OUR NAPIER LETTER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 74, 24 December 1891, Page 2

OUR NAPIER LETTER.

(from our special correspondent.)

Rollo’s Pohehe has broken down. The Danevirke Jockey Club hold a hack race meeting on January 27th, when a good amount of money will be given away in stakes. Kotuku, by Musket—Maid of Athol, will probably start in the Flying Handicap at Hastings on Boxing Day. She is entered for the Wanganui Cup, and it is expected she will be got fit by that time. The chance of Queen of Trumps in the Auckland Cup is not fancied here at all, but her party seem to think she ought to have a show. I think she will run well forward with her light weight, but doubt her ability to last out the two miles. My tip for this year’s Cup is—British Lion, 1 ; Hilda, 2 ; Fraternite, 3. The locally-owned horse Swivel (by Mute— Swiveline) was disqualified at the Aspendale Meeting for twelve months, so a private cable from Melbourne informs me. The stewards probably thought he was out for an airing, and should have won after his win in grand style at Wyndham on the Saturday previous. Since the above information came to hand another cable has been received to the effect that the disqualification has been removed, which, to say the least of it, is very peculiar. Why the ban was removed does not appear, but further particulars will no doubt come to hand by next mail. Swivel is being looked after on account of his owner, or owners, who live here, by Mr. Carmody, the erst New Zealander, whose horse Glencloth was thought to have a big show in the last Caulfield Cup. < It has come to my knowledge that a resident

of this district who sent over some money to a sweep promoter in Melbourne has had it returned. It appears that under the new law in Victoria all post-office orders sent to known sweep promoters will be cashed, but the money will be returned to the sender. I have not made myself acquainted with the details of the new law, but I should think that if notes or gold were sent over the postal officials would not stop the letters. It would be very hard to believe that in this enlightened age an embargo , could be placed on letters addressed to sweep promoters allowing them to be opened in the post-office. Under existing circumstances I would advise people not to invest in sweeps in Australia at all, but keep their money in their pockets. Why they were abolished in New Zealand it would be very interesting to know. Our legislators probably, had a virtuous fit at the time from which they have never recovered. Sweeps would not, if allowed to exist, do a twentieth part of the harm a totalisator would. When a person has a pound ticket in a sweep he has as much excitement —and healthy excitement at that—as if he had a hundred pounds on the machine on a single race. If sweeps were again sanctioned the Treasury would make a nice pot by the post-office revenue, and also by stipulating that each ticket sold should have a sixpenny stamp attached to it. Very good acceptances have been received for the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club Meeting, the starters for each event being up to the average, except in the Hurdle Race. My selections ■ are :—Summer Handicap: Huerfana, i ; Hakimana. z ; Rosefeldt, 3. Hurdles: Somnambulist, 1; Otaieri, 2; Tauraekaitai, 3. Christmas Handicap: Seraph, 1 ; Thane, 2 ; Rosefeldt, 3. Trial Handicap : Bay Bell, 1 ; Como, 2 ; Triton, 3. Two-year Old Race: Tireur, 1 ; St. Katharine, 2. Welter: Free Lance, 1 ; Turehu, 2 ; Blue Mountain, 3. There was general regret expressed here at the death of Mrs. Edwards, wife of Mr. W. Edwards, trainer for Captain Russell. The funeral of deceased was very largely attended. On the proposition of the Hon. Captain Russell, M.H.R., the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club have adopted the idea of allowing each member four ladies tickets for every race gathering of the club. It was thought that the innovation would not have a detrimental effect on the finances of the club, but would result to the contrary, inasmuch as the membership • would be considerably increased, and the meetings would be rendered more popular and attractive, Captain Russell had the support of the committee, and no opposition was offered the proposal, which, at a general meeting of members, was carried unanimously. Mr. H. Gaisford, of Waipukurau, has purchased Carmo, alias Problem, alias Warepa, for 65 guineas. This is the Wellington horse that gave the Town and Suburban and the Metropolitan Clubs such a great amount of trouble recently. Wally Clifford leaves by boat to-day for Auckland, where he will ride Mr. Stead’s horses at the forthcoming meeting. The Jockey Club recently refused to sanction the programme of the Waipatu Club, on the ground that the meetings of the club were unnecessary. The Waipatu officials petitioned for reconsideration of their request, but the metropolitan committee resolved to adhere to their former decision.