Hawkes Bay Happenings

NZ Truth, 15 March 1924, Page 10

Hawkes Bay Happenings

(By "Demosthenes.") Attendance, fields and punting all good, the Napier Park Racing Club should pick up a bit with its recent Cup meeting. Poor lot of horses contested tho hurdle events at Napier Park, but with a littlo more time one or two have a chance of making a marked Improvement. ) Klllard is a much bigger horse than when racing last season. For a mile on the first day he was out ln front when the pace was not slow. When winter comes Hlckey's nag will be very cheeky, no matter what tho company. Antler gives the impression of being sour, but it is only his way. In the Omaranul Hurdles he was last all the way doing his bost. Three furlongs from home the others came back allowing him to walk ln. Bonnie Winkle's scratching for tho Cup was a hard knock to double bettors. His eleventh hour withdrawal was due to a knock while working on the morning of the race. Tho Napier Cup was only a Jog for Rapine and lt Is only a shame how far he could havo won by. How good he really is we will have to wait and see. First Salute was made favorite with Hector Gray ln the saddle. In tho early stages he was last and remained so until half a mile from home when he made a move and was soon In the firing lino, but on sufferance. Despite Gray's vigorous riding he could only finish third. liumptious had every chance and was most unfortunate m striking such a horse as Rapine. This horse hus Improved a great deal since Wanganui and before the autumn is over a big handicap may come his way. Gold Light, a bit big with no one considering her serious, but later on at the big meetings all will want to be on her. Penelophon was not tho mare she was at Trentham and ran below form. In the preliminary she moved very Hcratchlly. due to sorenesß. Correspondent got a bad run practically the whole way. His closo fourth under tho circumstances waa most creditable. A classy field contester the "babies" rnce. next season will nee the majority of them holding their own among our best. Royal Diadem for which 1500 guineas wns recently refused came In for a deal of criticism. He may be a good one. but not for mine. -He la very stralKht m front und being a big-top-ped colt will prove difficult to train later on. Fntlnr'M Voice was only rt few pounds butter favorite than Royal Dia- i ■■■■■■■■■■OIIHMIH—I

dem. Ho was first out and that was tf the end of it. He can go fast. Motley J and Co. will have to be* at their very'-:' best to stoush Lady Jellicoe's colt m the autumn classics. Battle Knight was allowed to pay a false price In the open welter. Tari cannot handle welter weights and the public must bear this In mind before making him favorite again. He ran second, but had all In his favor to get there. White Ensign's backers got a great price when he won the Trial. Kauhumahu, the full-sister to Gasbag, did not run up to track form. Good Sport paid a nice price for a certainty ln the Flying. Koodoo, coun-try-trained, is some good and If travelled about would make a name for herself. Clvllform, who for some time haa been restricted to slow work, would race much better if given more fasc work. Wharitl won the Redcllffe Welter from end to end. Many Colours with a better run would have won. Much hooting was heard at the judge's decision, but there waa no mistake that Wharitl won. Buckeye was most fortunate m getting the stake ln tho Omahu Hurdles, as a hundred yards from the past he crossed over to the rails, Interfering with Antler to Bueh an extent to rob him of the race. Stewards ruled that the interference had no material effeit on the result. Sollel dOr will go a long way In good company when more seasoned. Thoie should have won the McVay Memorial. His littlo pilot. Fanning, knocked off riding him a hundred yards from the post, allowing Admiral Codrlngton to win by a. head. Gauntlet, the fine-looking two-year-old son of Martian and Torquato, was given a run both days. As yet he is very big, but when m racing condition Mr. A. B. Williams's colt will give a taste of his quality. Tablo Talk, the full sister to Highland, bore a soft appearanco and raced accordingly* Tunhlne, who beat Fathor'R Voice on the second day, is a big filly by Lucullus. Coming Into the straight she wns at least twelve lengths behind •• Lady Jellicoe's colt, so Mr. WllllarnH's filly gives promise of being some good.