HAWKE'S BAY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9835, 18 September 1897, Page 4

HAWKE'S BAY.

Napier, September 13. J. Vincent took The Shrew and Little Billee to Wanganui la?t week to jprepare them for spring engagements. Owing to the continuous wet weather for about five weeks the local tracks were rather heavy. However We have had a week of fine weather and good drying winds, so th.it trainers are again sending their charges along in real earnest. The Town and Suburban Racing Club have had their track re-sown in grass and top dressed, and a capital sward has already made its appearance, so that, by the time the club's meeting comes round the course will be in tip-top order. There is a very large number of horses working both at Hastings and Napier Park, and I fancy the local stables will play an important part in the spring races here. The nominations received by the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club for the three principal events of their Spring Meeting must be accounted very satisfactory. The total number is, I think, two less than that last year, but fcho fields are more evenly divided than on that occasion, and I anticipate seeing a good number go to the post for each event. There are no southerners engaged, but they have so many meetings in their own island that it is not surprising that they do not care to travel far from home so early in the racing season. We shall probably see one of Mr Stead's crack colts make the journey to take back the Hawke'a Bay Guineas prize with him, and, although the squire of Yaldhuret lias been singularly unfortunate in this race in the past* I do not see how he can be beaten this time if ho stripe either Gold Medallist or Multiform for the fray. Auckland is represented in the entries by the three-yoar-old filly Miss Emmy (who will doubtless be seen amongst the Guineas field), Acone, who I hope will return to his old form, and Woodstock, who has so far proved a disappointment, but 1 don't think he has ever been really well yet, and I am not disposed to write him down a duffer just now. The other coast have several representatives all of good handicap class, so there should be no lack of interest in the various races. Searchlight ia amongot the entrants for the Flying Handicap, but does not appear in the list for the larger race, from whioh it may be assumed she is scarcely forward enough for such a contest yet.

The Danevirke Jockey Club have adopted the programme for their annual race meeting. Seven events are set down for decision, the total prize money being £275. The committee of the Waipawa Racing Club met on Thursday last, when the resolution respecting two days' racing in the autumn was rescinded, and it was decided to hold one day's racing on the Queen's Birthday. The sum of £300 will be given in stakes.

Thame has foaled a brown filly to Dreadnought, while Legacy has also given birth to a filly by the same sire. The jumper Canard, by Voltigeur—Kate Coventry, who was thought to have been drowned in the recent floods, has been discovered in Napier. He found hie way here and was purchased out of the local pound for £4. Hie owner, Mr G. P. Donnelly, has made arrangements to regain possession of him. Messrs Richardson and Donnelly's two horses Golden Plover and Douglas, have been removed from A. Ellingbam's stables at Hastings to Crissoge, where their preparation will be superintended by the veteran J. Atkins.

The two Hawke's Bay horses competing at Marton were only moderately successful. Puke to i secured a first and second place in the three tries, and Fetroline was second in each of her essays.