POVERTY BAY RACES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 21, 25 January 1873, Page 2

POVERTY BAY RACES.

In days oft remembered with pleasure, and in other places, we hare heard festivities such a* those of the past week, described as a “Carnival” cud, perhaps we might find a name more appropriate and less pedantic, did we care about calling things by other than their proper Bftnies. Let others cavil about the name of the article ; it is a sufficiently pleasing duty for us to chronicle one of the greatest successes, in a small way, ever achieved by a young community in the attainment of the great objects of horse-racing. An honorable conduct in the whole management of the races, has resulted in the best blood and bone being placed first because it was evident they ran to win. But not to anticipate. The meeting of 1873 will henceforth be recorded as one of the pleasantest, from a social point of view. Never before has the turf of Poverty Bay been graced with so much of that youth and beauty, maturity and loveliness, that make life endurable, and add at once a sanction and security to the doings of men. Never before, not even in the oft-quoted “ good old days,” has the holiday season been marked by so large a concourse of spectators and participants, as that which gathered on the course on Wednesday and Thursday, with an intention of thoroughly enjoying themselves. Everything was propitious to the occasion. Nature lent her sunniest smiles, and fanned the parched earth with her gentlest and most refreshing breezes. She was glad in her holiday attire, add communicated her gladness to everyone. As is the case in times of unusual excitement, the early dawn witnessed some one prepared forJts reception, and active preparations for the road were observable from an early hour. Traps of all sorts, buggies, genteel and unpretending; the family caravan, all freighted with good cheer and merry hearts; equestrians in hundreds, all swelled the long line of cavalcade Matawhero-wards during the whole morning. The course, altered from that of former years, was in a paddock of Captain Read’s and possesses advantages of comfort not found in that on Mr. Parsons’ property. The ground is leveler it is true, but the small inconvenience which that causes is amply compensated for in the presence of several little copses, whose grateful shade from the noonday sun offered a welcome retreat to the quietly-disposed. The yunning ground was not in good order, owing to the short time at the disposal of the Stewards ; and the very sharp turns must have told seriously against the inside horses ; we wonder, on observation, that “crossings” have been so successfully avoided. The pleasures of “the road,” as understood in the old country, cannot possibly be realised here, 1.e., if we may except the presence of fair equestriennes, and clouds of dust, these we possess both in numbers and quantity, and our desire is that we may have an addition of the one and a diminution of the other. The former are quite indispensable, as without them the “ meet” would lose its charm, and the gigantic picnic its chief attraction. Punctually at 12 o’clock Captain Winter succeeded in bringing his men to a stand still, at least as well as could be expected considering that the preliminary canters had just sufficiently roused the mettle of their steeds as to make “holding quiet” simply impossible. The Maiden Plate of 20 sovs., entrances added, one mile and a half, weight for age, open to all maiden horses which have been in the district not less than six months previous to the day of the race, created much interest, inasmuch as it was the trial test of horses new to this turf, and the property of those whose enterprise had the good wishes of all. It soon became apparent that the contest lay between Dick and Faith ; for although master Richard led well. Faith’s rider was too old a hand to let him head beyond spurting distance. About the mile she was “ let go” and collared Dick, leading him, in the straight run, past the Judge’s box by about two lengths. Dick and Satan were disqualified as 2nd and 3rd horses, as their riders dismounted before weighing, Marmion was, therefore, placed second. At one o’clock the gong sounded for The Turanga Stakes of 20 sovs., entrances added, 3 miles, aged list. 5 4 and 3 yrs. in same reduction as Auckland weights for ago. This was a “slogging” race, which, although well-contested was attended with a slight accident, the absence of which might have given a different result. On passing the post the first time Rainbow’s saddle had become displaced by the slipping of the girths, a precaution against which had not been taken by wearing a breastplate. Although Goldsmith, who rode his own horse, did his best, it was evident that with a rider on his loins, the race to Rainbow was beyond hope; indeed were it not for the exquisite jockeying which the emergency called into play, he would have landed nowhere; but as it was he gave his noble friend some warm work to finish with. During the second and third miles the running was remarkably even, head and head with slight variations, arising probably from the inequalities of the ground, being perceptible. The pace slackened nought on either side, and enthusiasm was at its height, and decidedly in favor of Rainbow, when the Judge declared against him, Marquis winning by about two lengths. *There can be no doubt of the stuff Marquis is made of and caeteris paribvs,'he deserved all he struggled for, but the accident prevents a fair decision of horse aoainst horse. The start, too, was against drew outside place, and, beyond his easy victory over Pacha did not once succeed in forging ahead enough to claim the inside. Pacha did little more than nothing after the first mile, although well-ridden by Mr C. Davis, and pressed to the utmost. 'Xt - An hour was now devoted to hmcheon and to such other means of recreation, as time, place, and opportunity suggested. A ramble found the course, meanwhile, opened up the beauties of this fine district, which give rise to the hope that a permanent course may be secured before all the available land, passes away. The present one is. am. easy distance from' Gisborne, aad

centrally situated, with regard to outlying districts ; a pleasant ride by the main roaj, and at low tide a still more enjoyable gallop “on the sands,” brings one to it in half an hour. But these things did not occupy mtfch attention at the time; they are the outcome of opinions formed by observing what ean and must be done to keep abreast of the circumstances of the times in which we live; times which have a dynamical tendency, anil may master us if we do not exercise a sufficient controlling power ourselves. The popping of corks ; that exquisite spiral grinding of the cork-screw; the jingling of glasses; the domestic clatter of plates and dish es; the merry laugh, and pleasant joke from a happy crowd, all agreed to make rural felicity complete “ Under the Greenwood tree," and to make time pass so pleasantly that an expression of regret escaped from most when saddling time came for

The Scvery Stakes of 15 sovs., entrances added, one mile heats, weights for age. There were six entries for this race, for which a good start was effected. Dick sprang off with the lead, and kept it at what was thought to be easy winning distance. Faith seemed to be hard held at three or four lengths astern, until the i mile was reached when with some considerable punishing, which continued to the run in, a desperate spurt brought the roan first past the the winning post by a head. Dick second For the second Jieat 5 horses only started, headed by Marquis all through, mucli to the chagrin of the backers of FaiEh and Dick, who had uhid little attention to the nobility they left behind them in the first heat. Faith pushed him hard and successfully contested for stakes and second place with Dick who tailed in third. The owner of Dick hereupon withdrew him, which, as all the others were practically out of the race, allowed Marquis to walk over for the third heat. At *to 4 o’clock the bell assembled six horses for The Hack Race of 5 sovs., entrances added; 10s. post entrance, one mile, catch weights ; for horses which have not been entered in other than hack races at this meeting, and which hare not been sweated in clothing. The best start of the day was observed here, on account of there being no trained element present. Bruce, owned by Mr. Breingan, was adjudged the winner, four out of the six being nowhere at the finish. THURSDAY 23. The attendance to day was much loss than that of yesterday, the ladies, especially, being conspicuous by their absence, which fact finds a ready solution in the necessity imposed on them to husband their beauty and strength for the Ball. The three entries for The Hvbdlb Race of 20 sovs., entrances added, two miles over five flights of fencing 3ft. 9in. high, weights for age brought their ride) • to the starting point, and got away well together. The first two jumps were taken clear by all three, but at the third a baulk occurred wich gave Deception the lead to finish. Sportsman coming again to grief at the last hurdle. After this a ‘Sweep’ was got up by Amateurs to try their luck over the jumping bars, and won by an old favorite known as Riperata’s Grey. Tha absurd solidity of the hurdles was a matter for general remark and disapprobation, giving a horse little chance of escape from a grievous end if he chanced to trip. The Pony Race of 10 sovs., entrances added, for ponies 14 hands and under 9st. top weight, allowance of 7ibs per inch; mile heats, deserves especial notice as comparing creditably with anything we have yet seen in the colony. The three competitors came up well to saddle and scales, a very wickedjooking trio. The first heat was raced from the jump to finish. Not to be Done, evidently feeling his importance and the necessity of keeping his name good. The second heat was closer, Kooti giving thefavourite a persuasive push; end it is our opinion that had it been for another 200 yards, kooti would probably have bagged the money. The Ladies Pubse of 20 sovs., entrances added, two miles, weight for age ; penalty of 71bs. on the winner of any of the previous races. This was the race 'of the day. The aristocratic bay at the head, led up to by her confiding stable companion (Faith) whilst the Maori gentleman kept respectfully in the rear but warming up with the pace, his old blood came to the surface, passing the mare he laid up to make the horse show for the purse, ‘but had to be contented with playing second fiddle to the tune of one neck. The Consolation Stakes of 10 sovs., entrances added, 1| miles for all the beaten horses of the meeting, to be handicapped by the Stewards or whom they may appoint mollified the feelings of Rangatira and Pacha who ran first and second for the crumbs of the meeting. The Hack Race of 5 sovs., entrances added, Wf mile, heats, catch weights, poet entrances 10s, astonished everybody by a Lacy Boy leading in well down.