GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB MIDSUMMER MEETING.

Kumara Times, Issue 2884, 2 January 1886, Page 2

GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB MIDSUMMER MEETING.

The first day's races of the Greymouth Jockey Club Midsummer Meeting were held on Thursday 31st ult., on the Omotumotu course. The Ar«us reports:—At the first bell there were about 600 people on the ground, but the fair sex were very poorly represented. By this time the rain held up, Mffdrs began to look a deal more promising, and the crowd began to indulge, in a little hilarity. The Brunner Band mustered in full strength and played some good music in (heir usual excellent style. "Zulu Thompson's" baud was also in attendance, and contributed largely to the animation and enjoyment of the occasion. Before the race came off another lar«e train full of people arrived. The first race was the Omotumotu Handicap, of 25 sovs. One mile. Mr A Emmerson's b h Zulu, a^ed 7stlolb ~ ... ° mm [ 2 Mr T. PL Harley's b h Good Friday, iyrs, 95t... ... ... 2 This was a very hollow affair. Out of 1 he nine eutries only these two came to the post. Zulu came in about a length ahead without being even asked to run. Totalisator £69 ;"div., 30s. By the time the hack race was uing up, the crowd on the course bad increased to over 1000 people. Hack Race, of lOsovg., 1£ mile; heats; minimum weight, 9sfc. Five horses entered—Martin's Crazy J-me, Malloy's *J»ck, Dotert's Mac, Stewards Lady Blantyro, and Cameron's Little Guy. Jack 1 Lady Blaiityrp ... ... 2 A gift to Jack. TijUisatoi- £Bl : div.,jeil2a.

Midsummer Handicap, of 80sovs. Two miles. Mr A. W. Morse's ch g Hazard, aged, Bst. 101 b 1 Mr John Card's b h Barney, aged, 7st. 41b 2 Mr George M'Williams' ch g Cardigan, aged, Bst. 71b. ... ... 3 Good Friday and Primrose were scratched. This was a capital race between Hazard and Barney. Cardigan was never in it. Barney led the first twico round, bnt on tin: third round Hazard took first place at the back of the course, and easily maintained his lead the rest of the way, coming in fully four lengths ahead. At first the betting was in favour of Barney, but before the totalisator was closed Hazard mounted up and headed the oiher tv*o. Time, 3min. 30secs. Totalisator, £370; div., £2 7a 6d. West Coast Produce Stakes, of' 25 sovs.; six furlongs. Weight for age. Mr R. J. Barton's b m Cutty Sark, 5 yrs. Bst. 12ft. 1 Mr John Parks's ch m Moss Rose, 3yrs.Bst.llb 2 Mr David Donald's b g Harvester, 3yrs., Bst. 4ft 3 Clown Dumbuck, and Lady Blantyre also ran. This race was tun in a heavy shower. It was a very good contest between Cutty Sark and Moss Rose, Harvester not being a good third. The others were nowhere. Coining up the straight Cutty Sark won rather easily. Time, Irain., 29secs. Totalisator, £179; div., £1 2s 9d. Railway Stakes, of 25sovs.; 1| miles. Mi" John Card's b h Barney, aged, 7st. 10ft 1 Mr G. M'Williams'a ch g Cardigan, aged., Bst 2 Mr A. Emmersou's ch m Never Mind, 6yrs., 7st. 4ft 3 Mr T. Harley'a b h Good Friday, 4 yrs., Bat 0 This lay between Barney and Cnrdigan. Barney soon took up a leading position, with Cardigan well up, the other two stringing out behind. Approaching the straight for the last time, Cardigan made a desperate attempt, to get on even terms with Barney, but it soon died away. Perhaps the quantity of mud received from Barney's heels may have had something to do wilh the defeat. Never Mind and Good Friday were never in it. Totalisator, £195; div.,£l 19s 6d. Hurdle Handicap, of 40 sovs. Two miles. Mr James Brimble's b g Whalebone, aged, 9st. 4ft. ... ... 1 Mr D. Reedy's b h Young Barbarian, aged, list. ... ... 0 Mr Hugh Cameron's gr g Harkaway, aged, 9st. ... 0 Some doubt was expressed as to the safety of running on such soddened ground, as ifc had been raining heavily the greater part of the afternoon. Some of the owners thought the ground a little dangerous, bnt the Stewards decided in favour of racing, and the race accordingly came off. There were only three acceptances, Whalebone, Harkaway, and Young Barbarian All three went away at a steady pace, but before coming to a jump Young Barbarian slipped and fell, breaking one of his legs. Freeth, his jockey, i was thrown, but not hurt. Harkaway ! and Whalebone went on, both taking their jumps very well, Whalebone two or three lengths in the rear.. After ' passing the judge's stand the second | time, Harkaway baulked and tried to get off the course, but the strong fence prevented him. He then stopped dead, and refused to budge an inch. Otherwise he appeared to have the race well in hand. Whalebone pursued the even tenor of his way, taking his jumps with his usual regularity. Some time after the race was over, Harkaway was again led on the course, in order to entitle him to second money. He was very reluctant to go, but was led close to the jump. When put at it, he swerved, and went over the hurdle sideways, fell, aud rolled over his jockey, Edward Furniss, who was knocked insensible. Dr. MacCarthy, ■who was on the ground, was soon in attendance. No bones were broken, and what injuries he sustained must have been internal. Me recovered consciousness soon after the accident, but again relapsed into an insensible condition. He w.is brought to town in that condition, and Kent off to the hospital. Totalisator, £1G8; div., £4 6s.

This drought a not over pleasant day's racing to an unsatisfactory close, though the Mark Tapley element largely prevailed, everybody trying to be as jolly as possible. As is generally the case, where the totalisator is a feature of the meeting, ihe races did not come off with much regard to punctuality; bur. that ifewrilariiy was » ißOUietimes as much duo io the hcuvy

showers as to delays at the totalisator. The total amount put through the totalisator amounted to £1065.