SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2275, 18 July 1881, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

By SINBAD. I hear that the case of Mr S. Franck agaitißt the Canterbury Jookoy Club and Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin is postponed till October next.

Another Hunt Club Steeplechase meeting is advertised to be held in the Marton-Bangi-tikei district. The date of this fixture is August 26th. The following are the items * — Maiden Plato, 10 sovs (two miles); Hunt Club Steeplechase, 20 sovs (three miles); Ladies'Purse, 12 sovs (presented by tho ladies of Bangitikei), three miles; and a Consolation Stake (amount not given) of two miles. I understand there is a probability of the Dunedin Jockey Club holding their annual meeting in the beginning of October. Their reason for this change is that not having been able to come to terms with the Forbury Company, and their lease being up on October 30th they are determined to get one more final good ri«e out of tho Forbury course. I can't blame them for this, but it will be very awkward in more ways than one. Judging from a ciroular I have received from Mr Frank Evans, the hon. sec and treasurer of the Wanganui Trotting Club, that sport seems likely to find its most appreciated home in Wanganui, where the_ best trotters in New Zealand appear to reßide at present. The circular informs me that a meeting of the club will be held shortly, at whioh laws will be framed and officers appointed. From the tone of the oircular I should say it is the wish of the managing committee that all real supporters of the sport are weloome to attend the meeting, of the date of which due notice will be given. I think, with the great interest taken in all sport at Wanganui, trotting will become a leading feature in a district whioh has won the title of one the best racing seotions of the colony. I believe, from what I'm told, that in Wanganui nine men out of every ten aro sportsmen at heart, while the ladies support racing in a manner quite unknown in some other parts of Now Zealand I oould name. I learn from " Spectator " that the Wanganui Hunt Club have decided to hold a steeplechase meeting in August, and a programme, of whioh more anon, has been drawn up. Finanoial matters will be the next consideration, the amounts of prizes not having yet been fixed. The following are the proposed items: —Corinthian Cup, 2£ miles ; Hunt Club Handicap, about three miles; Ladies' Purse, three miles ; Haok Bace, one mile and a half. The meeting will probably come off about the first week in August. The same writer informs his readers that Mr B. Mclvor, well-known in Wanganui and throughout New Zealand, left Auckland last week for Sydney, where he will probably^remain till after the Metropolitan Meeting, before proceeding to India. There are few racecourses in the island whore he has not at one time or other landed a winner, and during his racing career of over ten years ho was often to the fore down South, but most of his winning mounts were obtained in the North Island, and I believe I am perfectly safe in saying that no other hurdle or croes-country rider in New Zealand at the present time can lay claim to have

ridden more winner*, and on a greater number of racecourses in the colony. .Roddy, as he was more familiarly called, was always travelling about, and rarely did he attend a meeting without appearing in the silk. With the aid of his hurdle and steeplechasers, bis name has several times been wellup in the statistical returns for principal winners. I trust he may have luck on the other side of the water.

I learn that the well - known gelding Soukar has changed hands, a gentleman from the Wairarapa becoming the new owner. Soukar is a useful leather flapper, and in the best company, under a light weight, and over all oourses, he has performed very well. Last season he was "off" altogether, owing probably to the hard raoing he did tbe previous year. Soukar started in more races on the flat than any other animal trained during the season 1879-80. I am glad to notioe, Bays " Spectator," that so many owners of young ones engaged in the coming Derby races are paying attention to them. Last year's Derby was won by ahorße showing very little quality, and whose victory could not have been attained had he not been well oared for and fed from a foal. Wintering is what all horses require if they are to be seen to advantage on the turf. Messrs PowdrelJ, Morse, Durie, Rae, and Lyford have their respective teams in good quarters, each having young ones in hand for coming events. At Waitotara Venture is still up, Dr. Earle and Mr Christie have each a young one being fed, and at Patea Mr MoKittriok has a SatorMabel filly in hand. Hunters, promising for the timber business, are legion. What with so many young and old ones up and to be taken up, the season of 1881-82 bids fair to be the most successful we have had in Wanganui.