The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-15 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES,

The Wolverhampton Meeting, under the patronage of
Lord Stamford, went off with great eclat. The first race
on the opening day was the Ladies' Plate. Nemo, who
came with an improved reputation, was made a warm
favourite ; but, after taking his preliminary canter, his
"washy" style of going gave heart to his opponents, and
some heavy shots were fired against him at 5 to 2 when the
flag was lowered. The spirit of those thus standing the
field against the crack was, as usual, rewarded with " first
blood," as the favourite, who exhibited much fractiousness
at the post, ran with great unkindness throughout, and was
easily disposed of by the neglected Queen of Crystal (late
Cuttie Queen), who won without an effort by a couple of
lengths. The Staffordshire Nursery Handicap produced
nine runners out of the thirty entered, Contract, a neat,
good looking filly, by Stockwell out of Fandango—
who was much fancied by her owner and friends for the New
Stakes at Ascot, for which event she was made second fa-
vourite to Liddington, but failed to obtain a situation—was
again intrusted with the patronage of her clever owner,
whose opinion was speedily endorsed by the talent, and in
consequence she left off with the call off the field , and the
issue was never in doubt, as, coming away at the distance,
she landed the odds and the stake without the slightest
difficulty, by a brace of lengths from Sympathy, who ap-
peared none the better for her easy defeat by Hope, at
Lewes. A quartette only could be induced to sport silk for
the Patshnll Stakes, with 100 soya added, which number,
however, was an improvement upon last year. 'The Clown,
from the form so recently exhibited by him, was at the
opening of the betting all the rage, but towards the close,
Ltifra, with Fordham up, came into notice, and (Jr some time
so near a thing was it considered between the pair that no-
thing else found favour. The finish of the race—one of the
closest "shaves" seen for some time justified the fondness
shown by the partisans of each, and exhibited fine horse-
manship on the part of both Custance and " the Demon,"
the former just screwing the last ounce out of the Merry-
man on the post, and snatching the judge's fiat by the
shortest of heads. With the exception of Nemo the four-
teen on the card were coloured for the Wolverhampton
Stakes, which, on this occasion was brought forward to
strengthen the card for the opening day, but as was anti-
cipated, Dollar frightened the remnant of those accepting
from the field, which at last resolved itself to half a dozen
only, three less than last year. The betting, if so it could
be called, was centered in the "Frenchman," and for
some days antecedent be was backed at evens against the
field, and in the City on Monday odds were freely
invested upon his chance. The result, however, was
one of those occasional turns up that have recently favoured
the ring, as Oldminster. with 111 b. more than last year, and
receivingbut 31b from the favourite, lay in front throughout
and landed the odds for the second year with extreme ease
amid the enthusiastic cheering of the public,with whom his
straightforward trainer appears to be a general favourite.
The attendance of general company here on the " Cup
day" is usually much larger than on the first day of the
meeting, and on the present day there was no appearance
of a falling off. The stand and enclosure gave, however,
evidence of the departure of many of the principal patrons
of the meeting; but the rlag mustered in its usual force,
the majority of them leaving for Reading by the evening
trains. The card contained the same number of items as its
predecessor. The first, the Stamford Biennial, was set down.
for L3O, to suit the convenience of those journeying south-
wards.,Baragah having arrived during the morning, put to
flight the majority of those intending to run, and bat three
moderate animals were found bold enough to try con-
clusions with him. 3to 1 was freely laid upon his chance.
The race was never in doubt, as Lord Zetland (receiving
71b) was in difficulties a quarter of a mile from home, and
Ashmall, waiting to the stand, won without an effort. Im-
mediately after the race 1,100 to 100 was taken about the
St. Leger. Those who took my advice six weeks ago, when
he was at 30 to I, will have no reason to regret their in-
vestments,as they can now hedge their money at 8 to 1. No
doubt the horse will see even a much shorter price before
the eventful day arrives. The Chillington Stakes, from
the fact of Victorious being on the course,waa shorn of its
fair proportions. The Grappler and Trumpeter, a moderate
brute from Cliff's stable, being his only adversaries. The
betting, as might have been expected with suck form to
oppose him, settled down to 8 to 1, and in same instances as
much as 10 to 1 was laid on Mr Hodgman's colt. The Shig_
nall stable, however, made no secret of their colt%
seeing hie number side by side with that
of
chance, and took 100 to 12 freely about him, and they
were rewarded
Theby latter it appears came prepared for a walk
Victorious.
running N,itla astonishing game-
over, not having been set over night or plated, and the race
being run at a "clinking" pace the favourite was in diffi-
culties iwinyanuap;edbatto, save his owner's money by making
by Revolver, mainly through the
ncuesltsi,ebsehajus
a dead heat of it. After the Cleveland Cup—which was
favourite, Colonel CcolelovneerllyCrockett, bolting—the deciding heat for
the Chillington was run off. Victorious on this occasion
was ridden with spur, and proved himself the better animal
of the two, although the finish was too near and prolonged
to be pleasant to those standing the issue, as he only just
got home a neck in advance after a most liberal supply of
steel. Prescription, without an effort, disposed of the three
animals opposed to him in the Borough Members' Plate.
The Wrottesley Stakes followed and attracted four to the
post. Dawdle, from the money she was entrusted with
was speedily elevated to the premiership in the betting,
The confidence of her backers was rewarded by the very
hollow manner in which she distributed her field. Her sale
placed 125 soya. to the credit of the fund. The day's sport
was brought to a satisfactory conclusion with the Holyeake
Stakes, for whi,sh the Lady Evelyn colt was an immense
"pot," and he won as he pleased.
The Eghatn and Oxford Meetings take place this week.
The King John Stakes (run for at E,ghare) has Lemonade
and Antimacassar amongst the entries, one of which ought
o furnish the winner. The Runnymede Stakes should be
Iwon by Peon and the Scurry Sweepstakes by Lord of the
alanor.
The
The Oxford Oxford
Stakes
place on Thursday and Friday.
fail to go to Danebury, as John
eeng
cannot takes
Day has three engaged out of the acceptances, and the
mince of Wel CE Stakes to either Grappler or Antiniacassar.
vRESII MAN.