THE HAWKESBURY MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1240, 4 September 1875, Page 17

THE HAWKESBURY MEETING.

On Wednesday and Thursday next the first important meeting of the season will be held on the Hawkesbury, and there is no denying that it is invested with a most unusual interest. All eyes are directed to the running of the Guineas and Grand Handicap there, both of which events have been surrounded with considerable mystery during the winter months. The Guineas, for three-year-old colts and fillies, is thought to offer a splendid (rial for those engaged in the A. J.C. Derby, yet the issue of the one can scarcely determine the other, as they vary in both distance and weights. Last year this event was won by Kingsborough, who held the premiership against those of his year dxiring the entire season, and we can scarcely bring ourselves to think that the entry of so many good horses will be abandoned this year without a trial for supremacy. • At the present time the candidates promise to be Hyj>erion, The Valetta colt ; Clifton (late Richmond), and the Silvia colt, and possibly Barbara, Gillie Callum and Kismet may join in the fray. But added to Ringwood and the Nigger, who have been struck- out, we may expect to see Redwood, Valentia, Rose de Florence colt, Bullion, and per haps New Holland. Of the probable starters there is little to choose between Hyperion and the Valetta colt, though over a mile the former should be a shade the best. The Sylvia colt has had a very favourable trial, and his friends are sanguine that they can land the stake with him, and they may be right, for he is a colt of the highest class. Clifton Ido not know, but report speaks so well of him that it is impossible to pass his name over. We now come to the Hawkesbury Grand, for which, all through, I have entertained the highest opinion of Goldsborough's chance. He has been given to us as a possible non-starter, the stable not having their money on. Still I observe that the excellence of his condition is so highly and continually spoken of, that we have the assurance of his being in (readiness if required. The defcttion in the Calumny interest is said to have been brought about by a trial, in which the touts declare that the little chesnut was wanting. Therefore we must dip lower in the scale, and look to Sweetbriar, Kingof the West, or Sentinel for some assistance. That these light weights will run very forwcird there is every reason to believe, and from all I hear it is quite possible that the grey may prove the best horse. He is well known to have been one of the best mile horses in the colony under 9 st ; why then should he not be equal to two miles under 6 st 4 lb ? I do not say that the argument will at all times hold good, though I am prepared to see it in this instance. The other two mentioned are equally well off as regards weight, and must be held to be dangerous. I shall, however, abstain from giving any more definite opinion until I reach head-quarters. — Melbourne Leader.