NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 955, 25 June 1908, Page 6

NOTES.

(By

The Judge.)

The V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race takes place on July 4 and the Steeplechase on July 11. * * > * That very smart pony Mighty Atom was shipped to Sydney on Monday, and he will probably be sent for “ the Richmond Thousand,” which takes place on July 6. This is the richest prize ever offered for galloways. By the same steamer the pony Ngakapa and the two-year-old Glenvar were also sent across to the Commonwealth. » * * * The result of the Ascot Gold Cup was cabled during the week, the winner proving to be Mr. W. R. Wyndham’s bay horse The White Knight, who, it may be remembered, was given the race last year after a successful appeal against the French crack Eider. ♦ » * » The North N.Z. Coursing Club will hold a meeting at Otahuhu on Saturday and Wednesday next, when some good sport is promised. The Hon. George McLean has purchased the St. Simon horse Sarto, a brother to the Oaks winner La Roche, and on arrivel he will take up stud duties at Dunedin. Among the lots included in the original list of horses to be sold at the Yaldhurst auction was the young English stallion Charlemagne 11., by St. Simon—Perfect Dream. This horse, which was purchased in England last year, was owned in partnership by the late Mr. Stead and Mr. J. B. Reid, and as Mr. Reid has agreed to purchase the interest of Mr. Stead’s trustees the horse has been withdrawn from sale. ♦■• • " From Randwick comes a good word concerning Achilles’ absurdly-named two-year-old brother Achilbean, who is said to be very promising. * * s * It is reported that Mr. Donald McLead’s colt Tamainupo will leave for Sydney early next month. « * * * Nominations for the Grand National Steeplechase, Beaufort Steeplechase, Lincoln Steeplechase, Grand National Hurdle Race, Sydenham Hurdles, and Winter Cup, to be run at the C.J.C. Winter Meeting, close to-morrow.

Curacoa’s rising two-year-old daughter by Soult has been named Wild Girl. * * .» * Nightfall made a sorry exhibition of herself in the City and Suburban. With 7st 61b she finished last but one. La Notte’s son and daughter, Noctuiform and Nightfall, have been arrant failures in England, yet out here they were really brilliant. » * • * The V.R.C. intends holding a special meeting at Flemington on September 2 in honour of the visit of the United States fleet. * * * * Mr. H. O. Nolan, the well-known Auckland auctioneer, sailed for Sydney by the Moana on Monday. * * & * Mr. “Dolf” Davis left Auckland on Tuesday by the Atua for a trip to the South Sea Islands. Mr. G. W. S. Paterson, well known in racing circles, returned from a trip to the East by the Mokoia on Monday. * « * * I notice a well-known local turf scribe states that the Messrs. Duder Bros.’ filly by Soult —Queen Anne has been named Le Reine. I was under the impression that the name La Reine had been refused, as there is a mare at the stud of that name, and that Regina had been substituted. Le Reine cannot be correct. The filly is a little beauty, and is evidently a believer in the milk diet, as she drinks quarts a day. It is to be hoped the youngster’s mishap is not a serious one. * A * * The Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting will take place on July 18, 22, and 25. The entries are very good, and a big success is foretold. The annual football match between the North and South Islands took place yesterday at Wellington in showery weather, the ground being very heavy as the result of the previous night’s rain. After a good game the Northerners proved victorious by 12 points to 5.

The stables formerly occupied by the late George Wright are now occupied by D. Bannatyne. who., among StKW,Clli& ifaTfiis cKarge Anteldpe’* ‘ * * • The Gisborne Racing Club’s Steeplechase Meeting will take place on July 9 and 10. The handicaps for the first day’s events will be found in another column. * Mountain King’s early backers for the Melbourne Cup have lost their money. He was not entered. * * * * Gold Crest has been given the crusher of 9st 71b in the Epsom Handicap. Evidently the son of Gold Reef is not wanted at Randwick. * * * * Post Haste, who won the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, is an aged brown gelding by Sou’-wester from Progress, and belongs to Mr. H. Hassall. It Is said of F. Greyland, who rode him, that it was only his second attempt over country, the first having been also successful on the same gelding. Mr. W. Lyons, accompanied by his daughter, left for Sydney by the Moa.na on Monday last. * * * * The weights allotted the New Zealanders in the two big handicaps at the A.J.C. spring meeting are as follows: —Epsom Handicap: Gold Crest 9st 71b (top weight, Frisco Bst 91b, Cross Battery Bst 71b, Apa 7st 131 b, Sea King 7st 131 b, Soultline 7st 121 b, Golden Slipper 7st 121 b, Maranui 7st 111 b, Rose Noble 7st 71b, Tamainupo 7st 71b, Nobel 7st, Idyll 6st 121 b. In the Metropolitan Stakes Poseidon (9st 131 b) is top weight. The New Zealand-owned horses are weighted as follows:—Frisco Bst 91b, Cross Battery Bst 21b, Apa 7st 121 b, Sea King 7st 101 b, Maranui 7st 91b, Soultline 7st 71b, Ringdove 7st, Nobel 6st 111 b. * * * * At the Hawke’s Bay meeting last week the sum of £12,549 was put through the totalisator as against £15,318 last year. Bookmakers’ fees compensated for the loss of revenue. w C * ♦ Pierre’s win in the June Steeplechase was brought about by an exhibition of dogged gameness on the part of the little son of Muskapeer, who in a desperate finish beat the favourite (Faro) by a neck. * *. * * According to the “Horseman” the Russians have made an unsuccessful attempt to purchase the champion American trotting mare, Nancy Hanks, who has a record of 2.04. In declining the offer Joseph Madden is reported to have said: —“Her tombstone on our farm would be worth more than we paid for her.” * * < * When the death of that good filly Malt Queen was announced from Muswellbrook on June 6 it was said that the animal had died from lockjaw (asys the “Town and Country Journa.”)! As the filly had always been well looked after, Mr James Brennan, who presented her to his son, was not altogether satisfied, and in order to be convinced had a postmortem examination made. The internal organs were brought to Sydney, and on examination it was discovered that death had been due to poisoning. The organs) were all found to be in a perfect healthy state, and save for the traces of poison found in the stomalh, there was nothing to indicate the cause of death. Whether Malt Queen ate a poisonous herb, or picked up some poison that might have been laid, is a mystery.

One of the “ lucky purchases” in England last year was a steeplechaser named Atrato, tor whom Mr J. Wynford Phillipps gave 310 gs. At Sandown Park on the 2nd last month Atrato, with 12.3, 'won the Grand International Handicap Steeplechase, of £325, this being his ninth successive victory. His stakeearnings total £2179, and in each of his nine races he started at a fair price.

The entry of 221 for the V.R.C. Derby of 1909, was regarded as a big one, but it it was exceeded in the case of the A.J.C. Derby, to be run in the same year, the total reaching 239. The V.R.C. event has 2000 sovs, and the A.J.C. event 3000 sovs, added.

After a great fight the anti-gamb-ling section of the New York State Parliament have decided that there shall be no gambling on the race tracks. The motion was carried by the casting vote of a dying Senator, who was carried into the House to record his vote. By this means they have made betting on the race tracks punishable by imprisonment.