Turf Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 105, 28 July 1892, Page 6

Turf Topics.

LBV

“Sir Launcelot.”]

A cast-off of Mr. Stead’s in the shape of Moraine, by Apremont—Miss Flat, was thus dealt with by “Early Bird,” of the Australian Star, after his running unplaced in a couple of races at Moorefield, Sydney, on the 9th inst. : — “That arrant rogue Moraine again cut a sorry figure, for after running in the front for threequarters of a mile he gave it up. On the track he is a wonderful worker, but in public he always faiis to run up to what he is known to be capable of doing.” a? -» fl? One hears a good deal at times about a plethora of racing in New Zealand, but what about Victoria? The V.R.C. have published the fixtures passed by them for the coming season dating from August t, and no fewer than 201 days’ racing have been granted. This does not apply to many provincial clubs who have yet to apply and fit in their dates. fl? fl? Cusdin, the New Zealand boy, does not seem to have fallen into much disrepute since his summary dismissal by Mr. W. R. Wilson, judging' by the following eulogium on him which appeared in a recent issue of the Melbourne Sportsman : — “ There are few more brilliant horsemen in the colonies than young Cusdin, whose riding on Strathmore in the last Australian Cup evoked so much hostile criticism. This lad, unless spoiled by success or too much patting on the back, has a bright future ahead of him, for as far as patience and well-timed finishing are concerned he is a long way head of the majority of the other boys of his age and weight. Last week he rode two great races on Accident and Red Rose, on each of whom he displayed admirable judgement.” * « * Mr. Blundell Maple’s four-year-old Balmoral, by Hampton—Kate Craig, only got home by a neck in the Manchester Cup of 2,ooosovs, one mile and three-quarters, run on the 10th ult., and then had to undergo the ordeal of an objection on the ground of “bumping,” which, however, was overruled by the stewards. Balmoral’s weight was 7.6 Mr. W. R. Marshall’s three-yeai-old colt The Hudson, 7.5, was second, and Sir R. Jardine’s four-year-old Enniskillen, 7.3. third. There were eleven others running. The time was returned as 3min 5 4-sth sec, and the value of the stakes was/"2,062. « fl? fl? By advertisement in another column particulars are announced of the lots to be offered by Messrs. Nolan. Tonks, and Co. at the Hawera Horse Fair to be held on Saturday, August 13. First in the list comes the stallion Puriri, who comes of real blue blood, being by imported Towton (brother to The Peer) out of Waimea (dam of Manuka, Papapa, Stonyhurst’s dam Wai-iti, &c.). Puriri was more than an average racehorse himself, and he has sired a host of useful horses, prominent among whom is Forester, who holds the five furlong record for the Colonies (1 min isec). Other well-known lots are Clymena, the dam of Rimu and The Peer; the Deadshot mare that is dam of the steeplechaser Jenny ; a full sister to those good sprinters Rufus and Corsair; a yearling sister to Jenny who claims an entry in the Egmont Produce Stake ; and the pony Chips, winner of the Ponv Trot at the Auckland T.C.’s meeting of 1891. There are several well-bred mares and youngsters to be submitted, as well as 40 hacks and harness horses, for the production of which the West Coast of this Island has long been celebrated ; and the Clydesdale stallion Glasgow Geordie, by Taieri Tom—Violet. * fl? « The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Racing Club will be held on Monday next. There are half a dozen vacancies on the committee, the following half dozen gentlemen retiring by effluxion of time—Messrs. T. Morrin, J. P. A. Philson, H. Ihompson, R. Garrett, J. Dickey and J. Russell. These have all been again nominated, and in addition Mr. E. W. Alison is a candidate. fl? fl? fl? The following resolutions will be proposed at the above meeting :—(1) “That the trustees of the Ellerslie Racecourse be empowered to borrow from The Australian Mutual Provident Society the sum of £lO,OOO for the term of 10 years, at the rate of interest of £9 per centum per annum reducible to £7 per centum per annum by punctual payment of the interest at the said rate of £7 per centum per annum on the security of the Ellerslie Racecourse, the property of the Auckland Racing Club.” (2) “That the mortgage deed, securing the said sum of/ - 10,000 and interest, shall contain all such covenants and conditions as the Committee of the said Club may authorise, and a power of sale by the mortgagees of the mortgaged property in case of the non-payment of the principal and interest at the times appointed or on breach of non-observance of any of the covenants or conditions of the mortgage.” (3) “That the said trustees aie authorised to execute a deed of mortgage containing the above terms.” (4) “ That the trustees of the said Club are authorised to take all necessary steps to have the land, the property of the said Club, brought under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act.” « * * Te Ata was brought up from the South yesterday, and was taken out to Ellerslie to Mr. Hayr’s place. % fl? Ingarangi arrived on Wednesday from Wellington. * fl? fl? I would remind those desirous of contributing to the benefit of W. Clifford’s widow, that tickets for the art union can be obtained either at the Sporting Review office, or from Mr. J. Gallagher of the British Hotel. fl? fl? fl? Mr. John Kirkwood, after representing the Auckland Racing Club at the Metropolitan Clubs’ Conference, returned to Auckland on Tuesday.

The Rangitikei Hunt steeplechaseswill be held on Tuesday, September Ist., on the Jockey Club’s course, at Marton. is to be given away, divided among eight races. fl? fl? fl? The annual meeting of the members of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club will be held on Monday next. Mr. H. Edison, the popular Auckland metallician, has issued one of the most comprehensive Turf Guides I have ever seen. Following the plan adopted for so many years by “Centaur” in Melbourne, he has issued a “ New Zealand Centaur ” on the same lines, but with a lot of new and original matter therein. Most prominent among the features of the book is a complete list of the performances of all the horses engaged in the New Zealand Cup, which is invaluable to racing men, now that the season of 1892-93 is just about to commence. In addition to this, the book furnishes complete tables of the winners of all the principal events decided on the turf of Australia and New Zealand for many years, and lists of the nominations for the leading classic events of the Australian and New Zealand racing season; weights for the N.Z. Cup, Melbourne Cup, and Caulfield Cup ; records of doughty deeds performed in all branches of sport and athletics ; the list of records passed by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and other jottings of information on all branches of sport In short, the book is the most handy compendium of sporting information ever compiled in the Colony and given to the public at the low price of a “ colonial Robert,” as cricketers, footballers, athletes, cyclists, and rowing men, as well as racing men, will find a fund of useful information in it. The well-known “ Centaur ” figure is to be seen on the cover of the book which has been printed in firstclass style at the office of the Sporting Review. A large sale has already been obtained for it, I am pleased to say. a? fl? fl? It will be seen from the list of scratchings published in another column that a pair of Mr. Gollan’s horses, Tiraillerie and Medjidie, have been eliminated from the Melbourne Cup. A* “ Nunquam Dormio,” in the Melbourne Punch, says :—“ Some kind friend has forwarded me a copy of the Auckland Sporting Review of 30th June, as nice and racy a two-penn’orth of allround sport as ever it has been my good fortune to drop across ; and judging by the ‘ ads’ I should say it was booming, too. It will only be in the eternal fitness of things if it is.” a? * From England comes the news that the horse Far Niente has been purchased there to come to Sydney, and it is surmised that his destination is the Hobartville Stud, where Grand Flaneur stands, and the proprietors of which recently • sustained rather a severe loss by the death of the Anteros— Steppe horse Too Soon just after they had purchased him. Far Niente was not more than a moderate performer last season in England, winning but one minor event out of four, but he is well bred enough, being by Galliard (son of Galopin, and winner of the Two Thousand Guineas) out of Lotus by Doncaster (winner of the Derby), out of Lady Alice Hawthorn by Newminster— Lady Hawthorn (sister to Thormanby). She is, therefore, bred very closely on the dam’s side to the same lines as Lady Ravensworth (dam of Ravensworth, Puschka, and Lord Raven) and Florentine, who, as I mentioned lest week, sired Affluence, the winner of the Acorn Stakes at Epsom. Hawthorndale, the dam of Florentine, is in fact a half-sister to Far Niente’s dam Lotus. fl? fl? fl? Mr. Sydney James, the secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club, journeyed up to Christchurch to attend the annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association held on the i3th inst. Thereat occurred a “little breeze” between himself and Mr. J. S. Williams in this wise. When the election of an Executive Committee (z'.c., a committee to pass programmes and deal with the internal affairs of the Association) came before the meeting, they were about to proceed to the appointment of scrutineers, when Mr. James said he would object to Mr. Williams t iking part in the election of the committee as he was interested monetarily. Mr. Williams retorted, “ £ deny having any monetary interest ; I would like to know what Mr. James means by what he states. I claim my right to vote. I only want the things to be carried out fairly.” Mr. James answered, “ You told me yourself, Mr. Williams, that you held sixty shares in Lancaster Park. I do not wish to have any quarrel.” Whereupon a ballot was taken for the election of an Executive Committee with the result that Mr. J. S. Williams was not chosen, but Mr. C. H. Williams (better known as a prominent member of the C.J.C. Committee and as “ Mr. H. Hammond ”) and Mr. Richardson (the old-time jockey aud present handicapper and starter for several of the suburban clubs near Christchurch) were elected in conjunction with Messrs. C. S. Howell, T. Marr, and H. J. Derrett. Mr. James subsequently carried a motion, “ That it be a special instruction from this Association to the Executive Committee that properly audited balance-sheets be asked for from all clubs before programmes are passed.” If the Executive Committee strictly adhere to this, I fear me that some trotting institutions in the South Island will have a bad time of it. fl? fl? fl? The Canterbury Jockey Club not long ago endeavoured to effect improvements (?) in the totalisator, with the result that the public who patronised their race meetings became very disssatisfied. Now in their own official organ, the Weekly Press and Referee, it is gratifying to read that—“ It is understood that at the Grand National meeting the old system of working an inside and outside totalisators will be reverted to, the dividends being computed and paid separately. There cannot be the slightest doubt that the return to the old style will give general satisfaction.” I hope so. If Messrs. Hobbs and Goodwin, who work the totalisators for the Canterbury Jockey Club, had been left to their own devices long ago and not interfered with by some people who knew nothing whatever about the mechanical working of a totalisator, I am certain from personal observation there would have been no such grounds of complaint as the patrons of the Canterbury Jockey Club have recently had reason to exhibit.

“ Mazeppa,” who has been recently looking through Messrs. Stephenson aad Hazlett’s stable reports that nine horses are in training there under Bishop’s charge. My brother scribe says : “ Occident’s lengthy spell has caused him to assume a very round beefy appearance, and he will not be at his best till the coming racing season is a bit advanced —say about February—but he is apparently sound and healthy. Hippomenes has evidently been kept jogging along quietly, and there is no reason why he should not be prepared for the New Zealand Cup Meeting. Huguenot is looking remarkably well, and so is Tempest. The last-named seems to be improving with age. Both mares arc likely to race pretty early in the season. Lustre is growing fairly well, but he has a lot of work in front of him before he will be ready for a cup contest.” a? fl? fl? At Wellington during the race week the owner of Whalebone and a prominent Napier bookmaker had a bet, the outcome of which will be watched with interest. The owner of Whalebone bet the bookmaker a level £ 100 that his horse would beat Couranto in the Grand National Steeplechase, I, 2,3, both to start. The money was deposited in reliable hands when the bet was made. fl? fl? fl? They stand no nonsense with.jockies in England. Mr. A, Coventry, the starter, reported Robinson, the rider- of Bona vista, for disobedience at the post in the D.erby, with the result that the stewards suspended Robinson from riding until the Newmarket July meeting, a loss to him of over a month’s employment. A? fl? * Nunthorpe has been in the past a most useful slave to Colonel North, the Nitrate King, and now comes the news that this horse has appropriated the Liverpool Cup of a mile and three furlongs, run at the end of last week. Nunthorpe only got home by a neck from Windgall and Clarence, who ran a dead heat for second money. Windgall (who is a son of the Two Thousand Guineas winner, Galliard) is owned by Baron de Hirsch, so the charities just missed another liberal donation from the Austrian Baron. Clarence, who is the property of Mr. Blundell Maple (Common’s owner) won the City and Suburban at the commencement of the present season * a? fl? Newman, by his victory in the Winter Handicap at the V.R.C. Grand National Meeting, has incurred a penalty of 1 |lb for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, making his weight for the former 7.8, and for the latter 7.10. fl? fl? # The value of the English Derby won by Sir Hugo was There was a surplus of /510 from the entrances to the race, and with /’tooo added from the fund, the total to be placed to the credit of Lord Bradford is the good sum of/'7OlO, as mentioned above. This is not the richest Derby on record, as when Lord Lyon won in 1866 the stake was worth/'7350. fl? * fl? , On the morning of the English Derby a poetic narrative of a dream of the great race, which appeared in the London Sportsman, concluded as follows • — Surprise of surprises ! A great shout arises, Proclaiming abroad that the contest is done — That Wisdom’s chef d’oeuvre, the son of Manoeuvre, Lord Bradford’s Siu Hugo the Derby has won. As far as I can ascertain this was the only tipster that came anigh the result. fl? fl? fl? On the same day as the entries for the A.J.C. Metropolitan Stakes closed those for the Epsom Handicap of 1000 sovs, one mile (to be run on the first day of the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, September 10) were received. They numbered 77, and among them I notice the names of The Workman and Mr. Bobbett’s Quadrant. Those two demons over a short course, Bungebah and Marvel, are entered, and so is the crack youngster Autonomy. fltf fl? fl? The Bundoora Park (Vic.) Stud, the property of Mr. S. Gardiner (who is well known in New Zealand as breeder of Taiaroa, Emir Bey, Turquoise, Armourer, Darebin and others), was sold by order of the mortgagee in Melbourne on the 14th inst. The whole of the stock comprising 140 head of thoroughbred horses and several shorthorn cattle with first-class credentials as prize winners were knocked down to Mr. W. Hoskings of Sydney for/5,750. r- fl? * The Nelson Colonist of the 20th inst. quotes a goodly portion of my “ In Memoriam ” notice of Wally Clifford, and adds that in addition to his mounts mentioned by me, he rode Ranee Nuna and Paramo to victory in the Waimea Plate and Welter Handicap respectively at the Nelson Jubilee Meeting. fl? fl? fl? J. Kean has received a couple of additions to his team, both the animals being the property of Mr. McNicol of Waikato. One is a coming two-year-old filly by Muskapeer out of Fishplate, and the other a filly of the same age by St. Leger out of Rangi. fl? fl? fl? Mr. D. McKinnon’s horses Scot Free and Loch Ness were, through the medium of the secretary of the Auckland Racing Club, scratched on Monday for all their engagements at the Victoria Amateur Turf Club’s Spring Meeting and Victoria Racing Club’s Spring Meeting. fl? fl? A? The hurdle horse Stepper has been sold to Mr. McKellar, who was acting in the transaction on behalf of an Indian buyer. The horse will shortly be shipped to the land of “Rajahs and rice.” £2OO was, I believe, the price paid for him. fl? fl? as Every racehorse bred in the colonies will be a year older next Monday, August 1. fl? fl? At . The rising two-year-old filly St. Ella, by St. Leger — Satanella, has changed hands, having been purchased by Mr. Thorpe, of Ellerslie.

Just before going to press Messrs. Nolan, Tonks and Co. advised this office that the date of the Hawera Horse Fair had been altered to August 20.

It is a peculiar fact that Wisdom, the sire of the Derby winner Sir Hugo, never won a race. Wisdom ran second to Thunder in the Craven Stakes in 1876, and was only beaten a head by Dalham for the Epsom Cup. But he did not score a win before he left the turf. Sir Hugo, however, is not the first classic winner begotten by him, lor Surefoot, a son of his, won the Two Thousand Guineas in 1890.

The indefatigable “Pentagraph,” of the Weekly Press, has issued his trotting statistics for the season of 1891-92. They show that there were 33 clube that gave /50 or upwards in stakes to this branch of the game, the Auckland Trotting Club heading the list with four days’ racing and XT, 705 for 30 races. The Canterbuiy Trotting Club comes second with four days and in stakes; Lower Heathcote, Christchurch, third with ZB9O for five days ; Lancaster Park Christchurch, fourth with for four days; Plumpton Park, Christchurch, fifth with 10s. for four days; and the Dunedin Jockey Club sixth with Z 635 distributed over seven days. The remarkable tiling about the table, however, is the position taken by the Auckland clubs. As “ Pentagraph” observes :—“ Two seasons ago the disbursements in stakes for trotting in the Auckland district did not reach /200, while this season well on for X*3,000 was given.” There are 49 clubs in different parts of the colony that gave less than /50 in stakes, and in all the amount of stake money for the season amounted to 10s for 568 trots and galloway races. With regard to the totalisator investments the Auckland Trotting Club heads the list among the 33 clubs above referred to, having passed through the machine for 30 races, but the Dunedin Jockey Club has a higher average with for 10 races. Nelson is worst off in this respect, having put through only £]2 for four races to which was given in added money. The Nelson representative, Rarus, tops the list of winning horses with and the ancient and somewhat despised Otago horse, Maori Jack, thanks to honesty on his part and on the part of his owner, comes second with fl r 59. A Canterbury horse, Nilreb, is third with /’is2, and Venus, another belonging to the same district, is fourth with £146, while Otago’s big horse, Contractor, comes next with The others that have won over /Too are Little Ben /■137, Myrtle (Peter’s) Sapphire MaudS./’ll 8, Rover/JoS, and Our Pony There are 15 owners who won over in stakes. Mr. W. Kerr (Christchurch) takes Messrs. M. and J. Allan (Dunedin) Miss Field /■129, and Mr. Myers There were during the season 17 dividends of over the largest being Blackthorn’s 12s at Vincent. « * * . I have to acknowledge the receipt from Mr. Freeman R. Jackson, the secretary of the Wanganui Jockey Club, of a copy of the report and balance-sheet whieh was to be laid before the members of that club at their annual meeting last night (Wednesday). The report says: -“It is with great sorrow and regret that your committee have, in the first place, to notice the death of the Club’s President (H. S. Harrison, Esq.), a gentleman who always took a keen interest in racing and in all matters connected with the Wanganui Jockey Club, he having been a prominent member since its inception in 1848. Your committee feel that they express the opinion of the members when they say that the club has lost a President whose place it will be hard to fill. Mr. Harrison was a sportsman of the old English school, and raced for racing’s sake. He imported thoroughbred animals in the early days of the colony whose progeny have come down to the present day. He died at the ripe age of 82, regretted by all members of the community. Your committee beg to lay before the club the annual statement of accounts. The receipts from all sources amount to/4986 os lod, as against 13s gd for 1891. The total expenditure for the year has been 17s 4d, leaving a surplus of 4s 6d. The committee acquired the piece of land, about seven acres, situated at the back of the grandstand, at a satisfactory rent. On obtaining this it was thought advisable to improve and beautify it, thereby making the grounds attractive to the general public. They therefore had it fenced about 70 chains with a strong substantial fence, new en-trance-gates, road, and approaches. A sheet of ornamental water has been made, and amongst other improvements a new stand, capable of seating 500 people. The expenditure on all these improvements involved a large outlay, but your committee feel certain that the club will appreciate their efforts to make the Wanganui racecourse and its surroundings second to none in the colony. The whole of the money spent on improvements has come out of the profits of the year under review. The stakes given away for the year amount to 168 ss, as against 5s for the previous season. The balance-sheet shows the club’s finances to be sound, for after providing for all liabilities there remains a credit of £7lB 16s 3d. The racing for the year has been, we believe, satisfactory to owners and the public, the entries for all races being of a high class character. .Messrs. Earle and Connolly represented the club at the Racing Conference, the result of which has already appeared in the Press. Your committee have adopted a set of training rules which they are of opinion were highly necessary in the interests of the club. Your committee wish to place on record their thanks to all the officials and servants, of the club for the efficient manrter in which their duties have been performed. In accordance with the by-law passed last year, the following members retire from the committee, but are eligible for re-election, viz. : Messrs. W. Wilson, W. Bamber, W. F. Downes, and F. Jones. —R. C. Earle, Chairman.” The balance-sheet appended shows, as intimated, a profit of 4s 6d on the season’s operations. The totalisator brought in/2320 12s, less the Government tax of , 2 os 2< k The members’ subscriptions amounted to 19s, and the training fees to ss. 5s was paid away in stakes, and l4s 5d in advertising and printing. £l2 12s appears as “voted to Conference delegates,” and Z 3 15s to “expenses re Conference.” Under the heading of “general expenses,” appears • 5s Bd, and in the salaries account I find—“ secretary, j2 i0 °5 custodian, /Joo; handicappers, 15, and starter/40.”

I hear that it will be some time before an Aucklander’s recent purchase Baccarat is able to race, for he got cast in his b>x very badly the other dav. # -x- « The rising two year-old sister to Dreadnought has been named lenteraire, and other names bestowed by Australian owners on youngsters of the same age are :—-Colt by Denton from Bridesmaid, Trenchant; colt by Suu arrow—Toapz (dam of Turquoise), Vannovski; colt by Trenton —Ennui, Carnbooya : colt by Lochiel — Musk Deer, Glenullen ; colt by Trenton—Ringdove, Burton; colt by Trenton - Paquita, Gil Blas ; colt by Trenton— Sophietina, Alameda; filly by Trenton — Dainty, Brocade ; colt by Tranter — Raillery, Rifle ; filly by Thunderbolt — Miss Heslop, Bronte ; colt by Trenton — Paradise, Larbert: and colt by Niagara—Rosary, Aquarius. It may be pointed out that both Rifle and Bronte have already been appropriated, the former name having been bestowed on a son of Armourer and Discretion, foaled in 1884, and the latter cognomen on a son of Anteros and My Idea, also bred in 1884. Aquarius is a son of Apremont and Waterwitch that ran this season in the South Island. ■» * In its comments on the competitors for the Victoria Grand National Hurdle Race the Sporting Standard says of an old New Zealander whom Jack Rae had a very intimate and somewhat unsatisfactory acquaintance with at hlemington two years back :—“Those who remember Donald when he ran second in the race two years ago could hardly believe that it was the same animal that the veteran Ballarat trainer, Tommy Wilson, was now saddling up for the fray, so much had the son of Patriarch improved. Formerly he was a mean, scraggy little horse, but an eighteen months’ residence at Dowling Forest has altered all that appearance, and no fitter horse ever left the paddock than Donald. He was one ball of muscle, but never flattered his backers, and never got near the leading division until the last half mile, when he struggled into third place.” -A? * * And the same journal thus sums up the make and shape of Redleap, who set the seal on his fame by winning the double of Grand National Hurdles and Grand National Steeple :—“ Redleap towered over the majority of the other horses in his vicinity in the saddling paddock. Although he was always a fine upstanding horse, Redleap has thickened and furnished a lot since he ran last year, and is now a remarkably fine specimen of the massive thoroughbred, up to any amount of weight, with a rare jumping shoulder, and quarters and loins strong enough to carry him over a town.” * « * According to cablegrams to the American papers the betting on the Grand Prize of Paris, won by Rueil, was 7 to 4 on Fra Angelico, 6 to 1 against Rueil, Courlis and Chene Royal, 20 to 1 against Bucentaure, Ranes and Diabeck, 25 to 50 to 1 any others. Lane, an English jockey employed in M. Edmond Blanc’s stable, rode the winner, while Rolfe was up on Courlis, the second horse, and Kearney on Chene Royal who finished third. Bucentaure led until the straight was reached, when Courlis passed him, but Rueil, coming with a strong run at the distance, got up and won by a neck from Courts, with Chene Royal three lengths away third. Mr W. C. Cooper, the young Australian who has won good races in England with The Lover, is still laying out some of his vast wealth in the purchase of thoroughbred horseflesh. His latest purchase is Orontes, a colt by Bend Or out of an unnamed daughter of Hermit and Lady Blanche, for whom he gave 520 gns. after he had won the Trial Plate at Newmarket for Mr. T. Jennings, junior. # * * The large number of 16,858 horses started in trotting and pacing races in the United States and Canada last year. # X- ‘XSunol, the great American trotting recordbreaker, will be sent to Meadville, Pennsylvania, shortly, to try to lower her record of 2min. BJsec. over the kite-shaped track there. * * The number of racecourses in Hungary has been doubled within the last 10 years, and the Government also has 150 stallions in Croatia, making a total of 4753 for the whole of the AustroHungarian Empire. 5.4 % * Usually the Derby is decided in the month of May, the exceptions when it has been run in June being, in addition to the present years, as follows : —l79’> 1 794> <797, ,8 ° 2 ’ 1808 > lBio > lBr 3’ iB2I > 1824, 1829, 1832, 1835, 1840, 1862, 1870, 1874, 1878, 1881, 1885, 1889, and 1890. The day of the week for the race to be run was permanently altered to Wednesday in 1838. * * What a prosperous institution is Sydney Tattersall’s Club. Its roll of membership now tots up to 650. X * ■ XFirst Lord was a brilliant horse in his time—one of the most brilliant two-year-olds I ever saw. His brother Forbury, however, could never be trained, and has now, I see by a Dunedin paper, come down so low as to be used as a hack by Mr. J. Stephenson. Another instance of how some members of a racing family differ materially. ■* * * “ Rata,” the Christchurch correspondent of the Otago Witness, reports that some alterations are to be made on the Canterbury Jockey Club’s course in view of the Grand National Meeting. The straight of the course proper will be utilised for the hurdle racing and steeplechasing instead of opening the rails and going on to the trial gallop, and finishing on that gallop. The obstacles in the straight will now be on the course proper, and the finishes of all races on the course proper. That will do away with the sod wall at the top turn, which is a very tricky obstacle.

Sir Modred’s stock continue to make a name for themselves in America. Latest news from that quarter tells us that at the Brooklyn meeting in May his four-year-old son Dr. Hasbrouck won at five and a half furlongs in I min 7|sec ; Courtship ran five furlongs in 1 min qsec ; Integrity did the same distance in imin 4^-sec; and Masterlode ran a mile and three sixteenths in 2min ssec. At the New York meeting which followed Dr. Hasbrouck ran five furlongs in 59sec ; Masterlode did nine furlongs in imin 55sec ; Fairplay went a mile and a sixteenth in imin qgsec ; and Shellbark did a mile in imin Furthermore, the Sir Modred yearlings topped the market at Mr. Haggin’s great sale. One sold for 2,700 dol, another for 1,050 dol, four fetched 1,000 dol each, and other prices are 2,700 dol, 2,500 dol. and 1,800 dol. Thirteen of them realised 14,685 dol. Darebin’s stock are also doing well in the States, and at this sale they were looked after by buyers.”