ELECTORAL SPORTING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2718, 5 December 1881, Page 2

ELECTORAL SPORTING.

WAIMATE TRIENNIAL MEETING. The General Assembly Cup, of 210 sovs; catch weights; onee round the Course. For this event there are five nominations, viz., Honest John, the Major, Cooperation, Lex, and Cockatoo, all of whom, it is believed, will go to the post. Honest John, by Commerce, out of Psalm-book—Commerce, by Squatter out of Slyboots, is much fancied by his stable, having never yet been beaten. He landed the Municipal Stakes of 1879 and 1880, and has been thrice in succession a winner at the County Meeting. His backers are confidant that he will again carry the Corner colors to the front, but during the last few days be has somewhat {receded in the

betting. Tho Major is a long rakish horse of great pace, with more staying power than his betokens, and is a somewhat dangerous opponent. He won the Waitald Stakes in 1870, Macassar a bad second, and ran second on the same course in 1876 to Lawyer Boy. He walked over for the Provincial Stakes in 1874, but for the past three years or so has been out of training. His trial gallops for tho present contest have, however, shown that there is still a food deal of go left in him, and the knowing-nns predict that he will run a pretty hot race with the Corner favorite. Co operation, Lex, and Cockatoo are all for the first time in training. The former, by Yorky, out of Pear Tree, is rather plain-looking about the head, has a good barrel and powerful limbo, and is a good stayer, bat has, I think, hardly pace enough for his company. Lex,by Photographer,out of Wormwood, is a light chesnut, wiry looking horse, rather shaky about the legs, but with lots of pluck. His temper is not of the best, but unless be bolts off the course he may he depended upon to run well. He is perhaps hardly in condition, having scarcely been sufficiently long in training, but is likely some day to score a win for his backers. Cockatoo, by Contractor out of Loquacity, is a rather small horse, of good pluck, but with hardly speed enough for his company, and should have run his maiden at some smaller meeting, as he has clearly no chance of even being placed. Two or perhaps three of the last four are said to belong to the same stable, and if so, before making their bets, your sporting readers should ascertain with whom the stable proposes to declare to win. Until this is done it is impossibie to spot the winner, but as at present advised I am inclined to think the race lies between The Major and Honest John—the former for choice, with Lex, Cooperation, and Cockatoo in the order named.—(“ Waimate Times.”)