THE MUNICIPAL CUP.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5275, 8 January 1879, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL CUP.

Sir, — Please be good enough to insert the following sporting notes on the Napier Municipal Cup : — Monday morning ; training ground. — Mr Ash ton's Fishhook, 6 years, first put in an appearance, and went three times round the plough with the sweaters on, and pulled up sound and fresh. He afterwards sent him a smart gallop of ten miles without his clothing. The last two miles he went his best, and was timed by the town clock. The trial waß so good that all the stable boys and their friends

were put on to a good thing. Should he come to the post fit and well, I : think he will run a good race. The next horse was Mr Cbhen's Otupai, 6 years, a very nice and good little horse in certain company. I think this company father hot for him.^w He went three times round the plough^fi with his clothing on, and got a gofo*d ' * scrape. He afterwards; went ten miles without his clothing, one-tenth of a second under Fishhook's time. Some of ' Fishhook's touts were about. They madly rushed to town, and wanted to back Fishhook against Otupai for places. If Otupai comes to the post tit and well he will push Fishhook very hard for places. The next horse that put in an appearance was Mr Ellis's Templetdn, aged. He went a steady canter with his clothing on, but as the stable will not let outsiders know what condition he is in, I cannot 'form an opinion how: he is going; so I do not know what position in the race he will take. The next horse that put in an appearance was Mr Oornford's Pinfire, A yearSi He walked on ; the course, was stripped of his clothing, and was sent a two-mile gallop . at his top. He went all : over jtwfc like a thoroughbred race _,„ horse would go, in fine form, and pulled up as fresh as a lark. Time by the! town clock, beat Fishhook and Otupai's time by 2 7"> hours, so that I spotted him at once as the winner. The next was Mr Robjohnß' Bid-a-wee, aged, who went Ground once v f and pulled up. lame, he ,was. afterwards scratched. The next was , Mr Rearden's Lady Elizabeth, 3 years. She went once round at' a rattling pace, but bolted at the first corner for Wairoa, which has thrown her chance away, so I shall place her distanced. The next horse was Mr Miller's great gun Orange Lightning. ,If you^ recollect) he was a great favorite for the Duneduv Cup, and was backed heavily by : the public, but he deceived- them in the confidence that was placett oh hini>> as he was never in the huirfc. He fi !nierely walked on the training 'gfoundjf'alxd bftV again, as much as to say my;; high 1 "breeifif ing and quality are quite 1 !good'enough^ beat such company as this without' going: to the expense of training.";oHe had a . . preliminary gallop round^the DailyTelegraph office, yesterday - afternoon, ;!'..■ :- just to show a few of his backers in that f i quarter how he could go. I> should like. \ him to take a gallop to the Kidnappers ] and back, to see how he would go before I should place any ;money otf lim,v Latest odds. ~ Pinfire^, ;' even money|f ; Fishhook, 4to 1; Tempfeteti, 4^te*B'; ' Otupai, 4 to 1 • Orange LightningM|i f lo " 1 ; Lady Elizabeth, 50 to l.^Youra^&p.,