Foxton Racing Club.

Manawatu Herald, 21 January 1904, Page 3

Foxton Racing Club.

ANNUAL RACE MEETING.

has been looked forward to (TjTsome considerable time by the public generally throughout the local and surrounding districts is to take place to-morrow and Saturday, when the above Club’s annual race meeting will be held. At present everything points towards this being the record meeting since the Club’s formation, A peculiarity about nearly all the club’s, etc., which are started in Foxton is that they are very short lived. But not so the Racing Club, which seems to go ahead by leaps and bounds. A great deal of its prosperity is, without doubt, due to the energetic secretary, Mr J. R. Whyte, who has at all times displayed courtesy and civility towards one and all who have patronised the Club on the 22nd and 23rd of January. He has with him a very capable committee, whose aim it will be to see that everything is done to ensure a good two days’ sport, and we trust that protests, etc., will be conspicuous by their absence. But should there be any, our experience from the past tells us that they believe in straight-going, and anyone found offending will be dealt with according to the gravity of the offence without fear or favour.

During the past twelve months extensive alterations and improvements have been made to the course in general (a detailed account of which we gave in these columns in a previous issue) and which, undoubtedly, will tend to improve the standard of the racing and facilitate the working of the meeting. Mr S. Messene, the caretaker for the Club (and the well-known trainer), has proved that he knows what is required by horaeowners in regard to the racing tracks, and he has been out with his mower and roller constantly, with the result that the course is in perfect condition, and fast times will be the order of the day. Messrs Langley Bros, have the grandstand and refreshment booths, and their name is a sufficient guarantee that the wants of the “ inner man ” will receive every attention, and for the sum of 2s 6d the public may, by visiting the grandstand booth, receive a “ divvy ” every time.

Mr Maltby, of Wanganui, has purchased both the publican’s booths.

The gates, lawn and saddling paddocks, also the correct cards, have been retained by the Club, and Mr Hfr'Collins has bought the horse ena privilege which he has held for . many years.

The correct cards will soon be for sale by the Club’s representatives at the price of one shilling, so the public will be able to obtain therefrom the “ correct name, number, weight and colour of the rider.” The Palmerston Municipal Brass Band has been engaged, and will discourse a programme of select music throughout the day to enliven the proceedings. Altogether everything has been done that is possible towards making this the record meeting, and given a fine day the Club’s officials will see their aim in reality. The acceptances have filled out exceptionally well, and Mr J. E. Henry has given “ guessers ” a task to sort out the winners, but “ Stopwatch” makes bold to voice his Beleotions thus: FLYING HACK HANDICAP. Kudu ... ... i Black Squall... ... a Ngatarua ... ... 3 MAIDEN HACK HURDLES. Nadador ... ... i Toledo ... a Strathnainr ... ... 3 foxton cur. Fleka ... ... 1 Blackwing ... ... 2 Dexterity ... ... 3 MAIDEN HACK RACE. Sea Gull ... ... 1 Chartreuse ... ... a Lady Leighton ... 3 HACK HURDLES. Miss King ... ... 1 Hutana ... ... 2 Pushful ... ... 3 STEWARDS’ HACK HANDICAP. Waipawa ... ... 1 Otairi ... ... 2 Capulet ... ... 3 SUMMER HANDICAP. Wet Reef ... . ... 1 Hardwork ... ... 2 Narcotic ... ... 3 WELTER HANDICAP. Alas... ... ... i Opaeae ... ... 2 Banana ... ... 5