ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2351, 15 October 1881, Page 3

ASSEMBLY

SPORTING NOTES.

THE BTANMOEE STEEPLECHASE. [By the Fbiae.] Hearing that one of the horses entered for this maiden event was to bo taken for a preliminary on the newly laid out Stanmoro course, I availed myself of the opportunity thus afforded me, thinking it possible I might also see the other arrivals nominated for this fixture at work, but the only one present besides the old horse was that well-known black horse Billy Fattens, by Sydney Dick out of Mandamus, whoso performances for the Papanui Stakes and the Heathcote Oup, a a few years since, are, no doubt, remembered by your readers. He'was not'put into work on this occasion, only doing walking exercise with the clothing on, and in blinkers. His preparation being somewhat retarded, he will not bo put to the sticks till Tuesday. After a little delay the old horse Bomcrang, who, if I remember rightly, is by Oordwainer out of Miss Waxy, was brought out. Ho is a tough, wiry looking animal, and one of the stable vaunted his performance for the City Oup about three years aince, when, it will be remembered, ho came in second to Oatsbeaf, who was disqualified on account of an error in description, the prize, therefore, going to Boomerang. Returning to the trial of yesterday, the clothing was soon taken oil, and piloted by George, of the Royal Mows, he started on the track, but did not take his fences kindly, baulking at several and running round others. At the railway fence ho gathered himself together, but failing to gauge its height, sent the hurdles flying. When the lottery jump was imminent his capers caused great amusement amongst the bystanders, and the manner in which he got over the obstruction was hailed with derisive cheers. At the Bankruptcy Water Jump he stopped dead, refused to negotiate it, and, despite an unsparing applioaton of both whip and spur, could not bo prevailed upon to budge an inch ; so he was taken round it, going quietly till near the Chinamen’s gardens, when he grew very restive and bolted. Being again got well in hand, ho cleared tho big Maori gully flying, and came gamely round Grey’s corner with a bit in hand. He was very much distressed by tho work done on this occasion, and as he had been a long time in preparation, and hasn’t an ounce of loose flesh to dispense with, I think the chances of bis putting this stake to his stable’s credit are exceedingly remote. Tho other horse entered for this fixture, Peter Elat, by Dusty Miller, out of Sister of Mercy, was absent, not being at all in condition, and oil his feed. I hear he is fretting somewhat, and will require a great deal of preparation. I shall revert to the doing of this event on a future occasion, when the absent horses get to work.