SPORTING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4124, 22 September 1883, Page 4

SPORTING.

NOTES BY HIPPONA,

Thursday next will witness the opening of the New Zealand racing season of 18S3-S4 for on that day and the clay following the Geraldine Meeting takes place. The principal event set down for decision on the first afternoon is the Racing Club Handicap, U mile, but as to what horses are likely to see the post I am unable to say, the Pre«s Association having failed to acquaint us with those who remain in, although the acceptances were due on Wednesday last It is quite likely, however, that three or four of the " big guns " entered will have a cut in, for by winning any of the Geraldine events it will not interfere with their New Zealand Cup chance, there being no penalties attached to the latter race. The names of the horses that -were nominated and their imposts are as follows :—

In the early part of the week, the New Zealand Cup, which has almost been a deadletter in local butting circles, came into notice. Cheviot and Turquoise were the horses inquired for, and all the money left in the market was taken. Cheviot was backed to win £300 at 100's to 12, and Turcuioise £200 at 100's to 10, at which prfcea there are still takers. At Chrictchurch Cheviot has also been backed to win several thousands at 10 to 1, and 100 to 12 is now his best price there. The Napier events have also excited a bit of attention in local circles. For the Spring Handicap, Kalo has been well backed at 3's to 1, and 2 to 1 is now the best offer against him, while Leonora been supported at 4to 1. Kalo has also been backed in the double Handicap and Hurdles, with mostly every, thing. The old Dunedin Cup winner, Pungawerewere, dropped a fine colt to Musket at Sylvia Park on Sunday last, and Sweet Cicely also a colt to Musket on the same day. On Tuesday, Mr R. Thorpe's mare Lalla Rookh dropped a filly to Randwick. She is to be put to Billingsgate this 6eason, and the old friend of the public also serrei Mr Buckland's pair, Una and Queen Mab,

Owing to the fine weather prevailing this week, the BUerslie course proper was thrown open, much to the gratification of thow trainers with youngsters in hand. Among those out doing slow exercise were Libeller, Musketeer, Maoriland, and the two-year, olds Tetford, by Musket—Pungawerewere; Satanella, by Hippocampus — Slander • Woodnymph,by Musket—Sylvia;Carbineerj by Musket—Una ; Trenton, by MusketFrailty ; Revolver, by Musket—Erycina; and Krupp, by Muskets-Maid of Athol, Probably the whole of these youngsters will be seen out in the Welcome Stakes at the Spring Meeting. The programme to be run off at th« Pakuranga Hunt Club Meeting on Saturday, the 27th of October, appears in this issue. There are seren events, viz., Hurdle Race of 25sovs., 2 miles ; Pakuranga Hunt Club Steeplechase, for a silver cup, value 2550 n., about 34 miles ; Pony Hurdle Race, lOsovs; Members' Hurdle Race for a Bilver cap, value 25sovs. 2 miles ; Open Steeplechase (handicap), of 25sovs., about 3 miles; Polo Pony Race, for a cup ; and Selling Steeplechase of 25sots, about 2J miles. Entries are to be made before 4 o'clock on Friday, the 12th October.

Horse-owners and others interested should bear in mind that nominations for the two principal events of the Auckland Racing Club Spring Meeting — Handicap and Hurdles—are due on Friday next, at 8 p.m. Two soys. must accompany each nomination.

It will doubtless be interesting to my readers to note that First Water, -who occupies a prominent position in the Melbourne Cup betting, and Off Colour, whois so much fancied for the V.R.C. blue ribbon, are out of the same mare— i.e., The Gem. Those also who are of a superstitious turn of mind may feel an interest in knowing that Mr Thomas Barnfield, who is now the owner of First Water, purposely tried his luck over the Metropolitan Stakes by backing Mr Mayo's horse, likewise named The Gem, in the Metropolitan, and pulled off a good stake. Whether this can be accepted as a good omen, or should be deemed on the '! contrary an impossible second event, ■will';, be a matter of much gossip and comm«t; but, at any rate, the coincidence of tM. mixed names is very striking. About I £70,000 has already been booked in First Waters favour amongst the motallicians of I New South Wales, Victoria, and South I Australia ; and it is said the horse's friends are willing to go on at 100 to 5 till they stand to win £100,000. But First Water is not the only Cup horse that has been lately supported to win a big stake, for £Go,ooohas been written against Le Grand, and Despot| has been booked at very short odds for over £20,000 since his withdrawal from the Metropolitan Stakes, whilst Nicholas is the latest candidate for a somewhat similar amount.

No one was more surprised at the victory of The Gem in the Great Metropolitan St«kes than his owner, Mr Mayo. He was satisfied with taking 1,000 to 40 twice over on the day before the race, and would most likely not even have done this had he not just pocketed a few hundreds and chanced a small per-centage thereof. Moreover, it was extremely doubtful, even after acceptance on the previous Friday, if the Jliorsa would be pulled out at all, the owner's own relative, when asked to assist in selecting thelikely starters, naming The Gem amongst the very first of assured absentees. That there wasiio clever dodge played, is pretty well certain, or the ring would have suffered to a far moro lively tune than £4,000 altogether, for Mr Mayo thus expressed himself to one of his few intimata friends who congratulated him on the unexpected turn-up. "Yes," said he, "when the brutes are only three-parts fit they'll sometimes gallop like the wind, butwhen you get 'em wound up, the chances are they'll slue you. I'd have given the boslu fits if I'd known it."

Merlin was purchased privately by a Dargaville sportsman yesterday afternoon. The steeplechaser Christmas is'also to change hand?, Mr Lushington having pur« chased him.

The full programme for the Spring Meeting of the Cambridge Jockey Club will be found on the first page of to-day's issua, For Remainder of Sporting News ma Supplement.

Bundoora .. Tasinan .. Turquoise. Siesta Emir Coy .. Envious .. Sou'-Westcr Taiaroa .. Minerva .. st lb ..9 4 Trumpeter .. 8 11 The Poet .. x 7 Poll .. .. 8 C Hyacinth .. ..8 2 Mauiuaka.. ..7 9 Trinket .. ..7 8 Trickster .. ..7 7 Hazard .. ..7 7 stlb .. 7 8 ..7 5 ••7 2 ..7 0 ..7o .. G 9 ..Go .. 6 0