SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3363, 29 November 1873, Page 2

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Since the All England Eleven visited Otago in ISG4, T never remember seeing so imicb excitement in the “cricketing world” as that oo casioucd by the Interprovincial Match between Otago and Auckland, played on Monday and Tuesday last’on,the South Dunedin Recreation Oround. For Weeks past it has been the principal topic of conversation with* the,, old veterans of this noble game as to whether the “boys” were strong enough to Contend against so formidable a team as Auckland was imposed tube. The first great drawback to the Otago “ hoys” (and no one can dispute the fact), has been the want of practice, occasioned by more reasons than one —the inclemency of the weather, and the untit state of the ground at the early part of the season. I was somewhat surprised at seeing the name of Mr Sheaves as captain of the team, especially in a match of this description. As a cricketer, ho may he tit for the onerous duties of “coach”; but bis short acquaintance with his men could not have enabled him to tind out the “ weak points,” which were perceptible to my eye in moi t places than one. Another gross piece of minjudgment was, I think, in electing to go first to the wickets. That he did it for tho best 1 do not doubt ; but I am sure old cricketers will agree with me in saying that it would have been more advantageous to tho Otago team if their opponents had boon put first to tho wickets. The players on either side were not up to the average usually selected in an interprovincial match, but I think tho Otago team will greatly improve by the time Canterbury comes to attack them, and I shall look forward to see their lost laurels retrieved, by their coining off victorious. The scores were rather small, but this is attributable to the excellent howling of Sweet and Auckland on the one side, and Downes, Glen, and Garwood on the other. Sweete’s “expresses” proved themselves too much for the Otago team in the second innings, who seemed entirely “flabbergasted” ft their destructiveness. Dbwnes I' was sorry to see placed /ion t tic, combat in the second innings, which Was a great drawback to the home team. The match was, after all, a better contested game than I expected to witness, and although tho Otago men were defeated, they are not disgraced; and I sincerely hope they will go into hard work, and see if they cannot give ('anterbury a “ licking” in the forthcoming match. The excitement in tho match having some-, what subsided, attention has been turned to the probable results of the races tp foe run on Monday, at tire Eorbnry. If lining a general holiday, and some tftlerrjhly fair races being on the programme, I shall, if the weather proves tine, expect to see a numerous attendance. The entries, which were publicly announced on Wednesday last, seem to have given general satisfaction; and all the hors.es (more or less) are receiving support few the various events. The Empire Ho|el presented a gay appearance atenmg, the rooms being thickly patronised hy the snorting gentlemen ©f the town and neighborhood. The bookmakers mustered in great force, and I noticed Mr XT’iuoe very busy with the “ knowing ones,” who were eager to got on their favorites. In the Hurdle Race, Sir Tat ton and Mcdora were about equal favorites, the former for choice, whilst Kildare receded a point in the market.. Although Sir Tatton won his nice easily at Ohristclmrch, beating four there was nothing very grand in tha performance,• and with the ‘ ‘ steadier 0 of 12st lib, it is no great gift, ami I shall give the preference to Medora, who, I hear, is m good fettle. The Maiden Elate—the second event bn the programme—is a gift to Earl of Lynne, should he start. I can see no reason why he should not face the starter, as Mabel, I think, will be the Captain’s representative for the St. Andrew’s Handicap. I hear that he is in splendid eppdition, and shall, if he starts, look no further for the winner. In his absence, lj prefer the chances of Mendicant and Mfaori Chief. Taiuboprini and Mabel arc. running head-aud head for first favoritism for. the o,f the flay—hit, Andrew’s Handicap—hut the former, I think, has gc,t most friends at his quoted price. Verbena comes next in the quotations, and not without reason, the plucky style in which she won her races last year being a sufficient guarantee of her racing qualities. She is nicely weighted with 7st, and, if in condition (which I have every reason to believe she is), the two favorites will have all their work cut out to beat her. Wildboy (Mr Cotton’s) is rather the worse for being foaled so early ; in f?,£*, I think his racing days are past, is in pretty good form, but slpi pot class enough tor a race of tfiis description. I shall expect to sou (help played as'"fallows Tamburiui, Verbena, Mupfll j the vest J\p,where, The Selling Race is the ue\t itwu, and on paper it seems a gift far Wee Lad, who beat Xfulahar at Christchurch during tho last meeting. Uld Gamester, I hear, is in pretty good fettle, and should hia leg stand his finishing gallop, several of Ids partisans will be “on.” He is np favorite of mine, and I shall advise my readers to have nothing to do with him,.hut lay their money out on the “young uu,' 1 The trotting race will be won by Modesty or Polly, The weights for the Dunedin Cup weye published on Thursday last, and \ remember seeing so good a handicap, interested is perfectly the production, and a gryut mpjk books %,'ve already- been opened. L^rjine'of course heads, tfip ILt with list 01b, youflng next with 9st 21b. I shall ip future article endeavor to lay my partisans on tho winner of this important handicap ; my choice at present falling on Calumny, Papapa, Mabel, and Verbena, the latter especially being well worth looking after. From Christchurch I hear that Mr Redwood had refused an offer of 000 guineas for Lurlfae from an Auckland gentleman. Mr Redwood, bought the mare for 750 guineas. Nkmo.