Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 449, 2 March 1899, Page 11

Sporting Topics.

The Waihi miners intend to enjoy a day’s sport on March 6, when hack races under the A.R O. 1 rules will take place. A neat little programme , of seven events has been prepared for the occasion 1 the leading item on the bill of fare being the Waihi Cup of 15 sovs. The proposal to hold a race meeting at the Thames on the occasion of the Governor’s visit at the latter end of March has not met with the approval of the Colonial Secretary, who has intimated that he will not grant a totalisator per mit for the meeting. The London correspondent of an American paper, in reviewing the prospects of racing in England next year, says that we shall have the Trentons, Carbines, and Carnages running, and that will inaugura’e a new era of better, stayers. To supplement these horses, Patron (winner of the Melbourne Cup) and Abercorn (the great rival of Carbine) have been recently brought to the Cobham Stud from Australia, and with the new rules for longer distances the services of such horses will be in ever increasing request. The full-brother to Waiuku bought by the Hon. H. Mosman at the late yearling sales, and the Hilda colt are now being exercised about Ellerslie. They are both very much admired, but the conformation of the pair leads to the impression that Waiuku’s brother will be an earlier beginner than his companion. The latter should furnish into a magnificently shaped big horse. After his return from New Plymouth last week Tim was very stiff and sore, and it is quite evident that hehas had enough of it for the present. It is, therefore, probable that he will be allowed to have a rest. It is not likely that any attempt will be made to get Antares ready for the autumn, but it is quite likely that we may see Castor’s son in work for the winter meetings. Nicholas repeated last year’s victory in the HalsweH Hurdles. The chestnut son of Apremont evidently likes Riccarton in the Summer Last j ear he also won the Belfast Hurdle Handicap on the second day of the C.J.O. Summer Meeting. Alcestis, the aged daugther of Master George and Psyche, who, after her win in the Telegraph btakes, was bought in for £5, won the Trial Stakes at the C.J.C. Meeting last Summer. By the way the Press Association sent Alcestis through as a gelding, and the Association is responsible for altering the Telegraph Stakes to Telephone Stakes. “ Bing off the old, ring on the new,” and the Auckland dailies nevertumbled ! t Coincidences do occur at race meetings. On Thursday at Riccarton six chestnuts were victorious, Nicholas, Ben Farley, Dundas, The Orphan, Cherry stone, and Alcestis. Cherrystone was pretty well supported locally for the Craven Plate, though the big dividend paid by the Dunedin gelding came as a welcome surprise to his backers. The metallicians were surprised also, into saying something uncomplimentary to Cherrystone, for his dividend took a lot of the gilt off the bookmaker’s gingerbread. The bookies, however, had a rare turnup over Dundas. Courtier was the popular fancy, and the defeat of Mr Stead’s youngster was one of -those surprises the Turf is always giving us. Dundas must have come on a lot lately. Murray Hobbs’ gelding went right off at N Z. Cup time, and it is quite refreshing to know that, the son of Perkin Warbeck 11. and Reverie has returned to something rather like his best two-year-old form. Dundas at his best is a really good colt, and Murray Hobbs has had very bad luck lately so few will grudge his classic victory. The Steeplechase at Potter’s on Wednesday was a pretty race. All the seven “little ones” cleared every fence and nothing came to grief. Fairy is a beautiful jumper, is pretty fast and she can stay, so her new owner ought to be thoroughly well satisfied with his purchase. We hear he has been offered a very substantial advance on the price he purchased at. Old Panoply is not a lucky horse. He was put on the retired list a few months ago in consequence of having struck himself, and the rest did him a lot of good. Recently, Frank Macmanemin put him into work again, and he was doing famously until Saturday when he struck himself again, and walked off the course so lame that it was thought that the old fellow would have to undergo another long spell. However, on Sunday he seemed to be quite sound again, and his idleness will not be of long duration We hear that Mark Ryan, the well-known r jockey, was served with a summons at Taranaki charging him with cruelty to the mare Merry Maid in the last race at the Takapuna Meeting. As Ryan has engagements to ride at Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay, it is to be hoped that arrangements will be made to have the case postponed until his return to Auckland. I The date on which the English Derby will be run this year is May 31.

Red Lancer and Bluejacket arrived from New Plymouth last week. Red 1 ancer will probably remain in Auckland until after the Aulumn Meeting. Boih Red Lancer and Bluejacket are doing moderate work at Ellerslie. The hon. secretary of the Tapanui Club indignantly denies the charges of “ Mazeppa ” that the attendance at the late meeting was small, or that there was any stiff running, etc. According to Mr Quin, the Tapanui Meeting was quite an exemplary one, just one of those meetings we seldom get the opportunity of enjoying, for he states. “There was neither stiff running nor foul riding noticed by an active band of stewards who watch the racing from every coign of vantage, and thoroughly understand the sport and know their duties—l am, etc.” Truly, Tapanui must be blessed.

Ahck Caulton has Porangi Potae fairly well just now. As usual, she will visit South Auckland, Te Aroha, and Paeroa. She was very succesful in this trip last year, but Castor’s daughter will have to meet better cattle this year. The Sharper will not be seen in public before the Avondale meeting.

There were three sad sports at the Taranaki meeting. They had helped to make a pound ticket on Lutra, and entrusted the ticket to the fourth party. When the race was over and the three investors went for their share of the £44 odd they were quietly told the ticket had been lost. It is not often that race clubs require gas, and hence probably the independence displayed by the Napier Park Club. Concerning a recent meeting of the club we read the following in au exchange :—On account of the Gas Company refusing to accept a cheque with the discount deducted, which was presented only a few days after the regulated time, it was resolved to invite them to cut the gas off.

'J he following altered rules of racing, which came into operation in England on January 1, are interesting as showing a marked difference be tween the conduct of racing in England and in the colonies :—At every meeting advertised in the “ Racing Calendar,” one-half at least of the total amount guaranteed for prizes should be apportioned to races of a mile or over for three-year-olds or upwards, and of this half, not less than a moiety shall be for races of a mile and a quarter or upwards ; but where more than one meeting is held at the same place during the current racing season, the apportioument may be calculated over each meeting, or over all the meetings ; provided that in the of meetings where races are already closed the stewards of the Jockey Club shall have power to relax the above rule as to the apportionment of the money. No two-year-old shall run in any race with more than 200 sovs added before June 1. There shall ba r o race of less distance than five furlongs. The programme of each day shall be subject to the following regulations : (1) There shall be at least tw o races of a mile or upwards of the minimum aggregate distance of two miles and a half. These taces must differ at least one furlong in distance, and they shall fill with five entries. Neither of these races shall be open to two-year-olds, and one of them shall be neither a handicap nor a race with selling conditions. (2) There shall not be more than two races to which three-year-olds or upwards are admitted of less than seven furlongs, and of these two races only one may be less than 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. It is stated that the decision of the Auckland Racing Club in the matter of the appeal in the Hobson Handicap, has met with the decided disapprobation of the Takapuna stewards, who will refer the matter to the Racing Conference.

Through the smash at the hurdle opposite the stand at Potter’s Paddock on Saturday two jocieys were hurt. McCallum or Fahey, the rider of Lulu —who was responsible for the accident —was taken to the Hospital suffering from concussion of the brain. Donovan, the rider of New Boy, went home in a cab, but beyond the effects of a severe shaking no harm is anticipated. In the case of Lulu’s rider, the latest accounts are that he is progressing favorably.

It was only last week that we noted and objected to the presence of a hack at the starting post as a help to a refractory animal. At Riccarton on Saturday R. J. Mason, the Yaldhurst trainer, was before the stewards for riding his hack to the post and holding Courtier in the Richmond Plate. We suppose the stewards were quite within their right in reprimanding the popular Dick Mason, but is it not rather like looking the stable door after the steed has escaped ? Stewards of racing clubs are supposed to be placed in their responsible position so that they may prevent any abuses. They are not elected to office in order that they may say to an offender, “ You did wrong ; do not let it occur again.” Where is the use of a reprimand when the fault has effected its purpose ?

Mr Garland, late energetic secretary of £ the Horcrwhenua Racing Club, is at present living in town (writes our Wellington correspondent). He informs me that the club has spent £lOOO on improvements to the course and the erection of a grandstand and loose-boxes. The course, which is about a mile round and a good chain wide, has been fenced all the way round, and is in really first-class order. The site for the course generally has been admirably chosen, and is well sheltered by natural bush and has the Horowhenua Lake in full view. The stand will seat about 500, and has an acre of ground around it. This club, which has only been lately formed, bolds its first meeting on the 17th March, for which some 95 nominations have been received, is to be congratulated on its efforts to make everything a success, and well deserves the public support. A special train will leave Wellington to suit the public, returning in the evening. The South Auckland acceptances are due tonight.

Since he started to write up the igure bystem in England (writes “Terlinga”) Mr Alison has developed a new way of reckoning up the value □f the two year-olds engaged in the coining classic races. When I say new, I mean new as far as England is concerned. Some years ago Mr Bruce Lowe used to adopt the same system in New Siouth Wales, and, in doing so, he condemned Q-rand Flaneur as an impossible racehorse, and selected Trevallyn on “figures” as the best Derby horse of the year. Trevallyn ran a good second bo Flaneur in Sydney, but then his two year-old form made him out quite capable of this, and the impossible racehorse (Flaneur) was never beaten. In justice to Mr Lowe, it must be remembered that this happened long before his book appeared. As regards Mi’ Alieon, however, he has given up the old dreary way of giving columns of matter concerning past seasons’ performances, and now shows which colt or filly has the best figures, and should therefore win on breeding grounds. Flying Fox is to win the next Derby. Other writers arrive at this opinion, but they base their opinion upon his form. The “ figures” say Trident should prove to be Flying Fox’s most dangerous opponent, but Mr Watson, of IVLcttjazine, writes that he has the authority of Mr L. i.e Rothschild for saying that Trident is likely to turn out a non-stayer. Time will show which is right, the figures or the owner. Then again, on Mr Alison’s calculation, Victoria May must win the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks “on the sheer merit of the Mo. 1 family.” Mr Watson writes— “ Victoria May is, 1 am convinced, an absolute non-stayer.” It is not often that a Bruce Lowe enthusiast writes a good performer down as absolutely bad on the figures. But Mr Alison points out that Myakka has none of the great running families in the first three removes of her pedigree —in fact, her table teems with outside numbers. Myakka won the last four races she started in, and some people think she may win the Oaks. It has been decided by the committee of the Wellington Racing Club to hake the Hutt course remeasured. Not before time. It wilt be remembered that at the late meeting of the Takapuna Club the Hobson Handicap ended in a fiasco. There were only four two-year-olds engaged in the event, and through some misunderstanding only Bluecap and Bacchus started when the barrier was released, the riders of the other two, Gallagher and Duff, thinking that it was not a start. Bluecap and Bacchus, however, completed the course, and the former won. On returning to the saddling paddock the starter declared that it had been a start, and the riders of the first and second horses weighed in, and their numbers went up in the ordinary way, while Bluecap and Bicchus were removed to their boxes. The stewards, however, held a meeting, and after considerable deliberation they overruled the starter, and declaring a no race, ordered it to be run over again, but the owners of Bacchus and Bluecap declined to saddle again. Halberdier and Blue Paul then ran off and the former won. These, shortly, are the facts as they appeared to the general public, but the club was subsequently restrained from paying over the stakes until an appeal to the Metropoli tan body had been heard. That appeal came before the A.R.C. on Monday, when Mr Devore on behalf of Mr J. C. Booth, owner of Bluecap, argued in effect that the interference of the stewards with the verdict of the starter was illegal in racing law. The Takapuna Club, on the other hand, protested by letter that the stewards, in giving the decision they had done, had adjudicated upon a question of fact,and that in consequence it was contrary to racing law to review their decision. The Auckland Club were, however, of a contrary opinion, and after hearing the arguments of Mr Devore it was announced that the appeal had been upheld, and that the stakes for the race consequently should be paid to Mr Booth. The Bill of Portland — Woodnymph colt, Sirdar, who won at Launceston is reported to be one of the best of his age seen in Tasmania for years past. Steeplechasing in the summer is described by a Melbourne writer’ as a barbarous custom. The V.R.C. received only eleven nominations for the Autumn Steeplechase, for which the added money was 300 sovs. Six of the lot would not have brought £2OO if put up to auction. Mr G. Cutts has been appointed starter for the Avondale Club, and will commence his duties at the next meeting. Congratulations to the clul and starter. Tom Payten reports that Cocos is rapidly recovering from the infirmity which recently caused his temporary retirement from the turf, and will soon be seen in pubic again. The New Zealand yearlings by St. Hippo from Innistail and by Soult from Cressina, which were sent over to Sydney by the Westralia, were on February 17 reshipped in the Warrigal for Durban. It is therefore evident that the Innisfail filly has recovered from the troubles with • which she was affected on arrival in New South Wales. The Leorina colt by Soult, purchased by Mr T. Elliott at Mr Walters’ sale of yearnings, has been scratched for all engagements. A keen judge of racing, who was present at a recent country meeting in Victoria, slates that in one event each of the six horses that started was “ dead.” He adds that the perplexity of the riders on discovering this was very amusing. Sir Rupert Clarke is convinced there is a profitable business to be done in the Indian horse market, apart altogether from the Government. From 27th August to 17th November he sold 223 horses in 69 separate transactions—and was approached by 200 European and native customers. The Indian market ought to be approached with profit by New Zealanders. Steadfast, for whom Mr W. R. Wilson gave “ four figures,” was recently 7 sold in Perth for “ a tenner.”

The V.R C. committee has officially called upon registered racing clubs, by circular, to put u stop to the custom of stewards clearing out after the last race of the day without waiting to see whether any inquiries or complaints require their attention. Possibly (writes “Javelin”) this is the thin edge of the wedge, which is to make an opening for competent stipendiary stewards. At any rate, it is, in some small measure, satisfactory to know that The Old Lady cf Bourke treat has roused up, to the extent of wiping her spectacles. There was nothing very wonderful in Bobadil’s Futurity Stakes victory. He won with ridiculous ease certainly, but it took him Imin 31sec to negotiate the seven furlongs with 8.13 up. The programme for a day’s racing at Coromandel on March 17 appears in our advertising columns. Entries close with the secretary, or Mr Hayr, Vulcan Lane. According to late cable news, Hymettus and North British are the favorites for the Newmarket Handicap, the price about each being Bto 1. It is probable, however, that there will be further alterations before the horses see the post, as very few of the stables have as yet made a move. The Lake Club holds a meeting on Saturday, and we have pleasure in drawing attention to the fact that the gathering is under the countenance of the Auckland Racing Club. Excellent entries have been received, and an interesting afternoon s sport, under the management of a competent committee, may be anticipated. Mr Harry Massey has made complete arrangements for the comfort cf visitors, and the trip to the Lake by bus and steamer should be a pleasant one. At a meeting ot the committee of the Avondale Club, held on Friday, a large number of applications for the position of caretaker were opened, and the final selection was Mr Griffiths. The new caretaker, who has already gone into harness, will have a busy time in front of him, as the saddling paddock is being enlarged, and the work of erecting the horse boxes will be at once undertaken. Private information to the effect that Aurum is doing well in England has been received in Melbourne. The scratching of Merloolas for his Melbourne engagements did not create any surprise, as he had not been doing any work. In his comments upon last Saturday’s racing at Caulfield, “ Goodwood ” says :—The feature of the racing at Caulfied on Saturday was undoubtedly the splendid form shown by Bobadil, who, to some extent, gave the lie to his spring form. It has yet to be proved that Bobadil is a genuine stayer, but when he is himself there is no doubt about his brilliancy. He looks a different horse to what he did last November. There is a brightness about his appearance which was then absent, and he carries more flesh. It was really a treat to see him dispose of the field on Saturday. He ran past his horses as if they were standing still. He, of course, hardened in the betting for the Australian Cup, and has also shortened in price for the Newmarket. What a merry six furlongg he would run if Mr Wilson elected to start him for the big sprint race on March 4 The form of North British created a very favorable impression, and he is now a prunounced favorite for the Newmarket Handicap. Welterweight form is not always reliable, and when it is remembered that two moderates like Ilfracombe and Kruger followed him home, the performance of North British, on paper, does not look too good, It was the decisive way, however, in which the Sydneysider settled his field that took with the crowd. He won like like a racehorse, and, as he can hop off the mark smartly, he gives one the idea of being an ideal Newmarket Handicap horse. It is understood that the connections of borth British made an attempt to back him for the Newmarket last week, but the ring quickly closed down on the price, and only a small amount, it is said, was got on. The owner was certainly wise in pulling the gelding out on Saturday. A good stake was won, and, with money in hand, the stable can afford to take a shorter price the Newmarket. The only other Newmarket candidate to show any form of vote was Alix, a three-year-old daughter of Trenton and Princess Alice, who ran second to Bobadil in the Futurity. She showed a good dash of pace, but was probably lucky in beating Wait-a-Bit for second place. Wait-a Bit was not ridden a judicious race, and in the straight was blocked on the rails and had to be pulled out, finishing on the outsiie.