SPORTING NOTES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4149, 8 November 1884, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

[By " Hippo."! The scratching of Trenton for the Canterbury Derby has robbed it of most of its interest. The alleged reason for his being scratched has not come to hand, but as he was more heavily backed by the public both Straight out and in doubles than I believe any horse has ever before been for any race in New Zealand, his backers have jumped at conclusions and arc very wrath and uncomplimentary in their remarks about the owner and all connected with it. There is HO doubt it lias been a hard slap in the face to the ever confiding public, who, although they have received several hard knocks of tho same sort before, will not learn the art of self-defence. Let them refuse to bet, and wait for the day of the race, and then put their money on the totali.sator. They then get a start for their money, and lend no encouragemeut to foul play. Lot them when a bookmaker comes wanting to do a little bit in his line quote the one word "Trenton," and walk away. Owners of horses will not then be able to make the excuse that they have been forestalled in the betting market. As the racing law now exists an owner can gull tho public to his heart's content to within half an .hour qf the race with ♦ impunity. • Some time ago Mr. Scarr seeing the necessity of some more stringent law for the protection of tho interest of racing, strove to make owners answerable to the club for the reason of scratching to within a fortnight before tho racos, but of course was not able to carry it out. The only remedy that I can see rests, as I said before, with the public, let them refuse to be gulled. The reason of Trenton's being scratched is. anxiously looked for, perhaps he may have legitimately broken down, or something else gone wrong with him. Since it was known that Trenton was scratched, the public, to, as they say, save themselves, have been backing others. Ugly Buck has been backed, but I believe when it is all over it'will he found that Lady Evelyn has •won it. So much depends on condition and fitness, that it is almost absurd to try and give straight-tip, when the tipster lias not seen .the horses in work. The only thing he can do is to go by past performances, pedi- , gree, and reports. Therefore, for the Derby I shall tip Lady Evelyn and Liverpool, j "Snd Water King. Should Lady Evelyn -win. -will be most popular, as the owner of : the Zetland spots jacket always runs his horses for the stake. In the training notes from the South, I see that Water rKing and Stoneyhurst are both mentioned. In the Canterbury Jockey Club's programme King of Clubs. The Watersprite colt is named Watersprite, but he seems to be renamed Water King. The payments for the Derby and Cup takes place this evening, ' when in all probability a few will drop out of tho Cup. I shall tip' Vanguard, Sou - wester, and Nelson to fill the first three places in the order named. The first day of the Canterbury races takes place on tho 11th instant, when the Free Handicap, the • Welcome Stakes, New Zealand Cup, Hurdle Handicap Race, Riccarton Welter Handi- ., cap, and tho Scratch Selling Race will be run. On tho second day, November 13, the: Selling Race, Derby Stakes, Spring Handicap Hurdles, Stewards' Handicap, Epsom High Weight Handicap, Juvenile Plate and Post Stakes will be run. On the third day, Friday, 14th, the Spring Nursery Handicap, Ladies' Purse Handicap, the ■VOtntorbury Cup, Metropolitan Handicap, SelhW Race, Flying Handicap, and Consolation a re to be run. In the three days \ there will be £1020 given to be run for besides the sweepstakes. Should the weather "be fine there will be a good gathering at Peta-e next Tuesday to witness the races. Jh» races there are getting more popular

every meeting. Fresh improvements are always being made to the course, and buildings, and the meetings are always properly conducted. Owing to the rain very little work of any consequence has been done on the course of a morning. My tips for this meeting are, for the Maiden Plate—Christina 1, Oberon 2, Addition 3. For the Hurdles—Pastime 1, Denbigh 2, Flying Scud 3. Petane Cup, either Emir Bey or Yankee, which ever is meant by the stable. Forerunner next. Prince of Wales' Stakes —Miss Dargon 1, Yankee 2, Forerunner 3. Ladies' Bracelet—Assegai 1, Pastime 2, Steeldust3.