SPORTING.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5203, 19 September 1885, Page 3

SPORTING.

(Bt Bucephalus.)

Although it was a somewhat difficult task to spot the winner of the Hawkesbury Handicap, considering the large number of horsee left in, the " tip I gare my readers for that event proved tery correct, as I got two placed horses out of three picks. As is already known, the winner turned up in Prince Imperial, with Deßpot 2, and The Broker 3. My " tip-" for the eTent was—Despot, Prince Imperial, or Brown and Eose. The Australian Jc'ckey Club's Spring Meeting open* to day, whpn.the race for the Derby will take place. The following : are the horses engaged:— First Chester, Nordenfeldt, TJralla, Magnifier, Yoondoo, and Boori. First Chester is first favorite for this e?ent at 5 to 4, and I think he should win, with Nordenfeldt •lose up. The meeting will be continued on Tuesday, when the Metropolitan Stakes will be decided. The following are the acceptances:—Acolyte, Astroea, Brown and Rose, Comet, Copra, Despot, Honeydew, Happy Thought, Battler, Lord of the Lake, Lord Exeter, Moon, ■hee, Prince' Imperial, Becruit, Silver King, Sloth, Tom Brown, and Wing. I think. Despot, Acolyte, or Silver King should not be far away when the finish is fought out. A cablegram yesterday gives the latest betting as follows :—4 fo 1 Despot, 5 to 1 Prince Imperial, 8 to 1 Acolyte. Trenton has arrived safely at Sydney, and is said to be greatly admired. Ike is now equal favorite with Turquoise and Captain Webster for the New Zealand Cup. From Australia I learn that three of the Hon. Mr Eobinson's team are amiss, viz: Vanguard, Oudeis, and Thunderbolt; while Blink Bonny, who has been heavily backed for the Caulfield Cup, is also said to be ditto. New« from the South states that Forerunner and July are also amiss. Lord Wilton and St. Lawrence, both of whom are eDgßged in the Caulfield Cup, are reported to be in great heart. The Christchurch Plumpton Park Spring Meeting was held on Tuesday last The following is the result of the principal events : — Spring Handicap s Patrician 1, Grand Duke 2, Eocket 3. The Two-year-old Flutter was won by Mr E. Cutts' b. f., by Apremont-Nauti-Ins, Mr G. G. Stead's b. f. Viniaerette ■econd, and Mr A. W. Cook's b. o. Tarantulas third. The Hurdle Bace was won by Secretary. Nothing further has been heard regarding the alleged scratching of Commotion for the Melbourne Cup, and the report i» generally discredited. Major George's pair, Nelson and Wapiti, were shipped from Auckland by the Tarawera on Thursday, for the purpose of fulfilling their engagements at the Christchurch Jockey Club Spring meeting. It is said that they have both been fairly supported for the New Zealand Matchlock and Kingsdale have been scratched for the Melbourne Cup. It is whispered that Matchlock will not be a Btarter at either the A.J.C. or V.E.C. meetings. The Derby favorite Newstead, by Neckergast—Ada, has arrived in Melbourne, and looks well. There has been a good deal of speculation in Wellington during the past week over the big events of the Spring. Neck« lace, Forerunner, Administrator, and Soudan are most in favor,: and have been supported for fair amounts. Stoneyhurst is favorite for the Canterbury Derby, with Hanlan a point less. Acolyte has tome up with a great rush for the Metropolitan Stakes, and has been backed for several thousands at 100 to 12. Aatrea is enquired for at 100 to 5. ■ _ Bis reported that Blink Bonny pulled up lame after a gallop recently, and has not since been seen on the training ground. There seems to be some mystery about this/however, as her owner is said to have backed her two or three days afterwards to win the Caulfield Cup at £10,000 to $300, '■ " ' ' The owner has accepted a wager ot iOOO to 10 about Poet for the New Zealand Cup. ■ The following are the latest Australian betting quotations:—Caulfield Cup: 100 to 6 Helene, 100 to 5 Lord Wilton and Lantern, 100 to 4 Lesbia, Juanna, Velocipede, and Blink Bonny, 100 to 3 Claptrap, Grace Darling, Plausible, Lucky Hit, Archie, The Israelite, and Hurricane. V.E.C. Derby : Newstead 5 to 1, Thunderbolt 8 to 1, Nordonfeldt 6 to 1, WinChester, Uralla, end Dunlop 10 to 1, Lennox 20 to 1. I understand that it is not improbable that an Athletic Meeting will take place here on the 30th of November. I trust that the matter, which has only been mooted so far, will now take a definite form, and that a meeting will be called at once tqmake the necessary arrangements. A meeting of the members of the Thames Cricket Club was held during the week, when officers were appointed for the ensuing year. The club will play their first match of the season on the first Saturday in October.