SPORTING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1114, 4 August 1882, Page 2

SPORTING.

Surely the promoters of scratch race meetings in Poverty Bay must consider they have the ability to delude the public. The whole thing from beginning to end is an unmitigated farce. First of all the meetings are to be held—one at Makaraka, one at Waerenga-a-hika, on the same day, November the 9th. Now to put it in the vernacular “ it won’t run it.” There is an old story about a bundle of sticks, but this does not apply to a small community running two race meetings on the one day. The Waerenga-a-hika people offer in all £l3O, to be competed for, as added money. Now let us see : The Handicap Hurdle Race, distance two miles, over eight flights of hurdles, and the money to be won £3O ! The owner of a cross country horse has to pay £4 Jto “ see it.” He runs the risk of destroying his animal, and after paying his jockey, and the per centage having been deducted, receives—well, it is an interesting question, and one we beg most respectfully to refer to Mr Morgan, of the Gisborne school. Then comes a Hack Hurdle Race of 10 sovs, and the winner to be sold for £3O. Now we would ask if the owners of Gundagai, Slim Jim or Tuhuia, or other noted hacks wonld have their horse sold for the paltry sum of £3O ? We trow not. Were the promoters a recognised Club the stipulation would possibly be looked upon in a different light, bnt when it is so palpably evident that certain horses are to be jammed out purposely, it is plain that notice must be taken of the manifest unfairness. The munificent sums of £l5 for a Maiden Plate, £2O for a Flying Handicap, and actually £4O ! ! ! for the Birthday Handicap, £5 for a Hack flat race, and £io for the Consolation Handicap are offered. Notwithstanding these attractive prizes, we have not heard it whispered yet that entries are likely to be received from Australia, or the principal stables in New Zealand. The Makaraka—well we had almost said sporting men, but no true sportsman ever spoils sport —must needs also arrange a meeting for the same day (Nov. the 9th,) they offer £ll5 in added mouey, a diamond locket a silver cup, and a silver mounted whip. We would most respectfully advise the race committee to add an Antpopijikikumotuarie, a German sausage and a quantity of paper for making fools caps. This would certainly be an immense attraction, and completely spoil the business of the opposition party. If this suggestion is carried out it is possible that Fred Archer and George Fordham might visit us, and that Darebin, Wheatear, Robert thej Devil, Grip, the best of Mr McDevitt’s stable, or even the ghost of old Templeton might put in an appearance, It is perfectly certain that one meeting on the 9th of Nov., is sufficient, and that if both sides stick out, there will be very little profit to the promoters in either case,

(From Exchanges.) Creswick is scratched for the Melbourne Cup. Mr J. Smith’s mare, Maid of Honour, is in foal to the renowned Musket. Proctor, entered for the Melbourne Cup, appropriated the two big handicaps at the late Rockhampton meeting. Segenhoe and Navigator will not run in the A.J.C. Derby, being reserved for the Melbourne Blue Riband. It is said that Mr S. T. Horsfall intends to put King Quail to the stud this season. He ought to be a success. Of those that have Bst and over in the Melbourne Cup, the successful tipster Nemo ” prefora the urospocts of Bathurst Cunnamulla, and The Barber. Not withstanding the steadier allotted to Darebin in the Melbourne Cap, it is the intention of his owner to start him for that event should he be fit and well. The Victorian Racing Club have settled the vexed question of H declaring to win ” by introducing a clause in their amended rules running as follows !—When any owner runs more than one horse in a race, each horse shall be run upon his merits, and no plea of declaration shall entitle an owner to prevent one of his horses winning in order that he may win with another.”

According to the latest Australian informamation, betting is quiet on the big events. In Melbourne, Segenhoe is still firm at 3 to 1 for the V.R.C. Derby, with Navigator at 7 to 1, Prometheus and Golden Butterfly being both at 10 to 1, but when the former arrives from Adelaide, it is expected his price will shorten. 100 to 4is taken and offered about Gudarz for the Cup.