SPORTING GOSSIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3923, 12 September 1874, Page 5 (Supplement)

SPORTING GOSSIP.

By Manuka.

. I have a very serious grievance to complain of. No telegram from Rand wick. I sympathised with you, "Premier," in the manner you were treated by your stable companion over the Provincial Plate. You were quite right. Let them fix up the Land B andicaps to their own satisfaction but depend upon it, these local plates only bring a very indifferently trained class of animals to the post—for preliminary breathers, the Municipal Shakes fulfil all practical purposes. Give lip the Polynesian Guineas, it is not a good thing. 'You will never plgase those people who remit flannel bandage^ arid dickeys to thelifctle nigger.3, . It does not matter where you go to see them—whether •with Jonathan at Honolulu, Johnny Crapaud at Tahiti, or John Bull at Fiji, the re ■ Bultisthesanie. Talk about civilisingthemj yes, off the face of where all save thespirit of mail is divine. The Immigration Welter events are good enough. No doubt many of the acceptors want licking into- shape, but coaching and emulation will do wonders. It is,pp3sibje that a few will have to be sent over the hurdles by that astute artist who holds daily sittings in the Provincial Court, but the moat .of them will settle down to their work. That San Franciscor Sweep' was a mistake; you should have known better. \ Bxperientia dacet did not come off; bub never mind, you must pull off th^e Tg'-egragh gtakes. I am cohtident th,at you don't require firing, or even blistering ; a little relaxation and occasional draughts of Roederer and Gliquot will soon fix you up. But we cannot afford to turn you out yet, and I trust"that, ere another twelve months go round, that we.will not occupy the exceptional position of being the only Colony in* th,3 Australasian group exempt from ilie advantage;? of submarine telegraphy. The doubts and' hppea of thoseI*'1 *' interested in Randwiek will ere this be set at rest, and the all-important point of settling will next be discussed. The Blue Ribbon of the A.J;C. has been won, and with all Goldsbrough's pretentions, backed by th.3 careful preparation that no doubt has been bestowed upon him by Ashworth ', under the surveillance of the everwatchful John Tait, I cannot respect his. chances for the Metropolitan after the performances of the Governor's colt: According to every reasonable probability Kmgsborough must first catch tIVeK-juiSgeV §ye.- |?e bp anything bu? a gbo:d thnig for -the^ Ring, tod I can fancy the1 exultation in the event of any contretemps occurring. The Metropolitan is the race of the meeting, and consequently commands the largest Share p.f interest; :'l-:' ,-!V'-:.!

Contrary to previous intelligence, there is some talk of Lurline represencing Maoriland in the Metrop. I deem this excellent judgment on the part of Mr Redwood, as, assuming fitness, her chances $re infinitely bpt^ep |or that' event -j;han for the Cup. Calumny arrived safely and well in Sydney, and thdre can be no doubt •j)t|tisH« wilVtry «on9U^ions with % Ays,-

tralians. She will meet with no mean competitors, and if she should be fortunate enough to distance them Mr Redwood will be cheered to the echo for his pluck and enterprise. It is a serious risk sending valuable animals on a sea voyage, and, many were his sympathisers when his first venture went wrong —1 refer to Manuka, when he occupied a prominent positiorifor theMelbourneCup. The horses I prominently noted last week —Dagworth, Horatio, : The Arrow, and Fitz Yattendon—have all been doing strong work, so also has Reprieve, Poodle, and Goldsbrough, who occupies the position of first favourite for the Metropolitan since his Hawkesbury victory. if the report j»roves correct that he is sold for the sum of £3000, and scratched for that race, there will be great disappointment experienced by his backers, although I cannot have him placed if he starts. Rory O'More, who has performed on the flat and also over the sticks, has been backed, and no doubt the followers of Sam Harding give him credit for knowing what he is about, but I cannot entertain any respect either for his or the Maid of Avenel's prospects. If " Lamond " has got Fitz in proper form, he will prove a very dangerous foe, and may carry the spots in the van. Speculation, the winner of the last Sydney Cup, is not doing well, and his ailment seems to baffle the skill of both trainer and veterinary to determine. Upon the termination of Randwick, Melbourne Cup prospects will be the ail absorbing topic together with the other events at the "V. R. 0. meeting. [