TOKOMATRIRO RACES.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 91, 6 April 1876, Page 5

TOKOMATRIRO RACES.

FIRST ISAY: TUESDAY,* AP"RTL 4

STEWARDS : Messrs W. Grindley, H. M'Kech me, J. A. Henderson, P. M'Gill, George Coombe, F. Bastings, D. Reid, R. M-.rarie, F. S. Nicholls, J. ,K. Atkinson, J. R. D;ivies, W. L. Philp, D. Corsan, Andrew M '.*_,•„•,.«' George Huggins, T. Cro.ssan.-.TL'DGK : Am* , W. L. Philp.— Starter : Mr D. (Jursan.— Hakdicappeh : Mr Arthur Smith. -The.vSURER: Mr George Cooube.— CI.ERK ok Course : MrW. M'Kechnie.— Secretary . Mr J. A. Heuderson.

The annual races of the Tokomairiro Jockey Club were held upon the course which has heen used for a number ol years past, in a paddock belonging to Mv D. Corsan, Meadowbank, and about half a mile from the Clarksville Station A special train was announced to leave Dunedin at nine o'clock for Tokomairiro, and as the ordinary niid-dav train from the Clutha would also arrive just in time for the races, it was fully expected that should the weather prove at all favorable there would be an unusually large attendance. Such, ho-ye\ er, was not the case. The weather was delightful, and the trains arrived from north and south, but the number of passengers for the races was but very limited. Neither did the personnel of the crowd shew that the settlers of the plain manifested any great interest in sporting affairs, for they were conspicuous by their absence. A good many of the people of the township were present, and a few from a distance, but the facilities afforded ,by the railway certainly did not result in a larger attendance than on former occasions. Those present, however, seemed to take a very active interest in the several events, and although the professional bookmakers were but very little patronised, and, we believe, only small sums changed hands, half-crown and five shilling sweeps were freely indulged in, ".just to have an interest in the race."

There were two licensed booths on the ground,— the grand stand booth by Mr A. D. Duncan, -of the Railway Hotel, and the other by Mr Julius, of the Camp Hotel, — both of which appeared to be well supported, althouo-h no evidence of over-indulgence was visible. Mr Lorimer, as usual, had a temperance booth, where many partook of an excellent luncheon,- or indulged in pies and coffee, fruit, etc. There were also several fruit and other stalls, pnd the usual paraphernalia of a racecourse.

The 'various arrangements of the Club were carried out with promptitude and without a hitch or accident of any conspquence.

Of the racing much does not require to be said. Only a poor lot -stripped for the Maiden Plate, — the bettinobeing even on Seabird ; Telemachu*?, Clyde, and Darkie, 2 to 1 j and Mischief, 3to 2. Seabird was the general favorite, and only those who -knew Clyde would ever have thought of backing such a miserable lookirg old cripple. Shortly after the start, however, he made it apparent to all that there was nothing in the field to touch him, and he won in an easy canter. A protest, however, was entered against him on the ground -that he &ad won a race of higher value than *£10. For the Trotting Race, four horses started, and it proved a gift to Frost. The handicappers were evidently at fault. Frost and Lady Chips started at scratch, * while Tommy and Thaw had only 100 yards. The horses had not travelled a quarter ofa mile when -Frost was about the same number of yards ahead of the lot, and maintained his position to the finish, without a break. *For the Tokomairiro Jockey Club Handicap, four horses stripped, but only the King and the Bower were reckoned "in it," and their chances were considered about equal. The King, as we thought, looked much better than in Dunedin, and, although showing a little lameness in the near hind leg, had -he been in as good condition at Dunedin, he would 'have 'been warm for the Cup. The -Bower also looked well, but Bst was a heavy weight for him to carry. He took the lead at the start, and the race throughout was a grand neck-and-neck struggle between the two horses, each evidently doing his very utmost;, but when nearing the post, the Kingmanaged to leave his opponent by a length, — the Bower taking his usual position, a good second. Although Mr Coombeis a favorite on every course, Mr Yeend's good luck seemed to give great satisfaction. The fatal accident to Rory O'More was no doubt -a severe loss'ti him, and the evidence of "the intention on the part of the "King to retrieve his owner's misfortune was pleas • ing to everyone. The Selling Bace was considered by many as one of those wicked -sells too prevalent in connection with horse'racing. Clyde won the first heat easily. • The second was won by Leamington, Clyde scarcely keeping within sight of the horses, saving himself as was supposed for- the final struggle- ilt can scarcely be said there was a final struggle. Clyde and Lea-: mingtonran,, the former taking up his position. -in the rear, and being well satisfied: with, it throughout. True, in coming <up the straight, his jockey freely applied both whip and spur, but ■he had evidently had his instructions to take, only .-second place. In the Flying Handicap Nelly King took the lead" and .maintained it for three-quarters of a mile, when Sir William, who had been taking* it coolly in the rear, rushed - throu gh the" horses; ' took n rst- -place .- and

maintained it to the post, closely followed by Nelly. Tho following were the various events : — Maiden Plate, of 20 soys. Distance, one mile and a half. M mM P n?oM bg C1 > rd<3 ' tt S ed ( C!m * ie <-1 9»t 1 01*.), Ost 811) .. (Laing) 1 Mr D. (.'omul's oh m Seahird, 4 yrs, Bib 111 b „ ;*• „ tT (Batty) 2 ■^'■n-,,,? Tmrftns l ' , * c h D-wlnei 4 yrs, 9st ... 3 AA •,.* ""'"l'so"'* *■ c Mischief, 4 yrs, Bst lllb 0 i vi. <jllock Hdl S Telemachus, 3 yrs, 7st 1 |' :o .- * ... 0 Clyde started with the lead, und maintained it in a canter throughout. Mischief and Telemachus got off badly, and, the latter especially, made no show throughout. Seabird was kept for a lengthened period under the whip, and took second place, Darkie being a bad third. Hhndicap Trotting Rack, of 20 soys. Three miles. Weight for ag«. Mr M'Laren's g g Frost, ago.l, scratch ,_ *•* ,*, , ••• (Owner) 1 Mr Coombe'a b g Thaw. 100 yds 2 Mr Lamp's bin Lady Chips,' scratch ... ... 3 Mr M'Kechnie'schg Tommy, 100 yds ... 0 Frost rushed pa3i the other horses at once, and kept a good lead to tho finish. He was wall piloted hy his owner, Mr M'Laren. Thaw and Chips both ran very gamely, but were .net a match for the grey. Tokomairiro Jockey Club Handicap, of 60 soys. One mile snd three-quarters. A sweep of 2 soys. to go to the second horse. Mr H. Yeend's brh King Philip, 4 yrs. Bst „™ „ *•*, , , (J. Cotton) 1 Mr G. Coombe's br h Eight Bower, 6 yrs, Bst ■mc tV n ';• , ***, **• ••• (Brensell) 2 ™ * Goodman s cl * S Glengarry, aged, 7st y l l\ _ - , ... (T. Allen) 3 Mr D. Corsan's eh f Merrybird, 3 yrs, 6st „ * * - , (T. Corsan) 0 Mr Swanson's eh g Sir William, 5 yrs. 7st scr.' Betting,' s to 4 King Philip * (taken) ; 6to 4 Right Bower; 5 to 1 Glengarry . 10 to 1 Merrybird.

The race was solely between King Philip and Right Bower, both of whioh evidently were run upon their nr.erits, and did their best. The race was almost neclc-and-neck throughout, but when approaching the post tho King forged ahead slowly, and won by a length. We believe this was a better race than any witnessed at the Dunedin meeting this yeai**. Selling Race, of 15 soys. Mile heats. Weight for age. Winner to be sold for £20. Mr Waddnll's br g Young Leamington, aged I Mr Laing's Clyde, Mr M'Laren's Darkie, Mr Duun's Chinaman, and Mr Rae's Happy Jack also ran, Clyde won the first heat easily, -Darkie being second. Leamington came iv first at the second heat, and in the third he was gently followed round the course by Clyde, who was apparently held back throughout* Flying Handicap, of 30 soys. * One mile. Mr Swanson's Sir William, 5 yrs, 7st 81b ... I Mr Corsan's Nelly King, 4 vrs. fist . . .. 2 Mr Sutherland's Border Lad, 6st 'lolb" A 3 Mr Goodman's Glengarry, aged, 7st 101 b" 0 Mr Parson's Mystery, 4 yrs, 7*st 121 b ".' 0 Nelly King started off with the lead. After travelling three-quarters of a mile, Sir William, who had been running a waiting race, rushed to the front, and was not again collared. - _