Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 515, 1 November 1900, Page 11

Sporting Topics.

By

Petronel.]

Melbourne Cup next Tuesday. Ingliston only cost Mr J. Leek 50 guineas. Seahorse is seratched for the Melbourne Oup. Tortulla eased towards the end of last week for the New Zealand Oup. That very useful nag Pinepinetekura scored a double at the Poverty Bay Meeting last week. Joe Gallagher rides Ideal in the New Zealand Cup on Saturday. Severity was on Friday and Saturday backed for the Melbourne Oup to win a lot of money. Coronet galloped a mile fast on Saturday morning. The Castor horse moved in very good style, but his time was not extra good. Dan McLeod left Auckland on Thursday for Christchurch. During his absence Charlie Fenton will transact business on his behalf. Mr Thomas Morrin’s Englishbred brood mare Suhningdale, by Hampton from Sallyport, has foaled a filly to Musketry. Whitirea won three races at the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s Spring Meeting held last Thursday and Friday. It is stated that Mr Leslie Macdonald was offered 2000 guineas for Kinglike before the Caulfield Cup came up for decision. The profit made by the Victoria Amateur Turf Club over the recent Spring Meeting amounted to £2700. Lancaster is again first favourite for the Melbourne Oup, with Merriwee and Severity level for the position of second choice. War God, Severity, Lancaster, Tarquin, La Carabine, and Merriwee are a likely lot to supply the winner of the Melbourne Oup.

At Mangere Mr J. Lennard’a Ida, by King Cole —Bragela, and Dorothy, by The Dauphin— Bragela, have given birth to fillies by Seaton Delaval.

A commission for Skobeloff to the extent of £lOOO was worked in Auckland on Friday. When the full amount had been laid the price of the Stepniak gelding was 8 to 1. Inglistpn’s dam Ohakwa is by '.Richmond from Contest by Tregeagle. The winner of the Caul field Cup was bred by Mr J. O. Inglis, who owned Malua.

Bellman is reported to be in very fair form, and it is considered more that likely that the Tetford gelding will win a hurdle race at the Spring. Meeting of the A.B.C. It is pleasing to record that Mr E. H. Skipworth’s charge, Evening Wonder, was successful in both hurdle events at the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s gathering last week. At Mr Leonard Marshall’s One Tree Hill Stud Farm, Irma by Neckersgat—Perhaps, has produced a filly to Cyrenian, and Pit-a-Pat, by Bupert out of Footprint, has foaled a filly to Eton.

Mr J. O. Evett will declare the handicaps for the first days’ racing at Coromandel on Saturday, November 10th.

At the Cavan —Ireland—Steeplechase Meeting, held recently, a jockey named F. Mason was up on the winner of each of the five races on the day’s programme. Nominations for the Wellington Bacing Club’s North Island Challenge Stakes to be run at the Autumn Meeting, 1901, close with Mr H. M. Lyon to-day (Thursday), November 1. There are signs that Finland will not be a starter in the V B.C Derby. He has weakened in the betting, and it is probable that he is suffering from the complaint that knocked Seahorse out —influenza.

In consequence of his good work in the early morning on Saturday, Malatua supplanted Tortulla as first favourite for the New Zealand Cup. The Malua horse advanced to 3 to 1, while Tortulla went back to 4 to 1.

On Saturday morning at Flemington Severity galloped two miles in 3min 48sec. The effort pleased the onlookers immensely, and good judges declare that the gallop was the best accomplished on the track for some years.

La Gloria has been responsible for some rattling good work on the training tracks recently. On Saturday morning she compassed a mile in really excellent style. She should run well forward in the Prince of Wale’s Handicap on November 9th.

On Saturday, morning Malatua, with Dundas for a companion, did a good mile and a-half gallop at Biccarton The pair got to the end of the journey in 2min 38sec, Malatua finishing strongest. . This gallop is said to be the fastest so far shewn this season.

Last week Messrs B and B. Duder reported the following foalings: —Miss Stead, by Leolinus—Miss Laura, a filly to Cuirassier ; Hune, by Cap-a-pie—Baupo, a filly to Cuirassier; and Lady Agnes, by Nelson —Sister Agnes, a colt to Cuirassier.

The reason given for Kinglike’s unaccountable display in the Caulfield Cup is that he was troubled with a fit of the sulks. He never would take hold of his bit at any part of the journey. While his form was disheartening to the noble army of backers, it was very disappointing to his party., . From some reports it would appear that Materoa was lame after the Napier Park Meeting. On the other hand, one who ought to know everything concerning the Torpedo filly avers that there is nothing whatever the mattsr with her, and that she is a sure starter in Satur: day’s race. ‘

Mr J. T. Byan’s two year-old colt Nonette has been getting through creditable work at Ellerslie, and he is expected to hold his own at the forthcoming meeting. The Mangere youngster Maroon and Gold has also been shaping well, and as the latter will have the gelding allowance a battle royal is expected when the two meet.

Mr Alfred de Groen was on Wednesday night last admitted a bookmaking member of Tattersail’s Club. Mr de Groen was for a year clerk to Mr B. Cleland, and then acted in the same capacity for a twelvemonth to Mr Dan McLeod. He is well-known and liked, and ought to succeed in his nev( vocation.

Nominations for the Jackson Stakes, 1902 and 1903, close with Mr F. Moffat, the Secretary of the Wanganui Jockey Club, on Friday, November 2. For the 1902 race entries will be taken for present yearlings and upwards. For the race in the following year entries of foals of 1900 will close on Monday, Aprill 22, next year. No money is required at the time of entry. The race is a valuable one —the - winner gets 400 sovs, the second horse 75 sovs, and the third 25 sovs— — so there should be a good number of entries.

On Tuesday next Mr Mussell Fleetwood, the Secretary of the Taranaki Jockey Club, will receive entries for the Summer Meeting for Hacks, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, December 26 and 27. The races requiring attention on Tuesday are the following : —First Hurdles, Second Hurdles, Christmas Handicap, Ladies’ Purse, First Welter, Second Welter, Flying Handicap, Maiden Handicap, Electric Handicap, Summer Handicap, and Moturoa Handicap. The entry fee in each case is one pound.

On Wednesday in next week, November 7, Mr B. H. Wynyard, the Secretary of the Takapuna Jockey Club, will receive nominations for all events to be run at the forthcoming Spring Meeting. The races requiring attention from owners and trainers are the following :—Trial Handicap, Maiden Hurdles, St Andrew’s Handicap, Cambria Handicap, First Hurdles, Pony Handieap, First Hack Handicap, Cheltenham Handicap, Stanley Handicap, Second Hurdles, Spring Handicap, Second Hack, Second Pony, Handicap Steeplechase, Oautley Handicap, and Welter Handicap. The nomination fee in each race is one sovereign. Glanders, contracted from a horse, was the cause of the death recently in America of Lyman E. Albee, 51 years of age, and a son, Wallace, 18 years of age, lies at the point of death from the same disease. While Mr Albee was in camp with the 2nd Brigade at Framingham his horse became ill, and the attending veterinary treated the animal. The horse being unfit for service, was sent to Fitchburg, where a veterinary pronounced the trouble glanders. Thinking a great deal of the animal, Mr Albee resolved to attempt a cure himself, and, assisted by his son, he ap plied poultices to the swollen glands and relieved the sufferings of the animal in every way possible. Some of the virus must have entered his system though a slight cut or bruise, for Mr Albee became ill, and death resulted. His son was also striken at the same time, and his recovery is doubtful.

Mr John Leek’s cheque for Ingiiston’s win in the Caulfield Cup amounted to £2OOO. The Otahuhu Trotting Club is giving £590 in stakes at the forthcoming Spring Meeting. On Monday the following horses were withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup: Belemnite, Lord Cureton, Strathjoy, and Holster. Finland, Ampier, Oberon, Seaport, and Rritish Admiral, have been withdrawn from all engagements at the V.B.C. Spring Meeting. Melbourne Ptinch says that the first Adams sweep was when Adam swept out the mia mia for Eve-

Entries for the Auckland Agricultural Show close on Friday, November 2nd, with the secretary, Mr Edwin Hall.

It is argued that the severe go he had with Seahorse in the Eclipse Stakes quite knocked Kinglike up. Hautboy’s leg has filled. It is anticipated that the colt will not stand another preparation, as the injury from which he is suffering is so severe.

The Victoria mare, Disfigured, has been retired from racing, and is to be mated with Havoc, the well performed son of Nordenfeldt and Frailty.

Lancaster did a very useful gallop over two miles on Monday morning at Caulfield. The Hotchkiss colt was on that day a firm favourite for the Melbourne Cup at 6 to 1. The Auckland Bacing Club invites tenders for the erection of a new jockey’s stand, lavatories, etc. Mr A. P. Wilson will receive tenders until noon on Monday next, November sth

La Carabine got into a bit of a scrimmage as the Caulfield Cup field ran along by the railway cutting. But for the mishap some good judges incline to the opinion that she would have gone very close indeed. Prosser’s team for the 0.J.0. Metropolitan Meeting, consisting of Advance, Tortulla, Ostiak, Boreas, Fashion, Gobo, Sentry, and Whitney, left Wellington for Lyttelton on Friday. Trotting at Potter’s Paddock on Saturday, the first day of the Auckland Trotting Club’s Spring Meeting. Given fine weather there should be a large attendance to witness the sport, which promises to be very interesting. Previous to Kinglike’s record of 2min 22sec in the Eclipse Stakes, the previous best Australasian time for the distance was accomplished by Aristocrat, who covered the eleven furlongs at Rosehill in 2min 22|sec. This was in 1888. Aristocrat carried 9st.

The famous St Albans’ Estate will be offered at auction by Messrs Yuille and Co, on Wednesday, November 7th, the day after the Melbourne Oup is decided. A great deal of money has been spent upon the place, and is now one of the bestequipped stud farms in the colonies. Old Whikawatea is still able to cope with the best of them. At the Sydney Turf Club’s Meeting, on October 20, he won the Stockbridge Handicap, six furlongs, from 17 others. Whakawatea carried the welter weight of 10st 51b, and got over the three-quarters of a mile in Imin 16eec.

To-morrow, Friday November 2nd, Mr W. Percival will receive acceptances for the following races, to be decided at the forthcoming Spring Meeting of the A. 8.0. : President’s Handicap, Shorts’ Handicap, Hunt Club Steeplechase, Hunt Club Hurdles, Flying Handicap, Pony Handicap, and Farmers’ Handicap Steeplechase.

The Spring meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club was a highly successful gathering. The weather was fine on both days, the public attended in large numbers, and the fields were better than usual. Consequently the totalisator was well patronised. During the Meeting the machine totalled £3806. Last year the receipts reached £2731, so the increase of £1075 must be very satisfactory to the P.B.T. Club’s Executive. Leeholme, by Haut Brion out of Etra Weenie, and therefore a half-brother to Merriwee, is said to be a promising two-year-old at Bandwick. The youngster made his first appearance in the Tyro Stakes the other day. He was ridden by Jack Gainsford, but was unable to run into a place, though he got a good start. The colt is well grown, and probably when he has had more practice at the game will give a better showing. Mr Corrigan has written to a friend at Hawthorne saying that he will keep his horses in England this winter, and race next season. He is coming back to America for a visit this winter, but his stable will be left in charge of Wishard. Mr Corrigan arrived on the other side too late this summer to accomplish much, as it takes some time to get American horses acclimatised there, and he has not been able to do anything in the racing line, although he has one of the strongest stables he ever owned. The fact that he has taken out a trainer’s license from the English Jockey Club lends colour to the story that he has disposed of all his interests in the California tracks.

The other day the people of Waiorongomai gave Mr Walter Dyer, the host of the Waiorongomai Hotel, an “ introductory ” social. The welcome was very hearty. Mr Glen Lewis was in the chair. He spoke in high terms of Mr Dyer, and urged that the townspeople should give the new proprietor a cordial reception. In speechmaking, songs, and music a very joTy evening was spent. The hotel is undergoing considerable alterations, and many improvements are to take place. The commercial visitors will be looked after in a thorough manner, new stables are to be put up, and in every way possible the requirements of travellers will be studied. Some fifty people were present, and everbody extended the right hand of good fellowship to Mr Dyer.

Une of tne clearest of the marvellously clear pictures shown by the British Biograph Company at the Auckland Opera House, during the past week, was that of H.B.H. the Prin.ce/of Wales’ stallion, Persimmon. The horse is seen in a paddock with grooms leading other horses in the distance. Persimmon catches sight of these and prances and capers about just as a high-spirited horse would do. The picture is excellent in every detail, and never failed to evoke enthusiastic applause whenever exhibited. The Coromandel Racing Club holds its Spring Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, November 21 st and 22nd. Nominations close with Mr Billing at Coromandel, or Mr H. Hayr, Vulcan Lane, Auckland, to-morrow, Friday, November 2nd. The races for which entries will be received are as follows: —Maiden Plate, First Hurdles, Second Hurdles, Pony Handicap, Coromandel Oup, Opitonui Handicap, Hauraki Handicap, Tokatea Handic-p, Royal Oak Handicap, Hack Handicap, Coromandel Racing Club Handicap, Second Pony Handicap, Goldfields Handicap and Welter Handicap. Father details may be ascertained by a glance at our advertising columns. TfiiTpulling down of the old Opera House has occurred at a most inopportune time for the guy-a-whack spielers who, at this time of the year, infest that part of Bourke Street, on the look-out for clients (says Melbourne Sporting Judge. In times past the frafernity had a splendid vestibule, in which they could take investors, and there lay them whatever goods or whatever price they wanted, and then strengthen their bonafides by inviting their customers up to “ my club rooms,” as they called it, but which was nothing more nor less than the cafe bar connected with the licensed portion of the old theatre. On Tuesday in next week, November 8, the sale of the Elderslie yearlings by Messrs Pyne and Co, at lattersall’s Horse Bazaar, Christchurch, should cause an immense amount of interest. The Stepniak and Gipsy Grand youngsters ouiht to command plenty of attention, especially just now when Stepniak horses have been doing very well, and when some of the Gipsy Grand two-year-olds are shaping with an excellent promise. 1 think the value of the Elderslie bred youngsters is beginning to be understood, and I hope that Mr J. F. Reid will have to be congratulated upon by far the most successful sale he has ever had. From all accounts the yearlings to be offered next week ai*e all round a good lot. They are strong, healty, and well-grown, and they possess undoubted good looks. The best blood obtainable runsffiin the veins of the inmates of the Elderslie Stud, therefore the youngsters, given health and strength, ought to shine anywhere.

“Javelin” writes : —•“ The much discussed ‘ honorary stewards ’ question was brought into pro ninent and unsatisfactory notice at Sandown Park last week. Amongst the 10 starters for the Suburban Handicap were Victory and Liberty, two recent winners over the distnace; indeed the continued success of the former had lately been quite a marked feature of suburbau racing. On form neither was over burdened with weight, and yet while the horses stood at the pjst stentorian voiced members of the ring were bellowing ‘2OO to 2 against Victory or Liberty ’! In that field of J 5 they finished ninth and tenth respectively, *. e honorary stewards, who ‘ censured ’ t < ner and rider of Liberty, never even asked too Victory folks for an explanation. Under tuch supervision (!) how is it possible for the turf to be kept clean? The chairman of the V.B.C. was present, and if what he witnessed failed to co wines him of the necessity for some reform in the appointment of stewards for suburban meetings, then all I can say is the Victorian Turf is in a bad way”. The Northern Wairoa Bacing Club will hold its Summer Meeting at Mangawhare on Wednesand Thursday, December 26th and 27th. For the open events on the two days, the sum of £3OO is provided in stake money. The Northern Wairoa Cup, one mile and a-half, is the chief race for decision on the first day. The Hurdles, Maiden, Gumdiggere’, and Stewards’ Handicaps are each worth 20 sovs, while the Flying has 15 sovs added money.. On the second day, the Kaipara Cup, one mile and a-quarter, with a stake of 40 sovs will be one of the chief attractions. The Northern Wairoa Steeplechase, to be run over a course of about three miles has 35 sovs prize money. This is a race sure to attract considerable attention from owners, and the public always delight in a steeplechase. The particulars of the programme appear elsewhere in this issue. A (perusal will satisfy owners and trainers that the Northern Wairoa people are catering in a substantial manner for them. Nominations for all events close with the secretary, Mr F. L. Beart, on November 22nd. ” Asmodeus,” in the The Leader, thus refers to two lately deceased Tasmanians :—“ It was with feeling of unfeigned regret that racing men in this colony received the news of the death of the well-known Tasmanian handicapper, Mr P. G. Monaghan. For many years he was a familiar figure at all the principal meetings at Flemington and Caulfield, and frequently made flying visits to the less important ones. He was highly esteemed by all grades of the racing community because of his genial disposition, unassuming manner, and the possession of other attributes which constitute a popular sportsman. And that poor “ Pat ” Monaghan was popular goes without saying. For many years he contributed to the sporting press in Tasmania, and made for himself a reputation as an able writer on turf subjects, being particularly strong on pedigree, of which he was a recognised authority. I know of no man who had fewer enemies than Mr Monaghan, whose recent demise has removed from the Tasmanian turf one of its oldest and most prominent identities. Almost simultaneously with the death of Tasmania’s leading handicapper came the news of another island sportsman who has ‘ crossed the bar,’ in Mr John Field, the well-known breeder, of the Oalstock stud, which made itself famous by flending forth such celebrities as Malua, Sheet Anchor, Stockwell, Meteor, Mozart, Anchorite and others.

There are twenty-nine horses left in the Melbourne Cup.

The last mare to foal at the Sylvia Park Stud —Oharente, by Nordenfeldt—La Dauphin—has foaled a filly to Seaton Delaval.

Ideal, the Hon J. D. Ormond’s New Zealand Cup representative, has not been pleasing the touts at Riccarton very highly.

Coronet and Bellman are fancied candidates for the Prince of Wales’ Handicap and the Handicap to be decided on the opening day of Auckland Racing Club’s Spring Meeting.

Bluejacket has been doing very fair work since the last issue of the Review. Bluejacket, Coronet, La Gloria, and The Needle have been selected with various horses in doubles for the Prince of Wales Handicap and Hurdle Race.

Owing to the very heavy weather very little walk of any kind was accomplished at Ellerslie on Tuesday morning. Most of the trainers gave their charges steady pacing and a number of horses were walking on the roads.

Owing to the break-down of the wires nothing concerning the training work at R'.ccarton .on Tuesday morning has come to hand. At Christchurch Tortulla is again favourite for the Cup, her price being 2 to 1, while Malatua is quoted at 4 to 1.

During the next week there should be some interesting wo r k at Ellerslie if the weather holds up. At the time of writing the meteorological outlook is anything but promising, and it is to be feared that the tracks will be very heavy for the next few davs. There is a possibility, therefore of many of our horses being a bit short of work for the A.R.O Spring Meeting.

On Friday next, November 2nd, Messrs John Churton and Co will sell by auction the privileges in connection with the Spring Meeting of the Auckland Racing Club. The rights to be sold include the booths, cards, and refreshment stalls. As there is abundant promise of an excellent Meeting, the demand for the privileges should be large and the competition should be keen.

A New York writer says the cautioning of the American jockey Rigby by the English stewards did not surprise anyone knowing that youth in his own country. It is a rather strange fact that all the boys graduating from, or spending much time at the less important western and southwestern American tracks, are inclined to take chances, and smash through a crowded field without compunction. This roughness and undesirable daring is one of the first things the boy from these sections has to “learn to forget.” Even then it crops up occasionally, as in the Rigby case.

In winning the Alexandra Plate at Doncaster last month, a four year-old horse named Avidity put up an English record for a mile and a-half. He carried 7st 121 b, and ran the distance named in 2min 30 4 sth sec. The official time was verified by several other clockists, so, provided the distance was correct, Avidity accomplished a remarkable performance. The time recorded at the meeting were fast all through, Diamond Jubilee winning the Leger (If mile 132yds) in 3min 9 l-sth sec; the three year-old filly Winkie winning the Rufford Abbey Plate, 2 miles, in 3min 27 2-sth sec; while Royal Flush, with 9st 61b on his back, won a mile race in a canter in lmin 38 4-sth sec.