Thames Annual Races.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3435, 27 December 1879, Page 2

Thames Annual Races.

FIRST DAY.

The first; day's racing of the Thames annual meeting took place at the Parawai race-course yesterday. The day opened in a most unpromising manner, and up to 10 o'clock it was confidently predicted that the programme of the day would hare to be postponed. Before the hour

appointed for the first race, however, Phoebus gave promise of better things by shooting out his rays From behind the dark banks of clouds. A large number of people might have been seen wending I their way to the course, while 'busses, spring carts, and other vehicles did a good business. The attendance on the course, however* was nothing like what it would have been had the weather been finer—there being a most noticeable sparseness of ladies and children. At about 12.30 the grand stand was" well filled. The booths, pigeon pools, etc., and the shooting gallery did a first class business throughout the day. One incident before the starting of the first race caused much amusement to the occupants of the grand stand. Four young men, apparently buahmeo, with belltoppers and tailed coats, mounted the. 3omew*hat perilous ladder leading to the crow's nest. They were spotted by a zealous policeman, who, perhaps, thought their perilous platform was the judge's box, and he tried to get them down, but with no avail. A string was then handed down to one of their mates, and the next moment a concertina was whipped up to them. They continued their gambols till the attention of the crowd was caused by the starting of the first race. Another incident of a less amusing character took place also about this time. A man was inspecting the Msori crack Maewa, when the vicious little animal kicked him in the face fracturing his jaw. He was conveyed to the hospital. The first race was the

Rah way Stakbs (weight for ago), 20 iota,

Distance, 1 mile. Entrance, 2 bots

Mr B Thorpe's Magician (Walsh), aged,

9«t4lb 1 Mr J H Walsh's Matlock (Quinlivaa), Rp,ed, 9st 41b ... ... ... 2 Mr J'H Walsh'* Golden Crown {Chris

Jonson), aged, 9st 4lb ... ... 3 Mr John Leonard's Sunbeam (McGoe), 3

years, 7st lib ... ... ... 0 Mr J A. Tamer's Indian Warrior (MeWilliams), 9st 41b ... .. ... 0 Mr Apatu's Maewa (Native), aged, 9sfc 41b ... ... ... ... 0 Mrs Mere Taipnri's Skylark (Tanner),

aged, 9«fc 41b ... # ... ... 0 Mr J Hoskings' Snowstorm (Williams), 4

yearsj Bifc 111b ... ... ... 0 All the horses entered came to the post with the exception of Cetewayo. Sunbeam and Magician were the favorites. The horses were rather fresh, and can Id not be got off well together. After one false start Mr Young gave the signal, Skylark rushed to the front with Matlock close behind and Magician last. At the first time past the stand, Matlock was leading with Magician also well to the front, Skylark being back in the ruck. Near the gates, Magician passed Matlock, and Golden Crown and Sunbeam were racing for third place. The race terminated in the order named, Sunbeam being fourth. The race was a good one, and as the winner passed the judge's box he was loudly cheered. We may mention that Mr Walsh, the owner of Matlock and Golden Crown, rode the winner and used all his energies to beat his own horses.

Hubble Back Handicap, 15 sots. Distance, I 2 miles. Entrance, 2 ton. Mr McGbe's Elsa (Potter), aged, lOst 121b ... ..- 1 Mr Leonard's Venus (Taylor), syrs, 9it 41b .*. 2 Mr Sherlock's Sir George Grey (owner), 6yrs, SsfclOlb 3 Mr McCJeeban's Hurricane (Whitlord), aged, Bst 101b 0 Mr Parata's Naughty Boy (De Thierry), aged, 9et 21b 0 Elsa and Venus were the favourites. McGee's fine mare was not in very good fettle, but her backers confidently took all bets laid against her. The start was first class, the horses getting away in a cluster with Leonard's mare slightly leading. After the first jump, which all took splendidly, Sir George Grey, urged by his rider took Hie lead, Elsa and Venus being held in. The second time round Venus was leading *ith Elsa second and Grey third, the latter apparently being pretty nearly used up. Hurricane was some distance in the rear. At the third round Naughty Boy gave in, and Elsa passed Venus easily, that plucky little mare being evidently distressed by the heary nature of the ground. McGee's mare passed the judge's box a winner by four lengths.

Maobi Hobbb Rac«, 5 sovi. Distance, 2 miles. Pwt entry, 10>. Paraku's Ohinemuri ... ... ... 1 Hunia's Kawana ... ... . ... 2 [ Apatu's Katit ... ... ... 3 I Hata Paka's Eaikarea ... ... 4 This race caused great amusement, the appearance of the grass-fed Maori hacks after doing the first mile being ludicrous. The race ended as ahore. Thames Plats, Handicap 30 tors. Distance, 2 tmiles. Entrance, • sort —1 sot on nomination, 19th December, and 2 tors en the night of general entry. Mrs Mere Taipari's Skylark (Tanner), aged, Bst 121b» ... 1 Mr J H Waleh's Matloek (Quinlivan), aged, Bst ... ... ... ... 2 Mr McGWa Bandarra (McGec), aged, Bst llibt 8 Mi- MeGeelian's Littla Dick (Ritchie), , aged, 7at 131bs - ... ... ... 0 Mr Parata's Naughty Boy (native), aged, 7st 131b» ... 0

7st 131b» ... 0 Mr B Thorpe's Magician (Walsh), aged, 9at9lbs ... ... .... ... 0 Indian Warrior, Snowstorm, and Sunbeam were scratched. Mr Young effected a splendid start, Matloek getting slightly to the front, with Bundarra, Skylark, and Magician in the order named. Daring the first round Skylark took the first place, with Magician close beside him. Near the gate Magician passed. Skylark, Matloek retaining third place. Just as every one had begun to look on Magician as the winner, he stumbled and fell, and Skylark came :n the winner, with Matlock second. Immediately after the race, Mr Walsh, owner of Matloek, entered a protest against Skylark on the ground that the horse had crossed his. Hack Race, 5 sots. Distance, f mile. Post entry, 10s. Casey's Darkey ... •■*.... ... 1 Parakn's Mountain ... ... ... 2 Hunia'B Jacket ... ... ... 3 Four others ran, but the race was a gift to Darkey, that horse taking the lead and maintaining it throughout. THB PROTEST AGAINST SKYLARK. ! The Stewards met at the Queen's Hotel last eremng for the purpose of considering the protest lodged by Mr Walsh against Skylark. After tha-evi-dence had been taken, it was decided to divide the stakes between Skylark and Matloek, and disqualify Tanner from again riding at Faravrai.