GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB’S AUTUMN RACES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2929, 19 March 1886, Page 3

GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB’S AUTUMN RACES.

Second Day.—March 18, [Abridged from the Grey River Argus, March 19.] In point of weather or general success, the second day could not well be said to be an improvement on the first, because the racing and attendance on Wednesday could not well be surpassed. Indeed as regards attendance it is only proper and fair to state that instead- of 1000 it would be neaier the mark to say 1300. It was only in the attendance that the second day’s racing could be said to take second place, but second days are proverbially weak. It was so yesterday ; but the hilarity and enjoyment were none the less, although there were fewer to share it. Better racing it would be difficult to get anywhere. The following are the results of the races : Hurdle Handicap, of 35sovs.; second horse, to receive Ssovs. from stake. Two miles. Mr John Oavd’s b g Royalty, aged, lOst 1 Mr Hugh Cameron’s gr g Harkaway, aged, 9st. 81b. ... ... 2 Mr George Carter’s b g Priam, aged, 9st. 120).... ... ... ... 3 This was one of the finest hurdle races ever seen. The race seemed to be enthely between Harkaway and Priam; but as regards jumping there was not a toss up between any of them, all taking their jumps very cleanly. On the last round Royalty, who had been well up, went to the front and finished a winner by half a length. Time, limns. 23secs, Totalisator, £277 ; dividend, £6 4s 6d. Goldfields Handicap, of lOOsovs.; miles; second horse 20sovs. from the stake. Mr G. M‘Williams’s ch g Cardigan, aged, 7st. 131 b. ... ... ... 1 Mr Geo. Carter’s b g Tramp, 6yrs., 10at 2 Mr James Jones’s b g Billy Kraaft, 6yrs., 6st. 91b. ... ... ... 3 Barney also ran ; but he started such a long way behind that be was virtually out of the race from the start, and was pulled up before the race was over. Cardigan took the lead, and, but for an occasional and brief appearance at the front of Billy Kraaft and Tramp, he might be said to have led all the way. It way a very hard race from start to finish, each of the three being ridden as hard as it was possible to do. It was really a most exciting race, and there was great rejoicing at seeing old Cardigan win. A great many were disappointed at Tramp’s falling away ; but there was no doubt that his rider did all that he could to win the race. Time, 3min. 30*ecs. Totalisator, L 386; dividend, £3 8s 6d.

Hack Race Handicap, of losovs. One mile. The following horses were entered : Dart, Teacups, Countess, Mossrose, Native Cat, Cjrazy Jane, and Harvester. But as there were not enough legitimate hacks (the majority being trained hoises) to make a race, it fell through. Grey Valley Stakes Handicap of 50 sovs. miles. Second horse to receive 10-sovs. from stake. Mr Geo. Carter’s b g Tramp, 6yrs., 9st. 71b 1 Mr M'Williams’s ch g Cardigan, aged, Bsfc. 41b. ... ... ... 2 Mr W. Crowley’s Nor’wester, aged, 7st. 101 b 3 The other horses that ran were Sir William, Barney, and Royalty. Those scratched were Maggie, Cranmer, Hazud and Billy Kraaft, This was a capital contest. Very early in the race Tramp showed that he intended to ■win. Barney, with the best intentions, found the company altogether too good for him, and he fell back. Game old Cardigan, nothing daunted by his exertions previously, madn a splendid second, miming very hard for first place. Norwester made a very good third. Time, 2mins. 38secs. Totalisator, £222 • dividend, £2 17s Gd. Borough Handicap, of SOsovs, ; I jmilea. Mr Alexander’s ch m Duchess of Albany, oyrs., Bst. ... ... 1 Mr James Jones’ b g Billy Kraaft, 6yrs. 7st. 121 b 2 Air John Card’s b g Barney, aged, Sat- 41b 3 There were sixteen entries, but only four came to the post.. Barney was declared 4!h. over weight and Duchess of Albany BH'. The fiil’ir.ving horses were scratched Maggie,

Lady Helen, Harvester, Wanderer, Hazard, Never Mind, Zulu, Nor’wester, Norfolk Lass, Cardigan, Mossrose, Daisy went off with tlie lead, with the Duchess close up. But it was not long before the Duchess showed that she must be counted on. There was a vei'J' fine contest during the last half mile, hut the Duchess might be said to have won hands down, being hard held the whole way. Time, 2mins, Totalisator, .£199 ; dividend, £1 17a 6 d. In order to make up for the falling through of the Hack Race, a Hurry Scurry Race was introduced, ISsovs.; ]i- miles. The entries were Over There, Sir William, Never Mind, Mossrose, and Dart. A capital race resulled, Never Mind winning by a bare nose. It was pretty dark at the time, and not easy to see ; but Never Mind could not claim a head.

It is only due to the Stewauls of the Greyraouth Jockey Club to say that they have not had a more successful meeting for at least ten years. There may have been larger fields of horses, a larger attendance, of the public, but it is questionable whether the public evei got better satisfaction or a more genuine day’s sport.