SPORTING.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 375, 29 December 1898, Page 3

SPORTING.

ALEXANDRA RACKS. The annual race meeting cuo.-e off as usual on Boxing-day, on the Mangapiko Racecourse. There was a pood attendance and good sport, but unfortunately in the afternoon rain came down heavily, which literally damped the enjoyment of all present, the ladies' especially, who were present in great force, The race stand was crowded, but as there was ouly a light canvas cover was little protection. All the races were well contested, but there was pome little grumbling at the race cards provided as not containing sufficient information to guide the public in backing their fancy. One does not wish to cast'aay reflection on the Hon. Secretary, who at all times fills a most arduous and unthankful office. On this occasion the Hon. Secretary did his best, but was not sufficiently assisted by some of the other members of the club. One great cause of dissatisfaction was (and always has been here) that no black board on which should be written the names or numbers of horses about to contest in a race is provided. In consequence it is quite impossible to know what horses are going to start up to the moment they are in the starter's hands, so beta are made and horses backed, who at the last moment are found to be scratdhed. This should not be; horses should be scratched earlier aud due notice given to the public, otherwise by a little sharp practice pounds could be made by a few in a way not satisfactory to the general public. With this exception the day's sport was well carried out, the Judge (Mr J. G. Berry) gave every satisfaction, the starter (Mr G. Berry) got his horses well away together, and there was but one protest—against Itch for a cross in the hurdle race by Thunderbolt's owner, which on enquiry was not sustained. Mrs Finch's racestand bar was well patronised, as also the temperance and refreshment booth of Mrs Wickham, who provided afternoon tea to the ladies. The first race was The Hurdles, value £7.—ltch (list 81b), 1 ; Thunderbolt (10st 71b), 2. Matou and Whare also ran. Time, 4min. 22eec. Maiden Race of £5; distance, 1| mile. —Mr Hunt's Rifle (Sat), 1; Mr Rae's Fanny (Bst 71b), 2. There were nine starters for this event, for which Fanny started a hot favourite, but after a good contest Rifle won by three lengths. Alexandra Cup of £10; distance, 2 miles.—Mr Rae's Recruit (Bst 3lb), 1; Mr McCutcheon's Dorothy (Bst.7lb). 2. A close race between the placed horses. Whare (Bst 101 b), Itch (Bst 101 b), Thunderbolt (Bst 101 b) and Hauhau (8s») also ran. Trotting Race of £4; distance, 2 miles.—Mr Cole's Leader (60yds), 1; Mr Laurie's Otara (15yds), 2. Tommy Dodd, Dandy Dick, Tommy, Boneshaker, Medusa and Dick also started, but Leader won as he liked. Flying Stakes of £s.—Mr Rae's Recruit (Bst 101 b), 1; Mr Hunt's Rifle (Bst), 2. Won after a grand struggle. Thunderbolt (Bst 101 b), Dorothy (&t 71b), Hauhau (Bat), Fannv (Bst), Capanie (7st 71b), and Molly (Bst 71b) also ran. Consolation Race of £2 ; distance, 1 mile.—Four entries.—Mr Searauoke's Hauhau, 1 ; Mr Livingstone's Whare 2. This was the last event, and the course soon cleared amidst a pouring rain. After the Cup Race a private match between Mr J. M. Singleton's black mare and Mr T. Bainbridge's bay, once round the course, was run off. owners up, the black mare winning easily. It was a dreary night for the concert and the two farces, "An Effective Cure " and "An Unwarrantable Intrusion," which the Dramatic Club hod duly advertised would be played in the Public Hall. However, there was a good attendance, notwithstanding the beavy dovvnpour. Messrs Bell and Aubin sang good and amusing songs, and the farces, with Miss Allen and Messrs Aubin and G. Berry to take the principal parts, pleased immensely. The dauc, that followed was kept up with spirit till a late hour.—Own Correspondent. ___________ A.R.C. SUMMER MEETING. HRBT DAY. The following were the results : Trial Handicap. Seven furlongs.— Battleaxe (7st 51b),l ; St. Elmo (7st 41b). 2 ; Crusade (7st 31b), 3. Time, lm. 29Js. Dividend, £2 Bs. The Great Northern Foal Stakes. Six furlongs.—Screwgun (Bst 101 b), 1 ; Eosella (Bst 51b), 2 ; Miss Delaval (Bsfc 51b), 3. Time, lm. 16£s. Dividend, £2. The Auckland Cop Handicap. Two miles —Uhlan (6st 91b), 1 ; Coronet (7st 71b), 2 ; Explosion (7st 41b), 3. Time, 3m. 32£s. Diudend, £l6 lis. Handicap Huedle Race. Two miles. -Dummy (list 51b), 1 ; Tim (lOst 61b), 2; Nor'-west (10st 61b), 3. Time, 3m. 555. Dividend, £5 Bs. Railway Handicap. Six furlongs.— Cuiraeette (7st), 1 ; Djin-Djin (7st lOst), 2 ; Record Reign (Bst 61b), 3, Time, lm. 17s. Dividend, £6O 12s. Nuesery Handicap. Five furlongs.— Bluecap (7st), 1 : Hastings (Bst 121 b), 2 ; Dead Beat (7«t 21b), 3. Time, lm. s£s. Dividend, £5 ss. Pony Cup Handicap. Seven furlongs.—Little Wonder (7st 91b), 1 ; Rangiuru (7st 61b), 2 ; Bavaria (6st 101 b), 3. Time, lm. 31fs. Dividend, £8 14s. Christmas Handicap. One mile.— Waiorongomai (Bst 101 b), 1 ; Battleaxe (7stßlb), 2; Auld Reekie (7st 101 b), 3. Time, lm. 44$s. Dividend, £5 3s. THAMES J C. SUMMER MEETING. FIRST DAY. The following are the results : Maiden Handicap. Six i»nd a-ha'f furlongs.—Lady Dash, 1 ; Honesty, 7st 21b, 2 ; The Owl, Bst 51b, 3. First Handicap Hurdles. One mile and three-quarters.— Disturbar.ee, lOst 101 b, 1 ; St. Leonard*, lOst 21b, 2 ; Orena, 9st 31b, 3. Goldfields Cup. One mile.—Admiral Hawke. 7st 21b, 1 ; Korowui, 7st 21b, 2 : Merry Maid, 7st 51b, 3. Miners' Purse. Five furlongs.— Lady Dash, 6st 71b, 1 ; Bellman, Bst 61b, 2 ; Tr> Me, 6st 71b, 3. First Handicap Steeplechase. Two and a-half miles —Rainbow, 10it 101 b, 1 ; The Monk, list, 2. Stewards' Handicap. One mile.— Supplejack, Bst 21b, 1 ; Yattcufeldt, 6st 12!b, 2 ; Honesty, 6*t 101 b. 3. Railway Handicap. Pour and ahalf furlongs.—St. Edith, 6st 121 b, 1 ; Sultan, 6st 71b, 2 ; The Owl, 7st 21b, 3. Haubaki Handicap. Five furlongs.— St Clements, lOst 61b, 1 ; St. Edith, 6st 121 b, '2 ; Admiral Hawke, 7st, 3. SECOND DAY. Midsummer Handicap. Seven furlongs.—Lady Marion, Bst, 1 ; Admiral Hawke, Bst, 2 ; Brigham Young, Git 101 b, 3. Thames Handicap Hurdles. Two miles.—Libeller, 9st7lb, 1; St. Leonards, lOst 21b ; Disturbance, list 101 b, 3. Pauawai Stakes. Four and a-half \\ii longs.—St. Innes, 7st 101 b, t ; Lady Dash, 7st 41b, J ; Snip, 6st 71b, 3. Jubilee Shakes. One mile and aquartcr. —Korowai, 7*>t 41b, 1 ; Boadicea, 7st 21b, 2 ; Lady Marion, Bst 21b, 3. Welter Handicap. One mile.— Honesty, Bst, 1 ; Brigham Young, 7st 121 b, 2 ; Snider, 7st 121 b, 3. Settlers' Purse. Five furlongs.— Partan Jennie, 7st 101 b, 1 ; Snip, 6st 7 1), 2 ; Bellman, 7st 21b, 3. Thames Handicap Steeplechase. Three Miles.—The Monk, list 21b, 1 ; Stockman, 9st 71b, 2 ; Woodstock, the only other starter did not finish.