PATEA DISTRICT JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 298, 23 February 1878, Page 2

PATEA DISTRICT JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Windy, wet, and miserable was the weather first day for the. summer meeting of the above Club. This is the first occasion on which the Club has ventured on two days races. A considerable amount of pluck has been shown by the Club in launching out in the way it has done this year. Up to the present there has been an uncertain sort of feeling in regard to the races—where they would be held, whether the -selection' ot racecourse would secure general cooperation or lead to jealously and .opposition from other parts of the; I district, what horses would be attracted, and what short of a muster there would be on the race day. This uncertainty has been prejudicial to the progress of the Club, and'to the growth of county feeling, and has hindered the concentration of effort in the direction of holding at least one meeting during the year which all within Patea could take part and feel pride in. After vainly trying to conic to terms about the Mokoia Racecourse Reserve, the Club, determined to drift no longer, cast about for a central site, and having secured the present course for a term of years, spent a considerable amount in permanent improvements, advertised liberal money prizes, invited cooperation, and generally set to work in a manner which could scarcely fail to crown their efforts with success. The privileges of the course sold well, the early part of the week saw a considerable gathering of the racing fraternity from various parts of the Colony and visitors from all quarters of the Provincial district, the: weather was gloriously fine up to the cloy preceding the first day’s races, the coming event raised a lively feeling of expectation amongst settleis all' through the county, and the'general resolve was to make holiday'and be present. The race day came —windy during the early part, nearly three hours solid wet, and altogether miserable. In spite of threatening appearances there wereiudieationsearly hr the clay of a large gathering. The steady downpour of rain and no appearance of race horses until past the usual time for starting, led to the general belief that a. postponement would be decided upon, and determined many to return homewards. The steeple-chaser Gazelle at last put in an appearance. A break in the rain took place. Hope revived. After further waiting other horses entered the grounds, and there was something like a parade. The stewards began bustling 'about, the first bell rang, jockeys encased in heavy coats yet showing their riding colors underneath . moved around—weighing and saddling fol-

lowed, and finally, shortly before twoo’clock, the hurdle • race was started,' three oaFolb five: horses entered coming to the scratch. Raining recommenced yet the race was run. The wet and cold told on the horses, and set some of them shivering in spite of the continued walking about before and in the intervals between the races. The first race was a little exciting, and aroused some amount of enthusiasm ampngst the spectators. . All the horses took the hurdles beautifully. The Hack Hurdle Race was quickly organized, and three horses started. This was. followed again smartly by the Flying Handicap, all the horses entered showing up. Queen of the Vale in fine fettle, with Belcher for guide, was looked upon as a safe winner. Some of the knowing ones booked Expectation for second, with Tuna for third place. Tuna, however, came in first, amid great excitement and to the surprise of nearly every one on the course. For the second hack race there were nine 'starters, George’s Rob' Roy winning, with Russel’s grey retire second. The grey, quite a pony, was much fancied directly after, starting, and considering that it had carried the owner from New Plymouth the day before, and had been ridden from Hawera same morning, the performance proved that the pony had “ go’’ in it. For the Carljde Gup three* horses started —Resolution, Opawa, and

Reduction, .Tamouri and Lapland being scratched. Reduction’s chapce was counted small. Favors were very evenly divided between Resolution and i Opawa. _ 'The latter was scarcely in so good condition as' the former, but it was expected might be. pulled through by tiie better jockeyship of its rider (Krafft). Geojge rode his own horse. The .race was. intensely exciting throughout, OpAWa' having a slight lead most of the way, .until close to the ■'finish’, when both .horses ,came.-neck and neck alongV the straight and passed the winning-post evun. The three mile .Handicap Trotlead, v 'to considerable amount of speculation.. The ..horses were placed, and after one false starts getaway well together. CaVroll’s Qfiibkstep fidd : eh by Byrne, was most fanciedg and though started at scratch, was’&cpected to overtake all competitors. The race really lay between Winifred (lOOyards) ridden by Quinlivan, and Quickstep. ■ Quickstep fetched up to Winifred in the first lap, but failed to take and keep the lead against Winifred. The latter won, with Quickstep close behind.

The weather coming on rough had prevented the Stewards completing preparations as intended. However, a substantially fenced, saddling paddock had been erected, the straight run in roped off and partly fenced, judge’s bos and other necessary,adjuncts provided. The course had been marked off, and laid down in 'grass esjrfy intthe£spring*andAvas in good order. 'JTlie ohly'-objectfbn was its smallness, thus giving horses condiderable extra running. The jockeys had to be content with a small tent, which, with the wind blowing strong, was with difficulty erecXedr ;The-Weighirig was done in the open. ’ Under the ■ circumstances everyone appeared willing to put up with inconveniences.

The booth owners had their wares on the ground, but for a long time; were unable properly to shelter themselves, goodsor customers. The Messrs Haywood, with assistants and extra material, eventually managed to make their booths snug, and business afterwards appeared brisk. Mr Lett, who possessed a fineweather tent, encouraged by the success of the proprietors of the . WharnclifEe and Albion Hotel booths, covered in and was ready for.business. A fruit stall was there, but the weather appeared too cold to tempt buyers. Appliances for games of .various ■kinds were on the ground, blit .none of. the proprietors deemed it worth while starting. A number of corn stacks opposite the run home afforded excellent shelter from the rain. ■•••Al; -

The following gentleman acted as stewards Dr ‘ Croftj 'Messrs .0; Durie, R. E. Mcßae, C. Syrnes, J. Burke, W: Gower, and J. D. Powdrcll. Very conspicuous amongst the Workers-might have been seen Messrs Mcßae and Dr Croft. Others, present on the-ground, were ready and willingly .aided;*,where opportunity presented. ■ A visitor from Taranaki (Captain Mace) acted as judge, Mr Walkington very efficiently-as starter, whilst Mr H. E. P. Adams, assisted by Mr Nicholson, officiated at the scales. Mr 11. I. Davis, as clerk of the course, well mounted and appropriately attired, proved himself the right man in the right place, and was thoroughly good tempered under very trying circumstances, The Secretary (Mr W. Co worn) w as'early'pH the ground, and; active in attention to his duties.

The following are tab events ' Hurdle Back, of 30'"sovs; entrance, 2 soys; •■'distance,-, 2 miles and distance; over eight flights, 3ft 9in; weight, 14lbs

over weight for age. McCaul’sTe Whetu Marania (Chevannes) 1 Campbell's Bully-for-You ... (Kralft) 2 Brewer’s Gazelle . ... (Copestake) 3 Brigham Young and Uira were scratched. Te Whetu and Gazelle''were about equally fancied, though if anything the leaning was for Gazelle. A gqod start was made, and the first hurdles were cleared beautifully, Gazelle being the cleanest jumper. At the second jump Gazelle baulked, but the jocke}' (Copestake) headed round and cleared splendidly, but though a good pace was put on, was unable to show again in the race. At the first lap, TeWhetu led by six lengths. The soft ground opposite the judge’s stand made it heavy work, and Te Whetu grazing the hurdle, nearly threw the jockey. Bully-for-You followed gamely. Though Gazelle fetched up.,considerably,. the leading horses kept their *relative p Ositions throughout. Hack Hurdles, o£4o sovs Lsov;: once round and' a distance; over four flights, 3ft 9in; weights, none under 9 stone. ’ Lynch’s Aggravation...’: . ... (Wood) 1 Old’s Billy ... (Copestake) 2 The first and second horses cleared the hurdles well; some of the others scrambled over. The facing lay between the abovenamed. Flying Handicap, of 30 sovs; nomination, 1 sov; acceptance, 2 sovs; distance, three-quarters of a. mile., Durie’s Tuna, 7st 101b' • ... (Atkin) 1 Powdrell’s Queen of the Vale,, Bst 71b . '... ... ... ... (Belcher) 2 Handley’s Flora McDonald, 9at, 21bj ' i ... : ...(J.Lloyd) 8 Wheeler’s Expectation ... (Turner) 0 Bufke’B ; Laplahd| ... ... (Wright) 0

. , Lapland", midp, a but,the others got well 7: away :f togVmer. ! ' The running'wie taken' dp by Tuna, Queen of the Vale, and Flora McDonald, these three keeping well together. -Tuna and the Queen afterwards paired off, and there’ was a straggle for victory. Tuna, however got and kept ahead, and won by two lengths. Hack Race, of 5 sovs; entrance, 10s; distance, three-quarters of a’ mile; catch weights; post entries. ■ W. H.. George’s Rob Roy ... 1 J. Russel’s Creeping Jenny ... -1.. 2 There were nine entritfe for this face. One false start was made, and two of the horses did the first lap at racing pace. A second and good start was afterwards ihade. Rob Roj' held'the lead, and Jenny gradually worked to-the front, w’hen a good race home ensued. Carlyle Cup, of 3D soys; entrance, 2 sovs; distance, 2 mile's;^4yeight’for age. ■ Geprge’s rU,.K RoweVOpawa ’ ... " 2, Quinlivan’s Reduction ... Reduction, \ though in good fonn and being lightly weighted, was considered to have" very little chance against Resolution and Opawa, between which favors were evenly divided. Opawa was scarcely-, in' first-rate condition, but

with Krafft for. jockev, was considered to have a good chance against Resolution, ridden by G. George. Reduction made a bad start. ..... Resolution had inside place, and had a slight advantage at starting. jQpawa pulled up, and the two ran close together, when Opawa got slightly ahead, and pressing close on Resolution, compelled George to give way. , Passing th,e stand at the first lap, both horses were close together. - In the last lap,. Resolution took a wider berth, anfi the race continued at a good pace, the horses keeping well together all round, Opawa still with the inside ; place, keeping his head first. Coming to the straight, Resolution settled down to the work, and the result was a dead heat. George lodged a protest against Krafft , for unfair crossing, which being . allowed, Resolution was declared winner. Maori Hack Race.

Handicap Trot, of 15 sovs; nomination* 10s; acceptance, 1 sov; distance, Smiles; distance handicap; any weights; no qualification required. W. Wheeler’s Winifred, 100 yards ... ... ... (T.-Quinlivan) 1 D. Carroll’s Quickstep, scratch, .JJ. M. R. Kilgour’s Morsel, 440 yards ... 0 - Black Boy. was scratched. Quickstep was favorite, and though starting at scratch, was expected to beat all competitors. A false start was made, but at the second attempt all the horses were got well away. At the first lap, Quickstep had gaineff considerably, and was close up to Winifred. As the racing lay between these two, the interest centred on Byrne ; and Quinlivan, and during the remainder of the:race they kept well together, sometimes one and sometimes the other getting ahead. Quinlivan rode with confidence, and seemingly was able to let out whenever required, and came in winner, after a splendid tussle. SECOND DxiY. Yesterday proved beautifully fine, with a light southerly wind. The course was well attended from all parts of the county, Hawera. showing up well. The first race cama off about half-past twelve o’clock. Major Turner occupied the judge’s box. Handicap Hurdles, of 30 sovs ; nomination, 1 sov; acceptance, 2 sovs; distance, 24 miles; over nine flights of hurdles, • 3ft Sin; no weight under 10 or over 12 stone. • Brewer’s Gazelle ... (W; Nicholson) 1 Campbell’s Bully-for-You ... (Krafft) 2 Uira was scratched. Gazelle was favorite. Bully got the lead at start, and kept ahead until third lap, when Gazelle moved forward, and from half way of last lap, both horses ran together. Gazelle was then pushed on, took lead, and won by a head. The hurdles were all cleared in line style, and the race throughout was good.

Maiden Plate, of 40 sovs; entrance, 3 sovs; distance, 1-| miles; weight for age; for all maidens at time of entry. Burke’s Lapland ... (Belcher) 1 WJreeler’s Expectation... (Krafft) 2 Powdrell’s Snow Storm (Birdie Kellick) 3 Tamonri, Gang Forward, and Reduction were scratched. X.aplancl Jed from the start, by about two lengths, increasing at times, with Expectation and Snowstorm close together, and Tuna last. Passing the stand second lap, the three leading horses were well together, Lapland being just in advance. Last round, Snowstorm picked up, and obtained a good second place, but gave way to Expectation in the run home. Kraft entered protest against Belcher, for running inside a post, which was allowed. Snowstorm had a mishap on Thursday evening, and not having properly recovered, ran stiff, otherwise would have been high in favor. Hack Race, of 5 sovs; entrance, 10s; distance, miles; catch weights; post entries. Russel’s Creeping Jenny 1 There were eight entries.- After two false starts, the lot got well away together. Creeping Jenny soon got away for the lead, and kept it all the way. The second horse tried hard to overtake the pony, but came in a length Dehind. Patea District Jockey Club Handicap, of 100 sovs; nomination, 2 sovs; acceptance, 3 sovs; distance, 24 miles; top weight not to exceed 10 st. Stockman’s'Otawa’... (Birdie Kellick) I Pomlrell’s Queen of the Yale ... (Reid) 2 George’s Resolution ... (Aitkin) 3 Pollock’s Folly,- being quite lame, was scratched. All the rest were duly mounted, and from the care bestowed by owners and jockeys, it looked safe for a good race. The horses showed in good form, and made a fine field. Close at the start Reduction ran off the course, and lost nearly a lap, and had to drop out of the racing. Handley’s colors led past the stand in first and second laps. Otawa being second, with another of Handley’s for third, and Opawa fourth, the lot being well together. Queen of the Yale got well forward, audit was thought she had good chance for first place. The horses each time passing the stand Wefe almost in a cluster. Otawa came in first, ■with Queen of the Vale and Resolution and the rest close behind. On Otawa’s rider being scaled he was heartily cheered. All 1 the leading horses showed considerable punishment. ... . Forced for Winners, of 20 sovs; entrance, 2 sovs; optional to’ losers at 1 sov; distance, 1£ miles. Resolution, fist ... ... ... ... I

Tuna, 6st 71b ... 2 Gazelle, 6st 81b... ... ... ... 3 The following also entered— Reduction? 6st 51b ; Expectation, 7st 61b ; and Otawa? 7st 101b. Otawa was scratched, and Expectation galloped off the course first time round. The race was a tight one between Resolution and Tuna.