POVERTY BAY RACES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 129, 31 January 1874, Page 2

POVERTY BAY RACES.

JANUARY 28th and 29th, 1874. (by our special reporter.) Great preparations have for some time past been made to usher in these Great Gala days of Poverty Bay.—The aristrocratic drags and phaetons down to the costermonger s cart, have been “ dug out” from long sequestered spots, and put under the ordeal of such washing, burnishing, furbushing, &c. to make these vehicles assume a holliday appearance, that was never known in Turanganui before. Oh, such a variety of saddles ! The spirit of “ Peat ” defend us! One article supposed to have come from that celebrated maker, was discovered at the Albion mews, and specially attracted great attention, eager individuals frantically inquired the ownership, so that if possible they might become possessed of such a rarity, so unique was it in form and comeliness. To describe it would be beyond human powers, so I’ll merely state that for patches and parti-colors it vied with Joseph’s coat. Sporting gents rushed about to secure the correct thing in costume, colors, horses to carry them to the course, and to obtain the latest tips “ all for the love and excitement of the thing.” At length the long looked for day arrived, with an overcast sky and a sufficient appearance in the south-east to denote rain. It held off and the day as it advanced became very enjoyable—however, let’s for the road, along whieh was experienced the time honored dust, thirst, and badinage. Arrived on the course, a goodly assemblage had gathered, possibly not so many as on the previous year as a scarcity of aboriginals was noticed, occasioned no doubt by the high xjharges at the gates. The long drought had tendered the running ground very hard, it was roughish in places and with some very awkward turns. A galaxy of female beauty thronged under the inviting trees and daintily proffered the “ correct car«(” with an invitation to name the winner, for halves of dozens pairs of sixes or six and a quarter; beauty of course lost, and the winner had the usual alternative of paying. “ Fortnum and Mason” was discussed during the interval between the “ Cavalry Race ” and the. “ Turanga Stakes,” and at various other times. “ Seedy swells &c. <fcc.” were to the fore as solicited by advertisement. “ Aunt Sally ” was a great institution and most ably conducted by the “Inimitable” and the “Jolly."

FIRST DAY.

MAIDEN plate. Bruce, 10 st. 11b 1 Chanticleer, 10st. 21b. ... - ... ..; ... 2 Fenian, 10St. 1 lb., declared 4 lb. over ... 3 Dick, 10 st. 1 lb 4 Wait-a-While, 9 st. 91b., declared 31b. over .. ... 5 Peer, 7 st. 3 lb., declared 7 lb. over 6 Although considered an open race, I heard of no reliable betting. Dick, Bruce, and Chanticleer, leaving the call. The first start was a false one, in which Bruce indulged himself for some distance. When they did get away well together Bruce led slightly. The Peer holding the distinguishable position of “ rear guard ” throughout. When opposite the Judge’s box, Bruce had increased his lead somewhat, wheu Chanticleer, shot put, and came on his quarter; thus they brushed along to the starting point, when Bruce again increased the gap, but Chanticleer gamely diminished it to the straight run in, when the little “ Fenian ” became an object of notice. He came pounding along to catch the leaders, but of no avail; their riders call was well timed and Bruce landed a winner by a length. Chanticleer, second, was two to three lengths ahead of Fenian, third horse. Dick, Wait-a-while, and Peer, bringing up the rear, in the order named. CAVALRY RACE. Blueskin, 12st. 41b.... ... ... ... 1 Pacha, 12 st. 41b. ... 2 Not-to-be-Done, 12 st. 41b 3 Blacking, 12 st. 41b 4 Charlie, 12 st. 4 lb., declared 81b. over.». 5

Pacha and Blueskin were mostly spoken of in this race. They got away at the first attempt, Blueekiu leading, the ruck well together. Little Not-to-be-Done followed by Pacha, whose rider was making vigorous paces at hie horse, made for Blueskin, Charlie and Blacking, closing well up. Thus they ionrneyed to the second mile post, Not to bo Done dropping to the third place, Charlie being hopelessly out of the race pulled up. At the distance all were tiring for the whip which was brought hotly into requisition, but Pacha had to succumb in the stnuggle to Blueskin who won the money, and the honors by a length. Not-to-be-Done, five or six lengths astern of Bach a, and the “ high polish ” some distance at tail of the little bay. This was a trying three mile Welter race both for spirited horses and for the spirited riders, the latter being clad in uniform, and make-weight lead. The number of entries for this ruce was small considering the strength of the Corps, which contains many of the sporting fraternity and judges of good horses. For the TURANGA STAKES. Marquis, 11 st j Rainbow, 10st. 41b.... j Marquis was the favorite, although th 0 choice was small, and Rainbow had a good many fanciers. The race varied but little, each alternately leading the other some* until coming past the post for the second time, the “ aristocratic bay ” going with his mouth wide open, was treated by his rider to a little wind, and allowed Rainbow to take up the running. At the half round, third time, business commenced in earnest; the Marquis overhauling his single opponent showing him the road in a length and a-half a head, without once having been called on. Marquis was well ridden by Downes, an able and experienced jockey, while Rainbow suffered muchly at the hands of a young and untaught rider, who like most amateurs, gave his horse a full rein while getting up steam. The next was the HACK RACE. Half mile heats. The first of which was won by Mackay’s Slow Boots, Davis’ Al seoond. In the second heat Al showed to the front, followed by Slow Boots. The horses again changed place in the trial heat, and Al was pronounced the winner. There were 14 entries but the race lay between these two horses from the first.

RAILWAY STAKES. Marquis, 10 st. 1 lb 1 Shamrock, 10 st. 1 lb 2 Peer, 7 st. 9 lb 0 All the horses put in an appearance except Ben Nevis, not arrived. The cognoscente said that Nobility had withdrawn from the contest in consequence of the “ gruelling ” ho got in his last effort, and was not up to meet the stranger Shamrock, who was a fresh horse, however, he did turn up, and raced the emblem of Ireland from the post, neck and neck, and eventually came first past the box hands hands, as a perfect little gentleman should do. Ben Nevis, who had been eagerly looked for did not turn up, and was scratched, of course, while the eccentric Peer bolted with his 7st. 91b. at the first turn. SECOND DAY. This day was exceedingly fine, and as it advanced the heat became tempered* with a nice cool sea breeze. There were not so many on the course as on the previous day. The racing as will be seen detailed below was good and close, but was drawn out to a most tedious length, the long intervals, vexatious, delays iu weighing, and the handicapping took a fearful amount of deliberation. It was getting dusk when the Forced Handicap started. Mention must be made of the liberal spirit Captain Read displayed in placing at the disposal of the Stewards, the course, he also hospitably entertained several who called upon him at his house which is contiguous to the course.

HURDLE RACE. Shamrock, 10 st. 11b 1 Pacha, 10st. 11b., declared 231 b. over... 2 Sportsman, 10st. lib., declared 3 lb. over 0 Spec, 9 st. l ib., declared 151 b. over ... 0

Two miles. Shamrock favorite. Good start. Pacha and Sportsman leading, Shamrock and Spec following about two lengths behind, away over the first hurdle which they all took in gallant style, Sportsman first on his feet closely pressed by Pacha, they charged for the next hurdle, up came Spec, baulked which caused Sportsman to do ditto, and from that point they were out of the race, for Shamrock and Pacha were over like birds and thus they ran and jumped the remaining five hurdles side by side, but Shamrock was too much for Pacha besides having the able assistance of J. Munn and won easily by a length. Pacha’s rider was somewhat d istressed at the finish. Marquis and Thunderbolt were scratched.

ELYING STAKES.—CATCH WEIGHTS. Half mile heats. Marquis and Bruce were both fancied. First heat. Bruce quickest on his feet bounded off with the lead, Dick at his girths. Marquis a length behind, rounding into the straight, up came Marquis collared Dick but could not reach Bruce by a neck and so the noble and grand Marquis met his first overthrow on the course. Second heat, Bruce first away, the running a repetition of the former heat, but that up the straight he increased his lead his own length, and another, when master Dunlop a good and promising rider was almost caught napping, for he was looking about him, and the watchful Downs took advantage, came up, but was beaten by a neck. Slim Jim, and Earl Grosvenor were scratched. ladies’ purse. Marquis, 12st. 71b. ... •. 1 Rainbow, 13 st 2 Peer, lOst. 41b.... 3 Two miles. Marquis led Rainbow throughout. Peer in the hands of Munn, ran respectably about a mile, and was disposed of; the gallant rider of Marquis landing him an easy winner by three or four lengths. MAORI HACK RACE. , This race was won by a hone ridden by the owner of “ Shamrock ” son of Karauria of Napier. CONSOLATION HANDICAP. Sportsman, Bst. 71b.... j Fenian, 9st., declared 141 b. over... 2 Chanticleer, 9 st. 51b 3 Pacha, Bst. 101 b. ... 4 Wait-a-While, Bst. 21b ’ 0 Spec, 7 st. 71b. ... 0 One mile and a distance. This rape was won easily by Sportsman, judiciously riddea by OWWKffWJOO (IT'J ' fi 1