HAWKE'S BAY JOCKEY CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3035, 18 March 1881, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY JOCKEY CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the H.B. Jockey Club commenced on Thursday, and opened most successfully. The weather was fine, and the recent rain bad made the course and surrounding country attractively green and pleasant to the eye. The liberality of the prizes secured a good percentage of acceptances from the large number of nominations, and the attendance of visitors from beyond the province was particularly noticeable. It is evident that the Jockey Club's meetings are entering into colonial importance, and it is equally certain that ere long they will take a front rink. The Club has spared neither trouble nor expense to obtain a first class position, and the efforts that have been made to make the meetings attractive to owners of horses and agreeable to visitors merit every success. Tbe accommodation provided for the public was in every way excellent. Tbe grand stand luncheon-room was catered for by Mr J. T. Johnson ia a superior manner, while the refreshment at the bars supplied by Mr Barrows was all that could be desired. Outside, Mr E. Ashton had a commodious booth, which did a large business, as indeed appeared to be the Case wherever the wants of thirsty and hungry holiday-makers could be satisfied. The usual games of a legitimate character were to be found in plenty, while the two totalisators shared with the bookmakers whatever profits there were to be made out of investments on tbe several events. The course beiog so convenient to the railway the great mass of visitors arrived on the ground' by train, the number of carriages being small as compared with that which was on the ground at the last race meeting at Clive. On the whole the attendance did not appear to be as great as we had anticipated, although we have never seen the grand stand better filled. The town, however, contributed a large majority of its adult population, the trains, running every hour till 1 p.m., being crowded. It would, perhaps, have been more convenient had there been a lesser interval between the departures of the trains, so as to have avoided a crush that had a certain amount ot danger in it by compelling people to stand on the carriage platforms. We may also suggest an improvement upon the entrance gate at the race course platform. If it would not be advisable to have a wider wicket, at least three or four gates of the present dimensions would not be found any too much for the easy admission of tbe public.

The first event on the card waa the Maiden Plate, for which six horses had accepted, but Badsworth being unfit to go was scratched for all engagements, and Woodpecker, not having arrived, left a field of four. Grand Duchess and Miss Domett were the favorites, and Mr Walters waa warmly congratulated on the first victory he has scored with the first-named mare. Mr Murray's Firefly was fancied by many, but only secured second place; from his style of running, however, we may predict that more will be heard of him when another year has been added to his age. Tbe Napier Handicap of 500 &ovs. had attracted no 1e33 than forty-two nominations, of which thirteen accepted, but only eight faced the starter. The race was considered a very open one, On Dit and Randwick being first favorites. This was a well-contested event, all the horses keeping well together, and only stringing out at tbe finish, the best evidence tbat could be had of the care taken in the handicapping. The pace, too, was very good, but it was thought by some that bad it been even hotter Randwick would have teen quite equal to the occasion. The Corinthian Cup was a disappointment; Libeller and Foul Play being scratched, and Midge absolutely refusing to start, the race was left to Angler and Primrose, which was an easy gift to the former. Tbe last event on the card was the Railway Stakes Handicap, in which Natator, starting first favorite in a field of seven, did not disappoint his backers. Where everything in the day's proceedings was otherwise so satisfactory, we regret having to remark that all the races were started very badly ; false starts and tedious delays were the rale, and these were not always due, we are inclined to think, to the fractiousness of the horses, or to the behaviour of the jockeys. The following are the several events of the day:— MAIDEN PLATE, Of 60 soys; distance 1£ miles. Open to all horses that have never won an advertised race exceeding £25 in value. Weight for age. Mr W. Walter's eh f Grand Duchess, Tradueer — Peeress, Bst 121b (French) 1 Mr 0. C. Murray's eh c Firefly, Bst 2lb (Robertson) 2 Mr W. Douglas'b f Primrose, Bat (G. Williams) 3 Mr J, Harding's Miss Domett, Bst (C. Ruddinge) 0

Badsworth and Woodpecker were scratched. There waa a very bad start made. Miss Domett, the favorite, being left at the post. Primrose took the lead, followed by Firefly and Grand Duchess, and in that position they passed the stand the first time round. At the back of the course the three were on level terras, but at the turn info the straight Primrose was done; Grand Duchess then took the lead, shaking off Firefly and winning in a canter. NAPIER HANDICAP. Of 500 soys; second borse to receive 50 soys and third horse 20 soys from the stake; distance, If miles. The winner of any handicap of the value of 300 govs after the declaration of the weights to carry 101b extra; of the value of 200 soys 71b extra; of the value of 100 soys 51b extra. Penalties not accumulative. Mr R. H. Vallance's eh h Randwick, Barbarian—Gipsy Girl, 7st 131b (including 51b penalty) (C. Ruddings) 1 Mr.W.H. Chittem's b g Dan, 6st 41b (Hatfield) 2 Hon. W. Robinson's blk fOnDit, 7st 21b (Smith) 3 Mr A. M'Donald's br h Foul Play, 9st Blb (J. Williams) 0 Mr W. O. Williams' eh h Danebury 7st lib (Heyward) 0 Mr C. C. Murray's b f Mavis, 6.t 71b (Taylor) 0 Mr J. Harding's br f Miss Domett, 6st 51b (Chambers) 0 Mr G. Heslop's b m Moanataiari, Gst 4lb(G. Laing) . , 0 Mr A. J. Keith's b g My Dream, Gst 41b, carried 6st 131b (G. Williams) 0 Soukar, King Quail, Grand Duchess, and Badsworth were scratched. Betting —4 to 1 agst Foul Play, Moanatairi, and' Dan; even money Randwick, 6 to 4 On Dit, 3 to 1 Danebury, 5 to 1 Mavis and My Dream, 6 to 1 Miss Domett. Two false starts and a tedious delay so fretted the horses that further time was lost. When they were at last got away My Dream led, but very soon gave way to Moanatairi, Foul Play lying tbird. Past the stand Danebury was leading by half a neck, On Pit next, Foul Play still

keeping his position with regard to the front horse. At the back of tbe course Moanatairi took the place of On Bit, and My Dream was third, with Randwick, hard held, at his quarters, and Dan close up. The horses were here well together, and the pace fast. My Dream then ran inside a post, and did not make further effort. At the turn into the straight Danebury and Moanatairi retired Randwick and Dan showing to the front, Randwick winning by a length and a half, Dan second, half a length ahead of On Dit, Danebury fourth. Time, 3min. lOsees. CORINTHIAN CUP. Of 50sovs; distance, 2 miles ; entrance, 3 soys. Gentlemen riders. Horses to be either owned or ridden by members of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. Welter weights ior age. Mr A. Farley's b g Angler, by Angler, list lib (Mr Glazebrook) 1 Mr W. Douglas' b f Primrose, 9~t 121b (Mr W. Heslop) 2 Mr Jas Lyon's br f Midge, lOst 121b (owner) ... ... ... ... 0 —Libeller, Badswortb, and Foul Play were scratched. A false start gave Angler and Primrose a gallop half round the course, and Midge's chances seemed to be improved, but when the flag finally fell Midge stopped behind, and the race proved an easy gift to Angler. HACK RACE. Of 20 soys.; distance, 1 mile; post entrance, 2 soys. Catch weights. Winner to be sold for 20 soys.; any surplus to go to the funds. Mr Inoha's blk g Mini (Lay) ... 1 Mr Hollis's g g Kangaroo 2 Six others ran. HAILWAY STAKES, Of 100 soys; distance, three-quarter mile. Hon. W. Robinson's eh h Natator, Tradueer—Waterwitch, 9.t slb (R.Derritt) 1 Mr W. H. Chittem's Dan, 6st loib (Taylor) 2 Mr W. Walters' eh f Grand Duchess, 7st 71b (G. Williams 3 Mr Reibana's eh g Merlin, 7st (Stowe) 0 Mr W. O. Williams' eh h Danebury, 7st 21b (Hay ward) 0 Mr G. H. Heslop's b h Moanataiari, 6stslb(Lang) 0 Mr G. Heslop's eh f Prim, sst 71b

(Wood) 0 —Randwick, Soukar, Miss Domett, Mavifi, Firefly, My Dream, and Woodpecker were scratched. A long delay, and eventually a wretched start, in which Grand Duchess got all the best of it; the mare kept her advantage till eotering the straight, when Natator, who had been close up all the time, drew ahead, followed by Dan, who passed the Duchess with a rush, but failed to come within a couple of lengths of the winner.

SECOND DAY,

PROVINCIAL PRODUCE STAKES. Firefly 1 Prim 2 Pioneer 3

Five started. Algebra was scratched. Firefly led from the start and won easily, Prim two lengths behind, and Pioneer a bad third. HANDICAP HURDLES. Matau I Rawenata 2 Harkaway 3 Angler went away with the lead, closely followed by Ada. At the third hurdle Angler dispensed with his rider. Ada then led until near the straight coming home, when she was joined by Rawenata and Matau. A splendid race then ensued, Matau coming through his horses when close at home, and winning by a length. Camelia hurt herself in the Produce Stakes, and died on the course.