SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2151, 17 January 1881, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

By Siicbad.

By a private letter from Auckland, I learn a few particulars in reference to the disqualification of Lonehand in the Hurdle Race that were not given in the telegraphed account of the race. It seems that the rider of Harry Mount crossed Lonehand at several of the hurdles with the intention of throwing the grey out of it. He was several times warned by Mr Lunn, who at last lost his temper and went for him. Not being in possession of the actual evidence given before the stewards, I cannot of course say what may have transpired in reference to the rider of Harry Mount, but on the face of it I should say ho ought to have got into trouble as well, being the original cause of the fracas. In the last number of the “ Australasian ” there is a very interesting loading article summarising the evidence before the parliamentary committee appointed to consider the advisability of legalising the totolisator. The tendency of the evidence went far to show that the legalisation of the instrument would annihilate the "mushroom bookmakers ” but would not affect the more respectable members of the ring. The evidence of Captain Standish, Mr Bagot, the secretary of the Y.R.0., and the representatives of the Press, and that of several leading racing men was all in favor of the adoption of the instrument. The Bill, on being brought up before the House was, I am sorry to say, again thrown out. The Wanganui weights appeared rather late for notice last week, but an inspection of them certainly gives one the idea that Mr Hately has been much happier on this occasion than he was last year. With regard to many engaged, the Wellington and Dunedin running will shortly give us a line as to their respective chances, but on paper I like the chances best of Grip, who is the pick of the handicap, and why Betrayer should give him weight I can’t understand, after their Leger running, Natator, Libeller, Sir Modred, and Virginia Water. Of the local animals, Hailstorm and Soukar, the latter especially, have nothing to complain of. Amongst the animals engaged are Lady Emma, and in the Flying Handicap I see the names of G'tana and Legerdemain. The first is by Maribyrnong out of Paraguay, while Legerdemain is by King Cole out of Skittle Sharper. Both are in at Sat 71b. The moat likely looking winner in the Plying Handicap, without doubt, is Sir Modred.

The Pari Mutuel was not a great success in Auckland. The instrument inside the saddling paddock was very poorly patronised, nearly all the business being done on the outside in ten shilling tickets. About £2OOO was put through during the three days. Mr Fergusson, of Gorton, Cambridge, will, no doubt, be pleased to see, from last English files, that Lyric won the Welham Selling Stakes at Lincoln, being sold after the race for 330 guineas. Lyric is by Thunderbolt out of Lyra, and is, therefore, own brother to Tomato, the colt purchased by Sir Hercules Robinson from Mr Fergusson. Lyra had two foals before leaving England, Lyric being one of them.

Betrayer, The Agent, and Bversley returned from Auckland to Christchurch on Tuesday last. In reference to Betrayer, I may say that he is still lame, and his owner, after a careful examination, has decided to scratch him both for Wellington and Wanganui. Encouraged by the success of their recent meeting the Heathcote Club hare decided to lay out a new course in a paddock nearer to town than where the last meeting was held. They also propose to have more open races next year, and to increase the Cup added money to £l5O. I hear from Ted Cutts that his team are going in good form. Sir Modred is very pink, and doing as well as his most sanguine backers could wish, os are also Somnus and Idalium. So far these two highly-bred colts have not brought anything of their purchasemoney, but they both promise so well that before another year is over it seems probable they will figure very creditably in the annual returns of winners. Longlands is sound and well, and doing excellent work, though still rather on the big side. I learn from “ Mazeppa ” that York won the four events he started for at Greymouth, As my Southern confrere truly observes, what a hot lot there must be over there!

Gladly taking advantage of Mr Mason's offer to drive up to Taldhurst the other day, I found myself, on a very pleasant afternoon, sitting behind old Bilverstream, and spinning away at the rate of knots on the familiar Briocarton road. On the journey up Mr Mason informed me that he had at present only four in work. These are Band wick, Volunteer, Bundoora, and Morpheus. As we drove in through the gate, Fleur-de-lys was cantering about by himself in a small paddock on the right—a paddock where Templeton spent his first youth. I saw the handsome little son of Fleurange later on, in the stable. He is not in work, and will not appear before the Spring. He has grown a good deal since 1 last saw him, and is greatly improved. In another paddock was Bawdon, also a much improved colt, but, like Fleur-de-lys, will remain in the paddocks until it be time to commence preparations for their Spring engagements. Bundoora, who will bo the only Yaldhurst representative in the coming Champagne Stakes, has furnished—as he always promised to do—into a great big raking colt, and, though one of the lazy sort, goes in good form.. Morpheus is only just up, and is naturally rather on the big side, while Volunteer has evidently been put through the mill to some purpose, as he is lighter than I ever saw him before. He has been suffering from some slight affection of the throat, but has now perfectly recovered, and looks about as well as a horse can look. Old Pinflre is still enjoying the otium cum dig., and is not likely to be seen again during the current racing season. Lady of the Lake is in the same paddock with him. She has a fine big colt foal by Totara, and this season visited Perkin Warbeok. While strolling through the paddocks I remarked what a good place it would be to school a horse for cross-country business, on which Mr Mason informed me that it was his intention, during the winter, to take in one or two horses. Anyone requiring a horse well taught might do much worse than put him under the tuition of such an experienced and careful tutor. On my return 1 had a peep at old Fishhook, who was kindly stripped for me by bis old and present owner, Mr D. O’Brien. The old horse, who has been up now nearly two months, is doing good work, and I was quite astonished with the alteration in bis condition. If he keeps on as he is at present, and stands his up, he will be very handy in the Q-reat Southern Baco. Mr Bradley, the secretary of the Port Victoria Baces, has issued his annual programme for the meeting on the 18th March. The items are numerous—if anything a little too numerous—the principal events being two hurdle races (one district), Akaroa Handicap, 15 sovs, Port Victoria Handicap, 25 sovs, and the Welcome Stakes (for district two-year-olds). Nominations close on February Ist. The Duke of Westminster’s contemplated retirement from the turf (says the English “ Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette ”) is all moonshine. His Grace will have about a score of horses in training next year, twothirds being two-year-olds. Says the “ Sporting and Dramatic News ” In a paper which comes from the other side of the world—from Victoria, in fact—there is an article which has a strangely familiar ring. Ahorse called Sweetmeat, belonging to a Mr Ivory, was favorite for the Metropolitan Stakes, and after having been backed for large sums by the public the animal was scratched. “ We regret that a sense of duty compels ns,” the journal says, “in this issue of the “ Australasian,” to refer to the scratching of Sweetmeat by Mr Ivory for the Metropolitan Stakes just previous to the race. Mr Ivory had been forestalled in backing his horse, and could not get ‘ on’ at a satisfactory price, and, as none of those who had backed Sweetmeat were inclined to accommodate Mr Ivory on his own terms, he put the pen through the horse’s name, and Sweetmeat did not start, and his backers were, to use a vulgar phrase, put in the hole.” Sporting papers in all parts of the earth might keep the above set up in type, leaving blanks for alterations in the names of animals and owners. Unfortunately, it would be certain to come in useful at intervals. THE FINAL “ OOUBSK.” Years ago, at a race at Ascot, the famous horse Tiberius broke his leg by bounding against one of the posts of the barrier just after the start. His owner. Lord Millbank, lost heavily in bets, besides the value of the horse, the law of the course being that accidents should not be taken into account as relieving a horse in case of defeat. Three days afterwards Lord Millbank gave a sumptuous dinner, to which the moat distinguished of the English peerage had boeu invited, and at which they were present.

The conviviality ran high. Towards ' the close, and at a late hour, after numerous toasts had been drunk, the noble host arose at the head of the table, and proposed that they should drink to the memory of the departed Tiberius. It was clamorously received. The master of the feast remained standing, with a ‘ brimming glass in his hand. “We drink to Tiberius/ he said, " the most beautiful, the most enduring, the most courageous, and the most spirited courser that ever trod the British turf.” Shouts of applause shook the walls. “You know,” continued his lordship," the achievements of this horse. His deeds belong to history. Fame has taken charge of his glory. But it remained for me—for you, my lords and gentlemen—to do honor to bis mortal remains. I wished that this noble courser should have a burial worthy of his deaervings. He has had it. My cook had fitly prepared him, and you have feasted upon him to-day. Ay, my lords and gentlemen, the moat which you have relished so keenly, and the rich flavor and delicacy of which have awakened so much enquiry, was Tiberius. Mr grand courser hath found a fitting sepulture. May your your digestion be light!” For a brief space the enthusiasm of the company received a check; but the meat had been good nevertheless ; and, with ar.other burst of applause, the idea took the turn of a sublimity, and more bumpers were drunk to the memory of the strangely entombed Tiberius.