Sporting & Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, October 9, 1902 Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 661, 9 October 1902, Page 12

Sporting & Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, October 9, 1902 Sporting Topics.

Hingipan was scratched forthe New Zealand Cup on October 2. The Castor — Bangle edit has not at any time figured in the betting. : * • * '■ « On Saturday next entries are due from the Poverty; diay Spring Meeting. r lhe Mercury Bay Racing Club h a s determined to hold a race meeting on November 15,, and an attractive programme has beenprovided for the occasion. «• * « * Last Thursday- the Hawke's Bay Guineas Orloff arrived at Napier. On the same day an Auckland contingent, consisting of La ■ V a lette, Sans Peur and Kamo also arrived. The names, of Bombardo and Gladsome also appear on the list of arrivals at Hawke’s Bay. At a: meeting;.of the committee of the Auckland Pacing Club, held on Thursday night last, the applications for the .position of starter for the ensuing season were opened, and after mature deliberation the choice fell on Mr C. O’Connor, of Canterbury.

’I he news that Mr George . Cutts has ceased to be starter for the Auckland Racing Club was received with regret by many .who have learned to respect one of .the straightest and most conscientious of race, course officials. In retiring from Ellerslie Mr Cutts retires with honour and with the good wishes of <-veryone. I . ■’ * ' * J udgtng trgm the way in which he has started the season.- the well-known jockey, Joe Sceates, intends to make up for his 'want of success last year. as at the late .Avondale Meeting he rode five winners*-4-MarQon and! Gold, Alba Rose, Vai Rosa, Austerlitz, and Idas. He has evidently taken T. Taylor’s place in G. Absolum’S stable, and has just slipped in when the luck of the stable appears to have turned. That good lad Lorn -I. Rae’s stable, young Percival, roe'e three winners—Strathavon, Mechanic, and Putty—anh the popular horseman. Jack’ Gainsford, signalised his return to New Zealand by riding Wairiki and Geordie to victory. The Hawke’s Bay jockey, M’Namara, rode The Shannon in her two victories, and made friends by, the way in which he handled his mount, but of course a jockey is nearly always seen to advantage on a good horse. The following jockeys were credited with a. win each: —Phillips, Stewart, Lindsay, Morraghan, Porter; Ryan, Quinton, Bird, Fergus, Higgins, Smith and Barr. , < ' !

The Thames Jockey Club does not appear ta ’have given much'heed to the advice tendered by Mr Geo. Clifford at. the last Racing Conference on the subject of. ■ short distance raceK as at the last meet-, i ing of, the committee of the club, it was. decided to omit the five furlong race from a its programme in connection with the ,en-;-•suing Summer Meeting, ana to substitute a four furlong event instead. _ , , *** . * 1 On the first day of the Wanganui Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting, Halbercier, who is engaged in the New Zealand Cup with 7st 111 b, ran a good third to The Shannon in fhe Spring Handicap. The performance had a little merit,; , a s Halberdier was giving The Shannon 161b,"and it would t a ke a good horse to successfully do that, in the Torpedo mare’s presents, form. Bowman, who is in the New Zealand Cup at fist 101 b, was among the beaten division. Two other New Zealand! \ Cup candidates, Fakir and Grey Seaton, wore also unsuccessful on the first day of ; the Wanganui Meeting., I . ' '' ' i r l he stable presided over by George ! Absolum had a very good tnne of it at ; Avondale, as he, as the trainer, had the pleasure of leading in four winners, Ma- ' roon and Gold, Alba Rose, Vai Rosa, and' Idas. The popular cross-country > rider; J. I’ao, trained two winners Mars and Ma■tara'wa. The Hawke’s Bay trainer, Quin-‘ livan. secured two wins with The Shannon, who wa§ in condition that reflected' credit on him'. The following ' trainers obtained a single success each Si Teague, Montgomerie, Williamson, J. Chaafe, senr., Hannon, Hugh, Hickton, Stenning, Franks, M’illianjs, Butler, P. , Chaafe. Morraghan, arid Barr. i•. • • j The Australian-bred Achilles (Medallion j —Nereid:) has opened his three-year-old career with a dash of brilliance that I should fill his owner, Mr J. Monk, with I pleasant anticipations concerning phis future rarecr. W’ith the story going the round that 1 he was suffering from a crack-/ ed hoof people outside of Wanganui were scarcely prepared to hear of him malting such a show of his opponents as he did in the Guineas, which he iappears to have won as he liked in 1 min- sec. This is a record for the race, the previous best being that of Renown, Imin 46sec,; two years ago. After this display it is a pity that Achilles was not permitted to continue his New Zealand Cup engagement. Poriruaj. who finished four lengths behind. Achilles is in the Cup at 7st 71b. . Grey Seaton finished out of a place, and his Cup prospe< ts do not appear rosy. The fact that those on the Wanganui course knew- that there was nothing wrong about Achilles is shown by the way in whieh he was backed on the inachine. * *« *• A .candidate to come into :niueh favourfor the New Zealand Cup :s Kelpy, who on Monday was backed for all rhe money iii the market, leaving off at hundreds to six. Kelpy is a five-year-old brown gelding -by Dreadnought from tVaterhaby, and at the Winter Meeting of the Hawke’s Bay J.C. won the Ladies' Bracelet when running in the nomination of Mrs Ormond. He carried list ,121 b and put the? two miles behind in 4min 5-Jsec, following this up by winning a like race at Napier Park- with 12st 101 b in the saddle. On the latter occasion he ran the mile and ’ a-ipiarter in 2anin 26' 3-5 ' sec. Iri the; - Cup, Kelpy has been allotted’ fist 81b, so with such a feather-weight the Dreadnought . \gelding| should; make a good showing. .

According to the Sydney. “ lieferee,” there was quite an impromptu go at Randwick the other day> in which sevenseventeen two-year-olds took part. Messrs J. Gough (tour), W. Brennan (two:), M. Thompson (two), I. Earnshaw (three), W. Kelso (one), H. Rayner (one), J. Allsop (two), J. Burton (one), and T. Scully (one), were the trainers represented, and all the youngsters had their shoes off, and the majority carried colours. - Carmenita (Lochiel —Melema), one of I. Earnshaw’s trio, was smartest off, and Jed for a hit. I ut the finish saw M. Thompsori’s bay colt Katoomba (Niagara—Bonnette) get up in, time to beat the black colt Kelp (Gossoon —Pearlshell), who is trained by J. Allsop. The watch-holders differed slightly as to the time, some returning 51 sec, others 51|sec. The brown filly Observe (Grafton —Reverse), who is in P. J . Gough’s stable, finished well up, after getting away badly, while Lady Letticu (Beauchamp—Lady Lovel), another <>f J. Allsop’s, also showed pace. Velox (a sister to Niphetos), trained, by M. Thompson, was running t h at the end, and Attendant (Gossoon—l) yjrest) mid Demure (Amberite —Modesty), both- of whom are in I. Earnshaw’s stable, wereprominent for - the greater part of the trip. J. Burton’s ' repr >smt.i’ive, L’c'-ah (Havoc—Wilga) did not’ shape as well as expected, nor did W. Kelso’s Projeolile— Lady Clieveden colt, out as both have since been entered! for the Caulfield two-year-old events, their respecti.e trainers evidently anticipate improvement cri theirpart. Of course .there was a nig mat .in : in the weights carried, some of the youngsters having 9st in sight, while others: ~ had very light boys tip., : . ‘

Mr Piper has keen appointed starter to the Wellington Racing Club for ihe season.

At TimAru, on Monday, Henry Soloman was convicted on a •■•barge < f trespassing on the local racecourse, and was fined £5 10s.

Mr Hartgill has been appointed judge for the Wellington Racing Club. He has made a great name for himself as as efficient judgq down South, and the appointment is bound to give satisfaction.

Among the alterations in the National Hunt Club rules, which came into force in England recently, was one allowing mile and a-half hurdle races for three-year-olds. In all other cases the minimum distance is two miles.

A fortnight prior to the decision of the English St. Leger, Mr James Daly, owner oi St. Brendan, was offered 10,000 guineas for that colt, with the addition of another 3000 guineas if he won the race named. Mr Daly evidently held a very exalted notion of the powers of his colt, for he refused the offer, and later on, no doubt, regretted doing so, as St. Brendan did not even get a place in the Sti Leger. "

At the meeting of the committee of the Wellington Racing Club, Mr Joseph Chadwick received the appointment of handicapper to the Club. Mr Chadwick is well known in Auckland, editing the sporting columns of the “Star” under thd nom-de-plume of “ Whalebone. ’’ He hah had plenty of experience in handicapping, and as he is thoroughly conversant wieh and a careful follower of “ form,” he should provh a most capable officer for the Southern Club.

J 'ho Cambridge Polo Club opened the son last Saturday, but luck was against them in the matter of- weather, for it was pitilessly wet right through the afternoon. Notwithstanding this drawback, members stuck to their tasks, and put in some very good work. There was quite a considerable attendance of ladies, who showed their pluck in facing the rain. Messrs Banks, White, Douglas and Hannon beat Messrs Taylor, Potts, Buckland and Murdoch by two goals to nothing.

There can be no doubt but that to be a really successful starter requires more firmness than the average man possesses. Without the least unkindness to Mr Arthur Coveqtry, it may be said that he was never quite severe enough to make a perfect starter, more especially since he had to follow Lord 1 Marcus Beresford, who was (remarks the “ Pink ’Un ”), To a gentleman jockey who was in no hurry to get off, and who persistently had his horse’s head turned the wrong way, we once heard Lord Marcus Cry out : “ Join your horses at once, Mr—, at once, sir ! Do you think I’m standing here to take your blessed photograph ?”

At one- time the ex-Australian horse, Parthian, promised to touch a short price for the Great Ebor Handicap, run at York (Eng.) bn August 27th, but a few days before the race he pulled up lame after a gallop, which sent him. out of favour, and he started at 20 to 1. Before going to the post an anaesthetic was injected into his bad leg so that he might stride out without feeling any pain. It is stated that he subsequently moved freely enough, though without being able to get to the front, and he eventually finished eleventh in a field of seventeen. As Parthian only had Bst his form was disappointing. Parramatta (late The Tola), another equine hailing from the Commonwealth, started favourite for the Londesbrough Handicap Plate, one mile, the same afternoon, finishing third ; but on the concluding day of the meeting he made amends for his defeat by pulling off the Consolation Scramble Handicap, for which he started at 2 to 1.

Just before the last files left England Carbine’s progeny ‘ put in some good work. Wargravei won the Open Plate, w.f.a., at Hurst Park on August 21st, and a few days later at York accounted for the Ebor Handicap, of 900 sovs, carrying Bst 21b, and cutting out the mile and three-quarters in 3min 1 2-sth sec. Fowling Piece also distinguished himself at Flurst Park on August 23rd by getting home under 9st 111 b in the Lennox Plate,' of 1725 sovs, one mile, • his starting price being 10 to 1 in a field of nine. At Nottingham on August 21it the Duke of Portland’s Mannlicher won the- Bestwood Plate, of 263 sovs, ’ one and a-half mile, so it will be seen that the old horse . got a good lift in the winning sires’ list, thanks to the staying powers of his progeny.

The lease which Mr E. J. Sage held ■ of Cannongate has expired, so that when the son of Cannon and Fishfag next faces the starter it will probably be in the popular all black of Mr John Marshall.

Considering the success of Carbine’s stock in England it seems a remarkable fact that he has not a single representative in the big list of nominations for the English Derby of 1904.

A fine dividend was paid at the Ohoka Meeting, near Christchurch, when Cyclas Parva put down a rec’-hot favourite in Muscovite. The queerly-named horse returned the nice little sum of £Bl His to his few admirers in the Plying Handicap.

Nonette isj acquitting himself right well in his morning tasks. During the week he registered a particularly taking gallop over a mile and a-half, being assisted over the last mile by Formula. If the son of Seaton Delaval goes on as he has been doing of late, he should strip in rare buckle for the big event next month.

In the weekly shooting, competition promoted by Mr Oldbury, the following gentlemen tied, each scoring the possible: —Messrs J. Russell, W. Sandford, G. I Downey, C. Godwin, W. Russell, E. ; Elliott, G. Hayes, Coor, Leckie, and Me- ‘ Carthy. In the shoot-off Mr Elliott won with a score of 29 out of 30, with five • others within a point. Messrs McCarthy and J. W. Russell tied again with 30 each when shooting for the second prize, which ultimately fell to the former gentleman.

Star Pointer, imin 59^sec, holds the American pacing record for one mile, but the chances are those figures will be cut down before long by Dan Patch, a son of Joe Patchem. Early in August last Dan Patch recorded a mile in 2min and at Narragansett Park, Providence, R. 1., at the end of the same month, he reduced his record to Imin 59-jsec, and the last in Imin, so that he travelled at a very even gait throughout. Dan Patch, by the way, has never yet been beaten in a race, and next season his owner will be able to make a nice income out of him in the way of exhibitions.

“ Old Jack ” has some very useful horses to represent him this season in the Old Country. Two who have recently helped to swell the great Musket stallion’s winning total are the three-year-old Fowling Piece, who brought off a ten to one chance in the Hurst Park Lennox Plate of 200 .sovs, and the four-year-old Wargrave, who, although- starting at 20 to 1 against yet captured • the Great Ebor Handicap of 1000 sovs. If one of Carbine’s representatives had only been lucky enough to secure one of the big ten thousand pounds stakes the old horse would be going very close for , pride of place among the winning stallions.

' New South Wales will be strongly represented at Caulfield among the two-year-old division. Among the< entries are the following Sagamore (Delaware— Amazement, Cashier (Gossoon Hebe), and Obverse (Gossoon—Reverse), trained by P. J. Gough ; Velox (Bill of Portfand—Tea Rose) and Katoomba (Niagara —Bonnette), M. Thompson ; Duke of Grafton (Grafton —Disgrace), and Parleen (Grafton —Piecrust), T. Payten ; Amyas (Kingsley —Lady Phoebe), A. E. Cornwell ; Kelp (Gossoon —Pearlshell) and Lady Lettice (Beauchamp—Lady Lovel), J. Allsop ; Bel ah (Havoc— Wilga), J. Burton ; and the Projectile —Lady Clieveden colt, W. Kelso. As all of the foregoing have shown themselves able to gallop on the training track, the chances are that a fair share of the young races will go to New South Wales.'

The great American two-year-old race, the Futurity Stakes, was run at Sheepshead Bay, New York, on August 30, and was won by J. A. Drake’s Savable, who started at 15 to 1 in a field of twentyfour. The total value of the stake was £11,430, hut in addition to deductions for the second and third horses, the breeders of the first three horses also came in for a share of the prize-money, £4OO going to J. B. Haggin, who bred the winner. Savable’s owner is credited with landing £20,000 in bets, which is, according to a San Francisco paper, the biggest win ever made by one man over a race in America. The finish was a great one. Savable only heading I.ord of the Vale in the last stride.

There have been no developments .in connection with the V.R.C. Derby during the past week, Abundance, who is progressing satisfactorily, still ruling a firm favourite. Great Scot has been doing well since his arrival in Victoria, • and though many doubt his staying abilities, his trainer, at any rate, credits him with being able to run a good mile and a-half, and cannot yet understand why he did not do bettter in the A.J.G. .Derby. Strata Florida, who tucked up a bit after his Sydney trip, is galloping well again :• and Loyal is progressing satisfactorily enoug to make his connections hopeful of seeing him coming out on top. However, if Abundant e goes oi} all right to the day it is pretty certain he. will justify his favouritism for the Derby, and afterwards make a good bid for the YJup, for there can be little doubt he 'is a really brilliant horse.

Mr Evett, who vacates the position of handicapper to the Wellington Racing Club, has held the office for nineteen years, and during that long period has done much sterling work for the Club.

The newly-formed Whangarei Racing Club intends holding its first meeting on January 1 and 10, 1903. ■ Mr Crane is secretary for the institution.

Mr W. C. Whitney, president of the Saratoga Racing Association, New York, has announced that in the paddock at Saratoga in future jockeys will have to doff their caps when speaking to their superiors.

A trotting match for ’£lo a-side from the Pukerimu Creamery to the Ohaupo Hotel (aboue three miles) took- place on Saturday between Mr H. Windsor’s Catch-me-if-you-can and Mr L. Bailey’s Nellie. The former gradually went to, the front and won by a hundred yards.

A three-year-old pony by Freetrader was credited with a very fine jump the other day in Victoria. He cleared a stone wall 6ft 4in high, while 1 the distance from the take-off to the place of landing was 26ft 6in.

The Christian name Joseph would seem to bring luck as far as getting the appointment of handicapper for the Wellington Club is concerned —Joe Henrys, Joe Evett, and now Joe Chadwick. Evidently the Committee don’t approve of the old song, “ Not for Joe.”.

Mr Morrin must have been jubilant on Tuesday morning when that fine mare Forme produced a grand colt. As the sire of the newcomer is 'the St. Simon stallion, Phoebus Apollo, the breeding would seem to indicate that the youngstei is likely to make a big name for himself later on.

Messrs Nathan’s good mare Rosella put up a very smart performance on the training track on Tuesday. She was given a fast mile, and got through the task in a manner which must have pleased her trainer. There is no more popular mare with the general public than the chestnut daughter of Seaton Delaval and Roie.

The track work recently, put in by the Yaldhurst representative, Siege Gun, has not been of a very attractive nature, as he is invariably led by his stable mate, Romany Queen. The latter is reported to be looking very fit indeed.

Messrs H. H. Hayr and Co. have once again been re-appointed by the Auckland Racing Club to work the totalisator for the coming season at Ellerslie. The inside machines are now all of the same model, being more satisfactory to the public and the operator alike. I understand that a fifth machine is to be added to the inside house, this being reserved for five pound investments and telegraphic commissions. This should greatly relieve the customary rush at No. 1 window.

During the season the Auckland Flying Club intend holding thirteen matches over various distances. The longest will be from Christchurch to Auckland, a big trip for the racing pigeons, as the distance is 480 miles air line. Owing to a very strong head wind on Saturday poor time, was made in the race from Frankton Junction (73 miles). No less than seventy-seven birds started, the winner turning up in W. Ellis’ A.F.C., who came through at a gait of 651 yards per minute. The A.F.C. is a very live institution.

Our Christchurch cqrrespondent gives a full account of Mr O’Connor’s experience as a starter, which will be read with interest in view of the appointment of that gentleman as starter for the Auckland Racing Club. Certainly the newcomer has had plenty of experience at the game, and has gained much praise for the able manner in which he has got through his work.

The Victoria Amateur Turf Club make a. commencement with the Spring Meeting on Saturday next, October 11th, and it will be continued on the 15th and 18th. On the opening day the most .interesting items are the Caulfield Stakes, over one mile and a furlong, and the Toorak Handicap, of one mile. In the Stakes the entries include Sir Leonard, Brakpan, Great Scott, Flagship, 'the Idler, Abundance,. Felicitous, Wakeful, Kilt The Victory. Cadenas, United States, Carinthia, Australian, Bonnie Chiel, Killua, Oimrah and Rhapsody. As the running in this event generally throws a strong searchlight on to the probable horses to be dangerous in the Caulfield Cup, the doings, of the performers are always keenly scrutinised. If both go to the post it looks like proving a great battle between Wakeful and Abundance. The mare will have to be at her best to give the weight awav to the three-year-old. 4 '

Mr Martin Taylor intends leaving for Christchurch on Saturday next with a view of participating in the New Zealand Cup Meeting. '

Tlie five-year-old bay gelding Kiatere scored a brace of wins at the Hunt Club Meeting last Saturday. Both races proved rather soft snaps for the son of Castor, and he went to the post on odds on favourite in both events.

Our Christchurch correspondent states that St. Michael will be an almost certain starter for the New Zealand Cup, and colour it lent to the rumour by the fact of him being nominated for the Ashburton Meeting. Stripped in his best the Auckland Cup winner should prove one of the very hardest to beat in the big race.

Over in Australia there’s music in the racing atmosphere just now. Miss Nellie Stewart’s nomination won the Rupertswood Bracelet on Saturday, and amongst the entries for the Epsom Handicap, run on Wednesday, were Songbird, Casino Giri, Soprano and Marie Lloyd.

The imported horse Onmenus, by Orme, was sold by auction at Melbourne by Messrs W. C. Yuille and Co. at the Victoria Horse Bazaar a few days ago. Messrs Payten and J. Wilson, jun., were tjhe principal bidders, and the horse was eventually knocked down to Mr W’ilson for 450 guineas.

What a constant performer St. Olga has been during the last three seasons. She started thirteen times as a two-year-old, with ’one win to her credit, twelve times as a three-year-old, scoring twice, and no less than thirty-eight times as a four-year-old, when she caught the judge’s eye first on six occasions. Work .like that wotilcl soon bring out the weak points if there were any.

The Pakuranga Hunt Club people are by no means under a c ebt of gratitude to the' Clerk of the Weather. After three postponements it was wretched luck striking such r a day as last Saturday. There seemed a possibility of fine weather in the morning, gnd quite a number mp.de tne journey out to Alexandra Park. Once started, the rain persisted all the afternoon, and the enjoyment of patrons was completely spoilt.

It is extremely probable that the Wellington Racing Club’s Cup Meeting will be a two-days’ fixture, against three last year. It is generally agreed that two days at one time is plenty for Wellington, which is not a, sporting centre, and has to rely a great deal on outside owners for support. Last season the Club lost heavily oh the .Cup Meeting, and gave £1250 in stakes on the third day. The Club should finish up nearly square at the end of the season, judging bv the way the executive are going' to'work, but they have a pretty hard task set them.. Still if only the Club is luckier in the matter of weather than last year, the financial question should not cause much uneasiness.

In looking through the list of the various, events set down for decision at the Victoria Amateur Turf Club Spring Carnival it is to be noticed that the jumping races have filled well. The candidates for the hurdles include Marton,, Lowland Chief, Metalloid, King Pin, Turk, Nansen, Sheridan, and other fair performers, while among the cross-coun-try horses are Bay Eagle, Kiota, A.’N.A., Kaimate, Riccarton, Emms, Rising Fund and Deingomar. The Nursery Handicap, attracted a great number of fashionably-bred youngsters. The handicaps on the flat have also been well patronised, and several good performers from New South Wales are to be found on the list, among them being The Persian, Brakpan, First Thought, Great. Scott, Hazel Lad, Australia, The Caretaker, Weronga, Abington, . Kinglock, Stillwater, Patronage, Invasion, Ibex, and Clochette ; Victoria furnishes such good horses as Seclusion, Ampler, Bon Voyage, Bonnie Chief, Homeward Bound, and Venganza ; while Lucky Dog and Cadenas represent West Australia. -x- . * * . * • The Auckland Trotting Club advertises the programme of the Spring Meeting in this issue. Judging by the list of events a very, attractive bill-of-fare is provided for racegoers, while quite a substantial sum is given as prize money. The meeting will take place on November Ist and sth, and as usual there are six trotting and two pony events down for decision on each day. The big event on the opening day is the Spring Trot Handicap, of 60 sovs (saddle or harness), while the Class Trot also is certain to bring out some of the best exponents of the game. On the second day the October Trot, of 50 sovs, over two miles, is pretty sure to attract a let of talent. Nominations for alPevents close with the secretary, Mr C. F. Mark, on Friday, 17th October, while, the handicaps for the opening day’s events will see the light on Tuesday, 21st inst., with acceptances on the following Friday.

It looks as though Nonette would be given a run at Ashburton no doubt with the view of putting the polish on Mr Ryan’s horse before he strips for the New Zealand Cup. His name appears among the list of nominations.

Apparently St. Michael will be an absentee when the horses line out for the New Zealand Cup, if the rumour of his breakdown is correct. Should such prove to be the calse Mr Knight will have struck bad luck, for it was only last autumn he gave 200 guineas for the brown son of St. Leger and Ich Bien, and if he • had gone on all right looked to have a chance second to none in the big handicap.

Racing in South Africa appears to be fairly prosperous,, and from a paper to hand some particulars are gleaned of the first two days of the Durban Turf Club’s Winter Meeting. During the two days £2465 was given away in stakes, including one stake of £lOOO, and for the two days the amount put. through the totalisator totalled £15,200. In addition thirty-four fielders paid licenses to bet during the meeting. Australian-bred horses figured prominently at the meeting, and the Auckland-bred Strategist was among the field for the £lOOO Strategist/‘who has won several races in South Africa, has, according to the local paper, turned a rogue, and, after being very fractious at the post, he got left, and took no part in the race. The Aus-tralian-bred mare Truthful, by Butler from Reality, won a £5O galloway race, and paid a dividend of £ll 15s, and £3 5s for a place. For the Durban Turf Handicap, bf 1000 sovs, one mile, a field of nineteen faced the starter, and the winner turned up in a Natal-bred horse named Chaos, who paid a dividend of £6O Bs. Amongst the starters was the Australian horse Gunga Din,\Bst 121 b, and he finished last, with the exception of Strategist, who was left at the post. Two Austra-lian-bred ponies won races on the second day of the meeting, and these were Goldseeker, by Little Bernie, and Little Bernie, who is also by the same horse as Goldseeker. There is apparently plenty of money for racing at Durban, and there was,a first-class attendance on each day. Punters are accommodated by fielders, a straight-out totalisator, and a place machine.

An English paper to hand gives an interesting account of a levee held by Car- - bine at Welbeck Abbev to a large party of visitors from the colonies “At least one of the troopers at Welbeck yesterday had ridden him in Australia, many had seen him carry his owner’s colours to victory after victory, and most of the men from “ down under ” had backed him. They all knew him again, but agreed that he has put on flesh in his present comfortable quarters. They greeted him with a cheer, but Carbine had forgotten his racecourse lessons, and seemed surprised. However, he carried himself proudly, and as the sun was shining nicely many a good snap-shot of the old horse will decorate Australian and New Zealander homes as a result of yesterday’s visit His admirers crowded round him, and Carbine was patted bv many hands all over the bodv. Some admirers went so far as to pull hairs from his mane and tail. Then bolder they begged the Duke for Carbine’s cast shoes, and waxing still.more bold they claimed the autograph of Carbine’s owner, and His Grace was kept very busy writing his name on cards and books, using the broad back of a New Zealander as a desk. Carbine himself appeared to like the experience, and for some time he could be neither dragged nor coaxed away from his blandishments of his admirers. There was something almost 'touching in all this, and it is quite safe to say that the Duke was a prouder man than if he and not the horse had been -the centre of admiration. He promised to send to the men n their Australian and New Zealand homes photographs and shoes of Carbine, and then there came a rush to hand in names and addresses. Carbine was followed by Orme. Afterwards the Abbey itsejf, the the famous racers Donovan and St. Simon, and by a number of yearlings got bv such hotses as Isinglass, Persimmon, Carbine, St. Simon, Ladas and subterranean works, and other places were visited.

The following are the names of a number of mares on a visit to Wellington Park sires :—Mr Livingstone s Lacybircl, dam of Lottie ; Mr Sinclair’s Mantle, Mr Hannan’s Nellie, Mr Percival’s St. Ursula, Mr F Marshall’s Abadyos, dam oi thnairn. Signet, dam of Romeo, and Orbhan dam of Bellman, etc., Mr Boltons Harpist and St. , Lyrist Mr F. Matsons St Latira; Mr Booth’s Cressy and Mr McLeod’s Revenge Frances . Mr Booths Jennie; MrA. Kidd s MyXriousknd The Maid- Col. D = s Victoria‘. and Mr Jas., Muirs Repulse and Folly. , .<

Prior to being scratched for the New Zealand Cup Ideal was an absentee from the track for over & fortnight.

Most of the races run at the Geraldine Meeting were started well behind the starting posts, so that some of the times put up are discounted by being made from flying starts. Advices received in Lonnon from Toronto on August 14 stated that it had been decided to purchase 500 horses annually in Canada for the British army. * • © • The Victorian crack fencer, Colonel Shilinski, is troubled with a leg, and Mr A. Miller intends to send him to the paddock for a long rest. T * * > L. G. King, who broke his collar-bone when Roller fell with him on the second day of the Timaru Meeting, left the Timaru Hospital on Wednesday of last week. King, according to advice, will have ta carry the injured arm in a sling for over three weeks from the date of leaving the hospital. A correspondent of the London “Sportsman” says on the principal Russian racecourses not only does a large official chronograph show the time for the full distance of a race, but for each quarter of a mile. By so doing, it can easily be seen which part of a race was run qu cke&t. For this purpose a man is stationed at every quarter of a mile post, and a® the head of the leading horse passes each post, the man presses the electric button communicating: with the chronograph above the judge’s box, and, unless interfered with by change of weather, the times have proved correct.

Mr John Brown, who has sent out Sir Foote, Trussing Cup, Simile, and others during his sojourn in the Old Country has secured yet another good sire for Australia. This is Jolly Hampton, who has been purchased for Mr R. C. Allen. The breeding of the new stallion is undeniable. He is by Merry Hampton, a Derby winner', by Hampton —son of Lord Clifden, by Newminster—from a mare by Broomielaw, by Stockwell. Jolly Hamptdn’s dam, Gliff, is by Torpedo—son of Hermit,- by Newminster—from Tullia (granddam of La Carabine), by Petrarch—son of Lord Clifden—from Chevisaunce, a sister to Hie celebrated Lord Lyon, by Stockwell. Jolly Hampton therefore belongs to Bruce Lowe’s No. 1 family. The strength of breeding in the son of Merry Hampton, as it is in La Carabine, is Touchstone, with a strong infusion of Stockwell. Mr Alien’s horse gets Touchstone through Lord Clifden, Hermit and Ithuriei__the latter through Longbow, who appear twice, once in Merry Hampton, and again in Torpedo’s dam the famous Shotover, who was by Musket’s sire, Toxophilite.