SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 768, 6 December 1876, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

(From the Press.) The Dunedin Spring Meeting passed off in every way most successfully. The programme was, so to speak, a more ambitious one than the stewards have yet issued at this season; but the results, pecuniary and otherwise, should, I think, encourage them to repeat as liberal a programme next year. The more so, as the Dunedin Jockey Club have recently been successful in securing a five-years’ lease of the course, and intend erecting a really good grand stand. Ibis will prove no small attraction, particularly to the ladies, whose presence—so far as my experience goes—materially assists in more ways than one in the success of any race meeting. The fields were in most instances very fair, and the racing quite above the average. The Maidens was quite a gift to Dead Heat, whose victory, however, does not go for very ranch, as he had only four very moderate ones against him, and his second day’s win in the Railway Plate does not add very much to his laurels either. He was still however, it was only fair to say, dead out of form, and fit and well will no doubt be able to render a good account of himself hereafter. Every one was really glad to see Mr Logan have a cut in, after his recent ill-luck; and Cloth tf Gold, his recent purchase, will prove a most useful horse to lead the colt in his gallops, not to mention that he will be likely to pay for hunaelf before the season is over. Fishhook and his owner Dan O’Brien will, I believe, remain in Dunedin for the Cup. The Hook did not run nearly so well in the St Andrew’s Handicap as we all expected. Those that had their money on him declared after it was all over that Bob Derritt waited too long ; and though perhaps it would have been better generalship on his part to come a little sooner, there can be no doubt that pace, rather than staying, is Fishhook’s forte. King Phillip was in better form than I have ever seen him strip on a racecourse. He is, I think, when cherry ripe, a faster and better horse than many people imagine, and David Jones, who is his tutor, will no doubt take all pains to bring him fit to the post in March next, tie should run well for the Cup, though there are one or two whose chances I fancy better. Rob Ro3' is, lam afraid, for bis owner’s sake, not the horse he has been cracked up to be ; for his performances at this meeting were very indifferent. He would, I feel sure, be more payable properly over a country. Mr Walters scored a couple of wins with Isaac Walton and Kingfisher. The former ran a capital race in the Soring Handicap. It is true that the ‘field he had to meet was not a very formidable one, but he won the race in a style which makes one think that with a light weight for a mile and a half, it would take a right down good ’un to beat him. Mr Walters’ other win was the Grand Stand Handicap with Kingfisher, who just managed to drag it off, after a tre" mendous finish with Steamer, Cantell, who was up in both events, rode with very good judgment, and seems likely to be a capital horseman. Bight, Bower who had only been in work about a fortnight, won the President’s Handicap, ran in a style that surprised everybody. He has been backed already pretty heavily for the Dunedin Cup, for which with his light impost he ought to be very dangerous, that is always supposing him to be fit, which I understand he never has been yet in New Zealand. The Hurdle race was won pretty easily by Kildare, who was remarkably fit, and who I think—with all due deference to the handicapper—was treated perhaps a little too leniently. The Trotting race produced what I am given to understand were some very fair performers. Major, the favorite, was not, apparently, in a trotting humor ; but he won a match the next day pretty easily, and from what I have seen of him I should fancy him to be the best trotter we have about, Blackboy, the winner, was ridden with very great judgment by Mr Thompson. The horse is not a particularly attractive mover, but looks a hardy cut-and-come-again sort of horse, who could stay for a week, Mr Moore is now the official handicapper for the Dunedin Jockey Club, and he is certainly to be congratulated upon his success, so far as he has got; several oi the finishes being close enough to please anyone. The results of his handicap for the Dunedin Cup have, of course, yet to be proved, but on paper it seems a capital effort. The public at present seem to fancy Templeton, Right Bower, Fishhook, King Phillip, and Kingfisher ; while the bookmakers are very shy about laying against Maroro. I think the public are not far out in their selections at present, but it must be remembered that several of the horses above named may very probably have penalties to carry, and among other dangerous ones I should certainly be inclined to include Cleolite and Puriri. It is, however, rather early to begin tipping. When in Dunedin I had a look at Bndymion —a two-year-old colt recently imported from Victoria, by Mr Curran. He is by our old friend Manuka, out of Blectra—by King Alfred. He is a remarkably well-grown colt for his age, and promises to furnish into a very useful sire, though I scarcely think, from his appearance, that racing will ever be his forte. Your Canterbury sporting readers will, I am sure, be pleased to learn that arrangements have been made between the Dunedin and Canterbury Jockey Clubs, by which, after the present engagements terminate, the Derby will be run in Canterbury and the Leger in Dunedin. It is needless to say, from the dates on which the two annual meetings are held, that this alteration will be most advantageous to both clubs. The Kaikanui annual race meeting comes off on Boxing Day, and the visitors at any rate will have enough for their money, as there are to be no less than eight events in the one day’s racing. The principal items are a Handicap Hurdle Race of 40 so vs, a Maiden Plate of £35, the Kaikanui Handicap of 100 Bovs, two miles ; Publicans’ Handicap of 70 sovs, mile and a half; Novel Race of £SO, and a Flying Handicap of 35 sovs, three-quarters of a mile. The weights were out yesterday, but our horses are all engaged elsewhere, though I should have thought that this meeting would have been almost a more attractive one than the West Coast. Bob Ray left some days ago for Auckland, with Fallacy, Tommy Dodd, Danebury, and Middleton; and Mr Walters’ three, Kingfisher, Isaac Walton, and the Fanny Fisher colt, followed them yesterday by the Wellington. It is very probable that Templeton and Elfin King will also go north. SINBAD,