AGLIONBY RACES.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 686, 28 February 1852, Page 2

AGLIONBY RACES.

The Aglionby races came off on Tuesday last and were very well attended, a considerable number of our townsfolk appeared to have a little business near the Hutt on that day. or else they went to see the race, no matter which; certes, the road for about two h-urs presented a very animated appearance, phaeton, buggy, dog cart, ran, beach cart, farm cart filled with merry groups, equestrians and pedestrians of all grades out for the day, all looked as if they meant to enjoy themselves, and we got a glimpse of some as they whirled past which led us to offer ourselves a bet of 10 to 1 that they rather thought themselves, and rather wished the road was, “ not so dusty.” The change from the dusty road to the refreshing green of the course was pleasant in the extreme; the course is certainly much improved, it r.eally is a turf, and if it be well drained and attended to will soon put Burnham Water course into the back ground, ‘the run in is as pretty a little gallop as we would desire to see. We regretted to see so meagre a card, only six horses for three races, and ‘ toujours perdrix’ is bad. We also regretted that there was no Maori race; the natives are great encouragers of our horse breeders and dealers, they enterinto the sport and we think it would be both politic and good to favour their participation to a proper extent in the noble and exciting pastime. It was nearly one o'clock when the horses came to the post for the

TRADESMEN’S PURSE. Two miles (Handicap) Mr St. Hill’s b. m. Camilla, 6 years, Bst. 121 b. Nichols 1 Lieut. Trafford’s b. m. Naenae, 5 years, 10st., Owner 2 Mr. St. Hill’s b.g. Harriboqine. aged, 10st.71b, A. St. Hill ......... 3 Mr. Robinson’s r. g. Jack Fisken, aged, lOst. 71b, Wintringham ........... 4 Old Harry went at score followed by the others pretty close together for the mile, at the turn by the river Camilla began to shake off Naenae and Fisken, and gradu’ ally stealing up to Harry, passed him atthe upper end of the course : at the turn for tbe run in she was well in front and gradually' increased her distance to the winning p oB * l winning by about ten lengths; Naenae and Harry had a hard struggle for second plan o ' Fisken was nowhere. We understand that an objection was raised by Lieut. Traffic 0 on the ground that Camilla crossed him in the race. The result was rather unlook 0 for, as Camilla went begging at high odds both in the betting and lotteries; it a S OID proves the correctness of the old adag o “ weight will tell.” Rmr in 4 min. 6 sec.

ERITONGA STAKES. Twice round. Heats. r " St. Hill's b. g, Harribogine, aged, l® . 1 71b., Rowott ~<>•*

~l lt Trafford’s b. mare Naenae, 5 years, k’ jost., Owner • 22 r . nt Rhode’s bk. filly Isabel, 4 years, C P 9st. 71b., Higgins 3 3 Mr. Robinson's r. g. Jack Fisken. did not start. In this race the well known bottom and strength of the old horse came out nobly ; he took the lead and kept it throughout both heats, the mare running him pretty close, the filly having no chance. Rowett rode the horse well, got all he could out of him, and finished the first heat with the loss of a stirrup, a rather creditable piece of jockeyism which those who know how much riding the old horse requires at a push will be able to appreciate. Won by about four leno-ths. First heat run in 3 min. 43 sec. Second heat run in 3 min. 47 sec. HURDLE RACE. Twice round, six hurdles, heats. Mr Robinson’s r.g. JackFisken, aged, list. ‘ A. St. Hill 11 Lieut Trafford’s b. m. Naenae, 5 years, 1 Ost 7ib., Owner.. —. 22 Mr. Hickson’s b g. Sir Kenneth, aged, list. Higgins•dist.

The mare had done so much in the two previous races that it must be accorded sporting and generous in her owner to start her for this race. She however ran as she always does well and truly, but shewed fatigue at her leaps. Fisken led the race and was first over every hurdle, and not having run in the Eritonga came fresher to his work and won by about six or seven lengths. Sir Kenneth fell at the fifth hurdle and was distanced ; he did not seem to run the same pace as at Burnham Water, where he made so creditable a debut. We must accord our praise to Mr. Ashton St. Hill’s riding in this race, he certainly rode it well and we hope neither of the gentlemen jocks will think it any dispraise when we say ‘ one rode so like both we could'nt tell t’other from which.’ The day was fine though gusty, with an occasional cloud to remind us to be thankful for the fine weather. Two more features of our advance in civilization ? appeared in the person of a * Blind man and his dog tray, and of a ‘nigger melodist,’ the latter of whom appeared to be making a rather good thing of his somewhat ambitious imitations of the Ethiopian Serenaders, and the former by vending the ‘ only correct list of the running horses, with the names, weights and colours of the riders,’ and cigars, must have made a capital day's work. We are happy to say the dav passed without any accident of consequence, although Master Windle St. Hill narrowly escaped being hurt by a spirited mare he was riding having bolted and leaped the high gate (about six feet) leading from the lower end of the course; the mare fell and threw her rider with considerable force, but beyond their both being rather astonished at the feat we believe no harm was done. Since the above account was written, we understand that the Stewards have decided against Camilla, and have declared Naenae to be the winner of the Tradesmen's Purse, but at the same time they wish it to be distinctly understood that in making this decision they impute no blame to the rider of Camilla.