NAPIER ANNUAL RACES, 1863.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 9 March 1863, Page 2

NAPIER ANNUAL RACES, 1863.

FIRST DAY. What an unfortunate circumstance iU-is to a sport-loving people that the Clerk of the Weather, provided with so much care by the Provincial Government, happens to be an individual to whom a good day’s racing is a matter of supi’eme indifference ! But for this untoward event we feel sure that the sth of March, which day was appointed by the Stewards, with judgment, as the day upon which the annual Race Meeting should take place, would have turned out the finest day on record. It was, however ordex-ed, otherwise, regardless of the presence of a large assemblage of x-espectable people, amongst whom we had the honor to perceive several ladies of note, and although the Produce Stakes were got through iix pretty fair weather, the other two races of the day, including the great event of the season, the Hawke’s Bay Stakes, were run in the midst of the most tremendous storm of x’ain, wind, and thunder, that was ever experienced by an expectant multitude. But, notwithstanding this discouraging state of affairs, the spectators, though, to all appearance, in the last state of saturation consistent with animation maintained a flow of the most remarkably good spirits, and seemed, upon the whole, to treat the little matter of a ducking very lightly, taking counsel of the renowned Mr. Tapley, all present were determined to be “ jolly” under the circumstances. One Dundreary might be heax-d saying to another Dundreary—“ It’s awfully jolly, ain't it ? by J ove i ana tnus we passed the hours away capitally, in patient expectancy and civil talk. The first race on the card was the PRODUCE SPARES, Of £35, added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. For horses bred iu the Colony that have never won an advertised race, Weights—3 years, Sst 71h ; i years, 9st 71b; 5 years, XOst; 6 years and aged, lost 7ib. One mile—heats. for which the bell to saddle rang at twelve, and which was contested in a very splendid manner by the following horses, who came in in the order we now place them in : Mr. F. M. Chapman ns. blk. g. Euclid, 4 years, pink hody> gr.sleoves, gr.andpk.cap (T.Goldsmith)...! 1 Mr. A. Kennedy ns. b. g. Brown Stout, aged, blk. ikt., r. cap (J. Baldwin) 22 Mr. Henry Parker’s br. g. Newton, aged, blue jacket, white belt, redcap (J. Hague) ... 3 1 Mr. F. E. Hamlin ns. g.m. Deceitfol, 5 years, white jacket, black cap (G. Down) '. i 3 THE RACE. The first heat was won easily by little

Euclid, doing credit to his training and to his breeding. This little horse, we may say in passing, was got by St. Patrick out of Mr. Worgan’s very justly celebrated mare Black Bess, the best hack mare we ever saw in this Province. Euclid was followed pretty closely by Brown Stout and the other two, making a very pretty little cluster as the colors swept up to the winning post. It was evident that the little horse had got such abundant pluck and blood in him that there was no fear but that in the next heat he would be as successful as in the first, and odds of 5 to 1 on him were offered, but not taken. The second heat was a very neat affair, Euclid taking the lead, and although when about half way round he was challenged by Brown Stout, he kept his place without much trouble. It was evident that Brown Stout’s jockey tried at this stage to force the running, thinking to “ burst” the little horse, but it wouldn’t do ; the black colt soon let him know that he was “ all there,” and so Brown Stout fell back after a short struggle, and there stopped until the finish, making a very good second. The grey mare Deceitful is too weak to contest a longer race than half a mile, but she ran pretty well. Newton is a good horse, but he appeared to us to be very “ gummy” on his fore legs, and to have suffered from an attack of gripes the night before the race.

After the Produce Stakes came the MAORI RACE, Of £lO. Entrance, £l. For horses bona fide the property of, and ridden by, aboriginal natives. Catch weights. One mile and a half. Post entries. Xikora’s b.m. Tahebe ... 1 Peni’s b. g. Teketeee ... 2 Toha’s b. g. Tommy ... 0 Nepi’s hr. g. SXaunga ... 0 This race was spiritedly contested by the first two horses. The most remarkable feature in this race was the tremendous length of whip used by the jockeys, and the vigorous and most inimitable manner in which those gentle “persuaders” were used. The bell next rang to saddle for the Hawke’s Bay Stakes, which race was looked forward to with much interest, regardless of the terrific storm which was raging round about. HAWKE’S BAY STAKES. Of £35, added to a sweepstakes of £3 3s. Weights same as Produce stakes. Winner of Produce to carry -lib extra. 3 miles. THi’ HACK. Four crack horses were entered for this race, coming in in the order placed below— Mr. F. M. Chapman’s g. g. Scuamvl, aged, greenjacket, blk. cap (.1. Baldwin) ... 1 Te Ilapuku’s hr. g. Hurrica.ne, aged, all yellow (GaUford) 2 Mr. F. E. Hamlin's ns. h!k. g. Te Wuatc, 6 yrs., white jacket, bine sash, black cap (J. Hague) ...3 Capt. Vivian’s b. g. Cuaiu.es O’Mali.ey, 5 yrs., blue body. black stripes, black cap (U. Thorpe) ..A Mr. Powdrell for this race, as in the two previous ones, having effected an excellent start, without any “ baulks,” away the horses went, that plucky little horse Te Wbatu running off as usual with two or three lengths to spare, followed by Schauiyl, then Charley, and last Hurricane. The horses kept in this order until they had very nearly got round for the second time, when Schamyl came up and took the lead from Te Whatu, Hurricane being a bad fourth. The interest in the race now became intense, and as the gallant bloods came sweeping past the stand in splendid style, notwithstanding the dreadfully heavy state of the course, they presented a very beautiful sight, Chapman’s grey striding along gloriously, a perfect* picture, followed closely by the “little un” game to the last. On, on they dash through mire and mud, through rain and wind ; on ! on ! until two and a half miles were nearly passed, when Mr. Gaisford with Hurricane began to gather way, and challenging Charley and Te Whatu passed them ; but the grey was by this time much too far “ to the fore” to be easily passed, and he kept up his running in such good style as to render it next to impossible for the old horse to pick him up ; and so it proved, for Hurricane’s jockey couldn’t get near the grey, although he tried hard, and lessened his distance perceptibly every stride.

REMARKS. This race ought to have been won easily by Hurricane, and would have been won by min out niui his jockey had no sooner got away at the start than he gave the old horse such a determined pull that he fell irretrievably in the rear, and remained all through the race too far behind to render it possible for him to win. Mr. Gaisford’s object in taking such a pull at his horse appears to have been to save him, feeling as he did rather doubtful lest the old horse might <£ crack” if early pressed, but we think he made a great mistake here. In our opinion he should just have “felt” the pace, and having ascertained what that pace was like, have regulated the going of his horse accordingly ; for there could be no doubt whatever that Hurricane, although as *fat as a prize heifer, if properly ridden must have won this race. Mr. Gaisfovd rides neatly.

and shows by his seat and hand that the racing saddle is no new seat to him, but we doubt whether he has much judgment as to pace, without which we need hardly say no man will ever make a very successful jockey. This race was well run, but of course at a very slow pace. We were very much disappointed with Charles O’Malley’s performance ; he is undoubtedly a fine horse, and has great pluck, hut gallops awkwardly, swinging his hind legs about in a very queer way. Captain Hunter’s training is too much for the “ amateurs,” that experienced trainer is able to put a “ go” into his horses, considering the stuff they are made of, which rather astonishes the beholders. The running of the little horses Schamyl and Te Whatu was remarkably good ; Schamyl has a splendid stride, and carries himself very well together ; but we are of opinion that three miles is altogether too much for these horses, as will be seen by their next day’s racing.

SECOND DAY.— Friday, March 0. A glorious morning, just cool enough to make the air fresh and lively, and just warm enough, after yesterday’s storms," to make everybody comfortable, with a delicious smack of the mellow autumn’s “ falling leaf” to give a most invigorating tone to the scene. All expected, and with reason, a really good day’s sport; the races were well arranged, the horses entered were all “ real good ’uns,” and the riders were known and tried “ heroes of the field,” covered with innumerable laurels, and scarred all over with the results of many a hard won victory. The day began with the HURDLE RACE. Of £25, added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. Weights—3 yrs lost; 4 yrs.. lOst. 101 b; 5 yrs. list., 71b ; 6 yrs. and aged, 12st. Seven hurdles 3 ft. 9in. high. 2 miles. Mr. A. Cameron’s b. g. Vox.un-tj-.kk, aged, mauve jacketblue cap (Owner) 1 Mr. H. F. Way’s b. g. Towabk, aged, blue jacket, black cap (B. I). Danvers) 2 Mr.’Purvis Bussell’s hr. g. Sunrise, aged, all yellow (11. Oaisford) 3 Mr. Ilenry Parker, ns. br. g, Fisherman, aged, blue jacket, white border, red cap (D. Taylor) ... 0 Mr. J. ileslop’s hr. g. by St. Patrick, 4 yrs, white jacket black cap (lleslop) 0 THE KACE. Again Mr. Powdrell, with the judgment only attained by long practice and experience, got the horses off at the first full of the Hag beautifully. But it was plain enough that unless Volunteer came to grief (of which, by the masterly manner in which Cameron took him up to his hurdles, there was very little, prospect,) the vest of the field would have very little to do with the race as against the brown horse. However, away they went at a capital pace. Volunteer leading, followed by Tuware and Sunrise over the first hurdle beautifully. Fisherman and St. Patrick’s colt both making a baulk, and getting foul of one another. Volunteer first over No. 2 hurdle, with Sunrise waiting on him veiy prettily, Towave refusing, At last Danvers got the little bay over, and raced up to the next hurdle at a killing pace, where he fell in with Sunrise, who had swerved and missed ; Volunteer by this time having all the running to himself and plenty of room to spare for a “ spill.” Now, however, between little Toware and Sunrise began the best contested race we ever saw. Up they came to the next hurdles neck and neck, and cleared at the same instant as if by the same action. On ! on ! careering wildly on ! very well ridden both of them, to the next. Over again ! ! glorious ! ! Away ! away ! neck or nothing over the fifth hurdle, when Toware began to press Sunrise hard. Bound the first turn they came still as close together as they could possibly be ; but as they came round the second turn into the run home Toware, having the inside place, drew slightly away from his opponent, and came up to the last hurdle just a half a length before Sunrise. Both the horses leapt in a first rate raannei', and landed almost in at the same instant. But here Danvers called on the “ little ’un,” which call was gamely answered, and he came in, after a splendid race, with Sunrise close alongside. REMARKS. Cameron’s horse, at the start, showed more speed by a great deal than the others, and there appeared very good reason from the look of the horse to conclude that he had good staying qualities in him, and wouldn’t be very likely to break down ; and that, therefore, the race was his from the first. Cameron’s style of riding is excellent: there is a cool confidence, an easy “at home” sort ot an appearance about the man when in the saddle, that makes him a very dangerous opponent. In fact, we think he is the best rider we have yet seen on this turf, and a horse thus ridden must go over his leaps—he can’t help it. Danvers wants nerve, and only gets warm to his work after getting safely over two or three hurdles. He lost all chance of waiting on Volunteer after the second hurdle. We feel sure that Toware,

if he had been well put at No. 2 hurdle, would have taken it, as he always does, in first-rate style, and would have kept pretty well up to Volunteer. However, as we said before, Danvers recovered his lost ground, and upon the whole rode very well indeed. Sunrise is a fine horse, but slow, and altogether too fat. Too much beef won’t do when opposed to a light-footed little horse like Toware, or to a long-striding, well ridden nag like Volunteer. Gaisford rides well, puts his horse up to his work very quietly, and with pluck ; but we think he would make a better rider if he had a little more “dash” in him ; he’s a shade too cautious for our money. There is no mistake but that Sunrise wants rousing ; he is a good horse, but somewhat too sluggish we fancy. The next race was for the— VICTUALLERS’ PURSE. Of £2O, added to a sweepstakes of £3 2s. Weights same as Produce Stakes. 2 miles. which was a race looked forward to with much interest, as the three horses entered were all great favorites, and came in in the order here placed— Mr. F. M.Chapman’s g.g. Schamyl, aged, green jacket, black cap (. Baldwin) 1 3lr. F. M. Chapman ns. blk. g. Euclid, 4 yrs.. pink body, green sleeves, pink and green cap (T. Goldsmith) . ..2 Sir. F. E. Hamlin, ns. blk. g, Te Whatu, 6 yrs.. white jacket, blue sash, black cap (G. Down) 3 THE RACE. Te Whatu as usual went away with the lead, followed closely by Euclid, who was waited ou by Schamyl, aud in this order they went round about half a mile, when Euclid challenged and passed Te Whatu, who began to show signs of fatigue, the effects of his yesterday’s well ran three-mile race. The three kept well together in this order until a couple of distances t’other side the post, when Schamyl’s jockey called upon him to make play, which he did, and went to the fore in half a dozen strides, but Euclid was not going to give up his well won lead without a struggle, and the two raced well together for more than half a mile, with Te Whatu labouring about a length behind. In the run home Te Whatu’s jockey made one last effort to take a second place, hut failed, Euclid being in too good condition to “crack.’ All three horses came in very close together after an excellent race, Schamyl being first. REMARKS. In this race the effect of giving such light finely-trained horses as Te Whatu and Schamyl a three-mile race, was jerceptihle at the very outset. Te Whatu did not get away with his usual bound, hut showed symptoms of being fagged. Schamyl, too, although in better training, and, in fact, the stouter horse, than Te Whatu, was also evidently none the better for his three-mile effort over a heavy course on the previous day. Euclid had only ran a couple of miles, in heats, the day before, so that although he is a good little horse, we don’t think he is a match for Te Whatu, which horse in Hunter’s hands would give Schamyl a sharp tying up at 2 miles, even weights. THE WELTER STAKES. Of £35, added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. Weights—A yrs.. list.; 5 yrs,, 12st.; 6 yrs, aud,’aged, 12st. 71b. Gentle. men riders—professional riders weighing extra. 3 mile was run for by the following horses; — S Mr. A. Cameron’s b. g. Volunteer, aged, mauve jacket, blue cap (Owner) 1 Mr A. Kennedy ns. b. g. Brown Stout, aged, black jacket, red cap [Powdrell] 2 Capt. Vivian’s b. g. Charles O’Malley, 5 yrs., blue body, black sleeves, black cap [W. M’Donnell] ... 3 THE RACE. A splendid race. , Mr. Powdrell as usual getting the horses off'with a good start, at which Brown Stout took the lead, and went away three lengths to the fore, with Charley second, and Volunteer quietly feeling the pace. It was evident that Powdrell intended to make the running, relying upon the stoutness of his horse, which certainly was a fine animal, and well-trained. He found, however, on the second round, that Volunteer was picking him up and was well in hand, Charley fagging away about a length behind. The race on the run home for the second round was intensely interesting, all three well together, Brown Stout slightly leading, with \ olunteer waiting on his quarter in good style. Thus they passed the judge’s stand for the second time, and kept in this order for a considerable distance, when just before getting to the first turn M’Donnell made a tremendous effort to bring his horse into a better place, but without effect. Charley answered gamely to the whip, but wouldn’t do the trick. In the final run home a beautiful race took place, Powdrell called on his horse with whip and spur, to take the lead, which Volunteer had gained near the second turn. But the Stout, although doing his best, and splendidly ridden, found that Cameron’s brown horse was soo much for him, and so Cameron brought his horse in a winner well in hand, and easily. REMARKS. The riding in this race was really superb.

Mr. John Powdrell is evidently an old hand, to whom the race-course and the cover are very familiar resorts. But for his superior riding. Brown Stout would have been distanced to a dead certainty. M’Bonnell did his best to make Charles O’Malley cut a respectable figure, but we are bound to say that that horse will never race again, his style of going is very bad, and although he is a game and honest horse, he is no match for even horses of inferior blood. Cameron jockeyed his horse well, and we fancy that he knows what “ pace” is, and is able to profit by it. CONSOLATION STAKES. Of £ls. Entrance, £1 Is. For all beaten horses at this meeting. Post Entrance. Entries to be made immediately after the Welter Stakes. To be handicapped by the Stewards or whom they may appoint. were run for by three horses, viz.:— Te Whatu, Bst 71b G. Down 1 Tow are, Bst 71b [carried 9st 31b] T. Goldsmith 2 Newton, Bst It. Parker 3 After this race the usual amount of matches and hack-racing took place, the hack race being won by Lieutenant Butler’s Flaper, to which horse some objection was taken after the race, on the ground that he had been trained. This objection does not hold good after the race, but may be raised before the race with justice. No horse ought to be allowed to eater for Hack races, but such as are in the usual condition in which hacks are in this country, and we do not think it altogether in good taste for gentlemen to put a fast and well stabled horse into this sort of race, against a lot of common working horses—if the horse does win he gains no reputation by it, and if he loses, he is utterly damned. CONCLUDING REMARKS. We must confess that better sport we have never witnessed than was afforded by these two days’ racing. The management andjirrangements of the Stewards were unexceptionable, the racing was good and fair. There were none of these unseemly disputes and rows which have so often marred our race meetings, and in fact the whole event came off to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. We can only take objection to the conduct of the soldiers, those guardians of the peace, which was, upon the whole, decidedly riotous. And it is to be hoped that the officer in command will endeavor to enforce discipline to the utmost, even on occasions like the one of which we treat, as it is manifest toat those hardy veterans are much more admirable when under the tender care of the sergeant’s guard, than when let loose upon society free from restraint. The Natives behaved very well indeed, quite a contrast to our country’s gallant defenders. Upon the whole, therefore, all went off well, and we have merely, in justice to those spirited gentlemen, owners of horses, who so willingly and with so much good taste, contributed to the public amusement, by running their horses, to point out that the hurdle race would be a much better one if the hurdles were properly constructed, and with wings. There would then be fewer baulks, less chance of accidents, and the sport would be proportionately better.

Once more we must call upon the sportloving' settlers of Hawke’s Bay to unite and get a race-course for themselves, and join in some other effective scheme for the encouragement of this noble National sport which is so eminently and peculiarly English.