TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 8, 19 August 1908, Page 12

TURF NOTES.

Black Reynard broke down previous to the C.J.C. National Meeting. The four year-old colt Ahei. by The Possible- Fair Nell, is in the sale list. Gold Crest will not be sent across to Hand wick 'for the Epsom Handicap. Mr Henrys will declare the weights for the New Zealand Cup on or about Sept. Ist. Sandringham. a brother to Persimmon and Florizel IL, is proving a stud success in America. The Hou. J. I>. Ormond has donated a cup for the Hawke’s Bay Cup race next autumn. The Hawke’s Bay .Jockey Club has increased the value of the Hawke’s Bay Cup to ISOsovs. 'l'ho totalisator investments in South Australia for the past twelve months, totalled £314,015. The biggest thoroughbred breeder in America is a Mr Young, who owns no less than 500 mares. Hauraki, by Phoebus Apollo—Musket Maid, was among the recent winners in .West Australia. The Grand National Hurdle Race winner Stormont must be one of the last of the Ap remouts in commission. Kia 1 ere was going well in the National Steeplechase (says a Southern writer) when he jumped Johnston off. Backers in New South Wales and Victoria are going through a very expensive winter (says the ‘“Australasian”). Broken Hill racing men, as a result of the recent bookmakers’ strike, are now strong advocates of the totalisator. Mr Dau O’Brien won a race at Rosehill, near Sydney, recently, with Ariki, who is a three-year-old colt by Grafton—Cello. Cuneiform, who was bred by the late Mr G. G. Stead, has gone to the stud in Victoria. He is by Multiform from Bluefire. A fitly by Australian Star finished second in a two-year old race in England in June. She is owned by Mr S. H. Gollan. In England last month, a backer took Signori net ta, Lesbia. Norman 111., ana Ebor against the field for the St. Leger. The most successful stallion in America for the first six months of the present year was Commando, with £13.350 to his credit. Maniopoto is again in work, but it 1b said to be doubtful if the son of Sou It will survive a preparation. The Irish horseman W. Bullock, who’won the English Derby and Oaks on Signorinettn, drew No. 13 in the draw for places at the Mart of both those races. F Wootton, the Australian jockey, rode the first two winners at Gosforth (Eng.) on June 24th. and later on in the afternoon, was on the buck of a third winner. The Grand Prix de Paris won by Mr W. K. Vanderbilt with the Perth colt Northeast was worth £15,327. This race is easily the most valuable in the world. A buyer for the Indian market has the refusal of the New Zealand pony Bnlgomc at (JOOgs. This is said to be the highest price ever paid for a pony in Australasia. Cachuca Is back'again at Randwick, after his trip to Melbourne. He struck himself, but though temporarily lame, is fairly right DOW. Sir Frisco, Aeolus, and Artillorie are the three horses the Wellington trainer J. Lowe is said to be taking to Sydney for the A.J.C. Spring Meeting. New South Wales Is the only Australian State tlie Government of which -derives no direct revenue from racecourse takings or Investments.

Peterhof, by Stepniak—Sortie, was made favourite for a maiden plate at Moonee Valley. Victoria, lust mouth, but failed to make any show. The Wellington Racing Club’s totalisator turnover for the past season was £159.501). a decrease of £15.606 as compared with the previous season. Radiant, the granddam of California, now regarded as a coming champion, was sold for a £5 note at the dispersal sale of the Wellington Park stud. Shrapnel holds the time record for the Grand National Hurdle Race, while Record Reign’s 12.12 is the heaviest, impost ever carried to victory in that event. The “Sydney Referee” says that the increasing traffic in sweep tickets in New South Wales may be dealt with by an amendment to the potteries Act. Mr John McDonald heads the list of winning owners in Australia for the season just closed. All his £9497 was won by Mountain King, which won twelve races. The Auckland Waipuna is in strong demand for the Caulfield Cup (according to an exchange), and has been made the medium of a good-sized commission for that event. Mr Parkinson, of Kaituna, Canterbury, informs ’“Spectator” that the game old Liberator is still a pensioner on his property. “Lib” is now twenty-two years old. A world’s record is said to have been made at Belmont Park (New York) last month by Restigouche, 3 years, who easily ran seven and a-half furlongs in 1.31 1-5. News is to hand from the Hague of the success of Jonkfrow in the Dutch Derby. The winner is by the Australian sire Trenton, who holds a record for siring winners in different countries. Mr J. Hanson Walker, jun., the English animal painter, is at present engaged on a portrait of Signorinetta, the Derby and Oaks winner. He is to be seen daily painting at Chevalier Ginistrelli’s villa at Newmatket. St. Frusquin leads amongst the winning sires in England, and he now stands credited with £12.776, while Chaleureux remains at his previous total — £11.600. Desmond is in third position, having aggregated £6051. An individual weighing ISst recently applied to the North Queensland Racing Association for a jockey’s license. He was advised to go to India, where elephant races are a feature of sporting entertainments. At registered meetings in and around Sydney, I. Earnshaw turned out more winners than any other trainer during the season just concluded, his total being 15 and a dead heat. The Australian Hurdle Race winner Dagoba, was up for sale on the Monday after the race, but the reserve price was not reached. Notus, the ex-New Zealander, was sold for 55gs. Something like £320,000 has been computed to have been handled by the combined human and automatic betting machines registered by the West Australian Turi Club, last year. B. Deeley was not long in distinguishing himself after being granted a license after his suspension. He was on the back of Leonator, the winner of the principal flat race at the Fleet meeting. Mr R. S. Sievier won the Two-year-old Selling Plate at Windsor on June 20 with Waterloo, who beat the favourite. Mr J. B. Joel’s Water Violet filly by three lengths. The win was received with tremendous cheering. During the week. Messrs Buckland and Son effected the sale of Mr J. Roulstou’s mare Veronica, by Boult—Pretoria, for 750 guineas, and the mare goes to a client of Frank McGrath’s, of Sydney. The English horse Polar Star, in accounting for the Rous Memorial Stakes ut Ascot, made his seventeenth win for twentyone starts. In the Manchester Cup, which he won with 8.7. he ran the mile and a-half in 2.31 3-5. Mr C. O’Connor has been appointed to act as starter at the annual meeting of the Horowhenua Hack Racing Club. It was at this meeting that Mr O’Connor made his first appearance as a starter in the North island.

Immediately after the passing of the New York Anti-Betting Bill the Coney Island Jockey Club announced that, beginning with the June meeting at Sheepshead Bay. tho amounts of added mouey hitherto allotted would be reduced by 50 per cent. A. Oliver, the successful lightweight rider, recently informed a Southern writer that he intended leaving for Sydney this month. This has been interpreted that Frisco and Apa are under orders to leave for Australia. Last year the big sensation of the English turf was the stealing of the Ascot Gold Cup. There was not much chance of the theft being repeated this year, says an English paper. Only 19 policemen were chained to the trophy. Wm. Griggs and W. Higgs, two Englisn jockeys, would have been profitable riders to follow during a recent week’s racing. Each rode five winners, but, taking the usual basis of £1 per mount, the former shows a profit of just over £2l, as against £lB 8/4 credited to Higgs. Another good horses is bound for India, Mooltan having been bought on August 1 by an Indian buyer. Mooltan is engaged in all the spring handicaps in Australia, and it is considered probable that he will start in some of them. Ono condition of the £lO,OOO trotting handicap to come off in America was that it would be gone on with only if sufficient inducement offered. 124 horses were nominated, and the officials decided to go on with the handicap. It cost an owner £l2O to start. The New Zealand-bred champion trotting stallion Ribbonwood stood his first season in New Zealand five years ago. He had 17 mares bred to him. which all produced foals. Fifteen of these have won races, one was never trained, and the remaining one met with an accident. The Australian Jockey Club(says the“ Sydney Referee”) plumes itself on the fact that it is giving away £40,250 in prize money this season, but with the totalisator installed, it is not too much to say that that amount might be increased to anything between £50,000 and £60,000. As was the case last season. Grafton again heads the winning stallion list in Australia. He is the most prolific sire of winners they have ever had in Australia. The “Sydney Mail’s” figures for the season just completed show that Grafton sired 85 winners hi 219 races, of a total value of £24,092. Mr R Raldock, acting on behalf of an Indian client, is the purchaser of Mooltan. He also recently bought Apologue, Currandooley. and Marguerite for an Indian owner. If Mooltan has been bought in the same interest, the sportsman should have a big mortgage on the next Viceroy’s Cup. Although not a personal advocate of the totalisator (says “Scout” in' the “Sydney Referee”), there appears to me to be n*w valid reason why the State should not receive at least an equal percentage from the registration fees of bookmakers as they would derive were the Totalisator system of investment in vogue. Dost Town, a popular fancy for the Melbourne Cup, is a striking-looking three-year-old bay colt, with a white blaze and white markings on the hind legs. He appears to be in capital heart, and is evidently progressing splendidly in his preparation for the spring events (says an exchange). Writing of the Australian Hurdle Race, a writer in the “Town and Country” says that Ataahua would probably have won comfortably had he not blundered and tossed hi s rider out of the saddle, as Da-go-ba (the winner) finished in a very tired condition. Mr. J. Wren, who organised a race meeting for the late veteran Australian cricketer, Harry Boyle, and netted £369 for him, was last week presented with a handsome illuminated address at the Melbourne Cricket dub office by the H. F. Boyle committee, in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the famous bowler. A writer in the “Otago Witness” attended six days’ flat racing and a trotting meeting during a brief sojourn In Australia lately, and formed the opinion that the best of their horsemen are not greater artists in the saddle than the best we have In this part of the world. Backers are having a bad time In England, and as the result of this, according to a writer in the “London Sportsman,” “soon members of the ring will have won so much that they will have to establish a loan office and redistribute the money if they want anyone to bet with them.” It is said that the owner of California received another tempting offer to dispose of his colt, the Intention of the would-be purchaser being to take San Frau’s son to Australia. Mr Lagoe’s reply is reported to have been. “If you make It £5OOO we will talk business.”

The New Zealand trainer, R. J. had a look at Perrier before the Derby, say® an exchange, and, to use his own words, “wouldn’t have him at any price for that race.” ’Altogether too heavy-shouldered,’* was one of the New Zealander’s objections to the King’s colt.

So as to avail itself of the Wednesday half-holiday, the V.R.C. committee have decided to alter the ’days of racing for their Autumn Meeting. Instead of racing on Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, as formerly, Monday and Wednesday wilt be substituted for the Tuesday and Thursday.

Nigel, who won the Australian Steeplechase at Caulfield on Saturday, is the property of Mr A. Skirving, who at one time trained and rode in Auckland. He is at present on a visit to Christchurch, and was heartily congratulated by his fellow' visitors on Nigel’s success in the big cross-country event.

The Australian Steeplechase, run at Caulfield, the last of the big jumping events to be decided in Victoria this winter, brought further bad luck to the followers of D. J. Price’s stable, as Bribery, after putting up a fine performance under a big weight, had to be content with second place. Price has had a bad run with his team of late.

Among the races run at a recent Gatwick (Eng.) meeting was the Home-bred Three-year-old Cup, of lOOOsovs, for horses bred by their owners, and remaining their property up to time of starting. Perhaps a few events of this class might tempt some of our New Zealand breeders to race a horse oc two.

At a sale of thoroughbreds held in Melbourne on July 31st, three ex-New Zealand horses, in Ouidaform (Multiform St. Onida), Lord Rosslyn (St. Clair — Lady Emma), ana Notus (Lord Rosslyn — Lady Gertrude) were put under the hammer. The first named sold at 150 gs, but the other tw» were passed in.

In the absence of the legalisation of the totalisator in New South Wales, says the “Sydney Referee.” it appears to be only a matter of time when the State will put in some claim for a share of the huge profits made out of race meetings, and which wilt probably take the form of a confiscation of all bookmakers’ fees to the public treasury. At the Broken Hill Jockey Club meeting, the futility of the .ookmakers’ “strike” once again demonstrated. The club had its own bookmakers, the president being one of the number, and also ran a totalisator. Over £3OOO was pnt through the machine, so that the club did not fare badly as a result of losing the bookmakers’ fees. The New Zealand trainer Price’s stable was out of luck at the Caulfield meeting, says the Sydney Referee,” in the Moondab Plate as well as the Australian Hurdles, as though Pink ’Un was well backed for the former, he was easily beaten by Galeria. Another of Price’s team in Otira was favourite for the Mornington Welter, but ran nowhere. The race meetings at Flemington are admirably conducted, but they permit an idiotic observance of the riding-out rule, says a recently returned visitor. In almost every race one sees beaten horses unmercifully flogged home, even when the winner is past the post. The whips, particularly when jumping riders are up, crack like pistol shots. The ex-Australian bookmaker, Mr Joe Thompson, is credited with laying a big punter in England £BOOO. to £IOOO each or three for the Derby, and the taker selected the first three in the Two Thousand Guineas (Norman HL, Sir Archibald, and White Eagle). Not one of the trio named succeeded in getting into a situation. “Sentinel” ran across Mr J. F. Buchanin Sydney a few days ago, and it is pleasing to be able t-o record that the popular Canterbury sportsman’s colours will again become prominent in a few months’ time. -It is quite probable that P. McGrath, who at present acts as stud groom for Mr Buchanan, will take charge of his horses in training when another team is got together. A pretty good judge, writing of racing, says: There is such a thing as being too suspicious, and, as Shakespeare would have said if he had thought it worth while; Do not jump at your conclusions: Turn things over, and you’ll find Some “stoomers” are real triers, But bad luck leaves them behind. An American authority writes:—“Ever since the days of Tod Sloan, whom I consider to be the best rider ever seen in this country, I have not seen a boy that can match Notter. His handling of a horse is superb. His judgment of pace is faultless, and when it comes down to a finish he has no equals.” Notter is only seventeen years of age, and it is estimated he will earn £IO,OOO next year. The price paid for Mooltan has not transpired, hut as an offer of 2000 gs for the

•on of Positano was refused after the last Melbourne Cup, it is safe to assume that the figure at which he changed hands was a considers Die advance on that. Though a five-year-old, Mod tan has only started eight times in all (says the “Sydney Referee’ ), so that he should be good for at least two or three moie seasons on the Turf. Colonial bookmakers, who are in a fairly large way, rarely evince any desire to throw light on the extent of their transactions, but Americans are better advertisers, and in an exchange it mentions that one who has been doing business on the Eastern tracks had gone into figures as to the money he had handled since the commencement of the season. He was betting 180 days, and during that period be turned over £321,000. The Australian horsey folk condemned Walpu as a National horse on account of his lack of size (says a Southern writer). However, valuable goods frequently go in small parcels. The writer can call to mind that Ruby, who won the V.R.C. Steeples in 1888. was dubbed a pony; and Ahua, one of our cracks over hurdles and country, was only a small 'uu in height. At the Broken Hill J.C. meeting, one of the amateur bookmakers paid away a £SO note in mistake for a £5 note. The following day, while the bookmaker was inquiring at the Bank of Australasia abbut the numbers of notes, a young man caine in and endeavoured to cash a note for £SO. The police afterwards interrogated the young man, and the identity of the note having been established, he agreed, after some demur, to repay the amount of £45 which had been overpaid. Tn mentioning that the two-year-old Fayette, 8.3, won the Tremont Stakes at being extended. The stable declared to win Gravesend, a New York writer says he cut out the 6 furlongs in 1.9 3-5, without with Sir Martin Ogden, but Miller, who bad the mount on Fayette* being jealous of the negro, J. Lee, who was on Sir Martin Ogden, had a “go’’ on his own account, and beat the stable elect by two lengths. Miller was reprimanded by the stewards. This sounds funny to New Zealanders. The Trenton horse Torpoint, who is one of the best stayers in England, was, says a London scribe, sold as a yearling by his breeder for about 100 guineas. He was resold pnvateiy to Mr Singer for about 150 guineas, nor would Mr Singer have profited by his bargain had he given way to natural impatience when the colt proved as “slow as a man” as a two-year-old, but, fortunately, he allowed Alec Taylor to have his way, and keep Torpoint on with a view to future developments, and the result has been entirely satisfactory. When driving out to witness Balgonle run in- the ‘Wren Thousand,” says an exchange, the ownpr purchased a couple or pounds of the best butter, and liberally annotated the pony’s feet prior to being sent out to race. Balgonie won. but whether it was the butter that made her act well in the inud cannot be said, but it Is true that when the leaders swung out a hit at the home turn, .she “slipped up on the rails” and beat her opponents in the run to the nost. A study of the training notes published prior to the running of either of the long distance handicaps run in this country (the New Zealand and Auckland Cups), invariably discovers the fact that no candidate is galloped over the distance of the race. In recent years fast work is generally put up over 12 furlongs, ami but seldom any further. Signorinetta, the Derby and Oaks heroine, “frequently worked fast over the distance of her races.” In the old days trainers always galloped their horses over the full distance, but nowadays it is considered unnecessary. The totalisator is likely to become a popular medium of turf speculation in America. A Chicago paper mentions that the New Louisville Jockey Club has done well out of it. That club used to charge bookmakers £2O a day, and for the first eleven days of their last year’s meeting received £5700 in fees. This year speculation was limited to auction pools and the totalisator, and on the first eleven days the percentage from the latter totalled £5985. A further sum of £1415 was received in percentage from the auction pools, so that for eleven days the club was £I7OO better off than when it sold its betting privileges to bookmakers. After an absence of five months, the well known Yaldhurst mentor, R. J. Mason, returned from England on Friday last, looking in the best of health after his trip (says the “Weekly Press”). Concerning Noctuiform, Mr Mason holds a rather optimistic opinion. He found the son of Multiform looking in the very best of health, finely muscled, but rather on the gross side. While at a loss to account for his poor displays, Mr Mason is confident that it is only a matter or getting him really fit for Nocagree with those who put the New Zealander down as a “has been.” Noctuiform’s recent win did not impress the horse’s previ1s on the improve. There have been strikes and rumours of strikes in plenty in New Zealand and Australia of late. The latest in that line comes from Broken Hill, where the bookmakers wanted their fees reduced from £5 5/ to £3 3/ for the grandstand, and sought a corresponding reduction for the Derbyjstand. As the club would not grant this reduction, the bookmakers held a meeting (which was attended by about 60) on Iho Bight preceding the meeting, and decided to form a combine, to be represented by elx men in each stand. When the members of the oonxblne came forward to register they were told that their fees would be 25gs •ach. Thia they would not agree to pay.

The absence of betting certainly failed to affect the excellence of the racing (says an exchange). Under the heading of “Supine Stewardship,” a writer in the “Otago Witness’ ’has the following: “During the progress of the •Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting. Trentham was the rendezvous of a large number of some of the most prominent racing men In the Dominion. The Racing Conference was responsible for the presence of a number of gentlemen who have been prominent as law-makers and menders of our turf world for several seasons past. The Wellington Racing Club officials were also there. Still, despite this great and unusual collection of official representatives and law-makers, the writer was not entirely alone in seeing a horse having its head pulled off in one of the races. It was a most palpable thing, but the official eyes apparently saw not. Of course, the visiting officials, even if they noticed anything, were hardly likely to criticise; but still it was really astonishing to find that the stewards of the club passed over the matter without landing somebody on the carpet. It is quite possible that a feasible explanation would have been forthcoming. The horse was slipping about in the mud, hanging on the ‘off,’ laughing at the joke, or any old thing. Fancy the collective wisdom of our racing world being present, and looking, but. seeing not. The writer has long since learnt to look at racing with the not-too-suspicious eye. at the same time having a feeling <xf admiration for the Impudent horsemanship of the rider whose display in the saddle caused this note to be written.” When are we going to have those paid stewards? ♦ ♦ + TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday. The St. Leger stallion Saint Ilario has been sold by Mr. J. B. Reid to Mr. W. Thompson, of Widden, New South Wales. Nigel, who won the Australian Steeples at Caulfield on Saturday, is the property of Mr. A. Skirving, who at one time woiked with E. Cutts at the Chokebore training establishment. He is at present on a visit to Christchurch, and was heartily congratulated by his fellow visitors on Nigel’s success in the big cross-country event. When being schooled over the big jumps at Riccarton on Saturday Mr. Acton Adams’ well-known hunter Ca’ Cannie cut his stifle so badly as to require the services of a veterinary surgeon, who had to put several stitches in the wound. The mishap will prevent Ca’ Cannie fulfilling his engagements at the Grand National meeting. The winter racing carnival commenced on Saturday, with the opening of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington. The weather was delightfully fine, and the attendance large, but the track, through recent rain and frost, was somewhat on the slow side. No less than 26 bookmakers paid a fee of 15 guineas each, but, despite their opposition, there was an increase of £4OO in the machine turnover. Effie Wood, the greatly-improved daughter of Wildwood and Effie Hailing, from M. Edwards’ stable, had a comfortable win in the Stewards’ Handicap. Victor II non and Implore being the only others to give anything like a decent showing. A high-class field of ten contested the big harness event, Prince Alert and Wildwood Junior being in particularly strong demand. The pair justified the selection by clearing right out from the field, and, after a keen struggle, at the end of a mile Prince Alert drew right away, and won comfortably. Considering the holding state of the track, the performance of Prince Alert in covering a mile and a-half in 3.38 3-5 was a remarkably fine one, and stamps him as being one of the best young horses seen out for a long time. Wildwood, Junr., bettered any of his previous essays, but none of the back markers bad any chance with the limit horses. Two visiting horses, in Dr. Chutney and The Pigeon, were in strong demand for the Alexandra Handicap, but the latter spoilt his chance by losing several seconds at the start. Once under way he cut down his field in great style, and actually got to the front when three furlongs from home. Then his effort told on him, and he faded right out of the contest. A great set-to between Lodi and Scotia ended in favour of the latter by a length, the winner covering tw T o miles in 4.55 3-5. The Moorcism and Dr. Chutney both ran well for over three parts of the journey, and the former is on the improve. Well wood, the handsome son of Wildwood and Thelma, had a easy victory in the Introductory Handicap, in which Shanghai, a recent importation from Sydney, was amongst the starters, but gave a wretched display. Another staunch favourite in Lord Althorp had a comfortable win in the Selwyn Handicap, but the race was robbed of much interest by Havelock getting rid of his driver and galloping with the field all through the contest. Dr. Chutney went in greatly improved style in the Electric Handicap which he won comfortably in 2.24 2-5. his nearest attendants being Bay King and Direct o. Wood Nymnh. the greatly-improved daughter of Wildwood and Miss Poolp. was made the medium of a big plunge in the Lightning Handicap, and, getting away at a great pace, she cleared rlcrht out from her field, scoring decisively from Florin and Claremont. Out of eight events on the day’* card no leas than seven were won by first favourites. The Canterbury Coursing Club’s meeting was brought to a successful conclusion yesterday, when the weather was fine and the attendance satisfactory. Tn the Maiden Stakes Lord Mntlock, by Clements Matlock, showed ft great turn of foot, and In the

final course, with Flying Scud, won through his superior pace to the quarry. The Supplementary Stake was secured by Scotland, who, after a good run-up with Sockburn Boy. showed to most advantage lu the cl.w work. Yoke, by Clements- Matlock, got through the Novice Stake without difficulty, and in the final course, with Jenny Lind, bad matters all his own way. u? fa- one of the most promising maiden dogs seen out for some time. He is full brother to Lord Matlock, who won the Maiden Stake. Golden Days had a somewhat lucky win over Admiration in the final of the Open Stake, while the Sapling Stake went to War Eagle, a promising juvenile by Feu De Joie from Maori Queen. It is reported that Mr. J. B. Reid has purchased the Grasslea stud farm, and intends setting up a breeding establishment there. John Beale, the jockey, who was the victim of a distressing accident when out shooting at Mosgiel on the 2nd instant, has *so far recovered from his injuries that be was able to be discharged from the hosplta on Saturday. It will be remembered that Beale, wnile crossing the.line of fire, received a portion of a charge of a shotgun in his face and eyes, and a pellet penetrated the left eyeball and lodged behind it. The eye has been removed, but the sight of the other would, fortunately, seem to be unim paired. CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. Formula, the dam of Formative, gave birth to a colt foal by Gold Reef on Monday last at Hawke’s Bay. This is the first foal of the season so far noticed, and it is Formula’s first foal since Formative was foaled. At the Stead dispersal sale the sum of £75 was taken at the gates, and. as usual, the amount will be devoted to various charities. Mr. G. D. Greenwood, of Amberley, who was an extensive buyer at the Stead dispersal sale, has engaged R. J. Mason as his private trainer. Mr. Greenwood’s horses, which include Perle d’Or, the two-year-old sister to Golden Slipper, will be trained at Yaldhurst. R. O’Donnell, who was formerly head lad at Yaldhurst, will train for Messrs. W. G. and G. L. Stead for the future. The South Can terb ary J.C. have decided to increase the stakes to be given at their spring meeting from J 835 to £llOO. The meeting ef thf New’ Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Cub was continued on Wednesday, and brought to a conclusion on Friday. From all points of view the gathering was one of the most successful ever held in Canterbury, the weather being delightfully fine, the track in first-class oraer, and the attendance decidedly above the average. The Auckland-owned stallion Albertorious put up a really good performance by winning the Midwinter Handicap from the 4s mark in 4.44. All through the first mile, Derringcotte appeared to have an excellent winning chance,, but two furlongs from home, Elector, Verax, and Albertorious closed on him, and in a great finish Albertorious outstayed the lot, winning a splendid race by a couple of lengths. Wildwood gave a taste of his quality by running round a big field in the Progressive Handicap, which he won in great style in 4.5 4-5. This young stallion Is destined to take a place amongst the very best of the local candidates, for he is yet susceptible to much improvement. The King Edward Handicap produced a splendid contest, quite half the ten starters appearing to have winning chances in the last half-mile. Then Led! put in a marvellous run, and cutting down Scotia and Vitella, ran home a bare winner in 4.47 2 5. The performance stamps the diminutive daughter of Rothschild as one of the best two-mile saddle horses seen out at the meeting. A Dunedin representative, Wilkie, was made a pronounced favourite for the Dash Handicap, but though he ran a good race, he idot than met his match in Patrick G., who got to the end of a mile in 2.20 1-5. The winner Is a recent importation from Sydney, and for his inches (13.2) he is undoubtedly one of the best ever seen on a Canterbury course. A particularly smart field of 12 contested the Telegraph Handicap, which went to a little fancied candidate in Withington, who led nicely all the way, ana covered the mile in 2.22. On the concluding day the track was at its very best, and a large number of competitors improved their times considerably, many of them without winning. The big race of the day, the National Gup, of 250sovs, for horses capable of going two miles in 4.48 or better, brought out a select field of 10 competitors. The American stallion Wallace L. was iu most demand, but there was also plenty of money forthcoming for Lord Elmo, Durbar, and Mason Poole. Starting off at a great pace, Purbar had the race won at the mile, and put up a performance second only to Ribbonwood’s by winning comfortably in 4.39 2-5. Albertorious greatly bettered any of his previous displays by getting second place in 4.40, while lx>rd Elmo, who finished third, left two miles behind in 4.30, after having a bad passage. After Success and Miss Florrie C. had ran themselves to a standstill in the Canterbury Handicap, Laudervale outstayed the pair, and ran home a comfortable winner in 4.50 2-5. Durbar, though penalised three seconds, had no difficulty In accounting for tiie opposition in the Speedway Handicap, which was not to be wondered at. seeing that he left the mile behind in 2.16. The performances of the Van Cleave gelding stamp him as the fastest pacer at present In commission. The International Handicap brought about one of the. finest contests ever witnessed on the Addington track. Elector. Florin, and Verax fought out a great finish over the last furlong, when Lord Elmo put in his Haim, and the quartet flashed past the post with less than half a length separating them. Victory rested with Florin by a head from his stable mate 'Elect or. who was a similar distance in front of Lord Elmo, with Verax a neck away, fourUi.

FLEET R ACE MEETING. A round of fe-t v’ties in Auckland would never In* comph t? without a race meeting. and the do.tble excuse of such a beautiful setting fur racing festivities as is the fortune of the Auckland Racing Club to offer visitors to their course, ensures at all times pleasure of full quantity to all ami sundry whose decision inclines racewards. It matters not essentially whether the one who goes is a racehorse enthusiast or whether his knowledge of the sport of kings begins and ends with the card held for careless and infrequent reference —Ellerslie always promises its hours of pleasant spending alike to the man who knows, or wants to know, or doesn't particularly care either way. and to the woman whose feminine heart delights in a little excitement and promenade of dainty finery. Ellerslie at all times calls with no uncertain sound to worshippers of King Equine and to the devotees of Madame Fashion, but even Ellerslie's opportunity to woo America may come but once, ami to-day that once arrived. And she took full vantage of her privilege. Never, declared those who are qua lifted to tell, never in the whole 25 years of her history, has this beautiful racecourse of suburban Auckland presented so fair a complexion in this season of so-called winter, as when the officers and boys of th? great American battleship fleet journeyed there on Wednesday for entertainment at the hands of the English thoroughbred. The weather, anxiously scanned alike by those responsible for the prime success of th? gathering and the thousands of Auckland’s enthusiastic accessories, was all the heart of man could desire under the extraordinary circumstances attending matters atmospheric during the American week, and as to the scene of operations, Aucklanders could well swell with pride at the natural favours of theiv beautifully endowed antipodes home, Auckland is no niggard host, and everyone connected with the racing committee made it his especial business to be an active part of the machinery for the provision of complete enjoyment for the sailor boys of America as could I>e accomplished. As early us half past eight the sailor boys in blue began to assemble near th® Supreme Court, from which a special service of cars was arranged to convey the inen-o*-warsm»en of both fleets to the racecourse. The first to assemble were a stalwart company of Jack Tars from the British vessels, and to beguile the tedium of waiting an impromptu game of football was indulged in upon the comparatively clear expanse of Lower Symondsstreet. Ihe boys were out holiday-mak-ing and knew it, for never could a merrier, care-free crowd of well-contented sailor .lacks have web been discovered. But presently the concourse grew and grew, till several hundreds of American and British Jacks were on the wait. At nine o’clock the string of cars provided began to load, upwards of 1.000 sailor® of Uncle Sam’s *leet and two or three hundred Britishers being in the gala procession of decorated cars. The route to Ellerslie was like a triumph, cheers and lively banter be.ng exchanged en route in stentorian tones with anyone and all who chose to participate in the day’s abandon from sordid care. Long before the time for racing th® blue-coated crowd were on the scene, and the effervescing spirits of Jack ashore on holiday bent must find some outlet. The encampment of mounted country, volunteers lay nicely ready, and in the interval of waiting for the businesspleasure of the day the tars probably, found moie genuine enjoyment than in the following pageant of galloping horses. The volunteers placed horses at their disposal, and merrily the time passed in every manner of regular and otherwise of horsemanship that sailors can devise. Some of the Americans had clearly learnt their riding lessons in practical school before joining their country's navy, but the diversions of th© uninitiated were diverting as his onluoking brother Jack could well desire. . But the time for the race approaches; the crowd is thronging to the arena of the horse, and ever must .laek be where the throng is thickest. So to the court® they haste, and curiously gaxc abouft them at the unaccustomed surrounding®, The velvet green and soft artioraccoua clad beauty of the course and its e®* virons they can understand right well and properly appreciate, but for the retfi our American Jack tar cousins feel M little bit astray. Particularly do tM|| wonder at the vcird looking apparat*

Vhich they hear their more initiated cousins of the British fleet learnedly dub •‘machine.” “The machine, is it?” quoth an American Jack to another in judicious Hcoenis. fearful a little of betraying overmuch ignorance to the better acquainted tars of th* l other service. But it is clear from theii reticent regard of the queerlooking apparatus, that it possesses for them a strange and moat uninteresting measure in the scale of things. “Where’s the music?” and “Is there any chance of getting back to Auckland before 4 o’clock?” were among the queries of Jack to the casual passer-by about the beginning of the first race, while they hung about the railings, momentarily interested w.’icn the jackets and thundering horse- dazzled by. but generally concerned not so much in the competitive proceedings and other opoprtunities of making money quick which collects the ordinary civilian crowd, as in the general sort i>t foregathering and consequent excitement. Uncle Sam’s sailor boys, when not too dignified to display his lack of knowledge concerning English racecourse methods, lent confidence to the better judgment of his brother Jack of the •British Navy, and what friends he had collect<d in the volunteer encampment, and as the day progressed, fraternities and initiation into all the mysteries of backing by machine were imparted to the more or less willing ear of the sportive and speculative American. Every arrangement had been made for Ihv commissariat comfort of the tars, who. after the second race, made their way to a large marquee erected at the back of the t rees, and here the sailors regaled the inner man. The officers of the fleet were the guests of the Racing Club at luncheon. On every side loud ertcomiums were heard from both officers and men in admiration of the scenic attraction of Ellerslie racecourse, and expressive of their deep kppreciabion of the efforts made to entertain them. Notwithstanding the opening of booths for the sale of liquor, very few instances of excess in this indulgement were noticeable. and any men who appeared to be otter-burdened with exhilaration were promptly taken in hand by convincing number?, of the patrol which had been detailed for the purpose. atorfiy before the first race, his Excel-►m-y the Governor, Eady Plunket,' Hon. Kathleen I’lunkot, and Captain Lyons, A,f>,C.. arrived at the ground, the vieerefcitl party being greeted with cheers by the fast gathering crowd. Admiral "Sperry, his brother Admirals, and several accompanying officers, and also the Commander of the Australian squadron in British waters. Admiral Poore, arrived quietly in mufti, and had been welcomed by the racing club officials, and taken up their positions in the viceregal box. without the i-rowd bet'uiping aware Of it. By the time the special train arrived, conveying to EtiebMjir the greater part of the American officers bound coursewards, the appearance of.. .Ellerslie was as gay and beautiful a sigli! as the most enthusiastic official could have hoped for. The course and lawn were in such splendid border that it was hard to credit that the winder was still in full season, and their condition was, indeed, a flattering response to the work which Mr C. Hill and his staff had exponded on them. As to the lawn and stands, the bright and dainty confections displayed by the fairer portion of the enclosure occupants, gave one more the impression of an autumn meeting than Tt gathering in midwinter. The crowd itsel? was not so great as had been anticipated, but numerically sufficient to clothe the Ellerslie course with a buzzing, light-heart-ed-crowd of human garments, intent on pleasure. Wt. R. B. Ensk officiated in the judge’" box. and Mr. C. O’Connor gave every satisfaction at the starting barrier’ J’dr tin* general success of the gathering lid little credit is due to the arrangement" made by Air. Hart land, while the Ftatv of the race track and enclosures was a testimony to the work of Mr. Hill and his staff. About 10.000 visitors journeyed coursewards during the afternoon. and the satisfactory sum of £12.372 went, through the “machine,” in addition to the business done by the 26 bookmakers who were on the ground. After the running of the Steeplechase. S;r Joseph Ward met the stewards and commit tec. and expressed his thanks to the various clubs for the manner in which i.he race meeting had been carried through, and for the hospitable way in which they had treated their guests, particularly thanking the A.R.C; for play ing the course at the disposal of tlio Taking committee. The Hon. E. MitcheJaon (president of dif. A.R.t .1 replied on behalf of the thre<* racing expressing the recognition of the great- responsibility they bad undertaken in holding the race meeting. They had, however, appreciated the especial nature of the ocflMiMi, and had done their utmost to make the meeting a success. It was a matter Jf pride to the clubs concerned

that they had managed to get up so successful a meeting for the entertainment of the visitors, and bp was glad that the A.R.U.’s course, which it was their endeavour to make the finest in the Dominion, was looking to such advantage. WELCOME HURDLE HANDICAP. Distance. one mile and a half. Mr Tharkwalte’s br g Otaroa (Flynn) 9.6 1 Mr E. 8. Pettit's b g. Poplar (Wilson), 9.12 :: 2 Mr J. McNicol's b g Mark Time (Davy), 9.5 3 Scratched: Tauriki and Pukenui. San Paulo was quickest on his feet, ami showed (hi- way to the first fence, where Master Crispin fell. When the stand was reached, Oetoroon was in charge, ami San Paulo and Mark Time al the bead of the others. Carlyle lost his rider at the secondfence. Going along (he buck. San Paulo’ had charge, followed by VVaihekau, Franklin, Octoroon, ami Mark Time. Waihekou was on terms with San Paulo when the cutting was reached, but soon lost his position, Mark Time running into second place at me utirdle. At the half-mile post. Poplar ran up with the leader, ami. crossing the top stretch, was four lengths in front of the rest of the field. which was headed by Mark Time, while Otaroa could bo seen making a forward move. Poplar still had charge when the last fence was reached, but in the run home Otaroa easily took his measure, winning at the finish by a length. Mark Timo was throe lengths away, third. Octoroon fourth, ami Darkness last. Time. 2.59. Otaroa was favourite. THE ADMIRALS HANDICAP. Distance five furlongs. T. Wyllic’s br g Llogger Bank. syrs. by Menschikoff Mystification, 10.12 1 George Hyde’s eh m Cadence, 10.4 2 VV. Howard’s b e Escamillo, 9.4 3 Also started: Ilikuai 11.3. I-'reemount 10.8, Imprimis 10.4, Azof! 10.3, Golden Dream 9.16, Cyreniac 9.8, Waihoihoi 9.6, Cyrertus 9.6, Carmania 9.6. John 9.4, MichAeloff 9.4, Waimangu 9.3, Sedition 9.3, Puhipuhi 9.2, Glenora 9.2, Kapuarungi 9.0, Fide les 9.0, Nora Soult 9.0, Biddy Curran 9.0. Eton Boy 9.0. Mentira 9.0. The barrier lifted to a fairly oven start, Dogger Bank being first to break the line, followed by Escamillo and Cadence. When they settled to their work the latter was running in second place, followed by Azoff. Escamillo, and Golden Dream, with Imprimis at the head of the others. Dogger Bank still had charge when they turned for home, and easily held his own in the run to the post, finishing up a winner by three lengths from Cadence, which lasted long enough to beat Escamillo by half a length fo»' second place. Waimangu was close up in fourth place, Azoff in sth, liuprinius 6th, Michacioflf 7th, arid Nora Soult last. * Time.' 1.4 3-5, Hogg(4- Bank was favourite. THE ROOSEVELT HANDICAP, of 300 soys. Distance, one mile. L. Coleman's Leonat&r, 10.13 (peeley) .. 1 W. Davies’ Te Arolia, 9.13 (Buchanan) 2 W. Smca ton’s Dardanus, 9.0 (Tew) .... 3 Also started: Uranium, 11.7; Uenuku. 10.7; Douche, 10.5; Tui Cakobau, 10.5; Celtic,. 10.4; Haldane, 10.3; Cymri. 9.3; 9.0; First Guir, 90; and Aristocrat, 9.0. When they settled to their work. Uranium and Tui Cakobau weie racing togetner hi the lead, thou came Leonator and Aristocrat, together with Te Aroha. Cymri and Soult Maid most prominent of the others. There was no change in the position as they raced along the back, but geing through the cutting Te Aroha tuoved up quickly to the leaders. Acioss the top stretch the posi tions were still unaltered, but as - they turned’ for home, Uranium and Tui Cakobau were done with, Leonator, Aristocrat and Te Aroha entering the Ati night in close company. At the distance Leonator had charge and stalling off strong challenges by Te Aroha; Dardanus ami Aristorrat. finished up a comfortable winna-r by a length- from Te Aroha, which heat Dardanus half a length for secund honours. Aristo rai w r as close up fourth, and Cymri last. Time. 1.43. Leonator -and Celtic were almost equal favourites. THE SPERRY STE'EPI/ES. Distance i ’ about three miles. W. C. Morgan’s b g Sol. aged, by Soult, . “12.1'2) (Howanl) 1 W. Austin’s b g Pipi. aged, by Natator, 9.9 (Cowan) 2 11. Munn's b ni Cinque, aged, 10.2 (Wilson) 3 Also started: Haulapu 11.4, Dolores 10.9,. Creusot 10.3, and Baltimore 9.7. llautapu was early in the lead, and when the water was reached he was showing the way. half a dozen lengths in front of Creusot, and then came Dolores, Pipi, Sol. Cin que, Baltimore. Going along the back Creu sot was within two lengths of Hautapu, and then came Dolores, Pipi. Cinque, Sol, and Baltimore. There was no change in the |»ositU>ii as they ascendoil the hill the first time. As they jumped the fence at the top of the hill the order was llautapu, soL Dolores, Pipi. Cinque, Sol, and Baltimore. Dolores fell at the sod wall, and when the double was reached, Hautapu was in front, followed by t’iuque and Creusot together. The pair raced in < ompany to the old water jump, where Cinque' lost her rider, who. however, remounted, leaving Creusot in the lend, two lengths in front of Hautapu, ami (him came Pipi and Sol- Ascending the hill fj>r the last time, Creusot showed the way, with Pipi next, aud then came Sol and llautapu. Pip! took charge at the top of the ITIII, but in the descent Creusot was in front again, with Sol at the head of the others. Creusot fell at the sod wall, leaving Pipi iu charge. Sol put ip his claim at this stage, and, getting in at the last fence, wou.by two lengths, from Pipi. ‘Cinque was half-a-furlong away, third, Hautapu l>eing the only other to finisU. Time, 0.41. Dolores was favourite.

CONNECTICUT STEEPLECHASE (for hunters), of IGOsovs, about 2| miles. R. Hannon's Crispin, 10.12 (Mr Banks).. 1 H. T. Gorrie’s Potlki, 11.9 (Mr Gorrie), 11.9 2 N. Banks’ Goldsmith, 10.8 (Mr Wells).. 3 Also started: Warden 10.10, Tip 12.6, Master Crispin 11.5, The Abbott 11.2. Rouse about HA Comus 10.12, Crtspess 10.10, Tiriinona, Kura, and Putaruru 10.9, Laddie 10.8, Rua and Regent 10.7. Rouseabout was quickest to commence, but when the top of the hill was reached Tirimona wrs in the lead, followed by Rouseabout and Crispin. The latter took charge as they jumped the sod wall into the course, and had a commanding lead when the double was reached, where Rouseabout, Tirimona, Putaruru, and Regent were most prominent of the others. Going along the back Crispin cleared out from his field, eventually winning, pulling up, by four lengths from Potiki. which was two lengths in front of Goldsmith. Tip was fourth. Warden, Master Crispin. The Abix>tt, and Pataruru fell. Time. 5.57. THE FLEET HANDICAP of 200sovs, b furlongs. 11. Stent's Duart, 9.5 (Buchanan) 1 Donald McLeod’s Taimainupo, 9.9 (Deeley) 2 S. Williams’ Manapourl. 9.6 (Ryan) 3

Also started. Foremost 10. T, Haldas© Devonport 10.1, Guldwife 9.12, Mistime 9.8, Chrysoprase 9.6, Cadeace 9.5. Black and Gold was first to move, closely attended by Duart, and the pair made th© running, just clear of , Cadence and Guidwife, with Talinauupo at the bead of the others. At 'the. turn for florae, Devonport fell beaten, and Taimaiuupo joined Duart in Hie lead. At the distance, Tatniainupo appeared to have Duart’s measure, but the latter came again, and shooting ont in the concluding stages, finished up a winner by a length and a half. Manapouri wa© two lengths further back third Time 1.45 1-5. : ' ■ , .