WAIRARAPA J.C. ANNUAL RACE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5579, 14 February 1879, Page 2

WAIRARAPA J.C. ANNUAL RACE MEETING.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) President, J. P. Russell, Esq.; judge, E. Barton, Esq.; starter, H. Macmaster, Esq.; stewards, Mr. J. Drummond, Mr. N. Grace, Mr. H. Macmaster, Mr. Wallace Smith, Mr. J. C. Yallance, Mr. 11. S. Wardell, Mr. E. A. S. Wyllie; cleric of the course, Mr. C. Ticehurst; John M. Girdleatone, secretary. FIRST HAY.— Thursday, Eeb. 13.

No one who has not been in the Wairarapa district about race time can have any conception of the intense excitement that prevails, and the interest in the races is apparently so general that neither ago or sex is excepted from the feeling of exultation that excites the people of the district. This feeling is not confined to the township nearest to the Tauheriuikan Racecourse, but is participated in by all the inhabitants in the valley fur miles beyond Masterton. All the hotels, especially in Greytown and Featherston, were so crowded last night that numbers of visitors were glad to be accommodated with shakedowns in all imaginable corners, and positions, and it may well be imagined that a good night’s rest was a luxury indulged in by a comparative few. A large number of Wellingtoniaus came up by the last train yesterday afternoon, and the special train this morning brought a considerable addition to the ranks of those hailing from the Empire City. At the Rising Sun Hotel, Greytown, last night there were quartered a large number of men well known in sporting circles, and several Calcutta sweeps were pulled off. From a very early hour this morning the excitement recommenced. The morning was beautifully fine, and there was not a cloud visible in the sky. As the morning advanced the road from Featherston to the racecourse, aud from the north from Masterton to Tauheriniku, was quite a sight. Vehicles of all kinds rushed along at a speed characteristic of racing time. There were numbers of four-in-hand coaches and drags, buggies, etc., all crowded, while quite an army of men and women cantered along the road on horseback. The sight reminded ms very ranch of the old days in Canterbury, when the Ricarton-road on race day was crowded with vehicles, and people could scarcely see one another through the clouds of dust that they gave rise to. When I arrived on the racecourse I was reminded mare of a metropolitan than of a country meeting from the number of people upon it and the excellent arrangements made by the Club officials to make the meeting thoroughly successful. There were several publican’s booths on the course, and Mr. Faber, of the Victoria Hotel, Featherston, did the catering in the grand stand very satisfactorily. The usual gambling tables were in full strength on the course, and the amount of business done by their owners seemed to be considerable. It was rather a reproach to the Wellington Club to find that there was a capital brass band on the ground, the Wairarapa Club having engaged the services of the Masterton Borough Band specially for tho occasion. As to the racing itself, tho day’s sport may be pronounced to have been very good on the whole. In the Maiden Plate there were three starts, and Merlin was the first to catch the judge’s eye, but a protest was entered against the representative of Mr. Vallance’s stable on the ground of jostling, and the stewards decided to consider the protest after the day’s races were over. The Wairarapa Stakes went also to Mr. Vallance, Bribery winning just as she liked, although the owner declared to win with Danebury. The Produce Stakes brought a field of six to the scratch, and were won by Orphan. Annie, who won the Hack Race at the Hutt meeting on the second day, was again the winner of the Hack Race to-day. In the Ladies’ Purse only two faced the stater, Agent and Diver. The former, with Mr. P. Butler up, winning just as he liked. The first race was announced to start at half-past 11 o’clock. The horses were out of the paddock with commendable punctuality. Without further preface I shall now proceed to describe the various events on the programme. MAIDEN PLATE, Of 45 sovs. Enhance 2 sovs. One and a half miles. Weight for age. Second horse to save entrance. For maidens at time of entry, Winner of any stake after time of entry of the value of £25 to carry Slbs extra, and of £SO 51bs extra. Mr E. H. Vallance’s b h Merlin, 3 yrs, 7st 131 b, and 51b extra (J. Nolan) ... .. .. .. 1 Mr D. Knight’s b m BarbeUe, 3yr>, 7at 101 b (Harris) .. • • .. 2 Mr P. Murtagh’s bk g Black Prince, 6yrs, Ost 111 b (Owner) .* 3 Mr. H. Gillies’s dun g Orphan, 3 yrs, 7st 101 b, was scratched. Betting : 2 to 1 on Merlin, 3 to 1 agst Barbelle, 5 to 1 agst Black Prince. Merlin, on account of winning the Wellington Maiden Plate carried 51b penalty. After two or three unsuccessful attempts to get them away Mr. McMaster despatched them on very equal terms. Murtagh as usual went off with a lead, which ha soon increased to about a couple of lengths, followed by Merlin, with BarbeUe well up. On passing the stand Murtagh still maintained his lead, with BarbeUe second, the latter having got into that position on coming round the turn, after running over a mile, in fact, until near coming to the turn a second time, Black Prince was collared by Merlin. They ran neck aud neck for a short time, with BarbeUe in close attendance. Black Prince fell back in the straight, aud BarbeUe raced home with the favorite, the latter winning easily by a neck without being called upon. Time, 2min. 53 4-lOaec. Mr. Knight, the owner of BarbeUe, lodged a protest against Merlin, on the ground of having jostled on taking the inside running in the turn past the stand the first time round, and the stewards intimated that the protest would be considered later in the day. WAIRARAPA STAKES, Of 100 sovs., added to a sweepstake of 5 sovs. Entrance, 2 sovs. Three miles. Weight for age. Sweepstake to be paid by noon on the day of the Mr K. C H. Vallacce’s b m Bribery, syrs, Ost 91b (Nolan) • • • • 1 Mr D. Knight’s b h Lara, Gyrs, lOst lib (Hey wood) 2 Mr B. H. Vallance’a ch h Danebury, syrs, Ost 121 b (Denetb) .. .. . • ■ •• ..3 Betting : Even money on Danebury, 6 to i agst Bribery, 3 to 1 agst Lara. Mufti had been scratched for all his engagements on the previous night, and Mr. Murtagh’s Harkaway and Mr. Butler’s Laertes were scratched for this event before the race. Mr Vallance having since the entrances become the owner of Bribery, and, as he was also running Danebury, he declared to win with the latter. The start was not a good one, hut it was not of much consequence, considering the distance. Danebury got away with a good lead, but on entering the first turn from the stand Bribery rushed away to the front, and was soon many lengths ahead of Danebury aud Lara, who were both hard held, and evidently playing a waiting race with each other. At the end of the bush, nearly opposite the stand, Bribery w r aa between 20 and 30 lengths ahead of the others, which the hay mare increased to nearly a quarter of a mile at the turn coming up to the stand for the first time round. Danebury came next, Lara being in close waiting on the favorite upon which Mr. Vallance had declared to win. Passing the stand Bribery was pulling hard, but was in such a lather as to raise grave doubts as to her staying powers. In the straight Lara assumed second position, and passing the stand the first time -was a length ahead of Danebury, Opposite the stand the second time round Nolan managed to get Bribery more under control, and the mare reduced her pace to a canter, the others then coming closer up. Lara was now about a length and a half ahead of Danebury. At the turn into the straight the rival stables commenced to race, and it was generally believed

that Bribery would soon be out of it altogether, but to everybody’s astonishment the mare again passed the stand, going strong and hard held, still many lengths ahead of the others at the bush. At the opposite side of the course Bribery’s stirrup-iron broke, and the mare nearly got oil the course. The others then shot past, but Bribery righting herself again she ran through her homes at a good bah It was now evident that nothing but Bribery could win the stakes, as Danebury showed signs of caving in, and Lara had not the foot to catch Bribery, who came in a winner by nearly twenty lengths, hard held, Lara second. Danebury pulled up about the distance post, and walked into third place. The race was a complete boil over, as before leaving the paddock it was emsidered a moral for Danebury, who was backed at even money. Time—omin. 56 3-10ths sec.

PRODUCE STAKES. Of 40 s vs, added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs. One mile and a quarter : for horses bred and trained in the district, that have never started prior to Ist November, IS7S; weight forage ; second horse to save his stakes. Mr. F. Gillies’dun g Orphan, by Kakaro, 3 yrs, 7st 101 b, and 12Hb overweight (Bncmcr) .. 1 Mr. J. Thompson's b s Tim Whifflcr, by Socrates, 5 vrs, Ost Clb (C. Wintcringham) .. .. 2 Mr. Pi Shceran’s g m Gamclia, by Socrates, 5 yrs, Ost 61b and 41b overweight (Casey) .. .. 3 Mr. Hathaway’s Mischief, Mr. T. Lowe s Lady Helen, and Mr. J. Thompson’s Sunshine also ran. Mr. J. Thompson declared to wiu with Tim Whifller. Betting ; 6 to 4 against Orphan, 2 to 1 against Lady Helen and Tim Whifller, 10 to 1 against anything else. This event always brings together a good field, and this year was no exception to the rule. Every racer on the cards for the Produce Stakes came to the scratch, Orphan if anything being most fancied. There was one false start ; Orphan and Tim Whifller running into the straight before being pulled up. The next attempt was more successful, though the start was by no means a good one. Orphan came up the straight with a short lead, Lady Helen second, and Sunshine third. Going round the turn past the grand stand tha positions were changed, and passing the bush at the opposite side of the course Tim Whittier led the van, Orphan being very close up, Mischief third, and Lady Helen several lengths to the rear, quite out of it. Approaching the turn into the straight a grand set-to ensued between Orphan and Tim Whifller, everything else so far behind them as to render their chances nil. Orphan and Tim Whifller came up the straight at a splendid hat, the Orphan having a slight lead. At the distance post, Wiuteringham made a call on Tim Whifller, but without any response. Orphan was lauded a winner by a leugth aud a half, hands down, Camelia running into third place some lengths behind Tim Whifller. The others came straggling home any way. The race was won in 2miu. 27soc. HACK. RACE Of 10 sovs. Entrance, 10s. Once round. Catch weights. Host entry. There were ten entries for this event, as follows :—Mr. J. Edwards’ Deception, Mr. T. Grace’s Heretaunga, Mr. T. Kay’s Annie, Mr. T. H. Hill’s Lady Grey, Mr. W. E. Burgess' Tiger, Mr. Greathead’s Listfoot, Mr. Bishop’s Flyaway, Mr. Devonshire’s Misery, Mr. Beetham’s Ely, and Mr. Crawford’s Ariel. The race was won easily by Annie (who won the hack race at the Hutt meeting on the second day). Lady Grey was second, several lengths behind Annie. ladies’ purse Of 35 sovs. Entrance, 2 sovs. One mile. 'Welter weights for age. Gentlemen riders. Mr. P. Butler's cii g Agent, syra, list Mbs (owner) 1 Mr. T. Hay’s cii g Diver, aged, 12st lib .. .. 2 Mr. Hill’s Ada, Mr. E. Eay’s Bribery, Mr. R, H. Yallance’s Eversley, and Mr. Iv. H. Vallance’s Merlin, were scratched. Betting : G to 4 on Agent. It will be seen that for this event there were six names on the card, but two only faced the starter. Agent was made rather a bit of a favorite, it will be seen by the betting. The starter got them away at the, first attempt on fair terms, both making the pace very hot from the moment the flag was lowered. For a considerable distance round Agent and Diver kept well together, but Agent commenced to forge gradually ahead as they neared the bush on the opposite side of the course; when opposite the stand the bird’s-eye body and white sleeves could be seen half a length ahead pulling hard. From this point Agent kept increasing the gap between himself and Diver, and at the turn into the straight it was evident that, bar accidents, Agent must win as he pleased. “ The Agent wins ” was the cry that was raised all over the stand and paddocks, and sure enough the Agent was first to catch the judge’s eye, two lengths ahead of Diver. Agent was pulling strong as he passed the post, Mr. Butler laying back in the saddle, and having enough to do to hold him. The time was 2min., which is considered good for the weight Agent carried. This event brought the first day’s racing to a termination. In consequence of the illness of Mr. Barton, Mr. Wallace Smith kindly officiated as judge, and the cause of Mr. Barton’s absence was very much regretted by his brother members of the club. As I before remarked, the catering in the grand stand gave entire satisfaction. The luncheon provided was of excellent quality, aud the prices charged was reasonable. The visitors spoke of it in most complimentary terms compared with the luncheon at the Hutt races. X cannot conclude without expressing my indebtedness to the stewards and club officials, especially Mr. Girdlestone, the secretary, for the courtesy they displayed, and the readiness with which I was supplied with any information I required. In a later message I shall send the result of the stewards decision in the Maiden Elate protest, and the acceptances for the Hurdle Handicap and Wairarapa Jockey Club Handicap. Up to the time of leaving the course, which was after the last race, I heard of no serious accidents having occurred, which is very satisfactory when tha large number of persons, vehicles, aud horsemen on the course is considered. The gates were sold for £l5O, aud if the weather is fine to-morrow the purchaser is bound to make no small amount of profit out of the transaction. The stewards took the evidence of jockeys who rode in the Maiden Plate, and decided not to entertain the protest ; therefore the Plate goes to Mr. Vallanoe, as won by him. Tho decision of the stewards gives almost universal satisfaction.

The following are the acceptances for the two handicaps to-morrow ; —Hurdles : Ada, Harkaway, Agent, Blue Jacket, Kangaroo, and Roebuck. W. J. 0. Handicap ; Lady Ellen, Bribery, Laertes, Ika, Lara, and Diver. The acceptances for the District Handicap close to-morrow a quarter of an hour before tho W. J. C. Handicap is run.

The public are going in crowds to the entertainment given by Mr. Cary, Madame Moller, and Signor Ferrari, in the Town Hall to-night.