Sporting.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 17 August 1894, Page 2

Sporting.

[Notes by " Caledon."] As all readers have been acquainted with the results of the Grand National meeting, there is no occasion for me to enlarge upon it, and although the weather was dull, aud the country rather heavy, as can be imagined from the times, still the meeting was eminently successful. Mr Gollan, after all, elected to put his old pilot up on Norton, an accident sustained by him (through his horse falling on the frosty road) evidently being the cause of the change of riders. From all accounts, Norton won easily, and could not do more ; but the Taranaki mare, had a commanding lead, and was pulling double, when she misjudged the fence at Cutts', and fell. She, however, finished fourth. Liberator again proved what a consistent horse he is by winning the Hurdles in great style very easily. What a say he must have in the New Zealand Cup, even with his slb penalty. Booties managed to gain third place in the Beaufort Steeplechase, but old Despised was not evidently in form, and could not foot it with the leaders. Mr G. Murray-Ainsley's Artilleur (Artillery, out of Mr P. Butler's old favourite Luna) walked lame after a gallop last week, and a few hours afterwards was backed in Christchurch and Dunedin to win the New Zealand Gup. Equines must be getting as clever as their masters. Neither Mr G. G. Stead nor Sir G. Clifford have a representative in the Southern Handicap. I hear that Mr A. Kelly, of Pihama, has a good-looking three-year-old by Gipsy King, which is entered for the Sires' Produce Stakes of 1895, and is also eligible for the Harakeke Stakes. I have received a copy of the Turf Register for the past season, which is all that the publishers claim for it. T. Corrigan, the premier crosscountry rider of Australia, met with a severe accident through Waiter, the ex-New Zealand hack (by Somnus— Barmaid) falling, with him in the V.A.T.C. Grand National Steeplechase last week, and has since succumbed to the injuries he received. Neither Skirmisher nor Three Star made the final payment for the Melbourne Cup, so that backers may be assured that they will be kept in the New Zealand Cup. Torpedo is running with varying success in South Australia. Fantastic, by Apremont—Fantasy, who has been travelled here for two seasons, is getting good-sized stock. A few I have seeu lately do him credit. J am under the impression there will be a scarcity of hack hurdle horses this season ; in fact, I do not antici : pate seeing as many horses racing as formerly. Mr R. H. Nolan and Mr R. G. Bauchope have been appointed by the Taranaki Metropolitan Club to decide what clubs shall receive their quietus under the new Gaming Bill. Prioress has changed hands, having been purchased by a Taranaki syndicate, and has gone to Jems George's hands. j