SPORTING ITEMS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 13, 25 October 1890, Page 5

SPORTING ITEMS.

Rupee, dam of Spade Guinea, Aropos, Merrie England and Silverknight, has produced a colt foal to St. George, which is therefore own brother to the two last-named. We are in receipt of a catalogue df the Middle Park Stud Company’s yearlings and two-year-olds, to be offered on Thursday, November 6th, by Messrs. Pyne arid Co., auctioneers. Mr. Stevenson’s imported racehorse Stonehenge, by The Assyrian—Queen, has been sold, to Mr. J. R. McKenzie of Tapanui for stud purposes. The horse, while in training, was continually breaking blood-vessels. Last week I heard a whisper that one of the New Zealand Cup candidates, backed for probably as much money as anything in the race, was not likely to carry the label “ wanted ’’ off the day. I give the rumour for what it is worth.: —“ Spectator.” A private cablegram received in-town yesterday from James Kean, the wellrknown. trainer of Cuirassier, contradicts the rumour that he is suffering from a paralytic stroke, and' reports him perfectly well. Mr. G. G. Stead sent the following letter to “Spectator” for publication in the Weekly Press : — “ Dear sir,—The enclosed anonymous letter is a sample of what an owner has to put up with. It is worth publishing as a curiosity.” This is the curiosity referred to :—“ G. G. Stead, Esq. Sir,—l would not have thought you could be guilty of such a thing as to take that colt up to H.B. and run him as you did; but I think you were had, as you mtfsit riot have thought of the winner, but of Crackshot, with whom you cut it up; but we- will hear more about it, and I intend to write when the time comes, to the paper here, and Australia. — I remain, yours, J.J.W.” The* letter was sent in an unstamped envelope, bearing, the Dunedin postmark of October 9th. The programme of the South Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting appeals, in our advertising columns. As usual, the Waikato leviathan club are most liberal with their stakes, and on this occasion they will give away no less than .£340 for one day’s racing. The chief event is the South Auckland Cup, of 115 soys ,of which the winner will receive £"100,, distance a mile and three-quarters. Last year the distance of this event was only a mile and* a half, and the South Auckland Racing Club are to be con 4 gratulated in coming boldly forward and thus encouraging long-distance racing. There are far too many sprint events on most of our programmes, in which the stamina of our fiorseS : is not sufficiently tested. The programme in other is much the same as last year’s, with one substantial addition—the insertion of a handicap steeplechase of 60 soys., distance about' three miles. This is an event which is sure; to. fill well, and as there is an excellent steeplechase course at Claudelands, a capital contest is sure to be witnessed. The meeting will take place on Saturday, December 20th, and Mr.. G. H. Carter, the energetic secretary, will be ready to receive nominations for the handicaps on Wednesday, November 26th. Some, of our readers will remember a case that came on before the Resident Magistrate, Goodman; versus Bloomfield, regarding the nonpayment of a totalisator ticket, sold at Potter s Paddock during the Trotting Meeting held there on the 6th of September last. The plaintiff got judgement through default. The defendant, it appears, mistook the date appointed for hearing the case. Mr. Bloomfield, on finding out his mistake, went to his lawyer, Mr. A. E. Whitaker, who immediately applied for a re-hearing, which was granted. On the case coming again before th’e Resident Magistrate it' appeared that he had no jurisdiction, as though the totalisator as an instrument is legalized by law, you cannot recover from it, as it has been held that the Gaming and Lotteries’ Act does not go so far’as to enable persons to sue the proprietors of it to compel payment of money. Mr. A. E. Whitaker, on behalf of Mr. Bloomfield,, desired to} waive technicalities, and have the case heard on its merits, but this the R.M. refused, and the case was referred to arbitration, Mr. J. J. Dickey being appointed the arbitrator. After hearing the evidence he gave his award in favour of the defendant.

Whisper, Wolverine, Cynisca and Strephon, each of which have accepted for the New Zealand Cup, have also paid up for the Stewards Stakes of 2oo>sovs., 6 furlongs, which is to be run on the same afternoon. It will he seen by reference to another column that Messrs. Digby Tonks & Co. will sell the privileges in connection with the Auckland. Racing Club’s Spring Meeting at the Brunswick Mart, Queen-street, on Friday next, at twelve o’clock. , e . It must be remembered that entries for the Auckland Agricultural and Industrial Show must be made on or before Monday, November ? ( rd., with the secretary, Mr. William Knight. A very liberal schedule of prizes has been drawn up, and it is sincerely to be hoped that there will be large entries. . The following choice selection of music will be performed to-day on the lawn in front of the grandstand at the Hunt Club Races by Hunter’s Artillery Band: —March, “Eldorado ; selection, “ Gemma de Vergy” ; valse, Rich and Rare”; polka, “Romantic”; overture, “Nil Desperandum”; valse, “ Land and Water”; quadrille, “Light and . Shade ; schottische, *• Queen Mab ” ; selection, meo and Juliet ” ; valse, “ Summer Reign. ’