FOXTON’S RACING JUBILEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2530, 16 January 1923, Page 2

FOXTON’S RACING JUBILEE.

AN OLD-TIME MEETING

In order lo mark the sixtieth year of the “sport of kings” in Foxton, the local Racing Club has decided to celebrate its forthcoming annual fixture as a jubilee meeting, n is not, of course, the “jubilee” meeting of the Foxton Racing Club as the club did not come into existence and control for a number of years after racing had been a recognised form of sport among the Maoris and early settlers along this coast. iM. A. j. Whyte, father of the president of the local club, was the prime mover in establishing the local club and laying the foundation of what is now recognised as one of the soundest and best conducted country club in the Dominion. The present racecourse reserve was subsequently banded over as a local public endowment and vested in trustees with special provision for its use as a racecourse. As the years have passed the club lm.s improved and beau tiled the endowment and expended large sums of money on public convenience ami by careful administration and a capital programme, has made its gathering one of the most attractive in the province. The Foxton meeting of the present day is looked upon as a combined picnic and race gathering.

AAle regret that we are unable to reproduce accounts of early race days of sixty years ago. But they were certainly held and created great interest among the Maoris — who were keen sports —and the early settlers. Anyhow, here is an account of a race meeting held on January (Ith, 1880, taken from the file of the Herald of that year. It was called the “Himatangi Races" and the gathering was held about three miles from Foxton on wlm! was known as the Himatangi Block at Motuiti..

A “special” train conveyed the local public to the locality, which left Foxton at 10 a.m. and returned at 4 p.rn. The names of officials are not published for that year’s meeting except those of Mr A. J. Whyte, who officiated as judge, and Mr W. Osborne, lion, secretary. The programme as advertised was as follows :

Hurdle Race. Two miles, 0 hurdles, 3ft. flinches high. One stone over weight tor age. En-

trance £l. Produce Race. One and a-haif miles, weight for age. Entrance £l. Pony Race. —One mile. Catch weights. Entrance 10/-. Himatangi Handicap.—Two and a half miles. Nomination £1 Is, acceptance £1 Is. (fate Purse. —One and a-half miles, heats, weight for age. Entrance £l. Consolation Stakes. —One and ahalf miles, handicap. Entrance £l. One of the conditions of the meeting was “that no one was eligible to enter a hov-e without being a subscriber of £1 to the races.” “All disputes to be decided by the judge whose deeision wilt be dual." The repout of tie meeting reads :,s follows: irr.MATAXOI RACES. “The above races were held on Tuesday last on the course, Hima-tangi-Bloek. It has luen the custom for some years past for the natives residing oil the block to hold a meeting among thmeselves, at which horses (generally owned by the natives) ran for small prizes. This year a few Europeans—principally Messrs A. J. Whyte. W. Osborne and A. Walker —took the matter up and they are to be congratulated on the success which rewarded their efforts. Soon after 9 o’clock on Tuesday morning it was evident there was an attraction for (he day in the direction of Motuiti, fpr a constant stream of horsemen were seen riding off in that direction. This lasted till 11 o’clock, when Foxton was quite deserted, remaining so till 5 p.m.. by which time most of the holiday seekers had returned to town. At about 10.30 a.m. a “special” left the Railway station ami conveyed a goodly number «>f persons to the course, which is situated a few yards past the 3milc railway peg, the racing course being some half a mile from the rails in an easterly direction. The course itself is exactly a mile in length, as chained off by Mr Alzdorf and at the expense of a very few pounds -might be made one of the best in the district. As it is even now, it would compare very favourably with other courses that have been in use for a much longer lime. On both the northern and southern sides of the course there are hills from which a capital view of the course can be obtained. On Tuesday last it was perfectly dry, with very little dust, the only bad feature about it being a hollow on the north-east side. Every preparation lmd been made before the meeting to make it as successful as possible, and (he course was properly flagged off, scales provided and other adjuncts of a race meeting were on the ground. For the Judge’s box, Mr Whyte had liis buggy drawn up and it answered the purpose admirably. When, the time for the first race drew near, the course presented a very animated appearance, and there must have been some hundreds of people present, including, of course a great number of horsemen. After the usual preliminaries had been gone through, the “jocks” mounted for the HURDLE RACE, of two miles, over six hurdles 3ft. Gin. high. “For this race Rangitiri, Harold, Feather and Abolition came to the

start. They were got away well together, Abolition taking the lead. The first time round all the horses took the hurdles well, Rangitiri (the winner of the hurdles, at the Rangitikei meeting) being held in. However, on the second time, fell at the second hurdle, and it vafM evident that the race lay between Rangitiri and Abolition, Featliei having fallen a long way back. Coming down into the straight Campion let out Rangitiri but it was -too late, for Abolition took the last hurdle two lengths ahead of the mare, who in taking it. caught her foot and came down a fearful cropper, with the jockey just clear. Some assistance was given and the mare pulled on her legs and the jockey assisted on, so as to collar second place, but before she could stagger past the judge, Feather came up and passed her about tno lengths from home.

“PRODUCE RACE, one and ahalf miles. —This was a ‘boil over’ for the Maori horse Mulligan. Five horses started for the event, Mulligan quickly going to the front, Banjo being held in. Once round the latter ran through the horses, but was unable to collar Mulligan, who won by three lengths, the rest nowhere.

“PONY RACE, one mile and aluilf. Heats. —This event resulted in the best' sport of the day. Six horses started for the event, viz., Aurora, Morning Star, Abolition, Fox, Maori Boy. In the first heat Banshee came in first, with Abolition close up, and Aurora third. On the horses coming to start for second heat, a false start occurred and Banshee and Abolition went round the course at their best paces. On passing the starter, that officer made signs to the riders and Luinsden pulled up Abolition, but Robinson finished the distance with the mare and stated that he distinctly saw the Hag drop, and that a fair start had. been made. After some argument Banshee was again brought to start, atul the horses wore got away well together, the mare taking the lead, which she held to within a quarter of a mile of home when Aurora’s jockey called on his horse and v she gamely responded and managed 1 to get her nose past the judge half a head in front of Banshee. In the third heat Aurora took the lead and held it for a mile, when Banshee crept 'up and got past the judge a length of Aurora who ran a good second. It, was a splendid race anti the winner was Well cheered. Banshee ran .-ix miles in all for the event.

“HIMATANGI HANDICAP, two and a half miles. —After fair consideration, the handieapper fixed the following weights for the respective horses: —Fraser’s Commission, 9st., Anion’s Harold Bst., Anion’s Tim Whiffler, Bt. 71b., Barnett’s Nonentitv 7st., Birc-hley’s Tim Whiffler Gst H 121 b., Robinson’s Banshee 9st 71b., Scott's Lady Mary 7.st. 101 b. All the horses accepted. This was expected to lie a good race, as it was well known Tim Whiffler (the Maori pony) was a good stayer and wouldmake it very warm for the winning horse. This proved quite correct. A capital start was effected, all the horses getting away in an even .line. The pony soon worked to the front, and held it to within a half mile from home when Commission came up with a rush, and won by about two lengths. Tim Whiffler making a good second and the rest being nowhere.

“THE CON SOLA TlON.—Brought three horses to the - start— Horton’s Fox, 9st., Cribb’s Maori Boy /sf Gib., aiid Scott’s Lady Marv Bst. At the start the mare’s jockey elbowed Fox off the course, and threw him completely out of the running. A fine race took place between the mare and the Maori horse. The former held The first place for some time, but coining down the straight Maori Boy passed the mare, and won -a good race by a length.

“THE HACK RACE,-—was won b.Y a bay gelding belonging to Mr Cribbs.

“The races were brought to a close about 5 o’clock. Mr Whyte acted as judge. Mr Osbrone discharged the omn-ous duty of Clerk ' v of the Scales, and Mr Walker acted as starter. The only dispute about (lie starting occurred in the second beat for the Gate Purse, and the false start arose simply through the jockeys watching each other instead of the flag. The whole proceedings were most orderly throughout, no intoxicating liquors being- allowed to be sold.” A few sweeps were arranged on the ground but no betting to any extent was indulged in.

“The foliowng were the prizes paid: Produce £9; Hurdles £ll, Pony Race £4, Handicap £2l Is; Gate Purse £lO, Consolation £5.”