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ADVANCE GUARD. All doubt about the acceptance by The Jockey Club of the entry of that sterling horse-Advance Guard was dispelled last Wednesday. It was announced at the "Windsor Arcade that Advance Guards eligibility to the numerous and important handicaps for which he is entered had never been seriously called into question by the officials. It seems that any misunderstanding that may have existed, was due father to the time his registration was received than to any defect in the certificate. While the big horse has run at different times in the names of Carruthers and Shields, and afterward in the name of Alexander Shields, which was the case toward the end of last season, he has always been the property of the firm and still is. Under the rule all of the horses belonging to the stable have now been registered in the name of J. W. Carruthers, of Toronto, Canada. When the time came to register the stables candidates, the new rule adopted in December by The Jockey Club was followed in. its spirit rather than its letter, or perhaps was misunderstood. At the next meeting of the stewards the matter will probably be disposed of by the assessment of a nominal penalty against Advance Guards owners for having failed to promptly register him, and that will end the matter. When the horses standing was first called into question, Mr. Shields came hurriedly from his Bound Brook farm in some alarm to effect an explanation of the matter. While he failed to get any official assurances in the matter, his partner, Mr. Carruthers, who visited The Jockey Clubs offices, was given to understand that the unintentional defect in Advance Guards registration would be adjusted as soon as the stewards were officially in possession of the facts. That any such technical question over the registration of a horse of Advance Guards class and importance has been agitated should be taken as a warning by those owners who heretofore have not properly attended to the standing of their stables with the turf governing bodies. While the rule in point is a new one, on important occasions, the officials have construed other rules literally, and henceforth neglect or errors in i properly certifying their horses to the New ! i : York turf authorities and those in the west may prove embarrassing if not costly oversights. The new legislation governing the proper status of horses is a thoroughly sensible and salutary one. Ignorance of this rule and others will doubtless not in future be taken as an adequate excuse, and a stitch j in time will save lots of trouble, and perhaps money, for trainers and owners who have formerly been dilatory and neglectful.
