SUCCESSFUL MEETING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 132, 21 June 1937, Page 6

SUCCESSFUL MEETING

Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Winter Fixture T0TALISAT0K INCREASE The fine success of the Hawke 's Bay Jockey Club's winter meeting, which concluded on Saturday, will earn the club the congratulations of the racfng public. The splendid manner-in whicn ihe ip.ee ting was conducted throughout was a tribute to t>he committee of the club ,and to the recently-appointed secretary, Mr A. E. W'lshart. The racing was of a- very high staudard, and the club should receive a first-class report from the stipendiary steward, Mr B. M. Sandilands. The improvement in the programmes for both days brought a ready response from owners, and stabl.es were represented from as far afield as Awapuni, Trentham, Levin, Foxton, Avondale, New Plymouth,- Gisborne and Wairoa. The fields wero brought together well by Mr H. Coyle. and the run down the straight to the poist in practleally every race §aw a thrilling contest staged for the placed horses to be separated by th® barest of margins. The club is fortunate in retaining the services of Mr W. P. Russell, now of Palmerston North, as judge. His work m the box has merited the public confidence. H'is recent „importaut appointment as handicapper to the Canterbury Jockey Club is fortunately not likely to tnterfere with the Hawke's Bay club '• retaining his services. A feature of the meeting was the promptness shown in the closing of the totalisator on the scheduled time. The balancing of the maehine was earried out in the minimum time. The popularity of the meeting was reflectea in the substantial increase of £6315 10/- in the turnover on the totalisator over that for the winter meeting last year. The last race pa Saturday earried the heaviest investments — £2294 10/-. In this event Peter Beckford, owned by the president of the club, Mr G. D. Beatson, was backed to the extent of £657, the largest amount, earried by any single horse at the club's meetings for many .years past. Special credit is due to the members of the Hastings sub-centre of the St. John Ambuiance for their attendance at the course, Several ealls were made upon their services during the meeting. On all occasions a ready response wai made, and their help was greatly appreciated.