SPORTING.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 643, 6 August 1891, Page 2

SPORTING.

[special to standard.] Chrtstchupxh, last night. A number of horses are working at Ricoarton in view of the New Zealand Grand National and Hunt Club Steeplechase Meeting, There has never been to large a number at any period since the institution of the meeting, and never so many North Island horses seen at Rlooarton at thia season of the year. This morning Waitangi and Clyde did two circuits at half pace—both looked well. Theorem traversed two rounds at half pace, coming home at top speed—he looks light. Irish King. Camera, Statesman, Tauraokaiti, Sentinel, Kangaroo, and Druid did s'ow work, and Freeman did four rounds, having Captain Abraham with him in the last two, done at a sound pace, Jet d'Eiu cantered, and Dora, Dan, Darnley, Couranto, and Kimberly were given a sound gallop. Oeo and Polly each did two circuits strong. Christmas jumped, schooling the fences with Redmoud up, going fairly well. Cai iff, Lightning, Lanoelott, and Eringobragh each did strong work. Regina was jumped yesterday in private, and did two solid rounds of the track, and was walked on the roads. Abua has done nothing for three mornings, but nevertheless Is on tho track every morning. He shows no signs of being amiss. Kalnine did a good galop yesterday. Idler is reported very well.

The Committee of the Poverty Bay Turf Club held the annual meeting yesterday. The report showed that notwithstanding the stakes were raised in value, the spring and annual meetings yielded a profit of £276. The revenue amounted to £1.821 17s, and the expenditure to £1,545 15s—of the latter L 1,200 went in stakes, and Ll3O was rent to the Park Company (considerably in excess of what the Cluo had previously to pay for that purpose). The course leased at Makaraka had been laid off for a length of 1 mile 8 chains, by 1} chains wide, leaving room for a ploughed gallop. This had been fenced and laid down in grass, an excellent straight of 17 chains had been obtained, and owners of horses expressed their appreciation for the workmanlike way in which Captain Winter had laid out the racing track. Trees bad been planted round the grandstand paddocks, and Mr Skeet had in hand a very convenient and compact grandstand and other necessary buildings, including stabling, which would be completed in about a fortnight. All the appointments would be ready for the October Spring Meeting, and it was expected that the excellent accommodation would lead to increased patronage. Twentyfive new members had joined the Club.