SPORTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 469, 10 July 1902, Page 2

SPORTING.

TO-DAY’S RACES. NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS. j By “ Early Bird.” There is every indication of fine weather for too opening day of tho Gisborno Racing Club’s Steeplechase Meeting, to bo held at tbo Park racecourse to-day. Tbo running of tho train to tbo courso for tho first timo should mark a new era in tho history of the Club, and should tend to an improved attendance at its mootings. Tbo train leaves Gisborno at 11.20 and 1.80, and tho first race will bo delayed for ton or fifteen minutes in ordor to allow excursionists to reaoh tbo course in timo to seo tbo event. Tbo Club’s popular Secretary, Mr M. G. Nasmith, has mado oxccllcut arrangements for tho meeting, and there' should bo a record gathering. The following notes and anticipations havo been supplied by our special sporting scribe : The programme opens with tho Hurdlo Race, which iH likely to havo a field of five of tho soven acceptors, Sylvnnus and Medallius being tho übsent ones. 'v'"> top-weight, Tauhoi, has come through a careful preparation, and is pretty fit. Ilor connections aro very sanguine about hot ability to win, and tho old grey should take a lot of beating. Being hor maiden attempt over sticks, I am not altogether wedded to hor, and in a hard-run raco 1 expect to seo Papatu make tho paco protty warm for hor, even if ho does not beat her. Mr Clark’s gelding has ono failing : ho is not too safe on his pins ; and probably this fact v/ill causo many to steer clear of the son of Crnckshot. Hylas is a good jumper, but lacks pace. Hippowai has tho handy impost of 10.0,

and is likely to carry a good deal of Northorn money. Wilson has done nothing of note over fences. My selection is: Bapatu 1 Hippowai 2 Tauhei ... 3 A fino field of fifteen figures on the card for the Ladies’ Bracelet, und a good race should result. A.B.N. ha 3 shown good form recently, but tho groat weight or 13.5 should prove a steadior, and prevent him running away from his field. Tno going, howevor, is likely to bo firstclass, and the son of Crackshot will bo about at tho finish. Mr W. Johnson generally wins the Ladies’ Bracelet, and I understand his entry, Morpeth, a fine five-year-old gelding by Crackshot Lady Wester, is much fancied by tho cognascenti. Ping-Pong is another competitor entitled to respect, and should certainly run into a place. Falstone, Iketero, and Llangolian have also shown good form. Tho numbers may go up Morpeth 1 A.B.N 2 Ping-Pong 8 The Flying Handicap has a field of seven all good performers. Daredevil comes with a good reputation from Napi’r, and The Doctor, from tho North Shore 6table, is likely to prove a tough customer. There are several local competitor which should

not bo passed over—Sheelawee, Soultina, A.8.N., Park, and Argyll—all of whom should run well, My fancy is— Soultina 1 Park 2 Daredevil ... ... 3 The Trial Steeplechase has a field of four, and should bo fought out between The Gryphon and The Pullack, my vote being for the former. The Maiden Hack has seven entries, and a good race should be witnessed. My tip is—

Iketere 1 Bullfinch... ... ... 2 Batsy 3 The Hunters' Cup should attract the largest field of the day, and tbe winner appoars to be carefully concealed. Tcha and the Gryphon hold tbe places of honor as regards weight, and of the pair I prefer the chances of tho latter, who ran in good style during the Napier meeting. Peter Osbcck and Hippogriff have much improved, as also have Ikatere, Mangamahaki, and Adventurer. Whatever wins should pay a good dividend, and my selection is: Gryphon or Mangamahaki... I Morpeth ,' 2 Peter Osbeck 3 The Winter Oats, a mile and a distance, has a field of nine, and the regult will depend in a great measure upon previous running : Wilson 1 Daredevil 2 A.B.N