MATAMATA RACES.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 127, 9 April 1919, Page 4

MATAMATA RACES.

A Well Conducted Meeting. On Thursday last on Mr T. Bottomley’s property the reformed Matamata Racing club held its first meeting. The attendance was good yet would have been much greater had the weather remained fine. Rain set in early in the morning and practically continued heavily until afternoon. This had the effect of stopping hundreds of visitors from the distance and all those families who intended picnicking. The racing was good throughout some excellent finishes being provided by horses which were above the usual quality of those competing at non-totalisator meeting. The Matamata Cup race of 40 sovs. and a £1515s cup presented by Messrs Hampson and Bell was won by Mr E. J. Rae of Ellerslie, with the well-seasoned and performed Tenacious. The latter was guided to victory by the apprentice Hamilton, who added his third cup to his first season’s riding. The stipendiary steward, Mr Angus Gordon, was in attendance during the day but found no cause for inquiry during the six races. Prior to the commencement the Hon. W. H. Herries M.P. and Mr Gordon were motored by the president to several properties which have been suggested as being suitable for purchase by the club for a course. Both were highly pleased with the properties and agreed that the club should go on with the project. After the fifth race the Hon. W. H. Herries was called upon to present the solid silver cup to Mr Rae, and a whip to the jockey Hamilton. His speech was complimentary to the recipients, and to the officials of the club. He marvelled that the arrangements for the meeting were so perfect considering the time the club had been operating only five weeks—and foretold a great future. He admired the sporting spirit displayed and'the cheerful countenances of the officials whose hopes might easily have been dashed by the rain. After thanking the donors of the cup the member for district made the announcement that Messrs Finnerty and Darby would donate a similar trophy for next year’s meeting (cheers). The starting of the races was in the capable hands of Mr A. G. Patterson, who is assistant at Ellerslie to Mr C. O’Conner. Owners and the public expressed themselves as being fully satisfied with his despatches. Mr D. Morrow was assistant starter. The judging of Mr Foley, of Auckland, and Mr Seager Mason also left nothing to be desired. A word of praise is due to the president, Mr J. Price, and officials of the club for their management of the meeting. It was stated by a prominent racing official that it was the best conducted meeting of its kind that he had seen for nearly thirty years. It is expected that the profit for the season will be in the vicinity of £l4O.

PERI A MAIDEN HANDICAP W. Livingston’s Silver Lode (Erickson) 8.8 1 H. Heale’s " Mallatto, 8.7 2 M. Shaw’s Campfire Jack, 7.12 3 Also started Yellow and White, Rockie, Neglect, Richcombe. TAIHOA HACK RACE A. Brown’s Monopole (Roacbe) 9.0 1 H. T. Reilly’s Saloon, 7.7 2 P. T. Emeti’s Ruapatu, 7.7 3 Also started Hokimai. MATAMATA CUP HANDICAP J. Rae's Tenacious (Hamilton) 7.11 J “ H.'Heale’s ” Keystone, 8.5 2 W. C. Morgan’s Ditto, 7.12 3 Also started Empire, Blue and Black, Tukelet, Grey Opal. TURANGA-O-MOANA HANDICAP "H. Heale’s” Mallatto (C. Brown), 8.4 1 R. C. Morgan’s Lady Elstow, 8.6 2 P. V. Norman’s Gold Bird, 8.0 3 Also started Riga, Lyroe, Campfire Jack, Neglect, Tahi, Stopwatch, Richcombe, Fire. HINUERA HANDICAP A. Paton’s Blue and Black (Rennie), 8.9 1 W. C. Morgan’s Earl Marshall, 8.10 2 E Otto’s Empire, 9.2 3 Also started Color Sergeant. WAHAROA WELTER HANDICAP A. Brown's Monopole (Roache) 8.9 1 W. W. Livingstone’s Silver Lode, 7.9 2 “ H. Heale’s ” Keystone, 9.3 3 Also started Ruapatu, Saloon Color Sergeant.