RAGLAN RACES.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1515, 21 March 1882, Page 3

RAGLAN RACES.

The first, race meeting conducted under the auspices of the newly formed Raglan Jockey Club, was held on the Raglan racecourse on St. Patrick's day, and, according to anticipations, proved a complete success. The weather was all that could be desired, and every exertion was used by those in charge of affairs to bring the meeting to a successful termination. I do not hold myself exempt from the right to criticise when anything deserves it, but this time I am happy to be in the position of being unable to call to mind one thing, upon which I would consider it my duty to make adverse comment. There seemed to be no arbitrary or conservative spirit displayed by the club; on the contrary they behaved in the most liberal and respectful manner to all those who were in any way connected with the races, and to this circumstance may chiefly be ascribed the success which has been attendant upon the meeting. Very often those who work the hardest in such matters have to be satisfied with a minimum of thanks and a maximum of abuse ;in this case, however, this result deserves to be reversed. The hon. sec, Mr Matthias, is evidently the right man in the right place, and the clerk of the course was a great acquisition. The running of the horses in the various events requires little comment; suffice it to say that all the races were well and fairly contested, no protests as far as I know having being entered by anyone. I shall expect to see this race meeting, provided it is always conducted under as efficient management as this one has been—become in time one of the most popular country meetings in the Auckland province. Appended is an account of the races run and the final results :—: —

HANDICAP HURDLE BACE Of lOsovs. Distance, 2 miles, over 8 flights of hurdles. Second horse to save his stakes. H. Brettargh's Lara lOst lib 1 J. Galvin's Jonathan Wild lOst 101b... 2 B. Barlow's Dart list lib 3 B. Cralvin's Lawyer lOst 41b 0 This race proved an interesting one from the start, the horses taking the jumps splendidly. Lara won cleverly. A good race for second place between Jonjkrtj^n and Dart.

MAIDEN BACE Of Bsovs. Distance, 1 mile. Weight for age. Mr Taipari's Pahitoa, 9st 31b 1 M* Johnstone's Mickey Free, 9st 31b... 2 Wilson's Hnitai, Bishop's Kate Kelly, Carrs Blackboy, Clarks Piro, and Monroe's Lay cock, also ran.

ONE MILE HANDICAP OfBsovs. , H. Brettargh's Lara, Bst 61b 1 J. Naylor's Clover, I2st lib 2 S. Wilson's Wizard, lOst 51b 3 Wizard got a bad start, and was never

in the race, Lara and Clover doing all the running. The former was, however, too good for Clover with the weight he had to carry, and won after a good struggle.

settler's pubse Of ssovs, Distance, 1£ miles. Weight, lOst. Mr Pook's Black Gown J Mr Galvin's Johnathan Wild 2 Mr Brettargh's Creamy 3 Mr Ellis's Karioi 4 Johnation started favourite, and ran well, but did not appear to have quite recovered the effects of the hurdle race, and had to content himself with second place, Black Gown showing herself to have a good turn of speed ultimately won by some lengths.

Native Race, Of 4 soys. Distance 2 miles. Weight 10 stone. Mr Munroe's Pani 1 Mr Clarks Charlie 2

PONY RACE, Of 5 soys. Distance, 1 mile. Weight, 8 stone. Mr Pook's, Black Gown 1 Mr Monroe's, Laycock 2 Ellis, Tauatawhiti, Wilson's Mick, Taipari's Worm, Mr Ewen's Lucy, and Galvin's Stella also ran. This was a capital race, but Black Gown again scored a win despite the efforts of the other horses, Stella a good third.

CONSOLATION RACE, Of 4 soys. Distance 1^ miles. Mr Clarks Charlie 1 Mr Jonothau's, Mickey Free 2 Ellis Karioi, and Galvin's Jonathan also ran. This was undoubtly the best race of the day, Charlie only winning by a head. A Hack Race, which was won by Galvin's, Jonathan Wild, ended a pleasant meeting.