SPORTING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1267, 5 February 1883, Page 2

SPORTING.

A meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club is to be held at the Masonic Hotel on Thursday next, at 2 o’clock p.m,, for general business. For some time past laborers have been employed in improving the Makaraka racecourse, and on Saturday last the work was completed. It is now, without exception, as level a course as can be found in New Zealand, and its easy distance from town must render it eventually a great favorite with the sport-loving portion of the community. Mr J.R. Scott, of the Roseland Hotel, iu connection with a few others residing near, deserve great praise for their efforts to render the course all that can be desired.

SC3NS ON THE TATiaANGA BAOECOXTHSE. (From the ” Bay of Plenty Times,”) There was a gentle flutter among the racing fraternity and those who take an interest in racing, on the racecourse yesterday afternoon. The event of the day was the Publican’s Purse Handicap, of 40 sovs. and the usual eteeteraa. and for the race five horses were placed upon the official card. Three- however, did not accept, and it was soon known that only Mr Quinlan’s blk g Luckpenny (aged, with Bst 101 b), and Mr J. D. Wrigley’s b g Woodpecker (5 years, carrying Bst 81b) were to have the field to themselves. On the previous day, in the Hurdles, Luckpenny wa« heavily backed, as against Woodpecker, who was only backed to lose. Woodpecker, however, showed more metal than he got credit for, and succeeded in making an easy win, much to the disgust of those who despised his qualities. Y .sterday there was quite a revulsion of feeling, and the previously underrated Woodpecker was now backed in the Publican’s Handicap to “ lick creation” including, of course, the unlucky Luckpenny. The time for the race was 2.40 p.m., ami Luckpenny was at that hour ready to do oi die, but alas ! the favorite Woodpecker ami jock were nowhere to be seen. After waiting nearly half an hour for the appear ance of these adjuncts of the events, Luck penny was trotted out to the starting place, and the starters, Messrs J. Robson and R. C. Fraser were ready with their colours Mr Quinlan insisted upon a start being mad. but the starters were loth to drop their fla> in the absence of Woodpecker. They admitted that it was very wrong for Mr Quinlan to be put about so, but would not giV’ the word to start. While a gentle altercation was going on here, some one discovered the missing steed, and he was cantered u, the course, his jockey exhibiting an air o; nf)uch.alan('e. which augured well for hifuture success iu life. Mr Quinlan did no wait for Woodpecker to come up, and a> the starters were silent he started his own horse, having first vainly appealed to a re presentative of the Press to perform tha honorable office. Luck penny started off ai an easy canter, to the amazement of Wood pecker’s jockey, and stopping once or twic» while Mr McGee remonstrated with him, th« rider finished the mile in something under 1. minutes. The proceedings caused a grea l sensation amongst the spectators, those wh backed Woodpecker loudly protesting tha it was no race, while those who had takei odds against him naturally held that Quinta, was in the right. Quinlan’s jockey wu greeted with mingled groans and cheers a he came up to the saddling paddock, but a most people had backed Woodpecker th< groans exceeded in volume the cheers. Then was a pell-mell rush for the saddling paddock, and at one time it seemed as if there woul« have been a free fight, but at this junctur. Constable Hall di<l excellent service with his stock-whip, and prevented the fence oi the paddock and faces of the mob being torn to pieces. There was a good deal of tongue fighting, however, and Mr Quinlan w» taunted with being frightened to contest tin event. He declined to allow his horse t« run any more, urging that the stewards did wrong in keeping the race back, and heheb that he was entitled to the prize monex under the circumstances. Mr Jordan, wh« acted as judge, having procured a copy o the rules, discovered that there was a fine o two guineas for a jockey starting without th* starter’s consent, This made matters somewhat worse for Mr Quinlan, and seemed t< add insult to injury ; but the rules made n< provision as to who should decide such disputes, and it was finally resolved to hold a meeting of stewards to settle the question.