The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-12 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

There are no less than four meetings this week, and it
is a vain hope to expect any satisfactory relief from this
plethora of racing until the Stewards of the Jockey Club
can be persuaded to make a settlement of "racing fixtures"
throughout the country as well as at Newmarket a part of
their duties. In most pursuits " vested interests" are
always taken into consideration ; but in respect of "esta-
blished" race meetings, the competition of a "mushroom''
class, which are weekly cropping up, especially about the
metropolis, is enough to swamp one-half tho legitimate
ones that have stood the test of time up to the present
day. The Jockey Club have ample power, and I hop(
shortly they will also have the inclination, to put their
" veto" on the indiscriminate arrangements which not only
cause the incessant clashing of one gathering with an-
other, but allow all sorts and conditions of sporting-mel
to get up meetings from the most mercenary of motives,
of which the accursed gate system is a nevor-failint:
proof.

Another crying evil, for which a simple remedy might be
found, is the "putting down" of Welshing, at any rate
the Grand Stands, where the admission fee entitles, of
should do so, every one to protection from pickpockets aml
their confreres, "Welshers." For i,,stance, I notice tha:
the stewards at Wolverhampton this week are the Earl o!
Stamford, the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Vivian, Sir F.
_ .

Johnstone, and H. Chaplin, Esq., and if those noblemen
and gentlemen would take the trouble to insist upon a
paid officer being engaged—at least they can do so
before allowing their names 0 be made use of at future
meetings—the vagabonds in question would soon be com-
pelled to perpetrate their robberies elsewhere. This is a
claim which gentlemen who patronise sporting have a
right to enforce upon the consideration of all stewards,
whose names ought to be an infallible criterion of the cha-
racter of any meeting to which they attach their names.
At Brighton, during the past week, the worst class of
swindlers obtained access to the principal stand with
impunity, and carried out their systems of robberies, for
they have both a legal and illegal way of picking
pockets, with the greatest effrontery. Remonstrances to
clerks of the courses having been made over and over
again without success, it is now time to appeal to higher
authorities, and we hope the influence of the Hon. Ad-
miral Rous, the Earl of Westmorland, and Baron Roths-
child, who were stewards of that meeting, will not be
sought for in vain. Backers of horses are most unfortu-
nate as a class, and they are not unreasonable in de-
manding that the services of proper officers should be
employed for their protection inside as well as outside
the Grand Stand. The stewards' suggestions in such a
case as this would be immediately carried out, and any
one of those parties who are naturally looked up to as
the protectors of the best interests of the Turf will, on
advocating these views, be worthy of the most grateful
thanks from all well-wishers thereto.
The Wolverhampton Stakes has dwindled down to a
small compass, and appears a foregone conclusion for
Hourntoon or Moosu. For the Port Meadow
Plate, RUSTIC BEAUTY and TIMOLAUS have nothing
to complain of in their weight, and the Staffordshire
Nursery Handicap looks a good thing for MAESDERWEN
MADAME Bosco must be a rip indeed if she cannot win
the Stewards' Plate. The Ninth Stamford Biennial
Stakes is a certainty for UNcAs or SPECULUM, presuming
as a matter of course that Lady Elizabeth will be an
absentee.
On Wednesday, I should think KING OF SPADES would
represent Wadlow's lot for the Borough Members' Plate,
and win. Should MonusEY be sent for the Cleveland Cup
he will have his work cut out to beat FEODOE, to whom he
has to give 3st within 21b, which I have great doubt of
his being able to do. On going carefully over the per-
formances of the 42 nominations for the Eighth Stamford
Biennial Stakes, I give a decided preference to OPOPONAX,
whose most dangerous opponent appears to be THE RES-
CUE, but perhaps the latter may be saved for one of the
great Autumn handicaps. Now that LIFE GUARDSMAN
has displayed his utter incapacity to gallop in good com-
pany, one may venture to predict a chance of his success
in the Holyoake Stakes. The Chillington Stakes has
some first-class two year olds engaged, but ORION is my
recommendation, as See-Saw and Formosa are evidently
not in good form, nor was Banditto's running at Brigh-
ton very encouraging.
Egham races also take place on Tuesday and Wednes-
day. The Runnymede Stakes will most likely be won by
DUET or DIAMOND. The King John Stakes reads like a
struggle between LA BELLE JEANNE, PHILOSOPHER, and
MILTON, and if it is thought a worthy prize for the daughter
of Weatherbit and Miss Aldcroft I think she will obtain it,
although it must not be forgotten the two first named are
penalised 61b, while the latter takes a 31b allowance for his
maiden qualification. DULCIMER cannot very well lose
the Welter Handicap, and MUSA ought to give a good ac-
count of herself for the Betting Stand Plate.
Concerning Wednesday's programme, the Duko of
Edinburgh Cup will doubtless attract a good many of the
twenty-five nominations to the post, but STAGUOUND, if
he were in last year's form, would have about two stone
in hand. Under any circumstances he ought to win with
his light impost, and next to him 1 fancy MUSA. The
Baron's Stakes is a gift to BENEVOLENCE if she runs, but
her owner has a strong objection to being forestalled in
the market, to corroborate which assertion I need only
call to mind the scratching of Lucifer for the Goodwood
Stakes, and the above-mentioned filly for the Brighton
and Lewes Nurseries. In her absence EPIGRAM might
win. VOLUNTEER will win The Princess of Wales' Plate.
For the Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 sous each COURT
CARD is as well in as anything in the race, and must repre-
sent my interests. The Surrey and Middlesex Stakes will
be won by LA DAUPHINE.
On turning my attention to the Stockton meeting, to be
hold on Wednesday and Thursday, I cannot refrain from
complimenting Mr. Craggs on the superior quality of the
entries ho has obtained for many of the stakes at this
pleasant reunion.

On the first day the Cleveland Stakes, for two-year-olds,
has to be decided, and it will most assuredly be one of the
most interesting events of the week. Europa has incurred
a penalty of 91b, Frolicsome and La Mousse 71b, and Af-
fection 41b, whilst of the dark division Mr. Jackson has a
well-bred colt by Orlando out of Bouquet (brother to Born-
bastes), and Mr. John Scott another, Viscount, by Marquis
from Columbine, both of whom are likely to be amongst
the competitors on this occasion. Europa's merit is un-
deniable, but I question if she can carry her heavy weight
successfully past the winning post on this occasion. I
symmetry and good looks are any passport to success,
Viscount is bound to be at the winner's heels, if not the
winner; still I must reluctantly throw him over this jour-
ney in favour of BROTHER TO BOMBASTES, who, it may not
be out of place to mention, is engaged in next year's Derby.
The Tradesmen's Handicap has lnly eleven horses remain-
ing in, Moulsey having been struck out since the accept-
ances-wore published. Of these STRATIICONAN and TREA-
SURE TROVE aro best in, and the latter should have no
difficulty in winning if sent fit and well to the post. I
fancy ELrETA for the Harry Fowler Stakes. The Tenth
Zetland Biennial Stakes, in the absence of Hermit and
Knight of the Garter, will be reduced to a match between
ROMPING GIRL and FERVACQUES, and I have a slight pre-
ference for the filly, though she carries 31b. more penalty
than the French Derby winner.

The Great Northern Leger, as Marksman is not likely
to fulfil this engagement, rests between TARABAN and
TYNEDALE, and as the latter is sure to go straight, he is
my choice. In the Town Plate, even if ELPETA incurs a
penalty for winning the previous day, she cannot very well
be beat. MERRY ANDREW is a doubtful runner, but with a
start he would, I think, be worth backing for the Wyn-
yard Handicap. The Lambton Plate will go to EUROPA,
unless the colt by Orlando—Bouquet should prove himself
worthy of the commendation I have already beitowed upon
him. The Hardwicke Stakes has no less than seventy-
two subscribers, of which, as TIMARU is entitled to 51b

allowance, and ought to have beaten Lady Highthorn at
Chester, she must be my champion. OAPRERA is extremely

well in in the Elton Juvenile Stakes.

Friday's eve-nts include tho Eleventh Zotland Biennia:
Stakes, which THE RUSSIAN BEAR should be about win-
ning, as he claims 51b allowance. For the Garbutt Nur-

sery Handicap ORANGE BLOSSOM is very likely to repay an
investment. The Middlesborough Handicap should go to
LORD RONALD. Tho Four Year Old Claret Stakes has

STRATHCONAN and WESTWICK engaged, but I have a de-
cided preference for the first named. In the Stewards' Cup
the Duke of Beaufort must have a great chance with
Isciue, if she has recovered any portion of her three-yr-
old merit, while ELFETA'S previous running will be a satis-

factory guide as to her chance for this event.
At the Oxford meeting KNIGHT OF ST. MICHAEL
or King of Spades are favourably handicapped for
the Port Meadow Plate. GANvAtLDE, should he skirt,
will win the Freemen's Plate. For the Prince of
Wales Stakes Cour D'ECLAT takes a 51b allowance, and
should win. The thirteen " contents" for the Oxford-
shire Stakes are not any of them first-class, and in this
company FRIDAY will take a great deal of beating.
OBERON is " turned loose" in the County Members' Plate.
Either LADY BARBARA or HITE AND CRY should win the

Stratton Audley Nursery Handicap.
A FRESH MAN.

(From the Newmarket Correspondent of the Racing Times.)
All racing men look forward with pleasure to the
Brighton Meeting, but they were sadly disappointed, as
the rain came down in torrents on the first two days, and
marred the pleasure not only of the racing public, butf
the turf of
pleasure-seekers in general. All the patrons o,
from the peer to the tout, had their families at Brighton ;
but instead of enjoying the sea-breeze they wore confined
to their hotels or lodgings each day until two o'clock.
The weather on Thursday, the Club Day, was pretty good,
which brought together one of the largest assemblies over
seen on Brighton race course. The racing during the week
requires but a passing notice from me. Most of the horses
that ran during the week were very moderate, and the rac-
ing was most disastrous to backers of horses. Confederate
has turned out as good a bargain to Captain Machell as
Old Volunteer, and he must have already paid a thousand
per cent. on his purchase. During the past week his run-
ning makes the two year olds of this year, with one or two
exceptions, only moderate, as he gave Philosopher 321 b,
and ran away from him on Wednesday; whilst the latter came
gut the came at tonwou and beat Yoda and See PAW,

' >ioulsey ran away from a lot of horses in the Cup, which
gives us proof of the moderato class of thorough breds
that we have 113 W in training. It is surprising whore
money comes from to pay for training such wretches.
When we see such bottled-up cripples as Rel Cap
giving weight to such horses as Lifo Guardsmsn, that was
once thought to be a good one, it is quite time such brutes
were put to some other employment, where they could earn
their hayand corn. The Marquis of Hastings must have had
a bad week, Rel Cap being the only winner he had, and
those who assorted that the running of Lecturer was all
wrong at Huntingdon found they were mistaken, as
Fordham could make no more of him than Cannon did.
The weather was beautiful at LOWCS, and Mr. Vernal had
two splendid days racing ; but, like the class of horses
that run at Brighton, they were only moderate. There
were large fields, close contests, and seine heavy beating
on nearly all the races. Mr. Brayley landed a good stake
on his old bottled-up crock Pearl Diver. Gst 61b was a
ridiculous weight to put on an aged horse that ever had
any pretensions to racing. Julius ran a good horse, as
he had to give the winner 221bs, and had Fordham mule
more use of the time allowed him iu the false race he would
have come in alone. Ho was the first to discover the
mistake the others made in going the wrens course, and
when he turned back he seemed to wait for the other
horses to have another fair start. Thus the Lewes
handicap will long be remembered for the mistake
that was made in the race, but under any circumstances

Arr. Brayley must have won. Any further comments
from me on tho racing of the past week would not be the

least interesting to your readers, therefore I shall proceed
at once to offer a few remarks on Wolverhampton and
Egham. There is no ono more particularly acivainted
with the black country than the writer of this, and 1 am
sorry to see such a falling off in the programme of this
once popular meeting, whore the bowels of the earth aro
deprived of their thickly-populated inhabitants during the
two days, when the hard working colliers turns out in thou-
sands to witness the sport that is provided for them. 1

remember a Government official was once sent to take

the census of the black country, and in his remarks of
what he saw there said he found them stunted in body
and mind. lam afraid those at the head of affairs there
now are troubled with the latter complaint, as they
want to keep all the money in their own county. It is
quite evident the handicap for the Wolverhampton Stakes
was made for the home stable, as Honeymoon can't lose
if wanted. The only ono I can soo with any chance to
contend with her is Moose. The Cleveland Cup has only
an indifferent class of horses entered for it, and it looks

like a match bet /peen Moulseyand the Amanda colt. What
a falling off from the days when we saw such horses as
flarkaway, Charles the T welfth, Rillus, and Traveller con-
tend for it, but in those days Mr. Frank Marshall, a re-
spected townsman, was at the head of affairs, and after he
went to "that bourne from whence no traveller returns,"
it went down to a regular leather-flapping meeting. Mr
Devereux was then called to the head of affairs, and partly
succeeded in restoring it to something like its old form ; and
what with the handsome sum of .£lOO added to the stake by
the Earl of Stamford, it bids fair to rank once more among
the best Country meetings. Tho present handicap
seems to have given offence to the Lord of Divine,
as he scratched all his horses on the appear-
ance of the weights, and thereby hangs a tale.
The Stamford Biennial will be won by Uncas, as I am
told John Day will have no horses at Wolverhampton,
and Specalum and Ninny must have had enough of it dur-
ing the past week. The Patshnll Stakes looks a good
thing for one of Wadlow's, who can win with whichever
he likes to run, and the Staffordshire Nursery will be won
by Beauty if Mr. Wood thinks the stakes worth running
for. Wadlow has five in the Borough Members' Plato,
and whichever represents the stable will win, most likely
King of Spades. The Eighth Stamford Biennial looks a
good thing for Opoponax. If he runs the Chillington
Stakes will be won by Orion. Mr. Marshall's pleasant
little meeting at Egham is sure to bo patronised by most
of the members of the London ring, as few will care to go
as far north as Wolverhampton and Stockton after their
busy week at Brighton and Lewes. The Surrey and Middle-
sex Stakes looks a very good thing for La Dauphine after
her running at Goodwood and Brighton. La Belle Jeanne
will win the King John Stakes. Duet or Vixen ought to
win the Runneymede Stakes.

PROGRAMME OF WOLVERHAMPTON RACES.
TUESDAY, August 13.
The Wolverhampton Stakes (handicap) of 20 sous each,