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

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2987, 21 January 1881, Page 3

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

Second Day,

The westerly gale that made the weather somewhat unpleasant on the Wednesday having fallen, fhe second day's holiday was much more enjoyable. The result was that there was quite as good an attendance, and everything passed off most satisfactorily. Amongst other improvements the course at the winning post was much better kept than on tbe previous day, while the appointments generally showed an evident intention to please and give satisfaction. The Handicap Hurdle Race was the first on the programme, for which there were five acceptors, Rawenata being chief favorite. Loch Lomond pulling the event oft was a complete boil over. The Club Handicap had attracted eleven entries, but only five came to the post. Libeller from the first was considered a " moral," but the way in which Merlin contested the prize was the best vindication the handicappers had. Up to a stride or two of the judge it was impossible to say which would win, Libeller having all he could do to land himself in front. The District Plate had ten entries, but the scratchings reduced the field to six of which Mr Murray's Mavis proved the best, Matau running a good second. The Consolation was won by Matau, who had all his work to do to take the prize from Soukar. The following are the events : — HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. Of 60 soys; second horse to receive 5 soys from the stakes ; over 8 hurdles, 3ft 9in high ; distance 2 miles. Mr J. Lyon's br g Loch Lomond, aged, list 71b 1 Mr R. Wheeler's b g Matua, aged, list 2 Mr W. Douglas' b g Rawenata, 4yrs, i lOst 121b 3

Mr, W. Douglas' eh g Harkaway, aged, 10st 121b 4 Mr A. J. Keith's eh m Ada, aged, list 0 Harkaway and Rawenata led at the start, the former being first over the hurdles, at which Ada baulked, and was from then out of the race. Loch Lomond, at the second fence, got to tbe front, and kept it to the finish, but for a mile was hard pushed by Harkaway. Rawenata, up to this, was kept back, being in wait for Matau. At the gums, tbe second time round, Matua ran up and got on level terms with Loch Lomond, and a good race ensued between the two, Lomond winning by a length ; Rawenata a bad third.

HACK HURDLE RACE. Of 15 soys; catch weights; one mile. Jack Sprat 1 Stockings ... 2 Rebel Chief, Bonaparte, Gownsman, Myrtle, Wika, and Harkaway also ran. This race was a gift to Jack Sprat. A dispute arose in consequence of Mr Cant's Harkaway passing the post first, but upon investigation it being learned that Harkaway had cut across the course with the presumable object of securing the totalisator money, the horse, rider (Goddard), and owner (Cant), were disqualified for ever at the Club's meetings. RACING CLUB HANDICAP. Of 100 eovs ; distance l£ mile. Mr W. Walters' Libeller, 9st ... 1 Mr 0. C. Murray's Merlin, 9st. ... 2 Mr A. J. Keith's Soukar, Bst 10lb ... 3 Mr G. Heslop's Moanatairi, Bst 41b ... 0 Mr J. Lyon's Midge, 7st 71b ... 0 Hailstorm, Mavis, Algebra, Grand Duchess, Loch Lomond, and My Dream were scratched. Midge took the lead, feut only kept it for about half the distance when she was overhauled and beaten by Moanatairi, who in turn had to give way to Merlin. At the turn by the poplars Libeller came through his horses, and challenged Merlin, v, ho went ahead together, leaving all the others behind them. A grand struggle ensued ; both horses, well under the lash and spur, went up the straight neck and neck, Libeller winning by half a length. DISTRICT PLATE. Of 50 soys; weight for age; distance, 1£ mile. Mr C. C. Marray's Mavis 1 Mr R. Wheeler's Matau 2 Mr W. Douglas' Primrose 3 Mr J. Heplop's Addition 0 Mr H. Powdrell's Hailstorm 0 Hailstorm took the lead, followed by Mavis and Matau, and the pace was lively to tbe gums, when Matau showed to the front. Hailstorm and Addition were then beaten, and Primrose coming up kept her place to the straight, when Mavis and Matau made it too hot, and she fell back, leaving the other two to finish it as above. hack race (1 mile.) Myrtle 1 Gownsman 2 Kangaroo and Ochre also ran. This was a good race between Myrtle and Gownsman. CONSOLATION HANDICAP. Of 25 soys; distance, 1 mile. Matau, Bst 7lbs 1 Soukar, 9st 2 Grand Duchess, Bst 81 b 3 Tare, 7st 121b 4 Mr Jones' Merlin, Transit, and Algebra also ran. After two false starts, whieb gave Tare an opportunity of running a race against time, the field was got away on equal terms. Matau and Soukar took the lead at the half mile, and made a good race of it, Matau winning be three lengths.