SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 161, 9 March 1871, Page 6

SWITZERS.

(From a Correspondent.)

The annual meeting of the Switzers Jockey Club races came off on Thursday and Friday last, and our periodical horsey epidemic is fasb evaporating. The excitement in the early part of the week, owing to the atmospheric changes, was very considerable — some glorying in the prospect of plenty of rain and a heavy course j others favouring light and swift horses, desiring the contrary. lam glad to say on the race days the weather was deliciously charming — tho rain on Monday and Tuesday rendering the course in splendid condition. I have seldom seen one with more natural advantages. The configuration of the surrounding country presenting many pleasing pictures, while the terraces in its immediate vicinity afford the spectators a capital view of the interesting panorama moving beneath them. I am informed tho visitors were not so numerous as on previous occasions, but the course was graced by the presence of so many fair equestriennes that I am sure the paucity in the numbers of the rougher bipeds were scarcely missed. I should like to be able to give unqualified praise to the gentlemen caterers, but, owing to many small mistakes, I cannot conscientiously do so. The programme was a complete bungle, and naturally caused a great deal of dissatisfaction amongst the owners of horses. The running ground, by a very small expenditure in the removal of tussocks, might have been much improved; and a little more liberality in some of the prizes would render them somewhat in unison with the heavy charges for entering, &c. But the worst feature of all was the very bad taste, to say the least of it, in detaining the owners of horses, and dragging them down to the course on the day following for a settlement. I will say no more about these small errors in judgment, but hope for their avoidance in the future. Giving the Stewards credit for every good intention ; but I have been ini'ormed the road to the dominions of his Satanic Majesty is paved with such useless fabrics ; therefore, unless practically carried out, are worse than nothing. lam glad to say there was quite a void of that piecocious rowdyism too often met with at up-

country meetings. Tho young aspirants for jockey honours behaved in a manner creditable to themselves, and pleasing to evei'yone with whom they came in contact. There was but one accident of any kind during the week, and that to a horse, not a biped. Mr. J. T. Bradley, of M'lntyre's horse Goldseeker, while running for the hack race on the second clay, unfortunately managed to strike its off fore leg with its hind foot, fracturing the small bone behind the knee. It was obliged to be dispatched. Some of the events were keenly contested, success in some cases attributed more to the excellent jockeyship than the quality of the animals. The riding of young Hills was particularly admired, and, I was glad to see, met with some substantial approval in the shape of a very handsome gold mounted whip presented by some gentleman, also a very beautiful nugget from Mr. Bradley. The proceedings commenced on tho first day with the Maiden Plate. — A Sweepstakes of 1 soy. each, with 25 soys. added, for all horses that have nev^r won an advertised race of more than 10 soys. in value. Weight for age. Dibtance, H mile. Entrance, £2 2s. Pollock's Lady of the Lake - (Kelly) 1 M'Lean's Lady Jane - - - 2 Williams' Hatter - 3 At starting Hatter was the favourite, although Lady of tho Lake had many adnvrers, myself amongst the number. tier Ladyship took the lead at starting, and maintained ifc throughout, ridden by Kelly with his usual style of excellence. Publican's Purse, of 20 soys. Distance, I mile hears. Weight for age. Entrance, £2 2s. Williams' Duchess - - (Hill) 1 1 Pollock's Banjo - - (Kelly) 2 2 In this race Duchess was the favourite, and won easily. The mare was in beautiful form, and evinced the care and good judgment of her owner and trainer, Mr. G. Williams. Mr. M'Lean's Miss Flat also ran in this race, but she broke down in the first heat. Miner's Puese, of 15 soys., for all horses the property of working miners, and untrained, that have never won an advertised race of more tl>,in JL'IO. A lilts heats. Post entry. En' ranee, 20s.

Bradlev'* G-ddseeker - (Hill) 12 1 Davis' Mountain F»oy (Owner) 2 0 0 White's Siicrutes (Hardman) 0 12

The following horses also started :—: — Mears' Koran, Mathoson's Jenny, R. Hanson's Pwitzers, A. Hanson's Nokomai. and Hurley's K anger.

Socrates was doci/ledly the favourite for this race 1 , and looked by the local knowing ones as a certain winner, but the admirable jockeyship of young Hill, who went as far as the racing tether would allow him, and no further, caused the prize to tail to the lot of a hona fide miner, Mr. Bradley, prospector of M'lnryro's. Ladies' purse. — A sweepstakes of 1 soy., with 20 soys added. Welter weights. Gentlemen riders. Distance, 2 miles. Entrance, £2 23. Williams' Star, - - (C. Hewitt) 1 Pollock's Banjo - (Owner) 2 This ■ race did not cause much satisfaction, but in justice to Mr. Pollock, £ can say I distinctly heard him publicly declare that unless Banjo could win easily, he would not distress him, as he wished to save Lira for the

The days' proceedings w&re brought to a close by an impromptu Hurry Scurry once round the course. Owing to a mistake, all the horses did not start when the flag fell. Mr. Parson's Stockwell came in first, but owing to the stewards not bein~ of the same mind as to the justice of his claim, he was obliged to divide with somebody else.

STECO> T D BAT.

Hack racs of 10 soys. Distance, l£ mile Entrance, 10s. JS r o weight under 9jt. Post entry. Lawries' Cupid - - (Davis) 1 Parson's Rtockwell - - (Edwards) 2 The following also started, Bradley's Goldseeker, and Orbell's Dunedin. It was in this race Mr. Bradley's horse unfortunately broke his leg. This race was followed by the gr^at event of the mcct — SwiTZEBS JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP. — A Sweepstakes of 3 soys. each, "with 5() soys. added ; second horse to save his stake. Distance, 1|- mile. Williams' br m Duchess - (Hill) 1 Croaker's b g Re-nown (Edwards) 2 Pollock's eh g Banjo - - (Kelly) 3 Many residents he7*e were very sweet on Renown, but the judges of turf matters were strongly in favour of Duchess, two to one offered freely on her Grace, who danced off with the lead, followed by Kelly on Banjo, who did all that a good jockey could do, but was obliged to be content with second honours. Hurdle steeple chase. — Sweepstakes of 1 soy. each, with 30 soys. added, for all horses, over 12 flight of hurdles, 3ft. 6in. high. Weight for age. Distance, 3 miles, Entrance, £2 2s. Moffitt's bk m Lilly Dale (Hardman) 1 Williams' Star of the South (Hewitt) 2 M'Lean's b g Rambler - - - 3 The knowing ones were rather deceived in this race, priming their faith on tho Star, but owing to Mr. C. Hewitt being very unwell, throngh reducing himself too much in so short a time, he was not able to ride with bis usual ability, although the race was severely contested, Lilly Dale winning by a neck only.

Consolation stakes, of 20 soys,, for all horses beaten during the meeting. Weight for age. Distance, li mile. Post entry.

Pollock's Banjo - - (Kelly) 1 O'Keefe's Lady Jane - (O'Keefe) 2 This finished the programme, and brought to a close a very pleasant mseting. On Saturday, there were a few events not worth recording, and not within the pale of the Switzers Jockey Club. Between the various races, the sports were enlivened by the manual performances as follows, on the first day :—: — 200 Yards Foot Race.— Entrance, 2s. 6d. — First prize, 30s. ; second, 10s. Croaker, Ist ; Wallace, 2nd. Four others

started Running Long Jump. — First, 30s. ; second, 10s. — Entrance, 2s. Hardman, Ist ; Groom, 2nd ; Giddies, 3rd. 200 Yards Flat Race.— First, 30s. ;

second, 10s. — Entrance, 2s. Gd. Croker, Ist ; Neill, 2nd. Butter and Currie also

started. Kunning Hop, Step, and Jump. — First, 30s. ; second, 10s. — Entrance, 2s. 6d. — Hard man, Ist. ; Moffatt, 2nd. Second Day. — Wrestling Cumberland style — First, 405. ; second, 10s. — Moffatt, Ist ; Millar, 2nd. Handicap Hurdle Race, -Jmile, 1320 yards. — Croker, scratch ; Wallace, 10 yards ; Hardman and Moffat, 40 yards ; Day, 50 yards. Moffat, Ist ; Croker, 2nd.