HAWKES BAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 301, 30 April 1896, Page 6

HAWKES BAY.

Large entries for minor events at Napier Park—Cheque does ' unters a good turn — Wairarapa programme passed after long delay—Melinite in commission again—More delay with permits.

The entries received for the Napier Park Steeples, Stewards’ Stakes, May Handicap, and for both of the Hurdle Races, which form part of the programme at the forthcoming winter meeting of the Napior Park Racing Club, must have been very gratifying to the secretary when he made up the lists, to see the liberal way in which owners had responded to the invitation of his club. Three short of a century for six events does not read at all bad, and the generous way in which owners of flat-racers have been catered for has borne fruit, as can be seen upon referring to the entries for the Stewards’ and May Handicaps, which comprise some of the best handicap performers about, and when I mention that, amongst •thers, Searchlight, Bessie McCarthy, Lotion, Acone, Marino, The Artist, New Forest, and Flying Shot are engaged, it will be seen that quality as well as quantity is well represented. On dit that a well-known medico, who in the early racing days in Hawke’s Bay was often seen in the saddle in many a hotly-contested event, but who has now retired from active practice in both vocations, is busily engaged teaching the intricacies of polo to the family of an enthusiastic breeding and racing man in this district. Cheque was a very strong order in Napier for his engagements at Nelson last week, and consequently his victories have been the means of adding more of the needful to the pockets of his faithful supporters. It is really wonderful now-a-days how punters manage to get on to the real eighteen carat lots that are competing at the various race meetings held throughout the land. After what seems an uncalled-for delay, the Metropolitan Club of the district has passed the programme of the Waipawa Racing Club, whose winter fixture is set down for decision on May 25th. In view of the approaching season for hurdle and steeplechase events, Andy Robertson has taken up Melinite, and should all go well, she will be found competing at Hastings in June, provided, of course, that the weight-adjuster does not form an exalted opinion of her. Although some considerable time has elapsed since the secretary of the Napier Park Racing Club applied to the Colonial Secretary for a permit for their winter fixture, up to the time of wiring, no reply has yet been received.