TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 2, 8 July 1908, Page 14

TURF GOSSIP

(BY

WHALEBONE.)

RACING FIXTURES.

July 9 aud 10 — Gisborne R.C. Winter July 18, 22, and 25 — Wellington R.C.

Winter July 29 — Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club Annua! July 30 — North Canterbury J.C. Winter August 11, 13, and 15 — Canterbury J.C. Grand National Meeting September 9 and 10 — Horowhenua Hack R.C. Annual September 16 and 17 — Rangitikei R.C. Spring

J. Hall has ridden 16 winners over hurdles since the season started. The St. Paul gelding Dardanus is now an inmate of P. Conway’s stable. Mark Ryan, the well-known horseman, joined the ranks of benedicts during the week. Congratulations. Word from the South states that the crack two-year-old Fleetfoot will probably be mated with Treadmill next season. It is expected that the American jockey, Lyne, will ride for Mr Croker in England this season. The late Mr Geo. G. Stead’s colours have been claimed by his eldest son, Mr W. G. Stead. The Gisborne Racing Club’s Winter Meeting takes place on Thursday and Friday next, the 9th and 10th inst. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co. advertise the well known stallions St. Peter and St. Paul for private sale or lease. With Shrapnel, Lady Hune, Cruesqt, and Scotty engaged in the C.J.C. Grand National' Hurdle Race, there looks a good chance of the event coming to Auckland. Reports from. Trentham are to the effect that the course and training tracks are in splendid order. The recent rains have brought the turf on well. Mr. W. G. Irwin left for Gisborne Saturday last with Cinque and Marangi, both of which claim engagements at the Gisborne Racing Club’s Winter Meeting. The rising two-year-old filly Effulgence, by Menschikoff — Go den Shine, was brought from the Waikato during the week, and has joined C. Coleman’s team. The pony Octoroon is the latest aspirant for jumping honours, and the little son of Menschikoff gave a very good account of himself in his first essay over the small fences. A local sportsman, after, seeing the. racing at Hastings and iNapier Park, declared that there were enough “sleepers” at the former place to finish off. the Main Trunk railway. The English Denby winner, Signorinetta, was at a very long price, and, therefore, ranks with Jeddah and Hermit. as the greatest outsider that has won the great English classical event. A. Whittaker, the lightweight attached to C. Coleman’s stable, .left for Sydney by tne Victoria to ride the ponies Mighty Atom and Ngapaka in their engagements on the other side. At the meeting of the English Jockey Chib held at Newmarket, recently, Sir Geo. Clifford, the chairman of the New Zealand Racing Conference, was elected by acclamation an honorary member of the club. The owner of Lupin gelding Lupulite was asked to put a price on his horse by an Aucklander who was acting for a client, when the modest price of 2000 gs was asked. __ It is not likely that business will result.

lURF NOTES.

The Workman gelding Shrapnel, is to fulfil his engagements at the Wellington Racing Club’s Winter Meeting, and will be shipped South in company with Le Beau, on Sunday next.

Mr. J. E. Henrys, in framing the handl* ca*p for the C.J.C. Winter Cup, handicaps 69 horses within a radius of Ist aud Just about a third of them are on the 9st mark.

The New Zealand-<bred pony Cocky, by W-aiuku —(Daisy; won the 14 hands handicap at the recent Ascot Sydney meeting. Cocky was a warm favourite, and won easily by four lengths.

On the recommendation' of the stipendiary stewards, the A.J.C. committee resolved to refuse future entries of Briiel and Rochester, on the grounds of their fractiousness at the starting post.

It does not often happen that sire and daughter meet in the same race. There was such a case in South Australia last month, Nanteller winning, while her sire, Fortune Teller, finished last.

‘Mr. J. G. Duncan has disposed of the thoroughbred stallion Conqueror to Mr. MeCulloch, of the Wairarapa, for 400 gs. and the horse will do stud duty in the Wairarapa during the coming season.

The Castor gelding Kiatere has been given a good chance in the C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechase with 12.8. It is hard to see what -chance Loch Fyne can have with him at a stone difference, both fit and well.

It was the intention of C. Coleman to have taken Omati South to fulfil engagements, but the Leolantis gelding wrenched himself in an unaccountable manner while doing slo.w work at Ellerslie, and the trip had to be abandoned.

The winner of the Winter Hurdles at Wellington will have to carry a penalty of 141 b in the C.J.C. National Hurdle Race, and the winner of the Wellington <Steeplechase the same penalty in the National Steeplechase.

At bhe Newmarket meeting on May 21. Ju. 11. Hewitt was riding for the New Zealand owner, Mr. J. 11. Teschmaker. White Eagle won the Payne Stakes for three-year-olds .at the same meeting, but Hewi-tt was not in the saddle.

The recent rains have made the tracks at Ellerslie very heavy and sloppy, and matters at beadquarters have been unusually dull. The sand track is the only one being worked on, and all things considered, it is in very fair order. £

The Soult mare Lucrece figures amongst the ..nominations for the Ascot (Sydney) meeting, and has been awarded 8.10 in the 14.3 Handicap. An ex-Auckland pony 'in Merry Delaval figures at the top of the handicap with 9.2.

All going well in the meantime, the St. Leger gelding Scotty is to be taken South to fulfil bis engagements at the Wellington Racing Club’s Winter Meeting. Nothing has yet TTeen decided as to whether his stable compainion Celtic will make the trip also.

Conqueror, by Medallion —Siesta, by Traducer, was a great performer as a two-year-old. During the time he- (has been at the stud he has sired a good number of winners, including Chivalry, Ability, William, Toa Tuhi, Naumai. Waipaku, Motoa, Ard Relgh, Sam Weller, Conquer, and Blue Bell.

According to Victoria ringmen, Posttown was backed all over Australia for the Melbourne Cup prior to the weights appearing, tand so .was Mooltan, There is. however, nothing to' indicate who prompted the business in either case, and if “the stables” were not in it, “speakers” took a very big risk’.

What with the. diminutive Templeman, the two Wootton, midgets, aud the latest 4st South American Torterolo 'boys, we are truly getting into a similar era to what is known as the Kitcheiier period, when absolute mannikins steered our racehorses.— W. Lotlnga, in the “Throne and Country.”

Colonel Hall Walker is spending something like £20,000 upon rebuilding the historic Russley stables, which are presided over by Mr Persse. The latter has charge of the classic candidates in Royal Realm and Sir Archibald, th* former being the property of Colonel Hall Walker.

•‘Did you back a winner at Napier Park?” •skcd. one Queen-street loafer of another. *‘Nu such luck; nothing goes right with me now.” "What’s the “trouble?” “Why ; not only do 1 find a winner, blit my wife’s been out o’ work. for two months.’’

The Russ.au ifecny winner, Hammurabi, 1h a gigantic horse, and has. a tremendous stride.' He has not done much In the bld Country, and probably never will do anything great. He has only run twice, and the great idea appears to be to keep him uneaten. lie belongs to the Imperial Russian stud.

R. Hall has taken Khama In hand again, and is hacking him about rhe roads, preparatory to going into active training. The same trainer has had an addition to his string in the shape of the St. Paul gelding Tartan, which hails from up-r ountry. The pony Necktie, formerly a member of nail’s team, has been turned out for a spell at Papatoetoe.

lhe St Leger gelding Scotty, in being awarded 9.13 in the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdle Race, has not been overburdened, and provided he goes on all right, should run well. Scotty has been schooled several 1 fanes over hurdles at Ellerslie, but is only fairly proficient in negotiating the obstacles. If he makes the trip he will be ridden by A. Julian.

I have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of a catalogue of the unreserved sale of the whole of the racing and breeding stud of the late Mr G. G. Stead. The catalogue, which is issued by Messrs I’yne and Co., of Christchurch, is a very complete one, and contains a vast fund of information. In all seventy-two lots are to be offered on Wednesday, August 12.

'The Great Northern Steeplechase winner, Ix)ch Fyne, is to fulfil his engagements at the Gisborne Racing Club’s meeting, which takes place, on the 9th apd 10th inst. Au going well, the son of Lochness will be taken to Wellington for the Wellington Racing Club’s Winter Meeting, -after which if the weights are suitable, he will be shipped to Christchuch to compete in the C.J.C. National events.

.Says an exchange: The story that has gone the rounds for some time as to the New Zealand jockey, Hewitt being retained aS “first mount” for Mr. W. Hair Walker seems to be all moonshine, judged by lhe result of the Newmarket Royal Stakes. In that race, Mr. Walker was represented by White Eagle, who was ridden by Randall, and Hewitt rode Mr. Newton’s Slumber. There were six runners, and White Eagle, starting a warm favourite, won in a canter.

Lord Crewe is the only racing man in the new-English Cabinet, and it is to lie hoped that lie will prove a barrier against any proposed legislation affecting the welfare of the sport «n kings. Lord Crewe’s colours, unfortunately, are not often ’ seen in public. The best horse he bred was Polymelus, who was sold to Mr Faber, and subsequently to Mr Sol Joel, in whose colours he did so well.

.Several improvements are being made at 'Ascot, England, and it is anticipated that his Majesty will view these when completed. The police quarters have been enlarged, and we may expect to find the Gold Cup well guarded this year. A new covered stand has been erected near the old grand stand, while at the back a hew asphalt walk has been provided, which will’ probably be in great request as a promenade during the luncheon interval.

•The way in which English-bred stallions hold their own in "the United States points pretty plainly to their superiority over native-bred sires. Up to April 28tb. the fetallions whose produce have won nine thousand dollars or more on the flat in America number 17, and of these 12 were foaled in England. Sain, a brown four-year-old son of St. Serf from The Task, by Barcaldine, easily heads the list with 37,815 dollars to his credit.

Local owners and trainers who journey South to the various meetings complain bitterly of lack of facilities in Auckland for schooling their horses over brush fences. •Most of the ’ cotirbes in the South have these brush fences, and although they look about five feet high, any horse accustomed to them simply brushes through, only jumping about three feet. A horse which has not the advantage of schooling over this style of fence attempts to jump it without touching, so it is easy to imagine the ground he would lose. It would be very little trouble to erect a brush fence at Ellerslie, and for the benefit of loeal owners this should be done.

An Indian sporting l scribe has the following to say concerning Apologue’s transportation: Apologue, the Australian horse, bought with the idea of defeating Fitzgrafton in this year’s Viceroy's Cup, broke down in his last race in Australia, and yet they are bringing him to India—the last place on earth for an unsound one. After the experience of Bobadil, who was also infirm when he arrived, one would imagine that Indian owners would have had a sickener of this experiment. Apologue is also eaid to be a very heavily-topped hofse, another circumstance by no means In his favour,, as it is. the light-fle,shed, wiry sorts that suit Indian conditions best.

The cable annouces that th e steeplechase horse MAtokoklrf, ’which was recently sent 1 to .Sydney by the filers! ie trainer, J. B. Williamson, fractured a fetlock, and had tl» be destroyed. Although nothing out of

the ordinary. Matakoklri may have turned out . useful. The .mishap is another instance of how bad luck pursues a man at the racing gainr. For some time past thewell known ljfh*rslie trklnOr has had exceptionally bad luck, Irish breaking down, Aqua Regia .lying, and numerous other.mishaps. It is a long lane that has no turning, however, and it is to' be hoped that in the present ease it will soon turn.

Just prior to our latest files leaving, the stewards or tne KngJish Jockey Club, at the suggestion of Herbert Randall, the jockey had an inquiry respecting certain allegations made by Mr. Reid Walker regarding the running of his colt, Flying Fortune (ridden by Randall), in the Mostyn Two-year-old Plate at Chester. After shearing statements by other riders in the race and considering a letter that Randall had received from Mr. Reid Walker, the stewards came to the conclusion that no blame whatever attached to Randall, and that Mr. ■Reid Walker was not in the slightest degree justified in the steps that he took, or in making the allegations of which Randall complained.

It is rumoured (says “Glencoe,” in the “Dominion”) that the owner of Ancvle has appealed against the Newstead Hack Race at Napier Park being awarded to Highden on the ground that the latter’s jockey weighed in with the whip. Immediately after the race a protest was entered against the winner, but the stewards, who were of opinion that Hatch, the jockey, took his whip on to the scales by mistake, dismissed the complaint, and satisfied themselves with cautioning Hatch. The Rules of Racing, however, distinctly state that, “no whip,, .or substitute for. a wniD, shall be allowed in the scales.’’ It will certainly be very hard luck for the owner of Highden should the race be taken away from the Merriwee gelding; but still the .rule is there.

In the Old Country just now, Manchester on its racing side appears to be the home of trouble. It was at the North-West meeting that a very notorious case of pulling occur red. It was there, too, that the Duchess of Montrose alleged her horse St. Angelo fell down the main drain. “Down the main drain, I assure you, Sir Frederick,” said her grace when discussing the affair. It was at Manchester, too, that Troon broke his leg. It wits, further, at Manchester, that a jockey who could not do the weight was fortunately provided with a lost saddle cloth. And it was at Manchester one Monday last month that Agony broke his back and Shanloth a leg. -

In commenting on the dearth of crosscountry .riders in America, an exchange Says:—We have no good steeplechase riders here, absolutely none. Only the other day Thistledale, a pronounced front runner, headstrong, and impossible ‘to “rate” or “place” during a race, was winning easily by fifteen lengths, when bis rider foolishly took a pull on the tired horse, and, as a consequence, he hit the last fence all round, and after a long twenty yards’ stagger, just managed to catch his feet and stand up to win. Week after week we see races thrown away by sheer incapacity. The racing charts teli you horses “fell,” but they do not fall, they “peck,” and the rider flies off like a billiard ball from a cue-tip.

The winnings of Australian champions Such as Carbine and Poseidon pale into insignificance when compared with the stake-money annexed by .some of the heroes of the English Turf. For instance, in stakes alone Isinglass won £57,456 for the late Colonel McCalmont, and included amongst his victories were the Two Thousand, Demy, and St. Leger. Donovan failed to quite equal this performance* but won the Derby and St. Leger, and in all credited the Duke of Portland with £55,154. Rock jSand won £45,618; Flying Fox, £40,096; Diamond Jubilee,. £31,885; Ormonde, 428,465: Gai tee' More. £27,019; and Lord Lyon, £25,600. Sceptre’s winnings amounted to £38,283, and Pretty Polly earned £35,312. The defunct Persimmon’s winnings reached £34,706.

, A friend writes to me (says “Rapier”) on the subject of a recent note: “I observe that ‘Rapier’ says he is not clear in what sort of a snowstorm Hermit's Derby was run. I can tell him, on the authority of Hermit’s owner. It was run in.no sort of a snow or any other storm. Squalls of rain, sleet, and bait fell during the day. which was cruelly cold, and a few flakes of snow came down while the horses were being saddled. There was, also, I think, a bit of a squall while D’Estournel was playing his tricks at the post. But while the race was being run nothing fell, except the Marquis of Hastings’ Mercury, which must have dropped uncommonly near to Zero when he saw the. two horses racing home, one of which would lose him £149,690 and the other £120,000. Such a spectacle, coupled with the cold day, might have given the boldest a bit of a turn.”

Rough riding seems' to be rampant on the American turf. The following is from fhe New York “Telegraph”.—For the twelve days of racing at Jamaica there wen? five horses that fell in their races, an average of almost one every other day.’ The formation of the track has been blamed for many of these accidents, but, as a matter of fact, most of the falls have resulted from rough riding, and tn almost every instance it has gone unpunished. The number of falls does not begin to reflect the cases of rough riding, for in several instances, horses have been knocked out of all contention without being actually thrown down. Dozens of other cases could be cited in the short season of racing, but the falls themselves toll a story of how little fear the fdiigh ridexg have had of punishment.

The following incident actually took place at a countryside meeting in England recently;— . . They were a group of sporting men, and were unable* to raise a sovereign between them.

One at a time they presented themselves at the paddock gate. “I am the owner of Starlight.” the first said. He was well dressed and imposing. They believed and passed him In. “I am Starlight's trainer.” said the second. His- red fare and bluff manner bore but his story, and they admitted him. The third man was small and thin. “Starlight’s jockey,” he said shortly, and hurried through the gate. The fourth and last man of the group was yery shabby indeed. ■ “Well, who are you?” they said impatiently w hen ho presented himself. “I am Starlight,” was the meek reply. The following is the English ’chaser, John M.P.’s record in America: — Ho started four times in thht country in 1906 and three times in 1907. His first start was in the Steeplechase at Sheepshead Bay on September 1, 1906. when he beat Belligerent, Oro, and others. A week later, on September 8, he won the Great Autumn Steeplechase, defeating Agent. Alf ar. Ilyins, Grandpa, and Paul Jones. His next start was in the Westbury, on September 15th. when he threw his rider after completing half the course. In the Champion Steeplechase at Belmont Park, on October 20th. ho refused at the fifth jump and was pulled up. His first, start in 1907 was at Saratoga, on August 26th, when he refused the last fence, where he was ton lengths in front of his field. His next starr was in the Inaugural Steeplechase at Sheepshead Bay oh August 31, which he won, repeating his victory of the year before in that stake. On September 7 he started again and stumbled and threw his rider on the flat, after taking all the fences, ne being fifteen lengths in front at the nine. The Wellington writer, “Glencoe,” deals with the recent Napier meetings in .the following caustic, paragraph: “The result or the two days’ racing at the winter meeting of the Napier Park Racing Club reveals some rather glaring inconsistency in the of several horses. Candidates who tailed badly in moderate back company at Hastings a week ago came to light promiscuously at Greenmeadows. The stewards of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club had several opportunities- to ask pertinent questions concerning the running of two or three horses at their meeting, but they overlooked the matter, and consequently the Napier Park Club's handicapper was set a rather severe task to make a success of his weight adjustments, while the Napier Park stewards had no course open to .them to look on at what..must have appeared to them palpable oases of inconsistent fdinh. If the sport in New Zealand is to fetarrF a clean name, the authorities in the different centres will have to exert themselves in the performance of their dirty, ami stamp out the growing evil. I. believe I am right in saying that the stewards at a recent meeting discussed more than one case of apparent crooked running, but nevertheless they remained inert.

Mr. Mars Cassidy, the official starter for the Metropolitan racing in America, has the usual unctuous Southern fund of dry humour. When south this winter a clergyman, having but a very slight* acquaintance with him, stopped him- in the street, and’ glowingly asked what he (Mr. Cassidy) would do when the' race tracks were ail closed? “Well,” said Cassidy, “they’re not closed yet, are they?” The clergyman replied: “No, not yet, but they will be. If not this year, next. Brother Casidy, you have walked in the paths of sin many years. You know no other calling. You can get no recommendations from any other source. What will you do for a living?” Cassidy locked at his questioner, and slowly said: “I never cross a bridge until I come to it. When -the tracks are closed 1 shall not starve, much as you may wish it. I have my plans made, and I shall step into an entirely new field, in which there is practicalijr no- competition, and which, I believe, will receive with open arms any one caring to enter it.” “What is the field, my brother, what is the field?” asked the startled minister; and Cassidy replied: “1 shall become a preacher, strictly minding my own business, and letting alone the business of others.” .The preacher is “running yet.”

Year after year it has been made apparent that a big majority of the members of the Victoria Racing Club desire the legalisation of the totalisator, and it is made equally evident that members of the committee pretend to. As the annual meeting approm4ies candidates) take care to assure members, of tlieir sympathy with tne •desired enactment, but when once the election is over and seats are secured for twp years,, no more is heard of the. totalizator question from “headquarters.” If legislation in Victoria went to the extent of prohibiting betting on nubcoursos one <t»nld understand (says “Javelin”) the legalisation of the totalizator being prohibited. but. as a matter of commonsense. It may surely be asked: On what reasonable grounds can it be enacted that the publh? may bet to an unlimited exteht at any race meeting-hold in the StotO, even on events to <‘ome, and to take place anywhere, preylde<l bacliers accept bookmakers’ odds., but must not bet on the system which cnablctis backers to: regulate. the odds themselves? If that state of-things <’nn hr made to repretiont coin mon sense, Justice, or the uplifting of the cpmmouity by suppression of gambling — vMI, F munt confess to being somewhat dense in the top storey!

Thus a writer In the “Sporting Times”:— “We have all along maintained that the day Orby won ttye Derby l|e was a nailing good horse, as he was when he won the Irish Derby. Wc have eeen hlnr described as one

of the worst (hut ever carried nff the Blue Riband, and the** same has* been said of Sainfoin. If anyone had eeeu Sainfoin take his lust gallop before being sent io Epsom as we did, he would not have said that there was little merit in him. That gallop alto get her caused us to niter tlie opinion that we had up to that time held that Sun foot was a wonder, and sure to be successful at Epsom. A bet’ of 500 to 100 was our reward, and we thought Sainfoin won in a canter. At Ascot Prince Soltykoff invited us and Watts, who had ridden Sainfoin, to pay a visit to tlie Guards’ (cut, and we took the opportunity of asking the Jockey how faille thought he could have won by. and his reply was that he won so easily that he could not say. No bad horse on the day has ever won the Derby. Daniel O’Rourke is generally supposed to have been bad; but that was not the opinion of those who knew, and won £lOO,OOO on him. The severity of a Derby preparation many horses never get over, ami in lhe language of John Scott, wu get the bloom on the peach only once in thr year. With regard to Orby, we never saw a horse smash up his field iu the Derby hi half a dozen strides as he did."

’l’lic starting difficulty seems to be chronic in the Old ('ountry. and in this connection the “Sporting Times” says: "Some bad ex ainples oi starting were placed before us at Chester, and it Is ..with much regret that we have again to associate the name of Mr (’oventry with failures. Nor was it better with tlie well-backed Dalkeith at Kempton. Small as were some of the fields, horses were hopelessly left at the post, and it was a painful sight with eight runners to see one wellbacked candidate toiling along a furlong-be-hind, and another whose success was confidently anticipated, not having a 100 to 1 chance as soon as tlie tapes were raised. It would not be just to owners of horses, who are the chief sutlerers, or backers, who are made to lose their money, if out of a feeling of amiability we >vere to refrain from commenting on these repeated failures, much as it would be our desire to do so. Mr Coventry is almost painfully conscientious in his work, ami it, we fear, produces a feeling of nervousness and indecision in him, with tfic re suit that he hesitates when he should act, and acts when he should hesitate. He docs not seem to readily grasp the psychological moment, and opportunities that might have been good are missed, and others, after a long delay, that are bad seized upon. It was this want of grasp that led to Mr Coventry achieving the rare distinction, under the old regime of the flag, of having a false start with only two runners. This place at Epsopi. “He is no respecter of persons, and leaves Hie hopelessly behind with Nunwucn m the. Cambridgeshire, for which she ww a h S rm*i 1 fa X on, ' i !j‘’ Derby with Glacis when that horse was first favourite for the recent Liverpool Cup. In the case of Nunsucli, two or throe days later ?l?n? n f»i lb beth ?r lpr,Hs . she beat the horse i2. a i WOn . the Ca,l » bl 'ld£eshire by ten iSln / I? S l° W J ng whe, ’<? she would have been had the starter not left her behind in the more important event.” There is no doubt, writes “Mostyn ” about Rhm! S ‘!’ e '"•'orious <>t all the thirty Birthday Cups- Mata’s in 1881. He hailed front New Zealand, and was a most sensational horse. To begin With, there was :m abnormally profuse growth ou bls legs, ami he was a very ragged customer to look at. He was brought over from Maorlland for the Melbourne Cup of 1880, and despite the fact that a couple of days before the great event he put up one of the best Cup trials ever witnessed at Flemington, he ran badly ditto in the Royal Park Stakes. Yet in the facs of these inglorious performances, the clever division who had control of him put the money down solidly in the V.R.C. Handicap, and he made an exhibition ot the others. Disqualification followed, and this led to his presence in this State. The action-of the stewards of the V.R.C. was not endorsed on this side (it was in the days when lhe A.R.C. and S.A.J.C. were at loggerheads), and Harry Haines secured the services of the horse to race in this State. The visitor was weighted at 9.2, but he won all right and defeated a strong field, including that good but unlucky colt Progress. As a matter of fact, it was generally conceded that the event’was really a tussel between these two, and that was what, the betting market showed. Mata won easily. By the way, “Centurion.” in hie interesting budget of turf memories, tells a smart aneidote in connection with Mata’s Birthdaj’ ('up. lie says: I recollect Q very lively s<*ene on tlie Old Course one morning before the Cup, wlieh the Indian dealer ot that period, the irrepressible Weeks, and Phil Glenister became engaged in a heated discussion as to the respective chances of Mata ami Progress, the outcome being that Glenister hl id £5OO to £450 twice on Progress against Mata. Mata was sent by Haines on the course proper at a clinking good gallop, getting over his one and a-lialf miles in 2min 44Jsec. 'Hiis had a serious effect on the opposing party, and I think I am right in' saying that the supporter of Progress felt hone too fond of his wager after witnessing so good a gallop. The upshot was Progress was stripped there and then ami sent over the same course by Janies Wilson the younger. Savanaka taking the colt along at a terrific pace for the first mile, the watch registering a halfsecond slower than Mata’s time. Both wore great gallops, and quite near enough to leave the respective factions in a state of perplexity. Whether there was an amicable adjustment of tilings before the day between Glenister and Weeks 1 cannot say for certain. But to show the genuine keenness existing between the rlvn! contingents on that particular morning the story recurs to my mind of Haines being desperately anxious to discover wUethou.he had in the gallop carried more than external appearances indicated; and. to gain the coveted knowledge, he very imliscreelly gffve Tran

•J® U rl< T en e®*t. » “o»t affectionate •ad feeling hug when they reached the preclncta of the old Turf Hotel, where they .Were all located for the meeting. Thia ?S^i“ eri< ?!T. 1 5 frin8ement of '“ We etiquette nearly called down on Haines the vengeance ■n7 t , ra . l “ er ’ but an am P>e apology and avowal of Innocence happily averted a resort to force, and the Incident ended, i. ± ± ± TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. - . r CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday?” Heavy rain since Friday has left the tracks at Riccarton in rather an unsatisfactory state, and quite a number of horses are being exercised on the roads. Despite this there has been a fair amount of jumping and schooling,, and as the big cross country meeting draws nearer the number Of horses at headquarters is increasing. Tessera has been responsible for several good displays over hurdles, and she is now a particularly sure jumper. Kelp gnd Farley Grove continue making good progress, the former in particular jumping with every confidence. Grand Stand and Southern Cross were associated in a round over hurdles, but the latter blundered badly and came down, giving G. Pine, his rider, a severe shaking. Southern Cross is still sore, as a result of the fall, and seems afraid. He will probably never make a reliable jumper. Grand Stand, on the other hand, negotiated the full -journey without making a semblance of a mistake. v Storm gave a pleasing display over the big fences, which he negotiated confidently, but there was little pace on. Shimmer and Virtus have been getting through a fair amount of schooling, with satisfactory results. W. Clarke has received another addition to his team in Northern Chief, by Daystar, a plain looking gelding, recently purchased by Mr Rutherford in the North Island. Cross Battery and Sea King are being . kept up to the collar, in view of their projected trip to Australia. So far nothing definite has been arranged as to whether the venture will materialise or not. The annual steeplechase meeting of the Waimate Hunt Club was held last week, and provided the many spectators present with an excellent afternoon’s sport. A fairly stiff course was laid out near Waimate station, extending over three miles of good ’ hunting country. Elworthy JSros.’ stable was in great form, their reps., Craigmore and Brest, running first and second in the heavy weight steeplechase, while others of their string in Swagger and Ziths occupied similar positions in the light weight steeples. The Farmers* Race Went to Mr P. Studholme’s Mystery, with Stratton second, and Daddy third. The Rosebank Steeplechase was won by Mr Rapsey’s Fitzroy, which was followed home by Weka and Rarera. At its annual meeting on Friday evening, the South Canterbury Jockey Club elected Dr. Thomas president, Mr A. A. Elworthy Vice-president, Mr H. Lowry treasurer, Mr j. E. llenrys handicapper, and Mr C. A. Jefferson starter. The entries received for the Canterbury J.C.’s Grand National meeting are fairly numerous, but they show a decided falling off in the matter of class, and go to prove how badly off we are in regard to even second rate jumpers. Quite a large portion of the tw’enty-eight figuring in the steeplechase have no credentials over country, and I am afraid the field will be one of the poorest that has ever gone out for the Riccarton cross country Blue Ribbon. There is a shortage of twenty-two in the big hurdles, as compared with last year’s total, and here again quality is poorly represented. The only redeeming feature is the liberal support accorded the Winter Cup, which has drawn a record entry of sixtynine. As the list includes the names of several prominent New Zealand Cup candidates, the race should be of particular Interest, and will be one of the greatest attractions of the meeting. The support accorded the Beaufort Steeplechase, Sydenham Hurdle Race, and Lincoln Steeplechase is fairly satisfactory, and altogether about represents the present strength of the Dominion jumping brigade. The Wingatui trainer, J. Rae, has had his team strengthened by the addition of a four-year-old daughter of Hotchkiss and .Coalscuttle. Simon Pure, a son of Obligado and Mehta, which has raced in the country districts of Otago, has joined R. Beale’s stable. Heirloom, another of Beale’s charges, has had several turns over hurdles in company with Kaikomako, and shapes really well for a novice. The committee of the Dunedin Jockey Vlub is not satisfied with the railway tratnc superintendent’s reply concerning the faulty traffic arrangements to and from Wingatui at the last meeting there. The matter is to be laid before the Hon. J. A. Millar. Apollodoris is enjoying a spell, while Both Afer and Erskine are running loose for a few weeks. Favourable opinions have been expressed S? "" m‘ ,C ? Coll «rnmg the Multiform colt, Mm, J ”• Ellis ’ Btable - He is a Htfonn all over, and a.lready gives promise of being able to gallop fast. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The weather during the past week has been wintry, and the tracks at Riccarton are being thoroughly saturated, and little work of fast order could be got through, list since his accident in the Wanganui Steeplechase, Is again In commission, nnd, •U going well will be raced at the Grand Canton, which has been on the retired

National meeting. With the tracks in their present state Clark will have a big task iu getting the ’chaser in anything line nt racing trim. Siow Tom, Eurus, Storm, Klip, Farley Grove and Grandstand have ail been responsible for serviceable tasks, both on the hat and over obstacles, and they are well forward in condition. The treatment meted out to Cross Battery and Sea King in their Australian engagements does not find much favour with their owner, and though as yet no definite decision has been arrived at, 1 doubt if the trip will be undertaken. The manner in which the imported English filly, Ringdove, has been treated in the Caufleld and Al el bourne Cups is perplexing. In the former she has only been awarded 6.8, and iu the latter her poundage is 7.6. Evidently the V.A.T.C. handicapper has treated her as a maiden three-year-old, whereas she will be within two or three months of four years when the races are run. She is a handsome looking daughter of Collar and Miss Chaffinch, and, if all reports concerning her galloping abilities are correct, the Caulfield Cup should be well within her capabilities. The V.A.T.C. handicapper is evidently of the opinion that Golden Slipper stands out the best oi me. tWo-year-olds in Australia. In the Cauldfield Cup she is assessed at 7.7, which is 51b over weight-for-age, whereas the best of the Australian two-year-olds, The Brewer, is handicapped at but Bibs above weight for age. Motoa has been scratched for all engagements at the W.R.C. winter meeting, and Penates has been withdrawn from the Parliamentary Handicap at that fixture. The injuries sustained by Maui when competing in a hurdle race at Melbourne recently were evidently of a rather serious nature, as the New Zealander haS been withdrawn from his engagement at the V.R.C. Grand. National meeting. Private information has been received here that the connections of Waipu are fairly confident of -having a big chance in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle race. The only doubt is’as to whether Waipu will be able to foot it with his field in the early stages, for in such a race he may be carried off his legs. The annual meeting of the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club, held on Wednesday, passed off without any of that feeling that has marked some of the previous meetings. A highly satisfactory balance-sheet w r as submitted, which showed a profit of £3604 on the season’s transactions. The most prominent items of revenue were: Nominations, £2064; acceptances, £1515; totalisator, £10,759: privileges, £550; race-cards, £621; and bookmakers’ fees, £933. Amongst the largest items of expenditure were: Stakes, £1502; Government tax. £1804; and buildings, £844. The election of officers resulted as follows.—President. Hon. C. Louisson, M.L.C.; vice-president, Mr. G. Payling; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Ritchie; stewards, Messrs. E. Fox, V. Harriss, W. H. Hollis W. Hayward, J. W. Steven, C. J. filoman, J. g. Williams, J. S. Slade, W. Tonks, and G. Treleaven; committee, Messrs. L. H. Hollis. V. Harris, J. Harris, 3. W. Steven, G. Treleaven, W. Tonks, C. B. Ritchie, W. Hayward, W. M. Joynt, nnd S. Williams. Mr. T. Rollinshaw and Mrs. T. Marr were elected life members of the club, and it was recommended that bonuses be granted to all the paid officials of the club.

At the annual meeting of the Plumpton Park T.C. on Thursday the balance-sheet showed that the season just closed had been a record success, both from a financial and racing point of view. Most of the old officials were re-elected, and Mr. R. J. Mason was made a life member, and a presentation of an oil painting of himself was made to Mr. C. S. Howell, the oldest member of the club, in recognition of his esteemed services. CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday., For the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National Meeting, to be held on August 11, 13, and 15, the following handicaps have been declared:— GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of lOOOsovs. Three miles and a-half. st. lb. st. lb.

+ ♦ + AUSTRALIAN RACING. V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL. FAVOURITE BEATEN. MELBOURNE, June 4. The V.R.C. Grand National meeting was inaugurated to-day at Flemington. The following was the result of the principal event:— the graSd NATIONAL HURDLE RACE of 15sovs each, sft, or 2sovs only if declared, vyith 1250sovs added; second, 250 sovs; third, 126sovs. Three miles. F. B. Brennan’s blk m Lady Quiz, syrs, by The Inquisitor—Lucella, 9.7 (Ray) 1 S. M. Wilson’s b g Mercury, aged, 9.7 Chevally) 2 C. T. Godby’s br g Wollara, syrs, 10.0, (Williamson) 3 Also ran: Bribery, Enchanted States, Superstition. Tatterdemalion. Red Fly, Paraloch, Garches, Concave, Philip Wirth, Westeria, Dagoba, Waipu, Budgeree, Zalski, Topaz, Sea Gem, Liberator, Charlemagne. Thick, misty rain was falling when the field jumped off. Lady Quiz was first away, from Zalski, Tatterdemalion, and Mercury, Going out of the straight Topaz had command, with Waipu and Enchanted States last. Passing the bridge Lady Quiz and Wollara were clear of the field, the nearest being Topaz, Charlemagne, and Tatterdemalion. Then the mist obscured the horses. When they emerged at the sheds Lady Quiz and Wollara were still in front. Passing the bridge Wollara headed Lady Quiz, while Mercury closed up. Lady Quiz led into the straight, and coming away, won by four lengths, a length separating the second and third horses. Waipu was never prominent, and finished in the ruck. Time, 5.55 J. ♦ + ♦ ENGLISH RACING. THE PRINCESS OF WALES' STAKES. LONDON, July 2. At the Newmarket meeting to-day the following was the result of the principal event:— THE PRINCESS OF WALES’ STAKES of GpOOsovs. Special weights, with penalties and allowances. One mile and a-half. Mr. Reid Walker's ch c Queen's Advocate, by Diamond Jubilee—Red Virgin 1 Lord Howard de Walden's b e Cargill by Carbine—Galinne ’ 2 Mr. R. A. Brice's Royal Fox, by Flying Fox—Hamiltrude ' ' 0

Kiatere 12 8 Creusot . 9 13 Loch Fyne . . 11 8 Pierre . 9 7 Slow Tom . . 10 10 Kapakapa . . 9 7 Exmoor 10 10 Gold Seal . . . 9 7 Kaipetipeti . 10 8 Aorangi .. .. . 9 ~r Lull 10 7 Evenlode . .. . 9 7 Tilson 10 Starlight .... . 9 7 Fretwork .... 10 o Bull wort h . . 9 7 Earns 10 2 Nogi . 9 7 Ghoorka 10 1 Canton . 9 7 Le Roan 10 1 St. Amelia . . 9 7 Nadador 10 0 Al bury . 9 7 Faro 10 0 Storm . 9 7 Papatu 10 0 Reay . 9 7 GRAND NATIONAL lOOOsovs. st. lb. HURDLE RACE of Two miles. St. lb. Pnritiitu 11 9 Top Rose . .. 9 5 (Shrapnel 11 8 The Stake .. 9 4 Exmoor 11 o Stronghold . 9 3 Lady Ilune . . 11 0 Strathcona . Black Reynard 10 G Stormont ... 9 0 Letherin .... 10 FI Immolation . Gold Dust .. 10 3 Compass .... 9 0 Sen-Sini 10 o Snip 9 0 Ghoorka 10 1 Defeat 9 0 Ability 10 1 Whatakura . 9 0 •Creusot 10 0 Repulse 0 0 Scotty 9 13 Showman ... 9 9 Pretty Maid .. 9 12 Southern Cross 9 0 Aorangi f) 9 St. Amelia .. 9 0 Prospector ... 9 8 Cyrus 9 0 Earns 9 7 Vlrtus .. Pull Cry 9 G Reay 9 0 Aeolus ........ Douche 0 9 G 5 Forest 9 0

WINTER CUP of SOOsovs. One mile. Lnpulite .... Dusky Morn Irish Rifle .. 10 12 10 9 10 8 Paragon .... Merrte Zealand 9 0 S 5 Dawu Mystification 10 8 10 8 Eeonator .... Haldane .... 9 9 3 Ali Red ...... Cross Battery 10 8 10 8 Contender Simplex 9 o 3 Moton Truce Wallethe Sea King ,., 10 8 10 4 10 3 10 2 Swinging Belt Erl King .... White Cockade Bandwern . .. !> 9 ‘ 9 9 3 9 3 3 Seaman Kalroma .... Uenuku Scotty Marty Hum .. Armamento . 10 2 .10 o Maihnranui .. Ahel .... 9 9 3 3 10 o 9 13 9 12 9 12 Rangipapa M ussel Kurawaka .. Comedian ... 9 9 9 9 1 0 0 Aboriginal .. 9 10 Rose Noble . . Maid of AstoChican' .. 9 o la t .... Tupono Zetland 9 9 0 o Lady Disdain 9 10 North Head 9 10 Silken Rein . 9 0 Penates 9 10 Golden Gate 9 0 lied Rain ... Tai toko 9 10 9 10 Hinetitama .. Lone Star ..." 9 9 0 o Sir Frisco ... Probable .... 9 10 9 10 Don Orslno .. Hilarity 9 0 Eller ton .... Golden Cairn Douche Ard Reign .. Celtic 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 Splnn'g Flight Nancy Stair . Whareknra .. Restless .... Cavatina .... 9 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 o Clanchattan 9 0 9 Harvest Medallist Field Gun .. 9 0 9 6 9 6 Recreation . . Rawiiiia .... 9 9 0 0