TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 9, 26 August 1908, Page 57

TURF NOTES.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. R.N.—Yes. Whatakura finished the journey. Several persons who are on the disqualified list were removed from the course at 'Rlccarton last week. A most noticeable absentee from the list of nominations for the Avondale Cup is the New Zealand Cup candidate, Master Delaval, At the Newmarket June Meeting, L. IT. Hewitt rode the winner of a two-year-old race. At Glenora Park, Gold Web has foaled a colt to Gluten, and Princess Alice a filly to Soult. M. Cannon, the one-time crack English jockey, suffers from rheumatism, the malady having attacked his arms and legs. F. Macmnnemia, the well known local trainer, returned to Auckland after witnessing the C.J.C. Grant! National meeting, by the Rarawa on Tuesday last. Stanley Wootton, the younger brother of the better-known Frank, won his first race in England last month, and in doing so he proved himself a most capable boy. Mr J. M. Cumming, who is well-known in Auckland, has been appointed managing steward and handicapper for the Wellington Pony and Gallaway Racing club. The horses Scotty and Le Beau were brought from the South by the Rarawa on Saturday, after their efforts at the C.J.C. National Meeting. Private advices received. in Wellington State that, the pony Mutineer date Dr. Quest) won the principal event at the recent Rosebery Meeting in Sydney. The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Trotting Club is fixed for September 3rd, and that of the Otohuhu Trotting Club for September 26th. The total sum paid away over the C.J.C. Grand National meeting was £5640. Mr. J. Flaneur was the largest winner with £940. - At the annual meeting of the Australian Jockey Club the chairman said that the policy of the club was to gradually increase the prize-money. The N.Z. Cup candidates Frisco, Mahuta, Seaman, Maharanui, Sago, Apa, Glenullin, and Dr. Shimose are all engaged at the Marton Meeting, which takes place next month. It is understood that the price paid for the horse Mooltan,- recently sold to go to India, was £2500 cash and 20 per cent of any stakes he may win in Australia prior to his departure. Not a single three year old claims an engagement in this year’s contest fov the Avondale Cup. The event has not been won by a horse of that age since Nonette triumphed' in 1901. According to “ Observer ” in the .“Hawera Star,” Maniapoto was a trifle sore in front After working .which means that probably this is the last track note of the brilliant eon of Soult. Tr. transpires that the Auckland hors© Scotty struck one of the fences very hard during the running of the C.J.C. National Hurdle Race, and it was with difficulty that he was got home to hi® stable. The Southern crack horseman, C. Jenkins, has been engaged to ride Malinta in the New Zealand Cup. Evidently «ome owners can form a pretty good idea of the weight they are likely to be assessed ab

The American crack Colin has now scored 15 successive wins, and the total prize money to his credit is £35,832. Since his reported breakdown he has won two good races. The Stepniak Colt Bonny Glen, which broke down during the running of the last Auckland Cup, was a starter at the recent C.J.C. Winter Meeting, but failed to earn a winning bracket. The Melbourne trainer Adam Sklrving. during Ifls visit to Christchurch, purchased Cianchattan from Sir George Clifford. The price paid for the son of Clanrannld is said to have been 200 gs. While in Christchurch, Mr W. Thompson, of New South Wales, purchased the thoroughbred stallion Sant Ilario for a substantial figure, and the son of St. Leger was shipped to Sydney last week. According to “Augur,” of the “N.Z. Times,” Pari tutu was very sour at the post for the Jumpers’ Flat Race on the opening day of the C.J/C. National Meeting, and delayed the start considerably. As evidence ot C. Jenkins’ popularity, that accomplished horseman was greeted with cheers as he rode All Red down the straight at Rlccarton on Tuesday prior io the running of the Winter Cup. The suggestion emanating from the Now Zealand Racing Conference that the Waipawa Racing Club and the Waipiikurau Club amalgamate is already being acted on, and delegates have been appointed to confer ou the matter. New Zealand site.* played a prominent part at the Brisbane Jockey Club’s meeting on August 8. Bivouac (by Siege Gun) won a double. Brilliant (by Antares) won a race, and Aideen (by Birkenhead) was second in another race. A Perth writer delivers himself as follows with regard to Post Town: — “It will probably he proved to the Eastern turf followers that Post Town, in the absence of Mountain King, is the best four-year-old of the season. The Dunedin Jockey Club has increased their stakes by £970, making the total £8470. The Dunedin Cup stake is unaltered, but the hurdle races of the autumn meeting are so increased that the owner of the winner of each event gets £loo net. Of the increase, £465 is allotted to the spring meeting. Mr M. McLean has resigned bis seat on the Auckland Racing Club committee. Mr McLean has taken this step owing to his business necessitating his absence from Auckland during the greater part of the racing season. The North Island Challenge Stakes winner Diabolo is stated to be training on satisfactorily, and all going well in tn? meantime, is expected to make his appearance as a three-year-old in the Wanganui Guineas next mouth. The V.R.C. has tacked another £lOO on to its Oaks of 1909,- £250 on to its St. Leger of 1910, and £lOO on to its Sires’ Produce brakes of 1912. It appears as if the leading Southern body intends keeping the A.J.C. on the move. It transpires that the crack filly Golden Slipper was purchased for Mr J. A. Brown, the owner of Sir Foote and other horses, says “Glencoe,” of the “Dominion,” but according to other writers, Mr W. E. White, of N.S.W., is the filly’s new owner. Formula, the full-sister to Multiform, and dam of the promising colt Formative, has foaled a colt foal to Gold Reef, at her owner’s stud in Hawke’s Bay. This is the first foal Formula has had since Formative was foaled. The nominations received for the nrlncipal events at the Avondale Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting are very’ satisfactory, and Included in the number are several outside horses, notably Comedian, King Post, Wallethe, Douche, Sir ArtegaJ, and Waihuka. Word from the South abates that Mr. C. J. Parker, of Gisborne, has purchased Multifid. Mr. Parker has now ft large collection of blood stock, which includes a lot of successful running blood, and it would be pleasing to record his having bred something high class. The following racehorses were sold by Messrs. Pyne and. Co., at Christchurch, on Saturday: Rose Noble, 140 guineas; Master Tensile (Mr. J. Y. McCracken), 30 guineas; Mango (Mr. F. V. Wilson), 70 guineas; Pretty Maid (Mr. H. G. Chisholm). 150 guineas; Myrtle Brand (Mr. R. O’Neil)* 30 guinea*

The Dunedin Jockey Club increased their stakes by £970, making the total £8470. The Dunedin Cup stake Is unaltered, but the hurdle races of the autumn meeting are sc increased that the winner of each event gets £lOO net. Of the increase, £465 is allotted to the spring mee*!??g. The following names have been claimed for several Auckland-owned horses, hitherto unnamed: — Ch c, by Wairiki — Nora, Norway; br f, by Suult — Ixidy Musket, Salute; br g, by Eton — Rapid, Fleetnote; br c, by Seaton Delaval — Lady Hester. Royal Scotland; br in, by Soult — Sapphtra, Meutlra. M. Deeble arrived from the South on Thunsday with Pierro and took him on to the Thames yesterday. The Musk a peer gelding ricked himself badly during the running of the C.J.<’. National Steeplechase and was pulled up. Pierre will require a spell, and his trip to Australia has been cancelled. I have to acknowledge receipt of the Wanganui Jockey (’lub’s book programme for the season 1907-08. A perusal shows that an all-round inctease in stakes has been made, and the added money for the coming season will be £505 more than last. The Club has now no race on their programme of less value than £lOO. The late Duke of Devorshire’s yearlings excited keen competition, and the twelve lots made an average of 724 guineas. Most money was realised for a Gallinue colt, purchased by Mr. W. Cooper for 2000 guineas. the same gen (Hernan acquiring another colt for 1300 guineas, and a couple of fillies for 860 guineas and 200 guineas re spectively. A rumour is current in the South that R. J. Mason, for many years-private trainer to the late Mr G. G. Stead, is to take over the charge of a team which Mr G. D. Greenwood, of Canterbury, is getting together. The six lots Mr Greenwood purchased at the Stead dispersal sale. Perle D’Or, Formedan, Lady Wayward, Sunglow, Acrostic, ami Armlet, cost him 6250g5. The first foal of the season made its appearance at Cambria Park on Wednesday last, when Tournament, by Sir Lancelot— Maluri. foaled a nlcfe bay colt to Hierarch. With two Melbourne Cup winners close up in his pedigree, the youngster should turn out a galloper. On Saturday, at the same stud, Kitiroa, by Cyrenian — Hinemoa, foaled a colt to Obligado. A rumour has been current during the past few weeks that J. Stewart, the wellknown Auckland horseman, had met with a fatal accident while riding in Australia recently, but so far, no particulars as to the truth or otherwise of the rumour can he ascertained. His parents, who for some time have had no knowledge of his whereabouts, are naturally anxious, and any information would be gladly received. At the last meeting of the committee of Dip Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, a letter was received from the jockey A. Ericksen, stating that, as a result of his accident, which occurred some considerable time ago, the doctor had advised him to leave work again, ami asking for further financial assistance. After consideration, the committee recommended the payment of 15/ per week for three months. I have to acknowledge with thanks receipt from the publishers, the Christchurch “Press” Company, of the “N.Z. Turf Register” for 1907-08. As usual, the “Register” contains a vast amount of information, but unfortunately, owing to the provisions of the new Gaming Act, a certain void is created by the absence of the figures on the various races. The little volume should be in the hands of all racing men. The enterprising breeders of South America were quickly on the track of the English horse Polar Star (says the “Sporting Chronicle”), after Colonel Hall Walker’s briliant colt had struck form again, and it would seem that Colonel Hall-Walker has been induced to part with the son of Pioneer—Go On. even as he parted with the dam. The price has aot transpired, but it may be taken for granted that it Is pretty substantial. English files to hand show that at the Pontefract meeting on July 8, Mr. Wm. dark’s Australian-bred filly. Vlctrlx, which won the principal event at the meeting, was ridden by L. IF. Hewitt. The winner started third favourite, and won by a neck, but accounts of the race say that Hewitt won with a lot in hand. Hewitt’s mount boat « warm favomito in Fo’dorol, which is owned by Mr. W IF. Walker, the owner Howitt was reported to have been retained by. At Newmarket (Eng.) last month The Victory filly Victrix, who is owned by Mr W. Clark, was sent out favourite for the Stud Produce Stakes. Although ridden by F. Wootton, she did not get a place, th<* winner turning up In L. Hewitt’s mount. Tzigane (Laveno—Salop), who started at a good price. Touching on Victrix reminds us that at the Newmarket yearling sales last month, a couple of yearlings by her sire. The Victory, were sold very cheaply, one realising 35gs, and the other lOgs.

Some people evidently don’t value money, aays the ‘ Dominion.” A bookmaker, who did uot wish to be licensed to bet, but who wished to gain admission to the lawn at Rlccarton on Tuesday last, paid the license fee of £2O 10/ for the privilege. Before taking the money, the secretary of the Jockey Club asked the other tiookniakera if they bad any objection to such a course being adopted. The attention of tnc stewards of the English Jockey Club has been called to the fact that shoos having a sharp flange round the outer edge of the shoe, to prevent slipping, have been used on horses running in races, they have given notice that they consider such shoes, and those known as American toe-clipped shoes, very dangerous to other competitors, and direct that horses running in them shall be disqualified. and the trainer responsible reporttnl to them. , Beu Nicholl. who has been training in the Taranaki district fur some time, arrived from the South by the Rarawa last week. Nichol! brought three horses with him. (Uuongst them being the New Zealand Cup winner uf IJHMI. Star Rose. When offered at auction recently in New Plymouth only one bid of £ls was received, at which he was passed in. After ho was submitted, says a Taranaki writer, the owner of the horse made him a present (under certain condi tions) to Nicholls, and this being so, he will probably carry his colours in the future. Sceptre’s first foul was seen out in the Fulborne Stakes at Newmarket (Eng.) lasi, month, and being by a sire who was sold for 30,000g5, and out of a dam whose price was £25.000. she naturally attracted a lor of attention. She is as yet unnamed, and on this occasion, though dividing second favouritism with another competitor, failed to get closer than fourth. She is said to be somewhat like her dam, though not possessing the same individuality, and th* critics are of opinion that though she may win rac-es, she will never be the performer Sceptre was. For a long time past 11. Howe has had anything but the best of luck, and at the Elect Meeting ill-fortune still pursued him. in the Sperry Steeplechase, Creusot. which ran in his nomination, was in the*lead when the last feme but one was reached, when he struck and shot his rider over bis head. At the time of the mishap. Creusot was going great guns, and looked all over n winner, and although Sol may have beaten him, it would have been more satisfaction to his owner to see him finish. It is a long lane that has no turning, but Howe must be nearly tired of getting to the corner, and it is to be hoped that he will reach it soon. Certain jockeys who ride on French fracks have so little in common with the entente cordiale (says the “Sporting Chronicle”) that the treatment meted out tn visitors appears to be no better than in the old days. It is related, and with truth, how on one of these occasions Fred Webb, after being knocked about like a shuttlecock, took the law into his own hands on arriving back in the dressing room, ami cuffed his assailant in the race right heartily, and, according to his jockey’s description of the contest the other Sunday, the English horse St. Magnus was a “marked” horse throughout the early stages. What has come over Tattersall’s Ring? (says the London “Sporting Times”). There was an even greater falling off in the attendance of its members at Newmarket, than over, and the same has been noticed elsewhere. A place next the rails has always been regarded as the most coveted pitch by the layers of odds; but at many meetings some of the biggest business is transacted by men who seldom go near the vails, and are content with a place in the middle of the ring. Can It be that the gentlemen who frequent the Club enclosures and “bet over the rails’* are no longer so ready with their money as they used to be? Says “Ribbleden,” in the “Australasian”: — Racing men, and especially those who back horses, sometimes called “the talent,” will not. In a hurry, forget the few months which made up the winter of 1908. From the* meeting held at Flemington to celebrate the birthday of IF.R.H. the Prince of Wales, to the meeting just concluded at Caulfield, backers have encountered an extraordinary series of reverst?®. I have not considered the statistical side of the subject, but it would be interesting to know the proportion of favourites to outsid rs that have won during that period. The disparity would be alarming. I do not remember, drring my thirty years’ connection with racing tn Australia, barkers ever having experienced such a long run of ill luck. There is every prospect that the strict enforcement of the anti-betting law in New York State will have a more far reaching effect than the Legislature contemplated in framing the measure. One of the foremost American horse-breeders, who played a prominent part in the International Horse Show Just concluded at Olympia, in London, in an interview with a Press representative, states that disastrous consequences have al ready followed in the wake of impetuous law-making, while the ultimate result must be an enormous set-back to horse-breeding

111 tin- Fulled States. 1 ■ .iejrd it Stated." says (be geitllriiuui icfi-UTil lu, “in lufluenl i:il quarters that Leland will be luadt* an importHiit centre. There seems •<unelhing In the Irish air which seems to • oil thoroughbreds bepe." than auywheie else l' know of. The Irish scheme, so far as it has gone up to I tie present, is to lay out a really first class course in Ireland. Most of the money will be American money, and the Idea is to equip the place on the most modern principles. It will be an excellent thing for the Island, anti, with the added interest in England by reason of the influx of American horses, the doings on the turf will probably awaken greater interest th;:n ever before." 11 is indisputable Isays the •Sporting I'bronidr' i that advantage in condition largely helped Signorhictta to beat the majority of tlie Herby Hehl. ami rarely has there o< urreJ. in a race of such import, eo giorim s an opportunity for fitness-to prevail over superior class. Ear from thinking Hurt Sigmirinetta is gifted with stamina to any greater degree than was her dam. I firmly believe that had there been another furlong tn go on Derby Day she would have been beaten. In the Oaks the fall of llbodora removed the only dangerous rival from Signorinet la’s path, so that, while the dual < lassie heroine may have been lighting under an unlucky star when she was beaten her owner ran well regard himself as a fpriumite man. and sooner or later, I fam y he will discover that there are animals of the same age as his filly able to beat.her nvrr'whatsoever distance hr likes to naw*. The Herby illustrated that her pare is nor. first,class, ns she did not appear on tin* svrne at Epsom until after the majority of her partially-trained opponents had raced each other down, ami 1 shall not be in the least surprised if future rut mi ng proves that she was immensely favoured in both of these classic ventures. At the annual meeting nf the Dunedin Jockey" Club held last week, a most satisfactory balance-sheet was placed before lhe members. The statement showed that the club started the year with a credit balance of £SBO 17 <B, ami after increasing the stakes by £IOOO, ami spending £265 s 6 on improvements, they closed the year with a total credit of £1824 2,2. 'inc chairman, in moving the adoption of the report which was carried unanimously, said: - The* increased receipts ought to justify the club in still further increasing the stakes in certain directions, 1 hi did not wish lo dictate as to the way any increases should be made. The committee would, no doubt, act as they thought tit. But he did not believe that thousand-pound stakes would fetch thousand pound horses. The races that paid the ctub best .were the welters and hack races and so forth (hear. hear). If the club were really in a position to do so. he would not say that they should not bestow more money upon the big events. This, however, was a matter that he was sure the committee would take into consideration during the year. The present strong position was the unanswerable reply to all that had been heard said against the removal to Wingat ui. The only drawback to the success of the meetings there was the railway arrangements. but he thought tuat after the stand the committee had taken, and the promises received, such a fiasco as that which occurred at the last meeting. of sending out an engine that could not draw the train, would not be repeated. The double line that was*being laid out would help the club materially, but they had a right to a fair service in the meantime, and be understood I hat there would be no reason to complain in the future. Lord Durham, a prominent member of the English Jockey Club, writes to the London “Times" on the subject of owners’ deaths and void nominations as follows:-—No rule of racing has of late years been more criticised than that which states that entries become void on the death of the person in whose name they are made. So much misapprenhension exists and such violent epithets as "idiotic" and "infamous*’ are used about this rule (No. 86. of the KrigiHh Rules of Racing*, that I am tempted to defend it. This difficult question of void nominal inns has engaged the attention ami the deliberations of the Jockey Club for at least fifty years. On the whole, the existing rule is less injurious to the estate of deceased horseowners, and fairer to the general body of living owners, than any of the alternative suggestions 1 have seen propounded. Is it credible that the Jockey Club, consisting as it does of many of the principal and richest owners, would deliberately adhere to an "infamous" rule? It will be admit led that the greatest losses the Turf has sustained in recent years have been the deaths of Sir Blundell Maple. Colonel Met’almont. Sir James Miller, the Duke of Devonshire, and Lon! Derby, all members of tin* Jockey Club. Does any sensible person think that the‘Jockey Club cuts off its nose to spite its own face, and that it wilfully maintains a rule detrimental to the prosperity of the Turf? The outcry against the rule is generally caused by the fact that worm* well known horse amongst a number of bad or useless ones in the same ownership is debarred from competing for certain <•!<-_ed races by the death of his nominator. > rt <.’<> those who. from sentimental rea£*m<. or for gambling purposes, desire this horst- i , be allowed to retain his engageniriii •■■-••r < .amour when the "infamous and idioti*- rule" relieves all the bad horses from the liabilities incurred by the deceased n< miuator? if"tseowners themselves are too gem rous ami too sportsmanlike to grumble nt the diminution in the value of the stakes by the withdrawal of a dead man’s subscript ion to them. But they would have every rausi- i<» complain if the heir, or the purchaser, or the executors of a deceased noLuiuxitor's horses were illoired tn retain ■the engagements of a good horse and to repudiate the liabilities of the had ones. Yet. Ibis is a suggestivu often made, in good nit fa. by people who have nut considered

the result. The adoption uf such preferential treatment would be manifestly unfair lo owners who, sb long as they are alive, submit to and agree to abide by' the Rules of Racing, and who arc liable to pains and penalties if they fall to pay the entrance fees and stakes and fortpits of .all tjieir horses gopd, bad, and indifferent.* Whatever the rule, it must not be optional in its provisions, but draconic and drastic. Otherwise the injustice Is obvious. All the nominations of a dec-eased owner must be paid for, or none (as at present). But how - can the Jockey Club force trustees or purchasers to be legally responsible for a dead man’s turf liabilities? It might easily happen that the liabilities would exceed the value of the horses. Were 1 an executor in such an eventuality. I should flatly refuse to recognise the rules of racing, and would defy the Jockey (Tub to recover the money in a court of law. In Australia, the chief clubs are the Victoria Racing (Tub and the Australian Jockey (Tub. Each club has a different rule for dealing with this difficulty. The very fact that they are not in unison is sufficient proof to me that neither rule would be practicable in England. One rule is that the engagement of any horse made by a deceased nominator may Im* taken over by any person subject to the sanction and the discretion of the stewards. Imagine English stewards of the Jockey Club holding an inquisition upon purchasers of horses! Are we to say. "give us proof that you are not insolvent"? "We understand that your income is derived from brewery shares, so you will probably fail to pay your forfeits." "You have extravagant habits; you must satisfy us that you will not outrun the constable.” The other rule is that every horse of a dead owner is placed in the forfeit!) list, and remains there until taken over by some one, who thereby becomes responsible for the engagements. Rut the name of the dead owner is omitted from the forfeit nst! This, to my mind, is damning evidence that it would be a slur and a slander to include it. I have hoard some people advocate the adoption uf this rule. 1 am confident it would bo impossible in England. If strictly honourable ami highly-respected deceased owners are to be gibbeted by having their horses put in the forfeit list, the Jockey (Tub ami the "Racing Calendar" will have to spend their income in defending libe. actions instead of devoting it to the encouragement of racing. There D only one possible solution of the difficulty. or rather only one way of evading it. That is, that, nominators shall pay into the registry office the full liability of each engagement at the time of entry. This would entirely destroy the “credit*’ system in vogue in English racing, and would press so hardly upon all but the very rich nominators that I do not think it worth while to elaborate the scheme. I will merely point out that it would tie up an immense amount of unproductive owners’ capital, and would inevitably diminish the number of entries. AVe endorse to the full the views expressed by Lord Durham, with regard to nominations rendered void by death (says the "London Sporting Times’*). The benefits or advantages conferred by the rule rendering nominations by death void are so much in excess of the grievances that the subject appears to us to be almost beyond the range of argument. The grievances, too, are not nearly so numerous or important as some would have us believe. We cannot call to mind any horse who would have .won the Derby but for the death of the nominator. St. Simon, for instance. was not in the Derby, and even if he had been it is doubtful whether he would at public sale have fetched more than he actually realised, and therefore the estate ••anoot be said to have suffered. Derby horses having any pretensions to winning that race, whose nominations were rendered void, may be counted on one’s fingers. The most important instance that we can recollect in this connection arose out of the Derby of 1883. when two favourites disappeared. viz., Maclmath. the property of Mr (Tawfurd. and Fulmen. who belonged to Prince Batthyany. These are. in fact, the only two instances that we can call to mind of a favourite becoming disqualified. The disqualification of Macheath and Fulmen saved their backers from loss, as neither was equal to the Derby course. With a nominator dying, his horses are sold for their real value, whereas with the nomination standing it would be a fictitious value. The nomination holding good, some horses would fetch a larger sum than would be the case if they had no engagements; bur, on the other hand, there are many that it would not be possible to sell at all. to it comes out as broad as it is long. Take the “Calendar of Races to Come." and especially with some horses that belonged to Hie late Duke of Devonshire, and say what would be the value of those horses wrth their engagements, as compared with the same animals without them? Not long ago Mr Sammy Loates bought a really good horse belonging to the Duke for about £IOO. The animal seemed to be worth a thousand pounds, am! people wondered how it was that Loates got him for such a small sum. “Look at the forfeits he will have to pay,’’ was the answer. An ex owner of racehorses, writing to the Lorton "Times" on the subject of void nominations, and Lord Durham’s letter on ihe matter, says:—“ln a utilitarian age one fears to be accused of sentimentality, though the accusation may diminish in acerbity if it be shown that substantial profit is involved. One can, however, imagine the pride felt by the son or brother of a successful breeder of blood stock in some colt or filly that incidentally, if the opportunity for showing it be provided, may prove worth £30,000, and—for this must by no means be forgotten—may do grand service to the cause of horse breeding. The owner dies. Rulo 86 comes into operation, and practically all hope of proving what the horse really is at once vanishes. Would it not be possible to modify the rule so that, if the heir who becomes possessed of the hordes eareu to de so. he may pay all the sums due for entries, forfeits, etc., a»d

retain the horses’ engagements? If he did not care to do so he need not. The law of the land would, Indeed, probably override Jockey (Tub law if the attempt to enforce payment were made; but is such an option impossible, and If- so may we know why? it would be for the good of the Turf, wnicli largely lives on forfeits and entrance fees, so to speak, and for the good of racing generally: Will ixird Durham or some other authority tell us why this could not be dune?" (’ommenting on the recent ease where a Ixtndon magistrate sentenced a bookmaker to two months’ imprisonment for a contravention of the Betting Act, Mr. in “T’ruth," says: "His business was done on the credit system, which is not In Itself illegal. It was shown, however, that large numbers of persons went to the defendant's office and put slips relating to their bets in his letter-box, and on this evidence he was convicted of keeping premises to which persons resorted for the purpose of betting. Really this rase is an illustration of the ridiculous state of the 1:lw in reference to betting, for if, instead of delivering their ‘slips’ by hand, the backers had employed a Government Depart men t to transmit their commissions to the defendant by post or telegraph, no offence would have been committed. There is another point which is worthy of notice in connection with the prosecutions last week. It was not suggested that the defendant treated his customers otherwise than fairly and honestly. Yet. while the law comes down on two bookmakers for an offence, of a more or less technical character, it takes no cognisance of downright swindling in connection with betting businesses. There are quite a number of self-styled turf accountants." continues Mr. Labouchere, "who are habitual welshers. pocketing all the money their dupes lose to them, but never settling winning accounts. When the defrauded backer makes a complaint to the police aginst one of these rascals, he is told it is not a matter for criminal proceedings. By refusing to pay the bookmaker merely incurs a civil liability, or. rather, a debt of honour, which cannot be enforced by a court of law if he chooses—as. of course, lie does —to plead the Gaming Act." ■Writing upon the question of "Who pays the piper?" the well known London turf critic, "Spearmint," says:—"Somewhere in a magazine a little while back I read a striking article by an old racegoer, in which, among other things, he dealt with lhe sources of Turf revenue. Who. he asked, pays the piper? I pay the piper. I, with my little sovereign, or half-sovereign, or crown: I pay the piper. I take out of my argument all exceptions, and do not allow my mind to be confused by a few anomalous examples. But if it be true to say that racing as it exists £o-day could not continue to be racing without the profit which is made out of the public, which enables the managers of meetings to add money and to guarantee values, then it is fair to say that the public ‘pays the piper.’ Some controversialists urge that a racehorse owner may call any tunc he please (because he pays the jockey and finds the forfeits), and need consider no one else. Altogether, I don’t see how it can be disputed that the public are the largest payers of the piper, and. that being the case, they are entitled to sometimes call the tune. What would you think if I were to prophesy that before many years are over they will ‘call the tune’ for a 10/ Tattersall’s? Y’ou can see the Melbourne* Cup—the Cesarewitch of Australia—properly and comfortably for half a sovereign, but it costs you three times that to witness the Grand National from the principal stand. I look on the growing cultivation of the ‘five bobber’ as the forerunner of a cheaper Tattersall’s. Already, where they happen to be good, the ‘silver’ stands are attracting people away from the high-priced enclosure, and 1 can imagine a time —not, perhaps, so very remote—when Melbourne Cup Day prices will prevail on the Jubilee and Eclipse celebrations, even if not on Derby Day itself, and when the family party element. which is such a conspicuous feature of French racing, will be recognised and catered for over here. For the installation of the ‘totalisator,’ or automatic bookmaker, we shall have to wait longer, but it must come eventually, along with the stipendiary steward, who is now officially declared to be impossible. Present high prices and the bookmakers’ short odds must be altered if the racing orange—i.e., the public—is net to be sucked dry.*’ Writing under date of June 17, the New York correspondent of the “Sporting Chronicle,” writing of Governor Hughes’ Antibetting Billj, Baysj? at one swoop undoubtedly depreciated the value of every racehorse, brood mare, stallion, and breeding farm in the United States, not less than 75 per cent. For the five days since the law went into force we have had about a thousand police in uniform and plain clothes to awe a peaceable gathering of about 8000 daily. Men have been arrested for paying personal debts, ante-dating the law, for writing the names of the jockeys to ride on a programme, for scribbling what the individual thought should be the prices against a horst* in a certain race, and for writing "something*’ on the card, showing it to a friend, and then rubbing it out before the “cop*’ could see it! No one must pause to stand in the betting ring: No groups of two or three* must gather. JJke "poor Jo,” we must al! "move on,” no matter where, just “on.” To date, right through the above described turmoil and police brutality, those well-known individuals who had credit and wore trusted by prominent layers have boon betting, and the proof is in the prices dally- published in lhe papers. The gross volume, however, has been small, and unless it is visibly augmented .American racing would not be worth carrying on. There is, however, a quantity of silver lining to the cloud. The Assistant District Attorney (reigning hi the absence of his chief in Europe) han now come tu the publicly-exprewed opinion that M will

be very hard to “prove” a bet "where uo .▼Hlbtr aettHng takes place, and tha't the" verbal wager will not, and cannot, constitute evidence. 'Along this line several of the arrests already made -will be carried iuto test cases, an injunction restraining the legaL action of the Sheriff, pending a final decision, will be asked for. and then •the cases. ,wMI be carried through the Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court. illere.’wiU also be argued the matter of •‘oppressive legislation” specially provided* for in the .(hmsfitution. showing that, to make the, man making. a small wager as great a- felon as a burglar or embezzler, is not far short of “oppression.’’ Also, that the said <’oustitution clearly spec!ties “all kinds of gambling,” precluding an J individual attack upon any one division, ami i hat to oppress racing only while * hundreds of thousands bf bridge,. whist, and poker parties each night sustain the excitement left over from the Stock Exchange. Real Estate Exchange, ami others during the day is scarcely “equity.’’ As the Supreme Court is the one body .under the. (’onstitu--1 ioji eßXppwered to rule what, is ConstituiiQiipl. what is-not. ami what is “meant” by the Constftutiou. it would seem there was a number Of lights yet to be fought before American racing is buried. There js no doubt that we shall never see betting as it has been, that purses and stakes • will be reduced, that fewer racehorses will .be bred and smaller prices realised, rihat speculation will be tremendously <lrcrease«l -to the poor man. of course, he always “gets it in the neck”—nt least three, if not four, of the present racing dissociations will drop out. but the aristocratic Coney Island .Jockey Club, dominated by \V. K. Vanderbilt, and Belmont Park, will assuredly race, hoping for better days. In this State 110 trotting meetings ami 47 fairs have already been declared “off.” and if anyone thinks these voters will not be heard' from for ■the Hughes Law,”’ it is the mistake of their lives. Many prominent Americans have already “ducked.” One man of great, wealth has ordered his stable shipped to Ftance next month. Another great breeder -scarcely let the Law' be signed before he started to make arrangements io send his big lot of yearlings to England for sale. That is all that, is worth saying to date. {Several of the arrests will come to the full hearing shortly, and. between then and the future beyond, lays the yet unwoven web of Fate which lias never yet been woven without the golden thread of Hope glittering in ami through its warp ami woof. With Monte Cristo, “All human wisdom is contained in these words. ‘Wait and Hope,' ’’ remembering that American racing is still very, very far from dead. + + + TURF TALK FR,OM THE SOUTH. Saturday. Most of the visiting horses that competed at the Grand National Meeting were sent homo early in the week, and matters at Riccarton are again decidedly quiet. Several jumpers are being kept going, in view of the Amberley Steeplechase. Meeting, winch takes place on Thursday next, but only second-class horses are engaged at the fixture. which is ate unimportant, one. The horses bought by Sydney sportsmen at Stead’s sale were shipped on Thursday, while those destined for Melbourne went South on Friday. In a conversation I had' with Mr Chisholm who secured Golden Slipper on behalf of Mr E. \V. White, of Sydney, he mentioned that there was no chance of her being left here, or being sent over to fulfil. her classic events, though most of them do appear at her mercy. Multiform’s brilliant daughter claims an engagement in the Australian Jockey Club's Derby, besides several valuable handicaps, and a win in one or two of these, would probably be of more value tif her new owner than twice the number in New Zealand. Mr Chisholm <loes not appear to think the present batch of Australian three-year-olds are a particularly good lot. and. that being so. Golden ’Slipper should have an excelielit’chance of 'matting an early return for her outlay. I’nfortimately she was - not engaged in the V.R.C. Derby or any of the big weight for age races, as the late Mr Stead was only in the habit of patronising the A.J.C. Spring Meeting.. From the tone of his, remarks. Air Chisholm was evidently quite pleased with his bargain, and I have an idea that ho would have been prepared to go another live hundred rather than miss the filly. Cruciform was secured on behalf of the Bundoora studmaster, Mr .1. V. Smith, who also owns the,stallions Challenger and Wallace. and it is quite likely that she will 1.0 mated with the, latter o:* her arrival. Mr Smith received a substantial offer of a rise on his batgahi soon after making the purchase. but would not entertain it. Problem ami Rattler were bouglit on behalf of Mr Sol Green, and will join Gladsome at the Shipley stud. Multiform, who was shipped on Thursday. was secured 'on behalf of Mr Wm. Brown, of N.S.W., at whose’ stud ho will have an excellent opportufiiiy of earning further sire honours. Otterden. who has already thrown two good ones in Bon I form and Sungod, to Multiform, also goes to Mr Brown’s stud. The Christchurch sportsman. Mr 11. F. Nicboll. intended sending his two reps.. Cross Battery and Sea King, to Sydney yes tefila.v to fulfil their engageinents Ju the big Australian spring handicaps. *lJnfortunattdy no accommodation could be found for them on the steamer. . consequentl-y the trip has had to bo postponed 1111 next week. Lon King accompanies the pair, and will ride them in any of their rae/s. If their recent form is to bo taken as a fair criterion,' however, the prospects of either annexing any of the big races seems very remote... Tlie Melbourne. spoilsman. Mr A. Sldrring who secured Idyll at the Yaldhurst Fale, alffo Clanehattan ' for 20b -guißoas. Mr- .Skirving and his two charges left for. AjinljraHa. oil Thuxsday. t .Tho well known hurdler, Rqu.thern Cross, U’ho irhjr i t<6<q , i*hi v AftHHihiftßion:.fb)?tlre ijißf frfiir, years, bus been sent to Mount Nessiug

Station for mouths’ spell. The New Zealand Cup cnndhlnte Bonny Gleu made his first appearance since going amiss in the last Auckland Cup at the Grand National meeting. Tie was very backward in condition, ami failed to show anything like encouraging form. -but. pulled up sound. Bonny Gleu raced in bandages, but though he pulled up well enough I am afraid his trainer will have groat difficulty in getting him to stand anything like a strong preparation. The horses owned by Messrs W. and G. Stead are now being trained by R. O’Donnell at Ya Id hurst, which track has been purchased by them, (t is one of the best in -New Zealand, and, witli so much promising material to work on. O'Donnell should not be long in sending out a few good winners. Mr A. J. Rattray, secretary of several trotting clubs and the Christchurch Racing Club, left on a flying visit f<> Australia oil Thursday. lie does not anticipate being away more than a fortnight or three weeks at longest. The speedy trotting horse Advocate, brother to Advance, who received a nasty fall when competing al the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting, is now quite recovered from the effects of the mishap. The well known trotting stallion. Boldrcwood, who holds the two mile record of 4.41. was shipped to Melbourne on Friday, having been purchased by Mr Tredrea. The same buyer hat also taken with him two brood mares, Aly Lady and Kiddy Gee. it is intended to race Boldrewood against Emulator at the Melbourne show. WELLINGTON PONY RACES. AVELLINGT(>N. Saturday. 'l’bo Wellington Pony and Galloway Club held a meeting to-day. The results were as follows: Pony Handicap. —Kauhoe 1, Firefly 2, Lady Dauphin 3. Maiden Plate. Dorina 1, Prince Roy 2, Silvery Ocean 3. Winter Cup. - Miretta .1, Inspiration 2, Veronique 3. Kilburnie Handicap.—Billy 1, Dorina 2. Firefly 3. Galloway Handicap.-Miretta 1, Lady Alason 2, Prince Roy 3. Hopeful Handicap. - Billy 1, Herculean 2, Kauhoe 3.