SPORTING.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 259, 15 March 1898, Page 2

SPORTING.

TE AROHA RACES.

(by our special reporter)

Thk weather was favourable for tho Tc Aroha annual race meeting yesterday. The rain which had fallen the previous evening had softened the course nicely, aud it was in beautiful order. The attendance was large, and the amount ot money invested on the totalisator compared very favourably with that of the previous year, The improvements which have been effected since last meeting, namely, the grandstand and spacious saddling paddock, were generally admired, and the club is to be complimented upon the progress it has made. The raciug was most interesting, and fair dividends were paid for ivery winner. The following are the results : Maiden Plate. Mr R. B. Blaikie's The Uwl, Hotchkiss—Weazel, 9st 91b 1 Mr Clement's Try Me, by Muskapeer, 7st 2 Mr W. Ring's La Grippe, by lugomar, 7st 71b 3 The Needle, St Edith, Snip, Sultan and Syren also started. Sultan was the favourite, and he led until well into the straight, where he was challenged by The Owl. A splendid race ensued, The Owl eventually winning by a length. Dividend, £4 Is. Handicap Hurdles. Mr F. Ross's Voltigeur 11,, Lunnell— Norah, 10.-t 111 b 1 Mr T. Kennealy's The Saint, by Woolbroker, I Oat 61b 2 Also started : Wally, Libeller, Seabreeze, Taihoa, Nellie and Ben. All the horses with the exception of the first and second either fell or ran off. Nellie ran round a hurdle when looking all over a winner. Dividend, £1 6s. Te Aroha Jockey Club Handicap. Mr A. S. Caulton's Porangi Potae, Castor—Madcap, Bst 61b ] Mr J. C. Booth's Royal Conqueror, by Flintlock—Ladybird, 7st slb ... 2 Mr R. Piatt's Cleopatra, by Nelson— The Maid, 7st 51b 3 Bonnie Blue, Mitiora, CompletejgMisshot and La Grippe also ran. This was also a clinkiog race, but towards the finish the Castor mare won without a whip by half a length. Dividend, £1 4s. Pony Race. Mr G. W. Vercoe's Repetition, Lord of tho Isles-Lady Sarah, 7st ... 1 Mr P. Jones' Bob, by the Dauphin, Bst 2 Mr R. Teddy's Maungakawa, by Muskapeer, 9st 21b .. 3 Purvoke, Stella, and Warata also started. From a good start Repetition set out to make the pace, and she was never headed, winniug easily. Dividend, £ll Ss. Miner's Purse Handicap. Mr A. J. Storey's Mavourneen, by Anteros, 7st 61b 1 Mr J. C. Booth's Royal Conqueror, Flintlock—Ladybird, Bst 2 Mr R. Platts' Cleopatra, Nelson— The Maid, Bst 3 The other starters were :—Bonnie Blue, The Sharper, Mitiora, Misshot, Bally and Tickle Me Gently. This race produced a splendid contest between the firat and second horses, fbey entered the straight on level terms and raced stride for stride to the post where the game little pony secured the judge's verdict by a nose. Dividend, £2 4s. Hack Race. Mr J. Muir's The Needle, Brigadier —Dressmaker 1 Mr R Piatt's Seabreeze, NelsonSweet Alice 2 Mr J. Booth's Crusade, CuirassierAmazon 3 Taihoa, Everytime, Farewell, Homai, Sunflower, Shylock and Retreat also rau. Crusade was left at the post. A great race took place betweeu The Needle and Seabreeze, but the Brigadier cole lasting longest won by half a length. A protest was entered by Mr Piatt against the race being awarded to The Needle on the grounds of inconsistent running. The Needle ran off the course in the Maiden Race, and this was Mr Piatt's foundation for the chargp. The stewards after hearing the evidence decided to dismiss the protest and return the deposit. Dividend, £2 9s. Railway Plate Handicap. Mr R. Blaikie's The Owl, Hotchkiss— Weazel, 7st slb 1 Mr J. Maxwell's Snip, by Captivator, 7st 91b 2 Mr G. Loram'a Boquet, Hotchkiss— Bridal Rose, 6st 10lb 3 Complete, Purvoke, Sultan, St. Edith and Maungakawa also ran. This was a good race, resulting in a length victory for The Owl. Dividend, £1 3s.