GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB AUTUMN RACES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2357, 18 March 1884, Page 2

GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB AUTUMN RACES.

♦ The annual autumn meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club commenced yesterday at the Omotomotu racecourse. The day was unusually fine for the occasion, and the attendance was the largest that has been seen for some years—between 1500 and 1600 people. The Brunner Band enlivened the day's proceedings. The sports passed off without any very serious personal accident, though Mr Freeth, the rider of I Whalebone, narrowly escaped what might well have resulted in permanent injury. The unfortunate animal he was riding had to be covered with his ■wrappers, and left on the ground all night, apparently having been strained in the loins. The Argus gives the following as the results of the day's races : West Coast Produce Stakes, of 30 sovs.; one milo; weight for age; for all horses from 2yrs old and upwards, bred on the West Coast only. Mr Osborne's ch f Hekateraniea (late Comet), 3 years, 7st 101 b 1 Mr Marshall's b c Playboy, 4yrs, 9st 2 Mj Ulossip's b f Cutty Sark, 3yrs, 7st 101 b 3 Mr Claughesy's gr g Gal tee Boy, 4yrs, Sstlllb 4 Mr M'Neill's b h Ploughboy 4vrs, Ust ,* "... 5.

The race seemed to be a gift to Playboy, though Hekateramea was coming up steadily, but within a few strides from the Judge's stand the Maori overhauled his opponent very gamely, and I won by half a length, very much to the surprise of the majority. Amount in the totalisator, £187; dividend, £4 13s. Greymouth Jockey Club Handicap, of 125 so vs.; 2 miles. Mr S. Osborne's b g Jack, 4yrs., Bst. IB> 1 Mr M'Gaffin's b m Sincerity, 6yrs., Ssfc 2 Mr S. Emmerson's b m Marie Stuart, aged, Bst. 41b 3 Mr Birchall's b g Dan, aged, 9st. 7fl> ... 4 Mr Thoroughgood's b h Volunteer, aged, 9st 5 This was an exciting race, though rather slow. It seemed that none of them were equal to the distance at anything like speed. Sincerity was as nervous as she was last year, being in a complete state of perspiration long before she started. As if to mar her chance, Sincerity bolted on her way to the course, and ran the chance of hurting herself. In addition to this she was declared to be carrying 81b. overweight. Marie Stuart looked as fit as ever she did, but her friends dreaded the distance. Dan did not look to be at all dangerous. Volunteer looked soft and unfit. Jack, too, seemed not in particularly good fettle. The start was a straggling cne, all tailing off one after the other. As all seemed to be riding a waiting race, the positions in the first round excited little attention. The first past the Judge's stand was Dan, Marie Stuart next, with Sincerity lying close bohind, Volunteer fourth, Jack last. This position was maintained without alteration at the completion of the second round; but by thistime it was clear that Dan and Volunteer were out of it, the latter pulling up soon after. When approaching the straight, Sincerity and Marie Stuart were well in front; but just then Jack's rider called on him and plied the whip. Entering the straight run home, Jack responded gallantly, and came in an easy winner, Sincerity about two lengths behiud, and Marie Stuart behind her, Dan a bad fourth. The time was 3min. 55secs. Amount in totalisator, .2353 ; dividend, £3 10s. Hack Race; three-quarter mile heats, without dismounting; post entries. For this race the following horses entered :—Cob, Larline, Miss Counsel, Native, Gipsey. The first heat was won by Miss Counsel, Cob being second. In the next heat Miss Counsel had it all her own way, and won as she liked, beating Cob and another. Amount in totalisator, £142; dividend £9 2s. Railway Stakes Handicap; of 50 sovs; miles. Mr Cameron's br g Happy Jack 5 yrs, 7st 10ft 1 Mr Clarke's b m Lady Harris, 4yrs, Bst2ft 2 Mr Brimble's blk in Maggie, aged, 7st 12B> 3 Mr Osborne's b g Pippin, aged, Bst IB) 0 Mr S. Emerson's b h Catesby, 6yrs, 6stl2ft ... o There were eight entries, but Marie Stuart, Sincerity, and Volunteer were scratched. Consequently the remaining five were all fresh horses, having taken no part in the day's proceedings so far. Lady Harris and Happy Jack seemed to be the favorite for this race. It was as smart a race as was run that day. Happy Jack performed beyond expectations. Amount iu totalisator, £232; dividend, £4 19s. . Handicap Hurdle Race ; of 50 sovs ; 2 miles. Mr Cameron's gr g Harkaway, aged, 7st 101 b 1 Mr Clarke's blk m Levant, aged, list 31b 2 Mr Brimble's b g Whalebone, aged, 9st 111 b ... 3 On approaching the second last jump, at the beginning of the straight, just at the most critical point of the race, Levant, who had been running unusually well for so uncertain an animal, shied on coming to the hurdle and bored Whalebone into the slight space loft between the hurdle and the fence and both passed through without jumping. Harkaway thus got the race. The other horses turned back, apparently to secure second place. Whalebone was the first to face the hurdle, but iu going over his fore feet struck the top and he turned completely over, appearing from the Grand Stand to have crushed his rider. Freeth appeared to be hurt internally at tho time, but it was subsequently .asot'i--taincd that his injntv wms not very serious, The iuvvcm-, was sq

badly injured that it was left on the ground. Levant took second place. The amount on the totalisator was £324; dividend £3. This concluded the day's proceedings, at about 5.30 p.m.