SPORTING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2686, 6 November 1876, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

_*. [By thb Dbuid.] Saturday morning being wet, I did not visit the training ground ; I therefore paid my last visit this morning, to see the various horses take their final flutter, previous to starting for tho money. The raoes to- morrow will commence with the Free Handicap, whioh, by- the- bye, looks on papor about the worst handicap Mr Lance has made. The highest weights not accepting, the next, Pungawerowere, will be raised from 7et 111 b to 91b j tho others in proportion, which means l«t 31b on eaoh horse. Mr Delamain will scarcely send his top weight, at with Titania, carrying 7st 81b, he stands a muoh better ohanoe of winning, for I cannot beliovo she will ever start for the Derby. Should Punga be the chosen one of the stable, she will win it; if not, Titania oan't lose it. Tadmor being in the 0.J.0. Handicap on suoh good terms will hardly throw his ohanoe away for this little money, and the same may be said of Isaao Walton, Ngaro, and Maroro. The Derby is a most open raoe. Dead Heat, the Fanny Fisher oolt, Danebury, and Fallacy, all have their bookers ; even the blowing Wrangler is not without friends. Dead Heat I don't edmire very maoh, his hind aotion not being gocd enough for a Derby winner. The Fanny Fisher oolt has pace — but oan he stay the distance P At the pace they will go, I think not ; and, besides, he i* given to bolting. His show, therefore, in the Derby will be to raoe Dead Heat for a plaoe. There are now only two left in, and both belonging to the same owner, whichever he elects to win with will be the one. From observations of a morning, I have plainly seen for some time pest that Fallaoy hat decidedly the foot of Danebury. I shall therefore give her as my tip for the Derby of 1876. In the OJ.O. Handicap, between Tadmor, Rob Roy, Fishhook, Maroro, Guy Fawkes, and Templeton we ought to have a splendid race. Whether Ngaro will be in it I don't know, bnt if she starts she is bound to be an awkward oustomer. But I really think the raoe, on account of the distance, will lie between Fithbook, Maroro, Tadmor and Rob Roy, Tadmor or Rob Roy being first past the poat. Tbe Railway Plate will be won by the best starter. From what I saw on Monday of the giraffe, Mangle, I think his ohanoe will be the very best, and I shall take bim to first oatoh the judge's eye, with Danebury close at bis heels. The winner of the Cup must very muoh depend upon the running of the Derby oolta. It they run well I Bee no reason why the same colt or filly should not alao win the Cup, the weight being always in favour of a three year old. Of the old horses I think Pungawerewere has deoidedly the best show. Should it be her day out, nothing young or old will live with her.