ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2350, 14 October 1881, Page 3

ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

THE LYTTELTON HANDICAP. [By THE Fbiae.] In company with several members of the sporting fraternity, I recently wont throngh to Port, with the object of arriving at some idea of the respective merits of the equine celebrities who are pitted against each other for this important event. At present three have accepted, viz : —The Artist, by Turps out of Umber ; The Navvie, by Vanguard out of Reputation ; and Cobweb, by Morrow fat out of Sunflower. I was disappointed in not seeing the first-named horse, as he was reported to be very much out of condition, and, at the time of my visit, was out doing walking exercise with the clothing on, somewhere in the vicinity of Sumner. Having expressed my regrets that snoh a good performer should he anything but “ nil right,” I was assured by his trainer the ailment was only temporary. Some ratsbane hid been incautiously leit in his way by an occasional stable-hand named Bob Kleepain. The lad was at once discharged, but the mischief was done j yet, it is hoped, as some eight weeks or so will elapse before the meeting results, that the horse will be as well by that time as if nothing had happened. I then passed on to the loose box, in which The Navvie was located. Fortunately I was enabled to see this grand performer do his constitutions! in the usual well-known style so familiar to every one who has seen him at work. He was sent a good spin on the plough, which was very gratifying and satisfactory to all present, and the result of a very close inspection convinces mo this grand animal (bearing in mind his many victories, and also his Australian performances) is bound to win. Indeed, so confident is his trainer of success that ho has openly expressed his determination to “ bet his bottom dollar ” on the result. Certain it is, this grand all-aged horse is looking very pink, and, in the words of more than one member of the turf, will “ take a lot of beating.” From thence I proceeded to the location of the celebrated Cobweb, and, despite all that is said about him, I am convinced he will never make a stayer, and the company he will meet on the eventful day will be too good for him. He ran some time since for a very small stake and was distanced. If he scores a win on this occasion I shall bo quite out in my judgment of the points of a winner. Certainly the “ pot has boiled over ” on mors occasions than one, but I do not think the bookmakers will get a “ chuck in ” on this occasion I oast no reflection on hi* temper or tractability, but his oondilion must tell against him. His trainer mentioned that he hud been blistered since his last defeat, and was fit for anything. Yet I felt constrained to imply a negative without making him at all aware of the estimation in which I held him. Although the nominations and acceptances for this event will not finally close for some days hence, I fancy that only these three will meet the starter’s eye on the day of the race, and, it so, I shall at onco declare in favour of The Navvie, with The Artist about two lengths behind, Cobweb having to rest contented with third place. On my way from Port I alighted at Hillsborough, to visit the Heathoote Stables, and thus got a glimpse of Old Stonewaller, who is entered for the Heathcote Cup. This horse, it will be remembered, has appropriated this stake on two previous occasions. I remark, en passant, that he is fairly bred, being by Farmer’s Glory out of Taciturnity. I thought the old horse was looking rather soft and carrying too much flesh, but, as his trainer was very reticent, and didn’t seem to care about bringing him out, I am inclined to think there is some truth in the rumour that he sustained severer injuries than the stable will allow when negotiating the formidable stone obstruction on the Wellington ground recently. Of course, if the other stable doesn’t care to enter a horse, there is nothing in store but a walk-over for the old one ; but anything with the least condition ought to show him the road on the day he enters the saddling paddock. I made enquiries for one cf the previous performers on this course—l refer to Valparaiso Jack—but I learnt he is so sadly out of condition that it is extremely probable he will never rnn again.