TUAPEKA RACES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 209, 1 February 1872, Page 5

TUAPEKA RACES.

The race meet of 1872 was unquestionably the most successful that has taken place under the auspices of the Tuapeka Jockey Club. All causes which tend to produce success seemed to combine for the occasion. The weather on Thursday and Friday was gloriously fine, the quality of the racing excellent, the fields of competitors satisfactorily large, and the attendance of spectators numerous beyond expectation. Visitors from various parts of the province commenced to arrive in Lawrence about the middle of the week preceding the races, and came in such numbers that on the night of Monday, the 22nd ult. , all available sleeping accommodation had been taken up. Those who came after that date had to either content themselves withjloor quarters, or betake themselves to Wetherstones or the various road-side hotels. On the morning of the first day of the races (Thursday), all the roads leading from the surrounding districts into Lawrence presented an animated appearance. In Eoss Place and Peel-street the scene was particularly stirring. From an early hour vehicles of all descriptions — spring carts, buggies, two and four horse coaches, &c, all laden to their utmost capacity with living freights — dashed towards the centre of attraction. On horseback and on foot crowds pursued their way through these streets to the same goal. On the road from Lawrence to the course, a stream of pleasure-seekers flowed continuously from eleven o'clock till the day's proceedings began, and up till three o'clock numbers wended their way to the course. On the racecourse a grand stand and booth had been erected by Mr. Chalmers,, of the Halfway House ; and booths by Messrs. Tanton and Coghill. Messrs. Wootton and Tyler had also booths for the sale of fruit and other refreshments, and Mr. Jeffery had one for the sale of fancy goods. From the previous excessively dry weather, the course was rather hard, and it was anticipated that some inconvenience would be caused by the dust raised by the horses. The stewards, however, took the wise precaution of watering the course at intervals, and during the first day, although there was a breeze, the dust was not blown about in sufficient quantities to incommode the spectators. On the second day there was more dust, but even then very little. On the third day(Saturday), the wind wasso strongthat all efforts to keep down the dust proved futile, and it was very disagreeable to those present. On Thursday there were fully 2000 people on the ground, and on Friday between 2000 and 2500. On Saturday 500 or 600 attended. Tempted by the charming weather, a large number of ladies graced the course by their presence on Thursday and Friday. The fair visitants'chiefly located themselves on the hill, although many preferred to view the proceedings from the inside of the course, and a number patronised the grand stand. The gay and variegated summer costumes of these " melodies of the human duet " had a highly pleasing effect, imparting to the scene a piquancy, without which it would have been tho very reverse of picturesque. Many Chinamen were amongst the spectators, and appeared to have been Anglicised so far as to take a deep interest ;n England's " great national sport, 0

The grand stand was well filled the first day, but on the second day we noticed many vacant seats. This is in the main attributable to the fact that a splendid view of the races can be obtained from the hill, and many— especially ladies, as we previously remarked — stationed themselves thereupon, as it had the advantage of being distant from the turmoil of the crowd around the stand. We observed many pleasant picnic parties scattered around the terraces. The number of these parties is increasing year by year, and certainly it seems more consonant with enjoyment to refresh al fresco, than to do so in a crowded booth, however perfect the arrangements therein may be. The refreshments, solid and liquid, provided by the booths, were highly appreciated, judging from, the demand made for them, and we fancy those who erected booths were not dissatisfied with the amount of patronage bestowed on them. In consequence of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Arbuckle, Mr. Charles Nicholson officiated as clerk of the course, the arduous duties of which offico he performed admirably. Mr. 11. Bastings, hs judge, was as usual " the right man in the right place ; " and Mr. M'Lean, as starter, deserves honourable mention. Credit is also due to the stewards for the careful attention they paid to the arrangements of the meeting. Betting was not indulged in to any great extent among the general public. Considerable sums, however, changed hands amongst those who, for want of a better term, may be designated "sporting men." Most people contented themselves by going in for sweeps — albeit they went in pretty freely for that mild form of gambling. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, a number of Calcutta sweeps on the various events were got off at the Commercial and Victoria. Hotels. Many of the amusements whereby those of Her Majesty's lieges who visit racecourses are wont to beguile the time between the races, were provided by enterprising speculators, but many were conspicuously absent. We missed the familiar face of our revered relative, Aunt Sally ; and the place of the merry-go-round, was vacant. There was no "under-and-over," and perhaps it was well no one was enterprising enough to start it, as probably his enjoyment of the races would have beenspoiled. There was, however, " field pool," punching and lifting machines, and the shooting arrangement for nuts, all of which drove a roaring trade.

On Thursday, the first race was the Maiden Plate, for which nine entered, all of whom faced the starter. Kildare was the favourite, and justified his being made so by pulling off the race without difficulty. There were eight acceptances for the next race — the Lawrence Handicap. Patch, however, was scratched. Slander was top favourite, but the old black horse found friends who had not lost faith in his prowess. The light weight on the Tokomairiro mare caused her also to find_favour in some eyes. The result astonished everybody, Lyndon being considered a regular outsider, and only put in to make the running for Backbiter. The race was a second edition of the Melbourne Cup Race, when Pearl won. So remote was the winner's chance deemed that in several Calcutta sweeps drawn the previous evening, not a bid could be obtained for him. For the Handicap Trotting Race nine started, and it .resulted, as was expected, in a victory for the horse placed at scratch, Ranger. Joe Cope, who came in a good second, would undoubtedly have given the winner a close push had he not broken twice. Hanger trots beautifully — it is a. regular treat to see him. Joe Cope would make a much more formidable opponent in a trotting race if kept at it, and not made a generally useful horse, as he has hitherto been — running flat, hurdle, and trotting, and every other description of race. The Handicap Hurdle Race was the last event on the card. For this there were six entered, five of whom started. Honest John was the favourite. Sir Tatton (who had just recovered from an injury he had received at the Hogburn), Don Pedro, Pretender, and Patch had also backers. " The first heat was an easy victory for the favourite, and the second he walked around, to save himself. For the third, between Pretender and John there was an exciting race, but the splendid jumping of the latter gave him a great advantage. Patch obstinately declined to have anything to do with the first hurdle, although, when he was got over it by Taggart, he took the others without demur. In the second heat he baulked again, and lost all chance of the race. The second day's proceedings commenced with the Flying Handicap, for which three competed, add which was agift to Slander. The Jockey Club Handicap came next. Seven hail entered for it, but only five made their appearance. Forthis racenothing would go down but Yatterina, and again did the result prove contrary to general expectation. It was thought the black had not the ghost of a show against the favourite but once more he showed he was made of the right stuff. He won hands down, and though Yatterina's jockey whipped and spurred unmercifully, he could not come near him. The hack race brought out a field of seven. The local hacks had to yield the victory to a " foreigner," the owner of which, however, was not allowed to take the money, and the race was decided by Playboy and Rufus, who had each come in second in the two heats. The Publicans' Purse came next. Five entered, but only four came to the scratch. Slander had it pretty nearly all her own way, and won as she liked. Maniototo was suffering from a bad cold, and therefore did not exhibit to advantage. Three went in for the Consolation, and Yatterina was again disappointed, the prize being won, after a game struggle, by Mr. Coombe's-horse. The stewards decided upon giving a third day's racing, and drew up a short programme, consisting.of two races — the Blue Spur Handicap and a Hack Race. Below will be found a detailed report of the racing. . .

FIKST DAY.

Maiden Plate, of 35 soys ; entrance 2 guineas ; weight for age ; distance, one and a half mile. For horses that never won an advertised prize exceeding £10, hack races and matches not included. Prince's c g Kildare, 6 yrs (O'Brien) 1 Sohluter's b g Salamander Bam, 6 yrs ( W. Mackay) 2 Smith's c m M«y Queen, 4 yrs (French) 3

Chance, Little George, Miss Gladstone, Te Kooti, Gentle Annie, and Billy also ran. When the flag dropped, the horses went off well together. Little George took the lead, and maintained it all the first round, Kildare hanging baGk. Half way round the second time, Salamander Sam, May Queen, and Kildare came to the front. The latter drew ahead and won easily. Chance came in fourth. Time — 3min. l^sec.

Lawbence Handicap, of 60 soys., with a sweep-

stake of 1 guinea ; the second horse to receive amount accruing from sweep ; distance, one and a half mile, Robinson's eh g Lyndon, aged ; Bst 61b (Gibbs) 1 "Walters' b m Slander, aged ; lOst (French) 2 Pritchard's eh h Foretop, 6 yrs ; 7st 101 b (Pearson) 3 Robinson's b g Backbiter, aged ; 9st 41b 0 Langley's br m Duchess, 6 yrs ; 7st 81b 0 Coombe's b g Catapult, 5 yrs ; 7st 9lb 0 Patch was scratched. Betting -sto 3 against Slander ; 3 to 1 against Backbiter

and Duchess. After several false starts, the horse 3 were got away. Lyndontook the lead and made the running, Backbiter lagging behind. Slander kept well up to I^yndon, Foretop following close behind. Coming to the grand stand, Backbiter put on steam and took third place, but could not catch Slander. A good race now eisued between Lyndon and Slander. The former, however, retained his lead atl the way round, and was landed the winner by about a length. In the straight, r'oretop passed Backbiter, and secured third place. Time — 2min. 47sec. Handicap Tkotting R\cb, of 25 soys ; entrance, 2 guineas ; , distance, 3 miles ; no weight under lOst 111 b. Williams' bg Ranger, aged ; scratch (owner) 1 M'Phersou's b g Joe Cope, aged ; 223 yards (owner) 2 Robinson's br in Modesty (late Flora Temple)

Peters' b g King, aged ; 250 yards 0 Coombe's Bobby, aged ; 375 yards 0 Smith's b g Rattler, aged ; 275 yards 0 The first round, Bobby maintained the lead. Modesty overhauled Rattler, as also did Joe Cope, before the stand was reached — all travelling well. The second round, Ranger began to step out, and rapidly drew up. Passing the stand the second time, Bobby still led ; Modesty, 2nd ; King, who broke here, 3rd ; Joe Cope, 4th ; and Ranger, sth, well vp — Rattler having dropped out of the race. Near the Coalpit, Joe Cope, who had come to the front, broke, King taking his place, Ranger being 4th, and rapidly forging ahead. When the grand stand was for the third time passed, Ranger led ; Joe Cope, 2nd ; Modesty, 3rd ; Bobby, 4th ; King, sth. The race now lay between Ranger and Joe Cope, and it was splendidly contested. Near the Coalpit the latter again broke, but at the back of the course came close up to* Ranger. However, Ranger was too good for him, and although the old horse kept up gamely, he had to be contented with second place. At the finish, Modesty was a good distance behind, and the others nowhere.

Handicap Hurdle EACe, of 50 soys '; heats ; over four flights of huidles three and a half feet high ; distance, one mile and a distance. Schluter's b g Honest John; lOst (W.Mackay) * 10 1 Grant's Pretender, 6 yrs ; lOst 61b (Gay) 3 12 Williams' gg Don Pedro, aged ; 9st Pritchard's b g Patch, 4 yrs ; 9st 4!b Prince's eh g Sir Tatton, aged ; 9st 121 b Mr. Langley's Sir Charles was scratched. The first heat, all the horses, with the exception of Patch, cleared the hurdles, Honest John and Sir Tatton leading. They kept their lead all the way round, the former coming in first. The second heat Jay between Don Pedro and Pretender, and was an excellent contest, the latter coming off victorious. Honest John was walked round the course, being reserved for the third heat. The final heat resulted in Honest John proving the winner, his splendid jumping telling against Pretender, who, however, came in a good second. In the first heat, Patch refused to take the first hurdle, and in bolting across the course, fell and threw his rider. Taggart then brought him to the hurdle, which he then cleared, as also he did all the others. The second heat, heat he again baulked at the first hurdle, and did not again appear in the race.

SECOND DAY.

Flying Handicap, of 35 soys ; distance, one mile. Walter's b m Slander, aged ; 93t Blb (French) 1 Robinson's eh g Lyndon, aged ; Bst 101 b

(Gibb) 2 Ray's eh m Flying Fish, 3 yrs ; 6st 131 b

(Hughes) 3 After one false move, the horses started beautifully, Slander last, the Fish and Lyndon racing together. At the grand stand the three were together, and at the Coalpit Slander put steam on and went ahead of the others. She never was caught, and won, hands down — Flying Fish a bad third. Time— lniin. 50sec. Tuapeka Jockey Cwb Handicap, of 100 soys, with a sweep of 2 guineas added, the amount accruing from sweep to be given to the second horse ; distance, two miles. Robinson's blk g Backbiter, aged; Sst 81b (Gibb) 1 Walters' b m Yatterina, 6 yrs ; B.st 101 b (French) 2 Pritchard's b g Patch, 4 yrs ; Sst (Pearson) 3 Coombe.s b g Catapult, 6 yrs ; 7st 0 Cotton's b m Gentle Annie, 6st 0 Foretop ' and Lyndon were scratched. Yatterina was hot favourite, although the old black horse found friends. When the flag dropped, Backbiter went off with .the lead, closely followed by Patch and Yatterina. At the back of the course, Yatterina collared and passed Backbiter, Patch and the others dropping behind. The pace was now pretty stiff, both keeping well together. Coming to the stand the second time* Backbiter passed the favourite, and gradually increased his lead. Yatterina put on a spurt and came j up close, but could not catch the black. At the run in, the black had again increased .the distance between him and Yatterina, and passed the Judge's stand, hard held about a- couple of lengths ahead. — Patch a bad third. Time— r3min 50sec. Hack Race, of 20 soys ; one mile heats ; oonfined to horses being the bonafide property of the person entering such horse at least one month prior to January 25, 1872. and residing within twenty miles of Lawrence. No weight under lOafc. Entrance, two guineas. Dwyer's b g Playboy, 1 Maclean's eh g Rufus 2 Sultana, Duke, Lily, Xero, and Little

Dick also ran. Sultana won the first two heats, but a protest wa3 entered against her, on the ground that her owner did not reside within the prescribed distance from Lawrence. The protest was sustained, and Rufus and Playboy having come in second in the first and second heats, ran for the prize, with the result above stated. Publicans' Handicap, of 50 so»\s ; distance,

one mile and three-quarters. "Walteis" b m Slander, aged ; 93t 101 b (French) I Pritchard's eh h Foretop. 6 yrs ; 7st 91b

(Pearson) 2 Robinson's blk g Backbiter, aged ; 93t (Gibb) 'A Ray's b g Maniototo, 3 yrs ; 6st 41b 0 Catapult, Duchess and Yatterina scratched A good start was effected. Maniototo took the lead, but was quickly deprived of it, Backbiter and Slander going to the front, Foretop waiting closely on them. Slander forged ahead, and kept his lead all the way round, winning easily. Close to the finish, Foretop made a rush and secured second place — Maniototo nowhere. ■Consolation Handicap, of 30 soys ; for all beaten horses. Distance, one and a half mile : entrance, 1 geiuea. Coombe's 1» g Catapult, 6 yrs ; 6st 21b 1 Walter s h m Yatterinsi, G yis ; Bs s 12lb 2 Schluter's b g Salamander Sam, 6 yrs ; (3 sfc 3 A first-rate race. The three horses kept together till more than half way round, when Catapult took first place, and kept it, despite the most strenuous efforts of Yatterina. Salamander Sam came up well at the finish, and ran Yatterina close for second honours. Time — 2min. 51sec.

THIRD DAY.

Blue Spur Handicap, of 20 soys, with a sweepstake of two guineas added. Slander 1 Catapult 2 Patch 3 Y.itterina 4 Slander started off with the lead, and never was caught, winning easily. Hack Race, of 10 soys, entrance money added ; mile heats. Te Kooti " 1 Jackatnary 2 Jackamary won the first heat, and Te Kooti the second and third. Seven started . A private match took pace between Coombe's Fanny and Pine's Chance, fur £5 a-side ; distance, one mile. The latter won.