SPORTING NOTES. Te Aroha Races. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT )

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1345, 12 February 1881, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES. Te Aroha Races. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT )

Stewards : Messrs C. S. Stafford, G-. Purchase, C. Gould., J. Craig ( jnr.), D. Morgan, G. Lipsey, R- Pair, H. E. Whitaker, J. McUeehin, J. S. Buckland, G. S. O'Hiilloran, W. Eraser, Jno. Wood, C. McLean, and r. Quintan. Judge : Capt. Eraser. Handicapper : W. Percival, E^q. Clerks of the Course : Messrs Reuben Parr, and Jno. Woods. Starter : J. S. Buckland, Esq. Clerk of the Scales: H. E. Whitaker, Esq. The first race meeting ,it Te Aroha has just taken place, and has been pronounced by all pressnt to have been a great success. The greatest credit is due to the stewards and all others connected with the getting up and carrying out the programme, whi^h would have done credit to a far more pretentions place than this. Prices were valuable, the weather fine though somewhat cloudy, and the attendance surpassed expectation, fully 700 people being on the course, which throughout the day presented an animated and exciting appearance. Uaines of chance were plentiful, and appeared to be doing a good stroke of business. A good deal of betting took place on the Cup and Hurdles, Yatapa and Golden Crown being largely backed for the former, and Loafer and Harold for the latter. A large amount of money also changed hands in sweeps, many of which were for coubidwable sums. The first race was the Matuks Plate, of 20}sovs — 1} miles. Weight for age. For horses that have never Avon an advertised race exceeding 10 soys. En trace, 1] soys. Mr McNeibli's Dewdiop \ Mr McNeills Emu ... .2 Mr Itansfield's Taipo 3 Beeswing, Highland fling, Piako, Snowdrop, Glenfern and Ruapari also started. A good start was made, and for a time the horses kept well together. About half-way round, however, it was seen that the race lay between Dewdrop and Emu, who came in in the order named, Taipo a moderate third. Mr McNeill, the owner of Emu, lodged a protest against Dewdrop on the ground that ho had previously won a race exceeding £10. The protest was sustained by the Stewards, and the stakes awarded to Emu. Maori Race, of 5 sovs— l.\ miles. Cdtch weights. Horses to be owoed and ridden by natives. Entrance, 10s. Three horses started. Taipo, Te Una and Mountain. Taipo won by a neck from Te Una, Mountain nowhere. Te Aboha Cup Handicap, of 75 soys— 2 miles. Nomination, 2 soys ; acceptance 3 soys. Mr Byors' eh q Golden Crown, 7st 21bs (Byers) 1 Mr Hunt's b q Yatapa, Bst 21bs (Taylor) 2 Mr McGee's b q Bundarra, 7sfc 51ba (McGee) 3 Mr Laing'B eh q Harold, 7at 51ba ... 0 Mr McNeish's Dewdrop, 7st 81bs ... 0 Mr Lennard'e Sunbeam „ . ... 0 This was the race of the day. A capital Btart was effected by Mr Buokland. The first time round Golden Crown had a slight lead, with Bundarra and Yatapa close up, the rest in a cluster, which gradually tailed off. Yatapa made several determined attempts to take the lead, bat Golden Crown would not be denied, winning 1 a, fine race by a length. A protest was lodged against Yatapa by Mr McGee, for foul riding, and at a meeting of the Stewards held in the evening, the protest was sustained and second money awarded toßandarra. Handicap Hurdle Race, of 30 soys— 2 miles, over 8 flights of hurdles, 3 feet 6 inches high. Nominations, 1 soy; acceptance 1£ soys. Mr McGeehin's Hurricane, 9sfc ... 1 Mr Laing'a Harold, 9at 71ba 2, Mr Knox'a Loafer, 9st 51bs 3 Mr Polling's Tempest, 9st 0 Mr Hollis' Radical, 9st 0 Mr Stoupe's Destiny, 9st 31bs 0 This race was considered a certainty for either Harold or Loafer, the betting being 2 to 1 on the field against either of these horses. For some time Loafer and Harold led alternately, taking their jqmp splendidly, at the baok of the course on the second round however, both horses baulked and Hurricane who had been watching for a ohance, going steadily and surely, went to the front, winning by iO yards, '" ,

Destinys and Radicals riders were thrown at the bacW of the course, but escaped with a good shaking, the winner was loudly cheered. Publican's Purse Handicap, of 20 soys. Entrance £1 : acceptance £1. The Handicap for this race appeared to give considerable dissatisfaction, and i*esulted in a walk-over for Ratcacher. The following' are the declared weights. Ratcatcher, Bst 131bs ; Yatapa, Bst2lbs Golden Crown, 7st 71b3 ; Dewdrop, 7st ; Bundarra, 7st; Harold, 6st Btt>3 and Snowdrop, sst 71bs, The next was a Maori race, of 5 soys, Won by John, Taipo second. Consolation* Handicap, of 15 soys, for beaten horses. 1 mile. Entrance, 1 soy. Bundarrah ... ... . . ... I Yatapa 2 This was a splendid race, and the riding of young McGee was much admired.