NOTES ON THE NAPIER PARK MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 956, 2 July 1908, Page 5

NOTES ON THE NAPIER PARK MEETING.

(By Our Hawke’s Bay Correspondent.)

Though the weather was unpromising on Wednesday, heavy rain falling in the early morning, followed by an occasional shower as the forenoon advanced, the stewards of the Napier Park Racing Club decided to brave the elements and proceed with the programme of their winter meeting. This determination on their part not to disappoint the public and to keep faith with those to whom a race meeting has attractions no meteorological conditions can wholly destroy, was duly rewarded. The sky was overcast and threatening for the greater part of the afternoon, but fortunately the rain held off, and, with the exception of a little dampness under foot, no unpleasantness was experienced. Naturally the course was heavy and against any records being broken, but still the racing was good and the times far from discreditable, all things considered. The attendance was good, and the club ist to be congratulated on the results. Six horses faced the starter for the first of the big events in the Stewards’ Stakes, Ballyneety being scratched. White Lie started favourite, but was easily disposed of in the straight by Mussel, who won by a comfortable length. The Napier Steeplechase was a capital race for the greater part of the distance, but in the end proved a comparatively easy thing for Fretwork. In this event Valima, one of the favourites, ran off at the sod wall, and Post Haste came down at the seven-furlong brush fence, both horse and rider escaping practically unhurt. The Ladies’ Bracelet fell to Hinupai, who won a good race by a long neck, ,the favourite (Espartero) running second. The other events were all well contested, and were also productive of lively interest. The sum of £6343 was invested on the totalisator as compared with £7835 on the first day of last year’s winter meeting. Twelve

bookmakers were on the ground, seven inside the enclosure at a fee of £2O 10s each, and five outside at £lO 10s, the total derived by the club from this source of revenue being £196. SECOND DAY. The winter meeting was brought to a close on Thursday, the weather, though dull, remaining fine. There was a large attendance. The first big race of the day—the Winter Oats Handicap—saw all the acceptors go to the post on a heavy course. Erl King was made a hot favourite, and he justified the confidence reposed in him, getting home by a length after a good race. In the Waiohiki Hack Hurdles Hatley fell at the hurdle at the bottom bend, and his rider (T. Pritchard) had his shoulder dislocated. The big event of the day—the Park Steeplechase—brought forth seven runners, Valima being made a slightly better favourite than Fretwork. The first favourite did not see the course out, being pulled up along the back the second time round. Fretwork, who was slow off the mark, never left the issue in doubt once. He settled down to his task, and, taking all obstacles in splendid style, ran home an easy winner from Baltic, who just managed to last long enough to beat Nogi for second honours, the latter coming with a strong run up the straight and getting within a long neck of the second horse. Fretwork and his rider (W. Higgins) came in for an ovation on returning to scale with the double to their credit.

The Ladies’ Bracelet saw eight horses go to the post, four of the acceptors declining engagement. Waikaraka was sent out a big favourite, but the winner turned up in Oakbourne, who led practically from the start, getting home a couple of lengths to the good from Ancycle. Waikaraka was the second horse into the straight, but was no nearer than fourth at the finish.

Commander was the only withdrawal from the Poraite Hurdles, and The Stake was the general fancy. He was only prominent, however, on one occasion. Defeat, one of the lightly-backed . runners, who always held a good position, proved to be the winner. Pretty Maid, another wellbacked one, fllled second place. The totalisator figures for the day reached £6266, a decrease of £1495 over the corresponding day last year. For the two days the sum handled was £12,609, a shrinkage of £2987. Twelve bookmakers took out licenses, five inside and seven outside. The amount received from the bookmakers more than makes up for the decrease in the machine figures.