SPORTING NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 93, 6 November 1878, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

[By Morepork.] The nominations for the Geraldine County Meeting (which comes off on the 13th instant) being now all closed, it may be possible to indicate, with degree of certainty, the probable wintiel-s in each event. In this article I must confine myse'f to a notice of each of the horses entered for the Temuka Plate. I do riot think there will be much difficulty in spotting the first and second ; where the "tail' will be, or in what order, does not much signify. Taking the entries in the order of their nomination, the first is Mr Grabalbs imported black gelding Vanity. This In rse is very well known to have proved himself a stayer on various occasions, and he has pulled off a few things. He would be quite out of place, however, in anything like good company, having no breeding about him to speak of. Vanity would, perhaps, make---a _A better record running alone, against time. He certainly is not to be depended on in company, as he will only run when it suits himself. I think his chance in this race is but small, as he is in anything but good cond tion, and appears too weak to stand tha work. His- legs are all right I believe, but he goes rather skimpily, as if the soles of his feet were affected by founder. A great deal depends on his rider, clever jockeying and plenty of whip may get ~ him a place. Mr Farmer's brown horse Tui-tui is a likely looking horse, and in careful hands would, I believe, turn out a valuable property. It was a glariug folly to enter him for this race, as lie has never had the. least training, and it is, of course-, too late now to put him in condition. The peculiar form of the course, too, is very trying to strange horses, and Tui-tui would in all probability run against some obstruction, or bolt off the course if he starts. I do not think he will, but look for his being scratched. Mr Persever's Will-if-I-Can is in good - form and spirit, and looks like running all the way. I believe he would have a show in much better company than* he will meet on this occasion, therefore, if he does not go wrong before the bell, rings, I don't see how any one can lose \ by backing him. Judging from the way lie went the other morning he will win easily. Moss2\s Curtis and Harvey's Chokebore is a splendid chestnut, with any amount of bone and muscle, who looks like going for a man's life. He has not been tried much in public, but has won a good many private matches. He is a very steady goer, and settles down to his work immediately on starting, and keeping up his best pace from start to finish. I fancy this horse a good deal now, and think that in the hands of an able trainer he would schieve a name, as he is made of good stuff. Mr F. Lyblistre's iron-grey horse Pill-box is, as everyone knows, one of our most famous local horses, but his day is past. It is a pity to task the old horse to meet such company as he will here have to contend against. I daresay a good many will back him, trusting to his pluck to some extent, and to his trainer to a still greater extent. For the sake of old associations I would like to see the old grey -jjei'""*! place, but I can't expect it. In my ; opinion the horses placed will be Wili-if-I-Can 1 Chokebore ... 2 with Vanity a good third. Pill-box may not be far behind, but I cannot say. As • for Tui-tui, if he is not scratched he-.: ought to be, his total want of training- f quite counterbalancing his good qualities.