Waerenga-a-hika Spring Meeting.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 997, 10 November 1881, Page 2

Waerenga-a-hika Spring Meeting.

Judge : A. McDonald, Esq., M.H.R. Starter :C. D. Pitt, Esq. Clerk of the Scales : C. D. Berry, Esq. Clerk of the Course : Mr. A. Pritchard. Handicapper: Mr. E. Devery. Stewards : Messrs. E. R. Bloomfield, C. D. Berry, W. Cooper, E. Devery, P. Breingan.

The races which generally take place at Waerenga-a-hika, on the anniversary of the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, were not behind those of former years, yesterday. The weather being fine and a general holiday prevailing, were contributing causes to the success of the meet of the 9th of November, 1881. The rain that fell on the previous day did an immense amount of good, for, independently of laying the dust on the roads, it saved the district some thousands of pounds’ worth of loss. Doubtless many pedestrians felt a certain dampness from the grass, but the bright summerness of the atmosphere, added to the excitement of the time soon made them forget that. The course was very fairly patronised by visitors, and the usual habitues of race meetings, and, as far as we could learn, the programme of events was faithfully performed, and the day passed off pretty merrily. The following are the events of the several races:—

Handicap Huddle Race,of 25 so vs., with a sweep of 2 sovs. each for acceptors added ; distance, 2 miles, over 8 flights of hurdles; top weight, list. E. Bloomfield’s Lizard (Redmond) 1 J. Davis’ Fly (Thompson) 2 G. Bnrnand’s Corsair (Dolman)... 3 W, Bailey’s Lucks All (Pope) ... 0 8. C. Caultons’ Wild Darrel ... 0 Four came to the start. Jewess and Rata were scratched. Corsair made a mistake at the first hurdle, and came down on his knees. Lizard and Fly keeping well together the whole way. Lucks All, who was well ridden by Pope, ran outside a hurdle, after going about a mile; he was running well, and would certainly have had a place. Lizard won hard held. Wild Darrell was never in the race.

Maiden Plate, of 15 sovs. ; distance. 1| miles ; for horses that have never won an advertised race exceeding £lO net. W. C. Walsh’s Lacteal (Tibbals)... 1 H. Cooper’s Laheen (Dolman) ... 2 G. Burnand’s The Cat (Darvell) ... 3 Sunderland’s Midlothian (Adams) 0

All the horses entered for this event faced the starter. Makauri Block and Kuare also started. Lacteal being the favorite. The Cat also had a few admirers. Makauri Block made the running for about three-quarters of a mile; when he bolted off the course, and lost all chance in the race. Kuare being nowhere.

Prince of Wales’ Birthday Handicap, of 25 sovs., with a sweep of 2 sovs. each for acceptors added; distance, 2 miles ; top weight, lOst. W. C. Walsh’s Director (Dunlop) 1 J. 8. Cooper’s Rata (Dolman) ... 2 H. Cooper’s Laheen (Cooper) ... 3

Flatcatcher and Gisborne were scratched. Mr. Cooper declared to win with Rata. This race created a great deal of interest, as it was considered the event of the day, but turned out a perfect farce, as it was only an exercise canter for Director. Laheen made all the running, and ran gamely.

Hack Flat Race, of 5 sovs., distance, 1 mile ; for all horses that have never been trained, or won public money; catch weights; post entry, 10s. H. Baker’s Beeswing (Cooper) 1 D. Hepburn’s Seagull... 2 R. Douglas’ Pirate 3

There were five entries for this event which was won easily by Mr. H. Baker’s Beeswing who led from the jump,' and was never caught. Flying Stakes, of 20 sovs., with a sweep of 2 sovs. each for starters added; distance, of a mile ; weight for age. D. Page’s Morning Star (Brimmer) 1 W. Bailey’s Flatcatcher (Pope) ... 2 W. C. Walsh’s Director (Dunlop) 3 Rata was scratched for this race. Flatcatcher tvas most fancied as he was a fresh horse, but it was a complete boil over, as Morning Star won on the post by a nose. Director racing a good third. Whips were used freely in this race. * Ladies’ Purse, of 20 sovs.; distance, If miles ; welter weights ; gentlemen riders. D. Page’s Morning Star (Mill) 1 G. Burnand’s Corsair (Bond) ... 2 R. Carden’s Carnival (Newman) 3 J. Cooper’s Rata (Heslop) ... 0 Day and Martin, Gisborne, Fly and Jewess were scratched. This race was a complete farce, as Morning Star—who was well ridden by Mr. W. Mill—won in a common canter ; Corsair running well for a mile. Fobced Handicap, of 8 sovs.; distance, 1 mile; all winners compulsory; losers, optional; hacks not allowed. W. Bailey’s Flatcatcher (Pope) f W. Walsh’s Director (Dunlop) t W. Walsh’s Lacteal 3 8. C. Caulton’s Wild Darrell ... 0

This was a grand race, in fact the best of the day, Lacteal making all the running, Flatcatcher and Director coming in even —at least so said the judge —but the public were dissatisfied at the decision, as they seemed to think

Flatcatcher won by a nose. It was a disappointing race, as there were bets and long odds on Flatcatcher winning this event. However, the owners agreed to try the speed of their horses again, and after an hour’s spell they came to the post, and Director won hands down as he liked.

After the Ladies’ Purse was run Mr. J. Cooper put Laheen up to auction, and she was bought by Mr. W. Adams for £2O, whieh was very cheap considering the way she ran in the Ladies’ Purse.