The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-03 00:00:00

CHESTER AUTUMN MEETING.

The enterprise and industry of Mr. Topham are again
fully attested by the permanent establishment and grow-
popularity of the Chester Autumn Meeting—a " fixture"
which now holds a conspicuous position in our turf chro-
nicles. The programme gives abundant promise of in-
teresting sport, the liberal amount of added money-
-700/.—which is distributed among the different stakes,
having insured numerous entries. Of the character of
the probable competitors, however, it is at present impos-
sible to judge satisfactorily, as it is difficult to gather any
trustworthy information as to the intended animals.
No betting of importance has yet taken place on the
principal events, and rumour, that is generally busy
with all racing matters, has, in this instance, remained
somewhat perplexingly silent. The proceedings com-
mence to-morrow, the list of sport containing five items,
including three handicaps and one stake for two and three-
year-olds. The "Shorts" numbers 31 nominations, the
most attractive names in the list being Evadne, Maid of
Team Valley, Kiteflyer, Master Slender, Miss Agnes,
Patience, Eliza, and Punch-box. Whether these animals are
likely to " put in an appearance " is somewhat difficult
to determine, but calculating on a start, I shall select
Evadne, Kiteflyer, and Eliza, against the field.
Sixteen horses are entered for the Mostyn Stakes ;
Tom—an animal that has frequently figured in the Derby
betting being among the nominations. Should he start
he may be capable of achieving the victory, in his ab-
sence Barrel and Vaultress may obtain the foremo st
places in the race. To pick the winner for the Inn-
keepers' Plate a person should be endowed with second
sight. There are forty-two horses handicapped for it,
and so carefully have the weights been adjusted, that no
animal has a decided advantage. I shall, therefore,
merely indicate a " lot " that is likely to furnish the
winner, viz. :—Lerrywheut, Le Juif, Ethelwolf, May-
say, Game Tommy, Roger Thornton. The Handicap
of 5 sous each may terminate in favour of either Brides-
maid or Adelaide. Sir Robert, Alonzo, and Thirkleby,
are most worthy of notice for the Welter Cup. Should
Barrel be reserved to do battle for the Grand Stand
Handicap, I shall be induced to couple him with
Daphne, as being the most seemingly formidable com-
petitors.

The Chester Handicap, to be decided on Wednesday,
is deemed the principal event of the meeting. Upwards
of fifty horses are entered for it, and of these only three
or four have been backed. Hungerford is weighted at
Bst 121 b, and the satisfactory proofs he has recently given
of his improved racing ability are sufficient to justify
the expectations that are widely entertained of his suc-
cess. Nancy, it is said, is a certain starter ; should she
go to the post, the formidableness or insignificance of
her Cesarewitch chance will be pretty accurately deter-
mined. Her absence would, however, surprise me little
—her defeat less. The race will, perhaps, be won by
Hungerford ; in his default the most formidable animals
may be Truth, Costerdale, Candlewick, and Mr. Sykes.
Having no satisfactory information respecting Nancy,
I have purposely omitted her from my " select few."
The most important of recent movements relative to
the Cesarewitch, is that which caused the advancement
of Mr. Sykes to a somewhat short price in the betting.
I am informed that Neasham is undergoing a careful
preparation for the race, and that he looks and goes
well.

A FRESH MAN.

October 3.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby is spending a few
days at Stand Hall, near Manchester, the residence of
Mr. Statter.

CONTINENTAL MERCANTILE INTELLIGENCE.—The mer-
cantile intelligence from the continent on Saturday was
entirely without interest. At Paris the period to which
the Government will be able to defer a new loan con-
tinues to be a subject of discussion. The question as to
the mode in which Austria will continue to palliate her
financial difficulties, after having failed in her recent
endeavours to raise money in Bondon, will also be
watched with attention. The need of Russia, although
less urgent, is likewise notorious, since previously to her
recent increase of war expenditure she had shown her-
self unable to construct a railway at a cost limited to
4,000,0001. or 5,000,0001. without an appeal for English
capital.
PORT PHILIP.—The number of letters from merchants
and other respectable writers having connexions on this
side received by the Marlborough and the Essex from
Port Philip is very considerable, but they all agree in
their description of the state of the markets, not only as
regards provisions, but almost all other articles, except
building materials. The only point upon which they
differ is the extent of the gold production. The balance
of testimony in this respect, however, is decidedly on
the encouraging side, and when the experience of Cali-
fornia is taken into account, there is good reason to an-
ticipate in Australia a steady yearly increase, notwith-
standing the predictions to the contrary on the part of
those who have failed. Meanwhile, it is to be remarked
that the present cheapness of living, which has resulted
from the over shipments to the colony, must greatly in-
crease the prospect of the mines being efficiently worked,
since the net profits of the labour, and the consequent
temptation to resort to it, will be augmented in each
case in proportion to the diminution of expenses.