WAIKATO TURF CLUB SPRING MEETING AND CAVALRY REVIEW.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 1005, 30 November 1878, Page 2

WAIKATO TURF CLUB SPRING MEETING AND CAVALRY REVIEW.

Yesterday's C*\alry Review and Waikato Turf Club meeting, favored by splendid weather, were attended by an immense concourse of spectators, and were throughout an unqualified success, proving that special attractions attend Metropolitan meetings. The first event was the Cavalry Review held in Mr S. Steele's grounds, at which our troopers evinced their marked skill. Major Withers inspected the corps expressing his very great satisfaction at the un)sique, superior bearing, and training of the members of the force. He had heard from Cjlonel Whitmore of the high merits of the Waikato Cavalry, and he endorsed the favorable opinion entertained at Wellington. Afcer the review, the troops adjourned en masse to the race-course. The attendance at the races is described as being above the averago attendance at the Auckland race meeting. The steamers Rangiriri (Captain Lindsay) and Delta (Capt. Spargo) conveyed passengers from the various settlements and landing places on the rivers. All available coaches and other vehicles were subsidised for the races.

A special excursion train left Auckland at 6 a.m., and the large and fashionable assemblage proved, beyond doubt, the advantageous position of the Ohaupo Course as a Waikato racing ground, and also proved the popular character of the day's events. . The giand stand was largely patronised. Mr W. Walker,, of the, Nation Hotel, Cambridge, was caterer on this occasion, and gave general satisfaction. The Cambridge Cavalry. Band took np a positionin the saddling paddock, and played in excellent style throughout the day.

We learn that arrangements are made for uniform and horses for this irapoptant adjunct to the Cambridge Cavalry Corps. Tlie weather was most enjoyable, aad the temper of the psople, as if iu affinity therewith, illuminated each countenance with an expression of joy and good-humor, which was remarked'by Auckland visitors, and which reigned supreme throughout the day, not being disturbed by the slightest unpleasantness. The arrangements were satisfactory, aud everyone will hail with pleasure the advent of November, 1879, arid another opportunity of atteuditig such a review and race meeting. We will now give a brief resume of the day's proceedings, commencing with— THE REV FEW. The entire force mustered on the ground by 10.30. There wove present, the Te Awamutu Troop, under Lieutenants Rutherford and Wetherall, with the Hamilton Contingent, under Lieutenant Whitaker. The Cambridge Troop were officered by Captain James Runciman, Lieutenant Fisher, and Sub-Lieutenant Kirkwood, Major Jackson being in command of the brigade, which numbered as follows : Te Awamutu and Hamilton Contingent, a total of 107; Cambridge Troop, 53. The latter, also, had 11 bandsmen on the ground. The grand total being 171. In consequence of the illness of Colonel Lyon, commanding the district, Major Withers, from Auckland, was the revieAVing officer, with Captain Mcpherson, as Aid-de-Camp. After the ordinary preliminary routine, the evolutions were gone through. i'ha brigade was in six divisions. They first m;uched past at a walk, then at a trcb; after forming close column they gillopsd past, Capt. Ruacitnan at the head. After forming lino, the Cavaliy marcned off ia direct eschelon, changing position to the left, then to the rigar,, retiring by a succession of troops in reir of the right, and wheeled lu'o lire and advanced in review order. This wai succeeded by a variety of remi'kably well executed, movunin* - *. Tho brigade formed lino, and look u > position, forming threo .sides of n squiir', and tho reviewing officer rodo forwar I aud addressed the wci},

Major Withers oxprosned his regret that Colonel Lyons, the officer in charge of tho district", was unable, from indisposition, to attend the review, although such had afforded him an opportunity of viewing a body of cavalry tho equal of which did not exist in any other part of tlvj. colony. The men were not only well mounted, but were in every way soldierslike. They had performed th'e various evolutions in a way which was highly: creditable not only to the troopers, but to their superior officers, who might justly feel proud of such a body of men.

THE R\CES. Stewards : Col. Lyon, Major Wilson, Messrs Storey, Carpenter, J. R. Roche, Wainwrighfc and John Ran. ciman. Judgfe: Dr. Waddington. Starter : C. J. Storey, Esq. Clerks of the Qoitrse : Messrs E. B. Cox, C. Johnson, Handicappers : Captain Handley and Mr Weatherill. Clerk of Scales : A. J. Bertram,, Esq. The various events were well contested, the horses, generally speaking, being fairly matched, and, in all cases, runniug to win, if possible. Mr Rutherford's Sportsman, this year, as last, carried off first prize in the opening event although Mr Cox's Lady Harriet ran him close, and jumped equally well. Derby's young- stock carried off three prizes. The handicapping gave thorough satisfaction. Indeed, all the officers acquitted themselves so well, it is needless to particularise. MiKennedy Hill, the attentive and excellent Secretary, may be congratulated on the satisfactory character of tha day's proceedings. The first event was, OxvajjUy Hubble RACEi—For Troop Horses only, owned and ridden by mombers of one of the Waikato Volunteer Cavalry Troops. Two miles, over eight flights of hurdles j welter weights for age. Ist £2O ; 2ad Prize, £5. Entrance, 10s. W. S. Rutherford's Sportsman .. 1 E. B. Cox's b m Lady Harriot .. 2

Also ran: Slim Jim, Ram Weller, and the Belle. The race from the first evidently lay bebween Sportsman, and Lady Harriet, the latter mare came forward as a stranger but was much fancied, and much admired for the beautiful style in which she took each successive jump. The Belle fell at the second hurdle. Cavalry Maidkv Race.— Open to all llorßea that have never won a Troop or advertised ra3e, the bona fide property of Members of one of the Waikato Cavalry Troops, and ridden by Troopers. Distance, 1 mile. Ist Prize, £7 IU3 ;2 id Prize, £2 10a; welter weight for age; entrance, 5s Garland's Malvern .. .. .. 1 Hall's Sultan* , ..2 Bond's Mermaid .. .. .. 3 Also rau, Minnie Athol, Ploughboy, Rata, and a bav in ire. Mr Stephen Bond's Mermaid made the pace hot for nearly a mile, when she fell back on the othei horses, who ran in a cluster ai her heels. The

eight horses kept at it full gallop, hanging well together, until entering the straight, when three horses, Sultan, Merman, and Malvern left the ruck in the order named, Malvern, however, proved his speed and endurance by passing the winning post a length ahead, Sultan and Mermaid getting the whip freely along the straight ruu home. "Railway Plats (Handicap).—Ooan to all comers; Distance, H- miles. £49 ; Sad horse to save hia stake

Entrance, £2; £1 to bo paid on nomination, and £t on acceptance, Stephen Bond's Flirt (Bsfc 4lbs) ~ 1 W. Sandy's Miss Ariel (Bst lOlbs) .. 2

Porneato, Orakan, Skylark, and Count also ran. Miss Ariel and Skylark took up the running, bub succumbed to Flirt, who not only took fir3t place, but retainsd it in excellent style to the finish, Pomento hovering at a very respectful distance in the rear. Oavalhy Plate—For Troop Horses only, owned and ridden by members of one of the Waikato Volunteer Cavalry Corp3. miles ; welfcar weighs for ago, £2) i 2nd horse to receive £2 10s out of the stake. Entrance, 10s. J. Pollar's Derby } F. Taylor's Count 2

Also ran, Miokie Free, Sultan and Danger.

Mi* Taylor's Count wis the favourite hi this race, but dropped a hundred yards or more to the rear before a mile distance was covered. Taylor, however, brought Count past all his hj >rses, except Derby, the latter having fun steadily from start to finish, Waikato Trr«j Vuvb httrdlk Race (Handicap).—Open to all co-uera. Distance, 2 miles, over eu»hfc flights of hurdles. £3O; second horae to receive £5 out of the stake 3. Entrance, £1 10*. W. S. Rutherford's Sportsman .. 1

Sportsman bounded over each hurdle in admirable style, The Balle ridden by Knox came to grief at the 4th hut die, and rolled heavily upon his rider who lay straightened out for a few moments as if seriously hurt. Sam the only other librae competing disapproved of the fifth hurdle and could not be induced to travel over, Sportsman consequently had no competitor at the finish. The Belle's rider, was able to walk shortly after tho accident.

Consolation Race (Handicap).—l mile For Horses beaten at the meeting. Ist Prize, £lO. Entrance, 103.

S. Bond's Mermaid (Sst 12lbs) .. 1 Sandy's Miss Ariel (Sst 91bs) .. .. 2 Also ran, Lady Harriet, Pomento, Uomet, JYlickie Free. All the horses got away to a good start, excepting Mickie Free, who stood looking at their departure. On emerging from the straight, Lady Harriet ran into the ti-tree. Pomento appeared to bo running away from his saddle, which got so far back, that little Mnlgrow seemed almost riding on his highly trained horses tail. Pomento was pulled.up. Ariel and Mermaid had a neck and neck vuco up the straight,

After this vase, the band played the National Anthem, and the large assemblageJisperaed;