Sketches at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 297, 2 April 1896, Page 7

Sketches at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting.

FINISH FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CUP, MILES.

The fastest Easter Handicap run at Ellerslie was in 1893 when Mr S. Bradley’s Impulse, 8.12, ran the mile and a half in 2min 37sec. The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News of February 15’h reproduces a photograph of Trenton, taken at the Cobham (Eng.) Stud. Trenton looks like an old “ crock,” according to the picture, and his ribs can be counted plainly, so that the son of Musket must have had a real bad time on the passage Home. Those who have pictures of the horse, which were taken prior to the disposal of the St. Alban’s Stud by lottery, would not recognise the ex-New Zealander as the same horse, as per the Sporting News picture. A correspondent very kindly sends me the results of the Bombay Hack Races. The Club have a balance in hand after the meeting, it is satisfactory to note. It will be noticed from the results given in another column, that one or two nags were “ out for the day.” Kiora must be one of the hardy sort, and plucky, as he competed in four races during the day, securing second place each time. Australia and Heiress were saddled up three times, so that the up-country equines must have had a hard day’s work. However, I feel sure there was plenty of fun, and that those present enjoyed themselves, just as much as if they were attending the Melbourne Cup meeting.

The train arrangements in connection with the Auckland Racing Club’s Easter Meeting will be found in another column. On Easter Monday and Tuesday trains will leave Auckland for the Racecourse at intervals, from 10.45 a.m. until 2.10 p.m. On Saturday, 11th inst., the first train will run out at 12 noon, and the last train at 2.10 p.m. The return trains from the course start at 5 p.m. and continue running at intervals as required. Fares, 2s (including admission to course). Rail only Is. Reserved cars will be put on for the convenience of ladies. In a recent article on stud fees in the London Sportsman Mr W. Allison states (writes the New York Spirit of the Times') that many owners have shown a disposition to offer their horses on easier terms than have been usual of late. Mr Allison thinks that further reduction should be made, and that breeders should stipulate for a return in case mares are not stinted. Stallion fees have always averaged higher in England than here, no doubt for the reason that breeding is conducted on a larger scale there, and there is more competition for service to fashionable sires. Except in a few isolated cases, such, for example, as St. Blaise and Iroquois, no exorbitant stallion fees have been asked in this country in recent years, and where excessive fees have been demanded it has usually been done mainly for the reason that owners of horses desired to retain them for private use.

Barnado, the Riccarton hurdle horse, is in commission again, in view of winter events. Admirers of a good horseman will be pleased to learn that Joe Gallagher is now riding work again, and will be seen in the saddle at the A.R.O. Meeting. The black gelding Blackberry, five years, by Gladiator —Good Fruit, winner of the Second Handicap Hurdles at Napier Park, is likely to make a useful cross-country horse. The A.R.C. Easter Handicap distance was altered to one mile and a half in 1890, and since that year, mares have been successful on four occasions. This year twelve have accepted, including eight mares. Since 1874 John Rae has steered the winner of the A.R.C. Autumn Steeplechase three times, Reform, Chandler, and old Orangeman being his mounts. Morrigan has had two wins in this race, having steered Hune and Bombardier, and W. Edwards, the Hastings trainer, has also piloted two winners, Macaroni and Te Whetumaramara. These are the only double figures. At the Marlborough meeting Sing-Song won the Farmers’ Plate, but the stewards decided, on a protest, that the full distance had not been traversed, and ordered the race to be run over again. Sing-Song won the second time. The stewards also decided that the money invested on those horses which were scratched for the second attempt should be returned. Lucky owners ? The attention of breeders, etc., is directed to the Auckland Racing Club’s advertisement in another column, in which nominations are invited for the Royal Stakes of 500sovs, 6 furlongs. Entries close for foals on Friday, 17th April. No money ,s required at the time of nomination. Entries are also invited on the same day for the Great Northern Champagne Stakes of 300sovs, 6 furlongs, to be decided at the Autumn Meeting of 1897. In the Melbourne Insolvency Court on March 18th, Isaac Samuel Aarons, commission agent, of East Melbourne, was examined. He stated that he did commission on racing, and up to three years ago owned racehorses. He was given money to invest, using his own discretion. He invested £lOO at different times for Captain Barber, of Williamstown, but he never won any money for the captain. Mr Burdekin, of Sydney, put £1,500 in with him. They owned horses together. They bought Erebus; £5OO of the money was his. When Erebus was well he ran him. His Honour: And sometimes you just took him out for an airing. (Laughter.) Did you ever try to dodge the handicappers with Erebus. Witness: That is about it, your Honour. (Laughter.) Sometimes I started him when I didn’t expect him to win. Counsel: Was that honest to the public ? His Honour : What does he care for the public. The public are lambs. When a man lets hia horse out for an airing he does not tell the public all about it. (Laughter.) Witness admitted writing to his wife as follows : —“ lam not going to try a yard. I want to keep him (Erebus) for something better.” He thought this was business. His Honour remarked that it was—according to turf morality, at all events. Counsel produced another letter, which began :—“ My darling Snoozer.” Witness : “ Oh, don’t read it, please; it is private :itisto my wife. (Loud Laughter.) My wife has handed over all my letters to the assignee. He said there was a reference in the letter to £lO5O as Mr Burdekin’s, which he (witness) placed to his credit in the bank; and he kept drawing on it till it was all gone. It lasted about nine months.