SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4210, 17 September 1874, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

As the time approaches for the decision of the great sporting event of ' the year in the ' Southern Hemisphere, it is to he presumed that the interest and attention of all New Zealanders will be attracted towards the movements of the horses now preparing for the coming fray ; and that the columns "of the great sporting journal, the Australasian will be eagerly scanned, on its arrival by each mail, by everyone who has the least taste for sporting. Of course, the remarks concerning the work of our own representatives that have been so pluckily taken Over, and so carefully reserved for the “big event,” will be first ' looked for. As neither of Mr. Redwood’s nags, we surmise, went over to Sydney for the' Metropolitan, no line can be gathered from the result of that .race as to their probable ' chance for the Melbourne Cup ; but by a little attention to the time the “Metrop” was run in, and the weights carried by the horses that obtained places, some knowing ones who ha ve seen Lurline and Papapa perforin, may be possibly able to form an idea as to the feasibility of the idea which many entertain respecting the horses from Maori land effecting the over- ' throw of the Australian cracks. The winner of the great Sydney event turned up in Stirling, who made some very good performances as°a colt, and with his weight must all along have been looked upon as dangerous by those who had seen him gallop. The wanner carried 7st. Clbs. ; and in running second to him—for a two mile race in Smiu. 36secs. (most excellent time), with Bst. 21bs. as handicap weight, , and the 51b. penalty incurred by winning the Hawkesbury Handicap, bringing his weight up to Bst. 71bs (no light burthen for a four-year o'CC) —Coldsborough’s performance must be looked upon as highly satisfactory, and in no way calculated to shake the confidence of those who. have backed him for the Melbourne Cup. Ho thus conceded 151bs. to the winner, a very considerable amount of weight to give in a fast run two-mile race. His .weight for the Cup will bo Bst, 21bs. ; where he will not again nieot his late victor, as the latter is not entered for that race. If Lurlinc with Bat, Illbs., or Papapa with 7st. bibs, gets her or his nose in front of Mr,- Tait’s colt at the finish of the great race, they will be well deserving the confidence some followers

of the stable already repose in them, and will he worthy objects of the pride with which New Zealanders would speak of them. But if cither of Mr. Redwood’s horses get a place, with the horses they have to meet, they will do well, and will bring no discredit on the colors of the stable they represent, or the judgment of their owner.