Racing Reviewed.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 225, 15 November 1894, Page 4

Racing Reviewed.

[By

Borderer.]

With a reckless disregard for old-established custom, the weather fiend mislaid his wateringpot on Friday last, and we were blessed w’ith the best of atmospheric surroundings for the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club’s Second Spring Meeting. There was a most satisfactory attendance on both days, and the fact that Mr. Blomfield and staff handled £9,913 during the meeting (£730 above last year’s figures) shows that speculators had their sovereigns fairly loose. Good racing was given us, the weighting for the second day resulting in a triple dead heat—a development rarely seen on a racecourse. Mr. Knight certainly deserved the praise awarded him for the successful result of his labours; and, re-, membering the muttered blessings which greeted the posting up of his weights at the A.R.C. office on the Friday night, it was somewhat of a contrast to hear the congratulations showered on the handicapper after the race for the City Handicap. The track, although a trifle hard, was in a condition that one would always be glad to see, the appointments of the course were in creditable order, but the promise conveyed by the various posts erected in connection with the new starting-machine was not carried out, the fields being sent away in the old fashion. No starter is perfect, and he cannot be expected to compete with the new invention, which certainly brings the perfection state within measurable reach. Therefore, it is no reflection on Mr. Cutts to say there was a general expression of regret that the club had to temporarily return to the old order of things. “ Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” and there’s no doubt about the truth of such a eajing in connection with tire machine. However, the missing parts will be here in time for the 'Summer Meeting, so we can afford to forget the annoyance experienced at the last meeting by breaks-away and delays.

The working of the totalizator was in the charge of Mr. Bloinfield, the members of whose staff deserve credit for the despatch with which the shekels were paid out to the favoured few; and the catering of Mr. McEwen brought comfort to many an unsuccessful plunger. The winners were placed by Major Banks, who had a very close thing to decide when Ben Godfrey, First Nelson, and Forme flashed past the post in the City Handicap. It is quite certain that two of the finishers were fairly tied together, and if, as many of the onlookers fancied, the remaining dead-heater was a bit behind, the leeway was so infinitesimal that ' the judge showed his good sense by sending up the three numbers on the one line. Major Banks had a difficult task to perform ; and if there had been no collision when the three

racers were again sent over the distance, I am confident the judging would have been as difficult in the deciding heat as it was in the race proner. The secretarial duties were carried out creditably by Mr. Percival, and the weighing-out and timing department was in the efficient hands of Mr. F. W. Marks. Unhappily the racing was marred by several falls ; and in the case of Hammond, who was riding Edna when she came to grief, the result will be a prolonged retirement from the saddle. He is at present located in the Hospital, where he is suffering from a fractured hip. In the'Pony Bace on the opening day Sweet Lavender came to grief in the cutting, and brought down Virgin and Queen of Sheba, with the result that the last-named racer had one of her hind legs broken above the fetlock. A bullet put the poor beast out of her sufferings. The Queen was a racer with a future, and her death will be a big loss to the owner. The mare was 6yrs. old, by King Quail —Miss Fisher, and first showed what she was made of at the Takapuna Winter Meeting, when she beat a strong field over 5| furlongs in Imin. 19sec.

The racing commenced with the President’s Handicap of 50 sovs, one mile and a distance, for which a quintette saddled up, St. Patrick being a decided favourite. Abel, Lieutenant, and Crescent were fairly well supported, the connections of the last named, a three-year-old son of Castor and Queen Cole, backing him on a 2min 2sec trial which he had done at home. But he was far behind those figures in the race. After the inevitable and maddening allowance of breakings away, Mr. Cutts sent them off on fair terms, Crescent being the quickest to break line, while Lieutenant moved away sluggishly. Passing the box for the first time the favourite, St. Patrick, was a length behind Crescent, and Abel and The Barge were together. Round at the six-furlong post St. Patrick raced level with Crescent who was done with ome the cutting was fairly entered. Lieutenant then slipped up to St. Patrick and the pair moved along on terms to the home turn, at which stage Abel let out in business-like fashion and gained on them rapidly. The Barge was also showing a galloping ability which I frankly confess I did nut fancy was in him, but against Abel he had a rather indifferent chance. From the top of the straight the whips were all out, and Abel’s gameness proving undeniable, Impulse’s half brother beat The Barge by a length and a half, St. Patrick being three lengths the wrong end of The Barge. Had the last named been ridden by a better horseman than a 6.7 boy his chance of winning would have been vastly improved. The King Quail colt’s display was a decidedly promising one and I hereby take back the unfavourable remarks made respecting his rearward development. He'may not be a picture of loveliness in the matter of quarters, but he can slip along in game fashion. The time ;(2min 4sec) recorded by the winner is a remove or two from the Imin 59fsec put up in this race last year by Lottie, who carried 161 b more than did Abel. The Muskapeer mare has since turned out to be a Cup performer, and if I mistake not Abel will arrive at a somewhat similar stage of perfection in the not far distant future, if Fate be kind to him. Abel claims the same dam as Impulse, but some .doubt exists as to his sire, he being returned as “ by Hotchkiss or Castor.”

The pick of the populace, Forma, proved fully equal to the flattering belief held respecting her ability to squelch all opposition in the Welcome Stakes, the daughter of Hotchkiss and Formo leaving her eight two-year-old opponents and the five furlongs behind in Imin s|sec. Mr. Cutts had some difficulty in sending the youngsters away on even terms, and when his flag flashed down the Tasman —Rubina colt, Kingsman, was left standing. The Nelson—Tamora colt, Commodore, whose appearance hovered on tbe hog-fat border line, went out the despised outsider, only ten investors out of 595 entrusting him with their coin. He showed a taking ability to slip along for about three furlongs and then agreed to wait a more auspicious occasion when his ribs would be more lightly coated. However, the glimpse which he gave us should cause backers to reserve a corner in their brain boxes for him. When the condition and the hour arrive he will take command of the fleet in true Commodore fashion. Armour had a respectable following, and though decidedly green he made the slippery daughter of Formo stretch herself. at the distance. He also will repay watching. Fabulist ran in promising fashion and may in time justify the belief of his connections that he is a cut above the ordinary. This youngster is not of the ornamental kind, but we don’t hanker after beauty if the pace is there. Coffin heads are not : a bar to speed. The winning filly was sent to the post in great form by John Chaafe, who has a big opinion of the future that lies before this young lady. This race gave us no line as to the capabilities of Kingsman, but later in the meeting he showed a laudable desire to stretch himself and when age comes to him I’ll warrant he will •extend himself to some purpose.

, The way was now clear for the Guineas, for which there were only three runners, Norina fallput, as was expected, in favour of her stable companion Doris. Grenadier had to concede the

51b sexual allowance to Forme and the Papakura | filly, and that he did not do so successfully was not altogether his fault. His position nearing the straight was a very favourable one, but the rider of Forme managed to secure the rail running, to the disadvantage of the colt and the disgust of his supporters. When Mr. Cutts released the trio Doris shot away to the front at a very lively rate, and by the time the back stretch was fairly entered she was five lengths ahead of her opponents. She was taken hold of by her rider nearing the cutting, and eased a little, while Grenadier, who was racing in good style came up to her business-like style. Forme was slipping along in beautiful fashion, and by the time the halfmile post was reached Nordenfeldt’s daughter was pretty well on terms. Turning into the straight Grenadier cut down Doris, but allowed Forme to slip into the inner running, a development that spoilt his chance, and though he fought the run up the straight in game fashion Forme caught the judge’s eye half a length quicker than the colt, Doris being a length and a half behind Grenadier. The journey occupied Imin 46|sec, a second and a half longer than was the case last year, when St. Laura fought her winning battle with Yattenfeldt. Friday’s race proved Grenadier up to a mile, and the next question to be settled is, can he get the distance over which it is said he was tried when his believers put up their sovereigns on his N.Z. Cup chance—and went down ? Many of his friends (and all his opponents) say that a mile is his tether, but I am going to be surprised if he fails at considerably longer distances. Doris was a decided disappointment in this race, and I must confess to a growing belief that the filly is not much of a fighter.

The scratching of Magpie for the Hurdle Race left a field of half-a-dozen, Warrior being at the head of the weights with 9.11. Skittles and Deceiver took 31b. from him, the Ariel gelding (St. Michael) humped 51b. over his allotted 9.5, and Villiers and hiap were on the 9.4 mark. Skittles was very warmly supported, but the Ingomar horse was too much for her, and won cleverly in 3min. 56sec.—Just Isec. longer than the time taken by Despised in the same race last year. Deceiver and Villiers were handiest on their legs at the flag-fall, Warrior moving off at a pace that evidenced a desire to play a waiting game. Passing the Derby stand Villiers was in charge of affairs, the favourite being in a good fighting position, while Henwood on Warrior viewed the contest from an apparently hopeless position in the rear. This aspect of the case -continued until the leaders had slipped through the cutting, at which stage of the race .Skittles cut down Deceiver, caught Villiers, and raced with him to the head of the straight. Nap had not persevered the second time past (he rise leading the back stretch. Once clear of the cutting, Hen wood woke up the Ingomar horse, who, coming with one of his spirited runs, dashed up to the leaders before they had fairly turned the home bend, and reached tbe hurdle in the straight just as Skittles was rising to it. Clearing it in his stride, the son of Ingomar and Fanny Fisher was up to Skittles’ shoulder in a twinkling, and scored a clever bare length win. Skittles was five lengths in front of St. Michael. The promise given by Warrior at the opening of the season is being well sustained, and the judgment shown by Henwood in this and the second hurdle race in reserving his mount until the very moment when Warrior’s fine turn of foot would just land him in the required position, shows that horse and rider are on the best of terms with each other.

With only Grenadier and St. Patrick out of the Shorts Handicap, Mr. Cutts had thirteen horses to release for the 5 furlongs scamper, and a long wearisome delay took place before the flag fell. The top weight, St. Kilda, was considered a good thing for this race, and Eve, too, had very substantial backing, Lady Moth and Norina being next in demand. Dorothy and Lady Moth were earliest off the mark, Norina being rather indifferently served in the release. Lady Moth was the first to reach the turn, St. Kilda being in a handy position, and Eve ditto. At the Derby stand St. Kilda could be seen clearing himself of his attendants, and Norina flashed out in the middle of the track, while Lady Moth, Eve, and The Sharper were in a bunch and almost in a line. The whole field was whipping, and Byers, flourishing his persuader with good effect, drew out with the favourite, but had a big fight to keep off Norina, who raced as game as a pebble, and was only a neck behind him when the judging line was crossed. However, a miss is as good as a mile, and the fairish dividend that at one time stood out with promising clearness to the followers of the Nordenfeldt — Rosarina filly faded away to nothingness when St. Kilda was asked to move. The whip was flashing high above the head of St. Kilda’s rider, but the Matakana gelding is never in a hurry, .and generally wins with apparently little in hand. Five furlongs in Imin. 4jsec., with 10.2 in the saddle, shows that St. Kilda’s material is of the right sort, and it also demonstrates the advance made by this racer since last year. In the same race of season 1893-94 Marquis of Tewkesbury went out an outsider, and with only 7.3 on liis back gained the judging-line in Imin. 4sec., St. Kilda, the hot favourite, being unable to get within fighting distance of the St. Leger—Queen Margaret gelding. Then the son of Matakana had 9.0 on his back ; but on Friday last he scored with an extra burden of 161 b. If St. Kilda possesses staying power he should move along to fair purpose with fair weights in big handicaps.

The attraction of the day—the Prince of Wales Handicap, of 165 sovs., 1| miles—attracted all the eight acceptors, Forme being favourite on her Guineas run, while Yattenfeldt was second in demand by seekers after the truth—l mean dividend. Ida, St. Laura, and Anita were well backed, but Ben Godfrey was comparatively neglected, backers arguing that his failure in the past to prove himself over a distance was good

and sufficient reason for believing the journey to be beyond his line. But the public, although generally right, are often wrong, and in sizing up this race they were distinctly out of it. Tulloch was first off the mark, Anita, who was greatly fancied by her connections, being next, and then came Yattenfeldt, Haria, St. Laura, and Ben Godfrey. Passing the post the first time round, the diminutive Castleton was at the head of the string on Haria, Yattenfeldt. and Tulloch being tbe nearest to him. Yattenfeldt was being ridden, and Ben Godfrey was s’reaking along somewhat in the rear, but as comfortable as though being exercised. Round at the cutting St. Laura went to the front, and on reaching the half-mile post Forme was spoken to and moved out in a manner that looked like a second success for the winner of the Guineas. With St. Laura, Anita, and Haria close handy, she swept into the straight, and the prospects of both Forme and Anita were looming up in golden colours, when Creamer, who had ridden a patient race on Ben Godfrey, whispered to his mount, and it was all over, the St. Leger—Welcome Katie horse stretching out in a manner that placed Forme a length the wrong side of the judge’s glance, Anita being held at a similar disadvantage by the Nordenfeldt filly. The time (2min. 39sec.) beats Tulloch’s 1893-94 clocking by l|sec. The rider of the winner rode a good race, and was careful to sit quiet until the right moment—a consideration of value in connection with an animal such as Ben Godfrev. Ida did not figure in the fight, but I fancy a circumstance (not officially noted) interfered with the mare’s chance. Tulloch broke down badly during the contest, and came in on very dickey pins; but Anita finished strongly, and will repay backing on some future occasion.’

Kismet was withdrawn from the bottle of mixed pickles, known as a Pony Handicap, and Silkworm proved to be the particularly hot article. She and Bit o’ Fashion were about even in the money-market, but the new string in Mr. J. Keane’s stable was notin it on this particular occasion. The contest was attended bv misfortune, for, coming out of the cutting, Sweet Lavender (with Hodson up) came a cropper ; Virgin was brought down at the same time, and Queen of Sheba met with a similar cxnerience, breaking one of her hind legs just above* the fetlock joint. A bullet ended the pain of the promising little mare, whose death will be an important loss to her owner. She had only started her winning career, and had she been treated more kindly by Fate her name would have been encircled with a fair share of brackets this season. Once into (he straight, Silkworm, who escaped interference during the downfall of the trio mentioned, came away and won easily in Imin. 33sec., which reads a second better than tbe time recorded in this event last year by Pearl 11. Riel was Silkworm’s runner-up, and Direct once again occupied third place. The last race of the day—the Flying Handicap, of 50 sovs., 6 furlongs—saw the public right on the mark, the first and second favourites filling the remunerative positions. The ten runners were well together at the top of the straight, and at the Derby stand it looked Annabelle’s race, but a sudden dash by Master Pat carried all before it, the King Cole horse finishing gamely under whip and spur and beating the North Shore mare by half a length. Dorothy was third, and the watch stopped at Imin. 18sec.

The watering pot being again mislaid on the second day of the meeting by the gardener up in the clouds, another good attendance was experienced, and with cleverly worked out handicaps by Mr. Knight and a laudable desire on the part of the unsuccessful owners to avenge the defeats sustained in the Birthday racing everything went as merrily as a marriage bell (until the silken nuptial cord is replaced by the hempen divorce string), as far as speculation and racing was concerned. In the Steeplechase and Maiden Plate, however, two jockeys met with mishaps. Morrigan, the rider of Lord Onslow, was thrown heavily when his mount came down at one of the fences, and a slight concussion of the brain resulted. The jockey, however, recovered sufficiently to be taken home, but little Hammond, who was up on Edna in the Maiden Plate, was not so fortunate. The mare was racing in great style when she came to grief through some circumstance hard to locate, and the boy was hurled against the course railing and sustained a severe fracture of the thigh. Dr Erson attended both the injured riders, and ordered Hammond’s removal to the hospital, to which he was speedily taken in the embulance. As was the case on the first day. Caterer McEwen soothed our inward monitor in masterly fashion. The dividends were not very large except in the Pony Race, the public sizing up the running of the first day with accuracy, but as regards the contest for miniatures the intelligent backer has ample cause for unscrewing his right leg and administering a forcible kick unto himself. The great army of punters sized up Bit o’ Fashion as a good thing for the seven furlong race, and though she was 1 lb better placed in the six furlongs—oyer which distance she by no means disgraced herself on the first day —they allowed her to go out with £l5 and £3O dividends hanging to her chance. And she won cleverly—to the gratification of the few and the heartfelt maledictions of the many. In the big race, Mr Knight’s weighting gave us such another sight as was witnessed in the Cresarewitch of 1857, when Mr Ten Broeck’s Prioress ran a dead heat with Captain Smith’s Elhakim and Saxon’s Queen Bess. Ben Godfrey, Forme, and First Nelson finished ends-up with each other, and had to race off for the stake, First Nelson winning the sovereigns.

As for the racing, the Spring Handicap fell to Doris 8.5, who jumped away at the fall of the flag and never left her backers in doubt The start was creditably effected, and though Master Pat and Annabelle made game efforts to catch the bearer of the rose and white stripes, Ophelia’s daughter never gave them a chance, and triumphed with ease in 1 min 29 |sec, 4J secs

better than Lottie’s time last year. Eve and Dorothy filled the places. A quartette was the main for the Second Hurdles, a race that attracted just twice as many starters last year. The King Quail gelding, Belmont, was again reckoned up favourably by his supporters, but the easy win scored by Warrior the day before tilted many sovereigns on the latter’s chance until the machine figures placed him slightly in advance of his opponent in betting estimation. Molly Hawk and Deceiver were first off the mark, then came Belmont, with Warrior at his old game of allowing the others to make the running, while he reserved himself for a run from the four-furlong poet. Through the cutting Belmont was shaken to the front, and catching up Deceiver led into the straight with him. Passing the post he was half-a-length in the lead, with Molly Haw'k three lengths behind Deceiver, and Warrior once again apparently too far out of the chase. But backers of the favourite were cheered at seeing the big hold Henwood had of the Ingomar horse as the top rise was crossed. A clumsy jump by Belmont round by the two-mile post, allowed Molly Hawk and Deceiver to get to the front—the latter leading through the cutting. Once clear of that, however, McKinnon took Molly Hawk away with a good lead, and the mare looked an easy winner until Henwood, with hie customary run from just past the half-mile post, altered the aspect of affairs with decided rapidity. Up to the top of the straight the effort, however, appeared just a little late, but once the four horses set sail up the straight Warrior hoisted an extra topsail, and coming with wet canvas over the last breaker—which means fence—crossed the bar a fairly peaceful winner by half a length. And then backers of the Ingomar horse crossed their bar in a similar peaceful manner, or if they did not make the passage their coin did, and schooners were lifted in consequence thereof. Deceiver was a couple of lengths behind Molly Hawk, and Belmont was last. The time was 3 min 38 sec, which is practically the same clocking as that registered last year by Despised. The Turf Register gives his time as 3 min 8.) sec, which I take to mean 3 inin 38| sec. Warrior is well fulfilling the promise given by him at the dawn of the season. This relation to Ingomar has a very lively turn of speed, and Henwood is to be commended for the judgment he displays in reserving his handsome fencer until the nick of time that suits him so well. Bad riding would take Warrior to the front and lose him the race, but with his owner up the black will never be loaded with that disadvantage.

The Nelson —Torment filly, re-named Miss Nelson, declined the Nursery Handicap, in which Armour occupied the top weight line with 8.6 against his name. Forma was offered 9.4 in the race, but she was “ not having any ” at the figure. Hazelmere and St. Regel were the best supported pair ; and though Kingsman, by his failure toget off the mark in the Welcome Stakes gave the public no indication respecting his abilities, there was fairish money behind him. And though beaten, he showed a galloping measure that will some day place sovereigns in the hand of his owner. The thirteen fidgets were despatched in distinctly creditable fashion by Mr. Cutts, the stable mates Kingsman and Hazelemere being first to break line. Coming into the straight the son of Rubina lost a little ground, and the whole field closed up, Hazelmere showing slightly in front. At the distance she was fairly comfortable, but another aspect was put on affairs when Pirate came like a brigand from a dark cave and pounced on the unsuspecting Hazelemere in regular piratical fashion. It was touch-and-go for a time, but the daughter of Hazel proving game from top to toe, just managed to avert the boilover, a bare neck flashing past the judge’s eye before he took in the half brother to St. Clements. Kingsman was only half a length behind Pirate, so the weighting was well on the mark. The half-mile was run in 50Jsec., which shows that there was no loitering on the way, and in tbe first three finishers we may justifiably hope to secure a trio of decidedly respectable three year-olds. Pirate’s run was a surprise to his immediate connections, the breeder, for instance, onlv fancying his representative to the extent of half a ticket. St. Regel was fairly well supported, but against early fliers, such as Forma and Hazelmere, he has but an indifferent chance. Age will serve him, and Kingsman. can be placed in tbe same box for future reference.

The fight for the City Handicap resulted in a struggle never before witnessed at Ellerslie, the weighting, riding, and abilities of three of the contestants proving so evenly distributed that Major Banks felt the necessity of hoisting the numbers of *he first three finishers on the one line.. On his run of the day before Ben Godfrey was established favourite, with the Guineas winner, Forme, next best. Then came St. Kilda and First Nelson, the latter by the way stripping in form to which he was a stranger during last season. The start was delayed in a most exasperating fashion, Haria breaking away time after time with his diminutive pilot, Castleton. The boy had not the faintest control over the colt, who every now and then would stroll around to the mile post (and once to the two mile upright) with the jockey pulling for all he was worth — a quantity that might be called imponderable (that whichcannot be weighed). Haria wanted a little quiet conversation with himself before he started racing, and though Castleton made vigorous attempts to cut short his mount’s ramblings, the son of Flintlock and Pikau treated his jockey’s tuggings with good humoured indifference. The A.R.C. caretaker tried to distinguish (or kill) himself by making repeated and unsuccessful darts at the runaway’s bridle ; and when endurance had reached its limit, the clerk of the course seized the bridle of Haria and cantered Castleton and the colt back to the starter, followed by the thanks of the crowd, and deprived of his belltopper, which was saved from a untimely crushing by a spectator. At last they were got away, and. by the time the rise at the

bottom of the straight was -reached Grenadier made an exhibition of himself by swerving, and was soon out of the contest. First Nelson reached the cutting first, and at the half mile post Ben Godfrey was the nearest opponent, a couple of lengths separating the pair. Forme came along at a dash that soon sent her to. the line occupied by the leader, but at the bend into the straight Nelson’s chestnut son was slightly in advance. In the run home Ben Godfrey came with a beautiful dash, and the three horses swept along with nothing between them ; and when the judge took his eye off them he felt constrained to admit his inability to separate the trio. Forme may have been within half a neck of her two opponents, but that she was nearer ! hardly think; bnt in such a case the judge is the only party competent to give an worth listening to. The other racers were within very respectable distance of the deadheaters, and in the excitement of the moment sportsmen did not forget to give the handicapper full credit for his splendid piece of work. Dividends were paid on the .three tiers, so that backers of the favourite, Ben Godfrey, had 15s. returned for their 205.; Forme yielded a profit of 7s. per £1 ; and First Nelson paid the maximum, £2 12s. In the deciding heat Ben Godfrey was a point or two better than First Nelson in the betting, Forme being ditto as regards Nelson’s son. Once more we would have been treated to a splendid fight if an unfortunate collision at the mile and a quarter post had not put both Forme and Ben Godfrey out of the race. The former certainly could not have won, for she was beaten once her head was fairly turned for home; but with a clear run, the finish between First Nelson and Ben Godfrey would have been a most interesting one, and the judge would again have been confronted with a very close thing. Forme led all the way until the straight was entered, but when the Derby stand was reached First Nelson had his head well in front, and Ben Godfey was coming two strides to the leader’s one. Justus the mile and a quarter post was cleared the trio collided, Forme being knocked back, Ben Godfrey stood on his hind legs, while First Nelson cantered home. A protest from the second and third horses resulted, but, as will be seen elsewhere, the race was awarded to First Nelson, and dividends of course followed the decision. The time for the race proper was 2min. 14sec., and this excellent clocking was only increased by two seconds in the run off —a difference the collision would account for.. They say that Ben Godfrey could not get a distance, but after Friday and Saturday “they” must alter their tune very considerably. Last year Ida won this race in 2 min. 20|sec.

The defeat inflicted omFishmonger on September 14th last by Malabar, sent the last-named out a hot favourite, for the Steeplechase of 100 sovs, about three miles, while Fishmonger was reckoned up as only half as good as Molly Hawk, who was second favourite. But backers forgot that on the day Malabar beat Fishmonger, the latter conceded the grey an advantage of 12 lb, and as Malabar was weighted 2 lb above Isaac Walton’s son on Saturday last, he was meeting his conqueror on a stone better terms. He also lost nothing by the fact that his old pilot was on his back. Throughout the race Fergus rode a fine race on Fishmonger, and the same may be said of both McKinnon and Collins, who extracted every ounce of ability that lay in their mounts in their effort's to catch Fishmonger, but the little horse stood them off and won by a couple of lengths, Malabar being four lengths behind Molly Hawk. Villiers and Lord Onslow fell at the post and rails on the hill, and Platch blundered at the sod wall; and lam inclined to think that if he had stood up all round, the winner would have, had all his work cut out to beat the pony. For his inches he is as game a steeplechaser as one could wish to see. The race down the hill between Fishmonger and Molly Hawk was an exciting one, and though the firstnamed had the winning gait left in him, Molly Hawk, with a little more exercise over the country, would have made things very lively for the victor. The time (7 min 3 sec) is three seconds slower than that made by Despised last year' when the one-eyed Cap-a-pie gelding won easily by thirty yards with 11.7 on his back. As the second money in the President’s Handicap brought the value of that race below 50 sovs, the winner (Abel) was enabled to contest the Maiden Plate Handicap of 40 sovs, and though Anita—on her running in the Prince of Wales’ Handicap—was made a good favourite, Impulse’s relation scored a second win j which"! fancy would not have been his portion had Anita not got into a position at the turn for home that effectually shut her out of the race. The Barge and Lord Dunluce cut out the running to the cutting; at which stage of the race the latter took command and was followed by Brigade, after whom came Lieutenant, Abel, and Anita pretty well on terms. On entering the straight Abel shot up on the outside and, with Lieutenant, gave Anita a very poor show of getting through. The daughter of King Quail and Anna was going two strides to the leaders one at the distance, but there was no space for her, Abel getting home by a length, while Lieutenant was a neck behind Anita. Abel ran exactly up to his President’s Handicap w in, covering the mile and a distance in the same time (2 min 4 sec) as on Friday. Brown Mantle was sent out a hot favourite for the six furlong Pony Handicap, but the neglected Bit o’ Fashion—about whom I warned investors in tipping for the first day —cut down the favourite at the lawn rails and ran home a 1 min 21 sec victor by three parts of a length. The money placed on Mr Keane’s mare on the opening daj showed that the public were wide awake respecting her powers on the Friday, but on Saturday they were fast asleep as the dividends (£l5 16s and £3O 14s) testify. Brown Mantle has been an unfortunate mare up to date, and when she does win her connections will have a big lee-way to pull up. Remembering Doris’s run-a-way win in the seven furlong Spring Handicap, with 8.5 on her back, her chance over the Ellerslie Handicap distance

(six furlongs), with 9 lbs less to hump along, looked a decidedly rosy one, but the public forgot that St. Laura (8.0) had been omitted from the book. She jumped off with Doris, and never giving the Papakura filly a second’s respite tested her every inch up to the Derby stand, at which stage of the fight the daughter of Ophelia was weighed and found wanting, St. Laura getting home by a couple of good lengths in 1 min 16 sec. They were galloping right through, as the time showed, but I suspect the Miss Laura mare has a trifle more gameness in her than the Papakura representative, whose downfall meant a fairish loss to her connections. Lady Marion carried the big dividend entrusted to her into a fairish position, the second mare only having a length the best of her when the judging line was crossed. So ended a most successful meeting, at which the racing was worthy of the weighting, and the lat ter far beyond our most favourable expectations.

My Gisborne correspondent wires me re the Gisborne Racing Club’s Spring meeting as follows : —Splendid weather was experienced, the attendance was moderate, and the results as under :—Flying Handicap of 40 sovs, three quarters of a mile—Virago 7.9, 1; Pororua 6.7, 2; Pekapu 7.2, 3 ; Royal] and Hopmarket 8.4 also started. Won easily ; time, 1.18; dividend, £3 2s. Maiden Hack Scurry of 10 sovs, half-a-mile —Fidget beat twelve others in the good time of 0.504, and paid a dividend of £4 Ils. Grandstand Handicap of 45 sovs, one mile—Hopmarket 8.0, 1; Glenora 6.12, 2 ; Flirtation 6.7, 3 ; also started : Samoa 8.10 and Virago 7.0. There was a good finish, the time was 1.46, and the dividend £3 16s. Handicap Hurdle Race of 50 sovs, about 14 miles —Disturbance 11.1, 1 ; Worth 10.7, 2; The Turk 9.0, 3. Also started : New Year 11.6, Avis 9.12, and Tewhakahawea 10.10. The Turk led to the last fence, and from there to the post the placed horses fought a splendid finish ; time, 2.574 ; dividend, £2 10s. Hack Hurdles of 10 sovs, one mile —Crescent beat four others in 2 min, and paid a dividend of £2 7s. Park Handicap of 75 sovs, 1£ mile—Hopmarket 7.2, 1; Lord Raven 8.11, 2; Beauley 7.0, 3; Royal 7.5 also started. A good race ; time, 2.16; dividend, £4 7s. The Hack Race of 10 sovs, three-quarters of a mile, was won by Fidget, who beat six others ; time, 1.19; dividend, £4 13s. The Forced Handicap of 20 sovs, one mile, was won by Pororua, who defeated four others after a splendid finish; time, 1.47 ; and dividend, £3 12s. The amount put through the machine during the day was £1,420.

The totalisator returns for the metropolitan meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club shows that the speculative spirit is still flying with outstretched wings. The sum filtered through the machines during three days is £6,709 in advance of last year’s figures, £33,259. During the recent carnival the machine agents operated on £39,968. The success gained for the North by Impulse in the Cup was added to on the concluding day, Royal Rose winning the Jockey Club Handicap of 300 sovs, by running his mile in 1 min 43] sec. Last year The Workman, with 9lb more than Royal Rose carried on Saturday, cut out the mile in 1 min 41] sec. Roscius brought the Steeplechase money this way in creditable fashion, carrying his 12.5 over the odd three miles in 6 min. 37 sec —just a second behind last year’s figure, when Norton and Waterbury ran their dead heat. Our flier, St. Clements, had to retire before Golden Fleece’s 47 sec gait over the Electric Plate four furlongs, but in the last race, the mile Farewell Handicap, he humped 8.12 along in 1.43 —which should be unpalatable reading for those persons who insist 54 furlongs is the length of his tether. Georgie Sharp scored a creditable weight for age win in the Tattersall’s Plate, six furlongs’ run in Imin 16sec, and Prime Warden once again asserted his claim to be considered a top sawyer by easily winning the Canterbury Cup in 4min 3]sec —half a second better than Skirmisher’s time last year. Bluefire walked away with the Oaks, as was expected, and the Maxim —Toredo colt, Safeguard, won the four furlong Nursery Handicap comfortably in 47sec.

The concluding day of the Flemington Meeting saw Loyalty fairly stretched for the V.R.C. Handicap, but he failed to concede 231 b. to Quiver, the three-year-old daughter of Trenton, who scored in 3min. 4sec. Mr O’Brien’s horse went out favourite at 3 to 1. The Robinson Crusoe colt, Preston, showed the way in the Spring Stakes, easily defeating Malachite, The Enchanter, and Dreamland, so he must be several cuts above the ordinary. A couple of 18 to 1 chances, Auraria and Maie, fought out the half mile Flemington Stakes, the first-named getting home a head in 50|sec., with Onward third a neck behind the second finisher, and Timorie with an advantage of thee stone and eight pounds compelled Norton to postpone his intention of showing Victorian’s what he is made of. Killarney and Grandwing, who were both in receipt of substantial allowances from Norton, were in the places. Even money was taken about The Harvester’s Canterbury Plate chance and he failed, not beating Carnage by two lengths, Chesterman a neck behind Carnage. Time, 3 min 34 sec—--8 secs better than Patron’s 1893 thus. Mr Gollan scored a win in the Free Handicap, The Possible upholding Auckland breeding by covering the mile and a quarter in 2min. 94sec. —a pace that defeated Newman, Presto, and thirteen others. Ten to one was laid against The Possible, who just got home by a neck.