TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 6, 10 February 1909, Page 11

TURF NOTES.

The Explosion horse Pohutu is said to be Suffering from muscular rheumatism. Ths Eton gelding Rarata has Wen purchased by Mr Geo. Mills, ami has gone into S. Hodge’s charge. The St. Paul gelding San Paulo is displaying symptoms of soreness, and is to bo given a spell for a few months. The turf in America is in a very bad way, and there doos not seem much hope, for improvement. Horses are still being sold at “panic prices.'* W Townsend has given up training, and the Explosion lilly Zinnia, which has been under his charge at Ellerslie, has been transferred to T. O’Connor’s stable. The Soult colt Snowfoot, was shipped to Sydney by the s.e. Victoria on Mondayi Mr. JI. Marsden, whopurchased the colt, returned by the same steamer. Mr E. 11. Hanken has been appointed starter for the Waihi Jockey Club's annual meeting. The Pilgrim’s Progress mare Goldwin changed hands recently, being purchased by Mrs Lindsay, of Coromandel. The three brood mares purchased by Me J. Burton during his recent visit to Auckland are all to be mated with Warroo. According to a private cable received in Wellington, the Hobart Cup was won by Jack Smith, with Flavel and Golden Gate in the places. ' Mr. A. Barclay, owner of Penates, has received a cable advising him that h.’s horse has .been awarded 9.8 in the Newmarket Haiidicap. Bribery, - Ataahua, Mam, Sal tare, Marsovia, and Idealist, which have been enjoying a spell, have been placed in work again at Mordialloc by D. J. Price. Elegance’s win in the Hobson Handicap last Saturday was doubly pleasing to her owner, Mr E. W. Alison, in the fact that the filly is one of his own breeding. The total Isa tor permit available through the Masterton Trotting Club disbanding has been granted by the Trotting Association to the Wanganui Trotting Club. The two-year-old Sunetou, by EtonSunshine, was disposed of by auction last Friday by the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Co. for 27gs, Mr Barron being the purchaser.’ It is intended to try Gay Paris at the illegitimate game, and the son of Soult was tried over the small hurdles at Elleislie on Tuesday morning, shaping satisfactorily for a beginner. Mr. O’Connor left for Hawora on Monday last to fulfil the starting duties t»t the Egmont Racing Chib's meeting, which takes place to-day <Wednesday) ami Thursday. The racehorses Noteorlnl and Talepitcher were offered for sale by auction at Messrs A. Buckland and Sons’ yards on Friday, but failed to reach the reserves placed on them, and were passed in. Rowe, Mr. Keene's American trainer, has wagered a now hat that Wamba. who is now in England, finishes in front of the other much-talked-of American colt, Sit .Martin, in this year’s Derby. The Soult mare Mentha was badly knocked about when she fell while contesting the Ponui Handicap, on the concluding day of the Takapuna meeting, ami will probably be off the scene for some little time. Says a London exchange: “If the past season’s form is any criterion the table of winning jockeys next year should easily be headed by young Wootton. He has such .1 big pull over Maher and Higgs in the matter of weight.’* The Leolantis gelding. Hard Rock has been sent home to his owner by p. Conway. The same tiainer has hail a couple of additions to his team, in a four-year-old gelding by Sylvia Park — Empress, and The Heathen, the last of which is to be tried at the illegitimate game. The Ohinemnri Jockey Club notify owners that nominations for all events at their annual meeting on Mandi 17th and 18th close with the secretary, Mr H. Poland

il’aeroa) on Salurday, February 20th, at 1» p ni. Nominations will also be taken by Mr H. B. Massey, Auckland. It is said that there is a probability of an owner who pnbliely stated lie was dissatisfied with the manner bls horse was ridden at tlie recent Takapnna Meeting, being asked to substantiate his statement before the eomniittee. In the interests of those concerned, it is to be hoped the matter will be thoroughly ventilated. Ever since the new mile post lias been in use nt Ellerslie it has been impossible to see the horses from tile stand until they were well on their journey. In order to remedy this the caretaker (Mr. C. Hill) and liis staff have been busily engaged in removing some of the trees and cutting away the brow of the hill. When the new stand is finished it. should he possible to see the start plainly.. In an interview with a pressman tn Melbourne, the Victoria trainer, R. IL Frew, who lias just returned from a trip to New Zealand, stated that he considered All Red quite up to the best w.f.a. form in Australia. It is understood that the Metropolitan committee have seat back the question of tlie disqualification of the horse Liieio, and the connection of the.owner with the ease, to the Avondale Jockey Club for further consideration. Dr. O’Brien, who filled tlie judge's box at 1* oxton, considers the innovation of carrying numbers on tlie bridles, instead of on tlie saddlecloths, a decided improvement, and very helpful to the man who has to send tlie numbers up. The victory of Advocate in tlie Takapuua Jockey Club Handicap last Saturday was some recompense for h’s defeat in the Cup the previous day. Advocate is another example of the horses for courses theory, and seems to run ids best races at Takitpuna. The Ben Godfrey gelding Ben Jonson signalled his reappearance on the track after .1 lengthy absence by accounting for the Waiwera Hurdles on the concluding day of the Takapnna meeting. Tlie victory of Mr. <’. Dawson’s colours was well received, as it Is generally recognised that the gentleman named has had anything but the best of hick so far in his racing ventures. The Glenora I’ark sire Sonlt easily heads the ’let of winning sires at the recent Takapuna t meeting, his descendants accounting for seveii races. St. Clemente’ gets accounted for two, as did Menschikotf. while Freedom, Cuirassier, Saivadan, Explosion, Leolantls, Hotchkiss, Seaton Delaval, Fable Stepniak, Ben Godfrey, San Francisco, Eton, and Brookby had one each. A competitor at tlie International Horse Show at Buenos Ayres jumped 27 feet 11 inches, and tilts has been described ns a world's record for a horse. Snell is far from being tlie ease, for two famous jumpers in Lottery and Emblem have covered more ground in a “st ride' : but all such jumps are capped by that of Chandler at Warwick (England), on Marell 22, 1847. Tins horse jumped 37 feel, which still remains the “world's record." When Mahutonga returned tp F. McGrath’s stables after a spell, it was considered almost certain that lie would stand another preparation, but as the chestnut’s lameness reappeared almost immediately on his being started upon useful work, lie has angin been thrown out. No further attempt, will be made to train him, and lie wilt probably be returned to ills owner in New Zealand. Tlie ex-Amkland horse English won the hurdle race on tlie opening day of tho A.J.C. Anniversary Meeting, witii 9.0 in tlio saddle. English started second favourite and won easily, in the good time of 3.48 J. On die second day. a stable companion of English's, in I’relty Maid (another New Zealander), won tlie Hurdle llaee, hut had only a solitary opponent in Mainspring (which fell) to beat. Al Epsom on January 20 the Xow Zealander Moton was given his first outing in Melbourne. Willi top-weight on bis back and at any price in the market, lie finished fourth. As usual, lie was very slow to leave the mark, and Australian writers arc counting him mil of the Newmarket, owing Io this failing. He also ran In bandages, and it is feared that his front Joints are none 100 sound. So inueh Ims been written about the unfairness to other owners in keeping Hieir horses standing waiting for unruly elmrae tors to face tho barrier, dial it was quite refreshing to see Mr O'Connor lake the stand lie did with Norma in Hie Pony Race at Takapnna. Tlie daughter of Musketry persistently refused to face tho barrier, till at last even Hie patience of tho hitherto imperturbable Charles was exhausted, and tlie field was despatched without her.

It would be intoreiSy. to xuow the • mount of money Tui Calobau has cost punters in his efforts at Takapuna. In practically every event in which he has competed at the Shore he baa been solidly supported. but so far he has not yet succeeded jn winning an event there. Considering the son of (ulrassicr is trained on the Kl'akapuna track, it would be thought he would run Iris best races there, but the tdherwiso is the case, and the big horse has yet to win a race on bis native heath. The Tnhumi Park Trotting Club mi Saturday completed the purchase of 30 acres (»f Forbury Park for £6230. The area purchased includes the stand and other buildings. The new trotting track will probably take in part of the old course. I>. Bannatyne was the most successful trainer nt the Takapuna meeting, turning

out three wintiers. .1. B. Williamson, A. Itlacbford, nnd P. M<l*uighlin were responsible for two each, and 8. Hodge, Cook, J Twohlll, 11. Barr, R. McMiken, F. MacJManeinin, A. Robertson. A. Webber, T. JMimvis. R. Barlow, C. Coleman. H. French, J. George, F. Hill, and J. Winder one each. J. Buchanan and B. Deeley divided the tiding honours, each steering five winners; Brown rode three, A. Oliver and KiFlick .two each, and J. Btady, It. E. Brown, iMrKintion, Deerey. A. McMillan, P. Brady, bud Percival one each Woman's sphere is extending, judging by ilie fact that at the Hereford assizes on the 18th of November, Emma Sandford .was found guilty of conspiracy and forgery in connection with back-coding betling telegrams addressed to Messrs Topping and Spindler and James Webster, and Rittempling to obtain from them sums of money amounting (o £144. Henry Sandford. her husband, ons found not guilty. Emma was recommended to mercy by tne jury, and wax bound over for twelve months ,to come up for judgment if called upon. One would •think in face of all the defections from America—horses, jockeys, it miners. and breeding establishments eu Bdoc—4hat no material at all will shortly be Soft In the istatps for racing. Under the riricuaistances there is little need for wonder Chat the cra<*k jockeys are more wnlilng ftlian usual to transfer -their services to ll.iiglixh and Continental owners, and the iw*allhy brothers Weinberg—have now secured the <h:impjon of the States in the lp'*rson of J. Natter to ride for •them in G er many. Mr. Fred. Wells, who has acted as clerk of the course at Tukapuna for the past ■twenty-one years, has decided to resign the posiluuL. and acted in that capacity for the last time on Wednesday. Mr Wells wax for a number of years a steward of the Takapuna Jovkey Club, hud has been connected with that body practically since its inception. During his long career as clerk of the course, Mr Wells has earned the esteem ami respect of all whom he came in contact, and not once during his period of service has he ever had an accident or dispute. Mr. Wells* retirement will be a distinct Joss to the club. In these days of -up-to-date appointments on racecourse, it seems strange to see a rltfb of the standing of the Takapuna Jockey Club falling behind in this respect. ISurh, however, is the case in one matter, it hat of a number board. At present the flittie antiquated frame stuck in the corner of the enclosure serves to stick the numbers on., while the jockeys* names are written in chalk on a narrow blackboard in such small -lettering that ’they are not di.seer-ail de ten yards away. The powers that be should remedy the existing state of affairs, which is altogether out of keeping with the rest of the course, and which would hardly be tolerated on a little backblocks 'track. In England. at the end of the season just closed, the Australian and New Zealand bred stallions figuring in the winning list were as under: Carbine. 13 winners, 23 races, £8375; Abercom (dead), 2 'winners, 2 races, £180; Aurum, 1 winner. 2 races, £637; Derringer, 1 winner, 1 race, £2O 10/, Patron. I winner, 1 race. £46; Merman, :» winners, 5 races, £585; Multiform, 1 winner, 1 race, £100; Trenton (dead), 2 winners, 2 ra<-e s , £1042; The Victory’ 2 winners, 4 races, £1::78. American bred mares are not in particular demand either in England or Russia. Of the 26 mares sent by Mt. Hnggtn from America to the Newmarket sales in England <axH month, -onl.y four went as high* as three figures. ind the best price realised was Ilogs. In mentioning That he had a commission to buy three mares for Russia at his own discretion, the “Special < <mnnissdoner“ says that the only stipulation was that they should have no American blood. Shortly : fter Hie bookmakers were banished from Ellerslie -and other courses in the 'Auckland district, NX. Tnttersall’s Club, which was then a power in local racing circles, was disbanded. Now that the pear Hem are re instated an effort is being made to re form Tatterxall’x (nub, nnd to that cud a meeting was hold last week in the Federal Hall, nt which there was a binge attendance After discussing the matter at length., n subcommittee was formed to arrange details. Mid it should now be only a very abort space of time before the club js in full swing. -Carried out on proper lines, the club should do a lot <rf good, and will certainly tend to prevent n lot of welshlivg that 4s at present being carried on with rrupnnlty. Mr J. Madden, the American breeder, has announced his intention to bre?d thoroiigbhred# hi France. Mr Madden has made selection Of tiVeuty-five of the choicest of the mates at Lexington, and they wifi he shipped fur Havre. Mr Madden has Re* looted Ogden an the stallion to heufl his French establishment. IL* will not go with the mares, however, but will follow on the next boat, when Sir Martin nnd Fayette nre Mated for -shipment. Mr Madden will go to Franee and England during the winter. bnt lust when Las not been decided. He says that he is not sending those inures abroad with the Plea of celling Miif of thMn. Ho intends to race their produce in France ami England. * The English writer. ‘•Rapier,- says that Cdckauro 11. would have been well' harked fur (ho Cainbrtdgoxtaire If it had been | <»s •Ude tn him, and It may be that the

feeble apology fur a ring which replaces the men who used to bet and make fortunes at the came would have lust their money cn Ibis particular race if they had offered a price which a reasonable man could have taken; for they have dried up the flood of speculation. “Lost money” is not (be phrase. “Invested” is nearer the mark; for when backers win they bet. aud when they bet, if they do so long enough, they luxe. No more fortunes will be made by Lookmakers, as iu the old days, when bookmakers had pluck. ITiere are n few exceptions, but very few'. At different times the writer has heard various prices at which Goldspur, one o. f the best sprinters New Zealand has known, was sold at under the hammer before he developed form (says “Sentinel” of the “Otago Witness”), ('hatting at Gore with Mr. George Stephenson, the most versatile knight of the rostrum we have, the writer was informed that Goldspur came under Mr. Stephenson in the Dunedin saleyards, and failed to find a buyer with a £lO reserve

upon him. Subsequently the gelding was sold at £l4 10/. and narrowly missed becoming one of the horse-power units in the tram service. Those who know the Rubezhal gelding best would not oppose the idea that a V.R.C. Newmarket Handicap, or an Epsom or Doncaster, was beyond his prowess. Still, there he was begging at a price worse 'than what is paid for an indifferent hack. There was, by the way, a rumour current that Goldspur was not got by Rubezhal, but wax really a Vanguard, and the slightly Ilomanixh nose and general conformation of tlie crack sprinter add colour to that opinion. The sub committee appointed by the N.Z. Racing Conference to go into the matter of colours have presented their report, and from what can be gathered the report, if adopted, will have the effect of considerably a’ter-iug the present system of colours. It is understood one clause provides for compulsory registration. Sensational prices are never realised at the Newmarket December sales, but, on the whole, a sum of 123,899 guineas changed bauds last month, which Is, roundly speaking, £130,000 (writes “Rapier” in the London “Sporting aud Dramatic News”). Well-bred horses, indeed, are things for which there is always a market at home and abroad, find it might even steady some of the less virulent enemies of racing to reflect on the value of the industry and the amount of employment it provides It is not quite satisfactory, however, to think of all the good horses, and perhaps especially the good mares, that have been bought of late years by foreign purchasers, for we all want England to remain the great centre of the world's bloodstock market. Mr. Buchanan is undefeated. He buys expensive horses, gets rid of them for a tithe of what lie gave, and buys others who. it is to be hoped, will do belter. Lantana, for whom he paid 1900 gs, certainly ought to win races next year if she retains her form, but that “if,” need It be said, implied a most natural doubt in the case of any two-year-old filly. To a correspondent of the New York “Morning Telegraph,*’ Mr. George Walker, an American, who is the trainer for the Weinberg stable, detailed -the transaction, and he gave some interesting particulars about the sport in Germany. “Yes, the contract with Notter has been signed,” said Mr. Walker. “It is for two years, and Notter is given a retainer of 15,000d0-l a year. Of course, he has his regular fees for winning and losing mounts outside of this. The contract with Notter provides that he shall ride at 50 kilos—about 7.10. This .is about the smallest riding weight in Germany, and the majority of the races are at much heavier weights. ‘•'l like Notter. and think that he will be a valuable *boy for us. He will go over Jn March, which is plenty earl.v enough for him to be there. I expect to be in this •country some time, and will msxe n visit to Tennessee, and also go to Ganada, returning to Germany in February.” Mr. Walker talked entertainingly of racing in Germany, where he has had five years of success. All this time he has trained for the one stable, and it has been one of the biggest winning stables In Germany. I wrote recently, by the way (says “Vigilant” in -the “Sportsman”!, how Maher adopted a long stirrup and an ordinary English seat for hurdle racing, but that Mr. Spencer (Lvllan told me both he and Hickey used to ride over fences in New Zealand with a forward seat and short stirrups, and only gave up that method when they came to this country because .they did net wish t<> appear .peculiar. I have received from Mr. Gollan an interesting letter on this i».»int, which runs as follows: — RE “MAUER OVER -STICKS.'* Dear Vigilant.—Your memory of our conversation anent the short stirrup and jumping is perfect; but 1 did not intend you to deduce that Hickey and I hud once been “perchors.” That which I intended to convey was that we used in New Zealand to employ a stirrup and hold of the reins that gave us a seat about half way between the American position and the old English “tongx-on-a-wall” seat. 'J’his method I still think gives a maximum of power combined with delicacy in controlling the stride and leap of a ’chaser. Would that I might still practise in ti humble way my preaching! Ivia oru. SPENCER GGLLAN. What Mr. Gollan write* above is in some sense a jmisphrase of the tnnrim, medio tutlsMlmua ibis (the middh* course is safest), and 11 may well In* that the original American style as introduced by Tod Sloan, and (he old • poker-backed style which prevailed in this cormtry at the time, have in many cases developed a happy mean. Certainly both Sloan and Maher improved greatly after coining here, and, on the other hand, such English jockeys as were not too obstinately conservative took what was good from tin* new idea without losing touch of (be old. 'Fho re«l Gronide is with tbo •perch ers.” Mr. Ooltan faTlx fheon; jockeys who have adopt(«d an ulthi-Ameri-can seat beLwr they have mastered the elementary jpuHielples of hmsrinanHUip.

The Auckland-bred pony Lady Avon must be little short of wonderful. Foaled a* far back as 1867, it would have bi*eu thought that her career of usefulness mi the turf would Fave ended lung ago, Hunt from latent advices from India the daughter of Boult must l»e racing ax well -as erer, as mi the first day of the t'lrtcirtta meeting *tee woh the International Puny Plate of 3,>Ow rupees to the winner, for ponies 14.2 and under, and run over seven furlongs wttii 8.12 tn the saddle easily ia the time of txidy Avon was une of the first wf tire Boults to bring that now champion sire iifto prominence.

Tibe fact that the Great Northern Oaks has only attrweted a ftnal payment of two iu Chanteuse and Gold Dace, both of which bail form Napier, will probably raise an argument as to whether the race should be struck off the programme or not. Certainly then* is not much encouragement to the Metropolitan Club to retain *the event, ■but there are at present few enough classical races, and, before deciding upon any step to do away with the Oaks, probably it would be as well for the committee to consider the advisability of running it at either the spring or summer meeting, the former for preference. The autumn sueeting is very late for a three-year-old classical race, as the form is well exposed by then, and owners can hardly be blamed for not knocking their horses about onasiug the good ones. After the second forfeit for the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, the good field of 28 still remain in. and. w'ith few exceptions, the majority look like running, although some have probably been left in order for their owners to see the strength of the fields at Christchurch -before deciding as to which to take eu. Hon. J. D. Ormond has the biggest acceptance, Xylophone, •Elfish, and Fiddler appearing in his nomination. Other Napier-owned ones, in Mr. T. 11. Lowry’s Merriwa and Maori King, are also engaged, and should the best of these come It should be an interesting race. The London “Sports Supplement,'” in commenting on the recent disqualification for carrying overweight, says: ‘•Rules arc rules, and those which govern racing must bo kept strictly, but It seems very hard that a horse should be disqualified for carrying 21b. more than his jockey weighed out for. The result of a race may be affected by a horse carrying less weight than it ought to, but the task of a competitor is rendered harder by the accidental putting up of a pound or two extra. We believe it. was Trigg, who once drank a bottle of ginger beer after he had weighed out and thus, unthinkingly, increased his weight.” At their recent meeting the Takap.nna Jockey Club distributed the sum of £2640 •in stakes, the payments being as follows: ’J. Nelson £420, R. W. Duder £lB5. J. C. Col beck £lB5, JI on. J. Carroll £155. J. B. Williamson £145. J. iH. Walters £l3O, E. W. Alison £lOO. R. McMiken £O5. F. W. Arnold £95. R. Millett £SS. 11. Smith £B5, S. E. Cooper £B5. C. Dawson £B5, Cook Brothers £BO. W. Qiuirterman £BO, Mrs. Anderson £BO. J. George £75. J. McNiccel £7O. H. Barr £65, A. Webber £65. R. C. Wallace £5O. J. J. Craig £3O, W. C. Ring £3O, A. J. Lindsay £2O, R. Hannon £l5, A. H. Tapper £l5. A. C.-. Selby £l5. W. Davies £l5, A. 11. Grattan £l5, D. Moraghan £l5, B. Cunningham £lO, J. Molloy £lO, J. Dobbs £lO, J. BeTl £lO. A. Hansen £5, F. E. Ross £5. W. Howard £5. J. Burton returned to Sydney highly pleased with his New Zealand experiences, and recomends anyone who wants an enjoyable holiday to visit the Dominion. In the course of an interview, he mentioned that he was present at the Auckland R.C. meeting, and, apart from the horses being taken on to the cowse such a long time before each race, in ‘the Interest of totalisator investments, was favourably impressed with the way everything was carried out. He points out that the prolonged parade before a race must detrimentally affect the prospects of some horses, and is therefore unfair to owners and trainers. He speaks highly of the condition in which most of the horses were turned out, and is of opinion that the art of training has reached a very high standard in New Zealand. “Good enough to win a Derby anywhere” is his dictum concerning Husbandman, who took his fancy more than any other horse he saw at the mee’ting. Master Soult is another of whom he has something good to say. Ail Red also impressed him favourably. Bobrikoff has proved himself a weight-for-age horse, but he does not fill the eye as being one, and, although the two-year-olds he saw were undoubtedly smart, he inclines to the belief that there is a disposition to over-rate them. None struck him as being actually certain. of developing into first-class three-year-olds, though Merriwa is a rather promising sort. “Elysian is a nice colt, but he is on the small side.” The stewards of the Canterbury Jockey Club met cn Saturday to consider the identity of Duncan Rutherford's Ingoda. who won the Lyttelton Plate on Thursday. After an inquiry the following resolution was passed: “Tha* by an unintentional error of identity Ingoda was entered for the Lyttelton Plate ax by Stepnia-k — Arinigpra, whereas it has been proved that she was by Stepniak from Miss Niente. The stewards therefore decide that the entry is invalid and she is distanced for the race.’* This moans that Sir George's Clifford’s Ploughshare, who ran second, will get the stakes. T. J. Gaynor, an American trainer, arrived in Melbourne during Inst week, with the intention of settling Id Victoria. Owing to the dejiression in America, caused by th 6 restrictions placed upon racing there, the sport ha& fallen upon evil days, mid Gaynor was compelled to seek fresh fields. He has hail a pretty wide experience, both in Canada and the United States, and among those he trained for in Canada was Mr Adam Beck, a lending Ontario owner. He was also associated with T. Welsh, who trained for Messrs W. C. Whitney, Fleishman, and Frank Ferrel; find the 15 horses trained by them won aiearly 250,<W¥k1nl. tn Rtakea in nno softScm. Gaynor wlsn (rained a horxe tielonging to M-r Augnxl Belmont, the presidetit of the New York Jockey Club, with which he won ten races. He possesses

excellent credentials, and should not lack employment for any length of time. He states that the American crack, Colin, who has been sent to EngltHwl, 4s Htoely to prove bard to train, as he has « toovyed tendon. in coninmnting ea the reference to paid stewards al the recent -Gmicmek dintfer, «n KthgHMi writer says. There is snore ijrrar - tiest yaessibiJity in Mr SophaeTs ‘wuffgestion that then* should he turret*. nr what might be called “watch-tower*.” at other points hi n rareemirae Than nt the "tiwhth. no that the runners might toe ’kept under otoeenvattom. •in the early as well as the latex stages. This would be no novel experiment, for it lias already been tried with success Hi wri<»us parts of the world. Mr Raphael'*; hies, is that “stipendiary atewurds” should bo appointed fur the purpose of occupying the watch-towers, and while I agree that for such duties paid, have paid stewards of the Jockey Chib, and the title of ■stipeuduuy steward” in connection with them. It may happen that some day we shall sink to having paid members of Parliament, tout it la sunely safe to say that we shall never have paid * stewards of the Jockey Cinto. The title of “stipendiary steward” in connection with sport seems to me wrong. Call the watch-tower men inspectors or what you will, but not “stipendiary stewards.’’ Of course, the actual stewards should do their part, as they do" at Newbury, in the watchtower near the finish, and 4t must be xemembered that the Jockey Club steward* have if in their power to call local steward!* to account for negligence. No one should accept such an office ’unless prepared to carry out its duties with due care and -fi-U-i--gence. but it would toe too much to expect any man to volunteer for an -honorary ser vice in which be would be a watch-man on a remote tower, never seeing the finish of a race. + + +