LATEST SPORTING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 658, 3 October 1884, Page 13

LATEST SPORTING.

We are glad to hear that at last Wellington is coming' to the fore in racing matters, and that such influential citizens as Mr Levin, Dr Newman, Captain Hume, and others are taking an active Interest in the Wellington Jockey Club. It was decided on Thursday to hold a race meeting on the 27th November, the day before the Hutt races. It is to be regretted that the remaining members of the Wellington Racing Club have not sunk their their pride and resolved to work for the general good of sport instead of forcing the younger and larger elub to take the present steps. .A.B it is now, the Hutt Haees will nave neither sport nor money. Townpeople are in duty bound to euppo-rt the races held nearest to Wellington, which city, however, is not at present rich enough to support three consecutive days’ racing. There has been a lot of talk about the ground not being fit for racing at Island Bay, but those wko have made this statement cannot possibly have seen the course during the last few days. The grand stand and all fixtures will be ready by the 27tb, and as the nomination and acceptance money only amounts to 4J per cent of the prize, compared with 6 per cent at the hfutfc, we anticipate the opening meeting will prove a great success. This of course must result in a loss to the old club. How-

ever, it is well that this loss should be suffered at once, as no doubt some of the members would agitate for the construction of a railway, which would mean still further loss, and then the cry would doubtless be, “ Look what we sacrificed for the good of sport ! ’ Had the Hutt people acted wisely, they would years ago have made the racecourse more accesible, for then the Island Bay course would never have been thought of. The programme is a good one, as will be seen below, and as the nomination is 1 sov in all the races is, with the exception of the big event, which is 2 sova and acceptance 4 sovs, large entries may naturally be looked for. The following is the programme : Handicap Flying, 50 sovs, | miles. Hurdle, 70 sovs, 2 miles. Hurdle Hack, 20 sovs. Wellington Jockey Club Handicap, 200 sovs, 1J miles. Hack Race, 20 sovs, 1 mile. Island Bay Handicap, 80 sovs, 1 mile. Tramway Plate, 40 sovs, g mile.