SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1854, 31 January 1880, Page 3

SPORTING.

THE WELLINGTON OUP. [By Tblesbayh.] WELLINGTON, January 30. The following are the latest quotations for the Cup:— 3to 1 agst Foul Play (off); 100 to 30 (tkn) 4 to I sgst L ia (off) 100 to 15 ogtt Templeton (tkn and off) 100 15 agst Hippo (tkn and off) 100 to 12 agst Laertes (off) ; 100 to 8 (tkn) 100 to 8 agst any other (off).

SPORTING NOTES. By SINBAD. Through the kindness of a correspondent I was reofntly enabled to publish a very interesting account of the Auckland Stud Compa'iy’s premises. Another Northern friend sends me the following particulars of Gorton, Mr R. H. D. Fergus son’s breeding establishment in the Auckland province: “Gorton is situated in the Waikato, being five miles from Cambridge, and 105 miles from Auckland, It is a really beautiful estate of about 8000 acres, all well laid down in English grass. The inmates of the Gorton paddocks, whether cattle, sheep, or horses, are all of unexceptionable breeding. Blood appears to be Mr Fergnsaon’s motto in all his selections, and there can be no doubt that his judgment and selection will prove the most profitable to him in the long run. The thoroughbred stuck, which I went especially to see, are not numerous, for Mr Fergnsson has not long started in this line; but the stud is select, and the quality exoe'lent. My visit was unfortunately a very hurried one, and I therefore had not sufficient t me to give you such full particulars as 1 could wi-h. Blackcock, who is a two-year-old colt by the English Stock well horse Thunderbolt out of Dundee Kate, is a giant for his age; in fact, I never saw a bigger one. He is rather closely put together, with great limbs and immense power. Dundee Kate was imported in 1878 by Mr Fergusson She was bred by Mr Merry, and is by Dundee from Rambling Katie, by Melbourne out of Phyrne, by Touchstone. Another colt, also by Thunderbolt out of an imported mare, Lyra, is certainly a oLnker to look at. He is a golden cheanut with a white face and two white feet, and standing about 15 hands. He is a very lengthy colt, standing over a lot of ground, with slanting shoulders, short back, and very racing-looking quarters. His head and neck are simply perfection. Mr Fergusson has refused 450 guineas for this beautiful colt, and I must say I think acted wisely in refusing the

offer. His dam, Lyra, also bred by Mr Merry, is by Thormanby out of Clotil e, by Touchstone. I was next introduced to Feve, who was imported some years ago from England. After one season in Auckland, he went to Sydney, being hired by Mr Town, of To cal. Feve looks well, and is, I believe, a great favourite in the Waikato. In a paddock adjoining the house were Dundee Kate, Lyra, and Locket, another English mure. She is also by Thunderbolt, her dam Keepsake, by Daniel O’Rourke There are also several other well bred mares. Mr Fergusson has certainly the nucleus of a very excellent stud, and with such a climate as Waikato, and with the increasing interest taken in racing in tin North Island, the highly bred youngsters of Mr Fergusson will no doubt command high prices in time to come. To Southerners visiting Auckland I strongly recommend a trip to Waikato, and they will find Mr Fergnsson, who is always glad to see a sportsman, hospitality itseif. ” Ray has re-purchased the chesnut three-year-old colt Saunterer, by Sator, and has him in work for the Wanganui Derby, in which he is engaged. Nominations for the G r eat Autumn Handicap are due on February 4th. Vampire and Foul Play left for Wellington for their engagements, per Rot< mahana. Owners are reminded that nominations for the Hurdle, Novel. Steeplechase, Forbury and Hying Handicaps, at the forthcoming Dunedin Mee'ing, are dne to-day (Saturday). Acceptances for the Wang mui Oup must be in the secretary’s hands on February 3rd. The secretary of the South Canterbury Jockey Club announces in reference to the Sires’ Produce States of 1882, that foals by Castaway, Traducer, Kauri, and Daniel O’Rourke are eligible for entry. Nom nations will be received up to February 2nd. F. Hill, the well known cross-country rider (says the “Tasmanian Mail”) was a passenger by the s.s. Arawata, which called in here on her way to New f Zeal a A n January 7th. He has gone ’o Maori land t > ride the well-known steeplechaser Lne Hand in his engagements during ihe present season. Hill has been very successful indeed lately in Victoria.