SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 353, 21 June 1897, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

[By Giisy Grand.]

The H.B. Steeplechase meeting is at hand once more and everything points to a most successful gathering. The fields, with the exception of one race, are large; the course could hardly be in better condition, and the weather has every prospect of being fine. The steeplechase meeting is looked on by many as the most interesting and exciting gathering of the year. Coming as it does tliis year on a most important day in the history of the world—the Queen's Record Reign—the enthusiasm and jubilation in merry 'chase will be more intense. And somefor their country and their Queen Would fight, if the chance they had, Good sooth, 'twere a sorry world, I ween, If we all went galloping mad ; Yet if once we efface the joys of the 'chase From the land, and outroot the Stud, Good-bye the Anglo-Saxon race ! Farewell to the Norman blood ! The two horse Maiden Steeplechase will open the programme and should be won by— Rhino. The Jubilee Handicap, with a field of ten, should produce an interesting contest. Apliony heads the list and is sure to have a large following. The Artist, although he has not scored for a long time, will not be forgotten. Popgun must have a chance, but I do not care for Purepo or Penrose. Martyrdom, on recent form, must be respected. Waterstone, Coeur de Lion, and Brennan have been doing good work lately, but Maid Marion does not appear to be in the best of form. I expect to see the numbers go up thus— Brennan Martyrdom Aphony. The Ladies' Bracelet will bring about ten to the post. The better of— Te Ngahe and Belford should win with Goldnut a good outsider* The big event of the day now comes up for decision. It isjno easy matter to pick the winner of this race, but I will pin my faith to the following three in this order— Prince Charlie The Plug Tally-ho. The Hunt Steeple will also draw a large field of useful horses before the starter. The two top weight will be hard to beat, and I shall pick— Claymore or Repo to win this event. The Trial Hurdles, with half-a-dozen acceptors will probably result in a win for Slumber with Erena next best. The June Handicap will conclude the first day's racing. I exect to see the post passed in this order— The Artist First Blood Nukurau.

Coastguard and Flirt arrived b.y this morning's train from south. Slumber arrived ou Saturday and ia stabling at Pilmer's. The Artist is due by this evening's express.

Tlie events for the Wellington Steeplechase meeting have filled well, with the exception of the Maiden Steeplechase for which only two are nominated. The local horses engaged at the meeting are : Brennan, Melinite, The Plug, Prince Charlie, Donald McKinnon, liarbarossa, Tiritea, Toreki, and Much Ado. H.B. WINTER MEETING. The following acceptances have been received:— JUBILEE HANDICAP.

Aphony 10 9 Martyrdom 9 13 The Artist ... 10 5 Waterstone 9 13 Popgun 10 3 Brennan ... 9 10 Purepo 10 0 Coeur de Lion 9 7 Penrose 10 0 Maid Marion 9 2 Hurdles, 2 miles. D. M'Kinnon 12 6 Napoleon ... 9 12 Ilex 11 3 lihino 9 7 Tally-ho 10 11 Umslogagnas 9 5 P. Charlie ... 10 9 Prury Lane 9 3 Swift 10 9 Flirt 9 0 G. Plover ... 10 3 St. Anthony 9 0 The Plug ... 10 2 HI NT CC ' STEEPLECHASE. Claymore ... 1-2 13 .Rasper 11 7 ]»opo 12 4 Baffler 11 5 Coastguard 11 9 Ben 15. 11 2 Frisco 11 ,s Carnival 11 2 Pukotoi 11 8 Tarawera ... 11 2 The Turk ... 11 7 Lighthouse 11 0 TIUAl. liritDLES. w Toreki 10 8 Velocity 9 l>rury Lane 10 2 Erena 9 0 Slumber 9 a Greenstone 9 0 JUNE HANDICAP. The Artist... 10 9 Maid Marion 9 7 Popgun 10 7 Te Ngaehe... 9 6 Penrose 10 5 Nikurau 9 0 i>renn;m ... 10 0 Mai rail 9 3 First Blood 9 10 llikomai ... 9 0