ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2363, 29 October 1881, Page 3

ASSEMBLY SPORTING NOTES.

THE SOUTH CHRISTCHURCH SPRING MEETING, [By the Feiae.] If I remember righ'ly, in my note anent this fixture on the occasion of Capala’a first trial spin, I mentioned that much as I liked eome of his points, I should watch his second trial, and also note tho performance of the other acceptor, Metallioian, before I arrived at any conclusion as to the probable winner on the day of the race, and I likewise deferred any notice of Metalli-ian and his doings till this second trial of Capias was a thing of the past Both these spins have resulted, and I therefore hasten to redeem my promise, and remark on the performances in question. When Metallician was brought Into the saddling paddock, it was evident that he was suffering from a very bad cold, and it was against the express o ders of the vet that he was put on the track, as that worthy equine Esoulapian counselled a few days rest, but his ideas were overruled, and tho results of the trial, although showing he was not in his old form, were sufficiently saliafaotoiy to prove that when he Is quite well, ha can still load the way. The Policy Hurdles wore taken in no uncertain way, and the Local Industries Water Jump was crossed in a very game manner. Tho Education Hurdles, Property Tax Fence, and the Licensing Bill Dyke were aho crossed in a very creditable manner, as also were the Franchise Fence, Vi est Coast Barrier, and the Honorarium Hurdles. The big double fenced Native Water Jump was also taken in a determined manner The Local Improvement Hurdles were cleared in a manner that elicited ox presslona of approval, but the Orator’s gulf being beyond his powers, tho boy up very judiciously led the old horse round it, and thence back to the starting point. Since the occasion referred to he has been doing good work in private, and I do not consider th ee wise who hold his ability to pu ! l off this event in light estimation. Yesterday afternoon I strolled out as far as the Oddfellows’ Grounds to see Capias take his second spin, and it was tho subject of general remark that he ia an animal that does not improve on acquaintance. He did not seem at ease, neither did ha go at all kindly. Noticing he looked very puffy, I found from enquiries of some of the stable that one of the boys had allowed him to fill his akin with water, which evidently griped him somewhat, as he showed a great deal of temper, kicking and plunging with vicious determination, and it was only by a iluke that his jockey escaped an affectionate kick, and also an impression from his molars and incisors. I was surprised at this, seeing how differently ho shaped at tho first trial. Hearing a remark about his tricks from a lad at my elbow, I saw one of the stable, who muttered, between his teeth, that “ like wooden lege, it ran in the blood.” At last he was started on the track, and the first obstruction to be negotiated was tho Fourth Estate post and rail fence. This ia a wide double jump, and despite the gentle admonitions of the “ boy up,” he swerved, and let out with his hindlegs. He was taken round a little and brought at it again ana again, but it was too much for him, and except roaring at it like a blathering bull, and giving it “ leg bail,” ho could do nothing. “Ah! me beauty,” cried a boy who was recently sacked by the stable, “ better bastes than yourself have jibbed at them same sticks.” Discomfited, ho was led round it, and he made another big

blunder a little further on, at Correspondence Gully, where some of the mud stuck to him. I noticed he fought very shy of a lot of Scotch thistles growing a little further on, treating them with the greatest possible respect by giving them a wide berth. The other jump, viz,, the Big Estates Fence and the Bankruptcy Dyke were negotiated fairly, after which he was eased off. His runuing on this occasion was not an improvement on his former performance ; on the contrary, he Is going back very much, and it is not by such work as this he will win the stakes. Quick though he is on his pics—and pile on the pace as he likes—such running on the big day will bo fatal to him, and therefore I have not tho slightest hesitation in preferring old Metallioian if fit and well, seeing ho has always ran an honest horeo, and is a good stayer, which tho other has foiled to prove himself. I shall, therefore, declare for Metallioian, believing that although Capias may rush off with the lead, and hold it for the greater part of the course, he will shoot his bolt and die away before he covers the distance, and the old ’un will wear him down by gcod solid, sterling work, and be tho first to catch the judge’s eye.