Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1901. WEST COAST RACES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 March 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1901. WEST COAST RACES.

The race season on the West Coast, is approaching; indeed, it has already [ begun—Westport having led oft. Hitherto most of the Coast Clubs have cai'ried out their meetings creditably, yet, notwithstanding this fact, the Coast in racing matters has not the best of names in other parts of the colony. That this bad mark is undeserved, is admitted by those who have had personal experience of our races, but this does not prevent those at a distance from still quoting the Coast as "a frightful example " —the aphorism of "the dog with a bad |

name" applying. That mistakes have been made is undeniable, but far worse mistakes have been made by the larger clubs in the colony and in notice taken of tthem. On the Coast, however, we have a keener class of sportsmen. That is, apart from horse-owners and those who follow the game, the bulk of the attendants are

people who go to see racing, rather than to invest on the totalisator, and desiring to see fair, honest galloping are impetuous in their criticism, and demonstrative in their denunciation of what perhaps was at worst but bad horsemanship, and would not be noticed on another course further than perhaps the passing remark that the lad had ridden a bad race. This demonstration always recorded in the newspapers is construed in other parts as being in consequence of some very grave misdeed. Be the cause, however, what it will, West Coast racing is not held in high esteem, and it therefore behoves clubs to be extra guarded and particularly strict. It is to be regretted that the sporting editor of the Referee and such like papers cannot pay us a visit, and judge from peiS3 n al observation, and where default is shown criticise it in the plainest of terms. Such criticism, we are satisfied, would speedily remove ths reproach that is said to attach to some of the West Coast race meetings, and would do much to remove the misapprehension that exists.

Coming to the Greymouth meetings—galloping and trotting—the acceptances are good and should ensure good keen contests. Both the course and trotting track are in magnificent order and given fine weather the attendance should bo large and the meetings most enjoyable. The Trotting Club, which starts first, has in the past put up a record in the matter of stamping out malpractice, and can be relied on to see that the sport is clear. The Jockey Club, which has also a good name for punctuality and management, have this year secured the services of Mr. C. O'Connor, one of the best starters in New Zealand. This gentlemen will arrive to-day and being recognised in Canterbury as an authority will be able to speak for himself of the general management. Referring to this gentleman's ability as a starter, the Canterbury Times says : —" Mr. C. O'Connor, of Christchurch, received much praise for his excellent starting at the Gisborne races. Every start could take rank as a first-class one, and on several occasions the starter was warmly applauded." To secure this gentleman's services will cost the Greymouth Club a good round sum, but members did not begrudge it, holding the expenditure to be judicious and necessary.

We are perfectly sure that all our readers from at least the Waimea northwards, will he pleased to see that the Kurnara Jockey have got excellent entries—the very best on the Coast so far—and the success of their meeting is therefore assured. The Club have the strong sympathy of Greymouth and locality around, it being generally held that the Hokitika Club in jumping the dates are not acting very neighboroughly. It is, of course, quite certain that the matter will be remedied at the next Conference. In the meantime if Hokitika persists in adhering to its dates both meetings must suffer, but we are satisfied that Kumara will suffer less than Hokitika. We are, however, hopeful that an amicable arrangement will be come to.