HIMATANGI RACES, 1881.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 57, 18 March 1881, Page 2

HIMATANGI RACES, 1881.

The above races took place yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, and were a pronounced success. The attendance of the publit! was between five and seven hundred, *u/L whem a large portion went on horsebacl^J from Foxton, Rangitikei, &ft, a great nam- , ber by train from Foxton and Palmerston, . wnilst the balam. 3 rode in buggies, traps, and carts. Although called the Himatangi races, it was really a email Foxton meeting. As the oldest Manawatu township, and the former sentre of the district, Foxton at one time could boast of a capital aunual race meeting, but through some cause or other the racing spirit became faint, and was thought to be dead but last year a few of the Foxton people threw a little spirit into the Himatangi meeting— which previously was a small Maori affair —and the meeting of yesterday was no doubt the outcome of the successful one of a year ago. The course is rather a heavy one, as the ground in the vicinity, is mostly very sandy. It is, however, perfectlylevel, and as the stewards had prohibited all horses from training upon it, was ie fairly good order. The course had been marked out carefully, and every provision was made to secure as far as possible the comfort of visitors. A small stand, about 20 feet long, was erected for the convenience of the officials, and formed a capital 'vantage point from which the races could be watched, whilst thirsty and hungry souls were able to gratify their appetites, Messrs Whyte and Futter each having a publican's booth on the ground, besides which Messrs Wfddell and Co. had a large stock of cakes, buns, &c, for sale. Mr Whyte had behind his publican's booth laid out a first-class cold collation, in front of which your reporter spent a very pleasant 20 minutes. There were the usual games of chance on the course, including "under-and-over,"&c, kc, whilst a totalisator of rather primitive construction did fair business, the number of chances taken in it being 208. The youth who was in charge of it appeared rather " verdant," being particularly so as regards his arithmetic. We have only to add that the whole of the officials did their level best to make the all'air go off successfully, Messrs Whyte, Young, Liddell, and Osborn being conspicuous for the energy with which they worked. The following is the list of events. 1. Hurdle Race, of £20 ; 2 miles and a distance ; weights, one stone over weight for age. A. M'Alister's Eclipse, aged, lOst 91bs 1 D. Scott's Lady Mary, aged, lOst 91bs 0 J. Purcell's Sultan, 5 yrs, lOst 71bs ... 0 T. Cribb's Right Bower, lOst 91bs ... 0 This was a gift to Eclipse. Lady Mary, the favorite, struck the first hurdle, and her rider got a nasty cropper, and returned to the saddling-paddock. The two others refused to take the hurdles, leaving Eclipse, »rho jumped beautifully, to win as he liked. Hack Hurdles, sweepstakes of 10s, with 3 guineas added ; distance, 2 miles. Catch weights. There were four entries for this event, which proved a capital race. The winning horse was a roan gelding owned by Wr. Robinson, and ridden by H. Burr. This beast ran very fast, and jumped in fine style. W. Trask, who rode the second horse, raced very gamely, but his beast was not equal to the roan. Trask had a spill at the last hurdle, but though he quickly remounted could not catch the winner. District Race, of £20 ; weight for age ; 2 miles. Scott's c m Camelia. 3 yrs, 7sfc 10 lbs ... 1 M.Kenzie's c g Otaugaki, 7>rs, 9st 9U» 2 s TCobinsou's b f Barmaid, 3yrs, 7st lOlbs 3 D. Draser's b m Aurora, aged, 9st 91bs 0 Cameron's b h Larrikin, Gyrs, 9st 91bs 0 For this race Aurora was the favorite, with Barmaid second, i>ut there was a " boil over, " as was expected by a few who knew that Camelia possessed good staying power. Those who put their money on Camelia in the totalisator, accordingly made a haul. From the first it was seen Aurora was out of the race, whilst Larrikin's chances were so small that his rider stopped at the lirst round. •Camelia went to tbe front at the first and was hard held throughout. Coming down the straight Otangaki made a desperate effort to catch the mare, but she ran 'in as she liked. Hack Race, sweepstake of 10s with 2gs added. Five started, and a capital race resulted, l.umsden's Rangitana winning. Maiden Plate, of .ii 5; weight for age ; distance, H miles. D Fraser's'b m Annuity, 3 yrs,7st 121bs 1 M 'Donnell's b g Omanuka, 6 yrs, 9st 81bs 2 Wi Hcmera's Maire, Larrikin, T. Barj nett's Ananati, R. Stevens' Emblem, and I Cribb's Mary Queen, also started. Barmaid was scratched. This was a gift to Annuity. Anauati went to the front at the start, and held it gamely for a mile, when the other horses all went past him. Omanuka, who was punished severely, made a good second, but Annuity was never let out. Emblem was third and Maire fourth. Pony Race —A pony race took place between tho .Maiden and the Cup, atd resulted in good sport. Au amusing episode c< curred during it. One of the riders was a youngster nnmed Sydney Trask, and as 'ie galloped in it was seen his saddle hid worked buck, and was dangling on tho horse's rump, whilst tbo boy belted away mc his boast riding bareback, with the saddle behind him. Asmuy be expected the crowd enjoyed the fun immensely, and many people regarded it as thn best piece of horsemanship seen during the dny. Himatangi Ccr, of £30 ; handicap ; 2} inili-K. J. Higgie's buy g Monk, oyrs, Sst 3lbs 1 D. Scott's c m Camelia, 3yrs. 7st olbs . . 2 Skylark, and Otanguki also .started. Skylark was uot in good form, as he was still suffering from an accident, to his near fore leg, and came on to the course with it bandaged. He went one round, but was completely out of it. The real race, if such it could be called, was between Monk nnd Camelia, but the former was an easy winner, his splendid action aud gigantic stride being much admired. Gate Vvrst., of £15; handicap; one mils. D. Scott's Lady Mary, aged, Bst J libs 1 Rebinson's Barmaid, 3yrs, 7st Slbs .. 2 D. Fraser's Rangatira, aged, 9st ... 0 Mudgway's Xi Korari was also entered, but just before the race began bolted, and when he was brought back it was found he had lamed himself. He was much fancied for this race, and great regret was felt when it was found he would not run. Barmaid was plnckily ridden by Charley Robinson, but she could not overtake Mr Scott's mare. Rangatira was never in the race. Consolation Stakes, of £10 ; handicap ; _ distance. I', miles. Aurora, B.st . . . . . . J Omanuka, 7st 12lbs .. ... 2 Emblem, 7st dibs ... ... 0 Larrikin, 7*t 7!bs ... 0 Right tiower, 7st 1< lbs 0 Om-muku's good running in the Maiden made hrr a hot favorite for this race, and indeed during the race everybody thought she whs certain to tuke tbo money, us she kept well ahead until the straight was reaohed, when Aurora began to push her.

Mr'Fraser's maro was whipped vigorously, and her jockey succeeded in landing her a length ahead of the favorito.