SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3130, 1 March 1873, Page 3

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TUAPEKA J.OCKEV CLUB ANNUAL RACES

On Friday, the first event on the card was the Maiden Plate. For this ei_ht stirted. Xo Oentloman was hot favorite and he pave the lie to his design ition and justified public confidence by pulling off the prize. The Lawrence Handicap came next, and nine went tor the 100 sovs. Atlas was a hot favorite the previous day, but towards the “ witching hour” Wildboy’s friends began to rally, and a competition for the favor of the many headed set in. In the rooming, however, Atlas was hotter favorite than ever. The betting was G to 4 on Atlas, 2 to I against Wild boy, 5 to i against Hatred or Malice, and Lombard street to a China orange agamst aixy of the others. Atlas, fresh from bis Duustau victories, and lightly weighted, scorned invincible. Wildboy was in tine fettle ; his last gallop had given the initiated unbounded confidence in bis winning abilities. Hatred and Malice were feared, but not liked. Empress troubled a few, but she was evidently not in winning condition. Burns’s remark about the “ best laid schemes of men and mice,” never found apter illustration than in this race. The pot boiled fiercely over. The favorite made a fourth, and Dan O’Brien’s colors were to the fore. Empress made good running, and had she been in trim this race would have been hers. Hatred did not run for the prize, and Malice evidently meant it, but had to score a defeat. The Handicap Hurdle Race was one of the most disgraceful affairs we ever had the misfortune to witness. Tambourini and Medora started ; the former galloped up to the first hurdle, but on reaching it swerved on one side. Beay did not make a second effort, but quietly walked his horse to the saddling paddock. Medora, after getting over the first hurdle, leisurely proceeded onwards. Just beyond the grand stand, Haynes broke his stirrup leather and replaced P. He came too close to the hurdle. He walked back, and coming again to the jump, Medora did not rise, and spilt her rider. On this being seen, Beay was loudly called for, but that exemplary jockey merely put his head outside the paddock to see what was the matter, and firmly expressed his intention not to start again. Medora was thou walked round the required distance. The conduct of Beay in this instance was most reprehensible, and that of the stewards scarcely less so. Had they acted in the proper manner, the second affair with which Mr #ime is unpleasantly would not have occurred. ft has been stated as an excuse for Reay's action that everybody know that there would he no race. True, few thought there would be a fair contest—many anticipated hanky-panky tricks ; but that does not relieve the affair of its ugly appearance, Reay’s excuse for not trying Tambourini at the hurdles a second time was that the horse was too valuable to risk. Such an excuse only aggravates the offence, If the horse was so valuable, why outer him at all for a

hurdle race ? and, having entered him, why bo palpably throw the prize into Medora’e hands? Why not run as expected by the public, who contribute the money to keep him and his jockey alive ? There can be no doubt that, bad Tambouriui been put to the hurdle a second time, he would have won the race. The general public opinion was that Keay and his horse ought to have been then and there disqualified for ever, an opinion we heartily endorse. The stewards contented themselves with censuring Reay, a punishment somewhat similar to throwing water on a duck’s back.

The second day’s racing began with the Flying Handicap. Six came to the post; Malice and Awatea being scratched. There were no particular favorites in this race. Is’o Gentleman and Miss Ennis admirably succeeded in pumping themselves by breaking away, and the former finally managed to g-.t about a mile out of the way wbea the start was made. The time was pretty fast, Traducer's daughter passing the judge first; the quondam Duchess second. The Tuapcka Jockey Club Handicap next engaged attention, I'ambourini had friends, though bis big weight made them rather lukewarm. Atlas seemed the general favorite, and the betting was level against the field. The others were not inquired about much. Six horses contended. After a capital start, Tambourini went to the front, taking first place ; Atlas hard held second. Coming up the straight for the last time, Atlas was forging ahead, when Tambourini, swerving, forced him off the course, had not this been done, Atlas would have won easily. As it was, Waddel managed to get third place. Waddel would have entered a protest against Hatred being awarded the stakes, but unfortunately he dismounted before weighing, thus depriving himself of the power. The stewards seemed rather loth to take action in this flagrant affair, but a number of gentlemen sent a formal protest in to them, which they considered the following (Saturday) night, and unanimously resolved to disqualify Reay from ever riding or running a horse on the Tuapeka course. This resolution has met with the approval of the public, and, it is to be hoped, will act as a wholesome lesson to the jockey fraternity. It tends much to allay that feeling of distrust as to the bona fide nature of the racing throughout, and as an earnest of the intention of the Jockey Club to exercise a jealous supervision over the conduct of jockeys and horse-owners, will do much to retrieve ami sustain the position racing in Tuapeka had almost lost, in consequence of the Handicap Hurdle tiace and the Tuapeka Jockey Club Handicap. The Hack Hurdle Race is indescribable. In going round the second time, Banjo threw his rider, M Kay, whose violent contact with mother earth rendered him in sensible for a time, but fortunately he was not much hurt. ThePublicaus Handicap next demanded attention. Four started. Atlas and Rufus were scratched. Wild boy commanded public support, but >. Alice was warml) sympathised with, i here was a capita l contest between Wild boy and Malice, but the lormer proved too good, winning by nearly a length. Xhe Consolation stakes was the best race of the meet. Empress and Malice meant it, but the latter had to be content with second honors.

Un Saturday a third day’s sport was provided, the principal feature of which was the Hospital Race, by which L2l I s was contributed to the funds of the Tuapeka Hospital. Saturday night was settling time, and the stakes were handed over, bets paid satisfactoiily, and the Tuapeka Race Meeting of 187 J brought to a conclusion.

A meeting of the stewards of the Tuapeka Jockey Club met iu the Secretary’s office, Peel street, Lawrence, ou Saturday evening, the 22nd February, to consider the following petition of John ivDKellar and others, requesting an investigation into the conduct of Reay, the rider of Tambourin’, for jostling Mr Ilazlett’s Atlas iu the Tuapeka Jockey Handicap Race, which took place on Friday, the 2Jst inst. : To, the Stewards of the Tuapeka Jockey Club,

Gentlemen,—We, the undersigned, beg most respectfully to call your attention to the jostle that occurred ou your course during the running of the Jockey Club Handicap, iu which Reay,. the rider of Tambourini, ran Mr Haalott’s horse Atlas off the course, thqa. Tweveuting all possibility of such horse winning, and by such action allowing Hatred and Burgundy (in the former of which Reay holds an interest) running first and second.

We have good reason to suppose he also ho’ds an interest in Burgundy. We are informed that a protest would have been lodged ou this account but for the unfortunate circumstance of tho rider of Atlas having dismounted without the permission of the. stewards.

We also, beg to state our conviction that the lad riding Atlas was forcibly driven with his horse off the course by tho action of Reay, and iu the absence of Mr Hazlett, the owner of Atlas, we ask that such an investigation should take place as would bo the means of preventing such foul play on your course for tho future, and that your Club should -o deal with the offending jtarty as m~y seem to you fit and proper.—We remain, iVc., John MTCellar C, W. Chapman John Wrightsou Stuart Waddell Arthur Smith Win. Edgar Peter Robertson Hy. Harraway W. H. Taggart F. R. Chapman J. C. ivorr W. H, Cox J. F. Leary J. H. Press!y W. Low George Gunn Archd. MTvinlay.

Evidence having been taken, Mr Hay moved, and Mr Fairer seconded—* 1 That Reay he disqualified from ever riding or running a horse on the Tuapeka racecourse.” Carried.

The following letter was then drafted, and instructions given to the Secretary to hand it to Reay To Robert Reay—Sir,—After a careful consideration by tho stewards of the Tuapeka Jockey Club into a charge made against you by several gentlemen as to your riding in the Tuapeka J. C. Handicap, on February 21st. 18715, viz., That you were guilty of jostling Atlas, thereby preventing him from winning that race, and allowing Hatred (over whom you have charge) to win, they have unanimously decided to disqualify you from every running or riding on their course in future,—By order of the stewards. Wm. Haves, Secretary.