GREY VALLEY RACES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1741, 4 March 1874, Page 2

GREY VALLEY RACES.

First Day -Monday, March 2.

[from our own correspondent.]

The seventh annual race meeting on the Ahaura Racecourse took place on Monday, St. David's Day. The attendance was reasonably good, taking into consideration the threatening appearance of the weather in the morning, and the fact of the meeting being on a Monday, which of itself prevented numbers from leaving important business elsewhere. There was some disappointment that none of the great guns in horseflesh were present, for it was thought that the programme offered by the stewards would attract one or two at least of those nominated for the Greymouth March meeting. But the very short notice it was possible to give of the intention of holding the races this year did not give sufficient time to enable owners of horses at a distance to come to a decision as to whether they would take part in the Ahaura gathering. It is to this cause alone that any drawback which may occur to the entire success of this meeting is to be attributed. Due and timely notice must be given in these matters to ensure success, for it is of little avail if every other portion of the arrangements be perfect if this one of giving sufficient notice be neglected. In the present case the whole affair was got up ! too hurriedly. The first meeting in connection with the races was held on 31st January, so that there was only the short month of February to make preparations. The time was too short, and a partial failure is the result, as for securing firstclass horses to compete for the prizes. The course presented the usual appearance. There was the inevitable "under, and over" man, who was this year a most distinguished looking swell, and able to rattle away about the " liberty of the subject " at a great rate. One of the rules required that all proprietors of games, or " fakes " as they are professionally termed, should pay a small contribution to the race fund. The officiator at the little game, of which seven is the main, objected to pay, unless the stewards would guarantee him immunity from the interference of the police, but as the stewards did not wish to constitute themselves judges of the legality or otherwise of the aforesaid fakes, a hitch took place. A police orderly was appealed to by one of the stewards, and he reoom a

mended the race functionary to " overturn the table," but the stewards inquired what would the consequences be, suppose the owner of the table " overturned" him in return. The matter was at length arranged by taking the opinion of the constable as to the propriety of allowing the "sport," which, being given in the affirmative, shifted the responsibility from the race committee. The racing was very good, and but for a little unpleasantness which took place, owing to the misconstruction of the action of the majority of the stewards with respect to the Trial Stakes, everything passed off pleasantly enough. The stewards decided by a majority of five to two that the race for the Trial Stakes had fallen through, owing to an insufficient number of entries, and a complication arose in consequence. However, the action of the majority was very properly upheld, the loudly-expressed protest of those who would wish to see a walk-over for the public money to the contrary. The race for the Ladies' Purse brought Sandy, Wide-Awake and Boy in Blue to the post. Sandy won the race after a fine finish with Boy in Blue. For the Grey Valley Handicap— the principal race of the meeting— Septimus, Nero, and Lacenfeed started, North Star being scratched. The race was between Nero and Lacenfeed, the latter being beaten fairly, after a game struggle. Septimus was placed at a disadvantage early in the race by a seemingly trifling accident. The front band of his bridle slipped over his ears, thus giving an undue and unusual strain on the bit, which disconcerted horse and rider, and although this contretemps may not be the cause of placing Septimus so badly in the race, it did not better his chances. The riding of R. Barton on the winner, and of E. Blyth on Lacenfeed was much admired in the race. The Trotting Race was finely contested, the perpetual winner, old Ranger, adding one more to the number of his many victories. Creeping Jennie and Reefer also ran well, and altogether it was one of the finest trotting races previously seen in the district. Subjoined are the particulars of the racing : — Ladies' Purse, of 15 soys. ; for all horses ; entrance, 2 soys. ; welter weight forage ; gentlemen riders j professional jockeys to carry 71b extra. Distance, 1£ miles. MrW. Cochrane's eh g Sandy, aged, 12st 41b (W. Cochrane) ... ... ... 1 Mr J. Seaton's b g Boy in Blue, 5 yrs, list 71b (E. Orchard) 2 Mr D. Cameron's br h Wide Awake, aged, 12st 41b (D. Cameron) ... 3 Boy in Blue passed the judge's stand first in the first round, closely followed by Wide Awake, Sandy hanging on the flank hard held. Shortly afterwards, Sandy took the lead, after a tussle with the Boy, but in the straight running it was evident the chesnut had the best of it, and he won just by a neck, although it was apparent he could have done better. Wide Awake was a bad third. Grey Valley Handicap, of 75 soys.; second horse to receive 10 soys. from the stake. Distance, 2 miles. Mr D. Carroll's b g Nero, aged, 7st 101 b (R. Barton) 1 Mr J. Graham's eh m Lacenfeed, aged 9st 21b (E. Blyth) ... 2 Mr D. Cameron's gg Septimus, aged, Bsfc 21b (T. Nankervis) .. .. ... 3 A good start was effected, Nero having a slight advantage. Passing the Stand the first time, Nero led, closely followed by the others, but at half ar mile Lacenfeed went ahead slightly, Nero soon recovered his lead, and when nearly the turn into the straight running Blyth " sat down to it," as a good judge remarked, and from this the old mare "got it hot." In the run home Nero increased his lead and won by three lengths, Lacenfeed second, and Septimus an indifferent third. Distance Handicap Trotting Eace, of 20 soys. ; second horse to receive 5 soys. from the stake ; minimum weight, list. Entrance, 2 soys. Distance, three times round the course. Mr J. Marshall's b g Ranger, aged, scratch (J. Marshall) 1 Mr W. Young's b m Creeping Jenny, aged, 30 yards (W. Yung) 2 Mr W. Geeson's b g Reefer (late Orlando) aged, 30 yards (ft. Weir) 3 Mr J. Ferguson's g m Dolly, aged, 150 yards (J. O'Malley) 0 Reefer overhauled Dolly first, Jenny close up, and Ranger shortening his handicap rapidly. At the first time round Jenny led, Ranger after her, and Reefer dropping behind. Shortly afterwards Ranger took the lead and kept it, Jenny .and Reefer struggling gamely for second place. Both were coming in neck and neck, when both broke in their paces, Jenny recovering herself first and taking second place. Dolly distanced. This concluded the first day's racing, as in consequence of the time lost with the very unseemly barney about the Trial Stakes, it was impossible to substitute. > another race for it that evening.