The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-27 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

FROM NEWMARKET.

The first of the series of October Meetings was in-
augurated right merrily ; the air was clear and fragrant,
and an unclouded sun shone with true autumnal bril-
liancy. The quickening genial influence of the atmosphere
disposed all persons to enjoyment, and the interest of the
sport was pleasantly sustained to the end. The proceed-
ings commented at half-past twelve o'clock, and were
brought to a termination at half-past four. They
were, however, marked by few incidents of
prospective importance. The encounter between
Dirk Hatteraick and Rambling Katie was, perhaps, the
most interesting event of the day. 6to 4 'was betted on
Dirk, but his partisans were not remarkably "fond."
He certainly appeared winning within a few strides of
the chair ; he ran the strongest, but Katie ran the longest,
and after a rousing race defeated him by the shortest of
short heads. Indeed so "close a touch" was it that
neither jockey knew which wen. This performance is
by many persons regarded as furnishing a decisive proof
as to the comparative insignificance of Dirk Hatteraick's
Derby pretensions ; but although I do not fancy that in
Dirk Hatteraick Lord Eglinton will find either a Van
Tromp or a Flying Dutchman, yet I believe that in him
he possesses a horse likely to winter well and train on to
a high degree of improvement.
The Eastern Counties Handizap brought out only ten
runners. Alembic was made the favourite, and but for
the badness of his start some people were inclined to
think he would have carried the "straw" in triumph.
Old Rowley, however, was "turned loose," and won
without an effort. It will be seen by a reference to The
Sun of Monday night, that in the "lot" which I indicated
to be favourably handicapped, were the first, second,
and third horses.

Alembic made ample "compensation " for not winning
the Handicap by carrying off the Triennial Stakes. This
achievement, however, scarcely satisfied his party, and
ho was again brought out to (to battle for the Grand
Duke Michael Stakes. Although his two former per-
formances were calculated to " take the steel out of
him," yet he proved a troublesome opponent to the
Trapper, and was with difficulty stalled off. Alembic
has evidently regained somewhat of his two-year-old
form, and his chance for the Cambridgeshire must not be
slightingly regarded.

In accordance with my anticipation, Clotilde won the
Hopeful Stakes. 'The betting on the events decided to-
day was very limited, and speculation on the Cesare-
witch and Cambridgeshire was at a stand still.
Now for a dip into the future. All persons seem
agreed that Bonnie Morn and Rifleman will meet on
Thursday for the Triennial Stakes for two-yrs-old, but
their opinions as to the relative chances of these horses
are widely different. That Bonnie Morn has not yet
been pitted against animals of a very high order of merit
is unquestionable, yet his victories have always been so
easily achieved as to warrant the belief in the superior
stamp of his pretensions. Rifleman, however, has twice
successfully encountered large fields composed of
"youngsters" of much mark and likelihood, albeit
he defeated them with apparent difficulty. In
support of this assertion I may merely refer to his
performance at York. Still he will prove a dangerous
antagonist to Bonnie Morn, but I shall scarcely be pre-
pared to see him vanquish the " gallant grey."
The Jockey Club is, it is whispered, about to astonish
the sporting world by passing some new resolutions for
the better conduct and maintenance of horse-racing.
Several abuses connected with the turf will, it is under-
stood, be inquired into, and, if possible, mitigated or
reformed altogether. So disgusted are certain members
of the club with the specimen of handicapping recently
published, and for which they are in a measure
responsible, that I believe a resolution will be moved
for the appointment of a " public handicapper," a resolu-
tion which will, I trust, be carried and immediately put
into operation.
Like the puddle of foul water, the mote people stir the
' Acrobat affair the more offensive it becomes. A certain
gallant admiral is, it is reported, threatened with an
action for libel by John Scott, for writing a letter to
Lord Derby about the proceedings at Doncaster, and
expressing his opinion in it with more of the freedom
and bluntness of a sailor than the reservation and cau-
tion of a lawyer.

A FaESU MAN.

Newmarket, Tuesday Night.