MATAKANUI RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 166, 14 January 1873, Page 6

MATAKANUI RACES.

(Dunstan Times.) The first annual meeting under the auspices >f the Matakanui Jockey Club took place on he Drybread race-course on the 2nd and 3rd nst. The weather, though warm, was plea:ant; and four hundred people are reckoned ;o have been present. The racing through)iit was of a first-class order. FIRST DAY. Maiden Plate of 15 sovs. Weight for age. Mr J. Laing's b f Flora, 7st 31b (Cotton) 1 Mr Hutchinson's Young Turpin and Mr Iveenan's Pickpocket also ran. Flora won by i length easily enough, and Pickpocket was distanced. Matakanui Handicap of 20 sovs. Distance, a mile and a half. Mr D. O'Brien's b g Wildboy, 7st 121b (Cotton) 1 Mr S. Nosworthy's b m Hatred, lOst ... 2 Mr Hazlett's Brunette, Bst 71b 3 Dragon and Rambler also ran. Hatred and Brunette started equal favourites, but Mr Hazlett's mare was beaten in the straight by Hatred, to whom the race seemed almost a dead certainty ; when Wildboy, splendidly ridden by Cotton, made a rush, passing Brunette, and finally beating Hatred at the post by a neck. Selling Stakes of 20 sovs. One mile and a quarter. Mr Jack's Golden Cloud, 9st ... 1 Mr Davies's Blood Royal, 7st ... 2 Paddy and Welcome also ran. Paddy (late Regnum) was the favourite, although a few pounds were put on the Cloud, who fairly astonished his backers by the great struggle he made with Blood Royal, just landing upon the post by a head. The winner was submitted to auction by Mr Stanbrook, and realised £3O.

SECOND DAY. Midsummer Handicap of 30 sovs. One mile. Mr D. O'Brien's Wildboy, Bst (Cotton) 1 Mr S. Nosworthy's Hatred, lOst 2 Mr J. Hazlett's Brunette, Ist 121b 3 Topsy also ran. Brunette was the favourite, being backed at level money, and even at five to four. She ran badly, and did not at any time show prominently in the race. Wildboy was landed a close winner amidst great excitement. Novel Handicap of 50 sovs. One mileWinner to be sold by auction, and the proceeds to go to the race fund. Mr Burke's Golden Cloud, Bst 121b ... 1 Mr Keonan's Topsy, 7st 21b 2 Dragon and Rambler also started. The Cloud ran a game horse, and was again sold by Mr Stanbrook for £3O, thus realising with his former sale £45 to the funds of the Club. Hospital Race. Amount collected, £l3 ss. Gd. One mile. Gentlemen riders. Mr M'CuUough's Golden Cloud, 12st 71b (Handyside) 1 Mr Hazlett's Wexford, 12st 2 Miss Ennis also started. The winner was presented with a silver cup. This was an excellent race, but the Cloud again ran a game horse, and, although Wexford had not started during the meeting, the Cloud carried his rider to the fore, and passed the Judge amidst great applause. Consolation Handicap of 10 sovs., for all beaten horses. One mile. Mr O'Brien's Dragon, 7st 1 Mr Hazlett's Wexford, 7st 71b... 2 Dragon won easily.