SPORTING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10236, 3 January 1894, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. At the Liverpool Autumn Meeting the Grand Sefton Steeplechase was won by Why Not (12st lib) beating Caustic (10st 31b), Field Marshal (Hat 4lb) and nine other horses. The London correspondent of tbe Australasian reports that Captain Machell, the well-known racing man, was unhinged in his mind during the Liverpool races. It is stated that he had been suffering from an attack of suppressed gout, and this appears to have affected his brain. Latest accounts from India are to the effect that Highborn has gone wrong in the back sinews. Sprig o’ Myrtle, it is stated, does not please Lord William Beresford, but his trainer fancies the son of Trenton for the Viceroy’s Cup. Whimbrel, Moorhouse and Reprisal are all reported well. Speaking of the Cambridgeshire winner, tbe Sporting Times says t—“ As showing luck in breeding, the dam of Molly Morgan, in foal, was bought for-a tenner, Molly Morgan'being the produce. Morns, her sire, was purchased for JBIOO, ana he: had only six foals, all of which turned oat good winners. He was one of the worst, roarers ever known, and his owner jumped at the chance of selling him for J£3oo to go abroad.”

"Though in dividing the Cesarewitoh with Cypria and winning in bets and stakes only JE1467 10s, Tom Jennings went down somewhat in our estimation, we have a certain amount of admiration for his character (says a home paper). It cannot be said of him that he was ever a * guileless youth.’ Who would have thought of patting a racehorse in a cart and driving about a handicappar ? Recollection was put in a cart, and then when the weights were right she was sent to Gatwiok, where she ran away with a good handicap. This out-Herods what was done with Rosebery. There was a Suspicion that he was a good horse, and a famous tout was sent down to wateh him. To the tout’s disgust the horse he was sent to watch was ridden to the post office every day with the letters. He was indignhht, thinking that for some purpose or another his employer was making a fool of him, and he refused to stay any longer. That employer, we need scarcely say, was effectually stalled off. The veteran Jennings has gone 5 one better ’ than that.” AUSTRALIAN. Mr D. S. Wallace has this year seventeen foals by Carbine, of which eight are colts. The death is announced of Saltan, by Apremont—Mias Hate, who has this season been at the stud in Hew South "Wa»l6B* Malua’s full brother Mirnee, who has bean a great disappointment, has gone into Scobie’s stable to be tried over hurdles. On the second day’s racing of the Ballarat Meeting, Paddy, by Aateros— Atalanta 9at finished a dead heat with Playboy Sst 121 b for the Flying Stakes, of 25 eovs; five furlongs. A great attraction on both days of the Ballarat Meeting (says “Terlinga") was that splendid colt Dreamland, who was in the paddock, and stood all the looking over and admiring he was subject to with the utmost sangfroidl. The owners, Messrs Bailey and Orr, are very prond of him, and well they may be, as he is a grand colt, and such a kind, good-tempered fellow. I doubt if a colt showing such length, quality, and power has been seen for many a long day, and his legs look like standing for years to come. “ Asmodeus,” of the Melbourne Leader , has been on a visit to St Albans. The following extracts are from the account of hia visitlt is a glorious morning as the early birds of our party forth for a constitutional by way of working up an' appetite for the matutinal repast. Halfway round the training track we met Carnage indulging in light exercise. He bears visible traits of the severity, of the campaign he went through at; Flemington, having. lost both flesh and muscle, in addition to which he showa; slight traces of his former_ lameness. Further afield we renew acquaintanceship with Carnage’s illustrious " mamma, , Mersey, to whom we intuitively taka off our hats. This . gem of the “ Stud' Book ” has Primrose . and Tragedy for, companions, and carries her eighteen l years lightly. Mersey has recently paid her devoir to Strathmore, with, it .is to bel_ hoped, a happier result than her fruitless; visits to Trenton daring the two seasons. Three other conspicuous matron* 1 in Nightmare, Eileen, and Primrose are , unfortunately without foals this year. Breakfast over, Mr M’Donald snows the way in the direction of the quarters occupied by the lords de haras, where Strathmore, Newminster, Robinson Crusoe,’ Trenton, and Eiridspord are each paraded in turn. Considering they are only just over their season’s duty at the stud they all look uncommonly well. Strathmore has not yet developed into orthodox stallion estate, and in this respect suffers comparison with his veteran confreres. He hss been limited to ten mares this season, but as Melodious, See Saw, Lady Keith, Mersey, Lady Disdain. Pilgrimage, and Royal Maid are amongst them, good opportunity has been afforded Strathmore of distinguishing himself in his new sphere. The colts are all in a paddock, where the grass is up to their knees, which sufficiently accounts for their well cared for appearance. They all show themselves to be on the most familiar terms with MrM’Donald, but on our approach they prove a bit shy, and move away en masse , so that there is no opportunity for making an individnal inspection. I easily recognise. a former acquaintance in Carbine’s _ first-born ’son from the charming Melodious. He .is a truly shaped colt, though-sot so big as some of hia confreres. He is in colour a mealy chestnut with a white nose, a combination not likely to enhance his value when he enters the sale ring.