TOLAGO BAY RACES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 66, 21 March 1901, Page 3

TOLAGO BAY RACES.

A REVIEW OF THE MEETING. (Special to Times.) The race meeting held by the Tolago Bay Jockey Club was undoubtedly the most successful vet held by the go-ahead country Club, and the Committee have good reason to congratulate thomselves upon the result. The attendance at the Club’s pretty course on tho Uawa river was extremely gratifying, and was variously estimated at from fivo to seven hundred. The majority of those present were Natives, and they took a keen interest in the proceedings, being even more eager to have a “ littlo bit ” on each race than were theirwhito brethren. The enthusiasm of the Natives was perhaps at its height in the district race,' when they had appar- I ontly quite made up their minds for Stockvillc to win, and from the fall of the flag until tho field was well-nigh half round the course they were proclaiming tho victory of Mr Macdonald’s black gelding,

, tui(i it was a groat disappointment to '‘•wf' thorn not to see the sou of Stockdalc nearer the front at tho finish. The Club offered the goodly sum of U2lO in prizes, and received excellent nominations. Tho handicapper, Mr C. I). Bennett, was most successful in his efforts to conceal tho winner, and the racing was the best soon in this district for many a long day. The Club was particularly fortunate in having such a secretary us Mr W. E. Holder, and it was chiefly due to his untiring efforts that the meeting went off so successfully. Mr Holder was ably seconded in tho discharge of his duties by Mr W. Dobson, who occupied the dual position of treasurer and totalisator steward. Mr Dobson is an ideal treasurer, and can see no obstacles when once ho makes up his mind to gain a certain object. On Monday ho determined that the totalisator should go over ,£2OOO, which was rather much to expect considering that the amount put through tho previous year was only .£1499. But fortune favors tho brave, and Mr Dobson succeeded in making the total £2017, which will take a lot of beating next year. Tho arrangements with regard to catering wero thoroughly up to date, and reflected great credit upon Mr and Mrs Sinclair, the popular host and hostess of the Tolago Bay Hotel. A feature of the meeting was the excellent starting, and in two or three events Mr Boland was loudly applauded for the manner in which he got his fields away. Better starting than that of Monday wo have not scon. Mr G. Sponcc acted as judge, and although during the day ho was callod upon to decide some very closo finishes, ho proved moro than equal to tho task. Tho programme opened with the Handicap Hurdle Iluec, which brought out a field of three, Gronjo being installed favourite. The race requires little description, as Contrabino ran off at tho first jump, leaving Gronjo in command. Tho Hukntcre gelding at first jumped very badly, and at the second obstacle narrowly escaped coming down. As ho warmed up to his work, he jumped much better, and eventually won by ten lengths from Mangoumhnki, who was well ridden by tho veteran Adams. Ten faced tho starter in tho Maiden Scurry, and Mr Bhodes’ Kona carried tho bulk of the totalisator money. As they raced round the homo turn, Kona was well to the front, and a hundred yards from home looked all over a winner. Banks, who was riding tho favourito, appeared to take things a little too easily in tho run to tho post, and Slapjack, with Malono in tho saddle, coming with a terrific rush a few yards from home, shot to tho front, and gained tho favourable doeision of the judge by a short halflength. The race resulted in two protests being lodged. Tho first was entered by tho owuor of L'rauui on the grounds that the race was started at tho five-furlong post, instead of tho four. The starter stated that ho let the field go between tho two posts, and, after hearing this statement, Mr Sinclair withdrew tho protest. The second protest against Slapjack was entored on the grounds that ho had previously won two races, and after hearing evidence the stewards decided to adjourn tho matter until enquiries could bo mado in the Hawke's Bay district, whoro the horse is reported to liavo been running. The victory of Slapjack came as a great surprise, there being only eight tickets on him, so that his lucky investors will, all being well, receive tho substantial dividend of £2H 4s. In tho event of ltena being awarded the race, tho dividend will be £2 4s.

The Flying Handicap brought out a fiold of five, Lady ltaven being the most popular fancy. Hairtriggcr, however, had a great many admirers, and was generally looked upon as likely to mako a good raco of it. Lady Haven and Blue Moon were the first 'to move, and this pair carried on the running along the back at a great pace, when Wilson and Moonraker joined in, whilst Griffiths was already at work on Hairtriggcr. Moonraker challenged the daughter of Lord Haven as they turned into the straight, and a ding-dong raco resulted to the post. At the distance Griffiths made a timely effort, and the Assyrian gelding responding gamely to the call, gradually woro down his opponent, and won a pretty race by half a length. Tho doublo victory of Malcolm in the District Ilaco and Hack Handicap, was very popular, and Mr J. 11. McNeil, tho owner, came in for a good deal of. congratulation. The winner was well-ridden by McNeil, junr., who mado no mistake about his races, shewing his field a clean pair of heels, and winning upon each occasion by something over ten lengths. Tho Uawa Stakes will long be remembered by local turfites. It resulted in a grand finish, the four competitors finishing almost in a lino, in fact so close that few present would have cared to place them. After llairtriggcr's running in.the Flying Handicap tho chestnut gelding had fow supporters, and those who backed him in the first raco and let him go in the second had to pay for thoir inconsistency. Even those connected with the stable gave the Crackshot gelding no chanco. All whips were drawn as the quartette swept round the home turn, although Hairtriggcr, who was first away, still held tho lead, having the inside running. Great excitement prevailed as the horses drew near tho grandstand, it being difficult to see what was in front. Wilson was almost on terms, and as ho appeared to bo more than holding his oivn, the victory of the Dauphin gelding seemed hopeful. Jones, however, persevered on Hairtriggcr, and kept the latter's head in front of Lady Havon and Moonraker. Every effort was made by the contestants to wrest command. and the quartette landed at the post so close to one another that it was extremely difficult to separate them, although it was generally thought that the race had been won by Hairtriggcr, with "Wilson next. Mr Spence, who is hard to beat ns a judge, decided in favor of Hairtrigger, Moonraker being second, and Lady Raven third. The' time was 2.18, and the div. ,£6 los. It was without doubt 'a grand race, and will be long remembered by all who wore privileged to witness it. Tho Haiuiti Handicap had a field of twelve, and Tapuherc was made favorite. The Wakatipu mare fully justified the confidence of her supporters, and being well ridden by Heady, won in good style by a length. Malcolm rail for the third time in this event, and finished fourth. Tho day’s racing -concluded with the Farewell Handicap, which brought out a field of three. It was nearly dark when it was run, and proved the best of good things for Wilson, who was steered to victory by Cudd. Messrs Barry and Hogan ran the totalisator, and' the dividends were quickly fixed up and paid out. A word of praise is due to Mr J. B. Morris, who acted as clerk of scales, and was otherwise of . great service in making everything run smoothly.