SPORTING NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 3956, 29 October 1875, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

With reference to the Christchurch meeting “The Druid” writes in Wednesday’s Lyttelton ‘Times’ ns follows:—“On Monday morning Cutts was the first to get to work, sending Twitter and Blue Grass round on the plough twice in clothing. The little filly pulled double all the way, and Blue Grass was hardly able to keep up with her. Guy Fawkes and Hercules were stripped, and sent round twica ; whether the brown is any good ©r not, it is difficult to say, but yesterday he had the bay all the way. He fought hard with Tommy .byford to get clean away from Hercules, who was scarcely able to keep pace with him. Korari and Cocksure next took a good fast gallop, both being stripped. It is very difficult to say which is the better of the two, as they were only going three-parts speed, and were pulling hard all the way. lam inclined to think the Certainty colt is the best. Tambourini and Pakeha, after being divested of their clothing, went twice round a good docker, Tam following the chestnut for about two-thirds of the distance, when the latter pulled off and Tam finished home at his best pace. If his leg will only stand (which it has every appearance of doing), I don’t see what is to beat the 'old horse for the Cup; unless it is one of the young ones, and I don’t at present see many good enough for it. The next fortnight’s fast work will bring out the weak places of a good many. It would therefore be idle to spot any horse now as a particular favorite. A great many aro sure to be in hospital before the races. Fishhook went only once round—no Derby horse there. Nectar was stripped and sent twice round on the plough at a fair pace. I hardly think she is good enough for C.J.C. Company. Bob Kay’s team came next. Tadmor, Tattler, and Daniel O’Rourke were as usual stripped in the road, and after a short canter, the lot wore set going, all keeping well together for about; a mile, when they were pulled up. Tommy Dodd went twice round accompanied by Sonnambula. They went the second time at a very good pace. Of course the mare held the gelding safe all the way, and she went in very good form, pulling up quite sound after it, which makes me rather fancy her for some of the short races. I caruaot forget the foot she showed in Dunedin last races, Mr Webb had all his lot out, and after the usual short pipe-opener, Kauri -was stripped, and the I'hoebe colt in clothing w ere sent twice round on the plough. The first time the pace was slow, but the second round they put on s’.eam a bit, and came down towards the stand at a strong gallop. The Phoebe colt had the lightest boy up by a couple of stone. They, however, never raced a yard, so I cannot say which was the best. Kauri is improving every day, and was as fresh as paint. Blair Athol, Cloth of Gold, and Castilian (the latterstripped), went once round. The wh-ola of them went very well, and I fancy the chestnuts are improving in their going. l\.b to Castilian, I don’t look to him to do muc’M this year. The Chief took a slow canter once round, going alone.” A wonderfully fast race has been run in America for the Saratoga Cup. The ‘New York Sportsman’ says Seven horses started and the field was of wonderful quality. The result is glorious for the; turf, and for tho illustrious horses, Preakness and Springbok, who won everlasting renown by running a'dead heat, in this two-mile and a-quarter race in 3min. o^sec.—much faster time than when Henry Basset beat Longfellow. Picture the scene when these two horses came whirling by the excited thousands, Hayward on one and the little boy Clark on the other. It was a great day for Mr Sanford and Colonel M Daniel, the foremost of those able men who run horses on the American turf. The Cup was run for at the rate of Imm. 45sec, and a small fraction to the mile for the whole two miles and a-quarter.”