Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, August 21, 1902. Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 605, 21 August 1902, Page 12

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, August 21, 1902. Sporting Topics.

Pampero and Canteen are reported to be doing well at Wingatui. • • * • It is anticipated that Sir Leonard will play a prominent part in some of the Australian Spring Meetings. * * * * The Committee of the V.li.C. has intimated that it intends to strictly enforce the rule prohibiting jockeys from* betting in the future. « c • * . Chief has now ran second in the Caulfield Grand National Hurdle jßace twice in succession. The last hurdle in both races brought al.out his defeat. Sequin, who is a candidate for the Epsom Handicap, to be fun at Handwick, is not likely to strip as good a horse this year as he did last 'year when he won. * * 2 ❖ # I'he crack jockey of New South Males. I'. ,Kuhn, has been granted a jockey’s license this year. The Australian Jockey Club when first asked postponed the consideration of Kahn’s application. ■’ H-’ * * * ’ The Lochicl horse Survivor ran third in a couple of races in England about the beginning of last month. ,Tn one he looked all over a winner, when he suddenly cut it. When racing in Austra-. lia he .was game 1 enough, but in • hlngland has gained the reputation of ; b.eing a rank quitter. - s - . ■ ■ • • ' • ' • • ' . ■ • - • . '-Z ... z ,-j - ■’ ■ ■ ■ A'"-

The investigations into -the Major Robin-Fancy Free case have resulted in the New Zealand Trotting Association disqualifying R. Post for life.

Mr A. Miller, on August 4, purchased Metalloid, who, it was said, lost the Caulfield Grand National Hurdle Race through had luck, for .160 guineas.

The English horse Sir Foote is to get a fair chance at, the stud in Australia. Among the mares to bo mated with him this season are Etra-Weenie, Diflidence, and Range.

At the. last meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association the chairman said that he had been in communication with people in Wellington regarding the case of Wenlock, and he expected further particulars in due course.

’.Lord Cureton, by Hotchkiss —Lady ■ Cureton, who was purchased as a yearling at Wellington Park, * recently changed hands in Melbourne for 75 guineas. His new owner is Mr J. R. Henry. ‘

i M. Mooney, by winning both the Victorian “ National ” Hurdle Races in the one season, has emulated the deeds -of ’J. Scobie in 1882, R. Batty in 1883, A. Ferguson in 1885, and J. E. Brewer -iii 1895.

. They have in Sydney a racehorse • named T.M.S., who has distinguished himself by doing nothing else but run second in Faces. . The horse was named after the politiciaii T. M. Slattery, • but a wag . now suggests that the 'letters stand for too many seconds.

L C. Cooper, who occupied thirteenth place, (the devil’s numbef) in the list of winning horsemen on the flat in Vicl Storia ’ for last racing season, has been ■risked to "call again” in two months’ time 'for his license to ride during the ■period commencing on August J, 1902, and ending on July 31, 1903.

,■ Examined before the Registrar in Bankruptcy, in New South Wales, by his official assignee (Mr L. T.' Lloyd) on August 5, John M'Ginley, of Miller’s Point, who sequestrated his estate on July 28, 1892, stated that he never got a certificate, and that he owed only two debts —one to a Mrs M'Clafferty, who got judgment against him for £29 for board and lodging, and £2 to another woman also for board and lodging. He recently won £225 in a Chinese lottery, and put it in the Barrack-street Savings Bank. He neglected to tell Mrs M'Clafferty that he had won the money ; his other creditor was dead. ' He had instructed his solicitor to apply for a ..release of his estate.

The well-known Victorian owner and trainer, Mr J. Wilson, jun., evidently has a poor opinion of the majority of those individuals who race horses in Australia, and he is not afraid to say so. At a meeting of the members of the Geelong Racing Club it was proposed that the summer mee ting should extend over two days, and in opposing this motion Mr Wilson said : “ Tn days

gone by, when true sportsmen patronised the turf, such a scheme would be possible, but it was out of the question now. The majority of those who follow the sport are ' gentlemen guns.’ Opt of all the owners in Australia, only about fotur run their horses purely for sport, and the others are, like myself, on business bent.” / - Even without the totalisator the Victorian racing clubs appear to prosper. At the annual meeting of the Victorian Racing Club, Mr Septimus Miller {remarked : " The Turf was never in a better or more sound condition than it was at present. Close upon £5OOO had been added to stakes at head-quar-ters, making a total for the year of £37,295; or £lO,OOO more than was given by any other club in Australia. ' Add to this owners’ sweepstakes, and there was a total close on £50,000. This prosperous condition of things not only existed with the V.R.C., but a return had been prepared, which showed that the stakes paid away by all chafes of the State reached the grand total of £lOO,OOO. The Turf, too, it might be said, was never in a ‘ cleaner ’ condition. The sport had been good, the fields of horses well maintained, and no cases of dishonest running of a serious nature had been reported to the V.R.C. committee. Most of the meetings had resulted in a profit. There was. as usual, the exception of the Autumn Meeting, but while the V.R;C. had the means owners need never fear of any reduction being made in stakes. The Distressed and Disabled Jockeys’ Fund noi# amounted to £BOOO, well invented- During the year £BlB had been disbursed. The jockeys, as a rule,” he remarked, " had no other means to depend upon when injured, and it was indeed very gratifying to see so much money at commar J ■ ■. ■ . . ?. '• • ; '■ ■■■ ■ ' '■ ■ .

Mr Donald McKinnon intends to send his mares Dreamland, Pikau, Rapid, and Senga to Cyrenian, at Cambria Park, this season.

Thus “ Sporting Life ’’ : —“ A temporary illness Ims prevented the head of oiir great Empire from enjoying much that he has anticipated in the way of racing, but may he live long to see Ascot still more glorious than it is.” And so say all oi us.

'The Australian racing statistics for ' the past season results in Trenton being found at the top of the list with £11,843, won by four horses, who accounted for 19 races. In this there was the Melbourne Cup, won by Revenue, and the Sydney Cup, won by Makeful. Gozo, who , always gets a prominent place, is second with £11,283 ; but he had 28 winners to act for him, who won 63-o- races. Grafton, the Widdon sire, promises to score still more heavily next season. ’He is third for that just closed, with £8285, as a result of the successes of 20 horses, who won 44 races. Lochiel is a good fourth, and then in order follow Metal, Bill of Portland, The Admiral, Wallace, Padlock, Pilgrim’s Progress, Fax- Niente, and the English sire Sir Hugo, who got on the list through Sir Foote’s successes.

It has been finally settled that stipendiary stewards shall be installed for the metropolitan racing district of New South Wales (states the Sydney “Referee,” of August 13). This decision was arrived at by the A. J.C. committee on Thursday last, and during £his i week the matter of details for carrying the new departure into effect will be considered. The scheme will entail expense, but between a number of clubs it will be nothing considerable. The cost will be divided among those concerned. No doubt after the matter of the new appointments has been fully gone into prompt action will be taken. Rumour has been busy with the names of men likely to be requested to act, but it is quite likely there will be disappointment when the selection is made. There will be none on the part of the sporting public if independent, capable, and impartial stewards can be found. If so. the sport is sure to benefit as a result.

A special arrangement for insuring jockeys against accident or death whilst following their profession has been proposed in Adelaide, and, it is said, is likely to find favour with the racing bodies in that State. There will be no objection to such a scheme, if it can be carried out without too much strain (upon the pockets of those concerned, and the idea is well worthy of consideration. Jockeys run considerable risks, and when laid by as the result of accidents do not get too much out of the fund kept for that purpose. Those not well-off must, therefore, , be considerably pinched for funds until they have undergone repairs, and a provision by which they would be entitled to assistance seems (o be a wise one. ■■ The payment of a fixed sum in case of fatal injuries is just as much to be recommended, for most jockeys, like other people, have relatives more or less dependent on them. An Accident Insurance Company in Adelaide has submitted a scheme which would require the payment of a premium of £l2 12s for each day’s racing, to be paid by the dribs on - a three. years contract. I Jockeys would be entitled to a payment of 30s a week whilst incapacitated by accident (with a twelve months’ limit), and £2OO would be available in Case of a fatal accident to any authorised representative. Some such scheme seems to be advisable, if it can be found workable without too much difficulty or any undue strain in finding the cost of it. *,» * *

The A.J.C. licensing committee has decided upon making a distinction in the licensing of trainers. Only trainers who have suitable stables —either their own or rented—will be permitted to train at Randwick. Anyone making application will have to satisfy the committee on this point. It is thought in this way to improve the status generallv of trainers at headquarters, and check the overcrowding of the tracks with horses. It is found necessary to limit the trainer’s operating at ‘ Randwick, and if possible reduce their numbers. Trainers unable to satisfy the committee in regard to the pretensions and accommodation of their premises will be licensed to train on other courses. Tn the case of trainers bringing horses to Sydney to be raced at A. J.C. meetings, they will be granted permits to work at Randwick, but trainers visiting the metropolis to race horses _at any of the suburban meetings will not have this privilege extended to them. A similar rule, if introduced in Auckland, would have a disastrous effect, as the number of high-class stables could be calculated on of one hand.

Canuongate’s form at Riccarton was a big disappointment to Aucklanders, as was, also that of Cavaliero.

Onewa has been struck out of his spring engagements. He is a big colt, and his owners have determined to give him time.

Mr Albert- Miller’s fail are to get a seat on the V.R.C. committee is attributed to the fact that he opposes the totalisator. 'This suggests that the advent of the machine in Victoria is not as far off as some of the ringmen could wish.

The State of New York has just distributed among county and agricultural societies the sum of 162,000 dollars, to be offered as premiums at the Iminor fairs this year. Nearly 1.00,000 dollars of this sum was derived from the tax on running and trotting races.

* * * * That good-looking mare, Sparkling Water, by St. Hippo—Waitemata, will be submitted for sale at the Haymarket on Friday next. Sparkling Water is being sold to close a partnership account. Her performances last season shows that she can gallop.

Fairly satisfactory entries were received last Friday for the three principal events of the Avondale Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting, the Avondale Cup, and the Plumpton Handicap. There are 23 in the Cup, Nonette being one of the number, but there are very few strangers from outside districts. There are 24 in the Plumpton Handicap, while the Flving Handicap boasts of 20.

Auckland horses played a prominent part in, the C. J.C. National Meeting, and local punters had reason to re-, joice, while our bookmakers had jJast as good reason to lament. Haydn, the winner of the Steeplechase, and Tresham, who annexed the Hurdle Race, were well backed here. Scotty was a strong tip for the Winter Cup, but i,t appears that he got blocked in that race. However, he was well supported on the second day for the Islington Handicap, ’which he won. *.# * *

That popular rider, J. Gainsford, returned to Auckland by the Elingamite on Tuesday, and describes his passage over as the roughest ride he has ever experienced. Gainsford, according to his usyal custom, wintered in Sydney, but did not do much riding. The general class ‘•of horses in Australia this year he considers to be very much below the average, there not being more than half-a-dozen in Sydney that are worthy of consideration. Two horses that he has a good word for are Abington, engaged in the A.J.C. Epsom Handicap, and The Idler, engaged in the Metropolitan. .Australia is not what it was when Gainsford piloted Biingebah in the prosperous times, the land having been impoverished by the dreadful drought. Mutton at 8a per lb, and dry as a board, made Gainsford glad to get back; to the green l a nes and fields of Elletslie.

The race for .■ the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase run on August 9, and won by- > Colonel Shilinski is thus described by an Australian Exchange < —Betting ■ 4 to 1 against Royal Mail, 5 to 1 Error, 7 to 1 Colonel Shilinski, 8 to 1 T.C., 12 to 1 Bay Eagle, 14 td 1 Marydale, Young Creswick, and Kiota, 16 to 1 Mystery, 20 to 1 Isis. T.C. Ted off from Mystery and Isis. The latter led over the first treble from Bay Eagle, Error, Rawdon Colonel Shilinski, Royal Mail, T.C.. Mystery, and Coat of Arms. Royal Mail took up the running along the back from Isis,. Tasman, Error, Rawdon, ' Colonel Shilinski, Kiota, -Bay Eagle, Marydale, and Drummer. Over the treble the second time Tasman showed the way to Royal Mail. Error, Colonel Shilinski, Drummer, and Bay Eagle. The last named raced to the front along the back, . attended by Royal Mail,Tasman, Error, Drummer, Colonel Shilinski,. Isis, Kiota, and Mvstery.. At the sod wall Bay. Eagle was first from Royal Mail, Mystery, Tasman. Err*or, Kiota, and Colonel Shilinski. At the treble the last time Drummer took charge, attended by Bay Eagle; Error, Cplonel Shilinski, Rawdon, Mvstery. arid Tasman, whilst Mvsterv lost his rider. Marydale ran off at' the back. At the, five furlongs Colonel Shilinski took charge from Kiota, Young Creswick, Bay Eagle, Error arid Comet. The last-named ran off at the last fence. Young Creswick, Colonel Shilinski, Kiota, and Error were first into the straight, and Colonei Shilinski led at the distance from Error. A splendid race ended in favour of Colonel Shilinski by a length and a half, three lengths between second and third. Then came Young Creswick, Rawdon, T.C., Drunamer, Tasman, Isis, and Bay Eagle, with Royal Mail last. Time, Bmin 17sec.

Shellback, who was sold cheaply at Major George’s sale, won the Summer Handicap at Riccarton last week.

The Otaki Maori Racing Club intend to make a lot of improvements this season.

A rumour in Wellington that Jenkins had severed his connection with the Porirua stable has been contradicted.

Australian, Colojurs, having struck himself, will not be seen out at the Australian Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting.

Referring to “ Atlas’ ” remarks in last week’s issue that the filly by St. Leger out of Simonias was the last of St. Leger’s progeny, Mr W. Howard, of WellesTey-street, claims to, have bred the last St. Leger foal, a beautiful bay colt out of Ladv Thornton.

In this issue the secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club advertises the conditions of the following races :— The Welcome Stakes, of 500 sovs, to be run at the Spring Meeting of 1903; the Middle Park Plate, of 500 sovs, to be run at the Summer Meeting of 1904 ; the Champagne Stakes, of 500 sovs, to be run at the Autumn Meeting of 1904 ; the Derby Stakes, of 1000 sovs, to be run at the Spring Meeting of 1904 ; the Oaks Stakes, of 400 sovs, to be run at the Spring Meeting of 1904 ; the Thirteenth Challenge Stakes,, of 500 sovs,, to be run at the Autumn Meeting of 1905. -Entries should be sent in to Mr Wanklyn on Friday next, before 9 p.m., and it is. very probable that as usual a good percentage ,of Auckland-bred horses will be entered for the various events.

The annual meeting of the Westport Trotting Club was held last week. The balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed the club to be in a sound position, having £39S 6s 3d ;to credit. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mi‘ G. R. Lamplough ; vice-president, Mr R, T. Watson ; general committee, Messrs Dixon, McMJahon, Pain, Dr. McKenzie, O’Neill, Harden, Watts, Wilson. Green, MoElwee, Lawson, Leaver, and Scan- ! lon. At a meeting of the newly : elected committee, held immediately after the annual meeting, the programme for the Christmas races, as drawn up by the sub-committee (giving stakes £2O in advance of last year) was approved. The committee elected their officers as follows : —Mr J. M. Dixon, judge ; Dr. McKenzie, deputy judge ; Mr H. Pain, clerk of scales; Mr O’Neill, starter; and Mr Scanlonj assistant starter ; Mr McElwee, clerk of course ; Mr Brinkman, handicapper first day, the stewards second day.

Everything 1 in blooming health ia the order of the day at the Sylvia Park Stud just now. The stud matrons are all well, and the first to foal this season was Lady M., the dam of Hohoro. On Wednesday of last week she gave birth to twins, a colt and a filly, by Seaton Delaval. The filly is strong and precocious, but the colt is rather delicate. Among the new mares that are expected, to foal J shortly is Kissaline, who ■ was served last year by Seaton- Delaval. This sire is the pictrire of health, and every visitor to the Park is struck wfith the beauty of the St. Simon horse San Francisco. Explosion has wintered at Whitford Park, and will probably be brought iri to Sylvia Park during the week. An article by “ Atlas ” on the Sylvia Park yearlings will appear next week. ' i

The nominations foi* the principal events to be decided at the Avondale Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting remind us that we have actually entered upon another racing season, and that the first meeting of the year in this province, the Avondale Jockey- Cliib's Spring Meeting, is within measurable distance. At the beginning 'of the week, at the invitation of Mr H. H. Hayr, a number of friends visited the Avondale Course, ana immensely eifrjoyed the trip to the convincing ground in Mr Hayr’s pretty little oil laXinch Waitjri. The trip by water to Avondale is a very interesting one, but the shallowness of the creek channel when the tide is out makes it impracticable on race days. The Avondale Course was found to be in splendid condition, and the rich verdure is a sight that would arouse envy in the minds of the drought-stricken Au str a-* lian squatters. The trees in the saddling paddock are commencing to v grow, and judging from the large number of choice cuttings that have been put in, Avondale will soon be a blaze of roses. The hew shell paths look very -pretty, and the refreshment rotHsi in the St. Leger stand has been materially increased in size, rind should now be found large enough for the re-. .. quirenlents of the thirst.v throng.

The Victoria Amateur Turf Club made a profit of £lOOO over’ the Grand National Meeting.

• • • At a meeting of the Wagga Licensed Victuallers’ Racing Club recently, .a jockey named Hart rode the winner in the five events that constituted the afternoon’s programme.

There wae a considerable falling-off in the totalisator receipts at the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting, as compared with the Winter Meeting last year, when the total of £43,1.75 was received. The figures this year are £39,583, showing a decrease of £3590.

A cable dated New York, August 19, conveys the startling news that, during an election brawl in America a coloured constable fatally shot with a revolver, Joe Goddard, the well-known Australian pugilist.

The English sporting writer “ Vigilantj”says:—“lt is a curious thing that in Australia they are beginning}!© tire of the St. Simon blood, declaring it to be soft and delicate, just because some of the Haut Brions do not stand knocking about like the old colonial lines of Yattendon, Fisherman, etc. In the last race won by Revenue (son of Trenton) he started very slow, and was ridden under the whip for a mile., ultimately winning easily. A writer asked: “ Where will, you find a St. Simon who could stand this ? ’ Well, I firmly believe William the Third would stand it. Indeed, he got plenty of stick last year on several occasions, but it is surely better not to need the whip than merely to be able to stand it. One does not associate St. Simon and Galopin brilliancy with whips and spurs, nor does this class of horse thrive on the terribly searching preparation ' which the Australian trainers give to the hardy descendants of Musket, Fisherman, and Yattendon. Nor, it may be, does it suit them to run on each of‘ the four days of a meeting, though Sceptre, and William the Third would not fail on that score. But if the Australian trainers would treat their St. Simon-bred horses with more consideration, instead of galloping all the life and fire out of them, they would find it better business than abusing the results of their own handiwork.” • ■ ' •' • • The following are the winning owners at the Grand National Meeting : — Messrs Macmanemin and Salisbury < £6OO, Mr D. Edwards £470, Mr R. W. Paterson £4OO, Mr E. Russell £3lO, Mr T. Godfrey £250, Mr E. D. O’Rorke £235, Mr W. O. rutherford £l4O, Miss Button £l2O, Mr D. Stewart £l2O, Mrs Quinlivan £llO, Mr W. Rathbone £llO, Mr P. E. Baldwin ’£9o, Mr A. G. Holmes £9O, Mr S. Brown £BO, Mr H. Roberts £BO, Mr S. H Gollan £BO, Mr D. Gollan £75, Mrs H. Friedlander £5O, Mr G. O’Malley £55, Mr G. H. Franks £5O, Mr 8. Sponge £5O, Mr H. R. Parkinson £5O, Mr "W'. O’Sullivan £5O, Sir George Clifford £4o', Mr A. Henderson £3O, Mr W. Blackmore £25, Mr J. Driscoll £25, Mr H. McLean £2O, Mr J. Merry £2O, Mr L. Ruttledge £2O, Mr G- P. Donnelly £2O, Mr J. Parkinson £2O, Mr C. G. Dalgety £l5, Mr T. H. Lance £lO, Mr H; Friedlander £lO, Mr S. Wilson £lO, Messrs W. G. Stead and G. Palmer £lO, Mr M. Hobbs £lO. • ' ’. • ' • • At Maidenhead (Eng.) a three-year-old racing filly met her death in a most unusual fashion. She was ‘ done up”* as usual in the evening, the gas subsequently being turned off, as is customary in the stables. The stud groom, however, omitted to.; turn the gas off at the meter, and is supposed that the filly during the . night somehow turned the gas on in her box by coming in contact with the tap, and the ventilators not being sufficient to carry the gas away, the filly was found suffocated in her box •the following morning.

Many people who saw the Grand ’ National Steeplechase run are of opinion that The Guard could have wbp'if he had stood up. His shoulder was rather severely injured by the iall.

In the report presented at the annual meeting of members of the Australian Jockey Club a recommendation male that the added money to the A.J.C. Derby be 1000 sovs, and to the Metropolitan Stakes be 2000 sovs was adopted.