SPORTING NOTES.

(BY MATCHLOCK.) I hear that the hurdla horse Dusk is getting over the accident which befell him previous to tfa« Wanganui Steeplechase, and will shortly be seen at work again for spring events. By Auckland news 1 believe that Libeller will not sport siik agaiu, but will probably come to Wanganui to the stud. Limestone, the stallion purchased in England by Major Walmeley for the Auckland Stud Company, is by Werelock - Duveruay, by Beadsman—Oachuca. Limestone was bred by Lord Bradford ir. 1878. As a two jear old, Limestone won the Prince of Wales Stakes at Goodwood, of 1000 soys; an<i the next year he won the Triennial Stakes of 782 soys at Ascot, and the Sussex Stakes of 1517 soys at Goodwood. The following year he won the Royal Stakes ot 657 soys at Epsom As a five year old he ri>n four times, but on each ocoasion was unsuccessful, and at the end of the season he was seat to the etud. Limestone ran in the Derby and St Leger in 1881, won by Iroquois, but failed to secure a place in either race. His full brother, Quicklime, ran second to Shotover for the Two Thousand Guineas ia 1882 ; started favourite and occupied a similar position to the Duke of V^-Btminster's filly, shotover, in 1882, and ran unplaced in the St Lager the BH.uie yettr. Weulook, the siro of Limestone, wjii the 8t Leger in 1872. The Auckland i-'tud Company may be congratulated on having secured such a well bred animal ami co good a performer on the turi' to fill the pboe vacated by the death of Musket. F. Bolton's team, consisting of Hippona, Escapade, Prospect, and Dudu, the Somnus-Fame filly, are doing steady work. The Eeferee states that Mr E, Bay has been creating a bit of a flatter among the stables at Tiicoarton, o^ing to his evincing a desire to purchase more than one good horse, presumably with a view to an Australian campaign. He asked D, O'Brien to put a price on Sextant, but the proprietor of the iiaoeoourse Hotel refused to pell. He, however, gave Rty the oflf.^r of Bose and Black, Gipsy King, and Hermitage for 1200 guinea*, or Gipsy King alone for 700 guineas. No deal, however, was struck. Bay also made overtures to Mr iJobinsor for Enfilade, but again failed in his mission. Up to tha presen*. the Hon W. Robinson's colt Enfilade has been backed to win for the Derby and Cup, at . 100's to 15 Mr "Abington," the owner of Merry Hampton, is reputed to have netted £40,000 in. bets on his recent Derby victory. The London Sportsman, under the heading " Derby Ooiaoidences," says: — Like Blair Athol, who carried silk for the first time when he won the Derby in 1864, Merry Hampton had not been seen in public before ruDniugat Epsom, and he won the race iv the same time — 2min 43sec —that the son of Stookwell did. Another coincidence may be noted ia the fact that Jem Snowden ncored his first and only Derby victory on Blair Athol, and J. Watts hae now steered his first blue riband winner in Merry Hampton. The latter colt, too, is the first Derby winner sired by Hampton, and Blair Athol was the first of Stockwell's get to take the same race.