MATAKANUI RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 872, 3 January 1879, Page 2

MATAKANUI RACES.

—o—- • ' New year’s day of 1879, the anniversary of the Matakanni Race Meeting proved a» enjoyable as has been experienced in the district for years past. From the fact of the days set apart for the races and sports at all the neighboring places having been wetj anfl but holiday wpatheg, the patfmmif thih meeting were evidently determined, the day being fine, to enjoy themselves ; and if the hearty spirit that everything was entered into, whether it was tho Tarfngp *nr 'dancing, or any other of the amusements that are invariably improvised at small up-country meetings, we can then safely say that all did enjoy themselves, an 4 the day was spent right' men fly. The racing was exceptionally good, andthe number of entries—as will be seen from the detailed statement below was above the general average. The attendance of visitors was t evidence that the efforts of the Stewaids of ” the Matakanni Club to produceagood day’s pleasure was appreciated. Mr Duck, of the Matakanni Hotel, Dry bread, was the bolder of lhe Booth. Below is appended the result of tire various events : Maiden I'late : Of 10 sovs., for all horses that have never won an advertized race. Weight for age. Distance, 1J miks. Post entry. Mr A. Brown’s Rambler ... ... 1 Mr McKay’s Frisk ... 2 Mr H. Martin’s Spark ... .. 2 Th’s was a good race between Rambler and Frisk, Spark being out-paced. Matakanui Handicap : A Sweepstake of 21s, with 15 Sovs. added ; second horse to receive aniountof Sweepstake. Distance, 14 miles. Mr King’s Rufus, 7st 101b . ... 1 Mr Keenan's Gamecock, 12-4 71b ... 2 Mr Harrington’s Cappa, Bst 12d> ... 3 Mr Dewar's F'ictinn, Bst ... (scratched) Rufus and Gamecock had the race between them from the start, and by the use of plenty of whalebone Rufus was landed the winner by a length and a half, Cappa nowhere. Between the two it was a grand race. Selling Stakes :Of 10 sovs. The winner to be sold by auction after the race, and the surplus over entered price (if any) to go to the Race Fund. Distance, 1} miles. If entered to be sold for2osovs, to carry lOst; 16 sovs, 9st; 12 sovs, Bst; 10 sovs, 7st 71bs. Post entry. Mr Harley’s Miss Grant, 9st .. ... 1 Mr Jones’s Little Nell, 9st .. . . 2 Jack, lOst ... .. 3 This was a fast race. At its conclusion Miss Grant was put up for sale, and bought ; in by her owner for Ll6 10s. Vincent Handicap : A Sweepstake of 21s, with 10 sovs. added ; second horse to receive amount of Sweepstake. Distance, one mile. Mr King’s Rufus, 7st 71b ... ... I Mr Keenan's Gam'bock, 12st ... 2 'Mr Dewar’s Fricnon, Sst ... ... 0 Mr Jones's Larrikin, Bst ... ... 3 Mr Harrington’s Cappa, Sat 71b ... 0 Over this race there was great excitement, and a good deal of money passed hands. This event, like the Matakanni Handicap, lay between Rufus and Gamecock who j from the start went in front.; For the first 1 third of the distance Gamecock hail tho I leal and looked like winning right out, but , Rufus hero challenged the old horse, and , passing him won by two lengths. Handicap Thottino Race : Of 5 sovs. Distance, 24 miles. Weight, list each. Post entry. Mr Pitches’s Sam ... 1 Mr Harley's T ommy... 2 Roan ... 3 All started on even terms. Tommy (a pretty trotter) kept the lead for fully half the distance, when Sam crept up, and gradually gaining ground won easily. Hospital Race: Of 7 sovs. Distance, I.J miles. Welter weight for age. Tho rider of the winning horse to be presented with a new bat (Bell Topper). Entrance, ss. Gentleman Riders. This race brought three horses to tho s’arting post—Mr McKay’s Hector, Mr Pitches’ No Name, and Mr Spratl’s Herring. Hictor, however, after a pretty smut for the last 200 yards, passed the judge first. Consolation Handicap :Of 5 so> c. p or all beaten horses. Distance, lj miles. Mr Dewar’s Friction ... 1 Mr Jones’Larrikin ... 2 Mr Hairington's Cappa ... 3 This was a gift to Friction, who won easily.