MATAKANUI ANNUAL RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1029, 6 January 1882, Page 3

MATAKANUI ANNUAL RACES.

First Day— January 3 No exception to the rule, this mect'ag was equally as auoceßsful as on former years —if, indeed, it was notauhadc better The weather, which was very threatening on the morning of the 3rd, doubtless debarred many from putting in an appearance, but withal this telling effect there was a very strong muster on the ground, and despite the wind, the rain, the sunshine, and the ■ dust, all thoroughly enjoyed themselves A no small factor to this state of things, and one that had its weight, no doubt, can be ascribed to the fact that in nearly every event an outsider took the stakes On the ■course, as in Melbourne and other large -cities, there was the bookmaker if it was only on a small scale, and the small bet makers, but as they worked on the rules of contraritics and backed the favorites (?), thus leaving the others to the public, there were more than the ordinary causes for joy

and merriment The Stewards conducted the affairs of the meeting in the moat satisfactory manner, and from many were heard eulogistic expressions that must have gone a long way to make up for the troubles and annoyances incidental not only to the getting-up of a meeting but to the carrying of it out. The handicapping was done to a nicety that brought the fields wonderfully close.

Mr Buck, the holder of the refreshment booth, spared no effort to give his patrons satisfaction, and by the repeated calls made on him, his efforts -were fully 'appreciated 'No accident or unpleasantness of any kind happened to mar tiae pleasures of the meeting, and in conclusion I can only say tit is to be hoped that all future meetings may be as successful. In the evening a concert and Ball was given in tbo Old Tinkers Hotel m aid of the local school funds, which was largely attended, and passed off remarkably well,

The following are the. particulars of the .different events of the.raco meeting.

MAIDEN PLATE, Of 10 sovs. For nil horses that have never won an advertised race. Weight for ago. Distance, lj mile ; postentry, 20s. Jenkins’s b g Sunshine, 9st, 2-llbs overweight (Gilligan) ... .. 1 Holden’s g m Lilac, 9st, lOlbs overweight ... ... 2 Rudlotf’s b m Lenora, 7st 131b», 231bs overweight ... ... 3 Brown’s Maid of Clonnell, Bst lllbs, 3lbs overweight; Stronach’s Lubra, Out, 131b overweight, also started. This was a well-ridden race, and, considering the heavy weights carried, was run in good time—viz , 2oi3osecs. HATAKANL’I HANDICAP, A sweepstake of 1 sov, with 20 sovs added ; second horse to receive amount of sweepstake. Distance, 1J mile. Nomination. 20s ; acceptance, 10s. Wheeler’s oh g Sylvio, aged, 9st 31b ... 1 Sheppard's blk g Jacky Jaoky, aged, Sat 71b ... ... 2 Steward’s!) in Weka, 4yra, Bst 101b ... 3 Steward’s b m Tni, 4yrs, 9st 31b ... 0 Fogarty’s b g Poolbnrn Jack, aged, OstlOlb ... .. 0 Jones’s b g Yaldhurst, aged, Bst 31b ... 0 Harley's ch g Rufus, aged, Cst 71b ... 0 Mr Stewart declared to win with Weka, which was looked upon by the general public as the favorite; but, greatly to their chagrin, the agcdchesnut successfully carried the St Bathan’s colors to the fore, winning an excellent lace, and one of the very best finished that, could possibly be. The positions round the course to the entrance into the straight, were unremarkable. At this point, however, as if inspired by one thought, the whole made a simultaneous rush, and closing in one upon the other came up the straight in a bunch, passing the judge’s post in the order above named. Within about 18 yards of home Weka accidently was’ struck ih the face by Jaoky Jacky’s whip and thrown right back ; otherwise the ligures would have boon materially altered. A black board totalizator on the ground (declared a dividend of L 8 2s 0,1, two out of 18 only spotting the winner. time Handicap trotting back, Of 5 sovs. Distance, 21 miles. Weight, j Hat each. Post entry, ss. For this event eight started, Harley’s I Shillelagh of the Dumber carrying off the j honor. SELLING STAKES, Of 10 sovs. Distance. Ij mile; entrance, 1 20s. If entered to bo sold for Lls, to | carry lOst; for-LI2, 9at; for LlO, Bst ; j for LB, 7st. The winner to bo sold j immediately after the race, and the j surplus (if any) to go to the Race Fund. ! McKay’s Maori Chief, 10st ... 1 Martin’s Miss Grant, 95t... ... 2 Tluddlestonc’s Highlander, I Oat ... 3 i Beck’s Fanny, 9st .L ... 0 After the race Maori Chief was submitted to auction and realised Ll9, Mr G. Martin being the purchaser. ' NEWTOWN HANDICAP, Of 1(1 sovs.' Distance, *1 mile. Nomination . D’s ; acceptance, Ula. The winner of the Mafakanui Handicap to cany lOlhs : penalty. McJ<.iy’.s g g Thorn top, Bst 91b ... 1 Stewart’s bin Tni, 9st 121b .. 2 ■ Sheppard’s blk g Jacky Jacky, Bst 101b 3 Holden’s gin Lilac. 6st 71b ... 4 Tui took the lead, with the others close up. This position was maintained till the three-quarter mile post was reached, when the grey came to the front, and from there a struggle was maintained for precedence, which however fell to the grey with about half a length to spare. SECOND DAY—JANUARY 4, ISS2. TIME HANDICAP TROTTING RACE, Of 5 sovs ; distance, 2.) miles. Weight, list each. Post cntiy, ss. Pitches’ Sam, 7secs ... J Jenkins's Colleen Dhas, 20sees , . 2 Fogarty’s Bess, 35secs ... 3 Harley’s Shillalegh, scratch ; C. Beck’s Fanny, l imes ; and Brown’s Dick, 35sccs, also started. This was no more eventful than the ordinary run of troDing races, and calls for no special mention. VINCENT HANDICAP, A sweepstake of 1 sov., with 2U sovs. added ; second horse to receive amount of sweepstake. Distance, t,j mile. Nomination, 20s ; acceptance, 10s. Cavan’s Jacky Jacky, Sst 121b ... 1 Wheeler’s Sylvio, iOst lib ... 2 Fogarty’s Poolbnrn Jack, 9st 51b ... 3 Stewart’s Tui, 9st ; and Jones’s Yaldhurst, 7st I2lhs, also started. Weka was scratched. 1 This was a very good rac , the lot starting away all in a Leap. Jacky’ Jacky soon, however, took to the front, and though hard pressed maintained his position, winning by a hare length. NOVEL HANDICAP, Of 25 sovs. ; distance, I mile ; nomination, 10s ; acceptance 10s. The winner to ho sold by auction after the race, and the proceeds to go to the Race Fund. Harley’s Rufus, (ht 121b / ... 1 Jones's Yaldhurst, Sst 121b ... 2 M ‘Kay’s Maori Chief, 9st 121b ... 3 This was a most exciting race as after a very great struggle between Rufus aud Yaldhurst they came to the post together, and it was declared a dead heat. On it being run off, the two kept together till within 160 yards of home, when Rufus came to the fore, and won by about two lengths. He was afterwards submitted to auction, and realised £l3 10s. ADDITIONAL HANDICAP, of 15sovs ; distance one mile. ■ Martin’s Spark,-fist 71b ... 1 Stewart’s Weka, 7st9lb .. 2 Wheeler’s Sylvio, 9st 121b ... 3 Poolbnrn Jack and Thorntop were both cratched This was not by any means a good start, as Spark, jumped off with the load and maintained it homo, though his better bred and younger competitors tried hard to 1 wfestjit IrSm him.

HOSPITAL HACK, Of bovs. ; distanco, 1 i mile. A welter handicap ; gentlemen riders. The rider of the winning horse will he presented with iv gold ulhort watch chain, value i(i Os ; entrance Os. Martin’s Spark, 10st 71h .. 1 McKay’s Thorutop, 12st 71h ... 8 Poolbnrn Jack, Maori Chief, Yaldhurst, llufus and Spinning Jenny also started Something like LlO was gathered on the course for the beuetit of the institution. CONSOLATION HANDICAP, Of 5 sovs ; for all beaten horses. Distance, 1| mile ; entrance, ss. Stewart’s Weka, Bst ... ... I Martin’s Miss Grant, 7st . 2 Won easily by about six lengths.