Sporting News.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 301, 30 April 1896, Page 6

Sporting News.

[by

REVIEWER.]

There is still a probability of Hova being sent to England. The Woodville Jockey Club have given £l5 to the Brunnerton Relief Fund. Handicaps for the Takapuna Winter Meeting are due on Friday, Bth May. Melinite, it is rumoured, may compete at the Auckland Steeplechase meeting. The Whareama Racing Club (Wairarapa) will manage a race meeting on 25th May. Mr L. D. Nathan, the squire of Whitford Park, contemplates a trip to England in a few weeks time. A license for 1896 has been granted to Sam Loates, the English jockey, after a “ serious caution.” There is every probability that Marino will be brought north to run at the Egmont and Wanganui meetings. Mr S. Slesinger the well-known veterinary surgeon, a very old Dunedin resident, died recently at the ripe age of 82 years. Mr J. B. Williamson savs Ballyhooley will remain a little longer in Sydney, as the handicaps allotted him here are too flattering. The Bookmakers attending the Wairarapa Racing Club’s meeting forwarded to the Premier £6 towards the Brunner Relief Fund, One of the yearlings purchased at the Randwick sales was to the order of a Fijian prince, who intends joining the ranks of owners. An alteration has been made in the conditions of the Melbourne Cup race—only winners of £lOO and upwards will become liable to penalties. Ebor 11., by York —Beeswing, has changed hands, a Wanganui man being the purchaser. The horse will still remain in Homes’ stable. Lord Randolph (Newminster —Primrose), who cost 2,300 guineas as a yearling, changed hands the other day at £2OO, and is to be used as a station sire. Mr T. Wright, a well-known sport in the Wairarapa district, and a resident of Greytown North, leaves on Ist May for a nine months’ trip to England. St. Kilda and Lady Agnes were scratched on Wednesday, the 22nd inst., for the Avondale Handicap. All bets booked after time of scratching are “ off.” Charlie Birkett, trainer and rider of Johnny Faa, who was disqualified for six months at the Westland Meeting for suspicious riding, has asked for a re-hearing. Mr James Kean, the genial Ellerslie trainer, has been very ill during the past few weeks, but his many friends will be pleased to hear he is mending splendidly. The New Zealand Stud Book says that Kalo (by Yattendon) was brought to Auckland when a yearling. This is incorrect; Kalo was brought over when a two-year-old. At the Benalla races (Vic.) on the 15th April, a horse named “ Nunquamnonparatus” won the Maiden Hurdle Race. It was a wonder a name like that didn’t trip him up. The reason given by the West Coast Times for declining the temptation to tip the winneis at the Westland race meeting was that “ it is criminal to speculate on an uncertainty.” A well-known southern writer has something to say about the family history of Pearl, the dam of Carbuncle, which is rather spoiled by Carbuncle being referred to as a gelding. Mr John Brown, of Randwick, has at last tired of that obstinate brute Waterbury, and he has made him a present to a sporting friend at Narrenda, a town about 200 miles inland from Sydney. Penrose (Torpedo—Primrose), Kiwi (Puriri — Weka’s dam), Totorua (half-brother to the defunct Gasparini). and Cretonne (Ascot — Leonessa) were out with the Hawke’s Bay hounds last week. Etymologically speaking, the word horse-chest-nut, has nothing whatever to do with horses. A Frenchman, however, has made the discovery that horse-chestnuts are an undoubted cure for brokenwinded animals. Owners, breeders, and trainers are once more reminded that nominations of yearlings for the Wanganui Two year-old Stakes, also nominations for the Wanganui Derby of October, 1897, are due on Monday, May 4th. At the Maribyrnong races on the 16th April, Vagrant, by Gipsy King — Barbara, won the Welter Handicap of seven furlongs. He carried 7.12 (where does the welter come in) and won by four lengths in Imin Bissee. Messrs W. T. Jones and W. Cooper, joint owners of the colt Newhaven, leave for England at the end of the present month, and probably have sailed in the Orizaba, which takes Carbonado (Hotchkiss —Onyx) home to England. “ The Straight Tip” for the Hawera Steeplechase meeting is published in another column, and sporting men, hunting men, jockeys, and others are advised to call on Messrs Newcomb and Massey, the well-known drapers in that town. Directly Golden Fleece was shipped to Sydney a cablegram was sent to a prominent bookmaker to look out for her and not “ fall in,” and a certain section of the sporting press is doing the rest by putting the Stonyhurst mare away. It is the usual thing when any horse leaves this colony for the other side ; everything in his favour is raked up, so that the handicapper will have his full strength, and the emigrant never gets a chance unless he waits to become “acclimatised.”

The scratch race meeting at Maraetai, Duder’s Bay, was not well attended, on Saturday last, owing to the threatening weather. Results - Hurdles, Waimarie; Maiden Plate, Cyclops : Cup, Kiora; Pony Race, Cyclops; Hack Race, Kiora.

Nominations for the Takapuna Birthday Handicap appear this week, so that those of our readers who are going in for our treble coupon will have some information to work on. The form to be cut out will be found on the back page.

As far as I am able to judge, the Egmont Handicap Steeplechase is placed too far down the programme. It is the last but one race of the day, and now that the sun does “ down ” early in the afternoon, the light for the big race will not be too good. Mr Moss Jonas, a well-known resident of Timaru, who purchased No Wonder (by Perkin Warbeck II.) after winning the Novel Race at the South Canterbury Meeting, made a present of the gelding to Mr P. Butler. “ Patsy,” in one way, is the luckiest man in N.Z. “ Slip” has some interesting coursing notes this week. From Dunedin he has particulars about the Challenge Stakes, now being decided. So far, the Auckland-owned greyhounds, Shylock and The Fiend, appear to share favouritism with Bloomer, the Victorian nomination. Judicious advertising always pays. Compare the list of nominations of the Avondale and Takapuna clubs. The latter has nearly a record list. Twenty-four maiden hurdle candidates will do something towards adding to the ranks of our handicap hurdle candidates. About 280 nominations for 13 entries is an excellent entry. “ Tout,” in the Wairarapa Observer, reviewing the Wairarapa Easter Meeting, remarks: — “ There was one thing that was apparent about the meeting, as regards the ‘ bookies,’ that horses that would have paid £5O on the totalisator, left the post with the ‘ bookie’ at 10 to 1, they being the rankest outsiders.” ” Mr C. Cress, of Greytown North, thinking that Captain Boison, by Natator (he was originally named and ran as Captain Boynton), the well-known hurdle and steeplechase horse, would do well in harness, had him broken in, and then hitched the big black gelding to his buggy, which he completely wrecked on Saturday last. Captain Boison wants Prefessor Leitchwark, the best of horse educators, about him for a few hours. At a meeting of the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club, Mr T. G. Macarthy presiding, the application of the Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club, that its request for a permit for the totalisator be reconsidered, was discussed. A suggestion was made that as the Wairarapa Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting had been held without the machine, there were presumably three permits available in this district, and the restriction might now be removed from the Masterton-Opaki Club on condition that licenses are also granted to the Otaki and Wellington Racing Club. It was eventually decided to ascertain the views of the Wairarapa Racing Club regarding this proposal. A deputation from the Otaki Racing Club, introduced by Mr Te Ao, M.H.R. waited on the Premier last week to enquire whether the Government would grant the club a totalisator permit for their race meeting. The Premier replied that the Wellington Metropolitan Club was responsible for the fact that there were no permits available. The Government had granted a permit to the Masterton-Opaki Club, on which the Metropolitan Club had imposed a certain condition, and had not withdrawn that condition, although the option had been given them of doing so. Under these circumstances, the Government intended to adhere to its former decision, and would grant no further permits. The deputation then withdrew, announcing that they would wait on the Metropolitan Club. The “ Acme-attachment,” which is affixed to billiard tables, is a hanrly and ingenious invention for saving billiard players the trouble of walking up and down the table taking the balls out of the pockets. Where there is no marker to fly round the table the “ attachment” is invaluable. It consists of a neatly-made open cedar gutter fitted under the pockets, and having a dip towards the baulk end. As soon as a ball falls into a pocket it strikes an indiarubber cushion, which gives it sufficient impetus to carry it rapidly to the top end of the table, from which it can be picked up and immedietely put into play again. The channel is left open, so that in the event of a person making a series of spot strokes he Can intercept the ball as it is returning to the baulk end. The invention has been found to act admirably, especially in general pool, for with it there is never any doubt as to where any particular ball is. Here is what promises to be an interesting case. In Chicago there has been commenced a suit at law which will prove extremely interesting to those who can see no reason why speculation on horse-races should be punishable, and speculation on the Board ef Trade a legitimate pursuit. In Illinois there is a statute which provides that if money is betted and lost, any person may sue the winner for three times the amount he has won from the loser, the law specifically providing that any person has the right to sue, independent of whether he has previously had any dealings or connection with either the loser or winner. In the case referred to, an outsider has sued the firm of F. G. Logan and Co., brokers on the Board of Trade, for a sum of money approximating 815,000, which is three times the amount claimed to have been lost byfa third party, who purchased options through the brokers named. It is set forth in the complaint that the money was lost in dealing in options, the delivery of wheat never having been contemplated, and that the transaction was therefore a gambling one, covered by the statute quoted. President Baker, of the Chicago Board of Trade, should watch this case carefullv, as he is violently opposed to race-track gambling.

Although not exactly a sporting item, still there are many, no doubt, of our readers, who are “ moderate” drinking men, who take as much interest in prohibition as most people. They probably do not agree with the people who run the prohibition show, and if they want further proof of the sort of people that are “leading the movement,” I would ask them to turn to our Licensed Vict uallers’ Page and read the particulars about “ The New Zealand Cold-water Champion at Bradford, England.”

Apropos of forestalling, writes the Sydney Bulletin : —“ When big books were the vogue in Maoriland, two smarties with some ready money rushed a certain horse for a handicap, got a few thousands and made him favourite. The owner, being well-nigh “ broke,” had to start the neddy, who won. Not a copper was laid him by the clever pair. That owner, however, now relates, apparently with grim satisfaction, how one of the two died in Maoriland through drink, while his mate perished on a parched and thirsty Australian plain for the want of it.” The Steeplechase at Flemington, on the 18th inst., was a most extraordinary affair, writes “ Malvolio,” of the Sportsman :—“ Only four started, and each in turn either fell or parted company with its rider. To begin with, Triangle hooked the first fence so badly that his pilot “left Ihe farm.” All went well with the other three until the double along the river side was reached. Here Flat Iron gave one of those formidable post and rail structures such a terrible punch that bis steersman was dislodged. Then Baratta appeared for a moment as though he would go the wrong course. But Barbour straightened the brown gelding in time, and he and Abbotsford raced on terms to the stone wall, over which Barratta fell. This left Abbotsfford alone, but going at his own pace, he took too much liberty with the next jump, and over he rolled. Abbotsford got away, and while Edge was trying to catch him Barbour remounted Baratta and continued the hunt. But a little farther on Baratta again got rid of Barbour, and Edge, who had regained the saddle as quickly as possible, was thus given the desired opportunity, and, going on without further mistakes, Abbotsford won by any distance from Barattta, whom Barbour had eventually managed to get over the course. Triangle’s rider, Robertson, got an ugly tumble, and was slightly shaken; but Smith, Edge, and Barbour were none the worse for their falls, nor were any of the horses seriously injured. “ A quid to nothing,” hurriedly said Joe Edge to the bystander who assisted him to catch and remount Abbotsford, and the bet duly came off. A protest against the winner on the ground that he had missed a jump was dismissed; but an appeal, accompanied by a deposit of £2O, was lodged against the stewards’ decision, but was again dismissed.

The ex-Auckland mare Ladybird, 9.7 (Rheece), ran second in the Hurdle Race at the Australian Jockey Club’s extra-day races, on the 18th inst. Escort (10.2) won, taking 4min 6sec to do the distance. The Sydney Beferee says —“ Palmetto led his followers all the way until turning into the line for home. Then Ladybird went up to him, after having been pulled about in a very unnecessary fashion by her rider. The stewards were suspicious about Ladybird’s performance, and interviewed the jockey (Rheece) and her trainer (Linnet), with the result that they were satisfied with the trainer’s intentions, accepting his assurance that when he gave late instructions to Rheece —over the rails—he did so in ignorance of the A.J.C. regulation forbidding such procedure. Rheece denied holding communication as stated, and gave his evidence in such a way as to convince the stewards he was deliberately misleading, Such being the case, they awarded him six months’ disqualification under the head of breach of the regulations, and bearing false witness. As to the handling of the mare nothing was said, but the ever-watchful followers of racing have not neglected to note that, differently ridden, Ladybird, ought to run a good mare over the same sort of course, for she is a beautiful jumper, with enough pace to be useful in the sort of company she will probably meet about the metropolitan district around Sydney.”

The worst feature of the yearling sales was the apathy with which our alleged trainers and judges received the Duckenfield yearlings. The Messrs. Eales have been so often badgered by trainers about sending up their youngsters so fat that they decided to keep them in'the paddocks instead of over-feeding them to give them a sleek, oily appearance. But the trainers, with the exception of Mr Lamond, wouldn’t look at them* They are like the rest of the world—what pleases the eye, pleases them. Last year the Oakleigh lot were sent up right out of their rich paddocks, and didn’t realise cat’s meat prices; but this year they were fed, and came up sleek and fat, and averaged almost a hundred a head. These trainer persons who whisper advice into the buyer’s ears are a good deal over-rated, and taking ’them all round, are about as mediocre a lot of men as one could find. After the sale, a few sports fell to arguing about their ability, and one asked if it was possible to get a horse well at a given time without racing him week in and week out. Everybody around loudly said “ No.” “ Well,” replied the searcher after information, “what’s the use of them ? I might as well train my own horses as give them to a man who cannot turn them ovei’ to me in, say, six months fit and well, always allowing that their bodily health is all right.” One trainer immediately asked, “ ’Ow can you tell when a horse is well until you race him ? ” That man has a team of horses in work, but his proper place should be “ mucking out.” It is sickening to see the side some of these worthies put on if they happen to fluke a race or two, and have a few soft-headed punters on. They immediately shove themselves into the best clothes money can buy, and dine regularly at Tattersail’s instead of staying at home seeing to their horses. —Sydney Truth.

Wairongomai (in J. Kean’s stable) is the name bestowed on the half-sister to The Shrew.

A perusal of our trotting columns this week will be found interesting reading. “ Someone is gwine ter get inter trouble, foh sure.”

Mr Herbert Jackson, of Hawkes Bay, has named the Crusader (Arab) —Swindle gelding, the half-brother to Roscius, which he recently purchased, Barbarossa.

It is with extreme regret that we have to chronicle the death of the well-known English financier and racing man, Baron Hirsch. His charitable nature was known all over the world.

The Northern Steamship Company have arranged to book passengers right through from Onehuunga to Hawera, at the excursion rates of £2 10s return. The Gairloch will leave Onehunga for New Plymouth on Monday at one o’clock.

Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co. (Ltd.) announce that the s.s. Burrumbeet (which has taken up the Anglian’s running for a time) will sail for Gisborne, Napier, Wellington. Lyttelton, and Dunedin on Tuesday, May sth, at 12 noon. The s.s. Tasmania will sail for Sydney (returning to Auckland direct) on Monday, May 4th, at 4 p.m.

The Railway Department announce the train arrangements for the Avondale Races on Saturday. Special trains will run to Avondale racecourse crossing, leaving town at 12.10 and 1.10 p.m., Newmarket at 12.20 and 1.20 p.m, Mount Eden at 12.27 and 1.27, reaching the racecourse crossing at 12.40 and 1.40 p.m., returning after the last race. Fares —First class, Is 6d ; second class, Is 2d.

It is some time now since we had a good imported Variety Company playing in Auckland, and the public will be glad to know that the Opera House has been leased for a season, and that Mr Alf. Lawton’s Novelty Company opened there last night to a splendid house. We have not space to go down the lengthy programme that was got through last nisjht, amidst frequent encores, but we honestly a t vise all those who like high-class variety business not to miss seeing this company. The items are so varied and well arranged that the curtain falls all too soon. I'he latest sensation, “ The Trilby Ballet,” should not be missed. A perusal of the advertisement will show the variety and excellence of the programme. The prices are within everyone’s reach, and are 3s, 2s, and Is.

The Levin people are determined not to be outdone by their neighbours at Shannon, and they have amalgamated themselves with the Horowhenua Racing Club, which used formerly to hold very enjoyable little meetings on the other side of the Horowhenua Lake from Levin. The new club is to be called the Horowhenua Hack Racing Club, and as they have a membership roll already of between 60 and 70 members, it will not be long before they have the first meeting under the management of the new club. There is a nice flat of about 40 or 50 acres at Levin, vested in the Domain Board and set apart for racing purposes. This can soon be put in order, and then the new club will soon announce the first meeting. Levin is a rising township on the Wellington-Manawatu railway line. Mr F. Roe has been appointed secretary. At Wakefield (England) the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to animals, prosecuted two horse dealers, Arthur Crossley, of Brierly Hall Stud Farm, Chevet, near Wakefield, and Robert Smith, of York, for “nicking” two hackneys and a chestnut mare, the latter being a well-known prize-winner. It was alleged that Mr Crossley intended to exhibit theanimal during the comingsummer,and in order to make their tails erect and more fashionable, he paid Smith £6 to “ nick” the muscles under their tails. To do this, several incisions had to be made, and a rope was then attached to each horses’ tail, passed over a pulley fixed to the ceiling of the stable, and weighted at the other end to keep the tail in position. It was further alleged that Smith ordered the animals to stand in this position for three weeks, but at the end of a week two stud grooms gave information to the Society. For the defence, it was contended that it was a surgical operation properly performed, and with a lawful object. Defendants were each fined £6, and £7 Is costs. Notice of appeal was given. These two cruel wretches should have been given “ six months hard” without the option of a fine.

An electric saddle is the latest device brought into play in America so as to make slow horses run fast, and it has got several people into trouble at New Orleans. It appears that a coup was contemplated by means of this new-fashioned saddle, but the scheme fell through by reason of somebody stealing the saddle, and substituting another in its place. For this he was arrested. In the meantime the racing governors, getting wind of the affair, held an inquiry, after which they made known the following edict: —“A person known as Charles Tichnor is ruled off the turf for bringing on to the grounds of the club an implement of swindling, called an electric saddle, for the purpose of defrauding the patrons of the track, and for confederating with and for aiding and abetting the said Tichnor in his efforts to get a jockey to use the electric saddle for the purpose of defrauding the patrons of this club, and to their own gain, and for having used the saddle on horses at exercise, to see if the same would increase their speed and enhance their chance of winning, all of which was done with a fraudulent intent. Nate Hill, jockey, is also ruled off the turf, and for procuring the said Tichnor a badge of entry to the grounds of the club, which facilitated his efforts to put the electric saddle in use, and for aiding and abetting, and for having guilty knowledge of the fraudulent purpose of the said Tichnor, M. English is ruled off.” This is nearly as cruel as the electric spur that was tried in Yankeeland, but the inhuman wretches mixed up in this were also promptly bowled out.