SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 438, 8 November 1875, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

It was fine enough this morning, at about half-past four, for trainers to give their nags their last gallop previous to the meeting. There was a large attendance on the course, and numerous criticisms were passed on the going of the various candidates for honours, Rory O’M ore and King Philip went a stiff gallop of somewhere about two miles. The ex-hardleracer pulled very hard for the greater part of the way, and his companion had to be driven along, but he finished by far the strongest, and I cannot bring myself to believe that Rory can win the Handicap or King Philip the Cup. If the present wet weather continues, Rory’s favourable weight may bring him to the front; but if it is fine, I expect to see him done with about a quarter of a mile from home. Mr Redwood’s lot did some cantering, and Korari and Cocksure went a gallop stripped. The latter went unkindly, and swerved about a good deal. No Cup form there. Bob Ray sent Daniel O’Rourke and Tattler together. They went a good pace, but the little one had all the best of it from start to finish, and, if he can stay, should be about in some of the races he is entered for. Tattler I do not think is up to much this year, as he is bound to be short of condition. Sonnambula and Tadmor did a good turn round the course, the chesnut mare going pretty well till near the finish, when she seemed to me to tire. Tadmor is a disappointing horse, and no favourite of mine for any events at this meeting. Tommy Dodd wen o a particularly quiet canter, and the hurdle race looks at his mercy, though the Muscatel division seem to imagine their nag can win. Fishook, Pakeha, and old Tam worked. Either the former went better than usual, or the latter went worse, for there did not seem much to choose at tlys finish. The old horse has done a long steady preparation, and if he has not lost his foot must even yet be dangerous, though it is probable his best day is past, Fishook has improved rapidly of late, but is hardly a Derby winner surely, or the character of the cattle must have deteriorated. Pakeha has had a bit too much, unless I am mistaken, and he doesn’t like the present heavy going a little bit. Webb’s team did some galloping. Ranolf, Castilian, and Steamer worked together. The chesnut colt is no good for either Handicap or Cup; he went wretchedly this morning, either from infirmity or temper; but whether it was from either cause, his form would lead one to believe he wasn’t worth a row of pins. Castilian slid along in improved style, but this was perhaps more apparent than real, as his companion's going made the brown look better. Steamer is not of much use. Mr Shand’s Cloth of Gold and The Chief started together at the mile and a half post, and picked up Blair Athol at the back of the course. The Chief does not shape like staying, and of the other two commend me to the son of Sweetbrier, though the lot are moderate. Webb was riding Speculation as a hack. Dick Richards was out on Malvina, with the intention, I presume, as she is entered for the Dunedin Cup, of putting her into work again. He went a canter this morning of about twenty minutes in duration. This novel treatment may be attended with successful results, but I should be inclined to doubt it. Mr Shadbolt’s Miss Totara did some cantering, bat I did not inspect her closely, so cannot pretend to say what she is like. Fred Hedge was walking on the course, and from him I learned that the injury which Theodore sustained lately is of a very trivial nature, in fact his owner regretted that he had not accepted for the Hurdle Race. The old horse, is quite right again now, and as he is to be sold shortly, any one on the look-out for a really sound weight carrying good jumping horse, cannot do better than keep their eye on him. I forgot to mention that John Lunn e Nectar did a serviceable gallop, though her chance for the Handicap can hardly be good enough to back. Before concluding, I wish to call attention to the fact that no sooner is the course thrown open for training purposes than a lot of hackneys are exercised on the running ground, and as these animals are rarely kept on the outside of the track, it gets most uselessly cut up. A strong hint is necessary to some of the young ruffians who will persist in damaging the proper racecourse. Betting has been a little brisker lately, and some money has been invested in the sweeps. Pungawerewere and Daniel O’Rourke are backed for the Derby, and Rory O’More still holds the pride of place in

the Handicap betting. Guy Fawkes does not seem to be in any favour for either this race or the Cup, Templeton has been nibbled at for his engagements, and Punga finds an occasional backer for