PENINSULA JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 64, 27 February 1877, Page 2

PENINSULA JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

[From our Special Reporter.] Stewards—Messrs. H. Buchanan, G. Scarbrough, C. Ilaylock, W. Coop, W. Birdling, J. Aylmer, and J. Gebbie ; Judge, Mr. W. Birdling ; Starter, Mr. S. Johnston ; Clerk of the Scales,' Mr. J. Duxbuiy ; Clerk of the Course, Mr. F. Birdling. In my last report, I was enabled through«the agency of Mr. J. H. Wood's pigeon express to furnish our readers with a brief account of the races up to the hour of the departure of the birds, but as it was impossible on that day to enter into a minute description, I propose supplementing my last report by a few extra remarks in to-day's issue. The weather was not very cheerful-looking on the previous evening, and it rained very hard at intervals. The consequence was that several who would have visited the races stayed away, the more delicate of the fair sex being special and regretted absentees. There was also another reason which deterred many from attending. Experience gained from previous years of the difficulty in obtaining hotel accommodation operated very seriously against the attendance. From observations made on Thursday last, I was astonished that any person was found sufficiently courageous to travel from Christchurch or a distance to face the probable i' roughing " of a night at Frank's. No effort on the part of the host appeared to have been made to furnish additional sleeping accommodation for the visitors, the consequence being many were compelled to leave at an early hour, to return home the same night. With a little expense, Mr. Franks could have fitted up accommodation, which would serve for years, and would in the end have liberally compensated him for the first outlay. The provision made for dining accommodation was meagre in the extreme, the table with difficulty accommodating 18 persons, so that it will be readily understood that the patience of those anxious to be " regaled " was completely exhausted before their turn came round, and in the end resulted in a loss to the proprietor, and a disagreeable scramble for place. I know of dozens who were compelled to leave without being successful in obtaining dinner. A little reminiscence came under my notice, which appears too good to be lost. An ex-M.P.C, and a large landed proprietor residing in the neighborhood, invited me to dine with him at Franks', just before the conclusion of the races. The table was spread for tea, and the fair waitress in charge on being asked if she could supply us with something to eat, replied that she did not care for the joints being cut before tile company arrived, but if we would just step into the kitchen she had no doubt we would be able to procure something to eat. For a time my companion was spell-bound, he looked at me, and I looked at him, when at last the spell was broken by my inviter, who evidently felt rather dismayed and perplexed at the position of , affairs, saying, " Well, my good lady, if the joints are too precious to cut, and you cannot serve us in this room, the kitchen will not know our j>resenee." The waitress, who evidently was conscious that she had "put her foot into it," beat a hasty retreat, without venturing an amende for her indiscreet remarks. The next day, the same young lady, who was plainly new to her business again made a lapsus linguae. At lunch there was seated a member of .the Akaroa County Council and Chairman of one .of the Peninsula Road Boards, who was evidently bent on having value for his money, much' to the discomfiture of the painstaking waitress, who was anxious to make room for the crowd without The young

lady politely intimated to the senator that he had occupied the seat quite long enough, and that he had better be making himself scarce, as be had sat, three solid hours over his tea the previous evening. Perhaps some arithmetician might be able to answer the following sum :—3OO persons requiring dinner, and there being only one table, capable of seating 18 persons, each sitting.three hours over his dinner, how long would jt take to satisfy the 300 ? The person who successfully answers this little sum will oblige by forwarding it to the gentleman in question. The interesting dialogue which followed I have purposely eliminated from this report. While on the reminiscences inseparable from racing events, I may mention that when I presented myself to the landlord as a candidate for balmy sleep, judge of my surprise, when I was met by the discomforting reply that there was not the slightest chance of obtaining a bed, but possibly if I were to make friends with one of the guardians of the peace I might be successful in sharing a bed which had been reserved for him. This intimation was received by me with a shake of the head. The worthy host was then struck with a happy thought, and proffered me a blanket to coil up in some remote corner of his establishment. Disclosing my plight to a generous and popular settler —Mr. William Birdling—l was at once invited to his homestead, where I had the good fortune of securing a bed to myself. Persons can make every allowance for hotelkeepers on occasions similar to the one I am now writing about, but when one sees that supineness and indifference displayed by a host with regard to the comfort of those who are induced to travel a long distance to patronise an event that he is certain to be a considerable gainer by, it is but reasonable to expect to find a little extra effort made to ensure moderate comfort to visitors. The only thing that I can speak in favour of Avas the quality of liquors dispensed by Mr. Franks, and they were exceptionally good. The sporting gentry were well represented. ' The inimitable Ward prosecuted a fair trade with that genteel game known as the " devil among the.tailors." Games of chance of every kind run riot-roulettee tables, lucky bags, Spanish and American, '■ gold and silver tables," and under and over, crowding so close upon one another that one was compelled to wonder where the customers came from. In the midst of their deafening invitations to patronise their games of chance, the enlivening strains of Tombs' Factory Band was now and again discernible, but the performers were determined not to over-exert themselves. They could not have played more than four or five times, This was an expense the stewards might well have avoided. he races were not run on the regular course, as it had been inundated for some days previous to the event, and therefore was unfit to be utilised for the occasion. A very fair course was selected immediately behind the hotel, but in places was found to be a little too heavy owing to the shingly nature of the ground. Sergeant Ramsay, Constable Lamb, and an officer from Linconl were in attendance, but their presence was scarcely needed, as the greatest order appeared to prevail throughout the day. Everything passed off very quietly, and I have fortunately but one accident to record. Mr. William Mcllraith was driving his horse at a rapid pace in order to reach the course in time, and on the way allowed the animal to drink rather freely at the Jake while in a very warm state, and on arrival at Mr. Franks, the horse was turned out into a paddock, took the chill and died. There is an old saying that no misfortune ever comes alone, and this trite saying was verified by a series of mishaps which befel Mr. M'llraith at the Peninsula races within the short space of one hour, resulting in a loss of £70. His mare. Wky Smart, lost the Peninsula Handicap of 20 soys. by running l the wrong side of the post; in pulling out his handkerchief a ten-pound-note was unconsciously withdrawn and lost; and last, though not least, his valuable horse was sacrificed through his indiscretion in allowing the mare to drink while in a heated condition. The officials performed their duty most satisfactorily. Mr. VV. Birdling's decisions as judge, gave every satisfaction. Mr. S. Johnston, as usual, made an admirable starter. Mr. Duxbury's handicaps, proved from results to have been well conceived. Mr. George Porter discharged the duties of secretary in a most efficient manner. The Stewards are deserving of every credit for the prompt manner in which they settled up. Before they left the ground, every stake won and debt incurred were paid. To come to the racing proper. The sport commenced with the Hurdle Race, Eclipse and Sour Grapes were scratched. Phantom was, of course, a hot favourite, as it was well known the other horse had but little chance. For the Maiden Plate four entries figured on the card. Malvena, a promising colt, and Eclat, divided public fancy. The latter is an exceedingly nice looking horse, and his breeding is unexceptionable. He was manifestly too heavy in flesh, but will score a win forhis owner before his career is over. The winner turned up in the former She was quite cherry ripe so far as condition goes, and her jockey deserves a passing compliment on the way in which he brought her to the post. Mr. Little's Daisy made a game race for it, but was outpaced. The Peninsula Handicap was a capital race, and brought out a fleet of six. Rosy Smart, Grecian Bend, and Daisy were evenly backed. From the start the race lay between Rosy Smart and Grecian Bend, resulting in a dead heat between the two, but as the former ran outside a post, the Stewards allotted first place to Grecian Bend. This was really a splendid race. Kosy Smart is a compact mare, and will yet see a better day than Thursday, where she was unfortunate, and we may add, had it not been for her digression, she would in all probability have put the 20 soys in her owner's pocket. Her subsequent running in the Little River Handicap proved her to be a first-class mare, and her owner will have the satisfaction of seeing Kosy Smart's number hoisted at the head of affairs on more noted fields than those of the Litte River. For the Flying Stakes, three entries showed up, Eclat, Volunteer, and Sour Grapes. As the two former horses were entered in the name of Mr. Shadbolt, that gentleman declared to win with the former. As it was evident that Eclat was not in condition, interest was entirely centred on Sour Grapes, as his performance at the Head of the Bay in December last secured for him many backers. The signal for starting having been given, the horses had not proceeded many paces, before Sour

Grapes ran off the course, which secured an inglorious victory to Eclat, as Volunteer made no effort to win. Whether the "swerving" of Sour Grapes was controllable or not, we are not prepared to say, but Mr. Shecnan will be best able to set the public right on that point. At any rate, his action "was very severely condemned by the onlookers,.and the race appeared to be nothing less than a solemn farce. A Hack Race brought out five competitors, and was won by Mr. Wilson's Ake Ake in a canter. The Hack Hurdle Race brought out four horses, Mr. Nutt's Breakneck being made the favourite, but was nowhere in the race. The contest really lay between Orlando and Charlie, but the latter had the advantage in breeding. A splendid race ensued between the two. It was announced that all the horses, with the exception of Breakneck, had run the wrong side of the posts, and consequently were disqualified. The Stewards investigated a protest lodged by the owner of Breakneck, and the evidence adduced appeared to be of a most conflicting character, and the Stewards therefore decided that the race should be run over again on the following day. The backers and owner .of Breakneck expressed dissatisfaction at the Stewards' decision. Next morning three horses faced the starter, Faugh-a-Ballah being an absentee. The horses were got away well together, but Orlando and Breakneck rushed away at two hot a pace, and were soon compelled to allow Charlie to occupy a leading position, which was maintained to the finish. The owner (Mr Welch) was loudly cheered on passing the winning post, many expressing satisfaction at the lad's second victory. For the Publicans' Purse, the whole five entries faced the starter, and resulted in a well-contested race between Malvena and Symphony, the former winning by a bare neck. The Little River Handicap elicited no small amount of interest, and six horses out of the seven entered put in an appearance, Fanny having been scratched. Rosy Smart was made a hot favourite, and the result shows, the confidence was not misplaced. Young Barker rode with great judgment, and secured the prize for Mr. M'llraith. The Consolation, which was won by Maritana, brought a very good day's racing to an end, and it may fairly be stated, with the exception of the contretemps connected with the Flying Stakes, it proved a most successful and pleasant one. The following is a report of the racing, but want of space precludes us from giving a description. Hurdle Race. Mr. J. H. Lunn's g.m. Phantom, 6yrs... 1 Mr. S. Nutt's b.h. Shillalah, 6 yrs ... 2 Mr. B. Shadbolt's b.m. Ladybird, 3 yrs 3 This race was a gift to Phantom, the other horses being nowhere at the finish. Maiden Plate. Mr. J. Castle's b.m. Malvena, 3 yrs ... 1 Mr. Little's Daisy ... ... ...2 Mr. Barker's b.g. White Pine, aged ... 3 Peninsula Handicap. Mr. J. H. Lunn's Grecian Bend. 5 yrs, 9st 31b ; . ... 1 Mr. B. Shadbolt's b.g. Black Pine, aged, 9st3lb 2 Mr. J. Lewis' b.m. Rosy Smart, 5 yrs, Bst 101b ' ... 3 Flying Stakes. Mr. B. Shadbolt's b.h. Eclat (imported) 5 yrs ... 1 Mr. B. Shadbolt's b.g. Volunteer, aged 2 Mr. S. Nutt's b.h. Sour Grapes, 4 yrs. ... 3 Hack Race. Mr Wilson's Ake Ake ... ... ... 1 Hack Hurdle Race. Mr. Welch's Charlie, 5 yrs 1 Mr. Birdling's Orlando, 5 yrs ... ... 2 Mr. Nutt's Breakneck, 4 yrs ... ... 3 Publicans' Purse. Mr. J. Castle's b.m. Malvena, 3 yrs ... 1 Mr. J. Castle's b.m. Symphony, aged ... 2 Mr. R. Little's b.m. Fanny, aged ...3 Little River Handicap of 15 soys. Entrance 255. Open to all comers. Distance about 2 miles. Mr. J. Lewis's Rosy Smart, 5 yrs ... 1 Mr. J. H. Lunn's b.g. Eclipse, aged ... 2 Mr. J. 11. Lunn's Grecian Bend, 5 yrs... 3 Consolation Stakes of 10 soys. Entrance, £1. For all beaten horses. Distance about 1£ mile. Mr. A. Moneys cm. Maritana 1 Mr. R. Little's Daisy 2 Mr. J. Castle's Symphony 3 Mr. Shadbolt's Volunteer ... ... 0 The jockey of Volunteer pulled up, and the rider of Maritana rode a waiting race, and on entering the straight let out, and won hands down. Second Day. A match for £10 a-side was run between Mr Barker's Volunteer and Mr Little's Daisy, the distance being three-quarters of a mile. From the start it was evident that Volunteer had no chance, and the race was won easily by Daisy. Time, 1 minute 29 seconds. The Hack Hurdle Race was run over again, and resulted in favour of Charlie. An additional race was made, open to all horses, for a new bridle, but the quality of the prize was not sufficiently tempting to entice competition. The hat then went round, when some 15s. were collected. An entrance of 10s. was then made a condition, which had the effect of securing three entries—Rosy Smart, Malvena, and Black Pine, the former winning with perfect ease. A private match between Mr Barker's White Pine and Mr Sefton's Gipsy for £1 a-side brought the meeting to a close. The race was well contested, White Pine landing by about three lengths in advance of Gipsy.