SPORTING NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 95, 13 November 1878, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

(By Morepork) I was out earl} 7 " yesterday morning to see the horses entered for the Plate today take their morning gallops. The first to appear on the turf was Pill-box. He stripped, bandages and all, and took a short spin. While going he went gamely, and pulled up better than I expected, but on cooling down he went stiffly, as if the little he had was too much for him. Vanity came out, but did not run. I had not seen him for a day or two, as they have been keeping him dark—a favourite trick with his trainers. I hear, however, that he has been doing some hard work on the- quiet. This has had a bad effect on him. As his training proceeds he appears to became more and more fidgetty and headstrong. I should not wonder to see him spill his rider. At an> rate it will take a good jock to keep him straight. A great many of those who formerly fancied this horse have lost • ■ so much on him that they 'have lost their confiden-e at last, and will not. back him in smb. a race as this. That game little horse Will-if I Can next came on the '■ course, looking as hard as-iron. He stripped, and went twice rbmnd_a£— racing pace, going in a beautifully easy _. style, and at the end. of his long spin had sear'-e'y turned a hair. The heavy sweating given him ten days ago improved him wonderfully. His spin was timed, but I am requested not to make it public. I may, however, say that it was. very good. Chokebore also took a couple oftu.ns at full speed. He went even better than I expected, his time being litt'e inferior to that of Will-if-I Can. He appears to stand the hard training very we 1. He is still too fleshy for my fancy, hut his immense strength enables him to carry it. Some horses by the way will not stand training down, invariably going wrong if it is attempted on them. They run better when in rather full condition. I hear that Chokebore has a lot of ,money xlaid on him by the sporting of Winchester. Tui-Tiri I can say nothing- . about, as he his not niadj his appearance in public since the day of nomination, therefore I anticipate that my previously expressed up'nron wiil be borne out, namely, that he will not face the starter. It is possib'e though, that he is beimr worked at home. If so, it is a pieo of folly, for ability to get over heavy down country is not the chief requisite for winning th; Temuka Plate.