ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2355, 20 October 1881, Page 3

ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

THE STANMORE STEEPLECHASE. ( Continued.) [By thb Fbiab.] I hailed with satisfaction the intelligence conveyed to me by one of the stable, that the preparations necessary to justify the first trial soin of .that well-known performer— Billy Pattens—(who, as I previously informed you, had hitherto only taken walking exercise) were at last so well forward as to enable its date to bo fixed. I therefore on Tuesday last drove out to the Philllpstown paddocks, and shortly afterwards, the dapper little black horse was brought Into the saddling paddock, whore a large concourse of the friends of the stable were assembled. On Inquiry I found the mount had been entrusted to Jones—a very careful jockey—who would not be at all likely to force the pace—but put him through his trial alike with skill and judgment. I was glad to find that I was not singular in my opinion—that, as far as can bo seen at present, this is far and away the best entry for this very important event, and bets were freely made in his favour. In answer to questions by those present, who had not witnessed this animal’s performances in the different provincial fixtures, at all of which ha came in with plenty to spare, many good traits in his running wore brought to my remembrance - notably the manner in which he ran the gauntlet at the Ferrymead Railway Jump, whore several good steeds came to grief. After the usual formalities of saddling, &c,, had been gone through, this game little nag was brought out of the paddock on the straight and amidst the plaudits of the big gathering the trial began, and from his style of going it seemed impossible that ho had been so long out of training. A gentle spin brought the Electoral Fence and Corrupt Practices Ditch (a combined jump) into sight, and the little black cleared both at one bound. By this time he was well settled down to his work, and every eye in the paddock was strained and centred on the performer. The Plural Qualification Hurdles were disposed of in a trice ; then came the Custom House Water Jump, which was no trouble whatever to this grand little horse. The ticklish Education Hurdles and the Lottery Dyke were successfully negotiated in succession, then turning Compensation Corner he came on full of running to the combined Native Fence and Water Jump, which were crossed amidst the most vociferous cheering of an enthusiastic gathering of well-known members of the sporting fraternity. At the Bankruptcy Hurdles, and also the Church Trust Gully he again responded with alacrity to the gentle argu monte of his jockey. The Absentees Fenoe, Volunteer Earthwork Jump, and also the big District Drain were disposed of in a manner that showed this grand animal had not forgotten his old prowess. After those came the Railway Hurdles. This, although a high jump, was cleared with judgment. At this he was eased off somewhat, and cantering past the * Top House ’ corner, came in without showing the least symptoms of distress. The betting immediately acquired a firm tone, and he at once tock position as first favorite, and wagers giving him the pride of place on the race day were offered freely, but declined except long odds were a condition. I have deferred till now giving any opinion as to the probable result of this fixture, and although I have not yet seen the French horse Folle Farine at work, I shall unhesitatingly declare In favour of Billy Pattens as winner, Peter Flat 2nd, Boomerang 3rd, and Folle Farine hopelessly distanced I shall avail myself of the obance offered of seeing this latter taka his preliminary on Friday, subsequent to which I shall be enabled to speak more authoritatively on his chances of wresting third place from the old horse Boomerang.