Anticipations.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 464, 15 June 1899, Page 13

Anticipations.

HAWKE’S BAY WINTER MEETING.

[By

Taihoa.]

The recent wet made the tracks heavy at Hastings, but the weather seems to have now set in fine, and should it continue the course should be in good condition for the Winter Meeting next week. Large number of horses are working on the tracks; and the acceptances should be fair on Thursday night. It is difficult in view of probable absentees to pick winners from the full list, but the following picks may be near the mark: — Trial Steeple. Tataramoa 1 Ruby ... 2 Kauri Gum ... 3 Winter Handicap. Return 1 Female Franchise 2 Ideal ... 3 Hurdles. Nor’-west ... 1 Marina 2 Hangfire 3 Hunt Steeple. Pyramus ... 1 Stilts ... ... ... ... 2 Ruakaka 3 Trial Hurdles. Defiance ... 1 Whitirea ... ... 2 Silker Ray ... ... ... 3 Hawke’s Bay Steeple. Kanaka 1 Nob’-west ... 2 Tally-ho 3 Rhino is reported to be working well at Napier Park. Tally-ho was worked over the jumps at Hastings on Tuesday morning. TBy Petronel. 1 The winter fixture of the Hawke’s Bay Metropolitan Clu b commences on .Wednesday next and concludes on Thursday The nominations for various events are numerous, and though the handicapper |has not satisfied some owners and trainers, the fields will probably be fairly large. Unfortunately for me the acceptances are not

due until to-morrow night, so that,m attempting to forecast the winners of the various races, I am somewhat in the dark regarding owners intentions. The Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, set down for decision on Wednesday, has attracted a big entry. Social Pest has top weight with 12.9. Mr Rutherford’s gelding is on the spot, and if he starts, with all his weight will give his followers a splendid run for their money. He showed no sort of form at the Wanganui meeting, but he may have improved since then, so that it will not do to leave him entirely out of consideration. Nor’-West has 2lbs more to carry at Hawke s Bay than he bore to second place in the Grand National Hurdle Race at Ellerslie, and if he is started he is bound to run a good race. Splinter and Rhino will not start for the race, but the next one, Tim, is given a tremendous show on his best form. With lOst 91b, on his best Ellerslie form, he holds a big winning chance. Ido not know if Marina will show up, but Whangaroa should have a say, if started. Torpina last year was always going to do something big over hurdles, and his long spell may have benefitted him. Straybird and Hussar both have handy weights, and then come Hangfire, Troubodour, and the lightly-weighted Tataramoa. ■Why Tataramoa should receive the lowest handicap possible is one of those things only the handicapper can understand. He is a winner, and has shown exceptionally smart form oyer the small sticks. Whitirea has been schooling in capital style, but it is asking too much to expect a novice to compete on the same terms with a proved, performer like Tataramoa. Of course Whitirea might be able to beat Tataramoa on the flat, but the jumping abilities have to be taken into consideration in handicapping entrants for a hurdle race. To make a long story sh ort, I shall select to fill the places— Tim 1 Hangfire 2 Stbaybird ... ... ... 3 Winter Handicap. Uila ... ... ... ... 1 Female Franchise ... ... 2 COOLGARDIE ... ... ... 3 Trial Steeplechase. Gorse ... ... ... ... 1 Ruby ... ... ... ... 2Highlander ... ... ... 3 Hunt Club Steeplechase. Frisco 1 Stilts ... ... ... ... 2. Pyramus ... ... ... -3 Trial Handicap Hurdles. Taplow... ... ... ... 1Defiance 2 Nipapu ... ... ... ... 3 Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase. Rhino has a big burden with 12 2, and I should say his starting is extremely doubtful. Nor’west is bound to run a very respectable race, and he and Kanaka, who are meeting on 31bs difference in favour of the Sou’wester gelding than when they met at Ellerslie, should be close up at the finish. Below Tally-ho Ido not fancy anything will race a race of it with these two, with the exception of Hilda 11, though Morag will get over the country if started. I shall select NOR’-WEST 1 TALLY-HO 2 KANAKA 3