Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 426, 22 September 1898, Page 11

Sporting Topics.

A substantial commission was executed during last week in favor of Altair for the New Zealand Cup. Backers are evidently in a fog concerning the intentions of the 5 aidhurst stable, as each of the three representatives have now been backed in turn by some one.

The following foalings have occurred at Wellington Park during the week: —Bangle, by Musket from Locket, a filly to Castor; Bessemer, by Musket out of Steel All, a filly to Castor ; Lady Wellington, by Musket from Kosalie, a filly to Castor; Aida, by Leolinus from L’Orient, a colt to Hotchkis; Rose of Wellington, by St. Leger from Fleurette, a colt to Hotchkiss, and therefore full brother to True Blue; and Cissy, by Musket out of Frailty, a colt to St. Leger. The following foalings are reported from MotuKorea :—Teo, by brigadier—Pearl, colt to Regel; May, by King Cole —Friendship, filly to Regel.

The stallion Far Niente, by Galliard out of Lotus, realised 200 gs at the sale of the Hobartville Stud.

While doing a turn over the steeplechase course at Randwick on September 5, Levanter slipped when taking off at a jump and got hung up on the fence. It was some time before he got off, but luckily he escaped without injury, and was out working again the next day. It may have been this circumstance that prevented Levanter's connections backing him and sending him out at a shorier price than 5 to 1. At the dispersal of the Hobartville Stud there were no very high prices, and for the whole lot only 5,900 gs were obtained. A New Zealander, Mr Henderson, bought Broadside, a mare by Goldsborough out of Powder, covered by Trapeze, tor 115g5,” and Little Paridise, by Cheviot (imp.) from Paradise, served by Stormlight, for 40gs. Firecross, by Patrol from Crossfire, covered by Far Nieme, was secured by Mr J. B. Reid fur lOOgs, and also comes to this colony. The biggest price was obtained for Waiting, by Golds borough from Meditation, who realised 260 gs. Wildfowler, who upset the favorite, Jeddah, for the English "t. Leger, belongs to Captain Greer, a comparatively new name on the English Turf. Wildfowler was supposed to have a good chance of winning the Derby, but in that race Jeddah was the big obstacle in the way of success. Wildfowler was got by Gallinule out of Tragedy, by Ben Battle from the White Witch, by Massinissa out of Jeu des Mots, by King Tom.

The following wagers for the two Cups were booked lately by one Melbourne firm : —£sooo to £lO Hymettusand Manfred, £5OOO to £lO Hymettus and Merloolas, £5OOO to £lO Alemene and The Chief, £5OOO to £lO Majestic and George Frederick, £5OOO to £lO Majestic and Renown, £5OOO to £lO Majestic and Onslow, £5OOO to £lO Spencer and Majestic, £5OOO to £lO Spencer and Amberite, £5OOO to £lO The Musketeer and War God, £5OOO to £lO Virtue and Wait-a-Bit, £souo to £lO Virtue and Cardamon, £5OOO to £lO Trent and Merloolas.

A deputation from the Anti-Gambling League waited on the Premier last Thursday, and asked that legislation be introduced to restrain and restrict gambling, especially street betting, and to abolish the totalisator. With respect to street gambling, it was suggested that witnesses giving evidence in cases brought against street bettors should be indemnified. Special attention was drawn to the growth of gambling among young persons. In reply, the Premier said he was bound to confess that gambling was on the increase, but he considered that it was not possible to stop it altogether. The strongest way of putting gambling down was to create a public opinion against it, and then by passing legislation in keeping with this opinion. The police had made suggestions to the Government respecting tote betting, and a Bill had been prepared and finally approved on the lines suggested. He did not think it was possible to abolish the totalisator at present, and pointed out that if the machine were abolished it would probably mean a return to book betting and the undesirable features accompanying it.

Mr J. H. Aislabie. secretary of the Poverty Bay Turf Club, publishes in this issue the programme for their spring meeting to be held on October 27 and 28. Eight events are provided for on each day, and the added money amounts to £4BO. The Spring Handicap on the first day is worth 60 sovs, and is one mile and a quarter. The Makaraka Handicap on the second day is worth 50 sovs, and is one mile. Nominations for the leading events are due on October 7.

Explosion was struck out of the New Zealand Cup on Monday. The owners of the disappointing Jadestone colt were certainly justified in doing so after his indifferent display in the Avondale Cup.

Auckland sportsmen were delighted to hear of the double victory of Levanter at Randwick, bnt it was not without a feeling of regret that the news was read that the gallant son of Captivator and Steel All was handed over immediately after his double win to the agents of his new owner. It is probable that Levanter will be sent to Ireland next month, and we trust that Captain Scott will treat him kindly. We venture to think that if Jack Rae had his wish Levanter would be pensioned off.

At a committee meeting of the South Auckland Jockey Club hold at the Commercial Hotel, Cambridge, on Saturday night last, the following appointments were made : —Mr Herries, M.H.R., president ; and Mr Lang, M.H.R.,vice-president. The names of Mr W. Cussen and Mr Davidge were added to the list of stewards, and Mr Carr’s name was struck off. Mr A. J. Storey wrs elected secretary; Mr C. J. W. Barton, starter; and Mr L. Cussen, judge; Mr Furze, clerk of scales ; and Mr Evett, handicapper; Mr Slade, treasurer; and Mr Coates, auditor. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Bright, the outgoing secretary. It is to be feared that on the turf (writes “Javelin”) a good reputation sometimes, like charity, eovereth a mult tude of sins ; but it seldom happens that a man “ falls in ” on account of his general popularity. The exception which proves the rule, however, happened in a neighboring colony, and the incident is sufficiently amusing to bear relating. At a provincial meeting of considerable local importance, two horses, which may be called A and B, were engaged in the principal handicap, and belonged to a wealthy resident of the district, to whom cricket, football and racing clubs, mechanics’ institutes, churches and charities never appealed in vain. He was open handed in the highest degree as a supporter of everything worthy of support; but on the turf, though few suspected it, he was as hot as musted. A was the equine champion of the district, and even with top weight the big handicap looked a moral for him ; while B, comparatively unknown, and with a light weight, was also a bit of dazzler, though nobody knew it but the owner and trainer. Un the day before the meeting commenced the township was crowded with visitors, and the betting was pretty heavy. The popular owner, having satisfied himself that he could win the big race with either horse, decided to work a great coup by stopping A, who was a red hot public favorite, and winning with B. Trainer and jockey were instructed accordingly, a couple of clever agents got a heavy stake on B for the owner, and this is how it worked out : — “ A won. B running second, and as the owner, white with rage, demanded an explanation from the trainer, the latter said, ‘You shouldn’t lose your temper in such a hurry! They haven’t weighed iu yet! ’ The sly rascal, while ‘ loyal ’to his master, had hit upon a means of working the oracle without running the risk which the pulling of A would have involved. As the winner returned to weigh in, ‘ horse, owner and rider received an ovation,’ and as the jockey stepped upon the scale the president and members of the committee stood round in all the importance of officialdom. ‘ Look here,’ whispered the honorary weigher, in a state of manifest agitation, to the president, ‘ He’s 21b short 1 ’ ‘ Sh ! ’ promptly responded the president and committee, evidently actuated by a feeling in common ; ‘ Let it go, let it Igo ; Mr Woolking is a splendid supporter of sport, and it would be a cruelty to play into the hands of chose wretched bookmakers at his expense by upsetting the judge’s verdict.’ So, after a moment’s hesitation, the honorary weigher called out ‘ Right 1 ’ and cunning Mr Woolking’s most painful experience—next to settling—was receiving congratulations on his ‘ well deserved victory with the top weight, who had always run in the interests of the public.’ ”

At a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club held last week, it was reported that no reply had been received from the Forbury Park Company respecting the club’s offer of £15,000 for the Forbury Park land. It was therefore, resolved to call for tenders fora grandstand and other buildings at the new course at Wingatui. This is taken to mean that the club has definitely decided on the Wingatui course. To dispose of fifty thoroughbred horses in on e afternoon is a very fair performance in these days, but when the quality of the lots got rid of in connection with the breaking up sale of the Hobartville stud is taken into consideration, they went remarkably cheap, as the total was 5,900g5, not half their fair value. There was a good assemblage round the ring at Lower Ring on Monday afternoon, September 12, to see the last of the famous old stud mares But they were mostly spectators, as only one, Mr J. R. Smith, of Tucka Tucka, appeared to be in a thoroughly buying humor. He purchased eight lots, seven mares and the imported stallion Far Niente. To get such a sire for 200 gs is a bargain indeed, for his stock have been doing remarkably well. Mr Smith also gave the top price of the sale —260 gs —for the Goldsbrough mare Waiting. This mare is connected with one of our most successful racing families. At 250 gs Bengal Light, who is the dam of a brace of good ones in Moorefield and Light Artillery, went cheap, her purchaser being Mr Archie Yuille, who was no doubt acting on behalf of a Victorian who is going in for forming a stud.

There is no doubt that Telephone is a fast horse, but his owners evidently do not care to keep him, as he is in 'the market for sale.

Mr Marcus Daly’s great three-year-old colt Hamburg, by Hanover —Lady Reel, has won fresh laurels (says the Spirit of the Times) by placing to his credit the Brighton Cup, 7500d01. added, at two and a quarter miles, which he captured without the semblance of a contest from his stable companion Ogden, Howard Mann third, in the moderate time of 4min 2fsec. Though every one with the slightest knowledge of the sport of kings knew that Hamburg’s easy victory was an assured fact, the glamour of the horse’s fame, the fact that his appearance was to be at the old-fashioned Cup distance, and the excessive heat of the city, all combined to attract such a crowd as has been seldom, if ever, seen at Brighton, the attendance numbering fully ten thousand.

Mr Frank Madden’s Parliamentary utterances on the Totalisator Bill fairly bristle with inaccuracies (says the Leader). Referring to the lines of blood represented by Bobadil and Wayfarer, he remarked :—“ This is a similar cross to that for which the Duke of Portland bought Carbine and Trenton. He desired to cross these stallions of the Musket blood on the fast but flighty St Simon mares.” Everybody known that Trenton was never the property of the Duke of Portland, Mr Madden was equally in error when he included Acmena, Form, Mons Meg, Kirkham, Survivor, and Georgic in a list of names of “ illustrious horses which have been sent abroad,” accentuating the statement with the remark, “ These are the horses which have done remarkably well until they left Victoria.” As a matter of fact, none of these horses distinguished themselves in Victoria, Mons Meg and Kirkham for the very cogent reason that neither of them ever carried a racing jacket until they made their debut on the English tu.f. Furthermore, Acmena, Survivor, Form, and Georgie were distinct failures in this colony. Mr Madden was obviously imperfectly posted in giving expression to such imaginary statements, all the more surprising because of his pretended intimate knowledge of everything appertaining to the Victorian turf.

As a result of the recent agitation in the English Jockey Club and sporting press of the country in favor of longer distance racing, at a meeting of the English Jockey Club, to be held at Newmarket in the first October week, the stewards will propose that rules 45, IQ, and 47 of the rules of racing be altered to read as follows : —45. At everv meeting advertised in tne “ Racing Calendar ” one half of the total amount guaranteed’ for prizes shall be apportioned to races of a mile pr over, for three-year-olds or upwards only, and of this half not less than a moiety shall be for races of a mile and a half or upwards. 46. There shall be no race of less distance than five furlongs. 47. The programme of each day shall be subject to the following regulations : —(1) There shall be at least one race of one mile an i a half or upwards, and at least one race of a mile or upwards. Neither of these races shall be open to tw o-year-olds . and one of them shall be neither a handicap no’* a race with selling conditions. (2) There shall not be more than two races, in <which three-year olds or upwards are admitted, of less than seven furlongs, and of these two races only one may be less that six furlongs. (3) Of the races confined to two year olds there shall not be more than two races a day before September 1, nor more than three a day at any time. (4) Matches and private sweepstakes may be sanctioned by the stewards independent of the above regulations.

Although only five swo-year-olds sported silk in the Juvenile Stakes at Avondale on Saturday, a lot of interest was taken in the youngsters by the public, who are ever anxious to’ find out what may turn out a fortune. The imported sire, Seaton Delaval, for the first time was represented by a couple, and it is a pity the proprietors of the handsome Sylvia Park horse were not present to hear the good things said about Hastings (Seaton Delaval —Liquidation) and Miss Delaval—Campania). The Hastings party were very confident, and it was pretty well-known that he had done a clinking good gallop with St. Elmo, but although he showed great pace at the start he died away in the straight, and there was probably no more disappointed man on the course than his trainer, Mr George Wright. The winner is a beautifully shaped filly, a little on the small side, but she had shown her party a good gallop on the previous Thursday with Roxana, and that was quite enough for her plucky owner, Mr Dan McLeod, who, in consequence, peppered the colt and sent money abroad for Miss Delaval. She proved herself a thorough game one by the way she tackled and disposed of the leader in the run home. She had the benefit of the services of Mark Ryan, and the r receiv. d a cheer on returning to scale. Is was certainly a good introduction to the New Zealand public, who w r ere not slow to congratulate him on having scored a victory on his first mount here.

The second which Dayntree’sbrother, Bacchus, scored in the Juvenile Slakes surprised even his stable connections, as there were only four on him out of 299 on the machine. He would therefore have paid a big dividend had Dan McLeod’s filly been out of the way. Bacchus is not half a bad sort, and on Saturday was galloping at the right end of the journey.

Although Rainbow was a comparative outsider in the Hunt Club Steeplechose at Avondale on Saturday, the victory of the Lelantis gelding was very popular, owing to the fact that he is owned by Mr A. Selby, who is now clerk of the course at Avondale Mr Selby, junior, rode the winner and handled him well. Ln this race St. Leonards, ridden by the Australian amateur, Mr G. M. Bayley, was unfortunrtely run off at the first jump by one of the others. Mr Harrison, on Robin Adair, kept his horse in a good position nearly all the way.

Mr Allison, the “ Spec ial Commissioner ” of the London Sportsman and manager of the Horse Sale and Exchange Company, was the purchaser of the three-year-old sister to Acmena, by Martini-Henri —Acme, which fell to the nod. of Mr T. Payton at the Kirkham Stud Sale. The filly will be shipped to England directly. Picture, the winner of the A.J.C. Derby, came by her name in the following manner. When Mark Thompsou obtained a lease of her for her racing career, he wrote to Messrs Eales Bros, asking whether she had been named. The reply stated that the filly had received no name, and added that she was “ as pretty as a picture.” It is very hard luck just when a trainer gets a horse well that the animal breaks down (writes “ Martindale ”). Such has happened to the once speedy Bob Ray, who, with 8.4, was reckoned to have an excellent chance in the Epsom Handicap. However, the old knee trouble has set in again, and he was an absentee. The excitingly close finish for the Flying Stakes at Avondale on Saturday caused a bit of fun on the top of the Stand, in the place where the Press Room will be. A select little party, including the handicapper, watched the 'race from this lofty aspect, and as, Lillie closed On Telephone and won on the post the genial Evett’s excitemsnt was tremendous. In fact, he might have gone through the iron roof but for a friendly restraining hand. Looking at the judge’s box, No. 7, Telephone’s number, was in view, and great was the consternation of the party. Before the number was seen all would have sworn that Lillie had won; after it was up the party was divided, two for Lillie and two for ' Telephone. The latters’ remarks were “ Louk at the angle we’re at,” and “ Don’t question the judge’s decision.” The other side could only gasp in astonishment. But after all it turned out that the boy in the box had not taken Rainbow’s number down, and when No. 4 went up the Lillie party had the laugh on their side.

Mr W. R. Wilson returned from the Hot Lakes in time for the racing at Avondale on Saturday, and was looking all the better for his trip. We do not suppose he was making big wagers, but no doubt he was able to pick up a few unconsidered trifles, as he had Mr Tom Morrin as mentor. Mr Wilson thought the Avondale course one of the prettiest, little racing grounds he had seen for many a long day. Avondale certainly was looking well, for the attendance of Old Sol and many members of the fair sex brightened things up considerably. Everyone was pleased to see the Hon. H. Mosman score a win with Antares in the Hurdle Race at Avondale on Saturday. Castor’s son has a very ugly knee, but it does not seem to affect him. Bar the knee he looked splendid, and his condition clearly demonstrated, if that proof was necessary, that Harry Franks, Mr Mosman’s trainer, knows his business. Franks has made a host of friends since he came up from Riccarton and turned a i.appy Benedick. Antares was his first win for Mr Mosman, but we thoroughly expect and hope that we shall soon have occasion to congratulate him upon leading in other winners. Mauser, by Maxim from Auray, one of Mr G. G. Stead’s team which visited New South Wales in 1895, has been retired from the turf, and in future will be at the service of stud owners. Atlantic was looking splendidly well when in the paddock before the Hurdle Race on Saturday. He broke down in the race, much to the disappointment of his connections, who thought he had a very good chance of winning. The New Zealand bred horse Mikado 11, a good all round performer in his day—he was a great horse over fences —is standing at £3 10s this season. Mikado 11. now belongs to Mr B. J. Hansen, Hanson South, via Glenrowan. The only thing that Glenrowan is famed for is that, it was the place where the last formidable gang of Australian bushrangers was captured.

According to “ Goodwood ” of the Argus, the following wagers were on September 8 laid in Melbourne in connection with the Caulfield Cup: £l5OO to £44 Amberite, £2OOO to £6O Murata, £2OOO to £5O April Fool, £lOOO to £5O Wait-a-Bit, £lOOO to £5O The Chief, £lOOO to £3O Gnullo. Wayfarer was also backed at 100 to 7 and ICO to 8. For the Melbourne Cup, £2OOO to £6O was laid George Frederick. £2OOO to £4O April Fool, £lOOO to £4O Wait a-Bit, and £2OOO to £5O Burrabari. On the V.R.C. Derby, £4OO to £sg each was laid against Cordite and Cocos.

Particulars are to hand of the unfortunate accident which led to the death of Mr T. J. Burke, in India. It appears that he and his wife were the guests of Mr A. P. Agar, the Commissioner of Police at Madras, and on the evening of Sunday, August 7, Mr Burke was taking the air on the top of the upper story of the Commissioner of Police’s residence. He eat on the parapet, imd overbalancing himself fell a distance of 40ft to the ground. He was picked up in an unconscious condition, and died two hours afterwards, having fractured the base of the skull. He was interred in the Pursewalkum Cemetery. Mr Burke recently visited New Zealand and toured Australasia in quest of horses for Sir Rupert Clark.

Concerning the bad luck that J. C. Booth’s team have experienced in Australia “ Martindale ” writes :—“Mr J. 0. Booth has now been with us for some time, but so far his team have failed to do anything. Perhaps our handicappers will now see that his horses are not such wonders, as even if one of them did win a race no one would grumble and if we are to expect horses from the other colonies to visit us, we must hold out a little inducement for them to do so. We do not forget to complain if the handicappers in other colonies put a little • more weight on our horses than they are expected to do.” Since these lines were penned, however, Levanter has come to the rescue of the party by winning a double.

" ■ ‘St. Paul’s victory in the Avondale Cup has •brought him to 10 to 1 for the-New Zealand Cup. He ran a good horse, though he had an easy race. Supplejack is a speedy customer over the distance, and St. Paul, giving away 3st 51b, made a common hack of him, so there must be merit in St. Paul’s performance. Jack Chaafe and Mr W. Percival come in for numerous congratulations after St. Paul’s gallant win under a heavy weight and in heavy going.

Mr William Allison, who, with the assistance of Mr W. R. Wilson, has had a hand in securing most of the Australian horses for England, has been interviewed on the subject by a writer in the British Australian. Mr Allison expressed himself thoroughly satisfied with the horses he had “brought over,” and if he can get more of the same stamp he is a buyer. The difficulty,, he says, is to get good ones, and it is no use taking moderates to England. Of Newhaven he says, “ I was not responsible for his being brought over. Newhaven is a pig, and was not on that account worth transplanting. Moreover, his staying powers have been greatly overrated. I believe he will win a good race up to a mile and a quarter, but a horse with Newbaven’s high action cannot be expected to stay well in smart company.” Regarding the policy to be pursued with Aurum, Mr Allison said, “ Mrs Langtry has decided, and I think very wisely, to keep him for cups and weight fo-age races. The horse is good enough to make his mark in that class of race, and Mrs Langtry is not anxious to get him beaten by a lightly-weighted and long-saved flyer.” As to the Australian horse wanted for England, he goes on to say, “ What we want is stoutness and staying power, and a bit of dash. A strong, generous-hearted Australian thoroughbred, with the essential fire, is the stamp of animal that is required here. As a rule, however, the dash of the English racer is wanting, and that is what we are trying to impart, and,, in fact, have succeeded in imparting in the rising generation, by putting Australian mares to English horses of the Bill of Portland class, and sending English mares to such stallions as Carnage and Trenton.” Carnage, Mr Allison says, cost Mr Patten 3,500 guineas, and earned him 1,000 guineas a year for three years before he was-sold tor 10,000 guineas.

No one will grudge Mr Jack Tobias his little bit of luck in drawing Picture in Tattersail’s sweep on the Metropolitan Stakes. And all will condole with him upon the fact that when he did get his bit of luck his “ draw” had such a big field against her.

Nominations for the biggest race of the Auckland season close to-morrow, when the secretary of the A.R.C. receives entries for the Auckland Cup. With its handsome prize of 1000 sovs, the event ought to attract the owners of the best handicap horses in the colony, consequently we hope to see an excellent and representative entry.

By yesterday afternoon’s Southern mail we received a letter from Mr G. G. Stead, replying to “Petronel’s” Open Letter. We are sincerely glad to publish Mr Stead’s repl' in this issue,, so that what he has to say goes befpre the sporting public of the colony at the earliest possible opportunity. One thing is clear from Mr Stead’s letter, that so long as Multiform keeps well he will remain in the New Zealand Cup. As Mr Stead’s letter was received on the eve of publication, vze are unable to do more than publish it with an expression of thanks. Whatever comments we may have to make must be reserved until cur next issue.

Our Canterbury correspondent asks us whether we can account for the scratching of Explosion for the New Zealand Cup. He says glowing accounts have been received from Auckland as to the colt’s good work on the training track, and in consequence he was well backed in Christchurch. Explosion was withdrawn from the New. Zealand Cup on account of his inglorious display in the Avondale Cup. At a little mote than threequarters of a mile he was done with, at a time when he was fit and well and was regarded with favor by his -party. We have had no hand in ■ending away glowing accounts of the colt’s progress, because-we did not believe he was so good as he was said to be. We know that in the Avondale Cup he grievously disappointed his owners and his trainer, and that in consequence the pen was put through his name for the Cup. • He is a fine raking animal, and may yet redeem his character.

Antares again did the trick yesterday, and ■bowed improved form over the hurdles. It was no mean performance to give the speedy Atalanta 2st 21b, and Franks is entitled to much praise for having got the Hon. H. Mosman’s horse to become so proficient over the sticks.

A correspondent in West Australia writes me (says “Terlinga”) that at a recent gold-fields meeting two horses ran a dead heat under peculiar circumstances. Before the race their jockeys had a quarrel, aud they continued it in the race. When they were coming up the straight neck and neck, one rider leant over and tried to push the other off the horse. He nearly succeeded. Then the other got to work with his whip, and the pusher responding, the pair cut at ei-ch other until the post was past, and the judge declared a dead-beat. The stakes were divided, so there was no chance of a return flogging match bet w< en < he jockeys. “The stewards,” my corr.spoi dent says, “took no notice, although the flogging was going on right under their noses.”

The St. Leger—Ouida filly purchased by Mr T. H. Lowry at the last Wellington Park yearling ■ale is sain to be one of the most promising youngsters in the Hawke’s Bay district. The filly brought 500 guineas at the sale, and there was a lot of competition for her, so it would seem that her early promise is to be fulfilled.

Hastings, the Seaton Delaval colt, redeemed his character in some deeree at Avondale yesterday. He won the Nursery Handicap almost as he liked, but the time was not so good as when Miss Delaval beat him on Saturday.

Writing of the A.J.C. Derby “ Milroy” says— The bookmakers report a loss over Derby Day, but declare they have not held so much money, or held it nearly so well for years. Moderate operators held up to £lOOO on some events, to lose comparatively little money. It is evident matters sporting are improving. Like the two previous Derbies, the last was a farce, and better sport could have been got out of a £5O selling plate. The riders blame the trainers for hampering them with orders, and the trainers say the riders are no better than so many silk-bedecked butcher boys. They were reefing at their mounts till they reached the five-furlong post, then one went on, and, after due thought, the others followed. Delaney got a couple of lengths’ break at the three furlongs’ post, with a speedy filly like Picture, and won Russley his first blue ribbon. The lad who rode Cocos was indeed an “artist,” who had neither seat nor hands. Cocos being an accepted sluggard, requires a whip and a strongrun race —at least, so his friends say —but he got neither, as Powell, in the excitement at the halfmile post, when the scramble was at its height, dropped his whip. It was probably in his way Barden, who rode the colt in the New Stakes, displayed even worse judgment than did Powell. Until owners deem it worth their while to select tbe best riders for a race like the Derby, the A.J.C. would be studying their own and public interests by removing it from the bill and replacing it with a six-furlong selling plate.

£lOO will be very useful just before Xmas Try your skill in our “ New Competition” on page 24. Our £lOO Coupon should afford Turfmen an opportunity of exercising their skill. See page 24