OUR NAPIER LETTER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 97, 2 June 1892, Page 6

OUR NAPIER LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.)

May 28th. It was generally expected here that the Wanganui Steeplechase would come to this district, and although Couranto had a large circle of admirers Waterbury was not without his friends. However, he proved a grievous disappointment, and couldn’t jump to save his life, let alone his backers’ money. Couranto blundered at one of the obstacles, but his pace brought him home. There can be no gainsaying the fact that the son of Patriarch —Quickstep, is a daisy, and as this was his first ap pearance over big country his win is all the more meritorious. Whether he can win in Auckland or not is questionable, but we have people here who swear by him, and I think he undoubtedly has a big show. His penalty won’t stop him that’s a certainty. If he gets over the Auckland course he is good enough for anything He is worth a nice little sum now, and will no doubt be nibbled at for Australia, where he would make them all sit up. Some time ago he. was priced for Australia, and the figure was but he has gone up in value since then. The owner of Whalebone at that time wanted /400 for his horse, and perhaps he will ask a little more now. The weights for the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Steeplechase Meeting are due on the Sth of June. We should have a splendid meeting here this year. The two-year old colt Rangiatea, by Somnus —Wairnareka (full brother to Wairua), has been sold to a patron of A. Ellingham’s stable for by Messrs. Baker and Co., who own Somnus and Lochnagar and other horses. He is a good colt, and is entered for most of the classic races in the colony next season. At the Town and Suburban races the other day his rider’s stirrup broke in the Queen’s Birthday Handicap, and in the Flying Stakes he came up like a shot out of a gun at the finish, and was just beaten by half a head by Kathleen, Kimberley’s half-sister. The youngster was paying about dividend. Messrs. Baker and Co. have a yearling gelding out of the same sire and dam as Rangiatea, and as they do not intend to pursue racing he is for sale, as also are two mares by Somnus out of Deception. Maid of Lome would have paid over /"8 dividend had she won the handicap at Taradale, and this among hacks too. Tauraekaitai has not been working lately, having ricked his shoulder.

[By Wire.] Napier, May 31. The football matches played ;he Recreation Ground on Saturday resulted in Napier winning .the double of first and second fifteen matches against the Pirates, who have been the crack team here for years. Napier I. beat Pirates I. by six points to five, while Napier 11. beat Pirates 11. by 20 to 12.

D. Donovan, jockey, who has ridden inCapt. Russell’s colours for a number of years, has left his stable to-day and gone into Andy Robertson’s establishment.

Couranto is a great favourite for the Great Northern Steeplechase, and I fancy the only horse that will trouble him will be Fishmonger. Couranto is extremely fast, but it is considered questionable by some as to his ability to get over the Auckland country. I don’t think he can win the Hurdles unless it is made a slow run race, for he has a lot of weight to carry. Somnambulist is bound to start in both Hurdles and Steeple, although he is Couranto s stable-companion. Commotion carries the colours of Mr. Gollan, who, by the way, has gone on a visit to Rangatikei.