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PRESENT ENGLISH RACING PROSPECTS. No Great Change from Last Years Flat-Racing Program in Sight. Next, of course, to the war. the subject of main discussion in sporting circles just now concerns the prospects of the forthcoming flat -racing season, on Which point anything but unanimity prevails. On the one hand you are gravely informed that then will be "nothing doing" except at privileged Newmarket. Those of more optimistic temperament refuse to subscribe to this view, and this section is confident that "headquarters" will not have matters all to itself. In the circumstances the only thing is to wait and see. ]u aO probability it is a case of the doubters being unduly pessimistic and the optimists just a wee bit too sanguine, though at the moment the outlook is the reverse of unfavorable. There is no reason to suppose that the government have any intent lea or desire to withhold facilities for the carrying on 01 the racing industry, the immense importance of which they recognize. Hut the successful prosecution of the big task on hand must be the primary coaaWeration, and everything depends upon the progress made during the coming weeks. In this particular the portents are certainly encourag ing. And so soon as circumstances warrant further concessions we have little doubt but that these will be forthcoming. In any case there is at present SO justification for taking a gloomy view of the future There is every evidence that when accounts have been squared with the kaiser and the minor depredators racing, in common with other sports. will experience bully times. It is. of course, to be regretted that one or two prominent owners are dropping out. Especially regrettable is the threat-end disappearance of the yellow and black of the Duke of Westminster, reminiscent of the triumphs of Bend. Or. Ormonde, Orme. Shotover. Flying Fox. and a host of other celebrities; but the vacancies in the ranks will in due ionise be filled. Apropos of which it is interesting to note that Lord Iturgh-ley. heir to the earldom of Westmoreland, recently registered his colors. These are the combinations of green and white which flourished a half century BgO. Destined for Abroad. When the jumpers have had their turn and the flat racers make their appearance several of last seasons performers will be conspicuous by their absence. Among these were a couple bought for abroad at last weeks sales. The well-bred Figaro will find a new home in Russia. The son of Sun dridge has not had a strenuous career, having run but eight times all told. He was a good colt that afternoon in the summer of 1918 when he cantered away with the .Inly Stakes, but he disappointed in the Two Thousand last spring, when he failed to get a place: but he made good a couple of weeks later, when he defeated his Ouineus conqueror. Clarissimiis. in the Newmarket Stakes. Another interesting four-year old which has bade farewell to the English turf is Ali Bey, a son of Bayardo MowaaU, which though unable to get nearer than fifth to his stable companion in the first of the classics, peered himself a useful colt over shorter courses, annexing a couple of prizes. One of these was the Croat Eastern Railway Handicap, which he won after running a quarter of a mile in a false start. Ali Bey should do well in India, whither he is to be despatched. ISy the way. another animal now in India, the smart Salandra. which las! season won four races off the reel for F. C. Stern, was recently successful in a race well •forth winning. Mention of the leading three-year-olds of last year reminds one that the names of Hurry On and N ■issi.vian crop up in the training reports; and this pair should play prominent parts in the proceedings of the .Jockey Club season. Satisfaction was general when it, was announced that, whatever erne James Baehaaaa was disposing of. he was not going to part with his first — but. one hopes, by no means last — classic winner. Exactly how good Hurry On is can even yet only be surmised. although he has won the half-dozen races in which he has competed in irreproachable style. In the majority of instances his lines may have been cast in pleasant places: but there was no question as to the merit of his triumph in the substitute St. Leg* •]•. in which he made short work of Clarissimiis. The trainer of the litter, who is not usually sanguine without good grounds, had great hopes of Lord Falmouths colt on that September day. The Excellence of Hurry On. Hurry On, then, may be one of the best colts of all time for aught that can be proved to the contrary, and it is thus gratifying that he is to be kept in training for at least another season, and not. as at one time reported, going straightaway to stud life. It is reasonable to hope that in the course of the year the son of Marcovil will have an opportunity, denied last year, of Joining i sue with Nassovian another animal which, according to rumor a while back, hid done with racing so far as England was concerned. Mr. Sanfords colt is. beyond much doubt, of more than ordinary excellence, even thoagh he has thus far but one victory to his credit. This was registered in the Princess of Wales Stakes, which he won comfortably. The opposition may not have been formidable, confined as it was to F.lackae.Jor. Klk-ington. Follow Ip. Kings Prize and Roderic. which finished in the order in which their names are written. Blackadder. however, was a tolerably useful colt at the period, as was proved by his defeats of .lack Annandale and stasia at Windsor and Silver Tag at Lingfield. Mr. Sanford. who is the owner of Nassovian, is a comparative newcomer to the English turf, but he has already proved himself a sportsman of the finest type. Mr. Sanford added to his equine possessions by the purchase at Newmarket last week of a filly by The Curragh — Lady Kedfern. and therefore a half sister to that good colt ffrdfrm, which is now gaming fame in Australia. Before we return to flat racing we have to see through several fixtures under "winter" rubs, and much of the sport to come will be of the highest quality. Ere long we shall be in possession of the weights for the War National, a race which is already getting itself talked about. If we 1 « k in vain for horses of the lass of .b-rry M. and Manifesto among the entries there is no lack of material for an interesting contests. It is safe to say that Tcmphtdo W ney will be near the top of the list, thoagh the •National distance has yet to be covered by the Boyston horse. Over a course suitable to him Tcmpledowney requires an immens • amount of beating, and were he to Compete for the l.ani-beam Chase this week he would have a lost of admirers notwithstanding his W2 pounds. Over a longer coarse Irish Mail may de better than in Mane i f his raeea over a lesser distance, while Ally Stoper may also have to lie considered when March comes around. There will, however, be further opportunities of dealing with the "National." — London Sporting Life of January 22.
