TUAPEKA JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 105, 12 February 1870, Page 3

TUAPEKA JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

For some days previous to the races Lawrence exhibited a more than ordinary stir. The delightful weather of the early part of the week had raised the hopes and expectations of all alike that this season's meeting would far eclipse that of former years. Tho advertised entries for the district handicap had made the country residents aware of the fact that some of the crack Canterbury racers were to be in the field, and peoplj from all quarters had determined to be present on the occasion. It was also known that horses from [Tokomairiro, Waipori, Tapanui, Teviot, and Dunedin, as well as several local s*eeds would be entered for the contest. Unluckily, a change took place in the weather on Wednesday ; in the morning the sky was dull and over-cast with flying clouds, and in the course of the day there was a heavy fall of rain which only abated late in the evening. This naturally threw a damper over the prospects of the following day. It was mooted by one or two of the stewards that unless the weather took up the races would be postponed. By this time several lady and gentleman visitors had arrived from Dunedin and Tokomairiro, and a good many had also come from the Teviot and the Dunstan, so that the idea of postponement was not favourably received. Thursday morning, although fair, looked very threatening. The faithful barometer, which was often consulted, indicated rain, and continued to show a falling tendency, so that it was only hoping against hope to expect good weather during the day. A ride round , the course was sufficient to recall scenes of mud-be-spattered jockeys, and still worse, broken necks arid limbs. In the early part of the day anotice was stuck up on the Commercial Hotel, stating that if the weather kept fair ti^l one o'clock the races would take place, and it so happened that the rain kept off for an hour or two longer, and by two o'clock the crowd of people who had been patiently waiting in Peel-street began to wind ies way to the race course. A considerable portion of the crowd settled for a time on the hills overlooking the course, from which a fine prospect of the racing can be had ; and the other portion, including those who enjoy the excitement of sweepstakes and betting, was found in the vicinity of the booths. There were six booths on the ground, placed in the following manner : — No. 1, grand stand, Bastings ; No. 2, M'Bride ; No. 3, Donovan. The refreshment booths were — No. 1, Jeffery ; No. 2, Boulton ; No. 3, Tyler, each of which appeared to receive a fair share of public patronage. .After the first race a heavy soaking rain set in, and lasted during the remainder of the day ; the crowd on the hills found its way towards the booths, where ample shelter and refreshments were to be obtained. Aunt Sallies, shooting galleries, apple stalls, &c., were all but closed to business ; and apart from the excitement of the racing, considerable laughter was created by the chameleon-nice change in the colours of the riders, caused by the splashing on the course. The horses which ran during the meeting were Weiss's Mormon ; Carlaw's Joe Cope ; D. A. Jolly's Paddy and Excelsior ; R. Ray's Arundel, Don Pedro, and Foretop ; T. Hewitt's Duchess and Rattler ; Pollock's Lady Ellen, Young Nelly Grey, Ranger, and Straggler ; Goodman's Little Nell and Turpin ; Moore's Waterwitch ; Capt. Hutchinson's Turpin ; Cotton's Hatter ; Cowie's King ; Langley's Kitty Darling ; Maclean's Skyonian and Roany ; Simpson's Rufus ; Williams' Wild Harry and Te Kooti ; Meere's Harkaway ; Andrew's Magenta ; Dwyer's Roany and Outcast, and Goodman's Deborah. Maiden Pl vte, of 30 soys. Entrance, 2 guineas. "Weight for age. Distance, one mile and a half ; for horses that never won an advertised race exceeding £10. For this race there were six entries, but Foretop was scratched previous to starting, to save him for the next event. Mormon (Walsh) in a preliminary canter bolted, and could not be pulled up in time to start, and therefore lost all chance. Arundel (Richards) 1 Duchess (C. Hewitt) 2 Paddy O'Brien) 3 Betting — 2 to 1 against Arundel ;3to 1 against Duchess ; 5 to 1 against Mormon and Joe Cope ; and 7 to 1 against Paddy. Start — Duchess rushed away with a strong lead, and continued it until about half a mile from home, when Arundel, who had been well kept together, was now lessening the distance every stride, and on nearing the recreation ground he passed the Duchess, and came in the easiest of winneis by about six lengths, thus confirming the confidence placed in him at the start ; the rest nowhere. Time, 3min. llsec. District Handicap, of 60 so-vs., with a sweepstake of 2 soys. each, the second horse to receive amount accining from the sweepstake. Distance, two miles. For this race six went to the post, but Waterwitch sulked, and could not be induced to leave the post. Foretop (Richards) 1 Lady Ellen - - - -(W Pollock) 2 Hatter ------ (Aitken) 3 Turpin and Little Nell also ran. Betting— -Even on Foretop ; 3 to 1 against Lady Ellen ; 4to 1 against Waterwitch and Turpin ; sto 1 against Little Nell ; and Bto 1 against Hatter. Start — The fractiousness of Hatter, Waterwitch, and Foretop caused three false starts. On the fourth attempt they got away on fair terms, Hatter showing himself prominent, followed by Turpin. Little Nell and Lady Ellen soon deprived them of the honours, Foretop, the favourite, being close on their heels. On rounding by the coalpit Foretop improved his position, and on entering the straight the second time "was neck and neck with the leader, who, immediately after without any trouble, said good-bye to the others, and ran home the last half mile hands down, and cantered in five lengths ahead of Lady Ellen, who was four lengths ahead of Hatter. The others followed some time afterwards. . HANDICAP TROWING RACE, of 25 soys. Distance, three miles. Entrance, 2 soys. Optional saddle or harnessv No weight under lOst. 111 b, Battler, 375 yds - > - (T. Hewitt 1 Kin» 225 yds - (Owner 2 Kitty Darling, 372 yds - - (J. Smith 3 Straggler, Joe Cope, and Ranger also started in tins race. Betting— 2 to 1 against Ranger ; 4 to

1 against King ; 5 to 1 against Straggler ; 7 to 1 against Joe Cope and Kitty Darling ; 10 to 1 against Rattler. Start — An equal start was effected, and they all- maintained their position as handicapped the first time passing the winning post. During the second round Straggler passed King, and Ranger lessened his distance by a 100 yards, but kept constantly breaking, which greatly interfered with his chance — Kitty Darling going well, but the pace was too hot for her. In the third round Rattler still maintained his position, Struggler 2nd, and Kitty Darling 3rd. The last time round Joe Cope was pulled up, when King was about half a mile from home. King showed his supporters that he had some go in him, and on entering the straight passed Kitty Darling, but failed . to reach Rattler, who, being well ridden by T. Hewitt, gained an easy victory. Time, lOmin., 25sec. A deal of money changed hands through this outsider winning the race. Hack Selling Race, of 20 soys. No weight under lOst. One mile heats. The winner to be sold by public auction for £20 ; tbo surplus, if any, to go to the Kace Fund. Rufus (C. Hewitt) 1 1 Wild Harry .... (Smith) 2 2 Morgan, Deborah, Outcast, Roany, and Paddy also ran in this race. | This race needs no description, as ] Rufus won both heats easily. The only other one of the lot that had any show being Wild Harry.

SECOND DAY.

The weather throughout the second day, although a great improvement on the first, was far from being propitious. The number of spectators was less, and the ladies showed a great falling off as compared with the first day, when they mustered in considerable force on the Grand Stand. The booths showed every sign of business, and all alike appeared to enter fully into the enjoyment of the occasion. Ladies' Purse, of 30 soys. Entrance, 3 guineas. Gentlemen riders. Welter weights. Distance, 2 miles. Don Pedro .... (Mr. Meere) 1 Skyonian - (Mr. T. Hewitt) 2 Young Nelly Grey - - Mr. W. Pollock) 3 Magenta - ... (Mr. MTherson) 0 Betting .—4. — 4 to 3 against Don Pedro ; 2 to 1 against Skyonian ; 7 to 3 against Young Nelly Gray ; 10 to 1 against Magenta. Start : — Don Pedro was the first to make tracks, closely followed by Magenta and Young Eelly Grey — Skyonian being nursed in the rear for the final rush. About half a mile from home Magenta was running well and close to the Don, but unfortunately fell, otherwise he would have had a good chance, as he was running strong. Crossing the flat, Hewitt let out Skyonian, and improved his position every stride, and was suffered to come on even terms on nearing the straight, which, when entered, the brave Don was allowed to take his head, and defeated old , Sky. by three lengths. Time, 4min. 38sec. Town Platf, of 100 soys. Second horse to receive 10 soys. out of stakes. Distance, 3 miles. Entrance, 5 guineas. Foretop (Richards) 1 "Waterwitch - ... (Pearson) 2 Excelsior (Goodman) 3 Tuipin 0 Staut : — Excelsior was Grst to show in front, but was soon passed by Waterwitch, who took the lead, and passed the stand the first time closely followed by Excelsior and roretop. In passing the post the second time the same order was kept. During the third round Excelsior was allowed to pass Waterwitch, when the light weight could not hold in until descending the hill, but on crossing the recreation ground the maro soon deprived him of his honours. Here Foretop was seen rushing to the fore, aud on entering the straight passed Excelsior aud got on even terms' with Waterwitch in passing the stand. The two leaders kept their position for a short distance, when Foretop was let out and took the lead, which he maintained to the end, hard held, about 20 lengths ahead of the young one. Excelsior was completely done up after the third round, having no show whatever with the superior training of the horses lately from Canterbury. Time, 6min. 48sec. Hurdle Hace, of 30 soys. Welter we'ghts. Distance, two and a half miles ; over nine flights of hurdlq3, 3£ft. high. Entrance, 2 guineas. Goodman's Turpin - - - (Laverly) 1 Williams' Te Kooti - - - (Goodman) 2 Harkaway .... (M'Pherson) 3 Joe Cope, Don Pedro, and Fire-eater were scratched. Start — They "were despatched at the first attempt, and all took the first hurdle in close order, Te Kooti showing the the way, and they all came along at a gentle canter to tlie next hurdle, seeming as each feared to take the lead on account of the course being in such a bad state. The second hurdle was . taken in close order led by Tnipin, who knocked it down. Third hurdle Turpin again led, and knocked it down. Fourth hurdle Te Kooti tipped. Fifth hurdle, all well over. Sixth and seventh the same order was maintained. After which, Harkaway exhibited signs of distress, and, seeing his chance was gone, walked iv. The eighth hurdle was displaced by Turpin, which gave Te Kooti a chance of advancing, which lie took advantage of, but failed to overhaul tho gallant Turpin, who cleared the la3t hurdle beautifully, and won as he likel. The clean jump of Te Kooti was^jnudi admired. This was one of the best hurdle races we have ever witnessed, not a siigle horse having refused to take his levp. Consolation Handicap, of 15 soys., for all beaten horses. Distance, one mile and a half. Entrance, lsov. Pollock's Lady Ellen, fet. 21b. (Cotton) 1 Hutcbinson's Turpin, fat. 41b. (Pearson) 2 Cotton's Hatter, 6st. 6b.— carried Bst. 31b. (Tanner) 3 Weiss's Mormon, 6st. Bb.— carried 7st. 31b. 0

Mr. Sheath, the starter, despatched the lot on favourabfe terms, "when Turpin soon showed tlem the way with a fair lead, Lady EJen second, Hatter third, and Morman last, which position he was unable to change. In the straight. Lady Ellen was callad upon to go, and passed the stand ned and neck with the leader Turpin, whoia she soon left be--hind, and soon left ttie lot in the rear, and won as she liked.

Thu3 was brought to a close the Tuapeka meeting, whick, taking the inclemency of the weather into account, was a great success. Under more favourable circumstances we believe these races would have been more fully attended than those of* any other up-country races in the province. •