SPORTING NEWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 301, 21 May 1889, Page 3

SPORTING NEWS.

(By Willow.)

A visit to the Waerengaja-hilta race course a couple of mornings ago gave me a slight insight as to the probable doings of some of the horses engaged in the coming meeting. The first to strip was Ariel, who went once round slow. Luna in the meantime had started on another part of the course, about ix furlongs from home. She was picked up by the brown horse about half a mile from the deciding post, and the pair came along merrily, Ariel having all the best of the mare. I fancy Luna had her weight up, and that it effectually stopped her. Dancing Master did a good serviceable two miles, but although looking well scarcely seemed to be going as strong as might be desired. New York did slow work. This old favorite, and at one time hard to beat over three quarters of a mile, seems somewhat “dickey,” Impose? did three quarters at top speed, and did remarkably well—in fact carried the boy another mile before he could steady him. This was undoubtedly the gallop of themorning. Nancy and the grey hack Theodolite followed, going a mile, the mare having all the best of it, I may here remark that Alex Parsons deserves credit for the fitness he has brought his horses to. Bailey’s Ruby did serviceable work, but the young filly Leonata—Flirt, owned by Mr Clark, on joining her showed most foot, Bailey had the Herculaneum—Maymoon colt on the course. This youngster is well grown, and shows a lot of quality, but aertainly so far does not know how to gallop. Fitai«mes and Nora put in an appearance but did nd work, Sago and innumerable hecks ware exercising. The hack rasas I oan safely predict will be contested by large fields. I was exceedingly pleased to see that Messrs Currie and Hogan had nominated Darnley for the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, and that Mr James Smith had also done so with Ariel. This is as it should be, aqd enterprises juoh as these show that owners believe they have good horses, and that they have ths pluck to back their opinions. Mentioning Mr Smith's name reminds me that a short time back I visited the stables leased by him, and was somewhat surprised to find suoh large and commodious training apartments so sparsely occupied, Situated at the rear of the old Mission Station, and a few chains back from the main road, may ba a large wooden building, covered with corrugated iron. A better position it would be difficult to select for the purpose it is used for —being out of the noise and bustle of the main road, and yet within easy access of the Waer-enga-a-hika course. The building contains ten large and airy loose boxes, and two harness rooms. It is almost needless to gay the place was the picture of neatness and cleanliness. Mr Smith kindly took the clothing from off the three horses he has at present in hand, each of which gave proof of his care and management. Ariel was the first uncovered, and looked remarkably well, as also did L nna followed. The handsame unnamed filly Lebnata—Flirt promises ta pjave st no distant date, a flyer, although she is somewhat disfigured by having, when a foal, got in amongst tbe wires. Mr Smith, and his two brothers, deserve to do well. They have good stabling accommodation, an excellent run of some ten acres or so, well stocked with feed, and they themselves appear to be devoted to their work