SUMMER MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1178, 10 January 1880, Page 2

SUMMER MEETING.

President: His f'xceliemoy Sir Hercules Kobhuon. Vice I 'resident: LieutenantColonel I yon. Judge : Ur Waddington. Stewards: Messrs Carpenter, Storey, Koche, W. aylor, J. B. Whvto, A1.U..».,F A. Whitaker, M.H.R.,"H. W. Northcroft, <■ M., and F. '{. Claude. .- tarter : C. J. Storey. Clerks of Course : C. Johnson and O. F. Pilling. Hanclicappers: mcssivj Handley and Weatherill. Clerk of the Scales: A. J. Betram. Contrary to expectation the weather 011 the opening day of the Summer Meeting turned out fine, and a lovelier day could not have been wished for, nothwithstanding the dark-sombre clouds which gathered over Waikato on Wednesday and the weather telegrams which arrived from Wellington, indicating that a heavy downpour of rain might be expected within 24 hours. The trains which arrived from Auckland were crowded with visitors to the races, in fact, so much so, that the number of carnages laid on were not sufficient to acsommodate them comfortably, and second-class passengers were thrust into first-class compartments, much to the annoyance of those in the latter. A ll the hotels were taxed to the utmost, and beds were at a premium. During the Wednesday evening the town presented a gay and lively appearance, and the approaches to Messn> Gwynne's and Pearce's hotels were literally besieged with the " knowing ones," who appeared anxious to catch any information relative to the merits of the different horses engaged in the variou.events. Betting was freely indulged in and a good many doubles laid, but the odds, as a lule, were sho t and not very enticing. Fom an early hour in th( morning traps were busy plying to-and-fro td the course with the paraphernalia of those whose calling leads them to attend race meetings, but it wvs not until | half-past 9 o'clock, when the shrill whistle of the favourite bteamer Delta sounded its key-note that a move was perceptible, and the fact that the band of the Hamilton Light Infantry would accompany the steamer drew forth a good number. Those who did avail themselves of this means of transit were well repaid, for the trip up the river was a most delightful one, and the short but pleasant walk from Mr Steel's landing through the shaded dell^ and well-grassed paddocks added much to the charms of the " outing."

THE ROAD to the course, however, carried by far thp largest number of people, and the various equipages from the dashing four-in-hand down to the costerinonger's cart broke the monotony of the journey. As usual the road was one cloud of dust as caiTiage^ and horsemen passed and repassed one another, a little of the racing spirit having infused itself even among- 1 the pleasureseekers at that early hour of the day. On arriving in good time at the gates from which the approaches to the course from all the various settlements in Wai" kato are plainly visible, it was easy to detect the various lines of road all of which, with the exception of that from Ccambridge, were distinctly marked along their course by the flying clouds of dust.

THE COUESE. By noon, the course began feknvly to fill, and before the opening race there were fully twelve hundred persons present, including numerous vehicles of every description, and equestrians, while the paddock beside the grand stand, let for borae accommodation, was crowded, and the outside fence was lined without by horses. The course itself was in excellent condition. Since the Club had tha course broken np and carefully laid down with suitable grass and rolled, a flue even lawn-like suiface has been obtained' f and now in the third year of its growth it has setttled down into one of the finest i race belts in the colony, as was testified to by the owners of hoi'oes from Auckland and the South on Thursday. The accommodation, too, afforded to the public i*> ample.

THE GBAXD .STAND . occupies n commanding position tnd crowded as its ample space was o x Thursday and yesterday with elegently dreaded ladies, presented a most animated and pleasing picture — while beneath the stand is a roomy and spacious refreshment room, where Mr Pearce, of the Hamilton Commercial Hotel dispensed every variety of refreshment in the form of luncheon md liquor. Immediately in front of the grand stand were stationed the band of the Hamilton Light Infantry Corps, in command of Bandmaster Simms, aud with their L'vely strains and excellently x'ende ed selections the tedium of the intervals* between the tsoveral races was pleasantly beguiled, a very happy innovation on the old style of race meeting in Wdikato. Imuseinonts indeed were well cared for. There was quite a crowd of the holders of games of chance, from the respectable and useful tofcalisator to the seediest aud most suspicious 100 ing piece of figured ulcloth and revolving indicator. Indeed, there were four totalisators on the j/ound, but, probably owing to tho fact that the general public are not well acquainted with the system, they did not appear o have done a remarkably good business. The old fashioned sweeps, got up by a number of persons amongst themselves, the tickets drawn from a hat, being the more general mode for thh circulation of «pare cash. The totalisator if, however, a 8w 3 ep, and nothing more, the difference in working it being that each person can choose the hm>e he backs, or as many horses as he chooses, and that consequently aa there may be many backers of the winner, the whole amount paid in for tickets, less 10 per cent for the operator, is divided in equal proportions between the backers of ths winning horse. The first race was decidedly the best of j the day— a keen contest between Sportsman and Grey Momus. There were many remarks made on the ground that the latter was held back, but the horse's flanks showed plainly that the spur had HOC be.c» spared, luaM, ajs it i^ Q]\v

own opinion, Grey Momuslost his chance, which fjr a long time seemed good, at tho last hurdle, rising- at it too soon, and losing ground at the stait from the insido of it again, bit was, he was beaten by little more thun a length, Gladstone making but an indifferent third. Xlio police were in good foice upon the ground, but their services were not required, the rowdy element being conspicuous by its absence. One accident came very near marring the pleasure of the day. A woman with two children, a girl of about 12 and a tvo-year-oid toddler, were very unwisely sitting near the ring, about 20 yards beyond where the ring is roped opposite the judge's post, -when Harold, who got the better of his rider (Day), in being pulled up shot off the course at a sharp turn, and plunged right through tho sitting group. I hero was a great rush and commotion. Tho woman was very slightly scratched, but tho child, which appeared to have been slightly btunncd, looked badly | hurt. Dr Waddington, however, was happily on the spot within a minute or two and declared the child uninjured ; the elder girl got off with a bruise on the knee only. Ihe horse and rider fell, Day was not huxt, but Harold got a severe shaking. 'I he first day's, races were a triumph foi our Auckland bfcud owner, Mi Walters, and we cordially congratulate him on the result of this season's racing, - is pluck seems to be meeting at last witl the reward which it deserves. He ha* done well at the Auckland meeting, al x aikato he has had it all his own way and we shall bo much out in our expectations if ho does not make it just a trifle coo hot for the best cattle at some of tho forthcoming racing events in the South Mr Walters deserves his turn of gooc fortune as tor years past he has steadilj persevered against bad luck and cuperioi nettle, but hU present stable of three-year-olds will take a deal of beating. At 1 o'clock the boll rang for the

lanmcap Huedle Race of 40«ovs, wits a Sweepstake of 2 soys. each added ; second lioi>e, 5 soys. out of stake : S 1 miles ; over eight flights of hurdle? 3ffc. 6iu. high. Nomination, 1} soys.: acceptance, 2j Mr i . utherf ord's eh q Sportsman, aged, lO3t. r (Wilson) 1 , Mr Alclvor's gr q Grey ilomus, aged, llbt. 41bs ( ay) 2 llr Peterson's b q Gladstone, aged .. (•titchnun) 3 MLv Ray's gr q Lone Hand, aged . . 0 Mr Mclvor's br q Loch Lomoud, Jyrs. C I Punctually at 1 pm,, three horaes came to the post, ' one rrhpd aad Koch Lomond being scratched. Sportsnian and Gladstone vveut away with a slight lead, and took the first hurdle tog-ether. Sportsmj.ii then led over the becond and third hurdle.", pressed on his^fl.tu < by Gladstone. Juit before coming into the straight Grey Momua came" to the front, and took the fourth hurdle a neck in advance of Sportsman. Gladstone then struck seveivl hurdles, but was plucialy held up by his jockey (Hitchman), who-e riding' was much commended in thi.> race Sportsman and Grey Momun then ran neck and neck, tha big grey losing more giound than Sportsman over his> jumps, but makiusr it up on the flat. At aLout half-a-mile from home Wil-.cn began to whip, and the two leading hori>e-> took the eighth hurdle simultaneously. Whips werenow wot Icing freely, but Wilson brought his horse in a winner by nearly tvo lensrths. Gladstone loifc ground at the hurdles, and came in a bad third, i here was great excitement at the conckwon of the race, and great applause wad raised at the result. It was a grand race between sportsman .md Grey JVlomti3 from betfiuniusr to end.

Slaidi'n Piate of 30sovh.; IV miles; weight for age ; for three "year old* and upwards, that have never won a btake exceeding 1 lOaovs. Entiance, l\-sovs. Mr Walter's oil c Piscatorious, 3ysi\ 7st (T Taylor 1 Mr Liing'b Traducer Colt, .-5 vis 7st. 91b (Day) 1 Mr Garland's bg- Emu (late O^ma Pasha, 4yrt. (Totara) 3 Mr Thos, Bond'« b m Molly Divling, oyrt,, " (WJm)u) 0 Mr Stool' -3 bg- Chance, aged, 9 D fc. 4lb. ! (Floyd) 0 Mr Huut'b b q Piufiro, lyr*. O.st ! .\ (Home) 0 Captain 'Walnuley'bcli c Milmau, 3yrs 7t>t 91b \ . 0 Milkm-m was bcratL-lied. After sevorel attempts a good start was effected, Piscatorius \\out away with a kvd, followed by the others in a ruck. He kept his lead the whole distance, winning by '' about six lengths. The whole v/.iy found he boomed to bj no more tlrai cinteiing till the last few lengths, when he wa-> lot out and showed his beautiful stride. This hoise will, know doubt, make his m irk on the Colonial turf. The Traducer Colt came in .second, with Emu oa his flank third.

lubf Club Handicap of 100-ovs. with a iMveepsfcake of osov.-,. each added ; .seooud horso, 10 a ov-.; third horse, s'ovs. out of stakes; distance, 2 miles. Nomination, 2iovs.; accept - unoe, osovs. Mr Walter's br a Liballcr, oyis C&t. lib. . .. (Taylor) 1 Mr Lang's eh y ILirold,aged, 5-st. 131b. . . {D.x?) 2 !Mr Mclvor\s Loch Lomond, ,3vrs 6st. 131b "..3 j Mr R. H. Vnlhincu'fc. eh q Pinlire, 3yis i B^t. 121b . 0 Mr R. Ray't, «r q Lonu Hand, aged ! 7ht. lolb . . . . „ o I Mr R. Fcinncr'.s b in Lad3^ l^lizabctli , r 44 y r& o Mr Hunt*, br q Yntapa, Gyiy, Om; 21b . . . . . . . . . . 0 [ Mr 11. Fanner's Lady Gertrude, 3yr& •3bt. 131b 0 Mr Whitc'b eh q Barmy, aged] •)bt 1 31b . . , y Mr Hcttit's Clover sst 131b ! ! Four horses only came to thu po&t. A I fair start was effected, and theyfgot away intlie following order: Clover, Harold, Libeller, and Loch Lomond. Libeller was held well back. On passing the stand Harold had assumed premier possition, Libeller still behind in the third place. It was not till the last halfmile that the colt was let out, and he caught Harald just as he camo into the straight, and won by a length. Libeller's jockey neaily lost the race by holding in a little too long.

Waikat Stakes of 23sovs: :} miles; welter weight for age ; ssovs. out of stake to second horse. Mr Walter's b c Billinsgate, 3yra, 10bt 31b. . . . . (French) 1 , Mr Wilkinson*!, b q Oiakau, a«?od, , 12»t. lib. . . # , (Owner) 2 Mr Jelling' » elm Tui, aged, 12st. lib. . . (Hitehniau) 3 Mr Buokland's eh c Omega, 4}'rs list. 111b .. .. o Mr Steele's b q Chance, aged, 12st. lib 0 Chance and Omega were soratr-hed. Tin* wiis another boil over. Billirihgate led all the way, Orak.iu beoond, and Tui third, and in thi^, order they ruined the

Flying Stakes of 20sov-.; } mile; weight for age. Entrance, 30 1. Mr Walter' b c Billingsgate, 3yrs 7st. 131b. .. .. (Hodaon) 1 Mr Lang's er g Harold, aged,' itet. 21b. 2 Mr Hunt's bg Glenfern, 4yrs, 9st. • (Homo) '3 Mr Buckland'a eh c Omega, 4yrs " _ 9at (Hodson) 0 Mr Wilkinson's b q Orakau, aged, 9st. 21b. .... .. 1. 0 Mr Vallanoe's eh q Pinfire, syra 9st. 2ib 0 Omega, Orakau, and Pinfire were scratched. Billingsgate again led at the start and kept it, winning by a length hard held in a canter. Harold lost at tho stai-t, and was a good second. This was the fourth race won by Mr Walter's fetablo.

Maori Race of l(hovs.; mile heats, catch weights. Horses to be owned and ridden by Maoris. Post entry, 10d. For this race only three horses +aced the -tarter —'l andem, K-iiruna, and PuDiu. The former jumped awry to tho front at the fall of the flag", and won easily by several lengths, ike next heat was a gift to him.