TO-DAY’S RACING.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 127, 8 June 1901, Page 3

TO-DAY’S RACING.

TIPS FOR THE EVENTS,

(Special-to Times.) Auckland, last night. Of all the meetings held during the racing season few are fraught with the same interest to true lovers of sport as the North New Zealand Grand National

I Meeting, with its varied programme, and I the meeting which is to open to-morrow bids fair to eclipse all its predecessors. The fields are likely to be record ones. There will in all probability be a large concourse on the opening day to witness the sport, and a still larger one on Monday, and who is to say that on the concluding day, to-morrow week, there will I not be as big a muster as on either of the two first days ? A lot of people will then be in Auckland. Ellerslie as a racing resort is becoming more and more popular. The Auckland public dearly love to witness jumping contests. Visitors can see steeplechasing under different conditions to what pertains in any other part of the world. Indeed, the hill in the Ellerslie convincing grounds is quite a feature. The programme to be got through tomorrow is one that should provide plenty of good entertainment. NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS.

In the First Maiden Steeplechase Hinau and the Gisborne horse Hairtrigger stand out as two that are most likely to furnish the winner, and I think Hinau will account for the opposition. The next race on the card is the First

I Maiden Handicap Welter. One or other of the sisters, Jemima and Stepina, may account for this event. Balbirnie is sure to run well. The third race on the programme is one |in which great interest centres. This is the Great Northern Steeplechase Handicap. Nor’west, ruling favorite, recently, showed himself to be in form, and has been doing such nice preparation that he is likely to maintain his position in the market to the fall of the flag. He is such a public fancy. Cannongate hardly looks so well, but is galloping in great style. Ridden a good race he will be hard to beat.

Plain Bill is not so seasoned as ho might be. His work has not been of a sufficiently sound order to satisfy mo. Moifaa, on the other hand, has done plenty, and done it well. Tho hill may tire him, being a big and weighty gelding, but he will be hard to boat, seeing his weight is so favorable. On flat country I would take nothing else ; he appears bright in his coat. Blackberry may be just a little on the under-done side, but is moviug soundly. He will run well ; and so will Dingo, though probably a little short of his best form. I hardly expect much from Voltigour 11., and Tarragon may find the company too good, though he should run better here than at the North Shore. Kaimate is in better form, to all appearance--, than when ho ran here last April. I do not anticipate seeing Favona and Vanquish at tho post, nor tho others whose names are not mentioned above.

I fancy places will be filled hyNor’-west, Cannongate, and Moifaa. To try and piok it in one I name Cannongate to win. Then follows the First Maiden Hurdle Race. Provided he did- not start in the First Maiden Steeplechase, this race would be considered a fair thing for Hinau. Should he come through the. first race all right he may not unlikely pull through. I can see nothing with better winning prospects. I name Hinau to win, Royal Conqueror and Tuirne being the most likely outsiders. The next event presents a big field. This is the First Winter Welter Handicap. I. fancy the issue will be between Rosella and Formula. St Ursula, Honesty, Sundial, and Winsome are others that have been doing good work. Then follows the Remuera Handicap Hurdle race : Cavalario 13.13, Tim 10.12, Favona 10.11, Sundial 10.0, Regalia 11. 10.0, Haeata 9.11, Forty-seven 9.11, Can-

nonade 9.11, Rufus 9.10, Hairtriggger 9.4, Princess of Thule 9.0, Tiki 9.0. So much uncertainty exists as to what may start that I cannot make any definite selection, but Regalia 11., Cavalario, and Rufus are those whose prospects I favor most. Cannonade seems a useful sort. For the last race on the programme, the Ladies’ Bracelet, nineteen have accepted, to be ridden by amateur riders. Belfast and Merry Kato should be the hardest best.

(Py Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The weather is' overcast, but will probably be fine for the races to-morrow. A great crowd of visitors, 1000, came down from the Waikato to-day, and 200 had to be left behind at New Plymouth. Cannongate and Nor’-West are equal favorites for the Steeplechase, for which the following are probable starters:—Nor’-West (inc. 51b penalty) 12.10, Cannongate 12.5, Plain Bill 11.12, Moifaa (inc. slb penalty) 10.12, Blackberry 10.12, Dingo 10.7, Voltigeur 11. 10.6, Ilaimate 10.4, Vanquish 9.10, Tarragon 9.8.