TUAPEKA RACES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 264, 20 February 1873, Page 4

TUAPEKA RACES.

BY EARLY BIRD. Our annual races commence to-day. Aa there is a large number of both men and horses already on the scene of action, we may expect to see a very successful meeting. There has been a great scarcity of beds for some days past, and the leading question among the visitors is, Where am I to sleep ? and as the cry is " Still they come," we expect to see soft flooring boards at a premium before the week is ,out. Calcutta sweeps are all the rage, and the familiar sound of the auctioneer's voice can be heard i ill midnight, enticing the bidders to " pile it on," which •they are by no means backward in doing. Atlas is a very strong favorite for the Lawrence Handicap, on the strength of his Dunstan victory j but we should not be surprised to see Wildboy reverse the Dunsjban running, as he was a good second, and gave Atlaa weight . Wildboy has been doing- good strong work since his arrival, and all would like Jp see Dan O'Brien's colors. to the fore. Eaip^^^ should not be out of the race- with 6st. lOll^J^ but she has disappointed the- public so often that not much dependence: can be placed on, her. Burgundy is going well, but he is too. heavily weighted. Misfortune and Awatea, whichever the owner sends, ought not to belast ; but I shall give the preference to Atlas-, and Wildboy. The Maiden. Plate, we-expect, will be won by No Gentleman ; but as therewill be a large field, we should advise backers to wait and see the numbers: up before speculating ou that event. The Hack Kace will i,e won by Sultana, and the Handicap Hurdle will no doubfc be an exciting strugglebetween Tambourini and Medora. For the second day's racing th«re is a good bill of fare, including Jockey Club Handicap of 100 soys., nominations for which will be received up to Bp. m. this evening. The next rac& is the Publicans' Handicap, for which there is a good acceptance — eight in number; but so much will depend on the first day's running that it would be useless trying to pick the winner. For tho Hack Hurdle, Falcon should have a chance ; he is a good, honest old horse, and sure jumper. The Flying Handicap, will no doubt bring out a good field, but we have not seen the weights. In crmclueion, we hope to see fine weather and a large attendance, as the stewards hava not left a stone unturned to make tho meeting a success ; and Me hope to see thoao enterprising gentlemen, who g:iv<j large pricesfor the booths, do a good business, to compensate tl^eui for their outlay.