WANGANUI RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5289, 8 March 1878, Page 2

WANGANUI RACES.

(FROM . OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wanganui, Thursday. ■This was the first day of the Wanganui Autumn Meeting, and this popular tryst was as usual a great success, people coming from all parts of the district and elsewhere to see the running, which in nearly every case was most, exciting, the finishes being close, and the pace good. ;The weather was very threatening, and during the afternoon a few showers fell,' after which the sky cleared, and the sun came out, promising a fine day for to-morrow’s racing. . The course was in ; superb order, and the adjuncts most complete. The saddling paddock has been greatly improved, a row of boxes having been erected at one end, as also a dreasing-room for the jockeys,, who now can make .their toilet and weigh before presenting themselves to the clerk of. the scales, which facilitates matters greatly. A high iron fence at the back shuts out the “gape-seed” element, whilst a nice stand along the front, continued from.ther stewards stand, .gives ample accommodation to the' frequenters of the paddock. Visitors from other-parts of the colony were unanimous in their opinion - that the course and adjuncts’are-now second to none in New Zealand. Owing to the threatening aspect of the! weather the attendance - was not so good as had been expected, there being only about 1700 persona on the ground; but as the big events are to be gone for to-morrow, there will be a much-better attendance in consequence. The'Hurdlei Race was a gift to Te Whetu, who, at weight for age, is perhaps the best horse in the colony over sticks.: He won in a canter, Gazelle struggling gamely to make a good second. . The scratching of Chofcebore for the Derby left . Foam at the head of the betting,! and: after a very pretty race she landed the money. She was very fit, and a credit to Walker. ■ Skyblue’s running was a vast improvement on previous performances, and promises still further improvement as she ripens. A finer lot of two-year olds than the bakef’g: dozen that stripped for the Sapling Stakes could not well be turned out, breeding and condition being ali that could be desired. -The winner—Gladys-is a'nice level filly, by Gladiator, who scores his first win through her. Mufti was made a great pot for the Wanganui Stakes, and could not be beaten for pace,' but: the outsiders got a turn, as the lad who rode him crossed • twice, and was declared in consequence. ’■ Kakapo was also inape'a pot far the Ladiei’ Purse, but it boiled over, as ridden by Mr. Pollock, Tate of Wellington, won cleverly, albeit he had broken a stirrup leather when half-way round. :: He was protested against for a cross, but the case was, after a patient hearing, adjudged in bis favor. The Flying Handicap, which had been the subject of a deal of single and double, event betting, was divested of a great deal of its interest through the scratching of the Queen of the Vale, which had been a hot favorite until this morning, when her owner* to the disgust; of ■ the - public, scratched her, to keep her fnsh for the big money tomorrow. The winner turned up in the shape of May Moon, who j would have had to have gonefaster had Haphazard been intelligently pidden.-; ißelow is the result of each event;— (Ivii.!' - : , HURDLE BACH.

Of 40 sots. Entrance 3 guineas. 'Weight for age. Distance 2 miles and a quarter, over 9 jumps 3ft. 3ins. high. ... Mr. Stent’s cb g Te Wbetumarama, aged, 9at, (Campion) .. .. , .... . .. .. j Mr. Brewer's b g Gazelle, aged, 9st 101 b (Nicholson) S Mr. Heaton’s b g Victor, aged, 9«t 101 b (owner) .. S ,»/ Betting :.6 to &on To Whetu. Kxpectation was scratched. The chestnut let Gazelle lead for a great part of the distance, when Campion went to the front, and won hands down j Victor being a long way behind Gazelle, who finished a good second on sufferance. Time, 5 mini 32 secs. WANGANUI DERBY Of 100 sovs. Acceptance, 5 sots. - One mile and a , a half. Colts, Bst 101 b; fillies and geldings, Sst 51b. Twenty-three subscribers. Mr. Owen’s b m Foam (Walker) 1 Mr. Rowe’s gm Skyblue (Belcher) 2 Mr. Harrison’s b g Pcep-o’-day Boy (Danahy) .. 3 Mr. Hanby’s b m Te Teweka, Mr. Stent’s Legacy, and Mr. McLeod’s Chandler also ran. Betting : Level on Foam, and 3 and i to 1 agst the others. A good start was effected, Skyblue atonce taking up the running, closely attended by Te Teweka and Peep-o’-day Boy. When half a mile from home Foam was taken through, and won comfortably, the others well up. Time, 2min. 52seo. WANGANUI SAPLING STAKES Of 50 sots. For- 2-year olds. Entrance. 3 guineas. Distance, three-quarters of a mile. Derby weights. Mr. Newlanrt’s b f Gladys , .. J Mr. Higges’br g Portwine-Hot .. .'. ” 2 Mr. J. Paul’s Chanticleer j Lochinvar, Bourbaki, Froude, Blue Bird, Rugby, Sati.nella, Redeemer, Curiosity, GaugAwa, and Snowstorm also ran. This was a pretty race,' the youngsters going a cracker from the jump, Portwine-Hot cutting out the pace, with the others well up. On entering the straight Gladys went up, and challenging the leaders, took first place, and won cleverly. Time,limn. 24sec; ‘ WANGANUI STAKES Of 60 sots, Weight for age. Two miles. Mr. George’s b h Resolution, Syrs, 9st lOlbs (Campion) , 1 Mr._ Rowp’s ph h Opawa, aged, was dis’anoed. Mr. Grilligah’s ch h Mufti, 3yrs, was disqualified. Mufti led from the jump, and came in first by a length, but was disqualified for crossing twice during the race. Opawa stopped at the back of the course, and refused to gallop. Time, 3min. 50sec. j LADIES’ PURSE Of 30 sovs. Welter weights for age. Non-professional riders allowed 71bs. Distance one mile and a half. Mr. Wheeler’s b m Expectation, 4yrs, lOst lllbs ■ ’(Mr. Pollock) i Mr Hayward’s b h Kakapo, aged, 12st 41bs (Mr. , Desmond) ■ i . 2 Mr. Lyon’s b g Tamata, 4 yrs, list (Mr, Nicholson) 3 Abolition also started. This was a good race between Expectation and Kakapo, the others being outpaced. The mare won cleverly, although Mr. Pollock was laboring-under the disadvantage of a broken stirrup-leather. A protest against him for crossing was not upheld. Time,* 9min. 52seo. • ELTING HANDICAP, . 1’ lOf SO.sovs. Distance, one mile and a quarter. Messrs. Chadwick and Belcher’s bm May Moon, .aged,,Sst slbs(Belcher) 1 Mn Scott’s cb g Haphazard. syrs, Sst Tibs .. .. 2 Mr. Campbell’s bg Bully-for-You, aged, 6st Slbs .. S Skyblue, Ouida, Lapland, Stanley, and Luna also ran. -May Moon led from the start, and won easily. , - . _ i