The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-19 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

DOINGS AT DONCASTER AND DERBY
Business was briskly pursued during the past week.
but with no decidedly profitable results. The miserable
rneetlng which was celebrated amidst snow and rain at
Derby possessed little attraction, and only a few dread-
nought book-makers assisted at the gathering. Still the
encounter between Rosa and Freetrader, for the Mid-
land Steeplechase, excited a most lively interest, and
rendered the spectators indifferent to the inclement
weather. For nearly a mile the two horses ran "locked
together," and after a slashing set-to Rosa was landed
the winner by the shortest of short heads. Although
her owner calculated with some certainty upon her suc-
cess, yet he was in consequence of her running at Coven-
try afraid to back her for sixpence. She was, in fact,
scarcely mentioned in the Ring, and perhaps the largest
investment on her was made by a shrewd judge, who,
boldly following his own " fancy," put on a "poney."
The Two-year-Old Race was chiefly remarkable for the
somewhat easy victory of the Bold Buccleucb, who so
sorely disappointed his party in the preceding week at
Nottingham. They backed him, however, on the pre.
sent occasion with considerable confidence, and if report
be true they had good grounds for their fondness. After

his inglorious exhibition he was tried with Garment,
who ran second to the Coroner at Nottingham, and be
heat her easily. The failure of the Derby Meeting was
sufficient to discourage the getters up of the under-
taking, who work hard to insure its prosperity, and who
derive no pecuniary assistance from the inhabitants.
A "special " was obligingly "put on" at Swinton, in
connection with the ordinary train for the convenience
of those turfites who attended the races at Derby, and
who wished to reach Doncaster on Monday evening.
Soon after 10 o'clock they were enabled to put in an ap-
pearance in the handsome and commodious subscription
room in the prim and clean Yorkshire Town. The
night, however, was not devoted to business, and
throughout the evening not a bet was laid.

Mr. Morris was in full force with his three Cs, Cossey,
Caliph, and Corin, his orange and white cap being borne
in triumph for the three leading handicaps of the meet-
ing. A trial between Cossey and Prince Plausible caused
the former to be heavily backed for the Doncaster Han-
dicap, and the result of the race proved him to be a
"good thing" indeed. The start was made in so bungling
a manner that the chances of certain animals were in
consequence materially affected. Alonzo lost much
ground, or in my opinion he would have been still nearer
at the finish. Cartwright, too, caught a "blowing up"
for making the running with King of Trumps, his orders
being to " wait." Freddy's performance, and Van
Winkle's success for the Trial, seemed to increase the
" fondness" with which Corcebus is regarded for the
Metropolitan Stakes.

The Hopeful Stakes brought out a rough and ragged
lot, but the " talent," nevertheless, succeed in spolting
the winner. Wells rode Wandering Willie with admir.
able tact and patience, and he showed that the mistake);
which he sometimes makes are occasioned more by care-
lessness than by errors of judgment. Aldcroft com-
plained with much justice after the race of being forced
on to the rails, and stoutly asserted that but for the dis-
appointments with which he met he should have won on
Bold Buccleuch.

The exhibition which Augustine and Wanderer made
for the Steeplechase excited unmitigated disgust. &a-
man was allowed to pass the post three lengths in advance
of Augustine ; and the curious spectacle was presented
of the winner slopping ft om sheer exhaustion, and the
second horse " pulling double." Bourton's leg gave
way at a time when his forward position excited the
most lively expectations of his chance. The old horse
jumped in his wonted splendid style.
Altogether, the DoncaAer Meeting was most success-
ful. The officials, as usual, worked with a cordial co-
operation and unity of purpose which commanded the
most beneficial results.

I was not at either Think or Salisbury. I shall not,
therefore, refer to the racing at those places. From the
returns publi6hed, however, the Northern Meeting ap-
pears to have completely distanced the Southern
Gathering.