THE GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB ANNUAL RACE MEETING.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1755, 20 March 1874, Page 2

THE GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB ANNUAL RACE MEETING.

Second Day,

For examples of thoroughly good racing, commend us to the contests yesterday, any one of which was worthy of a much more ambitious arena. It has in the past been a complaint that with all the good money offered by the Grey mouth Jockey Club, real racing has been an exception But no such accusation would hold good with respect to the meeting just concluded. It was patent to the most unhorsey understanding that the stakes were run for on their merits, aud no one ventured yesterday to suggest the possibility of any arrangement which did not accord with honest racing. There was no mistake about any of the events, each horse and jockey doing his best to win, and the result was an exhibition of real downright racing, which has seldom, if ever, been afforded upon any race-course in New Zealand. The weather was not very favorable, rain falling freely in the early part of th.c day, and showers — some of them of considerable intention —occurring at intervals. The most unfortunate result of this state of things was the paucity of ladies, very few of whom had ventured to run the ordeal of a wet day, a very rough road, and grandstand which affords no cover, The attendance of the British public was small, which was a pity, for a better, day's racing was never witnessed. The first event was the " Gold-fields' Handicap," of 125 soys. ; second horse to receive 20 soys. from the stake, distance 1| miles. There was much uncomfortable delay in making a commencement, and there was more unco<nfortableness on the part of the book-makers, who were really off the ropes in their calculations— except those who backed Yatterina. Handicapping is a science, and it is also a mystery, for how was it that Yatterina, a j winner of the previous day, should drop ' 111 bas against horses she licked before ? This is a game which, like the " Heathen Chinee," we "can not understand." However, the race was in every sense a splendid one. The "knowing ones" favored Lacenfeed, but her hard training proved too much for her, otherwise the race was a gift to her, in spite of Yatterina's gameness. This race was a bargain to Yatteriua after the first round, her jockey having simply to nurse her, although at the finish Malice pushed her hard. Lacenfeed was third on the list, and third on the field, but still we think that with a better start and better ridiug she might have pulled off the money. The race was, however, a thoroughly good one, and would have done justice to any course in the Colony. Lacenfeed got to the front early, but she could not stay ; Malice and Yatterina doing the latter, racing neck and neck. Yatterina gradually crept ahead, and came in an easy winner. The Hurdle Handicap was one of the

best races run on any course— good honest running, and beautiful jumpiug. As an old turfite said to us, it " was a picture." Nothing could exceed the finished mannsr in which this race was run, and if anyone would wish to see better racing he must "travel" a good long way from Greymouth. There was a suspicion of hustling at the last flight ot hurdles, but it was not sufficient to be worth any special notice." Nero was looked at as a very probable winner, and he showed very much in that direction at the first of the race, a position which he. kept up to x the finish. Tommy Dodd was the favorite at 3 to 1, but he was either held too long, or was not up to liis business, or else he should have overtaken the Roman Emperor. As it was he was compelled to take a third place. The. Boy in Blue was scratched. In this as in other races, the best horse no doubt won. The race was well ridden, to the last, and was of a most satisfactory character.

The Hack Race was about the best event of the meeting, although the pace was not of the fastest. Rover was the favorite, and pulled it off easily, being well ridden by his owner, the Clerk of the Course. The Borough Handicap was easily won by Malice, Yatterina being clearly pumped out ; in fact, Bhe ought not to have run at all, although she was the favorite. There was no doubt about the winner, but there was much doubt about who should hold second placa. The Judge could not make a hair's breadth of difference between Yatterina and Nero. The Stewards' Handicap Race was made a present to Septimus, in company with a very heavy shower of rain, which damped many hopes, in addition to damping the course. The Consolation Stakes were run under very uncpnsoling conditions, rain falling heavily, and the few remaining spectators rushing away as quickly as possible. The events and their results were as follows : — Gold-fieldsJHandicap, of 125 soys ; second horse to receive 20 soys from the stake. Distance, If miles. Mr Walters's b m Yatterina, aged, 9st (French) ... ... ... 1 Mr Campbell's b m Malice, 6 yrs 9st (Storey) 2 Mr Graham's eh m Lacenfeed, aged, 7et 81b (Barton) ... 3 Hurdle Handicap, of 50 soys; about 2£ miles. Mr Carroll's br g Nero, aged, lOst (Lloyd) 1 Mr Cameron's g g Septimus, aged, lOst 71b (Callahan)J ... 2 Mr M 'lvor's b g Tommy Dodd, aged, list 121 b (owner) 3 Hack Race j minimum weight 9st. Seven horses entered— Rover, Brian Boru, Charcoal, Doctor, Stockman, Will-if-LCan, and Jasper. Rover came in first after a very good race. BoßouGfi. Handicap, of 50 soys; second horse to receive 10 soys from the stakes. Mr Campbell's b m Malice, aged, 9st 21b (Storey) 1 Mr Walter's b m Yatterina, aged 9st 101 b (French) +

Mr Carroll's b g Nero, aged, 6st 101 b t The position of these horses is of course " nowhere'Vso far as betting is concerned. Stewards' Handicap, of 30 soys ;\\ miles. Mr Cameron's g g Septimus, 7st 1 Mr Campbell's Envy, Bst 2 Mr Cochrane's Sandy, 6sii 51b 3 Consolation Stakes, of 20 soys.; 1 milej open to all beaten horses. Mr Graham's eh m Lacenfeed 1 VI r Cochrane's Sandy 2 Mr Campbell's Envy 3 This ended the Greymouth Race Meeting of 1874, and we are glad to say that a more successful meeting, and one that has given such universal satisfaction has not been held in any other part of the Colony. . Although the fields were small, the racing was excellent, and entirely on| the merits of the horses. The Stewards, the Clerk of the Course, and the Secretary, Mr Payne, deserve great credit for the admirable manner in which they have brought the meeting to such a successful termination.