SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 429, 28 October 1875, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

A dull unpromising - looking morning was it at 4 a.m., when I was summoned to take my place in the trap for the purpose of paying the usual weekly visit to the race course. I did not think any trainer would have his lot out so early, but on arriving at 4.30 we found Mr Redwood’s string already on the ground. They were six in number, but, contrary to the usual custom, they did very little work. All the team have done a fair share of galloping, and if they cannot pull off some events at the meeting it will be because they are not good enough. Ido not think Hercules looks particularly pink, from the little I could judge of him in his clothes ; and I fancy Guy Fawkes is the better of the two four-year-olds in this stable. Cocksure has been showing a disinclination to face the course lately, and Korari would not appear to carry the confidence of the owner. Twitter is going on well, but nothing can make her anything more than moderate. The Fair Puritan colt I cannot have at any price. Bob Ray had his team of five on the course soon after we arrived, Daniel O’Rourke, Tommy Dodd, Tadmor, Sonnambula, and Tattler forming his contingent. Daniel and Tadmor were stripped and sent on the turf a good gallop ; Tadmor is improving, while Daniel goes fairly well. Tommy Dodd and Tattler were treated to similar exercise, and the old jumper strode along in great heart; but Tattler did not suit my idea, and I have seen him go much better. While these two were working, Cocksure and Korari were'going a moderate pace on the plough. Sonnambula had a strong three times and a-half round, going sound and well, and this mare will be dangerous in some of the shorter races of the meeting. Tamburiui was stripped, and, with Bob Derrett in the saddle, be went round twice at a very merry pace—in fact, the fastest gallop of the morning. He showed no signs of leg-weariness when he pulled up, and his leg appears to stand well enough so far. 1 did not see Fishook out, but Dan’s hurdle racer Pakeha was put through a moderate amount of work. Rory O’More and King Philip did some gentle exercise—J. Cotton riding the King, and the light weight being on Rory. There was nothing noticeable in their work. Both these horses look fresh and well, and they have many adherents who fancy that the Otago Division will land the double event, Handicap and Cup. I cannot believe it until I see it. Webb bad his lot out at his usual time, the only absentee being Kauri. They did the ordinary amount of cantering, and the three companions, Blair Athol, Chief, and Cloth of Gold were stripped and sent at a rattling pace about once round. Cloth of Gold has been more fancied of late, and that he will turn out a better horse than his relative I think is quite on the cards. The Chief goes fast when he is in the humour, but I think that speed, and not staying, is his forte. He is big enough for anything, but he can never be a favourite with me, though his size and breeding will procure him many admirers. Ranolf, Sludge, and Castilian did a good gallop together, but the chestnut has begun to object to starting, and there have been several battles between him and his rider. He seems to go well enough when once started, but his vagaries at the post are likely to give some trouble to the starter, and perhaps to jeopardise his chance in an important race. Old Speculation, who has been sent to the Bush Inn for his final polish, was working by himself, and looks very well, though he can win no hurdle race unless the others tumble down. There has been a little more wagering during the week, and Pungawerewere has many friends for her Derby engagement; consequently, she has been asked for often enough as the first in doubles and trebles lately. Templeton, too, has been nibbled at, and a rumour that Cloth of Gold had the best of a rough spin with some of his stable companions has caused his name to be noted by the *■ pencillers by the way.” Things, however, are not lively in the betting market, and we can expect no improvement until the general entries and the acceptances appear, when some clue as to owners’ intentions will probably be found. HERMIT.