Turf Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 129, 12 January 1893, Page 5

Turf Topics.

[By

“Sir Launcelot.”]

The payments to owners over the Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting totalled of which Mr. L. D. Nathan took Of this amount the Auckland Cup represented ,<527 ss, and the Great Northern Derby £413 5 s - The Auckland Steeplechase was worth £26* 5 s to Mr. W. Paul, and the Racing Club Handicap £332 ios to Mr. V. Harris. In an article on sport in 1892, the Australasian: sa y S : “ Taken all round racing has by comparison fared worse than any other form of sport during 1892. The suburban clubs must have been’ hard put to make both ends meet We think some of them can hardly have succeeded this far,’ and should the V.R.C. adopt Mr. Cowell’s very' sensible suggestion with regard to Saturday racing at Flemington and Caulfield, it-will be even more difficult for the proprietary courses to live during 1893. It is a sign of the times when we hear of the V.R.C.' casting round for the means of replenishing its exchequer. When it was known that the Spring Meeting had panned out badly we suggested the abolition of sweeps in all races and the imposition of entrance and acceptance fees to go to the race fund. The committee have discussed the advisability of availing themselves of this means of making revenue, and, although they have not absolutely decided on its adoption, we think the feeling of a majority is in favour of reverting to some such method of avert-' ing a general reduction 'in stakes. By taking the 1 entrance monies and running a few Saturday meetings the V.R.C. may be able to avoid cutting down stakes, but the falling off in the receipts this year is a warning that something must be done. Apart from a general decline in the prosperity of the various clubs in Victoria, 1892! cannot be said to have been a remarkable year as far as turf history is concerned. The A.J.C. had no cricket to contend against on the holidays, and their receipts should come up to the anticipated total. During the Spring Meeting, however, the public regarded Randwick with a very cold eye, and if they would not patronise headquarters depend upon it they have also been none too liberal with the smaller fixtures. Queensland and South Australia have the totalisator to assist in propping up their revenue, and consequently the leading clubs are not so dependent on the gate, but evert in these colonies times have not been any too brisk, and we are not likely to hear any talk of increased stakes. Tasmania has possibly held its own, and Western Australia must have strengthened its position from a racing point of view, but in New Zealand things are not so bright. There is no doubt that some of the leaders of the Metropolitan Clubs seriously think that owing to over-racing the totalisator is in danger, and should the machine be abolished racing in Maoriland is likely to deteriorate rapidly.” 1 . As I have heard that some unscrupulous persons have been travelling to race meetings in different parts of the colony falsely representing themselves as being connected with the Sporting Rbvirw, it would in future be as well for clubs’ secretaries to satisfy themselves as to the bona fides of any person applying for admission in the,interests of this journal.

. Lord Hastings, who won the English Derby with Melton, is retiring from the turf owing to ill--1 health, and the whole of his stud is to be sold. At the Victorian Amateur Turf Club’s Summer Meeting on Boxing Day the principal event was the Hopetoun Cup Handicap of 400S0VS, one mile and three furlongs. There were 22 runners, including the New Zealand-bred Namoa, 7.12 and JEgyptus, 7.8. Nawoa was ndden by White. The favourite was Mr W. S. Hickenbotham s four-year-old horse Comedian, 7.1 J, at 4 to 1. next in demand being Mareo, 7-b (j’ ldc y n , Cusdin), and Airlie, 7 2, and about each of these 7to I was taken. Comedian and Dramatist, 7.8, were responsible for most of the running up to the home turn, where Comedian was beaten. Dramatist was then in the lead, but Norbert soon came to the front, and at the distance was clear of Dramatist and Bloodshed. Dramatist swerved right across the course, but Norbert continued on the even tenor of his way and won easily by three lengths from Taurus, with Tarcoola third, two lengths off. Time, 2min 23? sec. Norbert carried 7.5, Taurus 7.0. and TarCoola 9.0. Norbert was not backed by his owner, Mr S. Miller, or by the connections of the stable, and consequently he .left the paddock at 12 to 1. With the exception of the Geelong Cup this is the only race that Norbert has won since he passed into the hands of the Messrs Miller for 40Ogs. He was bred by Mt F. Reynolds, of Tocal, N.S.W., in 1887, and is by Sylvia’s son Goldsbrough out of Lady Laura, by Hamlet (son of Maribyrnong) out of Lady Hilda, .by Lord of the Isles—Rigolboche (dam of the lynglish Derby winner Cremorne). The Juvenile Stakes Handicap of 300SOVS, five furlongs, saw Mr W. R. Wilson victorious with Nada, a daughter of Trenton and the Grand Flaneur mare Tuberose. There were 11 starters. Commenting on the race the Australasian says:—“Naughty Lass, a lengthy, neat-looking daughter of the recently-imported Nautilus, was the chief hope of - Caulfield. Everyone seemed to know that the trial had been a very high one, and James Redfeam had foregone the cricket to see him perform. Miraculeux was the pick of the lot in the matter of looks. A rare fine colt this, and without doubt he will develop into a racehorse, but he is still a little backward. Gloria was the heroine of a Nursery in the Spring, and she is a charming filly ; so is Bung Bung, and both Mysia and Somniloquist look as sharp as needles. The low and level Nada, with her four white feet, earned a hundred for her owner, and Mr Macdonald only feared Naughty Lass, whose reputation frightened most owners. Next to Miraculeux perhaps Patron looks more like making a racehorse of the future than anything else that ran, but he is an idle worker, and the Flemington division were not m love with his chance. There was some bungling At the post, and when they got going Gloria did nbt begin well. Still the start can hardly have been as uneven as; it looked from the stand, as at the sod wall the last two were Patron and Nada, and they were fairly placed entering the straight. Up to this time Miraculeux, Somniloquist, and Naughty Lass were at the head of affairs, but from the distance Nada cut them down in brilliant style, and she won rather easily from Patron, with! Naughty Lass, who made a feeble resistance tc? the dinner’s challenge, third. Nada is another Trentoh, and she was bred at Richmond Park, South Australia, by Mr J. H. Aldridge, who bought her dam Tuberose at Hobartville. On several previous occasions she had lost the St. Albans party their money, but this victory must have atoned for previous disappointments, as the stake was a good one and the stable got on their money at 8 to 1. Miraculeux ran fast and finished generously, but next to the winner the best performer in the race was Patron, who is pretty sure to win races for Mr Purchase.” Patron is by Grand Flaneur from Olga, by Piscator—Beatrice. At this same V.A.T.C. Meeting the ex-New Zealander Tayforth, with 9.12, ran third to Knight of the Garter, 11.9, and Sundowner, 10.0, in the Hurdle Handicap, about one mile and ahalf. The aged Paddy, with 7.10, was unplaced behind Greenwich, 6.10, in the Selling Race, 5 furlongs. The brilliant but erratic Lord Hope-, toun by Neckersgat—Promise, carried 8.0 to the front in the Malvern Handicap, 6 furlongs, beating 9 others.

1; In commenting on the results of the racing at . Sydney on Boxing Day “ Terlinga” says:—“A well-known Victorian recently in Sydney returned full of admiration for Blarneystone. He described him to me as by far the finest three-year-old out this season. Well, Blarneystone ran respectably . on two occasions at Randwick, and if James Monaghan can get him really well by the autumn he will add to the interest in our St. Leger. At present there seems every chance of this race being the most interesting on record. Although Gamoola.won both the Derbys there is nothing about his past form to dismay other owners, and through Trieste, Etra Weenie would appear to have been quite his equal in the spring. St. Hippo, who has just added to his reputation by winning the Auckland Cup under 8.9, is engaged, and so is Florrie’s brother Launceston, a colt who ran well at the New Zealand Cup Meeting. Outside these a splendid field can be made up from Azim, Brotherton, Wolf, Meli, The Captain, Jonathan, Candour, Attalus, Autonomy, Ronda, and last, but not least, Calculus, who should be one of the best colts of the year next March.” “ Rapier,”’ of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, discussing an article on the Melbourne Cup which appeared in a recent number of Scribner's Magazine, remarks:—“ln one thing the Australians surpass us; we have no race here equal in value to the Melbourne Cup. In 1890 ‘ the value of the trophy, sweepstakes, and added money amounted to Surefoot’s Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in 1891 is set down as amountingin value to 411,075 *os. ; Ayrshire’s was Zl 1,160; Orbit’s ana Bendigo’s just 4*0,000. As for the Lancashire Plate, La Fleche won under 48,000 on the 24th of last September. Signorina last year took a little under 49»ooo, Amphion in the year before 49,091 I S s -> Donovan itt 1889 found it worth 410,131 I s s -» and in Sea * breeze’s year, to be quite accurate, the stake amounted to 4 t0 , 222 ,os - ,od - — odd rodhas an odd look after the little fortune which precedes it. These have been the richest stakes ever run form England, so the Melbourne 4 *3, 080 ! heads the list.” Palliser and Lady Zetland have been brought back to this colony after an unsuccessful campaign in Australia. ! "

In his usual chatty budget of American turf news which “ Hidago ” supplies to the Australasian. he says, under date November 10th:— “ The great feature of the past month has been the dispersal sale of Congressman William L. Scott, deceased. He began life as a ‘ page ’ in Congress, and died a member of the Lower House of that body for the twelve years preceding his death. His horses sold for 427,220 for 74 mares, 44.520 for their weanlings, and 4 1 3, 8 7°f° r the stallions, of which 46,450 was oir °^ d Rayo* l d’ Or, who fell to the nod of August Belmont, junr., whose father owned St. Blaize during his lifetime. Mr. Haggin, who owns Maxim and Sir Modred, chased Mr. Belmont up to 6,000, and then let go. The other stallions sold at the same sale were the French stallion Aerolithe, by Nougat, which brought 4600, and Kantaka, by Scottish Chief out of Seclusion (Hermit’s dam) by Tadmor, for which 4*4° was realized. The imported mares sold at that sale realized as follows : Arabella, ch m, 1878, by Dutch Skater Miss Winkle, 4260; Belle of Eltham, 1877, by Victorious—Eltham Beauty, 49°5 Blue Cap, 1878, by Blue Gown-Y. Desdemona, 4 28 ° > Clemency, b m, 1878, by Springfield —Clemence (granddam of Carbine), 4 2 4° ; Clover, bm, 1878, by Macaroni—Verdure, by King Tom, 4S°oj Lison, b m, 1881, by Nougat—Laura, by Knight of Garter, 4240 ; Miss Nelson, 1878, by Scottish Chief—Mdle de Ma Mie, 4*60; Neried, 1877, by Saxon — Highland Lassie, 4280; Quarantine, 1876, by Victorious —Rinderpest, by Alarm, 4250; Santa Lucia, 1878, by Lord Lyon Lady Kargarette, 4’>4 B °; Scottish Lass, 1883, by Scottish Chief — Doncaster Lass, 4600 ; W alt " away, 1883, by Rosicruc’an —Bordelaise, 4545 > Bordelaise, 1875, by B o .vn Bread — Olive, by Claret, 4100. At the same time was sold the imported ch h Hermence, by Isonomy out of Thebais, by Hermit, for 4 i j 8 ° 0, ~ ie purchaser is not known, but the horse was bid for by McLaughlin, the jockey, and the general belief is that the party behind the throne was Mr. Pierre Lorillard. The latter gentleman is very much pleased with his Argyle colt out of Ricochet, by Musket (own sister to Mitrailleuse), and I think if a shipment of mares got by Nordenfeldt, Enfilade, Trenton, Martini - Henry, or Thunderbolt were made over here that he would be one of the buyers, and good prices could be realized for them. Tranter might not sell well at first, but would clear a handsome price every year for services if stabled at Nashville or Lexington. I would guarantee him to clear annually.” The same writer says :—“The Australian sires have kept their prestige since my last. In Chicago the Cheviots of the M‘Carthy stable have done remarkably well at the close of the season there. Bridal Veil won once, Bemado once and twice second in the same week. At Washington the Sir Modreds won three times in two days, the first race being won by Gloaming, the second by Shelly Tuttle, and the third by Mary Stone, with Gloaming second. On the ■ first-named day the Cheviot colt Osric went out and squandered a field of six at six furlongs and a half in tmin 22|sec, with 1 r6lb up. Dr. Ross, by Cheviot, who was the fastest two-year-old in California last year, has developed into a downright rascal, and will not extend himself in a race with other horses, though he runs phenomenal races at exercise.” Mornington Cannon —Tom Cannon’s worthy son—heads the list of winning jockeys in England for the past racing season. His figures are : —7OO mounts, 175 wins, 525 non-successes. George Barrett comes next with 673 mounts, 153 wins and 520 losses; and then follow J. Watts, 4 2 9 mounts, 106 wins; G. Chaloner, 412 mounts, 78 wins; C. Loates, 419 mounts, 73 wins; W. Bradford, 345 mounts, 72 wins. Yum Yum has been sold to Mr Budge for I2ogs. Her old owner, Mr J. Craig, left for Sydney on Saturday. He made hosts of friends during his stay here, and it is to be regretted he did not win more money with his game honest mare. However, what he did win urith totalisator money added should compensate him for his expenses over from Sydney.

Says ‘ Random,’ of the Canterbury Times, in commenting on the victory of Crackshot in the Auckland Racing Club Handicap :—“ O’Connor has at last managed to pick up a decent stake with the infirm Crackshot, and a host of Canterbury friends will be ready to congratulate the persevering young trainer upon his success. The son of Pungawerewere is, I believe, one of the most unlucky horses of the century. He was tried high enough when three year old to repeat all the performances of his predecessor Manton, but his repeated failures —which were not overshadowed by his two brilliant victories —are now matters of history. Let us hope that he will last long enough to redeem the promise of his youth.”

There is one country outing in Canterbury that is particularly enjoyable on New Year’s Day and that is the gathering held at Tinwald, near Ashburton. The Club have a lovely course and stand, and dispense good stakes, and with a special train service the Christchurch racing folks always turn out well. This year I notice the club had goodweather and there was alarge attendance, while 4*597 went through the totalisator. Mr. S. Alexander had a win in the Maiden Plate with Rosehill, who is a three-year-old son of Liverpool —the half-brother to Sir Modred that won the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes for the late Hon. W. Robinson. Messrs. M. and C. Hobbs took the Tinwald Cup Handicap of SSsovs, one mile and a half, with Lord Zetland by Perkin Warbeck ll.— Forget Me Not, who carred 7.6 home by a length from Warrington 8.5. Beau Nash, Aquarius, Gillie and Quibble were behind them, it being the latter’s reappearance after a retirement of some duration. Mr. Alexander had another turn in the Welter Handicap with Frivolity, the three-year-old son of Cadogan and Nonsense. Both Rosehill, 7.0, and the Nordenfeldt Rosarina mare Carronade 9.7, found more than their match in the Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs, Kate Greenaway, 8.5, leading all the way and winning in a canter by four lengths from Rosehill, who was the same distance in advance of Carronade. Kate Greenaway is a half-sister to Prime Warden and Sultan, being by Johnny Faulkner (son of St. Albans) out of Miss Kate.

J. Poole, the well-known cross-country rider and trainer, has had the disqualification inflicted on him for suspicious riding on Rebel on the second day of the North Otago Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting removed. Rebel’s disqualification has also been removed.

H. Lunn has purchased R. Derrett’s yearling colt by Chain Shot out of Cajolery’s sister Adulation.

The Dunedin Jockey Club has again expressed its determination to have nothing to do with the proposed New Zealand Jockey Club. This is the text of a resolution arrived at at a meeting of the D.J.C.’s committee' the other day in reply to a circular letter from Captain Russell, as chairman of the last conference, recommending that delegates be appointed to attend the next conference with full power to agree that the decision of the majority should be binding on all : ‘ That the Dunedin Jockey Club has from the first opposed the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club, and it sees no reason to cause it to alter its former determination. In this it is upheld by the whole of the county clubs of the Otago Metropolitan district, and it, therefore, declines to send delegates to discuss a question which it has already decided to have nothing to do with, and will refuse to recognise a New Zealand Jockey Club if formed.’

Colonel North’s horses which are to run for the huge stakes to be given at the time of the World’s Fair at Chicago were to have been shipped from England last month, to fulfil engagements made a year ago. These horses, which will be under the control of Colonel Thomas P. Ochiltree, include El Diablo—whose recent defeat of Orme at Newmarket is still fresh in the public mind—lddesleigh, Sir Frederick Roberts, High Commissioner, Rough and Ready, and Arturo. These are intended to run for the big handicaps, while Royal Harry, Eltham Queen, Antipyrine, and Ernita are engaged in the American Derby, Queen Isabella Stakes, and Sheridan Stakes at Chicago. Several two-year-olds are to accompany the contingent, which will be the most valuable ever sent from England. t

The Albany—Siesta filly Day Dream, who was sold after her two-year-old career by Mr. R. McMaster to Captain Guthrie, Lord Onslow’s late aide-de-camp, took part in the Ellesmere Handicap at the Leicester November Meeting, but was beaten out of place. The filly, who was not mentioned in the betting, was ridden by C. Loates, and finished seventh in a field of 13.

The death is announced of the stallion Goldseeker, the sensational winner of the City and Suburban Handicap of. 1889. The son of The Miser, it will be remembered, started at 50 to 1 and won easily from Fullerton.

The field for the A.J.C. Summer Cup of 1,000 sovs, one mile and a-half, run on Boxing Day, consisted of the following 26 horses:—Marvel, 6yrs, 10.0, Harris; Oxide, 4yrs, 8.9, Pearson, Realm, syrs, 8.2, English; Florrie, 4yrs, 8.2, Huxley ; Ethelbert, syrs, 8.2, Gainsford; Little Bernie, 6yrs, 8.1, inc. sib pen., Schaafe; E.K., syrs, 7.12, Dugdale; Vespasia, aged, 7.10, J. Delaney; Shamrock, 6yrs, 7.9, Ellis; Affiance, 4yrs, 7.9, C. Parker; Alexander, syrs, 7.7, Cooper; Candour, 3yrs, 7.6, Liddiard; Attalus, ?yrs, 7.6, Gardiner; Magnus, aged, 7.5, Kennedy ; Elymas, syrs, 7.5, Garland; Ronda. 3yrs, 7.5, Gough ; Bel Giorno, 4yrs, 7.3, Hatch ; Pippin, 4yrs, 7.3, M'Carthy; Doncaster, syrs, 7.11, Holmes; Two Up, aged, 7.7, including 71b penalty, Hawley; Arquebus, 3yrs, 6.12, Jones; Neptune, 3yrs, 6.9, Freeland; .Roburite, 3yrs, 6.7, A. C. Delaney; Silver Knight, 4yrs, 6.5, carried 6.9, Conlan; Zealandia, syrs, 6.5, Cook; and Syracuse, 4yrs, 6.2,. Luckman. The betting was 6 to 1 agst Marvel, 7 to 1 agst Little Bernie, 10 to I agst Oxide, 12 to 1 agst Florrie, 14 to I each agst Neptune and Bel Giorno, 20 to 1 each agst Realm, Syracuse, Affiance, aud Elymas, 25 to I agst others. Alexander, Ethelbert, and Marvel were first away, aud Alexander led past the stand, closely followed by Elymas, Affiance, Marvel and Oxide, but Elymas soon dashed to the front, with Oxide, Alexander, Syracuse, and Magnus close up, and so they passed the milepost. There was no change to the five-furlongs post, where Florrie, Dan O’Brien’s representative, and Realm came down. Elymasturned the home corner in command from Oxide and Magnus, with Little Bernie coming fast on the outside, and, galloping over everything, the latter got to the front at the distance, and won easily by four lengths from Magnus, who beat Elymas by a head for second place. Time, 2inin 38sec. Little Bernie is a son of the New Zealand-bred Cheviot —who is full brother to Sir Modred, and won the Canterbury Derby of 1882 for the Hon. W. Robinson—and of his present success a Melbourne exchange says ; —“ The news of Little Bernie’s victory in the Summer Cup came as a surprise to Victorians, as down here Mr. Abraham’s horse has always run like a moderate. Blessed with a will of his own, Little Bernie appears to object to racing left-handed. He even declined to work left-handed on more than one occasion before the Melbourne Cup. Several times the sound little son of Cheviot was backed up to the handle at suburban meetings, but he never showed any form entitling him to much consideration in a race like the Summer Cup. However, he can . always claim one staunch admirer, and that is his owner, who doubtless threw in for a good stake on Boxing Day. The top weight, Marvel, was backed at the last moment, and went out first favourite, but did not show to advantage in the race. With Paris scratched, C. Parker was available for the black, but Mr. Hill preferred his old jockey Harris. Little Bernie won with ridiculous ease, and as he was backed down to 7 to 1 his victory cannot have been very S alatable to the ring.” At the same meeting the lordenfeldt—Sister Agnes colt Cannon, owned by Mr. Hordern, was second with 8.0 to Ruskinite, 6.0, in the Trial Stakes of 200 sovs, one mile, Blarneystone, 8.0, finishing third. Ruskinite, who is by Martini-'Henry out of Rusk, and is therefore full brother to Rudolph, is owned by Mr “ J. B. Clark.” Panoply, by Splendor out of Esperance, beat the representative of the “ J. .B. Clark” syndicate, Madras, in the December Stakes of soosovs, 5 furlongs, for two-year olds. There was a sepette behind them, and one of these, Wanganella, came down near the home turn and had one of her shoulders badly injured, and Nerriker, who was riding her, had his collar bone fractured. This filly, who is full sister to Marvel, was purchased last year for Moogs by Mr F. Wentworth, whose colours she carried to victory in the Nursery Handicap at the last V.A.T.C. Spring Meeting. Our old friend Monaghan now won the Nursery Handicap of 2oosovs, five furlongs, with Welcome Jack’s daughter Welcome Spec, who is closely related on the dam’s side to Norbert.i ’

When Highborn was landed in India there was a good deal of difference of opinion as to the chances of his being got ready for the Viceroy’s Cup. The Planter's Gazette boldly plumped for Mr Forrester’s old gelding, and a cable received in Sydney on December 27th announces his victory.

On the 24th ult., Hopetoun, who. on New Year’s Day won the Bagot Handicap at Fleminjgton, was successful with 8.6 in the saddle in the Joyful Handicap of 75sovs, one mile at Williamstown, Vic. He beat eight others, of whom Wiora, 7.5, was second best. The New Zealand - bred Omaha won yet another race at the Maribyrnong (Melbourne) Races on December 27th, for with 7.3 up she beat a field of seven in the Ferryman Handicap of sosovs, five furlongs. Sultan, entered for nil (1) z ran unplaced in the Selling Hurdle Race. Omaha ran unplaced in the Selling Flat Race, of ioosovs, w.f.a with selling allowances, five furlongs, beating El Dorado and Partner. Odds of 5 to’ 2 were laid on her. She won easily by three lengths, and-was bought in for 4 2 4°- <. 111

First Nelson’s half-brother Alcinous, with 8.0 in the saddle, won the principal event at the Baxter’s Flat (Melbourne) races on December 16, but as he only had a couple of moderates opposed to him, there was nothing very wonderful in the performance. Arthur Smith, who so successfully trained Wakawatea for all his two-year-old engagements, has severed his connection with the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s stable. ••••■■*.

A full brother to The Admiral, named Port Admiral, won the principal event of the Adelaide Racing Club’s Meeting on Dec. 28th, the Anniversary Handicap of a. mile and three furlongs, beating nine opponents. - \ - V \

Mr. W. Cooper, the Australian sportsman, had a winning representative at the Derby .(Eqgland) meeting in the middle of November. His filly Armorel, by. Florentine—Ursula, won the Chesterfield Nursery Handicap from a field of 25. The Duke of Portland’s The Prize started favourite, although he carried 9.0, but he was beaten out of place. Armorel is engaged in the Oaks and the Doncaster St. Leger next year? She was purchased by Mr, Cooper as a yearling fpr i,3oogs, and has performed prominently this year in all her engagements except in the Middle Park Plate, in which she failed to get a place.

The Derby Cup Handicap of 2ooosovs, one mile, brought out a field of 23, including such well-known performers as Ermak 8.9, Euclid 8.6, Mr W. Cooper’s colt The Lover 8.3, Curio 7.13, and Lady Hermit 7.5. On the strength of ms head defeat by Windgall in the Liverpool Cup, Ermak was made a strong favourite, as little, as 3 to 1 being taken, with Lauriscope, 7.4, and Lady Rosebery, 9.3, next in demand. The' good thing nearly came off, but Ermak finished very Unkindly, and old Warlaby, 8.1, beat him a length, Earl of Annandale, 6.5, finishing third three lengths behind Ermak. Warlaby *s record is rather an unique one. This son of Syrian and Lady Urrard is now eight years old, and during his long turf career has taken part in 108 races, pf which he has won 27—exactly one in four, ; His first appearance in 1886 was a successful one, but during his earlier seasons his wins were few and far between. > The years 1889, 18907 and'dSpt saw him in a better winning vein, his successes numbering four, six, and six respectively, while in 1892 he secured three victories out of ten essays. Curiously enough his two latest wins were the most valuable—the Nottinghamshire Handicap of 925SOVS and the Derby Cup of i66osovs net. He will now be relegated to stud duties. j, ; / .< ( “ Diamond,” in the Melbourne Sporting Standard, is responsible for the statement that “ a serious rupture took place at Caulfield on Boxing Day between an owner and trainer whose have been for a long time associated on the Victorian turf. From what I can gather it appears that just before the Hopetoun Cup Mr. D? S. Wallace had a ‘ few words’ with Walter Hickenbotham on the point that it was not the correct thing for Hickenbotham to run his own horse Comedian in a race in which Mr. Wallace’s horse Titan was engaged. The upshot of the matter was that after the race Titan left Hickeiibotham’s charge, and will in future be trained at QueensCliff-” ■ ' ■. The South Australian correspondent of the Sporting Standard reports that Pygmalion—who it will be remembered was recently purchased by Mr. J. Pile, of Adelaide—is coming on fairly well. He has been blistered,, and is slowly but surely throwing off his soreness. ,t «*- At fitful intervals (says “Robin Hood,” the English’correspondent of the Australasian, in ' a letter dated November 25) a wager is booked onnext year’s Derby, but so far transactions have been restricted to less than half a dozen horses. The Middle Park Plate winner Isinglass seems firmly established as leading favourite at the short odds of 9 to 2. The Dewhurst Plate winner Meddler is, however, close on his heels at 11. to 2, the last bet recorded in his favour being 1650 to 300. At a respectable distance Raeburn finds friends, 10 to 1 to decent sums being occasionally looked about this colt, while Rainsbury has had some few hundreds laid out on him at 15 to U The only other candidate mentioned is Fealar, who figures at the comparatively outside quotation of 1000 to 30. Mr. T. E. Walker, who owned Elizabeth, winner of the One Thousand Guineas in 1880, has failed with liabilities estimated at 4 200 » 000 - : He is the son of a Birmingham. manufacturer and brother-in-law of Baron Hindlip. Omaha (says a Melbourne exchange) has been a constant battler since the opening of the season, She has faced the starter on 24 occasions, and has been first, second or third 14 times.

The Gisborne Racing Club’s Summer Meeting will eventuate on Tuesday and Wednesday next, the 17 th and 18th inst. The acceptances appear in another column, but as the full results or the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s Spring Meeting are not to hand at the time of writing I will not venture on tipping. However, I may say, that the acceptors have not numbered up quite so well.as they might have. Five is “ the main” for the Flying Handicap, half a dozen for the First Hurdles, seven for the Gisborne Handicap, the same number for the President’s Handicap, dnd half k dozen for the Park Handicap, h• t . ; ’uii• • K?. ■

thought that the owner of Crackshot was very foolish not to take the 415 gs offered him for the Canterbury Cup, Auckland Cup and A.K C. Handicap winner when he was submitted to auction at Messrs. Hunter and Nolan’s yard on Thursday last. It was a bona fide bid, Mr. J. A. Goodwin, of Waitara, being the bidder. Mr. ,Laurence Levy, who was acting as local agent for Mr. V. Harris, the owner of the horse, declined to let him go at the price. Later on another offer of 4?ogs was made, and Mr Levy telegraphed to Mr Harris for instructions, and the answer came back that the reserve was soogs. Accordingly O’Connor—whom his many Auckland friends were glad’to see again after a long absencfe from among them—returned South with the horse on Friday.

The chaser Business, late Hurricane, fell dead 'while exercising at the North Shore on Tuesday. Business showed some form in the Poverty Bay district, but since being brought up here he has never achieved anv success.

The ’ following are the additional entries received by the Wellington Racing Club for their first day’s racing Anniversary Handicap : Free Lance, Spinfeldt. Hurdles: Mutineer, Nursery: Percussion, Purepo, Spinaway, Norsemaid. Welter Handicap: Sprinfeldt, Free Lance, Revolt. Telegraph Handicap : Rebellion, Kulnine, Thame. ~ M. McKinnon had a bad fall on Tuesday while schooling Kildare at O’Neill’s Point, Takapuha. The horse fell at a hurdle, and McKinnon’s Collar bone was broken, and he also received a severe shaking. He was taken to the Auckland hospital during the afternoon. . At the committee meeting of the Auckland Racing Club on Tuesday the programme of the Te Puke Jockey Club was approved of, and an amended programme submitted by the Papakura Jockey Club was also assented to. The committee, in reply to the circular re the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club, decided that they did not see the desirability of forming such a club. A motion on the subject of the disqualification of the horses that competed at Northern Wairoa was passed, and the text of it will be found in the Review’s “ Official Column.” •

s The Otahuhu Trotting Club will hold their hext meeting at Potter’s Padduck on February nth. As will be seen by the programme advertised in another column, /250 will be given to seven races, the most valuable of which are the Otahuhu Trotting Cup Of 65 sovs, three miles, arid the Hamess Handicap Trot of 40 sovs, two miles and a half. Nominations are due to-m6rrow week, the 20th inst., with either the secretary at Otahuhu, or at Mr W. Blomfield’s office, Dur-ham-street East, Auckland, before 10 p.m.

A respectable and proficient jockey boy who » wishes an engagement in Sydney may, if his credentials are satisfactory to Mr J. Gallagher, of the British Hotel, obtain an engagement at once. Mr Gallagher announces by advertisement in this issue that he requires two jockies for a Sydney stable, where they will receive a: first-class situation.

; ,. The.. Rotorua r Jockey Club will hold their annual race meeting oh Thursday, February 16. Their full programme appears in another portion of this issues, from which it will be seen that £1 15 is to bi distributed among eight races, with the Rotorda Jockey Club Handicap of 30 sovs, two miles, is the principal item. Wednesday, February Ist, is the date of nomination. New Zealand should be well represented in the Newmarket Handicap to be run at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting, seeing that out of the 87 nominations we have such cattle to uphold our reputation—either directlyorindirectly—as Omaha, Regel, Me'jar r er, Quadrant, Ilium, Culloden, Namoa, Mousquetaire, All There, Steadfast, Renata, St. Hippo, Miss Letty and Cannon. I say directly or indirectly because St. Hippo, Merganser, Quadrant and Miss Letty are at present in this colony, while Ilium, Omaha, All There, Steadfast and Cannon—though bred in this colony—are owned by Australians, and Mdusquetaire, Culloden, Namoa and Renata, though owned by a New Zealander, have been trained in Victoria for many months past. At least a couple of those I have named will enter the lists at Flemington at the end of next month, for St. Hippo and Miss Letty leave here for Melbourne by the Warrimoo in charge of George Wright on Saturday next. I fancy Mr. Bobbett intends also to make the journey with Quadrant, but I am at present ignorant of the intentions of Merganser’s owner, though it would seem, judging by her early scratching for the Wellington Cup, that she too will : go over the other side. Regel is another that may make the journey, but we can hardly expect owners to be definite about their movements until after the weights appear on Monday next. General surprise was expressed in town when such a meagre lot of entries for the Wellington Racing Club’s Summer Meeting first came to hand. ' Subsequent inquiries, however—the gist of which is detailed by our Wellington correspon-dent-showed that this was more owing to an unfortunate blunder in the . Postal Department than to any lack of appreciation on the part of owners; Thus it comes about that the entries tot up well all round. Mr Evett’s handicaps for the first day will appear some time to-day. They were t due yesterday,, but Mr Evett had no alternative, pending the receipt from the secretary of the "correct list of entries, but to hold them over. , ~. Te Ata has been sold to a Tauranga sportsman, and was shipped to his new owner on Monday. Gap-a-pie has baen sold to a Wanganui breeder, and was taken down there on Monday. Thi Auckland Grand National Hurdle winner, Belmont, will be sold to-morrow, at Hunter and Nplan’s yards, as also Pansy the property of the game owner. ? • . > ( During G f Wright’s absence in Australia J. Kean will have charge of Mr L. D. Nathan’s horses. Ut J The yearlings purchased by Mr Hordern were shipped to Sydney on Saturday. i None of Mr. Bobbeit’s horses were sold on Friday', the reserves being too high. ■ j.jr |; <;■; ■> f ■ i'.r-ii'! ..■'>? .- •• •<' ■' ■ ' Calvi was sold on Friday to Mr Goodwin, of Waitara, and goes South to-day together with , the'Lfedhhus— Oi litcast yearling he purchased at IMr Nathan’s sale. . i •v-j > .

The Sharper was taken to Gisborne on Friday, and after he has fulfilled his engagements there at the Poverty Bay Turf Club and Gisborne Racing Club’s Meetings he will be turned out for a spell till the beginning of next racing season.

Owing to George Wright’s early departure for Australia, the owner of Fishmonger has placed him in F. Macmanemin’s hands to be trained for his engagements this season.

The obituary list has of late been getting extremely well filled a bit too well for those Eedigree students who love honest horses and onest mares for their own sweet sake, apart from racing and gambling considerations. I had the other week to chronicle the death of two such celebrities as Sylvia and Cynisca, and now two brood dames, both illustrious from a breeder’s point of view, have paid the debt of nature. These are Major George’s pair, Tenambra and Tres Deuce. Tenambra, who was foaled in 1878, was purchased by Major George at the same time that he bought Realization (dam of Maxim), My Idea (dam of Nelson and Miss Dargon), and Pearl Ash (dam of Pearl Shell) out of the Glenormiston Stud. Tenambra was, with the exception of Miss Dargon (who was, of course, foaled subsequently to her arrival here), the only daughter of The Marquis in New Zealand at the time of her death. Tenambra was raced here by Major George as a two yearold, and she ran some rattling good races, placing herself on tour or five occasions, though she could not succeed in winning. Her first foal Caribou (by Anteros) died suddenly from some wasting complaint before he had an opportunity of being tried. Tenambra’s next foal, Raglan, all Aucklanders know as a good game honest horse. Miss Cole (by King Cole) won a race or two in the Taranaki district, and when Mr. Goodwin was in town the other day he told me that he had mated her this season with Vanguard—about as nice a “ nick” of blood as he could have got. But it has been reserved for her two-year-old son Pegasus to shed additional lustre on the name of the daughter of The Marquis, and Major George has all the more reason to deplore her loss owing to the brilliant form Pegasus has displayed this season. Tenambra’s brother, Dougalston won several good sprint races in Victoria, and though her pedigree on the dam’s side was hardly of thorough fashion, yet it took a lot of picking to pieces. She was by The Marquis (winner of the Two Thousand and Leger) out of Lady Manners Sutton, by Pitsford (imp.)—Green Linnet, by Delapre (imp.)—Kate Kearney, by Rory o’More (imp ) out of a hunting mare sired by imported Taglioni.

Major George’s other loss was Tres Deuce, who was somewhat inexplicably found dead in one of his paddocks at the latter end of last week. Tres Deuce was always a nice looking mare from the moment. I clapped eyes on her at Mr. Stead’s Stud in the old days at Russely. She was one of the 20 that Mr. Stead sold to the N.Z. Stud Co., and as a full sister to Calumny and dam of Louie (the Napier Handicap and Auckland Easter Handicap winner) she seemed valuable at that time. Tres Sec who was by Leolinus out of her, was one of the best hurdlers that we ever had in New Zealand—that I am confident of —but the only one of her subsequent stock that could gallop was Manton, who as a three-year-old won the New Zealand Cup, Canterbury Derby, and Canterbury Cup. And to the end of the chapter I will maintain that on the days he won these three races Carbine could not have given jib, which is saying a good deal. Tres Deuce, at the dispersal of the N.Z. Stud Co.’s establishment, was knocked down to Mr W. R. Wilson for 420 gs, but Major George rebought her before the day was out. , She foaled to Nelson last season, and when a /ost mortem was held on her Major George tells me there was a filly foal by Nelson in embryo inside her. Another obituary that has to be recorded is that of the old stallion Leolinus, who was bred in England in 1871, and imported to this colony by Mr G. G. Stead in 1878. He dropped down dead the other day in the Taranaki district. Leolinus was quite as good a performer in England as Musket was, as witness the fact that he won /■5OOO in stakes over all courses. As a three-ycar-old at Ascot he won the Prince of Wales’ Stakes, beating, among others, Atlantic, the winner of the Two Thousund Guineas; the St. James’ Palace Stakes; the Doncaster Stakes, beating, among others, the Grand Prize of Paris winner Trent; and the Newmarket 26th Triennial Produce Stakas. He also, as a three-year-old, ran second to Organist in. the Chester Cup; ran fourth for the Derby, won by George Frederick, and —best of all—was second to that great mare Apology for the Doncaster Leger, Trent, Atlantic and nine others behind Mr. “ Launde’s” mare and Leolinus. Leolinus started eleven times as a three - year - old, winning five events, while he was placed in all his other ra es. Leolinus with all his great credentials on the turf at home was not altogether the success that was expected of him after he had the pick of Mr. Stead’s mares in his first season. Nor was he much more successful when he came up to Auckland and served mares at the New Zealand Stud Co.’s establishment. Like as good wine improves with age so did the son of Caterer and Tasmania seem to quickly improve in the quality of his get as years grew on him, and some of the best of his progeny have been real good ones. Not. so very long ago he was sold to Mr. L. D. Nathan for a mere song ; then he was again sold to go to the Waikato, and subsequently he was shipped down Hawera way and sold there. As I have often pointed out in writing about some .of our stud farms those owners who have daughters of Leolinus to breed from may esteem themselves very lucky. The best of his get was undeniably Tigridia, who won the Auckland Derby; Leonora, who ran second to Vanguard for the New Zealand Cup ; and the two hurdlers Satyr and Tres Sec, and that game little fellow Leopold. Among others of his get I may mention Tit (winner of the Auckland Guineas), Lionel (sire of Annabel), Leos, Leonessa (dam of Westmere), Radames, British Lion (winner of the New Zealand Cup), Dolosa, Leorina, (one of the most “ castiron” mares that ever went through a severe course of preparation in this colony), St. James (winner of the Dunedin Cup), Fabulous, Whakawai, Leolantis, (winner of the Auckland Guineas • and Spring Handicap), Clogs, puck, Miss Alice, Aida (dam of Impulse), and Lyrelinus (dam of All There). Leolinus was by Caterer (son of Stockwell) out of Tasmania, by Melbourne.

I was extremely glad to be informed the other day by the secretary of the Auckland Trotting. Club that as a result of the liberal programme the Club dispensed on the 27th and 31st ults., they have made a substantial profit. I hope they will do as well or even better next Christmas-tide, and I’m sure that they will, if they follow up the liberal lines on which they have hitherto worked, attract, when next Christmas comes round, a large number of equine visitors from all parts of New Zealand and from Australia—from which latter place Mr Craig and Yum Yum were the only visitors this year, though another Sydneyite, Bumble Boy was entered. At the settling over the meeting the payments to winning owners were:—H. Lowe, 10s.; W. J. Greenwood, /•171; B. Edwards, 155.; ’S. Heaney. 14; J. Fletcher, /’lO4 10s. ; W. Russell, /"6b 10s. ; R. Craig, /6t 15s;; C. E. Abbott, /"5S ss. ; M. Edwards. 10s. ; L. A. Morrison, Z 42 15s. ; J. E. Wilson,/42 1 15s. ! W. Brinsden, 2*38; C. F. Bolton,/23 155.; F. Stohr, £23 15s. ; F. Poole, £l9] A. McKenzie, /14 55.; G. Mcßride, £9 10s.; W. J. Trubshaw, £9 10s.; Tanner, £9 10s.; G. Eynon, £9 Ios.; E. Hoult, £9 ios. ;Davis, £4 155.; R. P. Kinloch, £4 155.; total, /"t,282 ios. The Bay of Plenty Jockey Club, whose meeting comes off on the 30th inst., have received capital entries for the two events of their pro. gramme that closed last week. There are 13 in the Bay of Plenty Handicap and 7 in the Hurdles.