A DRESS REHEARSAL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 5, 29 September 1937, Page 15

A DRESS REHEARSAL

Hawke's Bay jockey Club AT HASTINGS TO-MORRQW To-morrow afternoon, commencing at 2 o'clock, on the Hastings racecourse, an entertaining afternoon 's sport will be- provided free of charge, when the Hawke 'b Bay Jockey Club will hold its annual parade of racehorses~for all ages and over different distances. This parade was instituted a few years ago and each year becomes more popular, particularly with owners and trainers, as all the events are under racing conditions, thus affording trainers the chance of giving the young horses public education. Owners readily recognise the benefit derived by their horses. On account of the close proxicnity of the spring meeting of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club (it is only ten days off) more mterest is .being taken in this year's parade than formerly, as the public may be able to collect some data on which to place their bets on October 9. Jockeys wear their correct riding app,arel together with the colours of the owner for whom they are ridifig and all horses will carry their respective number cloths according to the free programme that will be distributed. The starting will be in the eapable hands of Mr. A. Holmes who, as well as oflSciating each cnorning on the Hastings course educating the young and inexperienced young racers, also acts in the oflficial capacity of starter to the Waipukurau Jockey Club. Sharp at two o'clock the two-year-olds will parade for their initial gallops with the colours up. It is the general opinion that the "babios" this season are decidedly the best we have had for some few seasons, so that to-morrow 's parade of youngsters will be very interesting. The maideners will race over half a mile, the same as the opening event, and will be divided into classes, tho raced and unraced ones, so as to make the heats more even. Unquestionably at the present time on the Greenmeadows and the Hastings tracks thero are some very smart novices, the best for years, and it would not be a difficult task to name at least half a dozen that this time next season will have run out of hack class and be forced to compete amorig the higher gr,ade. The "hacks" will race over 5J furlongs and they, too, will furnish a contest well worth witnessing, despite the absence of the "equalisator," although if the truth be known there is chance of investment overseas on the afternoon 's sport. The amateur riders are to have a dress xehearsal this time as the club includes an Amateur Trial run over a mile. The Duke of Gloucester Cup ia creating untold interest at the present time, and with a nomination pf a quarter of a century this race is going to be something to see and well worth reaiembering. Now, with a few of the riders a little out of practice and condition this "trial" is a boon to thecn, and the public are interested to see some that will be enjoying a leg up to-morrow afternoon. The final event to-morrow: afternoon will be the open or sixth heat run over six and a half furlongs, and although designated "open," hacks can compete, as some owners are desirous of running their horses a little more ' than the 5J allowed for, in the "hack" division.