SPORTING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2093, 6 December 1879, Page 2

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Dee. 15 —Amberley Meeting. Dee. 2G—Waimatc Meeting. Dee. 2(3 —Albury Meeting. Dee. 2(1 —Ohoka and Eyreton Races. Dee. 2(3 —Waihanga Races. Dec. 2(1 and 27 —Oamaru Meeting. Dec. 20, Jan. 1 and 2—Auckland Summer Meeting. Jan. I—Hororataßaces.1 —Hororataßaces. Jan. I—Wairoa1 —Wairoa Meeting (Hawke’s Bay). Jan. I—Petenc Meeting (Hawke’s Bay). Jan. 1 and 2 —Marton-Rangitikei Meeting. Jan. 2 and 2—Lake Wakatipu Mccting; Feb. 5 and o—Wellingtono—Wellington Annual Meeting. Feb. 26, 27, and 28—Dunedin Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting. March 17 and 18—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Meeting. May 21—Grand National Steeplechase Meeting at Christchurch, NOTES.

[Bv Neophite.] The Dunedin Spring Meeting was by no means a success. The attendance, probably owing to bad behaviour on The owners of the three first-mentioned evidently trusted to the representatives sent to do battle for the stable, and Rangatira’s absence was accountable to his reported bad foot. Camballo, when pulled out for the Spring Handicap, was in grand form, but Nolan, by his delay, nearly lost the 45 sovs. The second day’s running was more like racing than that preceding it, but in no instance were the finishes very close. Lara made up for his behaviour on Monday by appropriating both Handicaps, whilst Nunia again went to the fore in the Selling Race. Scamp’s win in the Hurdle event was a touch and go affair, and had the second horse been brought up sooner, I fancy the positions would have been reversed. The settling up was, I believe, fairly satisfactory to the members of the ring, although very little better took place over the meetng. : The Yaldhurst and Hornin'- teams previous days on the part of the clerk of the weather, doubtless causing several to give up all hope of witnessing the spring meeting under enjo3 r able circumstances, and return home, was very poor. The racing on the first day could not be said to bo even up to mediocrity, the numerous scratchings limiting the fields to three or four contestants. The only race in which any doubt existed as to the winner, was the Free Handicap, and in this, Numa’s victory was not altogether unexpected. Chancellor only put in one appearance, and his win renccts no credit upon him, as he was merely matched against a second-rate performer, who had already one race in him. Of the Trotting Handicap the less said the better, as the result shewed the handicapper Avas all at sea regarding the capabilities of the entries. Nothing, however, will persuade mo that trotting matches should be permitted a place on the programme of a Jockey Club meeting. The great event was a gift to Ray’s marc, in the absence of Camballo, Chancellor, Hornby, and Rangatira.

returned Lome on Wednesday, but there is little doubt of their re-appearing at the Amberley meeting, •which takes place on December 15. ■

The D.J.C. have appointed a committee to supervise all handicaps. Is this the outcome of the growl which has arisen over the Dunedin Cup ■weights ? Oberon and Atlantic went South on Tuesday to participate in the good things at a country meeting in the Dunstan province. The name of a well-known Dunedin bookmaker figured in the “ Bankruptcy Gazette” of Saturday last. The assets, I learn,' were set down as “personal effects, £15.” I would remind owners that nominations for the Oainaru meeting close this eveningat the Empire Hotel. The weights in the Cup, Publicans’ Handicap and Handicap Hurdles, will be made known on‘Wednesday next.

The programme of the Albury meeting, to take place on Dec. 26, has been issued. Nominations close on Thursday next. It is somewhat to be regretted that the Wairaate and Albury races should clash, but such is the case, the last-mentioned club having seen fit to select the same date as their southern friends.

Erom the “ Australasian” I gather that •“ Augur” fancies there will not be more than half-a-dozen starters for the Champion Stakes. He thinks these will include Lo hengrin, His Grace, Chatterbox, First King, Mercury and Petrea. It is to be regretted that Suwarrow is an absentee from the list of competitors. The betting on the event is—First King, 2 to 1 against; Wellington, 100 to 20 against. The winner of the Melbourne Cup has been purchased by his late trainer. The price given for this son of Tim Whiffler was £525. Mr Dakin’s investment will, it is to be hoped, prove a, profitable one.

fully recovered from his last year's breakdown. Hippocampus has also been brought into practice, but I cannot fancy a horse of his stamp can win the the Cup after his term at the stud. Maid of Honor is a three-year-old who will make things very lively for the field, if well, and meant for it, and Mason and Vallancc’s nominees—Pinfire and Sinking Fund—l think are not out of it at the weights. I expect to see the winner among the following, notwithstanding the odds against the southerners’ contesting, viz.: Maritana, Templeton, Maid of Honor, Libeller Gillie Callum, Ariel, and Pinfire. The C.J.C., on the matter being left in their hands, decided that the disqualification imposed on Orange Peel by the Ashburton stewards, was welldeserved, and therefore endorsed the same.

THE AUCKLAND CUP. The name of the horse Pin fire, an acceptor for the above event, was, owing to a telegraphic error, printed as “ Pinafore” in our Wednesday’s issue. The following additional acceptors were telegraphed last evening, too late for publication, viz.: Loch Lomond, Kakapo and Libeller. Sussex, the Australian steeplechaser, has been put to the stud. The betting on the Dunedin Cup is not by any means brisk. 4 to 1 is obtainable against last year’s winner, and Natator and Titama have been brought down to 100 to 13. The others in it rule at from 100 to 4 to 100 to 8. Eighteen have cried “ content ” over the handicap in the Auckland Cup, and although Hay’s pair—Templeton and Maritana —'have accepted, I very much doubt their presence at the Northern meeting. Should they go, I do not think there is anything else which looks better on paper ; but on the other hand, in their absence, we have to consider the chance of some of the home representatives. Ariel, I learn, is in training again, and is reported to have