THE WAIHINGA RACES.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 6, 9 February 1867, Page 3

THE WAIHINGA RACES.

The Lower Valley residents having determined to get up a race meeting, subscriptions were quickly raised and the meeting appointed to come off on the 7th inst., when it accordingly did come off. A better day could not have been anticipated. Though a somewhat local affair there came a good number from both Grey town and Featlnrston, besides many from the surrounding stations, who, together with the Wairarapa Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr. Lynn, rendered the picturesque scene lively and interesting. There were a good many likely looking horses brought on the ground of which Mr. Wallace Smith’s chestnut filly TombOv, Mr. j. Grcathead’s mare Old Kit, and Mr. A. Gillies’ Postboy, ranked as favorites. The subscriptions did not amount to any large sum, and the interest seemed rather centred in the horses than the stakes. Twc things were brought to light by this meeting which will be of interest to stud breeders as bearing on the forthcoming Wairarapa meeting in March next, namely that Mr. John Greathcad is a very promising joeky, and that Mr. Wallace Smith has got a very fine filly (Tomboy) likely to become much more widely known. All entries were made on the ground. The first event to come off was a

Hurdle Race.—For ,£IO 10s., one mile, heats, cat eh weights. The following were the entries:— W. Smith’s Kangaroo 1 I J. Fuller's Otto 2 0 Tamati Te Wi Parata’s Blucher 3 0 A. Gillies, junrs.’ Walkover ... 0 2 A start having been effected Gillies’ chestnut rushed to the front and made the running, Kangaroo being kept back; halfway round the chestnut gradually fell back and Kangaroo began overhauling, coming into the straight he took the lead winning esaily, Otto second ; Gillies’ dark grey fourth or fifth kept back. For the second heat, a start was effected much in the same manner as for the first, the difference towards the last being that Gillies’ dark grey pushed Kangaroo rather hard and came in a close second. The next event was for The Trial Stakes for all horses that had not won public money, two miles, (twice round,) catch weights, Prize ;£ 13 10s The Entries were

T. Smith’s Tomboy 1 W. William’s Nekimo ’... 2 I). McMaster’s Grey Jemmy 3 E. Greathead's Regina 4 Tomboy followed Grey Jemmy closely but soon taking the lead, was hard held by Mr. Chas. Miller who merely kept alongside tiro leading horse till half way round the second time, when he rushed to the front, the others being in a ruck, Tomboy easily maintained his advantage to the winning post, hut Grey Jemmy and Nekimo contested very hard for second place so closely that it was doubtful, and a dispute raised but not pressed. Regina was fourth.

Tun Waihinga Stares one mile, heats, catch weights, prize £lO 10s The entries were R. Grcathead's Old Kit i I H. Me.Master's Hagard 2 0 A. Gillies’ Junr.. Tost Boy 0 2 W. Williams Jacko 0 0 Sam Slick 3 0 J. Fuller's Shamrock 0 0 Tamata To Wi Tarata’s Paffa Grey 0 0 W. Smith’s Seliamel 0 0

Old Kit took the load, but was held back two or three in a ruck taking that position. Coming into the straight Old Kit took and kept the lead to the end. Hazard a good second. A similar start was effected for the second heat, hut this time on getting a little distance Postboy took a good lead and was hard held. Coming into the straight, Greathead adopted his usual tactics, overhauled the leading horse, and maintained his advantage without pushing though Postboy was close up well urged. Sam Slick third, the rest straggling. The Waeekaka Stakes. —Three miles, s;ngie event, catchweights £l2. There were ti .'c entries;— W. Smith’s Tomboy 1 J. Puller’s Rangitoto ' 2 H. McMaster’s Chance 0 R. Greathcad’s Old Kit 0 Tomboy and Old Kit rushed to the front, (but were quickly kept back when Rangitoto

went to the front and made the running for some distance, and then the horses settled down to their work, but little distance between any of them. At the second round they passed the post in the following order —Chance first. Tomboy second, Kangitoto third, Old Kit fourth, Tamati’s horse last. Kangitoto then made the running which Tomboy immediately took up, keeping side by side. Old Kit gradually fell back fourth, and Tamati’s horse fifth, with a poor chance of winning; at the second round Tomboy lead Hazard and Kangitoto close up. Coming in the third time Tomboy ran aw T ay from the other horses winning easily, Kangitoto second and Hazard a good third. For the Consolation Stakes there were eight entries. Kegina won the first heat. In the second heat Regina was hustled and thrown 20 yards behind which proved destruction to her chance of winning. Gillies’ Postboy came in first. In the deciding heat Regina found the bottom of her mettle before she found the winning post, coming in several lengths behind Postboy greatly distressed. An interesting haek race followed a black horse entered by A. Gillies jun., winning easily. A pony race concluded the days amusement. For the Consolation £5 13s was given, £2 5s for the Hack Race and £l for the Pony Race. Messrs. Braithwaite, Mitchell and H Bunny, junr., acted as stewards, Mr. M‘Masters, sen., as judge, Mr. J. Fuller, as starter, Mr. W. King, as clerk of the course, and Mr. Sealy, as secretary. .To the latter gentleman we beg to render our acknowledgements for supplying us with information. Good order excepting a trifling row was maintained, and a capital day’s amusement enhanced thereby.

Yesterday sports were held as announced near Mr Field’s, on the other side of the Ruamahunga river. The programme comprised a hurdle (foot) race, putting the stone, flat race, standing jump, jumping in sacks and riding the barrel. T. Smith carried otf four of the prizes and Harris another. The sports went off satisfactorily. oo