WAIKATO RACES.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 726, 10 February 1877, Page 2

WAIKATO RACES.

2nd Day.

Great disappointment was felt on the morning of Thursday, when the weather set m course and squally, with every promise of a repetition of the rain of the early part of the week, but about nine o'clock the rain poured down a perfect deluge, and the weather partially cleared, sufficiently so to enable the races to proceed.

We were somewhat agreeably surprised to see so many people on the course, fully half as many as on the preceding day, and if it was seeking pleasure under- difficulties, the quality of the sport fully made up for it. As on the first day, the racing was excellent, although the course was somewhat heavy. The great event of the day was the Publicans Purse, m which May Moon, though heavily handicapped, shook her tail derisively m Kingfisher's face all round the course. Indeed, the Auckland cracks, Kingfisher and Isaac Walton, have made anything but a show m Waikato — a local • mare, Neil, having taken second place m this race, and another local mare, Prima Donna, having made Kingfisher play second fiddle m the groat event of the first day, the Turf Club Handicap. The Waikato race meeting will have made itself a matter of Colonial importance, m having brought out and shown the qualities of that game little mare, the gem of Owen McGee's stable. For her owner's sake, we are heartily glad of May Moon's success, for Owen McGee's spirit and pluck as a stud-owner ha 3 done much to keep up the character of Auckland races and Auckland horses during the past few years, and we trust she may be a " pot ot money " to her owner yet.

As we have said, the races were , good, indeed the Club may be eon- ' gmfculated on the result of the '-• affair, which has been upon the ' whole the most successful, and, but , for the weather on the second day, ■ the most enjoyable race meetino* ever 1 held m Waikato. Sellikg Huivdle Race, of 20 soys. j over 6 High's of hurdles; 1£ miles; entrance 2 soys. If entered to be sold for 40 soys, to carry weight for a?e ; an allowance of lOlbj for every 10 soys less than that amount. Surplus of sale to go to the Raoe Fund. Betting : 3 to 1 on Tommy Dodd. J Tommy Dodd darted off with the lead, the old horse laying back four or five lengths. At the hurdle near the stand, Tommy, who was stili m front", took off boo Soon, and landing on the hurdle, came down heavily. Young Higginson, who was riding him, pluckily re-mounted as quickly as possible, and started after Islesman, but was unable to catch him, and the old horse who never made a mistake at the timber, won as he liked. Islesman ... ... .. # j Tommy Dodd ... ... ... 2 Publicans Purse, a handicap of 50 soys ; If miles ; nomination 1 soy, acceptauce 2 soys. Handicap to be declared at Hamilton and Cambridge at 8 pm. on the night of the first day's races. Acceptances to ba paid before the first race on the second day. Betting : 2to 1, May Moon ; sto 2, Kingfisher . '3 to 1, Isleman : 4 to 1, Nell. ■' McGee's little mare, nothing daunted by the heavy impost, started from the .post; as is her 'wont, with a jump, and at once took the lead, followed by Isleman and Kingfisher, m the order named. Through the slush and mud she kept hammering away, making the pace very hot for i such a coarse. Three-quarters of a : mile from home, Kingfisher tried to i come, up, but failed to collar the \ leader. Opposite the stand, Nell 1 rushed past Kingfisher, and for a j time looked dangerous, as she ran i her nose right up on to the quarters [ of McGee's mare, but the latter ( drawing away again, literally cat r.

her opponent down, and -apparently without an effort carried her 9 stone 3lbs past the judge's box, hard held. May Moon ... 1 Nell ... ... [" \\[ 2 Kingfisher .„ 3 Trotting Rao a, of 20 soys ; 3 miles j weights 12 stone ; Distance handi« oap ; nomination 10s: acoaptance 1 boy. In the event of a break, horses to he immediately pulled up into a trot. There was not much excitement about this race, as Fanny, who had 200 yards start, was never even approached, and won as she liked. Happie, who went well throughout, was secure. Paddy, third. Fanny ... ... ... #M 1 Happie ... ... 2 Paddy ... ... 3

Ladies' Pohse, of 20 soys ; 1 mile and a distance ; welter weight for age; same restrictions as Waikato Stakes. Horses to be ridden by members of W. T. Club : entrance 2 soys. Considerable interest was attached to the meeting of Memento and Prima Donna m this race. The betting was even on either mare. For the first quarter of a mile the rivals raced almost neck and neck, Prima Donna having a slight advantage. Mr Marfcyn's mare had the inside place, and soon after passing the Stand, gradually drew away from the Te Awamutu filly, and ridden with the greatest determination, she was never again collard, and won by three lengths. Memento ... ... 4>4 J Prima Donna ... ... 2 Toi ... ;;; 3 Hack Race, of 10 soys ; 1 mile ; Weight 10 atone. Winner to be sold immediate'y after the race for 20 soys; surplus (if any) to go to the race fund. Major Te Wheoro's Kairuna ... 1 Shandygaff ... ... ... 2 The Maori, which was quite a pony, took the lead from the start, and, though challenged by the second horse, he drew away again, and won as he liked. Consolation Handicaf, of 15 soys; li milea ; entrance 1 soy. Isaac Walton ... ... ... 1 Isleman... ... ... .-. 2