SPORTING NOTES FROM ENGLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7229, 1 May 1884, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES FROM ENGLAND.

[By Helios.] London, March 14, 1884. We are within three weeks of the opening of the season, and with such a mild winter we ought at least to hear of no complaints when the saddling bell rings at Lincoln, unless the icy king should unexpectly drop in upon us. The weather has been so open that already the hedges are becoming tipped with their early spring verdure, indeed a letter from the country the other day spoke in wonderful terms of the rapid approach of the season. In hunting circles the men and horses never had such a hard time of it, indeed one required a good stable full of hunters to carry you through all the good things. Excepting for a couple of days or so, a weather check has not been known since the horn was heard in the woods about October, and with matters thus described it was only natural that our early steeplechase meetings should command success. I have said steeplechases, but in reality I meant events decided over hurdles. Our steeplechasers all seem to have departed, indeed the United Kindom's prize at Croydon the other day resulted in a walk over. " And how is it ? " That is i the popular question. The new Hunt Committee, it is certain, mean to stick to the | ideas of old, and that with all that is said or written against this so - called " grave," or rather, open ditch, upon the taking off side, they do not seem disposed to alter matters. Since the new rule came into force I have always been an advocate for this ditch, that is, if constructed in as natural a form as possible, but as it exists at Sandown, Keuipton and other places it is far too artificial. We want the same sort of thing that is met with in a natural hunting country like Aylesbury or Melton, and it seems absurd to think that a plaoe of sport like this should have to conform with rules established for one aim, viz., to promote the welfare of gate money speculators. It therefore created no little disgust in certain quarters, when the other day the Duke of Montrose's motion was negatived. The wording was as follows: —" That the G. N. H. Committee annually appoint two Inspectors of courses, one for the Northern division, and one for the Southern division, and that provided that tho fences appear to them to be fair, and such as to properly test the jumping capabilities of horses, no restriction as to the style of fences be made, except in the case of purely artificial fence." A practical judge, Sir William Throckmorton,secondedtheproposition,and although suoh a well-known master ot hounds as Lord Coventry looked mat Old Burlington street, and referred to tho necessity of such an arrangement being made the motion was lost by a single vote. We have, however, not done with the matter, and it is just on the cards that, though tho house appears to be divided into two sections, natural and artificial, the latter body will yot see the error of their ways. Tho practice seems indeed absurd for a farmer to have to cut his land about to suit the taste of the artificial members of the G. N. H. Committee, and, what - , worse, where there may not be a drop t«, water for miles round—Wales petitioned: on this score—the management is compelled to cart water to constitute a muddy

ditch with an unnatural fence in the midst of what may be looked upon in the eyes of the world as the best hunting pastures in the Kingdom. The Duke of Montrose's proportion was the best means of satisfying iiJ! parties, and it is to be hoped that it will again be brought forward. Lord and Lady Eoßebery have returned from their trip to the Antipodes, and from what I can gather their journey was attended with pleasure and delight. On the same ship in which the noble lord returned came the brothers Thompson, the well-known Australian bookmakers. In sporting circles they have met with a hearty reception, being elected hon members of the Victoria and other Eacing Clubs, and, what is more, they have dined and wined witli the leading speculators. Prom personal observation, the brothers seem very shrewd and business-like men, and are fast making friends. They had scarcely set foot on our soil, when they were to be seen up Putney way watching Kobs do one of his final rows for hig race with Bubear, to which reference is made below ; and then I found Joseph, in no small way, with his friend Mr Lane, indulging in a little speculation at the Grand Military Steeplechases. This is one of the most fashionable fixtures of the season; and, as the weather proved exceedingly fine and mild, our Australian visitors could not have seen the lawn at Sandown Park at a better advantage. It was, indeed, a brilliant show on both days. Bat more of this below. Our Australian visitors, while appearing much interested in the various modes we have of conducting our racemeetings, were perhaps most pleased when they saw tha neat and wonderful little machine in the London Clubs divulging the information from the racecourse; first starters and jockeys, then " off," then a description of the race—and all prior to the result. Meanwhile folks are investing on the events. I understand it is the intention of the brothers Thompson to remain in England until after Ascot, when they wiE return home via America. Harking back to the Grand Military at. Sandown Park, the falls were as numerous as usual, but no serious harm was done It is a curious thing how racing colours have their effect upon the military when steeplechasing. It is not so when in a red or blue uniform. Young subalterns, however, are too anxious, but from the army some of our best and boldest amateur jockeys have ascended to fame. Captain Tempest, Captain Coventry, Mr W. H. Johnstone, Colonel Harford, and Captain Smith to wit. The last mentioned came out in his old form in the Veteran Stakes, which he won. on a moderate mare called Claribet, but the honours of the meeting were carried off by Major Trdswell's Larva, an Irish bred son of Vulcan, who took the Gold Cup. The Prince of Wales, as was expected, did not run his ho.*se Scot for this prize, and it is said he will be held in reserve for the Grand National. His Eoyal Highness has signified his intention of being at Aintree this season, and it is also stated that he will be the guest of Mr H. Chaplin, at Lincoln. The opening of our legitimate season, therefore, should be a real bumper, and especially so if the Eoyal colours should be seen to the fore in the Grand National. I only hope that such may be the ease, but I fear by the time these notes appear in print a different result will have been cabled out to New Zealand. The Scot, on form, has little chance, but he is a sure fencer, and that is saying a deal for a competitor at Liverpool. Besides, the field this year is not likely to be large.

Since Sachem took so kindly to the hurdles at Sandown Park, Tom Cannon's horse has twice suffered defeat—once in the International Hurdle Eace at Croydon, by Chicard, belonging to one of our most popular pencillers—Mr Walter Gregory—and the other at Kempton Park when in the Grand Hurdle Eace, by MaTC Antony and Sophist. After the way one saw him move in the mud at Croydon and make a resolute fight with Chicard when giving a lump of weight away, it was not surprising that he should start a good favourite at Kempton, but here I thought Jones pulled and hauled him about too much. The American cast-off never had the best of tempers when on the flat, and although he jumped at Croydon and Kempton like a bird, it is just on the cards that he will not forget his old habits when pressed home. His conqueror at Kempton Park -was an old practitioner —Marc Antony—-who did the Duke of Hamilton a good turn a season or two ago in France,-and here he had a pull in the weight. Still the race was always at his mercy. Idea won a couple of jraces here, and was backed for the National, but he has no chance.

The interest in racing has, so far, not been great, and the speculation on the future anything but brisk. For the Lincolnshire Handicap a very heavy commission has been executed in favour of Fulmen, and, two months before the race, 6 to 1 is taken in hundreds about St Blaise for the City and Suburban. Of the Derby -winner of last year I hear wonderful accounts, and, if he keeps well, nothing can prevent him starting at half his present price. . Of other turf gossip, I regret to announce the death of the veteran Sim Templeman, the oldest jockey living. About a year ago, when staying at York, one morning at Harken I met the old man. Although totally blind, each morning he was to be seen in the private bar enjoying his glass of dry sherry, and almost up to the day of his death he continued the practice. At the ripe old age of 79 he breathed his last. Few big races have missed " Sim;" indeed classic and otherwise, his name is generally to be found enrolled amongst the winnei*s. He won the Derby on Bloomsbury in 1539, on Cossack in 1547, and Surplice in IStS, and the Oaks and St Leger were among his victories.

For the Arab race to be run at the July meeting at Newmarket, I hear several intending competitors are on their way from India. The Calendar states that the " race will be restricted to Arabs already registered in the ' Stud Book,' their produce, or imported horses having such guarantee of their authentic breeding as shall be deemed sufficient by the Stewards. The Stewards of the Jockey Club.it is stated, will consider as Arabs all horses sent from India which have won a public race there of the value of 1000 rupees, undor the Eules of the Western India or Calcutta Turf Clubs; or have a certificate, signed by the Secretory of either of these Clubs as Arabs, without objection having been x-aised to them on account of their breeding ; also, all horses sent from the principal Arab studs of the European Continent, if accompanied with a certified pedigree showing them to be of Arabian descent uncrossed with other blood,; also, all horses of ascertained Arabian blood imported subsequently to the ■•■ present notice from Arabia, Syria, Egypt, or the Persian Gulf, and accompanied with a certificate of exportation from the English Consul of the district." AQUATIC. Eoss not only gave Bubear the lOsec start in the boat race from Putney to Mortlake, but defeated him so easily that it is difficult to know when wo shall have another sculling contest upon the Thames. It was a blow to the partisans of the Englishman to find that Ross could have passed their man before reaching Hammersmith, but for the Canadian pulling out to prevent a foul. Eoss also will find his occupation gone for a while, for I fear if a challenge were issued for him to row any man in the world except Hanlan, nothing would coino of it. Eoss returns to America, and I should say that he was never so welltrained as for his race with Bubear. Some folks believe him to be as fast as Hanlan yoVr a, mile, but there is little chance of the *},\ir coming together again on our waters. r.fJne benefit business is better in America, besides they will have good professional I regattas.