GREYMOUTH RACES.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 952, 25 March 1872, Page 2

GREYMOUTH RACES.

The following remarks on the races are extracted from a letter which appeared in the " Grey River Argus," signed " Rambler:" — To begin with the Trial Stakes, the Peeress was scratched just in time for any person to lose his money that had backed her to win it. Of course the Jib won it as he liked from XXX. The second event being the Lottery, I supposo there has been enough said about that lot. It is an instance which proves

" What a tangled web we weave When first we practise to deceive."

As for the Grreyinouth Jockey Club Handicap, I cannot allow myself to think that the best horse won it when I take into consideration the jocks exchanging their mounts previous to starting; and I think my opinion is endorsed by the very straightforward protest lodged by the rider of Black Eagle, which was not entertained. But perhaps the resignation of three of those gentlemen who held that unenviable position as Stewards at the race meeting had something to do with the decision.

Next comes the Hurdle Race, for which Sailor Boy and Roland started. The latter, being the favorite, of course lost it, as his rider accidentally dropped off at the back of the course, much to the disappointment of his backers. The District Purse, which was the last race of the first day, was really a legitimate affair, and a well-contested race, Task winning under the whipnot used in the same style as in other races, for Economy went at him with a vengeance, and he had to get it. Some few lost money, but they were satisfied that it was square. The second day began with the Grreyinouth Jockey Club Hurdle Handicap, in which Roland and Brown Stout started, Sailor Boy not accept l ing, through a slight injury he received in the Hurdle Race of the first day. The race was won by Roland from the fact that the public would not back brown Stout; consequently Mr. W: Taylor was engaged to ride that stilly shoi't goer, for fear the pot would boil over through another accident.

Next comes the Town Plate. You must excuse the Peeress for winning this, it being a weight for age racej and her only opponent being the Lottery horse, who never tried once. The third race was the Selliug Stakes for which only two started —Economy and Lacenfeed. The former forced the running, but he had to succumb to Mr M'G-lashan's call upon Lacenfeed, coming up the straight winning as he liked.

The Hack Eace, the fourth event of the day, for which Victor, Chesterfield, VVaiho, and Stockman started, was a well-contested and really exciting race, which Victor won amidst extensive cheering, the winner going a third time round just to give tbem a taste of bis quality. The rest all followed suit, but it was all the same, Victor first past the post again. For the Goldflelds Handicap four started, namely, Black Eagle, Flying Jib, Misfortune, and Peeress. This is another of the mysteries of the Grreymouth Kace Meeting. The handicappors did not allow the Peeress a pound for losing the first Handicap, but perhaps she did not want it. They charged Misfortune very moderately, only four pounds for winning. The was held at the weight he ran on the first day, in a race for which he only ran third. Flying Jib got off by carrying 9st. This describes the weights of the lot. Of course Black Kagle went away, and they never caught him. I come to the conclusion, from this and other races, that " coming events cast their shadows before." The Handicaps iu the future must have something to do with the winuers and losers

at tl e Grey mouth Kace Meeting, but I think it'Mr Hustler had been an eyewitness at the late races he would be of opinion that some of them went for races to come. The Consolation Slakes was the last event of the Kace Meeting. There was only two started—Economy and Stockman. The former won it, hard held by Blyth, who seems to rile him better than any of his former jocks.