THE WAIKATO TURF CLUB. Summer Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1346, 15 February 1881, Page 2

THE WAIKATO TURF CLUB. Summer Meeting.

The excellent progiamme -which has been issued by the Waikalo Turf Club for their summer meeting, which takes place on the Ohaupo Race-course on Thursday and-Friday next, -cannot fail to strike the eye of all lovers of this good old English aport, and it is to be hoped that fine weather will favour the efforts of the Club. .The meeting this year is somewhat later . th.in last, which was held in January. No doubt this change will enable more people to be present, and I fully expect to sea assembled on the course one of the largest gatherings ever present there. The railway authorities have wisely agreed to assist the (.'lub by issuing bingle tickets from Auckland and intermediate stations to Hamilton junction and Ohaupo on Wednesday, available for return up to and including- Monday, February 2 1st, and it is expected that Hamilton on Wednesday will be taxed to its utmost. Of course there is always a certain class who attend the races for pecuniary benefit, but no doubt a great many visitors will avail themselves of the cheap rates, if not to attend the meeting, to pay us a visit at this season of the year, and thus enjoy the beauty of our Waikato scenery. The Ohaupo Race-course, situated as it is within easy reach of Cambridge, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Ngaruawahia, and Whataw hata, is almost certain to be well patronised, for nothing 13 more objectionable than a long journey to those bent upon pleasure. The Presidents' Stakes and the Derby are new features in the programme. The acceptances for the latter have been very few, only three having accepted — Moonstone,Ken]lworth, and Rosarina. The services of the Hamilton Amateur Band have been engaged for the occasion, and everything that could possibly be done for the comfort and convenience of the visitors has been attended to. Thosd who do not care to travel by the road will have an opportunity of tl c river trip in the steamer Delta, which will leave Ngaruawahia and Hamilton in tune to enable those who patroniao hor to be there for the first race. "Phaeton" in the Herald of Saturday last is very rough on the handicapping, but the owners of horses are the best judges, and seven out ot nine cry content for the Turf Club Handicap. He stated that Hippocampus is thiown m with 7&t. 91bs. ; if so, he can easily spot the winner, which is considerably more than our local men can do. As regards the insinuation that Maori is altogether crushed out of the raoe with 9&t. 7lbs. up, and unlikely that his owner will accept, it appears that Mr White has accepted. The same gentleman also says that betting on the Waikato Races is very limitpd, as Hippocampus is the favourite for the Turf Club Handicap at 3 to 2. What a splendid chance this offers for " Phaeton 1 ' to make a book. Of the non-accepfcors, Harold would even be out of place with <3&t. up, and Saunterer, the other non-acceptor, is entered for the President's Stakes, a distance more likely to feuit him. Blueoown.