HAWKES BAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 360, 17 June 1897, Page 7

HAWKES BAY.

Pinrose broken down —Morag and Mutiny — Accident to Drury Lane —Brennan and St Conon—General training notes —Football—lndications. Napier, June 15. Pinrose, who had been going well, and who was coming back to hie old form in a rapid manner, has broken down. Morag, with Redmond in the saddle, got over

the steeplechase course at Hastings on Monday morning. He had Mutiny for a companion during the journey. The pair negotiated the obstacles all right. The sod-wall that forms one of the features of the course is said by competent judges to be the biggest jump that has been seen at Hastings, and will require cleverness and skill to successfully negotiate it. Drury Lane, while schooling over the little sticks at Hastings last Saturday morning, struck a hurdle, wrenching his shoes and coming to grief. King Cole’s son did not suffer by the contact, but Redmond was a bit dazed by his fall for r short time.

Brennan and St. Conon have got through a serviceable amount of work during the past week. Searchlight, in the same stable, has been on the track. Her legs look in first-rate order. Golden Plover, in company with Tussock, Velocity, Greenstone, and Drury Lane, came to grief early in the proceedings. Luckily, their jockeys escaping unhurt. Plover had much the best of the argument at the conclusion of the o. Later on in the week Drury Lane, Tussock, gnd Golden Plover had another contest for twice

round over the 3ft 6in hurdles. Plover asserted himself slightly at the termination of the go over Drury Lane, Tussock being beaten off. Greenstone (a son of Torquoise) was associated with Umslopogaas for a mile and a half over the little sticks, Greenstone shaping in a faultless manner. His companion showed want of sufficient schooling in his manipulation of the sticks. Maid Marion, who at the late Napier Park and Kaikora meeting, showed signs of being very stiff behind, has been turned out in the paddock during the day for the past week, and the treatment has had a beneficial effect upon her, her soreness having entirely disappeared. Gondolier, the hero of the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase in 1893, and who also won the Ladies’ Bracelet at the previous meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, was a follower of the hounds last Saturday. Foul Play’s big son looked gay and festive. Certainly his cronk near fore leg does not look any too handsome, but it is quite hard, and 1 should be quite prepared to see him stand another preparation. I had forgotten to mention that his mentor, Mr T. H. Lowry, had the “leg up” on him during the run with the pack. Libretto, by Stoneyhurst —Mignon, who will

be the Bracelet candidate from Maher’s stable, is moving in great style just now, and if looks and appearance count for aught, he should take a power of beating in the ladies’ trophy next week. Constant rain has been falling here since Sunday morning, and at the time of wiring shows no signs of abating. The result is that no work has been permissable on the Hastings or Napier Park tracks for the past two mornings. As nominations, with the exception of the Hawke’s Bay Steeple and Hurdle Race, only close to-night I shall have no opportunity to express an opinion of the various contestants. In the Steeplechase I like the chances of Tally-Ho, Rhino, Much Ado, and The Plug. Prince Charlie, Ilex, Prairie Grass, and Drury Lane read nicely in the Hurdle Race. As acceptancees do not close until late to-night I am under a disadvantage to pick probable winners. A hunt meet is such an unusual occurrence in Napier that the announcement of a meet of the Hawke’s Bay Hounds on the Marine Parade this morning, prior to a hunt at Petane, attracted a large number of people to the spot. The hounds, in charge of Mr H. H. Jackson, were in fine

fettle, and were greatly admired by the spectators. Among (jhe number who assembled to take part in the hunt were : Messrs. G. L. Sunderland (Master) on Gondolier, D. Donovan on The Turk, J. Groome on Lighthouse, L. Cottle on Puketoi, J. B. A’Deane on Gamecock, H. H. Jackson (Huntsman) on Frisco, K. White on Wi Parate, H. Bridge on Hislop, T. Groome on ,a roan horse, H. Neagle on Kasper, M. E. Groome on Moi Moi, P. Dolbel on a bay pony, J. Sandimann on a hunter recently obtained from Gisborne, Miss Groome on Sir Watkin, Mrs Sunderland on Zulu, Mr Amundson (whip), on Repo. On arrival at Petane, Mr Kinross White invited the followers of the pack to lunch at the hotel. After this bad been done justice to with real hunting appetites, a start was made with the business of the day, a drag hunt of slightly over a mile being indulged in, and a rattling goof go it was. A cast was then made in an adjacent plantation, and puss was soon found. After a merry run, ending in favour of the hare, who had a much better knowledge of the vicinity than the dogs, making direct for the hdl, which prevented the horsemen from following, the pack was whipped off, and a start made for home. A halt was

called at Mr White’sjcountry cottage for afternoon tea, which was hospitably dispensed by Mrs Kinross White, and proved very acceptable, everyone expressing pleasure at the day’s outing. In the football match, Pirates v. Napier, the senior fixture at the Recreation Ground last Saturday, the former proved successful by 34 points to 6. The play of the winners was a great improvement upon their display against the Caledonians on the previous Saturday, showing that they are evidently not above taking friendly hints. Their back play especially was very creditable, the passing being on the whole fairly accurate, though at times ill-judged. Coghlan, at full-back, showed good judgment, but displayed a weakness for getting too ciose up to his men. H. Beard deserves a special word for his play at half, feeding his backs excellently and most unselfishy. P. Rees also played a good game. None of the others call for special notice, all playing well and with good combination. The forwards also worked well together. They made the game fast and loose, and having mat-, ters pretty well their own way, were able to put in some creditable work. Of the losers, Hovell

and S. and F. Jago played with great dash, but S. Jago should learn that he is not the whole team, a lesson which would be found to prove of much benefit to his side. Hovell, at half, was a host in himself, but his light weight was against him. Simpson and Beatson were also prominent at times. Mountfort and Palmer were the best of the. forwards. The well-known footballer, D. Gage, acted as referee in the Caledonian v. Hastings match at Hastings on Saturday. It is more than likely that this capable exponent of the game will throw in his lot with the Hastings team this season.