Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 341, 4 February 1897, Page 5

Sporting Topics.

Dad Kingan had been originally engaged to ride Douglas in the Wellington Cup, but upon the horse changing hands recently, he was informed that he was at liberty to obtain another mount. As events turned out, the sale of Douglas made a big difference to him. On Saturday afternoon the programmes for the following race meetings were passed by the committee of the Auckland Racing Club: — Whakatane Racing Club, March 17 ; South Auckland Racing Club, March 6; Rotorua Jockey Club, March 17 : Te Aroha Jockey Club, March 13.

The general entries for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s autumn meeting, published elsewhere, are of a satisfactory nature as a whole, but the Nursery Handicap only attracted five entries. However, there is plenty of good material for the handicapper to work upon, and a successful meeting, with anything like favourable weather, should he the result.

We understand that Mr Adam Byers has forwarded Nestor’s nomination for the Sydney Gold Cup to the secretary of the Australian Jockey Club. If Nestor is only treated reasonably by the New South Wales adjuster of weights, then it is very probable that his trainer will take him over, but Mr Thompson’s weights do not appear to have pleased anyone lately. On the second day of the Sydney Turf Club’s meeting Mr W. Kelso, besides winning the Anniversary Handicap with Tom, appropriated the Flying Handicap with Survivor. The Lochiel — Melissa colt, although carrying top weight (9st 51b), won easily, and among those following him home was the Newmarket Handicap candidate, Vanitas, who failed to gain a place. Strathbraan, the winner of the Wellington Cup, used to be driven about Christchurch by his former owner and breeder as a leader in his dog-cart (states “The Squire” in the Telegraph}. Sandhurst, a half-brother of his, by the renowned English racer Bendigo, arrived in New Zealand by the s.s. Waimate the other day. His dam, Engagement, is a full sister to Martini-Henry. Mr Hordern’s Castor—Frailty four-year-old, Astronomer, won the Farewell Handicap at the Sydney Turf Club’s meeting. He was carrying 9.6, and Mr Hordern evidently underrates him, as he went out at the very remunerative price of 10 to 1. He came with an undeniable run at the finish and beat Annadour and Mr Tom Payten’s Abercorn colt Vigilance by a length in lmin 45sec.

The South Auckland Racing Club’s programme for Saturday, March 6th, is published in our advertising columns. The sum of 165 sovs will be distributed among seven events, the chief of which will be the South Auckland Cup of 35 sovs, one mile and a quarter, and the Handicap Steples of 35 sovs, three miles. Nominations must be made before nine p.m. on Friday, February 12th.

Acceptances fall due on Saturday for the following events in connection with the Taranaki Autumn Meeting : — First Handicap Hurdles, Jockey Club Handicap, and Flying Handicap. Nominations are due on the same day for the First Handicap Hurdles, the Second Handicap Hack Hurdles, First Pony Handicap, Second Pony Handicap, First Handicap Hack Race, and Second Handicap Hack Race. “ Reginald ” in The Sportsman says that recently a rider, who never on any account was previously put on at the same time as the bullion, was staggered with the instructions : “Go all you know to-day.” Fearful lest through sheer force of habit he might apply the brake in the good old way, the young man with the trusty arms asked that somebody should be sent to the post with him to remind him of his orders as the barrier lifted.

Mr W. Douglas, the well-known Hawke’s Bay sportsman, has entered five of his horses for the Britannia Steeplechase of 5000 sovs, and the Britannia Hurdles of 5000 sovs to be run at the Warwick (England) spring meeting, 1900. The horses comprise Toriki, a brown gelding by Torpedo—Kopeki; Penrose, by Torpedo—Primrose; Waterstone, by Waterfall — JEgyptilla ; The Brook, by Torpedo—Rivulet; and Sarda, by Torpedo—JEgyptilla. The metropolitan club is to be asked for an opinion as to a question which arose at the Wyndham meeting (states “ Mazeppa ” in the Otago Witness'). Emmeline, one of the starters in the Wyndham Handicap, was just beginning her run in the straight, when she was blocked by Missfire in a way that the Messrs Ellis thought was unfair. Holding that opinion, Mr Ellis lodged a protest, and it is asserted that the stewards refused to take any evidence, but declared the deposit forfeited. Such is the statement of the case as it comes to my ears. I suppose we shall get particulars in time, as an appeal has been or is to be made to the D.J.C., not, of course, on the facts, but as to whether the club had a right to retain the deposit without giving the protest a hearing.

On Wednesday and Thursday next sporting men should roll up to participate in the pleasure of the Egmont Summer Meeting. Nearly a week will elapse before the Cup is run, and it would, therefore, be unwise to hazard a prediction, which is never an easy task, even at the last moment with all the numbers on the board. However, there is a fine field in the race, and those who cannot be present will envy those who are. All the other events have filled well, and we wish Mr Brett and his patrons a merry and successful time of it.

Hitherto the English Jockey Club rules have required that the whole of a jockey’s annual retaining fee should be paid in advance. The rule has now been altered, and only half the fee to be paid for the year is required in advance. Experience has shown that after a jockey gets hold of his fee, and the retainer is sometimes a particularly heavy one, he gets careless about his weight, and grows into flesh so rapidly that he is of no use to his master. The master was hitherto the loser in the case of the sudden death of the jockey, in which case the jockey left for the happy hunting field with the prepaid fee in his pocket. At a meeting of the English Jockey Club, held on December 7, Lord Suffolk brought up the subject of offering encouragement to promote the breeding of what is called staying blood throughout the country. While doing this the noble sportsman was peculiarly inconsistent, as he remarked that he did not care so much about staying blood. Magnificent speed was what he liked most in a racehorse. There can be no doubt that there are many men who prefer little fliers like Precaution, who is only 14 hands 3 inshes high, to horses with bone and substance in them like Nestor and St Hippo, but fortunately recent English legislation indicates a desire to maintain the size and stamina of the thoroughbred. It is thought that the proper time to have long distance races is in the close season from November to the beginning of March, when the ground is soft, and it is thought that with the sanction and countenance of the Jockey Club, long distance races will be carried out by the National Hunt Committee.

Tire is said to have improved very much since his arrival at Hastings. On December 10 the Belgian Senate passed the Bill prohibiting betting on the result of horse races in every shape or form other than on the racecourse itself, and even then the betting is to be confined within strict limits.

The following jockeys’ licenses were granted by the Auckland Racing Club on Monday Lawrence Morrigan, Geo. Absolum, Jas. Pyne, George Roberts, and A. J. Powell. The jockey’s license of W. Oliver was cancelled.

The stewards of the English Jockey Club having on previous occasions observed that many jockeys have been in the habit of betting on horse racing, and in receiving presents in connection with races from persons other than the owner of the horse they ride in such races, gave notice in December that such practices will not be tolerated, and that any jockey who may be proved, to their satisfaction, to have any interest in any racehorse, or to have been engaged in any betting transaction, or otherwise to have disregarded this notice, will have his license at once withdrawn, while anyone assisting a jockey to make abet will be warned off Newmarket.

The recent rain has effected a lot of improvement in the going at Ellerslie, and as a consequence some excellent work was put in on Monday morning. Among those who did particularly good work in the morning were Nestor, Mantle, Miss Nelson, Doris, Miss Rose, Panoply, Webley, Purvoke, Archduke, and Napoleon. Antares was •taken over to North Shore on Friday and kept there in the hopes of getting a gallop on the Takapuna course on Monday when the weather cleared up, but that privilege was denied him, and he had to be taken back to Ellerslie for a pipeopener after his enforced idleness through being weather-bound.

Mr M. Munro, secretary of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club, publishes the programme of the annual meeting, to be held on the Paeroa racecourse on Wednesday and Thursday, 17th and 18th March. Seventeen events are set down for decision on the two days, the prize money reaching the respectable total of £550. The leading events will be the Ohinemuri Cup of 80 sovs, one mile and a half, on the first day, and the Waihi Handicap of 50 sovs, one mile and a quarter, and the Paeroa Steeplechase of 65 sovs, three miles, on the second day. The full programme appears elsewhere, and owners and trainers should note that entries close on Saturday, February 20, at 9 p.m. Weights for the first day’s races, and for the Maiden Hurdles and Steeplechase, are promised on March 2. It will be remembered that at the last Thames races a protest was lodged against Mr N. Dickey receiving one of the prizes, on the ground that he was on the forfeit list. The Auckland Racing Club was appealed to on the subject, and everyone concerned was lectured by a section of the southern Press for not having paid the money to the owner of the second horse. However, the matter has been fully investigated by the Auckland Club, and it has been ascertained bejond doubt that Mr Dickey’s name appeared on the forfeit list in error. The error occurred in the office of the Bay of Plenty Club, and was owing to a change of secretaries. Mr Dickey’s name has therefore been removed from the forfeit list, and the A.R.C. has requested the Thames Club to pay to him the stake won by Sterling, who won the Hurdle Race on Boxing Day. Particulars as to the running in the Calcutta Cup are to the effect that previous to Boxing Day, Sprightly, Fortunatus, and Idolator, in the order named, were most fancied, but on the morning of the race there was a manifestation in favour of Courallie and Jack o’ Lantern. The betting at the last moment was even money on Sprightly, 2 to 1 v. Fortunatus, 5 to 1 v. Courallie, and from 10 to 12 to Iv. the others. Moth cut out the running in the interests of her stable companion, Sprightly, and led to within three furlongs from home, with Jack o’ Lantern second, and Courallie third. Fortunatus, who had been last, then began to improve his position.

Sprightly, ridden by Gibbs, was first into the straight, and won by two and a half lengths; while Courallie, ridden by Trahan, beat Jack o Lantern (Southall) by a head for second place. Fortunatus was a good fourth. The other starters were Idolater, Monastery, Moth and Donegal. The time for the one mile and threequarters was 3min 6 3-stli sec. Sprig tyis an English-bred horse, the property of the Maharaja of Patiala, and has two years running won this race. The pony Vortie (by Vortex),, who ran in the pony races at the summer meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club, is to be put up by auction to-morrow by Messrs. A. Buckland and Sons. A number of horses engaged at the Takapuna meeting had been taken across to North Shore before the heavy rain rendered the postponement necessary on Friday last. Fitzroy was scratched out of the Newmarket Handicap on Saturday last. Fitzroy is only a pony, and had been treated with absurd severity by the V.R.C. handicapper. The Shannon Hack Racing Club will hold their meeting this year somewhat later than they did last year. The Himitangi meeting will be held as usual. The Doncaster authorities ought to think themselves remarkably fortunate in obtaining 222 entries for the St. Leger of 1898 considering that not a sixpence of money is added to the race, which is a sweepstake of £25 each p p, and it is simply existing on its old prestige. An Auckland visitor, who was present at Rand wick when the Anniversary Handicap was run, states that Sabretache was in a splendid posit ion at the critical period of the race, and he was not delighted with the manner m which the New Zealand colt was handled. Messrs McLeod and Cleland were laid a third of Tattersail s sweep about their horse, and when the Jesuit came through they were probably disgusted that they had not allowed the trainer to become owner. An owner-trainer is generally more successful than a trainer for an owner. In the Challenge Stakes, decided at Bandwick on January 23, there were sixteen starters, including the New Zealander, Whakawatea, who, under Mr Wilkinson’s handicapping, was let in with a lighter weight (8.5) than ..he has yet carried in Australia over a six-furlong course. It is evident, however, that the Apremont gelding has seen his best days, as he was never prominent in the race. The Hon. W. A. Long’s representative, Witchery, was made favourite at 4 to 1, while Akarini, owned by the ex-New Zealander Mr McSweeney, was second in demand, but both these horses, like Whakawatea, were never prominent. Mr Fielder’s Danube, who has been regarded as a bit of an outlaw on the training track, showed a bold front until near the half-distance, where Talavera (by Metal—Test) caught him and won by a head from Admonition (Trident —Advice), vrith Adoration (Nordenfeldt — Idolatry) third. Talavera, who is a four-year-old and the property of Mr G. A. Roberts went out at the very remuerative price of ,20 to 1. Indeed, with Duddingston the brown gelding shared the distinction of being the biggest outsider in the race.

Whatever success the Century Stakes may ultimately achieve, the idea put forward by the Sandown executive of a “ ten-thousand pounder on the lines of the Eclipse Stakes, but run over a distance of ground, has been well received by owners, and the stake closed on the Ist of December with an entry of 215, states the London Sportsman. This number is thirty-five less than was stipulated for by the management, but the response is considered sufficiently encouraging. By comparison'with the nominations obtained for the Eclipse Stakes the new venture comes out very favourably, the entries being well above the average of recent years in connection with the big affair of the Second Summer Meeting. The “ Eclipse ” for next season shows an entry of 197, for the race decided during the present year there were 191 entries, in 1895 they were 188, and in 1894 the total was 209, giving an average of 196. The Century Stakes, which is for four and five-year-olds, to be run over two miles at the Second Spring Meeting in 1900, has obtained the patronage of the Prince of Wales, who names Sandringham (an own brother to Persimmon, the Derby and St. Lcger winner), while most of our prominent sportsmen and several well-known breeders are among the nominators. Many French owners of horses have also accorded their support, and America is represented hy Mr F. Lorillard.

It was a big disappointment to pleasure-seekers generally, and probably to racing men in particular, when rain commenced to fall at an early hour on the morning of Anniversary Day. It, however, did not rain heavily, and many fondly hoped that, notwithstanding the moisture, the Takapuna Club would be able to carry out the programme in which it is safe to say thousands were exhibiting an interest. But it was not to be, and the weather was tantalizingly provoking. For a time the sky brightened, and intending pleasure-seekers began to smile and thought of discarding their overcoats, but up came the black clouds again, and smiles were as scarce as sunbeams. At 11 o’clock the floodgates were let loose, and all idea of holding the meeting on that day had to be abandoned, but it was hoped that the club would be ab’e to go on on Saturday. Although every one was disappointed, sporting men could not help sympathising with the Takapuna Club, which in a most enterprising spirit bad spent a large sum of money in making extensive improvements on the course. They had every reason to expect, that, a considerable proportion’of the cost of these improvements would be defrayed by the successful meeting which they had designed si ou d have started on Anniversary Day. However, that was not to be, and on the following day (Saturday) rain came down again in torren's and another postponement had to be made. Not only is the f akapuna Club a sufferer by the postponements, but so, also, are those who bought the privileges in connection withJHjhe meeting, for which they paid a large

Second Forfeit (3 sovs) for the Auckland Champagne Stakes fall due on Friday. Wharangi, the four-year-old half brother to Lorelei, continues to improve under Johnny Green’s training. Turf writers in New South Walesand Victoria are advocating the introduction of the totalisator. “ Javelin,” in the Melbourne Leader, remarks : “ A Victorian racing man, who has never before been known as an ardent admirer of the totalisator, has come back from a holiday trip to Tasmania a red-hot advocate for the machine. He says ‘ Why, at Longford, a little place which might be fairly compared with Dandenong, they gave £275 in stakes for a meeting on New Year’s Day. There were a couple of thousand people present. The admission to the enclosure was only 5s for gentlemen and 3s for ladies, and the club cleared £lOO on the meeting.’ Despite the undeniable beneficial influence of the machine, Victoria, which used to boast of leading in sport as in other matters, has placidly allowed the ‘ unholy alliance ’ between the Ring and the Church to keep her behind the other colonies, and our leading Turf legislators are even now content to look on while preparations are being made to secure the legalisation of the totalisator in New South Wales. Perhaps when the Sydney Cup becomes the richest and most important stake south of the line, and worth about twice as much as the Melbourne Cup (which, with the machine legalised in the parent colony, will be only a matter of time), the rulers of racing in Victoria will rub their eyes and awaken to the fact that they have been asleep while the world moved on.”

The Newmarket December sales were well attended, but the prices realised were small and, like our own annual sales of bloodstock, there was an absence of foreign buyers. Those which realised four figures and over were Novitiate (1882) b m bv Hermit —Betty, covered by Isinglass, Sir J. Blundell Maple, 1250 guineas; br filly foal, by St. Serf—Novitiate (March 14), Mr E. Reed Walker, 1050 guineas; Morven (1888), ch m, by Barcaldine —Strathcarron, covered by Hampton, Herr Wiener von Wetten, 1000 guineas ; His Reverence, 3yrs (in training), br c, by St. Simon —Miss Middlewick, Mr C. Morbey, 1400 guineas; Macbriar, 3yrs, bc, by Macheath —Pistil, by Strathconan, Mr E. Webb, 1100 guineas ; Rampion, 3yrs, ch c, by Amphion— Rydal, by Bend Or, Mr»T. Jay, 1400 guineas; Conroy, 3yrs, b c, by Bend Or —Grace Conroy, by Esterling, Mr C. Archer, 1050 guineas; Omladina, 3yrs, br f, by Royal Hampton— Geheimniss, by Rosicrucian, Sir J. Blundell Maple, 2300 guineas; Hattie, 3yrs, ch f, by Kendal —Skarte, by Silvester, Mr A. B. Saddler, 1550 guineas. A number of high-priced animals were passed in; 2500 guineas were ref used for Pride. Shaddock, who had been going well since Cambridgeshire day, was started at 1000 guineas and advanced to 2000, 2500, and 3000 guineas ; then by hundreds he went up to 3900 guineas, and so stopped short of the reserve of 4000 guineas. A private offer of 12,000 guineas for the stallion Best Man was refused, and an offer of 8000 guineas for Surefoot was also made without avail.

In the face of the dissatisfaction that has recently been expressed regarding the handicapping of Mr Thompson for the A. J.C., Mr William son, the handicapper for the Sydney Turf Club (which is very similarly constituted to the A. J.C.) must have been pleased .with his work in the Anniversary Handicap. A fine field of twenty-two cried content with his adjustment, Fadladeen, Akarini, and Don John being the only withdrawals on the final day. The twenty-two were a good lot, and so great was the demand for the New Zealand colt Sabretache, owned by Messrs. McLeod and Cleland, of Queen Street, that he went out favourite at 4to 1. The Meddler was next fancied at 6 to 1, while Kallatina had friends at 7to 1. Gozoczar was supported at 10 to 1, while Tom had a select following at 12 to 1. Regarding the race, the Sydney Mail states : —“ There was no trouble in getting them into line, and Mr Watson sent them off like a troop of cavalry. Woodford and Tom soon broke the line, but passing the judge’s box Glendennon was just showing slightly in advance of Woodford, and a few strides further on Damien, who was in the rear division, fell. Woodford and Grlendennon then singled out, and conducted the field to the home turn, their nearest attendants being Tom, The Scotchman, Sabretache, and Kallatina. Tom headed Woodford, Grlendennon, and Kallatina at the distance, and then stalling off all opposition won cleverly by a length and a half from Woodford, who ran a good race, while Kallatina, who looked very dangerous in the straight, had to be content with third place. The favourite was never dangerous, and The Meddler was buried in the ruck all the way. There was a good deal of bumping, Damien and The Trier coming in for more than their share, and the first-named had all the worst of it. The winner, Tom, is a useful-looking gelding, and is by the Turanville Invader from Marian. He was made a very strong order for the Turf Club Handicap won by Glare on Saturday, but though he flattered his supporters at the bend he quite failed to stay it "out and did not get a situation. On Monday he did the best gallop of the season on the tan at Randwick, and he was afterwards purchased by Mr W. Kelso for £2OO with a winning contingency.” In connection with the sale of Tom it may be remarked that hie purchaser, Mr W. Kelso, is the trainer of Sabretache. Jnst before the race Kelso made offers for the purchase of Sabretache, but these offers were declined. Everything was possibly fair so far as Tom’s purchase was concerned, but it does seem strange that immediately after negotiating for the purchase of Sabretache with owners who are far away from the scene of operations, the would-be purchaser should purchase another horse opposed to Sabretache in the same race and back him against the pick of the stable. Young Cook, in Kelso’s stable, rode Sabretache, who did not win, while F. Fielder, who rode the winner, is not in Kelso’s stable.