GISBORNE RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1512, 17 April 1919, Page 9

GISBORNE RACING CLUB.

STEEPLECHASE MEETING. Among the most popular of the winter fixtures is the Gisborne Racing Club’s steeplechase meeting, which is to be held on the club’s course at Te Hapara on Thursday and Saturday, June 12 and 14. Coming less than a fortnight after the Auckland R. C.’s Great Northern meeting the Gisborne fixture will undoubtedly attract a number of the jumping division seen out at Ellerslie during the A.R.C. winter carnival. The Gisborne R.C.’s steeplechase meeting is one of the leading jumping attractions of the Dominion, and during the two days four cross-coun-try events and two hurdle races will come up for decision. On the opening day the Gisborne Steeplechase Handicap, of 400 sovs, about three miles, will occupy chief attention and that this valuable stake will be the means of inducing many owners of ’chasers to nominate their candidates for the event in question may be confidently expected. The lesser lights in the ranks of cross country performers will have the Tramway Hack Steeplechase, of 200 sovs, two miles, to engage their attention, and a good field should be seen out in that event. The Park Hurdles, of 250 sovs, two miles, should prove a strong incentive to give their hurdlers a chance of earning distinction. Chief in importance of the flat races

on the opening day is the Winter Oats Handicap, of £2OO sovs, I’4, miles, for which a splendid entry is anticipated, while the Flying Handicap, of 200 sovs, six furlongs, should attract a representative entry from the sprinting ranks. Two hack races, the Maiden Hack Race, of 125sovs, four furlongs, and Hack Flat Handicap, of 150sovs, seven furlongs, are to be run on the first day, and can be relied upon to both fill well. On the second day the Te Hapara Steeplechase Handicap, of 250sovs, about two miles and a-half, will form the principal attraction, and as the prospects are highly favourable for another good field of ’chasers, an interesting contest is promised. The Turanganui Steeplechase Handicap, of 200sovs, two miles, should be productive of a satisfactory entry from the hack class, and provide patrons with a spectacular race. The Gisborne Hurdle Handicap, of 200sovs, one mile and three-quarters, should prove to the liking of a number of hurdle candidates who will be suited by the furlong shorter race than on the opening day. The leading milers in attendance at the meeting will have the Waikanae Handicap, of 200sovs, in which to dispute supremacy over the eight furlong course, and the event should bring together one of the largest fields of the day. The Farewell Handicap, of 150sovs, six furlongs, is set apart for the leading sprinters, while the hacks will have the opportunity of contesting either or both the Maiden Hack Handicap, of 125sovs, five furlongs, or the Second Hack Flat Handicap, of 150sovs, six furlongs. Nominations for all events will close with the secretary, Mr. H. E. Dodd, on Friday, May 23, at 8 p.m.