Sporting

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 285, 17 November 1923, Page 11

Sporting

NOTES. (By “Trenton.”) HAWKE’S BAY JOCKEY CLUB. SUMMER MEETING. The summer meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club is one of the most popular fixtures of the festive season, and there is no reason why th© approaching New Year gathering should not be well up to the previous high standards. The programme issued is as follows :— First Day—Otatara .Turn, pers’ Flat of 100 sovs., miles; Matina Maiden of 100 sovs.,, 6 furlongs; Hastings Handicap of 150 sovs.. 6J furlongs; Juvenile Handicap of 150 sovs., 5J furlongs; President’s patu Welter of 120 sovs, 11 miles ; Waiptu Welter of 120 sovs.. one mile and a furlong; Havelock Flying of 150 sovs-, 61 furlongs; Steward’s Handicap of 175 sovs., 6 furlongs. Second Day—Aotea Jumpers’ Flat of 100 sovs. miles; Electric Handicap of 100 sovs... 6 furlongs; January Handicap of 150 sovs., 6| furlongs; Nursery Handicap of 150 sovs.. 51 furlongs; New Year Handicap of 200 sovs, one mile and furlong; Omahu Handicap of 120 sovs.. one mile; Matapiro Flying of 150 sovs., 61 furlongs; Final Handicap of 175 sovs.. 6 furlongs. Nomination for the whole of the events will close with the secretary (Mr. H- S Moss) on Friday. December 7. at 8 p.m. ®

NOTES. (By “Trenton.”) Mr. J. D. Donovan, of Hastings will act as starter as the forthcoming sum met meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. When Carbine won the Melbourne Cup of 1890 he ruled a strong favourite, notwithstanding the fact that he carried the tremendous burden of 10.5 and that he was up against the greatest field that has ever started in that event. The way in which Carbine disposed of his 38 opponets served to place the bay son of Musket and Mersey on a pinnacle by himself. The Melbourne Cup of 1885 saw a great horse in Trenton (MusketFrailty) go down under sensational circumstances. Trenton, who was a four-year-old, had the handy impost of 7.13, and as he had easily accounted for the-Melbourne Stakes, on the opening day, it was generally expected—at least by New Zealanders—that he would annex the cup. In a sensational finish Sheet Anchor, Grace Darling and Trenton gashed past the post almost level, the judge’s verdict being in favour of Sheet Anchor by a head, with half a head between Grace Dari ing and Trenton. The late Alec. Robertson, who rode Trenton, had the bad luck to drop his whip at the critical stage or the verdict might have been otherwise. That head and a-half defeat was a severe blow to New Zealand backers. When the Melbourne Cup of 1886 was decided, Trenton was again narrowly defeated, this time by Arsenal, to whom the Musket-Frailty horse conceded 27 lbs. • * « tfinapis (St. Ambrose-Prologuc), which is owned by a Wellington sportswoman, has foaled a colt to Warplane. The colt is distinctly marked, having four white feet and a white face. Sinapis won the New Zealand Cup in 1913. * * * An innovation at Victoria Park (N.S.W.) this month was the use of a cinematograph in the judge’s box to film the finishes of all races. Owing to difficult angles the general publi< often disagrees with a decision when horses finish almost in line, though wide apart, and, as developing the film is only a matter of a minute or so, it is considered that “shooting’ the horses will determine the accurateness or otherwise of the human eye when a seemingly doubtful decision is given. ♦ * ♦ The shortage of money was evidenced both at RiccartOn and Addington last week (says the “gun”). During the seven days’ racing, only on New Zealand Trotting Cup day was there an increase; a small one at that. Altogether, at both courses, the week's investments totalled £448,238. compaired with £481,868 twelve months ago—a decrease of £33,630. “Pay-in” clerks at the totalisator are, of necessity, quick of comprehension, but one was observed to wilt visibly on Tuesday when a dainty damsel, approached him before the Cup race and murmured, ome-on-seven-three-ion-pne-anditwo-pn-ten” (says the same journal). • * ' » Followers of horse-racing in Australia’s outback indulge in some queer pranks. At a Coolac (N.S.W.) meeting, half a century ago,/two well-known Locals put up a joke on a prominent horseowner. They disqualified him for life and imposed a fine of 10/- under home-made rules. The popular patron took it too much to heart. He straightaway mounted his hack and left the

dust of the township miles behind. He was never seen or heard of again in the district. * • • It was certainly thoughtless of the band at the country race meeting, every member of which had plumped heavily on the beaten favourite in the big race, to substitute for the National Anthem, at the end of the day, that mournful ditty, “Yes, We Have No Bananas.”