SPORTING NOTES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1480, 2 May 1873, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES.

[late eokopban papers.] Cook and Roberts have been playing a couple of evenings at the Hen and Chickens Hotel, Manchester, Cook, on the first night, adding another large break to his already extensive list, viz., 306, in ■which were 13 and 110 spot hazards in succession. The Champion won by 299 points, and Roberta's best run was 114. "When they met on the following evening, Roberts was more fortunate, and defeated Cook by 235 poiuts. The chief runs were again accomplished by the famed spot hazard striker, and consisted of 141 (30 spots), 122, 104, whilst Roberts was credited with 109 (27 spots). A writer in the London SpoHhvg Gazette makes the following remarks about a yearling colt by Blair Athol out of Coimbra, now at the Cobham stud. He is own brother to Mr D. D. Withers's colt Stonehenge, now in training for the Belmont Stakes : — " My first impression on entering the box of the bay colt by Blair Athol out of Coimbra by Kingston, was that I had never seen so fine a horse at the age ; and the resemblance to the old pictures of the celebrated Flying Childers struck me at once. Head in the air, neck well arched (though not the least peacocky), shoulders and quarters almost joining. Certainly I never saw quarters go so far into the back, or come out with such a beautiful sweep. Grand bone and excellent joints ; in fact, I am now of the same opinion as I was when first I saw him — that he is the best blood yearling I have ever seen in the mouth of January ; and if he does not turn out a ' clinker ' I am no judge."

The great coursing event, known as tlte "Greyhound Derby," takes place over the Altcar plains, a few miles from Liverpool. So important and popular has this event become of late years, that the betting on it among sporting men at this season completely overshadows even that of the Derby itself . Pleading bookmaker declares that so many books are now opened on the Waterloo Cup that . an owner of a dog entered for it could easily back it, if so disposed, to win 250,Q00d01, so extensive are the betting operations on the race. " This year Mr Blackstock's nomination, Peasant Boy, who ran second to the winner, Bed of Stone, last season, is the favorite, his price now being 10 to 1. The entry of Lord Lurgan, who won the cup thrice with the famous dog, Master M'Grath, a second favorite at 100 to 6 ; those of Mr M'Huflie, Mr Lester, and Mr Briggs, 20 to 1 each; and of Colonel Hathorn and Mr Salter, 22 to 1 each.

The rumors that the Prince of Wales is about to take a prominent part on the Turf are showing something like substantiality. It is said that the royal stud will be trained at Danebury. It is also said that a well-known trainer, on hearing the report, observed that he would not train for the Prince for LIO,OOO a year, because whenever a public favorite in the royal -stable got beaten, insinuations and charges of foul play would be immediately brought against him. We (Graphic) once more express our regret at these rumors. The Prince, it is true, owes a considerable part of his popularity to the interest he personally takes in all our field sports and other pastimes ; he will not add to it by mixing himself up with the Turf to a greater extent than he has already done. By such a course he is rather likely to make more enemies than friends. " The Regent" did himself no good by racing. It has well been called the "sport of kings ;" but kings are not well advised to keep racehorses.

Last week, while the North Berwickshire Hounds, says the Scotsman of a late date, were at Dunse Castle, a single hound was observed by Major Hay to leave the cover, evidently on the line of a fox. The foxes being so numerous, no notice was taken of the circumstance. However, about mid-day, a hound waß seen to pass close to Millburn School at full cry, taking over Oatleycleugh Hill, and Btraight for the farm of Abbey St. Bathans. Reynard took into a cover, but in less than ten minutes' time his gallant pursuer brought him out, when he breasted the Whitadder a little above Abbey St. Bathans farm steading, making for Barnside, and thence straight on to Bushel Hill. Here fox and hound were last seen by a Lammermoor farmer, and foxy was only some three or four hundred yards ahead of the noble hound. The distance run at this stage was fully seven miles. We believe the hound's name was Watchman, one of the crack dogs in Mr Calder's splendid pack. During all the time the chase was seen both fox and hound w.er.e going at a rattling pace, and the letter never seemed to lose the scent ior a moment.

M. Barre, who for many years had been regarded as the champion tennis player of the world, died at Paris on the 20th January, at the advanced age of 72. Until quite recently he has played in double matches, but his advanced age has of late prevented his playing in single matches. For half a century M. Barre maintained the proud reputation of being the champion of the world, never having been beaten even, and only one man ever having the temerity to play him without receiving points. Old Phillip Cox was the man who was bold enough to tackle the ' champion at evens, and the match came off at the Tennis Court, St. James's, Haymarket, about the year 1829, and M Barre was the victor, as his backers were satisfied be would be. In the early part of -Barro's career he was. a. great favorite with all the members oi the nobility who were patrons of the game of tennis, more particularly with the present Marquis of Clanricade (himself at that time a firstrate player of the game); who used to take Messrs^ Barre, Marchazio, Louis, and the Cox's in hia four-in-hand to Hampton Qourt to, play matches. As a player and teacher of the game Barre was never exqelled, and when in his prime could give fie best player ever brought against him fifteen points or one quarter of the game.

The correspondent of a contemporary alludes to a new book that has recently appeared, containing remarks about the diet of certainly literary men ; and }ie states that he is acquainted with a wellknown writer who cleaves to oatmeal porridge when he is in working trim. Iq th V aid writer imit »tes porridge as a brain aspiring compound. T S e A ldealof pboßpherous in oatmeal// Mr Massey says, "and phospherous t T i. Gre • S I S BO a lat S G a mo«nt of of phospherous m fish. Consequently I never miss having a fish dinner at least once a week, and take a plate of good thick coarse, well-boiled Scotch oatmeal porridge every m,QjninffQ^jji^»^