NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1888, Page 5

NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS.

(By Action.)

The contest for the Champion Race this year promises to be the keenest we have ever seen. Seven crews have entered, and each one of them is confident of carrying off the £120 and beihfj the heroes of the Auckland .Regatta of 1888. I have only hearsay to go on this year as to the doing 3 of. the ■ Wairoa crew, but from all I can gather they have been shaping well, and as they area fine athletic lot of men.will make a big bid for the prize. In the betting they are second favourites and carry most money, but are not well backed by the general publics. The Waitematas hold first ppsition in public favour, and the crew are confident of again^asserting their superiority, and the members of the club declare that the present orew is the best they have ever entered for the race. North Shore have been training very quietly, but under the carefaleoaching of their captain have put in good work, anclßhould row in the best style of any. In their new boat which Mr Logan to-day placed in the water they will go very close to it. The City, reinforced by two of last; year's champion orew, promise well, in-their training have shown good form, and are confident that they will beat more than beat them. The Manukau crew have kepb to their own waters, in their training, but the aquatic men of Sleepy Hollow who have seen them doing their daily work are well pleased with their style. 'The Ponsonby boys are very modest in their estimate of their own capabilities, but still they pull in good style, and as they can last the whole distance should be very handy at the finish. With the'proverbial pluck of the British tar, the men of H;M.s. Opal have entered a crew, and intend to make a big bid for victory. They: have. secured the use of the best whaleboat of the St. George's R.C,, and will ' be steeled by one of the most capable ■' steer-oars in the harbour, H. ■ Sanders^ -Unfortunately, they have not had sufficient praotice to get them into the best style oi.iwing for the light whaleboats, bub they will pull with big hearts, and as they can lasb the distance promise not to be last. I have a very diffioulb task before me to attempt to separate the various crews, but whoever follows my lead wjU. not he far out, and Will have the satisfaction of a good struggle for their money. My tip is : North Shore 1, with Ponsonby (2) and Waitemata (3) close, up for places. ' : . In the Amateur \Yhalebeat Race, the entries are npfe so good as were at first promised.' Four only will start, and I elect to place them in the following order:—Fon-> 'sonby^i; Waitemata, 2; City,. §• North Shore, 4. .

SMAfiL CpTTSßß—Henry, 1; Gannet, 2; Lily, 3. ; - Large Yachts.—Arawa, 1; Matangi, 2. ■•'■'■'■■•''' ''.'''

Lakge Fishing Boats.—Christina, 1 3 May, 2. Small Yachts,—Jessie Logan, 1; Ariel, 8, . .

Small Fishing Boats—ltaly, 1; Mignonette, 2. ; '. •'

Opek Sailing Boats.—Beta, 1; Belle, 2; Arrow, 3. '

: DlSGiES.—Clytie, 1,; Jessie, 2.' Naval ; Cutters. — H.M.s. Opal, 1 • Chanticleer, 2.