NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 427, 29 September 1898, Page 17

NOTES.

An American sportsman, who visited recently Wonbobbie station, the home of the trotting horse Fritz, says that Mr Buckland has a two-year-old brother to that celebrity, who is ap full ■of promise as a youngster can well be. It is too early to write him off as being a crack trotter, but, according to report, he shapes uncommonly like furnishing into one. The Petone Council, having considered a letter from the Wellington Trotting Club stating that the committee agreed to the draft agreement relating to the trotting track, but took exception to clause 9, which deals with the question of having a licensed booth on the ground. It was decided to reply that the Council was willing to modify the clause to this effect; “ That when any booth is used in the ground by authority of the Licensing Committe, the Council is to have power, for any reason it thinks fit, to vote a booth being opened on the ground at any time thereafter by giving not less than twentyone days’ notice before any subsequent meeting. If the Trotting Club accepts the alteration the lease will be drawn up forthwith. The first world’s record of the year was made in the road waggon race at Hartford, on July 4. The Abbot reducing the recognised waggon Tecord first to 2.14 and then to The old race record was 2.16 J, made several years ago, by Hickok’s gelding Alfred S., who hauled one of the high-wheeled skeleton waggons. Later in a trip against the watch Guy trotted in 2.13 to bike, a record eclipsed by the Chimes gelding in his second heat. But Elloree, at a Cleveland matinee, trotted in 2.10. No official recognition was given her performance, however, and her owner was, last fall, shown that the record, straight and beyond question was hers by simply arranging an afternoon’s sport to rule. Mr Morris believed that Elloree’s marks were safe as they stand, as if recorded m the books. There is danger, however, that The Abbot may deprive her of her honor. That he is a remarkably fast horse is shown in the fact that he trotted the last part of the second heat (to waggon) as fast as Elloree ever went a first half to sulky —last half 1.3, last quarter, 30| seconds. —American Sportsman. This story is told at Hartford, where the interest in racing was never so keen as at present, pool selling or no pool selling (states an American exchange). An Irishman wished to purchase a horse that could “throt” a mile in 2JO. A German friend sold him an animal that he guaranteed to do the trick. Our friend from Erin took the horse, secured a harness and sulky and went to the race track to try the speed of his new horse. The best trial mile was made in 3.10. This aggravated the Irishman and he started out to find the German who sold him the horse. When he ■ucceeded in finding him, he was very much excited. In that state of mind he swooped down on the German saying : “ Say Dutch you told me that the horse I bought from you could trot a mile in 2.10, but the best the stake could show me at the race was 3.10!” “Veil,” said the German, without ruffling up in the least, “ can’t you vait a minit ? ” “ The Three Cups !” —Pick the three winner and win £lOO. See the last page of this issue.

The Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club has decided not to hold a spring meeting this year. At the annual meeting the following officers and committee were appointed : —President, Mr W. Y. Dennett; vice-president, Mr 8.. Gooseman; committee, Messrs W. C. Maddison, H. O. Caulton, George Land, W. Edwards, W. G. Faulknor, E. Newbigin, A. Ellingham and W. Bamsay. There is no doubt that a horse with a naturally high action may be made to go higher by proper treatment, says the Maine Farmer. For instance, when first taken up, he should always be kept feeling well and in prime condition. Then he will delight to bound along, pulling up his knees and hocks and proudly showing himself off to spectators. No amount of fixing will put action into a horse not properly formed, and it must never be forgotten that there is as much difference in high action as there is between the proverbial chalk and cheese. The horse that doubles his knees up quickly and slams his feet down again hard, will not sell in the same class with the horse whose forefoot is picked up and put down as though following the circumference of a wheel, the pastern springing quickly when the foot touches, not strikes, the ground, and is picked gracefully up again to perform its round, circling motion once more. The horse with the latter way of going will outwear two or three of the others, and though any kind of high action will sell to advantage, the more graceful sort described is the kind that should be sought. It goes with the conformation of shoulder, head, neck, loin, quarter and hock that is most desired, and is in all ways infinitely the most preferable.