Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 372, 9 September 1897, Page 6

Sporting Topics.

Katterns, the well-known jockey, has joined, the army of benedicts. Fleet Admiral and Tapioca have been scratched for the A.J.C. Derby.

Pony race meetings are becoming the rage in Launceston. At a recent meeting a dividend of 120 to 1 was paid. 1

Dromedary, who fell over a policeman in the Grand National Steeplechase at Christchurch, will be put to the stud. Mr Carden Collins, who won the Veteran Stakes on Con Amore at Rockhampton Tattersail’s Club meeting recently, is just on 70 years of age.

At Sandon Park in Victoria live hedges are being planted in front of the steeplechase jumps. It is said that this has been done to save dead horses.

The Hon. James Carroll has secured the Wellington Cup winner, Mahaki (Ingomar—Steppe), and the mare Tauhei, both of whom he intends keeping for stud purposes as soon as their racing career is finished.

The well-known Victorian taainer and at onetime jockey J. Morrison has been disqualified for twelve months for alleged malpractices in connection with the running of Wild Olive in the Flying Handicap at the Victorian Club races on August 28. The rider, E. Morris, was also disqualified for twelve months.

Metford, a three-year-old son of Carbine and Marchesa, won the Flying Handicap at Rosehill on August 28. At one time it looked as if he was going to stop, but Sixsmith rode him resolutely and he won by four lengths. Metford is engaged in the Caulfield Cup at 6st 111 b, and Melbourne Cup, 6.13.

The Egmont Hunt Club (writes “ Sentinel”) were not able to obtain a totalisator licence, consequently the first programme —a liberal one indeed —had to be set aside. It was agreed at the Racing Conference that if another permit for Taranaki remained that it be recommepded to be given to the E.H.C. One wa« left over, but has been granted to the Waitara Club. If I remember rightly it was decided two years ago that Waitara and Bell Block clubs amalgamate, that a grandstand be built at Sentry Hill, and that when this was done, the two clubs to receive one licence for the combined meeting. Since then the Waitara. club has again come into existence, and the club is out with a programme full of good prizes.

Robinson Crusoe’s list for the season is reported to be full.

The conservative English clubs are very slow in following colonial examples. The starting machine has been scouted, but is now getting a trial. The numbered saddle-cloth was also scouted, but now we find that owners are instructed to pin the card number of the horse on the clothing when parading in the saddling paddock.

At Rosehill on Saturday week Hopscotch, who is engaged in the Melbourne Cup at Bst 101 b, ran nowhere in the Rosehill August Handicap, one mile and three furlongs. Fucile, who is engaged in the Caulfield Cup at Bst 41b and the Melbourne Cup at 7st 131 b, also ran unplaced, but as neither are quoted in the betting it is probable that their intentions were not serious.

The programme prepared by the Dunedin Jockey Club for the season is to hand. Proceedings will be opened on Saturday next with the Hunt Club meeting, to which 320 sovs has been allotted. The added money for the Spring meeting is 2,460 sovs, the Autumn meeting 3,180 sovs, and the May meeting 1,145 sovs. This makes a total for the year of 7,105 sovs.

By latest files (writes “ Delaware ”) it appears that the godly had another go against odds merchants. This time Messrs Hopkins, Cook, and Morris were charged with betting at Hurst Park. After hearing a lot of evidence the case was dismissed, on the strength of the. .verdict in the Appeal Court against the original decision in the Powell v. Kempton Park case. The prosecuting side felt very unwell, though costs were not granted against them. The entries received for the Spring Meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club, although fairly good, were not quite up to expectations, the total number for the two days being 167. For the principal event, the Avondale Handicap, there were fourteen entries, but the field is of good quality, and includes five New Zealand Cup candidates — Fabulist, St. Paul, Haria, Antares, and Lady Anna. If fairly treated it may be taken for granted that they will all be triers in search of their Southern expenses.

The result of the first of the Australian Spring events —the South Australian Derby—is to hand. The event is not very richly endowed, as the added money is only 20J sovs and the sweepstakes 20 sovs. This year it was expected that Fleet Admiral would have competed, but the cable is silent on the subject, stating that only five started. Mr W. Blackler’s br c Goodwill, by Richmond — Gratitude, was first, Mr D. James’ b c Lord Salisbury, by Thunderbolt —Pantouple, second, and Mr W. Blackler’s blk c Thunder King, by Thunderbolt —Britannia, third. The victory of Goodwill was obtained by half a length, and the time is returned as 2min 46|sec.

The Hawkesbury Grand Handicap in New South Wales is one of those time-honoured events that few sportsmen in Australia will care to see die out, but it has suffered of late years because of the frequency of the meetings of the proprietary clubs in the metropolitan district. It is, however, still an important event, and sometimes reveals the form of horses engaged in the A.J.C. Spring meeting, which so soon follows it. The cable informs us that the race, which is over a course of one mile two furlongs and one hundred vards, was run last Saturday and was won by the chestnut horse Parthenopreus, a six-year-old son of Splendor and Alalanta, weighted at Bst 81b. The race was a splendid one, necks dividing the first three. The Captain (7.9) and Metford (6.10) were second and third, and the time recorded was 2min lOjsecs. Parthenopams is handicapped' in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups at 7.12, while Metford, who is a stable companion of Coil’s, is asked to carry 6.11 in the Caulfield Cup. The performances of the winner and Metford have brought them into notice for the Epsom Handicap, which will be run on Saturday next.

The Spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Club will be started on Saturday, when the Derby will be run. Although there were originally 52 in this event it has been anticipated by New South Wales writers that the field will be reduced to five or six. The race is looked upon as a good thing for Amberite, a colt by Carbine out of Duenna. The Epsom Handicap, which will be run on Saturday, is also an interesting event, as there are many good horses engaged in it. Metford, who ran so well at Hawkesbury on Saturday must be dangerous, but at this distance from the scene of operations it would be unwise to hazard a selection. The Metropolitan will be run on the following Tuesday, when a splendid field of horses will probably face the starter. According to the latest news from Sydney the betting on this event was—lo to 1 Woodford, 12 to 1 Old Clo, 14 to 1 Coil, 14 to 1 Positano, 14 to 1 Amberite, 16 to 1 Rebel Queen, 16 to 1 Aurea, and from 20 to 50 to 1 the others.

It might have been supposed (states the Sydney 'Referee), after the recent Appeal Court decision, that no more would be heard about the definition of “a place” for sometime It transpires, however, that after the racecourse being absolved from the scope of the Betting Houses Suppression Act, the law, as laid down by the Master of the Rolls, suggests to persons interested that if a racecourse is not a “ place,” neither is a lane in the city. This contention will be pronounced upon shoitly by the Supreme Court. On August 30th, at the Central Police Court, a layer of doubles was fined £25 fordoing business in a lane off Market Street. Mr Slattery, who defended, pointed out that the defendant was not sole user of the lane, which was in fact generally used by the public, and he had no exclusive right to it. He argued that an open enclosure was not “ a place” in the way that “house, office, or other place” should be construed. The magistrate convicted, but put several other cases back for eight weeks, as a case will be stated for the Full Court.

Kendal heads the list of winning sires in England with the sum of £20,409. The progeny of St. Simon has placed £17,818 to his credit. Galtee More alone has won £16,220, and is therefore entirely responsible for Kendal’s position at. the head of the list.

Several Melbourne Cup horses had an airing at the Victorian Club races at Caulfield on August 28. In the Victorian Club Handicap, one mile, Wait-a-Bit, with Bst 41b up, won with ridiculous ease by half-a-dozen lengths, and was followed home by Sunbury (7.10) and Catspaw (9.1). The winner was ridden by Anwin. Among the defeated division were The Mnskateer, Trent, Acton, Devon, and Clive, whose names appear in the list of candidates for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Wait-a-Bit started favourite at 2 to 1, while Sunbury was at 3 to 1, and Acton 7 to 2.

Of the Derby colts at the Randwick school only Amberite, El Norte, and Clarion seem to me worth noticing (writes “ Melroy” in the Sydney Mail). By his excellent showing in public, Amberite of course stands out from the others, but after his apparently easy battle with Semiramis the colt looked somewhat washed out, and very easy work was his lot last week. His near fore-joint is not reassuring, and, as he is given to hitting it, he may at any time become a fitting subject for the horse hospital. But, delivered fit and well at the Derby post, he will take a power of beating, as he is a resolute fellow who can both go fast and stay to the end of the trip. El Norte has done a splendid preparation. Nothing will strip better than he on Derby Day, providing he is the elect of Mr Hordern’s stable for the classic event. It may be, after all, that Rhymer will be the colt, but of that I am very much in doubt. Clarion ran in a green, schoolboy fashion at Randwick, and I am sure that a public run will open his eyes considerably to the ways of the world. Mr H. C. White bought Clarion for a Derby colt on his numbers and breeding. He is by Carbine (2) —son of Musket (3) —from Clare (2), by Richmond (3). In appearance he most decidedly favours his Richmond dam. El Norte

comes from a hardy, useful, staying family, /.«.> Gossamer (19), by Birdcatcher (11). The best representatives of this family that we have had were St. Blaise and Garfield, and in England of late a worthy representative of it is Count Schomberg, who is, bar Persimmon, perhaps, the best stayer in the old country. Amherite is by Carbine (2) out of Duenna (5) (half-sister to Cardigan), by Lecturer. Barring that strain of Lecturer, Amberite is a beautifully-bred horse, but that same strain may affect him in a hardfought Derby finish.

The Musket blood was to the fore at Flemington on August 21st, when Trenton had the distinction of siring first and second in the chief race —the August Handicap, one mile and a half —the winner of the Three and Fours Handicap, and the second in the Welter Handicap. Another son of Musket, however, in the great Carbine, had several representatives racing during the afternoon, but each failed to even get a place. Blue Blood, who ran secund in the S ow Handicap, is by Mana, another son of Musket. Haere, sire of L.L., who won the Welter Handicap, is a son of Malua, who was also represented by Mora, who ran third in the August Handicap.

Another taking public trial was registered by a Cup horse on Saturday (says “ Goodwood” in the Argus), when Wait-a-Bit cantered away with the Victoria Club Handicap. Mr Taylor does not belong to the school of trainers who prefer to “ coddle” their horses at home until the eventful day arrives. One public trial is worth half adozen private trials in determining how a Cup horse is progressing in his preparation, and when Wait-a-Bit performed so disappointingly in the Malakoff Stakes at Caulfield a fortnight ago his trainer recognised that he was short of work. Since then fie has sent him along pretty fust, with the result that he improved every day. His win on Saturday was one of the easiest seen on the course for many a day. Coming into the straight full of running, Wait-a Bit could not in the run home be held back to his field, and the judge’s verdict was a six-lengths’ win. In estimating the value of the performance as bearing

on his chance in the Cups, it must not be forgotten that the race won by Wait-a-Bit was a mile only, but there can be no reasonable doubt that the good-looking son of Malua will easily get the mile and a half of the Caulfield Cup or the two miles of the Melbourne Cup. When not specially prepared over a distance he ran third in the last Australian Cup, and with seasoning his stamina is hardly likely to decrease. There is an impression that the Melbourne Cup—a race which it is Mr Taylor’s great ambition to win—is the particular Cup that Wait-a-Bit will be reserved for, but there is really nothing to warrant one in arriving at the conclusion that he will not have a try at the Caulfield Cup first. He is nicely in each race, having 8.3 in the V.A.T.C. event and 8.0 in the V.R.C. race.

In face of the backing of Mora for the Melbourne Cup, everybody was curious, says “ Goodwood,” to see how she would shape in the August Handicap on, August 21st, at Flemington. She was defeated, but not disgraced. At the straight entrance she looked like winning, but in want of some fast gallops she failed to slay out the journey. The race will possibly do her good, and with the sharpening up she will get at the A.J.C. meeting, Mr Murray’s filly should be well able to take her part in the Cup race next November. Sunbury ran well enough to suggest that he may run forward in the Caulfield Cup, but Loyalty shaped disappointingly, and Ayrshire is apparently not nearly ready yet.

Here’s a tip for trainers, both of athletes and horses, remarks a Sydney writer. The Dutch champion four-oared crew that raced at the last Henley (England) Regatta, are in the habit of eating eight or nine lumps of sugar before starting. It seems that two boss doctors, Harley (English) and Zekelharing (Dutch), have proved that sugar surprisingly increases vital power, especially temporarily. On second thoughts, however, this news is stale. Any punter in Sydney knows that unless a horse, a bikist, a fightist, or a runnist gets plenty of sugar laid out for his special benefit his energies are sapped, and he’s troubled with the slows. The style of Dntch courage is ancient history in a land once called New Holland.

In Sydney Truth of August 29th “ Delaware,” who probably is a more constant visitor to Randwick than any other sporting writer, sums up the chances of some of the Melbourne Cup candidates as follows : —“ As it is still a far cry to the Cup of Cups, and several important intervening events are yet to be decided, please to remember this piece of scribbling doesn’t deal with tipping, but with sipping; just a tasting sample, tfiat’s all. Little light has been thrown on the chances of possibles, let alone probables, by recent events. Bad enough to take 10 to 1 about picking a starter, let alone twice the odds about the winner. Manfred seems to have been wagered on by the right people, according to report, but that is not al ways a George Washington proof. Still Aurum and Manfred will enrich somebody by £IO,OOO if they should pull off the double. His form in the sixfurlong Show Handicap does not need to be taken seriously. In fact, had he won, this paper would consider his November 2nd hopes at all brilliant, and anyway, Manfred is no sprinter. What Mora will do at the A.J.C. Spring Meeting will be useful information as a line towards sorting out her form for later on in November. She is a good bit. of stuff, and there is no doubt about the stable’s intentions. She will, of course, meet Trent on worse terms ; but then, again, it looks as if that gelding would attempt the Caulfield mile and a half—which is, again, only a matter of conjecture, as the slum girl said when asked who was the father of her baby. Only she put it differently and rudely. The mysterious Reka carries some of somebody’s money ; at least, ’tis so said. And the always-going-to-make-a-big-

splash Rosella has also been nibbled at. People with rats have planked pieces on Positano. On his present track form he has the show of the celebrated Mr Buckley. When Amberite has won the A.J.C. Derby will be time enough to take him in hand. We aren’t at all certain that he will win it, either. The Malua Lady Vengeance horse, Malto, has a lot of our consideration, as does The Rhvmer, if he behaves at Randwick as well as his good looks suggest, and our expectations consider it likely to do.

Charente, by Nordenfeldt, has dropped a filly at Sylvia to Seaton Delava].

Acceptances for the Avondale meeting are due with Mr Hayr to-morrow night.

Queen Cole (by King Cole—Rosalie) has given birth to a brown colt foal at Wellington Park to Hotchkiss.

Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co.’s Leocant (by Leolinus—Cantiniere), has dropped a bay colt foal at Sylvia Park to Seaton Delaval.

Mr Robert Blaikie has issued an interesting little pamphlet which gives the last season’s performances of all horses engaged in the New Zealand Cup.

Young Chaafe returned to Auckland by the Westralia this week with the ponies Markinch, Provoke, and Partan Jeannie. His trip to Sydney was not attended by much luck, as Partan Jeannie was the only one of the trio to score a win. Markinch was placed third on two occasions, but was a disappointment.

The committee of the Auckland Racing Club meets on Monday, when applications for trainers’ and jockeys’ licenses will be further considered. It would be well if all trainers and jockeys interested in their applications were to put in a personal appearance.

The announcement that the services of Ben Godfi ey as a sire are available this season has already attracted the attention of owners of brood mares, and his list at seven guineas per mare is likely to rapidly fill. We are requested to state that the owner of Ben Godfrey is willing to give the services of the horse free to approved winning mares. This is a liberal offer.

Oma by Flintlock—Pikau, was sent South by th e Westralia on Tuesday. Mr McKinnon has made no secret that he thinks he has good property in Oma, and has backed him to win the N.Z. Cup for a good round sum. So far as the public are concerned, Oma is an unknown quantity but nevertheless he is a fine-looking horse, and should he do well in the hands of Mr Cutts at Riccarton. He is bound to come to a short price for the N.Z. Cup.

Those who remember Mahaki’s win in the Wellington Cup of 1895 (writes the Poverty Bay Herald) and the general excellence of his performance, will be pleased to hear that after a somewhat lengthy spell he will probably be reintroduced to ths racing public. The son of Ingomar, as well asTauhei (Castor—Vivandiere), who recently displayed a marked turn of speed, having passed from that good old sport, Wi Pere, into the hands of the Hon. Jas. Carroll, he in turn handing over their respective responsibilities to Mr J. A. Harding. When the huia colours will again be in evidence, Dick Butterworth is to have charge of them, and those who can “think back” knowjhow well he invariably fufiils his trust. Mr Harding will also, as is only natural in a a Master of the Hounds, have a “ lepper,” and the well-known Sam will in no wise be a lost quantity when the probabilities are summed up.

The tracks at Ellerslie this week have been heavy, but trainers now evidently think that work must go on, and good sound galloping is the order of the morning. Sabretache is coming on fast, and will be heard of this Spring. Daystar and Haria are both in excellent trim, and, indeed, the same may be said of all George Wright’s horses. He is generally the early bird on the rack. Young Alick Caulton has Porangi Potae pretty forward, and he has given the two-year-old Bluejacket a good schooling. This youngster has a beautiful temper and good action, but he seems to be growing, and may not gallop so early as some of the others. Chaafe has been brushing St. Paul along. The little fellow is as gay and hearty as ever, and if not crushed with weight he should answer for a race or two this season. McManemin’s lot are all in good health, and the chestnut filly by St. Leger—Lady Evelyn promises to account for some of the early two-year-old events. Fabulist is reported to be doing well out at his owner’s place. Lady Anna and Miss Anna are working on the beach near Lake Takapuna. Both are losking and going well.