MARTON-RANGITIKEI RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5235, 3 January 1878, Page 2

MARTON-RANGITIKEI RACES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Bolls, Tuesday. The attendance at Bulls to-day was very numerous, some 1500 persons being present. Visitors from Wanganui and the surrounding district flocked in from an early hour in the day. The club have made great improvements in the way of a new grand stand, lawn, and saddling paddock, but the judge’s stand was a most extraordinary structure for such a purpose. The Produce Stakes showed a good turn-out of young stock, all the horses stripping well. Uira had the call in the betting, and cnt out the running at a good pace, getting a lead of several lengths, which she held until entering the straight, when Foam came with a wet sail and grad ally caught up, and by the good riding of young Walker got her head in front as they passed the ju !ge.' Confident secured third honors, but was some lengths to the rear. Opawa not stripping for the Railway Plate left Hay Moon and Ou.da to divide the call in the betting. The start was greatly delayed, as it was only at the fifth attempt that they were sent on their journey. Onida looked like winning, but Tawira got up, and snatched the race from her at the post, just beyond which Onida cannoned against a spectator’s horse and gave her boy a heavy fall. No bones were broken, but be got a bad shaking. For the Flying Stakes May Moon and Glenavy were most fancied, but Opawa and Tamatea got in front, and ran out a sp'endid race, getting locked together, the judge’s fiat being a dead heat. Only four horses were on the card-for the Goodwood, and Opawa went out at 2 to 1 on him, but after a game struggle Otnpui lauded the money for the Maoris, who were jubilant. The following is the result of each event : PRODUCE STAKES Of £SO, weight for age. Distance, one mile and a ha f. Mr. Owen’s br f Foam, by Ravensw-orth, Maid of the Mist, 3 yrs, Ist 01b (Walker) 1 Mr. Steven’s br in Uira, syr.-, 9st 21bs .. ..2 Mr. Stent’s c f Confident, 3 yrs, 7st 01b .. ■ .. 3 Puhi .ahina, King of the Ring, Anticipation, and Flower of the Forest also ran. A good start was effected, and Uira went at once to the front and took a long lead, but Walker brought Foam up as they entered the straight, and a good set to began, ending in Foam’s favor by a head. Time, 3 min. 53 secs. RAILWAY PLATE Of £SO, Handicap. Distance, one mile and throequarters. Sir. Donnelly’s br h Tawira, 5 yrs, Ist ISlbs .. 1 Sir, Hayward’s b m Onida, 5 yrs, 7st lOlbs ~ .. 2 Chadwick and Belcher's b m Ala- Aloon. 5 yrs, Sst 3 Maid of the Mountain, Deerfoot, .Expectation, Tamouri, and Skyblue also ran. A great deal of trouble was experience I in getting the burses away. They were only sent at the fifth attempt, and Ouida at once took the lead, and held it for most of the distance, when Tawira came up and challenged her. A fine struggle ensued, ending in a short head victory to Tawira, May Moou a bad third, and the others spread-eagled. Time, 3rain. ISsees. FLYING STAKES Of £3O, Distance, three-quarters of a mile. Catch weights. Mr. Rowe’s ch h Opawa, aged .. 1 Mr. Lynn’s b h Tamatea, 4 yrs 2 Air. Handley’s bra Flora McDonald, 5 yrs .. .. 3 Glenavy, May Moon, Lucifer, and King of the Ring also started! Glenavy was left behind several lengths at the start, putting her out of it. Opawa and Tamatea were hard at each i ther at the head of affairs, and ran up the straight locked together, finishing in a dead heat. Time, Irnin. 21aecs. GOODWOOD STAKES Of £OO. Two miles. Weight for age. Air. Renata Kawepo’s ch h Otupai, 5 yrs, Ost Gib 1 Air. Rowe's ch b Opawa, aged Pst 71b .. .. 2 Air. Rowe’s gf Skyblue, 3 yrs, 7st Gib .. ..3 Lucifer also started. Skyblne went to the front and cut out the running for her stable companion Opawa. When she was done vOi-h, Otupai and Opawa were set going, and raced away from 'the others. They ran neck and neck until near the winning post, when Otupai shot ahead and won by a length. Time, 3min. 59.<e0. Tamatea walked over for the deciding heat in tne Flying Stakes.