TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1161, 11 July 1912, Page 6

TURF TOPICS.

Gisborne Steeplechase meeting concluded.

Wellington races on Wednesday and Saturday next. .1; * *

Auckland horses won the whole of the six jumping events at the Gisborne meeting last week.

Trainer F. J. McManemin lias returned to Auckland alter a short holiday in the South.

A number of thoroughbred stock will be offered for sale by auction on Friday.

The Wellington Racing Club’s meeting on Wednesday and Saturday of next week will bring the present rac-

ing season to a close

V. Coleman, of Auckland, will ride Paritutu in the gelding’s schooling at Trentham prior to the. Wellington meeting.

A. McFlynn was responsible for a fine performance at Gisborne. He had live rides over fences and each time was first home. As a result his total number of winning rides this season is 15 and he now leads A. Julian by one in the jockey premiership over fences.

Whakaweira is reported to have cut himself somewhat while racing at Hastings and as a result will have to be treated to a spell. He has accepted for the Wellington Steeplechase.

It is understood that R. Cameron, who won the last Melbourne Cup on The Parisian, has been retained to ride that gelding in the coming Cup. Since Cutts won or Archer in 1861 and 1862, AV. McLachlan, on Prince Foote and Comedy King, is the only jockey who has won two successive Melbourne Cups.

With several of our leading crosscountry horsemen on the invalid list owners of jumping horses may find difficulty in securing the services of capable horsemen at Christchurch.

Just after passing the post in the Winter Oats at Gisborne, Sea Pink fell and his rider, F. D. Jones, received a broken collarbone.

For the Australian Jockey Club’s Derby of 1913, which carries 5000 sovs. of added money, 380 nominations were received.

Providing nothing unforeseen happens in the meantime, the Freedom gelding Bully, who ran second to Napper in the Great Northern Hurdles, will be sent to Riccarton to run in the Grand National Hurdles.

A. Julian is making rapid progress towards recovery from his accident, and he fully expects to be in the saddle at the Wellington meeting.

The Ellerslie trainer, J. Williamson, is having a remarkable run of success with his jumpers. At Wanganui he won with both Okaihau and Hautere, and at Ellerslie Hautere also annexed the Great Northern Steeplechase, while at Gisborne Armagh won a double for the popular young Ellerslie trainer.

Weights for the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdles, Grand National Steeplechase and Winter Cup are due to make .their appearance to-morrow (Friday).

The committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club declined the request of the North Island owners to delay the issuing of handicaps for the Nationals till after the Wellington meeting.

The Ellerslie trained Merrimax was expected to make good on the second day of the Gisborne meeting but the best the Merriwee gelding could do in a field of five was to finish third. Merrimax is many removes from a good one.

After enjoying a short respite from activity the Seaton Delaval mare, Sea Elf, is again doing light exercise at Ellerslie.

The death is reported of the stallion Canteen, who won the New Zealand Cup of 1903 and defeated those great horses Wairiki and Achilles.

La Reina’s win and a second at Gisborne credited her popular owner Mr R. H. Duder, with £9O. Although she cannot always be relied upon, La Reina pays her way well.

Successful jockeys at the Gisborne meeting were: A. J. McFlynn (five), Dwyer and C. Brown two, and Lowe, F. Porter, S‘ Reid, B. Deeley and J. Deerey one each.

Mr J. Williamson headed the list of ■winning owners at the Gisborne meeting with £225, others to win over a century being J. Bunting £205, D. Moraghan £ 170, and Tooman and McHugh £l6O.

Mr 1-1. R. Mackenzie has placed the steeplechaser Cloudy Morn in J. Williamson’s hands to be prepared for Hunt Club events to be decided at Riccarton next month.

Among the mares to he mated with Lord Nolan, the Melbourne Cup winner of 1908, who is just commencing stud duties, is the New Zealander Idvll ( Multiform —Bellicent).

Khamsin has not recovered sufficiently to be brought home and the Quarryman filly still remains at Otaki in F. Higgott’s care, but should soon be at Trentham once more.

The young full-brother to All Red (Stepniak-Madder), now at Randwick, is described as a powerfully built and shapely black colt, and one of the best looking ones at headquarters. He belongs to the prominent Australian owner, Mr F. Merton, and is trained by Isaac Foulsham.

During the Gisborne meeting Wee Rose changed owners at 36 guineas, her new owner being Mr Selby, of Wharerata.

D. Moraghan put up a good record at Gisborne. His team of three — Master Theory, Taiaha and Admiral Soult —won six races out of seven starts. Admiral Soult was beaten out of a place in his first race.

The Nelson horse Stevens, who has been unlucky in hurdle events this season, is absent from the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdle Race list. Recently he developed a knee, and is being spelled.

It is stated that quite a number of Auckland ex-bookmakers intend permanently taking up their residence in Australia. So far as Sydney is concerned (says the “Arrow”), they will find the bookmaking ranks so crowded that they may have difficulty in getting licenses.

Morihiko is spoken of as a likely winner of hunters’ events at the Christchurch meeting.

Lcngstep is doing good work at Tauherenikau, but she is such a bad one at the barrier that backers are chary of supporting her.

Trainer A. Peters, who has been in Melbourne during the past six months returned from Sydney by the Maunganui.

Elevated (Elevation—Sunfish) was recently operated on at Trentham. He made a good recovery, and is again in active work under the care of his owner, J. Cress.

Mr P. E. Baldwin’s Sir Laddo gelding, Ladrone, was backed last week lor the Winter Cup, says “The Judge.” The Otaki-trained animal has been showing fair form of late, and he may l:e equal to winning the big mile race.

The stallion Pallas, by Chain Armour — Nellie, who was at the stud in the North Island last season, has gone hack to Southland, where the deeds of his three-year-old son Palisade have gained him many admirers.

The ex-New Zealander, Leslie Hewitt, had the mount on Lord Ellesmere’s Protestant in the Great Northern Handicap at York, and at the distance looked a winner, but Maher on Succour just got up in time to make a dead heat of it.

A. Oliver, who went to Sydney to ride Blakeney, and Boanerges in their engagements, returned to Wellington last week. He leaves for Australia again after the Grand National meeting next month.

Darby Paul is said to have been backed during the week for a good amount of money to win the Winter Hurdles. The fences at Trentham are expected to suit the Century Hurdles winner.

The latest sensation in English racing circles has again to do with the successful doping of well-known horses. It is freely stated that the prominent owners of the animals in question have been proved innocent of what was going on, and were shocked when the true state of the case was revealed. The sequel is still being discussed with relish wherever racing men meet.

Latest advices from Wanganui state that Antarctic is now doing, well, and is likely to be at his very best by the time that the Grand National meeting comes on. So far, no horseman has been engaged to ride him, but if A. Julian is sufficiently recovered he is likely to be offered the mount.

Tikitere, who met with a bad accident some time back, having to be placed in slings, is getting along in a satisfactory manner, but it will be some time before the daughter of Finland and Flame is able to leave her box.

The southern jockeys C. Emerson, James Pine and C. Hack are at present in Sydney enjoying a holiday.

The Egmont Racing Club has decided to make a grant of £l5O to the Egmont'-Wanganui Hunt. * * * *

Mr J. M. Johnston, of Oamaru, has sent Tenterhook (Clanranald —To-mor-row) and Fougasse (Kilcheran —Ambush) to Melbourne.

At the Warwick Farm (Sydney) races on Saturday the Flying Welter was won by Brave Heart, with Blakeney second.

The ex-Auckland pony has won another race in Sydney, his latest success being in a 14.2 handicap at the Ascot meeting.

Two horses who have been lately operated upon, for respiratory troubles are Federal, the disappointing son of Formosan and Fairy Queen, and Ngatapa, the two-year-old by St. Ambrose —Ambush.

The Dunedin Jockey Club refused the application of the Southland jockey, J. Olsen, for a re-hearing of the case which ended in his suspension lor six months for crossing at the club’s winter meeting last month.

The Danhevirke Racing Club has made arrangements with the Native owners to purchase the course upon which it is accustomed to race. When the purchase is completed it is proposed to introduce a scheme of improvements.

The committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club, under Part XVI., rule nine, have allowed the correction of the entry of Captain Jingle. The telegraphic entry in the Grand National Hurdle Race was an error in transmission, and the horse should have been entered in the Grand National Steeplechase.

When the last mail left England, Cyllene was an easy first in the list of winning sires, and the subsequent Derby victory of Tagalie would still further improve the position of the expatriated son of Bona Vista and Arcadia.

At a meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association at Christchurci. the trustees of the provident fund reported that they had placed at fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand the sum of £llOO from 'the fund at 4 per cent. The action of the trustees was approved.

In France and Germany two-year-olds are not raced nearly as early'as

in Australia. In Germany the Union Club recently decided not to include in its programmes any two-year-old races prior to June Ist (equal to January Ist in our racing season), and the French Societe d’Encouragement has fixed the period for the commencement of two-year-old racing at about a month later.

Those who saw Julian racing at Napier are ticking the gelding off as a likely winner over fences shortly. Being a bit green, he hit some of his fences hard, but shooting should soon, remedy this.

The management of the Melbourne Trotting Club deserve every success for the manner in which they have in the past encouraged the sport of trotting. Their latest idea is to institute a Trotting Derby, and they fiave issued an announcement of what is termed the new classic race for trotters and pacers, and the added money is the substantial sum of 10 00 sovs.

A Sydney exchange says: “By many people ‘amateur’ and ‘gentleman’ are regarded as synonymous terms as applied to individuals riding at picnic meetings. Such, however, is far from being the case, and, according to all accounts, there have been a few happenings at picnic fixtures this year which would have been too warm for even the ‘hottest’ of professional riders to contemplate. From what can be gleaned, it has been a case of ‘me to-day and you to-morrow’ in some quarters, and the scandal is such that it is to receive the attention of the A.J.C. Neither have owners been quite guiltless.”

A buyer was after Field Force who ran third in the Maiden Hack Race at Gisborne but no business resulted.

C. Jenkins’ riding record is now claimed at 89 and if we accept this as correct B. Deeley still requires one to tie, or two to beat, it.

Prince Palatine, who ran second to Lance Chest in the Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket last week, a fortnight ago won the Ascot Gold Cup;

J. McGregor, who, it is assumed rode Wingarra to victory in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles on Saturday, won the Steeplechase last year on Confide.

At the conclusion of the Gisborne meeting the Menschikoff gelding, Dogger Bank, was sold for 33 guineas. His late owner gave 100 guineas for the gelding and only secured one race.

As a result of his two defeats at Gisborne Paisano’s stock for the Grand National at Riccarton, have fallen considerably.

The Highden filly Bronze was withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup before the appearance of the weights.

A hunter expected to do well at the National meeting is Mr P. T. Hogan’s Vulgar Boy.

Multiply and Caher Davon, winners at Gisborne are half-brothers, both being out of Lady Augusta.

The Victoria Racing Club’s meetingwill be brought to a close on Saturday when the Grand National Steeplechase comes up for decision.

Secretary Mr H. E. Dodd is to be warmly congratulated on the success of the Gisborne meeting. The general arrangements were all that could be desired and the smooth manner in which everything passed off testified co the excellent work done by him.

Prince Soult is growing into a fine colt and all going well he promises to be a payable proposition next season.

In both the Te Hapara ami Tramway Steeplechases at Gisborne the Singlestick 11. gelding Taiaha was the only competitor to get round without mishap.

No mention can be found in any of the Australian exchanges of Wingarra, and it is quite on the cards that his victory was quite unexpected. The cabled result of the race gives McGregor as the rider of Wingarra and it is possible it is the ex-Auckland rider, J. N. McGregor, who had the mount.

The starters for the four steeplechases at Gisborne totalled 18 and of the number 10 came to grief. The difficulty in cross-country events lately appears to be to complete the coarse without accident.

The report that Whakaweira is to be turned out is evidently incorrect as the gelding has accepted for the \V ellingtcn Steeplechase.

B. Deeley had several mounts at the Gisborne meeting, but his only success was achieved on Rising Sun, a son of Robin Adair, who brought off a surprise in the Second Hack Handicap.

After a long string of outs the Soult —Pansy gelding, Admiral Soult, captured a double at the Gisborne meeting. It is close upon two years since Admiral Soult last caught the judge’s eye and the wins did not come out of their turn.

E. J. Rae took Tui Cakobau, La Reina and Merrimax to the Gisborne meeting, but La Reina was the only one of the trio to get on the winninglist. Returned sportsmen from the gathering say she should have won Loth days.

Returned visitors from the Gisborne meeting are loud in their praise of the treatment received by them at the hands of the popular Gisborne sportsman, Mr .F. Hall, who left nothingundone to make the visit enjoyable.

The Auckland mare Uranium figures in the Winter Hurdles at Wellington at 9st. At the Great Northern meeting the daughter of Leolantis ran third in the Orakei Hurdles with list on her back, and as she had only been in work a few weeks there is every reason to expect her to strip a better mare when next seen out under silk. A short distance maiden hurdle race should suit her to a nicety.

Canteen, whose death is reported from Melbourne, was sold as a yearling for 100 guineas, the well-known penciller, Mr M. Moss, purchasing the grey son of Castor, and Vivandiere. Canteen was only a moderate performer till 1903 when he defeated Wairiki and Achilles in the New Zealand Cup but it will be remembered considerable boring took place in the race and the rider of Canteen had his license suspended. Canteen was then taken to Australia with a view to winning the Melbourne Cup but before the race came up for decision Sir Rupert Clarke., purchased him for 3000 guineas. For his new owner Canteen was a perfect frost and never succeeded in winning a race, though if memory is correct he once finished second.

The veteran trainer E. Cutts has been confined to his house for some time owing to illness, but at latest was a good deal better.

P. V. Mason has taken up his quarters at R. Derrett’s stables at Riccarton, but the only horses he lias in work are Vahalla (Hierarch — Peace), and the rising two-year-olds by Martian —Grand Opera and by Achilles —Chinwag. The first named has been entered for the New Zealand Cup, but owing to an accident he has not yet been raced.

At the last meeting of the committee of the Egmont Racing Club it was decided to forward an objection against the date proposed for next season’s meeting at T.e Kuiti on the ground that it clashes with the Egmont Club’s summer fixture. It is hard to see where this comes in, as the fields at the go-ahead Te Kuiti Club will invariably be comprised of Auckland horses.

The Eclinse Stakes, the first of the English ten thousand pound races, will be run on July 19. The entries include the Derby winner, Tagalie, and the Ascot Gold Cup winner, Prince Palatine, and the meeting between the nair should provide the race of the season.

At Budapest on May 18 the bigrace of the day, the Karoly, T.Y.O-. Memorial (four furlongs and a-half, value about 1730sovs) was won by the Victorian jockey, B. Carslake, on Baron Springer’s colt Per Bacco, who is by the speedy Bon Marche (son of Bona Vista). Carslake rode two other winners for Baron Springer at the meeting, and also secured a good handicap on Dummer Kerl for Herr Kaspar von Geist.

According to a Southern exchange, the Otago hurdler, Stayboy, has been sold by Mr. W. Crossan to Mr. C. Samson, who is using the gelding* as a hunter.

At the Palmetto Park track (Charleston, S.C.) in April, the crack American jockey, Turner, rode six winners in succession in one afternoon. Turner rode his first winner last year, and according to a Denver exchange he heads the winning list in America so far this season.

An Australian writer says that when recognised good riders fumble about looking for their whip in close finishes, the fumbling is by design in nine cases out of ten. Such jockeys, he says, should be hauled before the stewards and asked why they did not get the most out of their mounts with hands and heels.

Owing to the Mokoia being 24 hours late on her trip to Gisborne, the owners of Waikehua, Prince Eddie, and Donzel decided not to make the trip as the horses would

have to race as soon as they got off the boat. .Captain Jingle and Amaru were the only Hawke’s Bay horses competing at the meeting.

Caher Davon, who won the Flying Handicap at Gisborne, was bred by Mr. C. J. Parker, and is a three-year-old chestnut gelding by Gienapp from Lady Augusta, by St. Leger—Brown Alice, by Nordenfeldt, being thus a half brother to Multiply, who won the Maiden Hack Race. The latter two-year-old is also one of Mr. Parker’s breeding.

Gold Bird is to be given a run in hack steeplechase events at Trentham (says a Wellington writer), but if his showing with the Manawatu hounds is any guide to his ability across country then it will be a case of “write your own odds” against the Loveshot gelding getting the course, let alone winning. Perhaps he may do better with the colours up. Certainly he could not do worse.

The V.R.C. committee considered the appeals against the decision of the V.A.T.C. stewards in disqualifying for twelve months the racehorse Recaller, owner (E. Eccles), trainer (P. Guinane), and the New Zealand jockey (H. Cairns), for alleged suspicious practices in the Cambria Welter at Caulfield on June 22. The committee dismissed the appeals, except in regard to Guinane, and additional evidence in his case is to be sent to the V.A.T.C. stewards for their consideration.

The big Huddart-Parker liner Ulimaroa is a favourite one with owners to ship stock in. When she leaves Wellington for Sydney on the 19th inst. she will take the Highden team, consisting of Bronze, Ermengarde, and two Charlemagne 11. youngsters. All the indications point to New Zealand having a very powerful division in action at the A.J.C. spring meeting.

The victory of Lance Chest fn the Prince of Wales’ Stakes, will be pleasing to New Zealanders, as the gelding claims as sire Spearmint, Carbine’s best son. Spearmint, it will be remembered, won the English Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris, subsequently breaking down. At the stud he has already sired some good winners, and his services are in keen demand at 200 guineas. Chestnut Sunday, the dam of the winner, is a bay mare by Bushy Park —May Race. Bushy Park, it may be mentioned is noted for its famous avenue of chestnut trees, and the Sunday in May when they are at their best is the occasion of a great pilgrimage from London. Major Loder has been a wonderfully lucky owner, having owned such good ones as Pretty Polly and Spearmint. He seems to have got another smart galloper in Lance Chest, because Prince Palatine, who was beaten, won the St. Leger very easily last year, while the other day he carried off the Asco.t Gold Cup.—Exchange.

If a horse has the minimium weight in a long distance handicap, it is of little use unless its rider makes more heavily-weighted animals feel theii’ imposts, touching on which an English paper says:—A horse that cannot give another 71b over two miles may be able to give a stone at a mile, and this is often forgotten by the riders of light-weights in long distance races. There is an old racing adage that you “cannot give away both weight and distance,” and we saw this when Magic beat Bayardo in the Goodwood Cup. Jockeys on light-weights who are afraid to force the pace at the beginning of a race almost invariably get beaten at the finish. Few jockeys riding at the present time in England are good judges of pace like Tom Cannon, John Osborne, and the late John Watts. Sloan, too, was always aware when he was going fast or slow, even when out by himself in the centre of the course, and he was nearly always going as fast as the horse could carry him. That is why he won so many races. The majority of riders nowadays must be next to the rails to be able to tell at what pace they are going. They have to see the posts fly past. A capable jockey having to ride heavy-weights will finesse to reduce his races to a minimum distance, and when he can induce other riders to wait about for three-parts of the journey he is bound to win, as the real struggle is then only over a couple of furlongs, and at that distance he can give away twice the weight he is set to do.”

J. Cameron has a string of fourteen horses in work at Feilding.

The newly made two-year-old track at Ellerslie is now being worked on by the juveniles.

Backers had a great innings at the Gisborne meeting, first favourites winning nine of the 14 events decided.

The Ellerslie horsemen, J. O’Shea, J. Buchanan and J. Sceates were riding without success at Gisborne.

W. Sharpe has had an addition to his string at Ellerslie in the shape of a six-year-old mare by Rambler — Guisette.

Lance Chest, who is by Spearmint —Chestnut Sunday, and therefore a grandson of Carbine, has unfortunately not been entered for the St. Leger or the Eclipse Stakes.

Lady Medallist and Volsloane are already favourites for the Caulfield Cup, while Trafalgar and The Parisian are at a ridiculously short price for the Melbourne Cup.

When the mail left the favourites for the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, to be run at Flemington on Saturday, were Nimrod, Vanguard, Leah Kleshna and Tinapagee.

An offer was made fc r Armagh during the Gisborne meeting but the price did not reach the sum asked for the son of Salvadan and Leonette. * ■ * ■■■■ *

Surely Dame Fortune is smiling upon the. young Ellerslie trainerowner, J. Williamson. Only a few days ago Mr. J. Hill made him a present of Armagh, who won a double at Gisborne.

Frank Wootton rode three winners at Alexandra Park (London) on Saturday last. He also occupied second place twice.

The New Zealand-bred Obsono returned to Flemington after a successful visit to Adelaide, and is reported to be looking very well indeed.

Since Gold Leaf produced Autumnus she has bred a colt and a filly to Treadmill. Unfortunately the colt died, but the filly will race under the name of Equinox.

The New Zealand hurdler Reumac (Explosion —Stepfast) who went lame shortly after his arrival in Sydney has resumed work at Randwick. He is now being trained by J. Whitworth.

Mr P. Andrews, who recently purchased Paisano, had bad luck with the gelding, acting the role of runnerup to Master Theory in his two starts at Gisborne.

Messrs J. R. McDonald, of Levin, and W. G. Shannon, of Feilding, have given two cups, valued at 10 guineas each, to be competed for at the steeplechase meeting at Awapuni on August 7th.

Yankee Mary, dam of the C.J.C. Derby winner Roseal, has not bred for eight years. Last season she visited Gazely and her appearance leaves no doubt as to the result of the mating, which speaks well for Gazely as a sure foal getter.

It is stated that an offer of 400gns was refused for Field Force after he had finished third in the Maiden Hack Race at Gisborne. Field Force is a two-year-old colt by Marshal Soult — Gastorlace, and is the property of Mr J. E. Newton.

Silver Cluse has been supported from the right quarter to win the Winter Hurdles at Wellington. The connections of the horse make few mistakes.

The combination, The Rover and Continuance, for the Grand National Hurdles and Steeplechase is reported to have been supported for a fair amount of money.

Mr Lou Robertson, owner of the V.R.C. Grand National winner, Wingarra, also trains Merry Monarch,, the favourite for the event at latest advices. Robertson is an ex-New Zealander, but is best known in connection with trotters. Robertson drove Dan Patch when that horse paced exhibition miles at Alexandra Park for purses offered by the Auckland Trotting Club.

C. Coleman was unfortunate on his trip to GisLvorne with Manuwera. On the way down the son of Cuirassier struck himself and severed a small artery and as a result could not be raced at the gathering.

Bobrikoff’s rising two-year-old halfbrother has been named Blackguard. The name indicates something plebian in its nature, but nevertheless he may turn out a patrician performer on the turf. Last season Gossip was bred to Finland, who nine years ago sired Bobrikoff. In the interval Gossip has produced nothing of note, and except Bulletin (whom she threw to Pilgrim’s Progress) has not bred a winner.

During the past season the West Australian Turf Club received 16,666 sovs from the totalisator, and 7308 sovs from the bookmakers. The club paid 21,340 sovs in stakes, and consequently must have made a good profit over the season's operations.

Reported that the steeplechaser’ Okaihau has been sold to Mr D. Hawkins, of Tuparoa but will continue to be trained by J. Williamson at Ellerslie. The price paid was 300 guineas.

When F. Loomb returned to Auckland from the Gisborne meeting he brought up the Motor —Chilbouk mare Scorch, who has been leased by Mr H. de Lautour from Mr Newman. Scorch, who is now located at Ellerslie, is a half-sister to Continuance.

F. Porter, trainer of Te Aral, was greatly surprised to find the old gelding nominated in the Grand National Steeplechase, says “G'lencoe.” The gelding is not in work, and has no chance of seeeing the post. At present he is running out in the paddock, with another old veteran —Te Kainui.

At the instance of Viscount Churchill, Sir Charles Swinden Eady has issued an injunction to restrain a lady named Meadows from selling tickets for the Royal enclosure at Ascot. It is stated that she was acting for certain society people who are not named.

At Tumut a few days ago, Talepitcher, by Soult from Fairy Tale, was offered by auction and knocked down to Mr. J. F. Gordon for £l5. As a two-year-old Talepitcher was owned bv the Auckland sportsman Mr. A. Bagge, for which gentleman she won the Avondale Stakes in 1907.

A week prior to winning the Nation Hurdles at Flemington Wingarra put up an attractive performance in -the Hurdle race at Williamstown. A horse called Joe had a long lead at the back and looked unbeatable, but Wingarra reduced the gap, took command at the home turn, and won at his ease. The performance of the Riverina horse was so good that he is sure to have come into favour for the National.

Prior to Rising Sun winning the Second Hack Race at Gisborne, the gelding was under offer to the Auckland sportsman, Mr Foss, at 90gns.

Captain Jingle had a doubtful looking leg at Gisuorne and he may not •stand much racing when the ground is hard.

St. Helena, with Deeley in the saddle, was a strong favourite on the second day at Gisborne, but a close second to the outsider Earl Percy was the best he could do.

The appropriate name of Counsel has been bestowed on the Vasco — Silk Gown colt purchased by Mr. G. D. Greenwood at the November yearling sales. This youngster is the flnest colt the writer has seen auctioned during the past season, and on looks should develop into a racehorse above ordinary merit. The most attractive filly sold during the same period is the Boniform —Helen Portland youngster. The colt made 450 guineas, and the filly 500 guineas, and it will, be interesting to note how these stylish-looking youngsters comport themselves when asked to carry silk. —“Sentinel,” in the. “Otago Witness.”

The owner of Multiply is Mr P. Parker, a son of the populai* Gisborne sportsman, Mr C. J. marker.

John, the Cuirassier gelding engaged in the Grand National Hurdles, is reported to be shaping well in schooling tasks over hurdles.

Among North Island horses coming in for favourable notice in connection with the Winter Cup is Ladrone, who has shown good form in hack events recently.

At the last meeting of the Nev.Zealand Trotting Association, M. Edwards wrote that he had sold Glenloth to R. Hudson, Dunedin; Wild Belle to F. Hickenbottom, Christchurch; and Fritzetta to W. Hayward, Christchurch.

The Melbourne writer “Terlinga,” who was present at the recent meeting of the Adelaide Racing Club, had the following comment to make on the subject of fractious horses: —“In the Norwood Handicap, Musket Belle was left at the post. When she won the Goodwood Handicap at the South Australian Jockey Club’s meeting a man was behind her with a whip, and he got her off. The Adelaide Racing Club stewards will not allow attendants with whips at the start, and quite right too. Why should the wellbehaved horses be upset by the cracking of whips/ used for the benefit of the Musket’Belle sort? In Sydney no attendant or trainer is even allowed through the gates with a horse. The bad ones are not allowed an advantage over the good ones, and the sooner the practice is adopted everywhere the better.”

Mr S. Pitt has acquired the gelding Master Tupuhi, who raced with success at both Hawera and New Plymouth meetings, in the ownership of Mr Anstis, of Wanganui. Being endowed with plenty of pace and under Trainer Mantle’s care, this gelding should soon land a race for his new owner.

At a race meeting held at Bathurst, New South Wales, a few weeks ago, the bookmakers, numbering thirty, went on strike as a protest against the action of the stipendiary steward in disqualifying the winner of the first race for a breach of the rules. The matter was considered at a meeting of the Western District Racing Association, which decided to cancel the licenses of the bookmakers concerned. The bookmakers intend to take no action until August, when they will apply for licenses, and if they are refused, court proceedings are likely to be taken.

According to an English exchange, it is a remarkable fact that in nearly every instance in which horses have been run on the English turf with a view to a great handicap coup, and the coup has been duly brought off, prosperity has, in the long run, de-

serted the effectors thereof. It used to be said of William Day that “he made handicaps his study.” In the old days, when to win a great handicap was apparently to win a fortune for life, no man succeeded so frequently as William Day, even to winning the Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire in the same year. He had Joe Millar when he beat the largest field on record for the Chester Cup, and scored heavily with such horses as Out and Outer, Oxonian, The Judge, The Starter, and many others.

Mr E. J. Watt’s rising two-year-old colt, Jason, by Achilles —Stepina, is reported to be shaping in good style at Hastings. It is probable that he will form one of the team which will represent Mr Watt at the spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Club.

The racehorse General Lee 11. met his death recently in England through being run down by a motor-car. His owner brought an action against the owner of the car, and was awarded damages to the extent of £llOO.

A rather good suggestion was recently made by Mr John Clare, of Omakau, who is an old racing man, to a correspondent for the “Weekly Press.” He says he would like to see every country club put on its programme a maiden race for horses sired in the district. “Sired” is, he asserts, the only way to meet the case, as it would encourage a man to bring a good horse to a district whereas if one could send a mare to a sire out of the district there would only he a few of the best sent, and then to a good horse, and that would penalise the chance of the local sires’ gets—a