PIAKO RACES. (FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1206, 20 March 1880, Page 2

PIAKO RACES. (FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Stewards : Messrs. J. Turnbull, S. Ticklepenny, Jas. Rowe, H. Campbell, C. Collins, Jas. Taylor, H Burbridge J. Wood. Judge : W. P. Chepmell, Esq., J.P. Starter: T. ft. Sandes, Esq. Clerk of Course : R. Parr, Esq , A. Ticklepenny, Esq. Clerk of scales : H. Tieklepenny, i sq. Handicapper: C. Weatherill, Esq. Secretary: A. Bremner. These events came off on the racecourse, Morrinsville, on Wednesday, and, taking everything into consideration, were perhaps more successful than anything of the kind previously held there. The course, which naturally is not a good one, being in parts very lumpy and abounding in sharp curves, was nevertheless in fair order, thanks to the late showers. The racing was good, each event being well contested. The attendance of the public was not large, but the grea est interest was taken in the sport, and the greatest ffood order prevailed all day. Mr J. Wood, of the Nottingham Castle Hotel, had a booth on the course and dispensed the necessary refreshments. The stewards were most assiduous in the discharge of their duties, and are deserving of the greatest praise for the expeditious manner in which the programme was gone through. There was no unnecessary delay, and consequently no dissatisfaction. The starter (Mr T. G-. Sandes) and the judge (Mr Chepmell) also performed their tasks conscientiously, thera being no protests of any kind. During the afternoon a number of ladies graced the proceedings with their presence. The one thing wanting to make the whole affair a success would appear to have been a band, and it is much to be regretted that the efforts of some members of the committee to obtain one were unsuccessful. The thorough enjoyment of the visitors vas somewhat marred by the occurrence of two very painful accidents?. In the Hurdle Race the four horses started well together and kept in a cluster till the first hurdle was reached, which Harold, who was behind the others, was. prevented from seeing. Consequently he ran full against the obstruction, breaking it and falling. His rider, Sidwell, unable to extricate himself got under the horse, sustaining such injuries about the head as to rentier him unconscious. Indeed it w.i>> at first supposed that he had succumbed, but a plentiful supply of water being at hand he was gradually brought round, and subsequently recovered sufficiently to be able to ride in the Handicap. The other accident happened thus :—ln: — In the Consolation Handicap Emu, when passing the stand the first time, swerved and bolted inside the ropes; cannoned against a horse near the booth and unseated his rider, Hall, who fell heavily to the ground. On assistance arriving, it was found that his leg was broken in two places, and a trap was at once procured to convey the unfortunate lad to Cambridge for surgical treatment. The first event was the i Huedlb Raoe (Handicap) of losovs: with a sweep of lsov. for starters only, sweep to go to second horse ; 1-j miles, over 6 flights of hurdles, 3ft. Gin hiarh. Nomination, £1. \oceptance, £1. Mr William Sm'th's b m Destiny ite Lady Godiva), 10«t. 4lbs 1 Mr J. S. Buckland's b q Sereuader, lOst 4lb* 2 Mr Pascoo's b q Little Dick, 1(M. 4lbs. 3 Mr E. R. Lainar's oh q Harold al-o r in. An excellent t^tavt was effected, tno four getting away well together, Serenader havinsr slightly the advantage. At the first hurdle Harold fell, injuring his rider, and was out of the race. The other three continued pretty well together round the oonr«e, but before the half-mile pust was reached Destmy took the lead which she kept to the finish, with Serenader second, iiml Little Diok a bad third. Maiden PrATK of 12sovs : 1J miles, weight for ago, for three year olds and upwards that have never won a .stake (matches oxooptod), exceeding o>qvk Entrance lsov. Mr Tnhnkarnmo's bile m Te TTana, Oyrs., Oat, <3U>3, „ „ „ 1

Mr R. Solby's br q Canute, 4yrs., 9st. 2 Mr J. S. Buckland'e b p Sereuader, 6yr*., 9tt. 51bs 3 Mr Millet's b q Xanthus, (Jyrs., 9st. 51bs 0 Mr A. Thompson's b q Bluogura, 9st. olbs. wa- scratched. Mr Sandes sent his horses off well together, with Canute showing slightly to the front. This lead he increased, passing the post almost a length in advance. At the back of the course, however, the rider of Te Uana put on a spurt, and a very exciting race ensued the rest of the way home, the Maori horse winning by a htcle more than a length, with Sereuader an indifferent third. Piako Handicap of 30sovs ; sweepstakes of 23ov>s. each to go to second horse; distanoe 2 miles. .Nomination Isov. Acceptance l^sovs. Mr W. Smith's Destiny, aged, Bst7lbs 1 Mr A. Thompson's Tandem, aged, Sat. 71ba 2 Mr Garland's eh q Emu, 4yra., Bst. „ 3 Mr E. R. Lamp's Harold, Mr Wilkinson's Orakau, and Mr Walsh's Matlock also ran. This was of course the race of the day, and occasioned a good deal of speculation. Matlock and Tandem were the favourites, and were pretty heavily backed. The former was in fine condition, and it seemed as though the race was to be a gift to him. The calculations of those who pretended to know all about it were, however, entirely upset, and to the purprise of nearly all, the plucky little mare Destiny passed the judge with plenty of room to spare. The start was a good one, Orakau having the advantage, which for some time appeared to increase. Before half a-mile had been traversed, however, he was collared by Destiny, who was carrying lolbs. overweight, and the little mare thereafter kept the lead, though she was followed olosely by Tandem, who had displaced Orakau, and secured second place, with Emu a fair third, Orakau and Matlock being out of it altogether. The result was the signal for a good deal of applause. Trotting Race (Distanco Handicap), lOsova : distance 3 miles, pull and go ; I second horse to save his stake. Nomination, 10s. Acreptance, 10s. Mr J. J. Graham's gr q The Doctor, syrs. (200 yds ) 1 Mr J. Allwill's blk q Blackthorn, syr?. (scratch) . . 2 Mr J. J. Graham's gr m Fanny, aged (l 00yds 3 Though not the most important this was the most exciting event of the day. Getting away with a good start, Black - | thorne at once commenced to lessen the distance between those in front and himself. Passing the post the first time the Doctor was leading by about 120 yds., with Blackthorne close up to Fanny, and going in splendid style. Coming 1 round the second tim * Blackthorne passed the mare and gained rapidly on the leader, and in this order they passed the post the econd time. At the back of the ceurhe the Doctor and Mr Alwill's horse were side by side, and from this point the race was most excitinjr. The black horse passed the Doctor coming down the straight, and 5 to I was freely offered in his favour. The Douto , however, was in trood fettle, and pressed his opponent so closely that the latte broke twice when within a. hundred yards of the post, thus giving the Doctor the race, which he won by little more than a neck. Fanny was out of the race altogether. A good deal of money changed hands on this event, 2 to 1 being freely ofiered on Blackthorne and accepted. Selling Hack Race of lOsovs: 1 mile, weight lObt. Winner to bo sold for I.3sovs. Surplus to go to Racel'und. Post entries los. Mr 3rindweU*B b q Skylark . . . . 1 Mr R. Selby's Canute 2 Mr Pascoe's Little Dick . . . . 3 Mr A. Ticklepenny's Simon also ran. This race was a gift to Skylark, who took the lead at the start and won hands down. The winner was afterwards auctioned by Mr K. Hill, and knocked down to Mr Alwillfor £16. Maori Race. Prize, saddle and bridle value 7 guineas. 1 mile heats; catch weights ; horses to be owned and ridden by Maories only. Mr Tamihana's Pinono . . 1 There were four entries for this event, Pinono winning the two heats easily. The Final Flutter of Bsovs : no weight under 7st.; 7 mile, fo&t entries, los Mr Brindwell's Skylark . . i Mr Devin's Penrose . . . . . . 2 Mr F. Stubbing's Flirt, and Mr Garland's Puuiu also ran. This race occasioned but little excitement. Peurose led for about half the distance, when he was overtaken by Skylark, who won comparatively easily. Consolaiiom Handicap of Ssov.s : 1 \ miles, for all beaten horses. Nomination, os. Acceptance 10s. Mr Wilkinson's Orakau, 9st ... ... 1 Mr Devine's Penrose, 7st slb ... ... 2 Mr Gar, ami's Emu, 7st 1 31b 0 After two or three false starts, occasioned by Orakau' s restivene&s, the hoi'scs got away together, Orakau and Emu keeping close company. When nearing the post the latter swerved and went inside the ropes, as described above, and was, of course, out of the race, Orakau having it all his own way, and winning easily. This brought a very good day's sport to a close at about 5 o'clock, and a start was then made for home. One very noticeable and ami pleasing feature of the races was the absence of any of the betting and the wheel of fortune community, whose room at these country meetings is at all times preferable to their company.