THAMES RACES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4383, 27 February 1922, Page 3

THAMES RACES.

A WET DAY'S SPORT. The annual racing fixture Of 1 the Thames club opened on Saturday under very adverse conditions. Although the weather was threatening this did not deter the enthusiasts ( from being present, and the special trains were well filled with up l -country visitors. The racing was good throughout the day, ip •spite of .the drizzling nature of the weather. Towards the ’ end the course was getting heavy, but this ip no way spoilt the pacing. The steeplechase, the seventh event, was a particularly fine race. Mr L. McKinstry’s Prince Carl, ridden by Fanning, proved the winner of the Goldfields Cup, of £5OO. After the running of this event the officials met in the members stand and dr,ank the health of some noted visitors,. • In proposing the health of Sir Will Ham Merries and Hon. E. W, Alison, hfter the conclusion of the running of the Cup, the president of the Club, Mn A. Bruce, said that he was pleased - to see both gentlemen looking so well after their trip to England.' Sir William Merries had brought many privileges to the country clubs, ani he extended a very warm welcome to both to be present at the meeting. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. and .the singing of “For they are jolly good fellows” was followed by thunderous cheers. Sir W. Merries, in replying, said that; it was gratifying to find a welcome on his return! He had come back after his experiences abroad fully determined that there' was no place like New Zealand. You can talk about hard times, low butter-fat returns,wool slumps, and criticise the Government,, but things in New Zealand were good compared with England. If. the people of the Dominion could only see England at the present time there would be less growling. New Zealand was going to pull .through and set ah example to the world- The Government was trying to dp its best, and it only wanted the individual efi fort to make things much brighter. The Hon. Mr E. W. Alison said tf was just 12 months ago since he got a hearty send off from the Thames Club. He had had a most glorious trip. While in England an opportunity was afforded him of visiting many races, and while he . admitted that England had the best racehorses in ( the world, he doubted if the meeting* were conducted as welt; those in New Zealand. He was proud .to be a life-member of the Thames Club, and he always found a pleasing companionship amongst its members. The economic conditions were absolutely ’deplorable In the Old. Country, and unless the producers change their tactics conditions would still be worse. In order to avoid the bad economic conditions such hs had visited England, it was up to everybody to be economical and industrious. In proposing the health of the President of the Club, Sir W. Herries paid a high tribute to Mr Bruce and also to the dub for the efficient way their meetings were conducted:, and the hearty welcome and treatment of the visitors. In responding, Mr Bruce said he highly appreciated the compliment paid to him as president of the club. In days gone, by they had worked hard to make the club what it was to-day, and this had not been done without some sacrifices .of its commits tee and members.

RESULTS. FIRST HANDICAP HURDLES of 175'1 sovs. One mile and three-quarters. Tinokaha, 10.6 (Hawken) 1; Keystone; 9.10, 2Shell Shock, 10.5, 3. Scratched: Tenacious, Silver Pine, .'-T Scottish Knight, and Swastika. Won U by a head, two lengths between sec r ond and third. Time, 3'.-29 4 J 5. TRIAL HANDICAP, of ISOsovs. Six furlongs. King Neva, 7.7 (McTavish), 1; Pagoda, 7.7,. 2 ; Rosullus, 7.5, 3. Scratchi ed: Ben Nevis, Master Rohan, and Betty Spult. Won by®t head, neck between second and third. Time, 1.19. BOROUGH HANDICAP, of 175spvs. Five furlongs. Hipo, 7.10 (George), 1; Shortland, >, 7.3, 2; Caballero, 7.2,' 1 3. Scratched.: Golden Bubble, Connemara, Fife and / Drum, and Oak Abbey. Won easjly. Time 1.4 1-5. ? ) GOLDFIELDS CUP, of ;500sovs. One mile and' a-quarter. Prince Carl, 6.7 * (Fanning) 1 Night Time, 6.10 2 Some Fashion, 6.13 , 3 Scratched : Bobmebday and Clonmel. A Some Fashion and Night Time had 9 turns in the lead,.tihe latter leading into the straight, when Prince Carl came through, vanning by half a neck, two lengths between second and third. Time 24.4. FIRST HACK HANDICAP, of 175sovs. ' Six furlongs. Machree, 7.8 (Keesing), 1; Lbch Abbey, 8.12, 2; Lady Hill, 7.®, 3. Scratched : Euphoria, Gamboola, Waikaretu, and Waiatapai. Won by half a length. Time 1.20, APPRENTICES HANDICAP, 200sovs. s six furlongs.. Stammer, 7.2 (Scott), 1; Tainararoa, 9.8, 2; Connemara, 6.10, 3. Scratched : Bute Sound, Ohinewairua, and Machree. Won by a length. Time Ll 9 2.5. r . FIRST STEEPLECHASE/ of 250sovs. ■gj Two miles and three-quarters. ™ Capsal, 10.3 (Thompson), 1; Toddy, 9.0, 2; Tenacious, 10.5, 3. All started. Won by half a neck. Time, 5.13 4-<5 HAURAKI PLAINS HANDICAP, of 200sovs. Seven furlongs. Namutere, 7.8 (Manson), 1; Gold Plan®, 7.6, 2; Forest Gold, 7.40, 3. Scratched,: Some Fashion, Hipo, Penona, Dactylis, and Tresor. Won by a length. Time, 1.33 1-5.