NOTES ON THE PATE A DISTRICT JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 401, 19 February 1879, Page 2

NOTES ON THE PATE A DISTRICT JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

By LiiOLixna.

I must confess to being rather disappointed at the paucity of entries for some of the events on the programme submitted to racing men by the Patea Jockey Club. The acceptances for the two handicaps are, however, very good, and, in a measure, will make the meeting- an interesting--01l e, from the fact of so many favourites being engaged. The members of the chib have themselves to blame for so few entries being received for the welter races, and more especial!}’ in the Ladies’ Purse, in which they debarred young horses by making it a condition of the race that no horse should start carrying less than 12 st. In the Fanners’ Plato, the Spring weights have been adopted, which, to say the least, is unfair to owners of aged horses. A week later, and the aged horse—in this case Resolution—would have about 71 bs. less to carry, as the Autumn weights would then have to bo run under ; but the club has introduced into its programme two races which will never draw good fields, or produce exciting contests. In the first, a throe-year old meets an aged horse on a stone or more better terms than in a weight for ago race ; and in the latter it is asked to carry a weight which it should never for any purpose be allowed to bear. In the former a five-year old is more than a match for the aged horse, receiving pounds more than its weight for age ; and in the latter, the case is an opposite one. One word as to the course, and I shall not further preface my remarks about the horses. This, to say the least, is in a very discreditable state, and although some improvements have been effected, I cannot congratulate the club on having even a fair convincing ground. Owners of valuable horses will not patronize Patea Race Meetings while such defects exist. On the first clay, I select Uira for pride of place in the weight for age Hurdle Race, as she is in good condition, and I am inclined to believe faster than the old veteran Gazelle, whose chance for second place can only be endangered by Sloper—and the latter I have no faith in, as he is not true to his work. The same remarks apply to War Eagle ; and I shall, therefore, favour for the barren honor, the candidature of Sunrise, who on several occasions has shown fair form in hack hurdle events. In the Flying Handicap, a good race maj r he looked for. Speculation must have my vote, and I shall look for him at the finish. Tuna, last year's winner, will be close on his heels, if not the actual winner ; while between Gladys and Confident I must make a choice for the unfilled situation. The latter has the advantage of a year and sibs,-and since I last wrote I have seen her go, and have had sufficient reason now to think that she will make the pace very interesting.- So to her I give third place. The' Carlyle Cup will be fought out bj’ Redeemer, Expectation, and Resolution, the distance being rather far for Miss Emma. Otawa, I maintain,- is not a weight carrier, and Bourbaki is not in condition, if class enough, for the company. Between the first two 1 expect to see a good race, although the weight is greatly in favour of the young one. Resolution yesterday morning did not please me in Ids style of getting over the heavy ground, and his condition is not, in my opinion, what it should he. Expectation is a greatly improved beast, and a thorough weight carrier,-and I think will show superiority to the latter. Unless Hailstorm is several stone a better horse than he ran at Rangitikei, he cannot have much show with Expectation for the Farmers’ Plate ; but he will be fresh, and has the advantage in the weights over the mare, who must, however,- be my selection notwithstanding.

SECOND DAY. Oh the Handicap Hurdles, I cannot venture to express an opinion 1 , further than to say that Otawa is not a likely starter. For the Maiden, Zephyr has the call in the betting, and unless Hailstorm be very, much improved since Eangitikei, I cannot see what chance he has of heating her, as she is in much better form than she showed then. Gladiola, a 1 fashionablybred one, is on the big side, and suspicious looking hocks are not calculated to make her chances very bright. Old would run fairly if started fresh, but the hurdle racing is best suited to him, and, unless heavily weighted, I expect to see him a defaulter for the Maiden’. Bourbaki lacks condition, Confident is not up to weight in good company ; but I must award her the third place, giving preference to Zephyr and Hailstorm in order. The race of the day will be the Patea District Jockey Club Handicap. Expectation, 7st 31bs, must have a big say in it if her late performances are worth anything, but I am afraid no boy can hold her so as to get her to finish a two-and-a-half mile race. Last year, however, Otawa, with 6st 121bs up, made the running from end to end, and it is quite on the cards that the mare may do the same. Eedeemer is ■not badly treated, and as he meets resolution on such good terms, I cannot see him beaten by the latter if well handled. Otawa has no show with Resolution at the weights, if previous running is considered, and in giving to the latter my preference, I do so believing that Otawa has not improved much on last year's form. To that sterling performer Folly, I must award the premier position, as the old horse is in good form and going well. Expectation I shall select for second place, with Eedeemer third. The Welter Race will, 1 think, fall to Expectation, should her opponents first meet her in the Handicap. Some smart hacks arc expected to: run,’ both on- the flat and over hurdles;