SPORTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 938, 10 July 1903, Page 4

SPORTING.

GISBORNE RACING CLUB’S MEETING. The Gisborne Racing Club were favored with glorious weather tor the first day of their winter meeting, and the attendance was very Jarge. Speculation was remarkably keen throughout the day, and although the fields were not large the sum of £3514 was put through the totalisator, no less than £740 being invested on tho Maiden Scurry. This we believe to be a record for the course. After the dry weather of late the course was in excellent order, and the arrangements made by the Secretary (Mr M. G. Nasmith) for the conduct of the meeting left nothing to be desired. Captain Tucker officiated as starter, and Mr A. Pritchard as Clerk of the Course. Mr W. O. Skeet made an energetic totalisator steward, and Mr J. E. Whitby was alive to his duties as Clerk of Scales. A splendid lunch was provided by Mr James Craig. The following are the results : Handicap Hurdle Race, of 60 sovs ; 2 miles. 151 H. Lowry’s br g Comfort, 4yrs, by Quilt—Vista, 10.7, H. Moore... 1 140 D. Hepburn’s b m Lady Raven, 9.12, Williams 2 Also started : 74 Levant, Noble, Levant struck a hurdle at the back of the course, and was pulled up, leaving Lady Raven and Comfort to fight out the issue. This pair raced on terms until the turn for home, when the Napier horse drew away, and at tho last hurdle had a good lead. He made a bad jump and nearly came down, but Moore cleverly recovered, and getting going again, Comfort won hard .held by a couple of lengths. Time, 3.57. There were 369 investors, and the dividend was £2 3s. Hack and Hunters’ Flat, of 20 sovs ; one mile and a distance.

101 C. J. Bennett’s br g Vivacity, by Crackskot Frivolity, 10.5, Jones 1 220 J. J- Fry’s b g Local Option, 10.5, Wright 2 91 H. 0. Dunlop’s b in Bullfinch, 11.0, McKenzie • • 3 Also ran : 49 Guilliettu, 24 Mokai, 19 Kaiti. , Vivaoity came with a strong run in the straight, and won in good stylo by two lengths. Time, 2.71. There were 507 investors on the totalisator, and the divs. were £3 7s and 10s.

Flying Handicap, of 40 sova ; 6 furlongs 244 J. Clark’s br g Croupier, by Monaco —Pouawa, 9.9, Byan ... 1 20 G. C. Ormond’s b g Hinetapauriki, 10.9, Wright 2 bO Heta To Kani’s b g Hiki, 9.9, McKinnon 3 Also ran : 119 la, 22 Soultina, 127 Mongonui, 29 Argyll, 8 Bomany Girl, and 4 Nukurau. When the flag fell, Ryan took Croupier to the front, and he was never caught, winning easily by three lengths from Hinetapaurika. ■ Time 1.18 2-5, on machine 603, divs. £1 13s and £6 15s. Gisborne Park Steeplechase, of 100 sovs ; about 3 miles.

195 W. O’Sullivan’s b g Straybird, by Wanderer—Fleetwing, 11.12, Mor-

rigan ••• 1 200 A. McMillan’s br g The Pullack, 10.6, Wright 2 40 Mrs M. Boss’s br g Kanaka, 9.12, Ross 3 Other Btarters: 113 Cronje, 89 Marine, 49 Hylas. This was one of the prettiest crosscountry races ever seen at the Park. The Pullack led for the first mile, closely attended by Hylas and Kanaka, whilst Straybird and Marine were well up, and Cronje, running very disappointingly, last. Passing the stand the second time The Pullack, Straybird, Marine, and Kanaka were almost on terms, and kept close company along the back stretch. Entering the straight Straybird and The Pullack drew away, and an interesting finish to the post ended in Straybird winning by a bare length, Kanaka being third, Marine fourth, Hylas fifth, and Cronje last. Time, 6.36. There were 656 tickets on the machine, and the divs. were H2 7s and 15s.

Maiden Scurry, 15 sovs; 5 furlongs. 273 L. Williams’ br g Jacob, by Crackshot—Rosemary, 9.0, McKinnon 1 148 S. Williamson’s b m Yashmak, 9.0 Malone 2 96 F. A. Martin’s blk g Woodfield, 9.0, J. McPherson 3 41 Cracknell, 13 Pax, 80 Bullfinch, 13 Sarilla, 8 Mokai, 9 Paleface, and 59 Federation also ran. Jacob was first away and won by two lengths. Time 1.5 2-5, Therjb were 740 investors on the machine, and the dividend was £1 16s on Jacob and £1 Is on Yashmak.

Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase Handicap, 25 sovs; about 2 miles and a distance. 185 H. Crowther’s b g Kaitore, by Castor —Viotoria, 11.7 Olive ... 1 22 J. M. Gouldsmith’s blk g Fencer, 10.12, Owner 2 103 Mangamahaki (Jones) also started. Mangamahaki fell early in the race, leaving Kaitere with a good lead of Fencer. The latter reduced the gap in the last round, but could not get on terms with Mr Crowther’s gelding. Time, 4.35. On machine, 310. Div., £l los, Winter Oats, 40 sovs; 1 mile and a distance.

205 J. Clark's Croupier, by Monaco— Pouawa, 9.7, Ryan 1 43 Heta Te Kani’s Hiki, 9.0, McKinnon 2 38 R. Harper’s Pinepinetekura, 9.0, Jones 3 Also started 213 Nukurau 9.0. Croupier, who was made a warm favorite, got away first and was never asked to gallop, winning easily by several lengths- Time, 2.4 1-5. There were 299 investors on the machine, and the dividend was HI 6s.