NAPIER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 114, 29 September 1892, Page 7

NAPIER.

September 25.

Unusual interest is again being manifested in Hawke’s Bay in the Melbourne Cup this year owing to the fact that we are being represented by Tirailleur, the horse that seems to have forgotten how to gallop since the day he left the land of his birth. He has again been backed for a lot of money, both in doubles and straight out, there being always people found who are willing to back the Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner, no matter at what price. A great many have backed him because they think he has never been properly well until now; others have invested on him because they did so before and are desirous of following him up; others again are having a shot purely out of sentiment, Tirailleur being a local horse ; while others —including knowing men too, mind you—have accepted hundreds about him because he is “fair on the

job,” to use a current colloquialism, and must stand a big chance. They regard the horse as good enough, his owner as astute, and know that he is going to try and make a big coup, and go home to England to get married. Last year the son of Musket was backed for thousands upon thousands of pounds here, and as Melbourne Cup time again draws near it is astonishing the number of inquiries I get from all parts of the district and from all kinds of people asking if Tirailleur is good enough to win. Well, he will have to improve in his galloping out of all knowledge to win. A bad horse doesn’t win a Melbourne Cup, and he will have to gallop from end to end and be able to.compass the distance in good time. Before he left Hastings he was credited with having done a clinking trial, but my private opinion is that it was 3sec. behind what he is said to have done, and that is a great deal. We would all like to see him win, of course, but I am afraid that it’s too much to expect of him. [by wire.J September 27. Straight Shot, the brood mare imported from Australia by the Hon. J. D. Ormond recently, has dropped a foal to Dunlop. Middle Park, Sir Modred’s halfbrother, is the most fractious youngster I have seen, and if not cured will give the notorious Thackeray a big start. One of the handsomest colts on the training track at Hastings is the chestnut colt by St. Leger—L’Orient, who should develop into a good racehorse. He is a two-year-old and is half-brother to the speedy Francotte. One of the biggest two-year-olds knocking about here is St. Cecilia, a full sister to Huguenot. Whisper is still under a cloud. There is likely to be a good show of stallions at the A. and P. Show. Mr. H. Gaisford, the owner of Maid of Lome, Chatelaine, Whimsical and others, has returned from England. The Hon. J. D. Ormond lost a fine colt foal the other night through inflammation of the bowels. His breeding was Le Loup—Water Baby. The connections of Cynisca are very sore over the mistake made in transmitting her weight from Auckland not being rectified sooner than it was. Midas, the full brother to Merrie England and half-brother to Spade Guinea, promises to furnish into a first-class racehorse.

The Waipawa County Racing Club are presenting a good programme for their December Meeting. The Trial Hurdle Race is worth 40 sovs.; the Maiden Hack 30 sovs. ; the Hack Race 40 sovs. ; the Open Handicap 150 sovs.; the Open Hurdles 80 sovs.; the Hack Flying 30 sovs.; the Ladies’ Purse 30 sovs., and the Open Flying 50 sovs. The members of the Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club met last night at Jull’s Hotel, Mr. G. Ellis, President, being in the chair. It was resolved that the lease from Mr. W. Stock to the Club of the new trotting course be approved of, and the acting-committee be authorised to execute the same for and on behalf of the Club. The following were elected members : —Messrs. Williamson, Collins, A. McLean, H. Williams, and P. A. Herman. A. stewards’ meeting was afterwards held, at which it was decided to remove the disqualificationjfrom the trotting mare Mokokomiko, who was disqualified at Auckland. The various officers for the ensuing meeting were appointed. It was decided to take the necessary steps to make the Club into a Metropolitan Club. The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s course is being rapidly got into apple-pie order for the Spring Meeting. A balcony has been erected in front of the stand which will accommodate a large number of people. The Press reporters have been specially provided for, and the telegraph office has been enlarged. The saddling paddock has been materially extended and the lawn and course look in fine trim. All the trees which bound the course have been lopped, and various other improvements effected.