POVERTY BAY RACES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3006, 12 February 1881, Page 3

POVERTY BAY RACES.

(BT TELEGRAPH.) Gisborne, February 12. There was again fine weather at the second day of the Poverty Bay Turf Club's meeting. HURDLE RACE HANDICAP. Of 50 soys, over eight hurdles; distance two miles. Matau, list 1 Skysail, lOst 71b 2 Rata, lOst 3 A splendid race. Skysail took the hurdles first and the rest followed in grand style. Not a single horse baulked at any of the hurdles. In the second round up the straight run Skysail kept the lead to within a few yards of the judge's post, closely followed by Matau. The latter when nearing the judge's post, by a grand effort under application of the whip forged to the front, winning by a neck, with skysail second, and Rata third at a long distance. Matau appeared to be the favorite in the sweeps and the totalisator, both of which were well patronised by the public. Fly was scratch. HACK HURDLE RACE. Of 10 soya ; lOst up. Ropihana's Maetai 1 Bailey's Lucks-all 2 Green's Sylvio 3 Six entrances. This was a capital race, horses and riders apparetatly did their best. publicans' purse handicap, Of 30 soys ; distance, 1J miles. Mavis 1 Matau 2 West End 3 Paramena 4 A good start was effected. West End led half round the course, and then Mavis overhauled West End, who appeared done up. Matau aleo passed West End and challenged Mavis, who responded by easily passing him, winning by a length. TURAHGA STAKES HANDICAP, Of 100 soys; distance, 9. miles. Merlin, 7st 13lb 1 Angler, 7sfc 101b 2 Foul Play, 9st Blb 3 Director ... ... ... 4 This was the race of the day, and much interest was felt in the result, At the totalisator and the grand stand Director was freely backed, notwithstanding that he was declared as carrying 3lb over. Merlin was second favorite; Foul Play, being heavily weighted few cared to back his chance to win. In the first round Angler appeared first, Director second, the rest following in a heap, Foul Play bringing up the rear. In the straight running Merlin was leading; on his left was Angler, with Foul Play trying to cut in between them, but failing to do so lost his chance. Paramena was scratched. Angler declared 3lbs and Flying Beauty Blbs over. CONSOLATION HAMTSICAP, Of 15 soys ; one mile and a distance. Angler ... 1 Ruapehu 2 Scrip 0 A well contested race.