SPORTING NOTES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1007, 3 December 1881, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

(From Auckland Weekly News) The New Zealand horses, Sir Modred, fSomnus, Hilarious, and Idalium, who were taken over to Australia by Mr H. Prince, were shipped back by the a. s. Te Anau, which sailed from Melbourne on Tuesday week last for New Zealand. Sir Modred and Somnus bave become the property of Mr ■Craig, who is a passenger by the Te Anau. J The weights for the Auckland Cup and Steeplechase were declared on Tuesday last, and I think it is generally admitted that the committee have succeeded in framing a very fair handicap. Of course, there are one or two horses that might have been awarded _a few pounds more, and others who could have with safety had a few pounds less, but I think on the whole it may safely be said that there is no horse thrown in or crushed out. As several owners have two and three engaged, I shall wait until after the acceptances before attempting to analyse the chances of the various horses. The following appear to* be the best in en paper for the Cup:—Foul Play, Libeller, Grip, Badsworth, Lara, and Peerless colt. The Steeplechase is a very open race. Agent heads the list with 12st 71bs to his credit; Clarence, another grand performer over country, being weighted at 12st Matau, with list 21b, is decidedly well treated, and if this speedy son of Dainty Ariel can be brought to the post fit, he should take some beating. The other horses are all fairly treated, and if a moiety of them come to the post, we may expect to witness a really grand race.