SPORTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 152, 9 July 1901, Page 3

SPORTING.

1 GISBORNE STEEPLECHASE MEETING. NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS. (By “ Early Bird.”) There is evc-ry prospect of fine weather for the Steeplechase Meeting of the Gisborne Racing Club, which will be commenced to-day at the Park Company’s grounds at Te Ilapara. A large number of visitors have arrived in town for toe purpose of attending the races, and the first-class acceptances, which have been received, should ensure a capital day’s sport. The course is in excellent order, and everything else is in keeping for a pleasant meeting. The programme opens with the Hurdle Race, for which there are ten entries. The topweight, Scallywag, has been showing good form recently in Napier, and is much fancied for this event. He has, however, several hard nuts to crack, and I will require to be at his best to win. | Yoltigcur 11. is an old warrior, and can be depended upon to run well, but I hardly I think that he is equal to the task of winning. Straybird, with the handy impost of 10.9, appears to have a great chance, and whatever beats him should win. Kowbai, another contestant, has several good performances to recommend him, having run very consistently at the Grand National Meeting in Auckland. Two local horses, The Gryphon I and Cronje, are also engaged. To sum | up, I would place them as follows Straybird or Gryphon ... 1 ! Scallywag ... ... ••• - Kowhai ;i |

The Ladies’ Bracelet has a field of nine, and a grand race may be expected. The top weight, Malcolm, ran several good races at Tolago Bay last March, and in good form should he very troublesome to liis opponents. HippogrilT and Snaphenco are much fancied, as also is Ballinger. My selection is— Malcolm 1 Snaphenco ... ... - HippogrilT ... ... 9

The Flying Handicap should prove au interesting event, and the eight contestants are likely to sec the starting post. Tauhei is topweight with 12.4, which is rather too heavy an impost for the daughter of Castor to carry 7 to victory. Gipsy Queen, 10.12, is the pick of the handicap, and should take a lot of beating. She has several recent wins in good company to recommend her. Of the local competitors, I’apatu and Vathek are well in, the former especially so. The placed horses should be I’apatu ... ... ... 1 Gipsy Queen ... ... ... 2 Tauhei ... ... ... :1

There is a quartette engaged in tho Trial Steeplechase, viz : Ilyins 10.2, The Gryphon'lo.o, Cronje 9.7, and HippogrilT 9.7. They should finish in the following order: Cronje... ... ... ••• 1 Hy las 2 The Gryphon ... ... '•> The Hunters’ Cup Steeplechase lias a field of twelve, ami that event bears a most open appearance. Mr F. Rhodes’ Kaitoa heads tho list with 12.0, and, having often run well over the Bark course, she should give a good account of herself. Ballinger is whispered as a good thing, as also is Knight Templar. Fencer is said to be a very safe jumper, but lacking pace. Ikatere is a fast horse, and, if he succeeds in getting over his fences, should run well forward. I expect to see the numbers go up in the following order: — Kaitoa... ... ... ... 1 Ikatere 2 Ballinger 0 The Winter Oats Handicap has a field of seven, Scallywag and Admiral Hawke heading tho lis't with 10.7, whilst I’apatu has the minimum weight of 9.0. The event will depend r. good ileal on previous running, but I will venture the following selection in the order named : Admiral Ilawke ... ... 1 Rapatu ... ••• 2 Unique ... ... ... o The Maiden Hack Race should lie won by A.8.N., with Chancellor 11. ns his nearest attendant.