THE COMING RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4589, 4 December 1875, Page 2

THE COMING RACES.

[by merlin]. Let me make the amende honorable. Writing last week, I said there was not a decent stake for a weight for age race excepting the usual Maiden Plate. It seems the Provincial Plate, ■ 125 sovs., is of this character, though the advertisement in the papers does not afford the information. Training operations are in full swing at the Hutt. The number of horses located there has been sensibly increased during the past week, and now there are present on the ground most mornings Korari, Templeton, Guy Fawkes, Voltaire, Voltarine, Princess Mary, Lady Grey, Premier, Pmtgawerewere, Cocksure, Daniel O’Rorke, Fishhook, Phoenix, Tattler, Hercules, and some others. But the training ground is very much against all the horses. Pretty well the whole way round it is nothing but a bog, and really fast work is out of the question. I don’t suppose any of the horses will have a tip-top trial spin before the race, for if the weather holds up to-day and tomorrow, as it did yesterday, the ruts and holes will be still more dangerous to the feel. I would suggest that the ground might be rolled before it becomes dry. The racecourse promises to be in capital order by Wednesday; present softness will be remedied by a few days’ of fine weather, and the turf will become nice and springy. Most of the horses were out yesterday. Korari, Guy Fawkes, and Cocksure, Redwood’s string, went for a gentle breather for the first time. Korari and Cocksure are in capital form, and their style of going gave plenty of hope to their friends that. they are the respective winners of the Cup and Derby. Voltaire and Voltarine wore also sent twice round. Templeton and Pungawerewere made their bows on the ground, and were sweated with cloths on. The former is screwed up to concert pitch, perhaps a trifle too much for the weight he has to carry. Premier and Lady Grey circled the course three times and finished up at a rattling good pace. The horse has been excellently trained, and is nothing but one mass of muscle ; and if the Provincial Plato were a three mile, or even two mile race, I should be inclined to spot him for first honors, but at a mile and a half Voltaire will get the foot of him. Lady Grey has a fine swinging stylo, and gets over the ground remarkably well. Her chance for the Maiden Plate seems to be good if she can manage to get rid of Cocksure. Daniel O’Rorke took a couple of turns in grand free style. Phoenix, Tattler, and some others were sent on journeys, and on the whole a very good morning’s work was done. Banker, the “ dark horse,” turned, up yesterday, having arrived in the Hawea, and during the day was taken off to his training stables. I don’t think there is much bottom for the halo of mystery which has been thrown around him. He is a finely proportioned animal, and seams to be in pinky condition, but his betters are to be found at the Hutt, notwithstanding his light weight, fist. 71b. Old Tambourini cannot got here till Monday, but nevertheless I am informed he will certainly come. His owner deserves to win for his pluckiness, but the light weights will be too much for him. Tips for the first day's events I reserve till the beginning of next week, but from present appearances I think Korari for the Cup, and Daniel O’Rorke or Korari’s brother for the Derby, will be my choice.