GERALDINE RACES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1154, 29 September 1883, Page 3

GERALDINE RACES.

Stewards: . Messrs T W Corbett, D McKenzie, R H Pearpoint, J Kennedy, W Deßeiizy, J Meikle, W Lawson, J M Ollivier, J Cunningham, W PoUhill, J Mundell, D Denoon, A L Barker. 1 Clerk of the Course: Mr B Stansell. Starter : Mr J Meikle; Clerk of the Scales :: Mr T W Corbett. Judge: Mr M Studholme. Handicapper: Mr D McKenzie. • FIRST DAY. !, The annual race meeting held under the auspices of the Geraldine Racing Club came off last Thursday on the Club’s, ground at Orari. The course was in,very good order, and the arrangements .of the Stewards were all that could be desired. The day was dark and gloomy, but the weather held up well till about 4 o’clock, when rain began to fall, and those who had left their overcoats at home, regretted’ haying dope so. But the slight shower soon cleared off, leaving a fine mild evening behind it. The attendance s was very large. The grand stand was crowded to excess, and there was a large number on the lawn in front of it, while as many more held;seats in vehicles drawn up in the vicinity of the winning post. But the attendance was principally made up of the sterner sex, there being comparatively few ladies present. Mr T Farrell, of the Bush Inn, Geraldine, and Mr Bowden, Of the Crown Hotel, had booty On the ground, and appeared to. be doing, a large trade, but- still there were Very few seen under the influence of drinjk, and everything passed off very satisfactorily. There were a few slight altercations, but they ended in nothing serious. As for the racing it was the best perhaps thak_ has ever been seen in the district. The ‘ correct card * consisted of six events,ior each of which there was a very fairfiejd started. The ball was set rolling with the Maiden Hurdle Racej for which sii Very good horses entered the lists/ half of which were district-owned horses; Ofle of these was Hutaningtbn, belonging to Mr J Mundell, and only for meeting with an accident he, would have given a very good account of He was not, however, in very runhing condition, having been only /a fortnight in training, Another six competed for the Maiden Plate, but it Was all between Trickster and Trinket There were ten entered for the G.R.C, Handicap, hut Envious, the favourite, was scratched. This left a field of nine horses which was one of the largest ever seen in

South Canterbury. The running in this race was very hot,and though Tasman won, many thought that only lor the bungling way in which the horses were started. Sou’-wester would hare stood a good chance. The Sires’ Produce Stakes only brought three youngsters, and we are

glad to say that a local filly, Mf C Story’s ( Queen Bee, came in second. The racing appeared to bey cry straight throughout, and the favorites won on all occasions,

but notwithstanding this, district horses allowed up well. The Ladies’ Purse fell an easy victory to Hercules, owing in a measure to a very bad start. The following is an account of the various \e vents :

•Maiden Hurdle lUcb of 50 sots, for horses that have never won a hurdle race of over 20sovs; distance 2 miles, over eight flights of hurdles ; welter weights forage. Mr D O’Brien’s b g Melbounre, aged, 12st ... ... ..1 (Lunn) 1 Mr P Jones’ b g Waverley,;s years, ; list slbs .;. ... (Owner) 2 Mr J Lewis’ gg Schmoozer, aged, 12st 'fix' ut, ... ... ... (Sheenan) 3 Mr J Mundell’s b h Hunnington, aged, -12st 41bs.; Mr A L Barker’s b m Cameo, aged, 12st Ij'b; Mr R T Button’s b g Star, 4 years, 10st lllbs, also ran; : - ..Betting 2 to I on the winner, 4 to 1 bar one. The inside totalisator showed £95 —■£6o ,pn the winner ; outside, £2o—£l2 on the winner;

■A fair start was effected. The first hurdle was negotiated by all except' Cameo, who baulked three or four times and was not in it afterwards, Hunning-. ton went away at a tremendous pace, and soon distanced them all by about 30 yards. Waverley and Melbourne were next to bim,with Star close up and Schmoozer next \vith a distance between. Star, however, came to grief at one of the hurdles,and hiS 'rider (Evans) got his collar-bone broken. Passing the grand stand the first time the order was as described above, but shortly afterwards Hunnington began to lose giround, and was passed by Melbourne with Waverley close up and, Schmoozer a few

yards behind.. The three leading horses were pretty close together coming np to ttie last hurdle. Melbourne was the first oyer, Hunnington second, and Waverley third, but Hunnington after having cleared the hurdle handsomely came down a cropper, and his rider was thrown under the feet of the third horse, and thereby lost at least second place. Melbourne came in hands down with Waverley a yard' behind, whipping hard, and Schmoozer third by a distance of about 20 yards.

Maiden Plate of 50 sovs, for horses ' f that have never won over 15 sovs of public money; weight for age; l£ miles, Mr G G Steacl’s hr c Trickster, 3yrs, 7st 51bs ... .. ... (Tetler) 1 Mr P Butler's b m Trinket, 4yrs 9st " v ‘ ! ; Vv. (W Butler) 2 Mr J Keen’s b g Faust 3yra, 7st 51bs 0?~ ... „ S : ; (Sharp) 3

Mr J Quill’s Roseheath4yrs, 9st; Mr G Lawson’s Little George 4yrs, 7st 51bs ; Mr Haines’s b gStatesman 4yrs, 9st, also ran. ( Betting—*3, to 1 Trickster ; 3 to 1 against Trinket; : 10 to 1 anything else. Inside totalisa tor £177—£102 on the outside £106—£63 on the winner. A yery good. start was effected, the favorite, Trickster, taking a slight lead. Trinket following disputing every inch of ground, with ..Statesman and Faust close up and the others not far behind. At the sharp corner' coming inti) the straight for the firsc time Statesman fell, and -as he went away without his rider was never in it afterwards. Hence the racelay between Trickster and Trinket,, with Faust close np. At the sharp corner Trickster swerved a little’ off the course, but was brought back rapidly, and showed by the quickness with which he passed his rival and won that he had never been called on before throughout the .Whole race. ,i Time—2min B4secs. < G.R.O. Handicap, of 15 sovs ; l| miles. Mf D. O’Brien’s hr h Tasman syrs, Bst . 111 b ... ... ... (Derritt) 1 Mr J Stephenson's, b c Hyacinth 3yrs,

7st ... ... (O’Connor) 2 Mr P Butler’s b h Emir Bey syrs, Bst 2lhs ... ... ... (Brown) 3

Mr P Butler’s ch g Hazard syrs, fist; Mr Q- Bates’s ch m Minerva, syrs, 7st Tibs; Mr E Cutt’s b, h Sou’ Wester, 4yrs, 7st Blb ; Mr S Stephens’s Taiaroa, 4yrs, 7st 71bs, also ran.

Betting—2 to lon Tasman ;3to 1 Emir Bey ;6to 1 Hazard ■; 3 to 1 ! Minerva ; 10 to 1 Sou’-wester and Taiaroa-

The starter fount! considerable difficulty in getting the field away, and it was not until the sixth attempt tl at the flag fell.

The start; however, was fair, and all got away pretty well together, Tasman immediately cut out the running followed closely by Emir Bey,Minerva and Hyacinth, with the others ,at their: heels. In this order* the grand stand was passed, and very little change was made to the . finish when the horses came in as placed above with Sou’-wester fourth and all the test in close quarters. It was a magnificent race from beginning to end. Time—2min 17isec. Sires’ Produce Stakes of 50 sovs with 40 sovs from owners of sires, aided to a sweepstake of 5 sovs each to be paid at the scales ; 20 per cent to the second; 10 per cent to the third horse, miles ; colts Bst 31bs ; fillies Bst. Mr J Matthews’ b f Catalonia, Bst (Butler) 1 Mr C Story’s g f Queen B«e, Bst

(Wattie) 2 Mr 0 Brown’s b f Laura, Bst (Sharp) S Mr Manwhenny’s b f Result was scratched.

Betting—2 to 1 on Catalonia ; 3 to 1 against Queen Bee. The,three getaway well together Catalonia leading. This order was maintained for half the journey when Queen Bee went

to the front and Laura fell back. In tin turn towards the straight Catalonia took the lead and won easily by about two yards, with Laura a bad third. Time—3min ssec. Ladies’ Purse of 40 sova ; welter weights for age ; gentleman riders ; miles. Mr A W Dillon’s b g Hercules, 6yrs, 125t11b... (Owner) 1 Mr FGlasson’s b ra Mermaid, 4yrs, lOfit 111 b (Owner) 2 Mr' J Pilbrow’s b g Clarence, aged, 125t11b... ... (MrHLunn) 3 Mr F Lewis’ b h Digby Grand ; Mr P Jones’ b g Waverley, and Mr J Matthews’ Catalonia, also started. Betting—3 to 1, bar Clarence. The inner totalisator showed £lßl—£22 on winner ; ;tho outer one £3l—-£2 on the winner. In both the bulk of the. money was put on Clarence, and this misplaced confidence resulted in good dividends. After one false start the field was got away in good order. . There were few changes in the order of the horses in the first half mile, and at the.stand Hercule 8 led; followed by Waverley, Mermaid, Catalonia, Clarence and Digby Grand, in that .order, the field tailing out a little, In the next half mile they closed up, and at thp starting point, were qloser together than at the start, but they came away from this time in a different order. Mermaid was showing in front, with Hercules next and Clarence third. A tight race down ensued between these three. Hercules got even with Mermaid at the turn, and without being pushed won by half a length, Clarence a very good third, the other three close up. The time was 2min 58sec, or 4 secs, longer than the Maiden Plate, over the same distance.

Hack Raqb of 15 sovs, for hacks that have never won 15 sovs of public money ; once round the course ; weights not less than 9sfc; post entry, £1; winner to be sold for 15 sovs, any surplus to goto the Club’s funds. Mr Mountain’s Shepherdess 1 Mr 1 Corkery’s King Philip 2 There were thirteen horses entered for this, and the racing was very good. SECOND DAT. The second day passed off as successfully as the first, The attendance was larger.and the racing was as good,' if not better. In fact it was. the unanimous 'opinion that this year’s meeting was tho best ever seen -in South Canterbury. The weather, however, was a great draw: back. During the previous night heavy rain fell, but the morning was very promising and it was expected that the day would remain fine. . About two o’clock, however, it turned very cold, and there was every appearance of a strong sou’-wester. About 4 o’clock it came on to rain and the remainder ot the afternoon was very cold and wet. Wo should not forget to mentioh that the Temuka Brass Band played* on both days and acquitted themselves very creditably. Mr McKenzie,: ■ the -Secretary of the Club, deserves not to bo forgotten, especially by the .representatives-of tho Press, to whohi be was always courteous and obliging. There is one thing which the Club might do for the convenience of visitors. They ough tto arrange so that the last race would be over in time to catch the • special train. This was not attended to this year, and ; the result was that people had. to choose between loosing the train and the last race. This might easily be avoided, and it would be very satisfactory to Visitors. The following is a report of the second day’s racihg ; Handicap Hurdle Race, of 100 sovs; . , about 2 miles ; over eight flights of

hurdles. Mr A W Dillon’s h g Hercules, 6 years, 10st 71b'... : ... (Lyford)' 1 Mr J W Cotton’s b g Wild Boy, aged, lOst 81bs ... ... ... (Owner) 2 Mr D O’Brien’s b g Melbourne, aged, i lOstSlbs (Owner) 3 Mr Lewis’s Schmoozer, and Mr P Jones’s Lady Pedita also ran. Mr Pilbrow’s Clarence was scratched, getting—6 to 4on Hercules, 2to 1 Wild Boy ■ ' - Totalisator—lnside, £173—£77 on the winner; outside, £42—£l7 on thejwinner. All the horses started away very well. Schmoozer after passing the first .hurdle ran away for about' 60 yards, but after passing the fourth hurdle was collared by Hercules and Wild Boy; Melbourne now began to ! come up, and soon passed Schmoozer, with Lady Perdita bringing up the rear at a considerable distance. A splendid race ensued between the two first placed horses, but Hercules had the best of *it all through, and came in an easy winner, with Wild Boy hard whipped three yards behind, and Melbourne a bdd third, Schmoozer being nowhere. At the third last hurdle Lady Perdita fell and-never rose again. Her back was broken and her rider Joyce was very much bruised. The mare was shot shortly afterwards. Hack Hurdle Race, of 15 sovs, fer hacks that have never won over 15 sovs of public money (in hurdle); post entry;;‘l£ miles, over eight flights of hurdles ; weights not less than IQst; winner to be sold for 15 sovs, any surplus to go the Club’s

funds Mr W Moore - s Little Dick ... (Dunn) 1 MrT Wyatt’s Sankey ... (Owner) 2 ,Mr A L Barker’s Mad Kate ... ... 3 Mr Smith’s Jane and Mr Hobbs’s lota also ran. Betting—3 to 1 bar two. Mad Kate rushed.away at a magnificent pace, and iioon all the others were left a considerable distance behind, the winner being amongst the last. All the hurdles were negotiated splendidly in the first round, and in the beginning of the second lap Mad Kate began to lose ground. She was overtaken by the two first placed horses at about three quarters of a mile from home, and was soon left behind. She would not have got third place only that Jane fell, at the last hurdle.

Geraldine Cup of 150 sovs; winner of the ■ G.R.C. Handicap to carry 71bs extra. Mr D O’Brien’s br h Tasman, syra, Bst 91bs ... ... ... (Derritt) 1 Mr J Stephenson’s c h Taiaroa,4yrs, 7at slbs * ' ■ ' ...(O’Connor) 2 Mr G Bates’s c h The Poet, Syrs, 7st 31 bs (McOloskoy) 3

Mr G Stead’s Trickste’- (6st 21bs) ; Mr Butler’s Emir Bey (Sat) Mr Fuller’s ch g Hazard also ran. Betting—6 to 4 Tasman ;4to 1 Emir Bey ; 6 to 1 Hazard and the Poet. Totalisator —Inside, £173—£77 on the

winner ; outside, £42—£l7 on the winner The horses all got away to a'good start Emir Bey cutting out the running, closely followed by Taiaroa. At the half mile distance Hazard went to the front and took a strong lead for the next quarter mile. Leading up the straight near the stand Tasman and Hyacinth raced together, when Emir Bey made a strong but ineffectual effort to take lending position with The Poet immediately behind him. At the back of the course Tasman and Taiaroa went up to try conclusions with The Poet. Shortly afterwards The Poet made a tremendous rush and lookedlike a winner. All three plied the whip, and Tasman won a gamely contested race by three quarters of a length from Taiaroa, a length separating the latter from The Poet. Time—3min 59sec. County Plate, of 60 sovs with Cup. kindly presented by (L Walker, Eaq) for three year old horses, the bona fide property of persons residing within the County of Geraldine for three months before the races. It is also distinctly understood that all the horses for this race are to be trained within the Oouuly of Gernldind for three months prior to the races; miles ; colts Bst 101 b, fillies and geld- . ings Bst 71b. Mr J Keen’s bg Faust, Sat 71bs (Derrit) 1 Mr A Mundell’s b c Maroon, Bst lOlbs (Wyatt) 2 Mr C Story’s g £ Queen Bee, Bst 7lbs (Wattie) 3

Mr Allan’s Sweet William (Bat 71b), Mr Button’s Kahikatea (Bst 71bs), Mr Hobbs’s Miss Fenwick (Bst 71bs), Mr Bull’s Right Bower (Bst 71bs), Mr Denoon’s Vinco (Bst 7lbs), Mr Bull’s Gondoline (Bat 71bs) also ran.

Queen Bee led at the start and looked a winner for some distance, with Fauat close up. At the back of the course , all the horses closed up, and the pace was made hot till passing the stand, when Right Bower fell at the turn into the. straight and broke his leg; The three placed horses kept together all the *»ay round, alternately changing positions until entering the straight, when Faust answered gamely to the call and landed k winner by a neck. Queen Bee came in a good third, winning third place from Vmco by half a neck. Sweet William put his shoulder out of joint. Flying Handicap of 60 sovs ; winner of the G.R C. and Geraldine Cup to carry 7lbs extra, and the winner of both these races to carry lOlbs extra ; | of a mile. Mr J Stephenson’s b c Hyacinth, 3yrs, 7st 31bs (J O’Connor) 1 MrT Haines’s b g Statesman, 4yrs, 6st 6lbs ... (Wyatt) 2 Mr G Bates’s ch ra Minerva, syrs, 7st

91bs ... (McCloskey) 3 Mr Butler’s Trinket, and Mr Lawson’s Marchioness, Neil also ran.

Mr Stead’s Poll, Mr O’Brien’s Siesta. Mr Stephenson’s Taiaroa, and Mr Pilbrow’s Evening were scratched,

Hyacinth led from start to finish with the other placed horses close by. The race was well contested and gamely. Consolation Handicap, of. 30 sovr. Entrance, 2 sovs, immediately after the 1 Flying Handicap was run. For all beaten horses during the meeting. Once round the course. Mr Cotton’s Wild Boy ... V.. ... 1 Mr Larson’s Marchioness Neil 2 Mr Fuller’s Hazard ... ... 3

This finished the best racing meeting ever held in South Canterbuy. We are glad, to say that the local horses in most of the events gave a good account of themselves.