WESTLAND RACING CLUB.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1919, Page 3

WESTLAND RACING CLUB.

SUMMER MEETING. A SPLENDID OPENING. The weather on Saturday was simply perfect, and in marked contrast to that of the previous day which necessitated the postponement on Boxing j Day. Saturday was a glorious cloudless day, with bright sunshine and a gentle breeze. The course and appointments were in capital order, the course being firm, but . a little slow, as a result of previous heavy rain. The attendance was very large and considerably in excess of last years opening day. There was a large influx of visitors from the north. The fields were good and the sport was excellent, the finishes for the Hokitika Handicap and the Flying Handicap, being specially good. Mr H. Butland got the fields away in good '-style, and the hancßeapper (Mr J. Noble) had given punters a difficult task to pick the winners. The various officials from the genial President onwards were all in evidence at their posts and everything possible was done to give pleasure to patrons. As a result the whole proceedings passed off with remarkable smoothness, and every event was right on time, the last race being over before 5.25 p.m. Mr C. \V. Tringliam of Wellington (Stipendiary Steward) had an easy day, only one matter requiring his attention. Much interest was shown in the Hurdles Handicap this causing the only regrettable feature of the day, Preface coming down at the second jump and breaking a leg, necessitating his destruction. Thet Town Band was present and supplied a pleasing musical programme. The booths all appeared to be doing a busy trade, the gathering appearing to be out for an enjoyable outing. The sum of £8,626 was passed through the totalisaior as against. £7,536 for the first day last year, Mr H. Lynch and hig assistants handling matters in their usual very prompt manner. The following are the results: GOfLDSBOROUGH HANDICAP.

6} furlongs, of £7O, second horse to receive £l4 and third £7 out of stake. 2 Lady Middleton 8.11 1 4 Tantalus 7.2 2 3 Tunic 8.6 3

Also started—l Tyne 8.0; 5 Hokitika 7.7 J. Lady Middleton went to the front from an even start, and was never headed. Tantalus came with a run in the straight, hut failed to get up by a length. Tunic three parts of a length away. Time 1.33. Tote £877. ' PROVINCIAL HANDICAP.

5 furlongs, of £BO, second to receive £l6' and third £8 out of stake. 1 Trentham Rose 9.6 1 5 War Tax 7.9 2 3 Hymettius 8.6 3

Also started—3 Sleepy Head 8.13, 7 Gallupin 8.9, 4 High Heels 7.0, 6 Caliburn 7.5. After sqme trouble at the post Trentham Rose went away at the start and was never troubled, winning very easily by three lengths, Hymefctius half a length away third. Time 1.7 4-5. Tote £1,258. PACIFIC HANDICAP HURDLES, lj miles, of £l3O, second to receive £26 and third £l3 out of stake. A silver cup u*as also presented the winner.1 Arlington 11.0 1 2 Cast Iron 10.4 2 3 Silver Shield 10.1 3

Also started 4 Trickery 9.0, 5 Preface 9.0? Arlington led to the first hurdle, all taking well. At the second hurdle Preface hit the barrier and came down heavily, breaking a leg and subsequently was shot. Arlington continued to loftl and with Cast: Iron and Silver Shield fenced excellently. Trickery lost his rider at the jump at the foot of the hill, but he mounted again. ’There was a fine finish between Arlington and Cast Iron, but the former had a bit in hand and won a fine race by a. length, Silver Shield thirty yards away. Time 3.45 4-5. Tote £l,llß.

After the jockeys had weighed put the President of the Westland Racing Club (Mr W. E. Williams) made the presentation of a handsome silver cup to the winning owner (Mr. I l *. Biel). In doing so Air Williams stated that this was the first hurdle race run on the Coast for fifteen years and said that the Club had bep.n well Rewarded for again inaugurating hurdle races, by the very successful race just finished. He congratulated Air Biel on the success of his hqrse fud expressed his pleasure at being able to present him with the silver trophy as a result of his win (applause).

Air Biel, who was received with applause in thanking the President, stated that this was his first trip to the West Coast and he had enjoyed it better than any other one he had made. He felt it would not be the last one and that he would come again on a future occasion. (Applause). At the call of the President three hearty cheers were given for the horse, owner and rider and the ceremony concluded, HOKITIKA HANDICAP, 1J miles, of £l5O second to receive £3O, and third £ls from stake. 2 Red Pool 8.3 I 1 Warlike 8.3 2 3 Tyne 7.12 8 Also started, 4 Xanthos 9.0, 5 Ladify 8.3. From a fine start Warlike led the field past the stand, Tyne and Xanthos just ahead of Red Pool. The position

entered when Red Pool came with a great run on the inside and got up to win a fine race'by almost a length from Warlike, withV-ffyne a bare half length away and Xanthos a length away. Time 2.24 4-5. Tote^!l,3B». ! CHRISTAfSS HANDICAP. 5J furlongs, of JfOO, second to receivo I £2O and third £lO out of stake. 2 Sundance 9.3 , 1 : 4 Divorce 8.1 2 I 6 Rangi Aroha 7.8 3 Also started 8 Kbsevear 9.1, 1 Recorder 8.12, 5 Tyson 8.10., 3 Furling 8.0, 7 Tantalus 7.7, 9 Rakaia 7.2. After some trouble at the post the field went away well together, with Sundance in the lead, and he kept command, winning by a length Rangi Aroha half a length away and the rest of the field well bunched together. Time 1.15 2-5. Tote £1,565. HIGH WEIGHT HANDICAP 7 furlongs, of £IOO, second to receive £2O, and third £lO out of stake. 3 Con-the-Shaughraun 8.10 1 1 Glorify 10.8 2 2 Henrietta 8.7 3 Also started, 4, Sticker 8.0. From an even start Con-the-Shaughraun took

the lead, and led to the post getting the verdict by a length. Glorify was second, but Henrietta who tried to get up on the inside was blocked in her run, Sticker fading away after making a run in the early stages of the race. Time 1.40 2-5. Tote £823. At the instigation of the Stipendiary Steward (Mr C. W. Tringham) an enquiry was held into Glorify’s running. After hearing Bowden (rider), and Higgott (owner), the explanations were accepted, but Bowden was cautioned to ride more vigorously in future. FLYING HANDICAP.

Five furlongs, of £BO, second to receive £l6 and third £8 out of stake. 1 Trentham Rose 9.11 ...... 1 2 Golden Morn 8.9 2 3 Warform 8.13 3 Also started—s Parlovna 8.9, 4 Strayshot 7.5. From an even start Golden Morn led the way, followed by Warform, with Trentham Rose third. This position wag not altered till the straight was reached when Trentham Rose came with a great 1 run and managed to beat Golden Morn by half a length with Warform half a length away and Strayshot close lip. Time 1.8. Tote, £1605.