SPORTING.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 138, 9 November 1874, Page 3

SPORTING.

The Metropolitan meeting will commence to-morrow, and the prospect of good sport can hardly be said to be encouraging. Various reasons may be given for this, such as the small number of gentlemen who will go to the expense of having horses trained now-a-days, the very broken weather we have had all through the spring, and the consequent backwardness of the nags in almost every stable, and last, but not least, the number of unsound ones, now, or lately, in work for this meeting. The Jockey Club too cannot be said to have given satisfaction by the alteration in the programme, and I confess that it seems to me that they have made a great mistake in altering the date of the Maiden Plate to the second day. It is not worth an owner's while to send a good young one for the Free Handicap, as if he wins it, he cannot start for the Maiden, which is worth double the money, and the consequence is that we do not find the names of any likely young ones amongst the acceptances for the Free Handicap. The Jockey Club have adopted the 9st raising scale, and consequently Yatterina, originally handicapped at Bst 101 b, now heads the list with this steadier, in consequence of the striking out Tambourini, who occupied the position of top weight originally. I do not know why Parawhenua did not accept, as his owner could hardly have expected less than the handicapper had apportioned to him, but he has preferred to trust to Batter, at 7st 131 b, to pull him through. I suppose therefore that this mare will not start for the C. J. C, and I hardly think she can win this event. Exile, at 7st 41b, has no attractions for me, and I could'nt stand Marvel with 6st 41b, much less with what he is called en to carry. Alios Grey, too, at 7st, is not, to my fancy, dangerous, and the only other one, Remnant,

at 6st 91b, is fairly enough handicapped. In conclusion, ou looking carefully through the list, I think the race lies between Yatterina, Batter, and Remmv t, and if it is worth while to send YATTEBINA to the post with winning orders, I expect (hat she will win, and the other two might run a good race for second. The Derby, which is the next race on the card, originally attracted an entry of 41, and I suppose the field will consist of Wainui, Rangi, Somnambula, Elfin King, or the Bella, the Ada gtldiug, Meteor, and perhaps another, but the race seems to me to be entirely between Mr Redwood's representative and Somnambula, the striking out of Hercules having left Mr Delamain without anything in his stable which might be dangerous. I am quite in the dark with regard to the respective merits of Wainui and Rangi, but I am bound to believe that the former is the best, as none of Rangi's relations on the dam's side have been worth training. Wainui is no favorite of mine, and whenever she may meet a fairly good animal, she will be beat, but in such a moderate lot as are left in the Derby her claims must not be ignored. Somnambula has the makings of a good mare in her, and if her preparation had not been interfered with I should have stood her in preference to the sister to Papapa. I think, however, that she will be found to be backard, and consequently that she will not be able to effect the overthrow of Mr Redwood's stable. The Ada gelding is the best of the remainder, with the exception, perhaps, of Rangi, of whose merits or demerits I plead guilty to ignorance ; and I think that Webb's horse will run a better animal than he is given credit for being, but I cannot see a winner in him yet. Meteor I don't like, and Elfin King and The Belle also are no favorites of mine. I suppose 1 must pick my choice in this race, and so I shall finally plump for WAINUI, With Somnambula and the Ada gelding as her nearest attendants. The CJ.C. Haudicap dwindled down considerably, and the public have all along stuck to the impression that there were but two in the race, viz, Traitor and Templeton. Traitor owes his place in public esteem more to what he is reported to have done in private last year, than from any meritorious performance in public. Everybody connected with him is very sanguine of success, and in fact are under the belief that the race is over "bar shouting." Traitor is big enough in all conscience, and if he cannot win this race he is not worth keeping in training. I must see him do something on a racecourse before I can number myself in the ranks of his admirers, and, even if he wins this handicap, I shall not be prepared to admit that he is anything like a first-class animal, unless he follows up the victory by landing the Cup as well. Quite as sanguine as the followers of Traitor are those who pin their faith on Templeton, and certainly they have all the best of it as far as past performances are concerned. I can't be quite certain as to whether Templeton can get two miles in a fast run race, but those connected with him are confident of his so doing, and it is treason in their eyeß to doubt for one instant that he will be successful. Templeton requires a horseman, as he has a will of his own, and it is to be hoped that the jockey who rides him in the CJ.C will not be beat before his horse, as was the case with several of the lads who were entrusted with mounts on him last year. I am informed that Templeton is in firstrate order and condition, and that he will strip a great deal better animal than he did the last time he appeared in public. Tamburini I consider over - weighted, and Remnant will have had a race in the Free Handicap. The Zigzag colt I don't think is good enough at any weight. Tadmor I dare say is fast for a mile or so, but I think will find this distance too far for him, and the Emmeline gelding may get third to Traitor and Templeton, unless Batter should have two spine in the same day, in which case I should take her to beat him.. It will be seen that I think the race lies between Traitor and Templeton, and believing in public performances before private reputation, I shall give my vote for TEMPLETON with Traitor second, and thinking it likely that Tamburini will not be ridden out, to the jeopardising of his Cup chance, the Emmeline gelding may struggle into third place. The Railway Stakes having only attracted two entries, seems to me most extraordinary, but I must of course entrust Wainui with my vote for this event, as she beat Elfin King a tremendous distance when they met in the Champagne Stakes. HERMIT. Metbopolitan Meeting. —We understand that Hercules has been scratched for all his engagements at the Metropolitan meeting. CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB. The half-yearly meeting of the club was held on Saturday evening, at Warner's Hotel. Present —Mr L. Walker (in the chair), Captain Clogstoun, Messrs E. Griffith, W.H. W. Williams, M. Studholme, P. Westerns, Foster, G. Stead, Delamain, Hustler, Millett, and Watts Russell. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Griffith moved —" That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the railway should be extended to the racecourse, and that a committee consisting of Sir 0. Wilson, Messrs Walker, Williams, L. Harper, S. B. Parker, G. Stead, Watts Russell, O. A. Pritchard, C Clark, and the mover, be appointed to consider the best means of forwarding this object." Captain Clogstoun seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The following acceptances were received for the Free Handicap and Handicap Hurdle Race : Fbee Handicap of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstake of 5 sovs each, for acceptors. Distance, 1 mile. Mr Walter's b m Yatterina, aged, 9st Mr Redwood's br f Batter, 4 yrs, 7st 131 b Mr F. Hedge's ch g Exile, aged, 7st 41b Mr Stalker's b g Marvel, 5 yrs, 7st 41b Mr Lunn's gr m Alice Grey, 5 yrs, 7st Mr Barker's b f Remnant, 3 yrs, Cst 91b Handicap Hubdle Race of 50 sovg, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each for acceptors. Entrance 2 sovp, to go to the fund. Distance, 2 miles, over eight nights of hurdles. Mr Lunn's gr m Alice Grey, 5 yrs, lOst 71b Mr F. Hedge's br g Theodore, 9st 111 b The meeting then adjourned.