SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 319, 11 May 1897, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

[By Gifsy Grand.] Sabretache arrived at Auckland yesterday from Sydney. Owing to an irregularity in regard to forwarding his fees, Mr George Cooper has been notified by the secretary of the Wellington Racing Club that he has forfeited the stakes won by Much Ado in the hurdle race at the Hutt, in accordance with rule 58. The protest lodged by the owner of Bracelet on the ground of faulty starting in the Flying Handicap at the North Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting was dismissed on the following grounds :—(1) The stewards were satisfied that the start for the Flying Handicap was from the five furlong post; (2) That they were of opinion that B. Derrett, the rider of Bracelet, was to blame for being left at the post, and that he should be cautioned as to his starting in future; (3) That the starter Mr C. O'Connor, was in no way to blame in respect to Bracelet being left at the post. I should like to throw out a suggestion to the H.B. Jockey Club that might turn out satisfactory if it were adopted. The official holiday for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations has been set down in New Zealand for Tuesday, June 22nd. If the Jockey Club is open to receive a scribe's opinion they will hold the opening day of the winter meeting on the 22nd instead of the 23rd. I would also like to see a little loyalty introduced into the programme and that The Grand Old Lady's name be associated with a race which might be introduced for an opening event (flat) to be called the " Becord Beign Handicap." If an extra race could not be worked in, I would like to see the June Handicap changed to a more appropriate name.