WAITAKI JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 774, 4 October 1878, Page 2

WAITAKI JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

These races, ■which are generally looked forward to with great interest not only in this district, but amongst racing men generally, on account, of their being the first of the season,, commenced on the Duntroon course yesterday. The evehtn were stripped of a considerable amount of. their interest' in "consequence of-the absence of many crack horses originally entered, and whose performances were looked forward to with considerable interest in consequence of their being engaged in several large events in Christchurch. " It was therefore greatly to 'be regretted that, through the damage done Raugitata Bridge by the floods, some of the best horses entered, and on whom some amount of public money had been placed, should have been unable to put in an appearance. There was, however, some capital racing, and the large number of people on the course had but little to find fault with. The weather was delightful in the early morning, and no doubt had something to do with the large attendance; but at mid-day a bitterly cold . wind sprung up, followed by steady showers of rain about four o'clock. The special train which left Oamaru at half-past 9 was crowded with passengers, carrying over 200 people to Duntroon. Many of these were from Ohristchurch, Dunedin, and other places, but by far the greater portion were _ residents of Oamaru, bent upon enjoying a day's relaxation and pleasure. In all about 700 people were on the course, and with one or two exceptions the utmost good order prevailed, the most noticeable, row being occasioned through a bookmaker refusing to pay a gambling debt. A pretty general disturbance took place over this, the bookmaker in question rushing into the saddling paddock followed by a crowd, who hooted the delinquent freely, Tba dispute was eventually settled. Qf course the book-making fraternity was largely represented ; indeed we do not remember ever before having seen so large a gathering of the "talent" upon any country "course : but there did not seem to be much speculation on the races, and those accommodating gentlemen who ' aliow the public to win their money from them, if they can, had not much to du, ' Of course many of those little games at ' which the public are occasionally permitted to win a few shillings, while the ' -•iwirietors win pounds, were represented, ■\n<\ their proprietors appeared to reap a i.arvest from the unwary. The following lis a detailed account of the different I events :

M&IpEN of 30sovs ; distance, 1-J miles ; weight for age ; entry, LI 10s. ; open to all horses that have not won an advertised race of 20 sovs. Mr Thomson's b h Kndymion, 3 yrs ... 1 Mr Campbell's ch h Duntroon, aged ... 2 Mr Goodman's ch c Maligner, 3 yrs ... 3 Chittinsjton, Minnie, Maid of Waitaki, Pukeuri, and Maid of Honor, also ran. Shillelagh was scratched. Betting—s to 4 against Maligner ; 2 to 1, Chittington ; and 3 and i, the others. Chittington played up considerably at the post, and it was not until after several false starts, in which he figured conspicuously, that the lot was sent away to a fair start. Chittington at once took the lead, with Maid of Honor second, and Endymion third. Duntroon then went to the front, and for a time looked like winning, but when Hearing home he was passed by Endymion, who won a good race by a' length, Maligner being third, some lengths behind Duntroon. Pukeuri bolted after going half-a-mile. Time—2inin. ooisec. Wait.akiVup. a handicap of 150 sovs, with a sweep of 2 sovs, to go to the second horse : the winner of the County Plat* to carry olbs penalty ; distance, 2 miles; nomination, L2 2s ; .-icceiita-.ice, L2 2s.

Mr. I'.-iy's b m Maritana aged ... ... 1 Mr. Hill's 1) g Unknown, aged 2 Mr. Neilsou's ch gTe Whetu, aged ... 3 Betting : 2 to 1 on Maritana, 3 and 4 to 1 against tlie rest. A capital start was effected, the quartette getting away well together. They raced in a line for a quarter of a mile, when Maritana showed in the front, Chancellor being second, Unknown third, and Te Whetn last—some three lengths in the rear. In this order they raced for the next half mile, Maritana maintaining her advantage with ease, while Unknown dropped back a little. On passing the stand at the completion of the first mile, however, Unknown made an effort to catch the leading horse, bnt failed, Maritana having no difficulty in beating off the attack. Unknown, however, obtained second place, Chancellor being also passed by Te Whetu at the end of a mile and a quarter, and falling hopelessly into the rear, thoroughly beaten. Unknown made a plucky effort, more

more to get. in front, but though the whip was applied to him freely, Maritana was landed an easy winner, hands down, by some three lenghts. Te Whetu was a moderate third, and Chancellor pulled up. Time : 3 min. 45 sees. Waitaki County Plate, a handicap of 40 sova ; distance, 1-i mile ; nomination, LI ; acceptance, LI. Mr. Devery's ch g The Agent, 5 yrs ... 1 Mr. Ray's ch g Sinking Fund, 6 yr3 ... 2 Mr. Swanson's g g Blue Peter, aged ... 3 Maritana, Te Whetu, Endymion, and Maid of Honour were scratched, and Mistake did not put in an appearance. Betting—4 to lon Sinking Fund, sto 1 against Blue Peter, and any odds against the others. After a false start, in which Blue Peter went some distance, the four were sent away well together. Blue Peter was the first to show in front, Sinking Fund coming next, and The Agent third. In this order they raced for a quarter of a mile, and on passing the grand stand Blue Peter had a clear lead of a couple of lengths, Sinking Fund and The Agent being on even terms, with Exile six lengths in the rear. At the mile post Blue Peter was collared by Sinking Fund, who had parted company with The Agent, and Mr. Swanson's gelding then fell back beaten. The race at this point looked like a certainty for Sinking Fund ; but The Agent was called upon, and answered gamely, passed Sinking Fund (to whom the whip was applied in vain), and won a good race by about three lengths. Blue Peter was an indifferent third, and Exile nowhere. Time—2min. 4~secs. Trotting Race, a handicap of 25 sovs; distance, 3 miles ; nomination, LI; acceptance, LI. Mr Sutherland's g g Charlie, aged ... 1 Mr Fraser's Little Nell, aged ... ... 2 Tommy and Paddy also started. Charlie won liy three lengths. Hack Selling Hack, half-mile heats. Mr Kvans' b m Deception, aged, L 25 ... 1 Mr Beatty's ch g Henry, aged, LlO ... 2 The winner was sold for L3l.