NOTES AND TIPS ON THE COMING ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5351, 22 May 1878, Page 2

NOTES AND TIPS ON THE COMING ATHLETIC SPORTS.

The last of this season’s meetings promises to prove the best and most successful in every sense yet held here.- Thereat and vigor with which the Tradesmen’s Athletic Club has been working indicate a strong vitality amongst the tradesmen -generally relating to 'athletics. The weather, though now rather bleak for training, has not debarred most of the peds. entered from getting themselves, in' good condition and fit. Through an ’ unhappy bereavement in the family.the two Morans'will not be able to compete, and as they were' both in good fettle, aud : intended going, this misfortune happened very inopportunely" for them. The handicappers have kept the . men very close together, and I imagine have ; not gone far wrong, save in the Quater-mlle* Amateur Athletic Club Race. I cannot conceive why they should give Webb a start from Major, though Major is undoubtedly a fast and strong runner at any distance, Webb has also always proved himself a good man at a quarter of a mile race. It happens that it does;not matter, as Webb has not accepted. It israthera hard matter to spot the; winners; of a the-various events, as they are very" evenly matched, but subjoined I state the most probable. For the Maiden there are quite a crowd of anxious athletes. Out of them Howe and McCleland will, I predict, prove themselves the fastest. : ■

Publicans’ Handicap.—ln the ,100yds. if Major manages to get away with the rest ho will place himself first, with Freeman very close. '

Publicans’, 200yds.—Woods, 1 ; Major, 2. Publicans’, 300yds. —Major, 1 ; Woods, 2. Tradesmen’s Handicap, 880yds„, should, I fancy, be between Johnson and Major. Mile Handicap.—Johnson, if he runs; in anything like the manner in" which" he did at Easter, may be safely set down as the winner, with Hearn second.

Hurdle Handicap, 220yds.—This should prove an exciting race, but Woods will, I think, in sporting phraseology, be “ too warm” between the hurdles fan Davey, as ho has a very telling way of getting over the timber, vide the manner in which he ran Webber at the Caledonian Gathering last January. Davey runs well, and jumps splendidly, but will not be able to beat Woods, unless stumbling or jostling occurs. Freeman should also be very close to the winner. <

The Amateur Athletic Club J-niile, as Webb has not accepted, should be a win for Major, though Davey may push him hard. Walking Handicap.—Knight, 1 ; Zesch, 2. , i NtmouAJi Dqiuiio.