SPORTING.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 653, 29 August 1891, Page 2

SPORTING.

[By Looker-on.] ThottW seems all tho rase at present with I those who own these valuable representatives of the equine species. But the beauty of it is that each one who has a soft thing—as of oourae they all have—lt bent on keeping everything dark. The chance Of sneaking off with a sweet little “ divvy 11 makes the quality of the horses too important a secret to be dlsoloced to the little world in which we have our being. I had an opportunity of witnessing one of the unnatural fl vers i and do not mind taking readers into my confidence. When the second-hand Indicated the time u hen the mystppioqs naqep sjiqiiid come to the scratch, he was taken to the starting poet, carefully wrapped in a blanket. The word was given “ Go 1 ” and he did 11 go” —into a beautiful gallop, trying all he knew to beat the wind in its swifter momenta. After a little coaxing (not profanity, mind) the hjgh-toped wopfier became a little bit reasonable, ant} submitted to'the fact that be was supposed to trot, and not imitate the deerhound. At the finish of the trial the rider was more exhausted than the horse—and such a sorry sight as ha cut. With the bottom of hie trousers hoisted up to his knees, his legs bare, and his shirt not exactly arranged as it would be for a toff dance. But the record was broken, Dexter, Flora, Temple, Maude 8, and the rest being thrown in the shade, The time for the mile was 2,48— my #wn time was 8.22. a slight difference which need not be taken into account, in a country in which people are by Act of Parliament permitted to hold different dplnioasbeeidea why should not watches differ as well as the opinions of their owner? Joking aside, there is no doubt a good class of trotters in the district, and it the handicappers can only spot them in time to fairly adjust their penalties, there ought to be some grand finishes. I believe that the fields will be large for each event, and if our good friend Oantain Edwip ban only stop the pump from leaking, I think there will be a large crowd of spectators from town and country, Trotting is a nice pastime, and it also gives one a ohanoe to dispose of an animal which perhaps would not realise half the money if untried. If the promoters of the present pi«b have good luck this time, next year they might think proper to give much higher stakes. It will really be worth a few shillings to witness some of the exciting finishes: and just to think that all jockeys

must appear in colors—why they will knock the Hussars into a cocked hat. I am sure there will be no weeping that day. Everyone will be carried away with excitement when they see Holford's Jess, or some other equine wonder, romping in and paying a monster dividend. All is well that ends well, and I hope that the Poverty Bay Trotting Club will also end well.