SPORTING.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 131, 31 October 1874, Page 3

SPORTING.

The weather was not the most inviting I have known this morning at sara„ a thick mist hanging all over and round Christchurch. The drive to the course was, however, safely accomplished, but when there, seeing was almost out of the question. Early as I arrived, Mr Hedvvood had out his team and was already at work, the string consisting of Batter, Parawhenua, Wainui, Toi, Rangi, Ngara, Tui—the absentees being Koro and Titoko, neither of whom will appear at the forthcoming Metropolitan Most of those out did good steady work, Batter being sent for a sweat. Toi, who did a good si tong gallop yesterday, did not not, do much beyond walking, and 1 fancy her fore legs are giving some trouble, otherwise I should go for her in the coming Cup race iu preference to the crack Waimii. There is no doubt that the stable have a do cided fondness for the sister lo Kakapo, and if her legs stand she has only got to be a fair three-vear-old to win the Cup this year. All the team are pretty moderate though, and 1 don’t think there is a clinker in training on the course at present. Bob Ray had out Traitor, Somnambula, Tadrnor, and Remnant, and he commenced by sending Somnambula and Tadmor a spin round the course, the chesnut filly being stripped with the exception of wearing a hood. The filly is short of condition, but she is not a bad goer, and may make agood mare next year, as her preparation has been interfered with through “ leg” considerations. Bob seemed determined to find out something this morning, as he next sent Traitor and Remnant three times round, and I can’t have the big foar-year-old after what I saw of him this morning. He seems to me to he unable to extend himself with any free flora, and I must say I think ho has been a vastly over-rated animal. Remnant is getting a better looking little marc cvciy tzm<* I see her, but still I can’t make out a Derby winner in her. Webb's team were last on the ground, and Meteor and the Zigzag colt went in company, the flashy chesnut pulling u ) lame, it however wore off and he walked sound when I loft the course. Theodore and ICxile did a fastish round together, and Theodore is a good useful stamp of a jumper. , , , Waverley and Alice Grey .also worked separately, and old Tam went a bit, but the

old gelding does not seem to fancy the plough gallop. The Ada and Emmeline geldings went twice round, and the former is as good a goer as anything on the course. To-night is the general entry night, and I hope to see the various races pretty well filled, but we are woefully short of horses this year, and what we have got are anything but first-class animals, Mr Walters has arrived from the North, and brought with him Yatterina and a sister of Lacenfeed’s, but I have not yetseen either of them. If the old mare gets a fair weight in any of the handicaps, she will, however, hold her own with her younger competitors. HE Li MIT.