HAWKE'S BAY. :

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2177, 9 March 1865, Page 5

HAWKE'S BAY. :

NAPIER RACES. (From the Hawke's Bag Times, March 6.) Our annual holidays have co.ne again and passed away. The pleasure loving amongst us have had a very favorable season, and we believe something more tban a usual amount of enjoyment, unmixed here with (what is too frequently found at races in general) excessive gambling ancl dissipation. There was more than the average attendance of the townsfolk, and a good number of strangers as well, and in all respects we think it has been somewhat in advance of previous meetings in this province. Of the first days sport the first event named was THE PRODUCE STAKES Of £50, added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. For horses bred in the colony that have never won an advertised race. Weights — 3 years, Bst' 71b ; 4 years, 9st 71b : 5 years, lOst ; 6 years and aged, lOst 7lb. One mile and a balf. Centipede (Hague) 1 Inkerman n (Harris) 2 Mickey , (Maori) 3 Heretaunga (Downs) bolted Ranter ... (Parker) „ Grey Tommy (Maori) „ Colt by the Bishop ... „ Dean Swift... „ The first-named taking the lead, but being quickly overtaken and passed by lukermann, who was also passed in turn by Centipede, who left lukermann a good second, five of the others having bolted at the turn ofthe course. victuallers' purse. Of £25, added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. Weights same as Produce Stakes. Two miles. Volunteer (Gaisford) 1 Highlow (D. Taylor) 2 Euclid (Down) 3 One Penny was drawn ; Hurricane aud Rangitoto did not start, Highlow took the lead at first, Volunteer keeping close company, being afierwards joined by Euclid, who kept well with them for some time, but was ultimately lamed during the second mile. It was then quite clear that Volunteer had won. The next event was the welter stakes. Of £35, added to a sweepstakes of £3 3s. Weights 4 yrs list; 5 yrs 12st ; G yrs and aged, 12st 71b. Gentlemen riders ; professional riders weighing extra. Three miles. Charles O'Mulley ... (J. Powdrell) 1 Highlow (Gaisford) 2 Taniahoki (Maori) 3 This was a well contested race, Taniahoki taking and keeping the lead for near the first mile, but gradually falling behind Highlow taking his place and keeping it till near the last, when to the disappointment of many who considered this race as his, it was wrested from him by Charley, who came in a good first. Tbis was the most interesting event of the day. The last event of the first day was the SCURRY STAKES. Of £20, added to a sweepstakes of £1 ls. One mile heats. Weights same as Produce Stakes. lukermann (G. Harris) 1 1 Ranter (Hague) 0 2 Shamrock (Maori) 2 3 Highlow, Charles O'Malley, and Dean Swift were drawn. The lead was taken by Shamrock, followed closely by lukermann and Ranter, who gave promise of winning by taking the first place, but bolted, his rider, Parker not being well able to manage him. In the second heat Hague took Parker's place, but was some 201 bs too heavy, and this proved too great a test for Ranter, who, however, proved a good second in spite of ibis disadvantage, yielding the first place to Inkermann. On the secoud day, yesterday, the first event on the caid was the HURDLE RACE. Of £30, added to a sweepstake of £3 3s. Weights— 3 yrs, lOst; 4 yrs, lOst 101 b ; 5 yrs, list 71b; 6 yrs and aged, 2st. Seven hurdles, 3ft Gin high. Two miles. Volunteer (Dorset) 1 Saunterer ... 2 The second race of the day was the hawke's bay stakes Of £50, added to a sweepstake of £3 3s. Weights same as Produce Slakes. Three miles. Highlow 1 Raugitoto ... 2 Charles O'Malley „ 3 The next race was for the SILVER CUP. Value, £30. Entrance, £3 3s— Weights aud distance same as Produce Stakes. Volunteer 1 Highlow 2 The final event of the meeting was for the Consolation Stakes, which wa^ won by Euclid, with Hurricane a very good second. i The sport on this day was, like tbat of tbe preceeding, ou the whole of first-rate quality, and though some are as might be expected, disappointed, we believe tliat Napier has never held a meeting that has given so universal satisfaction as this which has now passed away. The finale of the affair takes places this evening iv the bhape of the Race Ball, after which we suppose Napier will return to business until tbe day appointed for the holding of the Regatta.