Turf Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 156, 20 July 1893, Page 4

Turf Topics.

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“Sir Launcelot.”]

Old Chemist, who now runs tn of Mr W. Glasscock, carried 10.9 into behind Trojan, 12.7, and Liberty, 10.6, in the Handicap Steeplechase, 2 miles, at Williamstown (Vic.), on the Ist inst. Tayforth, 10.12, was unplaced. Kapo, 9.9, ran third to Beau, 9.10, and Maori, 9.12, in the Hurdle Handicap, miles, Omaha, 10.6, being beaten out of place. Trojan subsequently carried 12.7, to the front in the Handicap Steeplechase, 2 miles, at Williamstown (Vic.) on the Ist inst. He carried 12.7 and beat Liberty, 10.6; Chemist, 10.9; Volunteer, 11.4; Tayforth, 10.12; Torrent, IO.to; Melville, 10.3; Sir John Moore, 9.1 1 ; and Raven, 9.7. Trojan was favorite at 7to 4 against, and won easily by two lengths.

La Fleche sustained the second defeat of her career on Friday, in the Eclipse Stakes, at Sandown Park, for she could do no more than get third to Orme and Medici. The Eclipse Stakes is run over a course of a mile and a quarter, and is a weight-for-age race, with certain penalties,. La Fleche was penalised lolb, and Orme 71b. The Two Thousand and Derby winner Isinglass was not entered for this race. Orme will be best remembered as the so-called ‘ poisoned hero ’ of last year’s Derby. Buccaneer, 9.4, started favourite in a field of 14 for the Manchester (Eng.) Cup, one mile and three-qnarters, run at the end of May. He finished fourth, and ran a great race under his heavy weight, being only a neck away from the third. The winner was Mr P. Buchanan’s three-year-old colt Shancrotta, by Geologist (son of Sterling)—Pannier, who carried 7.1, and got home by half a length from Sir J. Thursby’s three-year-old filly Convent, 6.12, who, in her turn, was but a head in front of Sir R. Jardine’s five-year-old Enniskillen, ,by Prism—Rosary, 7.4. The winner’s starting price was Bto I. During the race Convent threw a hind plate which struck and cut Buccaneer over the eye.

A fortnight previous to his victory in the Grand Prize of Paris, Ragotsky won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) of 40 sovs each, h. ft with 300 sovs added, one mile and a half. He was not as well backed as his stable-companion FousiYama, by Atlantic—Little Sister, whom he beat by three lengths, and third place was occupied by the favourite, Prince Murat’s CEillet, by Wellingtonia—Oriflamme. The time of the race was 2min 43stc, and the value of the stakes Ragotsky is by Perplexe (son of the Nabob horse Vermouth) out of Czardas, by Kisber (winner of the English Derby)—Lady of Mercia, by Blair Athol (winner of the Derby and Leger)—Lady Coventry, by Thormanby (winner of the Derby), so it will be seen that he has quite an English pedigree on his dam’s side.

The Woodcote Stakes of 1000 sovs, 6 furlongs, which is the principal two-year-old race of the Epsom Summer at which the Derby is run, saw Mr Daniel Cooper’s filly Glare, with odds of 3 to 1 on her, ‘ go down,’ for she only got into third place. There were only half-a-dozen runners, and the winner—a 10 to 1 chance, and practically unbacked at that — was Lord Rosebery s unnamed colt by Hampton —Illuminata, who got home comfortably by a length and a half from Mr H. Milner’s Mecca, by Isonomy—Pilgrimage. Mecca is a sister to Pilgrim’s Progress, the horse Mr McCulloch recently imported to Victoria.

Isinglass started at 9 to 4 on for the Derby, precisely the same odds as were laid on Ormonde when he won in 1886. The opposition to Isinglass numbered 10, viz : —Ravensbury, Raeburn, Peppercorn, Son-of-a-Gun, Irish Wake, Quickly Wise, Lord William, William, Dame President, and Royal Harry. Next to Isinglass in the betting came Tom Cannon’s Irish Wake, who is by Master Kildare—Festival—what an aptly-named colt. He figured at too to 7, and then came William at 100 to 6, Raeburn and Dame President at too to 5, and Ravensbury at 100 to 4. Colonel North’s Royal Harry, by Kilwarlin— Sultana, was the outsider of the party, 200 to I being offered against him. Strong running was made by Lord William in the interests of his stable-companion William, and the pace throughout was good. Isinglass, however, always held a good place, and when fairly round Tattenham corner, drew out from the ruck, closely attended by Raeburn. The latter, for some distance, fairly held the favourite, and when a quarter of a mile from home Loates was seen to be uneasy,, a great cry went up of ‘ The favourite’s beat.’ This, however, was not so, for on receiving two vigorous reminders from his jockey he at once shot to the front, and gradually left the Duke of Portland’s colt. Then, however, a fresh danger seemed imminent, for inside the distance Ravensbury came with a great rush, and soon catching Raeburn, went on in pursuit of the favourite. The latter, however, had something left, and being kept going by his jockey to the end, won quite all out by a length and’a half, Raeburn third, two lengths off. Peppercorn was fourth, and Quickly Wise fifth. The time, 2min 43sec, equalled the fastest on record for the race. The stakes were worth to the winner. T. Loates rode Isinglass ; Barber Ravensbury; and Watts Raeburn.

There was a large field for the French Oaks (Prix de Diane), though the event was supposed to be a dead certainty for M. Says’ Tilly, to ride whom Watts crossed to France. Twenty-one runners went to the post, as little as 6 to 4 being freely accepted concerning Tilly, while 7 to 1 was betted against the Greek-owned L’Epte, 12 to 1 Count de Berteux’s Barbara, and from 16 to 100 to 1 the others. Tilly got off well, and. was in front till about a furlong from home, when she suddenly shut up, and the issue was left to a 40 to 1 and a 100 to 1 chance. The former, M.' Aumont’s Praline, ultimately won, after a severe race with the latter, M. Meuno’s Sylphine, Count de Tonnene’s Magic Lantern being a poor third. Praline is by Saxifrage out of Paquerette, and had never appeared in public before Mr M. O’Shannassy’s colt Jonathan, who claims an engagement in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, has been suffering so badly from an enlarged knee that it has been found necessary to blister him and turn him out for a spell for the present.

There was splendid weather for the opening day of the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase Meeting, but the attendance was hardly up to expectations. Oxenham, 9.12, ridden by the exNew Zealander Underwood, won the Maiden Hurdles of 300SOVS, about 2 miles, Eclipse, 9.12, beinj. jcpnd, and Comedian, 912, third. There were other starters, including the Leolinus —Titania gelding Titanic, 9.7, owned by the Messrs. Miller. Comedian was favourite at 5 to 2, Oxenham and Titanic being backed at 5 to 'l. Titanic made the running till the home turn, where he cried a go, and Oxenham then took command and led over the last hurdle. He stumbled on to his knee on landing, but Underwood made a wonderful recovery, and stalling off Eclipse won by about two lengths. The Lochiel —Nonsense filly Loch Ness was installed favorite in a field of eleven for the Two-year-old Handicap of 300 sovs, six furlongs, bnt she did not get a place, the winner turning up in the Hon. D. S. Wallace’s grey filly Taupo, by Malua—Verdure, 7.5, who won in a canter by four lengths from the Tasmanian representative Amadeus, by Mozart— Saucy, the latter beating Matai, by St. Leger out of Mata’s dam Raupo, byalength. Bondi, 1>.7, who was backed down to 7 to 4 for the M' Men Steeplechase of 300 sovs, two miles fell when in front six furlongs from home, leaving Royal Oak, i».7, ridden by Martin Bourke, to win easily from Waterloo, 10.7. The starters for the Grand National Hurdles, in addition to the placed horses, were: —Merrigal, 12.3, Cameron; Satyr, 11.7, Nolan; Fire King, 11.4, Gardiner; Busaco, 11.4, A. Williams; ProConsul, 11.3, H. Watson; Stamboul, 10.12, Corrigan; Manon, 9.12, Carey; Wellington, 9.10, Tilley ; Cuttlefish, 9.5, McGregor. The betting was:—4 to 1 agst Satyr, 5 to 1 Tim Swiveller, 6 to 1 Merrigal, Busaco, and Fire King, 7 to 1 Wellington, 10 to 1 Stamboul, 12 to 1 Kapo and The Pioneer, 20 to 1 others. Kapo led into the straight, but was collared at the last hurdle by Tim Swiveller, who was in turn challenged by The Pioneer. An interesting finish ended in a clever win for Tim Swiveller by two lengths and a half, Kapo a good third, Manon and Busaco close up next; then after a gap, Merrigal, Cuttlefish, Pro-Consul, and The Victim, with Stamboul and Fire King last. Necklet, who won the Maribyrnong Plate of 1888 for Mr J. Marshall, died the other day at the Hon. W. A. Long’s stud, N.S.W. She was at the time of her death in foal to the Galopin horse FarNiente. HerdeathleavesNecklace, Bangle and Chain Shot as the only living representatives of the union of Musket and Locket. It is gratifying to note that all three are in this colony, for Necklace and Bangle, are both in Mr Morrin’s stud, and Mr Duncan Rutherford, owner of Norton and Kulnine, owns Chain Shot, whose young stock seem to be the admiration of all who have seen them down South.

Answers to Correspondents.—“ Esrom ” (Puketutu). — Yes ; you would be disqualified according to the strict wording of the rules, but we doubt not that the Metropolitan Club would soon remove the disqualification. “ A.L.F.” (Cambridge). — (i)Tt was in the Derby of 1874. The only other starter was Mr. Watts’ Tui by Ravensworth — Constance. Rangi was favourite, but fell on the course, and threw her rider. She was then scratched, and Tui walked over. Is this the race you mean ? “ H.M.H ” (Palmerston North.).—-As your question only reached as us we were going to press, we will have to defer an answer till next issue. “ E.H.W.” (Masterton). — Yes. Communicate with us by letter, and we can make arrangements for supplying any quantity up to too.

Jeweller, by his win at Warwick Farm Races, incurred no penalty for either the Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup. For the former he is weighted at 7.12, and for the Melbourne Cup at 7.7. The Melbourne Derby and Cup candidate The Jeweller, by Splendor—Souvenir, 8.8, won the Flying Handicap, six furlongs, at the Warwick Farm (Sydney) Races on the Bth inst. Brooklyn, 7.12, was second, and Elymas, 8.0, third, and there were 24 other runners. The Warwick Fann Handicap, one mile and a quarter, was won by Zelendia, 6.12, by Grand Flaneur out of Sapphire. Sapphire is now owned by Mt. Stead.

Mr T. H. Hill, of Wellington, who brought out Pasha in his best form and who has had a lengthy experience in the care and training of racehorses,.sends me a copy of a little manual he has just issued entitled the ‘ Horse Hospital Prescriber and Pocket Companion.’ The book treats of all the aliments that horse flesh is heir to and gives some sound advice as to how to treat the various complaints. Mr S. M. Wilson, formerly of Gisborne, is now in possession of the Occidental Hotel, The Square, Palmerston North, and has a business announcement in our advertising columns. As he is representative of Cook & Son’s tourist and Eassenger agency, sportsmen visiting the district ave special facilities for travelling around under Mr Wilson’s direction.

-A novelty has been introduced by the Melbourne Hunt Club. At Flemington in October, in addition to the usual Hunt Club Cup, a Drag Cup over the Grand National Steeplechase course will form one of the features of the re-union, the conditions of which are to be of a decidedly novel character. Although it will be one contest, there will be duplicate issues at stake, and separate prizes, one for horses weighted at I2st and over, the other for horses weighted uuder i2st. The riders competing in the maximum division will require to appear in the regulation pink hunting coat, while the minimum contingent' will don the more sombre garb of every-day life—black. The idea is entirely original. ’

The V.R.C. committee have chosen a punchbowl for the next Melbourne Cup trophy. At latest advices from Melbourne Jeweller was favorite for the Caulfield Cup, 100 to 5 being the best offer. 1000 to 40 has been taken about him in one hand. Paris, Malolo and Fulham were quoted at 100 to 4 each.

The stallion Melbourne died the other day in Queensland, where he had been standing for some time. He was bred in Victoria by Mr H. Phillips, in 187 x, got by Panic from Myth, by Kelpie from Miss Louey, by Cossack from Hipped Bessie, by St. John from Bessie Bedlam, by Rous’s Emigrant from Stella, by Peter Fin.

‘ Mazeppa ’ of the Otago Witness points out, in reviewing the proceedings of the recent Metropolitan Clubs’ Conference, that * in the scheme for a Conference on a new basis it was provided that the resolutions arrived at shall take effect without further reference to individual clubs. That was the proposal of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, but the Dunedin Jockey Club’s delegates managed to procure the insertion of a safeguard against a catch vote, by having it added that this should be the law provided that such resolution shall have been carried by a three-fourths majority. The cautious Scot here shows himself, and possibly his wariness may some day prove of service in checking hasty and ill-considered legislation. Ample provision is also made for full notification beforehand of projected alterations in the rules, and for a representative attendance when important business has to be transacted. This also, I may observe, was a matter which the D.J.C.’s delegates were instructed should not be lost sight of.’

The owner of the speedy Hero has decided to try him at the ‘ illegitimate ’ game, and the son of The Drummer has accordingly been placed under the charge of J. E. Brewer at Caulfield.

The Canterbury Times says that ‘ a recognised tribunal for the settlement of disputed wagers has been wanting since Christchurch Tattersall’s Club died. Is it beneath the dignity of the Metropolitan Clubs to appoint a sub-committee, not necessarily entirely from their own ranks, to deal with such questions ? In some disputes the parties have agreed to refer th* matter to an ir> dividual, and in others the Auckland Tattersal .< or Dunedin Bookmakers’ Association has b> u made the court of reference, but if one of de parties should refuse to refer a dispute to a :y--body, what then ? ’ Sprig o’ Myrtle, who was recently purchased by Lord William Beresford for 1,500 gs, left Sydney for India on the 26th ult. The celebrated English brood mare Devotion, by Stockwell —Alcestis, by Touchstone, died on Loy 24 just after foaling a colt to Sheen. She was purchased by the late Mr Stirling Drawfurd for £75 at one of the Acton sales, and bred Iphigenia. Madrida, Zeal, Thebais (winner of the One Thousand and Oaks), St. Marguerite (winner of the One Thousand), Clairvaux, St. Honorat, Heloise, Devote, Grand Prior, Adoration, Prayer, and the colt by Sheen she died after giving birth to. She was barren in 1886, 1888 and 1890. At the Mentone (Melbourne) races on the 27th ult., Ahua’s half-sister Omaha, 7.11, ran second to The Bud, 9.1, in the Flying Handicap, five furlongs. Trojan, who has since won the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, was second with 12.5 to Quilp, 10.12, in the Handicap Steeplechase, about two miles and a-quarter. Paddy Nolan, the ex-New Zealand jockey, figured as a purchaser of a racehorse the other day, for the Melbourne Sportsman reports that so impressed was he with the performance of Mr Dan Sebire’s grey gelding Banker, in the Hunters’ Hurdle Race at Williamstown on July Ist, that he purchased him. The price paid was something near a century. Up to within a few weeks ago Banker was utilised between the shafts of his late owner’s buggy. C. Weal left for Christchurch on Monday to take delivery of Freedom, whom he informs me he has purchased with the intention of standing him in the Waikato during the coming covering season. Freedom was a good performer in Mr D. O’Brien’s colours, an Otago Cup and Canterbury Cup—among other races—standing to his credit, and he is a well-bred one, being by imported Captivator out of Maid of Honor, by Kelpie (imp.)—Fairy Queen, by Peter Wilkins (imp.)—Ellen Tree, by Jersey (imp.)—Mirror (imp.)—the same blood that Nelson descends from. Freedom is also a well-shaped horse, and should have a good season in the Waikato. Hopmarket was taken to Gisborne on Thursday.

The nominations for the Metropolitan Stakes Handicap of xooosovs, to be run at the Spring Meeting of the Australian Jockey Club total 62, and include the New Zealanders Launceston, I oyalty, Stepniak, Melinite, and Impulse. A representative of this paper who was in Wellington at the W.R.C.’s Steeplechase Meeting had a look at Mr Smart’s trotter Dakota. This gelding has been a record-holder for New Zealand in his time, and still looks like winning another good race or two. He is for sale, his price being £ 150.

Mr W. Walters has sold Pinfire to Mr McNicol of Ohaupo, and the Auckland Cup winner of 1891 will travel the Waikato district during the season. As a winner of one of our big races, a grandson of Musket through his sire, and a half-brother to such good racers as Matchlock, Fusilier, Libeller, Kingfish and Leorina, he should meet with good patronage from breeders. Mr Walters also in the advertising columns of this issue, announces that he has for sale the stallion Hippocampus. Hippocampus is a son of great old ianny Fisher, and as a sire of crosscountry horses has undeniably left his mark, as witness the successes of his sons Shillelagh, Theorem, Unity, Lord John. Tiritea and others, while his daughter Hippodamia and his son The Baron annexed some valuable races on the flat.

Those interested are reminded that the Auckland Poultry Association’s annual show opens in the Agricultural Hall to-night and will be continued to-morrow and Saturday. Entries have flowed in freely, and the connoisseurs of fowls especially should be able to gratify their tastes to the utmost. An art union will be drawn on Monday, the principal prizes being a lot of some very fine pictures from the brush of local artists. Tickets of admission to show, including a share in the art union, cost but one shilling. The Winter Handicap of 400 sovs, was the concluding item, and, in a field of 13, theNordenfeldt—Radiance filly Cooya, 8.3, owned by Mr W. R. Wilson, was made favourite at 3 to 1 against, but she was pipped half a length after a splendid finish by Carrrington, 7.0. Quality, 8.2, was third, and among the other starters was .ZEgyptus, 7.9. Carrington, who is by Gang Forward—Josephine, and is therefore brother to Hortense, is engagedin the Caulfield Cup at 6.(2, and the Melbourne Cup at 6.1 1, but, of course, he will have to be rehandicapped now- Cooya is not in the Melbourne Cup, but she is in the Caulfield Cup at 7.11.

Can thia be true of ‘ Roddy ’ Mclvor, well known in this colony a few years back as an accomplished cross-country trainer and rider ? The Melbourne Sporting Standard of the Bth inst. says :— ‘ Roddy Mclvor, who took Mr S. G. Cook’s cast-off, The Magistrate, to Western Australia last year, is reported to have struck a very rich patch of gold on the diggings there.’

News of the death of The Hook was received from America last month and duly chronicled in these columns, but, as a son of that landmark of the Australian Stud Book, old Juliet, he deserves more than passing mention, and therefore I make no apology for quoting the following remarks of ‘ Hidalgo,’ the American correspondent of the Australasian :— ‘ The old horse had been turned out in a high-fenced paddock adjoining that of the Emperor of Norfolk. The latter horse has a temper, and can kick the vane off a church steeple. The groom turned him into his paddock, and was about to take The Hook back into his box. Before he got to the gate of The Hook’s paddock the old brown horse espied the Emperor and made a rush for the fence that separated them. The Emperor wheeled and kicked,striking the fence. A yell of pain from the old horse announced a mortal wound, for a piece of plank had entered the fork of his breast, the forward end lodging directly under his withers. Lockjaw set in ten days later, and the son of Juliet died on April 26th, after having made a gallant fight lor his life. The Hook left nine yearlings and 12 foals behind him.’ While he was on the turf in Victoria The Hook did not run up to the reputation of the Juliet family. At one time he stood at Mr P. B. Coglin’s stud in South Australia, and was afterwards sold at the break-up of the Smithfield stud to Mr T. Chirnside for 820 guineas. This was the sale held when the Messrs Miller went in for a spec and bought the stock to be offered from Mr Coglin in one lot. The bargain was struck just before Mr Yuille went into the box, and so well had the buyers gauged the feeling of the market, that by the time the auctioneer was through they had got what stock they wanted for themselves, and made a profit of over two thousand as well. It turned out a splendid sale, the prices fairly astonishing those who did not know that several wealthy breeders, including Mr T. Chirnside, were on hand determined to buy. Not long afterwards The Hook was again sold by auction, and this time Mr S. Gardiner got him for 100 guineas.