ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2361, 28 October 1881, Page 3

ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

THE STANMORE STEEPLECHASE. [By thb Fbiae.] As I had anticipated, and as I beliovo mentioned in my last notice of the preparations for this fixture, the old horse, Boomerang, has beoa scratched, which must be regarded as a judicious proceeding on the part of his stable, it being evident to all who rspire to the least knowledge of the capabilities of a horse, that he was notoriously unfit, and would not have stood the ghost of a chance; and, in its best interests, would advise the stable to extend the same kindness to its other entry, Folia Farine, who is running very unkindly, and appears to be suffering from an old ailment, said to have been contracted when he ran at the Far away meeting on the hill side a few years ago. Ibis materially cramps his action, and interferes sadly with his stylo of travelling, as was painfully evident on Wednesday last, when he to.ik a trial spin in the Knightstown Enclosure. I regret that all the remarks imda by me in a former note as to his condition generally still hold good. On Wednesday, his style of running, and t iking the various jumps on the courco, was a repetition of his performances on the Phillipstown and Bings’and grounds, but I noticed a new jump at Knightstown, viz,, The Fourth Estate post and rail fence. At this ha went in very bad form indeed, kicking out with vicious determination, with the evident intention of destroying the barrier ; but, as it was made of stouter stuff than his legs, the result was that all his efforts were fuvile, and he got very badly knocked about in the “understandings.” If the stable consults its interests, he will share the fate of Boomerang, and be soratohed; and, in dismissing him, I cannot forbear the remark that if those who ought to know better will persist in entering animals not worth a pound a leg for really first-class events —in the contest for which they are certain to meet tip top company—they deserve no commiseration when certain defeat is thus foolishly invited. If I had a hatful of money, and was offered unheard of odds, I wouldn't lay one shilling on th : s miserable abortion of the French stable, as victory is totally impossible in bis present despicable cot dition. Alto gather ho is quite beneath contempt. But it is with feelings of a very different kind I pats to the performances of another ecc ;p'cr for this event : and in him I feel certain I have spotted the winner. I refer to the little black horse Billy Pattens, who was at work on Wednesday on the Binga’and course Ihia animal is very pink indeed, end the ready way in which he goes through his trials speaks volumes for the evident care bestowed on his preparation. Unhesitatingly I pronounce him a good ’un, and feel certain that if there were more of his stamp on the turf at the present time, a lot of good performances would result on the day of the race. On Wednesday there was a new boy up, but this made no difference to the little black, who sprung off in eager baste, and negotiated the big Maori Fenced Water Jump in a stylo not yet seen at any of the other many preliminaries; and as obstacle after obstacle was disposed of, the confidence of the vast concourse of horsey men rose to such a pitch of enthrsissm, that strange as it seemed, and almost contrary to precedent, the ring offered heavy odds on him that he would win against all comers. A few bets resulted, but it sesmi d such a decided moral that ho will appropriate the stakes of the first Stanmoro Steeplechase, that. In the language of one of the fraternity, “ It seemed like chucking money into the river to bet against him.” Ho also cleared the b'g iirey Hurdles and the cheehan Wahine Jump in grand style. Barring accidents, he is bound to win, and, on the principle ’hat the best horse ought to be first past the post, that best horse will bo Billy Pattens. I also looked in at Peter Flat—the othar horse entered for this stake. Ho is doing good wotk, being very patient and traotall i in his preliminaries, and has settled down to work in good earnest, feeds well, and seems all right ; but whilst desiring to give him every credit for all he can do—and not wishing to underrate him in the least —I do not think ho la fast enough for the company, and therefore do not feel disposed to alter my tips, as already made public.