CAMBRIDGE JOCKEY CLUB. Summer Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1333, 15 January 1881, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE JOCKEY CLUB. Summer Meeting.

President: Every Maclean, Esq. Stewards: Mesbra E. H. D. Ferguson, H. W. Tinne, John A. Douglas, W. L. Martyn, Robeit Fisher, Jared Allwill, Edward Hewitt, Robert Kirkwood, A. Rayne>», A. llanos, H. A^her, nnd Dr Waddinfrton. Judge: L'eut.-Culonel Lyon. Haudioapper: Mi W. Peicival. Staiters: Meas>ra R. 11. D Fcrjfusson and R. P.irr. Clerks of Couiv-o: Messrs F. E,. Sniale and F. Pilling. Clerk of Scales : Mr H. W. Moore.

Skcond Day. The second day's (Thursday's) racing, under the auspices of the Cambridge Jockey Club, was a most complete success. Unlike that oE the previous day, the weather was all that could be desired — fine, without being hot. The attendance, however, was not so large, the number present being considerably under 500. This may be accounted for, in part, by the fact that many of the settlers had to take advantage of the dry weather to proceed with haymaking operations, and other duties connected with the farm. The enjoyment of those who did attend was of the completest kind, the racing being thoroughly "straight" all through. It cunnot, indeed, be doubted that every horse ran to win, or that, barring: accidents, the best horse passed the post firht. All this will apply with equal force to the fir^t day's racing, the only difference being that, under the influence of the steady downpour of rain, accidents, trivial in themselves, perhaps, but potent enough to change the ordinary course of events, were of more frequent occurrence. Among the visitors on the second day there was, of course, a greater proportion of ladies than on Wednesday, a considerable number of buggies putting in an appearance. The day wns also extremely favourable for the crowd of gainbling-rnaohine men, owners of trained birds, &c. " The Australian Totalisator" was on the ground, but we did not hear that it received any very large amount of support — a fate which was also shared by the bookmakers. Indeed, there was little or no speculation, and even "sweeps" wore by no means abundant. Whether this can be set to the already heavy account of "hard times" or not, is hard to say, but such was undoubtedly the fact. The booths, ■under the admirable management of Mr and Mrs Raynes, of the National Hotel, were well patronised, and the entertainment provided was of that first-clnss character for which the ''National" is famed. The Cambridge Band wa«» in attendance, and played several selections at intervals. The arrangements for the conveyance of passengers to and from the course weie well organised by Mr W. K. Carter, who had two four-horse coaches on the road. Mr Butler also ran a coach backwards and forwards at intervals. A number of visitors from other parts of the Waikato found their way to the course on horseback and in various descriptions of vehicles, Messrs Mofflin and Edwards, of Hamilton, both running 'busses thither. The Waikato Steam Navigation Company also laid on the Delta both days, but she was not very extensively patronised. Cambridge, on the evenings of both days, wore a remaikably lively aspect ; the streets were crowded, and numerous amusements were provided for the euterment ol visitors. Firework.s were exhibited on both nights near the Odd Fellowb' Hall, consisting of lockets, Roman candles, red and blue lights, &c. The hotels did a thriving buainebS, and, with a few hours' cessation between midnight and daylight, all was animation. The quality of r,he racing on the second flay was, as we have hinted above, of a very superior description. Good fields were forthcoming for each event, and all weie keenly contested. The Maiden Hurdle Race was thought to be a gift to Daiic by many, but the plucky running of Sunbeam upset the calculations in a most remarkable manner. Not that she cleared her hurdles in good style ; indeed, she knocked down no less than three— a task iendered easy of accomplishment on account of their being unfastened. Nevertheless, the race was full of interest. The Grand Stand Handicap resulted in a splendid race between Sunbeam and Vampire, the struggle up the straight boing witnessed with breathless anxiety. But the event of the day was undoubtedly the contest between the Te Awanmtu horse, Sportsman, and the Australian crack, Lone Hand. It is hard to conceive a finer rare than this pioved to be, the grand horsemanship of Mr Lunn, who rode the grey, being the admiration of eveiybody. The general remaiks among old sporting men descending fiom the Stand was " I never saw a finer race m my life " " I would'nt have missed it for •£20, &c." In the Grand Stand Handicap Ratcatcher was put out by a bad start, for which the starters were freely, but we think very unjustly blamed, the fact being that the horse, owing to his fractious behavior, had to be held until the others were well away. While on this subject we may mention that the starters came in for a considerable amount of odium in one or two of the other events, but if they erred at all, it was undoubtedly on the side of fairness, and none who love hone.st sport, can reasonably blame them. The management, taking it all through, was of the best : there was no undue waste of time in getting oft" the events, which in itself, is matter for much congratulation. The grand success of the meeting, viewed from any standpoint, is in itself, sufficient to indicate the amount of care which the Committee of the Club lavished upon the meeting, which was, without doubt, the best which has yet been held in Waikato. Below we give the results of the second day's racing : — MAIDKN HURDLE EACE. A Silver Cup, value £10, presented by Mr Lewisson, of Auckland, with losovs. added. One and a-half miles, over six flights of hurdles 3ft. 6in. high. Gentleman riders. For horse 3 that have never won an advertised hurdle race exceeding lOsovs. Welter weight for age. Mr Brindle's eh m Sunbeam, 4yrs, 10st lllbs (Lake) 1 Mr WeatherilTs b q Dane, aged, 12st lib . . . . (T. W. Weatherill) 2 Mr Grace's br q Clover (12st lib) also ran. Zenobia, Ratcatcher, Tempest, and Benathalath were scratched. Betting: Even on Daric, 3 to 2 agst Sunbeam, 3 to 1 agst Clover. A very good start was effected, Sunbeam and Clover going to the front. At the first hurdle the latter fell, throwing his rider, C. Walker, but not injuring him. Dario then went into second place. Both horses cleared the second hurdle, but Sunbeam knocked down the third, without, however, losing ground, being at this time about four lengths ahead, with Clover away in the rear. The fifth hurdle was cleared in good stylo by both horses, Daric's rider flogging up the straight, without, however, materially decreasing the distance between him and Sunbeam. Going through the gap in the sixth hurdle, Sunbeam won hands down. Atthe conclusion of the race, MrWeatherill entered a protest against the -winner, on the ground that Lake was not a gentleman rider. The protest was, however, subse- ! quentJy withdrawn, and the cup presented to Mr Brindle. publican's pusse. Of 75sovs. One mile and three-quarters. Mr Mitchelson's b h Vampire, aged 55t21b... 1 Mr J. Hunt's br q Yatapa, aged, 6st #b " ... „. 2

Mr B. Coyle's gr q Lone Hand, 7st 121b, also ran. Gilderoy, Ariel, and Foul Play were scratched. Betting : Even on the field. Considerable trouble occurred at the start, owing to the inattention of Yatapa's jock, and threo false starts were made before the hor.-es got finally away. The big grey got the advantage, Yatapa quickly gniug up to him. For the fir^t quaitor of a mile the two ran neck and neck, but coming into the straight Lone Hand was a-head, and passing the Stand was leading by a length, all the horses being hold. At the back of the course Vanipire went up with a rush, and the thiee ran for some distance in a cluster. Yatapa again drew a-head, Lone Hand and Vanipire following close behind. Half-a-mile from home Vampire passed the grey, and amid cries of "Vampire wins," '' Vampire's race," the little horse challenged Yatapa, and coming into the htiviight took the lead, winning a splendid race by about a couple of lengths. Vampire was splendidly ridden ; indeed, as regards all the horses, is was about the best jockeyed race of the meeting. Time, Smina 23|hecs.

WAIKATO STEEPLECHASE. A handicap of oOsov. ; about three miles, over fair hunting country. Mr B, Coyle's gr q Lone Hand, aged, 13st (Lunn) 1 Mr Rutherford's eh q Spoitsman, lOat 7lbs (Wilson) 2 Mr Gallagher's Te Wlietu, list., also ran. Harry Mount was scratched. Betting : 6 to 4on Spoitsman ; 3 to 1 agst Lone Hand. This race, which resolved itself into a match between Sportsman and Lone Hand, was beyond all compaiison the finest event of the meeting ; indeed, it may be said to have been the beat race ot the kind that has taken place in the colony. Going off with a good start, the Waikato horse led, and all cleared the double opposite the Stand in good style, Lone Hand being second and Te Whetu third, a few lengths dividing them. In this order they went over the ditch and I auk, and on to the fence adjoining the road, at which Te Whetu baulked and dropped out of it. The others cleared the four road jumps in graiid style, Spoitsman leading. Coming up to the big fence, a ditch and bank, with po->ts and railß, 3ft. lOin. high, the leader was anxiously watched, and loud cheers greeted the succp'bful negotiation of the obstacle, both horses clearing it in magnificent style. Thence to the conclusion both horseswentovereverything, Sportsman still leading b} r about a length until the big fence was again reached, when the grey came alongside and both jumped together. The contest thence to the post was most exciting 1 , bets being freely offered when the horses were thirty yards from the post. Mr Lunn, however, brought his horse in just a head before the Waikato horse, amid the greatest excitement. When the horses were being bi ought in cheers were called for both, and enthusiastically responded to. fiEAND STAND HANDICAP Of 2osovs. One mile a quarter Mr Mitchelson's b h Vampire, aged, 6st 121b 1 Mr Brimlle's eh m Sunbeam, 3yrs Gst 121b 2 Hairy Mount, Gst Sib, and Ratcatcher, 121b also ran. Paramena and Yatapa were scratched. Betting : Even on Vampiie and Ratcatchei. After three fal c c staits, in the second of which Sunbeam went pa'-t the Stand, all the horses went away well together, with the exception of Ratcatcher, "who, on account of his fraetiousness had to be held, and thereby lost six or seven lengths. The giound thus lost he never pulled up. Sunbeam took the lead with Hairy Mount second. At the back of the course Hany Mount and Sunbeam were neck-and-neck. About half a mile from home Vampire parsed Mount, who was miming second, and pies-ied Sunbeam. The latter, however, kept the lead till about 100 yards fiom the post, the lace being full ot inteiest, Vampiie just winning by a neck, both hor*cs being under the whip. Ratcatcher, who would have been m it. but for his bad start, passed Harry Mount in the straight, and came in a middling thud. For the Maori race, of lOsovs, twice round the course, there were three entries, Clovei, Tioki, and Te Uaua. Tioki led for the fust mile until when he was collated by Te Uaua, who won easily, Clover letiimg after the iirst mile. For the Consolation Handicap of 20sovs. , once lound the coiuse, there were three eutnes : Mr Gallagher's Harry Mount, 7st; Mr Lennard's Rifleman, 7st lOlbs; and Mr Hunt's Yatapa, Bst 71bs. Rifleman bolted before a start could be effected and ran twice round the coiuse, defying the efforts of his jock, young McGeo, to stop him. The race consequent y lay between the other two, Yatapa winning by about a length. This concluded the meeting, and a general move a\ as at once made in the direction of home.