BITS OF TURF.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 387, 24 July 1889, Page 4

BITS OF TURF.

i hear that both Artist and Shillelagh were suffering from the effects of the rough voyage to Sydney when they started in the A. J.C. Steeplechase. P. Nolan was put up on Shillelagh in the race. When my intormant left Sydney Williamson had beon unable to dispose- of the horses ho took over, and Shillelagh was turned out in a paddock suffering from his old complaint of lamoness. Mr R. Williams got rid of Artist for £200, and he returned along with the jockey Frewin on Tuesday. W. Hat field has decided to remain in Sydney, having obtained employment in the stable where Peter Osbeck occupies a box. J, Kean had an addition made to his string this week in the shape of a three-year-old by Ingomar— Rangi. The horse has been brokon in, but is untried. He belongs to Mr J. Hand, who has undoubtedly well cared for him, and was brought up fiom Mercury Bay last Saturday. I had a look over the hoise during the time he was located at Mr Thos. Halstead's stables. These who remember him as a miserablelooking yearling when knocked down at the Sylvia Park for 19 guineas, would not recognise him now. He stands 16. H, has a girth of 6ft, is nineteen inches round the arm, and below the knee measures B^in, According to this week's advices from the other side, betting is at a complete standstill with regard to the spring handi- i caps now on the (apis. Tradition and Carbine are nominal favourices for the Melbourne Cup, and'fthe A. J.C. Metropolitan Stakes is so far a dead lotter. According to the "Canterbury Times," the publication of the weights for the New Zealand Cup has not affected Mr Hammond's determination to ship Sultan to Sydney, but continued demands on the carrying capacities of the steamers beem likely to delay the horse's departure for some. It is stated that the Dunedin Jockey Club, as a result of its recent meetings, has been able to place a further sum of ,C 1,700 on fixed deposit, bringing its "reserve fund " up to £4,500. Gipsy King was scratched for the Now Zealand Cup on the 10th Julj r . The death is announced of the brood mare Discretion, dam of Hailstorm and Resolution. Aldivalloch, by Gang Forward from Roy's Wife, has been returned to his owner, the gentleman who had the racing of him having grown tired of persevering. The grim scythe-beai-er has robbed the Sydney turf world of one of its best-known patrons in Mr S. Knight, who died suddenly a few days ago. For many years the deceased owned and raced horses, and as he followed the sport because he loved it, and was never known to wager on it, was looked upon as one of the few straight goers. Donovan's half-sister Semolina, by the once invincible St. Simon, won the May Plate of 1,30050v5., the chief two-yoar old event of the Royal Windsor (Eng. ) Meeting. There were but five starters, and Semolina, with odds of 2 to 1 on her, gained an easy victory fiom Rotten Row. This unbeaten filly was bred by her owner and most successful racing man of the day, the Duke of Poitland. The death at Dr. Fitzgerald's private hospital, Melbourne, has been announced of Mr "Sam" Martin, one of the oldest and most familiar of Australian race-goers. There was no better hand with the watch or keener judge of a horse, either in the stable or out of it, than Mr Martin, and he rarely missed a morning, when his health permitted, " touting the training " atFlemmgton, where he "caught" many colds, which in all probability founded tho disease which has hurried him away from the busy scene. Among the horses he owned at different times were Reginald, All Gold, Hogmanay, Greystanes, Lizette, and Friction. The Hon. James White has named the following youngsters :— Br c Stroraboli, by Chester — Etna ; eh c Albcrmarle, by Chester — Angora ; b c Bengal, by Chester — Gymkhana; br c Menangle, by Chester —Goldfinch ; eh c Aldersho'b, by Chester — Aurelia ; b f Medina, by Chester — Lorraine; eh c Syracuse, by Martini-Henri — The Solent ; b f Pie Crust, by Martini-Henri — Rusk ; q f Marplot, by Martini-Henri— Mascotte ; b f Corvette, "by Martini-Henri — Lady Vivian ; eh c Dixie's Land, by Phil Athol — Dixie. From Brisbane I learn that Ringdove, by Darebin from Stockdove, and a chestnut colt by Vespasian from Legacy, have been purchased by Mr H. C. White, ot Sydney, the owner of Anttous.