TAPANUI ANNUAL RACES.

Mataura Ensign, Volume V, Issue 236, 9 March 1883, Page 2

TAPANUI ANNUAL RACES.

FIRST DAY. Officers : President, Mr B. Washer ; Vice-President, Mr G. Low; Judge, Mr. B. Washer; Starter, Mr T. Hewitt ; Clerk of -the Course, Mr John Herbert; Clerk of the Scales, Mr James Mair ; Secretary, Mr J. A . . Mooney ; Stewards, „ Messrs Washer,' Quin, Mo'oney, M'Duff, Jjovv. Mair, Pine, Hewitt, Monson, J. ; Herbert, M'Kiknon; Myers, Murray, E. Herbert, Gossage, Cullen, Perry and Brown. , Yesterday was the first day of Tapanui's twelfth annual races. There was, only a moderate attendance, owing no doubt to the beautiful weather prevailing : this may sound paradoxical, but at this season of the year farmers do not care to lose grand harvest weather even for a good day's sport, and hence the small number of visitors at the course. The racing was exceptionally good for a country meeting, and a most enjoyable day was spent by those who did attend. The officers of the club were evidently the right men in the right places, for the proceedings passed off without a hitch of any kind/ and a more orderly well-behaved crowd we never saw at a race meeting. Mr A. M'Kinnon, of the Prince of VTales Ho- , tel, had a booth on the ground, and ap- ; peared to be doing good business; there was also a totalisator, and a number of other means for the exercise oi the speculative faculties. The Tapanui Brass Band enlivened the proceedings by giving several selections between the different events, and this tended greatly to relieve the monotony usually experienced at country gatherings, where one has to wait perhaps an hour between the events. At about 1 p.m. Mr Hewitt paraded eight horses at the starting post for the MAIDEN PLATE, of 15 soys. For horses that haTe never won an advertised prize exceeding £10. One mile and a half. Weight for age. Howarth's Dandy, agea, 9st „ .. 1 Perry's Snider, 6yrs, 9st 2 Dufce's Sunbeam, syrs, Ost lib .. ... ...... 3 Eight started. This was a good race though slow. The horses were in a pack the first time past the post, but about half a mile from home Dandy crept up, and, taking the lead, managed to catch the judge's eye first. Snider a very good second. Time 2mins. 59 sees. . \ TAPANUI HANDICAP, of 30, soys. with a sweeto of 2 soys added, amount accruing from sweep to/go to second horse. One mile and a Jh&lf,. T. Mortimer's Amulet, 4yrs, 9st .. .. '■ .. 1 Goodman's Violin, 4yrs, Bst 71bs ... .. /.. 2 Onslow's Coupon, 3yrs, 7st Tibs .. .1. „ 3 Eight started. Huntingdon would probably have been placed but for his objectionable habit of running off the course. Coupon and Haricot were racing neck and neck the first time past the grand stand, but Haricot forged ahead and took the load until within about half a mile from home, when Amulet demanded first place and came in an easy winner, hands down. Time. 2 mins, 46f sees. , HACK RACE, of 10 soys. Mile heats. No weight under Bst. Winner to be sold for £15 ; surplus (if any) to go to the fnnd. • ■ . KIBST HKAT SECOND HEAT Bone 3 1 Bones 1 Tiger .. •• -.2 Fanny .. ..2 Misfortune .. ..3 Misfortune .. ..3 Six started. A gift to Bones, who won both heats easily, with hands down. The winner was put up to auction by Mr Mooney, but was i bought in afc £15* DISTEIOT HANDICAP; of 20 soys. For horses the liona fide property of persons residing within 20 miles of Tapanui, and owned by them three months prior to the races. One mile and a half. Perry's Snider, 6yrs,6stßlb3 .. .. .. .. 1 Pacey'a Merrybird, aged, 7at 61bs . . ... •. . 2 Souness's Little John, aged, Bst lOlbs 3 Three started. Little John was the favorite and was heavily back on the totalisator. His luck was out,however, for he was passed at the sfcarfc and never picked up. Merrybird led away. ,but was overhauled by Snider before 'half a mile had been covered, and in 'this order a capital race was finished, Merrybird keeping very close to I Snider's heels. Time 2 mins 54- sees. ! NOVEL RACE, a handicap of 30 soys. Winner to be sold with his engagements, the proceeds to go to the funds. One mile and a quactor. Pine's Huntingdon .. .. .. ...... 1 I Graham's Bones .. .. .. ' '.. .. .. 2 l' Duke's Sunbeam .. 3 ! ..Only three started. A giffc to Hun- | tingdon so long as he ran straight. The winner was put up to auction but I bought in at £17. Time 2 mins 29 sees. I HOSPITAL RACE. The wiiming jockey to be pre--Beutel with a valuable whip. Roderick ..1 I Schoolboy •• • 2