Inter-Provincial.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 478, 21 September 1899, Page 12

Inter-Provincial.

FOwn

CANTERBURY.

Cup candidates in public —Daphne —South Canterbury gleaning :— Umslopogaas gone off — Murray Hobbs’ team — Maxim’s stock — Rival jockeys — First 8100d — The Canterbury Trotting Club’s Summer Programme —£1850 in stakes—Dundas scratched, for the Cup— Ro ch est e r—Strathnairn — Dundonald —Pitch and Toss —Miss Delaval and the Avondale Cup — Tigress—Tote-odds cases.

Christchubch, September 14

Three out of seven New Zealand Cup horses competing at the South Canterbury meeting were successful in winning. The seven Cup candidates were Dundas, Huku, First Blood, Sequin, Jupiter, Daphne, Double Event, the winners being Jupiter, First Blood, Double Event. Jupiter, who won the Cup, showed the best form, and is evidently a much improved horse. To beat a horse like Dundas with 91bs best of weights is not at all a bad performance. What chance can Dundas have of beating Jupiter in the New Zealand Cup when the former will have to give the son of St. Clair a full stone and 31bs ? Messrs Kilis Bros horse must, on his Timaru running, hold Sequin, Huku, First Blood, and Daphne safe in the New Zealand Cup Jupiter gave these four Cup candidates a sound beating in the Timaru Cup when meeting them on worse terms than he will in the Cup. If the winner of the New Zealand Cup is going to come from anyone of the field that started in the Timaru Cup—which I very much doubt —it will be Jupiter. Double Event, who has not done any racing since autumn, was started twice at Timaru, and won the Flying Handicap with 9st—a very creditable performance seeing that he beat Benzoin (8.4), Jupiter (8.13), and Ben Farley (8.4) three horses that have raced a lot lately and with a fair amount of success. Ashburtonites are very sweet On Double Event’s New Zealand Cup chance. The horse is looking in robust health and may be regarded as a certain starter in the Cup. First Blood, who has started seven or eight times without scoring, managed to win a race at Timaru —a welter handicap over seven furlongs The North Islander did not have anything like a strong field to beat, and will need to improve a lot to have any chance of being among the placed horses in the Cup. The Hawke’s Bay mare Daphne, although only carrying light weights, has failed to score a winning bracket since her owner brought her to Canterbury. The aged daughter of forerunner ran one good race at Timaru being just beaten in the Rhodes Memorial Stakes by the Spinner after a hard tussle.

The hurdler Windermere was too good for the horses he had to meet at the South Canterbury meeting, and won both races beating Glenore, Schnapps, Lord Stansbury, and Pensioner. Schnapps was sent through as a real good tip for the hurdle race on the first day at Timaru, but he could get no nearer than third. Dmslopogaas has gone right off, and broke down badly in the secund hurdles, for which he started favorite, at Timaru.

Murray Hobbs has not had the best of luck with his team lately. Benzoin has had to make up for non-successes cf Dundas, Hermosa, and other inmates of the Racecourse stables. Bristol is fast over six furlongs, and will win if not too highly placed. Very few of Maxim’s stock are running in New Zealand now. Maximus, who is by the Musket stallion (dam, Miss Kate), was given another chance to win a race last week, but only added another unplaced performance to his already long list.

The South Canterbury Club allowed bookmakers to do business at the late meeting, and notwithstanding their presence the receipts from the totalisator exceeded last year’s takings by £252.

During the race for the Welter Handicap on the first day at Timaru, Cochrane, rider of Vandyke, complained that McOombe, on Abercrombie, interfered with Vandyke. The stewards considered Cochrane’s complaint, and decided not to allow McCombe to ride again at the meeting. Tommy Sheenan’s favorite, Ben Farley, scored a popular win in the Shorts at Timaru. The finish between Ben Farley (8.9) and Rochester (8.13) was the most exciting at the meeting, the former just getting home by a head. Bob Derrett was up on Ben Farley, and Billy Brown rode Rochester. There is great rivalry between these two riders. September 19. First Blood was sent to his home in the North by Wednesday’s boat. Since the son of Vanguard came to Riccarton —just before the National Meeting—he has started several times, but won only one race at Timaru. The committee of the Canterbury Trotting Club met on Tuesday evening and drew up the programme for the Summer Meeting. No less a sum than £lB5O will be given away in stakes —an a mount very considerably more than ever pre-

viously devoted to a trotting gathering in the colonies. The Cup (a harness event at two miles) will be endowed with £3OO, and there will be a couple of stakes of £2OO and one of £l5O. Dundas was scratched for the New Zealand Cup at 9.45 last Thursday morning. I have repeatedly expressed opinion that Douglas is not a stayer, and evidently his owner (Mr Murray Hobbs) is now of the same opinion Mr Hobbs has had very bad luck with both Starshot and Dundas lately. He has now withdrawn both from the Cup. A lot of money was invested on Rochester for the race he won on the second day at Oamaru. The horse ran nowhere on the first day, but went out second favorite in the President’s Handicap. His dividend was £3 14s, and was, I believe, participated in by hie connections. Another New Zealand Cup candidate, Strathnairn, has been suffering from paralysis, but is now much better. St. Lucia was similarly affected a few months ago, and has not yet recovered. Dundonald, who has justly earned the title of champion hunter, was shipped for the North on Saturday. His owner (Mr H. Gr. Pitt) accompanied him. Dundonald has engagements at the Rangitikei meeting. Daphne was also sent North on Saturday. The mare showed improved form at Oamaru, and won the principal race. Although Goodman paid the acceptance fee for Pitch and Toss in the North Otago Handicap he decided not to take the mare down. Pitch and Toss has not raced since the Timaru Autumn Meeting, and she is still looking on the big side, but Goodman expects to get her fit for the N.Z. Cup. Miss Delaval was heavily backed for the Avondale Cup on Saturday, and money came pouring in at a rate that compelled, at least, two prominent pencillers to cry enough. Dan McLeod’s mare receded in favor for the New Zealand Cup when her defeat at Avondale became known

Tigress was scratched for the New Zealand Cup at 11.20 a.m. on Monday. The Hawke’s Bay mare was not backed for much here.

During the week Sir Launcelot, Explosion, and Jupiter have been nibbled at for the Cup. At a general meeting of members of the Amberley Steeplechase Club on Monday, the balance-sheet of the late race meeting showed the receipts to be £298 ; after paying stakes (£171) and other expenses the balance in hand amounted to £55; a sum of £25 was voted to the Brackenfield Hunt Club, and £l7 10s to the secretary as a bonus.

At the Christchurch Magistrates Court to day, two cases of laying totalisator odds were heard before Mr R. Beeiham. The charge against M. Livingstone was dismissed. Another charge of having carried on the business of a betting man in a public place- to wit, High Street —was taken against Livingstone, which was adjourned till Friday. William Bright was charged with having laid totalisator odds on September 8. The evidence of George Klson (private detective) showed that, he put 2s 6d on Bristol in the Seadown Handicap, run at Timaru The horse won and next day witness received Ils 6d from Bright. The magistrate, after hearing the defence, held that the case had been proved right up to the hilt, and it was lucky for Bright, he had not been previously convicted. A fine of £2O was inflicted.

HAWKES BAY.

Daphne’s return — FoaHngs—Bush Rose and Crown Prince —St. Conon destroyed — Daring — Rhino — Change of quarters—UoonraJcer re-apnears—r A comely filly—Jadoo —Pistol Grip—First 8100d —Back from England — Horace Reeves — Speculation on the Avondale Meeting.

Napier, September 19

Daphne returned from the South to-day. At Karamu, Mount Ida (Apremont —Idalia) a bay colt to Flintlock, and Fawn (Dreadnought — Dryad) a brown colt to Spinfeldt, are the additional foalings to hand in this district since my last report. Bush Bose and Crown Prince, in charge of their trainer, I. Jones, left yesterday morning to take up their engagements at the Rangitikei fixture. The brace are in good condition, the New Zealand Cup horse being particularly well. }•. Wright accompanied them, and he will pilot both of them in their races.

Captain Russell’s bad luck in matters connected with the Turf seems to be still with him, for on Friday last St. Conon, who had been leased by him from Mr T. H Lowry for stud work with his brood mares this season, got his leg broken, and bad to be destroyed. Mr Lowry and the gallant captain are both to be sympathised with in losing such a valuable, well-bred horse.

Daring, who has been doing good sterling work on the track at Napier Park for months past, has gone out, and will accordingly be given a cessation from toil. It must be provoking to his owner, Mr Richardson, as with the number of race meetings that are shortly coming up for decision it was only reasonable to expect that he would assert himself, for he had a power of condition on him, and his pace was of a good calibre. Mr P. Tutaki has leased Rhino for another year to T. Jones, the period of tenure expiring on September 1, 1900. It is to bo hoped that the gelding will prove more remunerative to Jones this season than he did ]aet,„for it will be remembered that be never won a race for his lessee during the just concluded racing term. Ben Nicholl’s old training lodge at Hastings is now tenanted by J. Atkins, who was unable to secure the stables he used to train from, and was perforce compelled to look for other accommodation.

Moonraker has started going again, and, judging by appearances, his spell has benefited him greatly. •Some time back I wrote and criticised the ungainly appearance in front of Rangitia’s full sister, Himce (Somnus —Wairuareka), but when I saw her again the other day I was surprised to see how her conformation had altered. She has filled out greatly, and her deformity, if such it might be called, is not near so apparent now as it was when she first had the gear on her. She is a comely little filly, with a sweet affable way about her, and, though she has not been extended as yet, gives promise of being speedy. Jadoo has been skipping along in a taking style on the Park tracks lately, and so has Pistol Grip. First Blood, looking well after all his campaigning, arrived by the boat from the South on Friday. Jack Page, who used to control Gold Reef, one of Mr Donnelly’s stallions, and who returned from a trip to England last month, is now in charge of Missfire, who is travelling in the Waipukurau district after a spell of idleness occasioned through a bad attack of pleurisy. Horace Reeves is again going well and strong. But little speculation was indulged in here on Saturday over the Avondale meeting. Resident punters, as a whole, do not take much interest in outside meetings unless district equines are engaged, and as none of our Hawke’s Bay horses were contesting at Avondale on Saturday they were not trying to pick winners of events

WELLINGTON.

The Wairarapa training track — 1h e Horowhenua, meeting — Advance and Ostiak —The Wairarapa handicapper —The Ethel case —The Masterton Trotting Club — Where is Ethel—The Otaki meeting—Mr Coyle’s funeral —The Lower Valley Jockey Club — The Sandon meeting —jV gapuke — W. Homes—The Woodville Jockey Club —The Masterton Club Stakes —The late J. J. Coyle — Wagering over the Avondale Meeting — The Wairarapa, Trotting Club.

Wellington, September 16

The Wairarapa Racing Club has decided to widen its training track by a couple of feet, representations having been made by trainers that such was necessary on account of some narrow escapes from a cidents lately. The Horowhenua Club has fixed on January 1 as the date of its next race meeting, and the Wairarapa Club has decided to enter a protest with a view to the day being altered.

The local horses Advance and Ostiak have been nominated for the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Meeting, and will possibly go up. Ostiak bee been rather too well looked after at Rangitikei. Mr W. Armstrong has been appointed handi eapper to the Wairarapa Racing Club. Mr Henry acted previously, but intended resigning. After three trials the Crown prosecutor, Mr Gully, decided not to further proceeded R. S. Henry and J. A. Coogan, charged with conspiracy in connection with the Ethel ‘ ringing in ” case. In discharging the accused, the Judge said they could congratulate themselves that there were men on the juries who apparently had some doubt as to their guilt. Licerses have been issued to C. Popham (trainer), W. Hercock (jockey), and C. Walsh (apprentice). i he Masterton Trotdng Club has appointed Mr 11. Brinkman, handicapper, and Mr J. Ames to work the totalisator’ on the same terms as last year. The track is to be put in order by Mr Connell at a cost of £lO, and the A. and P. Association is to be asked to grant a five years lease of the ground on the same terms as at present. Owners using the track for training purposes are to pay 10s for first horse, and 5s for others.

A. Palmerston man wrote to the secretary of the Masterton Racing Club last week asking if it was a fact that the club had appropriated the notorious mare Ethel, and if so, did they want to sell ? He wanted a good polo pony, and he had an idea that she would suit admirably.

The whereabouts of Ethel was discussed at every trial of the conspiracy case. She wasn’t forthcoming. I don’t think she is far away from Wellington. At present she, the much talked about mare, is experiencing an easy time of it. A Wellington bookie telegraphed to the secretary of the Marton Club on race day, stating that he believed Ethel was in one of the races, and that he would do well to keep a sharp look out for her. He did, but without result. Whether the wire was intended as a joke or otherwise, I cannot say.

Mr Bidwell has been appointed chairman of the Wairarapa R.C. stewards. Hie Otaki R.C. Club officials expect record nominations for their forthcoming race meeting. J. Crees has about eleven horses in his estab lishment at Tauherinakau, including Ruamahunga, Volley, Aide de-Camp, Doreen, Goulburn, and Cavalry. There was a numerous body of mourners at the late Mr J. Coyle’s funeral. The body was taken from the Shepherd’s Arms Hotel to the Catholic Church, Guildford Street, and from thence to Kairori cemetery. The chief mourners were the deceased’s four sons, his brother (Mr B. Coyle), and his nephews (Messrs W. F. and H. J. Larkin). The Rev. Father Holly conducted the service in the church and at the graveside. The wreaths sent, included a beautiful one from the General Post Office staff. Forty-five telegrams of condolence were received from various parts of the colony. The following have been appointed course committee for the Wairarapa Racing Club:

Messrs C- R. Bidwell, W. J. Nix, W.O- William, J. Donald, and L. C. Pharazyn. Mr S. Cundy is to act as' starter and J. Wishaw clerk of the course. . It has been decided by the Wairarapa K.L. to adopt the following definition for hacks in connection with its Summer Meeting : “ For horses that have not won a stake of £BO, or races of the collective value of £150” Messrs N. G. Grace and W. R. Bidwell have been nominated for seats on Metropolitan committee. September 18. At a meeting of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association to day there was a heated discussion on the application of the trotting club for a five years’ lease of the ground, A number of members opposed on account-of their antipathy to the totalisator. Eventually, however, the lease was granted by a small majority. A sweepstake race meeting was held at Sandon last week, when there was a good attendance. A number of cash fielders were present, but did not do very well. F. Connolly’s mare, Annie, was in great form, and carried off the treble. She beat five in the Flying, leading from end to end. She had an easy victory in the Rongotea Cup, one mile and a quarter, beating three others, but Avondale had a close call on her. In the ,■ Hurry scurry, for which nine started, some thought Avondale had won the race by a neck, but the stewards met and decided not to alter , the judge’s decision. Mr J. Hirst’s Memo ran second in two events, and won the Consolation. A protest for jostling against Rainbow was dismissed. The Hurdle Race was annexed by Mr W. Sexton’s Junior, the Local Race was won by Mr P. Carter’s Waikuri, and the Pony Race by T-Winkled.

The gelding Ngapuke, by Flinflock —Medora, has been purchased from Mr C. R. Bidwell by Mr J. Cress The horse is engaged in the next Wairarapa Guineas. The Bulls trainer, W. Homes, has appealed against the stake won by Menaderva in the Hack Steeples at Marton being paid over to C. Leicester, on the grounds that Mr Taylor, her rider, was not eligible, he having ridden at the Ashurtt and Sandon unregistered meetings. Seven new members were elected at the last meeting of the Lower Valley Jockey Club. J. C. A. McKay was granted a jockey’s license, and J. E. Pilbrow a trainer’s license.

The stewards of the Woodville Jockey Club recently discussed whether the donations of Messrs Cotter and Bolton should be devoted to the Bracelet, the Guineas, Sires’ Produce Stakes, or Derby. Mr Cotter, who was present, was perfectly indifferent as to what the race was to be called, but he thought it would be to the advantage of the club if a classic race was on the programme. It was decided to call the race the Bolton and Cotter Bracelet. The first prize will be a gold bracelet valued at £3O, second and third bracelets valued at £lO and £5, and a goldmounted whip to the rider of the winning horse ; for hacks only, gentlemen riders. The programme for the next meeting was drawn up. The Woodville Handicap will be worth 125 sovs, distance a mile and a quarter. The big handicap on the second day will be worth 100 sovs. A letter was read from Sir George Clifford in connection with a statement made by Mr Pownall that the new rule as to hack racing was informally carried by the Racing Conference, was brought up at the last meeting of the stewards of the Masterton Racing Club It was decided to bring the matter up again at the next Conference. The stewards enquired into a charge laid by Mr Hill to the effect that J. Worner, after making disparaging remarks against the Masterton Racing Club and the officials thereof, referred to the hurdle race which took place at Masterton about two years ago, in which Persimmon, Master Jack, and Tricky Jack were placed first, second, and third. Mr Hill’s letter stated that Worner said that although the stewards were well aware that Master Jack had run off at one of the jumps they took no action, and that unless he, the owner of the third horse, had protested they would not have taken action. Worner was called in, and adhered to his statements, but denied that he had mentioned any horse’s name to Mr Hill. The latter averred that he did. After* a lengthy discussion Worner withdrew his reflections on the stewards as a body, and this was accepted, but was decided to inform him that if on any occasion he repeats or makes similar assertions the stewards will deal severely with him. The Eketahuna Club wound up last season with a small credit balance. The next meeting will be held on Boxing Day. Mr F. D. Pelling, the secretary, was accorded a vote of thanks for his services during the past year. The Masterton Club will give £BB5 in stakes for the December meeting.

September 20. The jumper Dundonald arrived here on Sunday, on his way to the Bulls meeting. Mr J. S. Henry and Mr H. W. Lyon, acting on behalf of the promoters, have issued a circular in reference to the late Mr J. J Coyle. They say it has been thought that his many friends would be glad of the opportunity of showing their appreciation of deceased, and it is suggested that the manner of so doing might be the provision of a suitable headstone and railing for his grave, and a contribution towards the very heavy expenses of his final illqees. The gentlemen interesting themselves in this movement have asked Messrs Henry and Lyons to take the initiative in laying the matter before those who have tome feeling for deceased that animates them, and they will be glad to receive donations. The promoters will form themselves into a committee to tee to the administration of the fund, and particulars will be forwarded to each subscriber in due time.

There was considerable interest manifested here over the Avondale races on Saturday, and a good deal of wagering was done, but the books got the best of the deal, backers not being in a winning vein. The majority missed Record Reign, Miss Delaval being the prime pick ; but Jim Keane and Riot were well supported. With reference to race number seven, got off

at the Wairarapa South Trotting Club’s meeting, over which there was a little trouble, the committee has rescinded the resolution passed previously in respect to the total sator tickets, and have decided to devote all money in hand to the hospital; persons holding tickets on the winner being given until the 30th inst. in which to apply for payment. After that date it will be given to the institution named.