IN THE DAYS OF OLD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1941, Page 3

IN THE DAYS OF OLD

WHEN BOOKMAKERS PLIED THEIR CALLING DISTRICT MEETINGS OF LONG AGO HOW A MAORI WON A RACE. (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) It is a far cry to the day when races were held in the vicinity of the Waingawa River or out at Tinui or Castlepoint. They were carefree days and the meetings —though sometimes hectic in character —were carried out in a true picnic style. Bookmakers flourished in those early race periods on the racecourses in the Masterton district, and on one occasion at Tinui a bookmaker, whose conduct incensed the sporting public, was promptly thrown into a creek in the vicinity, while on another occasion a sensation was caused by two or three lady patrons, belabouring a layer of odds with their umbrellas till he fled from the course. The story is told of a meeting held out Waingawa way in the early days in which a Maori started a horse and rode it himself. The animal was not exactly a Carbine and the Maori was subject to much good-natur-ed barrack concerning its running abilities. One portion of the “course” ran through a clump of high-growing scrub. At the start the Maori, set off at a ter’ific pace and gained a big lead. The rest of the riders smiled to themselves and expressed the opinion that they would soon overhaul the Maori at the business end of the race. Into the scrub tore the Maori. When he emerged from the other side and the other riders tried to catch him he left them standing and won comfortably. The Maori drew a considerable sum from the bookies as the result of the win. It was not till many months later that it was discovered that a confederate was waiting with another horse, almost a twin in looks, in the scrub, and tthis fresh animal was quickly mounted by the Maori who set off at a speed the other competitors could not equal. Those were certainly the days of rafferty rules and happy-go-lucky methods. Now, of course, racing is carried ou' on altogether different lines as far as control is concerned, but the happy spirit, and the picnic atmosphere still remains. The Masterton Racing Club’s meeting on Thursday and Saturday October 9 and 11, will bo conducted on the most approved modern lines with everything provided for the comfort and enjoyment of patrons. The lay-out of the course gives patrons d continuous view of a race, and with a two-furlong straight there is mud added pleasure in being able to see clearly the finish of a race. The course is in splendid order and the custodian is to be complimented on his efforts. If hard work and the studying of the convenience of the sporting public means success, then the secretary and the stewards of the club should record this week the most successful gathering ever held in the history of the club.