FIRST DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1348, 19 February 1881, Page 2

FIRST DAY.

Patron,: His Excellency the Governor. \ President: Lieut.-Colonel Lyon. VloePresideut: Cupt. William Sfceele. Judge: Dr. Waddington. Stewards: J. B. Whyte, Esq. M.H.R., F. A. Whttaker, - ; E 3q., M.H.R., H. W. Northcroffc, Esq., R.M., Major William Jackson, Messrs J» M. Carpenter, C. J. Storey, William Taylor, F. R. Claude, and J. S. Buckland. Starter: Mr Charles J. F. Storey. Olerks of the Course: Messrs 0. F. Pilling and James Taylor. Clerk of the Scales: Mr Samuel McLernon. Handicapper: Captain Handley, Hon. Treasurer : Mr Kennedy Hill. Secretary : Mr R. Bradley. The Summer Meeting, under the auspices of the Waikato Turf Club, commenced at the Racecourse on Thursday. The weather proved to he exceptionally fine, and a thoroughly successful meeting was looked forward to. Judging, indeed, by the preparations which were afoot in Hamilton, a large attendance eeemed to be one of those things about which little doubt was felt. This assumption proved, unfortunately, to be incorrect, and instead of there being the large number anticipated, the total of those who attended the meeting on the first day could not have been more than 500, probably not so many as that. Of this number there was only a moderate proportion of ladies, very many of whom were on horseback. The country settlers were only moderately represented, and scarcely a dozen visitors from Cambridge showed up. How to account for the sparseness of the attendance we hardly know. The oft-repeated statement that " there is no money in the district" is, if founded on. fact, about the best reason which could be given. At the same time, there can be no doubt about it, that there are by far too many race meetiugs in Waikato. The apetite which the generality of mankind has for this kind of enjoyment is not unbounded, and the frequent recurrence of the races in every part of the district must, as a matter, of course, end sooner or later m satiety. That there is room in this district for one united racing club we thoroughly believe, and were such an institution firmly established, as we trust to see it, good sport and financial success would succeed to that which only too frequently is neither one nor the other. We hope the efforts of those who have always acted the part of mediators will not be relaxed until they secure for Waikato a united —a real Waikato Club. By what ever means it is brought about, and we may rest assured it will only be accomplished by mutual concessions, we are certain tint its consummation would be hailed by all lovers of sport. The large number of visitors then, exclusive of tbose from Auckland and other places outside the district, hailed from Hamilton, and from a comparatively early hour the Ohaupo road presented a very lively appearance. Messrs Moffiin, Carter, and Edwards, each had vehicles running between Hamilton and the Course, and besides these, every available buggy and "-addle horse was brought into requisition. The ride, or drive to the course, was perhaps the least pleasurable part of the programme, owing to the immense quantity of dust which the light breeze which was blowing sufficed to stir. The arrangements on the course were very satisfactory The committee and rhe enthusiastic secretary, Mr Bradley, showed Tie utmost attention to everybody interested, and no complications of any description arose during the day. The laces were all run at the advertised time, without hurry or fus". The " talent" was more than usually well represented although little business appeared to be doing in their particular Hue, Indeed beyond that invested in the customary and unevitable "sweeps," very little money was invested. Some of the gentlemen who earn a somewhat uncertain living by means of " under and over, " wheels of fortune, ingenious birds, et hoc gcnui omnc, were on the course, but the prevailing dullness of times had its baneful effect, even upon these poor innocent lambs, and the trade done by them was of an extremely limited character. The Hamilton amateur Band was in attendance, under the leadership of M. Galon, and greatly enlivened the proceedings with selections during the intervals. The band under the care of the new bandmaster, is rapidly improving and played some of the selections spiritedly and well. The Grand Stand booth was ably presided over by Mr Gwynne, of the Hamilton Hotel, who also provided a very palatable luncheon in the stewards quarters, while the temperance booth was conducted by Mrs Vowless. It ought to be mentioned that the greatest good order prevailed throughout the day, not a single case of drunkenness, and no quarreling occurring. The police had therefore only the mild duty of looking on to perform. Of the quality of the racing on the first iay it may be said that it was fairly good. The Hurdle Race was won with comparative ease by Harry Mount, Sportsman deceiving his backers somewhat by only coming in third. The weight however had much to do with it ias the old horse ran gamely. Harold and Blink Bonny greatly to the disgust of their backers made a perfect exhibition of themselves. The Maiden Plate was almost a gift to Kenilworth, who ran very well. In this race a sad accident happened to Mr Kobbett's grand little mare Rose of Sherwell. It is not known exactly how it happened but it is supposed that in going off at the start she strained herself. She went half round the course in what seemed to be a canter and then broke down hopelessly. The big Handicap resulted in a perfect " boil over." The race was supposed to be entirely between Quail and Hippo, with the Crown and Lone Hand coming next in favour. The result, however, proved that* Yatapa, who had been takes .at 5 to 1, came past the post first, running a game horse to the finish, Hippo, owing to his unfit condition, being entirely out of it. .The President's Stakes was a comparatively ' easy victory for Maori j Lone Hand beating Ratcatcher and Saunterer for second place. Below we givo a some.what more detailed account of the running:— ' ' {

HANDICAP HUBBLE BACB Of 30 80V3., with a sweepstakes of 2 soys. each added; second horse, 6 soys. out of stake. Two miles; over 3 flights of hurdles, 3ft. 6in. high. Mr Gallagher's br q Harry Mount, aged,lost 12lbs „' .. • .. .. 1 Mr Gallagher's oh q Te Whetu, aged, Ilst4lbs 2 Mr Rutherford's eh q Sportsman, aged, list 41bs .3 #lbs^and BlitA Bonny, lOst r also fan.' Lone Hand and Tempest werd.'soratched. ' ; 5 •' i<■f , ' ' Betting: Even, "money ,dri Harry'-Mpunt, 6 to i agst Sportsman^ 4 to Tagsfrlfarold, ,§ to l^gefc^e^Whetu^J. to I agsfc,Blink Bpnny.^V^Vj l"r%' \h'i :-'' ' c jSome^itrouble, topk^.pljice^aii, the start, l. owing'"to "several' of the? jdekeys T*sx; 1 Hn. 'gettingf>'into'%rp^r blaces Jtfi^niaMyy^weVe'r,! Mr Sto&^rastqre'd TarMi'V'altdCk'erit"m Krirses^a#*y^ well^ Blink^oanyranin'sidoapos^^andeaaed

wlw, lending Spojffcfanfiti,' witfr' the Mount abdut'si* lerigth's in thirejif; ' J*portaman tpuohed the fifth hurdle, breaking the top rail, and this doubtless oheoked him, for Harry Mount quickly overhauled him. At the back oort r the course the order of the fir«t round was completely reversed, the Mount leading- Te Whetu; by a^lenglh, with Sportsman 1 third. Mount increased his lead so'mewhatj and, jumping in a very pretty style the remaining timber, pansed the post hard held. Sportsman was a bad tilled.. '-Time', 4min*. 27t=eo». -

MAIDtN PLATE ' - Of 60 soys. Distance, one-and-a.half miles. Weight for age. For horses that have never won an advertised race exceeding £25 in value Winner of any such race after entry to carry lib. penalty. Mr Lennard's eh h Kenilworth, 3yrs. Sstllb 1 Mr Walters' b f Rosarina, 3yrs, 7st 12s 2 Mr Bobbett's bm, Rose of Sherwill, Bst libs, also started. Orakau 9st 31bs was scratched. Betting : 2 to 1 oh Kenilworii. After one false start, the horses were sent away in good order, Kenilworth going to the front. He was however, quickly displaced by Rosarina, who appeared to have taken affairs into his own hands. Rose of Sherwill as stated above was never in the race, owing to an accident. Passing the Stand, Rosarina was leading by two lengths, the pace being very hot. ■ The filly now began to give in, and when the two reappeared out of the ti-tree, Kenilworth was in front. This order was maintained to the finish, Kenilworth increasing his advantage at every stride,and winning as he liked. Time — lm. 555.

WAIKATO TURF OhXTB HANDICAP, Of lOOsovs., with a sweepstake of ssovs. eacK added ; second horse, 10 eovs. ; third horse, ssovs. out of stakes. Distance, two miles. Mr J. Hunt's br q Yatapa, aged, 7t>t 91bs 1 Mr Lennard'a eh h Kenilworth, 3yrs, 6st 121bs 2 Mr Horsfall's br h King Quail, syrs, 7st 121bs 3 Lone Hand (Bst\ 41bs.), Hippocampus (7st. 9lbs.), and Golden Crow i (6st. 71bs.), alej ran. Maori was scratched. Betting : Even money on King Quail, 2 tr 1 agsfc Hippo, 2 to 1 agst Lone Hand, 5 to I agst Yatapa and the rest. It was somet ; me before the horses could be got well together, but ultimately the starter despatched the fiold pretty evenly. Lone Hand took the premier place, which he held till the horses disappeared in the ti-tree. Emerging, it was seen that Kenilwoith was leading, the rest being in a cluster. At the back of the course, Hi ppo went up and led, with Quail last. Passing the Stand, Kenilworth was still leading, with Hippo and Crown close up, and opinions at this stage were much divided about the result.lt was patent however, that Hippo was not fit, as he soon lost the vantage he had gained. Notbingseemed certain until thohorses came into thestraighfc when Yatapa came through the crowd, and, rushing to the front, won with comparative ease, with Kenilworth, who , ran gamely, second, and the Qnail third, Hippo being nowhere. Time — Stnins. 50secs.

president's stakes. Of 35 soys. Distance, one mile ami a quarter. Weight for age. Winner of the Maiden Plate to carry 7fts penalty. Mr White's b h Maori, (late Auckland), aged, 9st 2fl>3 1 Mr B. Coyle's gr q Lone Hand, aged, 9st2lbs 2 Mr Leiniard's br h Ratcatcher, aged, 9st2lbs 3 Saunterer, 9st, and Mr Walters' Slander Filly, 6st 31bs, also ran. Mr Walters' Rosarina was scratched. Betting : Even money on Maori. After several false starts, the Slander Filly cattsiug some trouble, the field went off well together, the horses falling quits'* ly into the following order : Lone Hand, Pannterer, Slander Filly, and Moonstone. This order was maintained till the back of the course waa gained, when Maori began to come up. At the tuia they were all in a cluster, Lone Hand being bot'y pressed by Ratcatcher. When the straight was reached Maori quickly came to the front and won as he liked, with Lone Hand second and Ratcatcher third. The result of this race clearly demonstrated that Maori would not have been out of the Handicap had he gone for it.