SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 425, 22 October 1875, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

The beautiful weather this morning made the journey to the course a pleasure, instead of its being as is sometimes the case a most unmitigated nuisance. Early hours and fast work are now practised by the different trainers who use the Christchurch course, and, as the eventful second week of November is drawing near, they cannot keep those nags that are intended to perform at the Metropolitan meeting in idleness. As usual, Ted Cutts had out Mr Redwood’s lot at cockcrow, and the team consisted of Guy Fawkes, Hercules, Blue Grass, Twitter, Cocksure, and Korari. They did the invariable canter, and then Guy Fawkes (stripped) and Blue Grass had two turns round the plough. Ido not think much of the mare, and Guy pleases me less than he did. He went like a wooden horse at starting, though he threw off some of his apparent stiffness when he had gone a bit. He will have to improve though before the day or he will not land the 100 to 7 which was taken about his winning the Handicap and Cup, Twitter led Cocksure a long travel, three times round, at a steady pace, but the little chesnut mare is very excitable, and I shall be surprised if she can get anything more than a mile in average company. The colt went strongly and well, albeit he is no particular fancy of mine. I aid not see Korari do anything worth mentioning, and Hercules, having only just landed, was restricted to a gentle canter. His half sister, Norah, was not out, but I hear favourable reports of the young lady, and she will probably show up shortly with the morning string. Dan O’Brien had his three nags out. Tam did his invariable three turns round going very well; if he stands the necessary fast work during the next fortnight he will be about, though 1 cannot bring myself to believe he will he the actual winner. Fishook (stripped) was sent once round the turf gallop at a good pace ; his condition is good enough, but he seems to find but few friends, and has not been backed to win any money to speak of in the forthcoming Derby. He makes a good deal of noise when galloping, though I think it is only a trick he has got, and that his wind is perfectly sound. The team from the Bush Inn consisted of Mr Bhand’s four, with Ranolf, Castilian, Bteamer, and Bludge. They cantered together once, with the exception of the Gitaua filly, who was sent alone a short distance. The two Kavensworth chesnuts and Chief were all stripped and sent once round fast. To my fancy Blair Athol did not go so well as on Wednesday morning, and the Chief went belter, but it was not possible to judge correctly of their performance, as 1 was not in a good position for seeing whilst the work was going on. Kauri, Ranolf, and Bludge did a gallop together, the latter being pulled off after some part of the journey had been completed. The boy on Kauri had the prickers on, and used them to keep with his companion, but I am afraid Kauri, terribly high bred as he is, will not show to advantage at the ensuing meeting. He may come to his proper form later on rn the year, but he does not prepossess many people at present, though he has one constant admirer in “ The Druid.” Castilian did moderate work alone. Bob Ray was riding little Daniel, had Tommy Dod, Tadmor, and Snnnambula at work together. They did a good sweat and Tadmor went much better than usual. Bob also had Tattler on the course, but I did not see either Daniel or this colt do anything. Batanella was not out. King Philip and Rory O’More of course worked in company. Rory was divested of all his clothing except his hood, and the King was clothed. They did two turns steadily, finishing at a good pace. Pakeha did a gallop or two, Bob Derritt taking him the reverse way on the turf, and then sending him along the usual route. This horse looks fairly well, and is doing plenty of good work. Fred. Hodge was out on Theodore, and gave him some exercise, the old horse' looking very well to the eye, and he has a rare set of understandings to work on. lam afraid that there will not be five starters for the Hurdle Race, as Muscatel has got a leg. Tommy Dod, Theodore, Speculation, and Pakeha, will, I suppose, be entered, and an outsider may spring from somewhere to swell the field.

Mr Redwood has returned, and brought with him, besides Hercules and Norah, his old mare Waimea, who has come down on a visit to Traducer. The mare carries her eighteen years bravely, and no one would imagine that she had been eleven years at the stud. She has been as good as a mine (better than many) to her present owner, though I have always grudged the credit to Mr Redwood of having bred Manuka. He bought back the mare from Messrs Lance and Creyke, when she was carrying that horse, and the credit of the Peer cross is at least due to them. Waimea has a remarkably lively colt foal alongside her. He is by Towton, and therefore own brother to Kauri, but he takes after his dam in colour, and is a whole chesnut, without any white about him. With average luck he should have a distinguished career before him. As I mentioned that Waimea is going to Traducer, I may also say, that owners of brood mares have become thoroughly alive to the value of his services. No horse has ever had (in New Zealand) such a number of celebrated mares in his harem, as Mr Griffith’s old favourite will have this year. Mermaid, Idalia, Aurifera, Maria Theresa, Hammock, Peeres, Yatterina, Fanny Fisher, Belle of the Isle, Waimea, Waintti,

and olliers of almost equal celeb iiy ! It there are not some good three year olds in 1879, there can be but little judgment in breeding. All I can say is that 1 hope all ■he mares may have foals, and that these may escape accidents up to the time of their meeting on a racecourse, and, when they do, may I be there to see. Betting still languishes, nothing of any importance having taken place in the market. In vain are doubles and trebles preferred in seductive tones in the haunts whore sporting men most do congregate. The Christchurch public have become severely virtuous, and refuse to listen to the voice of the charmer or tempter. What the tempters think of this state of things is another matter. At present they preserve the equanimity of their temper in a manner which does them credit. HERMIT.