SPORTING NEWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 248, 17 January 1889, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

THE POVERTY BAY TURF CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING. President, Major Pitt; Vice-President, Mr J. W. Johnson ; Stewards, Messrs G. L. Sunderland, D. Dobbic, W. Wethered, James Orr, P. Donner, J. Clark, F. Casein; Judge, Mr C. D. Bennett; Starter, Captain Winter ; Handicapper, Mr C. D. Bennett; Clerk of the Scales, Mr J. W. Nolan; Clerk of the Course, Mr A. Pritchard; Secretary, Mr J. fl. Aislabie. Notwithstanding the paucity of acceptances this meeting gave promise of excellent sport—aod in a measure did so, some of the finishes being remarkably close. The weather, an all important desideratum, promised fair, but like many other promises, was broken. About two o’clock ugly rain clouds were noticed, and after holding visitors to the course in a state of admixed fear and hope, as to getting a welting and as to their respective tanks being filled, Jupiter Pluviua let loose. Then there came a clamour tor other people’s overcoats, disputes as to the ownership of umbrellas, —claims even as to the gunny bags tor coverings. Bun<Jry episodes in this direction might be narrated, but as racing is the subject matter, remarks will be confined to that direction. The first event, the Hurdle Race, proved a complete boil over for “ those who know, yon know" — the local horse Ariel again proving that careful and judicious training, and excellent riding, renders him a difficult horse to baa*. Gipsy’s win in the Hack Hurdles, without disparaging the mare's going qualities, may ba scored up as a big addition to Charley. Sufi’s previous records. In the “ Flying the horses came in as “ Willow ” predicted. Lady Florin holding all tho other cattle cheap. In the " Maiden Hacks,” Eddie Harris on Falcon rode an excellent race, winning comfortably. Speculation ran high as to the probable winner of the Maiden Plata, the handsome little daughter of Herculaneum and May Moon, under the training of the Smith Brothers for about three weeks, set tling the question. Ths Turanga Stakes Hanflicap ended in a trouble—Lady Norah winning as she pleased, but being debarred from the stakes owing to an alleged cross. Acting in a manner which is open to much question, outside evidence was not taken, owing it is, or was. at the time, stated, that more or leas, those making statements might be interested. Of course the Stewards who came to the decision had not a single pennyworth of interest in the totalisator dividend. Tjie trouble is regrettable, as Mr Bobbett. the owner of Lady Norah, is accredited with being a thoroughly straight sporting man, and Dan Page, who rods the mare, has never before been accused of unfair riding. The decision of the Stewards met with decided marks of disapproval, even by the voices of those who benefited by it. The first day’s meeting closed unfortunately with a somewhat serious accident. Mr Binny, attempting' to cross the course before all the horses had finished in the " Scurry,” was knocked down and so injured that the services of Dr Pollen were rendered necessary. However desirable a race of this sort may appear in the eyes of some, the putting up of boys (catch weights) on semi-trained horses appears objectionable. The plucky youngster, Arthur Cross, who gained a victory on Goldfish, might weigh three stone, but his strength was soon expended, and after riding an additional involuntary mile and a half he came to grief. The starting of Captain Winter was highly spoken of by outside visitors, as was also the manner in which Mr A. Pritchard acted as Clerk of the Course. Mr Nolan it would be impossible to speak too highly of as Clerk of Scales, the office being certainly no sinecure. Tho Secretary proved hhnself to bo what he always is. Mr Bennett, as judge, had no difficulty in deciding how tho horses passed the post. The following is a description of the racing:— Hurdle Race, of 70sovs ; distance, 2 miles. J. Smith's br g Ariel, 5 yrs, 9.12; Edward James—Dainty Ariel mare ■ (R. Smith) 1 R. Ellingham's ch g Harold. 10.8. (Redman) 2 J. Gallagher’s gr g Peter Osbeck, 11.5.

(Fergus) 3 Darnley (H. Brown). The Moor (Bennett), Trcgeagle 111. (Moraghan) also ran. After a slight delay the horses went at the fall of the flag in acluster Peter Osback gaining a slight lead, first negotiated the jump in front of the Grand Stand, closely attended by the others. Ariel then came along with a rush and cries of “ he’s off ’* were heard, but Bob Smith evidently knew what he was doing and allowed his horse to play for a bit. Harold, Darnley, and Peter Osbeck followed in the order mentioned, Tregeagle and The Moor bringing np the rear. At the third obstacle Ariel nod still a clear lead, but his rider had fiy this time steadied him, and Harold assumed the lead, Darnley lying third, and Peter Osbeck close on the latter’s heels. The Moor evaded tho fourth jump and was virtually out of tho race. Passing the Stand the second rima Ariel, Harold and Peter Osbeck wereerell together, the former having a slight advantage. Here Tregeagle came to grief, his jockey fortunately not being injured. At the lack of the course Harold had again come to the front, Pater Osbeck racing up to the leading pair, passing Darnley. Over the last jump it seemed to be Harold’s race, but Ariel along with a wet sail and in the straight collared, passed and beat the Southerner half a length, Peter Osbeck being a good third, and Darnley an indifferent fourth. Time, 4 7f. 311 on the machine, 71 on the winner div., £4 6s.

Hack Hurdles, of lOiovs ; distance, 1 mile.' Bailey's b m Gipsy, 11 4; by Sator (Suff) 1 Greene's Bachelor (Bennett) 2 Snip, Dynamite, Tom Tackle,. Cloth of Gold, and Bustle also carried colors. All the horses jumped splendidly, but the old mare with a horseman up hd’.d the roan horse safe, and won with a bit to spare. 230 on the machine; 45 on the winner. Dividend, £5 12s.

Flying Handicap, of lOOsovs; distance, j-rnile.

Ellis’ br m Lady Florin, 4yre, 8.0; Musket—Florin ... (Vaile) 1 Tatham’s bro Man Friday, .lyre; (Shaw) 2 Hepburn’e ch h Audacity, syre; (Hepburn) 3 Dancing Master and Impostor also ran. A capital start was effected, Man Friday rushing off, but having both Lady Florin and Audacity alongside. It was apparent from the start that the only ones in it were tho two visitors, and there was considerable excitement as they raced along side by aide, but at the bend it became evident that the mare had it all her own way, and she finished about half a length ahead with a lot in hand. At no time were Audacity or Dancing Master dangerous, the efforts made by them being merely momentary rushes. Time, 1.20 J, 280 on the machine ; 135 on the whiner. Dividend, £1 171.

Maiden Hacks, of lOsovs ; dietanoe, 1 mile. Hansen's Falcon .. .. (Harris) 1 There were seven starters for this event, the winner being most fancied. Falcon is by Merlin. 120 on the machine. 41 on the winner dividend £2 12e.

Maiden Plate, of 4Osovs; distance, 1 mile. F. Bodee ns b m Luna, 4yre, Herculaneum —May Moon .. .. (R. Smith) 1 D. Hepburn’s Turehau (Harrison) 2 Boyle’s Tit Bit .. .. (H. Brown) 8 Bedford, Myth, and Thyme also ran. There was some slight delay at the poet owing to the eagerness of the riders to get well away, but eventually they were sent off to a capital start. Thyme and Tit Bit led until about a quarter of a mile from home, when Turehau and Luna went up, the latter soon assuming the lead and eventually winning by a length and a half—rather more separating Turehau and Tit Bit. Time, 1.52 k. 235 on the totallutor, 18 on tbs winner. Dividend £ls He,

Turasga Stakes, of 250sovs; distance, 2 miles. Tatham’s br c Man Friday, 3yra ; fW Robinson Crusoe—Charity...(Shaw) 1 W. Hamon’s Nora (Streeter) 2 T. Greene’s Bit of Bine ... (Sceats) 3 Bobbett’s Lady Norah, by Leolinns — Stepps (Page), also ran, and though coming in first the stakes were awarded Man Friday cn the ground of a cross. The race requires no description: Man Friday with Norah alongside was permitted to gallop until the latter was evidently done. Then Lady Norah, who had been pulling double and lying behind all the time, was allowed to move up, which she did so expeditiously that on entering the straight she had eaught Man Friday and then cantered home the easiest of winners; Nora a very poor third, and Bit of Blue an even worse fourth. From the grand stand the alleged cross appeared to have been most decidedly the fault either of Man Friday shirking on being collared, or of his jockey pulling his horse on to the mare's quarters. Time, 3.44 J. 504 on the machine, 72 on the winner ; div., £6 6s. Lady Norah’s dividend would have been £1 7e. Half mile Scurry, of lOsovs ; distance, J-mile. Goldfish .. ■ ■ •. (A. Cross) 1 Nine others faced the starter, but the “ get away ” was the worst of the meeting, Da* being a long way in the rear. 202 on the machine, 28 on the winner ; div., £6 9s.