NAPIER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 296, 26 March 1896, Page 5

NAPIER.

Sale of Thoroughbreds —The Possible Lame.

[by

WIRE.]

March 23. Mr. W. Douglas’ annual sale of thoroughbreds took place last Friday at Te Mahanga. Judging by the prices realised racing stock is not in great demand just at present. Twenty-five lots were sold, the total sum realised being 660 guineas. The highest price obtained was for the yearling sister to Brooklet, who brought 105 guineas, Mr. W. Hoggard at Temahanga being the purchaser. St. Re gel, in company with the trotters Duke C. and Hurricane, left for Auckland by the Flora this morning. The St. Leger colt had a bit of bad luck in the race for the Railway Handicap at Hastings, as he was jammed on the rails, which entirely killed any chance that he had of appropriating the stakes. It was a bit of a surprise to me to see him face the starter next day in the Hawkes Bay Stakes, as I thought the interference I have mentioned about had done him no good. Apropos of the start for the Stakes and the leaving of Belle Clair at the post I was informed immediately after the race by a well-known trainer that it was no fault of Piper’s that Mercer’s filly got left, but the boy Bae was solely to blame, as when the word “ go ” was given she was right on the line, but her rider sat like as if he was made of wood instead of hopping off as he should have done.

I think Rip Van Winkle has a chance second to none in the Cup to morrow. Retribution and .Lord Riven have been scratched.

Lady Zetland has gone lame, and The Possible pulled up lame at Hastings so that he will also be a non-acceptor, and I suppose Spindrift will be withdrawn in favoul of North Atlantic. Mr. Ormond, junr., assured me to-day that North Atlantic can beat Spindrift by a half-dozen lengths with Cup weights up over the mile and a-lialf, if so he will be very dangerous, but as I said above I incline to the chance of Rip, who I have it on the very best authority has done all that has been asked of him.