RACING NOTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 331, 18 February 1874, Page 2

RACING NOTES.

By Eablx Bibb. £

Since my last communication, the following horses have arrived to fulfil their engagements : — Tainbourini, Malabar, . Swaggerer, a Professor filly, in charge of Dan O'Brien * Thomas Cotton, with Wildboy ; a lad with Color Sergeant ; T. M'Kay, with Novice and Musician ; and R. Ray, with Ada Colt, Mis* Ving, and Bismark. Although the- number of horses engaged is smaller than that of previous years, all those nominated haveanrived, which speaks well for the handicapping* For the Maiden Plate, which is to start at 1.30, punctually, there will be but few en* tries. Miss' Ving should, win it if the trip down in the Taranaka has not put her out of sorts ; but it is needless for me to anticipate what the winner will b& before the entries are made. For the Lawrence Handicap, I have already expressed my opinion, Tambourini, if sent to "win, will canry my confidence. If the Ada Colt had arrived a week earlier, his chance would hare been an excellent one : but Very few horses will race so soon after ■ .coming off a ship, and then travelling a distance of sixty miles besides. I will therefore expect to see D»n O'Brien win the Lawrence Handicap frith Tambourini. Myadvice to backers is that if thf Ada Colt strips fresh on Thursday, and took*

tut little the worse of his sea voyage, not to hold him too cheap. For the District Handicap there are four or five horses here. The Hying Handicap should secure a good entry, M short distance races are popular with owners of horses. This event will conclude the first day's programme. The time appointed for commencing the second da/s racing is 1 o'clock. The Hurdle Race is first OH -the card"; and, r barring accidents, will be iron h^ Musician, although both Rambler «nd Swaggferer-will make him race for it if they negotiate the -.jumps. Mile heats are not in the compass of every horse, no matter how good they are. The Jockey Club Handicap, of 100 BOVB., will no doubt secure a large entry. When jthe'Handicap appears, it will - be time enough to endeavor to spot the winner. The Publicans' Handicap will also be influenced by the first day's running, and that should give the public a good idea as to . what is best in for it. , . . ; ; -JL goodly number of jockeys, bookmakers, and the usual associates of race meetings v I throughout ■ the. country , have been .in Lawrence for some days. The difficulty of ob- \ taining accommodation at the various hotels has already made itself felt. The visit of the Carindinis, the Clifton Company, and the; I'tton Troupein the one week is no mean (additional, strain on the hotel and boarding house keepers of Lawrence ; but as yet Jjf&y have been equal to the task of providing . .ior their' visitors, as preparations for their reception were made some time in advance. The theatrical companies, -with characteristic foresight, gave timely notice of their intended' Visit. ■ Visitors from the country will theretore have no lack of amusements during the evenings. Mr: M. Hay will hold a sale of Calcutta sweeps at the Victoria Hotel every evening ; and Mr. Stanbrook, of Clyde, will cell, in conjunction with Mr. Hayes, at the Commercial Hotel. * These gentlemen will "afford every facility for speculative individuals to dispose of their cash. The only objection I have to Calcutta sweeps is the undue influ•ence they have on the racing. It is very easy for owners of horses and, their friends, so inclined, to buy up whatever horse suits them, tend .thus, to a certain extent, defraud the public, who go in blindfolded. My information about Mr. Prince not visiting Lawrence turned ou,t to be incorrect. , .That gentleman arrived in' Lawrence last evening. No doubt the meeting will now be got through satisfactorily. In. the Calcutta sweeps sold last - bight, Tambourini and Ada Colt both fetched v high prices, with Tarn. for choice. • ' i>OIKG3 OST THE COUBSE. a. i'Moiiday morning. — Tambourini w<"* t a fctrong^.canter twice round, finishing »-.r at a g^d pace. Swaggerer was sent a three mile sweat. .Nelly King and Rambler did their work together, going twice roimd. Rambler, who was going strong, cannoned against Swaggerer, who was doing walking exercise, throwing his rider heavily, who fortunately was unhurt. German Louis was sent a gallop. He went very short, and pulled up .to •all appearance lame. Verbena and Patch were, both sent a slow canter. Tuesday morning. — Tambourini and Swaggerer went a gallop, both going strong *«nd well. Verbena and Patch were also sent * two mile spin. Patch has been a most unfortunate horse. When he first ran in Christchurch, -he proved' himself fast, hut ever "since, when wanted^ to race, he has been amiss, or has, met with some accident in the race. Novice, "SAusician, Sultana, Wildboy, 'N-elly.Kiug, Color Sergeant, and a few others ■were doing walking exercise. Wednesday morning. — Rcay's team were out this morning. The Ada Clot and Miss Ving went a canter, finishing up at a good pace. The colt appears but little the worse for his trip. , The mare is a little lame, but ■Bhe is good enough to win the Maiden with three legs. The other teams were all out exercising. Dan O'Brien was schooling "Swaggerer over the hurdles. He does not take to the business kindly.