SPORTING.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 646, 13 August 1891, Page 2

SPORTING.

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL [SPECIAL TO STANDARD.] CsrnrsTCKUEOH, last night. Freeman will make a bold bid for the steeplechase, and his light weight will give him a great chance. Kalnins is the pick la the hurdles, with Waihi, and Hathaway for outside chances. Tho betting is 4 to'l offered on the field. For the steeplechase Ahua, Tnraakai, Sentinel, and Darnley are the leading lines. For the hurdles, Kulnine, Regina, and Idler are about equal favorites at 4 to 1. Dame Foutcsx serves out her favors in most extraordinary ways, sometimes dealing harshly with the one hand, whilst lavishly bestowing rich gifts with the other. Bsmbadier Armitage, who was seriously injured by the explosion on board the Cordelia, has had some amends mads him, as his ticket in Tattersail's Consultation on the Anniversary Handicap run at Randwiok, has gained for him the nice little sum of £6OOO. At a meeting of the Auckland Racing Club held on Monday the 3rd Inst., a matter of considerable interest to Suburban Clubs cropped up, when Mr W. E. Allison moved 11 That in the opinion of this meeting It Is desirable that in all conferences having for their object the consideration Of matters pertaining to racing, the Suburban and Country clubs subordinate to the rules and regulations of the Metropolitan Clubs, shall be entitled to be represented by at least one delegate from eioh provincial district." In moving, Mr Allison argued that Country and Suburban Clubs should have a voice In forming the inlea they were oompe'led to race under. Mr J. A. Phllson seconded pro forma, and the motion was lost on the voices. Mr Allison said matters had turned out exactly as he had thought, and that such S motion wou’d never be passed by a conservative institution like the Auckland Rtclng Club.

That the Park Company Intend to leave nothing undone to retain the popularity of their ground is manifest by the very many improvements which have been made and are continuing to ba made under the supervision of Mr Walter Knight, the caretaker. A recent visit gave conclusive proof of a determination on the part of those gentleman who are entrusted with the management that the Park (as was promised at the outset) must eventually become a boon to all raddent In the bay. Tho trees planted sime little time ago arc making rspid headway and the Norfolk Island pines and pinna insigna tend greatly to enhance the picturesque appear-. anoa nt what was soma years ago a large flat piece of land covered with ti-trae and briars. The growth of the willows at the back of the grandstand has bean somsthing almost beyond belief and the purpose in view—■ that of affording complete shelter—has been most effectually achieved. Of the course and training track it would be impossible to speak too highly, and visitors interested in racing speak loudly in praise of " a convincing ground second to none in New Zealand.” The track has been ploughed, and is in fl-st-olass order, and possesses the great advantage that it is available for training purposes in ail weather, hail, rain, or sunshine, making bnt little diff Tenee, and so can be utilised daring all seasons of the year. The course proper has been most carefully attended to i portions of it being manured and top-dressed, and its " going " capabilities considerably increased. It is a great pity that an application male to the Metropolitan Club for permission to form a Trotting Club in connection with the Park has not been favorably received, as the movement would certainly hove been a most popular one, and would have been undoubtedly successful, as it will certainly be under present auspices.