Thames Jockey Club Annual Meeting.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3746, 29 December 1880, Page 2

Thames Jockey Club Annual Meeting.

YESTERDAY'S EACES.

The race course at Parawai was again thronged yesterday, although we do not think the attendance was so large as on the first day. Up to about two o'clock, the weather was undeoided, and it was clear to all that Jupiter Pluvius and Helios were waging a battle for ascendency in the heavens. After a protracted struggle which wag watched with discomforting apprehensions by the public, poor Sol had to /' beat a retreat"—to use a military phrase—and as his last rays wire

retreating before the aqueous and nebulous forces of the rainy god, the spirits of the sight-seers fell, and albeit Mr Buckland and bis'waiters ministered to the wants of a dejected people, their human thermometers refused to indicate higher spirits, and the mercury rapidly fell. By half-past two the rain was sweeping over the course in sheets, and it was most amusing to see how people endeavoured to maintain the integrity of their garments against the effects of the water which poured down from the skies in an incessant stream. The judge's box was crammed, and the booths, saddling paddock, grand stand, and every available nook and corner were filled with a crowd of grumbling humanity. The course rapidly developed into a morass, and in consequence of the slipperiness of the ground several owners refused to allow their horses to run in various races, as such a ! proceeding would not only have endangered I the safety of the animals, but the lives of [ the jockeys would have been placed in j jeopardy. Towards three o'clock, several! people commenced their journey homewards, and the various cab and car proprietors reaped a good harvest of bright shillings. We must apologise for the results of the races not appearing in our last issue, but the weather being so dull and inclement our feathered messengers were " at sea," and failed to arrive in time for publication. The first race run yesterday was the Bailway Stakes Handicap for 15sovs, the distance being three-quarters of a mile. This was an excellent race, the start being well effected. Sunbeam took the lead front the first, maintaining it all through, although being closely pressed, by Batcatcher. Flora came in third,' but was several lengths behind Batcatcher, who came in second, being only a length behind. Mr J. 0. Williams' Talty ran well for the first half lap, but soon became short of wind, and fell into the rear, coming in last. Young Byers rode the winner with his accustomed skill and address. Railway Stakes Handicap, 15 sore. Dis- ' tanoe, f mile. .J. Lennard's c m Sunbeam, 4yr», let 51bs (Byers) ... ... ... 1 J. Darrow's b g Ratcatcher, aged, 9st 41bs {Howe) 2 N. McDonald's c m Flora, 4 years, 7st3lbs (W. Dufty) ... ... ... ... 0 J. 0. Williams' Ta%, aged, 6eb 71bs (Stevens) ... ... ... ... 0 In the next race the Thames Jockey Club Handicap, 40 soys., the distance being 1£ miles. Akeake was scratched at half past one, his owner deciding to run him in the steeplechase. Eclipse while at the starting point refused to start, and becoming restive was led off the course. The race up the straight between Batcatcher and Golden Grown was most exciting. At first it appeared as if the prize would fall to Batcatcher, but Golden Crown gradually obtained the lead, and* came to the post scarcely a length ahead of Batcatchex, who ran a splendid second. Matlock came in third the distance between second and third being about three lengths. The betting was much in favour of Golden Crown. Thames Jockey Club Handicap, 40 soys, Distance, li miles. Mr J. Byer's G-olden Grown, aged, Bst (Byers, junr.) 1 Mr J. Dwrow's Ratcatcher, 6yr», 9st 41bs (Howe) ... 2 Mr Mgakapa's Matlock, aged, 6at lOlbs (B. Quinliran) 3 Mr 3. C. Williams' eh g Eclipse, aged, 6st lOlbs (Stevens) ... 0 At the conclusion of the above race the rain fell in torrents, and the whole of the pleasure-seekers took refuge in all places where the slightest shelter was afforded. An amusing circumstance occurred at this time. Two gentlemen, who are no doubt sage philosophers, were deeply engrossed in the discussion of a most intricate and unfathomable subject. They were standing, or rather crouching, underneath a tree on the bank of the river. " Look at the rain," said one when a gust had disturbed their korero, " what shall we do when this tree gets wet P " "Go to another one," .was the calm'and philosophical reply. The next race gave rise to innumerable conjectures, as to the time it would occupy in the running, and as to the. winner. One gentleman offered 20 to 1 that the race was not concluded within half an hour, while another offered 20 to 2 that the time occupied would be fully an hour. Not only was the time to be occupied a source of. speculation, but some went so far as to assert that the horses would not come in at all. Indeed such was the state of the ground, that such a result was by no means impossible. At about 330 p.m. the rain cleared off, and enabled a start to be made. In consequence of the heavy course, Mr Lennard refused to allow Venus to run, being apprehensive of both the safety of horse and jockey. Only three started—Misfortune, Akeake and Atalanta. After the first round, during which Atalanta took the lead, he refused a bardic in the corner of the field; Notwithstanding the utmost efforts of his.rider to clear "the hurdle, Ataj^nte Absolutely refused,; and after throwing "his rider into the mud,«ntl otherwise taxing the patience of his jockey (Wight) he gave up and was led off the course in company with Akeake who was almost as obstinate as his fellow competitor. Misfortune, although not fleet of foot, had been steadily taking the hurdles, and, although she baulked at one hurdle she took the rest in splendid style. It was. amusing to watch the clerk of the course/Mr P. Wells, who during'this race was performing the duty of seeing the hurdles properly cleared. , The crack of his whip, and the hoarse shouts which were projected being audible almost all over the course. He performed the arduous task with eclat to himself, and gave the greatest satisfaction. . Misfortune after taking her time, won as she liked, the time taken in accomplishing the distance being exactly 25 minutes. The result was a "sell" to many, as the majority of turfites had laid odds against Misfortune, who had refused to take the hurdles on the first day. The greatest i interest was taken in the race, and as the winner cleared the last hurdle he was loudly, cheered. Both the hone and jockey appeared greatly distressed. Steeplechase Handicap, 40 soys. Distance, about 3 miles. •' , , "' Mr J. S. Buckland'« b g Misfortune, 6 yrs., lOst 71bs (E Williams) ... ... 1 Mr M. McDona'd's b g Akeake, 5 yrs., list (Hoskings) . ... ... ..." 0 Mr M. Casey's b m Atalanta, aged, lOst lOlbs (R. H. Wight) 0 Local Hack Handicap, 20 soys. Distance,

1£ miles. Ngakopu'a blkgMatlock, aged, 8»t 21bn, (B. Quinliran) 1 J. 0. Williams' oh g Eclipse, aged, Bit, (Howe) 2 Hamiora Mangakabia's b g Skjlark, Bged, 9»t (Williame) ... 0 Ec^pse, although out of training, r*n

excellently for the first round, but was passed by Matlock towards the finish, and the latter came in first, Eclipse how* ever running a good second. Skylark ran a bad third. Matlock was backed for the race, and, as she was in splendid condition, the prize was felt to be a certainty for her. '

Hack Hurdle Race, of lOsovs. Post entry, 15s: catch weights. Distance, 2 miles. Winner to be sold for £16 ; any surplus to go to the funds of the Club. Mr S. Diokey's Kate (Hoskings)... ... 1 Mr O. Griffiths' Streaky (Williams) ... 2 Mr a. McDonald's Prince (Aitken) „ 3

This race received a greater share of attention than almost any other. An excellent start was effected, six competitors appearing at the starting point. When going over the first hurdle Dolly ran foul of another horse, and was thrown to the ground, her jockey, McManey being also capsized. Although " brought to earth" McMany was equal to the occasion, and was on his feet in a second. His horse however trotted calmly up the course, and disdained his rider, who when he found himself in this predicament and saw the others careering a quarter of a mile ahead of him, acoepted the inevitable. Kate maintained the lead, and came in a winner by two or three lengths, Streaky being second, and Prince third. After the race was orer Kate was seld by Captain Skene in accordance'with the rules of the Club. She was bought in by her owner at £18 ss, £3 5s of which goes to the Club funds. '*■

Consolation Handicap,. 10 soys. Distance, 1 mile. Post entry. For all unsuccessful horses. Mr N. McDonald's Flora, (Howe) ... 1 Mr J. Lenriard's Venus, {Byen) ...'*• 2 Mr J. Qainlmui'a Katie DailiDg (]£. Quiulivan) ... 0 Mr Daidy's Dick (Dufty) ... 0 This was the last race of the day, and was run while torrents of rain were falling. Flora won by about half a length. The races yesterday were, if anything, better than on Monday, but the change m the weather accounted for several horses winning, which in fine weather would not hare been so easily the victors.