The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-18 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Newmarket Correspondent of the Rang Times.)

The meeting at Shrewsbury last week, considering the
state of the weather, may be considered a very successful
ono. The rain, which fell in torrents all day on Thurs-
day and Friday, was no doubt the cause of the falling off
in the attendance of the ring; but the fields were large,
and in most instances the contests were very close. Al-
though Mr. Frail's meeting was curtailed of its fair pro-
portions—of the aristocratic members of the ring—there
was plenty of betting, and some la:ge books on every race ;
yet a contemporary tells us that Mr. S. Houghton was unable
to back his filly for the Nursery for any amount of money.
Those who say so could not have been there, as I heard
Peggy Collins offer five hundred to one on the field, and
after he had laid his money against Lictor ho offered six
hundred to one bar one, and other book-makers offered
the same liberal price for some time; indeed, so plenty
were bookmakers, that the Marquis of Queensberry backed
his horse Captain Crosstro3 for the Steeplechase for moro
than a thousand pounds, and could have got another thousand
if he had thought proper to do so. I shall not weary your
readers by giving a description of every race during the
meeting, as there were only three or four of them that call
for any comment from me. The running of Parma was
one of those performances that upset all calculations, as
no ono was prepared to see her canter in before a field of
horses far superior to the moderate two-year-old we saw
beat her at Liverpool the week before, but Cameron wanted
to win hands down at the latter place, and let
her backers in the hole. Kenyon role her at Shrewsbury,
and sent her along at a good pace, and won in a canter each
time. I know Cameron has been a great favourite of Tom
Wadlow's, but he was so disgusted with his riding at
Liverpool that he has not ridden for the stable since.
Rama sadly disappointed his backers in the Cup, as ono
would have thought from his running with Lord Lyon at
Lincoln that he would bo able to beat the field opposed to
him here, but he could never stay the pace from start to
finish, and Cannon had to ride him the first time
round. I told your readers last week not to place
too much confidence in his beating Lord Lyon, as
Challoner threw the race away just in the same
manner as Cameron did on Parma, by drawing it
too fine. Lictor's running in the Nursery disappointed
his backers, as no one could expect to see Beauty
before him, giving him 121 b, after the former cantering
away from King Alfred at Newmarket, giving him 51b, and
the Baron's horse running Leonie to a head in the Criterion,
and got within a length of Rosicrucian. The in and out
running of the two year olds this year has been most incom-
prehensible, and it is therefore no wonder so many backers
have lost their money. The Corporal cut up very
badly in both his races,which shows us the fallacy of put-
ting faith in all we hear about private trials. Maria Louise
won both hurdle races in a cantor, as I predicted she would
do, indeed I have not seen such a jumper for years; she can
give a lot of weight to anything over hurdles this year
The curtain will fall on the legitimate racing of 1867 this
week at Warwick, and Mr. Merry has provided a capital
bill of fare for the last appearance of the English thorough-
breds this year. There will no doubt be some large
fields, as there have been a lot of horses running at Liver-
pool and Shrewsbury that have not earned their hay and
corn yet ; and as this week is the last opportunity they
will have of winning their winter's keep, no doubt many
of them will have a try to do so. There are six closed races
for Tuesday. For the Nursery Handicap I have most
fancy for Prince Regent or Kettleholder. I am told the
latter is a seed horse; he went to Shrewsbury, and as Mr.
Angell coul I get no money on he did not run. Prince
Regent ran well in the Second Class Nursery at New-
market, and the two that were before him there have since
proved themselves to be good horses. I shall give him
the preference here, and as Mr. Jay is in good form just
now he is almost sure to run. There are 33 horses handi-
capped for the Donnington Plate, and as Jeannie Deans
has got well in at last, if she cannot win I shall put her
down as only moderate. For the Selling Handicap Nursery
I have most fancy for Pero and Slander. In the Handicap
of 5 sovs each I have most fancy for Liddington and Airs.
Stratton. The Great Autumn Welter Cup will be the
principal race on Wednesday, and will no doubt produce
a large field. Lozenge heads the list, but he has too
much weight to carry. Breadalbane is too heavily
weighted, but I expect him to improve upon his Newmarket
performance, as he was very backward there, and has
been doing well since then. Moose is the next I have
any fancy for, and will no doubt be backed by
the public from his running in the Queen's Plate at
Shrowsbury,`„but i consider that we no criterion to judge

of the real merits of Moose, as Me adrake could have won
the length of a street had they gcno away in the first in-
stance, but as they only g dloped about half a mile, I must
set down that running as nothing. Master Willie and
Skirmish have too much weight, anl The Poor is Os
what I wrote about him beforo Liverpol, a slow,lbad
horse, and yet he was backed by some of the best judges
on the turf. It is most extraordivary that if a horse is
tried at Newmarket and only -beats a donkey ha is sure to
ba backed by the public. . Due do Bourgogne and Mus-
keteer are likely to run well. I have no fancy for any of the
others until I come to the King of the Fairies ; and as the
boy that rode him in the Colunn Handicap made a mis-
take, and thought he had to round again, and as I think- ho
would have won, I must stand him here ; and as I am told
the Marquis of Queensberry will ride him, wo shall have
an honest run, and I think he will win bar accident.
Slander ought to win the Maiden Plate. The Guy Cup will
most likely be won by Dawdle, as she was giving 71bs. to
Parma at Liverpool and. won easy; and Lord Wilton's
mare would look well in here with 6st 51b, and about win.
For the Warwick Handicap Steeplechase, I have most fancy
for the King of Hearts. The Handicap Plate, I have most
fancy for Problem. The Second-class Nursery has Prince
Regent and Kettleholder in again, but previous running
will be the best criterion which will be best to stand.
The Great Midland Counties Handicap and the Third Nur-
sery have too many horses entered for me togive an opinion.
Previous running may upset all calculation. For the
Leamington Grand Annital Steeplechase I have most fancy
for Sir William, who is'a certain runner. Next to him .I
fancy Balder, or Chimneysweep, whichever Lord Coventry
runs. For the Winding-up Handicap lhave most fancy for
Giand Duke, and with this handicap we may bid farewell
to the racing of 1867.
-THE LONDON MARKET.--1

iATURDAY.

CROYDON GRAND METROPOLITAN STEEPLECHASE.
20 to 1 agst Sprite (taken and offered)
25 to 1 agst Bon Espoir (taken)
25 too 1 agst Despatch (taken)
25 to 1 agst The Doctor (taken and offered)
25 to 1 agst Greenland (taken and offered)
25 to 1 agst Jassy (taken and offered)
25 to 1 agst The Elk (taken and offered)
25 to 1 agst Hornet (taken and offered)
LIVERPOOL GRAND NATIONAL.
1000 to 30 on the field (offered)
CHESTER CUP.
1000 to 20 on the field (offered)
1000 to 15 agst Viridis (offers to take)
1000 to 10 agst Ackworth (offers to take)
DERBY.
7to 1 agst Lady Elizabeth (offered)
20 to 1 agst Blue Gown (taken)
1000 to 10 agst St. Ronan (taken)

CROYDON S TEE PLECHAS ES —T UESDAY, Nov. 26.
The Grand National Handicap Hurdle-race of 15 sovs each,
10 ft, and 5 only if declared by the Thursday before
running, with 100 added ; the winner of any handicap
hurdle race after Nov. 15, at five kin., 71b extra ; second
to receive 25 sovs. About two miles and a quarter, over
seven flights of hurdles.

Age st lb
Astrolabe ... a 11 12
Pearl Diver ... a 11 5
Marie Louise ... 4 11 0
Pensioner ... ... a 10 12
The Doctor ... a 10 10
Beadle ... 11.-10 10
Schooner ... ... 6 10 10
Moose ... a 10 9
Knave of Trumps a 10 7
Hourlys ... a 10 7
Steamboat... ... 4 10 7
Allow Me a 10 7
Flandrin ... 510 7
Dispatch a 10 7
Muezzin ... ... a 10 5
Eudsleigh 5 10 5
Contraband 5 10 4

st
Liston ...,Age lb
10 2
Foxholes 5 10 0
Battbyany... ...5 10 0
G by Chanticleer—
Eliza, .. 4 911
Lord Raglan 4 9 10
Jassy ... • 59 10
Oongress 5 9 10
Empress ... • a 9 7
Tom Coke... ... 4 9 7
Pole Star ... ... 5 9 7
Joker ... 5 9 4
Flying Horse ... 5 9 4
Harrington ... a 9 4
The Gt. Unknown 6 9 4
Humphrey Davy ... 4 9 0
Owen Roe... ... 4 9 0

WEDNESDAY.

The Grand Metropolitan Handicap of 20 sovs each, 10 ft
and 5 only if declared by the Thursday before running,
with 200 added; the winner of any handicap steeple-
chase value 200 sovs, after November 15,. at five p.m.,
101 b ; of 100 soya, 71b; any oth3r winner, 31b extra ;
the second to receive 30 sovs. About three miles and a
half.

Age st 11,
Astrolabe ... a 12 7
Beoszet a 11 12
Globule ... a 11 10
Daisy a 11 9
Hall Court ... a 11 9
Shakspere ... a 11 4
Dispatch a 11 2
Tho Elk ... a 11 2
Hornet ... a 11 2
Pensioner ... 6 11 0
The Doctor 6 10 12
Gurus ... a 10 12
Revolver ... a 10 12
Pearl Diver a 10 12
La Senelle ... 4 10 12
Dr. Holloway r... a 10 12
The Nun ... a 10 10
Moose ... ... a 10 10
Knave of Trumps a 10 10
Andover ... ... 610 10
Sprite a 10 10
L. S. D. ... 6 10 9
Portland ... a 10 7

rAge st lb
The Flea a 10 4
Bon Espoir ... 6 10 7
Tally Ho a 10 7
Bailer alO 5
Badminton ... 5 10 5
Chimney Sweep ... 5 10 5
King Arthur a 10 5
IGreenland 6 10 5
The ... 5 10 5
Tennyson ... ... 5 10 5
Torpedo ... 5 10 4
Sensation ... 6 10 4
ISylph a 10 4
Pixie ... 6 10 0
Jassy ... ... 510 0
Marengo ... ... a 10 0
South Stoneham a 10 0
Father O'Leary ... alO 0
Oileton ... a 10 0
Pole Star ... 5 10 0
Standard Bearer 6 10 0
Queen Mab ... 5 10 0

Turf Speculators.

Never was there a more appropriate period than the
present for the legion of " backers" throughout the coun-
try to take counsel together relative to their position in
respect to owners of horses and the bookmakers. Napo-
leon's Russian campaign in 1813 is the nearest parallel to
the most disastrous results of the past season on the turf,
during which a whole hecatomb of victims, both of high
and low degree, have succumbed to the prevailing epi-
demic of excessive speculation. Conspicuous for his in-
domitable pluck and straightforward conduct in the man-
agement of a largo stud, the youthful Marquis of Has:,ings
affords the most striking example, and the inevitable con-
sequences of the "gambling" propensity which rages with
fearful violence throughout the patrons of horse-racing,
with scarcely a single exception. Twenty years ago the
turf was an arena where noblemen and gentlemen inva-
riably ran their horses to win, and, at the same time, were
mostly content with moderate investments. What a con-
trast to the present day when every system of fraud is prac-
tised by the majority of owners on the unfortunate public,
who are by nn moans badly represented in the parable of
tho wolf and the lamb. In the highest circles, the proprie-
tors of large studs nowadays insist upon the right to do as
they like with their own, and a notable instance of the
adoption of this principle (?) was when a noble duke, in
the exorcise of his discretion a short time back, struck out
the first favourite for a race at Newmarket at the last
minute because forsooth his grace could not obtain the odds
he anticipated. This system pervades all classes, and is car-
ried out day by day to a fearful extent. During the last
two months every taker of odds must admit how hopeless
was his chance of winning—indeed the utter impossibility of
his doing so except by bets at the post—when he reflects
how many scores of horses have been made first favourites
in that short period, and were backed for " heaps"
of money in town, but did not start. The Copeland
Nursery Handicap, which was decided on Wednesday, is
a case in point, and it will answer the purpose of this
article to allude to two of the horses to illustrate the argu-
ment. I refer to Kettleholder and Chivalry, the former of
whom wals backed here for all tho money that could be
obtained down to 2 to 1, and loft off a long way first
favourite. The latter was announced in the Sporting Lift
of that day, and also on Itirright's tissue, to have paid
forfeit—a piece of chicanery on the part of some one or
other, as several parties who evidently had in-
structions were running about to all the lists
and obtaining long odds, in consequence of this
gross mis-statement on behalf of those interested. It
is almost superfluous to state, but I do so for the edifi-
cation of outsiders who may be induced casually to read
.
this, that the horse who was reported to have paid forfeit
won, and Kettleholder, according to custom in such cases,
was kept in the stable, or, at any rate, did not go i
to the
starting post. This is not an isolated case, as similar n -
tances could be quoted which occur almost every day in
the week throughout the racing season. A great number
of animals which perform throughout the year aro owned
by wned
by large bookmakers, and the consideration which is
likely to be shown towards the unfortunate "backers " of
any of their horses by this class is more convenientlyima-
gined than described. Worse than this, there are a con-
siderable number whose only object in keeping race horses
is "plunder "—some of whom may also plead the excuse
of necessity, but in this category must be classed many
who have the means but not the inclination to go
straight.—Racing Times.

Mr. C. Brewer has sold a " lot" of his horses in training
to " Mr. Jay."
Limner, 2 yrs, has been sold to go abroad.
Mr. T. Craston claimed Ambition, 4 yrs, in a sweep-
stakes on Friday at Shrewsbury.
Thermometer, 3 yrs, who won a Handicap Sweepstakes
on Friday at Shrewsbury, was claimed by Mr. Ambery.
L.S.D., who has been purchased by Mr. J. H. Bennett,
goes into Holman's stable.
Lord Westmorland has named his colt by Glenmasson
out of Bellona, 2 yrs, Fairfax.
The colt by Lambton out of Misfit, 2 yrs, has been
named Moses. _ _

The filly by King Tom out of Mayonaise, 4 yrs, has
been named At Last. _ _

The assumed name of Mr. C. Swinforn has been regis-
tered.

The Duke of Beaufort's and the Marquis of Hastings's
horses were struck out of their Leamington Hunt engage-
ments ou Monday last at 9 a.m.
Din Fuller Andrews• jun., was buried at the cemetery,

Epigram, who won the Shorts Handicap on Tuesday at
Shrewsbury, was bought in for 101 guineas. She won a
sweepstakes of 30 sovs each, with 25 added, the next day,
and was again bought in for 106 guineas. On Friday she
won another sweepstakes of exactly tho same value, and
went back to her owner, Captain Machell, for 161 guineas.
THE SHOBDON CUP.—The following is the official de-
cision :—" fiereford, 1867—Shobdon Cup. An objection
having been lodged some time after the race meeting
against the horse Nidderdale, which came in first for this
race, on the ground that his nominator was in the forfeit
list, the acting stewards have given their opinion that the
objection is valid, and have disqualiflod Nidderdale under
rule 31, and awarded the cup and stakes to Arabia, who
came in second."

THE HAVELOCK TURF AGENCY.... J.Woocl, the well-
known owner of Beauty, &c., who Taal-geed the payment
of all bets made by this agency,. asid..wiso has linteritd
heavy losses through the defalcation and disappearance
of his manager, is paying ali-olgtni due from it with cha-
racteristic liberality. The amount (about £3,000) is much
heavier than it would otherwise have been had it come to
Mr. Wood's knowledge earlier, but unfortunately, that
gentleman was away at Liverpool at the time, and none
of the creditors took the trouble to communicate with him
respecting the dishonoured cheques which were given to
them by Mr. Madder in settlement of their claims over the
Newmarket Houghton meeting, and for which purposo a
large sum had been furnishedlto him on the settling day by
Mr. Wood.

KINGSBURY STEEPLECIIA.SES.—We beg to call at-
tention to the closing of stakes for the Metropolitan
Grand Steeplechases, which will be held at Kingsbury,
on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 10 and 11, under
the management of Mr. W. P. Warner, well known in con-
nection with several other meetiags in the Metropolitan
district. As a recommendation to owners, it will be suffi-
cient to state that Mr. W. Topham has been engaged as
clerk of the course and handicapper, and the services of
Mr. R. Johnson, of York, have been secured as judge and
clerk of the scales. The Maiden Steeplechase of 30 sove,
the Uxendon Handicap of 5 sovs each, with 40 added,
the Kingsbury Cup, value 100 sovs, and a Selling Handi-
cap Steeplechase of 2 sove each, with 25 added, run on the
first day; and the Metropolitan Handicap of 10 sovs each,
with 100 added, the Hyde Plate of 40 sovs, and the Hun-
ters' Steeplechase of 3 sove each, with 30 added, all close
and name to the clerk of the coarse, Darland, Wrexham,
or to Messrs. Weatherby, 6, Old Burlington-street, Lon-
don.—Por further particulars, see advertisement on front
page.

PEDESTRIANISM.