Sporting Notes.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1018, 31 December 1881, Page 4

Sporting Notes.

(fhom exchanges.) THE AUCKLAND CUP HANDICAP, Of 200 sovs., with a sweep of 10 sovs. each added ; second horse to receive 20 sovs. out of stakes, and third horse to save his sweep. Distance, 2 j miles. S. T. Horsfall’s br h King Quail, by Yattendon, 6 yrs, 7st 41b ... ... ... ... 1 G. Bates’ b m Hilda, by Albany—Miss Flat, 4 yrs, 6st 3 lb 2 L J. Leonard's ch h Kenilworth, 4 yrs, 6slB 1b ... 3

There was a good deal of humbug over the start, and Laing on Kenilworth, and Taylor on Lara, were each fined two guineas, for what was more the starter's fault than their own, as he kept them unnecessarily. At last, amid loud shouts of “ let them go ” from the crowd on the stand and at the rails, the horses were sent away to a poor start, Bandwick being left standing. Maori and Hilda took the lead at once, with Lara, Stanley, and Peeress colt in the order given, the latter who appeared stiff, and ran in stockings, having a good position, rounding the first turn inside of everything, The pace was very slow till entering the straight the first time round, when some of the middle division began making things warm for the two who still held the lead. Lara and Kenilworth closed up a bit, and at the back of the course, Williams, who had been “ working his passage ” all the way, sent the favorite up a bit, but his efforts were useless, . colt soon fell back again and gave place to King Quail, who, with Lara and Kenilworth, now went up to thp leaders. Maori'shut up as soon aS Quail shoved his long neck in front, but Hilda stuck gamely at it, and finished a length behind Quail, Kenilworth beating I.ara in the last stride for third honors. Moonstone was fifth, Maori sixth, the rest beaten off. Time: 4mins. Ssecs., or 8 seconds faster than last year’s cup time. The betting was 3 to 2 against Peeress colt, 4 to 1 Maori, 5 to I Quail and Kenilworth, 7 to 1 Hilda, 8 to 1 Badsworth, 10 to 1 Poet, 20 to 1 Lara. Foul Play, Yatapa, Othello, Vortex, Envy filly, and Bawenata were scratched.

Mr A. McDonald’s Foul Play was scratched for all his engagements at the Auckland meeting on Boxing Day. Bobert the Devil bas finally taken leave of the turf, and is advertised for sale as a stallion.

Mr A. McDonald’s horse The Squire has been turned out, so that he will not compete at the Auckland Meeting. He was engaged in the Derby.

Mr Lennard took all the l2’s to 4 he could get about Kenilworth for a place in the Auckland Cup, altogether he backed him to win £7OO.

Lone Hand was backed by his owner for the Auckland Steeplechase to win £5OO. Joe Ellis told everyone he was lame, so that people expected a commission would be out shortly.

The Grip stable offered to bet an even £5OO the C. J.C. hero would win the Auckland Cup, but as no one could be got to lay even a portion of that sum, he was promptly scratched. Mr F. Quick’s Matau, list 61bs, finished last for the Auckland Hurdle Bace of 100 sovs. He was well ridden by Jim Munn, but was evidently overweighted. It is currently rumored in English sporting circles that there is a likelihood of the connection which has for so long existed between Mr W. S. Crawfnrd and George Fordham being severed.

The well-known steeplechase rider, Jim Munn, is now in Auckland. This plucky horseman will pilot Matau in the Steeplechase at the Auckland Meeting. Munn has already competed successfully on the Auckland course ; for it will be remembered that he rode Baron when that horse won the Steeplechase in 1880. The Sydney Sportsman warns intending investors that the injuries received by Wheatear in his fall in the Cup were more severe than they were at first thought to be, that it is questionable if he will stand a preparation for the Champion Bace, and that backers should be prepared to see the pen go through his name.