THE KING OF SPORTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 78, 5 June 1945, Page 5

THE KING OF SPORTS

PATRIOTIC RACE MEETING EFFORT AT TE TEKO LARGE CROWD ASSEMBLES The spills and chances -of the King of Sports such as residents have not experienced in their own district since 1934. drew hundreds to the Te Teko Domain yesterday where the first licensed race meeting to be held in that area for eleven year® was staged under the auspices •of the Edgecumbe Patriotic Com;■mittee. All proceeds went towards the district quota. Upwards of forty horses were present to take part in the events. The track was in excellent order f the weather was and the public which was not slow in investing made the most of a ; grand! day. The gate realised £236 # but the total takings from all sources will be far in excess of this figure. The meeting had all the usual trimmings with quite a lew extras thrown in lor good measure. Side shows and stalls attracted a large crowd especially those run by tlie various grandmothers competing in the derby. Quick raffles and competitions held throughout the day proved very popular, while the hangi and tearooms were also well patronised. Mr Fred Burt was the local Gortlon Hutter and in between running commentaries on the raecs 5 filled in •with general information and .small talk which kept the public well inj< formed as to proceedings. Progress reports on the Grandmothers' Derby were also announced from time to time.

The Whakatane Pipe Band was well to the lore, once again, while the Citizens' Band also helped to .supply an atmosphere of gaiety. As starter, Mr Dick Turpin was responsible lor cranking the horses -and getting them moving round the track on all four cylinders. Although some idled better than others, none were so idle as the starter. {Don't believe it. He did more than one man's share). Judges were Messrs C. McKenzie, R. Harty and J. Thomas who on each occasion .showed great discretion in placing Tthree horses in each race second and third. Filling the position of Track Steward, Mr J. Black cat. ered for the 'terrible toist' worked j up by horses and riders with suitable refreshments. Mr C. Thompson was Clerk of Course (of course).) The job of Birdcage. Steward went to Mr J. Jamieson. (Mr J. Jamieson, be it noted, was responsible for chirping softly and sweetly into our representative's car on one occasion—a rather expensive occasion. Next, time we'll listen to some other bird). The weighty position of Clerk of Scales was held by Mr J. Alexander. (Ay! Bu' ther' wer' nothing fishy aboot thes' scales!) The Judiciary Committee which unfortunately was supplied with b#t little scope for its undoubted talent was shown as. Messrs W. A. McCrickcn J D. Macdonald and J. Moody. The balloon was a sensation in itself. This in the absence of the real McCoy took the form of an old round tin which was hauled up and down from the masthead as the occasion called. Nobody appeared toj be quite sure as to when the occasion did call, so until the operator got 'the hang of it' it was hauled up and down at intervals.

All races, with the exception of one had live or more contcstants j and some very close finishes resulted. In the two hurdle events only one h«rse fell, the accident occurring in the second of the two the Sans^ro 9 Hurdles listed as number 7 on the card. Results Following were the results, 1 of the day's meeting. The minimum weight carried was lOst 71bs in events Nos. 5 7 and 8. All others were catch J J weights. Owners names are shown in brackets: — 1. Olympus Flat Race of £15: Lady Be Good (M. Black) 1; Maid of Erin (P. Breslin) 2; Miss Pukeliina (J. Puttie)

2. Ta'krouna Race of £10: Reremoa (E. Tapsell) 1; Force (11. Black) 2; Garry CW. Keepa) :L Crete Hurdle Race of £22: Ruawai (Dixon and Davis) 1: Tamakao (Corcoran and Price) 2; Garry (W. Kecpa) 3. J. Sit!i Razegh Saddle Trot (handle cap) of £12: Naples (E. Duiistan) 1; Gailard Lass (J. Dunstan) 2; Darky (H. Sisam) 5. El Alamein Stakes of £:50: Lady Be Good (B. Black) 1; Ruawai (Dixon and Davis) 2; Maid of Erin (P. Bre.slin) (L Green Island Race of £6: Knight (Yeoman) 1; Judy (Haslani) 2; Mr Chips (Haslani) IL 7. Sangro Hurdles of £18: Ruawai (Dixon and. Davis) J; Danny Boy (E. Pattie) 2; Garry (W. Kecpa) 3. S. Trieste Sprint of £22: Surveyor General (W. J. Sullivan) 1; Ruahcss (Melrose) 2; Falconer (L. Jessup) 3. 9. Home from School Race: Flirt (J. Baty) 1; Tommy (Dudley) 2; Fax (Sullivan) 3. First second and third jockeys respectively in the latter events were: J. Baty John Ferguson and Barry Sullivan. The Derby Ball, which was held in the evening in the Edgecumbe Hall proved to be a great success. A full report of this will appear in *a later issue.