SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1302, 22 May 1878, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

[By Sinbad.] [i'KOir THE I'BESS.J The nominations received by the secretary of the G-rand National Steeplechase Club last Saturday, are not quite so numerous as when the meeting was last held in but are notwithstanding very satisfactory, and afford promise of a capital day's sport. For the Maiden Plate eight have paid up, but I scarcely expect more than five to come to the post. Assuming, which will probably be the case, that Te Whetumarama and Shark will be reserved for the big event, I think the race will lie between Sir Tatton and The Agent. Of the two I fancy the former, and I think if lie stands up he will win. Of the rest I think Cannonball will prove the most formidable, as I understand he fences well and has a fair turn of foot. For the Grand National I think tho honest old Luuatic is too slow. Don is out of his place, Zetland is not sound enough, and the distance is too far for the Maori. Fakir and Shillelagh are both fair performers, and the latter has certaii ly nothing to complain of on the score of weight, but I think the winner will be either Everelev, Mouietrep, Te Whelu, cr Shark, Tho

Tasmania!! crack is sound and well, and has been doing good work since his arrival, and in Bpite of his twelve seven will, I think, be very handy at the finish. Mousetrap, who will be ridden by McCoy, is a game, honest little horse, and a grand jumper, but with eleven four on him he will find the four miles quite as far as he will care to get. Shark has not got a great reputation for speed, but his performance up North against Perfume must not be forgotten, and I look upon him as one of the most dangerous animals in the race. Te Whetu is a good performer over hurdles, though what he may be over a country remains to be seen. He has plenty of foot, and with Dan O'Brien on his back, will certainly not have very much the worst of the riding. I reserve my final selection for Friday morning, but at present I fancy the top weight. The Hunt Club Cup depends so much upon the results of the other two events that at present it is impossible to do much more than guess at )the winner, but if Sir Tatton and The Agent'both go for the Maidens, it is more than likely they will fight out the finish of the Hunt Club Cup, and as : in the first event, I fancy the old horse. 1 was out on Monday to the covirse, when most of the chasers were out. Eversley went a good three mile gallop with Joyce, who is to pilot him in the [race up. He went very strongly and well. Dundee and the Tim Whiffler colt, who by the way rejoices in the wonderful name of " Macilleathain," cantered. The Agent and Stockman were schooled over the hurdles in Mr Redwood's paddock. The former jumped very kindly, but the performance of the latter was 'not impressive. Dan O'Brien then gave Sir Tatton a turn over the hurdles, the old horse jumping in good form, though scarcely getting away so quickly as he used. Mooße and [Te Whetu did a steady gallop on the outside track, and Shark went a three mile sweat. Zetland, with a bandage on, Silverstream and Don did serviceable work, while Cannonball and Fakir did not put in an appearance. Shillelagh arrived on Saturday by the last train from the South. He has taken up his quarters at John Lunn's. The stone wall, which is exactly opposite the stand, is nearly finished ; it will be four feet two, and will want jumping. Another new obstacle is in course of construction near the distance post. This is a sod bank vrith a ditch on each side ; further down will be another jump of the same kind. Yesterday morning the weather was very unfavorable, and I did not visit the course, but I understand Eversley was schooled over a jump or two and shaped well. The following are the latest odds:— MAIDEN PLATB. 2 to 1 agst Sir Tatton and The Agent. GBAND NATIONAL. 3 to 1 agst Eversley and Te Whetu 4 to 1 agst Moose 5 to 1 agst Mousetrap 6 to 1 agst Agent.