SPORTING NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXX, Issue 193, 18 August 1894, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

NOTES BY "THUNDERBOLT." Another New Zealand Grand National Meeting has to be numbered with past events. Norton's win m the Steeplechase was most popular, and Mr Gollan must be considered lucky m so coon getting a return for his outlay. Clarke rode an excellent race, more especially when one bears m mind that his stirrup leather broke at the 6rst fence ; and he received quite an ovation when the public became aware of (ha difficulties he had to contend with. Clarke's success m this event is quite noticeable, as during the list four years he has ridden three winners, viz , Freeman, Ahua, and Norton ; and one sscond, Norton, list year. Truly a record hard to break. la the Beaufort Steeplechase (seccnd day) Balle and Bombardier were equal favoritoa. It proved to be a great race between Robin, Bombardier, and Booties — finishing m that order, two lengths only separating the trio. Booties carried 71bs overweight, or would otherwise probably have caught the judge's eye firat. An item that should meet with the approval of till sportsmen was the calling before tbe stewards of one of the riders m the En field Steeplechase and a tine inflicted, f>r punishing his horse too Reverely after all chanoa of winning was gone. Musket annexod the Welter, by two lengths the tirst day; and Mariner, who was favorite, and acted as runner-up, scored the second day, and paid a handsome dividend. King John, stable companion to Musket, waa heavily backed for this latter evonr. It is wonderful how clever the public are, but they don't know everything, and get "left ' sometime. Gillie and Robin were the only horses at the meeting to score a double win. Evbrybodx should subscribe to " Faib Play," the leading monthly magazine. Thirty six pages of reading matter and illustrations; subscription, post free, 6/6 per year, payable m advance. McKflO & Gamble, Publishers, Wellington.