NAPIER NOTES.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 6964, 18 January 1888, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

JFBOM OVB CORRESPONDENT.] The H.8..T. Clu'j should be well'satisfied J «-__h the nominations received for the Havrke's Bay (/up and Railway Stakes, for not ouiv .io the entries show an increase on last, year, but the quality of the animal* eng._ged is much superior to that of former .-.casions. For the Cup, formerly known as the Napier Handicap, thirtv-twc entries have been received Lra'mst thirty last year, only twelve of this number being locally-owned horses. The Viailway Stakes has closed with thirty-two nominations, against twentynine" in IStfi. and includes many of the Southern cracks. it must be evident to everyone that we liave too many racing clubs in the province, and that business is being overdone, for within a week we have had no less than six race meetings in the vicinity of papier. Racing throughout the colony has multiplied to an alarming extent, thanks to the totalisator, which provides the sinews, but although stakes are valuable, ana a large number of horses are iv training, the number of 6tarters decrease year by year, and the reason is easily explained. Meetings have increased to such an extent that owners and trainers hare a number of places to choose from, which no doabt is satisfactory from their point of view, but the public -are becoming discontented with seeing half a dozen horses contesting for valuable prizes. Some twelve months ago a Racing Conference was held here, but beyond passing a number of resolutions, -which were not carried into effect, their labours were in vain. Unless a large number of the smaller gatherings are suppressed, and this matter is worth considering by our turf aiuhorities, the result wiU be* that there will be no public to race for. and a demand will be made for the abolition of the machine, so that those vvjio get in the high places should take time by the forelock, and deal thoroughly with the matter, for it is apparent that their action in deciding that the stakes and entrance should be in certain proportions, has not made any appreciable difference to the number of small gatherings which have sprung up all over the colony. The Napier Park Racing Club has issued the programme for their autumn and winter meetings, which should attract the attention of racing men in various parts of the colony, as the prizes offered are worth nicking up. The dates fixed for the autumn meeting are the 23rd and 24th March, and the added money amounts to £1130. The principal events are the Napier Cup of £230, City Stakes £150, Flying Handicap £100, and a Handicap Hurdle Race of £100. The winter meeting will be held on the 24th May, and for the six events on the programme £580 will be given in prizes, which must be considered sufficiently liberal for so young a club. £*)0 is given for the Steeplechase, and £100 for the Handicap Hurdles, and these •trill no doubt attract good fields. £70 is given for a six furlongs flutter, £40 for a Hack Handicap, and£oo for a Welter. A trotting match took place last Friday l«t-ween Mr Janiieson's Counmy and Mr aloroney's Land League. The distance was about two miles, and resulted in a victory for Com my by about a dozen lengths.