The past week has been a busy one in racing circles, owing chiefly to the closing of the entries, but in addition " very wale come amount of activity has been shown by those xt the lead of affsies, and the presence of x well-known architect at headquarters during some mornings of the past week lias been sufficient guarantee that the Grand Stand ai surroundings will be put in order; the new brooms are sweeping clean, A move has also been made in the right direction Ly obtaining signatures to a request to the Stewards that the Grand and should be provided with the sport-papers, and books of reference, etc., connection with rad The cent of th luxuries will be very small, and as coffee is now provided the whole year round they will be a great boon to the regular attendants; in fact with such a building as the Grand Stand will be when put in order, there is no reason why it should not be made far more use of by members during the year for various purposes, and especially in the hot weather, for a healthier ur cooler spot cannot be found.
Report has it that the Stewards have decided to curtail the cost of the tiffins on race days, and that the wine of sunny France will not be dispensed in the reckless manner that has hitherto been the custom. It isa grent pity that the Stewards have had to consider this matter at all, but Lust say that the liberality of the Race Club has been abused in this respect and, although T have heard the matter referred to by some as" cheeseparing," some change necessary, for there are members who rag that they simply joined the Club on account of being able to obtain twelve or more champagne tiffins a year at a very small cost, This they worked out aa follow the annual subscription to the Club 15; this allows free entrance to the Geend Stand and enclosure and free tifin an exch the Race days, say to " married ma i+ wife and a lady friend or two. Aga this the married man who is not" member but who takes his wife and " lady friend or two has to pay $12 a year for entrance to the Grand Stand and enclosure only, and gets no tiffin at all; so it is evident that 12 or 18 champagne tities for the difference between $12 and is, 15 deed. Sportsmen all the world sted for their liberality, tand Shanghai is no exception, but what they do not like is that their liberality should be abused. Tt would be fairer for all if those who wanted clampagne (and after all this is where the expense comes in) should sign and pay for it.
As far back as my memory goes T eumot remember " Spring Meuting where at the closing of the entries there have been 80 many good ponies of about equal quality. Usually at this time it is ensy we reter to three or four cracks that stand out, but this year so far I can name at least fifteen stables that my watch tells me ut thix early of the proceedings have a chance of Mr. Sassoon, Mr. Ring, Me, John Peel, Mr. Mustard, the Kaiser and the Gaunt, the Chorister and the Cowboy, Mr. Guarantee, Mr, Common, Me. Uto, the Herschell pony, Mr, Tueg, Mr. Choufleur, Mr. Buxey, Mr. Fearon,
out of the above-named stables I must Me, Cenwford," OF the protinent gulps mention the followin; Young Hero did one wile going alone on Friday, boy up, in 2.18, finishing strong. Buthisiast's brother hws not been shown up nce he did his pow in 1.304. Bluckberry, supposed crack, seen is to ne to be going short and I have not taken his time. A cream with Mr, F, Dallaa up, a leggy grey, owner, und a dirty grey, buy up, went one mile yesterday, moving ensily, in 2.11, the dirty" grey Winning by four lengths, Barleycorn and a white were galloped on Friday, but I could not stop to tuke the time. "These ponies have been in tra all the winter and must be carefully watched in_the future.
Mr. Ring is "happy now, he's got it." M'yes, look out for the dark-tailed grey, for the dun in this stable has been dis: carded and he could do his three-quarters 1.36, but could not yet in the exme street when powed with the grey. Bold Heart's brother, the Filon pony, and Suy Zoong's chestnut went for 14 mile in the ning yesterday in 36, 1.11, 1.47, 2.57, 3.304, the being hard held from start to finish, Say Zoong chestnut with the coming to the front again and fi gamely.
Mr. John Peel's kept-over bay cantered three-quarters of a mile in 1.42, first gallop since physic believe. The Ewo Hero did mile in 2.56} ridden out, shoes on. Tulis-man's brother is under suspicion. Mr. Mustard's skewbald wae bought from the Buzast on 8 performaue: mile, He galloped very erratic fashion in but so he ought, considering the t The Kaiser and the Count may certainly congratulate themselves on holding " trump card in the shapely bay purchased from "Win. Day this pony has been under my notice for some months past and if 1 nuistake not it is the same animal that Me. Oswald bid for at the eleventh hour before the closing of the entries for the Hongkong Derby, but he was not to be had ut the price offered; he is a consistent performer and although he will have to meet some very fast cattle I fully expect to see pull off a race, Were I now compelled
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.