The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-21 00:00:00

SPORTING OPINIONS.

(From the Sporting Gazette.)
The programme for the meeting on the Surrey
hills is of the usual extent—viz., twelve races
equally spread over Tuesday and Wednesday. The
principal events for the first day are the City and
Suburban, the Two Year Old Stakes, the Stamford
Plate, and the Ileathcote Plate. The field for the
City and Suburban will number about 30. Lane-
ret, I am told, will run, but I cannot believe that
he has much chance with such a heavy impost as
Oat 21b. Good horses, however, invariably " run
up" in this race, which is the most I expect to see
him do. Knight of the Garter and Blinkhoolie will
both start, but having no faith in Laneret pulling
through, it naturally follows that I can have none
in Knight of the Garter, as I do not believe him to
be so good a horse as Mr. Bryan's. Blinkhoolie has
always beeen a fair performer, and as in my
opinion speed is more his forte than distance, of which
we had evidence in several races, but more particu-
lar in the Cesarewitch and Great Midland Counties
Handicap, I believe that the horse that beats him
will be heralded the victor of this great race on,
Wednesday next. It cannot escape the notice of
those who make racing their study that Blinkhoolie
is remarkably well in, meeting as be does moderate
three year olds like Russian Bear and Nyan za at 32 lb
for the year, to run a mile and a quarter; whilst,
if the best three year old in training were to start
against him for the Craven Stakes, at Newmarket,
more than three weeks hence, he would only have
to give him 261 b ; consequently, unless there is
among the three year olds a horse possessing Derby
form—which I do not believe, unless Kettleholder
does —I need not further waste time by referring at
length to the horses of that age. Franchise, owing
to her having stayed so well in the Newmarket Nur-
sery, and to her having been backed for the " Blue
Riband," I fancied had a chance, an opinion
that was shared in by the public, as they
backed her ; but as she was struck out on Tues-
day, I need not allude to her further than
to remark that • it was unfortunate she
was scratched so SOOl3, now that the stable
has lost Captain Kidd, on whom they placed their
faith instead of on Sister to Savernake. Aber-
geldie, the winner of this race last year, though he
has now to put up 111 b more than he then carried,
is still well in ; but the horses immediately behind
him on that occasion, Fitz-Ivan and Violent, sub-
sequently ran so badly that I do not regard his vic-
tory to be any criterion of merit, as he was well
spurred to win ; and for that reason I cannot be-
lieve in his ability to carry this great race off the
second year in succession. Nemea 1 have always
had a great fancy for since she won the Mottisfont
Stakes at Stockbridge, beating the Duke of York
and several others, when two years old ; and as she
last year showed in France that she has retained her
form, I must have her on my side in this en-
counter—my only doubt being that it is the
money of the public, and not Count Lagrange's,
she has been backed for. Cheltenham having, after
a dead heat, been only able to beat Speculum by a
head, at 71b, six furlongs, last Oct., can have no
chance, as he now meets the Duke of Newcastle's
horse on the same terms—a fact that, doubtless,
has induced some wiseacres to back the latter ; but
the idea of his winning with such a weight as
6st 121 b is too Utopian to be entertained for a
moment. Honestish, Thalia, and Fitz-Ivan will
have to improve many pounds on any form they
showed last year to prove successful. Grey Stock-
ing and the colt by Romulus out of Attack may
represent the Stanton stable. The former is a good
filly at home, but the market does not say much for
her chance here. The Attack colt ran well on one
or two occasions, particularly for the Hunt Cup at
Ascot, and as he has been backed he is doubtless
now in form, and ought to run well with his lenient
impost of 6st 91b. The Breach I have never seen
perform, but as he is a good-looking horse, and is
well bred for speed, he may run forward, though
since the wretched performance of Fire Eater at
Warwick, his noble owner has no great hope of
flower and the Parson will
pulling through. May
stable, but from the man-
represent the Russley
ner they knock them about the chance of neither
looks to be a very good one. Mayflower
is well in, and is bound to run well, if in form ; but
when the stable puts faith in The Parson I think
speculators bad better have nothing to do with
either. Stradbroke has been given plenty of time
by his owner, who ought to be rewarded for his
patience by pulling this race off ; but I can give no
opinion about him, not having seen him since he
was sold in the High-street, at Newmarket, when
two years old. He was then a tall, narrow colt,
since which he has run only all " legs and wings,"
once—viz., at Brighton, against Trocadero, when as
fat as a bull ; and for that one beating he is let in
with 6st ! To put such a weight on the son of
Thormanby and Virago for one beating is ridiculous,
and is turning handicapping into a farce. He may
not be worth sixpence, but as his astute owner has
backed him, that is not likely, and he ought to be
kept harmless, as it is more than on the cards for
him to repeat the victory his dam so easily
achieved in 1854. Lady Rosehill is another turned
loose four year old. I know nothing about her,
beyond her running very badly in this race
last year, but as 40 to 1 is offered against
her, she can't be very dangerous. From the
foregoing remarks, it will be seem that I am bound
to give a " plumper " for BLINKHOOLIE ; believing
that his most dangerous opponent will be KETTLE-
HOLDER, if he possesses the form I believe him to
do ; and after the pair the ATTACK COLT may be