HAWKE’S BAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 815, 19 October 1905, Page 8

HAWKE’S BAY.

Napier, October 18

The Napier Park Racing Club’s spring venture passed off successfully, despite the fact that the first day’s racing had to be postponed on account of the inclement weather on Tuesday. The totalisator investments for the two days show the very satisfactory increase of £1063 over the money put through the machines at a corresponding meeting last season, the figures reading: 1905, £10,533; 1904, £9470.

The Park Sta kes Handicap was won by Mahutonga, last year’s victor in the race. The New Zealand Cup candidate displayed much improved form to his Hastings running, and was always handy in second position. When asked the question he went to the front and won without any serious pressure by half a length from Whakawehi, who ran a good race. The favourite was fifth and Asteroid last. When the winner returned to the scales he met with a hostile demonstration. A section of the crowd commenced to hoot and groan, while another section loudly cheered the winner.

There were only three starters in the Napier Stakes—King Billy, Sweet Helen, and Zimmerman. The last of the trio atoned for his defeat at Hastings when making his debut by hopping off smartly and winning all the way without pressure by two lengths. King Billy ran a game race, but had no chance with the winner, who paid the good price of £3 13 s.

Douche scored a comfortable victory in the Racing Club Handicap. The favourite, Mahutonga, got badly away, being left several lengths, and could finish no closer than fourth.

Mr. Watt’s imported colt Gazeley, by Grey Leg out of Lygia, carried his bat, as he started in two races—the Trial Hack and Telephone Hack—and won both events easily. Gazeley is a goodlooking, upstanding chestnut, who is inclined to be very straight in front, and

moves awkwardly when going at halfpace. When warmed, however, he is an entirely different mover, galloping with great freedom and swing. Romany Girl, who hails from Gisborne, had no difficulty in landing both hurdle races. Previous ..to the start of the second day's obstacle event, when doing his preliminary, Cavalry’s saddle slipped round, depositing his rider (AV. O’Connell) on the green sward. The horse then bolted, but 'was caught and saddled up; but he was in trouble after going three-quarters of a mile, and finished a long way back. Probable, who showed good form as a two-year-old last season, performed well at the gathering, as he conquered in both of the races he turned up in. Mr. H. H. Pharazyn, owner of Oryx, Operatta, and Satio, has purchased the two-year-old full brother to Operatta from Air. E. J. AVattj who bred the pair. Additional foalings at Karamu are : - Miro (Dreadnought—Spinaway) a colt, Martyrdom (Apreniont—Martyr a colt, Aphrodite (Apreniont—AV atersprite) a colt. Alontdread (Dreadnought—Mont Marte) a colt, Banjo (DreadnoughtLyre) a filly, all to Birkenhead. At Te Mahanga :—Haingongoro (Torpedo—Cascade) a colt, to San Fran. At Okawa : —Cantatrice (Goldsborough Songstress) a filly to Merriwee. At Mr. Donnelly’s quarters: —Pearl Shot (Torpedo—Pearl Powder) a filly, Como (Vasco de Gama —Virginia Water), a. filly, both to Gold Reef.