SPORTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 185, 13 August 1901, Page 2

SPORTING.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING,

SOCIAL PEST SCRATCHED.

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) Christchurch, last night. The weather promises .o be fine for the opening of the Grand National Meeting to-morrow. Social Pest, who has gono lame behind, was scratched for the Grand National at 8.30 to-night. (Special to Times.) Auckland, last night. To-morrow the New Zealand Grand National Meeting will be commenced. Everything points to tho probability of a successful mooting. A regular visitor to the tracks at Riccarton has sent his impression to me, and he favored the chances of Roller, Social Pest [since scratched), and Gobo in tho order named for tho Grand National Steeplechase, and Terror, Tauhei, and Battleaxc in the Winter Cup. For the Grand National Hurdle Race, run on Thursday, Long Tom, Dartmoor, Derringcotto, and The Needlo are fancied in that order. To indicate shortly my fancies for tho different events I name : Mangatira for the First Hunters Hurdles race. Dartmoor or Surrey for tho Maiden Hurdle Race. Battloaxe or Tauhei for the Winter Cup. Straybird and Roller arc those I prefer in tho New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase, with a fancy for Nipapu as an outsider. In the Tallyho Steeplechase, K Jam and Angle read well. Should Nipapu bo reserved for the Enfield Steeplechase, I would couple her with Pipi for that event. The Ladies’ Bracelet may fall to St. Michael, and Dartmoor is my fancy for the Grand National Hurdle Race, run on Thursday. My reason for leaving Social Pest out of the reckoning for tho New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase is because a disquieting rumor has reached me concerning the son of Ahua. [Tho rumor is confirmed by the latest message from Christchurch.]