SPORTING NOTES.

Press, Volume XXVI, Issue 3511, 6 December 1876, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

The Dnncdin Spring Meeting passed off in every way most successfully. The programme was, so to speak, a more ambitious one than the stewards have yet iesued at this season; but the results, pecuniary and otherwise, should, I think, encourage them to repeat as liberal a programme next year. The more so, as the Dunedin Jockey Club have recently been successful in securing a five-years' lease of the course, and intend erecting a really good grand Btand. This will prove* no small attraction, particularly to the ladies, whose presence—so far as my experience goes—materially assists in more ways than one in tbe success of any race meeting. The fields were in most instances very fair, and the racing quite above the average. The Maidens was quite a g ft to Dead Heat, whose victory, however, does not go for very mnch, as he had only four very moderate ones against him, and his second day's win in the Bail way Plate does not add very much to his laurels either. He was still however, it was only fair to say, dead out of form, and fit and well will no doubt be able to render a good account of himself hereafter. Every one was really glad to see Mr Logan have a cut in, after his recent ill-luck ; and Cloth cf Gold, bis recent purchase, will prove a most useful horse to lead the colfc in bis gallops, not to mention that he will be like'y to pay for himself before the season is over. Fishhook and his owner Dan O'Brien will, I believe, remain in Dunedin for the Cup. The Hook did not run nearly sawell in tbe Sfc Andrew's Handicap as we all expected. Those that had their money on him declared after it was all over that Bob Derritt waited too long; and though perhaps it wo-ld have been better generalship on his part to come a little sooner, there can beno doubt that pace, rather than staying, is Fishhook's foTte. King Phillip was in better form than I I have ever seen him strip on a racecourse. He is, I think, when cherry ripe, a faster and better horse than many people imagine, and David Jones, who is his tutor, will no doubt take all pains to bring him fit to the post in March next. He should ran well for the Cup, though there are one or two whose chances I fancy better. Bob Roy is, I am afraid, for his owner's sake, not the horse he has been cracked up to be; for his performances at this meeting were very indifferent. He wonld, I feel sure, be more payable property over a country. Mr Walters sco Ted a couple of wins with Isaac Walton and Kingfisher. The former ran a capital race in the Boring Handicap. It is true that the field be bad to meet was not a very formidable one, bat be won the race in a style which makes one think that with a light weight for a mile and a half, it would take a right down good 'an to beat him. Mr Walters' other win was the Grand Stand Handicap with Kingfisher, who just managed to drag it off, after a tr«. mendous finish with Steamer. Cantell, who was up in both events, rode with very gooi judgment, and Beems' likely to be a capital horseman. Bight Bower who had only be**n in work about a fortnight, won the President's Handicao. ran in a style that snr prised ever* body. He has been backed already pretty heavily for the Danedin Cup, for which with Mb light impost he ought to be very dangerous, that is always supposing him to be fit, which I understand be never ias been yet in New Zealand...;. Tbe Hurdle race was won pretty easily by -Kildara, who was remarkably fit, acd who I think—with all due deference to the handicaps r—was treated perhaps a iitUe too leniently. Tie Trotting race produced what I am given to understand were some very fair peifotmers. ! Major, the favorite, was not, apparently, in

'a frarSe won a nfitch the next day pretty «il_rj>pa__ from what I bave seen of Mat I should fancy him to be the best troSter we have abont. Blackboy, the winner, waa ridden with very great judgment by Hh Thompson. The horse is not a paiticularly attractive mover, but looks a hardy cut-an_-come-again sort of horse, who could stay tof a week. Mr Moore is now the official haadicapper for the Dunedin Jockey Club, and he is certainly to be congratulated upon bir success, so* fas as he has \ got; several of the finisheff being close j | enough to please anyone. T*_e results of his handicap for tbe Dunedin Cap have, of course, yet to be proved, bnt oa paper it seems a capital effort The *»-b]ic at present seem to fancy Templeton-, Rigfirt Bower, Fishhook, King Phillip, ami Kingfisher ; while the 'book-rrakers are very shy about laying against Maroro. I thick the public are not far out in their selections- at present,- bet it must be remembered that several of the horses above named may very probably bare penalties to carry, and amoog other dangerous ones I should certainly "is inclined to include Cleolite andTuriri. It is, however, rather "early to begin tipping. When in Danedin I had a look at Endymion —a two-year old colt recently imported from Vietori-vby Mr Curran. He is by our old friend Manuka, out of Electra—by King Alfred. He is a ,remar*iably well-grown colt for his age, and promises to furnish into a very useful sire, though I'scarcely think, from his appearance, that racing will ever be his forte.

Your Canterbury sporting readers will, I am sure, be pleased to learn that arrangements have been made between the Dunedin and Canterbury Jockey Clubs, by which, after the present engagements terminate, the Derby will be run in Canterbury and the Leger in Danedin. It is needless to say, from the dates on which the two annual meetings are held, that this alteration will be motfr advantageous to both clubs. The Kaikanui annual race meeting comes off on Boxing Day, and the visitors at any rate will have enough for their money, as there are to be no less than eight events in the one day's racing. The principal items are a Handicap Hurdle Bace of 40 soys, a Maiden Plate of £35, the Kaikanui Handicap of 100 soys, two miles j Publicans' Handicap of 70 soys, mile and a half; Novel Bace of £50, and a Flying Handicap of .35 soys, three-quarters of a mile. The weights: were out yesterday, but our horses are all engaged elsewhere, though I should: have thought that this meeting would have been almost a more attractive one than the West Coast.

Bob Boy left some days ago for Auckland, with Fallacy, Tommy Dodd, Danebury, and Middleton;and Mr Walters' three, Kingfisher, Isaac Walton, and the Fanny Fisher colt, followed, them yesterday by the Wellington. It is very probable that Templeton and Elfin Sing will also go north. Sinbad.