SPORTING NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 465, 23 April 1890, Page 6

SPORTING NEWS.

SALE OF) THOROUGHBREDS. There was a poor attendance at the sale at Christchurch Middle Park last Wednesday, and the prices obtained were very low. Mr H. Lunn secured a yearling full brother to Adulation (Apremont Flattery) for 70gs, and a St. George—Hammock colt was passed in at lOOgs. Mr Lunn also bought the St. George—Fleurange filly at 20gs. The St. George—Mrs Rawdon filly was Bold for 20gs to Mr. Brabazon ; Apremont —Martyr filly (sister to Kimberley) for 30gs to Mr J. Reid, Oamaru ; St. George—Red Rose colt for 25gs to Mr J. Harris. The St. George—ldalia colt was passed in at a bid of 20gs, and for the St. George—Strenua colt no bid could be elicited. Mr Wesfemacott’s mares sold as follows:—Wai-iti, 70gs, MrTonks ; W’aimakariri, 35gs, and Mignnn, 75gs, Mr Rattray; and the yearling colts by Le Loup—Wai iti, and July—Mignon, at 20gs each, the respective buyers being Mr Stead and Mr W. Macfarlane. For Mr Horsford, the brood mare, Dime, was sold to Mr J. D. Ormond for 95gs; and Zelica to Mr Gardner for 60gs ; Inez (sister to Leinster) to Mr W. Butler for 25gs ; and a yearling colt by Cadogan—La Mode to Mr Stead for 40gs. None of the other owners’ lots found buyers, and very few elicited a bid. THE AUSTRALIAN INVASION. The invasion of the English turf by Plutarch, Narellan, Kirkham, Chicago, Lady Betty, and Ringmaster will be witnessed by a largo number of Australian snortsmen, some of whom are already in the Old Country, others en route, and a few on the point of taking their departure. By tho Arcadia, Messrs B. Severs, T. Barnfield, T. Rowlandson, C. D. O’Halloran and Cresswell were passengers. The Victorian rine will be particularly well represented in England by Messrs Joe Thompson, B. Thompson. Alf. Joseph, G. Nobbs, J. Harris, I. Barnard, J. Solomon, T. Rowlandson, W. Sayer, E. Allen, L. Zucker and J. H. White. In addition to trying conclusions on English racecourses and cricket fields, it is more than likely that the Australians will be able to muster a team of pigeon shooters to do battle against at least some of the clubs in the Old Country ; and in Messrs F. McEvoy, W. L. Murdoch, W. Sayer, O. Friend and W. J. Woolcott we have the elements for the nucleus of a fairly representative team. THE A.J.C. AUTUMN STAKES. The finish of the A.J.C. Autumn Stakes is thus described in the “ Sydney Morning Herald : ” —“ As they turned the home corner Melos cut down Chintz and Antams, and took command, but Carbine was hard upon him, and Dreadnought was putting in a powerful claim on the outside. Hales made an earnest call upon the son of Chester at the half dietance, and the colt responding generously got his head and neck in front, and as O’Brien and Harris were hard at work, a roar went up from the crowd in favour of Dreadnought; bub Melos against the rails came again, and Carbine, jammed in between the two, had all the worst of it. The three great racehorses then settled down to a finish that will never be forgotten. Almost as one horse they raced, bub it appeared as if they were locked together until when about 80 yards from home Carbine turned his head to the left and made a savage bite at Dreadnought, causing both tc 10-e a trifle. Dreadnought began to falter, and Hales struck him across the neck to keep him straight, and the desperate struggle was renewed until they flashed past the post, and no one on that course knew what had won until the judge recorded a quarterhead victory to Carbine, while Dreadnought and Melos could not be separated. Antaeus was seven lengths away, and beat Chintz by a neck for fourth place ; while Federation was some four or five lengths from them. Time, 2 minutes 42 seconds.” SYDNEY YEARLING SALES. The annual sale of thoroughbred yearlings at Band wick last week attracted a large number of sportsmen. Among the principal buyers were Mr Oakley, the accredited agent of the widely - known Indian sportsman, the Maharajah of Cooch Behar ; the Hon. D. S. Wallace, Mr M. O’Shanassy, Mr E. G. Brodribb, and Mr J. B. Gumming, who hails from Queensland. The Neotsffeld youngsters were first brought under the hammer, and a i strapping bay colt, by Newminster from Estelle, realised the top figure of 610 guineas, the bid of Mr Casey, of Victoria. The Duckenfield Park contingent were next submitted and the best price-450 I guineas—realised was for a lady-like filly, by Grandmaster (imp.) from Wildfire (imp.), who fell to the nod of tho Hon. D. S. Wallace ; and Mr W. Rouse secured a handsome filly, half sister to The Charmer, for 290 guineas; while Mr Oakley purchased a good-looking filly by Henchman from Dolly Varden for 110 guineas, on behalf of his Indian client. Among the Tocal batch the pick of the basket was a colt by Goldsbrough from Happy Thought. This youngster induced keen competition, and was finally knocked down for 700 guineas to Mr J. Baronet. Mr E. G. Brodribb paid 500 guineas for a powerful colt by The Drummer (imp.) from May Queen ; and Mr W. Rouse got a bargain in a bay colt, full brother to Chicago, for 180 guineas. The Hon. George Lee’s contribution to the sale numbered three, and included a full brother to Wilga, who found a new owner in Mr F. B. Suttor for 380 guineas; and a handsome brown colt by Forest King, from Emily, by Tim Whiffler (imp.), went to the nod of Mr M. O’Sbanassy for 105 guineas. A stylishlooking filly, by Sardonyx from Little Wanzer, brought about spirited competition, and Mr George Hill, holding out the longest, secured her for 460 guineas. Altogether, 60 yearlings were disposed of for a total of 7,600 guineas, or an average of 126 2-3 guineas. OUR “CLASSIC” RACES. Deploring the small fields that competed in some of the “ classic ” races at the A. J.C. Meeting, a Sydney paper says -“ Each succeeding year the St. Leger becomes of less interest, and it is earnestly to be desired that the leading club will as soon as possible cause it to be struck out of the autumn programme. During the last five years the Hon. James White has appropriated the stake with Matchlock, Trident, Abercorn, and Dreadnought, and the only break in that term was last year, when Mr Gannon’s Melos defeated Volley. Since its institution in 1866, when 14 went to the post, the fields have averaged about four, and the race has simply become a farce. It was well enough when there were only four or five meetings a year, but now, when important races are of almost everyday occurrence, the form of the three-year-olds is so well known that at this time of the year puch a race cannot fail to be only a one-horse exhibition ; and Sires’ Produce Stakes are also settling down into something like the same lines.” THE HON. J. WHITE'S SECOND BATCH. By the steamer Damascus which left Sydney for London, via the Cape of Good

Hope, the Hon. James White’s candidates for the English classic races of 1891 and 1892 took their departure. The youngstersin question are—Wentworth, a biown colt full brother to Dreadnought) by Chester from Trafalger (imp), by Biair Athol from Mosquitoo, by Toxophilite, granddam by West Australian from Brown Bess, by Camel; Nepean, a bay colt by Chester, from the speedy lolanthe (winner of the V.R.C. Maribyrnong Plate, 18S3), by Maribyrnong from Rosedale (imp), by Tyndale ; Mons Meg, a bay filly, by Martini-Henri from Malacca (imp), by King of the Forest from Katinka, by Paul Jones from Ding Dong, by Kettledrum from Stella, by 'West Australian ; and a bay colt (half brother to Cranbrook and Kirkham), by Martini-Henri from La Princess (imp), by Cathedral from Princess of Wales, by Stock well from the Bloomer, . by Melbourne from Lady Sarah, by Velocipede. No expense has been spared in fixing up suitable accommodation on this fine ship, and we heartily hope that they will arrive in the old country as safe and as sound as did Kirkham, Narellan, and Plutarch. So far as we know Nepean and Wentworth are engaged in the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger, 1891 ; Mons Meg’s engagements include the One Thousand Guineas, Oaks, and St. Leger for the samo season : and the Martini-Henri —La Princess colt is to appear among the entrants for the classic races of 1892. Toprnan, who took Mr Cooper’s Lady Betty home, is in charge. PONY-RACING IN SYDNEY. From Sydney I learn that the Committee of the Australian Jockey Club have decided to extend the time for tho coming into operation of the recently-passed regulations regarding pony-racing until the 30th April. No. 1 rule forbids a trainer owning or having a pony or a galloway in his stables, and No. 2 prevents any licensed jockey from owning or having any share in a racehorse. BITS OF TURF. A slight disturbance occurred on the centre of the Randwick course shortly after therace for the Sydney Cup. Oneof the speculative gentry who had evidently overlaid Carbine in his book was about to make an unostentatious exit from the course, but his victims intercepted him, and treated him to such rough usage that when he escaped his clothing presented a scene of wreckage rarely witnessed on a racecourse. The Christchurch Champagne Stakes were worth £377 3s to the winner, but the Challenge Stakes only realised to the owner of the first horse £360 Is. However, £47 10s for second in the Champagne with Pygmalion, as compared with £2B 10s for second in the Challenge, enabled Mr W. R. Wilson to head Mr Stead by 38s in the distribution of prizes by the C. J.C. Opinions are divided among the Southern scribes which is the better two-year-old, Pygmalion or Medallion. The Hawkesbury Autumn Handicap is run to-morrow (Thursday). Mantilla’s excellent second to Carbine in the Sydney Cup has had the effect of making her first favourite at 3 to 1 offered, 4 to 1 wanted. Sir William and Rudolph are next fancied.

Forty-eight nominations have been received for the Canterbury J.C. Champagne Stakes (1890). This is 10 less than last year, but the most prominent owners are represented. Nordenfeldt was at the head of the winning sires at the Christchurch Autumn Meeting,his representative, Medallion,winning £406. St. George came next on the list with £390, and Apremont £354. A Dunedin telegram says a Christchurch owner who signed the “ round robin ” at the time of the Exhibition race meeting, having asked for an inquiry into the allegations made against the handicapper, and Mr Dowse having made a similar application, the committee of the Dunedin T.C. will meet on Friday next to consider the matter.

Escutcheon started in the Mutual Soiling Plate at the A.J.C. Meeting, but did not gain a place. He was ridden by George Laing. Mr J. Readfearn, the trainer of Ghurchliill, appealed to the Victoria Racing Club with reference to his recent disqualifiation by the Elsternwick Park stewards. The big institution decided in the trainer’s favour.

It is stated that Mr William Bailey, of Ballarat, and Mr Bowden are the gentlemen composing the syndicate that purchased the Hon. J. White’s yearlings. Robert Sutton, the bookmaker, is back in Melbourne again. He has spent) some three or four years in England, and comes out now as the accredited representative of a firm of English bookmakers to execute commissions about the Australian colts Narellan and Kirkham for the English Derby. The London “Sportsman,” in noticing the landing of Chicago in England, describes the horse as possessing good legs and a splendid chest and shoulders. Paris, whose name has figured in Sydney races lately, is a brother to the Victorian Derby winner Ensign. Mr John Crozier has handed the St. Albans estate over to Mr YV. R. Wilson, and for the future it will bo under the management of Mr L. C. McDonald. Mr Crozier keeps The Lawyer, Despised, and a few yearlings in work, so that it is probable his colours will be seen in many an important race next year. Tho New Zealand horse, Tongariro, has joined Mr I. T. Carslake’s team at Caulfield.

A Victorian owner was desirous of offering 1,500g5. for Mr D. O’Brien’s colt, Whimbroll, after his victory in the Federal Stakes at the V.A.T.C. (Caulfield) Meeting, but was dissuaded from doing so by his trainer, who did not relish the exposure of form on the part of the eon of St. Albans and Curlew. Mr John Peck, the trainer, one of the oldest in the north of England, died recently at Norton, near Malton, at the age of 79. He was the youngest brother of Charles, Richard, and William Peck, of Malton, and uncle of Mr Robert Pock# Mr J. A. Scarr, the Sydney handicapper, has recovered from his recent illness. Messrs C. Yuille and Co., of Melbourne, have been instructed to sell the Russley Stud farm and horses at Christchurch. An old Australian turf identity has passed away suddenly, namely, Mr Robert S. Norfolk, who for many years had been connected with the sporting staff of the “Australasian” and “Argus.” Mr Norfolk came out to Australia in under engagement to the late Mr John Tait, then in England on a trip. He brought with him a team of horses, amongst them New Warrior, and subsequently ran horses of his own in New South Wales. He was 62 years of age at the time of his death. The Victoria Racing Club only gave £3,000 added money in 1864, and in 1890 it is £40,000. The turf goes ahead even faster than the country. According to an English paper there are no bookmakers left in that country, that is. round betters who want to lay everything in a race. Nowadays there is more difficulty in backing a horse to win £30,000 than existed years ago in doing a commission for five times as much. Referring to Whimbrel’s victory at Caulfield, a Melbourne scribe writes It was a

good performance on the part of the winner to carry 9st 3lb and run six furlongs in limn a go that has never been surpassed by any 2-year-old at Caulfield, excepting, of course, Titan’s win in the Oakleigh Handicop, which was over a shorter distance.

It is estimated by a Melbourne paper that at least a thousand Australian colonists and Australian natives will assemble on Epsom Downs to see the Australian colts, Kirkham and Narellan, do battle for the British Blue Riband.