SPORTING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7954, 6 July 1897, Page 3

SPORTING.

GISBORNE PARK STEEPLECHASE MEETING. President :Mr E. F. Harris. Vice-Prebi-dent: Mr R. Sherratt. Stewards : Messrs R. Harper, C. White, J. A. Harding, D. Hepburn, J. Maynard, J. Sisterson, R. Sherratt, F. A. Martin, A. B. Newman, A. Taylor,- J. H. Martin, S. Williamson. Judge: Capt. W. H. Tucker. Starter: Mr G. J. Winter. Treasurer: Mr G. Matthewson. Handicapper : Mr C. D. Bennett. Totalisator Steward : Mr W. O. Skeet. Clerk of the Scales : Mr J. E. Whitby. Clerk of the Course : Mr A. Pritchard. Secretary : Mr M. G. Nasmith. .

The first day of the Gisborne Park Steeplechase Club's annual meeting is being held to-day on the Park racecourse under the most favorable conditions. The genirl Secretary's Mascotte has not deserted him, and the weather is most favorable, tho somewhat fresh breeze being tempered by the bright rays of the sun. The attendance promises to be eminently satisfactory, and the large number of acceptances bids fair to provide good fields. The Whataupoko Band, under the conductorship of Mr T. V. ABton, bandmaster, is in attendance, and fills up the intervals by playing a good selection of popular airs on the lawn. The course itself is in splendid condition, the jumps are well arranged, and the caretaker, Mr Knight, deserves great credit for the w-orkmanlike and satisfactory manner in which he has carried out his duties. All the officials are well to the fore. Captain Tucker's judging is giving general satisfaction, and Captain Winter is very successful in getting the fields away in good style. A lot of work devolves upon Mr M. G. Nasmith, the popular secretary, but as ■usual that energetic officer gets through it with a degree of cheerfulness and ability that tend greatly to the success and pleasure of the gathering. Mr W. O. Skeet fills his usual roll of Totalisator Steward, and investment on' the machine, which is in charge of Messrs Barry and Hogan, bids fair to be very satisfactory. The luncheon booth is in charge of Mr J. Erskine, who provides a splendid repast for his patrons. The proceedings opened with the Handicap Hurdle Race, in which a field of six, out of seven acceptances, faced the starter. Erena had been made favorite, with Morag close up, but the local horse Sam, who had held a good position throughout the race, led just before entering the straight for the run home, maintained his position over the last hurdle, and won comfortably by three lengths from the favorite, who only beat Morag by a head. The Saint fell the first time round, his jockey escaping with a heavy shaking. Tho dividend was £9 2s, a most satisfactory commencement of the day's proceedings. Only three started in the second event, the Hack Hurdles Handicap. Creeper was made slightly the favorite over Jack, who led soon after the start, but Creeper quickly displaced him, and from that time the race was practically never in doubt, and the favorite won after a good race by something less than a length. There was only one scratching for the Ladies' Bracelet, and of the remainder Jim was made a strong favorite, Whitefoot coming next in public estimation. Jim maintained the lead until shortly after passing the stand, when Whitefoot came up and passed him, and was never himself headed, winning comfortably by several lengths. Jibboom and Lady Florin were out of the running at an early period in the race, and did not trouble to go past the judge's box. Jibboom pulled up evidently very ill, and on being led into the saddling paddock laid down and died. The Trial Steeplechase brought four out of seven horses to the post, Sam being installed a strong favorite. Captain Winter got the horses away to an excellent start, and The Turk made the running for a considerable distance. His jumping, however, was not of the best, and Sam, who jumped splendidly throughout, on passing the stand had a lead of two or three lengths. Gorse tried hard to displace him, but was unable to get further than his girth. At the water jump the favorite drew away, and won an interesting race easily by several lengths. Following are the details of the day's racing :— Handicap Hurdle Race, of 60 boys., second horse to receive 10 soys. from the stakes. Two miles. 23 Mr J. A. Harding's b g Sam, by Morpheus, 9'lo (Atkins) 1 77 Mr R. Smith's eh m Erena, by Gladiator, 96 (Woolley) 2 69 Mr G. E. G. Richardson's b g Morag, by Lord of the Isles— Swindle, IT6 (Redmond) 3 —Also ran : 13 Queenstone, 10/8 (Hickey) ; 22 Lignite, 9-6 (Wright) ; 29 The Saint, 90 (Delaney) ; Hairy Legs 9-12 was scratched. From a fair start Lignite took the lead, Morag bringing up the rear ; and the first hurdle was taken in the same order. Round the bend Erena went up to second place, the Saint and Greenstone next, and Morag still last. At the next jump Erena took the lead, Sam being now second, and Lignite in close attendance. Sam took the next hurdle first and the Saint came down, but running down the straight Erena v was in front, with Sam close alongside, and the latter took the lead when passing the stand, Greenstone being third, Lignite fourth and Morag fifth. Shortly afterwards Erena, hard held, took premier position, and the next hurdle was cleared by Erena, Sam and Lignite in a bunch, Greenstone then came up into third place, but was displaced by Morag at the back of the course, and at the next hurdle he was third, Erena and Sam leading. Sam now came with a rush and led into the straight, ■with Erena second. Morag got on fairly even terms with the mare and a fine race ensued. Sam was three lengths ahead at the last obstacle, Erena crushed through the hurdle with Morag just behind, but neither could catch the leader, who won by three lengths from Erena, Morag being a head in the rear, Lignite several lengths behind the third horse, and Greenstone fifth four lengths away. Time, 4min Ssecs. Amount on machine £233. Div. , £9 2s. Hack Hurdles Handicap, of 15 soys ; 1J miles. 68 Mr R. Harper's br g Creeper, by Crawford Priory— Honeysuckle, 9'o (Roberts) 1 46 Mr D. McKenzie's b g Jack, by Foul Play— Queen of Hearts, 10 A (21bs over weight) (Casey) 2 61 Mr A. McKenzie's (jnr), eh g Beauly, by Norseman, 1012 (Haydon) ... 3 — These were the only starters Rifle (104) and Admore (9'o) being scratched. A splendid start was effected, Jack being the first to break the line. Creeper then went up with a rush, and took the first hurdle a couple of lengths ahead of Jack, with Beauly close behind. Entering the straight for tho first time the same order was maintained, Creeper hitting the stick rather smartly. The horses raced past the stand in the same order, three lengths separating each, but at the next hurdle Creeper jumped badly and Jack took the lead, Beauly losing ground, Creeper, however, gradually forged ahead, and at the next hurdle was leading by a length, Beauly closing in. In the same order the horses entered the straight and a good race ensued for home, whips being out on all three. Creeper maintained his lead and won after an exciting struggle by three-quarters of a length from Jack, Beauly tyree lengths away third. Time, 3min «^ecs. Amount on machine, £155. Div., *2 Bs. Ladies' Bracelet Handicap, of 15 soys. For qualified hunters ; to be owned and ridden by members of the Poverty Bay Hunt Club. Horses to have been ridden to the satisfaction of the Master. 1 J miles. 68 Mr W. G. Sherratt's b g Whitefoot, by Maroro, ]JO (Brcwster) 1 102 Mr W. Wethered's bg Jim, by Foul Play, 11-12 (McLean) 2 41 Mr G. D. Jobson's gr m Peggy, by Hailstorm, 12-0 (Jobson) 3 —Also started: 17 Lady Florin, 127 (Bennett) ; 6 Jibboom, 11*8 (Des Barres). Tommy (127) was scratched. The horses got away well together, and coming into the straight Jim was in front, Whitefoot being in close attendance. At the back of the course Whitefoot forged ahead, gradually increasing his lead, and being a length ahead on the turn into the straight, when he drew out and won with ease by four lengths from Jim, Peggy three lengths fitrther away third, and Lady Florin a long way (way fourth. Jibboom did not finish.

Time, 2min 27sec. Amount on machine, | £234. Div., £3 Is. j Trial Steeplechase, of 40 soys. For horses that have never won an advertised race of 40 soys. About two miles. 68 Mr J. A. Harding's h g Sam, by Morpheus, 10-10 (Atkins) 1 24 Mr No Puni's eh g Gorse, by Sou'wester—Camellia, 10-13 (Griffiths) 2 7 Mr A. McKenzie's Beauly, by Norseman, 104 (Hayrten) 3 —Also ran: 35 The Turk 912 (Donovan)Jim (10.10), Rifle (10-4), and Ercim (9-12) were scratched. After a good start Beauly was the first to show in front, but was quickly replaced by the Turk, Gorse lying last. The Turk led by six lengths over the first jump, with Sam next, hut the Turk jumping badly enabled Sam to get up to him ; Beauly occupying third plfice. At the sod wall Gorse led, but coming down the straight the Turk again jumped to tho front. At the double Sam drew up into premier position and gained a two lengths lead, he being tho first over the riekor fence, and The Turk jumping badly enabled Gorse to get into second place. Tho latter then set out in chase of Sam, and was at his girth going round the back of the course, The Turk being five lengths away, and JScaulcy five lengths further back. At the ontside jump Sam got a lead of three lengths, jumping splendidly. At the bend Beauly came into third position, but Sam increased his lead at the water jump, led over the first hurdle into the straight, and won easily by four lengths from Gorse, Beanly being 15 lengths away third, with The Turk close alongside. Time, 4min 17sccs. Amount on machine £134. Div. XI 15s. Flying Hack Handicap, of 20sovs. For all horses that have never won a race exceeding 40sovs in value. Six furlongs. 135 Mr J. A. Harding's gr m Tauhei, by Castor — Vivandierc, 9 2, (Butterworth), ... ... ... ... ... 3 71 Mr G. Cudd's eh g En Avant, by Forerunner, 9-4, (Cudd) 2 23 Mr A. Parson's b g Ngakaroa, by Kalo— Lnna, 10-0 (Maher) 3 —Also started : 30 Virago (10-7), 29 Magoozler (9-12), 11 Owhetoi (9-4), 4 Drift (9-0), 24 Pinepinekotura (90). Gorso (10-10), Hairy Legs (9-13), Wainui (67), Sassenach (9-4), My Sweetheart (9-4), were scratched. A good start was effected after some delay a.t the post. Ngakaroa and En Evant made the running, but Tauhei closed up on them at the bend, and taking tho lead on entering the straight won by bare!}' a length from En Evant, with Ngakaroa third close alongside. Time, lmin 20sec. Amount on machine, £327 ; dividend, £2 3s. Hunter's Steeplechase Handicap, of 20 soys., for qualified hunters, the bonn fide property of members of a Hunt Club ; gentlemen riders. Distance about two miles. 94 Mr D. Thomson's b g Rifle, by Derringer, 12-0 (F. McKenzie) 1 42 Mr W. Wethered's Jim, 12-0 (Callaghan) 2 11 Mr W. Jobson's Tommy, 11-0 .. 3 — Also started : Macaroni (22), The Shearer (77), Whitefoot (29). Cloth of Gold and Admore were scratched. From a fair start Jim and The Shearer took the lead, and the latter shortly afterwards leapt to the front, and Whitefoot came into place, taking the lead over the hurdle, with The Shearer second and Rifle in close attendance. Tommy then got into the second division, alongside of The Shearer, Whitefoot keeping the lead by three lengths. At tho richer fence Tommy was leading. The Shearer and Whitefoot came down. Tho latter gave up the race, but The Shearer's jockey remounted and started after the others. Tommy then led round the back of the course and Rifle came up fast, and at the water jump gained the lead, winning by four or five lengths from Jim, who held a good position on the outside from the ricker. Time, 4min 31 2-sth sec. £273 on totalisator ; dividend, £2 12s. Winter Oaks Hack Handicap, of 25 soys. Distance, one mile. 123 Mr J. A. Harding's Tauhei, 9'o ... 1 45 Mr G. Cudd's En Evant, 92 ... 2 22 Mr R. Harper's Creeper, 10 2 ... 3 — Gorse 10-10, Greenstone 10'S, Dangar 10-2, Owhetoi 9-4, Sassenach 9-3, Jock 9-0, Mechanic 9 - 0 also started. Magoozler was scratched. Won by three lengths. Time, lmin 51secs. £291 on machine. Div., £2 Is. The total amount put through the totalisator during the day was £1647. Melbourne, July 5. Wallace, Havoc and Kobold have been scratched for the Melbourne Cup, and Strathsprey, Hopscotch and Kobold for the Caulfield Cup. Dunedin, To-day. The annual report of the Jockey Club states that the credit balance of £1333 has disappeared and a debit of £160 takes its place. Owing to improvements on tho new course there was an actual loss on the racing of £30, and there would have been more but for the reduction of the stakes, which is a matter for regret. Next season, when the races will be he held on the new course, an improvement is anticipated, besides which the Club is relieved of a rental of £1209 per annum. It is hoped that the new ground will not cost more than £SOO, and the rental will be about £300. Regret is expressed at leaving Forbury and having to abandon all the improvements made thereon.

Mr Gubbins refused an offer of £25,000 for Galtee More, made [by Prince Louis Esterhazy, who has purchased for tho Kisbcr Stud Bonavistii. the 1892 Two Thousand winner, for £15,000.