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, T urfographs OCCASIONAL From Here and Abroad The total claims and sales on American tracks during the month of March amounted to 184, which brought the substantial sum of 82,700. An Australian turf writer asks: "What is this New Zealand Cuddle, a staying speedster or a speeding stayer? She has won at two miles yet indications are that she should have won the Futurity Stakes with a little luck at the start; and this against Australias best and fastest sprinters. Her versatility is amazing." Hall Mark, winner of the Melbourne Cup and one of Australias great horses of recent years, is nearing the end of his racing career. He is making slow progress in his training and if he does not get into form for Sydney racing will be retired to the stud. J. E. Widener has three horses in France, which should be prominent in the racing season in that country, which is now under way. One is a four-year-old named Quorn, by Asterus Huntsend, which has wintered well and is considered the best looking horse in Frank Carters string. The other two are three-year-olds, Rigs and Fastnet. Mr. Widener has hopes of winning the French Derby with Fastnet, according to general gossip. A new organization headed by Anderson T. Herd of Washington and approved by the United States Federal Court, Agawam may hold a meeting this year, though no dates have been asked for as yet. It is said that James C. Thornton will be the general manager of the new organization. The loud-speaker was put in operation for the opening day at Maisons-Lafitte track in Paris, to announce the moment the horses left the paddock for each race, and also to give notice of the imminence of the "off" so as to warn the public to hurry up with their investments in the pari-mutuel. The practice will be continued on most of the Paris courses throughout the season. It is reported the unbeaten French filly, Mistress Ford, has thrown a splint, which is, however, no serious detriment. She is not showing the free action on the home gallops which she did recently, but there is plenty of time between now and the date of the One Thousand Guineas for Frank Carter to decide whether she is in the same form as last year to make it worth while sending her over to England to compete. While racing is fighting for its existence in France there is a proposal to put a tax on the gate money of the Paris meetings in an endeavor to bring in about 00,000 to assist the poor rate, of which it is- proposed to relieve the theaters and music-halls of Paris, which are in a disastrous financial situation. The Hotel Mens Association of Baltimore was host to turf writers at a dinner in the Southern Hotel, Wednesday night, at which plans for the development of "Preakness Week" into a gala occasion were unfolded. Mr. Taylor served as master of ceremonies.
