SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2018, 12 August 1880, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

Br Sinbad. It was with extreme regret that I heard of the death of Titania's foal by lieolinus. The loss is rendered the more severe from the fact that she is not in foal this season. A Northern correspondent writes me to the effect that Mr Walters is on his way to Sydney, to bring down Peeress snd Fanny Fißher, who are both in foal to Yattendon, and one or more colts the progeny of the same horse. All sportsmen will sympathise with the cruel hard luck recently experienced by the Middle Park Company. Idalia, the performances of whose progeny so far have justly made her the most popular mare of the Company, dropped a colt foal to Traducer two days before August Ist, from which date, it is needless to say, racehorses here take their age. This virtually precludes the colt from taking part in any of his early engagements. He is a most promising foal, and so far takes I am informed more after Sir Modredthan the others.' The circumstance iB the more annoying, as the colt must necessarily be the last of a nick which has answered so well that it is almost impossible to hazard what his price wonld have been had he been born a few days later. Mr Noßwortby had a very close shave with No Name who, I understand, dropped her foal on the morning of August Ist.

By English files we learn particulars of the Colham sale of yearlings, which this season commenced the series. Prices appear to have been low and the bidding spiritless. The highest prices paid were for the Blue Gown— Curagoa colt (800 guineas, Mr J. Dawson) and for the Mortemer—Jocosa colt (700 guineas, Mr Pennent). The departure of Mata and Oamballo for the other side made two less in the number of acceptances for the Canterbury Jockey Olub Handicap, but the exodus of the champion, most certainly made some material difference in the Cup nominations, which are far more numerous than would have been the case had Mata remained in his own country. We haTe had a better entry on similar occasions, but it must be recollected that the dates of nomination haTe been materially altered, and, comparing the entries before us with those of former years, they will bear most favorable comparison, while in point of quality it is satisfactory to note that they show a wonderful improvement. Another circumstance which at present, at any rate, adds most materially to the interest of the forthcoming meeting, is that at present there is a plenty of favorites for the events under notice, and the winner in both cases is unusually hard to spot. In the C.J.C. Handicap this is particularly the case, from the fact that more than one stable has two or three candidates engaged whose chances, on paper at any rate, appear to be almoßt equally good. It is only natural to suppose that the selected one of each stable will be the best and fittest on the day they try conclusions, and as the time is still long, leg and other considerations may drive many who now hold a prominent pines in the front rank to an outside position. As the qualifications of the various candidates have been so recently summarised in these columns I can only pick out what I should consider the best in each stable. Of the Hon. W. Bobinson's, I should certainly take Foul Play, as I do not think either Natator or Grip care much for two miles, which remark applies in a greater degree to On Bit. The extra half mile ought, if we j udge from his last performances, to put the big Ijb Loup out of court. Thus it is that I should prefer to see the first colors of the Bussley stable on the gallant little black, who, the records of last season prove, has every ability to get the distance. Of Mr Horsford's three I should certainly take Hornby to be the pick, of the basket, he being a proved stayer and possessed of any amount of foot. The same remarks apply to Maritana, but age brings its infirmities, and though sound and well at present it may be that the old mare has lost that brilliant dash of speed for which she has been so distinguished. On the principle of going on public form I should take Hilarious to be the best of the Hon. B. Campbell's pair. It must, however, be recollected that Sir Garnet showed plenty of speed in his two-year-old preparation, and is at present comparatively a dark horse. This remark applies in a still greater degree to Sylvanus, and therefore of Mr Goodman's pair I must go for Chancellor. Mr Walters' two, Piscatarious and Libeller, are, I believe, training on in very good form, but I do not think either are class enough for the company they are likely to meet. Mr Mason has cried content with. Pinfire and "Volunteer, and it is rather hard to say which will answer the final question put to them by their owner to the most satisfaction. From his performance in this race last year Pinfire has net much to complain of on the score of weight, and of his constancy

there can be no question, but it is just doubtful whether he possesses that amount af pace which will be necessary to bring him home in such a fast run race as this is likely to be. Of Volunteer's staying abilities we know really nothing. He is a grand looking colt, and a speedy one, but if I must make a choice I should prefer the "old sticker." Sir George, I do not think, is good enough, which remark I am afraid I must also apply to Amina, who will be better known to your readers as the Sludge filly. Should, however, this descendant of old Gitana be credited with a winning bracket during the forthcoming meeting, no victory will, I am sure, be more popularly received than that of the genial sportsman who races under the name of Mr "De La Croix." The Bnsh Inn is represented by a trio, of whom, so far, Virginia Water has been the only performer. Holdernesse and Badsworth are both fine looking colts, and whether they are forward in this race or not, I trust may place some good stake during the meeting to the credit of their owner, who is one of the oldest sportsmen in Canterbury. The highlybred Miss Domett is the only competitor from Spring Creek, and if looks go for anything she ought to be one of the most formidable of the younger contestants. Laertes I cannot have at any price, and of Luna's staying abilities I have considerable doubt. Of Kosciusko I know bnt little, further than he is a big strong four-year-old colt by Blue Boy, and who report says in appearance rather resembles Hornby. Marie Antoinette has never, ao far, run a great mare in good company, and as she has none the best of the weights, I do not think she can have any show at all. The Cup entries are in many respects very similar to those we have just noticed, out there are a few names one does not meet in the Handicap. These are Leveller and jNautilus, (the two Southern candidates,)Sir Modred and The Governor. All these are three-year-olds, but lam scarcely of opinion that either of them will be likely to trouble the winner of the big race of the preceding day. Leveller I hear the best accounts of, and it is quite on the cards that he may be uncommonly troublesome in the Derby, a stake the gentleman who races under the name of Mr George certainly deserves to win, if only for the plucky price he gave for this colt as a yearling. He, as well as Sir Modred and The Governor, must, however, be entitled to great consideration in the big weight for age race of the year. At even weights with some of the other four-year-olds engaged, I do not think Norseman, the only other addition, can have a great say, though he is a grand and much-improved colt. To snm up briefly I fancy the ohances of the older horses in each race, and assuming there be amongst the competitors in the Handicap a light-weighted three-year-old colt sufficiently speedy to carry off that event, it must be remembered that animals of that age will meet their more aged contestants in the Cup on far less favorable terms than has hitherto been the case. Our experience sofar has been that it has taken an exceptionally good three-year-old to win the Cup, and though there are one or two uncommonly promising ones about this year, the older horses are in more than one instance of very high class, and sa far as we have got, I prefer the chances of the elder division.