ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 3, 19 July 1911, Page 11

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

JR. Smith, Waituna West. —The only Labour Day I know of is a biown filly by Soult from a San Fran mare, winch is owned by Mr J. Dalton. 1 believe she is trained in the Wanganui district. “Query.” Ruatangata.—The price Sceptre realised at auction is a big way below the record price paid for a brood mare, which is 15,000 guineas, paid for the mare Flair. G.T.J. —Lull was scratched for the Wellington Steeplechase on July 7.

C. Chaafe left for Canterbury last week to take charge of the mate Colleen Mary.

A. Julian’s ease comes before the Wanganui Jockey Club for a rehearing on July

. Mr. .T. 11. Lowry's filly Beldame is stated to be points ahead of any of the two-year-olds exercising at Napier Park.

It is stated that so far no rider has been engaged for either Paisano or Te Aral for the C.J.C. Nationals.

The sale is reported of St. Felix, and It is understood the son of St. Ambrose will be shipped to Melbourne shortly.

Tfap Stepniak horse Diabolo has been purchased by a Gisborne resident, and is to take up stud duty in that district.

The most promising rising two-year-old at Hastings at present is said to be the colt by Merriwee from Rose Seaton.

The rising three-year-old Cloudy Dawn is furnishing nicely, and with ordinary luck should more than pay his way next season.

The Marton Jockey Club intends distributing £1640 in stakes at its annual meet ing, to be held on September 6 and 7.

The two most noticeable defections fiom the C.J.C. National events are Te Aral in the Steeplechase and Wimmera in the Hurdles.

In the South Cheddar is the ruling favourite for the N.Z. Cup. and although the event is nearly four months off, is at very short price.

The two-year-old track at Ellerslie, which has just been completed, and which it is considered is the best in New Zealand, cost £2lOO to construct.

With Antarctic, Red McGregor, 1-loanga, and Le Beau still engaged, Auckland holds a fairly strong hand in the C.J.C. National Steeplechase.

E. Pope left by tiain on Monday for Wellington with Miss Explosive; W. Sharpe travelling by the same route with Don Qu ex and Kremlin.

In consequence of the reduction of the days of ’racing, the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club has resolved to hold a one-day meeting in October next.

Advocate, the Auckland representative in the N.Z. Cup. is doing solid -work at Ellerslie, and yesterday covered a strong mile in company with Malwa.

Applications for trainers' and jockeys’ licenses for the season 1911-12 must be made to the secretaries of the Metropolitan Clubs not later than July 17.

Stanley Wootton (Frank’s younger brother) rode at Brussels on May 21st. and out of four mounts he was on the backs of three winners.

The appeal of the Egmont Racing Club against the decision of the Taranaki J.C. in removing Barlow’s disqualification will be heard in Wellington next week.

The gelding Regain is at present being Indulged In a spell. When he is taken in hand again there is every probability of bin being tried at the jumping game. ,

i Tibe ■ jtyiow Zealand horsrmep . J*. Jones .and J. peerey were both seen in the saddle at the 1 recent Moofefi'eld meeting. but neither succeeded •In riding a winner-

The Birkenhead gelding Dawn is the latest aspirant for jumping honours, ami last week was given a turn over the small schooling hurdles, shaping satisfactorily for a beginner.

At the last monthly meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club the president, Mr G. r. Donnelly, and the vice-presidents, Hon. J. D. Ormond and Mr G. Hunter, were appointed the club’s delegates at the New Zealand Sporting League meeting.

The contractor for the buildings at Alexandra Park for the Auckland Trotting Club Is making good progress with the work, as is the contractor for the formation of the course. The foundations for the new stewards’ stand, which will be similar to that at Takapuna, were laid last wek.

R. MoMiken has not yet definitely decided whether he will take Le Beau to Christchurch or not. - The son of I.eolantis has done all that has been asked of him so far. and it will all depend upon how he shapes during the next few weeks, whether he will bo asked to fulfil his engagements at Ricca r ton.

The Auckland horseman J. Tinker, who has not been seen in the saddle much of late, steered' Okaihau to victory in the Te Ha para Steeplechase at Gisborne, this being Ibis first winning ride for a couple of years. Pinker left for Wellington on Sunday night •to fulfil riding engagements at the Wellington Meeting.

The Thames trainer J. Twohill has two rising two-year-olds in work, one a full brother to the sprint champion Soultline, and the other a filly by Gluten—Lady Clare. The colt is stated to be very much like his illustrious brother, and for the sake of the Thames sportsman it is to be hoped he turns out as good.

According to a Napier writer, no definite arrangements have been made as to when Bobrikoff is to be dispatched to Sydney. There is still some uncertainty as to whether his trainer. F. Davis, will accompany the black champion, but I think a good deal will depend on how the other members of his team shape whether he takes the son of Finland over or not.

Several Aucklanders who have attended some of the recent Southern metings, and more particularly those at Napier Park and Gisborne, loudly voice the opinion that foulridiifg by certain horsemen is very rife, and that the stipendiary steward is badly wanted. There are also hints of a jockeys’ ring; in fact, if half that one hears Is true, things are in a decidedly bad way.

In looking through the order paper for the forthcoming N.Z. Racing Conference, one is struck by the balance-sheets submitted by the various clubs for distressed trainers’ fund and the distressed jockeys’ fund, but a most searching inspection with the assistance of a microscope failed to find any mention of a “distressed punters’ fund.” And yet it is at times badly wanted.

Mr. Theo Bowling left for Christchurch on Satrday with Antarctic. The son of Salvadan was accompanied by T. Scott, who will ride him in his engagements. Antarctic has been getting through a lot of solid work at Ellerslie during the past few weeks, and to the eye looks a stone better horse than when he competed at the A.R.C. winter meeting. Should Antarctic succeed in winning the big Southern event, the victory would be very popular in Auckland.

The annual report of the Dunedin Jockey Club says: When we commenced the year w.e had in hand in cash £9Ol 9/9. and a deposit receipt for £lOOO. We have laid out in substantial permanent improvements £2240 7/2, and now close our account for the vear with a credit balance of £lOO7 0/8. The club has kept racing well under control, and members must view with great satisfaction the Commissioners’ non-interfer-ence with the conduct of our affairs. The coursing season will be opened on Saturday, when the Great Northern Coursing Club’s new Plumpton at Stamford Park, Three Kings, will be used for the first time. The dub have made every arrangement for the convenience of rouivers and the general public, and as the ground is handy to town, there should be a large attendance. The meeting will bo concluded on Wednesday next, the 19th inst. Acceptances for the stake dose with the secretary at Tattereall’s Club to-night at 9 o’clock. Mr. J. Hogg, the well known Aucklander, who is at present located in Western Australia. arrived In Auckland for a holiday last week. In a chat on racing in the West, Mr. Hogg informed me that Mr. McManus, an old Auckland boy, had been very successful with his* horses recently, one, Renegade, winning the Derby ami a number/of. other eveqts. Mr. Hogg said racing watt not hedged loimd with the uaiue condi-

tions as in New Zealand, and altogether was much more enjoyable. Mr. Hogg returns* shortly. In these days, when there is such a cry against foul riding, the following par from an English exchange may prove instructive to some of the New Zealand stewards : After the decision <>f tin* Abergavenny Stakes at Lewes (Eng.), the stewards asked Winter, who was drawn number ten, to explain why his mount was next but one to the rails in about one furlong from the start. They accepted Winter’s explanation that he was unable to control Green Cloth, but cautioned him to be more careful in future. A report was recently circulated by some of the papers of the Dominion, says the ’’N.Z. Times,” that Crusoe was doing duty between the shafts of a cab at Palmerston North. In a conversation with the New Plymouth trainer, J. George, he informed me that Crusoe died at his place at Omata, near New Plymouth, on the 16th of October last, and was buried the same day. The end of this capable performer was very sudden. Lie appeared In the best of health in the morning when Mr. George set out for town. On his return he found his favourite dead. Crusoe was never out of Mr. George’s ownership, and he regrets that the report of the old fellow doing cab work should have gained publicity. Those who have been waiting for the much-boomed Cullinan to materialise will have to show a little more patience. Since last season, when he won a couple of bracelets, Cullinan has been consistently boomed as a champion, and every time he has been defeated some excuse and oftentimes accusations have been made for an<l against him, by outsiders who really knew nothing at all about the horse. When he had failed to win a big race on the fiat, and it was reported he was to be tried at the jumping game, another boom set in, and the C.J.C. National Hurdles was his mission. He has, however, failed to ««ake the final payment, and my advice to punters is to wait until the son of Royal Fusilier shows winning form before they again back him. Once be starts he might go on winning, but let him make a start. In the course of a letter to the secretary of the Horow henna Racing Club on the subject of the Racing Commission’s report, Mr W. H. Field. M.P., says:—“What course we are to follow in view of the Act coming into force on Ist August, and your club's meeting being arranged for September, it is somewhat difficult to say. It is practically certain there will be an amendment of the Jaw, for numerous constituencies besides my own are, 1 understand, being subjected to similar acts of injustice at the hands of the Commission, and it would be well for members representing such constituencies to take a decided and united stand at the beginning of the coming session to remedy matters so far as possible. lam in hopes that we shall be able to induce the Government to introduce measures which will, at least, have the effect of suspending the operation of the Act for such a time as will give opportunity of further consideration as to the best method of reducing racing consistently with fairness to the racing clubs.’’

New Zealand sportsmen generally will be surprised to learn that it was the •'Special Commissioner” of London “Sportsman who caused the scare with regard to Sun st aland the English Derby. A day or two before the race he wrote '.'that signs were not wanting that the Derby should be carefully watched by the stewards, and any agents whom they may think fit to appoint,” and on no stronger grounds than that 6 to 4 was being laid against Sunstar. Further, the “Special Commissioner” said : —“Next come adverse rumours—at once contradicted —about Sunstar, and, well though the favourite is, his market position suggests danger. Surely In this, the Coronation year, we should all wish to see the best horse win, but It would bo idle to blink the fact that, for reasons which need not be gone lnt«: many people pray fervently that Sunstar may bo defeated. There is a lot of ill-feeling at the bottom of this, apart from mere prejudice, and 1 would not mention the subject if there did not seem to me to be real danger of trouble, as to which tbe market position of Sunstar serves as a stormy rr*trel.” Had these lines not appeared under his pen name, such an authority as Mr. Allison would never have received credit of penning them. The Derby was expected to entice 20 runners—it did, as a matter of fact, bring out 26 - and it is the very essence of absurdity to style 6 to 4 iu such a crowd as being a figure so liberal as to suggest likely Interference with the favourite. The 'Special Commissioner’s’’ remarks were not endorsed by other writers —they were, in fart, laughed at—and no wonder that the owner styled the idea of Sunstar bring interfered with as ridiculous ami absurd.

A meeting of the Metropolitan Committee was held last week, the Hon. E. Mitchel son presiding. Licenses for next season were granted as follow: Trainers: J. Chaafe, jun., W. Gall, P. Brady, J. Williamson. Jockeys: P. Brady. J. M. Bi rhanan J. Chaafe, jun., A. J. Mchlmn, J. E. Pinker, and Mark Ryan. 'Fhe following applications for dates for next season from those clubs aftccted by the Racing Commissions report were recommended for approval of the conference: - .Auckland Raring Club: Spring meeting, November 1 and 4; summer meeting, December 26 and 29 and January 1 and 2; autumn meeting. April 6 and 8; winter meeting, June 1,3, and 5. Avondale Jockey Club: Spring meeting. September 20 and 23. Rotorua Jockey Club: February 14. Takapuna Jockey Club; Spring meeting. December 2; summer meeting. January 29 and 31j winter meeting. May 24 or 25. Thames Jockey 4’liib: December 26 anti 27. Bay of plenty Jockey Club’: February 10. Ta Kuiti Racing Club: February 8. The programme of Hie Avondale Jockey club for •the season' 1911-12 was approved. The folhr.wing . applications for registration of clubs were recommended • for ap-

proval by the conference:—Alexandra Kao ing Club. Coromandel Jockey Club. Ilainik ton Polo Club, Ilouhura Raring Club. Hukereuni Racing Club, Kamo Raring Club. Kawak.rwa Raring Club. Kawbia Racing Club, Matapoitri Racing Club, Maungatautari Hack Racing Club. Ngaruawabia Racing Club. Ngunguru Raring Chil>. Opotiki Jorkry Club. Otamatea Racing Club. Par ngaroa Hack Racing Club, Papakuia Racing Club. Rpinurra Polo Club. Tanmarui-.ui R uing Club., Te. Awamutu Polo Club. |’p Puke Hack Racing Club, Tirau Racing Club. Waikato lit nt Club. Waipapakauri Racing Club. \\ hakataiir Racing Club, What.iwhata Racing Ch»i», Awakino Racing Club. Kihi kihl Hack Racing Club, Northern Wairoa Raring Club. A meeting of the A.R.C. (’.nnmlttee was held subsequently, tbe Hon. E. MR.-hrlson again presiding. Tbe following transfers were approved of:- M. Wells to W. T. Carr. Irideseein-c- --<:. I- wte.nl to W. <:. and 1., stead. Snowsteli tiliy: W. <;. and 1., stead to K. S. Luttrell, Aphaea: E. S. l.ntlrell to w. <;. and C., L. stand, Binewater fillv and Prelmle tiliy: W. <:. and <l. I„ Stead to Lance Wood. Khamsin: Sir Georjte Clifford to W. K. Amberoid, Mnirro.lt; Sir George Clifford to W. Smart. Big Blast. Mr. .1. Tvvohill's protest against the winner of the Tnmaki Steeplechase i Pleiades) on the ground that the horse was ridden by a jockey whose name was on the forfeit list was dismissed. I he programmes for next season, witli stakes totalling £28,915. were approved. It was decided for future years to make Unwelcome Stakes a two-year-old classic race c'ri.i v‘ ,VS ' to rak.-n i he tir-t lliuny ju September. AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. NEXT SEASON’S STAKES. £28.915 TO BE DISTRIBI TED. At Tuesday’* meeting <,f the Auckland Racing Club the programme for the coming season was discussed and lianally approved of. Notwithstanding the fact that- the days’ racing lias been re hu ed hy two days, and the races thus ent out aggregate £3275, the committee have boldly faced the situation, and the amount to be distributed during the nine days total £28,915, o r £<)0() \. ss than last year. At the Spring Meeting the principal increase is in the Great Northern Guineas which now carries a stake of 1’750. Some marked alterations have been made in the Summer programme. The Great Northern Foal Stakes has been raised to 1000 sovereigns, the Aucklan I Cup remaining at 2000‘ sovereigns. The A.R.C. Handicap has been raided tr-> n j.’»o sovs. to 1000 sovs., and th- Auckland Plate to 500>ovs. In addition an eM'ra weight-for-age race, one mile, takes th- plain of the Alexandra Handicap, and iias beqn endowed with 500savs. At the Autumn Meeting the Easter Handicap has been raised to lOOOsovs., and at the Winter Meeting the Cornwall, Prince of Walt's ami York Handicaps go up to 500sovs., and the Winter Steeplechase to 400sovs. The following summary of stakes shows how the money has been allotted to t'ne different meetings: 1910-1911 19)1-1912 £ C Spring Aheting 5.125 4,160 Summer Meeting 12.150 13.250 Autumn Meeting 6.800 5,325 Winter Meeting 5.740 6,190 £29,815 £28,915 The decrease of £9OO is made lip as follows: — Races cut out aggregate £3275; additions to races retained £2375. 4: i THAMES J.C. MARCH MEETING DROPPED. At rhe annua! meeting of the Tbaiqes Jockey Chib, the Hon. J. McGowan presiding, it was shown that receipts for the year totalled £2864, and expenditure £2214. The assets of the club were valued at £6270. i’h»‘ suiplus absorbed in improvements will reduce tbe bank balance, which stands at £244. In view of the Racing Commissioners’ report, it was decided to drop the March meeting. The election of officers resulted: President. Hon. Jas. McGowan; vice-president, Mr A. Burns: treasurer, Mr C. J. Winder; judge. Dr. Walshe; handicapper, Mr R. Wynyard; starter. Mr Hankins; stewards, Messi’s Bruce, Winder, Inglis, I>. Twohill, Milnes, Connolly, Bevln. The retiring members of committee were reelected. It was derided that Mr Brace should proceed to Wellington to fuither the proposal to form a provincial committee in phu’e of th<» metropolitan committee, to safeguard the interests of country dub® 4-14-C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL ACCEPTANCES. CHRJSTCHURCn. Friday The following acceptances have been received for the Canterbury Jockey Club’a Gru ml National Meeting: — Winter Cup of COOsovs. one mile. Provocation 11.2, Full Rqte 11.0, t North-Ea«*

10,13, BvunergM 10.12, Nylaud 10.11. Sir FHhco 10.9, Electra kuff 10.9, My Lawyer 10.5. Dreadless 10.5, Merrie Zealand 10.5, Effort 10.5, Coronifatiu 10.4, Fasnakyle 10.3, Step meter 10.3, Martine 10.27 Dearest 10.2, Gold Thread 0.13, 'the Rover 9.13, Flltaway 9.13, Bonny Glen 9.12. Bracken 0.11, Kopek 9.11, Gland Slam 9.10, Iney 9.10, Ariom 9.7, Vnde<id<-4 9.0, Muinma 9.5, Peary 9.5, Silkweb 9.0, Fiameau 9.0, Gold Circle 9.0, Negative 9.0, Sublime 9.0, E< lowin' 9.0, Turns 9.0, Odessa 9.0. Grund National Steeplechase of lOOOsovs, three miles ami a-half. Antarctic 12.2, Corazon 11.10, Bed McGregor 10.10, Lovell 10.10, Eurus 10.9. Sir Lethe 10.5, Mahara 10.4. True Blue 10.4, Mount Cook 10.3, AViniata 10.3, Yasina k 10.3, Honest Tom 10.2, llounga 10.2, i'aritutu 10.2. Dorando 10.1, Le Bepu 9.13, Tyrannic 9.13, Pleiades 9 13, Liberty 9.13, Xavier 9.13, Dnil 9.13, Bibstone Pippin 9.13, Rosegrove 9.11, Suuray 9.8, Captain Jingle 9.7, The Gunner 9.7, St. Amelia 9.7. Grand National Hurdle Race of lOOOsovb, about two miles. —Bataa no 12.8, Continuance 11.11, Wbakaweira 11.3, Compass 11.0, North-East 10.10, Master Paul 10.10, Espa rtero 10.9, Centaur 10.9, John 10.5, The Native 10.5, St. Aidan 10.5, Appin 10.2, I'aritutu 10.0, Miss Explosion 9.13, VVaiputere 9.12, The Rover 9.11, Xavier 9.10, White Cockade 9.10, Bollin 9.9, Tern 9.9, Dogger Bank 9.5, Windage 9.0, Kremlin 6.0, King Try 9.0, Golden Water 9.0, Kildonan 9.0, Merry Lawn 9.0, Redmond 9.0. •F *F •fc WAIRARAPA NOTES. The revenue of the Wairarapa Racing Club for the past year amounted to £6790 J.5/9, against £6778 8/11 in 1910. The expenditure totalled £6497 19/5, against £6863 3/6 last year. T. Qulnlivan Tins taken Parable in hand, and also Mont ria, a two-year-old half brother to Midnight Sun, Nightfall, and Noctuiform. The Woodlands Hunt Club will hold its annual steeplechase on the Pahiatua racecouiso on August 2nd, the stake money totalling £92. Sea Queen has been fired and turned out for a spell. Splash is doing good work at Tauherenikau, and Mr Hodge’s mare should soon place a win to her credit. Simplex has been thrown out of commission. Mataari Is being spelled, and will not sport silk again till September next. A deputation from the Pahiatua Racing Club waited upon the Woodville Jockey Club last Tuesday, and submitted two proposals, in view of the suggestion of the Racing Commission that Pahiatua should combine with Woodville. After hearing the deputation the Woodville Club passed a resolution that neither of the propositions put forward was workable. The Woodlands Hunt Club has decided to forward a remit to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Hunts Association requesting the body to urge on Parliament the necessity of gi anting a permit for a 10/ totalisator for hunt club steeplechase meetings. Varna burst a blood vessel while being exercised at the Hutt oil Saturday, and will be on the sick list for ?ome days. As Sir Lethe is still suffering from injuries received at the last Hastings meeting, he has been allowed to drop out of engagements at Wellington. ,'*D. Chapman lias Confusion in training at Tauherenikau, in view of engagements in the early part of the spring. The Tauheienikau trainer, T. Ross, is putting plenty of work into Bally Shannon, and he should have him tit and well for racing next month. Ike Freeth, who, by the way, is in his 78th year, has Dogfish and two or three other likely youngsters in bis charge. A number of new horses have been taken trainers, with the object of getting them in hand recently by North Wairarapa ready for racing next season. Sir Solo has t»een placed in Walter Garrett’s stable ar Masterton, and will shortly be put in commission. Ai a meeting oi the Masterton Racing Club on Saturday it was reported that the conference with the Taratahi-Carterton Club regarding amalgamation had proved abortive. it was decided to have a oneday meeting, ami to apply for dates for three days of racing during the year. The fire at the Opaki racecourse last Sunday morning, which caused the distinction of the grandstand in the lawn, totalisator house, stewards’ stand, booth, tea kiosk, cloak bouse, secretary’s office, weighing-in Toom, jockeys' room, and ten loost? boxes, Will result in a loss of about £2500 to the Maatorton Racing Club. The buildings were valued at nearly £4OOO, and were only insured for £llOO. There does not appear to be much doubt‘as to how the fire originated, there being ample evidence that it was the work of an incendiary. ± ± i TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. With the announcement to-night of the first acceptance for the three big races at the C.J.G.’m Grund National Meeting, and the nominations for the minor events, the Great Winter Meeting comes definitely within the range of practh-al politics. For t! e present the prospects are entirely pleasing. Ixical trainers are enjoying satisfactory weather for the preparation of the large number of Rtccarloii horses that claim engagements. ami unless there is a very perverse change in the near future, there is u\ ery pn>«|H*et of an unusually large (lumber of Ric< arton trulncd horses going to the |M>st fit and well. The lists suggest, also, that the invasion of visitors Will be a pretty strong one, and this should ensure the intereat and success of tba August fixture. The minor Jumping

events have filled particularly well, and the acceptances for the big events arg very good.

With 27 acceptors in the steeplechase, there should be material for a fine race, even allowing for the scratchings that must be expected later, one of the features of the moment is the withdrawal of Te Aral and Lull, both of which have been very strongly supported. Rumours had been going about for some days that all was not right with last year’s winner, and apparently the scratching means their confirmation. Among the lightweights which have gone out, I notice tire locally trained Milo, a most promising performer over country. No doubt the scratching implies merely that there are other races on the programme not so difficult to win as the Grand National. There are 28 horses still left in the big hurdle race, and these also provide material for a fine race. Probably there will be alterations in the list after the Wellington Meeting, but I shall not be surprised to see an unusually large field going to the post on the second day at Riccarton, and I shall be prepared to see a much better contest than was furnished last year, when Paisa no registered his fine performance. The scratching of The Reckoning is, to a certain extent, a disappointment, though hardly u surprise, as it was realised that the chances of the Australian representative making the trip were very slender. It is unfortunate that we cannot have an opportunity of seeing our champions measure strides against so fine a performer.

With 36 horses still in the Winter Cup, it seems likely that the flat race will prove as popular as ever. Fort William’s defection is noteworthy, but it must be said that the burden was imposed on him justly, for, of course, Mr. Ilenrys did not offer inducement to his connections to undertake the long journey to Riccarton. The minor events have filled uncommonly well. There is never any lack of flat races at the winter gatherings, and no fault can be found with the nominations. It Is quite properly to the jumping events that the meeting seems likely to owe its principal success. Hack hurdle races have seldom been popular nt Riccarton, but this year the number of hurdlers in training, both here and elsewhere, has shown a gratifying increase, and the result is apparent in the entries. The trial hurdle race has attracted 24, and the two hack hurdles events, 31 and 34 entries, so that the sport sjjpuld be of a high standard. The hunters’ races, which are always a strong feature of the meeting, have also secured good nominations, especially the Hunters’ Steeplechase. Training operations are going on satisfactorily at Riccarton, and the signs of activity are becoming daily more apparent, but the real bustle will not begin until the visitors arrive after the Wellington Meeting. * i i WELLINGTON RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING. WELDINGTON. Saturday. Beautiful weather prevailed, and there was a large crowd, at Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting to-day. A hard l’rc/R was experienced over night, and, though the going was very heavy, everything passed off well. 11. Gray rode two winners during the day, and -is now level with A. Whittaker for first place for the season, which closes with this meeting. After the first event had been decided Whittaker lodged a complaint against Gray for interference, which was dismissed.

Some very interesting racing was witnessed during the day, the jumping being very good. Only two spills oceured in the two hurdle events, for which there were 25 starters. The totalisator investments for the day amounted to £26,695, against £21,152 for the first day of the winter meeting of 1910, a difference of £5644 in favour of this year. In the first race a hot favourite In the Auckland owned Wauchope went down to Negative, which ran a couple of good races at Blenheim recently, and paid a nice price.

In the Miramar Hack, the first and sec ond horses were first and second favourites. Epsom Tanss won very easily.

The (steeplechase was * remarkable for some good jumping, and there were few accidents. Hoanga was a hot favourite, and. going to the front at the start, he made a veritable cakewalk of it. His display should make him worth watching In the big steeples on Wednesday. Another hot one in Electrakoff won the Parliamentary Handicap from Wiinmera, only by barest of margins. Gray, however, took things easy on the favourite in the early stages, and won comfortably and cleverly. Provocation was second favourite, but he looked big, and after leading the field a merry dance for seven furlongs, he dropped out and finished nearly last. The gallop will do him a heap of good, and he should be cherry ripe by the time the Winter Cup is decided at Riccarton. Wimmera ran fairly well, and showed not the slightest trace of unsoundness.

The Winter Hurdles was a pretty race, all the competitors getting over the obstacles without mishap. Northeast, Compass, and John were backed in that order, but Northeast, after flattering his admirers for half the journey, fell back. The Rover came with a great burst from the top turn, and ran in an easy winner by nearly three lengths, five lengths between second and third. The Rover is in the Grand National, with a nice weight, and his chances must be considered good, even with a penalty, after the way he won to day. lie never made a mistake, and finished quite fresh.

The Trial Plate resulted In the easiest win for Alnsdale, who was another boiling hot favourite. The Hon. I‘. Ormond’s tiorse went to the front nt the barrier rise, and never gave anything a chance. Before the tote closed the house ran out of number 2o tickets (Aluadnlc’a number) and the windows were quickly pulled down.