SPORTING.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 538, 3 August 1869, Page 3

SPORTING.

The Argus of the 13th inst. contains the latest information with regard to the state of the betting upon the great handicaps, as follows : —The settling on Croxton-park Steeplechases took place yesterday, at Kirk's Bazaar. Advantage was taken of the large assemblage of sporting men to transact business on future events, and speculation became more animated than usual. The Melbourne Cup, of course, was the principal attraction, Sheet Anchor being backed for £IOOO at 100 to 6, and Salem Scudder for a similar amount at 100 to 5. Freetrader, too, during the past day or two, has been supported to the extent of nearly £2OOO at .100 to 5. Strop had backers at 200 to 6 ; Shenandoah at 200 to S ; Lamplighter at 100 to G; Phosphorus at 200 to 4; and Miranda at 100 to 2. Tor the A.J.C. Derby, the Pop was inquired after, but the bookmakers were not disposed to concede the odds wanted ; but in the double event—Derby and Metropolitan—he was taken in conjunction with Tiui Whiffler, Warrior, and the Earl, for the latter race at 100 to 15 each. For the same events 250 to 5 was accepted about Lumplighter and Italian, and 1000 to 5 was taken in favour of Lamplighter for the Sydney Dcby, Italian for the Metropolitan, and Lamplighter for the Melbourne Cup. Warrior is becoming a very warm favourite for the Metropolitan Stakes, as also is Italian, against whom 100 to 9 was laid yesterday, with every sign of a much shorter price being taken before the day. The Earl was very firm for the great Sydney event, but Manuka, the New Zealand champion, was much easier in the market, in consequence of his non-arrival from New Zealand. A telegram from Hobart Town states that GoodalPs report relative to the prospects of the Tower-hill quartz reefs is most satisfactory. There are three reefs on the land. He has put in four cross-cuts in No. 1. The reef averaged from Bft to Bft thick. The deepest cross-cut is 10ft in the solid reef. The gold is better and rougher the deeper the cut goes. The grain of the stone is said to be similar to that at Clunes, with all accompanying indications. He considers the prospect extraordinary. The place "is a complete network of reefs, and there are 50 miles of country to the north all as likely, which has never yet been prospected. Peefs Nos 2 and 3 have yielded rich specimens on the surface, but have not yet been tested.