The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-31 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

The first legitimate race meeting will commence to-mor-
rnw at Northampton. The gatherings which have pre-
ceded it scarcely come under the denomination of legi-
timate," for they were held as much for the promotion of
steeplechase sports as for the decision of flat races. By
genuine turfmen they were scarcely recognised, and
although they answered the purposes of speculation, and
gave brisk employment to a large class of restless book-
makers, yet they were marked by incidents which are not
likely to be long remembered, and which will exercise no
important influence over the betting on the great spring
handicap and three-yr-old races, which have yet to be
decided. Indeed, for the future prosperity of some of the
early meetings, and for the popularity of cross-country
events, the sooner certain discreditable "doings" that were
associated with them are forgotten the better. It is, there-
fore, with no little feeling of relief and satisfaction that
thorough racing men turn from the mixed and spurious lists
of sport which nave recently been submitted to them to the
programmes of the Northampton and other meetings which
are compiled for the legitimate purposes of racing. The
appointed sport is of a character sufficiently important to
draw together all sorts of conditions of turfites, and
bring again into communication individuals who have
not met since the real racing season was, to all intents and
purposes, closed at Newmarket in NoN;ember last. Not
only the events immediately to be decided excite the atten-
tion and rouse the curiosity of the visitors to Northampton,
but the running of certain horses and the issue of certain
encounters will be eagerly watched by all persons who have
"books" on the leading Spring Handicaps, the Derby, and
other important weight-for-age races. Not unfrequently
the execution of ltrge commissions is commenced at North-
ampton, where, in former years, significant changes have
been made in the betting on the Chester Cup, TWO
Thousand, and Derby. The meeting under notice is not
likely to furnish any exception to the rule. The pro-
gramme issued is very attractive, there being about eight
hundred guineas clear of public money spread over the six-
teen races to be decided during the two days, so that the
dozen already closed have good entries, the aggregate num-
ber of animals engaged in the Northamptonshire Stakes,
Whittlebury, Althorp Park Stakes, St. Liz Handicap, and
Earl Spencer's Plate being unprecedented. These five
prizes alone are worth an average of seven hundred
guineas each; and the Trial Stakes and Queen's Plate (yet
to close) being always great features here, there will be ne
lack of interest on either day.

The Great Northamptonshire Stakes is the principal
event to be decided. A great many horses have
been backed for a deal of money—Prince Plausible,
Dusk, Schism, West End, and Rapparee being nearly on
an equality in the market. Dusk, at the present time of
writing, holds the position of first favourite, and deserve 17
so, as a better judge of the capabilities of a horse than Toni
Parr is not to be found on the turf. He is a slow horse,
but is sure to stay over this severe course, and, if not the
actual winner, is almost certain to get a place. West End?
Schism, Ducat, Prince Plausible, Stampedo, and Rappares
have all been leniently dealt with by the handicapper ; and
although Ducat has not as yet met with any support, 1
would give him the preference over all others, if his owner
brings him to the post with winning orders ; but, from pre-
sent movements in the market, ho will in all probability be
an absentee. With this reservation I anticipate seeing