Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 528, 6 September 1900, Page 11

Sporting Topics.

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Miss'Delaval has lately been troubled with her teeth, and has, in consequence, been indulged in paddock recreation. The Avondale Jockey Club has received splendid nominations for the various events to be > decided at the Spring Meeting, which commences on Saturday, the 15th inst. ' Lady Avon will be seen in the pony ranks this season. The Soult —First Love filly is nominated for tbe pony events at the Avondale Spring Meeting. Malster will probably find Hautboy his most formidable opponent in the A.J.C. Derby on Saturday. '■< First Whisper is looking really well just now. The pretty little St Andrew mare is in the pony races at Avondale. Lancaster, who has been favourably impressing’ the touts since his arrival at Band wick, has shortened to 100 to 14 for the Melbourne Cup. His form on Saturday will either make him a wanner favourite, or will cause him to recede in price. The Bangitikei Racing Club has received very fair nominations, for the principal flat races for the forthcoming Spring Meeting. The minor events have filled excentiy. i Vocalist has been backed for the Caulfield Cup. The Gozo-Carmen gelding has been supt ported to win £5OOO at 100 to 3 and 4. Vocalist has Bst 91b to carry in the Caulfield race, and jg Bst 7Jb in the Melbourne Cup. £ The programme for the Summer Meeting of & the Auckland Racing Club appears in this issue. Nominations for the Auckland Cup close on Frij day, September 28th. The Summer programme 'i will be dealt with in full next week. ■■ Nominations for the Handicap Hurdles, City Handicap, and Prince of Wales Handicap, run | at the Spring Meeting of the Auckland Racing I' close with Mr Percival on Friday, September 28.

Hova, the Auckland-bred horse by Ingomar out of Happy Land, has been sold for 290 gs.

Sea Fog, by Kirkham (son of Chester), won the High-weight Handicap, mile, at Newmarket on July 19. There were only four starters. Sea Fog carried Bst 71b, and went out second favourite at 7 to 4.

Rose of Wellington, by St Leger out of Fleurette, has foaled a filly to' Hotchkiss. The youngster is a full sister to True Blue and to Screwgun, who has lately departed for the Old Country.

Malatua has lately been accomplishing some very good work on the Riccarton tracks. Other Canterbury horses in the New Zealand Cup, Djin Djin and Conqueror, continue to please their trainers in their daily tasks.

The Master, who has been showing fair form over the schooling hurdles at Ellerslie, is entered for the hurdle races at the Avondale Meeting. He has furnished in a fine big horse, and should he jump well, may develop into a very fair hurdler.

The Waitara Jockey Club Committee has drawn up the programme for the Annual Meeting. The prize money amounts to £290, allocated to the seven events as follows : —Flying Handicap 50sovs, Hurdles 40sovs, Maiden Handicap 30sovs, Cup BOsovs, Clifton Stakes 25aovs, Welter Handicap 40sovs, and Final Flutter 25sovs.

Messrs Mills and McGuinness have sold Daystar to Mr J. McCarthy of Hawera. The Castor — Cissy horse left New Plymouth for his new home on Thursday last. Nothing definate has transpired as to the price paid, but rumour has it tha anything from £3OO to £4OO is somewhere near the actual price.

La Carabine will not be seen out at the A. J.O. Spring Meeting, and it is also rumoured that the mare will not fulfil her Melbourne Cup engagement. The reason given is that Sir Rupert Clarke has probably sold La Carabine to an English sportsman. It is known that an offer was made some weeks back.

At the Hawkesbury Racing Club’s Meeting held on Saturday last, the Hawkesbury Handicap resulted in the victory of Mr W. Duggan’s chestnut colt Butternut, a three-year-old by Eirispord out of Buttercup. Butternut, who started at 7 to 1, b.’at Rock of Ages by along head. Cyanide was third, and there were eight other horses in the race. Butternut, who ran the mile and aquarter and a hundred yards in 2min 21sec, is not engaged in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Writing of Lancaster’s visit to Sydney, a Victorian scribe says the horse will probably prove himself well up to weightfor age, and if he should manage to win against the cracks of New South Wales his Cup prospects must be greatly increased, as, according to the weight-for-age scale, he has a great pull in each handicap. On his recent form at Caulfield and Flemington, I fully expect the three-quarter brother to Trenton to have a successful meeting at Randwick. In the north of England, where rabbitcoursing is much in vogue, swift, well-trained dogs often win large sums in prizes. It is, therefore, little to be wondered at that the owners of these animals should bestow so much attention upon them. An old Yorkshire collier, well-known for hrs success in the coursing field, recently surprised all his mates by marrying a very unprepossessing woman. He had always been reckoned a confirmed hater of the other sex. “ Why has ta gone and got spliced, lad, at thy age ?” one of his friends asked him. “ Oh, that’s not much of a tale,” answered the old man, stolidly. “ I agree wi’ ye ’at Betsy wonder is no beauty—if she had been I shouldn’t have wed her. But there dog o’ mine, he was simply pinin’ for somebody to look after him while I was away at t’ pit. I couldn’t bear to leave him in the house by hissen, so I hit on the idea of marrying’ Betsy. She’s not handsome, but she’s mighty good company for the dog!” “Mazeppa,” in the latest Witness writes: — “ Smarting under the statement that 10 jockeys licensed in Otago had done no riding, and therefore came within the condemnation of useless hangers-on, the secretary of the D. J.C. wrote to the secretary of the Conference asking for a list of the names. Twenty were submit t ed. Mr Harry James forthwith searched the records and found that of these 20, no fewer than 13 had ridden last season. The mistake in one case can be accounted for. I refer to Mathie, whose name had been spelt Matrice in the calender Of course no Matrice could be found. But Mathie could, and it is not explained ho w his 17 mounts came to be overlooked, no credit being given to Otago for those rides. Then as to the others. One of the jockeys put down as an idler, rode in eight races, and several others in three or four. Further, with respect to the seven forming the remnant, it is unfair to ascribe laziness to them. I can testify that at least one of the seven took out a riding license as soon as he came here from the other side, his hope being to get at once to work, for which he was well recommended as to character and otherwise; but, unluckily for himself, he could not get a chance. Something could also be said for most of the other six, but I do not wish to go into details unless forced to. The present position is that the information has been forwarded to the Conference authorities, and I have no doubt that Sir George Clifford will so far amend hie statement as to do Otago justice. We are not raising a crowd of spielers and spurious jockeys.”

Mr Harry Piper has been appointed starter to the Dunedin Jockey Olub. Malster has arrived at Randwick, and will be a runner in the A.J.O. Derby. The whole of Mr J G. Ralph’s brood mares will this season be mated with Mr Thomas Morrin’s Musket horse Hotchkiss.

Mr J. G. Ralph’s brood mare Merry Kate, by Blairgowrie, has foaled a.very fine colt to the American stallion Gilead.

St Paul is favourite in what business has been done on the Avondale Cup He has been backed with Dayntree, Rosella, and Hohoro to win the double, Avondale Cup and Plumpton Handicap. Bluejacket has been doing good work on the Ellerslie training tracks during the past week. The Auckland Cup winner may be expected to run well at the Avondale Meeting. Sabreur has been taken in hand by the Rangitikei trainer, W. Homes. The Cuirassier — Martyr gelding has enjojed a lengthy spell, and should he stand the work, will probably be prominent over hurdles during the season. Messrs L. D. and, N. A Nathan’s brood mare Miss Rose, by Dreadnought—Miss Letty, has foaled a colt to Hotehiies. Miss Bose has grown into a fine stamp of mare, and I understand that the colt is an excellent youngster. Mr Gerald L. Peacock is a candidate for a seat on the Devonport Borough Council. Mr Peacock is a well-known gentleman, and should he be elected the ratepayers of the borough may depend upon being excellently served. The Committee of the Dunedin Jockey Olub met on Tuesday night to appoint a handicapper. Eleven applications were received for the position, and after a ballot Mr George Dowse was reappointed. Mr Dowse has served the D.J.O. faithfully and well for a number of years, and is entitled to congratulation upon his selection. The first-class county cricket championship in England has resulted in Yorkshire occupying the leading position. Lancashire comes second, Kent and Sussex (equal) third, Nottingham fifth, Warwickshire sixth, and Middlesex, Surrey, and Gloucestershire (equal) seventh. Banjitsinhji’s average for his county, Sussex, is 90. St Paul has been striding along really well in his work at Ellerslie, and the opinion is gaining ground that he will have to be reckoned with in the Avondale Cup Of course he may not be accepted for, but if he does go there will be be very few sportsmen at Avondale sorry to see him win.

Acceptances for the Avondale Jockey Club’s first day’s races close with the Secretary, Mr Harry Hayr, to-morrow (Friday). The races requiring the attention of owners and trainers, and the acceptances fees are as follows: —Maiden Plate, Isov ,- First Hurdles, Isov; Avondale Cup, ssovs; First Hack Handicap, Isov; Handicap Steeplechase, Isov; First Pony Handicap, Isov and Flying Stakes, Isov.

Dandy still remains a firm favourite for the Epsom Handicap. According to the cable his price on Tuesday was 100 to 16. Sequence, who was one of the early selections for the, race is now at 100 to 3. Ampier is quoted at 100 to 6, and Reviver figures at the same price. Alinga and Auld Lang Syne have been well supported, consequen’ly they have advanced to 100 to 7. Autine has retired to 100 to 2.

On Friday week, September 14th, nominations for the following races, to be decided at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting, close with the secretary, Mr F. D. Luckie, at the Criterian Hotel, Napier. October Handicap, First Hurdles, First Hack Handicap, Corinthian Stakes, Flying Handicap, and Spring Handicap. One sovereign for each race is the nomination fee.

The secretary of the Avondale Jockey Club has a notification in this week’s issue relative to totalisator advertisements for the forthcoming meeting. Telegrams sent] on the days of racing should be addressed to Avondale and those wired on other days should be sent to Auckland. Lancaster, for the Melbourne Cup, has been backed by an Auckland syndicate this week to win a £lOOO at 100 to 7. Altogether the Hotchkiss—Frailty colt has been backed by Aucklanders to win £2500.

The Wellington Racing Club has decided to extend its Summer Meetingjto three days. The dates fixed are January 22nd, 24th and 26th. This year the Wellington Cup will be worth 650 sovs, of whi ;h 500 sovs will go to the winner, 100 sovs to the second, and 50 sovs to the third horse. Following a good example the Wellington Racing Olub has decided to abandon the 5 per cent from stakes, so the prizes are more valuable to that extent this year. For the extia day the chief race will be the Port Nicholson Handicap, which has 300 sovs stake money.

Amongst our illustrations this week there is a portrait of Mr J. E. Thorpe, who has achieved a training triumph not often gained in a single season. He trained Mr Lou Harris’ Cavaliero, the winner of the North New Zealand Grand National Hurdlei Race, and has had the extreme satisfaction of winning the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Bace with Record Reign, the latter’s great deed is now Turf history. Last season was practically the first in which Mr Thorpe went seriously in for training jumpers. That he thoroughly understands the game is proved. Certainly he had excellent material to try his hand upon, but there is also the great fact that he turned out his charges in most excellent condition for their races. Mr Thorpe appears to have a very great chance of earniag further fame very shortly, for Record Reign has only to keep well to have a very great deal to do with the finish of the New Zealand Cup. Should the Castor gelding win the big race then Mr Thorpe will have accomplished a sort of Turf hat trick, very hard of emulation.

Messrs R. and B. Duder announce that their horse Waterloo, by Cuirassier, out of Hune, by Cap-a-pie—-Raupo, will stand the season at a fee of three guineas.

The two year-old brother to Hohoro, who, recently got away with the lad who was riding him and knocked himself about a bit, has visited tbe tracks again. I saw him at Ellerslie the other morning, and although his knees still bear evidence as to his injury he is otherwise all right again.

Mr E. J. Watt is sending Variety on a visit to Torpedo, and his private trainer, T. Quinlivan, jun, is mating Fleetwing, dam of Straybird and Bird-of-Passage, with the Musket stallion. 0. Jenkins has been engaged by Mr E. J. Watt to steer his representatives in their classic engagements during the present season.

Oyrenian’s first foals have seen the light of day. Chic by Howitzer —Fair Lilian has foaled a colt to the St Simon horse, and Minola by Cuirassier from Bianca has also produced a colt to Mr Leonard Marshall’s horse. Lady Hamilton by King Cole out of My Idea, who is on a visit to Cyrenian, has foaled a filly to Captain Webb. At the Spring Meeting of the Wellington Racing Olub, two hurdle races will be substituted for the two-year-old races on last season’s soring programme. The latter events did not attract a good nomination, and it is to be hoped that the alteration may be attended with the success desired. It seems rather a pity however, to abolish the two-year-old races, for there are more juveniles in the district than there have been for some time past, and there are plenty of owners outside Wellington who would nominate this season.

The Wanganui Spring Meeting will demand the notice of owners and trainers to morrow. Friday, September 7, for nominations are due with the Secretary, Mr F. Moffatt, for the following races : —Spring Handicap, First Handicap Hurdles, Flying Handicap, Owen Stakes, Second Handicap Hurdles, Wanganui Stakes, Marangai Stakes, Trial Hack Handicap, Handicap Hack Flat, Flying Hack, Final Hack, aud First and Second Hack Hurdles. The entry fee for each of the above races is 1 sov. All nominations reach Mr Moffatt by nine p.m. to-morrow (Friday) night. The programme appears in full in our advertising columns.

The following have been granted trainers licenses by the A. 8.0.: —E. J. Bae, W. Tozer David Morraghan, H. Barr, W. Gall, P. Conway, T. W. Cotton, sen., Dennis Morraghan, T. Taylor, T. Hodson, A. Williams, P. H. Chaafe, W. Hawkins, G, Wright, T. Ward, C. Weal, H. J. Hickton, R. Wheeler, H. French, J. W. Katterns, R. Thorpe, J. C. Booth, J. McHugh, J. B. Williamson, Frank Macmanemin, A. Byers, G. Duncan, C. W. Coleman, J. E. Thorpe, B. Nicholls, B. Hall, J. H. Howe, John Chaafe, G. H. Franks, Fred Stenning, W. Smith, W. Wilmot, W. Townsend.

The following have been granted jockeys* licenses by the Auckland Bacing Club:—J. Keats, F. McGuire, W. Bird, T. W. Cotton, jun., T. W. Cotton, sen., H. Tooman, J. Gallagher M. Byan, W. Gall, P.Conway, J.Frewen, T. Greenwood, J. Hooton, W. Smi h, T. Taylor, T. JHodson, A. Williams, F. Burns; J. Graham, C. Weal, J. Lindsay, H. Tate, J. Whitehouse, J. Quinton, H. Jones, A. Mitchell, H. Berry, D. Wright, J. Katterns, E. Abbott, J. Mclntosh, A. Julian, D Creamer, B. Deeley, H. Phillips, W. Whitelaw, S. Fergus, J. Wilson, H. Myers, L. Jellings, L. Morraghan, W, Ransom, G. T. Tighe, J. Dunlop, F. Howard, W. Mobberley, W. Satman, J. Chaafe, jun., G. Pennell, J. Stewart, W. Stewart, T. Hall, R. Hall. The Auckland Kennel Club’s Show was held on Friday and Saturday last in the big room above Aitkken’s old auction mart. The exhibition was a most successful one, for there were some very fine dogs on view, and competition was very keen. The executive officers worked very hard, and an extra special word of praise is due to Mr B. J. Parry, the Secretary of the Olub. Next week I shall have something to say.’ about the various exhibits, and shall also publish the judge’s report. Meanwhile, I may say that the Bull Dogs, Collies, and Gordon Setters were very good classes, and that excellent specimens of many other breeds were on view. Mr Freeman Lloyd judged all varieties, and I be-; lieve he gave general satisfaction. All round the show was in advance of former ..exhibitions, and there is no doubt about the strong position of the Auckland Kennel ClubMr Evett’s adjustments for the Avondale Meetings appear in this issue. At the first glance, in the Flying Handicap I like St Peter, Bst 71b, Winsome, Bst 51b, Vai. Rosa, Bst 51b, Kettledrum, Bst 31b, and Miss Blair, 7st 101 b. In the Pony Handicap, Nora, 7st 101 b, Clansman, 7st 111 b, and First Whisper, 7st 71b, appear to be well in, while Mara, 7st 91b, and Mimoa, 7st 51b, are not harshly treated on last year’s form. In the Hurdle Bace, Tim, list 21b,■> is well handicapped when compared with some below him. I see Mr George Bhodes’ Sultan is given 9st 61b. The oneeyed warrior has been hunted, so he ought to jump all right. Oannongate, lOst 101 b, has a chance. In the Steeplechase, Straybird, list 21b, reads well, and if he has recovered from his Southern trip, he should win. Volcano, list 41b, Dingo, list 41b, and Kowhai, lOst, are not badly treated. In the Maiden Plate St Blyn, 7st 101 b, Balbirnie, 7st 61b, and Perseverance, 7st. The acceptances for these races are due tomorrow (Friday).