MARTON-RANGITIKEI RACES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 51, 13 January 1872, Page 5

MARTON-RANGITIKEI RACES.

The above races came off on New Year's Day, and barring one or two little faults in the management, such as too long a time being allowed between the events, they were a great success. The day was everything that could be desired, a pleasant and refreshing breeze blowing all the time. There was a great crush of visitors, especially from Wanganui, and the Marton and Bangitikei hotels were absolutely crammed. Many started on Saturday and stayed at Turanikaon the Sunday. All the coaches were called into requisition, many of them starting from Wanganui at 4 a.m. The Marton band under the leadership of Lieutenant Heywood, and the Wanganui drum and fife band under Mrß. M'Govern, were both present, and played selections in their usual creditable manner. Seldom or ever has Bangitikei received such a number of visitors at one time, and the Marton-Bangi-tikei races may be said to be fairly inaugurated. A sum of about thirty pounds was taken at the gate, althoi gh pedestrians Were not]charged anything. The committee labored under many disadvantages, but next year, profiting by the experience of this, no doubt they will be able to rectify any little faults, such as allowing too long a time. to elapse between the events, not commencing past seven when the Consolation Stakes were the races early enough, &c. It was halfrun for, thus giving no time for hack racing &c. The following are the names of the horses that ran for the different events, and the order in which they came in : Peodttce Stakes—Sweepstakes of two guineas, with £25 added. One and a half miles. Dr Mussen's Escape (George Walker) ... 1 Mr M'Lachlan's Wall Flower (Potts) ... 2 Mr P. J. Bichard son's Yivandiere (Higgie) ... 3 Pony Eace—Sweepstakes of 10s each, with £5 added. One and a half miles. Post entries. Catch weights. Mr R. A. Daniell's Phoenix (Hammond) 1 Mr J. Stevens' Black Prince (A. Stevens) 2 Mr J. Hair's Knuckle (T. Watt) ... 3 Ladies' Ptjese—Sweepstakes of one guinea, with £ls added. Post entries. One and a half miles. Gentlemen riders. Mr E. A. Daniell's Flying Jib (J. Walker) 1 Mr A. Cameron's Dick Turpin (Owner) ... 2 Mr J. Stevens'Tehirau (Owner) ... 3 A gift to the Jib, but a protest was entered against Walker as not being a gentleman rider. Jockey Club Plate—Sweepstakes of £2 each, with £3O added. Distance two and a half miles. Weight for age. Mr E. A. Daniell's Flying Jib (J. Walker) 1 Mr Bobert Stevens' True to the Core (Owner) 2 Mr E. A. Daniell's Girl" of the Period (Owner) 3 This race lay between the Jib and True to the Core, Girl of the Period and Escape being only saddled and ridden to the post. The Jib and the Core made a good race of it, but the Wanganui horse run too good, and won as he liked. Licensed Victtxaelebs' Puese —Sweepstakeß of £l, with £lO added. Mile heats. Weight for age. Mr W. Vincent's Woman in White (Wallace) 13 1 Mr Lingard's Shamrock (Campbell) ... 0 1 2 Mr A. Higgie's Agamemnon (J. Hair) 22 0 This was the best race of the day. The deciding heat was won by Walker, who rode the mare in the last heat, and who showed splendid jockeyship, just keeping enough in her to come to the post first. Hubdle Eace—Sweepstakes of two guineas, with £2O added. Two mi!e3, over five flights of hurdles. Mr A. Cameron's Dick Turpin (Owner) 1 Mr L. Daniell's Nun (J. Buller) ... ... 2 Mr J. Stevens' Pacha (Owner) 3 Turpin took the lead at the start, and held it right through. The Nun jumped exceedingly well, but lacked speed. Pacha spoilt his chance by refusing twice. Consolation Stakes—Sweepstakes of £l, with £lO added. Welter weights. Postentries. One mile and a distance. Mr E. A. Daniell's Girl of the Period ... 1 Mr J. Stevens' Tehirau (Owner) 2 Mr L. Daniell's Nun ... ... ... 3 &. very good race, but the Girl of the Period

1 sustained her reputation for being fast, and came in with plenty left in her. This closed the programme at about halfpast seven, when everyone was getting wishful to start homeward. There were several dances in the evening, both at Marton and Bangitikei, It is hoped that next year's meeting will be even more successful than this one. Possibly some Wellington friends may be induced to bring up their horses, and try their luck against Wanganui and this district.