SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 81, 30 July 1896, Page 3

SPORTING NEWS.

RACING ITEMS. [By Gipsy Grand.] Most of the local horses engaged at the Wellington meeting haue returned. The Hastings stables are filling in view of the Spring campaign, and the district is likely to turn out some young fliers. At least 20 two-year-olds are being exercised. The sum of £11,770 was put through the totalisator at the Wellington meeting. An interesting fact in connection with the V.E.C. Grand National Hurdle Race is that a bay horse has won on no less than thirteen occasions out of the sixteen contests that have taken place for that race. Revolt's injuries received in the Hastings hurdles are greater than was at first thought, and the son of Treason will be granted a spell. Mr Douglas's four year old candidates for the New Zealand Cup, Niccolo and Waihau, are reported to be going w r ell. C. Mitchell, who was up on Canard in the Wellington Steeplechase, received severe injuries when he fell. Auraria's yearling brother, Aurum, has just been broken in at St. Albans. He is a very promising looking colt. Wallace's bruised heel and split hoof have thoroughly recovered from the injuries received in the llandwick Autumn Meeting, and the champion three-year-old is now doing slow work preparatory to pushing along with his spring preparation. There seems at last to be a growing feeling against the overdoing of racing by the unlimited competition amongst ponies, and it is intended to bring the matter before the annual meeting of the A.J.C'. in August with a view to imposing some restrictions which will save the sport from partial destruction. The well-known sportsman Mr S. R. Kennedy, who is noted for the vigilance with which he watches the interests of the turf, believes that pony or galloway racing should be prohibited on courses within 40 miles of the metropolis. It is amusing to hear of the number of investors on Rainbow's big dividend who came from Hastings. During the past two days I have met at least thirty people who have informed me that they had tickets on the machine on the winner, and at least twenty more have said that they were just getting their money on when the bell rang. As the total investment on Rainbow was £2l, and as it is very probable that at least one or perhaps two sports belonging to other places than here risked a pound, I fail to see how all the "knowing ones" belonged to Hastings. I think it was the Psalmist who said that " all men are liars," and some of our sports are evidently no exception to the rule.