ST, PATRICK’S SPORTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 61, 13 March 1901, Page 3

ST, PATRICK’S SPORTS.

There was a very large attendance at the Committee meeting last evening in connection with the sports to-morrow. The details were arranged, and the prospects were considered very bright. It was reported that the Hospital Race, which was suggested by Mr T. Adair, and for which Messrs Adair Bros, gave a prize, was being taken up with enthusiasm. The list of entrants included 397 names at a shilling each, three names were added in the room, making the total 400. With the subsidy the Hospital should realise about £SO. Of course it is not pretended that all those entering really intend to run.

The Committee decided to place two bicycle events on the programme, provided the visiting cyclists who competed at the Poverty Bay Cycling Club’s sports last week took part. Most of the visitors have entered, besides a number of local riders, thus making up a good field for each race, and some exciting finishes should be witnessed.

One of the attractions of the gathering will be the horse-racing events, the most interesting of which will be the horse jumping competition, and for which, as usual, there are sure to be a large number of contestants. These races are run under the Metropolitan Club’s rules, and it is more than probable that some of our best local hacks will be found competing. Tho Committee have provided ample amusements for the children, the chief of which will be a merry-go-round, which will arrive from Auckland by to-day’s steamer.

The following handicaps have been declared for the Handicap Trotting Race: Blue Maud 20sec behind scratch, Market and Charlie scr, First Start, Freda, and Flutcr 25sec, Darkie and Polly 30sec, Blossom and What Oh 35sec, Poututu (late Blue Bell) 50sec, Bessie 60sec, and Lincoln Yet 70sec.

(By “ Vaulter.”)

The nominations received by the St: Patrick’s Sports Committee, for the meeting to-morrow, must be considered satisfactory, and it is to bo hoped the majority of the outsiders will be here to compete. In looking ovor the" handicaps, it seems to me that a very fair adjustment has been arrived at, and in most of the events the winner is well concealed. However,

if tho handicappors have erred it is on tho lenient side to the visitors, and in_the sprints McLachlan is well in, and should bo [hard to beat. This applies particularly in the 220yds and 440yds; that is, taking a line through his championship form at Napier. In making a selection for these events my choice would be: Morris, Craig, McLachlan for tho 100yds ; McLachlan, Morris, Craig for the 220yds ; and in tho 440yds, McLachlan, Washer, Morris. In tho hurdle race the scratch man has some very good performances over the sticks, and, should he start, I would select him, with Ball and Atkins for the places.

In tho half-mile the winner seems to me to bo well concealed, and it should be one of the races of the day, if tho competitors are not too much hustled in the quarter-mile race, and the wimier should come from McLachlan, Beatson, or Mullins, with Roderick close up. The mile race is another open event, and Dame Rumor has it that there are one or two dark horses in it, but my selection will be the tried performer, Beatson, with Mullins and Roderick close up. Tho committee has acted wisely, in my opinion, by placing the two bicycle events on their programme, and with such wellknown riders as Randrup, Bennett, and Neill, and the local riders Maxwell, Kirk, and Co., that part of the programme should be satisfactory to tho followers of the wheel, although the course will be against record times being put up. Tho horse events and trotting races also promise to provide some speculation as to the winners, there being several supposed embryo Carbines in training, and some record times may bo registered in these events.