SPORTING NEWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 82, 20 December 1887, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

DISCOVERY OF “ WILLOW.” (?)

A great deal of surmising as to whom our sporting contributor “ Willow ” is, has taken place at the Waerenga-a-hika race course amongst the trainers and others. He had evaded detection for some time, sorely exercis. ing the minds of those who did not wish this tout to know what was doing. On Saturday morning, however, the clever division at Makaraka determined to make sure and sent a scout before their teams came on the ground. Nothing was to be seen of a human being, excepting of Course, the boys with the horses. Everything promised to go lovely and on this occasion they feared neither " Willow,” “ Scrub," “ Manuka,” or any. thing else at this early dawn. However, after going a few yards further a Maori happened to pass, and with the keen eye of an aboriginal, espied a paaeha whom he knew and who for some cause or other had ’rested himself somewhat out of sight. The native’s loud shout of " Hullo ,” attracted the attention of the two leaders of the teems and they quietly returned in order to discover the cause of the salutation. Arriving near the spot, they almost simultaneously yelled, "Ah I here's ‘ Willow.’ " The alleged " Willow ” vainly endeavoured to explain, but the others felt cartain they had hit the bull's eye lliis trip, and were thoroughly jubilant, Threats of writing letters to the Club preventing outside spectators from being present were freely made, but the unfortunate who was made to smart on my behalf, took heart and said be had as much right there as any body. No doubt he had. That he was innocent I can assert—that is, of any intention of writing for a newspaper. He knows too much for that. Like a good many others they collared the wrong pig by the tail, and the real culprit (if he be one) laughs in hie sleeve,

The work for the last morning or so has not been worth particularizing, but" Willow " will not on that account relax his attention, and will put things properly before the public. At Newman's course several Hussar hacks are going steadily. Willow. It has been stated that horses entered for the Bracelet at the Karaka meeting will not be allowed to run in the hack races at the Boxing Day races. This is an entirel y mistaken idea.