Sporting.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 13 July 1894, Page 2

Sporting.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. The following weights have been declared for the Grand National Meeting : steeplechase. Norton, 12st 81b ; Liberator, 12st 81b ; Waterbury and Despised, list Sib ; Clarence, lOst 131 b; Bombardier, ICst 111 b; Tiritea, lOst 101 b ; Mutiny, lOst 91b ; Melinite, lOst 81b ; Morag, lOst 7lb ; Yixtrix, lOst 61b ; Booties, lOst 51b ; Robin, lOst 21b ; Crazy Kate, lOst lib ; Christmas,lOst; Bello, 9st 111 b ; War Dance, 9st 101 b ; Dromedary, 9st 91b ; Nauakia and Fishmonger, 9st 81b ; Pomona, Amgaigam, Salute, Bishop, and Karewa, 9st 71b, HURDLES. Liberator, 12st Gib ; Kulnine, l2st 81b; Couranto, 12st; Kapua, list 101 b ; St. Kilda, list 21b: Clarence, list; Melinite and Despised, lOst 101 b ; Musket, lOst 91b ; Magazine, lOst Gib; Empire, lOst 61b; Fright and Barnardo, lOst; Morag, 9st 131 b; Stranger, 9st 121 b ; Cyrus and Goodwood, 9st 111 b ; War Dance, 9st 101 b ; Jacob Faithful, 9st 91b ; Perkin, 9st 81b ; Starling, 9st 71b ; Straysbot, 9st 21b ; Dromedary and Split Link, 9st. [Notes by “ Caledon.”] The racing statistics for the past year (compiled by “ Pentagrapb,” the turf statistician of the Weekly Press and Referee) have been issued, and a glance through them show that great care and attention has been bestowed on their compilation. From them I notice that West Coast sportsmen have fared fairly well in securing prize money, Mr E. Calthrop being credited with £1039 through the successes of Monte Carlo, Chatterbox, and Cyrus; and Mr H. Knight, £649, Prioress being the principal oat winner. Straysbot and Wbiffler have been intrumental in winning £405 for Mr F. McGovern ; while Booties, Whalebone, Rambler, Bonovorce, Docility, Starlight, and Rewa have done good service for their respective owners. I notice that punters are thus early backing their fancies for the New Zealand Cup, Skirmisher, An Revoir, Prime Warden, and Pinrose having received support, the latter on behalf of the stable. ’ Kai Rvi Lady, one of the best “hacks” this season, was injured while being schooled over hurdles at Auckland recently, and will most likely be prevented from sporting silk for some time. Mr R. E. Mcßae’s old ’chaser Whalebone, who dislocated a fetlock in the Wanganui Steeplechase last May, has been taken home to Manaia. The many friends of the horse and his popular owner will be sorry to hear that his racing career is probably at an end. This is extremely bad luck for Mr Mcßae, as the horse was standing a good preparation, and the bandicappers had not crushed him with weight, as was the case during last season. Egmont was brought down with a view of being sold to Mr Keith, the Melbourne turfite, when that gentleman was here a fortnight ago, but no business resulted. The horse, so far, has never been properly trained, but with care and attention, I should not be at all surprised if lie did not develop into a good cross-country “ moke,” as he has plenty of size, and is not wantin pace. If the Bill which has been introduced into the House to limit the use of the totalisator to seventy-five days a year becomes law, hack racing will be greatly curtailed, if not extinguished. In looking at the number of “ ex-hacks ” which have distinguished themselves, both in this and the sister colony, particularly at the “ illegitima f e ” game, no one can deny that hack racing does not improve aud encourage the breeding of good horses. If the measure passes, good-bye to many a pleasant afternoon’s sport on this coast. Now that the covering season is approaching, I would like to inform owners that a first-i;ate season could be worked up here with a good, upstanding hackney or trotting horse. I had a l etter from “ Bob ” Munro last week, in which he mentioned be will probably pay us a visit before long. His many friends will, I am sure, be pleased to see him again, and have a “pitch” with him about “ oss.” Tate, the animal that won the Pony Trot at the Normanby Trotting Meeting on May 24tb, bas changed hands, having been purchased by Mr M, Carroll. It is time that owners of coming three-year-olds took them in band to winter, with a view to the Harakeke Stakes next New Year’s Day. The executive of the Racing Club deserve to be encouraged for keeping this “Hack Derby” in the programme. This can best be done by owners responding by entering. • I noticed the dam of Wideawake enjoying her olium cum dig on the broad acre the other day. She is now in the sere and yellow, and was served last year by Fantastic, but unfortunately is nothin foal. Her owner, Mr M. Callender, has a rising fofcry ear-old gelding by Middletonian, which is growing into a nice horse, and may some day effect a surprise. •