Sporting Review. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1894. RACING REVIEWED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 217, 20 September 1894, Page 4

Sporting Review. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1894. RACING REVIEWED.

[By

Borderer.]

A Jgloomy morning, with heavy clouds banking up gave every promise of a postponement being arrived at in connection with the opening A.R.C. meeting of the season, but by the time the committee assembled to consider what should be done a burst of sunshine gave impetus to the general desire that the business of the day should not be put back. And so the ball was set rolling to the accompaniment of fitful gleams of spring weather, and a course as heavy as the proverbial wet blanket. If it were spring overhead at times it was certainly most consistently wintry underfoot. The lawn was a miniature morass, but thanks to the asphalting around the totalisators backers were saved much inconvenience (not that they would have been very much disgusted had they been doomed to mudpaddling, for it was their day out, favourite after favourite getting home). It’s wonderful how little you dislike sloppy ground when engaged in the art known as “ spotting them.” As for the

track it was it was in a truly wonderful state, and when Lady Marion was seen rounding the home turn in the first race with the mud and streaks of water flying up in response to her hoof-beats we had a faint idea of what the going was like. And on that idea I am afraid many punters went down sadly, for it appeared to be a sound argument on which to base the supposition that on such a track good outsiders and not favourites would be the proper backing policy. The attendance was of course anything but large, although the people present were in a mood for speculation as a comparison of the number present and the machine total—.£26B2—will testify. Looking at the spectators present one would have been justified in placing as an outside figure for the totalisator main. The racing was undoubtedly good, and a comparison of the times recorded on Saturday with those clocked at last year’s meeting shows very little difference. The going was heavy in 1893, but nothing like so bad as was the case on Saturday last. Then the principal event took 2 min 34-sec; and while last year Pegasus carried his 8.2 to victory in amin the Trial Handicap was run on Saturday in exactly the 1893 time; the September Stakes occupied but a second longer; the Flying was covered in two seconds shorter time, and the steeplechase course was left behind in ymin sysec as against last year’s grain 21 sec. That is what the clock said, but I can hardly believe it. As a rule the first meeting of the year introduces backers to unknown quantities, but on Saturday it must be confessed’ taey measured things in a very accurate fashion, and if the same acumen is to be displayed by them right through the season the path of the bookmaker will be like that of transgressor. It was certainly a very hard road for the pencillers on Saturday, and if any of them made expenses I have not heard of it up to date. In one race a jockey appeared in wrong colours, and I understand that the fine provided for by Rule 180 was in his case enforced. The totalisator arrangements were satisfactory, but the starting—well it was disappointing. In more than one case there was a woeful stringing out of the field. We have not seen anything very satisfactory! in the way of flaghandling at Ellerslie of late, and one may be pardoned for wondering how long it will be before the starting gate secures adoption in this country. On the Australian side it has successfully met very strong opposition, and should the Melbourne Cup Meeting see it tried in the balance and not found wanting, we may trust to see its recognition spread over to this part of the world inside of a reasonable period. The old order is always changing, and though we may be loth in our conservatism to part with the old style of starting, I believe it will be only a matter of time —and a comparatively short time too —before the “ gate ” becomes the recognised method of starting on the leading Australasian courses. We have forsaken the human bettor for the mechanical; a similar change in the way of starting is inevitable —and not before it is badly wanted.

Business commenced on Saturday last with the Trial Handicap of sosovs, seven furlongs, for which all the ten acceptors saddled up. The justification for Lieutenant’s New Zealand Cup nomination was not perceptible in his figure as he strode around the paddock, and backers showed by their investments that he was anything but “ good business,” for even our trial run over seven furlongs. He may be a Cup horse, and so may the moon be manufactured from green cheese. I don’t fancy it is. Webley, the Hotchkiss —Fairy Queen nomination of George Wright’s, was entrusted with the position of second favourite, but on looks he is hardly the colt upon whom you could safely put money early in the season. Major George’s pair, Anniversary and St. Vincent, looked very fit, the mare particularly so, and the Malua—Wanda filly. Lady Marion, showed up in rare fettle. Good judges were unanimous in considering the race a “snap” for her, but several fell into the mistake of fancying that the heavy going would be against her. The public did not, however, and showed their belief by sending her out a hot favourite. The St. Leger colt, Lord Dunluce, looked well and big, and though he did not secure a position his going in the race set him up well in public estimation. At one pbint of the race he was going strongly. Perhaps we will hear of him later in the season. Joe Sedley, looking fairish, was indifferently supported, but there was a bit of a demonstration made in favour of The Barge

—why, Heaven alone knows. Mr Cutts had some trouble in securing a fair opportunity to drop the flag, and when his arm went down The Sharper and Joe Sedley were the first to clear away. x The Wapiti pair and Ladv Marion were close behind the leaders,'who raced through the cutting on pretty level terms; After the four furlong post had been left behind, Anniversary lengthened out in her stride, and a dark jacket could be seen streaking after the black and white hoops. This was Lady Marion, whose rider was wearing Belmont’s colours instead of Mr Laurie’s pale blue as the latter had not reached the course in time. Approaching the home turn Smith shook up the Malua filly, who responded in a manner that showed she was playing with her field. Round the home turn she came full of running and hardly extended, and long before the Derby stand was reached the result was a foregone conclusion. When the straight was entered Major George’s filly showed a fine fight, but though she easily settled the pretensions of The Sharper (who by the way was carrying a nice dividend), her gameness could not bring her on terms with Lady Marion. When the whips came out the favourite was treated like the others, but she required no whalebone to send her home in imin 4zsec — exactly the same time recorded last year when St. Kilda, carrying 8.0, beat Gay Deceiver so easily. The Trial showed Lady Marion (who paid dividends of £2 10s and £3} to be a very different filly to the one we saw winning a 25SOVS pony race at Papakura. That was her only bracket last season, but when the one just opened closes, her tally should show something very different.

The mishap that recently befell Ingorina (who is now in J. B. Williamson’s stable) resulted in the scratching pen going through his name for the Handicap Hurdles of 55SOVS, one mile and threequarters. This left the starters at Belment n.o, Fishmonger 10.7, Skittles 9.6, and Derry 9.0. From their betting the public showed they considered that the race was a one horse event, Belmont being considered that most devoutly to be desired affair “ a moral.” Skittles was the next best backed, and the light weight Derry led Fishmonger in public esteem. The Izaak Walton gelding was supported by twenty people out of 191 I The race once again showed the accuracy of the public guage, for Belmont won, Skittles was second, while Fishmonger was never in it. Derry was the first to move, but the initial jump saw him go down the seven ” occurring not while the horse was rising to the jump, but after he had cleared it and had landed. No doubt a slide spread-eagled him. Skittles then took command, and led over the hurdle in the straight, Belmont leading Fishmonger, who was jumping clumsily. Passing the post the favourite caught Mangere’s halfsister and led round the bottom turn by a couple of lengths, but when the seven furlong post was reached Skittles was hustled along by Duff and raced neck for neck with Belmont through the cutting. The half- mile post saw McManemin riding a fairly easy race on the favourite, while Skittles was being asked several questions by her rider. Rounding the home bend it looked any money bn the leader, but a vigorous call by Duff, which was answered gamely by Skittles, sent her along with arush that made McManemin put all steam on Belmont, who reached the post “an all out” winner by a length and a half. Fishmonger was never in the race. The fight made by the mare certainly surprised me. On the Saturday prior to the meeting I was informed by her trainer that she was in indifferent form, but the fight made by her told a different tale.. She ran as game as a pebble, but probably the mud favoured Belmont despite his impost of eleven stone. As for the third contestant, Fishmonger, his running was poor in the extreme. Belmont' won in 3mm 53sec —not bad time considering the carpet he was racing on. In this race last year Ingorina won in 3min 47fsec, with 9.9 up. The dividends on Saturday’s winner were / 1 10s and £1 12s.

After the Hurdle Race was won the clouds opened and down came the rain —an inopportune visitation seeing that we were about to witness the race of the day, the Spring Handicap of 1 iosovs, one mile and a quarter. Yattenfeldt and Ben Godfrey declined the contest, which withdrawals brought the field down to a quintette composed of Lottie 9.5, Pegasus 9.3, Grenadier 8.0, Abel 6.10, and Haria (or Haira) 6.10. With three of our New Zealand Cup competitors carrying the silk we looked. forward to a big race, but

what was the result ? A walk over of the most pronounced description. Lottie was never asked to seriously consider her opponents. But to begin at the beginning. When the betting started it was a toss up between Pegasus and Grenadier for the position of favourite, the pencillers evincing a decided penchant in the direction of laying Lottie. Six to four Pegasus remained a steady cry for some time, and Lottie’s measurement was 2 to i. On the machine the support accorded her was in keeping with the offers of the books, but before the flag fell she was close on Pegasus’s heels in public demand. When the three contestants came out of their boxes the Brigadier colt looked as fit as hands could make him, and one began to seriously ask himself whether the touts, who all along would stand nothing but him for this race, had not correctly estimated him. A leading metallician who affects the early training hours, sized him up as the best of the workers, and backed his belief by laying the Muskapeer mare at 4 to 1. That meant a/"5 dividend if she came off, so her chance on his wagering was anything but rosy. He was not the only beliver in the colt, for every track watcher of any skill at all marked Grenadier’s work as the best done at Ellerslie for a long time. Yet the melancholy fact remains that in the contest he was absolutely nowhere. His run means another racing conundrum, for the backer of form to worry over. As for Pegasus, who arrived on the convincing ground rather late, I thought he looked a bit on the big side, seeing the nature of the work he has been treated too. He did not look altogether off,” but he was far from ripe. Lottie was big and lusty, and showed a wealth of condition to carry her over the heavy course. She has improved wonderfully since last season, and looks bigger and stronger in every direction. The mare was in the most blooming health, and danced about like a cat on hot bricks. Her whole appearance bespoke confidence, a virture, which, by the way. was reflected in every twinkle of James Kean’s eyes as he watched her striding and capering around the paddock. And after Lottie’s performance one cannot wonder at the veteran’s confidence which was worthily upheld by the gallant daughter of Muskapeer. Abel, a lengthy son of Hotchkiss or Castor, and Mr McKinnon’s Flintlock colt Haria could not hold a candle in looks to the top weight and were hardly touched by speculators When the starter took the five in hand Grenadier was located on the rails, and he took up this position in more senses than one, for as soon as a line was attempted he showed signs of restiveness, rearing up and fretting himself in a manner calculated to shake the confidence of the most sanguine of his backers. On one occasion he charged on the inner rail, and it looked as though he would clear it. If he had taken such an idea into his head his chance would not have been spoilt, for on the running (or as much of it as could be seen) there never was the slightest justification for such a word as “ chance ” being used in connection with his name.

After a delay of some minutes Mr Cutts dropped his flag, and the breaking of the line saw Grenadier’s rider rush to the front, as instructed, while Davis kept ahead of Pegasus, the warning of his mentor being “ lead that Nelson colt all the way.” Passing the post Grenadier was sawed a bit by his rider, but he led _up to the rocks by two lengths. Before the corner was fairly turned the son of Brigadier, however, appeared to shut up for a spell. Abel and Haria fought on terms to the six furlong post, where Grenadier came again and took command, Lottie and Pegasus lying some three or four lengths in the rear. At the half-mile post the leader weakened perceptibly, and Fred Davis, still leading Nelson’s son by a convenient length, whispered to the mare, who at once began to overhaul the leaders in a manner that showed all was over. Grenadier kept his lead to the turn for home, but when Lottie and Pegasus caught him he was done with, and whip and spur were unavailing. He was past that. From the entrance to the straight Lotlie strode along in a manner that must have rejoiced Kean’s heart, and game as was the response that Pegasus made to Taylor’s last call the Spring Handicap was won and lost before Major George’s colt had reached the Derby stand. Pegasus followed her past the post half a dozen lengths to the bad, and Haria rattled past Grenadier at the lawn rails and took third position. Brigadier’s disgraced son was fourth, and Abel last. The time, >min J4sec, was seconds behind last -

year’s time when Pegasus, giving Lottie the benefit of 41b, won comfortably by a length. Right through the contest the superiority of the Muskapeer mare was undoubted, and had the race been over the New Zealand Cup distance Lottie would have “ lost” Pegasus. At one time I thought the Nelson colt was better in slushy going than Kean’s charge, but Saturday showed the folly of such a supposition. The tactics of Davis in keeping the colt in his wake right through the race might have had something to do with the result, but the amount of importance to be placed on that might is very infinitesimal. Lottie was undoubtedly Pegasus’s superior for that day at least. On the result of this handicap Nelson’s son should have no chance against her in the N.Z. Cup, but it must be remembered that the two mile run is still a long way off, and it is quite possible that the colt may greatly improve while Lottie may go back. That the mare has a big Cup chance (so far as North Island contestants are concerned) I am more than satisfied, but the time that must elapse before the Cup flag falls will greatly serve Major George’s colt, and tempting as it might now appear to lay against his chance for the big race I would certainly not be too anxious in that direction —where I a bookmaker. There is the “ dark” Impulse to be thought of.

The surprise and disappointment of the handicap was the poor display made by the Brigadier colt. Here we have a racer whose track form was far and away beyond that of any of his rivals ; he went to the post the picture of condition and health ; and yet he ran a rank duffer. His detractors stamp him as a cur, but his curlishness has yet to be proved, at least so far as I am concerned. Taking his running of last season I fail to see any display of cowardice on his part, and those who confidently asserted that he would “ turn up” Saturday’s handicap should remember this. He showed an undoubted piece of closing up before the runners had even got fairly round the bottom rise, but he came again at the back of the course and regained his position of leader by the time the top of the track was reached. • If he refused to try at the bottom of the course why did he show a desire to fight when the field was headed through the cutting ? A cur would have stuck his toes in at the first flinch and kept them there, but Grenadier did not. At Takapuna, when he met Lady Moth in the Hobson Handicap ?\d was beaten by a head, he had strong questions put to him in the run home, and his reply then was certainly not that of a cur. Further, when at the Garrett Benefit Meeting he got away badly and finished under the judge’s box in Tingara’s five furlong race, he ran an undoubtedly game horse. Of that race I have no personal knowledge, as at the time of its running I was having a five furlong bout of my own at the Hospital, but from what I believe to be authentic accounts of the sprint, I understand the colt got badly off the mark, and after losing his chance by running very wide at the home turn, chased the leaders in a most determined fashion, finishing on the girths of the third horse. And I see by the Turf Register account of the result that Tingara won in imin ssec by a neck from Dorothy, while Quadrant was “a good third.” Take his Hobson Handicap at the Shore; his Shorts at the Garrett meeting; the form he has shown on the track (good enough to lead the keenest track watchers astray); the evident desire he showed to fight after his falter at the bottom turn in Saturday’s mile and a quarter event; his almost flying start in the six furlong handicap, and his inability to foot it once the home bend was reached ; and if, after considering these conflicting matters, my readers can understand and reconcile them I must say that I cannot. It may be said that the word “cur” fills the whole bill, but I decline to accept such an explanation until I see a plain piece of evidence regarding Grenadier’s cowardice. Up to now I maintain he has not shown the white feather. Something very like it probably, but “things are seldom as they seem,” as Buttercup has it in “ Pinafore.” When Grenadier shows the white feather I shall be satisfied ; at present I am only mystified.

The two-year-olds were the next to come under review, and the seven youngsters who were rattled over the the four furlongs showed that our equine babies will this season be of the right stamp. Local breeding will have two or three likely things to fight the visiting contingent in the Foal Stakes, Nursery, Midsummer, and Sylvia Handicaps. Last year a colt was at the

head of affairs, but if early racing can supply the guide, the Wellington Park bred Forma (by Hotchkiss —Formo) will keep the female line well in evidence this season. Lavina, St. Regel, and Hazlemere also may be regarded as youngsters with fine futures before them. When the restiveness inseparable from early two-year-old racing had been given a fair allowance, Mr Cutts dropped his flag, and Lavinia, a beautifully-shaped daughter of Tasman and Sybil, hopped off the mark in quick and lively fashion. Streaking away in great style she made her few backers very hopeful, while the supporters of Forma (who was a hot favourite), St. Regel, and Deadshot experienced a very unpleasant foreboding. A furlong, however, changed matters as far as backers of the favourite were concerned for the chestnut relation of Forme laid down to her work in rare style and swept into the straight an undeniable winner. Lavinia fought along in the pluckiest manner, but the favourite’s pace was too much, and the pick of the public dashed pa'st the post with the clock showing sysecs —just one second longer than Forme’s winning time last year. Forma is as well bred as she is well shaped, and in her tuture MrThos. Morrin will doubtless find aworthy advertisement for the mating that produced her. I expected the Hazel filly Hazelmere would have shown up better than was the case, but her experience at the flag-fall was unfortunate. What galloping she had a chance of showing assured me that her ability will soon be made evident. St. Regel is not of the early racing order, but when another summer has passed over his head, his running will gain for him a few brackets. With age he will trouble more than will trouble him. The runner up to Forma, Lavinia, is a very cleanly cut youngster who will not grow over much, but her pretty little body speaks racing all over. Pony measurement will always be her figure I fancy, and a rare miniature she will be. Deadshot is another likely one, but Scotland showed very little of a promising nature. When the Welcome Stakes comes along Hazlemere may show us something better than she did on Saturday, but a big change will have to be made by all of Forma’s September Stakes rivals if she is to be seriously questioned at the Second Spring Meeting. St. Regel may be the one to trouble her most.

Owing to Crazy Kate’s recent mishap and the scratching of Volley, the contestants for the Handicap Steeplechase of Sosovs, about three miles, were reduced to a trio, viz., Fishmonger 11.5, Malabar 10.7, and Spectator 10.5. Fishmonger’s display in the hurdle race was not calculated to make his supporters too hopeful, but with only Malabar and Spectator opposed to him the cross country run certainly looked a gift for him provided he stood up. He therefore went out favourite, but a steady pegging away at Malabar looked ominous and the backers of the Izaak Walton horse naturally wondered thereat. However, nine out of ten of those who supported him came to the conclusion that the Malabar bettors were gambling for a fall on the part of Fishmonger, and as there appeared to be no opposition sufficiently fast to fluster him in his jumping they hugged the belief that their horse would stand up and win all the way. The race was a sad eyeopener to those who argued in this strain. On performances there was small room for wonder at the confidence of the favourite’s backers, for Spectator was known to be a clever jumper but as slow as a funeral, while Malabar had nothing in last year’s running to suggest speed and heart. The race proved that he possesses both. While we have been labelling him “slow but sure,” he has been concealing pace and pluck of which the touts and public had not the slightest idea. That someone knew better the support accorded Billingsgate’s aged son pretty clearly indicates. Spectator’s measure was correctly taken by investors, for he showed as nice an exhibition of baulking as backers of another horse could possibly wish to see. At an early stage the race-resolved itself into a match between Malabar and the favourite, andthe pair kept on fairly even terms during the whole of the run. Fishmonger kept slightly in advance of the grey, and when he stretched down the hill for the last time and cleared the stone wall it looked any odds on him. Malabar was, however, sticking to him like a leech, but the favourite seemed so full of fight just before the final hurdle was reached that a victory for the grey seemed out of the question. Malabar caught the leader just as the latter rose at the hurdle in the straight, and taking off at the same time

negotiated the obstacle in company with him. Fishmonger jumped cleanly, but Malabar rattled the rail and lost a clean length. Now the affair certainly assumed the “ moral” aspect, but to the general surprise of the spectators Collins obtained a ready answer to a vigorous call on the grey, who wore the favourite down for pace between the hurdle and judge’s box and won by a length. Cheering greeted the winner as he passed the post, and his rider certainly deserved the compliment for the patient manner in which he kept his mount within fighting distance of the favourite and recovered him in time to make the winning dash after the last hurdle had been cleared. McKinnon, who rode a fine race on Fishmonger, never dreamt that his opponent had pace enought to hang on to his quarters in a 7mm 57sec race over three miles and then beat him in the run home. If he had, Fishmonger’s rider might have given his mount a freer head earlier in the race, but even had he done so I now think Malabar would have had the speed to hang to any pace that Fishmonger might have been put to. A forcing race might also have introduced Fishmonger to a “ seven,” for he has no fondness for the Ellerslie obstacles.

The Flying Handicap was declined by Ben Godfrey, Doris, Lady Moth, Webley, and The Barge, and of the seven contestants the bulk of public favour, centered in Lady Marion. “ Follow form ” is not a bad motto, and it certainly proved a correct one in this race. Next in public esteem came Yattenfeldt and Grenadier, the support accorded to the latter showing conclusively that the public (not bad judges) had declined to accept his Spring Handicap display as anything like true form. The top weight Yattenfeldt, was second favourite, and respecting this pair—Yattenfeldt and Grenadier—-I can only regard their run over this six furlong race as a puzzler of infinite depth. Grenadier had all the best of the start, and was at the head of affairs until the home tu*n was reached. Then he appeared to be unable to gallop a yard. As for Yattenfeldt he certainly “ got away badly,” but even with the start I am not going to take that run of his as anything like evidence respecting the colt’s form. The fight he made with St. Laura in the last A.R.C. Guineas, in which he was beaten by a- head by the mare (to whom he was giving slbs), is a circumstance worth remembering. That mile was run in 1 min 45sec, and the runners behind Yattenfeldt were Annabelle, Stanmoor, Royal Rose, and Rose and White. Defeat by only a head in such a race as that Guineas is quite enough testimony as to what the colt is capable of accomplishing. If he was right out of form on Saturday, condition and the start might account for matters, but that he was not “ off colour ” I am just a little inclined to believe. The winner Lady Marion showed a glimpse of quality that will long linger in the memories of punters, and when she next comes to us with the colours flying her support will be of a very strong nature. With the exception of some racers who were, say in indifferent health, the fields opposed to her on Saturday were notches below her in quality, and her trainer may be congratulated upon the wonderful strides she has made in the ascent of the racing ladder. Looking at her on Saturday one could hardly recognise the winner of the Papakura Pony Race, so marked was the improvement noticeable ’in every direction. With Grenadier in difficulties at the home turn and Yatten- / feldt hopelessly out of the way her only ; opponents were The Sharper and Her Ladyship, but the mare’s superiority over that pair was quickly placed in evidence, and her rider had not the slightest difficulty in sending her striding past the post a winner by a comfortable length. The time, 1.26, was two seconds over what the clock showed when Lottie beat His Worship by half a length in this event last year. The race for the Pony Handicap introduced us to another vastly improved racer. The winner, Queen of Sheba, showing up in very glowing colours. Brown Mantle was very well supported, and Nellie, who looked a much improved miniature, was also made _ the subject of fair backing. This face was held by the majorrity to be a “ certainty ” for Queen of Sheba, and she well upheld the reputation which her win at the last Takapuna meeting made for hfer. Nellie had lengths the best of an execrable start, and although it looked any odds on her right up to the lawn rails the King Quail mare sweeping along in true racehorse style, gained yard by yard and justified her backers’ confidence by win-

ning cleverly by half a length. The Queen’s time was 1.33 J, just a second and a half longer than it took Nannie to win this event at last year’s opening meet of the season. The start effected by Mr Cutts on Saturday was the reverse of praiseworthy, and yet great as was the advantage gained in consequence at the post by Nellie, she failed to beat the King Quail mare, who was giving away weight. How Queen of Sheba would have won with an even start I leave to the intelligence of my readers. Bit o’ Fashion took third place. Owing to the start which those last off the mark were given they had no chance of a run. Better things were certainly expected of Reil, Brown Mantle and Lady Thornton than were vouchsafed by the trio named, but with the start given to the leaders it would be futile trying to understand how it was that such indifferent displays were made by some of the animals engaged.

The successful sires represented at the meeting were Malua (Lady Marion, two wins), King Quail (Belmont aud Queen of Sheba), Muskapeer (Lottie), Hotchkiss (Forma), and Billingsgate (Malabar). The payments in connection with the meeting were as follows: — Mr James Kean , Mr M. S. Laurie 10s. Mr F. Macmanemin £ 80 15s, Mr Wheatley j£66 1 os, Mr George Wright - Major F. C. George ss, Mr H. H. Hayr £9 10s, Mr J. E. Thorpe £9 10s, Mr S. E. Caulton £4 15s, Mr G. H. Lawrence 15s, and Mr F. Stenning 15s. Total, ss. Of the trainers F. Macmanemin was the most successful for he had the nice record of turning out from his stable four winners, one second, and one third. The successful riders were headed by W. Smith with two wins, the five other remaining victories falling to J. Stewart, W. Macmanemin, F. Davis, R. Hall, and R. Collins.

There was a marked increase in speculation at last week’s South Canterbury meeting as compared with the figures for the gathering of 1893. The racing was interesting in the extreme, the meeting of six New Zealand Cup horses in the big item of the first day’s card, the Timaru Cup, of one mile and a quarter, causing an unusual amount of attention to centre in the contest. A splendid race resulted in Saracen, 8.12, winning by a head from Prime Warden, 9.4 ; Casket carrying his 7.5 into third place. This win does not mean a penalty in the big two mile race for Saracen owing to the second money and club per centage reductions, so that on recent form Mr Alien’s horse should ' have no small chance in the big November struggle in which the son of St. George—Fair Nell has 8.2 to carry. In view of the recent runs made by Saracen s and Bonnie Scotland f and what we know Loyalty to be capable of, one cannot help thinking what a snug little stable a man . would have if he had these three blood relations in one establishment. With such a trio one could pick up a few decent pickings. The leading item on the second day’s card at South Canterbury, the Rhodes Memorial Stakes of a mile, was won easily by the top weight, Vogengang, in 1.44£. Barmby, 7.0, was runner-up, and Casket, 7.7, again occupied third position. In the other mile race of the meeting, the Gladstone Handicap, Lord Zetland |had a very comfortable win in 1.45|. Last year the S.C. J.O. had a mile and a quarter race on their programme which Lady Zetland, it will be remembered, won after a good fight with Au Revoir. I must say that that arrangement was preferable to the existing

idea of two mile handicaps on the same day. During the meeting a surprise occurred, the winner of the High Weight Handicap going out unbacked. Molly Darling was the racer in question, and a complication respecting her looked a likely thing down Wellington way at one time. Although sportsmen on the spot considered her chance out of the question, several Wellington punters held a very opposite conviction, and showed their confidence by backing the mare. The bookmakers in the City of Winds at first s - .declined to pay, alleging, with perfect truth, that the commissions entrusted to them had not been executed. That was, however, their lookout, and I am glad to learn by wire from my Wellington confrere that the pencillers accepted the inevitable, and with a good grace paid backers the limit claimed. Dunedin bookmakers also laid the mare, but. I understand have returned backers the money staked. >■ In view of recent developments —the coming into force of the Gaming Bill, etc.—it would have been an unpleasant thing for all parties concerned had backers down South endeavoured to force the pencillers’ ' ' ■

hands ; and the Wellington men are to be commended for their straight-forward method adopted by them in settling the affair.

Fine weather was experienced in connection with the opening day of the A. J.O. meeting. The principal feature of the gathering as far as New Zealanders were concerned was of course the Derby, in which Bonnie Scotland met seven contestants, and I am pleased to say worthily upheld New Zealand breeding by beating Mr “ J. B. Clark’s ” Chester colt Ohesterman by half a head. In writing of this race in last week’s issue I selected Bonnie Scotland, Cobbitty and Nobleman as the crack trio, but I must confess I overlooked the Chester —Episode colt, who appears to have given Loyalty’s full brother a rattler in the run home. Mr Gollan’s colt, however, had the winning gait left in him and triumphed in the fairish time of 2.44 for the mile and a half, beating Trenchant’s 1893 time by no less than 10 seconds. Bonnie Scotland’s time has only one parallel since the race was established, Singapore’s 1889 win being obtained in exactly the same time. The owner of this year’s runnerup, Mr “ J. B. Clark,” had the luck to win the Derby two years in succession— Stromboli scoring for the syndicate in 1891 in 2.41 and Camoola in the year following in 2.40. A third win was very nearly scored on Saturday last, but “ a miss is as good as a mile,” and sportsmen right through the islands will be pleased that Mr Gollan, who has not been too successful on the Australian side of late, was last week enabled to encircle Loyalty’s blood relation with the coveted riband. Bonnie Scotland, who is engaged in the Melbourne Cup at 7.5, now holds the following record : At 2yrs., V.R.C. (March), 2nd in Ascot Vale Stakes, three-quarters of a mile, 8.10; A.J.C. (March), won Biennial Stakes, six furlongs, 8.7, in Imin 17^sec; unplaced in V.A.T.C. Holiday Stakes, five furlongs (won by Lady Love, in Imin 4sec), Alma Stakes, five furlongs (won by Destiny in Imin 3fsec), A.J.C. Champagne Stakes, six furlongs (won by Acmena, in Imin 17sec).; won A.J.C. Derby in2min 44sec. Prior to the race for the Derby Mr Gollan’s representative was believed to be in indifferent condition, but the race ho must have run with Chesterman shows that his condition was tip-top. I trust that the Derby result will be the forerunner of many more Australian victories for Mr Gollan, who is a thorough sport in the best sense of that generally misapplied word. Isaac, the five - yearold son of Splendor and Old Wife, won the Trial Stakes, covering the milo and a quarter in 2min 16sec. This horso will be a hot thing for the Caulfield Cup. Recent advices from Sydney state he was backed to win £B,OOO at 100 to 5, just before the last mail left for New Zealand. The Epsom Handicap, of a mile, brought out a field of thirty, and after a good raco Uabba (by Splendor —China Rose) carried his 7.12 to victory in 1.42|, so that the contest must have been a decidedly good one. Our miler, The Dancer, could not, as I expected, foot it with the Sydneyside fliers, sixth place being the best result obtainable by him. Old Bungebah, with 9.4, hustled along into fourth place. That the public estimation of the winner could not have been a very fervid one is shown by the price—2s to I —at which the pencillers sent him out. The five-year-old Goldsborough horse, Brockleigh, carried his 7 to 1 price into the place of honour in the Spring Stakes of a mile and a half, which distance was cut out in the nice time of 2.40. The one-time brilliant Paris started favourite but could do no better than obtain third place, Ruenalf annexing the second money. Mr O’Brien’s Launceston had to suffer defeat in the Kensington Handicap, of a mile, Clinker and Palo Alto (both giving him 21bs) finishing in front of him ; Clinker winning in On the second day of the gathering New Zealand blood was to the fore, Whakawatea, The Possible and Mutiny scoring for their respective owners. At the nice price of 20 to 1 Whakawatea triumphed in the Shorts (six furlongs), cutting down two dozen starters in the creditable time of 1.15£. “Won easily,” says the cable, so Apremont’s son must have been sent to the post in great order. Mr Gollan’s success with Bonnie Scotland was added to by The Possible scoring a win in the Spring Maiden Stakes, one mile and a half, in 2.45 J, and Mutiny (at alO to 1 price) won the First Steeplechase of 2£ miles in 5.44 after a great fight with Helios. When the field for the Metropolitan Stakes got to the distance post Projectile showed unmistakable superiority and easily cut down Lady Trenton and

Paris, who finished after Mr J. B. Clark’s horse in that order. Time, 2.37. Mr Dan O’Brien’s luck was right out, Loyalty failing to get a place in the big race, while Response lost the Squatter’s Handicap, miles (won by the Grand Flaneur mare Gingham in 2.11) by a short head.