Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, April 16, 1903. Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 684, 16 April 1903, Page 12

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, April 16, 1903. Sporting Topics.

(By " The Judg®.”)

Entries tor the rich Wanganui Guineas, to be run at the Spring Meeting of 2 904, also for the Jackson Stakes, of 500 sovs, to be decided at the Autumn Meeting of tlhe Wanganui Jockey Club, 1905, are due with Mr Moffatt on Monday next, at 9 p.m. The popular secretary looks like having a busy evening,, for such attractive events are sure to draw a big nomination.. Now that the Auckland Racing Club’s Meeting is over, race-goers will be turning their attention to events to come. A pleasant gathering in the near future is the Winter Meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club, which is fixed for May 16 and 20. The programme of events is a capital one, the most attractive items on the first day being the Empire Handicap of 200sovs, and the First Handicap Hurdles of isosovs. On the second day is the big Steeplechase of 225sovs, and the Britannia Handicap of Isosovs. Altogether £1520 will be disbursed in prize money during the two days. Nominations for all events are due with Mr Robert Wynyard, the secretary, on Friday, April 24, at 9 p.m. * -X- * * The Autumn Meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club will be held on May 2 and 6, at Alexandra Park, some £5BO being allocated for prize money. On the open, ing day the star attraction will be the Stewards’ Handicap of vosovs, over two miles, while on the second day, the Handicap Trot of 50sovs, over one mile and a-half, will no doubt attract the cream of the trotters. In addition to the Trotting events, the ponies will be well looked after, two events each day being set apart for ehe small horses. General entries are due with Mr'.C. F. Marks, the secretary, to-morrow, Friday, at 9 p.m. The Autumn Meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club takes ulace on Saturday, April'2s, and Wednesday, April 29, when a first-class programme of events is to be gone through. Capital eneries have been received for the various events, and with a little better luck in the matter of weather than usually .falls to the lot of this popular club, the re,union promises to be very enjoyable irMeed. Next week I hope to be able to go through the handicaps at length, with a view to attempting to forecast results. The second day will clash with the Municipal Elections, but 1 greatly doubt whether this' will have much effect in keeping patrons away from the Avondale gatherin 8- » * * * An eight dog stake will be run off on Saturday afternoon next,, at Chevalier Park. The draw will take place to-day. Rather more than ordinary interest attaches to this stake, in that the winner, or those which show the most promise, will probably go South to take part in the big stake which is to be run at Oumarn. Landlock has often showed his galloping abilitv before at other meetings, while his easy ' Victory in the Flying Handicap showed him to be in form. I doubt whether he has ever registered so taking a performance, however, as in the Grandstand Handicap on Tuesday. He carried top-weight of 9&t> 121 b, and pue down a good field. including Westguard, to whom he was conceding 51b, running tn. seven furlongs in tmin 30sec. Six turlongs was supposed to be the gelding 9 pet distance, but his latest victory has dispelled.that illusion. <

The debut of Westguard in the Flying Handicap on Faster Monday was watched with interest, ' and the general opinion seemed to be that she is a fine-looking mare. Although the handicapper had loaded Westguard up with weight, the public made her first favourite, although there was not much to choose between her and Marshall Soulti in this respect. The Vanguard mare ran well, but she was unable to pace it with Landlock in the finishing run.

Despite his easy/ defeat on Saturday, Wairiki was made a warm favourite for the St. George’s Handicap, but again hn disappointed his supporters. Gainsford managed to get into a bad position right through the race, and asked his mount too much in the straight. Northumberland ran the race ol his life, and beyond question is a much improved horse. He answered very gamely to Buchanan’s call when Wairiki challenged him in the last bit, and put up very fair time for the race. A win was certainly due for the Messrs Nathan.

I must confess to being totally unable to fathom Mr Evett’s line of reasoning in making the adjustments for the three hurdle races. In the first, over two miles, Awahuri and Bellman were given the same weight, the former - winning easily. On Monday Awahuri has to give Bellman only four pounds, but this time over Bellman’s pet distance. The latter, however, could make no race of it with the Southerner. On the third day, over two miles, which is generally recognised as being too far for Bellman, Awahuri has to give the Old fellow but seven pounds. Naturally, punters refused to bet for they would have had to lay three to one on, such a cake walk l did it appear for Awahuri. As everybody foresaw there was practically no race whatever, Mr Donnelly’s gelding having little more than an exercise canter. With another stone on his back he would probably still have won, but to penalise a hurdle horse but seven pounds for two easy victories is practical ly making him a present of the third.

The totalisatOr returns at the Ellerslie Meeting show a falling off of £lO4l, as compared with the similar meeting - last year. £32.145 went through the machine, as against £33.186 in 1902. At the Canterbury J.C. Autumn Meeting the reverse was the case, there being a substantial increase, /the figures being £22,519, as against £18,207 last year. The A.R.C. decrease was largely due to the Century Stakes and Third HuTdle Race, both of which were considered certainties for the actual winners, and on which, consequently, there was no betting.

.1 do not remember having ever attended a more thoroughly enjoyable race meeting than the A.R.C. Autumn fiture. The weather was simply glorious all through, the course was in splendid order ; Mr Percival’s arrangements for the comfort of patrons were excellent : Mr Lusk in the judge’s box sever made a. mistake .in ,he twenty-four races he had to adjudicate upon : the starting of Mr O’Connor was a fine object lesson as to how this should be done : there was not an accident of any consequence from start to finish : and lastly, there was not a single protest throughout the meeting, while the racing was capital. If anyone wants more than this he must indeed be a glutton.

Mr Hill deserves much credit for the splendid order in which he had everything at- Ellerslie on Saturday, and the course, always a pretty one, looked really beautiful. A Southern horse owner remarked on the stewards’ stand that, he was so taken up admiring the scenery he almost forgot to look at the racing. With such a faultless autumn day the classic convincing ground certainly never looked better. The various improvements, notably the new fencing and the shell paths, came in for much favourable comment.

Although Putty wOTI the Tradesmen's Plate on Saturday, the result might have been altered if Idas had been brought a little sooner. As it was, Sceats asked the filly a practically impossible task, but even then she got to within three-quarters of a length of the winner. '

'l’he field for the Northern Champagne Stakes was about a record one, blit punters soon had reduced the chances to four at the outside. These were Kamo, Roseshield, Melodeon and Ropa. The race was not a particularly interesting one to watch, for Kamo jumped away in front, and remained there to the finish. Ropa was second, but I fancy this would not have been the case if Melodeon had not swerved right across the course at the critical juncture. When Julian straightened him again it was too late to catch Ropa. The time taken for the trip was three-quarters of a second over Miss Delaval's record of imin 17sec, birt if Kamo bad been pushed at the end she would -have probably been found equal to lowering this.

Golden Rose's win in the Easter Handicap was beyond question a very meritorious one. Deeley always had the daughter of St. Leger in a nice position, and when the question was asked her she answered it in the most unmistakable manner, coming right away at a rare pace. That no loafing occurred during the jouiney was evidenced by the time recorded, viz., imin 41 sec, which constitutes a record for the course. The first two furlongs were run in 25sec, and the half-mile in 50sec. Golden Rose was bred by Mr Morrin at Wellington I ar?;. Icing got by St. Leger from Bangle. Curiously enough, Jewellery, the only other competitor able to get within any sort of distance of the winner, is by St. Leger from Necklace, a sister to Bangle, so the first and second horses in the big race are very closely related.

Wairiki's display in the Easter Handicap was a very disappointing one. 'there was a long delay at the start, caused partly by the temper displayed by the long-legged son of Soult, and while the race was run he never seemed to act kindly, not once emerging from the ruck. The dipping pace set by Landlock probably carried the big fellow off his legs, but at die -ame time, many good judges were of opinion that he was short of work, and would ha'’ ■ been all the better for a gallop or two.

Vai Rosa, who started seco (1J favourite in the Easter Handicap, had one of his off days. The son of Seaton Uelaval looked the picture of health, but. getting away badly, was never in the hunt. As Vai Rosa has constantly beaten Landloek in his work, and the latter finished well, there seemed to be some grounds for thinking Mr Lennard’s horse had a good chance, but I’m afraid he is a rather in-and-out customer. 'There was, however, a lot of bumping in the race among the back division, which no doubt affected some of the runners. Vai Rosa was nearly two lengths last at the start, so that he would have required to have put up phenomenal time to have beaten the winner.

Out of live starters in the Hurdle Race, on Saturday, three walked in, these being t’avaliero. Inchcape, and Lingard. Poor old Cavaliero was in especially sorry plight, the rather hand going having found out the weak place in his oh foreleg. Under the circumstances Awahuri's win although fairly pronounced was nothing of any very great merit, for he had but one opponent to see him home, the ancient Hellman.

Only Scotty and Spalpeen were found equal to opposing Achilles in the CenturyStakes. and the race was the merest procession, the champion three-year-old having very little more than an exercise canter round, winning without the semblance of an effort by four lengths. Achilles is not a particularly taking horse to look a t, having a rather coarse head, which is not improved by a broad white blaze. .His neck is another weak point. but it is when one comes to hisi understandings that his good points begin to show. lie is a rich golden chestnut, with a white blaze and a near white hind stocking. Taken altogether, however, on looks alone he cannot hold a candle to oiiim's of far less racing ability.

The Amtimn Hurdle Handicap proved an interesting race, Awahuri following up his first day’s success by again beating Bellman at the critical juncture after the latter, as is his wont, had made all the running. Mr Donnelly watched the racingfrom the stewards’ stand, and was' warmly congratulated on the dual success of the Kaiwhaka gelding.

In reading the programme of the Auckland Racing Club's Winter Meeting, which appears in this issue, .owners should bear in mind that in all the fiat races the minimum weight will be nine stone. This includes the hirst Maiden ’Welter, the Cornwall Handicap, the Ranfurly Maiden Welter, the Prince of Wales Handicap, the Third Maiden Welter and the Farewell Handicap.

One of the next events to which owners will turn their attention is the Winter Meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, one of the most popular fixtures of the season. 'This takes place on May 21. and 22/ and the programme is one which leaves nothing to be desired. 'Hhere are seven events down for decision each day, the most noteworthy of which are the Century Hurdle Race, of 300 sovs on the opening day, and| the Wanganui •Steeple-" chase, of 400 sovs, on the second day. It should not be forgotten that entries for all events close with the secretary, Mr Moffatt next Monday, the 20th inst., at 9 p.m., when it is to be hoped that Northern owners will respond freely.

A gentleman who .'was on a visit to Auckland recently from the South was constantly impressing on me the fact that Lady Lillian is one of the finest looking mares in the colony. He would not hear of any possibility of the mare's defeat in the Easter Handicap, and was strongly of opinion she would win both races. So well was 'she looking when he saw her last. Events have proved him right, for the five-year-old daughter of I’haethon and Lady Zetland has duly pulled ,off the double event, displaying unflinching courage on each occasion at the critical juncture. Lady Zetland was one of the best, and she appears to have no unworthy representative in Lady Lillian.

The feature of the Christchurch meeting was the. great success achieved by Sir George Clifford’s horses. 'The well-known blue and gold chequers and red cap were virtorious in the Champagne Stakes on ’Treadmill, in the Epsom Welter on Windwhistle, in the Russley Blate on Quarryman, and the Challenge Stakes with 'Treadmill. 'l’he latter colt’s defeat of Machine Gun in the Champagne Slakes came as a surprise to the admirers of Mr Stead’s crack, but that it was no Huke the Bill of Portland colt proved on the second day by defeating Orloff by ten lengths in the Challenge Stakes.

Sonica is evidently a very much becter pony than sflie was given credit for. On the first day of the A.R.C. Meeting she won in a canter, with 7st 11 lb in the saddle. On the second day, with a rise of a sione, she again got home after a good battle with Stepaway. On the concluding - day, with 9st it'lb. punters left here severely alone, but she fairly romped in, paying a two figure dividend. ’The Soult (illy, on her running in the latter race, must be about the best in Auckland to-day. for she was in receipt of only seven pounds for the two cracks. Orange and Blue and Annoyed, and as neither filled a place. Mr Arnold's three-year-old appeared to win by more than that.

'l’he battle between Abundance and Great Scot in the A.J.C. St. Leger, on Saturday, must have been worth going a long way to see. 'l’he Lochiel colt had beaten Abundance at Rosebill a few days before, and his party were sanguine of success, but Abundance had no lack of admirers. Great Scot made nearly all the running, but his doughty rival joined issue at the distance, a desperate battle ensuing. Amid tremendous excitement the Pilgrim’s Progress colt and the Australian Cup winner fought out the issue to the bitter end. Abundance just getting the verdict by a short, head. The Queenslander, Balfour, the onlv other candidate, was tailed off.

'l’he largest crowd ever seen at a trotting meeting in the colony,” as a telegram puts it, was present to see the great match between Fritz and Ribbonwood on Saturday. The downfall of the Australian trotter was fully anticipated in Auckland, for it was generally recognised that his sporting owner, Mr Buckland, was giving away too much. To meet a much younger horse, and a pacer at that, in his own colony was a pretty stiff .contract. Fritz has held champion trotting honours for years, so that it was only to be expected he would meet his Waterloo at last. Ai the same time. I think Mr ,Buck land must have been a little disappointed at his bid favourite’s .showing, for on hi.< latest, track form Fritz ought to have done better time than that in which he was beaten in the first and second heats. It is a pity that Ribbonwood is not a genuine trotter, but a pacer, for then New Zealanders would be even more proud of him than they are at present. In his last heat he went a mile in 2min lOsec, and won easily by eighty yards. I am told that if really pushed he is capable of knocking three seconds off that time’, and if such is the case he must he reckoned among one of the world's most famou's pacers.

There was no doubt whatever but that Wairiki’s two gallops in public had done him a great deal of good, so that when he came out in the Autumn Handicap to give weight away to the fourteen other rtinners on Tuesday, punters came at him open mouthed, in fact he and Golden Rose carried a third of the total investments. When Gainsford asked the big colt the decisive question he answered it in the most undeniable manner, beating the fast-finish-ing Golden Rose by three parts of a length. There can be no doubt whatever that Mr Bradlev’s crack is a stayer rather than a sprinter, and over a distance he will alwavs be hard to beat.

In recording the death of Mr Henry Woods, who used to write the reports of prize fights for “ Bell’s Life ” in London, the “ Referee ” says “ Never has there been a sporting newspaper occupying so strong and dominant a position as “ Bell’s Life ” had. Thousands of copies dealing with one pastime and another are sold nowadays where one of the great sixpenny was sent out ; but now influence has been widely divided, and nothing in the line stands out as by itself. Nor is anyone likely to come into such pre-

eminence, seeing that the greatest motiv® of all is defunct —viz., prize-fighting— o£ which its editor was king ex officio — an estate fitted for individual government. The ring was the greatest promoter of circulation ever known in the sporting world. We have no ring now, though boxing there is, one of the P.R.’s relations carrying on the old firm’s business under the only conditions practicable in a changed condition of public sentiment. Perhaps we are better off than formerly. Again, we might have done just as well, and a bit better, if knuckle-fighting was permitted or winked at (there must, you know, have been a tremendous lot of queer-sightedness among the police at various times, otherwise the fancy’s pitches would scarcely have so often escaped being queered;. Personally, I very much doubt whether doing away with the old style was a good move, considering only the nature of the encounters. Still, the game had to go, because of the inside and outside villainy attaching to it.”

Walter Melrose, who for years was quite at the top of the tree in his calling as a trainer of grey-hounds, in Victoria, died on Saturday last at his Melfort Inn, Pascoe Vale (says “ The Leader ”). About 25 years ago Melrose came to Australia, and his first engagement was with Mr W. B. Rounsevell, for whom he trained for some years. Coming to Victoria proved most successful with the dogs trained by him, and among the principal of his successes were three Waterloo Cups and innumerable canine Derbys, Oaks and St. Legers all over the several States. .He was thoroughly reliable in all his actions, and though bluff and particularly reticent as to his charges, he had a fund of humor that endeared him to coursing men in the days when the sport of the leash flourished in Victoria. Some three years ago he underwent an operation for cancer in the tongue, and though it was successful he never seemed the same ma since. His death will leave a gap in the coursing worfd that will be difficult to fill. At the time of his death he occupied the post of private trainer to Mr A. B. Pearson, one of the best supporters of present day coursing in this State.

The English scribe, “ Vigilant, ” saya that there is no doubt as to the general shrewdness Americans in blood stock deals. The proud Spanish admiral, when asked on his d eathbed to forgive his enemies declared he had nene ; he had killed them all. And so the modern American might say he has no mistakes in thoroughbred deals with Englishmen to regret because he hri made none, which is about as correct as any genera 1 . stiGment need be. Anyway, on one side there are the sales of Caiman (2500g5), King’s Courier (5200g5), Watershed (2600g5), Holstein (2200g5), Grave and Gay (3200g5), Jolly Tar (2200g5), Alien (1300 gs and Sir Hercules (1580 gs and on the other the purchases of Royal Flush (400 gs Black Sand (420 gs and Epsom Lad (1050 gs