SPORTING NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3995, 22 December 1891, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

[by centaur.] The principal event of this week, so far as the sporting fraternity is concerned, is the Lower Valley races, to be held at Martinborough on Boxing Day. The acceptances are very good, and as the Masterton-OpaH Jockey Club has generously postponed its meeting till the following Monday, the attendance should be larger than usual. About the races little need be said. The best horses in the district are competing, and there are likely to be some exciting finishes. As far as speculators are concerned the event of the day will probably be the Saddle Race.

The Mastertou-Opaki Jockey Club are to be congratulated upon the num» ber of acceptances they have received, and the most successful gathering held this end of the district is anticipated. It is a significant fact that whilst the gates for the two days' races at Tauherenikau only fetched £56, one day's meeting at Opaki induced a bidder at £4O. Aud with a fine day the privi-lege-holder will make money. The course is in splendid condition, and there should be some capital racing. In the Hack Hurdle Bace there are five acceptances, of which Playboy is my favourite. The Waipipi Handicap is an open event, as is also the Opaki Stakes. Angler should have a big say' in the former event, with Swordbelt close up, whilst in the latter Mahsra or Comet should do the trick. Chit of twelve entries for the Handicap Hack Race it will be a difficult thing to place the winner, and a sensational div. would not be a surprise. My fancy is Brookfield and Kiomtatau. Comet, with anj'thing like a start, will be close up in the Telegraph Stakes, and if beaten at all will give place to Rebellion orTuhitarata. There are some " dark horses " in the Maiden Hack Race, but barring accidents Vilna will probably show well up to the front at the finish. For the Selling Race, Lytteltoa, who has been m active training of late and who possesses a pedigree, should work the oracle. These suggestions are only given for what they aro worth, but they are impressions formed after a careful analysis of the performances of the various horses.

The great racing event in the colonyduiing the holidays will be the Auckland Cup. Hilda and British Lion are favourites with more than myself. Out of the 80 Melbourne Cups decided no less than 18 bays have proved successful. Next in order come the browns, who ha?e won eight times, whilst the blacks have only got home twice, and a grey and a chestnut have won a Cup each. Mr S. H. Gollati had a winning turn at the Meutone meeting, near Melbourne, the other day with Medjitiie (by St Leger—Rosette). He carried 7st 51b in the race, and won like a workman, albeit he only had a head to spate from Mr Donald Wallace's cast-off Werong, 7st 41bs. Mr Gollan'B leading jockey, White, was suspended for a month for foul ridiug in the Flying Handicap, and a stable boy Bedina, had to be put up on Medjidie, and the horse went out unbacked at 10 to 1.