The H.B. Trotting Club.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 168, 12 October 1893, Page 6

The H.B. Trotting Club.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club s Meeting, which was held at Hastings on Wednesday, was a great success from every point of view. The course bears a wonderfully changed appearance, the new stand and other improvements hav ing effected quite a transformation. Mr Ireland and the other officials worked hard, and there was a pleasant day’s sport witnessed. There were five starters for the Maiden Handicap Trot, which was a most uninteresting race. Ben took the lead after half a mile had been traversed, and the issue was never in doubt, for he left a considerable space of daylight between himself and his field, and led the whole way until the winning post was passed. Dan was second, and Maybe a bad third. Vivian, the scratch horse, would not trot at all, and had to be pulled up after going once round. Dividend, £2 12s. Time, 6min 35sec. The Handicap Pony Race saw nine horses face the starter, Waewaenui being scratched. Duke led the first time round, followed by Kiore, Fisherman, and Pairoa. Kiore soon passed the grey and took command. Fisherman was trotting well, but soon fell back and appeared to be done. There did not appear to be anything to beat Kiore, the race being a short one of a mile and a half. Near the finish Fisherman came alongat a great bat, and passed two others, taking second place. He could never get up near the winner, however, Kiore winning easily. The stewards called S. Crowther, the driver, before them, and asked him how it was that the animal had not trotted so well in the second round as he did at the finish. He said that the horse was just off the grass, and he had only had him down from the country a few days before the race, and that he trotted very unkindly indeed. He tried to win, but couldn’t. He called a witness who Had the horse for two years to speak as to the nature of the animal. The stewards decided to pay the fifty-four investors on Fisherman their money back, less the commission. They also decided to suspend the horse and rider for the day. Crowther said the horse did not belong to him, and he had not the slightest interest in the animal.

The big event of the day was the Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club Handicap (in saddle), for which there were eight starters, Wharerangi being scratched. The race does not call for much description, for Woolston, who had 50 seconds start, led from start to finish. Otakeho got the better of the field, and set sail after the leader, who, however, was about one hundred yards in front, and was going strong. Otakeho trotted well, but could never get near Woolston. He broke in the last round also, and Woolston was allowed to win anyhow by about the length of the straight, Otakeho easing up and just beating Rob Roy for second money. The rest had all pulled up. Time, 7mm iosec. Dividend £3 is. The Maiden Handicap Trot (in harness) saw only four starters, but it was a good race. Treasure turned up the winner. She broke on two or three occasions when trying to get the lead, but at the finish she came away and beat Kiwi comfortably. Mr Dennett’s mare only paid £1 18s. The Handicap Pony Trot (in saddle) brought out a big field, Lady Onslow and Fisherman being the only defections. Mr K. Panapa’s Wharerangi turned up the winner from Frisk, New Chum, and ten others, paying £>6 1 is. Rob Roy was scratched for the Selling Trot, and Kiore and Koromiko had to fight it out. There were no other starters, and a splendid race saw Kiore just get home. There were thirty investors in the machine, and the winner paid £3 7s. A penalty of issec did not stop Woolston from adding a second win to his credit in the Hastings Cup Handicap, which he won easily. Pairoa was scratched. Ruadan and Henloper were in the places. Two guineas was the amount of the dividend.

The last race of the day was the Electric Stakes, which Otakeho succeeded in winning, Woolston and Ruadan being second and third Rob Roy and Old Jack were in the places. Dividend, 4s.