NAPIER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 146, 11 May 1893, Page 5

NAPIER.

, May 8. Nominations for the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase and Ladies’ Bracelet close on Tuesday. ■ ■■.< Hawke’s Bay has five representatives in the Wanganui Steeplechase, and I think the best of them over big country is Aorere. Gondolier, who has 10.9, may turn out a good cross-country horse, but he must have a trial first. He did not pay,up for Egmont, where he had 10.5. In this race he has 41b more. We must see what Chester is capable, of at Egmont; I think they are a bit too fast for him. If Waterbury jumps well he would prove a tough nut for any horse to crack, but last year he persistently refused. Couranto, his stable companion, is not in the big steeple, but is nominated for the Final, as also is a new candidate from here, King Rose. There is plenty of time yet, but, anyhow, I ( think Mr Douglas ought to have a ,big look in in the Winter Oats with Kapua. I notice that a paragraph has been going the rounds about Merganser’s young sister, who .i? described as being as ‘ fast as the wind.’ She has never even been galloped yet. Mr Rathbone tells me he has not yet decided upon a name for her. . 1. .

A committee meeting pf the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club; was held on ; Friday. Present ~ Captain;, Russell (chairman), Hon. J. D. Ormond, Messrs Wm. Douglas, G. ; Hunter, H. Gaisford, F. Logan, H. Mason, and J. Lyon. A letter was received from Mr C. Diamond, asking that steps ■ be , taken tp ; re-ppen the enquiry concerning the disqualification of him-, self, F. Power, and t the mare Jewel, by the Manawatu Racing Club. The evidence taken by the Manawatu stewards and letters from Messrs C. Diamond, R.; Gooseman, A; T. Danvers, and W. S. read, when it was resolved 7 To forward to the Wanganui Jockey Club the letters received from Messrs Diamond, Gooseman, Danvers and Tatham, and to, further state that it is understood evidence is available to prove that the owner of Jewel backed his horse to win, also that an' examination of Waterlily’s jockey would show that he won the race easily, and that the general opinion of the racing men from Hawke’s Bay present at the Manawatu meeting is that the mare -Jewel was beaten on her merits. There being such great difference of opinion, it is suggested to the Wanganui Jockey Club tbat jit, is w^ch, if iq

the interest of racing, should, be thoroughly investigated, and as so little evidence has been taken, that it would be best to re-open the case and hear the evidence that can be adduced. As a large number of the witnesses are resident in this district, this club would, if desired, assist the Wanganui Club by taking any evidence wished, and would transmit same to them.” Mr F. W. Collins’ design for a bangle for the diamond imported from London was approved. The chairman notified that the next conference would be held in Wellington on the 7th July. Mr Ormond’s proposals for giving effect to his notice of motion, “ That country clubs should have representations at future conferences,” were approved, as were also the proposals for the publication of a New Zealand Stud Book. With a slight alteration, the steeplechase course was agreed to on last year’s plan. A letter was received from Mr Jas. Edwards’ solicitor, asking the Metropolitan Club to cause an enquiry to be held into the action of the Waipawa County Club in paying the stakes in the Hack Flat Race at Kaikora on the 19th inst to the owner of Jewel. It was resolved that a reply be sent stating that the Waipawa Racing Club had acted in accordance with theßules of Racing. The Hon. J. D. Ormond and Captain Russell were appointed delegates to the next conference.

The following wagers have been laid by Messrs Proffit and Wilson over the New Zealand Cup: —400 to it Crown Jewel, 200 to 10 Stanmoor, 500 to 25 Riversdale, 300 to 15 Launceston, 300 to 18 Merganser, 300 to 18 Skirmisher, 500 to 20 Fraternite, 500 to 20 Dilemma, and 500 to 25 Westmere. A racing case came before the Resident Magistrate at Waipawa the other day, a trainer named Witt being the plaintiff, and the.Waipukurau Jockey Club the defendants. The claim was for value of stakes in the Final Hack Race at the Waipukurau Jockey Club’s last meeting. Owing to the action of the secretary of the Club, Mr Nelson, who refused to allow plaintiff’s jockfey to weigh out and ride Prairie Flower, he claimed the stakes. In his evidence Witt said he paid his nomination and acceptance fees for both races, and started his mare in the Maiden Hack Race. He went with his jockey to weigh out for the Final Hack Race, when the secretary said, “ Witt, I want another pound from you.” He asked what for, and the secretary • said it was for Limbrick’s fine in the Maiden, and the fine would have to be paid before the mare could run. Replied that it was very hard lines that he should have to pay, and Mr Nelson said he had seen the stewards, who said the iriare could not start unless the fine was paid. Limbrick was not the jockey who intended to ride for him in the Final. In reply to Mr Nelson he said he would sooner scratch the mare than pay. The numbers of the starters were hoisted on the board, and the number of his mare was on the totalisator, the bell of which he heard going. The secretary then scratched his mare. He did not present his jockey to the clerk of the scales, nor did he complain to the stewards. He was pretty confident his mare could have won the race. His mare was not backed on the totalisator when he saw it. The reason he did not pay the £ 1 was because he thought it was unjust to expect him to pay a jockey’s fine. Only knew one of the stewards, and did not see him to complain to. Other evidence was taken, and the Rules of Racing were produced. Later on, however, Mr Sainsbury objected to them, on the ground, that it had not been proved they were the Rules of Racing, and the objection was upheld. The secretary of the Waipawa Racing Club, Mr E. Gray, was subsequently put in the box to give evidence in regard to the Rules of Racing. Mr Sainsbury contended that no evidence had been, produced relating to the authenticity of the rules. He would object to any more evidence being called. The club had offered to pay ,the plaintiff half the stakes, and half the cost he had incurred, sooner than act in an unsportsmanlike manner.’ Mr Loughnan remarked that it was merely a quibble to say that the Rules of Racing produced were not genuine. The plaintiff was non-suited, with costs Mr Douglas has not yet settled when he will leave for Australia. He takes Waterbury and Couranto over, and perr haps a couple more, if they train on well. , >. | BY WIBB.J , Tuesday, v; Mr E. Gray, the secretary of the Waipawa County Racing Club, has been sqrvod.yrith a summons by Mr J. Edwards

of Woodville for the amount of the stakes in the mile and a half Hack Race won by Jewel, whom it was alleged was a disqualified mare, while Spinfeldt was ridden by a disqualified jockey. North Island was the third horse, and his owner now seeks the stake. The case is to be heard this week at Woodville. , Ascot Vale and Oxide have been backed here for a few hundreds to win the next Melbourne Cup