BITS OF TURF.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 385, 17 July 1889, Page 4

BITS OF TURF.

There promises to be a decent, field start for the Christchurch Grand National on the 25th insfc. Fifteen have made the first payment, so there should be an interesting contebt. Rae took Orangeman down on Thursday, and I shall expeot to see the horse render a good account ot himself, for he likes big jumps and a flat course like that at Riccarlon. The four-year-old colt by Musket — Madcap that has been an inmate of George Wrights stable for a long period, has been disposed of to a Sydneyite for stud purposes and the hoi so was shipped over in the Mararoa on Wednesday. The hoise co^t 100 guineas as a yearling, but was never asked to sport silk. He is a big upstanding fellow, and possesses plenty of good blood. Singapoie's success in the July Stakes at Rand wick on Saturday last will be the means of inspiring his backers with confidence of the colt distinguishing himseltin the "classic" races of the spring. Io was only Singapore's second appearance in public. Just fancy Martini-Henry producing a trio like Rudolph, Sinecure, and Singapore at his first season of stud duties. When I saw Singapore as a yearling at Kirkham, he was almost ajac divide of his sire. I have to acknowledge copies of the programmes ot the Canterbury and Dunedin Jockey Clubs ior next season. Both aie got up in the usual handy book form. , Catesby is in the private sale list, and my country readers who are in search of a stallion could not do better than secure this son of Musket and Prunella, who, I may mention, is a full brother in blood to Trenton. The horse is sound, and can be had for £50. The yearling colt by St. Leger out of Matas dam Raupo, purchased for Mr Harry Haines at the last New Zealand Stud Company's sale, has been added to the list. I see he is entered for the Maribyrnonjr Plate. It is rumoured in Sydney that the Hon. J. White purposes leaving for England in October next, and will probably take with him the youngsters intended for the Derby of 1891. They are two colts by Chester, from Trafalgar and Iclanthe, and a nlly by Martini-Henri, from Malacca. Old. Rewi is paying his way in Melbourne. At the Cranbourne (Vie. ) Meeting recently, he carried 7st 121b first past the judge's box in the Cranbourne Handicap of 50sovs, about one mile, beating Terrick (7st 41b), Dexter (Bst 51b) and a quartette. Even money was laid on Dexter, and Rew i was next in demand at 3to 1. The last race on the same day, the Shorts Handicap of 30sovs, about five furlongs, also tell to Rewi, who put up Bst 51b. He won in a canter by three lengths from Peveril (6st 121b). A horse once much talked about was Jebusite, a son of the Melbourne Cup winner Darriwell and the Newmarket victress Tyropean. I notice he won the Elsternwick Park Handicap recently. "Augur" says: — "I am sorry to hear that Commotion is in a very bad way. He got on well for a time in his new home in Gippsland, but latterly he has been ailing, and it is quite likety that the grand old son of Panic will not be able to serve next season." From Wanganui comes word that the filly Sleep, by Somnus — Yatterina, purchased by Messra Hean and Kennedy, at Mr W. Waltors' last sale, is growing into a perfect beauty and getting a bit of size about her. Those who saw her at the sale would hardly recognise her again. Ahua, the favourite for the Grand National Steeplechase, has staited 14 times this season, and won 6 races, but he is a maiden at steeplechasing. Irish King has annexed the only four i*aces he has started for, while Torrent's record shows that lie has jrot home four times out of seventeen attempts. An interesting item comes from Melbourne in a rumour to the efl'ect that. Mr Donald Wallace contemplates sending Carbine and Mentor to England to try conclusions with the best horses ot the old country. With such a pair Australia would indeed be well represented. ] t is a remarkable circumstance that, with tho exception of Abercorn, not one of the horses engaged in bhe Metropolitan Stakes has been handicapped to carry an odd number of pounds. A glance down the list will show that all the pounds are even in number, with the exception mentioned. Anenb two New Zealand horses now being trained at Flemington, a tout writes : — H. Goodman treated Moss Rose and Apropos to their usual stoutish work, the way in vvhich they perform it, morning after morning, and apparently thrive thereon, taken in conjunction with Lochiel's terrific preparation at Flemington in the early autumn, proving to demonstration that the New Zealand-bred animals are possessed of much more stamina than the usual run of Victorian thoroughbreds. The Dunedin colt Gipsy Prince, the j brother to Gipsy King, is in regular work. | There is said to have been a great change j effected of late in this somewhat wayward colfc. According to a Napier authority, the prospects for next year look favourable for the local clubs, as there will be more two and three-year-olds in training than there have ever been before, and as many, if not more, horses of other ages. Recently, Tradition had his wolf teeth extracted. The big son of Richmond and

Bridal Wreath is said to be doing famously, bub his stable companion Tranter is nofc so well, one of the horse's fore-legs giving his trainer a deal of trouble. Ted Gorry, the jockey who rode— or, I should say, failed to ride— Bravo in the last Gaulfield Cup, has had a chequered career of late. He won a Hack .Race at the Gympie Turf Club races, up Queensland way, the other day. From Victoria Racing Club Derbys, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups down to riding in a Hack Race, is a mighty big fall, but as Maccabe in one of his songs says : "It serves him right, it serves him right." Mr W. Broughton. of Napier, has sold his filly, Kariri, by Musket - Atatanta, to Mr C. C. Murray, of Melbourne. She is able to go under the pony standard.