SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 396, 11 August 1897, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

'[By Gipsy Grand.l Merman won the Lewis Handicap in England on Saturday last. Ten horses started. The son of Trenton was not yuoted m the betting. The C.J.C. meeting opens to-morrow at Riccarton. This year the number of acceptors in the various events is exceptionally large, and the task of picking winners is a very difficult matter. The Hunters' Hurdles is the opening event and I expect to see Coastguard or Puketoi turn up trumps. The Maiden Hurdles should go to Unislopogaas or Quiltiri. The Grand National will now come on for decision. Mutiny heads the list in the large field of 17. He has twice been successful over the Riccarton country, but I am inclined to think that he will meet his Waterloo to-morrow. If Hope should steer Mutiny to victory for the third time, then the pair deserve to be carried to the paddock shoulder high. Every other horse in the race has victorious performances appended to its name, and on this score the chance of picking the winner is remote. After due deliberation, however, I am inclined to select the following three in the order named : Kingswood Perform Mutiny. The Tally-ho Plate may be annexed by Jorrocks. For the Bracelet I prefer Colebeck. The Enfield Steaple looks a good thing for Violence. Manawanui or Wedlock should be handy at the finish of the Winter Handicap. St Wolfs tan or Warrior should accouut for the Hunt Club Bracelet.