Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, September 11, 1902. Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 608, 11 September 1902, Page 12

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, September 11, 1902. Sporting Topics.

The J’ahiatua llacing Club made a profit of £6OO last season. Jhe formation of an owners and trainers association io Melbourne 'has been spoken of. The final payment for the Taranaki Cup has been reduced from osovs to 4sovs. Il is said that Dummy is suffering from blood poisoning. Pour boxes have been engaged at the Racecourse Hotel, Riccarton, by George Wright, who is expected down with his team shortly after the Avondale meeting. A case of entertaining as :ei un ■,wares may be instanced by Lord Clonmell’s possession of the young brood mare River Trent (says the “Sportsman”). • River Trent, though Lord Clonmell had no idea, of it until quite recently, is own sister in blood to the extrxordinary mare Wakeful, for whom 6000 guineas has been offered and'refused. Both mares are by Trenton, and River Trent’s dam, La Tosca, is own sister to Insomnia, the dam of Wakeful. River Trent is just about the same size as Wakeful, and might have been equally good, Ijjat she was never trained. Her history is peculiar. She was in 1 .q. and at the lottery o f the St. Alban’s stud she was one of the prizes, and was won—being then g yearling—by 31r Agnvw St. J. Ralston, Lord Hopetoun’s private secretary, who sent her to England in 1896. Being foaled to* Australian time, and, consequently a two-year-old in En -* land when she was little better than a yearling, Mr Ralston gave up the idea of having her trained. So. she was sold, and Lord Clonmell became her owner. Her foal this year is by Wildfowler, and she is believed to be in foal to GaJlinule.

Castashore is now doing Stud duty in Canterbury.

Fairy Tale (by Tasman —Sapphira) has produced a filly to Soult.

We are in receipt of the natty printed official programme for the season of the Dunedin Jockey Club.

The ex-New Zealand pony Clansman won a race at Rosebery Park (N.S.W.) on August 26.

St. Paul was shipped by the Rotoiti on Thursday last for New Plymouth en route to his new home at Hawera.

News comes from New Plymouth that Battleaxe is being treated to a wellearned spell. He has been in work for eighteen months.

Ruiz, the American jockey, who was recently in Australia and New Zealand, has been telling interviewers in the land oi Stars and Stripes that Flemington and Randwick are the two finest racecourses in the world.

Bonnie Chiel for the Caulfield Cup seems to Lea marketable article just now

The annual meeting of the members oi the Otahuhu Tratting Club will be held this evening at the Masonic Hall, Otahuhu.

The following foalings are reported at Wellington Park :—Lady Augusta (by St. Leger—Brown Alice), colt to Hotchkiss 1 ; Chrysolite (by Castor —Onyx), colt to Phoebus Apollo; Vivandiere (by Musket Georgi), filly to Phoebus Apollo. • • • • •

Things are very merry on all the tra<' throughout the Wairarapa at present in view of coming - meetings (reports the Wairarapa “ Chronicle ”) and everything points well for the success .of our annual local gathering at Taratahi so near at hand. An unusually large number of horses are in work at Tauherinikiau, whilst at Clareville and Opaki things are more lively than is generally the custom at tnis stage of the season.

In our advertising columns Mr E. W. Alison announces himself as a candidate for the representation of Waitemata when the general election comes round. Mr Alison has played such a prominent part in our Turf Parliament that we may I. e pardoned if we here enter into the troubled world of politico in order to- state Mr Alison's claims. For years he has been a public man, and in all the positions we have found him he has been identified with work that has materially assisted the progress of tolony, noth in a social and commercial sense. To the Devonport municipality he has been of great service, and our North Shore friends are indebted to him to a great extent for their water, supply, and then again, the service of the Ferry Company, of which Mr Alison is regarded as the head, has done much to* cause the development of Devonport ifito a 'populas and progressive Municipality. The workers have always found a friend in Mr Alison, who has for so long occupied a position on the Arbitraetion and Conciliation Board. Tn his advertisement, he with characteristic terseness sets forth his Views on publicmatters, and promises to address the electors as soonl as convenient after Parliament dissolves.

The A. J.C. Metropolitan Stakes, run at Randwick on Monday last, caused very little speculation in Auckland, and what little money was put on here was generally in favour of Patronage, who in a field of 26 started at the short price of 6 to 4, but the ways of the punter are hard, and the favourite, we are told, finished second to last. The name of the winner, Queen of Sheba, was not mentioned in Auckland, but she appears to have been fairly well backed on the other side, as at 14 to 1 she ruled fourth in the betting quotations. She is a five-year-old, and it is of interest to Aucklanders to know that she is by Niagara, who was bred in Auckland? Niagra, it is scarcely necessary to mention, was by Anteros out of Mr Morrin’s old gold mine Frailty. He was Frailty’s third foal, 'and a great opinion was formed of him in Australia. Queen of Sheba has hitherto done nothing on the Turf to indicate that she was up to Metropolitan Stakes form, and shq,wr.s therefore handicapped on the limit, fist 71b. Her time was good, being only 1 sec above the record for the race. She was trained by that clever trainer D. Wooton.

At the Haymarket to-morrow Messrs Alfred Buckland and Sons will conduct sale of thoroughbreds, when the following will be placed under offer : —Lady Bobs, a two-year-old filly by Soult—-First Love, and therefore a full sister to Lady Avon ; La Polish, Blue Cap, Blueskin, and a two-year-old filly by Soult out of J ennie. An unusually large number of horses are in training at Ellerslie. A list of those in work at head-quarters will be found in this issue. At Takapuna the Messrs Duelers’ horses are worked, as well as Rosiphele and The Miner, while the strings of Frank Ross and J. J ack receive their preparation at Avondale.

A horse called Rattler cleared 6ft 10-j’in at the Singleton Show, New South Wales recently.

. Percy King, the most promising lightweight rider in Victoria, has been disqualified for six months by the V.R.C. for suspicious riding at Flemington. Percy is a so nof that clever horseman, Jimmy King, and it is quite evident that he is a chip off the old block.”

Attention s again drawn to the important sale of thoroughbred stock which will be held to-morrow at noon, at the Durham Yards, when the well-known performers, Austerlitz and Sentinel, will be submitted without reserve. Both are in training, and fit to be raced at once. A three-year-old half-sister to Solo, by Soult will be sold at( the same time.

At a meeting of the committee of the Rotorua Jockey Club a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Thomas Hudson for the valuable a.-sislance rendered the club by him in acting as starter at their last annual races. The opinion was unanimous that he had filled the position with the greatest satisfaction to all concerned. The members expressed the hope that his valuable services would be available for their next meeting. The American-bred gelding, Democrat, a son of that clever horseman, Jimmy year-old on English courses, has been presented to Lord Kitchener, for use as a charger. The son of Sensation and Equality won seven valuable , engagements at that age, and defeated Diamond Jubilee (thrice), Vain Duchess, Forfarshire, Strojigbow. Merry Gal, and others of his year.

The sports meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club will be held next Saturday at Alexandra Park. Not only is the programme interesting, but the fact that the profits of the meeting are to go to the Veterans’ Home Fund makes it deserving of the support of the public, who, while giving to a good cause, will receive excellent entertainment in return. The handicaps appear elsewhere in this issue. Tne public are to be admitted free to the course, >but< a charge will be made for admission to the grandstand. « ♦ * •

The Messrs Dud’er are Training their horses on the Takapuna racecourse, and on visiting the last week “Atlas ' found the whole of the inmates in fairly forward condition. Curiassier is looking the picture of health, and when the family to which he belongs, and the, fact that he is the full brother to that great sire Trenton, is remembered, the fee at which he is standing this' season seems to be ridiculously cheap, especially, in view oi the character of his stock, Cavaliero to wit. A three-year-old brother to Drum Major has been taken in hand, and looks well. The head lad of the stable, Butler, is quite enthusiastic about the way this volt shapes in his work'. He is a big horse, not so long as Drum Major, but he has lots of quality, and its quite on the cards that he will turn out a galloper. QtuJen Anne, by St. Leger —Anna, has also been taken in hand. She has just a slight dip in the bach, but although she is bit rough at present, there is* no reason why she should not be able to gallop as fast as' her speedy sister Lady Anna, who was killed some time back on the Takapuna Beach. Hikipene is looking pounds better than she did last season. She will l.e seen out at Avondale, her first engagement , at the meeting being in the 'Flying Stakes in which she has been handicapped at 6st 7L. Bast iota. by (' uirassier—Dolosa, has grown into a shapely colt, and has evidently not been idle as he is muscular. Takapuna is looking in fail - condition. He has lately been schooled over the hurdles, and has earned the reputation of being a fearl-. and clean jumper. The fact, however 1 , that he is thick in the wind, does not suggest that he would be successful at the end of ai severely run race. Otherwise he is the cut of a hurdler. just one of the sort that might be expected to take a hurdle in his stride.

After a dull week during which very few wagers were made, new life was infused into, the speculation on the New Zealand Cup on Wednesday. The first sign of a move was made; on Tuesday, when the’ market was canvassed for quotations about Beddington Grey Seaton and La Valette. The commissioner having evidently satisfied himself on the score of price, stepped in for real business; on Wednesday, when La Valette was backed here and in the South. Here in Auckland Mr Robert Cleland laid £lOOO to £55, and it is understood that the colt was backed in the South to win £4OOO, making approximately £5OOO in all. The cguse of this, probably is, that the colt perforate da really good gallop at Ellerslie on Tuesday morning with Grey Seaton. the way in which he 'finished up greatly pleasing the few touts who saw it During the day Grey Seatoil and La Valette were coupled in the double. The Avondale Cup and Flying. Handicap. . This may indicate that Grey Seaton will be the stable representative in the Avondale Cup. ; - ■

It is with regret that we record the death of that really good pony mare Mara, by Seaton Delaval —Maratea. Frank Ross had got the little mare in remarkably good nick, and while out exercising last week in the exuberance of her high spirits she became frisky and fell, with the result that she sustained injuries that necessitated her being shot. Good things were expected from the mare ' this season, and her owner’s loss is' a severe, one. Only a few weeks ago Mr Fairweather, we hear, refused an offer of £275 for her.

The programme, of the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s Spring Meeting, to be held on October 30 and 31, appears in our advertising columps. Our Poverty Bay friends are deserving credit . for the progressive spirit they are showing, the amount of stake-money having been connomination and acceptance fees have been sideraibly increased this year, while the reduced. Eight events are provided for each day, the principal event on the first day being the Spring Handicap of 70sovs, one mile and a-quarter, and on the second day the Maharaka Handicap of 55 so vs, one mile. Nominations are due on Saturday, October! 11.

The committee of the Auckland Club have been paeying earnest attention to the licensing of jockeys and trainers. A number of jockeys haye been on the carpet to explain what the committee seemed to consider were sins of omission and commission, and a number of cautions were administered. In some instances the committee has determined that tjhe caution will be the very last. In more than one instance the application for a license was refused, and the consideration of other applications have been postponed. The following is a list, of the applications granted :—Trainers : Pat Conway, R. H®ll, H. Ban-, Kos Heaton, F. Macmanemin, Dennis Monaghan, T. Greenwood, W. Gall, H. Gillespie, G. Wright, J. B. Williamson, W. Wilmot, R. G. Middlemas, E. J. Rae, B. Nichol, A. Butter, H. French. Jockeys : W. Mooney, W. Bird, Jas. Buchanan, P. Conway, 8.. Deeley, J. Gallagher, J. H. Gginsford', F. Howard, R. Hall, Denis Moraghan, H. Phillips, J. Pennell, J< Pennell, .M. Ryan, J. Stewart, F. Speakman. W. Salman, R. Teddy, T.’Jackson. G. Moore, E. Potts, J. McAuliffe, E. Pope, T. Taylor, A. Butter, D. Snodgrass, Apprentices : A. C. Percival, F. Porter.

The handicap-- for the Avondale minor events were declared by Mr Evett on Tuesday, and on the whole were fairly well received. The acceptances for these races, and also for the Cup and Flying Stakes are due to-morrow. Judging from the number of horses in work there should be a good acceptance. There is a probability that Nonette will be an absentee from the Cup, but even if that be so, we will have material for a great race left. The most fancied at present are The Shannon, who will probably arrive <>n Monday. Formula and Rosella. Our Hawke’s Bay correspondent writes regaiding The Shanon, that she is very well, and has been doing good work. Formula at Ellerslie has been acquitting herself well, and will take a lot of seating. and whatever is the elect of George Wright's stable, will be a. hard nut to crack. Wariki is the popular pick for the Flying Stakes, and in the double books has been coupled with everything that has got a , chance in the cup. If La Valette sees, the post he will receive ligsi'nport. and others that will exercise the mind and money of punters will oe Scotty, and Landlock The •up and livin'.’. therefore, promise two interesting races with which to inaugurate our season. The Two Year Old Stakes will also be very interesting event. The experience of the past has taught us that whatever wins' the Avondale Stakes, generally takes a prominent part in the subsequent races of the season. Miss Delaval and Nonette for instance, were winners of this race in the past, and we will be anxious to learn, if there are any as good in the field this year. Sans Pew, Kamo. Cordon. Rbuge and Delania have all been doing good work at Ellerslie'. The gallops'! during the next few days should throw

There has been a marked falling off in the interest taken in Auckland in the Spring Meeting of the Australian Jockey Club at Raindwick, and the meeting which commenced on last created very little speculation here. The Derby proved the good thing it was expected for the favorite. Abundance, who according to the cabled description of the race, led nearly all the way, and won by a length and a half from the high priced Strata Florida and Free States. ’The winner is by Pilgrim’s Progress, a ton of Isonomy out of Beanfeast, a daughter of Plebian and Festival. He was purchased a. short time back by Mr Bob Phillips, a well known member of the Victorian ring for 1000 guineas, and’ his victory was well indicated by recent form. The time of the race was slow/ Abundance is engaged in the V.R.C. Derby, and is also in the. Ca.ulfieln Cup at 7st 91b., and Melbourne Cup at 7st 51b, but he will now have to carry weight-for-age in the last-named event.

The stock of the Gold'sbrough mare Windmill, who is now located at Cambria Park, received a decided lift" on Saturday by the victory of Air Motor, by Ayr Laddie —Windmill. Air Motor is a four-year-old mare, a year older than . her halfbrother Spalpeen, who, >we are inclined to think, will be seen to much better advantage as a three-year-old. Air Motor’s victory seems to have been a meritorious one, as she successfully battled out the finish with the speedy Sequence, who won last year. Air Motor is engaged in the Cauifiel , dCu pt fist 131 b, and the Melbourne Cup at 7st 31b. By her victories at Randwick she has earned a 101 b penalty in each event. That she is. a pretty constant mare, and can stay, is evidenced by her position in the Metropolitan Stakes.