TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 4, 22 July 1908, Page 11

TURF GOSSIP

(B*

WHALEBONE.)

RACING FIXTURES. July 18, 22, and 23 — Wellington R.C. Winter July 29 — Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club Annual July 30 — North Canterbury J.C. Winter Aug. 12.—Fleet Meeting, Ellerslie. 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 ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. DE.A. — It is impossible to estimate the number of the figures you send in. There is nothing in the rules of crib to allow’ for the counting of five cards of one value. H. Parker.—Yes. It is the same horse. Inquire.—Kaipetipetl is by Monaco— Pawawa.

TURF NOTES, The Ben Godfrey gelding I’ukenui haw joined P. Con way's team at Ellerslie. The pony Quadroon has joined P. ConWay’s team at Ellerslie. A fair number of outside horses have been Dominated for the. Fleet meeting.

The Soult —Hotcherina horse Grenadier Is expected to arrive' in Auckland at an early date.

The Hotchkiss gelding Haldane is the only Auckland representative in the C.J.C. Winter Cup.

The gelding Pipl has joined J. Chaafe, jr.’s, stable, and may be given a run at the Fleet Meeting.

The now sensational mare Tauriki figures amongst the nominations for the Welcome Hurdle Race and Roosevelt Handicap at the Fleet meeting.

The New Zealand horse Noctuiform met with a serious mishap early In June, which it was thought would keep him out of training for a long time.

The Auckland horses Shrapnel, Lady Rune and Creusot have been allowed to drop out of their engagements at the C.J.C. winter meeting.

The ex-Auckland pony Hopscotch*, by Boult — Chrysalis, was seen for the first time at the Fitzroy (Vic.) races on 29tn June, but did no good.

Amongst the nominations for the Fleet meeting is the game little Seaton Delava], mare Delania,: which has been off the scene for about twelve months.

Notwithstanding the fact that the gelding Fretwork was reported to have broken a blood vessel he has been paid up for in the C.J.C. National Steeplechase.

On some racecourses in America two-year-olds are only asked to run a three-furlong and three and a-half furlong races in the early part qf the season.

According to a .cablegram received In Melbourne, W. Evans (Apologue’s rider) rode two w Inliers' l in one afternoon at a meeting lately in England.

The Birkenhead filly Mistime, recently purchased by Mr Lindsay, of Auckland, from the Hbh. J: D. Ormond, was brought from the South on Sunday, and has gone into. 11. Howe’s stable at Kohimarama.

Nothing has yet ; been decided as to whether Leoqator will fulfil his engagement at the C.J.C. National Meeting. It will probably depend upon the strength of the field for the principal--event at the Fleet Meeting.

Word Plymouth states that Kiatere has improved considerably since he has been under P. Johnston’s fare. He is reported to-have done a good gallop, in company with.,Earitutu, during last ween.

Among the winners at the York (Eng.) meeting in May, was a three-year-old filly named Comforter, who Is by Collar from Indulgence, the latter being by Trenton from Levity, by Rend Or from Clemence (grand-dam of Carbine).

As the Klug was leaving the Epsom Club Wtand on Derby Day, a voice called out in Clear Cockney acderits: “Never mind, sir. Cheer up, and ’ave another go next year!” His Majesty’s face beamed with laughter as he raised his hat to the speaker, and the crowd cheered tremendously.

Charles Jenkins has made an application for his license to the Wanganui Jockey Club, Jenkins’ license for the season 190708 having been cancelled for the balance or the season only. It is not anticipated that he will experience any difficulty in obtaining a license for the coming season.

Up to the end of May, St, Frusquin was at the head of the winning. sires’ list in England, the amount to his credit being £8771, the result of wine by eight of his progeny. Octagon was second with £5488, and Carbine third with £4229. Since then Signorinetta’s wins have probably placed Chaleureux at the head of the list.

Jeßis. a very successful Jockey In his day in Belgium, and now a leading trainer, says that owners there are not prodigal in their presents, and mentions that on one occasion, after training the winner of the Derby there, the owner of the horse marked his gratitude by sending him a small barrel of whipped milk.

The money taken at the gates at Chan* (illy on Sunday, May 24th, established n record* for the Oaks day 7 the receipts for public admission being £23.442. Over 22,0f)0 people travelled down by : train from ’Paris, and the turnover at the pari mutuel was £96,214. These figures . demonstrate .the flourishing condition of the French turf.

The following transfers were submitted and agreol to by the A.R.C. Committee: —

J. B. Reid to 11. F. Nicoll. Sautita; C. de Pass to Patrick Smith. Snowfoct. The report and balance-sheet to be presented ar the annual meeting of members was read and approved. Accounts amounting to £270 were passed for payment. ’

Although there is not the usual excitement outside in connection with the election .of committeemen for the Auckland Racing Club, there is every possibility or keen competition for the seats; no less than 12 having been nominated for ticfive vacancies. Amongst the names are thos? of well-known racing men, and members have plenty to choose from.

English racing men are awaiting anxiously the appearance on the turf of the filly by Cyllene from Sceptre, who is to. race this season. The sire and dam of this fashionably-bred youngster were sold for a total of £50,000. The result of their first union is naturally a -very precious piece of horseflesh. Sceptre has this season been mated with the New Zealand-bred Carbine.

One of the lucky purchases in England last year was a steeplechaser named Atrnto, for whom Mr J. Wynford Phillips gave 310 guineas. At Sandown Park on the 2nd of last month, Atrato, with 10.3, won the Grand International Handicap Steeplechase of £325, (his being his ninth successive victory. Illg stake earnings total £2179. and in each of his nine races he started at . a fair price.

In England the new star of the three-year-old firmament is Ebor. Unfortunately he was not in the Derby. Recently it was mentioned in this column that IO.OOOgs had been refused for the colt. When the offer was declined an English writer said of Mr A. Bendon, the owner: “Lucky young man, to be able to scorn a little fortune with all the risks of ownership and all the uncertainties of racing on the other side.”

The result of the mating of the brilliant Sceptre with that champion of champions, Carbine, will, it need hardly be said, be awaited with a very keen interest in places far outside Great Britain, for there is very much to expert from the Persimmon mare and the Musket horse. Carbine, it may be remarked, was foaled as far back ns 1883, while Sceptre first saw the light in 1899. Carbine is therefore 23 years old, while Sceptre is only eight years.

The executive committee appointed to make arrangements for the entertainment of the men of the American Fleet during the race meeting at Ellerslie, paid a 'visitto the course on Saturday, and decided to erect marquees in' thc“ big paddock recently acquired by the club. The spot chosen i<* nice and handy; and altogether suitable for the purpose, so there should be no difficulty In handling the large number of men expected to be p resent.

Spectators who were present at the Gisborne R.C. meeting last week Mate, that a most laughable Incident occurred during the running of the steeplechase on the opening day. Cinque and Papatu raced at tihe brush fence in front of the stand together, when the former stopped and shot her rider (W. Wilson) clean over her head, landing him straddle legs across the fence. Wilson* s appearance brought down the gallery*

At Ellerslie, last week, Darkness and Cornua were schooled over a round or the hurdles, (he latter, a (terwards jumping the big fences Id the ceture of the cc’ifse. Both jumped well. The Abbott, aioue, wae sent over the big fences, stopping at the sod wall the first time, but afterwards jumping safely. A large number of huuters ore now in work, at Ellerslie, and there seems every probability that a big field will contest the hunters’ event on the Fleet Meeting programme.

The nominations received for the various events at the Fleet meeting exceed the most sanguine expectations. No less than 35 have nominated for the Connecticut Steeplechase, which I think is easily an Auckland record for a hunter's event, and the race should prove one of the . leatures of the gathering. The Sperry Steeplechase was only expected to attract an entry of about eight, but fourteen appear in the list, and this is more than satisfactory. Taken altogether, everything is most promising for a successful gathering.

It is understood that under the terms of the will of the late Mrs. Coombe, the horses owned by her at the time of her death are to be raced by the executors of the estate, with the exception of Master Delava 1. The Seaton Delaval gelding has been left to his trainer, Denis Moraghan. As is well known the Ellerslie trainer lias had charge of all the horses owned by Mrs. Coombe during her racing career, and from the fact that she has generously left him the pick of the stable, it will be easl.y recognised that the deceased lady held Denis in the highest respect.

The accident which led to the promineht English jockey E. Wheatley haying a \yrist broken a few. weeks ago, was caused through the saddle breaking. Interviewed on tlie matter. Fagan, who trained the horse from whom Wheatley met with his mishap, said: “Jockeys carry their own saddles with them, and the trainers have no control over them. All we can do is to put the saddle on the 'horse that the jockey weighs out with. The saddle that. Wheatley weighed out with ‘Old China was not fit to put on a racehorse.” Seemingly “a favourite saddle” was responsible for Wheatley's accident.

The death of Mrs. Coombe robs the turf of a liberal patron, and quo who must take rank with the foremost sportswomen of the Dominion. Mrs. Coombe Witt be best known as the owner of that good hor/c Master Delaval, and is the only lady owner to have her name enrolled on the list of Auckland Cup winners. In addition to Mas ter Delaval. Mrs. Coombe was the owner of Master Soult. which looks like proving the best of the three-year-olds; while at the last Cambria Park yearling sale she gave big prices for rne Soult—Miss Annie filly and Soult—Dreamland , colt. Taken all round the deceased lady was an enthusiastic supporter’ of the turf, ami wi.l’ be- greatly missed;’ - '••••>

According to jUxe “Dominion,” a private cable received in Wellington on the lutn inst., stated that Idealist won the July Handicap, one mile, at the V ictorian Racing Club’s Grand National Meeting on Saturday. Idealist (Birkenhead — Ideal) won the last Winter Cup for the Hon. J. D. OrinOnd, who afterwards disposed of the gelding to Mr G. Payne. After winning several races in the Dominion for Mr Payne, the son of Birkenhead was sent over to Melbourne a couple of months ago. and has since been an inmate of the stable presided over by the ex-Ncw Zealander. D. j. Price.

The English sportsman, Mr F. S. Barnard, the owner of Kaffir Chief, is reported to be the best of owners to train for. As lie admits, he knows absolutely" nothing about racehorses, never troubles in the least about them, and leaves everything to his trainer George Chaloner. He is a retired Stock Exchange man, residing at Brynbras 'Castle, Carnarvon, and usually has five or six horses in training, this year’s Lincolnshire Handicap being his greatest success, lie comes “racing” occasionally, often accompanied by his wife, but it has become a jocular maxim that the horses never wlir when the lady is present.

The Metropolitan Committee met on Wednesday, Hon. E. Mitchelson presiding.. Licenses were granted as follows: -Trainers: J. Twohill, A. Langdon, C. W. Coleman, K. Heaton, D. Bannatyne. Jockeys: A. Langdon, M. Deeble, V. Coleman,- J. Gallagher, R. E. Brown, P. Brady, B. Howe. Jockey apprentice: Albert Whitaker. Gentlemen riders: F. P. Selby, A. (’. Selby, Aickln Commons, J. Patterson. D. B. Gorrl'e, Charles Wallace, and J. H. Johnston. The programme of the Avondale Jockey t’luh for the season 1908-9 was passed.

A meeting of the Fleet Raring Meeti' ,< * Committee was .held on Wednesday. Hon. E. Mitchelson presiding. It was decided to alter the eonditidfis bearing on the Connerticut 'Steeplechase so ps to allow owners up to tin? time of going- to scale to produce the qualification certificate of their horses. The admission charge for ladles to the grandstand enclosure was fixed at 5/. Written tenders for the -booths and fruit-stalls will be received up to. Monday, next at *hooji. The following gentlemen were appoint rd •stewards, subject to their consent:—Sir

Robert Lockhnrt. Messis A W. Gordon, W D. Holgate, O. Nicholson. C. Ranson, T. J. Sinclair, W. C. Somers, A. Davis, and Robert Duder.

A conference of representatives of racing clubs was held at the V.R.C. office recently for the purpose of considering the question of the registration of horses. The feeling ot the meeting was to make registration com pulsory. The delegates from I|>e border clubs pointed out that the six months* graceallowed to visiting horses Was too long, and that the conditions with regard to registration should be enforced at on< e. Mr. R. G. Casey, - chairman, said the V.R.C. com mil tee did not want to assume a drastic attitude regarding registration, but reglstrn tion would probably be eventually made compulsory. The committee would at an early opportunity consider the situation and endeavour to formulate a scheme satis factory alike to the clubs the delegates represented and the turf generally.

Jim Twohill took his departure for Australia on Monday last with Soultline. Before leaving the Thames the popular trainer was entertained by a number of friends, and presented with a handsome trave’llng bag. The gift camp as- a big surprise, and, as he expressed it, “Took him right off his legs.” ami he was unable to respond. Soultllne looked nice and healthy when he was shipped, and in a conversation with Twohill before his departure, I gathered that it is the intention, all going we?:, to race him at the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, and afterwards al the V.R.C. Spring Meeting. The other representative of the stable, Pierre, is to fulfil his engagements at the Wellington ami Christchurch meetings, afterwards being .shipped across in charge of M. Deeble. R. E. Brown, th? lightweight attached to tlie stable, accompanied ’I womii !'» Australia, and xvil’ ride the horse in his engagements. '•The owner of Slgnorinettn is tlie aged Italian sportsman Chevalier Gliitpueiii, who owned that peerless mare Siguorina, for whom he refused £20,000 at a time when svcli prices were regarded as ridiculously excessive. Dis loyalty to the aid mare has now been amply repaid. It seems very fitting that in the autumn of her days she shoe!<l carp undying distinction thrjugh one of her (laughters. The curious thing is that today’s winner owes paternity to c x. who was sold for a few hundred pounds at tl:e sale of t'v> late Sir James Miljer’s strd, to M. Blane./.he. famous Freneji sportsman, and the horse is now at this gentleman's stud at Jardy. near St. Cloud.' Signorinet ta, too. w.ib trained by Cihovalier Ginlstreili and IHs son ft Newmarket, and it is needless to s.-.y that he came in (or the heartiest cci g.atulations after the race. Signorinetta is engaged In the Oaks on Vjrlday, but whether she oppose* Rhodora or not was n‘ot detinit<“y settled this afternoon.*’ ‘“ I ‘ The inilH fed racehorse Azote, who started in the English Derby, was. the biggest outsider of the field, and he made no show in the race. lie is an American-owned but French-borp horse, who was entered for the Derby in a hopeful spirit by his owner, Mr James lin t maker, a Parisian resident. Azote was described by that gentleman as "the best fed and worst bred Iktrse in the Derby.”-' His parentage, irideed, is far from first class, but he has been fed from birth on dried milk, instead of oats, with results upon his development and power of endurance which Professor Grandeau, the celebrated (‘Xpert in horse feeding, declares are most satisfactory. -The horse. In snort, is described as a scientific experiment designed to prove that horses grow and develop faster on dry milk than on fmals of vegetable origin, that they work harder, and train better, than under the usual regime. Sixteen pounds of dry milk, equal in nourishment to 18 gallons of the fluid, are con sinned by Azote at tits seven daily meajs, and his owner says that he thus is enabled t oasslniilale 98 per cent of his food, while he would benefit only at the rate of 65 per cent on oats or 35 per cent on hay. Says an exchange: The close of the Scottish racing circuit reminds us of an incident which happened at one of its meetings a few yeai's ba< k. Two well known tipsters —one of them was I’igare, w|m. though not the one immediately concerned, will vouch for the acct ra( y of - the stcry were travelling the meetings, and in a melee which occurred tn aii attempt to cr.trh a “welshcr” one of them was arrested and duly lodged in the improvised lockup on the course. As after events proved, lie ho: e a striking resemblance to the* ”welsher." and several disappointed punters were only too ready to identify film as the man who had taken their money. Of course, there was plenty of evidence that a mistake had been made, but the poli« <* wore not too ready to be convinced. After repeated assurances that he was :*so and so. the well known and high ly respected turf valii inntor." the sergeant in (hiirge said. ’’Well, I*ll gPe ye a chance, if ye cart tell i s the winner of the next race ye can gang free.” ••t'ertalnly,” was the reply, delivered with a greater show of e<»ijfi(h‘iiee than, in afterwards telling the story, the tipster admitted he had felt. And llip Information was duly Imparted. There upon the constabul.-uy put its “siller” together. and invested on the tip, which duly rolled up at 7 to 2. And the prisoner was acquitted - with a caution.

Id an article on jockeys, an English writer •ays: "I was talking lately to an owner of Uoi'sea. a man who Is himself au excellent rider. Someone had been spoken of as just the make and shape for a good horseman—so long tn the leg, able to grip the saddle. “It doesn’t always follow/* he observed. “Some good jockeys have not looked like -being strong in the saddle. A few have, no doubt. Archer occurs to me; Captain Hope-Johnston, Roddy-Owen, George Lambton, Robert I'Anson; but what a lot you could name who were short in the leg, and did net look at all cut out for sitting tight.’* We l>egau to recall names. Mr “Thomas’’ I do not remember, but my friend does, and declares that he was not In the least the Ideal shape, nor was M” H. I*. Wilson, one of the finest cross-coun-try ridei"s ever seen. Jku Adams was a younger and smaller edition of Mr Jorroeks, but admirable all the same. Joseph Cannon, who won the National on Royal, and multitudes of other jump races, was not attenuated, nor was his comrade Jewett. That fine horseman, Captain W. B. Morris, was on the dumpy side, and so was Mawson, who steered Playfair to victory at Liverpool, and did such notable service for Danebury a few years ago. Mr Arthur Yates has never been accused of being leggy; Matthews is not built that way, nor is Manon, one of the very best. Of flat race jockeys, Fordham was assuredly not “on the leg,’’ nor was John Osborne, nor is •Madden. In this respect it appears that conventional ideas have to be considerably rectified.

The late Sir Thomas Fitzgerald was for many years an enthuiastlc supporter of the turf in Victoria, and owned and raced Rhesus and other good horses. He very rarely missed seeing an Important race meeting ran through, and was one of the best customers the ringmen had for a very long time. Occasionally Sir Thomas backed the winner, but more often than not he was on losers, and paid dearly at times for backing his fancy. A good story is told of his turf transactions which shows the class of better he was, and how impossible It was for him to hold his own. At a certain race meeting in Victoria Sir Thomas approached a member of the ring, who for present purposes may be styled’Duke, and accepted £3OO to £lOO about a horse that he fancied. But a little later Sir Thomas returned to the ringman, and remarked that, as he was on something that was not likely to win, what would Duke lay him against another starter that was mentioned, and again 300 to 100 was booked. The sporting doctor, had, however, for the second time wagered on bad information, and admitting to “Duke” that he was “again on the wrong one,” accepted 300 to 100 about a third. The doctor’s “book” showed that he was betting 300 to 100 on pickng the winner in three tries, and. as the result proved, each of the three lost.

Our London correspondent, in writing of the English Derby, says; “A mighty throng stood silent while the jockeys rode back •and unsaddled. Signorinetta was the last to ream tne little clear space on the course In front of the Jockey Club enclosure. There were one or two Isolated cheers, in response to which Chevalier' Ginistrelli raised bis ©ombrero-shaped straw hat. But the majority of that wonderfully human crowd were dumb, and stolidly indifferent to owner, Ihorse, and rider. Signorinetta had been ■entirely out of their thoughts. They had kept a reserve of lung-power to welcome their monarch's victory, or at least to dheer an animal which had already become a favourite on English courses. No one dreamed of being discourteous to a foreign owner, who, by the way, has long been associated with the English turf, but they (had been baulked in their desire tp show their delight at a win for the King, and for the moment they could not break their silence. The few seconds before the conclusion of the race were intensely exciting. 4)d the lawns in front of the grandstand one •unaccustomed to racing heard of the progress cf the struggle from the book-makers, iwhose eyes ar? practised in the reading of traces. Mountain Apple, a strong tip of the man in the street, led round Tottenham Corner wit a Sir Archibald, and the two were to.’rher well up the straight. Then sudden y, and almost simultaneously, the bookmakers cried ‘Signorinetta.’ The white and blue hoops and blue sleeves of Bullock ■began to show themselves prominently in the middle of the track, a touch of the whip on the filly’s flanks scik her forward, and as she passed and I row away from the field some 400yds from the winning post, there was again a chorus o? ’Signorinetta wins.’ Once more it came from the bookmakers. It was a jubilant crv. Probably not one in a hundred of the fraternity had been asked to lay the odds against the filly. The picture on the other side of the course and on the hill was different. A quarter of a million eyes were looking for the purple, gold braid, and scarlet sleeves of H. Jones’ jacket. Instead they saw the white and «bhie hoops, and they watethed with tense faces mid closed lips the horses speed by them.

The subject of jockeys’ expenses CropBed up at n recent meeting of the English aockey Club. The position <at present is that a jockey receives £1 a day find reasonable expenses of travelling from any owner seuiMiig him to a meeting. However, this rule bus been abused by some jockeys, who, when given a casual mount Bt a meeting at which they happen to Im? present, immediately saddle the man ♦mploytmc them with “vupomw”-»in addition to the riding fee. Others charge “expense*” to more than one owner. Lord Htanley, who brought the matter forward. Instanced a ease in which, where a certain jockey, who was asked to ride for a eorftiln owner, went to the race meeting find rode several horses there. He won on the particular horse, and. after receiving ft present of £lOO. sent in a hili for £7 10/ for expenses. “That.” on id Lord Stanley, “was the aort of thing that naturally ao-

noyed owners. The alternative was to do away-with the right or jocseys to ciaiw expenses unless they should nave arranged beforehand what rhose expenses were to Imj. To do that they would have to increase the fees, and wbat he would Ikke to propose would be that, if the general -principle was-accepted,.the winutag fee should be raised from-*£s 5/ f as <t>was- new,*tß Jtd, an increase of 10/; olid thut the losing fee should be raised from £3 3/ to £3 W, a 7/ increase. Gf eouiwe, it would be quite Impossible to prevent a jockey saying to -an owner, when asked to ride at a race meeting, ‘1 cannot go for the ordinary fee; it would cost me too much, and I must ask you to pay my expenses there.’ That would be a private agreement with -which they, as a club, opuld not possibly Ja-suiy way interfere. It was then said thatx>erhaps that would mean that a jockey would arrange with two or three different owners and make separate arrangements with all of them.” He then suggested that all claims for expenses should be sent up at the same time as the riding fee was claimed from the Registry Office, and the Registry Office would then very soon be able to see whether or not the jockey was claiming from more than one person for the same meeting. In conclusion, he proposed for the consideration of the club that the stewards should be empowered by the club to alter the rule dealing with expenses on the lines that he had laid down—namely, that all expenses other than those definitely arranged beforehand should be excluded; that the riding fees should be raised as be had suggested; and that all claims for such expenses should be. sent to the Registry Office and claimed at the same time as the riding fee. That was a proposal upon which he would like the opinion and the decision of the club. Lord Stanley’s proposal did not find favour, and was negatived on a show of hands.

Although the “standing start’’ has answered so well in Australia, there is quite an agitation in England at the present time for a trial of the “walk-up start.” “Vigilant,” of the London "Sportsman,” is especially pronounced on the impossibility of effecting really good starts under the present system, and even goes so far as saying that the starting nowadays does not equal that of when the “flag” was in use. He delivers himself as follows:— “When the late Mr. T. McGeorge was starter, the horses used to walk up all right, and be sent away on much more equitable terms than has ever been since the case, with or without the startinggate, and I am perfectly assured that, with his controlling influence, had he had the barrier to mark the limit of a break away in a walk-up start, there would never have' existed the dissatisfaction which now so generally prevails. These few words anent Mr. McGeorge will explain the meaning of my words that with the permission of a walk-up start everything would depend on the starter himself. The late starter was facile princeps in the art, a martinet who was, before everything, a master df the situation; but the jockeys had the utmost confidence in him, and knew that not only would no advantage be taken of them while turning round or otherwise obeying his instructions, but that on the other hand, disobedience meant certain punishment. There was no talk in those days of the light-weights being at a disadvantage with their seniors, and I have no hesitation in saying that they were generally superior in talent and rade-riding ability to the majority of those practising at. the present time, the decadence having come with the practice of foreign methods.” In view of what we read - as to the long delays and bad starts in the “flag” days, the statement that the late Mr. McGeorge, good as he was, could get the fields away to greater advantage than the machine, can be passed over without comment; and though the “walk-up” start would be an excellent idea if you could prevail upon the riders not to attempt to take any advantage of one another, the probabilities are that, when nearing the barrier, some would be unable to restrain from making a dash on the off-chance of gaining a length or two. The walk-up start, if I remember aright, was given a trial on some leading American tracks, and was a failure for this very reason. Further on, “Vigilant” queries: “Is there, in spite of the Jockey Club instruction on the point, such a thing as a completely standstill start? I say there is not, there never has been, and there never will be; and if some Improvement cannot be devised, then, indeed, racing has drifted into a parlous state, and there is much trouble ahead.” If the writer means that no large field of horses ever stood like statues at the barrier, no doubt he is correct; but he ers if he thinks it impossible to effect an even start where the runners are numerous. In many of our biggest races at Randwick we have seen a whole field practically move off together, but. some horses, being smarter in getting on their legs than others, would naturally draw away even in three or four strides. Anyhow, though the standing start may not be all they could wish, I fancy English racing men will welcome a reversion to it if the “walk-up” is ever given a trial.

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. After a fortnight’s Intermittent rain the weather cleared on and now gives every promise of remaining line. The tracks are still much too soft to permit of fast work, but given a few fine days and no frost they will noon be In good trim again. The local contingent booked to compete at Wellington meeting '«re all backward in condition, as are most of the others trained at headquarters. Slow Tom and Lady Disdain leave on Thnrsday, under rare of W. J. Taggart, and they will probably he accompanied by

V, Holmes' pair, Ability and Cavatim. Cotton leaves on Friday, his charges for the fixture being Silk web. and Chief tocfilel, which claim engagements in some of the minor flat handicaps. During the past few days a fair amount Of jumping has been got through, both over the steeplechase fences and hurdles. John Peel and Kurus gave a fair display over the big jumps, as did Starlight and Deerslayer, the latter pair in particular clearing the obstacles in finished style. Casablanca, Stray Fox, and Pacific also negotiated ttie country, but though each of the trio jumped well, they were uot asked to go at any pace. Tessera is Improving in her essays over battens, but still jumps too big, and dwells on landing. Kelp and Farley Grove set out for a round over the big fences, but the latter baulked at one of the obstacles, and lost her rider, M. Connor. On being remounted she finished the journey without further mistake. Storm showed to advantage over the same course, jumping boldly. Pretty Nell, which has been spelling since the Dunedin meeting, has been recommissioned by S. Groats, and looks in lusty condition. Groats has had an addition to his team in the gelding by Catesby, bred in the North Island by Mr Donnelly. Another to make a reappearance on the tracks is St.. Joe, which was all to pieces after his trip to Tasmania. He appears sound again, but I doubt if he will ever stand a great deal of racing. H. Goodman is breaking in the Sant Itari<>--Nevus filly, and Is also slipping work into the other members of his team Lupulite, Ngawera, and St. Denis are all being hurried along at Wingateri when occaT iew of their engagements at the C.J.C. winter meeting. The Otago hurdler Stormont is going on nicely m his preparation for the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle race. He has done considerable jumping, and now gets over the obstacles in great style. Stormont is ® su V e sta s te , 1 ’ in next month’s contest, and h? n if relied on to g * ve a g°od account of

Kalpetipet!, a candidate for Grand National honours, is still running about in a paddock at his trainer’s establishment. This does not augur well for. his prospects in next month’s race.

R*s^!72 rths .y, lctor y >“ the Gisborne eiteeplechase will not necessitate his nutting up a penalty i u the Wellington Steeplechase, but in the Grand National Steeplechase his impost will be Increased by 7 pounds. bringing it up to lost. Ata meeting of committee of the Ashburton County Racing Club twelve applications were received for the position of startthat af M r H - Reynolds was accepted. xue ground committee was authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £125 on further improvements on the course. CHRISTCHURCH. Friday. After a short interval of fine weather rain set iu again, and at the time of writing there seems little prospect of it clearing, far as training operations are concerned, this has been the worst winter experienced for many years, the tracks being in such , a 3 t 0 brin S training operations practically to a standstill. Storm, which is a fancied candidate in Borne quarters for the Grand National, has Peen getting through some serviceable schooling tasks. He is a particularly quick jumper, but may be found wanting in stamina. b

J. McCracken has Pas de Seul, Ivanoff, ana Alexis in commission again, and the trio are looking In the best of health. The same trainer is slipping solid work into Mangawho, which has quite recovered from the accident he met with at the recent Mamaru meeting. G. J. Pine has taken up Mythical again, had the daughter.of Myth is looking real ffveil.

De Witte is at present running out in the paddock at his trainer’s place. The acceptances received for the three leading events of the Canterbury J.C. Meeting are highly satisfactory, and should ensure the success of that fixture. There is sure to be a further weeding out in the Grand Nationals when the second- payments fall due, but even so the field is sure to be large, if not select. Cantou’s withdrawal was necessitated through an aeclfleut he sustained at Wanganui, which threw him out of training, aud left his mentor with no chance of getting him anything dike fit. The only withdrawals of note in the Grand National Hardie Race are Shrapnel aud Lady Hune, both of which have been freely supported in doubles. At the present time Parttutu Is in most demand for the big hurdle race, while Ability. Exmoor, aud Seotty each have a good following. No less than 43 remain in the Winter Cup, and there is every indication of a record field contesting this event. The only withdrawals of note are Dawn, Red. Rain, Medallist, and Paragon, all of which Were thought to have winning chances. A recently returned visitor from Hawke’a Bay, who had a look round Karamu stud, ■elects the full sister to Zlmmermau as the best of the two-year-olds lu training there. Kremlin, by Stepnlak—Aileen. which was at one time something of a champion sprinter, is now doing duty between the Shafts of his owner’s dog eart. Brl King, which was amongst the horses nominated for the C.J.C. Winter Cup. broke down a few days ago, and will not race for some considerable time.

A substantial offer was recently made for the Merrlwee-Daaate gelding California, but no deal resulted. Lupuilte has quite recovered from the accident he met with last mouth, and is regarded as a certain starter- In the C.J.C, Minter Cup, in which be has top weight. Notus and Load Rosalyn, the tetter of .Which has been doing stud duty at War(•agate, were shipped to Melbourne to-day.

So far it has not been definitely decided aa to whether Gold Croat will be sent to Sydney to in the Epsom Handicap. The Canterbury Jockey Ciu'b intends charging bookmakers £2O inside and £lO 16/ outaide for tihe privilege of betting at Rs Grand National -Meeting. ♦ ♦ ♦ (Sporting Editor.) Dear Sir, —Now that it is certain we shall have a race meeting during Fleet Week, I would kike to propose the A.R.C. give the racing public a day out, and for once throw the course open free. It would be. indeed, something to remember our American friends’ visit, aud would not be a terrible loss to the Club. Hoping you can find room for the proposal, I am, etc., A SPORT. ♦ ♦ ♦ (To the Sporting Editor.) Sir. —I beg to acknowledge the sum of £2 2/ from “Old Member" towards a complimentary dinner to be tendered to farmers. The idea has found favour with other members, and already a number of subscriptions have been promised. The whole matter will be run to earth on Friday next by the executive committee. —I am, etc., J. H. DALTON, Hou. Treas., Pakuranga Hunt Club.

THE FLEET MEETING. LARGE NOMINATIONS. The following is a list of the nomination” received in connection with the Fleet Meet ing, which is to take place at Ellerslie on August 12:— Welcome Hurdle Race.—San Paulo, Darkness, Sol, Loch Fyne. Waihekau, Weldon, Tauriki, Otaroa, War Cloud, Master Crispin, Franklin, Reservoir, Pukenui, Poplar, Tui, Baltimore, Mozart, Anna Lombard, Octoroon, Morpeth, Dogger Bank, Murk Time, English, Carlyle. Admiral's Handicap.—Pluck, Lucio, Golden Dream, Timothy, Tradition, Inglis, Crown Rose, Waihoihoi, Kotiti, Cyreniac, Gleuora, Puhipuhi, Philosopher, Totika, Hikuai. Chrysoprase, Biddy Curran, Imprimus, John* Aristocrat, Fideles, Mentira, Silence, Kapuarangi, Michaeloff, Waimangu, Mistime, Dainty, Freemount, Carmania, Mark Time, Dogger Bank,. Rarata, Cyrettus, Azoff, Escamillo, Nora Soult, Eton Boy (late Sprite},, Cadence. Roosevelt Handicap.—Phooka, Glenullin, Soiritmaid, First Gun, Tui Cakobau, Haeremai, Uenuku, Tauriki, Te Aroha, Foremost, Uranium, Duart, Franklin, Douche, Dardanus. Aristocrat, Haldane, Cymri, Irish Rifle,. Leonator, Rauparaha, Hinetitama, Delania, Celtic, bcotty. Sperry Steeplechase.—Creusot, Dolores* Bullworth, Sol, Loch Fyne, Hautapu, Kapakapa, Mahoe, Baltimore, Cinque, Khama, Pipi,. Morpeth, Bay. Connecticut Steeplechase.-—Comus, Tirlmona, Salvation, The Abbott, Tip, Rua, Janella, Bachelor, Puarakau, Nestorina, Potikl Joe May, War Cloud, Regent, Master Crispin, Goldsmith, Crispin, Symphony, Crispess, Putaruru, Bobstay, Rouseabout, Norma, Laddie, Mozart, Carkeen. Anna Lombard, Mongolia, Webfoot, Markham, Analogy, Bowler, Tzara, Hipstone, Warden. Fleet Handicap.—Pluck, Celerity, Devonport. Chrysoprase, Biddy Curran, Tauriki, Guldwife, Te Aroha, Foremost. Miss Winnie, Duart, Haldane, Irish Rifle, Mistime, Manapouri, Marangai, Cadence, Tamainupo, Hinetitama. The weights are due to appear on the 27th inst. > ♦ ♦

WELLINGTON R.C. WINTER MEETING. WELLINGTON, Saturday. The weather was very bad for the opening day of the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting. Rain fell yesterday and throughout to-day, and, in fact, there has scarcely been a fine day for the past six weeks. The state of the elements seriously affected the attendance. Speculation was Limited, £7758 going through the totalisator, as against £15,308 for the first day of the corresponding meeting last year. A fair number of bookmakers were licensed. The results of the racing follows:— Stewards' Handicap of 130sovs, seven furlongs.—Martyrium, 9.0, 1; Golden Gate, 9.9, 2; Aboriginal, 10.3, 3. Scratched: Merrie Zealand, Hiro, and Haldane. From a good start Irish Rifle, Martyrium and liuart were first away, but in the straight Martyrium came away and won easily by three lengths. Time, 1.18 2-5. Hack Hurdles. — Defeat 1. Top Rose 2. Linger 3. Scratched: Oakhurne and Waihekau. A good race. Won by a bure length. Time 3.35. Miramar Hack Handicap — California 1, Vasa 2, Steye 3. Scratched: Iranui and Research. Won very easily by 0 lengths. Time 1.34 4-5.

Parliamentary Handicap of 300sovs, one mile.—Mrs. M. Moore’s Sir Frisco, by Sau Francisco —Waiteinata, 10.2 (W. Ryan), 1; F. C. Faber’s Seaman, 10.1, 2; Hon. J. D. Ormond’s Dawn, 10.7 (F. D. Johes), 3. xXIso started: Mystification, Truce, Wailethe, Paragon, Swimming Belt, Rangipapa, Merrie Zealand, Maharanni, Comedian, Silken Rein, Mussel. The race was run in heavy rain. Dawn and Seaman were equal favourites. After a brief delay the field was sent away on fairly even terms, except Mystification. Rangipapa’s, Dtawn’s, and Sir Frisco's colours were first to be seen through the rnlfit, but the former did not Last lung, and Sir Frisco and Dawn went on together and swept round the turn in the van. with (Maharanui and Seaman next. At the distance Sir Frisco and Seaman came right away from the field, and the former won by

a couple of lengths, Dawn being six length* away third, aud Ctmiedlau fourth. Time, 1.52. Winter Hurdle Race of 400sovs, two miles. —J. Casserley’s Compass, by Daystar— Ma in boom, 9.5 (Tait), 1; D. Stewart’s Scotty, 9.12, 2; R. W. Paterson’s Snip, 9.0, 3. Also started: Shrapnel, Exmoor, SenSim Ability, Loch Fyne. Whatakura, St. Amelia. All but Seo-Sim got well away, Scotty being in the van. but before traversing & furlong Seu-Sim had run through the field and Joined him. Passing the stand the Held was fairly well together, with Scotty and Seu-Sim still in front. Racing aloug the back stretch Scotty had drawn out clear, aud was racing a couple of lengths iu .front of Compass, with Snip and St. Amelia next. Seotty maintained his ad van tage until nearing the last obstacle, wheu Compass ran to the front, aud, coming on, won easily by three lengths, there being five lengths between the second and third horses. Sen-Sim was fourth and Exmoor last. Time, 4.4 3-5. Trial Plate of lOOsovs, six furlongs.—A. Smith’s Effort, by Advance—Endeavour, 9.0 (W. Ryan), W. Davies’ Lian worn, 10.0, 2; W. C. Vincent’s Passive. 9.0. 3. Also started: Campfire, Grand Myrella. Flint Gun, Vinco, Consuelo, Roosevelt, Remission. Amicus. Effort was quickest away and was never caught, winning somewhat easily by two lengths. Time, 1.26 1-5. Te Aro Hack Handicap, of lOOsovs, five furlongs. —H. D. Limbrlck’s Pronoun, bv Procrastinator—Wandering Nun, 9-0 (E. Lowe) 1; O. Wire Pewene’s Naumai, 11.9, 2; Mrs. C. Cotton’s Silk Web, 10.2, 3. Also started: North Pole, Tumut Yosami, Lochiela. Cavatina. Naumai led for half the journey, and then Pronoun took up the running, winning by two lengths. Time,

C.J.C. GrRAND NATIONAL MEETING. ACCEPTANCES FOR PRINCIPAL EVENTS. CHRISTCHURCH. Friday. The following acceptances were received tp-night in connection with the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting, which takes place on August 11th, 13th, and 15th:— GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of lOOOsovs. Three miles and a-half.

WAIHI HACK RACING CLUB. WAIHI, this day. The annual meeting of the Waihi Hack Racing Chib .was held last night, when there was a good attendance. The report pivoented by Mr H. Carter, secretary*. showed that matters in connection with the club were in a highly satisfactory condition, there being a credit balance of £55 16/7. For this very satisfactory condition of affairs Mr Carter is in a very large measure responsible, and to show their appreciation the stewards voted nim a bonus of £2O. After considerable discussion it was resolved that Messrs Delaney. Lang, and Colebrook, in company with the secretary, be empowered to wait upon the Waihi .Jockey Club ’to finally settle the matter of gate percentage. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— Patron: Mr W. 11. Merries, M.P. President: Mr A. B. Buckland. Judge: Mr W. M. Allnutt. Clerk of the Course: Mr J. 11. Walsh. Clerk of the Mr N. Joyce, assisted by Mr W. Beattie. Handicapper: Mr F. W. Edwards (Mr T. Lang to act Ln conjunction U locally framed). Starter: Mr D. Morrow,

Stewards: Messrs J. H. Walsh. T. Lane, W. Cornea, 11. Gordon, W. Earl, A. Ross, K. Furey. G. Sorenson. R. Joyce, J. Delaney. D. Morrow. G. Colebrook, W. Sims, »*• caul. R. Dundas, F. Robison, E. Plum mer, M. Wyatt, and C. Howes. Secretary: Mr H. Carter. The date of the next meeting was fixed for Saturday, November 15th. A programme committee was elected, as follows:—Messrs A. Ross, E. Furey, and U. Carter. It was resolved to strike out the hurdle race from the programme, ns it was generally admitted that this particular race bad proved a failure on every previous occn slon. The matter of substituting another event in the place of the hurdle race was left in the hands of the programme com ml t tee.

AUSTRALASIAN RACING. Regret heads the list of weights for the Caiiltleia iturales. with 12.0, Maui and Ata bua have 10.3, Wuipu 10.1, and Cacbuea 9.3. In the t'aultield Steeplechase Bribery is top-weight with 12.9, Maui has 11.5. Atubua 11.3 Eclair 10.3, and Swimmer and Cachuca 10.3. Stamp-licking, the office boy’s bane, is to b- abolished by a new invention — a machine which places the stamp on the letter without any human aid beyond toe pressing of a lever. The machine, the inventor claims, is unbreakable, so it can be left in tha street all night—which means that it will be never too late to get a stamp. The stamp-licker, says a London paper, is enclosed in a species of cupboard. Altogether, it looks very similar to an automatic machine. The envelope is put in a little slot. One, two, or three pennies, according to the number of stamps required, are placed in slots, and a lever is pressed down. The envelope is withdrawn—and there are the stamps upon it. The changing of a finger on a dial will cause stamps of any value required to be stuck on the envelope. No base or foreign coins are accepted by the machine. All coins are weighed on a balance in the interior, and if they are found wanting, back they come through another slot. Business houses will be able to buy the machines, and it is hoped that the post office will supply rolls, instead of sheets, of stamps to put into them. There will be no coin attachment in this case, but correspondence clerks will be able to stamp their letters far more quickly than they can now.

Kiatere st. lb. st. lb. 10 0 12 8 Faro Loch Fyne . 11 8 Papatu 10 0 Slow Tom .. 10 10 Pierre 9 7 fexmoor .... 10 10 Gold Seal .... 9 7 Tilson 10 5 Starlight 9 7 Fretwork ... . 10 2 Bull worth ... 9 7 Burns 10 2 Nogi 9 7 Ghoorka .... . 10 1 St. Amelia .. 9 7 Le Beau .... 10 I Albury 9 7 Nadador .... 10 0 Storm 9 7 GRAND NATIONAL lOOOsovs. st. It>. HURDLE RACE ot Two miles. st. lb. Pari tutu .... 11 0 Top Rose .... 9 5 Exmoor 11 2 Stronghold .. 9 3 Black Reynard 10 6 Stormont .... 9 0 Letherin ... 10 5 Immolation .. 9 0 Gold Dust .. 10 3 Compass 9 0 Sen-Sim .... 10 2 Snip 9 0 Ghoorka .... 10 1 Defeat 9 0 Ability 10 1 Whatakura .. 9 0 Scotty 9 13 Showman .... 9 0 Pretty Maid . 9 12 Southern Cross 9 0 Aorangi 9 9 St. Amelia ... 9 0 Prospector .. 9 8 Cyrus 9 0 Full Cry ... 9 6 Virtue 9 0 WINTER CUP of 500sovs. One mile. Lupulite .... 10 12 Haldane .... 9 3 Irish Rifle .. 10 8 Contender 9 3 All Red 10 8 Simplex 9 3 Cross Battery 10 8 Swim’ing Belt 9 3 Motoa 10 8 White Cockade 9 3 Truce 10 4 Landwern ... 9 3 Wailethe 10 3 Maharanui .. 9 3 Sea Klug ... 10 2 Ahel 9 2 Seaman .... 10 2 Rangipapa .. 9 1 Kairooia .... 10 0 M usse-1 9 0 Arma men to . 9 12 Kurawaka 9 0 Aboriginal 9 10 Rose Noble .. 9 0 Maid of As toChican' 9 0 lat 9 10 Zetland 9 0 North Head 9 10 Silken Rein . 9 0 Penates 9 10 Golden Gate . 9 0 Sir Frisco ... 9 10 Lone Star ... 9 0 Probable .... 9 10 Don Orsino .. 9 0 Golden Cairn 9 9 Nancy Stair . 9 0 Harvest 0 0 Wharekura .. 9 0 Field Gun .. 9 0 Restless .... 9 0 Mer. Ze’Land. 9 5 Cavatina .... 9 0