SPORTING NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 221, 21 September 1895, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

FIXTDBEB, Oct. 7 and B— Hawke'eßaj JO. SpriDg. Oct. 15 and 16 -Napier Park R.O. Spriiig. Oot. 17— North Otago J.O. SpriDg. Oot, 17 and 18 -WBDganui J.O. Spring. Oot. 22 and 23 -Poverty Bay Turt Club Bpiing. Nov. 5, 7 and 9 -Canterbury J.O. NOTES BI THUNDERBOLT. It is needless to say that the decision arrived at by the Birthday Racing Club to hold a Spring Meeting was well received by the sporting community. A good day has been chosen, and I feel confident the meeting wiil be a success. Pleasure seekers should not forget the Maori Hack Meeting at Spring Creek on Wednesday next, where a pleasant afternoon should be spent. The first day of the Auckland Spring Meeting proved very successful. Waiuku justified my confidence m him by annexing the double, thereby incurring a 31b penalty m the New Zealand Cup. In the Steeplechase, Union .Tack and Nero met with accidents, which necessitated their being destroyed. The victory of Mr D. O'Brien's Rob Ray, m the A.J.C. Derby was well received, although Mannlicher's win would have been far more profitable to punters who went nap on Maxim's son. The Hawke's Bay J.C. have nofc received a very great entrance for their Spring Meeting, however, with the Hawke's Bay Guineas on the pro* gramme the gathering is bound to be interesting. The weights for the Flying Handicap have made their appearance, and so far my preference lies for Caribou and Heavenly Twin. Judging from the way Irish Twist is nominated it io not the intention of his owners to incur a penalty for New Zealand Cup. Breeders would do well to peruse the first page of the paper where they will find the various stallions at their service for the season. Among others will be found Catesby (Musket Prunella) whose last season it is said to be m Marlborough, and breeders should not miss the opportunity of securing a strain of the highly priced Musket blood. At Fleinington recently St. Hippo galloped the wind out of Doris for the first half of a mile, and then picked up a horse like Royal Rose for a brush home. Royal Rose beat him, but I do not think there was much m it (says a writer m the Sportsman). I opine St Hippo is the best horse I have ever seen, Abercorn and Carbine notwithstanding. I know its a big word to say, but I will stick to it. Ho is still as fat as a bull, but that don't stop him from galloping faster than good horses m a much more forward state. His knee and hock seem to be getting sounder as he works on. I will ask for nothing better than this beautiful Maori, if well, on Melbourne Cup Day. The way starting if managed m America: — Starter : "Now go back ; I won't leave you." Rider : " No, I know you won't, for I ain't going to give you a chance."