appear from the following new regulations for next year, the powers that be have determined it now shall. "The course to be thoroughly and effectually cleared at least a quarter of an hour previous to the bell ringing for saddling. The horses to be brought on to the course from the place appointed for that purpose at the pull-up by the trainer. The jockeys to mount and canter away to the starting place; on arriving at which, the whole might turn round and come away directly. "The Grand Stand is to be completely enclosed, and the lawn in front and at the sides of the building railed, sloped, and enlarged to the extent of one acre, as at Goodwood, for the accommodation of the ring and other spectators. The rooms not appropriated as refreshment rooms in the basement will be used for a weighing room, retiring and dressing room for jockeys, judge's and clerk of the course's office, together with ample accommodation for the gentlemen of the press.' "The flight of stone steps in front of the stand will be taken entirely away, and placed at the back of the building, where will be the grand entrance leading to a vestibule or paying place, and from thence to the spacious hall, which it is intended to use as a betting-room in case of cold or wet weather. "A large and handsome apartment on this floor will be kept quite private for the stewards and Jockey Club, and another for the bench of magistrates. The rest of the building will be thrown open to the public. "The charge for admission will be for the week £1, for the Derby-day 10s., and 5s. for each of the other days. The tickets are to be sold under the Goodwood conditions as regards defaulters. "The drawing-room or saloon, which is more than 120 feet long, on the first floor, will have several rows of covered benches erected in front of the windows for the accommodation of ladies, and adjoining to which will be two elegantly furnished and carpeted retiring rooms, with respectable female servants in waiting. "The enclosed space at the back of the stand will be appropriated to the use of jockeys' and trainers' hacks. "Mr. Henry Dorling, the clerk of the course, and who has lately become the lessee of the Grand Stand, has placed at the disposal of the stewards for 1846, and for future years, an extra sum of £300 to be run for, in consideration for the benefit he expects to derive from the horses in every race being saddled in front of his property. "It is expected that the judge's chair will be removed from its present position to the upper or opposite side of the course, and by this arrangement the whole of the business of the meeting will be brought on one side, and will prevent the necessity which now exists for crossing and recrossing the course while the racing is going on.' To Lord George Bentinck, "that excellent reformer of turf abuses," is, we believe, the chief credit due for this much-needed reformation; more than a hint of which it is not, we trust, impertinent to say, his lordship may have received from the gentleman who writes to us as under. At all events, we know Mr. Cooper has good claim for having ventured the first public opinion on this important subject; and we feel no doubt but the proprietors of the periodical of which he is pleased to speak in such high terms will be proud to share any credit that may be allowed them or theirs, with the talented artist and experienced sportsman who has gained it for them. "SIR,-It must be a subject of congratulation to all lovers of the turf, and the public generally, that it is at length in contemplation to saddle the horses in front of the Grant Stand at Epsom. I am the more interested in this circumstance in consequence of having been the first person who suggested this desirable object in the pages of that excellent work, the New Sporting Magazine for August, 1840, having previously named it to two or three of the members of the Jockey Club, and particularly to that excellent reformer of turf abuses, Lord George Bentinck. I therefore think that great credit is due to the Proprietors of the above-named periodical for having given publicity to this plan, which, if carried into effect, will gratify all who attend this omnium gatherum of the sporting world. "Sir, I have the honour to be, The nearer the event approaches, the greater do the changes become in the St. Leger betting. Goodwood and York have both had their consequences upon it; the latter, though contrary to expectation and promise, by far the more serious in its effects. The Goodwood running alone would, in fact, have by this time nearly set the prices and positions "as you were," Weatherbit having regained his five to one, and the Merry Monarch having since his defeat figured within a point or two of what he stood at before that unlooked-for performance from the winner of a Derby. Both these nags, however, to our eye, are good market-horses, and little more: the sums that have been sent in to support Weatherbit, and the heavy stakes that have been laid out right against him, of themselves sound "prodigious." Had he, as it is reported John Day strongly advised, never shown for the Goodwood cup, there is little doubt but by this he would have been quoted at something under two to one; but the inconvenient deductions drawn from what he did with Miss Elis, and what Miss Sarah did with her, must tell for a time, although we think it more than probable he will yet head the mare by the day of running. Still this, we repeat, must be worked out with money rather than merit. Taking the latter as the criterion, either the new favourite, Mentor, or Old England, ought to continue at the top; the last of these three, despite a little lukewarmness just at present, the horse Mr. Gully will have to fall back on, and with which we even now fancy the stable really mean mischief. Yet, far be it from us to limit the reader or his reckonings to one or two whose "names are up." The Doncaster St. Leger, for years remarkable as a confined race both in the number of book and running horses, has never for a very long period looked so much like an open one as it does just now. Here we are within a fortnight of its decision, with above twenty nominations all spiritedly backed; of which, in addition to the from five to twelve to one class we have already mentioned, Pantasa, The Baron (in strong demand since joining Scott's Lot), Ould Ireland (the Old England or second hope of Forth's stable), Wood-pigeon, Duc an Durras, Red Robin (Major Yarburgh's "second horse"), Connaught Ranger, and the Pasha, have either the most or fondest friends. To their respective good guardianship do we now leave one and all for the next few days, merely cautioning those in the secret not to be too sanguine--our Irish friends may take this to themselves if they will-and looking directly to the outsiders should the mare not prove the better horse. On the Derby we have little to say beyond Sting's Goodwood running having very deservedly established him as the crack for it, and Mr. Gill having well laid out his capital in the thousand he paid appear from the following new regulations for next year, the powers that be have determined it now shall. "The course to be thoroughly and effectually cleared at least a quarter of an hour previous to the bell ringing for saddling. The horses to be brought on to the course from the place appointed for that purpose at the pull-up by the trainer. The jockeys to mount and canter away to the starting place; on arriving at which, the whole might turn round and come away directly. "The Grand Stand is to be completely enclosed, and the lawn in front and at the sides of the building railed, sloped, and enlarged to the extent of one acre, as at Goodwood, for the accommodation of the ring and other spectators. The rooms not appropriated as refreshment rooms in the basement will be used for a weighing room, retiring and dressing room for jockeys, judge's and clerk of the course's office, together with ample accommodation for the gentlemen of the press.' "The flight of stone steps in front of the stand will be taken entirely away, and placed at the back of the building, where will be the grand entrance leading to a vestibule or paying place, and from thence to the spacious hall, which it is intended to use as a betting-room in case of cold or wet weather. "A large and handsome apartment on this floor will be kept quite private for the stewards and Jockey Club, and another for the bench of magistrates. The rest of the building will be thrown open to the public. "The charge for admission will be for the week £1, for the Derby-day 10s., and 5s. for each of the other days. The tickets are to be sold under the Goodwood conditions as regards defaulters. "The drawing-room or saloon, which is more than 120 feet long, on the first floor, will have several rows of covered benches erected in front of the windows for the accommodation of ladies, and adjoining to which will be two elegantly furnished and carpeted retiring rooms, with respectable female servants in waiting. The enclosed space at the back of the stand will be appropriated to the use of jockeys' and trainers' hacks. "Mr. Henry Dorling, the clerk of the course, and who has lately become the lessee of the Grand Stand, has placed at the disposal of the stewards for 1846, and for future years, an extra sum of £300 to be run for, in consideration for the benefit he expects to derive from the horses in every race being saddled in front of his property. "It is expected that the judge's chair will be removed from its present position to the upper or opposite side of the course, and by this arrangement the whole of the business of the meeting will be brought on one side, and will prevent the necessity which now exists for crossing and recrossing the course while the racing is going on.' To Lord George Bentinck, "that excellent reformer of turf abuses," is, we believe, the chief credit due for this much-needed reformation; more than a hint of which it is not, we trust, impertinent to say, his lordship may have received from the gentleman who writes to us as under. At all events, we know Mr. Cooper has good claim for having ventured the first public opinion on this important subject; and we feel no doubt but the proprietors of the periodical of which he is pleased to speak in such high terms will be proud to share any credit that may be allowed them or theirs, with the talented artist and experienced sportsman who has gained it for them. "SIR-It must be a subject of congratulation to all lovers of the turf, and the public generally, that it is at length in contemplation to saddle the horses in front of the Grant Stand at Epsom. I am the more interested in this circumstance in consequence of having been the first person who suggested this desirable object in the pages of that excellent work, the New Sporting Magazine for August, 1840, having previously named it to two or three of the members of the Jockey Club, and particularly to that excellent reformer of turf abuses, Lord George Bentinck. I therefore think that great credit is due to the Proprietors of the above-named periodical for having given publicity to this plan, which, if carried into effect, will gratify all who attend this omnium gatherum of the sporting world. 66 Sir, I have the honour to be, The nearer the event approaches, the greater do the changes become in the St. Leger betting. Goodwood and York have both had their consequences upon it; the latter, though contrary to expectation and promise, by far the more serious in its effects. The Goodwood running alone would, in fact, have by this time nearly set the prices and positions "as you were," Weatherbit having regained his five to one, and the Merry Monarch having since his defeat figured within a point or two of what he stood at before that unlooked-for performance from the winner of a Derby. Both these nags, however, to our eye, are good market-horses, and little more: the sums that have been sent in to support Weatherbit, and the heavy stakes that have been laid out right against him, of themselves sound "prodigious." Had he, as it is reported John Day strongly advised, never shown for the Goodwood cup, there is little doubt but by this he would have been quoted at something under two to one; but the inconvenient deductions drawn from what he did with Miss Elis, and what Miss Sarah did with her, must tell for a time, although we think it more than probable he will yet head the mare by the day of running. Still this, we repeat, must be worked out with money rather than merit. Taking the latter as the criterion, either the new favourite, Mentor, or Old England, ought to continue at the top; the last of these three, despite a little lukewarmness just at present, the horse Mr. Gully will have to fall back on, and with which we even now fancy the stable really mean mischief. Yet, far be it from us to limit the reader or his reckonings to one or two whose "names are up." The Doncaster St. Leger, for years remarkable as a confined race both in the number of book and running horses, has never for a very long period looked so much like an open one as it does just now. Here we are within a fortnight of its decision, with above twenty nominations all spiritedly backed; of which, in addition to the from five to twelve to one class we have already mentioned, Pantasa, The Baron (in strong demand since joining Scott's Lot), Ould Ireland (the Old England or second hope of Forth's stable), Wood-pigeon, Duc an Durras, Red Robin (Major Yarburgh's "second horse"), Connaught Ranger, and the Pasha, have either the most or fondest friends. To their respective good guardianship do we now leave one and all for the next few days, merely cautioning those in the secret not to be too sanguine our Irish friends may take this to themselves if they will-and looking directly to the outsiders should the mare not prove the better horse. On the Derby we have little to say beyond Sting's Goodwood running having very deservedly established him as the crack for it, and Mr. Gill having well laid out his capital in the thousand he paid over for the half of a colt so full of promise and performance. Malcolm, the winner of the Prince of Wales at York, was backed at twenty to one immediately after his race, although not since named in the returns from the Corner. A STOPPER TO THE MATCH TROTTING AND GALLOPING IN WINDSOR GREAT PARK.-The Right Hon. Sir William Freemantle, Deputy-Ranger, has just issued orders to the several keepers in the employ of the Crown to put a stop to any more matches coming off in the Queen Anne's Ride, the turf being already much injured by the great number of people, in conveyances of all descriptions, who have lately been in the habit of attending these pot-house kind of meetings. "In respect that we have racing as a sport (as Touchstone logically argues) we like it very well, but in respect that it is mere road-riding for five-pound notes 'tis a very vile practice;" and we think the Deputy-Ranger deserves all praise for putting an end to it. |