SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 34, 5 June 1896, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

AUCKLAND STEEPLECHASE MEETING. [By Gipsy Grand.] Dante, the well-known hurdler, broke a 1)1 ood vessel at Ellerslie yesterday, and was consequently scratched for all engagements at the' Auckland Steeplechase meeting. The North New Zealand Grand National meeting takes place to-morrow and Mon<l:iy. Large fie.ld-.j will face the starter in the various events, and the task of picking winners is a difticidt one. In the Grand National Hurdles, which is to bo run tomorrow, there arc twenty horses starting, including such good 'tins as Liberator, Donald MeKinnon, Tiritea, Bombardier, Lord Vivian, St. Kilda, Hop Garden, and Tally-ho. Liberator is favorite at the present time, but I prefer one of the lighter weights, and will select

Lord Vivian or St. Kilda to furnish the winner. In the Maiden Steeplechase there are seventeen starters, the best of which I like are Nad.iy or Sir Athol. Twelve horses have cried content in the Maiden Hurdles, and I shall expect

Starlight or Clayton to be awarded the stakes. Twenty-four horses nre left in the Welter, whkli I think should be won by PiETitinrTiox or St. Kegel. In the Pony Handicap, a field of seven will face the barrier, the best of which are Unknown or Bit-o'-Fashion. The Great Northern Steeplechase, of 400 sovs., conies up for decision oil Monday. There are twenty-one horses engaged, and no doubt ail excellent race will be witnessed. I shall select Mutiny or Liberator to furnish the winner. THE ENGLISH DERBY. London, June 4. At the Epsom summer meeting yesterday, the following was the result of the derby stakes : H.E.H. the Prince of Wales's b c Persimmon, by St. Simon —Perditta II '... ... (Watts) 1 Mr Leopold de Piothschild's br c St. Frusquiu, by St. Simon—lsabel Mr H. E. Beddington's br c Earwig, by Hampton—Wriggle ... 3 Won by a neck, after a most .exciting race. Tin e, 2min 42 4-sth sec, lsec between second and third horse. Loates, the rider of St. Frusquin, broke a stirrup leather during the last struggle. Tremendous cheering greeted the Prince of Wales, and lasted for a quarter of an hour.