WANAKA RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 809, 19 October 1877, Page 3

WANAKA RACES.

0 This meeting took place on Friday and Saturday last, the 12th and I,'ith insts., and ii so far as fair fields of horses, legitimate racing, and attendance of visitors was, all things taken into consideration, fully (qu.l topievinus years, though we cannot shut j our eyes to the fact that the attendance was . not up to the general average. This, however, may bo accounted for perhaps from the j fact that on the same days the Arrow dis- j trict fair was held, which precluded the at- 1 tendance of the usual emtingeut from that quarter, and further, that on the fol owing ‘ week the Cardrona meeting was to take place. In our notice of the Clyde Spring j Faces we referred to the number of small meetings following close on the heels of each caher, and inferred that one spoiled tho other. With our experience of Friday last we feel inclined to believe we were not far wrong. What will occur at Cardrona today and to-morrow as a matter of cou sc wo cannot say, but we conjecture, when all is over, the greatest stickler for local race meetings will agree with us in the main and admit that we arc in the right track. The Wanaka meeting we have always looked upon as one of the most enjoyable and legitimate of all up-country meetings it is our fortune or misfortune, as the case may I e, to attend, and we shall be sorry if anything we may say will injuriously affect it; hut , of that there is not much fear. It has the true ring of sterling worth about it free of all alloy, its management possesses true 1 ners of the sport for the sport's sake, it is th .‘afore sure to live and repeat itself year after year, lint we do hope that what we have said will have the effect of lessening the number of that other class of meetings. As we have said before, the meeting was thoroughly enjoyable, and the sport good and legitimate with but one exception, but as the tiling was very transparent no harm was done, and it is scarcely worth noticing. The Stewards were thoroughly up to their duty, and performed the same satisfactorily. Mr J. B. Ewing, in the absence of Mr. T. A. Fraser, acting as judge ; and Mr J. M‘Laron taking tho post, of starter. Mr 11. Maidman, of Lnggate Creek, had, as usual, the charge of the booth and horse paddock, and from the continued demand upon him for the wherewithal to assuage thirst and hunger, we should conclude that he had no cuise to regret his venture. Tho particulars of each event are as follows : Maiden Plate of 15 sovs. Distance, one mile. Weight for age. T, Tnnhey's c g Tim'v rtop, 3 yrs, 7st ... 1 A. Chalmers’ 1> m Fairy Queen, 6 yrs, 9st4'b ... ' 2 H. S. Thomson’s b g Marraion, 3 yrs, 7st—slhs over ... ... ... 3 T. Touhey’s b m Erin, 3 yrs, 6st 121b—scratched. Fairy Queen was the favorite, and by I lie way she travelled the first half mile looked like winning, but Timbertnp put on a spuit and soon reduced the distance, eventually passed the mare and won easily. Handicap Hurdle B.ace of 15 sovs. Distancc, one mile and a half, over six flights of hurdles. 11. S Thomson’s b m Nina, 5 yrs, lOst 6'lis ... ... ... ... 1 T. Tonbcy’s br g Little ITawoa, aged, 9<t 61 bs .. .. ... ... 2 J. Colville’s bg Mistletoe, aged, list—--2 bs over .. ... ... 3 R. Pom-chirr's b g Larrikin, 5 yrs, 9st—19ibs over 0 r Larrikin bolted at tho first jump, therewas nut of it, and Mistletoe being in wretched condition and lame stood no show. Tho event therefore settled itself into a match between Kina end Little Hawcaj Kino jumped well ami true, while

I. it.de Uaw.a wns v ry unsteady, the mare i c mscqiieiniiy ha I tlm race in hand and won j easily. Tiine—.'tniiii. ISaccs. Newcastle Handicap of 20 sovs. Distance, cue mile, J. Taylor’s gg Haricot, aged, 9st (W. Barry) ... ... ... ... 1 C. M ‘Kenna’s c g St Andrew, aged, 9-st Olbs (S. Waddell) ... ... 2 11. Goodman’s k m Rosebud, 4yrs, Sat 2lbs ; T, Toubey’a b g Speculation, Byre, Sst; A. Cbabneis’ b m Fairy Queen, C yrs, 7st 41bs ; and T. Toubcy’s c g Timbortop, 3yrs, Cst 1 Olbs, wore scratched. Time, linin. 59secs. Haricot from the jump off slightly took the lead, which be maintained, gradually increasing it till reaching tho winning post, when be was about two lengths iu advance. The race was a splendid one, both horses doing their best. Shorts of 5 sovs. Distance, half-a-mile heats, without dismounting. Catchweights. I. Lougbnan’s b g Spey, aged ... 1 I Gill’sc m Venus ... ... 2 4 ■I Taylor’s b m Frances ... 3 2 M‘Loan’s M‘Loan’s Cockabulla .. 4 3 This was a gift to Spey, he maintaining the lead both heats without trouble. Second Day. Keswick Plate of 16 sovs. For three year olds bred in the district. Distance, one mile. To carry Sst lOlbs. T. Toubey’s o g Timbortop, Sst 1 Olbs by Roebuck - (G. Ballantyuc) ... 1 11. S. Thomson’s b g Marmion, Sst loll>3 —by St Albans (T. Ballantyne) ... 2 Time—2 minutes. This was a very good race. The cliesnu 4 , however, appeared to have the must iu him, as when, within a few lengths of the winning post be answered promptly to a call and made a good win. Wax aka Handicap of 33 sovs. Distance, two miles. T. Touhey’s b g Speculation, syrs, Sst, (Cummings) ... .... ... 1 H. Goodman’s b m Rose of Denmark, svrs, Sst (T. Allen) ... ... 2 J. Taylor’s g g Haricot, aged, 9st 31bs (W. Barry) ~ ... ... 3 C. MTlenna’sc pSt Andrew, aged 9st 0 11. S. Thomson's b m Nina, syrs, Ost 41bs 0 Time—3 min. 57sees. At the fall of the flag all got away well together, Speculation slightly leading., St Andrew occupying second place, with the others close up. This position was kept till about the mlle-and-a-quartcr post, when there was a change of positions, Haricot drew on to the quarter of St Andrew, and R.oae of Denmark closing up. At the mile-and-a half Speculation still led strong, St Andrew fell into the rear, and a game struggle for second place commenced bej tween Haricot and Rose of Denmark, the j lat f cr eventually catching the eye of the | j idge first, having a load of a bare head, j Nina throughout ran strong and well, but | had to be satisfied with last place. The race throughout was an exciting one, made • more so by the fact that Speculation, by the ! knowing ones, was looked upon as an out- | sidcr. A protest was entered against Rose I of Denmark for running inside a post, but it was not sustained. I Hack Selling Race, of lOsnva. Distance, three quarters of a mile, heats. . ColviTo’s Mistletoe 2 I 0 Ballantiue’s Foam .. ... 10 0 That the fastest horse docs not always win was exemplified in this race. Foam during the first beat was deliberately pulled iusi le a post, and di 1 not start for the second. Consolation Handicap, of 6 sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. St Andrew and Larrikin only started, therefore it in as a regular throw in for St. Andrew. The Hospital race, for which 1,6 12s was collected ou the course, was the last of the meeting, and brought five into the field, from which M'Kinlay’s Tommy was dej dared the winner.