HAWKES BAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 347, 18 March 1897, Page 7

HAWKES BAY.

Orion’s Belt—The Hawke’s Bay sick and infirm list—Stable, training 1 , and track notes—Napier Park Meeting. Napier, March 15. Orion’s Belt is now suffering from an enlarged fetlock-joint, which, in conjunction with hi.? split hoof, must give his trainer anything but a rosy time. He was absent from the track this morning, and I believe he will not face the music at the Hawke’s Bay Meeting this week. The two-year-old, Mousquet, in Percy Martin’s stable, has broken down, and the Florence McCarthy colt, in the same quarter, is also in queer street. Lord Raven and Douglas are another couple that are on the sick list. The former’s trouble is located irtnis fetlock-joint. The Trenton filly, Girofla, has been turned out in the paddofik attached to her trainer’s stable, an affection/of the jaw, which seems to puzzle veterinary/skill, being the complaint from which she is suffering; so it will be observed that the sick and infirm list in Hawke’s Bay is pretty strong just now. Bloodshot’s sister, Searchlight, made her reappearance on the track last week, and Maxim’s daughter worked and moved apparently sound. Next Saturday at Stortford Lodge the “Bird’seye blue and scarlet cap” confederacy team, consisting of The Shrew, Torpina, Trilby, Little Billee, Wikitoria, Middle Park, Lady Clara (with foal by Dreadnought), Clarice, and Twilight will be submitted to public auction. As they are for .positive sale without reserve, intending purchasers will no doubt be able to obtain some bargains.

At Napier Park this morning some good work was got through. Drury Lane cantered once round, and then put in another circuit at top, finishing strongly. Maid Marion and Nukurau did a mile at top. Leontini and Gorse galloped a mile, the former having all the best of the “ go.” Moonraker, who racked himself the other morning, was not on the course. King’s Bowman’s half-sister spun over a half-mile in a nice, taking manner. Prairie Grass and Outlaw got through half-pace work. Some good track gallops were registered at Hastings this morning. Mr Lowry’s brace, St. Conon and Bijou, were the first to make an appearance, getting through a five-furlong flutter in a good, taking.etyle. The colt was in possesion at the termination of the go. The gallop of the morning was done by New Forest, Daystar, Lotion, and Haria, a mile and a quarter being their allotment. Jumping off well together they made the pace both hot and strong, New Forest, who was served by a light impost, coming out on top, Lotion and Haria close up, with Daystar three lengths away. Brennan and Dotterell got through a good half-mile gallop, both finishing well together. Multiform trotted and cantered. The Hawke’s Bay Stakes candidate looks the,, picture of health Golden Plover got through a couple of rounds at a strong half-pace, moving in nice, even style. Forest Rose and Popgun did a circuit at their top, and Nightingale, the Somnus —Plover filly, was sent six furlongs on the grass, getting through her task in a satisfactory manner. Huna did twice round, and Zolus a fair working gallop. Picklock ’ (Haria’s brother) slipped over five furlongs in a nice, swinging manner. Pinrose and Libretto were associated in half-pace work, doing three circuits in good style, both finishing strongly. The Plug got through a couple of rounds at half-pace, and Primula accomplished a similar task. The Shrew, with Bob Derrett in the saddle, was sent for a brace of circuits, the first time round at a steady bat, and the concluding round at her top. The mare acquitted herself well. Torpina swung along at a steady, even gait for once round, finishing in a determined manner. Rhino did twice round at half-pace. Petroline, Prince Charlie, Straybird, Tiritea, Tally-Ho, Toriki, Tire, and a few others were on the ground, but did nothing startling;

The Napier Park executive received extraordinary good nominations for the various events on their programme, and should Mr Danks be happy in his efforts in the adjustment of poundage some very interesting racing may be looked forward to next week. It is to be hoped that proverbial Park weather will be conspicuous by its absence. Thirteen have cried content with their weight for the Cup, but as the racing at Hawke’s Bay this week will make a lot of difference to the contestants, there is no good hazarding a prophecy as regards winners for that or the Flying Handicap, for which eight have accepted. March 16. The majority of the horses were eased in their work this morning in view of the meeting tomorrow, and no gallops of a sensational order were registered. Te Ngaeha went once round alone. Lotion, New Forest, and Haria covered a mile at their top, being well together at the finish- Nightingale and Picklock were sent along half a mile, the former finishing in front. Daystar and Huna galloped once round, the mare having all the best of the go. Strathbraan ran six furlongs in a nice, easy style, and the others did light work.

The Argus says that Mr W. R. Wilson, with true sportsmanlike spirit, was anxious for a meeting between his colt, Aurnm, and Newhaven in the All-Aged Stakes, feeling confident that the champion would strike his flag ; but the managers of Newhaven deemed discretion the better part of valour, and withdrew from the contest. Baulked of an anticipated pleasure, the disappointment of the public was very keen, and Newhaven’s managers did not escape being taunted with showing the white feather. The excuse was that Newhaven was not at his best, and, fearing defeat in such circumstances, he was held in reserve for a lighter task later in the day.