THE HAWKE'S BAY RACING CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2986, 20 January 1881, Page 3

THE HAWKE'S BAY RACING CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING.

First Day,

The annual meeting of the above Club was held this year at Clive, a situation which in very many respects is far superior to Pakowhai, where the Racing Club has previously had to obtain a course. It possesses the great advantage of being within an easy drive of towD, and at the same time the Farndon railway station is sufficiently near to enable hundreds of people to visit the races by train. The chief feature of the Racing Club's meetings on the first day was again most marked, namely, the comparative absence of country settlers ; nearly the whole of the attendance was from Napier, and it speaks highly for the popularity of the Club that tbe numbers on the ground were even larger than in former years. The Club, being under the disadvantage of having no permanent course, the arrangements were necessarily of a temporary character, but they answered every purpose, and in affording ample accommodation gave satisfaction to the public. On the ground thare were certainly more popular amusements than we ever remember to have seen at a Hawke's Bay race meeting. In addition to what are ordinarily to be found, there were monkey, dog, and canary sweeps, the former attracting immense crowds, who appeared never weary of watching the antics ot the well-trained caricatures of humanity. Refreshments of excellent quality were abundantly served by Mr Ashton, Mr Anderson, and Messrs Fortune and Black. Of the course itself very little has to be said. The committee had taken great pains to get it in good order, and the labor the members bestowed upon it reflects upon them much credit. At the straight the course war, perhaps, a trifle narrow, but this appearance was due to encroachment upon it by the people, who sould not be prevailed to move off. The office of judge was filled by Mr G. H. Swan, who, however, had no veryonerous duty to perform in deciding the winners. The starters were Messrs A. M'Cartney and F. E. Hamlin, and Mr W. Routledge officiated aj clerk of the scales.

The racing calls for no comment. The first event was the Maiden Plate, for which there were five entries, but the scratching of Comet reduced the field to four. For the Cup there were again five entries, and this number faced the starter. Soukar and Grand Duchess were the favorites, but the result showed tbat the backers of Merlin had put their money on the right horse, and its popular owner was loudly cheered on his victory. Tbe Selling Race was won easily Hero. The Ladies Purse, for which a good field had been entered, only brought three horses to the post. This event the last on the card was easily won by Angler. The following are the events:—• MAIDEN PfcATE, Of 40 soys ; entrance 3 soys; for horses that have never won an advertised race of 25 soys in value. The winner of any such race after entry to carry 71b

penalty ; weight for age ; distance, I_miles. Mr W. Douglaa' b g Rawenata, by

Papapa, 4yrs, Bst 111b (Robinson ... Mr G. Heslop's br g Algebra, syrs,

9st lib 2 Mr C. 0. Murray's b m Laverock, 3yrs, 7st 111b (Gooseman) 3 Mr H. Powdrcll's c f Novelty, 3yrs, 7stlllb 0 Novelty and Laverock started away with the lead, but at the corner the former bolted. In passing the stand the first time Laverock still led, followed by Algebra and Rawenata, and this position was maintained till at the gums Laverock was beaten. The race was then between the two favorites, Rawenata taking the lead at the straight and winning easily. hawke's bay cup (Handicap). Of 200 soys, second horse to receive 25 soys from the stakes, third horse to receive 12 soys from the stakes ; distance, 2 miles. Mr C. C. Murray's b h Merlin, by Blue Boy—Malice, syrs, 7st 61b (Gooseman) 1 Mr G. Heslop's b h Moanataiari, 4yrs 7.«t 21b (Farrell) 2 Mr W. Walter's eh m Grand Duchess, 4yrs,7Bt 81b (Allan) 3 Mr A. J. Keith's br g Soukar, aged, 9st (J. Jones) 0 Mr J. Lyon's br g Loch Lomond, aged, 7st 101b (Robinson) 0 Grand Duchess got away first closely waited upon by Merlin, Moanatairi, and Soukar runuing side by side, Loch Lomond last. Tbe Duchess kept the lead till nearing the strai_ht, when she was collared by both Moanacairi and Merlin, who raced together, Merlin winning by two lengths. HACK RACE. Of 10 soys; entrance 1 soy ; catch weights; once round the course. Mr G. Heslop's Prim ... ... ... 1 Mr Ochre 2 Mr Gaskin's Peep O'Day 3 Tiny, Myrtle, Gownsman, and Pane also ran, On nearing the gums Tiny bolted, being followed off the course by Myrtle and Gownsman. Prim then took the lead, and won a good race. SELLING BACE. Of 30 soys; entrance 2 soys ; weight for age. The Winner to be sold for £40 ; if entered to be sold for £30, allowed 71bs; for £20 allowed 14lbs; £15 allowed 211bs; £10 allowed 28lbs. The winner to be sold at auction with all his engagements; any surplus to go to tbe funds , distance 1| miles. Mr H. Powdrell's c g Hero, aged, by Pacific—Miranda, Bst 1 Mr H. Hiekey's b g Little Wonder, Bst 71bs (Gooseman) 2 Mr Watkin's br m Transit, aged, 9st 3 Mr S. Pell's c g Merlin, aged, 9st (Simraonds). .. 0 Merlin showed first in passing the stand, but round the corner all four horses' were in a close cluster. At the gums Hero took the lead, winning eventually in the commonest of canters, Merlin was beaten at three-quarters of a mile. ladies' purse. Of 40 soys; entrance, 3 soys; welter weight for age; to be ridden by owners or members of the Club or non-members on payment of qualification fee of two guineas. Gentlemen riders ; distance, 2 miles. Mr M. Farley's b g Angler, aged, by Angler, list 2lb (Mr Murtagh) 1 Mr W. H. Jones' b g Tare, aged, list 21b (Owner) 2 Mr J. D. Powdrell's r h Hailstorm, list 51b (Owner) _ 3 Angler got away with the lead, which be increased at every stride. At the poplars the three strung cut, Angler being as far ahead of Hailstorm as tbe latter was of Tare. Round the second time Hailstorm made an effort to come up, but finding Angler had too strong a lead gave it up as a bad job, and pulled up at the straight, thus allowing Tare to come in second. A protest was entered against Mr Murtagh as being disqualified from riding as a "gentleman," and the case was to be decided this morning. This Dat. handicap hurdles. Loch Lomond 1 Matau 2 Rawenata ... ... ... 3 RACING CLUB HANDICAP. Libeller 1 Merlin 2 A grand race.