CAP AND JACKET

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 38, 4 June 1881, Page 416

CAP AND JACKET

MY NOTE BOOK,

By "Saul."

"Is Saul also amongst tlic prophets." — "When the mail left 'Frisco, Peregrine was favourite for the English Derby at 3 to 1. — There is to be a steeplechase match at the Thames next month between Misfortune and Atlantic. — There are rumours of a steeplechase meeting at Cambridge in November. — So Harry Prince has bought Mata ! Query : Was he ever sold, in the first instance P — Bob Blaikie goes to Sydney for a few weeks holiday. What will Damon Lyons do without his Pythias ? — The local ring men have opened books on the C.J.G., and are laying fine prices. Anyone who knows a good thing may make a small fortune. — Windsor, a half-brother to Musket, ran third for the International Handicap, at Newmarket Craven meeting. — The Great Metropolitan Stakes, on the first day of Epsoui spring meeting, were won by Mr A. Brigg's Brown Bess ; Lord Falmonth's Apollo, second ; and the American colt Mistake, third. — Drake, the bookmaker, whose trouble was referred to in Wednesday's Herald, has come out all right. The charge was dismissed, and, it need scarcely be said, Mr. Drake left the Court " without a stain upon his character." — Dr. Waddington, M.D., the much esteemed Cambridge medico, paid a visit to the Stud Company's farm last week, and was agreeably surprised to find that his filly foal by Musket, dam Jenny land, is a counterpart, as far as appearances go, to the Sylvia colt foal by the same sire, which was sold to the Hon. Mr James White the other clay for 1250 guineas. — 'The Americans are having great luck in England this season. At Newmarket Craven Meeting, Count Festetic's Berzencze won the big handicap, the American colts Mistake and Bookmaker running second and third. On the following day Mistake won the International Handicap, with Count Lagrange's Poulet second, and Windsor third. — " Mazeppa " fancies the chances of Sir Modred, Natator, Grip, Betrayer, Randwiek, Lure, Chancellor, Lady Emma, Leveller, Soninus, The Governor, Norseman, Gorton, and Luna for the C.J.C.; and reducing these to half a dozen, plumps for The Governor, Betrayer, Chancellor, Randwick, Lure, and Lady Emma. — At the annual meeting of the C. J.C., it was resolved to request the new committee, if possible, to arrange for a totalisator on the course at the ensuing Spring Meeting. A reference to the accounts presented at the meeting showed that the handsome sum of £318 2s. was realised as the share of the club from the use of Messrs. Hobbs and Goodwin's totalisator at the Spring Meeting in November last. — The Poet winning the Birthday Cup at Dvmedin, is rather a " facer " for " Picaror, jun.," who, in his article on the Stud Company, " slated " the colt's sire, Anteros. I don't at all agree with " Picador, jun." about Anteros. Considering he is only a new sire, his progeny are very fair. Witness the performances of The Governor and The Poet. A little fact is worth a cartload of theory. — At Northhampton meeting Sir George Chetwynd's eh. f. CEnone (by Hermit — La Belle Helene) won Earl Spencer's Plate (5 furlongs), beating Eastern Empress, Golden Eye, and fifteen others. The same owner carried off the Althorp Park Stakes for two-year-olds with Comely (by Winslow — Belle of Ears), beating Calabressa, Comedian, and eight others. In the Northamptonshire Stakes the favourite — Baron Rothschild's Commandant — was too much for Schoolboy, and the long looked for Sun of York carried off the Cup. — From a cablegram to the San Francisco papers I gather that there were twenty-four starters for the City and Suburban Handicap, at Epsom Spring Meeting. Petronel, who is but the shadow of his former self, led the preliminary canter ; and Foxhall (ridden by Greaves) and Barrett (ridden by Hopper) were the American competitors. The favourites at the start proved to be Buchanan (winner of the Lincolnshire Handicap), Bonnie Mardeu, and Prestonpans. Coming down the hill, after turning Tattenhain Corner, Foxhall and Barrett held good places • but, entering the straight, Post Obit took the lead. Here Bend Or and Foxhall challenged; and Archer, coming on Bend Or with a terriffic rush, similar to that with which on the same horse he landed the Derby, won the race by a length and a-half from Foxhall, who was a length only in front of Post Obit. Time, 2min. 27secs. Betting : 100 to 7 against the winner, and 20 to 1 against Foxhall. The enthusiasm excited by Bend Or's victory was tremendous. — Mr. Horsfall, feeling dissatisfied with the riding of Carrington on King Quail in the Papakura Handicap, has "sacked" him. A more unjust proceeding was never consummated. The boy rode splendidly, and did his level best to win the race. The fact is, no jockey in the world could make King Qnail concede that amount of weight to Grand Duchess when in her proper form, and Horsfall ought to know it. If the " talent " had believed the mare to be really well, she, and not King Quail, would have started first favourite. It was only because eyeryone thought her quite "off" that she was let alone. I am very sorry, indeed, Carrington is leaving the district. He was not only a very promising horseman, but a quiet, well-bred lad, with nice manners. Instead of hanging about pubs, and cursing and swearing like other jockeys when at country meetings, he stayed by his horse, and might be seen of an evening reading the paper or otherwise amusing himself quietly. The boy can hold his tongue, too (invaluable characteristic in a jockey), and is not to be got at with chaff. Instead of replying rudely, he merely nods his head and smiles — a reply which conveys nothing, and yet satisfies. Altogether Carrington is an A 1 servant in a racing stable, and it will be long before Horsfall gets another like him. I wish the boy luck.