Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW • AND • LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, June 14, 1900. Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 516, 14 June 1900, Page 10

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW • AND • LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, June 14, 1900. Sporting Topics.

[By

Petronel.]

Dingo and Rosella were each number seven on the card and they each paid the same dividend £5 4s.

On Saturday at Ellerslie the Winter Welter brought out nineteen starters, and in the Maiden Welter Handicap the field numbered eighteen.

Silver Ray, the winner of the Maiden Hurdles on Saturday, is a very shapely jumper. He jumps nicelv too, and as he is only a five-year-old, Mr Lynch should have some luck with him

Volcano was made a warm favorite for the Maiden Steeplechase on Saturday at Ellerslie, but the half-brother to Dummy, though he jumped in better fashion than when he went over country at Takapuna in the summer, failed to quite stay out the journey, and he had no chance with Dingo at the finish.

Straybird jumps the big fences in capital style, and the Wanderer—Fleetwing gelding should prove a very useful chaser by and bye. At the present time he is suffering from a bruised heel. I do not suppose it causes him much inconvenience, but when quite well Straybird will be a good recruit to the ranks of our jumpers.

Pensioner did not seem to relish the going on Saturday at all. He tailed away from the start in the Maiden Steeplechase and ultimately was pulled up when pursuit of the leaders was hopeless. Mr Rutherford’s other candidate out on Saturday —Social Pest—shaped very well, but the weight told its tale and he never could get within lengths of the winner. On the occasion of the sale of Flying Fox, the Live Stock Agency of London accomplished a record performance by insuring the great son of Orme for £30,000 from the moment the hammer fell, so that had he died on the way back from the ring to his box, M. Edmond Blanc could have claimed on the loss, and would • have claimed on the loss, and would have received the money. No such insurance as this has ever before been effected. ~~ In th© absence of Colonel Banks Mr Frank Lawry, M.H.R., occupied the judge’s box at Ellerslie on Saturday. In the Maiden Hurdles he placed Acone third, but as a matter of fact, Tip -gained that barren honour, while the St. Leger gelding finished some lengths behind Tahaka who was fourth. In the Maiden Welter some confusion was caused by Swiftfoot’s number going up instead of that of The Master. However, this mistake was speedily rectified.

Old Kapai turned out for the Selling Steeplechase at Ellerslie on Saturday and he made things lively for a little over a mile. Then he retired from the lead, and after nearly toppling over at one or two fences was pulled up. In this race there were only three other competitors. La Belle fell, End The Friar who loped along with his head down in the old style, romped home an easy winner from Riot. The Friar finished very strongly, and he evidently could have gone another round or two had such an extra performance been required. The Hiko gelding jumped well and had the race won all the way.

Punters who believe in coincidences ought to follow the horses whose iportraits appear in the Sporting Review for these almost invariably win. The Master is the latest case in point. His picture was in last week’s paper,, and on Saturday he won and paid a dividend of £2l 16s. I may mention that Dingo was photographed after working on Friday morning last, and the camera in this case also broke the spell of ill-luck and gave Mr Coleman a well deserved win. Dingo is a gr< atly improved horse, and now that he hasmade a start I shall not be surprised if he turns out a good chaser. It is a pity he was nit left in the Great Northern Steeplechase.

Cavalier’s victory in the Grand National Hurdles was an extremely popular one for his owner, Mr Lou Harris, is a thoroughly good sportsman, and the victories of his colours are always favorably received. Cavalier looked, wonderfully well, and in the race he galloped and jumped better than he ever did in his training; operations. He was trained for the race by J ack Thorpe, who, as well as the owner, came in for many congratulations. Despite the fact that The Guard and Torpina were early out of the contest, Cavalier’s win was a m ritorious one, for he made the whole of his own running and won easily at the finish, indeed, he was eased up in the straight. Percy Johnson said that he had a very comfortable ride on the Cuirassier gelding and that he never had any doubt as to the result.

The falling of Torpina and The Guard at the second jump robbed the Grand National Hurdle Race ot the greater part of its interest.. The backers of the two—the amount invested came to £Bo2—were early put out of suspense, but ! do not know whether their feelings harmonised with the relief experienced by the bookmakers*. Both Torpina and The Guard are beautiful jumpers as a rule, and the mistake made by theformer, it is said, lost The Guard the race. That question must ever remain unsettled, but taking Cavalier’s excellent performance into account, I am of the opinion that The Guard and Torpina would have had a very severe task set them, and I do not believe they would have succeeded in beating Mr Harris’ gelding.

The finish for the Welter Race on Saturday was a splendid one, and I was quite sorry that the gallant Record Reign did not quite get home, for to carry 12st 101 b so prominently was a fine feat. A great number of people thought Mr Roulston’s gelding just got home, but from the Press Stand Messrs Nathan’s filly appeared towin by a short head. It was a remarkably close go, and much doubt was felt until the numbers went up. Talking to Joe Gallagher later on he said Rosella only just got there, but he was sure her nose was in front as the winning post wasreached. Directly afterwards Record Reign was in front. His longer stride would take him further than Rosella’s final leap would, and if the gelding’s stride hod been taken just a shade of time quicker he would have won. Record Reign’s run from the distance was marvellous. He caught the filly hand over hand and was only beaten by inches.

The Carbine filly, Semper Vigilans, was returned the winner of the Wood Ditton Stakes, of 307 sovs (Ditch mile), at the Newmarket Craven Meeting on the 19th April. The merit of the victory, however, was somewhat discontinued from the fact that it was gained by protest, as Downham, who passed the post first, was ’disqualified in consequence of the charge of foul riding against J. H. Martin, his rider, being sustained. It appears to have been an extraordinary display of horsemanship, and quite unnecessary for the jockey to have reverted to such tactics, inasmuch as Downham is said to have won easily; but he evidently interfered with more than one of the opposition, for not only did Waugh, the trainer of Semper Vigilans, lodge an objection, but Sir J. Blundell Maple, the owner cf Petridge, who finished third, also complained of Martin’s Interference with his horse. ’

A friend in West Australia has forwarded me a paper with the account of a race meeting at Norsman, says “ Terlinga.” There are two headings to the report, one being “ Successful Meeting,” and the other “An Extraordinary Record.” The record was in the way of falls. It had been raining for several days before the meeting, and the alleged record was made on the flat by one horse. Here is the account of what occurred: —By the time of- starting the course was fairly good, with the exception of a portion to the north, which, being low, formed a nasty quagmire. It was at this spot that several horses fell during the afternoon, but the ill-luck was, strangely enough, limited to one stable. Indeed, a very remarkable record was put up. Snip, who was raced by a syndicate, including Messrs Finberg and Fox Bros., started three times, and and on each occasion came down at the same place. Being a little horse, it is supposed that the heavy ground made him over-reach himself. Mr J. B. Cox rode the horse in all three races. In the first he received a nasty knock on the forehead, but afterwards he escaped With shakings.” Later on the stewards, not to be outdone, established a record for themselves. They altered the order of running the races, in order to enable the iinfortunate Snip to take part in the last race, when he fell for the third, time.

0> The owner of Fulmen has backed his horse at a long price for the New Zealand Oup. It is full early to be thinking about the winner just yet. Crusadofigures among the nominations for the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase. The Cruiser gelding now belongs to the Hon T. H. Hassall, the New South Wales Minister for Lands.

Mr Dan McLeod, the owner of Miss Delay al, had a good time over the Steeplechase Meeting. The popular metallician is said to have won a large sum from his brother pencillers by backing the winning double, Cavalier and Voltigeur 11. Mr William Ryan, the Wanganui bookmaker, paid a visit to Auckland for the Grand National Meeting. He laid the double C'avalier and Voltiguer 11. to a well-known sport, but he had a good time over the meeting. Mr Ryan returned to Wanganui yesterday —Wednesdiy. “Mr R. J. Neagle has had to re-christen his Archer gelding Field Marshall, for the secretary of the Racing Conference imformed him that there was another horse bearing that name. Stormberg is the cognomen that has now been bestowed on him.

The Hon J. D. Ormond’s Roller, according to recent reports, is showing good form over the big fences, and therefore he must be considered to have a chance in the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase. Boiler has shown smart form over hurdles, and he may be expected to shine as a steeplechaser.

There is no local betting to record over the New Zealand Cup, and I don’t suppose there will be much speculation until the weights appear. Mr Henry’s handicap should be declared early next month —the Ist July is the stated date, and when his adjustment scheme is seen we may look for a spirited market.

Telephone won the Second Maiden Hurdle's in very good style, and when he has become thoroughly seasoned he should be a useful member of Mr Boss’ jumping team. Telephone has done plenty of hunting, so by and bye he ought to be a proficient steeplechaser.

The Auckland Racing Club can be heartily congratulated upon the great success of the Grand National Meeting. The racing was highly interesting throughout, there was a good attendance, and the totalisator receipts were quite satisfactory. The public are so satisfied with Ellerslie that I should think another day added to the Winter Meeting would be a success.

Percy Johnson, who rode Cavalier in his Grand National victory and in the Hurdle Handicap, on Monday, formed a very high opinion of the horse the first time he rode him, and events have proved that he was thoroughly justified. With list 51b up, Cavalier went over the two miles as comfortably as he did with lOst in the saddle, and he must be considered one of the best first season hurdlers ever seen in the colony.

The Australasian says : —“ A number of Victorians were in Adelaide for the Oup Meeting, and they have all come back in love with the totalisator. 1 Why can’t we have it in Victoria ?’ is the query of backers who read of the splendid dividends paid by Ranfurly, Martagon, and Tarquin. The reason is pretty well known. The •hurches and the bookmakers object to it; the churches because they assert it will increase the number of betters, and the bookmakers because it interferes with their business.”

In this issue of the Review Mr k. W. Edwards announces that his six-year-old brown mare Honesty by Cap-a-pie out of Signora is for sale. Honesty has been a good performer this season, her recent winnings being the Britannia Handicap at the 1 akapuna Meeting and the : Ladies’ Bracelet at the A.B.C Meeting last week. Anybody desiring information about the mare should apply to Mr Edwards at Te Aroha.

St Peter again demonstrated his usefulness, and in the Welter Handicap on Monday, accomplished a smart performance. Half-way along the top streteh he came away from his field like a flash of lightning, and staying out the distance in workmanlike style, he scored a fairly easy and very popular victory. Ido not think there can be any doubt now about St Peter’s heart being in the right place, for he finished very gamely at Takapuna and at Ellerslie. I expect he will be a very good horse after the winter’s rest that he will now enjoy.

Mr E. W. Alison has sold Nestor to Mr F' McGovern, of Eltham. The St j» eger—Tamora horse will do stud duty in the Taranaki district, which m st be accounted lucky in the possession of such a well-bred stallion. Nestor won the great Northern Derby and also won the Auckland Cup as a three-year-old. He was a strong fancy for the New Zealand Cup some three years ago, but he did not manage to win. He is a fine horse and ought to get s jme good stock if the right mares are mated with him. Old Voltigeur II managed to win the Great Northern Steeplechase after a gallant race, in which his game efforts were undoubtedly aided by luck. Had not Kaimate fallen at the stone wall the race would have gone to Taranaki, but he fell and enabled Voltigeur II to score. Though there was an element of luck in the grey’s victory his great pluck and staying power shared largely in the victory. He broke down going ' through the trees for the last time, and it was his heart and Frank Burn’s careful nursing that carried him so far as the judge’s box. Once there he stopped completely, and got back to the paddock very lame indeed. The public gave the Lionel gelding a tremendous reception, and this was shared by Frank Burns, who rode an extremely well-judged race. How much he helped the old horse it would be difficult to say, but most certainly he kept Voltigeur on his feet when it appeared almost an impossibility for him to last out the distance.

Mr Jne Thompson is said to be one of those who lost over The Grafter’s City and Suburban win. He saved Syerla and laid £lO,OOO about The Grafter.

There are sixty-four New South Wales horses entered in the Melbourne Cup, and in the Caulfield Oup there are sixty-one hailing from New South Wales.

Democrat did not start in the Two Thousand Guineas. Diamond Jubilee was third favourite. Those preferred before the Prince of Wales’s colt were Elopement and Sailor Lad. Ambush 11, who won the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase for the Prince of Wales, was once sold for £4O, but after consideration the buyer would not take delivery owing to Ambush’s badly-shaped hocks. Such is luck !

The following dates have been fixed by the Napier Park Racing Club for next season’s fixtures:—Spring Meeting, 16 and 17 October; Autumn Meeting, 26 and 27 March ; Winter Meeting, 26 and 27 June.

The Winter Meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club takes place on Wednesday and Friday next week. Our Hawke’s Bay correspondent sends some interesting training notes about the doings of the local horses.

Messrs Barnett and Grant, the Christchurch and Dunedin bookmakers, have a £2OOO book open about the New Zealand Cup ; a £lOOO book about the New Zealand and Melbourne Cups double ; £5OO the Melbourne Cun straight out, and a £lOOO volume on the New Zealand Grand Nation Hurdles and Steeplechase.

Four lucky competitors succeeded in predicting the races selected for our £2O coupon. Their names and address will be found in another place. Our readers will find a coupon in this issue, for the Hawkes Bay Meeting, which takes place next week. Coupons have to be sent in to the office by Tuesday, so those who want the £2O must be quick and lively in making their selections.

I cull the following from a London Exchanges —Daughter : “ Yes, Henry calls here three night: every week, but I don’t think he means anything by it. He says he don’t take any stock in matrimony ! thinks a man is better off single, and is exceedingly cold, apathetic, and inattentive to me 1” Father : “ Great Scott I That shows he wants you the worst way ! He’s a horsdealer, you know I” The Age says a movement has been started among all the leading Victorian Racing Clubs of the north-east with the object of effecting an alteration in the present system of handicapping, whereby a handicapper well versed in the doings of provincial racehorses may be appointed for a term of years With this end in view a meeting of delegates representative of registered racing clubs is being convened. The movement is meeting with much appreciation.

Dingo again showed good form on Monday, and in the Tally Ho Steeplechase he ran a really good race. He has shewn at the recent meeting that he has got over that wildness that used to mark his demeanour in jumping, and if his trainer can keep the Sou’-wester gelding in the ame frame of mind he will have a very useful stake-earner. In Dingo’s race Straybird again jumped exceedingly well, and the pair made a good race for over two miles and a half. When he is more of a stayer Straybird will a good chaser. Messrs Barnett and Grant quote the following prices on the New Zealand Oup: —14 to 1, Explosion, Malatua, Seahorse, St Ilario; 16 to 1, Advance, Fulmen, Military, Renown, Record Reign, Miss Delaval, Tortulla; 20 to 1, Beddington, Cavalry, Conqueror, Dundas, Field Rose, Ideal, Nobility, Skobeloff. Vai Rosa, Tire; 25 to 1, Autaia, Apollo, Ben Farley, Jabber, Labourer, Lanotte, Paphos, Scottish Minstrel; 33 to I, Defoe, Djin Djin, Formula, Hengist, Hohoro, Materoa, Robert McCarthy, Romanoff, Strathnairn, Takapuna; 50 to 1, Frabricator, Kahawai, Woodstock ; 100 to 1, Rosiphele, Volley. At a recent meeting of the Jockey Club, England, Lord Durham informed the Club that an application had been received from the Chairman of the New Zealand Racing Conference, the ruling turf authority in New Zealand, to be included in the turf authorities having a reciprocal agreement with the Jockey Club for the mutual enforcement of sentences passed on offenders, and that the stewards thought the application should be accepted. A resolution agreeing to the request was passed unanimously The present war has done horse-breeders in Australia a good turn, enabling them to get rid of their stock readily, and at much better prices than would otherwise have been the case. At Alburylast week a sale extended over five days, 1342 horses being sold for a total of £8371 ss. Horses suitable for Indian remounts were in strong demand, selling at from £l7 to £35, but African remounts did not realise such good prices, going at from £8 to £l5. Ordinary saddle and station hacks sold from £5 to £9. It is’estimated that 500 horses, chiefly from New South Wales, were sold on the border last month, the amount realised by them being in the neighbourhood of £35,000. Mr Frank Macmanemin makes known in this issue of the Review that his jumpers Tim, by Woolbroker, and Volcano, by Torpedo, out of Maid of the Mountain, are for sale. His reasons for selling the jumpers —both are quite sound—are that he has decided to give up owning horses, and that for the future he will confine his whole attention to his training business. Tim is a wellknown performer, and Volcano is also wellknown to the racing public. The latter, who is only a five year-old, has shown good form over the big fences as well as over the small sticks. To those in search of jumpers—of which there is a scarcity' in the South Island—the opportunity to get hold of two reliable horses is a good one.

Tukapa will be offered by auction by Messrs Buckland and Sons on Friday.

That well-known sprinter and favourite of the Auckland public, St Clements, has retired to stud life. He has been purchased by Mr Henry Vine of Manaia, and journed down to New Plymouth by the Gairloch yesterday, Wednesday.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company held a sale of horses yesterday, Wednesday, when a lot of animals were brought in as the reserve was not reached. St Innis was bought by Mr W. T. Armitage for 21gns, and The Major was bought by Alex Williams for 19gns. Though Kaimate was rather unfortunate to miss the Great Northern Steeplechase, I think that if Cochrane had not made his run so soon, his mount would have had a better chance of getting over the stone wall. As it was, Kaimate was quite as done as Voltigeur 11, and the jump which has so often proved fatal to a seeming Great Northern winner, knocked the chestnut out.

Although the Carbine colts, Curezot and Quick Shot, have both won in England this season, they would appear to be only moderate animals. Subsequent to their successful performances, they both ran in the Craven Stakes (1 mile 22yds) at the Newmarket Craven meeting. This was a race confined to three-year-olds, and there were seven runners. Creuzot was backed at sto 1, but finished last, just behind Quick Shot, the winner turning up in Headpiece. Carbine will need something better than these two to bring him into repute with English breeders.

The Guard did not start in the Great Northern Steeplechase owing to an attack of influenza. Prosser’slgelding will hardly start in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, unless the attack was a very mild one Though his fall in the A.R.C. Grand National Hurdles in a measure spoilt the race, I do not think The Guard would ever have troubled Cavalier. The latter’s form was excellent, and far above what the Vanguard gelding bad done in public. Though the time was not fast, Cavalier won so easily that no account need be taken of the time he occupied.

A colt by Trenton from Polly Eccles by Beaudesert, won the Sanriown Park Stud Produce Stakes, for two-year olds, last April. The winner was bred and is owned by Mr Wilfr d Wilson, one of the owners of Wait a-bit, and on the dam’s side is related to Craig Miller, who won the St Leger in 1875. The Polly Eccles colt was sent to Island for change of air and grass after weaning. A yearling brother of his has been treated on the same principle, but will return to England again in time for the Oobbam sale. ,

The death, at Sydney, is announced of Mr Andrew Loder, a well-known sportsman, at the age of 74 years. He was once a prominent figure on the Australian turf, and for years was a breeder of Hood horses and pedigreed stock. In 1876 he had a strong team at work, among them being The D°an and Black Eagle, who carried off many good races. Besides these, such animals as Ginger, Hybla, The Cardinal, The Abbot, Prior, Prioress, and others raced in his colours.

Among the entries for the big Spring events is the English horse Orzil, says the Sydney Referee, who is now trained at Randwick by W. Duggan. As a two-year-old Orzil performed really well, winning the first five races in which he took part, but at three and four years he did not act up to anticipations, and before he left England he was regarded as a rogue. After his arrival here Mr Osborne used him for a time for station work, and then sent him to Randwick to be trained. Since he has been at headquarters Orzil has slipped over a few furlongs smartly enough to show that he has not entirely lost his dash, but on his most recent deeds on the English Turf the handicappers cannot do otherwise than treat him rather kindly. Early in his four-year-old career Orzil was given a trial over the hurdles, and was placed on a couple of occasions, but the last time he started was in a six-furlong selling race. He finished nearly last, the race being won by an unnamed two-year-old Melanion colt, with the ex-Australian Erl King in third place.JU Writing of the late Mr Donald Wallace “ Ribbleden,” in the Australasian, says * The name of Mr Donald Wallace, who died suddenly on Sunday, at Ba’lark, near Ballan, will be inseparably associated with Carbine, the winner of the Melbourne Cup of 1890. Mr Wallace’s acquisition of Carbine was a stroke of good fortune. Tradition and Carbine were put up for sale at the same time, and the excitement round the ring was intense. ‘Who’ll get Tradition ?’ ‘ Who’ll buy Carbine ?’ Mr Wallace was not anxious to possess Carbine —he wanted Tradition, who had just run second to his own horse Mentor in the Melbourne Cup; but he was outbidden. Tradition realised 3050 guineas; but Mr Wallace found ‘ consolation ’in Carbine, whom he secured for 3000 guineas. The lottery of buying horses I '.tradition proved worthless on the racecourse; Carbine, on the other hand, achieved great distinction, winning ' thirty-three races and £29,476 in stakes. Carbine’s victory in the Melbourne Cup, carrying lOst 51b, was an extraordinary performance, as he not only had to fight his way through a field of 30 horses, but ran the two miles in the record time of 3min 28|sec. The stake that year was worth £10,230, including a trophy valued at £l5O. The day will never be forgotten. When Carbine swept round the home turn with the race apparently in band the excitement of the spectators knew no bounds, and the cheers were repeated again and again. JCarbine’s was, indeed, a remarkable career; no horse ever won races under such difficulties, and it may be dpubted if his equal has ever been seen in the world " Carbine was subsequently * sold to the Duke of Portland for 13,000 guineas, but, although he bequeathed Wallace and Amberite to Australia,; his success at Wo beck has been far from phenomenal.

By the Gairlock on Wednesday the following horses returned to their respective homes :— The Guard, Shylock, Waylay. Tarrigan, Heart Whist, Silver Ray, Muscatel, Kaimate, Ths Friar, Sundial, Hautonga, and Bonus.

Possibly a theory will be propounded that the Epsom gradients are peculiarly suitable to horses bred in Australia (says “Terluga”). The history of the City and Suburban during the last three anniversaries lends itself to such an idea. In 1898 Newhaven II finished second to Bay Ronald, while in 1898 Newhaven 11, under the guidance of M. Cannon, secured the race from another colonial, Survivor. This season Cannon repeated his triumph on the Melbourne Cup winner, The Grafter, so that Australia has been well placed for three consecutive years.

Writing of the Randwick Meeting on June 2 , “ Umpire ” says :—“ In the Steeplechase Crusado, list 51b, Brokerage, list, and Taipo, lOst 101 b, all gave first class exhibitions of jumping, and made not the slightest mistake But for one contact with the timber Whitefoot II did equally well, the only bad performer in the five starters being Mist, who is getting roguish, and disinclined to face the jumps. He stuck up after jumping four of the obstacles. Taipo was in front neirly all the way, negotiating the obstacles as though it was no trouble to him. He was attended by the other three, and they gave altogether a most interesting display, so much so that Rand wick tteeplechases are likely to become popular if the standard can be kept up. Crusado beat Taipo home in the straight, staying it out better, but it was only a matter of Brokerage getting the course successfully. This he did, and of course had too much pace for the other two. Brokerage was well backed, and being the class of horse likely togdevelop into a really good fencer, he ought to be heard of again. He is bound to get a bit of weight to carry, but unless we are going to get some new blood in the cross-country ranks this will not be serious against the few modarates at the front just now.