SPORTING NOTES.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 161, 25 October 1876, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

[By Rip Van Winki/h.] I am a very bashful man, Mr Editor, and also a very modest Ilian —in fact, so much so* that I have been waiting throe weeks for some of your Patea spoiling moil to,give us sdme turf gossip on the events to come. As there seems 11 o chance of any information being afforded by waiting, and as tbc time for our annual meeting is at liand, I have screwed up sufficient cheek to write a, tip" (Pthink that is the word) myself. For mally years I have taken an interest in horse racing in this and other districts, and 1 believe 1 am capable of judging of the merits of any of the horses I have seen go. Plow far this assertion is true, will be seen when all is over. At present Ido not intend to go into the merits of any of the youngsters likely to he engaged in the different.events of the meeting to be held at Wairoa on the 9th November, but I shall endeavour to lay before the readers of the Mail a fair outline of the performances of each of the horses nominated for the Jockey Club Handicap. The advertisement states that the weights are to be declared today (Monday) 21st instant, and 1 expect they will appear in your issue simultaneously with this letter. Folly is the first horse on the list, and without doubt is a good performer on the turf, and should certainly come top weight. It will be remembered he won the weight for age and Handicap races at Wairoa last year, and the weight for age race at Wanganui, besides a race at Nelson. Ho was defeated by Satellite in the weight for age race at Rangitikci, and was beaten in three races at Wanganui by Opawa, though he ran a game horse. The only time he met Firctail last year was at Wairoa, in the Handicap, when ho conceded 41bs, carrying fist to Firetail’s Bst lOlbs. This race was a very exciting one, and was won by Folly, after a game struggle, by half a length. Firctail in his time has been able to run in first-class company, and though not so nimble as in former clays, when brought out fit and well, shows a great deal of his old form, and is dangerous with a light weight, but I have not seen him for several months, and cannot say anything about his condition. Folly has just been in work nine clays and will bo big in condition on the day. This of course is a matter which concents none hut the owners or anyone likely to speculate. Firctail should bo second on the list. Satellite, the winner of the Goodwood at Rangitikci, and Hurdle Race at Nelson, should come next. Then Tnr-aon, and Flora McDonald. I consider Treason’s performances at Wanganui and Nelson far more brilliant than were Flora McDonald’s, though she carried off two races on the Hntt course at Wellington. -Cripple Kale, known only by sight to me, and not as a racer on account of her age, should come next, with Cornelia, iniquity, Sailor, and Patrick, in the order named. Cornelia has been, since • her maiden win at Wangam i, veiy unsuccessful before the public, but still Mr Day has faith in this daughter of Traducer and old Policy—once a good mare on the turf*. Iniquity by no means fit. won the Wanganui Produce, and showed endurance and a fair dash of foot . Sailor is a colt, whose breeding would suggest more bone and size, but he may not be out of place with the maiden horses. Patrick is said to be a good colt. There is no improvement in the class of horses engaged, and I think top weight, should not exceed 9st. 1 shall comment on the handicap When published.