New Year's Races.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2493, 2 January 1877, Page 2

New Year's Races.

, These races, under the patronage of the Ancient Order of Foresters, took place (yesterday. The Foresters'assembled at the Freemasons Hall opposite the Governor Bowen to the number of 96, and preceeded by the Hibernian Band and followed by the Juvenile Branch of the society to the number of 37, proceeded; with banners flying down Owen and Brown streets, and thence round by the beach to Tararu; when there the procession broke up, and being joined by the numbers who made their way thither both by 'bus and tram, amused themselves either in the gardens or on the flat outside until twelve, o'clock, at which hour the first race was started. The course was not a good one, parfc of it Jfeiog^ through heavy sand and part of ?it & «^«^*f^wjiich the horses had to cross fend run^nVto th*i Mumfej|#£^eE-g^ chi4d«fn^naladies, of whonTtEere were a great number. The winning post also was placed far away from the usual spot and the mound where people generally assemble to obtain a good view of the races. Despite these drawbacks and the unfavorable state of the weather, a day enjoyable to many was passed. Sweeps, not those of the sooty kind, were frequent, and it was noticed that the winners had to transact sqme business either in hotel or refreshment bar shortly afterwards. They were accompanied by friends. The starter and judge was Mr Robinson, and though during the day one protest was lodged yet the races were not so closely contested as to admit of valid dispute. The first was a

MAORI RACE—2 miles. Prize, £6. Entrance, £1; catch weights; post en- . tries. ■ . ■. . ' - . ,■;. For this three started, and after a regular flogging race, not unusual with Maoris, was won by Pana. i FORESTERS' PURSE HANDICAP—2 miles, of £20."' Nomination, £1; accept"

ance, £1. was looked forward to with great interest when it was known that the well known horses, Potentate, Bismarck, and Tauranga would all start. Potentate was handicapped to give, two stone to Bismarck and seven pounds more to Tauranga. The horses got-away to a bad start, Tauranga taking the lead, Bismarck some lengths in the rear; on coming round the second time it was quite apparent that Tauranga's chance was out, and Bismarck joined issues with Potentate, and

the two raced together for the remainder of the distance, the superior jockey ship of Potentate's rider giving the race to him by about two lengths, as far as could be judged. Kace No. 3 was a

PONY KACE-H miles; 14 hands and under,. Entrance, 10s 6d j prize, £5 5* ; post entry. ■ i The ponies all rau well, and a good race resulted. ■, A considerable delay then occurred, and umbrellas and cloaks were had recourse to before 1 race No." 4. was brought off. The course was slippery in parts and the take off for the jumps bad.

HURDLE RACE HANDICAP —2 mile», over eight; flights of hurdles] £18; nomination, £1; acceptance, £1. Four came to the post, the favorite i being apparently the Arrow, notwithstanding that he carried top weight, though there were many who pinned their faith to Potentate who with Bismarck/ | and another made up the quartette/ I After a start was made the Arrow te/qfc up the running, and closely accompan|iedl by Potentate led past the mound, rid.yfcfi iby its owner. Mr Johns rode PotQbttjboY and rode him well. The hurdles were j very slight and flimsy, and were easily down. Bismarck, in the last lap, i-pc^ofcti the third hor^e, but was unable to catoli tho leaders, who raced homePotentate, first; The Arrow, second. This race was quickly succeeded by a hack race, which was won by a Maori pony called' Toby. Four started. The spectators, save those who chose to remain in the Tararu Gardens, then wended their way homewards.