SPORTING

Globe, Volume I, Issue 25, 29 June 1874, Page 3

SPORTING

THE ENGLISH DERBY. [From the Adelaide " Express."] We publish in our telegraphic columns the result of the Derby, which was received in Adelaide on Thursday morning, about 10.30. The race was run on Wednesday afternoon, between 3 and 4 o'clock, equal to 1 o'clock this morning of our time. Mr Todd had made all necessary arrangements to have it sent through direct to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, in time for publication in the morning papers, and but for the stupidity of the operator at Singapore this would have been done, and we should have been in the position of announcing the result of the Derby in the "Advertiser" within a very few hours of the event having taken place. This is one of the most sti iking of the daily evidences of the advantages of that extension of the telegraphic system which has brought Britain and her loyal dependencies of Australia within speaking distance of each other. In case of war, or any other great crisis, we know how very swiftly the warning would come of each danger as it arose, and the reflection also suggests itself that when the whole line from London to Adelaide has been a little longer at work, the different interests connected therewith are more blended, and the various managing bodies have perfected a well-devised system of thoroughly united and harmonious action, such rapid messages as the racing telegram we are publishing to-day will not be so exceptional as at present. Of course we do not suggest grounds of complaint ; to be able to send communications 12,000 miles away, and receive the replies within 24 or 48 hours, is a very wonderful boon to the commercial public, and to the community generally, but in the age in which we live there is no such thing as resting thankfully, no pause in the swift and onward march of invention and improvement. To some minds it may seem curious that so much trouble should be taken, and the resources of science should be bo taxed, in order to supply, a few hours earlier than would be the case in the ordinary course of telegraphic administration, intelligence as to which of twenty or thirty three-year-old colts or fillies first finished a gallop of a mile and a half at Epsom ; but the eagerness with which this news is looked for from end to end of that Empire upon which the sun never sets, proves how universally an extreme fondness for sport, and especially for horseracing, distinguishes Englishmen all the world over. This passion for certain classes of amusement may doubtless be considered extravagant, but men can be more frivolous after a quieter or gloomier fashion. Cowper sneered at Englishmen who were content to win races where tneir fathers won battles, but since he bewailed the degeneracy of the age, his countrymen have stood conquerers on many a hard-fought field, and their descendants will prove no unworthy imitator of their sires whenever the occasion shall put them to the proof. National decay will never be traced to the Derby; and anyhow, it would would be hopeless to expect Englishmen to give up their most cherished pastimes. There may be, and often are, abuses connected with the turf, and these may be reformed or diminished, but the old sport will never die out. The people will cling to it in spite of its faults, if they do not love it as Charles Lamb did his friends—faults and all. SPORTING NOTES. The "Nelson Colonist" of 4th June says— The entries made by Messrs Bedwood and Watt for the Melbourne Cup are Lurline, Papapa ; and Wainui. The first-named will run as a five-year-old, the second as a four-year-old, and the third as a three-year-old. The last two are brother and sister—dam Waimea, sire Bavensworth. Whether one or more of these animals will go to Melbourne will depend on the weights awarded them for the Cup. If the horses are kept in New Zealand, the stable is bound to have another good innings, and acting on the principle that " a bird in hand is worth two in the bush." Messrs Redwood and Watt may resolve to make a " certainty" at home instead of risking defeat in Australia. Whatever they may

do with the mare and the colt, to send tha filly to Melbourne will be a great sacrifice, an H<" Derbys and Legers of the season —and ■■■h engaged in them all—will, to all apP'.'.i i mwos, be a gift to her. She met nothing inthr (Champagne Stakes at Christchurch in April that conld race a yard with her, and we look in vain through the list of three-year-olds engaged to meet Wainui to find one that lias the remotest chance, barring accidents, of beating her. We are sorry to state that Mr Redwood haa just lost a yearling colt of great promise, named Three Pink, out of Toi Toi, by Towton. The colt a short time ago met with an accident in his paddock, and injured .himself in his loins, and as recovery appeared to be hopeless, Mr Redwood, with great reluctance, decided on destroying him. He was regarded as the season's pick foal, and was thought very highly of. Since this accident occurred, the foal bred last year by Countess (daughter of Phoebe, by the Peer) met with nearly a similar accident, and this colt was to ba treated similarly to Three Pink. The adage, that " Misfortunes never come single," is too often verified, but we hope " misfortunes" to the stable will not extend beyond the loss of these two promising animals.