SPORTING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8953, 9 December 1890, Page 2

SPORTING.

A TROTTING MATCH TO URENUI AND BACK. There was considerable interest manifested in the wager made by a well-known business man in town that he would drive a buggy with two horses at a trot to Urenui and back within four hours. The wager was made with two commercial travellers, and was for £20 a-side. .The start on the drive was made at 2 minutes to 4 o'clock, from the front of the Criterion Hotel, on Monday afternoon, a large number of spectators fieing present. The drive of 10£ miles to Waitara was done in 50 minutes or thereabouts, and thence to Urenui, a distance of 10 miles, in 45 minutes, the hotel at the latter place being reached at twenty-five minutes to 6 o|clock. After a short spell there a return was made, Waitara being reached at. twenty-five minutes to 7 .o'clock. Another short halt was made here, and then a start was made for home, tto driver being sent off by the Waitara folks with three cheers. On the way in a short halt was made at Bell Block, and from this point into town the driver was joined by a number of traps, sulkies, and horsemen, who formed a large escort. The drive down Devon-street was like a triumphal procession, so numerous were the people who had come to have a look at the finish, and at the finishing post in front of the Criterion a dense crowd had collected— and yet they say we are not a sporting community. The finishing post was reached in abQut fifteen minutes under the four hours, which expired at two minutes to eight o'clock, and as the driver pulled up he was greeted with three hearty cheers. The trotters went the whole of the journey of forty-one miles splendidly, and were not at all fagged when brought into the stables. There was a little cutside wagering on the event.

Silverlock has been scratched for the Flying Handicap at the Boxing. Day races, and Scutcher has also been scratched for the Hurdles at the' same* meeting. - Jenny will be . trained to Hawera on Thursday, to be ready for her six furlong spin against Weka on Friday. Jenny is reported to be going capitally in her work.