WESTLAND RACING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1923, Page 4

WESTLAND RACING CLUB

EXHIBITION MEETING

successful first dav. The Westland Racing Club was favoured with a perfect day yesterday for the opening day of the Exhibition meeting. There was a record attendance present, the course making an attractive picture with the gay dresses of the ladies, and there were representatives from all parts of New Zealand present. The course was in very good order after the recent heavy weather, and the racing was good. Mr 'Lynch and Ids stfafl handled ill.lot) for the (lay its against £ll,-4-5.3 for the first day last year. There were it couple of fine finishes, notably in the Kxhibitcm Cup Handicap and the Hurdle Handicap. The various officers were in evidence all the afternoon and the various events were run off promptly. Mr Gorton (Stipendiarv Steward) lmd an easy task, only one matter needing his special attention and that was when a screw in tin weighing machine worked loose, and four riders appeared to weigh in three lbs. each short until the trouble was located and fixed satisfactorily. The Muncipal Hand was in attendance and played a pleasing programme through the afternoon. The course appointments were in capital order, and nothing marred the pleasure of pal ions who gathered in record numbers.

After the race for the Exhibition Cup Handicap, when the horses had keen weighed in Mr W. E. Williams (President of the Chib) addressed the assemblage in the bird cage. He. congratulated the owner of Dutch Clock, Mr .1. E. Pearson, on the success of liis horse, and trusted to see his colors successful again on many occasions. Mr Williams then stated that he was going to ask Mr M. A. Thompson “the Father of the Westland Racing Club” to make the presentation of the handsome silver cup to the winning owner, mentioning that lie did so as Mr Thompson had been a member for 07 years and had attended every meeting.

Mr W. A. Thompson stated it gave him extreme pleasure at being honored by the President. In asking Mr Pearson to accept the Cup he extended his heartiest congratulations on the success achieved that day. and wished him continued success in the fiitme. Mr Pearson thanked the President and Mr Thompson heartily for thenkind congratulations and good wishes. He was proud of his sucre.-s and was always glad to come to the West Coast where lie had always found the best of sportsmen, lie hoped to have the pleasure of coming over to the Coast many a future time to partake of their generous hospitality. Mr Thompson also presented, on behalf of the Club, a riding whip to Shaw, the rider of the winner, who briefly acknowledged the good wishes. Mr Pearson also paying a tribute to his jockey in glowing terms. Cheers for the owner, rider and horse concluded the ceremony.

The various booths and tea-rooms did a thriving trade throughout the afternoon, the whole gathering proving a very successful one. Ihe results acre as follows: —

NEW ERA HANDICAP. Of £IOO. second horse £2O and third horse ID out of Stake. 9 fur-

longs : —- Agnola (8.(3) Wc ary Willie (8.!» Clareina ((».!))

Also started:—Bestir <B.llk Clarion (7.8), Tantalus (7.!)). Marauder (7.8). Ascetic (7.0). Red Courier (tj.'ll). From an even start Weary Willie took tile lead from Agnola and Bestir. Coming anio the straight Agnolo weak to the front ami won by three-quarters ol a length ruth < lareiun two lengths away from W aiy AN ills-. time I.If!. I rite £O7l. TI NNED HAXDT.CVP

(i| second horse t<> receive £26 ami third £l3 nut of slake. i furlong* '■ - Rrobatc (8.11) 1 l.adv Chiremeux (7.!)) .... - K.-I]>i(l Kirn (7.8) 3 Also started. — Prosperity (0.0). Miss May (0.12). Rrobatc went away with tlio load and won very easily by live lengths. I.ad?- Claroncoiix just beating Rapid I'ire fur (bird place near the post. Time 1.28. Tote £940. ’ T ASM AX HURDLES. Of £l7O, second bor.se to re.-oivo £34 and third horse £l7 I corn the stake. About LJ miles. Lord Aslilea (O.S) 1 Frisco Mail (10.4) 2 Boneeto (0.7) 3 Also started:—Phil May (0.9), J.ord Asldca and Phil May led the Held the first time round and then the other two closed up and Phil May dropped back. Fencing well the held raced well together, until at the last hurdle Frisco Mail almost lost his rider, and though he recovered quickly, Ford Ashlea got home by half a length, with Boneeto two lengths away third. 4 ime 2.57 1-5. Tote £1219. EXHIBITION CUP HANDICAP. Of £3oo.'' second lior.se to receive £6O and third £3O out of stake. A silver cup donated by the AVestland l.ieensed Victuallers was also presented to the owner. Dutch Clock (7.13) 1 Kilfaue (8.3) 2 Kikini (8.9) 3 Also started:—Castellan (9.8). Beloved (8.5). AVharfedale (8.12). Warlike (8.9), Knia (7.12). Redsonie (7.1), Better Buck (8.0). Wliarfetlale took the lead past the stand the first time with Kikini and Dutch Clock next. The field hunched at half way and entering the straight Dutch Clock came up on the rails and went on to win a tine race hy a length front Kilfaue, with Kikini halt a length away and Knia next. lime 1.49 2-5. Tote £2225. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP. Of £l4O. second horse to receive £2B and third horse £l4 from the stake 51 furlongs. Quality (8.4) I War Unit (7.13) 2 Antagony (7.3) 3 Also started:—Bon Spec (10.10). Martis (7.13), Brown Lady (7.11), Yes (7.0), Listening Point (7.7). The field went away well together with and Martis showing to the front. Bon Spec made an attempt to get up, hut dropped hack again and Quality ran home a winner hy three lengths. Antagony being two lengths away third. Time 1.13 2-5. Into .£1478. HIGH WEIGHT HANDICAP. Of £l6O. second horse to receive £2B and third horse £l4 out of stake. 7 furlongs. Elixir (S.l) I First Aid (8.8) - Radiac (9.1) 3 Also started:—Falstaff (9.9) , Le Forte (8.5). All Ready (5.3). Elixir went away with the load with 1 irst Aid and Falstaff next, and held the lend throughout. Radiac made a hid but failed to get up, half a length separating first and scond. Radiac was the same distance away. Time I-33-Tote, £1519. .

ELECTRIC HANDICAP. Of £l3O, second horse to receive £26 and third horse £l3 out of stake. 0 furlongs. Marble Bar (7.6) I Demonstrate (7.13) - Bestir (8.11) 3 Also started Jazz (9.9), Tip Up (8.5), Armillary (8.4), Brown Willie (7.43). Tempo (7.0), Rapid Rose (0.9). Marble Bar made a big break from the start and had a ten length lead at the back, but tired/and held out long

enough to'win by a length, front Demonstrate, Bestir being two lengths further hack. Time 1.21. Tote £1451. GOLDFIELDS HANDICAP. Of £l2O. second horse to receive - £24 and third £l2 from stake. 6] furlongs. Kilbrin (7.13) 1 Probato (9.10) - Balefire (8.12) Also started:—Fresco (7.8). Fresco hung at the p-ost, and Probate went away with a good lead, hut at the buck Balefire and Kilbrin closed up, the latter coming away in the straight to win by two lengtrs. with Balefire a lough away third. Time 1.28 3-5. Tote £1337.