ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2360, 26 October 1881, Page 3

ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

THE ST. ALBANS STAKES.

[By thb Fbiab.]

The preparation of the horses who originally accepted for this new event has been most unsatisfactory, very little work being done by either, but the nomination of a third horse appears to have " woke up” one stable, consequently the first public preliminary of the well known Mawworm was arranged for Tuesday last. Accordingly I looked in at the Merivale paddocks to see the old horse " put through his facings.” After the usual delay whioh seems inseparable from these trial spons, he wae led out by Tommy Smith, and the saddling over he was eager for business. I asked Tommy on the quiet if the old horse was all right, to whioh the rejoinder was that if he got any obstinate tricks on and collared the bit, neither 11 man nor devil” could hold him. The great fault in his preparation is that he has been loft “too beefy.” Indeed I was told ho had been allowed to almost burst himself on gorse trimmings, whioh is not as it should be. He was closely clipped, and if half the attention paid to his coat bad been bestowed on his feeding, he would have shown in better form. I find he has won a few trotting matches on the roadside, and also one or two minor events ; but I must say that I do not think his past performances entitle him to anticipate a winning bracket on the day of the race. lam told he has been coughing somewhat, but of that I have no definite information. But to return to the trial of yesterday. The saddling paddock preliminaries over, little Tommy vaulted into the saddle, and coming out on the straight the old ’un was soon got “ under weigh.” A gentle amble on the flat, and then the St. Albans Barrier—a very low jump indeed—was negotiated. After this the Local Government Hurdles were crossed in a very original manner. The Railway Fence was taken very creditably, and the Steam Service Water Jump was disposed of with judgment. He was not so fortunate at the Education Hardies, seeming uncertain as to the manner in whioh he should gather himself up for the leap. At the Land Ho Barrier he was equally impracticable ; but at the Licensing and Compensation Hurdles he warmed up to his work, and over, although some growling dogs in its vicinity caused the boy up a litle anxiety, and made the old horse somewhat restive. Tho Pension Fence was also crossed comfortably. The big Native Fenced Water Jump gave him less trouble than was anticipated, and the Drainage Lagoon was got over. The Property Qualification and Policy Hurdles were taken very well indeed, and if the other obstructions on the course had been negotiated with equal care and judgment, but little fault could be found with the trial. At Top House corner he also came off with filing colors, and being eased off comeback full spin to the enclosure. It is an old adage that a race is never won till it is ever, and with this saw I dismiss the old horse for the present, and, in doing so, ask the stable to pay every attention to his preparation if they want him to win. Candidly I own he finished far better than I had anticipated ; but the time occupied must be improved upon. The majority of those present seem confident of |his ability to pull through and catoh the judge’s eye on the all important day, but it is only by dint of very careful training and handling that this confidence can be justified. I shall return to a fuller description of the various preparations for this fixture on a future day—when I have seen Tramcar at work. In a former note I mentioned him as a bad fencer, and this, I imagine, is the reason of delay in bis first public appearance. Of the recent acceptor I know but little, save that he has never yet put in an appearance in public; yet I believe he is a very fair fencer; as to breeding, he hails from the Hibernian stables, being by the Bhaughran from Colleen Bawn. I should also add that he has been named Banco. I hope to-morrow to give a description of Time o’ Day, who is entered for the North Christchurch Spring Meeting, He will be trotted out on the coursing ground this afternoon, and I shall be there.