SPORTING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 894, 26 February 1879, Page 2

SPORTING.

0 " TIM WHIFFLER'S" TIP FOR THE CUP.; To-morrow Autumn Race Mooting v.'ilHjf commenced on tile ForCourse, lUityrom all appearances is liloeLy to provide some excellent for the accptances Wor all tliojgvents good. I shall Iftt the winners of the lWny minor races which assist in making uSone of the most liberal programmes ever ssbmittedin tno Colony, for "they do not possess a great amount <sL interest for sporting men. I may just remark, however, that several Oamaru horses are entered for various events, amongst the number being a very promising colt belonging io Mr. A. Paterson, by Ham—Little Lady, entered for t-lie Maiden Plate and the Ladies' Purse ; a filly by CJnssivclaunus —Sorceress, owned by Mr. Swanson, and engaged in the same events : our old friend Blue Peter, who has once more entered the lists for the Dunedin Cup ; and several others who figure in the Selling Race. And now for the big event. Templeton has rightly been made top weight, and with equal justice has been installed first favorite, for a more game racehorse never appeared upon a IN ew Zealand racecourse. Nine stone nine is a big weight for any horse to carry to the front in such company as Templeton will have to meet, but the little horse has previously proved himself a good weight carrier, and the Dunedin course is one that suits him. If intended for the race, I believe he can win it, but "there's the rub." "Ray has so many strings to his bow, and good ones too, for Titania, Maritana, and Sinkinc Fund are 110 mean rivals for the other horses engaged in the big rS.ce. Titania, with 7st 121bs, could win the race I believe, if called upon to do so, and between her and Templeton will lay the stable's choice. As the latter is the more trustworthy of the two, and carries the largest share of the stable's money, I fancy he a will be the chosen one. Fishhook, with Ost Gibs, is another well-known and dangerous animal, and being the sole representative of the stable, since the scratching of Xatator, will unquestionably go for the big stakes. He too has been freely backed by the stable ; but there have been peculiar reports about him, and as he lias been knocked about a great deal in the. betting, I cannot believe that he will win. Fallacy will not be found amongst the starters, and Mata I do not think good enough to win. There has been some stir about Chancellor, owing to the reputed results of several trials, and. lie has for some time divided honors in the betting market witli Templeton. But I do not place much reliance upon private trials, and as he is an uncertain animal in point of running, I shall not look to him to provide the winner, though if in the humour lie may prove dangerous, more especially as his owner is known to go for

the stakes on all occasions. Yenns Transit, King Philip, Cloth of Gold, Blue Peter, Benjiroo, Dead Heat, Vampire, King Quail, Sapphira, and Boiardo I do not consider good enough to lead their horses home, while York I shall dismiss with the remark that Chancellor, and liotthe cnesnut, will be the chosen of; the stable. Nemo is another of the uncertain ones, and cannot be relied upon. Camballo, the last on my list, is fancied by many, but as yet he has not done anything to warrant my placing confidence in him. He may be able to win, but Ido not think he possesses the quality to do so in such good company. Taking all these things into consideration, I arrive at the conclusion that the horse selected by Ray will win ; he is the best trainer in the Colony, and, as a judge of the capabilities of racers, he cannot be surpassed. Titania may be chosen, but I think the little horse will be selected, and, therefore, expect to see Templeton win, with this reservation, that if he is not intended Titania will be the iirst past the post. Fishhook and Chancellor, will, I think, prove the other two to get into places.