PENINSULA JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 272, 25 February 1879, Page 2

PENINSULA JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Friday, Feb. 21,

President: Mr B. Shadbolt; Stewards: Messrs H. Buchanan, A. G. Wiggins, H. I H. Fenton, S. Lee, C. Haylock, E. Hay, W. Birdling, sen., W. Coop, J, Gebbie, C. W. Bridge, John Duxbury, H. Hawkins ; Judge :—W. Birdling, sen; Starter: S. Johnson ; Clerk of the Scales: C. W. Bridge ; Clerk of the Course : G. A. Birdling ; Handicapper : John Duxbury. This meeting came off on the above date, on the bed of a part of Lake Ellesmere, near Wascoe's Hotel, Little River. The reserve of 200 acres close to the spot in question, sot aside by the late Provincial Government for racing and recreation purposes being found quite ; unsuitable, without a large outlay of money, Mr Birdling, the judge, at once put the course of Friday last at the disposal of the Club, which was in excellent racing order, the turf elastic and springy, and the running well marked off with flags and poles, so that no mistake could be made by riders as to the course they were to follow. The ground possessed the further natural advantage of being lower than what is during winter the shores of the lake, which afforded the spectators an excellent vantage ground for seeing each event from first to last. The wholesceneformed apictureof considerable and natural beauty; in the immediate foreground were the spirited movements of the horses, being saddled and put through their preliminary movements, relieved by the brilliant colors ofowriers of the various entries~ori tne card; The rich green pastures in the middle distance were thickly covered with herds of cattle and sheep quietly browsing, some of which would occasionally trespass on the sacred domain of the clerk of the course, and consequently exercise that gentleman in sending them to " fresh fields and pastures new." Beyond, as far as the eye could reach, was the apparently illimitable waste of water, from out of the mist hanging on their horizon rose the peaks of the Southern Alps, covered with their mantle of snow, which, paradoxical as it might appear, supplied visitors during the day with the blasts of hot air, provincially known asnor'-westers. On the right the scene was bounded by the hills of the Peninsula, which seemed to look as if done a little too brown for the season of the year. The whole picture was one of Arcadian beauty and pastoral simplicity. The only thing that seemed to detract was a few of those gentlemen who always haunt country race meetings, and will insist upon your making a rapid fortune on a piece of American oilcloth with a peculiar design on it,, or to give you half-a-crown to knock down their pegs. Talking of pegs, we were; suddenly startled from our reverie by stumbling over one of the Engineer's pegs of the Akaroa Railway, which passes over the spot we have just been describing, and. which next year we hope to see bring its freight of spectators to the Club's races. The bell for.the first event.rang, and as trouble was about to commence, we have only time to remark, the fields were fairly filled, the officers and stewards courteous and obliging, the catering of host Wascoe as good as ever, everybody pleased, and not a single accident or protest to mar the pleasure of the meeting. The only falling off at all visible was that the attendance of the public was not so large as usual. At half past twelve the first event of the day was started, viz., the Sapling Stakes—A sweepstake, with 10 ; soys added from the funds; for all twoI year-old horses, the bona fide property I of residents in. the district; second horse to save his stakes. Entrance,- 2 soys, to go to the fund. Distance, about five furlongs. B. Shadbolt's b c Blue Ribbon, 2 yrs, 7 st 4 lb (W. Shadbolt) 1 J. Johnson's filly, Flirt, 2 yrs, Bst (Brairly) 2 J. Duxbury's blk f No Name. 2 yrs, Bst lib (A. Shadbolt) ..'. ... 3 This produced a field of three horses. Johnson's Flirt had many admirers, but was not in the front. Mr Shadbolt's Blue Ribbon had everything his own way from start to finish. Maidkn Plate of 10 soys, for all horses the bona fide property of residents in the district; horses only, that have never won an advertised race.' Entrance, Sfos. Weight for age. Distance about a mile and a half. Second, horse t5 save jhis stakes. G. Robinson's eh c Titokowaru, 9st lib (T. Caihill) ...!;.. ... 1 T. Sheenan's eh g Wanganui, 9st 121b (T. Sheenan) ..." 2 B. Shadbolt's b g Swell, 9st 101b (J. Barker) ... 3 Three horses again faced the starter for this race. Of these Titokowaru had put in an appearance at the late Head of the Bay meeting, and from his performance there was spotted ac the winner. The weight Wanganui carried was too much for him, and Swell was never in the race. Handicap ' Hurdle Race of 20 soys; second horse to saye bis stakes. No win- ■

ation, 20s ; acceptance, 20s. Open to all comers. Over eight flights of hurdles. Distance about two miles. T. Sheenan's b g Shark, list 111b (owner) ... 1 G. Oaborn's b h Johnny, lOst 41b (S. Osborn) • ... 2 G. Robinson's eh g Tarewa, lOst 71b (Caihilt) ... ... ... ... 3 This race resulted in a contest between Shark and Johnny, Tarewa being quite unable or unwilling to negotiate his hurdles, and after the first jump was quite out of the race. Johnny at first did not like the look of the fences, and thus gave Shark a long start, but being better between the impediments he overhauled the first horse wonderfully, but not in time to catch the' judge's eye. Peninsula Handicap of 30 sovb ; second horse lo save his stakes. Nomination, 30s; acceptance, 30s. Distance about two miles. Open to all comers; T. Sheenan's b g Shark, aged, lOst (owner) 1 W* Lemon's gr m Miss Brizzler, 4 yrs, 88tl01b(Amgus) 2 G. Robinson's eh g Tarewa, aged, 98t 81b(Caihill) 3 G. Oaborn's b g Spider, 5 yrs. 9st 31b (S. Osborn) 4 Tlria was the premier event of the meeting, and was a well contested race, all having accepted except Robin Hood, and the result shewed the judiciousness, of. the handicap. The four horses were, sent away to a capital start, Tarewa leading by some distance, and Spider a long way bshind Shark Was evidently being reserved for the finish, and during the second round increased his lead. Tarewa , fell, but neither rider nor horse were hurt. At the finish it was a good race between Shark and .Miss Brizzler. Publican's Purse of 10 soya; second horse to save his stakes. Entrance, 20s. For district horses only. Distance, about a mile and a half. Weight for age. G. Robinson's th g Titotokowaru, 4 yra Bst 101b (Caihill) 1 J. Harris' eh g Dick, 5 yrs, 9st 51b (J, Barfcr) - ... 2 T. .Sheenan's eh g Wanganui, aged, 9atslb (S. Osborn) 3 The horses in this race were pretty evenly matched. Dick was evidently the nimblest of foot, but was rather difficult to steer, and his rider thus lost a considerable distance. Tarewa did not put in an appearance. Hack Race of 5 soys. Entrance, 10s. For district horses ouly. Post Entry. Catch weights. Shadbolt's Swell ... ... ... 1 Tyson's Yankee Grabb ... 2 J. Brown's Moss Rose... 3 Six horses faced the starter for this race, and it proved one of the best of. the day, resulting as above. Consolation Handicap of 7f soys. Entrance 20s. For all beaten horses. Distance, about a mile and a half. For this race three horse were, after some little delay, entered, a difference of opinion seeming to exist amongst owners as to what were beaten horses. The money was ultimately taken by G. Robinsou's Tarewa, closely followed by Hiss Brizzler. After the events on the card, a Hurry Scurry Race was got up by the Stewards for £~ 10d from the funds, and an order on Mr Dunbar, Christchurch, for £1 worth of saddlery. The second prize w»b an elegant riding whip presented by Mr J. D. Garwood, Akaroa. T. Sheenan's Yankee Grabb 1 G. Robinson's Kaiapoi .2 J. Rowe's Miss Spring 3 To enable our fellow colonists of the native race to participate in the sports of the day, Mr Birdling, the judge, arranged a race for Maori horses and Maori riders as the closing event of After collecting a considerable sum of money, the following JlPrses were entered, and ran in the order given— Rapatini's Kaiapoi ... ... ... 1 Wheeler's Black Jacket... 2 Henny's Old Dick ... ... ... 3 J. Beaton's Titokute ... ... •. :..; 4 This closed the meeting, and the stewards held a meeting immediately afterterwards, when all stakes were paid to the winners.