HAWKES BAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 334, 17 December 1896, Page 8

HAWKES BAY.

The Wanderers Bicycle Meeting—Some stable gossip—Training notes. Napier, Dec. 15th. Glorious weather and a bumper attendance greeted the Wanderers Bicycle Club for their annual sports meeting last Saturday, and the public were not slow in showing their appreciation of the management of the club’s officials. Every member of the executive tried his level best, and, as a natural result, things went humingly. A goodly number of visiting wheelmen were in evidence. Chapman, a local man, had a brace of comfortable wins in the Maiden Handicap and One Mile Roadster Handicap. The Half-mile Handicap was productive of a greatstruggle between Fitzgerald, of Wellington, and Wall, of Wanganui, the Wellingtonian just getting home by half a wheel. In the Ladies’ Bracelet, one mile and a half, nine started ; at every stage it was a most interesting race, and when the bell rang for the final lap all the field were bunched ; half way from home Auckland’s representative (Reynolds) could be seen putting in some good work, and as the home bend was reached he had all his field settled, winning by three lengths. Wall was the only withdrawal from the One Mile Hawke’s Bay. Provincial Championship, leaving half-a-dozen to do battle. From the pistol fire a good solid pace was set, first one and then another leading, but when Reynolds made his effort it was all over, and the Aucklander, coming away from his opponents a hundred yards from the line, won easily; Fraser (Napier) second and Muir (Wellington) third. Three mounted for the Five Mile Roadster Rice, the winner turning up in F. Castle, of Wellington, Wakon just heading Wall for second money. In the Three Mile Open Bicycle Handicap, Fitzgerald (of Wellington), with 190yds start, came out on top, Wall filling the second position and Reynolds the third. Half-a-dozen turned up for the Ten Mile (McLean’s Cup) Bicycle Handicap. Peterson, while going in fine style, had the bad luck to get his machine knocked out and, therefore, had to retire. The scratch men, Fraser and Caughley, kept going and soon had the measure of their opponents, but what looked like going to be a good struggle between them was upset by an unfortunate accident that occurred to Fraser. Just after entering the last lap, Caughley ran a bit wide and collided with Fraser, bringing him to gra«s, but he himself got. off scot-free, and, with the other two competitors dead-beat, he had a real soft snap. During the afternoon Reynolds rode an exhibition mile, establishing a North Island record for the distance—2min 19 3-ssec—-and, had not the pacing been made a muddle of, he would, I am quite confident, have been able to better this time by some seconds. Three pedestrian events were on the card —220, 440, and 880 yards race. Strickland had a real soft thing in the former, and Hamilton, in the quarter of a mile, had an equally easy affair. Hamilton also had a very easy task set him to beat a lot of moderates in the half-mile. Fred Collins has just broken in a three-year-old half sister to King’s Bowman. She claims the Casssivalaunus horse, Master Agnes, as her sire, and on the score of breeeding ought to be able to foot it with some of the best. Ted Cuneen has two additions to his team. One is Mairua, by Somnus —Polly, and therefore full brother to Repose, a mare who won a good many races for Mr W. Lennon, the well-known Woodville sport. He is also half-brothei to Uranus and Strephon, a remarkably smart performer, who was sired by Papapa. The half brother to The Bard, Harmony, by Forerunner — Forest Queen, is the other prad. In view of coming events, Napier Park trainers are bringing their charges along. This morning

Drury Lane and Mona went twice round at three* qaarter pace. The former had the most to say at the conclusion of their task. Zaccho went twice round on his own over the sticks, jumping in his usual tradesmanlike style. Marion and Moonraker were coupled for a twice-round go, cantering the first circuit and the last time round at top, Forester’s daughter holding The Assyrian’s son at the finish. Cologne and Sequah went twice round at three-quarter pace, both moving well. Gold Cup had a once-round go at three-quarter pace, Ascot’s daughter swinging along in nice taking style. Waitangi and The Boatman were associated in a five furlong flutter at their top, the latter proving master of the situation at the finish. Kauri Gum was allotted cantering exercise.