SPORTING NOTES.

The general entries and acceptances for the Spring Meeting are now out, and are, on the whole, very satisfactory. The Maiden Plate has an entry: of five, of whom Dead Heat is a long way tho best, and I fancy he is going for it, as he has-cot accepted for the St, Andrew's Handicap. Wild Deer, Glencoe, Miss Elswick, and Spray (the Scud—Chloe filly) are the others, of whom MlfiH Elswick is the only one that we have seen perform—she having run second for two Maiden Plates last year, both of which she should have won. For the Sfc. Andrew's Handicap eight have entered. Punga, for whom I had rather a fancy, being among the non-contepte. The Selling Race has six entries, while for, the Spring Handicap twelve have accepted. The five entered for the Hurdles have all accepted, and for the Railway Plate six have been nominated. Altogether, we may expect two good days' sport. It is believed by a. few that none of the Canterbury \ hoises are coming, but that they are being kept in for the betting, though I hardly think this is the case, seeing the way two horses are entered; but should it be bo, I should advise anyone making a bet to do so on the course. I hear th»t a number of the horses who took part in the Christchurch meeting were suffering from the effects of the hardness of the ground there. I was on the course this morning, but though I got there a little after six, I was too late to see much. I was told, however, that Rob Roy and Glengarry Lad a good two mile gallop, the brown appealing to have considerably the beat of it. Flying Beauty went stripped three times round the tan, and seemed short at first, though Bhe improved; however, she hasn't a very taking style of going at any time. Lynch had Spray (the Scud— Chloe filly) and Wild Deer out. The former has improved wonderfully, and goes in very ftdr style. Wild Deer is said to be a full brother to Mabel, but ho doesn't show the quality of the handsome little chesnut. They Loth went three miles on the tan, with hoods on, at a fair pace, the filly going nicely considering the length of time she has been broken; but the gelding -will not, I am afraid, dis tin i guish himself on the Turf, as he throws hi 3 legs { about like a set of windmills. Mr Smith had Haphazard, Right Bower, Kathleen, and a mare called Alice out. The Bower and Haphazard, the former with a hood and the latter stripped, went two miles or so on the tan at a moderate pace. Haphazard is in pretty fair condition, but the Bower is a long way from fit, and I don't think will be within a stone of his best form by next Thursday. Kildare looks very well, and went two miles ? taking the two hurdles in front of the stand in splendid style the first time round, but the second time he showed an inclination to swerve, and on Cotton's pushing him at the last hurdle he rapped it pretty hard, partly on account probably of his having dropped a shoe. Steamer was stripped, and went twice round with Fox, the latter in clothing, at a good pace. The son of Tantrums has grown a good deal since I last saw him, but is still a very slightly made horse. He seems in good condition, and appears to have improved in his going. Fox was looking a little big, Banjo looking as fresh and going as ever. Glencoe, Te Kooti, Sir William, King Philip, and Master Playfair were all doing walking exercise, Sir William looking very well, and. having, I was told, improved a great deal since last year, but, as he was oi:ly walking, I couldn't judge of the correctness of this information. I did not see the King without his clothing, but he appeared stiff behind, though this may be nothing, as he always had a slovenly style of walking. Rob iloy was walking, while his stable companion, Steamer, did his gallop. The weights for the Wellington Cup and the Auckland Club Handicap and Cup are out, but I have only had time to glance over them. The Wellington Cup seams a good handicap, though I think Tadmor has a pound or two too much. Guy Fawkes with 9st. 61b., and Templeton 9st 21b., are both very well in, as also are Fishhook Jst. 121b., and Cloth of Gold7st. 91b., but neither of these ge-atlemen care much about a distance. The Auckland Club Handicap commences a little higher, Guy having lOst., and Templeton 9at. 91b., tremendous lumps of weights to carry. Fishhook is pretty heavily weighted, both in the Handicap at Bst. 71b., and in the Cup at Bst. 101b. Tadmor at 7st. 121b. seems pretty fairly in the Cup, and Kingfisher at 7st. 21b. has a rare show. Last year, he won this race, receiving from Guy Fawkes, who was second, a year and 261b., or, at weight-for-age, 341b. This year, he receives from Guy 401b., and, grand horse as the latter undoubtedly is, I think this is asking too much of him. Isaac Walton at 6st. 121b. is also remarkably well in for the Cup. Considerable dissatisfaction is still felt at Home with regard to the St Leger running, anil one paper openly declares that neither Petrarch went for the Derby, nor Kisber for the Leger. From the high characters the owners of the two horses bear, I can hardly fancy that there was anything crooked, but the running was certainly most extraordinary—the most extraordinary, perhaps, on record. Meklin.