NAPIER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 207, 12 July 1894, Page 6

NAPIER.

July 7th. At a committee meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club on Friday last, a letter was received from the Danevirke Jockey Club replying to Benton’s statement re Kauri Gum protest. It was resolved that the Danevirke Jockey Club’s decision be accepted as final. An objection by Mr T. T. Watt, owner of the third horse in the Maiden Steeplechase at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Winter Meeting, against the stakes being paid over to Austral, on account of both the name of both horse and owner being in the unpaid forfeit list in the “ Official Calendar” on the 1 Pth of June, was referred to Mr H. A. Cornford, the club’s solicitor, for his opinion. Whilst in Gisborne Mr C. O’Donoghue disposed of Samoa to Mr A. H. Barron, owner of Hukatere, at a satisfactory figure. The downfall of Roscius in the Gisborne Park Steeplechase was a- severe blow to local punters. After his win at the Hunt Club meeting his chance for the Gisborne race was considered second to none here. Very few of the local punters benefited by his win in the hurdes. The dual victory of Hukatere, who is well known in this district, came somewhat as a surprise, as he has been for somewhile in retirement. There are many here who would have backed him in both races if they had known that he was in form, as whilst in this district he was very highly thought of. The H.B. Trotting Club’s Winter Meeting resulted in a profit of £5O, which will doubtless be a welcome addition to the club’s funds. Mr S. H. Gollan’s Lascar carried his burden of 13.4 successfully to the fore in the Hunters’ Steeplechase at Gisborne. His win apparently was entirely due to the excellent way he was handled by his owner. As I said in my notes last week, he is very slow but a sure jumper, and thus exemplifies the fable of the hare and the tortoise. Local backers were somewhat recouped by Roscius’ defeat at Gisborne by the victory of Austral in the Wairarapa Steeplechase. More than one remembered his Maiden. Steeplechase win at Hastings and backed him accordingly. Kopere has been sold to Mr B. Dennehy, the owner of Somnambulist, but I have been unable to ascertain at what price. r Somnambulist has been fired and will be treated to a long spell. Pinrose is reckoned in some quarters to have a great show in the N.Z. Cup, but I can’t stand him. If the Cup is to come to Hawke’s Bay it will, I think, be by the aid of Needlegun (Nordenfeldt — Patch), who ran second to The Shrew, in the same stable, in the two-year-old race second day of the Jockey Club’s March meeting, or Marino (Nelson —Waitiri), who, if breeding and conformation go for anything, should turn out something out of the common. Mr Gollan will be represented at the Christchurch Grand National Meeting by Leontini, Pumau and Lascar. K | BY WIRE. J July 10th. Local backers had a very bad time over the Victorian Grand National on Saturday, a lot of money being invested on Couranto, who, however, failed to gain a place. Mr Douglas’ horses will be offered for sale in Australia. Unless, however, a very satisfactory price can be obtained for Mutiny he will be brought back to New Zealand. Mr Langley Shaw had a very fortunate escape when The Bishop fell with him at the sod wall in the Hunters’ Steeplechase at Gisborne. Morag’s leg has, I hear, greatly improved, and should all • go well in the meantime he will probably be a competitor in the Grand National Steeplechase at Christchurch. He is in great heart, and if his leg keeps right and he is not overburdend by the handicapper he willbeavery dangerous horse to beat. His win at Christchurch would vexy popular

here, as his owners always give the public a good run for their money.