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THE RACES.

President :■ Hon. W. Fitzherbert, M.H.K. VicePresident: George Hunter, Esq., M.H.K. Judge: E. Pearce, Esq.,M.H.K. Stewards: Messrs. Geo. Crawford, J.P., J. McDowell, Joseph Paul, A. Braithwaite, Dr. Diver, W. Bromley, aud J. S. M. Thompson. Starter : Mr. Andrew Young. Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J. R. George. Secretary and Clerk of the Scales: Mr. G. H. Jackson. Clerk of the Course: Mr. James Prosser. 1 The above heading comprehends not only the horse-racing which took place yesterday, but the holiday generally. The holiday was held in order that the people might see the races. It matters not that some persons may have left their homes to do the races, aud that they may have become totally incapable of doing anything or anybody before they arrived. Supposing such circumstances to have occurred, they must be recognised as coming under the general and responsible heading of “ The Races.” At an early hour yesterday the streets of Wellington were alive with holiday-makers. Doing business on the first day of the races was out of the question. In the first place it would be manifestly improper, in a patriotic sense, to neglect the races for business ; aud secondly, it would have been hard to find anybody with whom to do business. The first train started from Wellington at 7-10, and even at that early hour the railway was largely patronised. Some persons to whom holidays are a festive rarity are given to dreaming of pleasures to come overnight and waking up to meet their pleasures at hours decidedly matutinal. There may be no cases of this kind in Wellington, which as a town is singular in many respects, aud in nothing more than its weather; and we may add that so long as it remains a consistent oddity in that respect other portions of the colony will have no cause to complain. Be that as it may, however, the fact remains that the streets of Wellington were from an early hour yesterday pretty full of pleasure seekers of both sexes, the ladies appearing in a variety of radiant colors (appropriate in summer costumes) that bespoke a reckless disregard of probable consequencios in respect of the weather, which, it is needless to say, everybody hoped would be fine, as everybody always does hope, if we except farmers, persons interested in the growth of cabbages, and the agricultural class of society in general. At early morn the weather was slightly lowering, but . at intervals it cleared up, and the general indications were of a tolerably fine day, with a ; dirty night, and these indications proved to be .correct. With the exception of the publichouses all places of business were closed, aud business at the Government ’offices was nil. Towards 10 o’clock the streets became thronged with people, most of them going in one direction, namely, towards the railway-station at the Thomdon end of the town, aud carriages, horses, and vehicles of a variety of shapes, that seldom appear in the light of day but on such occasions, rattled along the streets by dozens, to say nothing of saddle horses, with respect to which it may be mentioned as a singular fact that no one would suppose, but for the fact of their being there in visible shape—first, that there were so many saddle horses in Wellington ; and, second, that there were so many persons who could, or who had sufficient imagination to suppose they could ride. The Queen’s wharf was the scene of a good deal of life, the steamers Stormbird aud Napier having been told off to carry passengers to the Hutt. Of these vessels the Napier started first, and took away about eighty passengers. She left the wharf with her living freight at about 9.15 a.m., and was followed by the Stormbird, which left an hour later, carrying with her about 150 passengers, and the band of the City Rifles, who enlivened tho passage by playing some selections in a style more than creditable, and which had a most cheering effect upon the passengers, many of whom, inspired by the strains of music, like Dick Swiveller, to indulge in the “ mazy,” were desirous of performing terpsichoreanfeatsjdespitethefact that the vessel was inclined.to roll, and that certain of their felllow passengers, overcome by emotions of a different kind, were holding their trembling hands to that particular part of their persons recognised, as being the, most delicate aud sensitive in the human organisation, and looking like “dying ducks in a thunderstorm;” the which expression, though somewhat coarse, will be pardoned as being extremely appropriate. These steamers made two trips, and were on each occasion crowded.. The Stormbird left the band on the course after arriving there the first time. The railway was extensively patronised during the day; each train that left the Wellington station was crowded to excess, notwithstanding that every available carriage was utilised, the luggage trucks being fitted up with seats, and made to represent , some “ class ” between first and third not generally known. When we say that these .trains were crowded to excess, there can be no suspicion of exaggeration, because it is equally as true that each time the trains left there were left behind on the platform a great number of people for whom neither seats nor standing room could be found. Along the route the trains were .accompanied by carriages and horsemen proceeding along the road to the racecourse, aud, though it be a somewhat humiliating fact, it must be admitted that horseflesh invariably proved too much for steam power. On arrival at the Hutt station, if the travellers were lucky—which they often were not —they met with coaches waiting to convey them to the course. When there were no coaches tho travellers had to walk. This was the least interesting part of the proceedings by far, though it involved no inconsiderable amount of manoeuvring. Thus the road is narrow, and prejudiced persons might consider it muddy, while the number of private carriages and horsemen that came along that road yesterday was so great as to make it inconvenient and sometimes hazardous to be walking along. To bo splashed from head to foot by a horse galloping along in a solution of gravel and rain water was not of much importance when a person had fairly started for an outing, the damage done to one’s clothes would naturally be put down to the profit and loss account kept for holiday occasions; but the diversion was occasionally of a more exciting character. As, for instance, when a carriage bore down on

a man, and with a display of science almost equal to that displayed by Mr. Weller when he jolted the Deputy Shepherd round the corners, earned away one of his coat-fail 3 without stopping to return the dismembered portion of the mutilated garment. A sad instance this of human thoughtlessness. But it is quite true ; a case of the kind having been witnessed by our reporter, who, as the fates would have it, was one of those who had to walk. On several occasions there were prolonged stoppages of the vehicles, owing to the narrowness of the road, and the consequent difficulty in passing when carriages met. His Excellency the Governor, with Lord Phipps and Capt.LePateroul,his aides-de-camp, and others, arrived on the ground at about 12 o’clock. The Governor was received at the saddling-paddock by the stewards, and took up his position in the vice-regal box on the grandstand, and appeared to take great interest in the races. It might be said that to describe the scene within the gates of the racecourse should not be a difficult matter. Neither would it be, were it not for the fact that newspaper readers are apt to expect something new in the columns of their newspaper respecting these and other matters, while as a matter of fact there is little novel or new to say about them. ■There did not appear to be any points about the Hutt racecourse different to any other course. To start fair, however, at the usual point—the number of persons in attendance, about which there is always a charmingvarietyof opinions, the number of people on the course yesterday may be set down at from 2500 to 3000. It was remarked on the course by several, that the attendance was not so large as might reasonably have been expected ; but it will in all probability be larger to-day, should the weather prove favorable, which it is sincerely hoped will be the case. The grand stand—than which by the way there is none better in the colony—being well and commodiously built, and affording a splendid view of the course, was literally crammed, every available space being occupied, ladies being present in large numbers. Mr. Maginity, who has the booth in the grand stand, had provided an excellent repast, which was largely taken advantage of ; in fact, hungry mortals found some difficulty in satisfying their appetites, the rush fo the diningrooms for about two hours after noon being so great. The booths outside the lawn were also well patronised, evidences of which were not wanting. Great interest was the races, which, as will be seen taken in below, were of a very superior character; all being well contested, and during the progress of the principal events the excitement was intense. But there were, for those who liked, other sources of amusement on the course, and therein was this course like unto other courses. There were Old Aunt Sallies, skittles, and other games for which the minutest inquirylias not yet been able to find a name. This is a singular feature in connection with these games ; the owners of the concerns, though capable of their construction, and alive to the profits of the business, do not appear to consider it necessary to dignify them with a name. In saying that there was nothing new about these races, we had nearly overstepped the bounds of truth. There was something new. A gaming contrivance (also without a name) composed of a box with little spikes in it, resembling an ancient instrument of torture, and worked with what Sergeant Buzfuz describes as alley-taws—a species of marble—was presided over by a woman —a fond mother, and her darling son. In answer to a question from one of the bystanders, who was struck with the singularity of a woman setting up in a lineof business which has hitherto been considered the peculiar privilege of the sterner sex, the lady replied that she had lately been devoting herself to the study of woman’s rights, and had left the “old man” at home to do the washing. Great credit is due to the stewards and the clerk of the course; the former were untiring in their efforts to make this yearly event a success, and the latter gave universal satisfaction. THE SADDLING- PADDOCK. As usual, this was busy enough, hut why there should he a special charge to enter it under present arrangements is rather difficult to understand. A low palisade fence surrounds the ground, and those people who choose to stand outside the feence see and hear quite as much as those who have paid. Perhaps it was not quite respeotaV.e to look over the fence, hut having paid half-a-crown for the railway trip, another hal£-a-crown for riding a mile and a-half to the course, a shilling to get on to the course, and other little amounts of an equally reasonable nature, mercenary people are more. disposed to study their pockets than keeping to the eminently respectable, and so a great many availed themselves of the privilege of looking over the fence, and thus rendered the charge to the saddling paddock an absurdity. THE RUNNING. The rain which had fallen during Monday night considerably affected the course, but the downpour during the day greatly increased the deadness, and as a necessary consequence, the chances ef some of the horses were not so rosy as they would have been had the ground been firm. The racing, however, was, on the whole, remarkably good. Than the race for the Maiden Plate we have never seen a better. The whole of the six entered sported silk, and though from the first it was seen that Banker, Voltairiue, and Lady Gray had a very poor show, they managed to keep with the cracks half the distance, and for three-quarters of a mile a sheet might have covered the whole lot, and after that point had- been reached the others ran a race the sight of which was sufficient compensation for the journey to Hutt Park. Banker simply disgraced himself and his stable, showing he has neither pluck nor speed. Lady Gray rather surprised her friends, and Pungawerewere surprised his foes, and retrieved his good name by the game race he ran for first place. The Cup Race was not so good a one as might have been expected. Prom first to last it was clear Korari, who had been sent to win, had bis opponents in hand. Templeton never looked dangerous for first honors. His weight was a stone too much, hut he struggled gamely under his heavy impost, and proved himself to be more than a match for Guy Pawkes at a stone difference. The Cup winner is far and away the best horse of his year in the colony, and his performances since his career commenced speak volumes for his breeding and training. Ho first appeared at Christchurch, and won the Pree Handicap, carrying Bst. 51h.; the following day he won the Maiden Plate, carrying weight for ageist. 91b. ; and the next day won the Christchurch Plate, carrying 7st. 71b. Xu none of these races was he pushed, winning, as he did yesterday, without any extraordinary exertion. The Selling Stakes only brought a couple to the post, CastlUian and Piretail; the knowing ones offering to back the former to any extent, but the old adage, “you never can tell, &c.,” was again verified, for although Castilliau was lauded a winner by about half a length, after a most exciting run, a protest lodged against Lyford for jostling Piretail’s rider was sustained by the stewards, and No. 2 was hoisted on the telegraph as winner. The Hack Race brought half-a-dozen starters to the post, and some very decent horseflesh too. The winner is decidedly too good a horse for hack races. He has a rare turn of speed, and the manner in which he stood the rasping pace put upon him from start to finish shows he has good staying qualities if properly trained. The Provincial Plate was another good race, Flora McDonald running into first place after a fine race with Premier. A notable feature in the day’s running was the frequency with which the favorites pulled off the races ; and more remarkable still was the manner in which the tips of one of the sporting contributors of the Times’ “Tipster” were realised. In the Maiden Plate he picked—Tattler, 1 ; Cocksure, 2 ; and Pungawerewere, 3 ; and the only difference in the result was that the second and third horses were reversed. Again, in the Wellington Gup, he selected the first tliroo horses ; in the Selling Race chose CastiHian, which might have won with the greatest of ease had he been managed properly; and in the Provincial Plate he selected the first two homes, although the positions he allotted them were reversed. Shortly after 12 o'clock preparations were made for the starting of the

MAIDEN PLATE, 0f 100 sovs. One mile and a-half. For all horses maidens at the time of entering. Weight for age. Mr. S. Nosworthy’s hr c Tattler, 3 yrs, 7st 91b; black jacket and cap, red sash (G. Roland) .. 1 Mr. F. W. Delamaine’s b f Pungawerewere, 3 yrs, Tst 91b ; blue and white (H. Roland) .. .. 2 Mr. Redwood's b c Cocksure, 3 yrs, Tst 91b : black and red (H. Lyford) 3 Mr. J. E. Eayuer’s ch c Banker, 3 yrs, Tst Dlb ; black and red (Eyder) 0 Mr. A. Owen’s br f Voltairine, 3 yrs, Tst 91b ; black and gold (Osborne) , .. ~ 0 Mr. E. Meredith’s g m Lady Gray, 5 yrs, 9st 81b; red and white (Murphy) '. 0 Betting.—s to 4 against Cocksure and Tattler, 2 to 1 Pungawerewere, 6 to 1 any others. After one false start, Mr. Young got the field awny, Banker hanging hack on the post. Cocksure started of with a slight lead, Pungawerewere and Tattler on his quarter, and Voltairine and Lady Grey well up. Coming into the straight Banker made up his lost ground, and all the horses passed the stand the first time in a bunch. At the first turn past the stand Voltairine took up the running, hut shortly afterwards Pungawerewere again took the lead, and Lady Grey, Banker, and Voltairine fell back beaten, and Pungawerewere, Tattler, and Cocksure drew away in the order mentioned, scarcely a length separating the whole of them. They raced in this order till reaching the distance, when Tattler got the lead by a head. Coming up the straight Cocksure made an effort to catch Pungawerewere, and the two raced in almost neck and neck for second place. Tattler half a length ahead. Time, 2min. 52-isec. THE WELLINGTON CDP. A handicap of 200 sovs. The second horse to receive 25 sovs, and the third horse to save his stakes. Two miles. Mr. ■ Eedwood’s br c Korari, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b; black and red (Lyford) 1 Mr. F. W. Delamaia’s b o Templeton, 5 yrs, 9st 31b; blue and white (Wattle) 2 Mr. Kedwood’s br o Guy Fawkes, 4 yrs, Bst 31b; black and red (J. Eay) 3 Mr. D. O’Brien’s b g Tambourini, aged, 9st 61b ; rose and black (R. Eay) 0 Mr. Owen’s b c Voltaire, 4 yrs, Tst 61b ; black and gold (Osborne) 0 Ranker and Glenavy were scratched. Betting—Even on Korari, 3 to 1 against Templeton and Guy Fawkes, 6 to 1 against Tambourixd and Voltaire. The lot got away at the first time of asking. Voltaire, beiug the first upon his legs, secured a lead for a few seconds, but soon had to relinquish premier position to Gny Pawkes and Korari, the former speeding away to cut out the running. None of the others seemed disposed to be caught in this maimer and kept on at a steady pace, Guy slackened speed and Korari went up and joined him, and both drew away from the others. After another quarter of a mile had been traversed, Tambourini and Voltaire fell back beaten and were never again seen in the race, the latter pulling up at the stand; meanwhile, Templeton had gone up to Redwood’s pair, challenged Guy Fawkes, Korari having taken the lead, and the blue and white made the youngster increase his speed. All three raced together half round the course, then Guy Pawkes fell hack into third place, and Wattle began to flogto attempt to pass Korari, but to no purpose ; the colt was given his head for a moment, and he sailed away with a clear lead, winning hard held, Templeton gamely struggling in under his heavy weight a couple of lengths off, Guy Fawkes well up, and the rest nowhere. Time, 3m. 575. SELLING KACE Of 60 sovs. Entrance 3 sovs. One mile and a-half; weight for age. The winner to be sold for £SO ; if entered to he sold at £4O, allowed Tib; £3O, 141 b; £2O, 211 b. Mr. Mcßae’s b g Firetail, aged, Sst 121 b (J. Walker) L Mr. Mclvot’s br c CastlUian, 3 yrs, Tst 91b .. disq. Betting—2 to 1 on CastlUian. This race is easily described, CastiHian rushed off with the lead and kept it throughout. The greater part of the journey he was hard held, but coining into the straight Fire-’ tail came up, and a neck and neck race ensued, the result of which for a time appeared doubtful, as FiretaH answered the whip gamely; hut CastiHian was landed a winner by half a length cleverly. The jockey of FiretaH entered a protest against the jockey of CastiHian for jostling, and the stewards, after hearing the parties, upheld the protest, and disqualified CastiHian. , THE HACK KACE, Of 10 sovs. Entrance, 10s. Mr. McMinn’s Eanpo 1 Mr. McMaster’s Dick Turpin 2 Mr. Parker’s CamUle -3Throe others ran. Kaupo led from start to finish at a rattling pace, none, of the others having a show with him. THE PROVINCIAL PLATE, Of 125 sovs. The second horse to receive 20 sovs. and the third to save his stakes. One mUe and a-half. For aU horses owned for six months prior to the race by lemafide settlers of the province of Wellington. Weight for age. Mr. W. Handley’s b f Flora McDonald, 3yrs, Tst 91b; white and gold (Osborne) 1 Mr. Tancred’s ch o Premier, syrs, 9st 81b; blue and black (E. Eay) 2 Mr. Muitagh’s b m Phcenix, aged, 9st 121 b; green and black (Murtagh) 3 Mr. GUligan’s Princess Mary, 4yrs, 9st: blue, white, and black (Murphy) 0 Mr. J. Wather’s Glenavy, 4yrs, 9st; black and red (Derrit) 0 Mr. Owen’s Voltairine, Syrs, Tst 91b; black and gold (Osborne) .. .. 0 Mr. Owen’s Voltaire, 4yrs, 9st; black and gold (Sleigh) 0 Betting—3 to 1 against Flora McDonald, Premier,: and Princess Mary, 5 to 1 against anything else. After a false start, the field got away rather unequally. Voltairine did not move from the post, and Voltaire lost so much ground that he was pulled up after passing the stand. Phoenix ■went away a cracker from the start, Premier next, and Glenavy third, and Flora McDonald fourth. This order was maintained pretty well half way round, when Premier ran into first place, but coming into the straight Flora McDonald went through the field with a rush,, and just beat Premier on the post. This concluded the first day’s racing. TO-DAY’S RACING. A meeting of the stewards was held at the Empire Hotel last night to discuss various matters, and fix the handicap. It was decided that if the weather this morning be unfavorable, that the racing shall he postponed, and a meeting of the stewards vrill be held at halfpast 8 o’clock this morning to decide whether the races shall proceed to-day or not. If in the negative, a signal will he hoisted as announced by advertisement in another column. The following handicaps were declared : JOCKET CLUB HANDICAP. st lb st ih Tambourine .. 9 4 Pungawerewere .. 7 2 Templeton .. .. 8 12 Haphazard .. TO Guy Fawkes .. S 0 Glenavy .. .. 612 Premier .. ..79 Cloth of Gold .. 6 12 Hercules .. .. 7 9 Flora McDonald ~ 6XO Tattler .. -.76 Banker .. ~67 Phrenix .. ..7 4 Voltaire .. ..6 6 Cocksure .. ..74 Princes Mary ~ 66 HUTT PARK STAKES. st lb , St lb Templeton ~ 812 CastiHian .. ~ 610 Gay Fawkes .. 8 0 Princess Mary .. 0 6 Tattler .. ..7 0 Voltaire .. ..0 6 Cocksure .. ..7 4 Phcebe .. .. 6 6 Haphazard ~ ..70 Lady Gray .. .. 66 Cloth of Gold ..7 0

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18751208.2.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4592, 8 December 1875, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,816

THE RACES. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4592, 8 December 1875, Page 2

THE RACES. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4592, 8 December 1875, Page 2

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