TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 23, 2 December 1908, Page 13

TURF GOSSIP

BY

WHALEBONE.

I RACING FIXTURES. Kov. 28, December 2—Taka puna J.C. Nov. 80, Dec. I—Feilding J.C. Spring. Dec. 9, 10 — Woodville J.C. Summer Dec. 26 and 28—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dec. 26, 30, Jan. 1 and. 2—Auckland R.C. Summer. Dee. 23, 26, 28 — Manawatu R.C. Summer Dec. 26, 28 — Dunedin J.C. Summer Jan. 1,2 — Hawke’s Bay J.C. Summer beb. 6. 10, 13 — Otahuhu Trotting Club

TURF NOTES. -A- ‘lead jockey often gives a new lease of life to the bookmaker. A forlorn hope: Hanging on to a betting ticket after a race in hope of a protest. The Ben Godfrey gelding Pukenui has made his reappearance on the tracks at ELerslie. Many a jockey gets the reputation for riding stiff when unbeknown to him he is riding a stuffed mount. , n Tlj e stakes won at the recent Otahuhu Trotting Club’s meeting are now payable at the Club’s office, Durham-street. The jumping horse Banana has been taken up again after a lengthy spell. He is still under T. A. Williams' charge. Mr'James Beckett arrived in Auckland from Sydney last week, and intends taking up his residence here for the summer. Jockey J. K. Flynn is reported to have only been paid his bare percentage for winning the Melbourne Cup on Lord Nolan. The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club made a profit of £656 over their recent Spring Meeting. At Gleuora Park Curacoa has foaled a filly to Soult, and Solitary a fil]y to Seaton Delaval. The pony Waihou failed to get under the standard when measured recently by Mr. C. O’Connor. H. Howe has vacated his training quarters at Kohimaramara, and is at present located with his team at Ellerslie. Acceptances for the second day’s races of the Takapuna J.C. Spring Meeting close on Monday next, the 3Oth inst., at 9 p.m. At a recent meeting at Cairns, Queensland, a jockey named F. Begley rode the whole five winners on the afternoon’s programme. T. O’Connor, who was for some time with T. A. Williams at Ellerslie, has made a start on his own account, and at present has the pony Etonia under his charge. The gelding Duart, which was badly galloped on during the recent Otaki Meeting, has not yet recovered from his injuries, and is still at Trentham under J. Lowe’s care. Mr J. Muir has put the 5 year old gelding Knottingly into work, and he is now a regular attendant on the tracks at Ellerslie. The brilliant Soultline is being treated to a short spell before going into active work again. He will in future be trained by R. Bradfield at Flemington. In answer to a would-be buyer at. the New Zealand Cup Meeting. Mr G. P. Donnelly mentioned IOOOgs as the price at which he would part with Gold Dace. Word from the South states that Sir George Clifford is likely to send a fairly large team to compete at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. They are expected to arrive immediately after the Feildlng gathering. The publication of overweights carried at Riccarton is notified in a very' dilatory manner to the public. The horses are frequently at the post or on their way to it before a notification appears on the board. Latest mails from England show that In the list of winning mounts, which is headed by D. Maher, F. Wootton, the Australian jockey, comes third, and D. H. Hewitt twenty-sixth. The stewards of the Avondale Jockey Club continued the inquiry in connection with their Spring meeting last Friday evening, when, after another midnight sitting, a further adjournment was made. It transpires that Waipuna was purchased on behalf of Dr. Bennett, of Adelaide, and will in future be trained by F. Bailey in South. Australia. There is a probability of the son of Soult being put over hurdles. The Cup Steeplechase, ivon by Pilot, at Flemington, on Melbourne Cup Day. was a handicap of 300sovs, which prize was handed over by his owner, Dr, Watson, to the rider, T. Cahill. These kind of spbrte are rarely met with. The px- Auckland ponies Veronlque (late ftonoma) and Herculean were both among the winners at the recent Wellington pony end galloway meeting, the former winning the Hataital Cup and the latter the Telephone Handicap. The recent downpour will greatly benefit the tracks at Ellerslie, but it came a trifle too soon for the haymaking operations which are nt present being carried on at headquarters, and there is every probability that the crop will be seriously affected. It is not often that three horses run a dead heat in a race, but such was the cnae on October 26th, when Fleet. Flashlock, and Vignette finished In line for the Colonel Reeves Handicap at ♦*»** W.A.T.C. meeting in Perth.

Good things are said to be expected of Shuja who won a race at Waverley on November 9th. He is a three-year-old colt by Soult—’Sprite. He will probably be next seen out at Feildlng and is also in the Auckland Cup with 7.1. L. n. newitx. me ex-New Zealander, was apparently riding in good form when the last mail left, and in one week he was on the back of three winners, all of which started at outside prices. Peter Parley, Miranda, and Bellatrix were the horses Hewitt rode to victory. S. Lindsay, who had his leg broken through being kicked by Muskerry when at the post for the Epsom Handicap at the recent A.R.C. spring meeting, is making good progress towards recovery at Rawlingstone Private Hospital, where he was removed after the accident. In England there is a strong prevailing idea that the practice of doping is not by any means dead in that country, and a leading London sporting paper says the stewards might be well advised if they called renewed attention to the rule bearing on the matter. Tn England the fee to a jockey who wins a steeplechase or hurdle race of the advertised value of lOOsovs or upwards is 10 guineas, and to a losing jockey sgs. Under Jockey Club Rules, a winning jockey’s fee is 5 guineas, and a losing jockey's fee three guineas, whatever the value of the race may be. I have to acknowledge receipt of the book programme of the Manawatu Racing Club for the forthcoming season. A perusal shows that the club are giving away in added money for their five days’ racing the- sum of £B3BO, of which amount £5560 is for the Summer Meeting, and £2820 for the Autumn. New Zealand’s pet representative is still exciting the Englishman’s privilege “to grumble and pay out.” Says a London weekly: “That eyesore to punters, Noctuiform, again makes his appearance to remind his past followers of the money they have lost over him. If we had to value this expensive importation from New Zealand, we should say he was dear at a gift.” Apologue haS gone wrong in India, and, touching on this, the “Asian” says: “The break-down of Apologue was more or less anticipated, as the horse whs lame after he ran in his last engagement in Australia, aud India Is most emphatically not the place to which to bring the infirm, as witness Boabdill last year, and many others before him.”

Will England feel downhearted? Mr Sol Joel has a number of horses in training in France, and it is rumoured that Mr J. B. Joel also contemplates turning his attention to the French Turf. As horses to be qualified for many of the rich prizes must be bred in France, it is quite possible that, the brothers Joel will follow the example of Mr Belmont, and start a stud farm on the other side of the Channel. In addition to Master Delaval, Master Soult, and Elysian, Denis Moiaghan brought back - with him from Christchurch the 3 year old filly Roselike, by Multiform — Soult Girl. Although a bit on the small side, Roselike Is as handsome us paint, and on appearances, should go fast. Notwithstanding their arduous tasks at the recent C.J.C. meeting, the three first-named of Moraghan’s team look bright and well, although Elysian is said to be a trifle ehln sore. AV. Bullock was looking very ill when he got up to ride Signorinetta in the English St. Leger. The filly was beaten on her merits, but Bullock was taking a big risk in riding when so unwell. His case is an extraordinary one, as the doctors at the Rouse Memorial Hospital wanted to operate for appendicitis. Dr. McCabe, the Queensberry Lodge trainer, would not give his consent, however, and as the symptoms gave way to treatment, Bullock was able to leave the isntitution after a couple of days. Kendal, a famous stallion, who was 25 years old, died at Ojo de Agua Stud in the Argentine, early last month. At the time of his death he was head of the winning sires of South America, with the winners of 41 races, value over £16,700. His stock have always been well appreciated, and many of them have been publicly sold for large sums. While in England Kendal sired, amongst other good horses. Galtee More, the triple crown hero of 1897, who was sold to the Russian Government for £21,000, and having sired the best of the year in Russia three seasons in succession, was bought by Count Lehndorff for £12,000 on behalf of the German Government. The development of the telephone In England in Its relation to race meetings has occasioned an increase of cases of fraud upon bookmakers which borders upon the sensational. An extraordinary number of instances of the back coding of betting messages upon receipt of telephoned results of races are coming to light, and many wellknown London and Continental and Midland commission agents have been victimised to large amounts. The Bost Office officials are at present prosecuting no fewer than five cases of alleged conspiracy and forgery arising out of those matters, and the facts in connection with several others are under investigation by the department. In one Instance a startling sequel is not unlikely to occur.

There was an explanation for Ala was poor running in the Melbourne Cup. Lite nearly all the descendants of Goldsborough, the colt has brittle feet, and always races In plates. In the Derby race, one of his plates shifted, and tore sway a small piece of the hoof, and for the Melbourne <’up race his trainer sent him out in a lighter set of plates. These evidently affected the Dei by winner, as Lewis stated after the race that be seemed to be unable to act on the hard going. When he won the C. B. Fisher Plate, on the fourth day of the meeting, he was shod as he was in’ the Derby. Still it has yet to be proved that he can run a solid two miles. Says the “Sporting Times,” in commenting on the decline of betting in England: “Some time ago in speaking to a large bookmaker concerning the short odds that were on offer lu connection with a big handicap, and contrasting them with the •twenty monkeys’ that we have before now heard offered against a prominent candidate that had four sound legs, his reply was that things are very different to what they used to be. Formerly each stable had its own candidate, and backed it. but now three or four stables galloped their horses together, and one carries the money. The bookmakers, therefore, have nothing on their books to bet with. That this statement of the case is an exaggerated one Is probable, but at the same time there is a certain amount of truth in it.” Personally (says a writer in the English paper, “The Country Gentleman”), if 1 were given my choice of two stallions, onewho had distinguished himself over long distances, and had the reputation of being a stayer, rather than a speedy sort, and another who had shown equally smart form over a mile, I think I should prefer the latter. Our experience of modem thoroughbred stallions tells us that it is uot the plodders who make the best stud horses, but rather the quick ones, who seem to have a greater spark of vital energy or nervous force-call it what yon will—which enables them to get more racing-like stock than the slower horses. Although New Zealanders seldom hear much about racing in Canada, the sport is m a flourishing condition in the Eastern Piovinces, and no efforts are being spared in those parts to increase the stakes, aud the” «no d r'r"' e i OOd C . lilSS °" uers to take up * b ®. S ,P ort. Recently, at Woodbine Park. ,0101, . t0 '. a meeting of representatives < the principal jockey clubs throughout Ontario and Quebec was held with the ? b J et- ‘ ° f a Board of Control for the supervision of all turf affairs in Can- »> , a ,eSult of the “oetiug it is pro--1 “ a body ‘ calletl th e Canadian Racing Association, will assume control of the turf in the Dominion on and after January 1,1909. ?“ xv tllp working of the anti‘JfA? l aW 1? New Y<)rk > a writer in that states that during the closing days of the Gravesend meeting, the police authotities became active again, and a number or leading bookmakers were a* rested. There were, however, none of the scenes which characterised Hie Sheepshead Bay gathering—the arrests were made quiet! v, the prisoners promptly gave bail, and resumed business, making oral wagers on the credit system. Some of the ablest lawyers in Brooklyn have been engaged for the defence, and they have had no hesitation in publicly denouncing the police officials, ami claiming that convictions will be absolutely impossible. On the recent meeting Mr Philip J. Dwyer, owner of the Gravesend track, will come out about even. In view of the statement that in England some jockeys and trainers make as much as they can in the way of charging owners with “expenses.” the following from “The Winning Post” is rather good:— “Ah?’ soloqujsed the jockey, “I am going to Manchester, and I do not think J shall ride a winner, but I get exes, and £3 for every losing mount, so I ran put up at the Midland Hotel, and have a good time.” “Ah’” soliloquised the jockey, “I am taking several horses to Manchester, which my jockey says might win.* and which the trainer says will win if the jockey can ride them. 1 have had a bad time, and hope to get my losings back this week. I have wired for a bedroom at a boardinghouse.” A Melbourne paper chuckles merrily over Pilot, who so easily accounted for all the Victorian cracks on the first day of the meeting: “Surely there never was before such a horse as Pilot, the funny old chap who won the Cup Steeple. He has hair a couple of inches long on his logs, and is a big heavy brute, who would look more in his place between the shafts of a delivery wagon than on a racecourse. His tail is cut absurdly, and he has a habit of wag glug it in a foolishly joyful fashion. On Tuesday, when be came up the straight, he absolutely refused to gallop until another horse came up alongside and challenged him. Then he wagged his absurd tail and fairly raced away from the other. As he passed the judge's box a winner by several lengths, he wagged his tail again. He looked just like a big happy dog, and nobody would have been surprised if he hud frisked round and barked. It seemed just what might have been expected of him.” A representative of the “Sporting Times” has on several occasions attended the <-ommittee meetings of the Turf Guardian Society, when the settlements of disputes between backers and layers have taken place, um« we can testify to the careful, business-like, and impartial manner in which these inquiries are held. It is now proposed to open a Backers’ Section in connection with this Society, ami backers can avail themselves nf its advantages by paying an annual subscription of one guinea. If the Turf Guardian Society succeeds in

stamping out mushroom bookiuak.-ra, and In exposing fraudulent aud defaulting backers, it win oe or great service to the straightforward ami honourable sporting fraternity. It has already done much good work in this direction. Thirty thoroughbred*, the properly of Messrs Harry Payne Whitney, August Bel mout, Herman Duryea, and John Madden, were shipped on the Minnehaha for London from New York recently It Is the largest consignment of horses in training which has left America to race abroad in the last fifteen years. Two colts, owned by Mr Madden, Sir Martin aud Fayette are engaged in the Derby, the Thousand Guineas, the St. Leger, and the Grand Prix of Paris. It is the consensus of opinion among experts that no finer lot of racehorses was ever shipped to England. The Derby candidates are insured for £lO,OOO each. This American Invasion of England does not mean that racing in the State ofNew York is killed beyond the chance of resurrection. Governor Hughes’ anti-bet-ting bill certainly demoralised turf enterprise, but the Jockey Club here claims that It is unconstitutional. A Continental writer says that R. Day has done remarkably well since he went to Gradltz. Out of a lot of flve-and-forty % a . t L" en X.°" t 31 who have touched down, and the £2.1,417 standing to the credit of he? wHI P cl mlt of something aud fl3 ’°oo being handed ’ tbe T,,lion < bib for redistribution among owners, winners of the Gradltz pidzes ’ “ s the races are called, which nl.clS V'e ‘billed money from the funds p , a ‘ th ? dis ? osal of the Union Club as fh? s et from the money earned by In? ? scal stable when proving the value of the horses bred nt Gradltz before sending recto? 0 . tbC StU T d ‘ Evel y penny piece Is d A UP -’ ‘l'" 1 lbc asse “t of the Minis obtlins. A e‘‘ CU * l,1 o and t’ l'moee has to be obtained for each sum disbursed, while ‘ b !L l?°. le F' 1 !’. 1 ' a, 'or deduction of bare ex P?? sas> laeludmg trainer and jockey. Is dis ti'outeti as an encouragement to divers pro vincial gatherings. An amusing instance of a well-laid scheme which went -..gley- j" Reported from a certain Lancashire town where the P ° 110 *‘ ale ve,y euergetle in their endeavours to suppiess betting. A certain tradesman ol '’'dug also a bookmaker, and the authorities plotted to trap him. j... . th ? tesarewiteh morning the said tradesman on going into his stable; heaid a noise m the loft. He went up, but apparently nobody was there. However, there were unusual movements among the straw, and he soon uncovered two men .in the garb of navvies, with tommy tins" and other impedimenta of tne trade Ihe •‘victim” accordingly called to bis wife to send for the police as there were two tramps in the stable. ' But the navvies ' suddenly remembered that they had a pressing engagement elsewhere, and. without waiting to offer a long explanation, they silently stole away back to the police station. But they had been recognised, and there were groat rejoicings in the camp of the enemy at the foiling of the plotters. Mr August Bel mon I arrived by the Lusi tania in New York from London recently, and announced his intention of sending practically all his yearlings to England, and withdrawing from competitions with smaller breeders and horseowners in the American market for racehorses. “I shall.“ he said, “continue to breed my thoroughbreds at my stud farm in Kentucky, as I can semi the yearlings bred there to Eng land when I wish, since all races in England are open for foreign thoroughbreds. In order to be able to race in France, however, I must breed horses there, so 1 am negotiating for a small farm near Dieppe, where I shall send fifteen or twenty mares with a stallion or two, probably Octagon and lEtholbert. Mr Whitney expects to send half a dozen mares to me if I carry out this plan. Mr John Watson will continue to train my horses in England.’' Mr Duryea has rented the stud farm of Le Gazon, and another American sportsman will also race in France next year. But there is no truth in the rumour that Mr Harry Rosenfeld will import a string of racers .from Chicago. At a meeting of the English Jockey Club held at Newmarket recently, some very important alterations in the rules wert* agreed to. Rule 137 now reads as follows: — “No horse shall go back except in the case of an accident or under the provisions of Rule 36 (il.). to which is now incorporated Rule 37, with the addition of * But in the event of any horse running the course from a false start or from a void start, the owner may, with the consent of the stewards, withdraw his horse from the race. The horse shall, nevertheless, be considered as having started.’ ” Rule 37 will now read:— “The starter has power to inflict a line not exceeding lOsovs on any jockey who misconducts himself at the post, and should a jockey be so fined the starter shall report the fact at once to the stewards. He shall also report to the stewards any jockey who refuses to obey his commands in any re’To Rule 38 was added — “The starter shall report to the stewards the time at which each race was started, ami by whom or by what cause any delay was occasioned. He shall also report to Ihe stewards fdr transmission to the registry office ait eases in which the starting gate is dispensed with, ami the reason thereof.” Thus the well known American writei “Exile" on racing In that country:—The one feature of the racing of 11HKS has been the terrible rough riding of the jockeys, and the way in which it has l»e<«n tacitly endorsed, and encouraged, by the various

acting steward*, who have utterly declined to notice it. hi aluiowt every race horses were taken right across competitors,, causing the horse crossed to throw up his head, and fall bark to last or thereabouts, this being done along the barlcstretch, on the turn, or even right under the stewards’ very noses. As I predicted, a smash-up occurred. Dugan, riding for ||. r. Whitney, went right across in a most flagrant manner, several went down, and one b»y Is expected to die. After being permitted and therefore encouraged—to rough all the t'eason, it. was rather hard on Dugan to find iii in self set down for the rest of the racing year. It should have been done last May. As Gilbert and Shilling did exactly the same thing under the stewards’ very noses, the former killing off a Whitney the latter a Belmont horse,, both losing their race, witliout the jockeys -being even •’whispe‘red to." both crossings being done since the Dugan race, it is not a wonder that we are gasping slightly, and wondering "where are we at?" We are acrmHomeil to that in American racing, however, so it doe.- not come too hard. Telling the tale. "How I Won the St. I.eger," Walter Griggs, the rider of Your Majesty, in trie great English classic race, says:—“When I was suspended," he said. "I made up my mind to go home and ride Your Majesty in his work. I was always thinking about the St. Leger. He is a nice horse to ride, lie is not excitable at home, but he is on a racecourse like most of the sons of Persimmon. I knew he was a stronger horse than when lie won the 'Eclipse Stakes, and 1 felt sure he would win. I went out on the course on .the morning of the rare to ride him a canter, but being so excitable it was deluded not to take him near the racecourse. A jockey is bound to be more or less excited when he is riding a favourite for a big rare. The horse was saddled outside the .paddock, but he came in about ten minutes before it. was time to get up. In the meantime I was talking to the owner and trainer. His trainer told me to lie within striking dis tance of the leaders and two furlongs from home to send him along. We left the paddock and paraded. Nothing happened then. He was excitable at the post, and broke out in a lather over his neck, but there was no idea of temper about it. It was only excitement. There is no vice about this fellow.' It was a good start. I let him go for the gate, and never rode him into his stride, but let him do it for himself. I lay about sixth till coming into the Straight, when I went up into fourth place. The four horses in front of me were Pom. Primer. Bembo, ard Ebor. When 1 was lying there I look- »> * for an opening, and I thought to myself. ‘I am not going to risk getting shut, in.’ so in time 1 gradually pulled round. I was then left, with Pom. Pom died away. I niggled my horse along, and thought T wag going to win easily till White Eagle came on the scene. Thai made me pick up my whip, and 1 hit my horse twice. He is a. game horse. I knew as soon as I picked up my whip he. would, answer. to it. This is what he did do. He is the gnlnest horse I even rode. He came back a afresh as paint. As f was passing the post "iny thought was. ‘I .have, got my i w-ish.’d” Walter . Griggs was.burn August 7. 188£. is one of the yonugesj jockeys who have ever won the St. Leger. • • > The death v-of -Mr. .> Willia.m Adams,* at the comparatively early, age of 59. which took place during the week, removes another of the old school of-Auckland sportsmen.-* The, deceased gentleman was born in Auckland, and commenced racing about 1880. his first purchase being Lara, which won .a' number of races in and around 'Auckland. Krupp. Foul Shot, and the crack sprinter Mitrailleuse were others owned by Mr. A’dams, the latter being taken across to contest the Newmarket Handicap,, for which she was Hacked to win £3o,(*>o by her connections. Bidden by J. Kean, she was beaten out of a place. Lochiel winning by a head from Abner. Mitrailleuse made some amends for her defeat by winning . the Rourke Handicap in a held of 28. Another faithful servant of Mr. Adams’ was.. Lorina, which won over all distances and under all sorts of weights. . For a great number of years Mr. Adams was connected with the working of the totalisator at Ellerslie. and all the suburban and •Auckland country courses, and was one of flip best known figures in local turf cir<‘les. Mr. Adams was also one of the originators of the Auckland Trotting Club, and at the time of his death was treasurer of the club ami also a vice-president. Of genial disposition, tin* deceased gentleman had a large circle of friends, by whom he will be great ly -missed. On the third day of the Queensland Cup meeting Satisfair ( Birkenhead—Content) and .Mischief (Birkenhead Miss Never) both won races. In summarising the meeting an Australian writer has the following to say: “The running of the two-year-olds at the. meeting left no room to doubt which is the best of this year’s collection of youngsters. 'lt was the universal opinion that W. J. Tucker’s Birkenhead colt Mischief was exceptionally unfortunate to be deprived the honour of winning the Hop* ful Stages, ami. this e<»n,<*lusi«»n was abundantly endorsed by <he convincing manner in which he..settled the opposing forces lit the Nprsery ami ’J'wo vear-djtl Handicaps. In the first, of these two races, die Hopeful winner. Mcllwraith. was handicapp'd at 9st 51b. to, give the Birkenhead colt 51b. amt w Mischief Qej|t him very easily, anil when the p«isiH«ms were reversed, ami Mis chief had gone up to 9st Silt, with the distance a furlong further, he simply disgraced -|he whole of the fourteen who were out to oppose him. Mischief is only a little fellow compared to sonic of the other t wo-.year o’ds. but. whai he lacks in quantity i> piade up for in quality, ami cis he stands .«pit'.:s a galloper so far ahead of everything, he should, being in careful hands, be able to hold Hie leading position throughout the season lID particular case very forcibly exemplifies .tip' luck of the game of ri.4ii|t !!•• . of. a batch of five yearling** imported from New Zealand br Mr. I*’. < . t’oi, am! «»f whom the pick of thrbe was <dfeisMt- on the Hamilton trainer. Jofiu. Ht<UM’ -- That trainer bad ro.xii for only two in his .stable, and pro baldy op the srswv of sixr Miscki««f was declined, to l»e subsequently levied by the Ueudra trained,' TuVCer?’ •

ThoFaihiiag Stakes comes up for decision on Monday next. The following horses still remain in the Feildiug Stakes:— Mr. W. K. Bid will’s b c Provocation, 2yrs, by Birkenhead—‘Mtepfeldt. Mr. W. E. Bid will's b g Expansion. 2yrs, by ' ‘Birkenhead—lmmersion. Sir George Clifford’s ch f FHtaway. 3yrs, by Claurnnald —Elusive. Sir George Clifford’s b e Broadsword, 2yrs, by Clanranald—Safeguard. •Mr. G. D. Greenwood's b f Armlet. 3yrs. by Mensehikoft* Arniilla.. * Mr. G. F. Moore’s blk c Guiding Step, 3yrs, by Stepniak—Guiding Star. Mr. J. it. McDonald's ch <• Gold Crest. 4yrs, by Gold Reef—Nymph. Mr. F. Preston’s ch f Ambrosian. 2 yrs, by St. Ambrose—Neva. Mr. T. 11. Lowry's blk g BobrikoH*. 4yrs. by Finland— Gossip. Mr. W. F. Mcßeath’s 1» f Crucinella. 3yrs, by San Francisco Cha rente. Mr. G. Clarebut’s b f Lady Menschikoff. 3yrs, by Menschikoff —Sister Frances. TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. ( 11 It IST( •I H Ttcll, Tuesday. '!• ■* tracks at Kiccartoii have been very hard since the C.J.C. meeting, and they need a thorough soaking to put them right again. Those trainers with horses engaged at the Tiiiniru, Feildiug, and Hororata meetings have been keeping their charges up to the collar but outside these little fast work has been got through. Several changes of ownership; have taken place during the last few days. Before returning home F. Tilley purchased Debonnaire from Mr. W. Stead, and the son of Daunt was shipped north with the rest of Tilley’s team. Sir Geo. Clifford disposed of Inchbonny to Mr. N. Bertram, and the filly will in future be trained by R. Langley. VV. J. Taggart repurchased Leeside from Mr. Mackell, and intends giving the Euroclydon gelding a much-needed spell. Gold Beater is making a good recovery from the accident that befell him at the Wellington meeting, but it will be some time before he can be got ready to gallop again. Taggart, has taken Hesperus in hand again, and the colt has tilled out nicely after his cessation from hard work. The injuries sustained by Cronstadt on the eve of the C.J.C. meeting have healed up nicely, but it will be some weeks yet before the brother to Munjeet is likely to make his appearance on the tracks. Hilarity, which was mated with Terrapin a few days ago. is- in work again, and will be given a run at the Hororata meeting next week. ... - •- -♦ • Paragon changed hands last week, his new owner being Mr. R. J. Taylor. The son of Pilgrim’s Progress, which was always troublesome at the barrier, is to be added to the list. * I>aplaud, which has* been running very much below form this season, is to be given a /?hanCQ »to ,earn distinction over hurdles, -lie liasjieMi giv£n several schools* ovej th< sndill sticks, .but’ so far has shown up especial aptitilde for the business. “■/ ‘ ’V. "T . ’ K. Cults. leaves on Wednesday for Feilding with Broadsword, Flitaway, and Husbandman. Onfilie conclusion of that, fixture the trio will go on. k to. Auckland. The first-named , has . been hurried in his preparation to be seen at his best.’ and Husbandman looked to be going oft’ after winning the C.J.C. Derby. Sunglow will not’ be taken to the Feilding meeting, her owner being dissatisfied with the weight awarded her. Armlet is to make the (rip. and she will tfike part in the Fielding Stakes, in which she is sure to'give a c good account of herself. While schooling Coronoform at the barrier, Walls, who was riding the <*»»lt, got a nasty spill, which is likely to keep him out of the saddle for a few days. Count Witte, which was very* sore after racing at the C.J.C. meeting* is having an easy time of it. During the progress of the Marlborough Raring Club's .meeting the racehorses Sweet Hill, Jolly Roger,/and Glontui were sold for £l9, £2l and £29 respectively. After The Dane had won the Second Hurdles at the. Marlborough meeting, his ow ner (Mr. .Malley» .called .before the stewards to explain his action in interfering with some of the obstacles. it appears that Mr. Malley loosened the hurdles and canted them to a much greater angle than that to which they were originally set. The only explanation tendered was* that the jumps were too straight. After hearing evidence. lh<> stewards decided to disqualify Mr. Malley ami The Dane for six months. Owing* to- unsuitable ■ dales, the Marlborough R.C. made a. heavy Joss ov/w. their recent meeting, and it is quite likely that in future a change-in dates will - .have-to”b> made to suit the convenience of Wellington owners. With characteristic . generosity, several trotting enthusiasts went round with subscription lists on behalf of the widow' of the late M. E. Albaugh, and were successful in raising a substantial sum. This will, be utilised Io send Mrs. Albaugh back •to Australia, where her relatives’ reside. o.Y.M. and liereward, which were trained by the late M. E. Albaugh, have gone into - T G. Foss’ stable, and that young mentor has taken out a professional trainer's license. On his return from the C.J.C. meeting 'Frisco . was sore, and it Is quite probable that he may be indulged in a sf»ell. Instead fulfilling his A.R.C. engagements. The nominal ions revolved for tin* Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting an* highly satisfactory, -and leave little doubt as Co the ultimate Mtiecess of that fixture. Canterbury owners are particularly well represented. and amoiigal their contributions to the. leading events are Pifububh*. ..Grund Slam, (e»ldoti d’airn. Field Gun, All. Guns, Rose Noble, Dabebick, and > Hra King. It is probable that the Porirua • stable* will ‘Hot >bo represented at the Fidldhig meeting, but it is more than likely • that : a team from there will cirploit (be Auckland meeting. Both I4rmm»r«: and fvuku are training mi natiHractorlly, but Pawn'ld Mill on the invalid Uat.

Playmate was sore on returning to Porirua after his exertions at Riccartou, and will be given a short spell. CHRISTCIIVRCH. Friday. R. J. Mason left for Feildiug on Wednesday with Armlet, which claims an engagement in the Feildiug Stakes, despite her 51bs penalty. The speedy daughter of Mehschikotf is bound to run well in that event. Alexis is suffering from a burst hoof, and it will be a long time before lie again sports silk. . Vespex Bell, which was purchased by Mr. Teschemaker at the Stead dispersal sale, has gone amiss, and is to be treated to a lengthy spe'L 4 Two Australian-bred two-year-old fillies, Margaret and Aisy. made their racing debuts at the South Canterbury meeting* Neither was anything like wound up. and their displays were far from reassuring. Bonny Glen was decidedly lame after his exertions at the C.J.C. Meeting, and. though his owner intends giving him a lengthy spell, I am afraid the son of Stepniak can be put down as a back number. Croirstadt, White Cockade, Gold Beater, and Sea King are all amiss, and’ will not be taken in hand again till after the New Year. The recent meeting of the South Canterbury J.C. was highly successful, both from a racing and financial standpoint. On both days the attendance was decidedly above the average, while the totalisator receipts topped last year’s figures by, over £2<MX>. The only incident of any moment occurred in the President’s Welter Handicap on the opening day. Just when the field was turning into the straight Zioness, which was running just behind the leader. Golden Cairn got on to his heels, and came down. Oiyoi’ and Thunderer, which were only ft length away, fell over Zioness, and the mishap ended Thunderer’s career, the son of Hotchkiss and Tuidy Augusta being killed outright. F. Douglas, who had the mount on Zioness, was unlucky enough to sustain a broken collarbone, but neither Hagerty nor Lindsay was much the worse. , .. Outlander, on his excellent form in the Fendalton Handicap at the C.J.C. meeting, was made favourite for the Timaru Handicap, but, though he ran a good race Harvest had his measure in the last few strides. AIL Guns showed staying ability of V™**' pected order by struggling on into tiilrtl place, but Probable, which has gone right off since his effort in the New Zealand Cup, never threatened danger. In the Jockey Club Handicap on the second day the task of carrying Mr Griggs’ colours was deputed to Field Gun, instead of Outlander, and right well did the Hotchkiss gelding fulfil his mission. Holding a handy position throughout, Field Gun ran through his field a furlong from, the post, and scored by half a length from Czar KolohoL with Rose Noble in third place. A rise of thirteen pounds in weight stopped Harvest, while Probable again ran a wretched race. Neither of the two-year r rold ..events attracted much.-, attention from-.owners,. only a quartet of moderates going .out, to ...do battle ym the second day. Caspian (a well grown* son of -Stepniak and Gitanella) fjnd Cymbiform (by Multiform, from Sauceri fought out a great finish in thex Sapling Stakes, victory resting with the- foripe.r by -half a head, thanks mainly to L. *,G. King’s vigorous horsemanship. Both colts stuck to their task under most resolutely, as did Boutade, which finished right on their quarters. In the Hopeful Stakes Boutade was evidently better suited by the shorter journey, for she jumped out in front at the start, and stayed there to the finish, beating Cymbifortn comfortably by a length and a-half. Though never likely to develop into anything more, than a sprinter, the daughter of Formosan amt Escapade will always be hard lo beat over short courses. - Silkwefr showed a return to his best form by accounting for the Shorts Handicap and Members’ Handicap, for both of which events Volodia was served a staunch favourite. Lupulite was in great demand for the Flying Handicap, which attracted ten capable sprinters. Getting to work in his accustomed style.- Lupulite was out by-him-self till within a furlong of the post, where San Severo, the greatest outsider of the field, had the favourite’s measure, and beat him home by h length. One. of the best performances over registered on .Washdyke course was.that put up by Petrovna in. the concluding event of the meeting, the Farewell. Handicap. Though giving away up to three stone to her half dozen opponents the Stepniak mare had them all in trouble after going half a mile, and wound up the journey in 1.14 2-5.. The progeny of Stepniak. were, in great form at the Timaru meeting, no less rtian six races falling to their lot through the agency of Cute, Caspian, Vologda. rovna. Linda, and Czar'KolohoL • T.J.C. SPRING MEETING. The opening day's .rnyiiig in .connection with the Takapuna Jo<*key Club's spring meeting took place on .Saturday fast at the North Shore. The weather.-was fine, and, notwithstanding the strong lamiUer-attrac tioD of the Agricultural Show, there was a goud attendance. Mr. VV. J. Ralph officiated as judge, and Mr. ('. O’Connor ns starter, the latter gentleman being in gjood form. The racing throughout w:us intervsUng (although in one race the stewards u>i*we<l a good opportunity), and the handi<*apper (Mr. Morse) wa s're wa r<Ted’ viFlth *1» ‘ deaii hea t i n the principal race of the day, the Si. Andrew’s Handicap. As Is usual, the <’ond.uct.of the afternoon’*, sport by tile various officials, under the secretary (Mr. R. Wynyard) left , nothing to be (h’slred, everything passing off without a hitch. ... » THE TOTALISATOR^ 1 n ‘ With a good at tendance, it wd.-Z only to he expected that sporulation would ’be brisk, and during the. nfuaruoon .Lhe under Messra. W. Blom Held and Co.,

handled the sum of £7727 10/, which 1b an increase of £ll 10/ on last year, io addition to which 24 petfcttlers were licensed at a fee of £l2 10/ each, so that it will be seen the financial result is entirely satisfactory. TRIAD HANDICAP of SOsovs. Distance, , one mile. iW. Howard’s b h Escamillo, 4yrs/ by Explosion —Carmen. 0.0 (Buchanan)... 1 R. Hannon’s vb g Master Crispin, syr», B’</ (Brady)' . 2 J. NMsbn’s br in Silent, aged, 8.4 (•Bf,cMillan) .., ...... s . 3 Also started: Pukenui 8.10, Explosive 8.5, f?t. C-yren 8.4, Okaihau 8.0. Pukenui Jost several lengths when the barrier lifted, Escamillo being quickest to commence, but when the stand was reached, Master Crispin was in the lead, the others being almost in line. Master Crispin still had charge as they went along the back, where Silent ran into second position, with Escamillo at the head of the others. Master Crispin was first to turn for home, but when fairly .in a . line for the post, Escamillo put in his claim, and quickly settling the leader, won comfortably by a' neck. Silent was six lengths away, third, just in front of Explosive. Time, 1.47. Escamillo was favourite. CAMBRIA HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Dis tance, four .furlongs. r Smith’s b c Snowfoot, by Soult— Helen McGregor, 2yrs.. 7.5 (Deeley) 1 J. J. Craig's b f Sea Elf, 2yrs„ 8.6 (Buehanan) I; 2 E. W. Arnold’s br f Etna, 2 yrs., 7.10 (Ryan) 3 Alsq started: Exeaiibur 7.13, Effulgence 7.5, Elegance 7.5; La Reine 7.5. Effulgence gave a lot of trouble at the post, but when the barrier lifted, she shot to the front, followed by La Reine and Sea Elf, with Etna most prominent of the others. .There was no change in the positions till the home turn was reached, where the leaders swung out wide, and, Snowfoot getting through near the. rails, got in front at Hie distance, and eventually won by two lengths from Sea Elf, which beat Etna by a length for second honours. Time, 51'4-ss. Sea Elf whs favourite. The results of the later races are as follows: — ST. ANDREW S HANDICAP of 200SOVS. 1 tistanee. 11 mile. Mr J C. Colbeek’s b h Advocate, 4yrs, by Hot< hkiss-Nellie, 7.3 (Deeley). .... D. MeLeodls blk h .Pohutu, 4yrs._ by Explosibn--Mfes Rose, 7.1 (8r0wn).... Trustees A. M. (’combes’ b g First Gun, 4yrs, 0.10 (<’. Brownr ° , ♦Dead heat. Also started: TuLCakobau 7.4, Millie 7.2, Star Rose 7.2, Landlock 6.10, and Rimlock 6.10, ' ' When the barrier lifted, Millie hung and lost a few lengths’. Landlock, h irst Gun, and Till Cakobau being quickest on then feet. The first pair-set out to make the running, with Rimlock. ; an< I’ohutu following In that order. Millie bad run iutS the lead when f»ur furlongs were covered; at which' sibi 'iad gn advah-. tage’of a length from. Landlock, hirst Gun, whi<h »«e in cJOse? company; aftd then came Tui Cgkobau and, Pohutu, thw.last, pair being‘ Airvoeate-and Star Rdse. Going nloiig the .back, Advocate, moved up to. the leaders, arid as they crossed t)ie top streten bad a slight advantage of joF with Millie next, and then followed. Pohutu. At the distance Advocate was still the leader, but a little further, on Pohutu dashed up on the outside, and catching Advocate a short distance from the post, the pair flashed past locked together, tn judge . declaring a dead heat. Flrat Gun was a length and a-ha If a way, third, wit-i Tui Cakobau fourth. Time, 2.12 l-ss. Advo cate was favourite. MAIDEN HURDLES HANDICAP, of SOsovs., 1) miles. J G. Sutherland’s br g Luscouibe. 6 yrs, by Linstock —Little Nell, l».l. Cowen •; • • J. B. Williamson’s b g Carlyle, syrs, 9.u, M*'Kinuoii • • • • J. MeNieols ch g Mark Time, byrs, li.b, Julian Also started: Waihekau 9.10, Haste 9.10, San Paulo 9.8, Mozart J. 3, Dardauus 9.0, Kotiti 9.0. When they settled to their work Mark Time was acting as followed by Luscombe, Sim’ Paulo, and Kotiti. At the first fence Luscombe outjumped Mark. Time and took the lead, the order of the others being >Mark • Time, • Kotiti and San Paulo, with Mozart and Carlyle most prominent of the fest. Passing the stand Luscombe was st ilk the leader, but at the fem e at the half-mile post Mark Time was on terms, with Carlyle, Waihekau and Mozart following in that order. Luscombe again outjumped Mark Time at the fence, ami was not afterwards headed, winning by a length from Carlyle, who finished fast aud beat Mark Time by- two lengths for second honrriirs. - Waihekau was fourth, and Kotiti test, i Time, 3.1 1-5. Luscombe was favvuritef* . - . : ■■ CHELTENHAM HANDICAP.' of I<H» SOVS. Distance 5 furlongs and a-half. J. g Walhuku, San Fra .fiUa, 5 yrs. 6.l3,•X|tj>lillan 1 K. Heatori’s b m Lady Frances, s'jw, 6.10, <;reeirwood. A;• 2 M’. ('. Riag's e h Wuuehopc. 4 yrs, 7.12 Feeney . . <.‘ r .‘. 3 Also started: Miss Winnie 8.11, Devonport 8.2. Torino 7.2, Rarata 7.1, and Lady Dot e.io. The harrier lifted to an even start, from which the colours :Of WalUuku were first, prominent, ri'ith.-'Daffy Frances next ami Miss Winnie and ' Waucliope at the head of the others. Frostilng the top stretch. Wauehopp moved up third, and Tartna and Devonport also improved their positions. Wnlhukii still held his advantage ns they turned for home, and easily holding bls own In the fail to the post finished up a winner by four lengths from lardy Frances, Whh'b was half a length lit front of Wauctmpe. with Tarlua and Devonport within head* of. the latter. Tima, LU 2-5. DevonE«U , was favourite.

MBL ROSE HANDICAP, uf 75 sovs. Distance, five furlongs and a half. W. Howards's b h Eacamlllo. Explosion —Carmen, 4 yrs, 9.0, Buchanan .... 1 R. Hannon's ch g Master Crispin, 5 yrs, 8.4. P. Brady 2 J. Calloway's b ui Biddy Curran, 5 yrs, 8.4, J* Brady 2 Also started: Lord Crispin 8.10. Mentira 8.4, Watershed 8.6, Fideles 8.4. Ngatiriuga 8.4, Analogy 8.4, and Crown Rose 8.4. Mentira was quickest on her feet, but when they had gone half a furlong Biddy Curran was in charge, with Mentira and Master Crispin. as her nearest attendants, and Escamillo at the head of the others. Crossing the top stretch, Master Crispin took charge, and was first to turn for home. At the dis tance, Escamillo challenged, and gradually wearing down lhe leader won a good race by half a length. Biddy Curran was four lengths away third, just in front of Mentira. 'rime, 1.11. Escamillo wiis favourite. TIKI HANDICAP HURDLES, of 100 sovs.. miles. J. G. Sutherland s br g Luscombe. 6yrs. by Linstock—Little Nell, 10.3, including 51b penalty, Cowen 1 J. B. Williamson's ch g Okaihau, 4 yrs, 9.0, McKinnon 2 R. Hannon's b g Hautapu, 12.7, Julian.. 3 Also started: Creusot 9.6. Hautapu was first to move, but when the second fence was reached Okaihau was in front, with Hautapu, Luscombe and Creusot following in that order. . Okaihau made a faulty jump at the back (McKinnon inak--ing a wonderful recovery), but he maintained his position till the stand was reached a second time. From that out Luswmibe had matters all his own way, and notwithstanding a couple of faulty jumps won easing up by a length and a half from Okaihau. with Hautapu. 20 lengths away, ehird just in front of Cruesot. Time, 3.22 1.5. Hautapu was favourite. FIRST PONY HANDICAP of 75s >vs. Distance, live and a half furlongs. 11. Barr’s hr in Glenora. by Soult — Nora, 6yrs, 7.12 (Whittaker) 1 A. Webber's br m Mahinga, syrs, 7.2 (Roach) - ,T. B. Williamson’s ch in Carmania, 4 yrs, 7.13 (McMillan) • ••• 3 Also started: Imprimus 9.8. Quadroon 7.13, Eleuore 7.2, and Leo Grand 7.0.. Mahinga was quickest to begin, ami showed the way along the back, with Eleno’.e, Glenora, and Carmania following, Hi that order. Mahinga still had charge when the distance was reached, where Glenora challenged and the latter getting the best of lhe final struggle., won by a neck, Carmania being a length away, third. Time 1.11 1-5. Carmania was favourite. SOUTH CANTERBURY J.C. SPRING MEETING. TIMARU, Wednesday. The South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting 'was opbbed to-day, the weather being line and the attendance large. The following are the results of-the racing:— Summer-Handicap Linda, 8.4. 1: Stanley, 7.5, 2:- Stepiink, 7.0, 3. AH started. Limbi woii ’Vasily; Shorts Handicap.—Silkweb. 8.6, 1: Cute, 7.7* 2; Cerise and Blue, 8.5, 3. All started. Silkweb won by three lengths. Timaru Handicap.—Harvest, 7.11. 1; Outlander, 8.0, 2; All Guns, 8.6. 3. All started. Harvest won by a bare half-length. Hopeful Stakes (for two-year olds). — Boutade,' 8.5, 1; Cymbiform, 8.5, 2: Aisy, 8.0, 3. Scratched: Caspian. Boutade won all the way. President’s Welter Handicap.—Czar Kolohol, 9.4, 1; Contender. 9.2, 2; Tikitere. 8.2, 3. Scratched: Sam Weller. Czar Kolohol won easily. Washdyke Trot. —Silver Ribbon. 17s. 1; Miss Hay, 30s, 2; Count, 20s. 3. Scratched: Area ids and Red Maid. Silver Ribbon won easily. Hack Race.—Love Wisely, 1: Vologda. 2; Bruce, 3. Love Wisely won by a length. Flying Handicap.—San Severo, 6.7, 1; I.upulite, 9.13. 2; Kilts, 7.2. 3. Scratched: Vo'odia and Lioness. San Severo won by a length. TIMARU, Thursday. The South Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring meeting was concluded to-day, the weather being again fine, and the attendance large. The following are the results of the racing:— November Handicap. Cute. 8.5, 1; Linda, 9.4, 2: Vagrance, 7.2, 3. All started. Cute won easily. Members’ Handicap.—Silkweb, 9.1, 1; Volddia, 9.0. 2; Cerise and Blue, 5.5, 3. All started. Silkweb won easily. Jockey Club Handicap. Field Gun. 8.2, 1; Czar Kolohol. 8.11, 2: Rose Noble. 8.11, 3. All started. Field Gun won by a head. Sapling Stakes. Caspian. 8.12, 1; Cymbiform, 8.6. 2; Boutade, 9.5. 3. Also started: Aisy. Caspian won easily. Stewards' Welter Handicap. Tikitere, 8.3, 1; Ard Reigh. 9.5. 2; Golden Cairn. 9.0. 3. Scratched: Outlander. Tikitere won comfortably. Seadown' Trot. —Merry Prince. 255. 1; Aroida. 20s, 2; Nellie IL. lite, 3. All started. Hack Handicap.—Vologda. 8.12. 1. British Peer. 7.10. 2; Fanny Free, 8.7, 3. Scratched: Love Wisely. Farewell- Handicap.— Petrovna. 9.7. . I*, Lady Orizin. 7.13, 2: Master Alix, 8.9, 3. Scratched: My lawyer. Petrovna won by two lengths.