Sporting News.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 303, 14 May 1896, Page 6

Sporting News.

[BY

REVIEWER.]

Acone and Panoply have not been jumped at Ellerslie yet.

The English Derby will be decided on Wednesday, 3rd June. Paddy O’Rourke is jumping as well as anything at Ellerslie. Seven bookmakers paid the £5 license fee at the Egmont Winter Meeting. Kingswood came a nasty cropper at the stone wall while schooling on Wednesday.

A popular local punter backed the Avondale double, Lufra and Ika, to the tune of £l5O. The Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club have decided to hold their autumn meeting on the 29th of May.

Mr E. F. Roche’s colt, Blairgarrick (by Blairgowrie—Cobweb), is now an inmate of Adam Byers’ stable. Miss Nelson is now located at Ellerslie, and the onlookers like her style of jumping when being schooled. W. J. Millar, trainer of Osculator, has taken Tom Nerricker’s stables at Randwick, formerly occupied by Jack Kerr. Kaitoa, who is engaged in the Great Northern Steeplechase, arrived from New Plymouth by the Gairloch on Wednesday.

Fred. Davis’ horse, Webley, cut the quarter of his foot badly while being schooled over the hurdles on Thursday last.

Ika, the winner of the Avondale Steeplechase, is by Piscatoious out of a light, active draught mare, and was bred in Gisborne. At the Nelson Magistrate’s Court, Jockey Hughes obtained judgment against Trainer W. Fergus for £ll 15s 6d, wages and riding fees. There are twenty-one yearlings being handled and ridden about Ellerslie, so that our local two-year-old races are sure to be well supported next season.

It is funny to read the list of nominations for the Otaki Hack Meeting, and see how many “would-be” racehorses have got back into their class again.

The Adelaide Cup, of 1,000 sovs, was won by Warpaint, Miraculum second, and Trentham third. Warpaint won by a head. Time, 3min 51 4-ssec.

The local horses, Acone and Panoply, were shipped by the s.s. Flora on Friday last for Napier, to fulfil their engagements at the Napier Park meeting.

At the Egmont Steeplechase Meeting Mr M. O. Connell, of Palmerston North, purchased the cross-country mare Narrate, aged, by Natator — Peter Flat mare.

Jockey Stevenson, who rode Auraria, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, has gone to South Africa —principally because the racing clubs would not let him do as he liked.

A final reminder is given to those who have nominated for the Takapuna Birthday Meeting that acceptances close (as per programme) on Friday night of this week.

There are . two races, the Hack Flat Handicap and the Hunters’ Steeplechase, at the Wanganui Steeplechase Meeting for which acceptances are due on Tuesday, May 19th. The handicaps for the Takapuna Meeting will be found in our “ Handicaps” column. Those who are going in for our “ treble coupon” have only two more weeks to fill up coupons. Idolater split his hoof and could not start in the Adelaide Cup. Backers of Wallace in the last Sydney Cup, I presume, wish that this or a similar mishap had occurred before the Australian Cup. “ Bob” Arnott, a well-known cross-country rider on the Taranaki-Wellington coast, is coming to Auckland with Mr W. H. Chitham’s team, and he will no doubt ride First Sight in her hurdle race engagements. After his double win at Avondale, of course everyone wants to know now if Mr Donald McKinnon will be sending his horses to Hawke’s Bay to be trained. I presume he would be sending something class above his present racers.

Much of the success of Mr F. Watson’s horses, St. Laura and Dummy, is no doubt owing to the fact that they are allowed plenty of fresh air. They are turned out in a section every day for a few hours if the weather is at all favourable.

I would just remind those trainers and owners who have nominated for the Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase that the handicaps will be declared to-morrow (Friday), and next Friday, 22nd inst., the acceptancces are due.

At the South Australian Jockey Club’s Autumn Carnival, on 2nd inst., in the Elder Stakes of one mile and a furlong, Hova (9.1, Jas. Hayes) and Warpaint, winner of the Adelaide Cup (9.1, E. Power), ran a dead heat; time, Imin 58|sec. In the run-off, Warpaint went to the front and remained there to the distance, where Hova overhauled him and won by a length; ' time, 2min.

The Hawkes Bay Jockey Club, I am pleased to note, has received a splendid entry for the big Hurdle Race and Steeplechase. Thirty-two nominations for the Hurdle Race and twentyfive for the Steeplechase should be very pleasant reading for the executive of the club.

Royal Rose seems to have had bad luck in the Warwick Farm Handicap, .run for on the 2nd inst. At the distance Wyalong challenged Little Agnes on the left, and Royal Rose crept up on the rails. Something, however, closed on the son of Rosalind and knocked him out. .Our readers are reminded that our treble coupon on the Takapuna Birthday Handicap, Grand National Hurdle Race, and Great Northern Steeplechase appears for the last time in this issue, and will close on Thursday, 21st. All coupons, therefore, must reach this office by that date.

When I read that Prime Warden had run his last race, a cold perspiration broke out on me. Could it be true ? But, just to myself, I said, wait till the C.J.C. National Hurdle nominations are received, and if he is not amongst the list, then there is some hope of him getting a rest.

In the Glenhuntly Handicap of 100 sovs, one mile and three furlongs, run at Caulfield on the 2nd inst., Galant (by St. Leger—Vivandiere), who went out favourite at 3 to 1, with Straightfire, led into the straight, and eventually finished third to Captain Swift (Neckersgat—Ada) and Straightfire. For the Kensington pony races on May 7th, Golden Fleece was handicapped at 8.0 in the 15 hands Handicap, four and a half furlongs, and at 7.12 for the Kensington Handicap, six furlongs. If she is any good at all she ought to score at these weights. Owners and trainers are this early advised to look up the programme for the Auckland Racing Club’s Steeplechase Meeting. They will notice by our “ Reminder Column ” that nominations close for the minor events, such as Maiden Hurdles and Steeplechases, Welter Handicaps, etc., on Friday, May 29th. Our old equine steeplechase friend, Darnley (Bothwell —Dainty Ariel mare), won the Handicap Steeplechase of 25 sovs, about three miles (gentleman riders), at the Warrnambool (Vic.) A.T.C. Annual Meeting on the 29th April. He won from start to finish, and was ridden by his owner, Mr J. J. Allan. In the headings to our Napier Correspondent’s notes last week, the absence of a full stop made one heading read—“ The mysterious horse Martyrdom not being jumped.” “The mysterious horse” was intended to refer to Waitangi, but the full stop behind “ horse” being omitted, altered the sense considerably.

Mr Digby Tonks will sell the privileges in connection with the Takapuna Races, held on Saturday and Monday, May 23rd and 25th, including the gates, booths, and cards, at the Brunswick Mart, at 12 noon on Friday of this week As the meeting is likely to be the best on record, “ privilege dealers” should be in attendance.

Mr W. H. Chitham, of Palmerston North, arrived at Auckland, on Wednesday, with his team, consisting of First Sight and the two twoyear old fillies, Bavaria and Marvellous. Bob Arnott accompanies the team, which are at present quartered at the Royal Oak Hotel, Epsom. First Sight will make her debut over hurdles in public at the Takapuna meeting. At a recent meeting of the Tuapeka Jockey Club (Otago), the secretary was instructed to write to the club’s delegate at the Racing Conference requesting him to protest against the compulsory advertising of the club’s programme in the Referee, as it was considered an unnecesary expenditure, and more in the interests of private enterprise than of horse-racing in Central Otago.

Prior to winning the Great Stafford Steeplechase, Mr Gollan’s horse, Ebor, was successful in the Hill Handicap Hurdle Race at Windsor on March 21. There were only three starters, odds of 6 to 5 being laid on Mum, while Ebor figured at 13 to 8 against. The distance was two miles, and Ebor, who was ridden by the New’ Zealand jockey J. Hickey, carried 11.3, his victory being received with great cheering. Next week we will have a number of pictures of winners at the Egmont meeting, They would have appeared this week, only the last three days miserable weather has prevented us doing the process work to our satisfaction. However, we must ask the “ horsey” people to have a look at our coursing pictures instead, and study where the fleet greyhounds get their speed from, by comparison with the horse. This is an interesting problem, but hard to solve. The Geraldine Trotting Club, with the assistance of Mr Rattray, of Christchurch, have snapped a “ ringer-in,” and on Wednesdav (13th) he was to have appeared before the magistrate at Geraldine for “ alleged intent to defraud by trotting Sultan as Moody.” Hard labour, in the winter time, is not a nice prospect, but it is the only way to kill the “ ringing-in” business, as most of those connected with the “ ringing” are cowards, and fear jail.

I can understand the enthusiasm that would be displayed by the Egmont sports when Booties was declared the winner of the Egmont Steeplechase. A more honest horse never crossed a fence, and his owner, Mr E. Shove (and I must include his brother), are true sportsmen. They enjoy racing—principally cross-country racing—for the sport they can derive from it. When we find all those who, have worked for Messrs. Shove, Bros. (I refer more particularly to those who have to look after the horses) speaking in the highest terms of praise of them we may be sure they are jolly good fellows, and those who ride for them do not have long to wait for their riding fee. As soon as their jockey dismounts he is paid for his work.

The Taranaki Jockey Club offers a nice prize of 150 sovs to the three-year-old—now a yearling —that wins the Hack Derby on Boxing Day, 1897. The nomination fee (one sov.), for such a good race, should not deter any .breeder from nominating. I might mention in connection with the Hack Derby, that it is not necessary that the sire of the yearling should be nominated. Nominations for this race close on Saturday, May 23rd. The conditions will be found in another column.

The handicaps for the Takapuna Meeting appear to have been carefully compiled by Mr Knight. Tn the Birthday Handicap, one mile and a quarter, Panoply (8.12), Retribution and Folly (8.4), Tit (7.5), and Eve 7.0, read well. The last time Folly and Anita met over the same distance Folly gave Anita 41bs and a beating, now Folly only has to give Anita 21bs. Annabelle and Hopgarden should exchange places in the Hurdles, and either may win. In the Steeplechase I like Belle, with Carbuncle and Ika next.

Old Parnell, the hero of many a well fought out race, started in the Final Handicap Steeplechase at Hawera, and gained third position, although some distance off the winner; but it shows what stuff the old Corsair gelding is made of to get over the country safely, when there were a number of younger and better-thought-of horses falling. It appears Bradshaw would have won this race, but for Sir Athol (by Torpedo) jumping against him, causing him to fall at the last fence.

I could mention some people in Taranaki who not very long ago would have been offended if they had been told that Waiuku could not give Dummy more than lOlbs over a mile and a distance, and give him more than a head beating. However, that’s the way the Railway Handicap at the Egmont Winter Meeting resulted. Aucklanders thought Waiuku could do it, and some of our pencillers have not stopped paying out sixes to one yet! The Sydney correspondent to the Melbourne Sportsman wires his journal as follows: —“Mr Dan O’Brien has decided to sell his establishment —lock, stock, and barrel —and retire altogether from racing. He will sell privately the whole concern just as it stands. The stables are the best in Australia, and: the residence a most comfortable one. The horses offered with the real estate are: Bob Ray, Response, Cartridge, Patriot, Wingen, Mosaic, and the Ta-Ta yearling. Mr O’Brien will return to New Zealand, where he has big interests to look after.” Colonel North (“ The Nitrate King”), whose death was announced in last week’s cables, owed his sobriquet to the fact of his having accumulated immense wealth by speculations in the nitrate mines in South America. He presented Kirkstall Abbey to his native town (Leeds) in 1889, made handsome donations to the funds of the Yorkshire College of Surgeons and Leeds Infirmary. He was a prominent figure in sporting and coursing circles, being the owner of many racehorses and greyhounds, and recently invested (in conjunction with Lord Fingall) largely in Western Australian gold mines.

All sorts of funny stories are abroad as to the capabilities of Fabulist over hurdles. He has already done his trial for the Grand National, and beaten all John Leonard’s jumpers, and such like absurd yarns. There is no doubt that the Auckland Derby winner can jump, but that does not say he has been raced over hurdles. It seems a pity that the idea should have been entertained of putting him over hurdles at three years andnine months old. If he is well schooled and raced over hurdles, and he is prone to curb, it will quickly appear on an overgrown colt like Fabulist, after his hocks have been strained a few times to get the requisite leverage to land himself safely on the other side of the hurdles. Alf. Lawton and his Novelty Company still hold the boards at the Opera House, and are drawing good •* down stair” houses. Little Florrie Ranger, who Sings “I Don’t Want to Play in Your Yard,” and several Cockney carols, has become a popular favourite, judging from the applause which greets her every night. The trick skating by Norris and Williams is very laughable, and the speciality by the Mahers is good. The boxing kangaroo is certainly a novelty to Auckland audiences, whilst the daring feats of Ouda, of walking backwards and forwards on a ladder with his head to the floor, must be seen to be realised. The items by Mr Harry Fitzmaurice and Miss Ida Holbein were also very acceptable. A reduction in prices was advertised for Saturday night, and this should ensure better houses “ up stairs.”

Last week I made some remarks touching on the necessity of small racing clubs who are denied the luxury of the totalisator, and who consequently are forced to accept the assistance of the bookmakers, asking for a deposit from the pencillers. I pointed out that the financially good men are in favour of this course, but the smaller fry say I should give them a chance. The following from the Melbourne Sportsman pretty well explains what may occur, and again, -when everything is properly organised, how a race meeting can be conducted with little or no welshing:— “ Apropos of Warrnambool, the meet last week was unique, inasmuch as there was a total absonce of welshing. The registered fielders who went West tell me that much credit accrues to Mr E. J. Wright (the V.R.C. detective) in this connection. He worked hard to clear the course of balancers and weighers, and succeeded. He collected close upon £lOO in fielders’ fees, some £650 was put up as guarantee deposits by nonclubmen—members of the Victorian and Bowes’ TattersaH’s Clubs were, of course, not asked to plank their money—no fewer than thirteen of whom each staked their fifties as guarantees of good faith. The attendance and the settling were, in more ways than one, records, and if only on the score of the annihilation of welshing, Mr Wright deserves, and will probably be the recipient of, a special vote of thanks from the Warrnambool executive.”-

There appears to be quite an exodus of horses for England just now. Last week Chainshot left New Zealand, and Carbonado and Daimio left Australia for the Old Country, and now we have word that the mare Maluma. (Malua —Madcap), full-sister to the Melbourne Cup winner, Malvolio, has been purchased for 1000 guineas, and was shipped to England on Monday. Mr Redfern’s mare will probably race on the English Turf before finally retiring to the stud. Now we have another likely exodus from our own shores, as it is reported that Mr S. H. Gollan has sent instructions from England to his representative in Hawke’s Bay to send home several of his stallions. Those wanted, presumably, are those containing Musket blood, and if this is so, Mr Gollan can command two fine young horses from that great family. I refer to Mosquetaire (Nordenfeldt —Frailty) and The Possible (Nordenfeldt—Realisation). The latter will always catch the eye as s likely stud horse, while Sternchaser (Nordenfeldt — Crinoline), although not one of the sweetest of creatures, has substance and size, and even breeding, to recommend him. Pounamu, 1 trust, may not be sent. We can ill afford to part with a stallion so beautifully bred (winning strains) as he is. By Newminster, the sire of nearly all the best horses in Australia, from Beryl, sister to Nordenfeldt (Musket — Onyx), he is in my opinion just the thing we want. On the Wanganui coast The Painter blood is always proudly spoken of, yet no effort is ever made to get a stallion by Newminster, who is by The Marquis, whom breeders quote so much. The Newminsters are stayers, and that’s what we want.