HURUNUIORANGI RACES.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 52, 30 December 1867, Page 3

HURUNUIORANGI RACES.

The Hurunuionngi races took place on the 23rd instant, and notwithstanding the overcast appearance of the sky were well attended. The preparations for the comfort of the inner man were abundant, and, as the sun shone out fresh before the first race anticipation ran high of a thoroughly good day’s amusement, which was indeed afforded. There were a great number of natives on the ground and the perseverance with which some of them galloped their horses across and round the course was, as the Yankees say, 4- a caution.” At about two o’clock the judge, Mr H. McMasters, declared everything ready for a start, and Mr J. Ray, the clerk of the course, have made all clear, entiles were taken for the Hurdle Race.

This race was in 1 mile heats, over three 4 ft. 6 in. hurdles Entrance, 10s; prize, £7. The second horse to save his stakes. Four horses started; —R. Greathcad’s fc. m. Deception (late old Kit) J. Grcathead’s hr. m. Camilla, A. Gillie’s ch. g. Fly, and J. Fullers b. g. Spondulix. In the first heat Spondulix took the lead, clearing the first hurdle beautifully ; but at the second the Deception had drawn on him, leading by some three lengths on Spondulix—the others nowhere. As the horse rose to the last hurdle he struck the upper bar with his fore feet and went over “lumpus,” flinging his jockey dear of him. Some seconds elapsed before either horse or rider recovered, and when they did both seemed and looked rather astonished at their mutual positions. Laverty, (the jockey) however, rosequickly to his feet, and having restored his animal to its normal position, was on his back in an instant, and galloped in second. One of the others came in after about half a minute’s interval; the other (Camilla) had turned back after the first hurdle.

In the second heat Spondulix was ridden by Good, Laverty being too much shaken to ride again so soon, and after a close race the horses

came in as follows: —Deception 1, Fly 2, Spondulix 3. A dispute arose when the money was claimed by the owner of Deception on the ground that she had been entered and run in the wrong name she being properly known as Old Kit. After a short war of words it was decided to settle the matter by running Fly and Old Kit alias Deception, or rather Deception alias Old Kit for one mile level. A splendid contest ensued ; both horses keeping together, and at the end it seemed that the race would terminate in a dead heat,but,with a final touch of spur and whip Fly gave a bound past the winning post beating the marc by half a neck. Hurdnuiohangi Stakes. Open to all horses. Prize, £u. Catch weights, - A mile heats. Entrance, 10s. Five horses entered, namely: —W. Smith’s b, hj. Kangaroo, T. Ray’s b. f. Nainai, W. Udy’s b. hj. Sandfly, J. Water’s blk. g. To Awata, and Greathead’s br, m. Camilla. The horses got well away together, and a good race ensued, Ray’s filly, Nainai, was evidently a favorite from the bsginning, and deservedly so, for when about half over the course she gradually picked up, passing one after another of her competitors, evidently coming in the winner, with Te Awata, a good second, and Kangaroo third.

In the second heat Nainai and Te Awata again in first and second respectively. Mr Udy’s Sandfly, ridden by T. Egan, fell heavily a short distance from the winning-post, and was led limping from the course. * The rider was much shaken but not seriously hurt. Maiden Eacb. Two miles; 1 event. Entrance, 10s; prize, £7. Five horses entered: —Eapera's gr. g. Tiperary, D. McMaster’s ch. g. Native, Critea’s blk. g. Jack, A. Gillie’s ch. g. Hauhau, T. Eay’s g. m. Gentle Annie. After a good race—but in which the horses crossed each other two or three times—Tiperary came in a good winner with Hauhau second. Scuet Pony Eace. This was a race for ponies not exceeding 14 hands 1 inch high. Mile heats. Entrance, 10s; prize, £5. Four entered:—T. Eay’s b. g. Fly, Izaiah’s blk. g. Jack, 11. McMaster’s ch. g. Native, and Strawbridge’s gr. f. Taipo. This was an excellent race and was well won, (owing to excellent jockeysfaip) by Fly ridden by Ted Bovey. In the second heat the result cf the running, |S, far as the winning horses were concerned, was the same; and the same good management was displayed by the rider of Fly, in holding his horse in, and reserving his strength for the finish. This race concluded the programme of the day’e sports, and the company separated well pleased with their day’s entertainment.