SPORTING.

NOTES BY " CALLER OU."

The racing at Hastings last Thursday was really first-class, aud gave one moro illustration—if that wero needed—how largo fields are not necessary to good sport. The* Braed-twos tho ono exception, for in this event from tho jump there wore never more than two horses in it, and ono of them had not a shadow of a chance, owing to lack of condition, when the pace was mado warm. Tho Steeplechase was worth going a long way to see ; the contest between the three local horses, ridden by three local jockeys, was a grand one, though how long Chemist can stay has yet to bo seen. Tlie horso has fairly earned tho weight given to him at W.lhngton, but it should not astonish mo to sco Denbigh win that particular event. "In the Consolation at Hastings three horses fought out a determined finish, and though. Kangaroo did win with a bit in bandjjal .ottt.et*ffo.aYcrye*_.(iugoue. "'\|B

The publication of tho weights for the Australian spring events will have the usual results—there will be considerable! early betting, and three out ; of four bets will result in. a win for the bookmakers, for not more than one horse in five entered for the Melbourne Cupi wil*M>tart. .The handicapper has brought-IB field well together, and there is so,little-'to choose between .Abercorn and Australian Peer, judged by their late runnings fhat he has left the question to be decided an open one by giving both thfi siiuio weight. Between Maxim and Gipsy King the allowance of 61b is just what most folks would consider capital handicapping, though the latter, never having been sick or sorry, should be the more reliable of the two. A brilliant performer like Cardigan has nothing to complain of, while Silvor Prince, if half as good as ho was thought last year, cannot be considered overweighted. * Spado Guinea and Pasha, at the post as fit as we have seen them, would make it merry for the best of them. Carbine, Lonsdale, and Lady Betty are well looked after, but they are a very formidable trio, and if one of them should win the V.R.C. Derby, the Cup should be well within the winner's grasp. Of tho top division Australian Peer, Gipsy King, Cardigan, Cyclops, read tho best, and of those below eight stono the three-years-old should have most show. _ On the past season's two-year-old racing Carbine w*as far and away the best in New Zealand, and in Australia Lady Betty, who did most work, must ho awarded tho palm, with Lonsdale close up. If a mare is ever again- going to win a V.R.C. Derby, Lady Betty should be tho one, both her breeding and performances being capital credentials for such a victory. Of the other two-year-olds their career early next season may give a lino, but up to date none of them have done enough to justify thopublh in heavily backing them for the blue riband. At the Sydney Tuttersall's Grand National Steeplechase meeting Cracksman (9st 71b) won the Grand National Hurdle Race, thanks to most of the hurdles being knocked down in the first round. The favorite Ravcnsworth (lost 21b) falling at the first fence. Lady Marion won tho Flying Handicap, Cinderella being top weight. The Selling Race was won easily by Allandale. The Winter Stakes went to Aristocrat. For the Grand National Steoplechase Glenduart was most in demand, many following Corrisran's mount; but the gallant grey strucj. the fonce near tho home turn, and injured his stifle so severely that ho could hardly walk back to tho paddock. Bony parted with her jockey at the first of the treble, and after Major had mado most of the running, attended by Ellorslie, Melton assumed command at tho turn for home, ■and looked all over a winner, but refusing at tho palings in the straight, he unseated Bowes, and so interfered with Ellerslie that tho latter failed to negotiate the jump. Voltaire was then left at the front, and ho won by 10 lengths from Grafton, who, liko Cracksman in the Hurdle Race, had been kept a great deal too far out of his running. Particulars of tho raco for the Two Thousand Guineas eaino to hand by the last mail. When Friar's Balsam did not appear amongst tho first three in tho cable messago of the race it was thought ho was an absentee, and tho belief was further strengthened when a few days after the colt was announced as having been struck out of the Derby. The son of Hermit, however, started alter all, but was beaten before ho had g-no a, quarter of a mile, the result of an abscess in his mouth, which burst during the preliminary canter. Up to the last, though, tho colt was a hot favorite, and in a field of half-a-dozen, odds of 3 to 1 were freely laid on him, with 9 to 2 for a place, and tho night before tho raco tlio short price of 7 to 4 was taken that he won both the Two Thousand and the Derby. Tho Duke of Portland's Ayrshire, the winner of both tho Two Thousand and the Derby, as events turned out, started second favorite at the long price of 100 to 12, 11 to 8 being his price for a place. Ayrshire defeated his stable companion, Johnny Morgan, by a couple of lengths, in the slow time of lmin. 62 1 - .sec. Tho value of the stake was 3,550 soys. The best prico about Ayrshire for the Derby, after the Guineas was over, was 6 to 4, whereas but a couple of minutes before 7 to 1 could have been had. Ayrshire was ridden by the veteran John Osborne, this being his sixth Two Thousand Guineas victory. The first was on Vedette, as far back as 1857. In 1869 he won on Pretender, in 1871 on Both well, tho next year on Prince Charlie, and in 1875 on Camballo. Osborne is in his 60th year, and it can truly be said that during his long career on tho turf ho has always been above suspicion. He is one of the very few jockeys allowed to keep and train horses.

How the old fashioned races in England are falling off may be judged from the fact that for this year's Two Thousand Guineas Stakes only six horses ran, representing three stables and four owners.

English sporting writers do not liko the idea that Kemp has improved, they will not allow that the Kemp of to-day is nottho Kemp of tho Thames. A writer in tlio Referee says:—Kemp's victory over Hanlan puts the Canadian outof court for championship honors, though it does not quite raise the Australian to tho required level. Teemer, who is entitled fo tho distinction, if anyone could claim it on Beach's reliremrnt, has announced his intention of tackling Kemp in America, if the latter will go there; otherwise in Australia. After theso two have met wo may have n recognised champion again. The Kemp-Clifford and KompHanlan races were all very well in their way, but did not lead directly to tbo championship, despite tho put-up job between Beach and pal. As the situation stood up to Saturday, Hanlan could render Kemp's claim altogether absurd if he beat him, because Teemer is clearly superior to the Toronto ex-champion. Kemp's defeating Hanlau merely meant accounting for a sculler who could not hold the premiership of his own country. Without wishing to underrate Peter Kemp,; I cannot forget his shows on the Thames, not the vast drj er cnco thero is between Hanlan the imuvfeatcd champion and Hanlan as bo has been since Beach first took him down. E. H. has done almost as well out of defeats as ho used while all-conquering, and this ability to niako a good thing by losing does not improve tlio morality of boat-racing. Kemp may be tho wondrous flyer represented, and this raco all fair and square, but, judging by what is known on this side, •; I should bo surprised to hear that onco moro Hanlan'a little store has been substantially increased by means of a reverse. •.. A very strong evidence of tho fluetnating value of racehorses comes from England. The Baron, for whom £10,000 wus refused last year, was put up for sale at the Newmarket spring meeting, and bid for to 1,400 guineas, 2,000 guineas being named as tlio reserve. At the same meeting Mr Abington paid £2,000 for Master Bill, by Carnelean—Sword Knot, in private. At Doncaster last September the previous owner gave 80 guineas only for the colt. Carlton beat Geelong by 5 goals to 3.— Tlie Beudigo Steeplechase was won by Shanu'ock.—Before the weights appeared Cranbrook was the favorite for the Melbourne Cup.—Not a single first favorite in a big raco has won this year in England up to the date of tho mail leaving.—Ossory, own brothor to Ormonde, was last in the Two Thousand Guineas.—The Referee of Sunday, Cth May, contained a long cabled account of the raco between Kemp and Hanlan the previous day.—Minting won tho Kempton Park Jubilee Stakes, carrj'ing top weight, lOst. Ho was ridden by J. Osborne. Tho winner was handicapped to give 4st 71b to some of the competitors. Tho mile occupied lmin 41 4-sth sec.— Ben.on's horses havo been sold in England. —Present Arms won the Kempton Park Produce Stakes of 1000 soys for two-year-olds.—Cummings easily heat Georgo in a three-quarter mile race.—The Brooklyn (America) Derby is a mile and a quaiter raco!