POLO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2741, 21 February 1910, Page 6

POLO.

EAST COAST POLO ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL TOURNAMENT

The annual tournament of the East Coast Polo Association was brought to a- conclusion on Saturday last. As usual the concluding day was devoted to the running of the Polo Cup in the morning at the Makaraka racecourse and the holding of a gymkhana on the polo ground in the afternoon. The different clubs' affiliated to the Association take turns each year in -running the sports, and it fell to the lot of the Mangaheia Club on Satui-day to control and manage the gymkhana. Messrs D. Black and' G. M. Reynolds wore the joint, secretaries, and they had all arrangements well in hand, being assisted by a good working committee. A nicely got up official programme, printed in dark green, the colors of the Mangaheia Club, was issued l by the management, and was of great assistance in helping patrons to follow the various events.

THE POLO CUP. The winning of the Cup Is an honor which is highly doveted bv polo players, and each year sees keen competition for the trophy. The races was run at 11.30 o’clock on Saturday morning on the Makaraka course. Doubtless owing to the superior quality of the ponies entered this year, only four starters went to the post out of the twelve nominated. There were about a hundred persons present, including a fashionable attendance of ladies. Mr. E. Murphy, president of the Mangaheia Polo Club, was an interested spectator. Mr. 11. Sherratt acted as judge, and’Mr. W. G. Sherratt as starter. A bookmaker was present on the course and did a little business.

POLO CUP, half-mile, weight for inches, minimum weight list 71bs, 41bs every half-inch over 14 hands. It. Reynolds’ Fashion Plate, 14.2, 12st 91b (W. L. Rutledge) ... 1 W. C. McKenzie’s Vivian, 14.2, 12st 91bs (H. A. Russell) ... 2 A. B. Williams’ Titi, 14.1, 12st lib, (D. Black) 3 —Also started: R. K. Murphy’s Vanity, 14.1 i, 12st slbs and' 4Jlbs over (owner). Mr. McKenzie’s pony went out a warm favorite, owing to the number of similar races it has won in Hawke’s Bay. Vivian played up at the post a bit, but Mr. Sherratt got /he quartette away on level terms. Vivian at once went to the front, closely attended by Fashion Plate, with Titi and Vanity lying a length away. At the turn into the straight Rutledge let liis mount out, and Fashion Plate drew clear away from the field, passing the judge’s box an easy winner, with a length and a half to spare. When Russell saw lie had no chance of catching the leader he eased up on Vivian, rind D. Black just failed to run Titi into second place. Vanity, who failed to show her usual form, was quite out of the hunt. Time, 54sec. SPORTS GYMKHANA.

After a good start for the polo gym, ldiana on Saturday afternoon, the day’s sport had to be abandoned during the afternoon, and the concluding three events left unfinished owing to a heavy downpour of rain. The prizes were presented by Mrs. R. Sherratt. Mr. Nolan spo'ko on behalf of the Poverty Bay Polo Club, and thanked the Hawke’s Bay Club for the sporting way in wliicii they had brought their ponies down, just prior to a New Zealand tournament, lie said he hoped they would be more successful another year and gain the ashes. Mr. H. Russell replied foi* Hawke’s Bay, and emphasised the fact that Poverty Bay were one of the first clubs to start, and had greatly helped the Hawke’s Bay Polo Club' at its start. The.results of the gymkhana were:— Bending Race.—lst Heat: K. S. Williams’ Ned. ..Second Heat: H. Russell’s Swallow. Third Heat: I). Black’s Rose. Fourth Heat: A. Campbell’s Green Eyes. Final: H. Russell 1, K. S. Williams 2, A. Campbell 3. Twenty entries.

Polo Ball Race. —First Heat: R. Sheratt’s Tim. Second Heat: W. McKenzie’s Vanity. Third Heat: T. Sherratt’s Tea. Fourth Heat: W. McKenzie’s Vivian. Final: W. McKenzie L, R. Sherratt 2. Twenty-one entries. Flag Race.—First Heat: R. SherrattSinbad. Second Heat.: T. Sherratt’s Tea. Third Heat: E. Monckton’s Waikite. Fourth Heat: H. Nicolas’ Spot. Final: T. Sherratt 1, R. Sherratt 2. Sixteen- entries. Ladies’ Bracelet.—First Heat: Mrs. R. Sherratt’s Tim. Second Heat: Mrs Mackenzie*.? Lassie. Third Heat: Mrs. T. Sherratt’s Paddy. Fourth Heat: Miss Monckton’s Waikite. Final: Mrs. T. Sherratt’s Paddy, Mrs. R. Sherratt’s Tim, Mrs W. McKenzie’s Lassie. Twenty entries. Miss Monckton’s Waikite; finished first, but had the misfortune to ’knock down a flag, and ; so was disqualified.

THE RHODES CUP. |Phr Press Association. | CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 20. The polo tournament for the Rhodes’ Cup was continued on Saturday, when Tipapa B (12' goals handicap) beat Christchurch. B (15 goals handicap) by 20 goals to 18, and Pareora (6\ goals handicap) beat Hawarden (same handicap) by 14 goals to 11. The tournament concludes on Monday, when Pnre-ora and Tipapa B will meek.