SPORTING NEWS. [By Hippona in the "Auckland Star."]

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 350, 13 March 1889, Page 3

SPORTING NEWS. [By Hippona in the " Auckland Star."]

Followers of the turf have had plenty to engage their attention for some days past. What with the Newmarket Handicap, Australian Cup, Champion Stakes and the Wanganui Meeting, truly they have had their hands full. So far as tho Australian Cup is concerned, backers came out trium phanbly, but the vast majority had a bad time over tho Newmarket Handicap, and the hopes and thoughts of many were rudely shattered last Saturday night when tho wires flashed Sedition's name as the winner of the great Flemington sprint race. Lochiel and Carbine had a bit ot misfortune to meet an opponent like M r Morris Jacobs's mai-e, for an Aucklander who looked over her in Melbourno about this period last year, tells me that it was whispered to him by her connections that she was a rod in pickle for a Newmarket Handicap, and so it has turned out. The mare has always been credited with being possessed of great pace, and from the period tho weights ap peared she was constantly nibbled at on the other side at long prices, and I notice by a paper of 27th February that on that evening at the Victorian Club a wager of 5,000 to 250 was wanted about her, Sedition's owner is a heavy bettor, and it is quite certain that he has fallen in for a big slake. Previous to the Newmarket Handicap, Sedition's only two successes were gained at meetings at Mooneo Valley and Williamstown, and there was nothing of any note behind her. On the score of breeding, though, she has plenty to recommend her, for her sire INeckersgat fe ot that brilliant colt Newstead, in addition to many othors that have gained turf fame. Irish Queen (the dam of Sedition) is an Australianbred mare, and is an occupant of the stud farm of Bir Thomas Elder at Adelaide. She was bred by Mr M. Bryant in 1874, and was got by Irish King, her dam Sylph, by Impudence (Y.) from Creeping Jane, by Plenipo. Singular to say, the Newmarket Handicap was the only event Sedition was entered for at the meeting, but she is a i-attling good mare, or else she could never have put down the field she did last Saturday. The slow time recorded has been a puzzle to everyone, but the state of the atmosphere and the way the fiist couple of hundred yards was run would, in all probability, bring this about. With such flyers as Lochiel, Carbine, Cranbrook, and Tradition in the race, it was very properly anticipated that there would have been some record-smashing, and when the time was published there were many who would not credit it being correct. If Lochiel missed the sprint race, he made ample amends in the Australian Cup, which he appears to have won with something in hand. The numbei that opposed him was the smallest since Protos won so far back as 1874, whon nine went to the post, while the field, excepting Carlyon and Carbine, can hardly be termed of the highest class. Nevertheless, there was a deal of merit in the performance, and Mr Stead's success will cause gratification, from one end of the colony to the other. I think it goes without question that he has done more for the cause of racing and breeding than any man who can be mentioned in New Zealand. He is a thorough enthusiast and a practical man to boot, while he spares neither time nor expense to gain his successes. May the ' ' yellow banner and black cap" of the Canterbury sportsman be furcher carried to victory. All doubts about Carbine being a nonstayer were set at rest by his victory in the Champion Stakes on Thursday. He recorded a real sterling performance in the event, to say nothing of his second in the Australian Cup. Carbine possess a splendid record, for he has never yet been unplaced, and it is pleasing to think that he is owned by a sportsman of Mr Donald Wallace's stamp. Lochiel again covered himself with glory by winning the Autumn Stake 3, so that altogether New Zealand has good cause to feel proud of the deeds accomplished by her equine representatives at the meeting, Musket's daughter Volley proved what a first-class mare she is when really well by her V.R.C. St. Legev victory last Saturday. Her running goes to prove that the Kirkham stable made no mistake when they so heavily supported her in the early spring for the A.J.C. and V.R.C. Derbies, but the fickleness of the sex no doubt brought about her downfall at that period. J. Rae has had an addition made to his string in the shape of a two-year-old filly named Lilac, by Leolinus — Leila. She has just been broken in. The Nordenfeldt — Leila colt purchased by Rae at the last New Zealand Stud Company sale has been named Focus. Too Soon went out favourite at 3 to 1 for the Election Handicap at Rosehill (Sydney), in which he was easily defeated by Mr W. J. Dangar's maro La Valette. There were twenty-six starters. Anent tho race "Martindale" writes: " Tho defeat of Too Soon must have been a serious loss to his owner, Mr W. Lyons, who is one of our most popular ringmon. This horse must have cost no end of money, and all would like to sec him score a good win." I have advices from "Adam Bede," stating there were 1,309 subscribers to tho Newmarket Handicap, 28 prizes coming to New Zealand. Carbine and Australian Peer came to Auckland, anclPakeha and Melody to Wellington, while in the Austialian Cup Lochiel came to Auckland. During the week Mr Percival has been collecting subscriptions to bring Major Walmsley's remains over from Adelaide and have them interred here. It is intended also to erect a suitable headstone and railing around the grave. Mr H. H. Hayr has alao been exerting himself with asiiniiar view in rogard to the jockey Edgecombe, who is interred in the Taranaki cemeteiy. I see by a Sydney paper that the wellknown jockey Alec. Sutherland has turned boniface, having recently taken possession ot Tatter-sail's Hotel, Graf ton. The Secretary of the Pakuranga Racing , Club tells me that the Club will come out of last Saturday's race meoting with a profit of £5. It is intended to sow the course down wich grass, and have it levelled. The Auokland - bred colt Leontios, by Leolinus — Tifcania, purchased a couple of years back at the New Zealand Stud Company sale, recently ran second in a Maiden Plate at« Oalrieigh Park, near Melbourne. He carried Mr Oscar Barnett's colours. Antelope has not yet recovered from the injuries she sustained in the Auckland Cup, and there is no chance of getting another race out of her this season. The nominations for the Easter Handicap, Autumn Handicap, and Steeplechase, to be run at the A.R.C. Autumn Meeting next month, will be found in another portion of this issue. It has been generally thought that Manton's name figured among the entries for the St. Leger, but glancing through the list I find that he is missing. This is a thousand pities, for a contest between Cuirassier and Mr Butler's crack, both at their best, would have been a treat indeed. From Melbourne comes word that Don Giovan has onco_more "gone to pieces," and he may never stand another preparation, |