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FEATURES OF RACING AT JOHANNESBURG. Running of the Summer Handicap and South African Derby Described — Heavy Totalizer Betting. Racing flourishes in South Africa and it now being summer there, is in full progress. The betting there is by tlie "totalizer" system, lieing Paris Mutttel betting under another name. It is quite evident the percentage going to the racing associations pays more than fees front bookmakers would. In tin- there is quite pertinent food for Ihoiight by the managers of many American race track-. A letter from Johannesburg of December M, to London S|iortsinan. gives some interesting infcrin.it i"ii concerning the running of some of the principal South African races and of the big sums wagered through the machines. in part the letter reads as follows: Never in the history of horse racing In the Transvaal has there been greater interest shown by the public in tie- big event of a quarterly meet ing than was tlie ease with the Summer Handicap at Turffonteiu. which was run on Boxing Pay. Tilt re has never b en a Johannesburg Handicap for which so many owners fancied their horses. Mr. Lazarus, the own r of Baluarte. winner of the Johannesburg Spring Handicap, whose horse had been favorite from the moment the betting opened, was confident to the last of winning. Sir Daniel gave his owner. Mr. Solomon, equal confident:.-. Mr. Hy. Nourses Formia was well fancied by all his ei.nnections. whilst Darin Noor. Mome. Tirkvallen .mil l.a Reina were all thought well of by their stables. Mr. Abe Bailey was present to see his traimr win tlie big event of the year and to witness his own representatives victory in the South African Derby. All credit is due to F. W. Murray for the splendid way he got Foriuia fit. for when the mare first came into his hands, she went wrong ■Uegeehar a:id for months he IVDM not get her right, but. with constant nnrsing. he succeeded. "The parade was a pretty one. the only two absent being Bijou dOr and Darla Noor. they having been led to the post. The only horse to wear blinkers was Sir Daniel. Mr. Haliwell got the field off to a capital start with the exception of Bijou dOr. which refused to join and was left. Formia was the first to show in front, but in the first furlong gave place to Terlinga. Going up the hill Terlinga still led from Sir Daniel. Baluarte. and Bilton Park, Formia being last. Turning into tlie straight Terlinga gave way to Baluarte. with Sir Daniel close up, Formia. which had commenced to take up her ground, taking a position in the middle of the course. Coming out of the dip Sir Daniel led from Daria Hear aud Tirkvallen. with Formia next. The favorite. Baluarte. showed signals of distress and commenced to drop back. Formia was level with Sir Daniel a furlong from home, and, drawing out. won easily by two lengths. Sir Daniel just saving second place from Mome by a head. Daria Noor. a head behind Mome. was fourth. The race, which was a mile and a furlong, was done in the good time of 1:54 J Baluarte started favorite at 2 to 1 against: Formia started at 7 to 2 against. The only trainer to leave the course with two winners to his credit was F. W. Murray. During the day Jjsl.~0.9V5 passed through the totalizator. Formia carried 00 pounds. Sir Daniel 134 pounds and Mome 07 pounds. # "The South African Derby of 1,000 sovereigns attracted ten entries, each of which went to the post. This was the first race of its kind in South Africa, aud naturally evoked great interest. The race was for three year-olds sired in South Africa; colts to carry 124 pounds and fillies 12". pounds; 100 sovereigns of tlie stakes to go to the breeder of. the winner if nominated by him whilst his property: 100 sovereigns to the second and 50 sovereigns to the third horse. One mile aud a half. As the most successful South African breeder, it was perhaps to be expected that Mr. Abe Bailey would draw first blood in a race of this kind, and this proved to be the case, his Colesberg-bred filly. Diana, by Filiform, out of Queen of the Chase, ridden by Bullock, winning the race from the gray colt, Buffon. ridden by McGlynu, with nearly a length in hand. Tlie filly proved to be a capital stayer and was well ridden by Bullock, who though under a cloud for months past has recovered his laurels during the tneetiDg ttuder review, his handicap success with Foriuia being his fifth on the Johannesburg course. The time of Diana ove tlie twelve-furlong course was 2:40. Buffou, the second horse, is owned by .Mr. D. Talbot, whilst Sky Screen, owned by Mr. J. W. Henwood and ridden by Yar nell. was third. Practically every breeder in South Africa was represented in this race, aud therefore Mr. Abe Bailey is to tie most heartily congratulated on tltisv important victory. His success was very popular, and he received the congratulations of Lord Selborne and the O. R. C. governor. Sir Hamilton QeaM Adams, who were present and witnessed the race and also the big handicap. As in cricket, we shall soon expect to see South African bred horses figuring in some of the classic fixtures at home. I somehow think such animals will not. disgrace themselves. "On Saturday last the Goldficld- Handicap was de cided. The race drew ten runners. The day was again a tine one. but the attendance was very poor. Aura, which won a minor event on the first day of the meeting and paid out eighty odd pounds on the totalizator, easily accounted for the race in winning by a half length from Kaluarte. The time for the race was li;.57i. the distance lieing a mil.-and a half. Nineteen thousand six hundred and seventy nine pounds passed through the totaliza tor."
