WELLINGTON JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5266, 8 February 1878, Page 3

WELLINGTON JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Patton ; Hia Excellency. the Marquis of NormnnbyPresident: Sir W. Fitzherbert. M.H.B. ' VicePresident : George Hunter, Esq., M.H.K. Stewards: Mr. G. Crawford, Mr. J. Martin, Hr. Diver, Mr. A. Braithwaite. Mr. J. S. M. Thompson. Judge: Mr, Andrew Young. Clerk of the Course: Mr. IV, Brown. Clerk of the. Scales: Mr, IV, Bromley. Hon. Treasurer : Mr. J. K. George. The annual meeting of the Wellington Jockey Club commenced yesterday in a far more favorable manner than was anticipated would be the case on Wednesday evening, when the rain came down unceasingly, with every appearance of continuing for an indefinite time. However, the early morning of yesterday dawned brighter, and as the day advanced every hour showed an improvement, and on the course the weather during the whole' day was all that could be desired. Somewhat more than 2000 visitors were present, including a large attendance in the grand-stand, but the attendance of the fair sex on that part of the ground was somewhat limited. However, we feel certain that the Jockey Club may anticipate—with the prospect of fine weather which now presents itself—a crowded attendance of that brighter portion of humanity without which no meeting of the kind is a success. Visitors by rail reached the course from the station by means of different classes of conveyance, from a sixhorse coach to a spring trap; all of which underwent the “ bush” pleasure of being “ bogged” in the last few hundred yards of the journey. His Excellency the Governor and suite arrived shortly before the first race was run, aud remained during the afternoon. Arrived on the course, the running-ground was found to be very little the worse for the heavy rain, although perhaps a trifle heavy. The work done yesterday and the fine weather will, however, make it in first-class condition foi to-day. The flat was quite taken possession of by the “knowing ones” anxious to earn an “ honest penny ” by the mysterious assistance of their various

games of chance, and the “knights of the pencil” mustered in strong force in the enclosures. We are pretty sure, however, that they did not hit the public very hard. The arrangements connected with the races were carried out in a very satisfactory manner, the last race being run only a few minutes after the advertised time. We should be only too happy to say the same of the railway arrangements. The train advertised to leave the Hutt at 6.35 did not leave until 7; and though the same train should have arrived iu town at 7.5, it did not get in until a quarter to 8. Surely a train could hove been started every twenty minutes or half aa hour from 5 o’clock until 6 o’clock or half-past. We hope the “powers that be” will recognise the benefit they wHI confer upon visitors to the course by rail by making some such alteration for to-day. The racing was on the whole very good. All the horses on the card sported silk for the Hurdle Race, for which Grey Momus was served up very warm, starting at 6 to 4 on him. However, the “ glorious uncertainty” was never more clearly shown, for the favorite fell once and baulked twice. Te Whetumarama would have given a better account of himself but for getting off badly. The Hack Hurdle Race brought out a field of seven starters. This was much more closely contested than the' previous race. The only horse that fell was Aroha, who came down a “cropper” at the third hurdle from the stand, and Brunner, tile jockey, was severely shaken. The Derby had three final acceptors, all of whom started. Tramp Card fully justified the confidence reposed in him by winning the race rather easily in very slow time. Standard Bearer, a rather nice-looking colt, ran very unkindly. For the Flying Stakes Handicap eight came to the post. The favorite again pulled her backers through, Titania, who started at even money, winning rather easily. Mufti, Pinfire, and Talleyrand faced the starter for the Maiden Plate, and the two first horses made it the best race of the day; Mufti eventually won by about a neck. The.last event of the day—the Jockey Club Handicap —created a good deal of speculation. It was thought that Titania would not be pushed for it, especially when Ray declared to win with Danebury. The favorite, however, never, got. nearer than fifth after passing the grand-stand the first time, Ray may congratulate himself upon possessing a first-class animal in Titania, who won, after a good race, by about half a length. Danebury was rot persevered with when it was seen that his stable companion was doing so well by herself. Kb doubt Kay imagines his horse would be less likely to injure bis chance for the Cup to-day. HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. Of 50 sovs. Two miles, over seven flights of hurdles. Weight for age. Mr. K. B. Heaton’s b g Victa, by Peter Flat, aged, Ost 101 b. carried 9st 121 b (Heaton) .. ' ~ .. 1 Mr. B. Cam: ion’s ch g Te Whetumarama, aged, 9stlolb, carried 10st Hlb(Campion) .. ..2 Mr. J. Doleman’s br g Shark, aged, 9st 101 b, carried lOst (Mclvor) .. 0 Mr. H. Bunn’s gr g Grey Momus, aged, Ost 101 b, carried lOst (McKay) 0 Betting : Even on Grey Momus, even agst Te Whetumarama, 6 to 4 agst Yicta, 2 to 1 agst Shark. All but Te Whetu got away on good terms, but he lost a few lengths at the start. Victa was the first to get over the first fence, Grey Momus second, Shark nest, and Te Wbeta last. They ran on in this order for some distance, until coming to the third fence, at which Grey baulked. At the next jump Victa was still leading, Shark second, and Grey Momus next, with Te Whetu still last. At the firth fence Grey Momus fell, but Mclvor was up again very quickly. Shark then balked, and Te Whetu, who was now going very well, tried to catch Victa, but could not, and the old horse won by twenty lengths, Shark about the same 1 distance from the second, and Grey Momus nowhere. Time, 4min. 36sec, • HACK HURDLE RACE. Of 15 sovs. One mile and a distance. Catch weights. Mr. Macara’a Forest Queen (Crawford) .. .. 1 3lr. Masters' Whakahi (Wright) 2 Mr. Murphy’s Pacific 3 Aroha, TJncle Tom, Pinko and Sport also started. The seven hacks got away well together, and with the exception of Aroha, who fell over the third fence and gave his rider a severe shaking, they made a very good race of it. Forest Queen eventually Won by about two lengths, Pacific three lengths behind Whakahi. Dr. Diver was promptly in attendance upon Brinmer, who rode Aroha, but he found that he was not seriously injured. WELLINGTON DERBY. Of 100 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 10 sovi. each, half forfeit. For three-year olds. One mile and a half.. Me. G. .Prater’s ch c Trump Card, by Tra- , dneer--Revoke, 3 yrs, Sst 101 b (Clifford)... i Mr. H. Redwood’s ch g Chokaboto, by Dead Shot—Fair Agnes, 3 yrs, Sst 51h (Walker) .. 2 Mr. G. F. Barker's b c Standard Bearer (late Parthetfopoms), by Traducer—AtalanU. 3 yrs. Sst MB) (Ray) ~ ~ 3 Betting; 4 to 1 on Tramp Card. The three got away on even terms ( Chokebore leading past the stand. Trump Card second, and Standard Bearer last. Shortly after turning the first comer Standard Bearer showed signs of distress, and wound up. Chokebore led the favorite about a length until nearly opposite the stand, when Trump Card, being called on, made hta effort. On entering the straight Tramp Cart had a slight lead, which he maintained to the finish, winning by three-quarters of a length. Time, 2min. 56sec, FLYING STAKES HANDICAP. Of 60 sovs. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr. B. Kay's b m Titania, by Malton—-Mountain Nymph, 4 yrs, Sst2lb (Derauth) 1 Mr. W. Walters’ br h Isaac Walton, 5 yrs, Sst 121 b (Brfmner) 2 Mr. J. Gilligan’s ch h Stirabout, 4 yrs, Cat 101 b (Clark) 3 Mr. .T. O. Hayward's b h Kakapo, aged, Ost (Wlntlngham) 0 Mr. C. F. Barker’s Standard Beater, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (Dunny) 0 Mr. J, Walker’s ch m Glenavy, aged, 7st 71b (Doneghue) 0 Mr. J. Gilligan's ch m Lady of the Lake, 4 yrs, 7st (Harris) • 0 Mr. A Young’s b g Sailor, 6 yrs, Sst 101 b (E. Wilson) 0 Danebury, Tawera, and Legacy were scratched. Betting : Even agst Titania, 6 to 4 agst Isaac Walton, 4 to 1 agst Glenavy, 5 to 1 anything else. Immediately after starting Standard Bearer bolted. The others got away well, and kept together until entering the straight, when Glenavy, who had kept a slight lead, was done with. Titania then forged ahead; and although Isaac Walton and Stirabout tried hard to catch her, she won by about

three quarters of a length. The others were beaten off, Kakapo being last but one. Time,' Imin. 254 sec. • ■ MAIDEN-PLATE. ' Of 100 sovs. For all horse'! that have never won a race value 25 sovs previous to entry. Weight for Rge. On© mile iimi a half. Mr. R. Kay’s ch c Mufti, by Traducer- Flatiron, 8 yrs, 7st 131 b (Demuth) .. 1 Mr. H. Bedwood’s ch g Pinfire, 3 yrs, 7st 101 b (Clifford) 2 Mr. W. Armstrong's br g Talleyrand, 4 yrs, Sst 121 b (Armstrong) . .. .. 0

Betting : Even on Pinfire, even against Mufti, 2to 1 against Talley rand. Some delay was caused at the post -in consequence of Talleyrand’s apparent unwillingness to leave the post. After a false start, they got away on pretty even terms, Mufti having a slightlead on passing the stand. At the first turn Pinfire went up to the leader, collared him, and maintained the lead Jialf-way round. On the other side of the course Multi commenced to reduce the distance between them, and half-a-mile from home the two were together, and raced neck-and-neek until entering the straight, when Mufti had a slight lead. Mr. Redwood’s chestnut tried hard to catch him, but could not do it, and Mufti won the best race of the day by a neck. Time, 2min. 59sec. HACK BACK. OflOsova, Catch weights. One mile and a distance. Mr. R. Stevens’ Annie ,1 Mr. G. Drummond’s Albert .. .. .. ..2 Tommy Dodd, Uncle Tom, Coralie, Molly, and Blazes also started. After going quarter-of-a-mile two or three of them had had enough. The first two however made a good, race of it, Annie winning by a length. WELLINGTON JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP. Of 150 sovs. Second horse to receive 25 sovb from the stakes. Mr. R. Ray’s bni Tltania, 4yrs. 7st 131 b (Demuth) 1 Mr. J. Gilligan’s b h Songster, 4yrs, 7st 6lb (Johnson) 2 Mr. Renata Kawepo’s ch h Otup«i, syrs, Sst (Bunny) .. .; 3 Mr. R. Rav’s ch h Danebury, 4yrs, 9st 41b (Ray) .. 0 Mr. J. 0. Hayward’s b m Ouida, syrs, 7st (Harris) 0 Mr. H. Redwood’s ch g Pinfire, 3yrs, fist Gib (Clark) 0 Mr. J. E. Sicnt’s ch m Legacy, 3yrs. fist (Wilson) 0 Mr. J. Gilligan’s b g Stanley, aged, 6st (Harris) .. 0 Isaac Walton, Tawera, Glenavy, Chohebore,

and Nectar were scratched. Mr. Kay declared to win with Danebury. Betting: 3to 2 against Danebury, 2 to 1 against Titania and Biniire, 3 to 1 against Legacy and Otupai, 4 to 1 against Stanley, 5 to 1 against Songster and Ouida. The lot got away on very even terms. Passing the grand stand Stanley had a clear lead, and then came Titania, Songster, Danebury, and Otupai, the others very close up, with the exception of Pinfire, who was last. This order was maintained without any important change until the other side of the course, when Danebury made an effort. He did not succeed, however, in getting' nearer than third. Coming round the turn S' nley still had a slight lead. On entering the straight Dcrauth called on Titania, and answering gamely the mare caught the leading horse. A splendid finish then ensued all the way up the straight between Titania, Stanley, Otupai, Songster, and Danebury, which resulted in Titania winning by half a length, Songster second, Otupai third, Stanley fourth, Danebury fifth ; then Legacy and Ouida. Time, 2min. oOsec. The races to-day should be very largely attended ; and as there is every appearance of a fine day, we expect to see the figures of yesterday more than doubled. There is little or no betting on the Wellington Cup. The offers yesterday to take £3OO to £2OO against Trump Card met with no response. The colt is now first favorite at a very short price. A rumor was circulated last evening that Danebury will not go for the money. We give tl y rumor as it reached us. Unless Lara or Nectar prove good enough to upset the “pot ” Trump Card should justify the confidence placed in him by the public, and win the big handicap. Tawera and Te Whetumarama should finish first and second for the Hurdles ; the latter for choice. The following handicap was declared at the Empire Hotel last evening:— HURDLE HANDICAP. St. lb. Grey Morans ..114 Te 'Whetumatama II 0 Viota .. ..no Shark 10 4 Septimus .. .. 910 Tawera 9 10