HAWKE'S BAY JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3824, 17 January 1877, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

»Ib, — 1 notice mat tne nawKe s Jtsay Produce Stakes are for all provincial bred horses that have never won an advertised prize at the time of entry. This may appear all very good, but it does seem hard that a provincial bred horse that happened to win a paltry prize at the spring meeting should be prevented from running for this £75 prize. In fact it would be better that there were no spring meeting. It is all very well to say it gives us an opportunity of seeing what our horses are capable of doing, and while admitting this, it cannot be denied if the present arrangements are carried out, that it places the owner of a winning horse at a serious disadvantage by debarring him from entering his horse for the prize before alluded to. Should this be persisted in, it will have the effect of preventing at least eight of the best horses from running, and in all probability be the means of dissevering the owners of such horses from any connection with the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. Speaking of advertised prizes, I mast say it seems to me little short of a farce, for the prizes for the Kereru races were not advertised. Why they were not, it is not for me to say. Still, it is certain that horses did run at the ELereru, and won money prizes* which will not prevent them from competing for the Produce Stakes. Therefore, Ido think that it would only be fair to the owners of provincial bred horses if such horses were, whether they won prizes or not, permitted by the Jockey Club to test their speed for the Produce Stakes, even if it was so arranged that the winner of any previously advertised prize on becoming the winner of the Produce Stakes should forfeit a certain amount of the said prize for the benefit of the Club. This, 1 think, would give general satisfaction, and I am sure if the indefatigable secretary, Mr. Miller, who did so much to promote the interests of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and who has used untiring efforts towards promoting our annual races, will only use his influence I in carrying out this suggestion, it will be accomplished, and prove eminently satisfactory to all parties interested in the forthcoming races. Trusting to see something of this character carried into effect, — I am, &c, Tubfite.