The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-01 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE DERBY DAY DREAM DISPELLED.
" The Dream's here still; even when I wake, it is
Without me, as within me ; not imagined, felt."
The Cockney's annual holiday was yesterday cele-
brated at Epsom Downs, and was marked by its usual
incidents of riotous fun, excitement, and mirth. The
weather was most propitious ; the sun shone gaily, and
the atmosphere was fresh and balmy. To describe the
leading characteristics of a Derby Day would, however,
occupy more time than I can well spare. My present
business is with the race.

An egregious mistake was made with Dervish. The
prejudice which existed against him was well-founded,
and it was shared by almost every person except his
trainer and friends. On what grounds John Scott built
his confidence it is difficult to determine, and what ex-
planation he will give of the horse's running to its owner
I shall be rather curious to ascertain. They who boldly
declared that he would never get round Tattenham
Corner with the leading horses had their predictions
fulfilled to the letter. The partiality for An-
dover increased up to the very hour of start-
ing, and never were horses saddled that looked
in finer condition than he and his stable companion
Hermit. Andover won with ease. He is the joint pro-
perty of Mr. Gully and Mr. Padwick. The latter gen.
tlernan has this season had a large share of the good
things of the turf, as the successes which he has achieved
with Virago, Scythian, Prince Arthur, and others,
amply testify. The Andover party backed their horse
with unflagging spirit to the last, and, consequently,
win a large stake. Book-makers, of course, "throw
out." The settling is likely to be satisfactory, although
in certain quarters time, it has been already hinted, will
be required. Had King Tom, however, won, a "tight-
ness" in the market would doubtless have been long ex-
perienced, This horse ran well and gamely, and had no
accident befallen him, his owner, it is just possible,
would at last have gained the much coveted "blue
riband." Under the circumstances, the defeat of King
Tom was a heavy blow, and sore discouragement, to
Baron Rothschild. The Trapper met with an accident
on Tuesday, and was "scratched." He overpowered
the boy the boy that was riding him at exercise, and
bolted into a hedge. Bad hedging this for his backers.
Autocrat went to the post. No attempt, however, was
made to start him with the other animals. When the
flag was lowered he was fully twenty lengths in the
rear !

—.. •
My calculations as to the result of the race were not
utterly upset. My confidence in Dervish was misplaced,
and in giving him the precedence over Andover and
Hermit only was I wrong. The above notes hastily
penned contain all the little particulars of interest which
I can at present think of. I shall, however, take ano-
ther glance at the Derby and the Doings when the
meeting is brought to an ending post.
Notwithstanding John Scott's ill-luck yesterday, for-
tune may yet take a turn in his favour. I shall expect
an animal from his stable to win the Oaks. Indeed,
the betting indicates the race to be reduced to a match
between ➢Zeteora and Bribery. To Meteors, I shall give
the preference. The minor stakes I shall not touch
upon.
June 1. A FRESH MAN.