SPORTING.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 47, 8 September 1855, Page 3

SPORTING.

Among the items of English news brought by the Kent is the result of the Chester Cup, one of the greatest betting races in England. It was won by Mr. Howard's Scythian, beating twenty-five others ; Mr. T. Parr's Mortimer was second, Mr. Clarkson's Neville tliird, and Mr. Morris's Gamekeeper fourth. It was won by a head, the second horse beating the third by a neck only. The winner had been a good favourite all tho winter, and held the premiership for some time before the race. At tho start there were three better favourites than himself, but they wero behindhand in the struggle. Tho race afforded another exemplification of the vicissitudes to which horsc-tlesh is liable. The celebrated mare Nancy, who at three years old, viz., in 1851, won thi3 great annual prize, ran in the present year, with the comparatively feather weight of 6st. 61b3., and had tho misfortune to be kicked in the race. The accident was similar to that which befel Leander in tho Derby, in Running Rein's year. The fetlock of her near hind leg was broken almost clean off. She was thereupon shot with a riile, and terminated her career on the Roodee, where, four years previously, she had achieved one of her greatest triumphs. " Sic transit gloria inundi .'" Tho 1,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket were won this year by Mr. Merry's Lord of the Isles, beating St. Hubert, the first favourite for the Dorby, by a neck. Lord of the Isles thereupon became first favourite for Iho Great Epsom event : but the subsequent victory of St. Hubert's stable companion Scythian, in the Chester, has restored the saint to the premiership. St. Hubert is a promising son of tho celebrated Surplice, winner of the Dorby and St. Leger in 1848.

Great Race against Time ix America. — The great four-mile race against time at New Orleans, on the 2nd April last, for a purso of 20,000 dollars, was won by Mr. Ten Broeck's horso Lexington, who accomplished the four miles in 7 minutes, 19$ seconds. Tho fastest time ever made before was made by Lecointe — 7.26. An immense concourse of persons were present, and early in the day bets were freely made against Lexington, success in the effort being deemed out of question by a large portion of the sporting community. The Bee of the 2nd April says : — " It is estimated that not less than half a million of dollars wero staked on the event of the race. About a quarter to 4 o'clock, Lexington started oiF, followed by the well-known horse Arrow, which gave for a time to the spectacle the appearance and all the interest of a regular race. The first mile was mado easily in 1.47£, the second in 1.52£, the third in 1.51£, and the fourth and last mile in I.'h7i, the whole distance having been run in the incredibly short spaco of 7.195 , and the proposed feat accomplished. The announcement of the success of Lexington from the judge's stand, was responded to by round upon round of applause from the astonished multitude. Tho time in whicli Lexington ran the four miles is Gi seconds under that which Lecomte took last spring for the same performance, which was then the shortest time on record. This race is the most wonderful which has occurred in modern times, and Mr. Ten Broeck now enjoys the proud supremacy of owning the fastest horso in America, if not in the world. On the 14th, Lexington is to run with Lecomte, by whom ho was defeated last* spring, and tho result of yesterday will undoubtedly tend to make it one of tho most exciting races that lias ever taken place in this country.