ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2352, 17 October 1881, Page 3

ASSEMBLY

SPORTING NOTES.

THE ST. ALBANS STAKES. [By thb Fbiab.] On Friday last, having a little time at my disposal, I turned my steps towards the St. Albans stables, as I had not hitherto seen the two animals who are to try conclusions for the St. Albans Stakes. This, like the Stanmore and Sydenham meetings, is a new fixture, and is exciting a considerable amount of attention on account of the previous performances of one of the horses entered—viz., Tramcar, by the Alligator, out of Miss Columbia. This horse is an imported one, hailing from the land of the stars and stripes, and, as will be remembered by many, ran for the Ashley Stakes a few years since, on which occasion he scored a win. The other horse has hitherto only been sent for little stakes—notably about a year since, when he had his work cut out to win the South Stakes, which he wrested from Scotia by a nose only, and subsequently in January last, when he barely won the Avon Oup. 1 refer to Mawworm, by Dr. Cantwell, out of Puritan’s Daughter. X saw them both, but neither of them were at work. Mawworm is very much on the big side, and will want a tremendous lot of work to permit of his being brought to the course in anything like winning form, being too fat for a long distance, especially in the company he will have to travel with. Still, he has a big following, although for the life of me I cannot tell why. One thing is in his favour, he takes kindly to his oats, and on the occasion referred to his trainer administered a constitution ball. The other old horse is a big raking chestnut, tough as leather, with plenty of form; a good stayer, but a bad fencer. Yet, if he can be induced to negotiate the railway fence, which is a stiff ’un, he might be landed a winner. One thing is certain, ha has plenty of endurance, and can wear down any amount of competition.

OHRIBTOHUBOH SOUTH SPRING MEETING. For gome unexplained reason, the different stables looked very shyly at this fixture. In answer to my inquiries day after day the game unvarying reply came—“No nomination as yet.” I was the more surprised, knowing how many horses there are from whom judicious selections could be nsade. Notably, Star of the West, Peter the Great, Young Nabob, Jointure, and others equally good ; but at last the ice was broken, and two were nominated. The first of these is so well known as to require but little wordpainting. I refer to Metallioian, by Ironfounder out of Metallurgy, whose performance on the Burgess course, when he, on three successive occasions, won the Oity Oup from all comers, and subsequently the Mayor’s Gold Vase, are matters of history. I hoar his preparation is very forward, and, bar accidents, will assuredly give a good account of himself. The other nomination—Capias, by Refresher out of Demurrer—is new to this part of the country, but he brings plenty of golden opinions from those able to judge on the other side. He took his preliminary last Friday in the Gaiety paddock, in the presence of a large gathering of those interested in the result. His appearance was the signal for general murmurs of satisfaction as to his condition, which is in his favor, his coat shining like burnished copper. That he is a flyer not liable to stop dead, and accurately gauges the different obstacles on the course, is certain. On the occasion referred to he was goon pat on the track, and after about a furlong on the flat he came to the Constitution water-jump, which was negotiated in good style, amidst the plaudits of the crowd. At the Grey hurdles expectancy was at its height, as it was considered a terror, but his jockey, taking him well in hand, landed him on the other side, without knocking off a sprig of gorse. As he neared Squatters’ gully he put on the pace, and crossed it as though he thought nothing of such obstacles. The Vested Interest hurdles wore cleared at a bound, and away to the Native dyke, which is a water jump, surrounded by high “fencing,” by the time he sighted it he was thoroughly warm to the work. His rider, knowing the serious nature of the obstacle, encouraged him somewhat, when Capias, laying his ears back and arching his neck, proved himself equal to the emergency, and, in a second both horse and rider were safely over. The Railway hurdles were next cleared aa if they were held in no more estimation than if it were a big tussock. Then, slacking off somewhat, he came round Supreme Court corner without effort, when he was pulled up. Good although this performance was, I must defer any opinion of the relative merits of the two competitors, as the other has not yet shown, and the way in which he has hitherto performed in public entitles him to be held in high estimation.