Boxing Day Races.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1017, 29 December 1881, Page 2

Boxing Day Races.

President : A. McDonald, Esq., M.11.R. ; Vice-President : G. L. Sunderland, Esq.; Stewards: Messrs W. Cooper, P. Barrie, C. D. Berry, M. Smith, P. Breingan, E. Bloomfield, S. C. Caulton, J. Maynard. Judge: J. B. Poynter, Esq.; Starter: Major Pitt; Clerk of Course: A. Esq.; Clerk of Scales : S. C. Caulton, Esq.; Handicappers: E. Devery, Esq., R. Austin, Esq.; Hon. Sec. and Treasurer : M. H. Smith, Esq,

The anniversary races of Christmas, 1881, may be regarded as amongst the best held in the district for years. The weather was brilliantly fine, but a little too'cloudless, the direct rays of the sun from morn to night, added to the excessive uncomfortableness felt on the course by a want of shelter, natural and artificial—being, at times, almost unbearable. A few trees planted in the enclosure, would be an immense benefit ; or what would still be a greater benefit;, would be a course better adapted to the wants of a racing club.

Not having had any rain for several days previously, the roads were exceedingly dusty, a natural feature, which, in the good old Derby days, before the railways took “ drags,” and the historical “ four in hand” off the the road, was more relished than

despised. Passing Makaraka, however, the dust was lighter, and smaller in quantity. The roads are harder, the fields greener, and the air balmier than in or near to Gisborne, pleasures which were extremely gratifying to the senses of many whose opportunities are few of having a day’s outing. Nature was clad in her holiday costume, and smilingly greeted her visitors on every side. The fragrance of the newly-mown grass and clover, added to the hundred and one sources of pastoral delight, which lay around were charming in their newness, and delicious in their effect. The “ road ” was relieved of its monotony by afew incidents which, though happily unattended with serious consequences, were likely to result in some danger.

Mr W. K. McLean on starting was unfortunate enough to have the pole of his trap disengage itself from the trap in which he was driving, and this put to rights, he started afresh to be landed on the road at Makaraka, through one of the wheels coming off. Mr McLean’s family were with him in the vehicle, but owing to timely assistance, and the horses being quiet, the injury was confined to the circumstance related.

An incautious rider was thrown from his horse on the course, landing on his head, but without sustaining any serious injury.

There were no “ sports ” —we believe that’s what the various games and tables are usually called — except “Aunt Sally,” but as she was not suspected of “ corrupt practices,” nor even of a little “ bribery and corruption,” she was allowed to pursue her way in peace, As a consequence everything was most orderly, and fit not only for a Duchess, but a Bishop.

Great inconvenience was felt at the derated waters and like beverages running short so soon. Something like 300 dozen of lemonade and soda were washed down by 1 o’clock in the day, so that a great number of persons must have been on the ground, or the few were very thirsty.

Some fun (such fun as a hungry man can really feel under the circumstances) was experienced by the reporter of the Standard whose “ feed ” had been taken possession of by an intruder, claiming that he represented this journal. Press reporters, as a rule, at the Poverty Bay race meetings, are not treated with marked courtesy, or complimentary favors ; and for them to have their platter “jumped” is a shade too bad. And.this was the more remarkable as Mr Smith is the first secretary who has considered the press in the least. Since the above was written on Tuesday last, it has come to our reporter’s ears that the person who “ did ” this, to him, capital joke, is making merry over it in the town. We look upon the matter in afar different light, and, if further complaint is made, it will be our duty to publish the offender’s name.

The monotony was relieved by two or three “ mills,” but no bones were broken, and the police, under Sergeant Bullen, kept good order. Mr Montagu Smith proved himself an active and energetic Secretary, keeping capital time with the programme ; and he may be congratulated on the arrangements which conduced to the pleasantness of the meeting. Mr A. Pritchard, the energetic Clerk of the Course, was kept pretty busy all day long. He is the right man in the right place, and it would be difficult to find anyone more suited for the work in the Bay.

The “bob” entrance to the saddling paddock was an innovation largely taken advantage of.

Some small depredations—by Maoris from the coast engaged cutting grass—caused a little annoyance, in the loss of sundry horse furniture, one of them being chased for a couple of miles with a stirrup leather and iron, borrowed without leave, the delinquent showing fight before he would deliver. Most of the racing was well-con-tested, with exciting finishes ; and as all the events were run on the square, the day’s meeting may be said to be a great success. The following are the issues :— HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, £4O, 2 miles ; over 8 flights of hurdles, 3ft. 6in. high ; top weight not to exceed list. Mr W. Bailey’s r g Luck’s All, Ost 21b (Doleman) ... ... ... ... 1 Mr Jas. Cooper’s br h Rata, Ost 121 b (Thompson) ... ... ... 2 Mr E. Bloomfield’s blk h Lizard, Ost 61b (Redmond) ... ... ... ... 3

All the horses entered for this event, faced the starter. Luck’s All was the favorite. Rata declared 61b overweight. At the fall of the flag Luck’s All went to the front, taking the first hurdle in grand style, the other two rapping it rather hard. After a mile and a quarter had been run, Rata was allowed to go ahead of the roan, but he soon fell back. It was now thought that Luck’s All would baulk at his old spot, where he ran off on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, but Doleman rushed him at the jump, and he went over in grand style, passing the judge’s box three lengths in advance of Rata who was racing Lizard for second place, the big horse eventually beating the little ’uu by a head. All the horses took the timber in gallant style, not a single baulk hiking place. Doleman. was cheered on riding to the scales. HACK HURDLES, of £10; 1 mile ; 10 stone; for all horses not trained for the November meeting ; post entry, £l. Mr Mat. Roc’s blk h Slim Jim, lOst (Thompson) ... ... ... 1 Mr G. Wyllie’s b h The Shah, lOst (Redmond) ... ... ... ... 2 Mr G. Burnand’s g h The Cow, lOst (Otto) 3 Mr W. C. Ewen’s blk h Atlas, lOst (Langford) ... ... ... ... 0 Mr M. G. Nasmith’s b h Maitai, lOst (Doleman) ... ... ... ... 0 Five horses were entered for this event. Maitai was a hot favorite, but he disappointed admirers by making a mistake at the

first hurdle, and nearly succeeded in unseating his rider, which put him completely out of the race. Slim Jim then took the lead which he maintained to the finish, winning easily by three lengths. Shah came in second but was far too fleshy.

MAIDEN PLATE, of £2O; weight for age ; 2 years old and upwards ; distance, 11 miles; for all horses that have never won an advertised flat race exceeding £2O net. Mr W. Bailay’s b h Penguin, 9st 21b (Waldron) ... ... ... ... 1 Mr R. Douglas’s b h Gisborne, Sst 21b (Doleman) ... ... ... ... 2 Mr G. Burnand’s b f Lady Louise, 7st 41b (Darvell) ... ... ... ... 3 Mr E. R. Bloomfield’s b f Mabel, 7st 41b (Cooper) ... ... ... ... 0 Mr F. Carden’s Carnival was scratched for this event. Gisborne was much admired and found many backers. Penguin was also in good quotation. Major Pitt succeeded in getting three colors away to a splendid start, Mabel two lengths behind. This was a pretty race for about half a mile, a sheet would have covered the three leaders. As the mile was neared the running lay between Gisborne and Penguin rather unchiralrously leaving the two ladies in the rear. On entering the straight Penguin came away and won a good race by half a length. The rider of Penguin evidently held his opponent too cheap in the straight, and was very nearly beaten on the post. This race Was a complete “ bod over,” Gisborne breaking down half a mile from the winning post. He was at once scratched for all his engagements. BOXING DAY HANDICAP, of £5O ; 2 miles ; top weight not to exceed lOst. Mr D. Page’s b h Morning Star, 9st 61b (Brimmer) ... ... ... ... 1 Mr AV. Bailey’s r li Flatcatcher, 9st 31b (Doleman) ... ... ... ... 2 Mr G. Burnand’s g c The Cat, 6st 51b (Darvell) ... ... ... ... 3 Mr 11. Baker’s br m Beeswing, 7st 01b (Cooper) ... ... ... ... O

Gisborne and Flirt were scratched for this race, Morning Star being the most fancied. There were three false starts, Morning Star once went a quarter of a mile before being pulled up. At the fourth attempt they ail got well away except The Cat which was left at the post, nevertheless he went in pursuit, and got amongst the ruck before they had. covered the fiist half-mile. Beeswing made the running for three quarters of a mile, when she fell back and was out of the race. Morning Star then took the lead, and was not again headed ; in fact it was little more than a common exercise canter for him, Brimmer having his work cut out to keep his horse from forging too much ahead. Flatcatcher who was well ridden by Sam Doleman came in second. The Cat ran a good, honest little horse, and did not seem at all distressed at the finish. We expect yet to hear great things from this horse, who is a half brother to Mr Walsh’s Director, by Pacific—Lady Jane Grey, and is only rising 3-years.

DISTRICT STAKES HANDICAP, of £2O ; 14 miles ; top weight 9st. 5 lbs., for all horses bred in County of Cook.

Mr G. Burnand’s g c The Cat, 6st 101 b (Darvell) ... ... ... ... 1 Mr W. Bailey’s r h Flatcatclier 9st 01b (Doleman) ... ... ... ... 2 Mr E. Bloomfield’s blk h Lizard. 7st 121 b [Cooper] ... ... 3 Mr W. Bailey’s b h Penguin, Bst 01b [Bourke] ... ... 0 Gisborne was scratched for this event, Flatcatcher being the favorite, although Penguin had a number of admirers after the determined manner he ran in the Maiden Plate. There was one false start, owing to Penguin trying to unseat his rider at the post At last they got well away leaving Penguin bucking at the post, when he threw his rider, and bolted over the course, The Cat led the whole way and wrested laurels of the best race of the day by a nose from Flatcatcher, both the horses having done two miles in the previous race. Doleman broke his stirrup-leather at the back of the course, otherwise the positions might have been altered, but he rode a plucky race to the finish. LADIES’ PURSE, of £25; 11 miles; welter weight for age ; top weight list 21bs ; gentlemen riders, members of the club only. Mr F. Carden’s br h Carnival, list 21b [W. Mill] 1 Mr D. Page’s b h Morning Star, list 21b [P. Bond] ... ... ... ... 2 Mr E. Bloomfield’s blk h Lizard, list 21b [Parsons] ... ... ... ... 3

Lady Louise was scratched. Morning Star who carried -61 b overweight, was much fancied, although Carnival, who was a fresh horse, had a host of admirers. The race resulted in a match between those two horses, Lizard never being in it. At the back of the course Carnival, well ridden by Mr W. Mill went to the front, and won a good race by half a length, amidst great cheering. The winner pulled up dead lame. HACK FLAT RACE, of £lO ; 1 mile ; for all horses that have never won an advertised race ; 9 stone up.

Mr G. Wyllie’s b g Shah, 9st 01b [Redmond] ... ... ... 1 Mr R. Thelwall’s blk h Bntcher Boy, 9st [DolemanJ ... ... ... ... 2 Mr Rangi’s b h Murcwai, 9st [Maori] 3 Seven horses entered for this event, all getting away to a good start. Shah went to the front, and won, hard held, by three lengths, Butcher Boy coming in second. There was a good deal of dispute over this race, a protest being entered against Shah for having won an advertised race ; and against Butcher Boy for crossing. The Stewards decided to pay the stakes to Murewai.

CONSOLATION HANDICAP, of £lO ; 1 mile ; for all beaten horses at this meetinghacks excepted ; lOst. up. Mr W. Bailey’s r h Flatcatclier, 9st 31b [Doleman] ... ... ... ... 1 Mr G. Burnand’s b f Lady Louise, 6st 51b [Darvell] ... ... ... ... 2 M. H. Baker’s br m Beeswing, 6st 91b [Cooper] 3

This race was considered to be a gift to Flatcatcher. Beeswing made the pace very warm for half a mile, when she retired, leaving the struggle between Flatcatcher, and the fillv, when the roan went to the front, and won, hard held, the Consolation of a very good meeting.