-breaking work must it be for trotting owners in Australia and New Zealand to import horses and run trotting stud farms at immense cost to find, their stan-dard-bred animals beaten in the show ring by halfbred horses which wdll probably never trot a mile in four minutes in their lives, but take the prize simply because they carry as much beef as a prize bullock, and a show coat. Anyone conversant with the breeding, or perhaps it would be more correct to say, the want of breeding, of the majority of the stallions, young and old, exhibited at the Sydney show might well wonder (says “Rothschild v ) why owners of Imported and truly bred local horses ever put their animals among such a slipshod lot, among them being horses by a halfbred sire out of a mongrel mare, and all sizes down to ponies with a 14 hands certificate. However, perhaps the. show authorities are not so much to blame as the owners, who quietly sit down without murmur year after year and see the work of breeding a standard trotter, which has so kindly been done for us by the Yankees by years of patient research and mints of money, being undone in quick orders

Discussing the general condition of English Turf affairs, a sporting writer in the Old Country concludes: “One factor that will certainly need taking in hand is that of the flat race jockeys. They certainly have not the ignorant impudence of some of - the N.H. riders, who can be heard speaking in a loud voice about either how much they have won or how much they have lost. Yet there is a notorious increase in betting by jockeys, and it is not pleasant to discover that the rider of a horse you have backed has supported another in the race. Presuming the jockey s interests coincide with yours and those of the owner, you may count yourself well positioned for the jockey exercising his skill to the utmost. In other cases the skill is chiefly disclosed in getting badly away and being promptly Shut in.” _

The Anti-Betting Bill in New York is Still under discussion, and although the racing authorities are stated to have definitely promised to employ legitimate and legal means only to defeat It, it is stated generally, and on good authority, that a fund of 200,000 dollars has been put up by someone to persuade the legislators to vote against it; at the same tibe the Jockey Club has verbally agreed that it will only sanction credit betting in future, which promises an interesting state of affairs in this country of “No trust.’ We all remember during the American Invasion in 'England how the late R. H. Fry and others In the ring suffered from the precipitate 'home-sickness and sudden departure of certain Yankee “sportsmen” by the Saturday’s boat when the following Monday’s settlement was going to be adverse. “He who bets and runs away, can bet’ again In iU.S.A,” was apparently the motto of these shysters. An unofficial ballot of the Senators at Albany, who have to pronounce judgment in the Anti-Betting BAH is 28-23 against, and I think Garrow Hughes (my selection for next President) is only emulating the example of that mighty monarch, Canute, and is likely to go home with wet feet.

The London “Sportsman” has the following version of 11. D. Bletsoe’s story of how be won the Liverpool Grand National on Rubio: — “When I got on Rubio he waa watching everything, and was very sensible and quiet. I was disappointed I could not get the inside place, which Tom West took from me, but Ku bio jumped the first few fences beautifully. When we got to the Canal fence I was lying fourth. Newey, lAnthony, and Murphy in front. Rubio jumped very quick, find gained several lengths round the turn. I did not see any of the falls the first time round, because I was In front of them. Rubin hit the first'fence on the racecourse very bard. That was where Roliasou came down, aud

I thought to myself, ‘You must not do that any more,’ so I steadied him, losing my place a little to give him his second wind. He took off lengths too soon at the water, and I thought it was impossible for him to get over, but he did nicely; he must have jumped an enormous distance. I looked at Newey at the last fence in the country the iseoond lime round, and he had been going so well that when he fell directly afterwards I said to myself, ‘That is another out of the way.’ I thought after that that Tom West was my danger, but he fell at the fence after Becher’s hitting it, and blundered on to his nose on landing, and Murphy w r as shot yards over his head. Flaxmen then seemed the only one I had to beat, but I heard him hit the fence next to the canal fence, and I knew I had him beaten. He was very tired. I was in front then, with Mattie Macgregor elese beside me, and that is how we came on to the racecourse. Rubio was going very well, and he kept jumping away from Mattie McGregor. I knew throe fences from home 1 had only to stand up to win. He isas not tiring at all: he could have gone another two miles. He jumped the last fences perfectly, and pulled up fresh, and unless he had been very fit he could not have done what he did.”

The Indian correspondent of a London turf “weekly” deals with the imported horse difficulty thus: “One is glad to know that the subject of the absurd legislation in Australia against the importation of horses “from India” is going to be seriously taken up, aud one hears that the Indian Government is to be approached with a view to getting representations made to •that of the Commonwealth. The two bogeys that Australia is frightened of are glanders and dourine. The former can be absolutely safeguarded against by ma Hein inoculation, and b periods of quarantine; and as to the latter, one does not really know how the colonies can argue their case. All stallions and mares sold to the studs in the colonies come straight off our racecourses, tl is only in the Government studs that dourine made its appearance; but as it is not our custom to race stallions and mares that are employed in the equine harems, one does not quite see why the Cornstalk legislators are afraid. Furthermore, dourine is now practically stamped out. There were one or two infected stallions in the Government studs, but they were very promptly destroyed, and the mares they had covered also, to a very great extent. At any rate, official statistics show that the disease is very rare, and that there is no cause for much anxiety. The principal point, however, is that the Australians are blocking horses that could by no possible means be vehicles of infection. It stops a very lucrative and very desirable tra&r with the colonies from India, and one hopes that something will be done. Wheels move slowly, however, in India, and unless there is some hustler on the premises who will taken the subject up, aud demonstrate the absurdity of the present colonial restrictions, it will be a long time before we shall get anything done, in Cs£et»Ua we ase jhast about at the end of our racing, and we nave only hand a fairly good allowance, and with the same old six and eightpences getting dragged out week after week, and by this time uiose of them sore as cats on hot bricks, the thing gets a bit wearisome. These meetings, nevertheless, serve a good purpose, in that they afford the smaller owner a chance of making a bit that he badly needs, and therefore they are to be encouraged, for it is by the great rank and file that the game is really supported.”

“Spearmint,” of the Loudon “Sports Supplement,” writes: “ Some of the owners and trainers who will go to Lincoln and Liverpool should journey in chastened spirit, while some of the jockeys, if they were treated on the principle of the punishment fitting the crime, would set out minus a license in their portmanteaus or pockets. A new season starts on Monday, it is commonly known that it is to be a new season in many ways, and that if things are not altered it will be the last season for certain sections. The handicappers will find they can exercise a freer hand than on some other occasions, and complaining owners will discover that each complaint will mean more weight. Briefly, it is. the intention of men who exercise power to use the same to the general advantage. “There are more ways of killing a cat than by hanging it. And there are more ways of punishing an owner than by warning him off. The latest and most successful plan Is to induce him to leave handicaps alone. It is in handicaps that most trickery is possible. On the few pounds’ allowance made for a defeat hang all the excuses. If, however, owners of horses that should have won discover that for every failure of the obviously ‘also ran” kind they are raised a bit they will either cease ownership or mend their, ways. I may be told they could affect the’ weight-for age races. But unless you have an extraordinarily good horse you are cut off from the better class weight-forage events. These usually attract the best horses of straight-dealing people.

“The authorities, I am told, arc determined to see that some decency is preserved —even in minor handicaps. The dow’ii-the-course one day and first past the post policy has caused weariness. It has been practised throughout the entire N.H. racing season with an effrontery calculated to bring a blush to the cheek of an American crook. The stewards of the Jockey Club are not in a mind to allow the shame to run into the flat racing season of 1908. There will be no continuance of crime. ‘Why," remarked an owner, discussing the weights given his horses. ‘|f I were known to he the biggest crook on the Turf they could not have treated me worse.’ ‘Well,’ cheerfully remarked one of the company, ‘perhaps they are beginning to find you out.' Unless I nm absurdly misinformed, there will be a good deal of finding out this season — that is, unless the crooked change their ways and the evil cease from evil-doing.'*

TURF TALK fROM THE SOUTH. CIIRISTCIIU RCII. Tuesday. After running unsuccessfully at the Ashburton meeting, Millionaire was left at his owner’s place, instead of returning to Riccarton. The speedy Fleetfoot, which broke down at the C.J.C. Easter meeting, has finished her turf career, and is to be sent to Sir G. Clifford’s station at Stouyhiirst. Her first consort is likely to be Treadmill, the stock of which have been doing him every credit this season. Slow Tom was given a turn over the schooling fences on Monday, and though not nearly in racing trim, his jumping was as clean as ever. W. J. Taggart is breaking in a rather nice sort of colt by Welbeck from Nautiloo, owned by Mr. H. F. Nicol I, of Ashburton. Balaclava, which has not been doing at all well for some time, has had several teeth extracted, and is uow picking up in condition. Grandstand is showing improved jumping ability in his* schooling work. The Porirua representative Marguerite has been sold to an Australian sportsman, the price mentioned being one thousand guineas, R. Weller left with her on Friday last for Sydney, and wdll hand her over to her new owner. Originally purchased for 55gs as a yearling, Stepniak's daughter has won no less than £2520 in stake money. This will weaken Prosser’s stable considerably, especially as several of the other inmates are under suspicion of unsouuduess. In future the Canterbury Jockey Club intends -making 8 o’clock the genera.l hour at which nominations close. If alf other clubs could be induced to fix the same hour, the change would be a welcome one; but it is sure to cause annoyance to owners till they have dropped down to the new regulation. What is really wanted is fixed day and hour for all clubs within the Dominion to have their entries close, and until this is done any such change as that by the C.J.C. wdll only complicate matters. The local trotting clubs have all made 8 o’clock the closing hour, both for entries and acceptances, for some time past, and in their case it gives satisfaction to all concerned.

Three visiting horses from Greymouth, in Adria, Trent, and Blessbok, which have been racing at the Canterbury meeting lately, so far have had no luck in their several ventures.

At the Christchurch Racing Club’s meeting Adria got left at the post in the principal event, and took no part in the contest, while at Ashburton, after getting well away, she faded out badly in the big handicap on the second day. At the latter fixture also Trent, when well supported by his party, broke a blood vessel, and Blessbok failed to show anything like his true form. The trie are engaged at the Oamaru meeting, and >t is to be hoped that the enterprise of thel. owners will meet wdth more fitting recompense. Splendid entries have been received for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting, which include a large proportion of lUccar-ton-trained horses. Altogether 267 entries have been taken, as against 189 last year. Prominent amongst the likely competitors are Petrovna, Cross Battery, Probable, Stronghold. Thunderer, and Clanchattan. Last week the Forbury Park Racing Club was dissolved by mutual consent. Twelve members were present at the meeting when this step was taken, and a balance-sheet showing a credit of £72 was presented, and of this £6O was donated to the Tahuna Park Trotting Club. A counter proposal to donate the credit balance to the Dunedin Hospital did not find much favour. Regiment has been sent home to his owner’s place for the winter. Luresome is now being trained by J. Rae at Wingatui. Storniount and Grand Fauna are shaping satisfactorily In their work over hurdles at Forbury. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturdnv. A large contingent of Riccartou-traiued horses left for Oamaru during the week, and till their return matters at headquarters are bound to be quiet. The weather for the past fortnight has been gloriously fine, and, as the tracks are all in nice order, trainers have been enabled to go on with the education of their rising two-year olds. Quite twenty of these are being handled, the Chokebore lot in particular being full of promise. Since Canton and Eurus left to race at Wanganui there has been little jumping, in fact, from present indications, I am afraid Riccarton will be worse off than ever in this department during the coming whiter season. Grandstand and Slow Tom have been over the hurdles occasionally, but Ability is unsound, and Leeside has had to be turned out. This does not augur at ail well for the Grand National Meeting, and the C.J.C. will have to rely almost entirely on Northern support to make that fixture a success. Two owners 1 know of have been trying to purchase likely horses for hurdle racing in the North Island, but in both cases the prices asked were judged to be prohibitive. Entries for tiie New Zealand Cup are due on June 2nd, and those owners who intend nominating will do well to bear in mind that the hour of closing is now fixed at 8 o’clock instead of 9 as formerly. 1 do not fancy the local contingent will be up to the usual strength, for there is a lamentable scarcity of even moderate horses in commission capable of racing over a distance. Elevation, Flrelron, and Buccleurb have ail gone amiss, and the absence of the first named in particular will be felt. On the other hand, there are several promised North Island owned horses that are almost sure to enter the list, notably Gold Crest, Tungimoana, Uhlando, Signor, Aboriginal, The Rand, Uenuku, and Bobrikoff, besides several likely rising threeyea r olds. Of those that competed last year ouly a small portion have trained on satisfactorily, and even if a big entry is FPcelvod the quality of the field is sure to be below the average standard. The annual meeting of Canterbury ,T,C. Is to be held on Thursday next. The balancesheet to be submitted Is a highly satisfac-

tory one, and that not withstanding the fact of £1450 additional stake money having beet given away during the year. There will he no ballot for the election of stewards or lion treasurer, which position is now being tilled by Mr George Palmer. The death of the Hotchkiss -Nfantii.n horse. Motor, is reported from Sydney, whenho had been sent by Mr W Bly th. of W:in ganui, fur sale. The horse was taken ba I just before leaving New Zealand, and was in a bad way when he landed in Sydney, eventually succumbing to an attack of in flammation of the Intestines. His death will be a severe loss to Mr Blythe, as be was n >i insured. It is stated that Royal Artillery Is to he sent from the Grasslea Slud to join Stepuiak at the Ellerslie stud. So far. none of the big horse’s stock have done much good, but it may be that a change of climate and mares may bring about the desired result Sea King and Millionaire, both of whom were feeling the effects of a bard season s racing, have been thrown out of work. an.J will nut be taken up again till the spring.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S WINTER MEETING.

THE GREAT NORTHERN MEETING. Following are the final payments and acceptances received last night in connee tion with the Great Northern meeting, which opens at Ellerslie on Saturday next: — GREAT NORTHERN HUKDIJi RACE (HANDICAP) of UuOsovs. Two miles and a-half. st. lb. st. lb. Paritutu .... 11 12 Showman .. 10 o (uiraguo ..11 5 Aorangi .... 9 Dolores .... 10 10 Omati 9 7 Lady Hune .. 10 9 Prospector 9 7 Le Beau ... 10 7 Laudlock 9 c Mahoe 10 0 Defeat 91 Hautapu ... 10 4 Waipu 9 3 Kiatere ... 10 4 Loch Fvnc 9 *> Cavaliero ... 10 o Kapakapa 9 1 •Sol 10 0 Maiden Steeplechase of loOsovs, about two miles and a half. Romany King 10.7, Cinque 10.0, Te Kaiuui 10.5, Bullworth 10.0, •Lady Lanta 9.9, Arahura 9.7, Revolver 9.7, Matakokiri 9.7, Good Faith 9.7. Maideu Hurdle Race of HOsovs, one mile and three-quarters. — Noteoriui 10.5, Tui 10.5, Pukenui 9.13, Pierre 9.12, Rotoiti 90, Pearl Necklet 9.6, Miss Crispin 9.6, Lady Kegel 9.4, Franklin 9.4, Hikuai 9.3, Flint Island 9.2, English 9.2. Jervois Handicap of lOOsovs, five furlongs.—Wauchope 9.6, Lucio 9.4, luaha 9.4. Tauriki 9.3, Vasa 9.3, Dogger Bank 9.1, Royal Soult 9.0, Octoroon 8.10, Rosavere 8.8, Mark Time 8.5, Waiotahi 8.4, Lady Frances 8.3, Waihoihol 8.3, Lady Betty 8.2, Dainty 8.1, Fremautle 8.1, Gleuora 8.1, Fideles B.U. Alfalfa 8.0, Cymri 8.0, Eleuoxe Eraulem 8.0. Cornwall Handicap of 325sovs, one mile and a-quarter. — Rauparaba 10.0, Uranium 10.0, Celtic 9.5, Bobrikoff 94, Leouator 9.0. White Lie 8.10, Moscow 8.8, Maharauui 8.7, Lord Seaton 8.2, Belario 8.2, Kecrea tion 8.0.

Members’ Handicap 01 150sovs, five fur longs. Miss Winnie 10.0, Certaiuty 9.1. Lochbuhie 9.0, Maheuo 8.12, Fore most 8.9, Marangai 8.9, Tamainupo 8.7. Loongana 8.6, Duart 8.6, Mighty Atom 8.6, Haldane 8.6, Inaha 8.4, Imprimus 8.4. Tau riki 8.3, Guidwife 8.3, Walhou 8.1, Soult maid 8.1, Frederick 8.0.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

The opening day’s racing of the Tak.ipuua J.C. Winter Meeting took place on the Club’s course at the North Shore on Saturday last. The weather was dull but fine, and there was a large attendance. The racing was fairly Interesting and the field well up to the average, excepting in the Empire Handicap, in which only a trio went to the post, victory eventually resting wdth the consistent mare Uranium, the form of which the various haudicappers do not appear to have yet gauged. Mr W. J. Ralph officiated as judge, Mr S. Kohn as timekeeper, and Mr C. O’Connor as starter, the latter gentleman being in good form. The afternoon's sport was admirably con ducted by the secretary, Mr R. Wynya’d. and the various officials, everything pas slug off without a hitch. Speculation was not as brisk as expected, aud the machines, under Messrs W Blomfield and Co., only handl«4 the sum c-( £6112 10/, which is a decreaae of £3B»G on last year’s amount Against the do crease, however, has to be placed the sum of £241 10/ received iu bookmakers' fees, so that Hie actual financial result is fairly sat isfactory. HANDICAP MAIDEN PLATE Mr. J. Grant’s Tauriki, ch tu, syrs, 9 0 (Brady) * 1 Mr A. McMillan's Cyruniae, ch m. syrs, 7.2 (McMillan) •> Mr. M. t’rimmins' Lord Crispin, ch g, Oyrs t 7.7 (Ackroyd) ..., 3 Scratched: Dardanus, Rosavere, St. Cyren, Pukenui, Lira, Frontino, and Fideles. The field was dispatched to n fine start, from which the colours of Waihoihol and Cyrenlac were most pxominent, with I-erd Crispin, Tauriki. nnd Fremantle nt the head of the others. Waihoihol had n slight advantage as they raced out of the straight, but going Along the back Lord Crispin shot through next to the rail, and acted as pilot, with Waihoihol at tils girth, nnd Tauriki, Fremantle, nnd Cyreninc following. Ix>rd ('rlspln still bad charge as they turned for koine, but when fairly in a Hue fei

the post. Tauriki put iu her claim, and, quickly settling the leader, drew out >“ Concluding stages, eventually winning- with the greatest of ease by a length from Cyreniac, which beat Lord Crispin half a length for second place. Waihoihoi was fourth, and Escamillo last. Crispin was favourite. FIRST PONY HANDICAP, of 90SOVS. Distance, five furlongs and a-half. Mr. \V. C. Ring’s b g Ngakapa, 4yrs, 7.5 (Whittaker) 1 Mr. T. Davis’ br m Waihou *syrs, 8.12 (Ackroyd) 2 (Mr. J. Murphy’s ch g Octoroon, 4yrs, 9.5 (Julian) ....; 3 Also started: llughie. 9.0; Glenora, 7.10; Banshee, 6.10. Ngakapa was quickest to his feet, and when they settled down was showing the way to Banshee, Octoroon, and Glenora, with llughie last. Ngakapa still had charge when the entrance to the straight was reached, where the whole field closed up, and an interesting rare home was witnessed, Ngakapa just lasting long enough to win by a head from Waihou, with Octoroon two lengths away, third. Time, 1.13. Waihou was favourite. EMPIRE HANDICAP of 200SOV8. One miles and a quarter. Mr N. Banks’ ch m Uranium, aged, 9.5 (Brady) 1 Mi L. Coleman’s ch g Leonator, aged, 8.7 (Whittaker) 2 Mi W. Davies’ br f Maheno, 3yrs, 7.7 (Webster) 3 Scratched: Te Arolia, Tui Cakobau, Lord Seaton. Maheno was quickest to begin, but before they had gone 50 yards Uranium was in charge, followed by Leonator, with Maheno last. Uranium soon had a lead of a couple ot lengths from Leonator. which had decreased it to about a length when the stand was reached. It was only on sufferance, however, as Uranium always had his measure, eventually winning under a strong pull by a length ami a half, with Maheno a similar distance away, third. . Time, 2.13. MAIDEN HURDLES, lOOsovs, 1 mile and a-half and a hundred yards. Mr J. K. Hodge’s b g Noteorini, aged, 9.13 (Howard) 1 Mr J. George’s b g Paritutu, aged, 12.5 (Johnston) . 2 Mr J. B. Williamson’s br g English, 4 years, 9.2 (Towers) 3 Also started: Pierre 9.10. Pukenui 9.9, •Pearl Necklet. 9.8, Hikuai 9.7. Franklin 9.6, Anna Lombard 9.5, Waihekau 9.3, ban I’aulo 9.2. The eleven runners were dispatched to a good start. Pearl Necklet being quickest to the first fence, but after jumping, Hikuai was in front, ami he showed the way past the stand, with Noteorini, Paritutu. San Paulo, and Waihekau most prominent of the others. Hikuai had shot his bolt after they had gone three-quarters of a mile, ami passing the stand the second time, English was in the lead, and then came Noteorini. Paritutu. Franklin, ami Waihekau. English still had the advantage when the last fence was reached, but in the run to the post Noteorini passed him, an dstalling off a determined challenge by Paritutu, won by half-a-length, with English a neck away third. Pierre was fourth and San I’aulo last. Time 3.1 4-5. Parttirtu was favourite. HAURAKI HANDICAP HURDLES, of laOsovs. Two miles. Messrs. Ryan ami De Green’s cb g Cachuca, 6yrs, 9.13 (Julian) 1 Mr. (’. w. Coleman’s b g Omati, aged, 9.10 (Phillips) 2 Mr. R. Hannon's b g Hautapu, aged, 10.7 (Wilson) 2 Also started: Creusot 10.7, Cavaliero 10.6, Sol 10.6,- Landlock 10.0, Cinque 9.3. Landlock .and Hautapu caused a bit ot delay at the post, but eventually the held was got away on fairly even terms. Hautapu was early in the lead, and jumping the fence by the stewards’ stand (where So! felh was showing the way to Omati, with Ixmdlock. Cavaliero, Cachuca, Creusot, and Cinque following in that order. Omati headed Hautapu at the jump in the straight, where Landlock came down, and piloted the Held along the back, just clear of Cachucn, which had run into second position, with Hautapu at the head of the others. Cachuca was almost on terms with Omati at the last fence, and a great race home between the pair resulted, Cachuca staying the longest and gaining the verdict by a neck. Hautapu was a length further back third, Cavaliero was fourth, and Cinque last. Time, 3min 51 4-ssec. Cachuca was favourite. Hickton. the rider of Landlock, escaped without injury, but Howard, who rode Sol, sustained a nasty shaking. HANDICAP MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE of KXlkpvs, about 2$ miles. Mr R McMlken’s Le Beau, ip.s (Phillips) 1 .Mr F. P. Selby’s Good Faith, 9.7 Selby> 2 Mr A. S. Caulton's Bullworth, 9.7 (Julian) 3 Scratched: Swagsman 11.5, Lady llune IV. *3. Matakokiri was the first to »how out, and when the field settled down was in charge, followed by Lc Beau, Tui, Good Faith, and Bullworth in that order. When the water was reache<l Le Beau was on terms with Matakokh'i, and the pair raced in close company

until .they gscendecj the bill for the last time, when Le Beau went to the front, and Good Faith also made a forward move. At the water, Good Faith was within three lengths of Le Beau, but the latter was never seriously troubled, and finished with two lengths to spare. Bullworth, third, was a dozen lengths away. Tui was last. Time, smin 14 3-ssec. Tui was favourite. , ROYAL HANDICAP, 120 sovs., 5A furlongs. Mr. K. Heaton's Lady Francis, 6.10 (Greenwood) 1 Mr. VV. C. Ring’s Wauchope, 7.10 (Whittaker) ; 2 Mr. R. Hannon’s Miss Winnie, 9.4 (Brady) 3 Scratched: Mighty Atoni, Tui Cakobau ami Engraver. Celerity was quickest off her feet, but was soon displaced by Black am! Gold, and the latter acted as pacemaker along the back, just clear of Celerity am'. Lucio, then followed Lady Frances ami Wauchope. The last-named ran into the load as the horses raced across the top stretch, ami had charge when the distance was reached, where Lady Frances challenged, and, getting the best of a final struggle, won by half a length. Time: 1.10. Loongana was favourite.

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

A JOCKEY KILLED. WANGA N U I, Sa turd ay. There was splendid weather and a good attendance for the first day of the Wanganui Jockey Club’s Winter Meeting today. and excellent racing throughout. The pleasure of the afternoon was, however, marred by a sad accident which occurred during the running of the Wanganui Steeplechase, and by which the well-known rider, W. Fahey, was so badly injured that he only survived a short time. The sum put through the totalisator was £9474, as against £11,913 on the corresponding day last year. Forty bookmakers plied their calling. The results of the racing are as follow: — Borough Handicap of 125sovs, 6 furlongs. — Little Mary 1. Ballarat 2. Erl King 3. Scratched: Martelle. Ballarat made an early run, with Little Mary handy. The latter finished at a great pace, winning somewhat easily. Time 1.15.

May Hurdle Handicap of 150sovs. One mile and three-quarters. J. Maher’s Prospector 9.8 (Chase), 1; 11. Fryer’s Immolation. aged, 10.2. 2; F. Elwood’s Aeolus 10.0, 3. Also started: Te Kainui, Repulse. Prospector was the first to gc to the front, where he remained till the post was passed. Round tiie back Immolation challenged Prospector, who, however, maintained his lead and won by . a couple of lengths. Aeolus was some distance away, third. Time, 3.18 2t5.

Kr.itoke Hack Hurdle Handicap of 100 sovs. One mile ami . three-quarters.- J. Coyle’s The Stake, 10.2 (11. Cairns), 1; R. ,W. Paterson’s Snip 9.10. 2; Kiatt and M« Donald’s Mount Cook 9.12, 3. Also started: Compass, Waipu. Defeat, Otaroa', Briaries. From a straggling start Defeat took the lead, but before the back stretch was left he had been supplanted by The Stake, who led for the remainder of the journey. Going round the back for the second time Snip ran into second place, and on entering the straight had headed Mount Cook. The Stake won easily by over three lengths, Snip being an easy second. Time, 3.15.

Electric Hack. — Penates, 1; Advantage 2: Hydraulic, 3. Scratched: Miss Flirt. A splendid race. Won by a head after a great finish. Time 1.3 2-5.

Wanganui Steeplechase. — Tilson 1, Kalpetipeti 2, Nadador 3. Scratched: Faro, Cloudy Morn-. Canton, Eurus. Fretwork fell at the second fence. Arahura came to grief later on, and Romany King pulled up. Rangitoto held the lead over the first mile, then Tilson led. Six furlongs from home, Kaipetipeti took command, but was passed at the bend into the straight by Tilson, the latter winning by three lengths easily. Rangitoto was close up fourth, being the only other one to finish.

Connolly Handicap of 250sovs. One mile and a distance.—J. Bull’s Daisy Paul 6.12, (R. Young), 1; E. J. Watt’s King Billy 8.11, 2; J. Gelhor’s White Lie 7.6, 3. Also started: Bourrasque, Waitapu, Signor, Kairoma, Rendrock. Climax, Somali, Silver The Leader. Mallet. A good start was effected, of which King Billy got the worst of it. Kairoma led past the stand and halfway down the back, closely followed by Daisy Paul and Somali. Going along the back King Billy, who had been gradually improving his position, ran into third place, and shortly afterwards overhauled Somali. Entering the straight he was a length in the rear of Daisy Paul, and a great race between the two resulted in Daisy Paul winning by a clear length. Time, Im. 575.

Purua Hack Handicap of lOOsovs. One mile. G. Bea (son's Waikaraka 7.12 (11. Price) 1; F. Higgott’s Wailetbc, 8.13, 2; Goddard’s Tiptoe, 8.9. 3. Also started: Seatondale. Flingot. Mahop, Comedian, Lamsdorff. The Dane. Tangeroa, Kilmarnock. Research, King's Birthday, Virtus, San Jose, Mistress, Nightmare, Anemone, Utopia. A straggling start was effected, San Jose and Utopia getting the worst of It. Sea ton-

dale led for half the distance, when Waikaraka took conuiiiioit, and, though repeat edly challenged, succeeded in marntiHniag his lead. An exciting race J down the straight resulted in Waikaraka winning by haif-a-head. Wailethe being two lengths in front of Tiptoe. Time, 1.44.

♦ + > NORTH OTAGO RACES.

OAMARU, Monday. Heavy rain set in this morning, and spoiled the attendance at the opening day of the North Otago Jockey Chib’s Winter Meeting, but it moderated during the afternoon. There was a fair number present, including many visitors from both North and South. Except that the rain made the going rather greasy, the course was in good condition. The sum of £4268 was passed through the machines. Waiareka Hack Handicap, six furlongs.— Field Gun. 1; Spinning Flight. 2; Ilelianthes 3. Won by a length. Time: 1.19 i. Scr.: Restless, Zero, Balaclava, Lift-y, Red Gun. Trial Plate, four furlongs.— Cute, 1; Brown Bell, 2; Warland 3. Time. 5.3. Scratched: Red King, Marunga, Miss Casket. Tokarahi Handicap, of five furlongs.— Moudjik, 1; Octave. 2; Sarsfield, 3. Time: 1.4 J. Scratched: Lady Orizon. Won by a short length. Oamaru Cup. of 300 sovs. One mile.— Stratagem, 4 years. 8.6 (F. E. Jones), 1; Probable, 2: Contender, 3. Time- 1.44. Scratched: Zetland. Quagga, A.L.A. and Poplar. Lupulite led to the distance, when Stratagem took charge, and won easily by three lengths. Probable beating Contender by two lengths for second honours. Clifton Welter Hack Handicap, seven furlongs.—Lone Star, 1: Highland Reel, 2; Roscommon. 3. Scratched: Field Gun, Beckwell. Royal Shell and Lacy. Won by two lengths. Time: lmin. 34sec.

Waikaura Trot." A.C., 225, 1; Turk, 11«, 2. Scratched: Master Patchem and Mount. Pitch Dark galloped past the post second, but was disqualified. Won

easily. Time 4.7. Stewards’ Haudicap. — Canute ( niel, 7.9; 1; Restless. 6.13, .2; ■ Spinning Flight, 6.7, 3. Scratched: Lupulite and Contender. Won by two lengths. Time 1.18.