The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-06 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE DAY OF RECKONING.

_
The settling of the Epsom accounts still occupies the
time and engrosses the attention of turfites. Yesterday
the business of " squaring" was commenced, but it was
conducted with little briskness. Few persons seemed
inclined to "part," and the majority of turfites evidently
deemed "hold fast a good dog." The leviathan book-
maker, however, was discharging his liabilities with his
wontel promptness, and indeed with him it seemed to
be all paying and no receiving. He had no easy time
of it at Epsom ; it is calculated that over the Derby
alone he lost about 20,0001. On the Oaks, too,
be was a heavy loser. Any other animal in the race
would perhaps have " suited" him better than Mince-
meat. Many probable and actual defalcations are
hinted ; certain City men are already numbered
among the "hit and missing." Still the extent of
their liabilities is comparatively insignificant, and
their non-payment is likely to occasion only a slight and
temporary inconvenience. Had Dervish won the Derby
the cases of default would doubtless have been many and
serious. Indeed it is said that several persons "tra-
velled" on him. Be this report as it may, the individ-
uals under suspicion were at the Corner yesterday,
ready to meet all demands. I am, therefore, disinclined
to refer more explicitly to their somewhat equivocal con.
duct. Nothing definite as to the nature of the settling
will be discovered untii this afternoon.
The incidents connected with the " Oaks " were re-
markable only for the second defeat of John Scott. The
success of Meteora was deemed a certainty, and so good
a thing that odds were freely betted on her. Her trainer
placed implicit confidence in her ability to achieve
success, and it was boldly asserted and widely believed,
that she would meet no opponent in the race within 91bs.
of her ! Her defeat, however, was signal ; indeed she
seemed disinclined to make a finishing effort when called
upon by her jockey. No sooner did Mincemeat lead
her than she " shut up " like a jade. For some unac-
countable reason Tenipleman was "taken off" Meteora
to ride Sortie, a proceeding which created no little sur-
prise, and which was, by many persons, deemed likely
to hurt the feelings and damage the reputation of a long-
tried, honest jockey. The Derby and Oaks Stakes
—a recently established Selling Race will perhaps
not be readily forgotten by certain parties. Never
was the adage of the biters bit more strikingly
exemplified. Vaultress, a mare that was brought in on
Wednesday, after winning the Durdan Stakes for 260
guineas, was entered to be sold for 50/. The field was
bad, and her victory " bar an accident" seemed certain.
5 to 2 was consequently betted on her, but the " pot
boiled over." Child of the Mist, whose number had
been removed from the telegraph board, and who, it was
given out, would not etart, not only appeared in the
race, but, to the surprise of the spectators and the con-
sternation of the Vaultress party, actually beat the fa-
vourite. The scene of riot and confusion that ensued in
the weighing room was disgraceful. The race was
claimed for Vaultress, on the ground that Child of the
Mist had been duly scratched. The men whose duty it
was to attend to the telegraph, asserted that they were
ordered by some gentleman to withdraw Child
of the Mist's number. To add to the confusion,
however, and to the utter dismay of the Vault-
ress party, the owner of the Child of the Mist
declared iu the ring that he bad given no orders for the
withdrawal of the number. The case was referred to
the stewards, whose decision is not at my present writing
known. No doubt exists, however, with the public ad-
mission of Mr. Walker before them how they will award
the stakes. A more facile expedient for victimising the
public was perhaps never devised than a selling race, and
unless some law for the better regulation and conduct of
the3e " events" be not framed and enforced the sooner
they are abolished the better.
The Manchester Meeting will take place to-morrow
and on the two following days. The programme presents
a formidable array of stakes and nominations, and pro-
mises some important and interesting sport. The fields,
too, especially for the handicaps, will doubtless be
numerically strong. At present, however, so limited has
speculation been on the principal events set for decision,
that it is impossible to discover either the probable
starters or the intended animals.

The Meiklam Handicap comprises 21 entries, Cathe-
rine Parr and Peggy looking as worthy of an investment
as anything on paper. Both these animals are, how-
ever, also engaged for the Union Cup, for which their
chances may be, by their respective owners, deemed
more favourable. Should they therefore be reserved for
the Cup, Braxy and Hazlenut must represent my interest
for the Meiklain Handicap. To select a winner for the
Union Cup out of the 89 names set down, would indeed
puzzle a conjuror. I shall, therefore, merely indicate a
lot that I consider well in, and leave my reader to back
his fancy :—Koh-i-noor, Vanderdecken, Snowdon Dun-
hill, Typee, Catherine Parr, and Peggy. For the Pro-
duce Stakes—St. Clair and Punch Box will perhaps be
the foremost competitors. Lord Alfred and Yeutick are
the most attractive nominations for the Sapling Stakes.
Jouvence has been somewhat spiritedly backed for the
Tradesmen's Cup. She has, it is said, been tried with
Adine most satisfactorily. Still, should Adme start, I
shall be induced to give her the preference over the
French mare. Peggy's running will materially depend
upon the result of Wednesday's races, but on. paper her
chance does not appear insignificant. Lady Palmerston
and Lord Alfred will, should they meet, make an " inte-
resting match" for the Two-year-old Stakes. The other
races will be so influenced and regulated by the running
to-morrow and Thursday that it is impossible to enter
into a calculation of their probable result.
A FRESH MAN:
June 6th.