SPORTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 373, 24 March 1902, Page 3

SPORTING.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright London, March 22. Tho Grand National race resulted as follows : Shannon Lass 1 Mathew ... ’ Manifesto ° Sydney, March 23. The Hawkesbury Autumn Handicap resulted: Warrior 1, Merlina 2, Acsi of Diamonds 3. Eight started. Thebettiig was 6 to 4 Ace of Diamonds, 8 to 1 Warrior. The latter led all the way, find won by six lengths. Time, 2.151. REEFTON RACES. [By Telegraph—Press Association]. Wellington, last night. The following are tho results of the second day’s Reef ton races: Telegraph Handicap : Petrohne 1, Lepanto 2, Crusader 3. Divs., £1 9s and £1 3s. , . ... Strand Handicap: Rakura and Artillery Maid (dead heat) 1, Garmoran 2. Divs., JR 4s and £1 Bs. - , J.C. Handicap: Sainfoin 1, Will-o -theWisp 2, Regret 3. Div. £1 17s. Hurdles : Tukurangi 1, Hotu 2. The only other starter, Venture, hit the last fence. The rider, Stratford, was severely shaken. WAIAPU RACES. The Waiapu Racing Club, the one most recently registered in New Zealand, held its annual meeting on Saturday. Had the weather been fine there is no doubt that the gathering would have been the largest of tho kind ever seen on the Coast As it was there were from 800 to 1000 natives and Europeans present. lhe races were carried on in the midst of the P °The programme opened with the hurdle race, whioh was won by Oi-onje, with Whitefoot second, and Bradshaw third. There was no totalisator on the ground, but some Gisbornites were equal to the occasion in regard to the desire for bet ing, and there were several amateur bookies, besides professionals from further afield. Cronje was made a hot favorite, 5 to 1 o being wanted. Nevertheless,.the natives freely parted with their 5s with tho prospect of getting an extra shilling back. Two ladies who put on 5s each were much surprised at the small amount they received in return, thinking that they would be getting 30s for each 5s invested. They did not understand the difference be tween “on ” and “ against. ” Cronje won

ea Th y e Maiden Plate was won easily by Privateer, with Waiapu second, and Jester th For the Cup, Malcolm was considered a cood thing, although Cronje was well supported at evens. Unfortunately Malcolm took rather long in being saddled up, and the field was sent away without the favorite. Cronje won easily, Linden being second, The Drone third. Tho Pony Handicap proved a good contest, being won by Reata by a long" 1 from Good-bye, the favorite, Waitangi,

be For th the’ District Handicap Mr McDonald’s Privateer proved too good tor the others, though Mr Beidy s Waiapu and Mr J. Smith’s Waiata gave him a big run for it, there being little to spare between the three horses. , . , In the Flying Mr T. Woods Linden beat the champion, Malcolm, by a length, the winner racing in good style and making fnst time. , „ . ... „ The Consolation resulted in an exciting struggle between Malcolm and Majestic, and Malcolm won by a length. The arrangements for the meeting were excellent, and reflected great credit on the obliging secretary, Mr A. B. Jackson, it was hard luck for the officers that the day was so wet, but everything was carried out in an admirable manner. The other officers were :—President, Mr K. H Williams ; 'Vice-Presidents, Messrs E. JA. Henderson and B. Hayes ; Judge, Mr E. B. Ludbrook ; Treasurer, Mr_ Keeay ;

Starter, Mr W. Mellroy ; Clerk of the Course, Mr J. Hayes ; Clerk of Scales, Mr W. G. Walker ; Handicappers, Messrs Fry, Beedy, and Butler; Stewards, Messrs Beedy, Travers, Woods, Wi Hiraroa, Kirkpatrick, Fry, Kereopa, Hargreaves, Butler, McDonald, Manning, and Fox. The raoing was concluded at an early hour, and the scene at the hotel afterwards was most amusing, if not pathetic or ludicrous. Everyone bad got a soak-

ing with the rain, and the remarkable appoaranco of people in garments for which they wero not intended by tho tailor might have caused a stranger to think that a fancy dres3 gathering was being held.