The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-18 00:00:00

SPORITAG YOTES.

A PARTHIAN GLANCE.
Tile only meeting of real importance, celebrated last
week, was that at Reading ; the others, that were
crowded ieto the five days, were not marked by an inci-
dent scarcely worth remembering, and were mainly dis•
tinguished for their meagre supply of sport. And no
wonder, for notwithstanding the facilities of railway
.traveffing,, neither horses nor men can long endure the
mod and turmoil attendant upon rapid movements from
place to place. Besides, too, animals are now being re-
served for important engagements at York, Doncaster,
Newmarket, and other autumnal gatherings. Last
week there were too many meetings by half, and clerks
of courses were taught a lesson which is likely to render
them more cautious in making their " fixtures." At
Wolverhampton the sport was a complete failure, and
the proceedings being tediously and unnecessarily ex-
tended to three days, dragged their slo w length along,' until
the most ardent supporter of the meeting became weary
and dissatisfied. This great drawback from the success of
the meeting will, however, be obviated next year, when
I am informed that the suggestion which I have fre-
quently made in the columns of The Sun, to the effect of
limiting the gathering to the Monday and Tuesday, will
be adopted. The committee may then calculate upon
providing two days interesting sport, and by persuading
the Reading people to hold their meeting on the Wed.
nesday and Thursday they will avoid all prejudicial
claehin. The race committee at Wolverhampton -Con-
sists of good men and true, who, ever earnestly and with
a cordial co-operation, endeavour to promote the pros-
perity of their undertaking. Their management is legi•
timately conducted, and their arrangements for the
accommodation of the public are always made on a liberal
scale. For these reasons I am anxious to see the meeting
elevated to that position among racing fixtures which,
with a little judicious management, it will surely attain.
Mr. Topharn did all he could for Lewes, and next year,
when the meeting will take place on the two days fol-
lowing Brighton races, he will receive the first " instal-
ment" of the reward which his untiring exertions in the
pursuit of spert under difficulties richly deserve.
The Abingdon meeting, which was conducted by a
most incompetent staff of officials, and which only re•
quires a little practical knowledge en the part of the
promoters of it to become popular, interfered most an-
noying'y with Mr. Frail's plans at Ludlow. Mr. Frail,
however, is not the man to be easily discouraged ; and
considering the difficulties which he encountered, I am
surprised that ho was enabled to command so satisfac-
tory a supply of sport.
The racing keidents of the week were neither many
nor important. Pretty thy won the Lewes Handicap on
the Monday, albeit it was evident that his stable com-
panion, Mary, could, if " wanted," have galloped ever
him at the finish. He was afterwards sent to Reading
for the Berkshire Stakes, and so great a certainty was
his success deemed that 6 to 4 was betted on him.
Brother to Grey Tommy, however, spoiled the good
thing, and afforded all persons a pleasant opportunity
of congratulating that ripe and true sportsman, Mr.
Drinkald, on the triumph of his colours. By the way,
Mr. Drinkald possesses two youngsters of much mark
and likelihood in Black Tommy and M. Dobbler, both of
whom will, I expect, one day distinguish themselves.
The race between Gemma di Vergy and Zaidee has been
correctly described as the most close and interesting of
the season. As a trainer remarked to me, it was worth
going a hundred miles to see. Gemma di Vergy ran
with indomitable gameness. At the distance he appeared
beaten, but he struggled on to the ead, got up in the
last few strides, and won by only a short head,
or as some provincial judges would have said " by a
nose." Kendal rode the winner admira'aly, and his
handling of the horse justified the opinion, which I have
frequently expressed, as to his being one of the most
skilful and resolute horseman of the day. Gemma di
Vergy's performance at Reading, however, was perhaps
scarcely so extraordinary as that at Abingdon, where,
after losing about a hundred yards start, and with a
Sibs penalty on his back, he made up his lost ground,
and brought his backers through in triumph.
Sandboy ran second twice in the week, but people are
becoming so accustomed to see the black jacket and
orange cap in that position that the circumstance has
ceased to be sutprisiog. They, however, who saw the
race at ‘Volverhamptou declare that Sandboy ought to
have beaten Goldhill, and so he ought if there be any
truth in the running fir the Goodwood Stakes.
The "Stewards' Subscription List," for the benefit of
the injured jockeys at Goodwood and the Chichester
lofirmary, has only received donations to the amount
of 3591., and this paltry sum has been subscribed by men
who think nothing in the wag; of business of risking their
thousands on the result of a single rec .. The insignificant
sums subscribed show a parsimony and an indifference
which I thought had no existence amongst racing men.
The York meeting, which will commence on Wednes-
day, will be most interesting. To•tnerrowl shall enter
int, a full discussion of the probabi:ities. •
Aug. 18. A FIZESII MAN.

TIIS FASTEST.PASS±IGII ACROSS THE

ATLANTIC.

We subjoin the log of the Cunard steam-ship Persia
on her unexampled pamage from New York to Liver-
pool. She lift New York at 10.45 a.m. on the 6th in-
stant, and her daily runs will be found in the subjoined