SPORTING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5563, 27 January 1879, Page 3

SPORTING.

Up to the present time no very great amount of excitement has been shown with regard to the forthcoming annual race meeting at the Hutt, and the fact has been duly commented on by sporting visitors to the city, who conaider the people of Wellington rather apathetic about the matter. That such is not the case, however, may be seen after a little reflection. There are various circumstances which must bo taken into consideration in contrasting Wellington with other districts in the colony which have the good fortune to have resident amongst them a larger sprinkling of men who devote a considerable portion of their attention to matters pertaining to the turf, and whose influence has gone a long way towards the encouragement of racing. If there were more owners living about Wellington, the interest in these annual events would of course display itself earlier, and the interest amongst the general public would be equally great to that shown long before a race-meeting in districts like Christchurch, Auckland, and Dunedin. This year, and indeed for some seasons back, the Wellington Racing Club has shown every desire to make the annual meeting attractive ; and this year especially they have evinced a great deal of liberality in the amount of public money to be run for. The Wellington Cup is now the largest offered in the colony, for in addition to 500 Bovs, there is a gold cup to the value of another hundred ; and if owners are to he tempted at all one would naturally suppose that the chances of winning an event of this kind will have the effect of bringing a good field to the post. The arrangement made by the stewards to have the big event on the first day ought also to prove satisfactory to owners, because if it were put down as the principal feature on the second day’s programme, it would hardly pay owners to show their hand for the sake of smaller stakes, ond pay the penalty next day in the run for the Cup. Our representative visited the Hutt on Saturday last, and he just arrived at Fraser's in time to see Maritana, Grey Morans, The Agent, and Eversley, come back from their afternoon’s outing. Maritana is being cared for by Wattie, and looks in splendid fettle. Hankins has charge of The Agent, and Clifford is looking after Eversley. Grey Momus, like the other three, has been doing good steady work since going to Fraser's, but their work will be of a more earnest character during the present ■week and up till the Tuesday before the races.' Mr. Fraser has accommodation for thirteen racers altogether, and by the end of the present week he expects to be full up. Several of the stewards paid a visit to the course on Saturday, and it is now thrown open for training purposes. The Hawea brought up six horses from the South, and they arrived yesterday afternoon In excellent condition. Mr. Vallauce brings three—Mufti, Merlin, and Lady Ellen ; Mr. B. P, Butler brings Laertes (formerly the late Mr. Gilligan’s, which Mr. Butler bought at auction in Christchurch a few days ago), and Mr. Horsfall brings Ratcatcher and King Quail. The horses were taken to Mountain’s stable for the night, and will be taken to the course to-day. There was a rumor about a few days ago that Mr. Horsfall did not intend being represented at the forthcoming meeting, but the arrival -of Ratcatcher and King Quail yesterday puts an end to all doubts in- the matter. As to Fishhook, nothing positive is known, but among the cognoscenti it is believed that O’Brien intends reserving him for the Dunedin meeting. Longlands is doing good work in Christchurch, and will roach Wellington on Thursday next, as will also Titania aud Bribery. Bata will put in an appearance on Wednesday. Merlin will be the only Southern representative in the Derby. Up to the present time speculation has been limited, and whatever betting has been done has been mainly confined to the Cup, The latest quotations are as follows: Longlands .. .. 3to 1 Afaritana .. .. Bto 1 Mufti 3to I Sailor .. .. 10 to 1 Titania sto 1 King Quail -. 10 to 1 Laertes 6to 1 Lady Grey .. 10 to 1 Danebury .. .. oto 1 Fohokura.. .. lOtol Flshook .. .. 6to 1 Diver ~ .. 12 to 1 Lara 7to 1 Pnnga .. .. 15 to 1 Kata Sto 1 Venus Transit .. 15 to 1 Camballo .. .. Bto 1 Morning Star .. 15 to 1 The general entries will be made at the Empire Hotel to-night, when the final 7 sovs. will be paid in the Cup. As soon as the final acceptances are made known the above quotations will probably undergo considerable alteration. At present Longlands and Mufti stand at equal odds, but the former appears to inspire the greatest amount of confidence.