SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 10886, 21 March 1899, Page 2

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TOMORROW’S RACES.

[By The Admxbau.]

. Wo are now oh the eve of the opening of the Wingatui course, the new headquarters of the Dunedin Jockey Club.,, and the inaugural gathering should be ah'unqualified success. Interesting sport is promised, and the acceptances lead to the anticipation of fair fields, and the quality is, decidedly above the average. In the pan tile club have made a serious blunder in delaying, the starting of the races in the hope that a few more investors would find their way t othe totalisator, and I am pleased to learn that the stewards intend for the future to adhe. strictly to the advertised time of starting. That is an essential to the success of the gathering. Last evening Dundas and Black and Bed were withdrawn from' Hie Dunedin Cup, which leaves seven in the rape, and no stable has a (second string. When the weights appeared I declared for Boreas and Blazer lor (the two principal handicaps, and still expect to see. this pair- in the Tan when (the judge’s chair is reached. My impressions are: —-

Hack High-Weight. Witchcraft 1, Aber. crombie ?. Hurdles. - Social Pest. Champagne. -Courtier 1, Glenogle 2, Susannahs. Cup.— Boreas or Djin Djin. Maiden.—Refugee. Publicans’.— Blazes, with Vanilla as a cockboat.

Selling.— Victim. Stewards' Welter.— St. Denis. The probable riders of the various Gap horses are:— Horae. Hider. Boreas ... ... ... Jenkins Starshot ... ... Wilson Pitch and Toss ... ... T. Buddicomb Sequin ... ... ... Donovan Double Event ... ... Cotton Djin Djin ... ... J. Pine Malatua ... ... Lamb.

NOTES FROM WINGATUI. Yesterday brought some fresh candidates for this week’s meeting, among them being Boreas, and Sid. Bishop with Visionary and the goldfields mare Qnickshot. This was an off morning at the course. Nearly all the horses were out, but very few of them were given severe tasks, cantering and half-pace work being the order of the day. Boreas did not do anything fast enough to give an idea as to his capabilities. Bloomer did a taking gallop over six furlongs. Blazer went his usual five furlongs fast, but he had nothing to take him along. Rochester rattled over four furlongs with Strathnairn, but the latter was no use to the Publicans’ candidate at the finish. Brisa and Hermosa executed a rattling spin over five furlongs, M’Qinness’s representative having her head in front at the post, which was reached in Imin Ssec, the last four furlongs in 51isec. Qnickshot 11., St. Denis, Starshot, and Dundas went best of the others that worked, but the whole morning’s work was of an uninteresting nature. I fancy the following will run well in the first day’s events: Hack High-weight, Foremast; Hurdles, Nicholas Gup, Starshot ; Champagne, Courtier; Publicans’, Brisa; Maiden, Refugee; Welter, Quickshot n.

INTER-CLUB EIGHT-OAR RACE. A good deal of delay was occasioned last night in arranging the preliminaries in connection with the rowing off of the two crews drawn to meet in the semi-final of the above race. The race was fixed to take place at 6 p.m., but darkness had set in. before the crews took up their positions at the startingpost. The course was from Russell’s to she tongue wharf. The water was in every way favorable, and Mr J. Osborne (N.E.8.C.), who acted as starter, had no difficulty in tending the crews away on level terms. The following constituted the crews: — D.A.B.C.—A. Watson 1 A Q. Watson 2, J. A. Stables 3, W. Olsen 4, 0. B. Pavitt 5, •H. White 6, 6. Hogan 7, T. Wright stroko » «, • », 1 N.E.8.C.—8. Nichoils I,"a"’Allan 2, B. Walls 3 A. Binnie 4, D. Taylor 5, S. Abram 6 J. Mitchell 7, W. Knowles stroke 2

The only description of the race could be gleaned from the occupants of boats at different parts of the coursa The North End crew went off with the lead, and at the lower beacon were half a length ahead. Passing the three-legs the boats were on level terms, and remained so tHI nearing the dolphin, where a seat becoming derailed among the North End men allowed the other crew to get clear away and paddle home, Mr W. H. Young (Otago 8.C.) officiated as judge.

These races have created an immense interest among rowing men, and it is probable that several challenge races will take place on the conclusion of the tourney. It might he worth while the Committee entertaining the general wish that a (rial should be arranged to decide once for all the vexed question of best boat. Mr Osborne, the starter, tells us that the “ Dabs ” declined to row unless the North End lent their boat. The North End complied with the request, the result being that eaoh eight rowed in the other party’s boat. He started them at 6.45. North End at once assumed the lead, and after travelling _a mile they had an advantage of a little more than half a length. No. 6’s seat then completely gave way, and bow got into trouble, as he got his slide jammed owing to the protection at the back being mer.'-ly a hit of leather. The seat went back, and he could not get it forward again. The North finders ceased rowing as soon as No. 6 collapsed, since they could not expect to win with one man a passenger. Then the Dabs passed to the front, and came in twenty-five or thirty lengths ahead, the North End men not rowing, but merely piddling back to inform the officials of what had taken place. We learn that there is a likelihood of the race being rowed again this evening. '

SUPPRESSING STREET-BETTING. Oar Wellington correspondent wires:— "The Wellington City Council have passed a bye-law rendering persons loitering in the street or betting liable to a fine of £5.”

The appeal of the Gore Glob in the St. Denis ease will be heard in Dunedin tomorrow evening. Messrs T. Tesohemaker and H. A. Knight have been appointed judges, hot the third member of the Appeal Committee has yet to be selected. Our Winchester correspondent, writing on Monday, said of the trout fishing in that district“ A couple of very hot days brought down snow water from the near ranges, clouding the local waters, oonse queutly not much fishing was attempted. Mr Twigg, of Geraldine, brought in eleven nice fish from the Opihi, weighing 281b. The Waihi, rapidly clearing, was fished by Mr H. Gillam for three hours, he getting seventeen, weighing lOJlb; white yesterday a local fisherman secured thirty • seven, weighing all with fly. This water, together with local streams, was never in better order for fiy-fishing. The Rsngitata is reported clear. P At the pole tonrnpy at Palmerston North the senior onp was von .by Girona, and the junior by WellingtonSt. Hiko was scratched lor the Beaumont races as soon as the owner saw the weights. The annual race ball will be held in the Choral Hall on Friday next, and, judging from the number of tickets disposed of, it promises to be one of the most successful public balls given in Dunedinfor some time. An Adelaide cable received at half-past four said the Best of Australia had lost tlx wickets for 101.