OUR SPORTING CHRONICLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4406, 27 December 1875, Page 3

OUR SPORTING CHRONICLE.

As I write, the heavens are overcast with clouds, and it looks probable that we shall have wretched weather for Boxing Day. It will be a thousand pities if it is, for at this season of the year almost our whole population lay themselves out for some species of out-door amusement, and a rainy day will disappoint thousands. Not only the holidaymakers themselves are disappointed, but those who cater for the public amusement. These unfortunate individuals have perhaps gone to large expense to minister to the public tastes, and at the same time to put an honest penny in their own pockets, and a wet day makes their whole outlay a dead loss. However, I hope my dismal forebedings will not prove prophetic, but that the sun will shine and allow us to go about our holiday-making in peace and cheerfnlness. Before X turn to the task of making my selections for the sports, I must make a reference to the meeting of the Regatta Codmittee last Tuesday,—not because the business done was very important, but because it heralds the near approach of what must decidedly be allowed to be the most important sporting re-nnion of the year in Auckland ; and I refer to it now because our merchants and business residents may expect shortly to be called upon for subscriptions, and it is right that they should be reminded that they are bound not to let the Auckland Regatta decline in splendour. Look at the programme issued this year for the Wellington Regatta. A second-rate port of the colony is here giving £500 in prizes for sculling and rowing contests. What is Auckland going to do ? It remains to be seen whether she is going quietly to admit her inferiority, or whether she means to contest the palm. If Auckland business men will only think what an important part their marine plays in the trade of the port, they will not be sparing of their contributions to. the series of aquatic contests which so appropriately distinguish the anniversary of the province. For the handicaps at Ellerslie to-morrow, I shall make the following selections : —Yule Handicap: George Saunders or J. Regan. Boxing Day Cup : Sewel or Fagan. For the Maiden Race, 1 advise my readers to keep an eye on P. .Quinlan. At the North Shore Sports I thiuk the principal races will fall as under: —Devonport Cup : E. Nolan or R. H. Duder. Hurdle Race: J. Nolan. Maiden Race :J. Nolan or Hugh Bryan. Rowing Club Cup : E. T. Atkin.

RACING NOTES. Guy Fawkes and Cocksure have arrived from Wellington in good condition. They have come hi charge of E. Cutts, and have been located at Mr. Watt's stables at Kohimarama. The public are not to imagine from this that there will be any combination tactics between Mr. Redwood's and Mr. Watt's horses at the forthcoming meeting. I have it on the best authority that the horses will be started entirely independently of each other. Cocksure does not belong to Mr. Harry Prince, as has been currently reported. It seems that after this gentleman purchased him from Mr. Redwood, at Christchurch, he wished the horse to be still trained at his former quarters. This Mr. Redwood objected to, and by mutual eonsent the bargain was rescinded. It is probable that Mr. Redwood will start both in the Cup, but I faucy Guy Fawkes will be tho one. Since my last notes were penned, I have heard that Mr. Crammer's Cup marc Rangi has broken down. I hear that she pulled up very shaky after a gallop on Thursday, and there is no doubt her training has brought out her old hurt. She is nob likely to be among the starters. This is a great pity, as she was doing so well, and threatened to be a thorn in the side of tho Southerners, who now look very formidable. Ngaro's retirement was necessitated by her injuring her leg in a gallop. She is not permanently injured, but the limb will require a month's rest to get right again. Hotspur.