SPORTING ITEMS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 41, 9 May 1891, Page 4

SPORTING ITEMS.

Catamount has been added to the list. “ Mr. Russell,” the well-known Leeston sportsman, has purchased Carronade from Mr. G. G. Stead. “ Spectator ” writes: George Laing was riding Wairua last week, and his hand will soon be out of splints. La Rose is to be put to hurdle racing during the winter, and should make a good performer over the small sticks. Mr. D. O’Brien has named his yearling colt by Captivator out of Maid of Honour, Captive. There is an Auckland horse running under that name. Stromboli and Carbine have been backed to win on the double, V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup—good wagers for the bookmakers so long before the day. The veteran English chaser .Gamecock won the Stewards’ Steeplechase at Kempton Park. He had only two opponents. Roquefort bolted and slipped on a pile of snow, and Phil came to grief. The cable last week brought the results of the Great Northern Handicap and the Somersetshire Stakes, two old-fashioned English events which still grace the English calendar. The former was won by Mr. J. O’Neill’s Laricula, Houndsditch 2nd, Sedge Chat 3rd The latter was won by Mr. J. O’Neill’s ch c The Rejected, by King of Trumps—Accepted, Mounteagle 2nd, Lunar Eclipse 3rd. — Canterbury limes. [These races in olden days were looked upon with great interest, and were also great betting races. There is a gentleman in Hawkes Bay that will remember taking 5000 to 100 when Caractacus won the Somersetshire Stakes, Fitz Avon second ; with that he emigrated, and has since quadrupled his money.J The “ Nitrate King,” Colonel North, has won the Waterloo Cup three years in succession. Though he has only been connected three years with the leash he has made a record, as Fuller- . ton is the only dog, with the exception of the “ Irish Terrier,” Master McGrath, that has won the Cup three times. Which of the two performances is the better is a moot question. Of course the Irishmen stick up for Master McGrath, as he is the only dog that has won the Waterloo Cup three times “ right out ” on three different occasions, but Fullerton in the opinion of many is the best, for he has an unbeaten Waterloo record. In 1889 after winning his first five courses right out he had to divide the stake with his kennel companion Stronghend, and he won right out in 1890 and 1891. Master McGrath’s performances differ; in 1868 and 1869 he won, he was beaten in 1870 and won again in 1871. This year Fullerton met his kennel companion Simonian in .the first round, and who afterwards won the Plate, a 32 dog stake. Rhymes, who was beaten by Fullerton, in the second round, afterwards won the Purse, thus proving what a good dog the winner must be. In the first course Simonian, who is a younger brother of Fullerton’s, fairly led him, and the course was a very near thing between them. After .the course longer odds were laid against the winner than on the night previous, but Simonian’s form in the Plate, and the way he won his five courses prove that it was was a great for his elder brother to beat him at all. Colonel North therefore won both the Cup and Plate with Fullerton and Simonian, both of whom are by Greenstick—Bit of Fashion. The Marquis of Anglesea won the Purse with Rhymes, who is also by Greenstick — Tinsel. The final course between Fullerton and Faster and Faster was looked upon with great interest, as many thought the latter would win, still the favourite’s friends laid 5 to 2 on him. Bootman (the slipper) would not let the dogs go until he was sure of a good hare, and in this he was successful.' Fullerton led from the slips, and jumping a drain better than his opponent left her well behind when he made first turn, but he going rather wide let in Mr. Fawcett’s bitch, who scored a couplp of points and got well placed. But Fullerton, not to be denied, got in again and did some magnificient work, luckily finishing by knocking his hare into a ditch, just as the bitch was beginning to be formidable again, but there was no ‘doubt which had won.

To show that it does not always pay to give long prices for yearlings it has been found impossible to train Colonel North’s crack filly by St. Simon —Josyari for her two-year-old engagements. Amongst the liabilities of the late Mr. J. B. Gresson were the following sums :—^' l 9 oo Mr. R. Derritt, £1950 to Mr. R. J. Mason, . £2OO to Mr. C. J. Penfold, £ 843 to Mr. Stead, and/'B2O to Mr. G. B. Starkley. The Duchess of Montrose (Mrs. Milner), who report says is looking as well as ever notwithstanding her seventy summers, has some well-bred young ones in her stable. Adoration, sister to Thebais; Hyeres, sister to Seabreeze, and Desdemona, sister to St. Serf, also some good colts. St. Margeurite, the dam of Seabreeze, this season has a filly foal, own sister to Seabreeze. Up to this time she has had nothing but fillies, much the same as Seclusion, Hermit’s dam. A contributor to the Australasian writes Speculation on the V.R.C. Derby is as yet a dead letter. Last year at this time Titan was all the rage, but the public burnt its fingers, and “ once bitten, twice shy.” It is probable that the dabblers in odds will take a more advisable course this year, and wait a little longer. The fact of the matter is the two-year-old form has been so in-and-out that the public find it difficult in making a definite selection. Stromboli has been the most consistent performer, but recent running shows that there is no more than half a stone between Stromboli, Oxide, and Penance. Sanctuary is not a long way. behind. Stromboli’s improvement since he was beaten by Cremorne at Rosehill has been very rapid, and he is still susceptible of greater improvement. He is a fine raking galloper with an immense stride that must tell over a long course, and although Mr. J. B. Clarke has Albemarle, Syracuse, Bengal, Aidershot, Menangle and Torrens engaged in the race, I doubt if- he will find a better representative than Stromboli.. Albemarle and Syracuse have each won a race, but Menangle (half-brother to Morpeth) has yet to make his debut. Bengal has also got to win his spurs. Penance’s form at Randwick was too bad to be true, and I have still faith in this colt to pull the' popular black and yellow diamonds through the.blue riband. He will be prepared by Mr. W. Forrester, at Warwick Farm, and I am sure he will have every justice done him. Mr. W. N. Hall has five to his name, Oxide, Sulphur, Blue and Gold, Sulphide and Clorine. Oxide won the Champagne and ran a good race with Stromboli for the Foal Stakes. Mr. W. R. Wilson has six to his name, Steadfast, Zalinskij Strathmore, and the three fillies Priory, Lady Carbine, and La Tosca. All of them have shown galloping ability: Zalinski when he ran at Flemington was like an overgrown baby, but he shaped well, and when thoroughly wound up he is sure to uphold the reputation of the family, although he may not show his form until he is four years old. Mr. S. G. Cook has The Rebel, The Magistrate, The Jester, The Doctor, and Yarran ; of these I like Yarran the best, though The Doctor may turn out a good colt. Lord Granville is a good cut of a horse, and as he showed a bit of form in the Australian Stakes it is possible that he may ripen into a Derby horse. Mr. Wallace has several entered, but nothing good enough for a race of this description. Mr. Talbot possesses a good colt in Bonnie Bairn. Sadim is by that promising young sire Ouideis,and I should not be surprised to see him develop into a good three-year-old, as he has run well on several occasions. Hartington shaped like a racehorse at Caulfield, but has run badly since, and Mr. Redfearn may have a better repiesentative in Huntly or Hermit. Mr. O’Shannessy has a good colt in Swordbearer, while Sting, brother to Malua, has not been out yet. Cherrystone and Sanctuary ran well enough at Randwick to suggest something better in future. Mr. Smart has a well bred one in Brown Jacket, by MartiniHenri —Brown and Rose. Of the dark division Corinth, brother to Blink Bonny, was sold in Sydney the other day for ; it is evident he shows promise, but on public form, which is the best guide, the best six are Penance, Stromboli, Oxide, Swordbearer, Sanctuary and - Yarran,. and if I plumped for one it would be Penance.

Mr. N. R. D. Bond, the popular secretary of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club, has been granted six months’ leave of absence on account of ill health. We regret to hear that Good Day, in Jack Rae’s stable, met with an accident again lately while being schooled at Otahuhu. It is to be hoped that it will not prove of a serious nature. The stewards of the Hawkes’ Bay Trotting Club have drawn up a sketch programme, which has been forwarded to Christchurch for the approval of the Metropolitan Club. Mr. J. Halyday’s (Auckland) collie bitch Dinah, by Champion George Augustus, whelped four pups, three bitches and one dog to Mr. Forbes’ sable and white dog Dan (imported). — Canterbury Times. For the Champion Hurdle Handicap of 935 sovs. run at Kempton Park on March 14, there were 15 runners, and the stake was captured by Mr. J. Hammond’s Crimea, a son of Albert Victor and Euxine, who started as good a favourite as anything in the race. Takapu was shipped by the Takapuna last Monday in charge of George Hope, to fulfil his engagements at Egmont .and Wanganui meetings. Ingorangi left for the same purpose by the Gairloch, under the charge of R. Wright, while J. B. Williamson, the trainer, left by the Takapuna. “ Spectator” writes : Percy White, the wellknown jockey is reported to have sold his property at Riccarton, in order to be under marching orders for Australia, and it is said that he will ride Tirailleur and companions through an Australian campaign. We shall see. He has taken Ray’s old stable, however. A correspondent to the Daily Telegraph says that it will be impossible to stop the machine in France, as during the last 18 months so great is the love of the Frenchmen in speculating on it, no less a sum than five millions has gone through.; 2 per cent, or goes to the Government. The English thoroughbred horse Padlock was purchased by Mr. Weeks in India, and has arrived in Australia. Padlock won several races while in India, also some races in Eng land, including the Grand Prize at Epson. He is by Wenlock, the winner of the St. Leger, out of Boot and Saddle, bylrumpter —Rinderpest, by Alarm. The Australian writers think that he will be an addition to the thoroughbreds in that Colony, but if they study the stud book they will soon find out their mistake as Trumpeter’s blood has heretofore been a failure, and so has Wenlock. Our London correspondent wrote on March 21 : —The enquiries which the stewards of the Jockey Club have instituted into the relations between certain fashionable jockeys and professional backers last season have ended very badly for both parties. Amongst the former still without licenses are Rickaby, Calder, and the brothers Tommy and Sam Loates. They may, of course, get them yet, but the delay looks ominous Tommy Loates was earning at least £BOOO a year without betting. One race particulary enquired into by the stewards was the match between Lady Wharles and Ragimunde at Manchester last November. Calder rode the mare, who was considered a certainty, 4to 1 being freely laid on her winning. Strange to say a certain professional backer selected this crisis to field, and took 800 to 200 Ragimunde. He happened to be a friend of Calder’s, and when Lady Wharles was badly beaten (six lengths) it pleased some of the ring to be satirical. Mr. Lowther overheard these remarks and demanded the backer’s betting books for the whole season. The Jockey Club stewards are of course allpowerful over English racecourses. Neither backer nor layer dare refuse to produce his betting books, if called on. To decline would be to court “ warning off.” Mr. Lowther can put a racing “ two-and-two” together as well as most people, and with the books of certain layers and certain backers and a racing calendar before him, he formed conclusions likely to result in drastic cleansing measures. More will be known in a week or two. Meanwhile, as I have said, a number of jockeys remain unlicensed to ride, and a clique of professional backers are being closely watched, and may be “ warned off ” for life any day. Others have been cautioned.— Canterbury Times.

The Annual Meeting of members of the Pakuranga Hunt Club will be held on Tuesday next, at 2.30 p,m., at the office of the Auckland Racing Club, to receive statement of accounts and election of officers and committee for ensuing year. The Weekly Press says: We have heard backers remark that where more than on 6 horse the property of one owner starts in large fields that their names should be coupled or bunched on the machines, .thereby doing away with a difficulty that the public sometimes find themselves in—viz., that of trying to find the correct pea. Some time ago the Auckland daily papers through the “ Press Association ” announced with a great flourish than an English gambler had broken the bank at the Casino of Monte Carlo and won £700,000. At the time we ridiculed the idea, as we had often been there and never knew the bank to be over £50,000 for the day’s play. By files to hand we find that this lucky gentleman won 168,000 francs, or rather less than £7OOO. The two-year-olds belonging to the Prince of Wales that arrived at Newmarket under the charge of the stud groom, and were supposed to be the ones that Lord Marcus'Beresford was to commence operations on as private trainer to His Royal Highness and Baron Hirsch, have been sent on to John Porter at Kingsclere, to be trained for their engagements. From this arrangement it would appear that Lord Marcus will not act as private trainer. The lot consist of ch f Luck, by Muncaster — Fortuna; bay colt Pettifogger, by Isonomy — Hazy ; b f Barracouta, by Balcardine—Perditta, and ch c Success, by Petrarch —Welfare. A contributor to the Spirit of the Turf gives the following directions for estimating the height to which a colt will grow : —lt is a very old idea in England, but practical experience has proved it a fallacy ; the only reliable one is that if a youngster’s rump is higher than his withers he will grow up to it. The Yankee’s theory is this : Take a colt at any time between six weeks old and one year, stand him on a level surface, so that he stands naturally, then measure the distance from the hair of the hoof to his knee joint, and for every inch or fraction thereof he measures he will stand hands high when matured. If he measures 15in. he will grow to be 15 hands high, if 15|in. he will be 15| hands high, and so on. The English papers announce the death of the well-known trainer C. Jousiff, of the Seven Barrows, Lambourne. After serving his time in some of the best stables in England he accepted an engagement in India, where he spent eleven years, being very successful both as trainer and jockey. He will be remembered by the modern school as the trainer of Bendigo, who was purchased in Ireland by Mr. Barclay as a yearling for the small sum of 70 guineas. Bendigo only won six races, but these were the Cambridgeshire Stakes at Newmarket, Lincolnshire Handicap, the rich Hardwick Stakes at Ascot, the Eclipse Jubilee Stakes, and the Champion Stakes, amounting all together to a little ovei The Sydney Referee is rather severe in its comments upon the scratching of Mr. H. C. White’s Paris for the Rowley Mile and Hawkesbury Handicap. ‘'The name of says the Referee, 11 has been so long and favourably before racegoers in Australia that the public have been led to think that the family to whom it belongs raced for honour —not for gold. With respect, however, to the present circumstances they appear to have laboured under a delusion, as the owner of Paris by his action seems to value both, but the latter in particular.” Mr. White’s letter in a answer to this —which is too long for re- publication —must be agreed with by every racehorse owner. The opinion of the public that every racehorse belongs to them is a fallacy; until he appears on the course he is the owner’s property; he can do what he likes with him, he alone, not the public, has to pay all expenses, so he is justified to run him in what races suit him best; but when once his number is up he is public property, and. if an owner does not run straight then is the time to come down on him. Unfortunately this is not always the case ; if it was there are many New Zealand owners that would come to grief.

Wally Clifford has left for Sydney to fulfil several engagements there. Revenge has been purchased by Mr. Buick, a Wairarapa sportsman. Walter Buddicombe intends visiting Victoria at an early date, it is his intention to remain , during the winter season. Te Ata, a well-known hack hurdle racer, by Papapa, has gone into Dick Wheeler’s stables at Wanganui. Mr. S. Powell of Wanganui has been apSointed starter for the Hawkes - Bay Jockey lub for the season 1891-92. The following horses were put up to auction to-day by Messrs. Buckland & Sons : —Begorra was knocked down to Mr. J. Denize for £\z 10s. Off Chance was also offered. The highest bid was and he was withdrawn the reserve being £35. She (Nordenfeldt— Steppe) won the Nursery Handicap of 200 sovs , 6 furlongs, at the South Australian Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting, with Bst 121 b up, and beating a field of nine others in the good time of Imin I6jsec. The Northern Steamship Company are advertising to run passengers through, per s,s. “Gairloch,” to New Plymouth, thence by train to Hawera, for the reasonable charge of ios. each saloon, available for return for fourteen days. This offers a good opportunity for those desiring to attend the Egmont races, to be held on 13th inst. The New Zealand crack trotting mare Calista was a starter in the Elsternwick Trot, but no idea of her powers could be formed, as she resolutely refused to do anything else but canter, and never trotted at all. A friend of mine, who has seen her go in her own country, tells me she is better than ever Princess was ; and so, when she does make up her mind to trot, her exhibition should be well worth seeing.— Sporting Standard. At the meeting of the A.R.C. Committee held yesterday afternoon they confirmed the decision of the stewards of the Onehunga Racing Club in suspending the jockeys Smith, Golding, and Priest for twelve months, also warning McMasters off all courses for the same period, and disqualifying Iron Bark. In this they have done perfectly right; at the same time they might have gone further in calling for evidence to find out who were the owners, and how far they were implicated, as it is hard to believe that McMasters was the sole instigator of the affair. There is every reason to suppose that there is a ring in Auckland that work things with jockeys, the same as is going on in England, which the Newmarket Jockey Club are taking stringent measures to stamp out. Next week we will go further into the matter, and hope to prove that the boys are the victims, while the principal culprits escape. At the same time we are of the opinion that the boys have not got more than they deserve. At the same meeting the A.R.C. passed the programmes for the Thames Jockey Club Winter . Meeting and the Waihou Race Club, both to take place on May 25th. A peculiar incident took place in the Mordialloc Handicap, at Richfield, on Friday. About a furlong from home Conceit and Dramatist were almost level, the latter next the rails, when he rushed over and tried to bite Conceit two or three times. Burn, who was riding Conceit, struck Dramatist over the head to keep him away, and Hayes had all his work cut out to keep Mr. Davis’s colt straight. By a bit of hard riding, however, Hayes landed home by a short head from Conceit. Some time after the horses had weighed in a protest was entered against Dramatist for having interfered with Conceit, which caused some grumbling on the part of the bookmakers, a 1 I number of them having paid over to Dramatist. The stewards considered the matter, and after about an hour and a half decided tc dismiss the case, so that the bookmakers were happy in not having to pay twice. Dramatist is possessed of some very bad tricks, and on many occasions Mr. Davis has been afraid of some serious injury happening to the beautiful son of Gondolier and Prototype whilst engaged in races.— Sporting Standard,

This evening another Sheffield Handicap will be held at the Zealandia Rink, and some good running may be expected as the handicap has been well adjusted. Monday will be the great night, as the boxing match will come off between E. Collins, the Queensland aboriginal, and J. Nicholson, of Auckland. The .Auckland public have—and rightly so—a suspicion that these kind of things are generally on the cross, but in this case they are mistaken, as it is a genuine affair. We have interviewed the Queenslander and looked him over. As the old saying is “ He is a rum one to look at but a d Ito go If you give a casual glance at Carbine you would say he was no good, but look him carefully through, then you find out his good points. It is the same with the Queenslander, and unless Nicholson is a real good one he will find that the darkey will put him through.