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

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 374, 5 June 1889, Page 3

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

Monday next, the 3rd of June, will be a busy one among horse-owners and etudmasters throughout the length and breadth of Australia, for on that, day entries for the big handicaps of next spring are due* together with nominations for the " young " races. It is important that those interested in Auckland should noo overlook the day, and owners that have promising yearlings must bear in mind that it is their engagements that make a well-performed two or three yearold really valuable. Auckland's great name as a horse-breeding country has been gained by tho deeds performed by our horses on Australian racecourses, and it behoves us to be well represented in the lists. Mr C. J. Pen fold, of Christchurch, is authorised to receive Now Zoalnnd entries on behalf of the Victorian Racing Club only up to twelve noon. The leading events that close and the prizes are :—: — Soys. County Purse. September 12 250 Hnwkesburr Grand Hand'p. September 14 400 Hawkesbury Claret Stakes. 1890 .. .. 300 Great Metropolitan Stakes. September . 1000 Gcelont,' II C. Sires' Produce Stakes. 1891 300 Geeloni? R.C. Foal Stakes, 1892 .. .. 100 Ctiulfield Cup. October 19 1500 V.A.T.C. Great Foal Stakes. 1890 . . . . 500 Caulfleld Guineas, 1890 500 Melbourne Cup. November . . . . . . 5000 Maribyrnonj? Pl-ito 1000 V.R.C. Derby. IS9O 1000 V.R.C. Nornianby Stakes. IS9O .. .. 400 V.R.C. Ascot Vale Stakes, 1890 .. .. 650 V.R.C. Oaks, ISSO 500 V.R.C. St. Leper. 1891 1000 V.R.C. Sires' Produce S"akes, IS9I .. .. 250 V.R.C. Foal Stakes. IS9I 500 The Hon. .T. White possesses such a strong hand for the Victorian Derby this year in Rudolph, Sinecure, Dreadnought and Singapore that Australians are casting their eyes towards New Zealand with a view of purchasing something to haul down the Kirkham banner. Strong efforts have been made to secure Corunna, and the manager of the syndicate who own the colt informs me that he was asked through an agent if £2,500 would buy him, but even this very tempting bait did nob have the desired effect. Looking down the V.R.C. Derby entries, I notice that the Hon. W. Robinson's Merrie Enelend figures in the list, and so does Mr D. O'Brien's JDunkeld, but the name of Scots Grey is missing, which Mr Stead must regret. Richelieu is a colt that is thought highly of on the other side, and I have heard more than one good judge speak well of Carrington, Prince Consort, and the Tasmanian-owned Claude, but from all appearances it will take a real clinker to beat the elect of the blue and white. Mr Paneti, a well-known Christchurch sportsman, has taken our old friend Rewi and Escapade over to Melbourne, where he intends racing the pair. What a wonder Rewi is, to be sure, for he is now twelve years old, and has been racing consistently since he won the Hawke's Baj Guineas, of 1880. It will be remembered that he was purchased out of a race at our Summer Meeting by Mr D. OBrien, who sold him soon after he returned to Christchurch. The Epsom Derby is to be run next Wednesday. I see by the "Sportsman" that a good deal of wagering is being transacted in Melbourne on the event, and a lino of 500 to 250 was written in one hand against Donovan. It is thought that if the Duke of Portland's great colt is beaten in the race it will be by Mr Douglas Bairds El Dorado (a stable mate of Enthusiast). El Dorado beat Donovan as a two-year-old, and it will be remembered that Enthusiast also put down Donovan in the Two Thousand Guineas a few weeks ago. Describing the race for the Wanganui Steeplechase, one of tho local papers f=ays : —Oddfellow was voted good goods at the weicht, whilst other 3 could not forget the performance? of Orient and Kangaroo over the same course on previous occasions. Then Glencoe had a following, owing to his recent hurdle victories. Orient and Oddfellow led over the first fence, Kincraig third, the rest in straggling order. Kincraig baulked, and Clarice came down at the third jump. Oddfellow was first over the post rails, and he and Orient, took the double almost together. Orient led a trifle over the atone wall and water iump, followed at a distance by Glencoe. From here it was evident that the rape lay between the two O's, and the light weight, evidently had the best of it, for, jumping beautifully and gaining half a length at each fence on Orient, the son of old Painter went over his fences like a bird, and ran home an easy •winner. The two colts intended by the Hon. J. White for the English classic events are being exercised every morning at Randwick. The usual work is to canter about two miles and then spurt home. Kirkham is said to exhibit most pace at this stage of the business. Says a Christchurch writer :— Mr OBrien has Hazel, Freedom, and Galling in work now, and a nice trio they are. Hazel will be a fast mare, and Gatling will be a. clinker, though Cutt3 thinks that his Nautilus colt will be a better two-year-old, and certainly he i= a well-made one, and, moreover, Nautilushas always thrown fastharses. I saw Sextant hacked about the roads a few morningssince.andif perfectly sound he would be a good horse. I believe he stands 16hds lin, and his power is proportionate, with apparently plenty of freedom in his action ; but he is unsound in the understandings, and soundness there is a primary feature in the success of a horse on the turf. At the same time Sextant looks a lot better now than when I saw him in winter. Horry Lunn has now got Engagement and Chain Shot in training, and they look none the worse for their spell ; indeed. Chain Shot seemg to improve in looks with aga, and no doubt he will be heard of to advantage in the spring either here or in Australia. Harry Yeend, who was recently in Wellington, took back to Melbourne with him the identical jacket and breeches which he wore when he rode Flying Buck to victory in the first Champion Race. At the Tasmanian Racing Club's autumn meeting Kidd, the erstwhile Auckland jockey, won the Trial Stakes on Cesarean by the Assyrian. He had three losing mounts at the meeting. Mr H. Redwood offered his thoroughbred stock for sale at Nelson a few days back. The first lot put up was Christmas Rose, but after the bidding had risen slowly to 150 guineas, he was passed in. The three next lots suffered the same fate, 125 guineas being offered in vain for Redwood, 120 guineas for Steam, and 200 guineas for Lake Superior. The well-known Brother Agnes failed to teach more than £31 10s, and was not sold. Her Ladyship, a mare who has performed well, was gold at 125 guineas. Masthead was fpassed in ut 400 guineas, while the little mare. Stoat, who won so cleverly at the late Nelson meeting \fas sold at 124 guineas. Rama Rama was not sold, the highest bid being 200 guineas. Goodwood, who won tho Autumn Handi cap at Tasmania races a few days ago, was 60 little thought of that the totalisator paid 170 to one against him, the only two investors securing £85 5s each for their halfsovereign. Not bad odds. • It is reported that Mr Walter Higgenbotham has a good looking half-brother to

Mentor under his care. He is by Sb. Albans from Nightmare, and promises to furnish ioto a powerful horse.