Sporting.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 221, 4 December 1875, Page 21

Sporting.

THE COMING RACES. [By Merlin.] O’rom the New Zealand Times, November 27.) To say that the coming race meeting on the 7th and Bth of next month will be one of the most successful ever witnessed on the Hutt course, is to say that which almost every one is perfectly aware of—in fact, the remark has become a perfect truism ; but I have ventured to offer this as a kind of excuse for presenting to the readers of the Times a few lines about things in general connected with the orthcoming races. The programme issued by the, club is naturally the first thing to which one s attention is drawn, and it must be admitted that on the whole the bill of fare put forward is very respectable. The events are ot such a character as were calculated to attract the entries of horses of all classes, and the prizes were sufficiently good to tempt owners to enter. The conditions, too, are liberal. _ In the Wellington Cup the total cost of nomination, acceptance, and final payment is but 10 sovs., or 5 per cent, of theorize. No owner sending his horse can grumble at this, while the large number of nominations showed that the stewards had acted wisely in fixing the fee at 21 sovereigns. Having said so much m favor of the programme, I cannot leave it without expressing regret at the absence of the steeplechase. It may be _ true that it had not filled well during the past couple of years, but that circumstance would not convince me of the desirableness of cutting it out altogether. This year there is a very poor show in tlio Selling Ivaee, but surely the stewards will not on that account quietly drop a race which, generally speaking, that is if the terms are properly arranged, proves one of the most profitable in the meeting. I must confess to a weakness tor a steeplechase, and believe there are plenty of the same way of thinking. With such a race to open the ball on the second day the monotony of the flat racing is broken, anc it makes that day quite as attractive as the first. If the stewards will make up their minds that there shall be a steeplechase next year let them offer a substantial stake, and they may depend they will not be disappointed. There is yet another weak point on the programme, viz., the want of a three mile weight for age race. Plainly, I don’t believe m handicaps constituting the whole programme, and judging from the hare outlines of the races which have been published there is not, excepting the usual Maiden Plate, a decent stake for a weight for age race. I know something of the difficulties stewards have in making up a programme to suit all parties. Owners have to bo studied and the racing public become angry if thev do not see good sport for their money, and therefore to make good races the vicious principle of handicaps is applied more generally than ever it was intended to be applied when first introduced 1-requently we are told that horse racing has for its, object the improvement of stock ; in fact, this is the ground upon which the most ardent of sporting men lend their influence to the support of horse racing. But is stock to be improved by means of handicap racing. I he whole effect of the system is to reduce all horses to one common level. Not to induce unsuccessful owners to breed up to the stock of the successful owner, but to put such weight upon a good horse as will allow a broken winded weed, with no pedigree, to beat him. I he result is that we get a breed of horses fit

to gallop a mile or two, but put them beyond that and they are done up. If there must be handicaps don’t let them monopolise the whole of the programme. The recent heavy weather has had the effect of deadening the training course, and fast work has been out of the question. Towards Thursday it was getting into workable order, but Thursday night’s and yesterday’s rain left it as sloppy as ever. As yet there are not many horses at the Hutt, and seeing that it is less than a fortnight to the 7th December some of the strings are rather |%te. However, if they are training where there is fine weather they are gutting an advantage of those training at the Hutt, though it must not be forgotten that were a little knocking about sustained on the sea trip, there would not be much time for a horse to recover itself. Mr. Dillon has Premier and Lady Grey at Walkley’s stables, and both are being put through the mill carefully under his own supervision. Lady Grey is a maiden plater, and up to the present time has not been heard of. She has a nice appearance and a pretty stylo of getting over the ground, and I should not be at all surprised to sec her well up. Premier is in excellent form, and I hear he occasionally does his three miles very comfortably. The Wairarapa mare Princess Mary, the property of Mr. Gilligan, is stationed at Valentine’s, and Owen’s pair Voltaire and Voltarine are down at Copeland’s. The former is a cup horse, and looks fit for anything. There is the one drawback to his chance—a nasty temper. If he can bo got away from the post with his light weight, 7st. (51b., he should run forward. As few of the Cup horses have yet put in an appearance, it would be premature to give any thing like a tip, hut, judging from the running at Canterbury, I don’t think the winner has to be looked for very far. Tambourini, with an impost of 9st. 61b.. might just as well stay in the stable. When running under 9st. 51b. at Canterbury, lie was beaten by Templeton at 9st. 31b., the same weight he will carry here. Templeton also gave Guy Fawkes Ist. 31b. at Canterbury and beat him, and I don’t see why he cannot bowd him over here at a difference of a stone ; certainly, Guy Fawkes and Tambourini beat him in the Canterbury Cup, but as this was a two and a quarter mile race the defeat may be accounted for by weight telling on the last quarter of a mile, as he can’t gallop over two miles. I look upon Templeton as the best of the heavy weights, but I fail to see how he can win if Redwood’s Korari is in anything like the condition in which he appeared at Canterbury. Templeton s best performance at Canterbury was running second to Nectar in the C.J.C. Handicap, two miles, which was won in 3.57 R but Korari won the Maiden Plate, a mile and a-half, hands down in 2.54, or about 3.52 for the two miles, and subsequently he won easily the Christchurch Plate in 3.441, carrying 7st. 71b. Here he runs on 91b. better terms, so that if he comes to Wellington in the same form as he showed in Canterbury—and he is in the wrong hands to go back—his chance is very rosy. Several shots have been had, taking him for the double event, Cup and Derby. At any rate I look to Korari and Voltaire for the Cup winners. Of Banker and Glenavy I know but little. December 3. Most of the horses have now arrived, and the training ground, though still a perfect slop is becoming quite busy of a morning. The course seems rather soft, but if the weather hold up till Tuesday, the ground will be magnificent—neither very hard nor the reverse, but nice and springy. I have heard of nothing to induce me to alter my opinion respecting the result of the Cup race, which I think will finish in this manner Karo hi, Voltaire, Templeton. The Derby will be the contest of the meeting. Korari, Daniel O’Rourke, and Fishook, will make such a Derby race as wo have not seen for some time. All three horses are screwed up to concert pitch, and will race from start to finish. I believe the result will be— Daniel O’Rourke, Korari, Fishook. For the Maiden Plate, I prefer Lady Gray ; and for the Provincial Plate, Voltaire.

DUNEDIN RACES. Dunedin, Tuesday. After ten days of incessant rain the morning broke beautifully. The sun, which had not been seen for a week, shone out brightly, and a cool N.E. breeze made the weather lovely for pleasure-seekers. The day is a general holiday, and the bulk of the people attended the races. The course is in splendid order. The first event on the programme was the Maiden Plate of 40 sovs. One mile and a quarter. Eight entered and seven came to the post, Pakeha being scratched. Blue Peter and Steamer stood best in the betting. A good start was effected, but after going a quarter of a mile Steamer and Peter went ahead, the rest tailing off. Coming up the straight the second time Steamer pushed ahead, and passed Peter 50yds. from the post, winning by half a length. Miss Morris, Mischief, Blair Athol, Miss Alfred, and Yeoman also ran. Time, 2m. 17s. The St. Andrew’s Handicap of 100 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs. Distance, one mile and three quarters. D. O’Brien’s Tambourini, 9st. 51b., Ist ; Yeend’s King Philip, Sst., 2nd ; Paterson's Pcrtobe, 7st. 81b., 3rd. Betting—2 to 1 on Tambourini, 2to 1 against King Philip, 3 to 1 Pertobe and Kathleen, 4to 1 Oeheno. There was a good start. Pertobe took the lead and kept it for the first half mile. Corning up the straight the first time the lot closed and passed the post in a cluster, when Tambourini shot ahead, with King Philip close on her quarters, Pertobe being third. This order was maintained till the second time coming up the straight, when King Philip challenged Tambourini, and a splendid race ensued, both flogging, and after an exciting neck and neck race O’Brien landed Tainbouriui a winner by a head ; King Philip second, and Pertobe third. Time, 3m. 2915.

The Selling Race was won by Euclid, hands down. Time, 3m. ss. The Spring Handicap, of 50 sovs. One mile and a quarter, the winner of the St. Andrew’s Handicap to carry 71bs. extra. A. Smith’s Wee Lad, 7st., Ist; H. Yeend’s Rory

O’More, 2nd ; Paterson’s Blue Peter, 3rd. After a number of false starts the lot got away on even terms, but Blue Peter and Wee Lad were to the front all through ; Rory O’More made his effort at the distance, but waited too long. Tune, 2m. 2215. Half an hour’s delay at post. The betting was even on Rory, 3to 2on Wee Lad. Pertobe and King Philip were scratched.

Dunedin, Wednesday. The Stewards’ Purse, of 35 sovs., distance one mile and a-half, welter weights for age— H. Yeencl’s Rory O’More, 12st., 1 ; Goodman s Blair Athol, Sst. 121b5., 2. Betting any odds on Rory O’More. Only two started, and kept together till entering the straight the second time, when Yeend let Rory out and won in a canter.

The Grand Stand Handicap, of 40 sovs., a mile and a quarter—-Yeend’s Rory O’More, Sst. 2lbs , 1 ; Paterson’s Blue Peter, fist. 101bs., 2 ; Smith’s Wee Lad, 7st. lOlbs., 3. Pertobe and Pakeha scratched. Betting, even on Rory O’More, 3 to 2 Wee Lad, 2 to I Blue Peter. Steamer had a splendid start. Coming past the stand the first time Peter had the lead, with Wee Lad next, Rory third. At the gate Rory took second place. Coming into the straight Rory came away from the lot, winning easily by four lengths, the rest nowhere. Time, 2 min. 20.| sec. SWEEPS ON RACES. I he Melbourne Aye says: —“ For some years past a sweepstake on the Melbourne Cup has been carried on at the Bull and Mouth Hotel, by Mr. Miller, a well-known sporting character, which has been known as ‘ Miller’s £IOOO Sweep.’ The shares, which are sold at £1 each, have been purchased by persons in every grade of society; the large amount of £9OO, paid to the holder of the first horse, proving sufficient attraction to enable the projector to complete the list of shareholders with but little difficulty. The sweep on the Clip race, which has just passed, was got up and carried out as usual, and Mrs. Gambles, the wife of the chemist in Bourke-street, is said to have been the fortunate winner of the £9OO prize. The action recently taken with regard to sweeps in the country districts, under the section of the Police Offences Statute passed some time ago for the especial purpose of suppressing betting shops, and under which convictions have been obtained against the proprietors of one or two establishments of that description in this city, had somewhat disconcerted the projector of the sweep ; and he greatly feared that liis operations this year would be stopped by the authorities. No official notice was taken of the announcement of the sweep, and after some time the shares having been fully taken up, the projector brought the affair to an issue with greater confidence. Still there was some uneasiness about the drawing of the sweep, and it being imagined that the drawing constituted the illegal portion of the matter, it was determined to evade the law by having the sweep drawn out of the colony. An announcement appeared some weeks before the Cup day, headed 4 Observations taken off Gape Howe,’ followed by a series of figures which were understood by the initiated to represent the numbers of tickets to participate in the prizes distributed. It was thought by some that the sweep was arranged on the high seas, but that was not the case, as it was drawn in Sydney. So far all appeared safe, and the most of the money has been paid over, all concerned being totally unaware that any action could be taken in the matter. Notwithstanding the secrecy with which the inquiries and the collection of the data necessary for the institution of proceedings have been carried out, the fact has at last oozed out that Detective Duncan lias been watching every detail connected with the conduct of the sweep, and has procured all the information necessary to commence a prosecution of the principals, and a large, number of shareholders in the sweep, for being illegally concerned in a gambling transaction. It is stated that in a few days matters will be brought to a climax, and the attention of the police magistrates will be engaged with the consideration of a case in which it is expected some hundreds of persons will be implicated, and which will probably occupy several days in investigation. PEDESTRIANISM. Edwards accomplished the task of walking 105 miles in twenty-four hours; in fact, he did a great deal more, he walked the distance in twenty-three hours forty-six minutes, and completed lOfi miles within the twenty-four hours. Edwards certainly deserves credit for the performance, and no one will be likely to deny tliat he has more than maintained his reputation as the champion walker of the colony. Ho displayed an amount of pluck and power of endurance in this feat that astonished many. There can be no doubt that the distance was minutely correct, the course having been measured by Mr. Marchant, the City Surveyor, who not only certified in writing that the course was correct, but initialed each peg on the course. Towards the close of the performance, when the attendance grew to be very numerous, Edwards showed sigus of fatigue, although lie still kept up a steady pace, and occasionally put on a good spurt, at which the spectators, who were beginning to be very much interested, would cheer him lustily. When he had reached 100 miles the room was crowded in the body of tlio hall, the gallery and the stage. Some time before this, Anderson, a local amateur ped,had been walking behind him for company’s sake, and to keep him from flagging, and continued walking with him till the distance was completed. After the 101st mile was accomplished, Edwards still keeping up a good four miles an hour pace, it became evident that he would accomplish the feat if his strength held out, and that it did the sequel proved. He was constantly encouraged by the cheers of the crowd, amongst whom we observed some of our leading citizens, and when he had finished the 104th mile the interest became intense. As stated before, he completed the 105th mile in 23h. 46m. From

that out Edwards put on a tremendous spurt, which he kept up, and performed the extra mile within the appointed time. lie was very much exhausted at the finish, and as he entered the side room was loudly applauded. Mr Crawford announced from the stage tlio distance Edwards had walked, and made some very flattering remarks on his performance. Edwards was put into a cab, from which the horse was taken, and a crowd of his admirers dragged the “ triumphal car” from the hall.

WALKING MATCH AGAINST TIME. On Monday, September 20, there was an attendance of 4000 or 5000 spectators at the .Little Bridge ground, West Bromptou,to witness W. Perkins, the champion, attempt the extraordinary and hitherto unaccomplished tark of walking eight miles within the hour. Perkins attempted the feat at the same ground last December, but gave up without completing the distance. Oh that occasion, however, the weather was so cold and unfavorable that no very great importance was attached to liis failure. Five o’clock had been the time fixed, but it was not until 25inin. to six that the start actually took place. Perkins, on receiving the word to go, dashed off at a great pace, and finished his first mile in fimin. 4fisee. He then naturally became somewhat slower, but continued to walk very fast and with scrupulous fairness. The time for two miles was 14min. 23sec. and for three miles 21min. 37sec. The walker showed no signs of failing power, and finished four miles in 28min. 59sec. Allowing seven minutes and a half as the extreme limit for each mile, he had thus completed half his task with just over a minute in hand. The time for five miles was 36min. 32sec., and for six miles 44min. 24sec. The sixth mil* was the slowest of all, occupying 7min. 52sec. Perkins, however, had still more than half-a-minute to spare, and encouraged by the tremendous cheering that greeted him, 'he put on the pace, and finished seven miles in Slmin. 51sec. His success was now almost certain, as he showed hardly any fatigue. Walking finely to the end, he completed the eight miles in 59min. ssec., thus winning the match with 55sec. to spare. These times are unrivalled from four miles up to eight, and as in his match with Stockwell last year Perkins did the best times on record for one, two, or three miles, he may fairly claim to be the best man yet seen at any distance up to eight miles. Whether he would prove equally successful over very long distances it is, of course, impossible to tell. Perkins, we may mention, is a short man, of compact and wiry build, and has just completed his twenty-third year. CRICKET. Last Saturday a cricket match wa3 played between eleven of the employees of Messrs. Turnbull and Co. and Messrs. Levin and Co, resulting in an easy victory for Messrs. Turnbull and Co. by one innings and 113 runs to spare. The following are the scores : MESSRS. LEVIN AND CO. First Innings. Second Innings. Cruickshank, b. Water-

HUTT C.c. V. SECOND ELEVEN STAR C.C. This match was played at the Hutt last Saturday afternoon, and as will be seen by the scores, was won by the Star Club by twelve runs. The scores are as follow:

The return match between the Sappho team and the Wellington Club came off yesterday. The weather was beautifully fine. The Sappho men were the first to go to the wickets, but were soon put out for 44, Lillie and Roope being the only two who made double figures. The Wellington team then went in, and a rare

ame of leather hunting commenced. Farrington’s innings was a splendid exhibition of cricket. Throughout lie played with vory great care, yet showed plenty of freedom in hitting, making a great many threes, fours, and fives. Bishop also played excellently, and Young and Vincent, with 1C each, materially assisted the score. The bowling talent of the Sappho team was weak, Koopo and Lillie being the only available men, thus when the batsman had once got his eye in, the field were kept pretty merry. There was not time for a second innings, therefore the game was decided on the first innings. The following are the scores :

Total 196 ACQUATICS. The Nelson Regatta Committee have issued their programme. £2OO is advertised as prizes. The principal events are—Champion whaleboat race : Ist prize, £25 ; 2nd, £lO. Yacht race, £25; amateur whaleboat race, £ls ; fouroared race, £ls. We learn from Napier that on Saturday last five crews were selected to go into training and pull in the Napier Rowing Club’s boats for prizes amongst themselves. If all goes well it is intended to pick out the four best oarsmen, and send them to represent this province at Wellington. A meeting of the Interprovincial Regatta Committee was held on Wednesday afternoon (his Honor the Superintendent in the chair), at which the report of the sub-committee was brought up, and showed that the receipts by subscriptions had already amounted to over £SOO, which must be regarded as a very satisfactory result of the labors of those entrusted with subscription lists, and speaks highly for the liberality of the public. It is, we understand, intended to give some really substantial prizes. The programme has been prepared by a sub-committee appointed for that purpose, and was submitted to the general committee at a meeting held last night. VOLUNTEERS. Captain E. Pearce, of the Artillery, has offered a couple of prizes to be competed for by members of the Artillery and the Rifles. The first prize is a handsome carriage clock, and the second thi-ee guineas. Two competitions are to take place—one this afternoon, and one the following Saturday—the two highest aggregate scores to be the winners. The following resignations of commissions have been accepted:—Captain T. Daniel, Riverton Rifle Volunteers ; Captain F. Mcßae, No. 1 Company, Auckland Grammar School Cadets ; Captain S. Coleman, Marton Cadets ; Captain W. S. S. Stanton, Hokitika Cadets ; Lieutenant J. F. Brunton, Invercargill Artillery Volunteers; Honorary Sub-Lieutenant A. Beale, Auckland Engineer Cadets. The following volunteer appointments have been made In the Victoria Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers—Sub-Lieutenant Owen Mahon to be Lieutenant, date of commission November S, 1875. In the Invercargill Artillery Volunteers James Thompson to be Lieutenant, date of commission October 14, 1875 ; Richard Westney to be Second-Lieu-tenant, date of commission October 14, 1875. In the Riverton Rifle Volunteers—Lieutenant George Osborne Cassels to be Captain, date of commission November 16, 1875. In the First Westland Rifle Volunteers—David James Thomas Selous to bo Sub-Lieutenant, date of commission October 22, 1875. In the Auckland Engineer Cadets-—Honorary Lieutenant William Bagnall White to be Captain, date of commission October 11, 1875. In the Auckland Grammar School Cadets—George Alfred King to be Captain, date of commission November 3, 1875. WELLINGTON COLLEGE V. NELSON COLLEGE. The W.C. Cadets fired on Saturday at the Adelaide butts. The wind was very gusty, and the cadets were standing nearly knee deep in mud and water all the day. The following are the W.C. Cadet scores :

house 4 c. Waterhouse, b. Bishop 0 Coch, b. Bishop 3 b. Bishop 0 Bidwell, b. Waterhouse .. 0 b. Waterhouse 20 Fuller, b. Bishop 0 not out .. 9 Waters, c Colling, b. Bishop 0 b. Waterhouse.. 0 Anderson, b. Waterhouse 0 b. Waterhouse.. 0 Barnard, b. Waterhouse .. 1 b. Waterhouse.. 0 Williamson, c. Jones, b. Bishop 1 b. Waterhouse.. 0 Beilbor, b. Bishop 0 b. Waterhouse.. 0 Griffiths, not out 2 b. Waterhouse.. 0 Cameron, b. Bishop 0 b. Waterhouse.. 0 Sundries 3 Sundries .. 2 Total 14 Total .. 31

TURNBULL AND CO. First Innings. Collins, b. Waters 0 Dugdale, b. Waters 5 Waterhouse, b. Cameron Bishop, b. Bidwell i Hardcastle, c. Coch, b. Waters 5 Scott, b. Waters .. Hutcheson, c. Waters, b. Bidwell .. Jones, b. Waters 6 Muir, b. Waters Brown, b. Waters .. 13 Harton, not out .. 0 Sundries .. 25 Total .. 158

STAR. Linklater, b. J. Lockett 2 Turner, b. II. Lockett 0 Haughton, b. J. Lockett .. 11 Bond, b. .7. Mason 11 Webb, b. J. Lockett.. 0 Wills, b. J. Mason .. 7 Mould, run out 2 Belcher, run out 0 Stohr, c. King, b. .J. Lockett 4 Rainie, not out 0 Munt, c. I’ringle, b. J. Mason 1) Byes, &c. 20 Total 07 Bowling A nab/sis. Overs. Balls. Runs. Mdns. Wds. Wkts, 11. Lockett.. 8 48 17 1 5 I. J. Lockett .. 17 102 18 7 <> 4 Mason 7 12 7 8 2 3 1IUTT. Cudby, b. Ilaugbton.. 0 King, b. Turner 0 .T. Lockett, o. Webb, b. Bond 12 I’ringle, c. Haughton, b. Bond 9 Winterburn,b. Bond.. 1 •I. A. Mason, c. Webb, b. Bond .. 7 .7. Mason, not out 2 II. Lockett, b. Ilaugbton 0 S. Mason, 1). Haughton 0 Udy, b. Haughton 0 Corbett, b. Haughton 0 Byes, &c. 11 Total . . 45 Bowlimj A nalyuix. Overs. Balls. Runs. Aldus. Wds. WkU Turner 7 42 7 1 4 1 Haughton .. 5 SO 18 1 2 5 Bond .. <> MO !) 0 0 4 SAPPHO V. WELLINGTON CLUB.

NAI'IMIO — FIRST I.N'MNOH. Hogben, c Barrington, b Armitage .. .. 0 Rromley, run out .. 0 Lillie, b Armitage .. 10 Pearson, 1) Armitagc 2 Roope, b Knapp ! Sammonds, b Knapp .. 12 May, run out .. 0 West, b Armitage .. (i Heath, b Armitagc .. 0 Scott, b Armitagc .. 0 JKavis, not out 2 Byes, 8; Leg-byes, 1 ; Wide balls, 2 .. 11 Total .. 44 WELLINGTON. C. A. Knapp, b Lillie .. !) Lowe, b Lillie .. 1 Parrington, b Itoope 79 Bell, b Roope .. (i Armitage, b Lillie .. 2 Werry, b Lillie 2 Goring, 1 b w, Roope Williamson, b Roope .. 1(1 .. 1 Bishop, not out Vincent, b Lillie .. 32 .. 1G Belcher .. 2 Byes, 8 ; Wides, 1C ; Leg-byes, 0 .. 30

Taylor, ju n. .. . -Hi St.John .. 10 Barton .. . a; Meredith, jun. .. 14 Martin, jun. .. . 23 Nicols .. .. 32 Brandon . 40 Butts .. °0 II. E. Tucker.. . as Meredith, sen. . 33 Total .. 288 A telegram was received from Nelson stating that the score of the N.C. Cadets was 291. making them the winners by 13 points.