Casual Jottings.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 479, 28 September 1899, Page 16

Casual Jottings.

| By

Taihoa.]

New Plymouth, September 20. The Taranaki New Zealand Cup candidates — Uhlan and Battleaxe—are training on satisfactorily. As regards Okoari and Crusoe (the other two candidates from this district still engaged) starting in rhe big race in November I have nothing definite to go on, but I think that the pair are unlikely starters. Uhlan’s starting depends, 1 am inform nd, on the health of Mr J. J. lx use ©ll being sufficiently restored to enable him to make the journey to Christchurch. At present Mr Russell is mending slowly but satisfactorily after his severe illness, so that at present there is every prospect that he will be able to make the trip with the son of Cuirassier and Aida. So far the the connections of L hlan have not backed his chance, preferring evidently to wait until it is definitely decide whether the horse is to make the journey. . Sir Launcelot is whispered about in well-in-formed circles as a good thing for the Cup, and, from what can be gathered, there seem some grounds for favoring his chance for the event. The sad death of Mr Nelson Mcßae, while riding Stilts in the Hunters’ Hurdle Race at the Bangitikei Spring Meeting to-day, will be deeply deplored by a large circle of friends. Mr MeBae, who was a son of Mr B. E. Mcßae, of Manaia, a well-known and respected sportsman, was a dentist by profession, having learned the profession in Palmerston North, where he resided. I hear that Mr Mcßae had purchased, or was about to purchase,, a business, and that in the course of a few days he was to be married. At the last Wellington Grand National and at Amberley Mr Mcßae was conspicuously successful as a gentleman rider. I understand the deceased gentleman was about 26 years old. St. Laura, who met with a bad mishap at her first foaling, has been mated with Daystar. After obtaining a really splendid - looking foal by Hotchkiss from the mare, it might be asked why the mare was not sent back to the same sire The same reason, 1 understand, is on account of the mishap to the mare, and as a visit meant an exppriment, Mr Watson wisely decided to save expense by mating her nearer home with the well-bred Daystar. St. Laura’s foal is growing apace, and promises to be something special in the way of horseflesh. Percy Johnson is proud of the foal, and reckons one would have to walk a long way to find his equal. 8. McGuinness is standing Daystar for a limited number of mares, and after completing his list, the son of Castor will be put in work for rabing. Daystar has been mated with some good mares, including St. Laura, Cahi, Anterina, and Fishlass. _x- • u. The prospect of Sylvia Park starting in the JT.Z. Cup has been discussed. In a recent conversation with the owner, Mr J•_ Goodwin, I was informed that nothing definite on the point would be known till after the Wanganui Spring Meeting. The Bell Block Club will probably be merged iiito the Waitara Club, as the former club has for a second season been deprived of a totalisator permit by the Colonial Secretary. Negotiations are proceeding between the committees of the two clubs as the sum at which the Bell Block Club’s liabilities and properties will be taken over. It is generally considered throughout Taranaki that the Bell Block Club received harsh treatment over the permit question. “ Getting at the favorite” is not often practised nowadays, but from information given me by Mr Watson, I should say that somebody tried “ to get at ” Dummy while the son of The Mute was being conveyed to the last National Meeting at Christchurch. It seems that after the Wellington Winter Meeting, Dummy and Muscatel remained for a few days at the Hutt before proceeding on to Christchurch for the National for Wellington, P. Johnson, the trainer, purchased two bundles of pressed straw for bedding for the stalls on the steamer. After the horses arrived at their destination Johnson received word from the that on removing the bedding, no lees than eighteen darning needles had been found in the stall occupied by Dummy, who, however, was fortunate to come out unscathed. The Taranaki Jockey Club Committee have appointed Messrs J. O. Evett and R. G. Pardy handicappers, and have drawn out the programmes for the Summer and Autumn Meetings.

The Taranaki Cup has been raised from £3OO to £350. The Waitara Jockey Club have decided to hold their annual fixture on December 21, a week before the Taranaki Summer Meeting. The Taranaki Committe have inserted a selling race in the Summer programme, called the Newton King Stakes, evidently a compliment to the popular auctioneer. The Metropolitan Committee have removed the suspension from E. George for foul riding at Rahotu; from E. Smith for riding at an unregistered meeting, and from the mare Oleander, for running at an unregistered fixture. I understand that D. Crozier has purchased Tukapa from Mr A. Standish, who had the son of Lebel and Jenny. E. Hammond, the trainer, entered for the matrimonial stakes last week. He was congratulated all-round by numerous friends.