GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB ANNUAL MEETING.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 92, 21 March 1877, Page 2

GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB ANNUAL MEETING.

FIRST DAY— MAR n 17, 1877. BT GBUMBLBB. After due deliberation I have decided to adopt a norn de plume, and to write in the first person. It enables one to drop that terrible editorial " we ;" gives room for (greater latitude of expression; and relieves the editor from responsibilities as to opinions with which he may not feel entirely inclined to agree BesHes are there not those great sporting authorities of the Southern Hemisphere— to wit, "Orange Blossom," of the Austral >sinn l; M Beacon, 1 ' of the Leader ; " Pegasus," of the Sydney Mail ; last, though not least, '* Tout Cela,"of the Herald {not unknown to fame on the Coast as Dicker Hamilton ; an<l, verily, why should there not be a " Grumbler," of the Grey Eiver Argus. Alto, houp-la ! and so we make our bow to the nobility, clergy no, not the parsons, by the way—gentry, and commonalty of Greymouth. " Grumbler." I flatter myself, is not a bad name— at all events it is at the outset an indication that the writer means to speak bis mind, and that there is room for grumbling will doubtless be discovered before he gets to the end of there veracious chronicles. Imprimis— What did the clerk of the weather mean by behaving so very unnandsomely after the very conciliatory, and, indeed, flattering manner in which he was referred to in two consecutive issues of the Argus last week. Instead of being on bis very best

behaviour he sulked all the forenoon, and in the afternoon did his level best, to spoil the day's sport. Bat you didn't succeed a little bit, Mr Jupiter Pluvius. The I racing, of which more anon, was good ; and there is implanted in the breasts ot the hardy sons and lovely daughters (that's one for the ladies) of JNew Zealand, n Tapleyian -disposition which is proof against all the assaults of the evil one. If the sun shine — good ; if the rain fall, we of the sterner sex can keep our spirits up in a variety of ways, but chiefly by pour* ing them down; and the ladies— why as they sympathise with us in our joys as in our soorows, they must be happy too, in spite of ruined bonnets and drawled petti—, but no, the line must be drawn somewhere.' And this brings me to grumble No. 2, that dreadful Grand Hand. All honor to the ladies who on Saturday braved the elements, and pluckily sat out the howling storm on the exposed top of that rickety affair. Apart from tbe difficulties and dangers of ascent and descent, there is absolutely no protection from wind or rain ; aud it seems tome that it-is very shortsighted policy on the part ot the committee not to provide proper accommodation for that sex, wbich ia the chief glory add adornment of Grand Stands and lawns all the world over. What would the princely revenue of the Victoria Earing Club be but for the opportunities offered for tbe display of triumph* of millinery by that magnificent " under the hill." Believe me, Messieurs the Committeemen of the G. J. C, that a safe investment for you will be the building of someihing worthy the name of a stand. Possibly the ladies might even assist. For instance, a Grand Stand Bazaar, although perhaps somewhat of a novelty in its way, would not be inappropriate, and I venture to lay trifling odds would prove a success. Many years ago I happened to be sojourning in a township on the banks of tbe MississippiNapoleon, in the State of Arkansas— when an arrangement was entered into with the parson, that if he would preach a sermon on behalf of the local race funds the stewards would send the hat round on the course for the building fund of a new church. There was a crowd in that church next Sunday such as had never been seen within its walls for years ; the text was " The race is not to the swift," and, in the course of his remarks, the rev. gentleman gave a very straight tip. The mutual accommodation, it should be added, turned out everything that could be desired. lam afraid thdt in these enlightened times the Diocesan would have something to say about it were a certain reverend and learned gentleman of Greymouth — who, it is whispered, is also a fine judge of horseflesh— to enter into term's with the stewards ; but there could aVt possibly be any objection to '• the ladies of the congregation" assisting ; at a Jockey Club B*ziar. Verb Sap. Apart from the .eye-sore to which reference has just been made, and the absence of a proper saddling paddock, the course is everything that could be desired. It geems to be peculiarly adapted by nature to the purposes to which it has been put — a ra-exeourse and a cricket ground ; and I doubt not that should the rain (which as I write is coming down in torrents,/ continue, the stewards might wind up the meeting with a regatta and a few swimming matches. On the whole the arrangements for the proper carrying out of the sport are good, although why on earth the melancholy tones of the public bellman should be substituted for the usual board announcing the times of saddling, weighing, and starting, I can't understand. It can't possibly be on the score of economy, and certainly not because the innovation is in any sense of the term an improvement. Three goodsized shingles and sixpennyworth of paint is all that is required ; and it is to be hoped that Mr Payne, the " indefatigable," the "energetic," and, I may be permitted to add, the very popular Secretary will next year see that this part of the arrangements is more en regie than it is at present. Speaking about the offirers of the Club, it is gratifying to be able to say that they, without exception, not only Understand their several duties, but per form them with praiseworthy alacrity and becoming grace. Mr James Jones, lam given to understand, made, his debut on Saturday as a starter, and although in the big handicap he allowed himself, I fam-y, to be out-jockeyed, his onerous duties were ably discharged. No race was started from the stand. Was it for the same reason why that Prince of Australian starters, James Lord, always re fused to go from that pomt — " because, sir, as the venerable sinner once explained to me, "it takes such a power of cursing to get the • in line that it frightens the ladies up there." Tbe — — had reference to the riders, not the horses ; and woe betide the jock who tried to get the better of Jimmy Lord. Take a leaf out of Jimmy's book, Mr Jones, and don't let them got away until <fou are ready. The gentleman, the Hon. H. H. Lahman, who, at the urgent request of the Stewards, undertook the most important and somewhat thankless duty of judge, brought to bear upon his task the upmost care and '• irnpartinlity. With many others, I disagree with his decision as between Tommy Dodd and Black Eagle in the Greymouth Jockey Club Handicap ; but it must be admitted that Mr Lahman was in the best position to see, and even, tbvse wb 0

most violently protested against his decision, gave him credit for strict impartiality. I must also congratulate Mr Lahman upon the quietly firm manner is which be maintained his position when subjected to remarks calculated, to say the least of it, to irritate. Hating written all which in support of the honorable gentleman's conduct in the matter, I must repeat that I think he made a mistake. I feel quite sure that he will credit me with the same conscientiousness which I am confident actuated him. Sir James Kerr was once more at his post, as Clerk of the Scales, and saw to it tbafthe jocks came lin no lighter than they went out— no i small responsibility where so much money ; if at stake, and the " triekVof the trade 1 have to be guarded against. The name ; of the handicapper, I find, is W. C. Hustler. What that gentlemrn's experience is I do not know, but would just say i that if be could bring about as close finishes in some of the big intercolonial events as those which characterised Saturday s handicaps, Mr Barnard, Mr Bond, nor Mr Scarr could hold a candle to him. In these days of handicaps, the success of a meeting, so far as the racing is concerned, depends upon nothing so much as upon the proper allotment of the weights, and I say to Mr Hustler that he contributed his full share to Saturday's enjoyment. But one more officer of the club remains to be mentioned, and this paat of my subject must be approached with a due sense of its awful gravity. Can it be doubted that I refer to that resplea- | dent being the Clerk [a big C Mr Printer] of the Course ? Before that brilliant individual, got up regardless of expense — his own expense I am given to understandall the other officials must " pale their in* effectual fires." How it would have delighted the heart of Admiral Rous, or ot Sir Joseph Hawley, or of old John Scott, to see such a clerk at Goodwood, or Don* caster, or York, or even on the breezy Epsom Downs. All joking apart— l am not chaffing when I say that in the course of a long and varied career as a chronicler of the turf I have never come across a clerk whose get-up was so irreproachable, whose demeanour was *> thoroughly | sportsmanlike, and who discharged bis duties so thoroughly, and, withal, so quietly Gentlemen of the Geymoutli Jockey Club you have reason to be proud of Mr Wallace Woolfe. The space placed at my disposal will not permit me to dwell at length on the general appearance of the course. There were, I shoul J say. quite a thousand persons present, and from the prevailing verdancy in the shape of " the shamrock so green," it was not easy to forget that the day was the festival of the amiable St. Patrick. Bytheway, I rather admired the effectual man ncr in, which a devoted son of the Emerald Isle " persuaded " the wearer of a bright orange-colored nock- tie to put it in his pocket for the time being. There were tne usual booths presided over by Hebes of every style of beauty, and biberallr patronised by the general public ; but I did not observe a single case ot drunkenuess or rowdyism. A stray doodle •'em-buck man, a gentleman of the three card persuasion, and the proprietor of a style of Aunt Sally new to me, seemed to do a thriving business in the intervals between the races. The book* making element was also represented ; but transactions seemed to be confined almost entirely to half-crown sweeps. All my friends assured me solemnly that they had cleared their expenses. Who are the losers ?— Pray, don't all speak at once. Tbe police arrangements, I bad almost forgotten to say, were admirable. It was really a sight not to be forgotten " while memory holds her seat," to see the winners coming in to be weighed, riding between the gorgeous Clerk of the Course and the soldierly looking bob— — I be^ pardo , sergeant of police. And now a few general remarks about THE BACrNO. The various events will be found more fully expiated upon below, so that any re* marks I may offer here will be brief and to the point. In the first place may it be hinted in the most delicate manaer possible, that a little more punctuality might be displayed ia the starting. Also, why is time not kept P It is not onlj interesting to the public present, to know the time in which each event is run ; but is of value to the handicappers of kindrel clubs, with whom, in allotting weight*, the question of previous performances is an all-important one. Wiih the racing I was agreeably disappointed. Some of the knowing ones, you know, told me that racing in Greymouth was tbe most hollow of all hollow affairs; that everything was settled beforehand, and so on. All I can now say in reply I is that if the horses in the Trial Stakes and the big handicap did not run honestly for tbe money then I am no judge of racing. The trot and hack race were, of course, gifts to Creeping Jenny and Kensington late Glencoe, respectively, but I saw no indications of underhand wot k. Upon a protest entered, however, by the rider of Blue Bell, the Stewards disqualified Kensington on the ground that when entered be was improperly described. He was never known as GJencoe, and should have been entered either as Kensington alone, or as Glenooe, late Kensington. Sough on Mr Ashton, but quite right on tbe part of the stewards. Another word anent the disputed result of the Jockey Club Handicap, fuller reference to which has already been made. I beliere that if

Hope had got bis horse away better at the start he could have kept the lead throughoat; bat starting badly, and having on several occasions allowed T >mmy the advantage, the latter'sjock. Demut, should havp finally called on bis horse before lie did, in which case be would have won by more t bra a head, and there would have been no unpleasantness. It seems to me that there was error of judgment on both sides. The stewards did quite right not to start the .Railway Stakes. The Secretary kept his book open for 67 minutes at the end of which time there were only two entries— lsaac Walton and Middleton. An effort was made to induce the owner of Septimus to go in ; but Mr Blower very properly and honorably refused to make a hollow thing of it. Here eudeth the second chapter. Annexed will be found details of the various events. Trial Stakes, of 30 soys ; 1} miles ; en* trance, 80s ; winner of £40 to carry sibs extra, of £50 to carry 7lbs extra, of £100 and over to carry 14lbs extra ; weight for age. Mr Walters' br g Isaac Walton, 4 yrs lOst (Cantreil) 1 Mr A. Burchall's b g Native, 4 yrs, Bst ]llbs (Barton) 2 Mr B. Bay's b h Middleton, 3 yrs, 7st lOlbs (Demut) 0 The three horses got away to a capital start, spreading out slightly as they approached the stand, Middleton leaving, with Native close on his quarters, and about half a length separating Isaac from the second horse. In this order they ran towards the turn by the creek, when Native commenced to go up. and Middleton (ell back alongside of Isaac. All the way alone the back of the course the three might have been covered with a blanket, now one and then another getting a bare nose ahead, and the pace becoming very hot. Coming up to the next turn Middleton and Native were close to* getner, racing hard, with Isaac held in immediate attendance. In this order the Stand was passed a second time, and it was maintained until approaching tbe last turn home, where I.«cac responded to Cantrell's call, and at one* took the lead, Middleton close behind, and Native in the rear. Up tbe straight, however, the pace evidently became too warm for Middleton, and Native quickly regained lost ground, passing the post not half a Ungth behind Isaac Walton, who won a splendid race cleverly. Handicap I rotting Race, of 20 sots ; 3 miles ; minimum weight Hot ; first horse, £15 ; second burse, £5. Mr M 'Kay's b m Creeping Jenny, 100 yds (M'Kay) 1 Mr G. H. Kuss«Ps b b Darkey, 120 yds (G. H. Russel) 2 Mr J. Marshall's b g Ranger, scratch 0 Mr 11. J. H. Walters g ro Ida, lUO yds 0 Mr Edwards' eh m Polly, 230 yds 0 Creeping Jenny, who trotted with extraordinary steadiness from start to finish, and did )hree quarters of a mile over the stipulated three miles without breaking once, came p»9t the post about two hundred yards ahead ef Darkey, the others being nowhere. Grej m uth Jockey Club Handicap, of 176 soys, with acceptances added j 2 miles. Nominations, 3 soys ; accept* ance, 7 soys. Mr R. Kay's b h Tommy Dodd, aged, 8 at (Demut)... % Mr E. Asbton's brk g Black Eagle, 6Htloib(Hovse) ... J Mr W. Walter's blk g Kingfisher, 6 yrs,7st 101 b (Cantreil) ... . 2 Mr R. Blower's eh c Doncaster, 3 yrs, 6st (Cochrane) 0 Four horses faced (he flag, which was lowered to a very indifferent start. Tommy Dodd got away with a long lead, followed by Doncaster, Kinfisber, and Black Eagle, in the order named, and with several lengths between each, Before, however, the first 300 yards had been covered the four were pretty well together, and had settled down to steady work. Approach* ing the Stand the first time Btok Eagle, although evidently hard held, came to the front witb a rush, followed closely by Tommy, with Doncaster and Kingfisher not far off. In this order they passed at racing speed round the turn at the creek, along the back of tbe curse, and to the turn, where Tommy came up to the Khgle, and kept neck and nerk witb bis : dangerous rival until near the Stand, passing which the second time tbe gelding iesponded to Hope's call, and led past with Tommy on his quarter (outside), Kingfisher only a few strides behind, and Doncaster evidently out of tbe race. In this order they again passed round the course, but turning into the straight Tommy, making up for lost ground, negotiated even terms with Black Eagle, aad a splendid struggle ensued. Both horses came up nose and nosa, Tommy's Jockey punishing severely. Almost up to the post it appeared that tbe race must eventuate in a dead heat, but in the last three strides Tommy got > is head in front, and won by that distance on the post. In the opinion of tbe judge, it was, however, a dead head, and the owners agreed to divide the stakes. Hack Race of 15 soys ; mile heats ; minimum weight, 9st ; entrance, 1 soy ; ! post entries. Mr Ashton's Kensington, late Glencoe (Jones) 1 1 Mr Jonfts's Camelia (E. Naokervis) 2 0 Mr Cochrane's Blue Bell ... 0 2 Mr J. Mithewn's Stonnbird ... 0

Mr Burefciji's Fast Asleep ..; ■ ... 0 Mr J. CanTx Gaeas J ... • ... q Mr Stewart's Saodfiy ■ • *.„ ... 0 Mr Partoo's Okarilo 0 Mr Noddle's Dick -. ... 0 Kensington, late Gl«eoe,^h» looked thoroughbred compared "»i» toy of the others, woo both beat* qjji the greatest ease. A protest was entered on the ground that he had been trained, bad been wrongly described, and bad woo public money. Tbe Stewards net in tbe evening at the Albion Hotel, and dismissed the protest on tbe two first men* tioned grounds, but sustained* it oh the last; the horse should have been described as Qlencoe. late Kensington. Blue Bell and Camelia. tbe second respectively in each heat, will run off the event to-da? at 12.30. ■■>:_ "