SPORTING NOTES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1134, 16 March 1872, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

[BY PEEPING TOM.]

The Greymouth- Handicap is at present the all-absorbing topic with sporting men, as well as amongst the greater portion, of the community at large. The great event will be decided on Monday next (St. Patrick's Day this year falling -on a. Sunday), on that day in something less than four minutes forty seconds, the excitement of all who have on from their halfcrowns to their pounds on the result of the annual struggle, which takes place on the banks of the Grey River, will be brought to a climax. The handicap is at present reduced to five competitors out of eleven nominations, which number is almost certain to come to the post. To commence then with the" top weights — Peeress, with lOst 71b, so which in my eye she is well able to carry, no horse has gone through a better preparation, and few (if any) will strip as fine, and will give greater credit to her trainer (Mr Cutts) than the daughter of the Peer, arid with a general ..on her back like young Joyce (who, I believe, is to ride her), she will be a very dangerous customer to put away. Misfortune comes next on the list with Bst 31b, and has a good many friends ; but after seeing her go on the course this morning I, myself, would not have her at auy price ; to my fancy she will not stay the distance. Then comes Laceufeed, with Bst— a fine little mare, and in my mind, with all her good qualities and breeding, would be more at home if the race was a mile-and.a-half; but to think . that she could ever live two miles and a half with any weight against Peeress is out of the question, although in the well-known hands of Mr M'Glashan she will no doubt distinguish herself in some of the other eveuts during 'the meeting. Now for Economy, son of Diomedes, with 7st. 61b on his back, he has a few friends who fancy him. After seeing him do his work yesterday afternoon, I was quite surprised at such wonderful improvement in him since he last raced here two years ago. He has grown out a fine horse and also in his stylo of going, and not forgetting the condition he is in I shall place hini up in the race, and would advise all my friends not to lay too much against him. Last, though perhaps not least, comes Black Eagle, with 7st. After watching him do a pretty fast breather, I can declare him a goer. J was much surprised with his game appearance, 'and although I have no public performance to guide, with the exception of his beating Flying Jib. son of old Wetsail, in Wanganui. a mile and a half, weight for age, I shall be awfully deceived if he does not make a name for himself in the race. For the. advice of hiy . sporting friends I will place the horses fo* them— >\J. i PEERESS * - - 1 ECONOMY - . - 2 BLACK EAGLE - 3 Misfortune and Lacenfeed not placed at the finish. • Although the Handicap will be all the rage on Monday, there are other events to come off on that .and the following day, but until the entries, which close to-day, are in, I cannot give you auy information till your next issue, when I will spufc the winners of each race for you.