QUEENSTOWN RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 11, 19 January 1870, Page 5

QUEENSTOWN RACES.

( By our Special Reporter.) Tho number of visitors from tho Cromwell ami down-districts was limited ; but the attendance of those from Skippers, Moke Crook, and other outlying places in the Lake district was tolerably largo. The weather was against tho moating generally,—it ra nod. But it rained so mildly and so warmly that even tho rain was ignored. People were determined to enjoy thornselves, ami enjoy themselves they did, despite weather influences. This is somewhat tho in inner they carried out their resolution: —They o ime into Queenstown from all quarters, as just mentioned. They dropped in by parties on Wednesday night. Wednesday night showed that people had money to speculate and were “ game’’ to back their opinions. The rain began to fall during the evening in showers, and much damped the prospects of those who had arranged for picnics and that class of affairs. In matters connected with raoin<;, opinions were divided. The appearance of Schoolboy had upset—so it was asserted—any combination between the Cromwell and Dunstan party. This supposition was, however, ill-founded ; for all the horses ran on their merits, whether from Cromwell, Clyde, or other places. There was no feeling expressed in favour of any local horse winning the events,— the general opinion being that tire Lake possessed no horse of any importance to carry otf any stake. \Good humour therefore prevailed, and that the best horse might win, wherever he came from, was the concurrent wish. All were unknown or “dark” horses, and the opinions backed so strongly were mere vague guesses. The Cromwell party profited by this, for they backed the winning horses in the end, and one or two venturesome gpld-diggors folt tho effect to their coat. Thursday, the first day of the races, broke gloomily enough, and was showery throughout; nevertheless, people prepared to go to the course. The attendance was not, however, large, and the racing was equally as indifferent ns the weather. The course is a beautiful one, and for scenery nothing can compare with it in New Zealand. The Lake bounds it on the one side, the Kawarau on the other ; and the Remarkable Range, in all its grandeur, overhangs it. Farms and cultivated fields fringe it, and, altogether, an air of picturesqueness surrounds it. It may be called, justly and truly, the Goodwood of New Zealand. The Queenstown Jockey Club might, however, fence and plant their noble reserve, and the sooner they do so the better. With this addition the attractions will be superb. As it was—without them —the steamer and conveyances brought many pic-nio parties j and they, despite the rain, appeared to enjoy themselves. The races were hollow affairs. There was not a single welleontested race, and yet this was not due to bad handicapping, as the weight-for-age race* were hollow like the others. Altogether, the sport was very meagre. 1 never saw a worse day on this course. The horses were second class ; the running was second if not third class. And yet it was pleasant to see how people were bent upon making the most of things. The accommodation for the I’ress was most indifferent also, and only owing to Mr Eichardt, the lessee of the booths, did 1 obtain any position to view the races. In fact, tie w’m’e affair w-s conduct'd on a fro vand-easy pri iciple. I cannot tell what horses declared over-weight. .The stewards’ room was an assemblage of jockeys, trainers, owners, and stewards. Ido not.wish to witness again such a mess. To add tithe difficulty was the fact that tho stewards had issued no card of races : all the knowledge the public gained wts by an occasional notice posted up on the judge's box. Perhaps all was done that could be done, but candour obliges me to say it was very badly done. Then the races wsre late—hours after the appointed time. I do not choose to further allu le to the shortcomings, but certainly a bettor management must exist in the future. We all left with a kind impression of the geniality of the Wakatio people, of their eforts to make our stay pleasant: of their hospitality: but of the conduct of the race meeting, the least said the better. It only remains to say that Mr Eiohar It managed the booths excellently, and that not a complaint was uttered in respect to them. This is high testimony indeed. One of our Cromwell ladies (M-s Smitham) had a narrow escape from drown.ng in crossing tho Shotover, having slipped off the planks that do duty as a bridge. The accident, though one calculated to jar tho nerves, did not prevent tho lady gracing tho course with her presence during the meet. ° The following are the results of tho races : Maiden Plate, of 2d sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. M‘Moran’s bg Wallaby, aged, lOst 11b (Waddell) 1 Dawkins’ br m Wild Rose, 4 yrs, 9st lit) - (Gray) 2 The following horses ran : Bobby, Benjamin, Royal Oak, and Native. The race is easily described : Wallaby was never headed, and won easily. The betting, if anything, was in favour of Native ; but Wallaby and Wild Rose against the field were freMy backed. This confidence was not misplaced ; but tho time was slow, and the race nothing to record. Town Plate, of GO sovs., with a sweep of 3 sovs. added. Distance, two miles. M‘Moran’s g g Musician, aged, lOst lib (Waddell) 1 Dawkins’ g m Nelly Gray, aged, lOst 11b - (Gray) 2 Ryan’s b f Brunette, 3 yrs, Gst 111b - - 3 M'Farlane’s b g Schoolboy, aged, lOst 11b - 0 Mr Smitham’s Cromwell was also entered for this race, but was scratched. The race is as easily described as tho former one. Sohoolboy was too beefy, if not too old. Brunette looked weedy ; but both of these horses made the running for a mile. Gradually Musician and Nelly Gray drew up at the one-and-a-half mile distance. Nelly Gray never approached Musician, though she ran gamely ; but a lie succeeded easily in passing Brunette and Schoolboy. Musician won, however, just as he liked. Betting, even on Nolly Gray and on Brunette, 5 to ID on Schoolboy. The backors of Brunette wore very free with their “sugar,” and dropped some of it. Wakatip Handicap, of 2D sovs. Open to all horses owned in the Wakatip and Nokomai districts by residents since Ist November last. Distance, two miles. . Entrance, £2 2s. Malaghau’s g g Garryowen, aged, 9st (51b - (Traynor) 1 Scolcs’s b g Hoppy, aged, 9st 11b - (Waddell) 2 Atkins’s b g Benjamin, 5 yrs, Bst 131b - {Pritchard) 3 Betting even on Hoppy against tho field. The supporters of Garryowen, however, booked a number of bets. The result of tho race surprised many, for after tho first mile and a-half the grey had it all his own way, and won as ho liked. Hack Selling Race, of 2D sovs. ; heals. Open to all untrained horses. Once round course. M‘lntyre’s b g Rory O’Moro - -211 Scoles’s g g Dolo - - - - 1 22 There woro four other entries for this race.

This concludod the first day's racing, and vehicles aud the Btoamor woro suron crowded and on their way to Queonstown. The evening was spent very pleasantly there. The Queonstown amateurs were performing in aid of the school funds. Their neat theatre was well attended, and all passed off successfully. The house was full, and visitors from a distance were surprised to find that this district possesses a real and voritablo theatre. There wore also dances at two hotels, raffles without number, and other swindles. Still it rained, but still peoplo were beat on enjoying themselves. SECOND DAY. In the starting of the horses, an unpardonable error occurred in the Handicap. Cromwell was kept out in the rain for a long time, as well as alltheother horses, except Spec, who was stripped in the middle of the reserve at the last moment. The rain had nude the course, if anything, more elastic. Neither jockeys nor owners of horses had a word to say against it. Huudlk Race, of 45 so vs. 1£ mile heats. Over five flights of hurdles. No less weight up than lOst 41b. M'.Moran's g g Faugh-a-Ballagh (Swan) 1 1 Malaghau's g g Garryowon (M'Carthy) 22 Dawkins' ell g Tornado - - (Cook) 0 0 Grant's ch g Bobby - - (Smith) 0 0 The betting was very freely on Garryowen against the Held, as much as 2 to 1 being laid on him. The dark grey, though very beefy, ran gamely, usver refused a fence, and won the first heat easily. Garryowen ran round the last leap before coming into the straight running. This gave Faugh-a-Ballagh a great advantage, and although Garryowen raced hard to regain his position he failed to do so. The second heat was quite a gift to Faugh-a-Ballagh. Lakh District Handicap, of 85 sovs. Open to all horses. Distance, two and a-half miles. Smitham's br g Cromwell, 5 vrs, 6s t 911) (Scott) 1 Dawkins's g m Nelly Grey, C yrs, Sst 12ib - (Gray) 2 M'Morrau's c g Spec, 4 yrs, Sst 71b - - 0 Grant's g f Butterfly, 3 yrs, 6st 41b -0 M'Farlane's b g Schoolboy, aged, Sst 41b - 0 Ryan's b f Brunette, 4 yrs, 6st 41b • - 0 A great delay took place in starting. The betting was in favour of Brunette, Who was freely taken against the field. Spec was also a favourite. Five to one was laid against Cromwell, and the same against Butterfly and Schoolboy.- The start was a fair one. Cromwell made the running, though hard hold in. Nelly Gray did her best, but the weight told against her. Spec ran well for a mile, ami then he was done, though he came in a bad third. Spec might have done batter but for his condition. The way Nelly Gray caught up her horses aud finished second was something to be remembered. As it was, Nelly was a dozen lengths behind, and Spec "nowhere." It was from the straight running a " tail race." Ladie.s' Puuse, 20 sovs. Gentlemen riders. Welter Weights. Mile and a-half.. M'Morran's gg Musician, aged, I2st 71b - 1 M'.Monan's ch g Spec, 4 yr3, list 41b - - 2 M'Farlane's b g Schoolboy, aged, I2st 71b - 3 [ln consequence of the heavy rain at this stage of the proceedings, the remainder of the races were postponed till the following day.] THIRD DAY. The weather was glorious, and the attendance large. It is unnecessary to record any event beyond the Consolation Handicap and the Hospital Ra '.o. In the former, Mr Dawkins's Nelly Grey, carrying 9st, won easily. In the Hospital Race Wallaby showed his colors again, aud wou with ease.