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

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 380, 26 June 1889, Page 3

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

A TURF HERO. No, more, will the "black and white hoops "be sported on Nelson. ,All doubts about his racing . career, being at 1 an end are^ set at rest, for „ in a conversation I had the other day with Major George he informed me that the gallant hero of.so^many equine battles had finally bid adieu to theiacecourse for stud 'duties. What happy recollections Nelson's name brings up to racecourse habitues, and' the very opposite to many New Zealand bookmakers, who were smitten hip and thigh more than once by his victorious deeds. If ever the public idolised a horse it is the son of King Cole, and the receptions he has met with at the hands of Aucklanders from time to time have never been equalled on the Ellerslie course. The' fact was f never more demonstrated than on the occasion of his .winning the Flying Stakes at the recent A.ftjC. Autumn Meeting, which \ was his last appearance with the colours j 'up. The, old .horse, was 'cheered -to[ the echo as, he returned to scale, In these degenerate, days of the turf it is something to record that after eight years' racing throughout this colony and Australia, not once has there' been a breath of suspicion that the horse was run ac< bye." This, too, under the most tempting ciroumstances, and it speaks * volumes for the integrity of his owner, who, if unscrupulous,could have benefited largely time after time. Major George has always run Nelson for the public, and in the interests of the public, and they have never been slow to recognise it when the opportunity offered. Nelson was bred by theMesars Finlay, of Glenormiston, Victoria, and was purchased when a foal with his dam (My Idea) by his present owner. Although several stakes fell to his lob during his early career, including the Auckland Derby, it was not until five years old that he displayed the form which has since entitled him to be placed in the ranks of the very best horses that have trod the colonial turf. Which is the best performance he has recorded is open to debate, but Home of his best "form" "was shown at the Y.R.C. Autumn Meeting of 1887, while his most sensational defeat was at the hands of Artillery in the Canterbury Cup. Nelson has demonstrated that he is one of the most stout-hearted animals that ever looked through a bridle, while his pace was undeniable, added'to jvhich he was capable of carrying big weiehts. In stakes, Nelson 'has won for Major George, at a rough calculation, over £10,000, and the following table will show the positions Nelson has occupiod in the sixty-six races tor which he has started :—

I append a full list of performances of the old turf hero, which will be perused by my readers with more than ordinary interest : —

AS A TWO-YEAR OIA Auckland Spring.— Third in Welcome Stakes "won by his stable companion, Wapiti ; Mitrsil louse second. Auckiand Summer.— Second in Midsummer Stakes, -won by Hubina. Second in Nursery Handicap, Bst 91b ; won bv Rubina, Bst 101b,

AS A THREE-YEAR OLD. Auckland Spring.— Won Trial Stakes, w.f.a., beating eight others. Won Epsom Plate, w.f.a., beating six oth ers Auckland Summer. — "Won Derby, boating Wapiti, Escopeta, and Muokctcer. Second in Atifiklnud »late, w,f,a., won by Wolcome Jack. Hawke's Bay Antuhln.— Dead boat for second place. 7st 21b, with The Poet, Bst 2lb, in Napier Handicap, won by Sou'wester. 7st 81b. Unplaced, in .Grand Stand Handicap, 7st 121b ; won by The Poet. Bst 71b. Unplaced in the Autumn Handicap,"9st 41b ; won by Pcnrl, 7st 81b. Auckland Autumn. - Unplaced in Easter Handicap, 7st 4lb; won by Administrator, 7st 51b. Won Autumn Handicap. 7st 71b, beating seven others, in 2min 4(Hsee, for the mile and a half.

AS A FOUR-YEAR-O^D. Canterbury Spring.— Unplaced in the New Zealand Cup, 7st 131b ; won by Vanguard, Bst 61 b : Leonora, Bst, second ; Ike, 7st9lb, third; won EpsomHandicap,9st3lb; beating six others. Unplaced in Metropolitan Handicap, 7stl3lb ; won by Son-w ester, 7sfc 101b. Dunedin Spring.— Unplaced in St. Andrew's Handicap, Bst 21b ; won by Johnny Faulkner, 7st 121b. Canterbury Summer.— Secondin Welter Plate, 9st 131b ; won bj Puck, Bst. Third in Craven Handicap, . Bsc 6ib; won by Taiaroa, Bst 91b; Johnny Faulkner ; 9st; second. Dunedin Autumn. — Unplaced in Dunedin Cup, 7st9lb ;'won by Vanguard, 9st3lb; Trenton, 7st 91b, second f, Minerva, 7st, third. Won Bracelet Handicap, Bst 21b ; beating Ttubina, Bst 121b j and three others. Won Forbury Handicap, 7st 81b : beatinpf Sou 1 - wester, Bst 51b; July, Bst; and lour others Third in Flying Handicap, Bst 91b ; won by Marion. 6st 121b ; Taiaroa. 7st 131b. second. Canterbury Autumn: — Unplaced in Great Autumn Handicap, B*t; won by Rubina, Bst; Captain Webster, 6st 91b, second : Sou-wester, Bst 31b, third. Unplaced in Challenge Stakes, 9st; won by Trenton, Bst9lb; Russley, Bst 61b. second ; Lochiel, 7st 31b, third. Third in Easter Handicap, Bst 61b ; won by his stable companion, Wapiti, 7st 51b ; Rubina, 9st, second.

AS A KIVE-YEAU-OLD. Canterbury Spring.— Unplaced in New Zealand Cup. Bst 51b; won by Fusillade, 6st7lb; Administrator, Bst lib, second ; Lochiel, 7st 131b, third. Unplaced in Stewards' Stakes, Bst 121b ; won by Turquoise, 9st 41b; Lochiel, Bsfc 51b, second ; Talebearer, Bst. third. Unplaced in Flying Handicap, Bst 51b ; won by Billy, 6st 121b : Rocket, 6st 7lb, second ; Taiaroa, Bst 51b, Island Bay Spring.— Third in To Aro Handicap, Bst 71b; won by Administrator, Bstl2lb; Clogs, 7st 41b, second. Second in Grand Stand Handicap, 9at 41b ; won by Capsize. 7st 131b. Auckland Summer. — VV on Cup, 7st 81b, beating Waitiri, 7st 21b ; Victoria, 6sfc ; and twelve others.in 4min for two miles and a quarter. Won R.C.. Handicap, Bst 131b, beating Waitiri, 7st 51b ; Victoria, sst 101b t and four others.in 3min 6^860 for the milo, and three-quarters. "island Bay Summer. — Won Island Bay Handicap, 9st 31b.one mile and a-half, beating Captain Webster, 7st 101b; Pearl, Bst olb; and six others, in 2min 40sec, Wellington Racing Club Summer. — Won Cup, Bst 41b, two miles, beating Wailiri, 7st 21b ; Pasha, 7st 21b ; and three others, in 3min 36^sec. Dunedin Autumn.- Won Cup, Bsfc 51b, two miles and a distance, beating Necklace, 7st 81b ; Lady Emma, 7st 91b ; and three others, in 3min 54Asec. Won Marshall Memorial Stakes, 93t 21b, one mile and a quarter : Tasman, 9st 21b, second; Turquoise, '9st 21b, third. Time, 2min 15s"ec. A.J.C. '(Sydney), Meeting. — Won Autumn Stakes, 9st 31b, one mile and a half ; Malua, 9st 31b, second ; Tempo, Bat 121b, third. Time, 2min 46} sec. Unplaced ,in Sydney Cup, 9st, two miles, won by Cerise and Blue, Bst 21b. Third in Cumberland Slakes, 9st 41b, two miles, won bv ' Sandal,' Bst 121b. Won Place Handicap, 9st 31b, ■ one and a-half miles; Dagobert second. Time, 2min 38Jsec, Second in A.J.C. Plate, 9st 51b, won by Matchlock, Bst lib.

AS A SIX-YEAR-OLD. C..T.C. Spring.— Second in New Zealand Cup, 9st 101b, two miles, won by Spade Guinea, 6st 10lb. Second in Canterbury Cup, two and a quarter miles, 9st 61b. Avon by Artillery, 7st 61b.' Auckland Summer Meeting.— Won Cup, 9st 81b, two and a quarter miles ; Waitiri, 7at 91b, second; Clogs, )v 6st, 121b, third., Time, 4tnin 3tsec. Won Members' 'Purse, one mile, w.o. Won Auoklarid Plate, two miles, w.f.a.; Kingfish'second, Derringer thirds Time, 3min 52Jsec. Inland Bay Racing Club's Autumn Meeting.— Second in Poneke Stakes, 6 furlongs, lOst lib. won by Maligner, Bst 121b. V.R.C. Autumn.— Won Bssendon Stakes, one and a-half miles. 9st< 3lb; Volcano, 7st 111b, second ; Dunlqp, 9st, third. Time 2min &o|sec. Second in Australian Cup, two and a-quartor miles, 9afc 71b ; Avon by Trident. Bst 71b. Won All-aged- Stakes, one mile, >9st lib ; Sumatra, 6st 91b, Bccond; Hortense,63t9lb, third. Time, lmin 42 r Jsec. , ,- , ' A.J.C. Autumn,— Second in Autumn Stakes; 'one and a-quarter.miles.'9st'3lb, won by Honeydew, 9st 31b. Unplaced in Sydney Cup«(MU, 9at 121b. Second in AU-Aged Stakes, one mile,

9at lib; 1 woik'\by Matador, 7st lib (after dead heat). • ' ' " > ■ w.<"> - ~

- ! ■> <AT SEVEN YEARS. \ ' j Canterbury Spring.— Unplaced in -New Zea-' land Cup,'9st 101b, won byLochiel, 7stl2lb, with Gip3y King7st, second, and Bereaford, 6at, third. ;TV as beaten by Maxim in Canterbury Cup, ' Auckland Summer. — Second in Railway Plato, w.f.a., won by Cinderella, beating Muskerina. Won ; Cup, 9st 121b, 2\ miles, 4min 6sec, beating Clogs,* 7st Blb; Sextant, '7st 121b: and four others. Walked over for Auckland Plate. 'V.R.C. Autumn. y-Sccond in Essen (Ton Stakes, won by Carlyon, beating Cyclopp.' Unplaced in Australian Cup, 9atl2lb, won by Oarlyon, Bst 21b, with Arsenal, fetlOlb, secondi and Dick Swiveller, 6at 131b, third. Second in Champion Stakes, won by Aborcorn, beating Enfilade. Unplaced in Loch Plate, 1 won by Carlyon, with Cyclops second, and Enfilade third.

«.- AT EIGHT YEARS. Auckland Summer.— Unplaced in Cup 9stl2lb, won by Lochiel Bst 111b, Hilda 7st 31b, second, British Lion 7st 71b' third. Second with 9st 121b, to British Lion 7sfc 81b in A.R.C. Handicap, anrt ran third to Lochiol and Manton in Auckland Plate. Auckland Autumn. — Unplaced in Easter Handicap, 9st 111b, won by Lcorina, 7st; Leopold, 7st 71b, second ; Hilda, Bst 21b.' third. Unplaced in Autumn Handicap, 9st 111b ; won by Leopold ; won Flying Stakes, 6 furlongs, with 9at; Tupaki. Bst 91b, second; The Squire, Bst 91b, third. Time, 1.17*. ,

THE A.J.C, STEEPLECHASE. There was quite an exodus* of Auckland " leppers " 'to Sydney, 'on Wednesday for the purpose, of taking part in r the A.J.C. Steeplechase, run at Raridwicfc on Saturday, 6tli July. The prize is 400sovs. , and the distance 2& miles, while 'there is also a Hurdle Race of 250sovs. 4 on the programme. , Both Shillelagh and Artist should be able to hold their owii in the cross-country event. Mr Williamson" informed me that his trip would only be a flying one, but it is not unlikely that both his horse and Artist will be sold if opportunity offers. Kangaroo and Le Clair are not tho class to take over, bnt 1 presume they will be got rid of as huntere.

RINGMASTER IN ENGLAND. Mr J. E. Saville's Ringmaster, carrying 7sfc 21b, and starting favourite at 2 to 1 against him, won the Pontefract Spring Handicap of ssovs. each with 150 added, about 1$ mile, on May 2nd. There were eight other runners, and the Australianbred horse got home easily half a length in front of Partition. This win caused Ringmaster to carry a 51b penalty in the Great Northern Handicap afc York, which ho afterwards won. Then he only had 7st 51b. So far as is known, Ringmaster has started four times in England, and has won three races. It is, of course, quite likely that he has " run more frrequently and has been unplaced, for it is only his successes which are forwarded by cable to Australia.

V.B.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. The following are this year's entries for the Victoria Kacing Club Grand National Meeting to be held on July 13th and 20th :

GBAND.> NATIONAL HURDLE KACE. Prosper, Chandler, Lord Harry, Sluggard, Bolton, Sb. Louis, Sir William, Silverton, Recall,- Lady VVilde, Victim^ Perfectio, Rhymer, Ellerslie, Nora, Frolic, Sam, Nooroor, Red Leap, Elfrida, Dragon, Teddington, Corinthinus, Dreamer, Leroy, Blue Mountain, Rainbow, Abrupt, Marque, Incident, Queen of the West, Sinking Fund, Drilldool, Ayrshire, Islander.

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. Festal, Chandler, Wessex, Mahdi, Kestrel, Elleralie, Irishman, Reny, Eaglet> Red Leap, Kangaroo, Dragon, Corynthi Sheoak, Lashlight, Blue Mountain, Ruby* Fitzjames, Caliban, Queen of the West? Melton, Saxon, Peter Osbeck, Sir Joshua* Last King.

THE TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS. Particulars of the running of the Two Thousand Guineas are to hand, and disclose the fact that Enthusiast only beat Donovan by a short head. In extenuation of the defeat of the Duke of Portland's great colt, it is said that Fred. Barrett, on Donovan, and Watts, on Pioneer, were each convinced 150 yards from homo that the race lay between them. The veteran, Tom Cannon,' however, swooped down unexpectedly on Enthusiast, and a great exhibition of finishing power between him and Fred. Barrett res>ulted A m Enthusiast just getting home on the post. Odds of 85 to 20 were laid on Donovan, and 25 to 1 against the winner. Barrett was surprised by Enthusiaso's brilliant run, and believes that had there been another 50 yards to go Donovan would have won. This opinion was borne out by the Derby betilng, which, it will be remembered, was 2 to 1 against Donovan, and 10 to 1 against Enthusiast, the day alter the running for the Two Thousand. The time was the slowest but two run in the last 12 years. "Benson's chronograph" credited Enthusiast with lmin 52 l-ssec. The value of the stakes also falls short of most former ones. Mr D. Bairds colt won £4,000 exactly ; the year previous Ayrshire's cheque was £5,550; ditto Enterprise in 1887 ; and when Ormonde won his owner received £4,000. From 1875 to Ormonde's year the prize was never once so small. Camballo won £4550 ; in 1876 Petrarch took £4,000 ; and follo-iv-iner these came :— lBB7, Ghamant, £5,200 ; 1878,, Pilgrimage, £4,650 ; 1879, Charibert, £6,250 ; 1880, Petronel, £4,550; 1881, Peregrine, £6,150; ISB2, Shotover, £5,000; 1883, Galliard, £4,550; 1884, Scotfree, £4,150; and in 1885, Paradox, £4,300.

DEITH OF ROBERT THE DEVIL, From England comes news of the death of the famous throughbred horse Robert the Devil afc the Beenhamstud farm, Berkshire. He was bred by Mr Charles Brewer, and for tbafc gentleman and his trainer, Mr C. Blanton — the Brewer-Blanton combination — gained some notoriety at the time he won the Grand Prize of Paris, the St. Leger, the Cesarewitch, the Newmarket Champion Stakes, and other races as a three-year-old in 1880. He was defeated for the Derby through' his jockey looking round to see where Bend Or was, and Archer on the latter making 'one of his famous fini&hing rushes, beat Robert the Devil on the post. The Derby of that year was memorable througli*Messrs Brewer and Blanton entering an objection against Bend Or on the ground that he was really another horse named Tadcaster. This objection was not sustained, but during the time inqumes were pending it caused great excitement in the sporting world. Robert the Devil's last great performance was winning the Ascot Gold Cup, which he did as a four-year-old. He was then sold for 8000 guineas, -and his fee as a sire was 50 guineas. , The beat of his progeny is Chitabob, who was recently fancied for the Derby, for which, however, he was scratched on the day before the race.

MIXED ITEMS. Next Monday, the weights for the Melbourne Cup are due, and if the authorities do not indulge in the fad of copyrighting the compilation, readers of the Stab will be enabled to peruse them on Tuesday. I see that the New Zealanders Carbine, Maxim and Manton have been backed in Sydney to win the race at 100's to 4, and' that some -rash individuals have supported the double of'Coruhna and' Cuirassier at ridiculous prices. *\ ' '-'Major George had three of his rising twoi year-oldi at EUersUe on ' Saturday parading

the paddock, an'd^they engaged. ,aslofc of attention. Reprisal, the: colt by First King —-Memphis, on the score of /looks, is full of' promise, and Vendetta, by St. Albaiis— The »;Maid, and Mis's^Cole, by* King Cole^r '*. Tenambra, both possess racing points: I/? J. ,Kean was a good winner over the A. R.C. Winter Meeting. In addition to se curing the prize for the Great Northern Steeplechase with Don, Ke also fielded for a' ; decent amount. He made a dead " set " ' against Oddfellow, pulling off. the. double, while he' supported' Don individually to beat mof<t of the runners,^ which of course came off in his favour. . The racing season is dying hard .in Auckland. Next Saturday, bhe Onehunga Racing Club bring off another tro.tting and pony meeting. This will no doubt be the last for the season', the Government having notiried that all totalisator licenses are cancelled on, the Ist July. Antaeus (Sir Modred's son) won another good race at Randwick last week This was at 1 Sydney Tattereall's Club races. He raised' his weight for age, viz.; 7sb 81b, and' 1 left the six furlongs behind him in 1.16J. './. . The American trotting horses which came out in the s.s. Alameda on her last ■ trip were not allowed to remain in Sydney: their owner having neglected to fortify himself with a bill of health when leaving San ' Francisco, where glanders are said to be prevalent. They have been forwarded to<f Melbourne. The following yearlings belonging to Hon. J. White have been added- to the list :— Titan, by Chester — Tempe ; Carlist by Chester— Copra; and Marco, by- Martini Henri — Melanie. ' Rewi, who was taken over to Melbourne from Christchurch the other week, was startedin a six furlong race at Oakleigh Park, and ran third. From Napier comes word that the crossing country mare Denbigh, who was 3ent to visit Turquoise last season, has 1 not proved to be in foal, and her owner intends to put her in work again for next season. " Sterling," of the "Sportsman," thinks Carbine, Lochiel, and Russley three of the most brilliant animals recently seen on the Australian turf, but while paying this tribute to English blood, puts something in the scale on the other side, by expressing an opinion that Payten would train the Hon. James White's English team much better than Matthew Dawson. After the abuse that was at one time heaped on the training tracks at Ellerslie, and not without cause, it is refreshing 1 to read in a Southern weekly thab the trainers dewn* there say our tan track is the best in the colony. A writer' adds :—": — " It seems singular that Auckland should be in front of Riccarton in that respect." Newmaster, who was some ' time ago blistered and turned out, is now a constant visitor to the Caulfield training tracks Mr Walter Hickenbotham has supplied the measurements of Mentor and Carbine, which are as follows :—: — Mentor, 4yrs. Carbine, 3yrs. Height, 15h 3in Height, 16h O^in Girth, sft 9in Girth, sft 7£in , , Forearm, 17in- Forearm, 17in Under Knee," BAin Under Knee, 7iin.

At 2 years At 3 years At 4 years At 5 years At 6 years At 7 years At 8 years ] First. I 0 4 3 8 5 2 1 Second 2 2 1 2 6 4 1 i. 1 l'hird 1 0 3 2 0 0 0 a. i Unplaced. 0 3 5 4 1 3 3 23 18 6 19