The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-29 00:00:00

THE SEASON.

The racing season was successfully inaugurated at
Northampton. The sport was abundant and interesting,
and was marked by much prospective importance. The
most prominent feature in the proceedings was, however,
the reappearance in public of Mr. T, Parr's Derby colt
Kelpie, whose owner displayed no little confidence in the
horse, by allowing him to oppose Happy Land, and by
letting him run in shoes. He, perhaps, fancied that
the 5 lhs. advantage which Kelpie had in the weights,
would counter.ct the disadvantage which might arise
from his want of " plates." Speculation on the
race took a somewhat unexpected turn. To the
surprise of many persons, Happy Land was made
the favourite, although his weight .and his condition
told against him. Compared with Kelpie he seemed as
I,ig and as burly as a cant-horse. Mr. Parr's colt seemed
as "fit" as it was possible to make him, and the oppo-
ition which he encountered in the ring was inexplicable
—unless it may be traced to his " shoes" and to his " un.
fashionable" jockey. Many people fancied that an
(via • dicious use was made of Happy Land, who was
unable to sustain the pace with which he passed Kelpie
and led up the severe hill on the far side owing to his
evident lack of preparation. To my eye Kelpie appeared
capable of galloping over him in any part of the race,
end at the distance he quitted him without an
:ffort. Still Kelpie's position in the Derby betting was
not greatly improved by his performance, but
satisfied Mr. Parr, who makes no secret of his belief
that in Kelpie he possesses a better and sounder horse
tban M.D.
Certain proceedings at Northampton furnished a
-triking comment on the labours of the grave and revs.
rend seignors who have recently undertaken the work of
turf legislation. What a sporting Utopia they would
found if their efforts could be crowned with success
The Premier, however, indited his racing homily to no
purpose, and the virtuous indignation which has been
expended by persons in high quarters might just as well
have been wasted on the desert air. From the position
and influence of the owner of Zuyder Zee it was to be
xpected that he would not be the first to transgress
those laws which it has recently been attempted to estab-
fish, and that he would not adopt a practice which
is deprecated by all genuine racing men, and which has
produced a most pernicious effect upon "the people's"
sport. No declaration was made about the non-starting
of Zuyder Zee for the Stakes until after the company bad
assembled on the course, and many persona were justly
indignant that a horse which had been so heavily backed
, should have been allowed to remain "in" until the
eleventh hour. It may :ee asserted that until that time
,is (Avner himself was undecided whether to let the
qorse start or not, but this excuse has little influence
upon men who have lost their money, because they
placed implicit faith in the intentions of a gentleman
chose racing career has been without reproach. That
the withdrawal of Zuyder Zee was premeditated, and
hat the delay in scratching him was intentional,
o =person would wish to insinuate, but the error of
judgment which was committed has been strongly con-
: mmusd, and it is to be hoped that amongst the revised
aws of racing, which will be brought under considera-
' ion at Newmarket next week, will be found a rule to
mitigate one of the moat pernicious evils connected with
the turf. The Dupe deserved his name, for he
vas used as as instrument for deceiving the public,
tad Misty Morn appears to be a horse capable
if getting its living as well in the stable as
,le can out of it. The proceedings connected with the
set-mentioned animal were the most flagrant of the
week, and even the most unscrupulous racing man
could not extenuate them. They admitted of no
,xplanation. In the town and on the course, on the
very day of the race, the horse was backed. He
vas sent into the saddling enclosure accompanied by
,he lad who was to ride him, and this eircumstance
eassured his backers, who had begun to grow uneasy at
.what Timothy Quaint would call the "damnable hints
and diabolical inuendos" which were occasionally uttered.
When the telegraph board announced the starters, how-
aver, doubt ripened into certainty. Misty Morn's
lumber was not displayed, and on inquiry his chagrined
sackers learnt that the horse had been sent home again.
Chese circumstances led to a very pretty quarrel, which
ended in a " mill" more ludicrous and harmless than
hat between the would be-champion Benjamens and
he redoubtable Tom Sayers. Really, if betting-men are
~bout to adopt the principle of a word and a blow they
,hould take lessons in the noble art of self-defence. The
eumbatanss at Northampton, however, escaped serious
mnishment, and in the mystic language of the P. R.,
me of them merely displayed a mouse on the dexter
ogle, whilst the other had his daylights slightly
arkened.
From the statements made above it will be seen that
he auspicious inauguration of the racing season was
uerely limited to a brilliant attendance of fashionable
visitors, glorious weather, and, despite many male
iractices, some really interesting sport. On the very
hreshold of the racing year were met all the bugbears
if the turf ; and now as sporting men are about to cross
c, means should really be adopted to drive them away.
Ai official announcement has been made that a meeting
,f the Jockey Club will take place at Newmarket next
eek, to consider the rules which have been framed under
~he superintendence of General Peel, Mr. C. C. Gre.
Mlle, Admiral Rous, and other "eminent authorities,"
for the purification of the turf ; and it is to be hoped
hat they will devise some plan to restrict the
peratien of the " milking" system. I am not
.uch a Utopian as to believe that they can
entirely abolish that system, but surely they can place
some limit to so scandalous a practice. They seem
shout to open the sporting session in earnest, and I
dope the long-talked-of Turf Reform Bill will not be
thrown oat.
To judge from' the long lists of nominations wbioh
have recently been published, and the announcements of
racing fixtures, a season more than usually crowded
with meetings may be anticipated. Indeed, since the
-sadden disappearance of the frost, the racing stone has
gathered no moss, for what with steeplechases and flat
races turfites have not had a leisure day, and
even for the current week—which sleeks of courses
have invariably left a blank—two appointments
appear in the " Calendar," The early period at which
Easter falls, and the upsetting of the sporting arrange-
dents by the frost, perhaps compelled the officials in
.stain localities to make their fixtures for this week.
Phis is to be regretted, and a law which closes a theatre
out allows a race meeting must be strangely anomalous,
The ruling authorities at Newmarket appear deter.
mined to impart some spirit into their management, but
,t seems that they cannot take one step forward in the
eight direction without making two backwards in an
opposite course. Lord George Bentinck introduced into
the official " Calendars" short descriptions of the princi-
pal races, but his plan was either deemed inconvenient
lay the powers that be in Old Burlington-street, or
else certain sapient members of the Jockey Club fancied
tliat the puislic were getting too much information.
Cris latter supposition seems to be the correct one, for
~he representatives of the press are, I hear, to be en-
tirely excluded ior the future from the weighing stands
at Newmarket, Their presence was never agreeable to

,he authorities at head•quarters, as the attacks which

were made upon this stronghold of exclusiveness were
ever regarded with kalousy, and were deemed by the
..fficials impertinent and presumptuous. With these

natters, however, I have nothing to do ; the recognised
reporters will not allow the obstructions which will be
vexatiously thrown in their way to to prevent their dis
charging their public duties.

A trip to Epsom yesterday enabled me to nee

the Chester Cup horse idamas, who has recently bee
placed under suspicion. So far as I was able to judge,
and I saw him both in and out of the stable, the horse
ooked sound and well, and it is the opinion of many
Epsomites that be goes better every time he gallops.
Several persons informed sue, however, that he has
scarcely done work enough, a statement which is incom-
patible with the horse's appearance. He seemed as hard
as nails. The Derby and. Metropolitan. Stakes course
are in excellent condition, but the exercise ground would
be materially improved by a soaking rain.
Although I seldom indulge iu a blow on my own
trumpet, yet I may be allowed to make a congratulatory
flourish at the favours which Fortune has thus early

lestowed on me. For the Northamptonshire Stakes I

of course did not select the winner, and I may excuse
myself like the old Scotchwoman, for " I wadna has
the presumption to understand" the race. I threw
in with Eifrida and Barbarity (first and second) for the
Stand Plate, with Kelpie for the Racing Stakes, Yaller
G,ll and New Brighton (first and second) for the Spencer
Pate, Stockham for the Althorp Park Stakes, and
Broadlands for the Cup. .I shall not refer to the racing
for tho present week, hut will take an early opportunity
of bringing under review the programme for The Craven.
Ruff's Guide to the Turf will be published on the let.
Amongst its new "features" will be found the revised
tiles of racing, the regulations to be observed in Tatter-
sall's Subscription Room, and an enlarged list of jockeys
and traihere. An important addition has been made to
the general contents of the work by the introduction o
the principal steeplechases.
March 29. A FRESH MAIL