PIAKO COUNTY TURF CLUB. Spring Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1625, 2 December 1882, Page 2

PIAKO COUNTY TURF CLUB. Spring Meeting.

Pkkmdent : Thomas Morrin Esq. ; ,VicePresident : Robt. Kirkwood Esq. ; Judge : W. P. Chepmell Esq ; Stewards : Messrs J. S. Buckland, C. Stafford, F. D. R. Smale," H. -Whitaker, R. Parr, P. Quiulau, J. Turnbull, W. C. Breakell ; Starter : Mr. F. D. R. Gmale ; Clerks of the Course : Messrs A. Ticklepenny and Mr J. McGlashau, Jun. ; Handicapped : Mr T. G. Sandcs. The first race meeting under the auspices of the .new t club, was held on ,the ' course adjoining the Phoenix Hotel on Thursday." It is questionable whether those gentlemen who inaugurated the clujb' [anticipated such unqualified success in every particular relating to the meeting as that which attended their exertions on Thursday. Not only was there good racing and large fields, but there were also a big attend,ance and good weather. The attendance was nob a Jocal one, and as horses were sent to compete from many other districts, particularly Waikato and Te Aroha, large numbers of people from these districts materially swelled the at tendance. Nor were the day's proceedings marred by the absence of the ladies, for in this feature as m almost all others, success was achieved. That ever questionable friend, the weather, was exceedingly favourable to the meeting, though all were subjected to a most unpleasant scorching from the sun, and' there being nothing iv the way of a stand, there was no shelter whatever to be obtained. The course ot the new club is certainly not of the levellest, for in some places there are a few unpleasant dip ; but these, in course of time, are likely to be removed. The club may be congratulated on their having elected a suitable judge's box ; and on this matter some of our Waikato clubs may take example ; but certainly if there was one bad feature in Thursday's racing it was the absence of a reliable card of the races. A few minutes before the first event came off, a card vendor put in an appearance, and the card which he disposed of, whether authorised or not, created universal disappointment. It neither gave full particulars, afforded accomodation, nor vas it in some respects reliable. In the matter of accidents, fortunately, we have none serious] to chronicle. In the hurdle race Hastings' jockey got un&cated at the first jump, but was not seriously injured. With very little exception the races were on the whole well contested, and created much interest and excitement. The Cup was certainly the event of the day, and was e\p«cted to be a certainty for Robert the Devil. The Te Aroha people, however, supported the local horse, Luckpenny, and he did not disappoint them ; though Robert was not far out of it. A considerable sum of money changed hands* over the event, Quilp made a splendid race for the hurdles, and would probably have carried off the event, had his jockey (Lake) piloted him over the last hurdle. Had he not run off here, Cossack would not have had it all his own way. Probably had Hinemoa had the advantage ot her proper weight, 9st 71bs, and been ridden with more judgment, she might have turned the tables in her own favor. As it was, she only lost by about a head. Ouida started a warm favourite for the Plate, but was defeated by Wee Lad, (or Laon) who ran well throughout, beating the favorite by about a length. The Trotting Match was considered t)ic tamest event of the day, though to many it contained much interest. Glengarry was considered by many to be too heavily handicapped, as Roy, though not so fast a horse, was thought to be a much better slayer. This proved to be correct, for though Glengarry soon came up alongside Roy, and passed the others. Roy kept at a steady pace until the finish, whereas his opponent, which was thought to have been too much pushed, showed signs of exhaustion towards the end of the contest. In the unavoidable absence of Mr Chepmell, Mr J. Allwill, well known in racing circles in Waikato, being on the ground was pounced upon by the stewards and put in the judge's box, and it is needles to say he discharged the duties of his office both satisfactory and creditably. Mr F. Smale made a most efficient starter, and the (stewards exerted themselves throughout the day to see that all the anangements were cariiecl out in a propiT manner. Mr Quinlan, of Te Aroha, had a refreshment booth on the ground, and catered to the satisfaction af the public. The temperance booth was also well managed. The following is a more detailed account of the racing :—

HANDICAP UUKDLK RACE, Of 20 soys ; two miles ; over 8 flights of hurdles. One sow nomination ; one soy. acceptance. Mr Corcoran's q q Cossack, agctl, lOst 711)8 1 Karaka's bk m Hinemoa, aged, 9sfc 71ba 2 \V. K. Gaiter's r gßluclicr, aged, list -libs 3 Quilp, Tui, Hastings, Pioneer, Grey Peter, and Rally also started. The hoises faced the starter shortly after 12 o'clock, and, though a big field, got o(F well together. Blucher vent to the front at the btart, with Quilp and Hinenioa follow ing in succession. At the tii-st liuullts Hastings ciune to grief, and a few others baulked, but succeeded in getting over at the next try. Passing the judge's box the first time Quilp led with Blucher second and Hinemoa third. In taking the next jump Hinemoa got into second position. Rally then followed Hincmo.i, and passed Blucher. Passing the judge's box the second time Quilp was still in the lead, with Rally second, and Hiuemoa running well behind, disputing the third place with Blucher. Cossack now made the running, taking everything before him, and for the last half mile ran a neck and neck race with Quilp. At the last hurdle, however, Quilp ran round, leaving Cossack to finibh up with Hinemoa, who carried two stone over weight. Cossack, who was ridden well throughout by Mason, beat Hinemoa by about a head; and Blucher, which Avas ridden by Goldsmith, made a poor third.

MAIDEN" TLATK, . Of Ijsovs. ; H miles; for horses that have never won an advertised race of over lOsovs. Entrance, 30-j. Gardiner's b q Wee Lad (or Laon), aged, 9st olbs ... ■• • •• • 1 A. Ludlow's b m Ouida (late Irish Molly), 3yrs., 9st4lbs 2 H. Novgrove's q q Kangaroo, aged, QstSlb 3 Grey Peter, Kit, and Lilian also started. After a good start had been effected, Kit went off in the lead, with Lilian second, and Kangaroo not far behind, Wee Lad being last. Passing the judges box the first time Wee Lad was iv tlie lead, wjth Kjiiigavoq second, -and /.Ouida creeping" lip,* 11 During *Isie "next" round Onida, raced, well for tbe front, passing Eangarooi looked s[nd, though thoughtj.tKe likely horae, he was unable, tq'pass /VVeejLad, whq, won, by a ( goOjd length. ..Tiui'e, , Suiin.jlOsecs. , The wi'nne'r^as/i:i t d^e^by K Q^ \ ,„

TROTTING 3AOE JIANDIOAP, {( , „ ,Qt jljOaQ^.j^diata^, -.3, miles.' En- < WvO.^righti bf^y?a«6d ? febycls)" " f \C. ,Sha^'s,b ,^G|epgar|^fjaged (ap^t^h) i 2'

Thunderbolt and: Jennie Nye 'also started. ' ' i ' •' All kept at a steady pace for the first round, ami with the exception of Glengarry, who trotted well from the first, aid not alter their' positions. Coining up the straight^ the f first, time, , Jennie Nye ' was* "stiltf in the / lead,! but was immediately passed by T Thunderbolt. Before reaching the judge's box, Roy went after Thunderbolt, and Simon who was now beginning to step out, followed his example, Jennie Nye trotting well for last position. Glengarry still continued at a steadily increasing pace. During this round Roy got v a-head of Thunderbolt, the Cambridge horse running .with a determination not to ,be left (behind. Coming up the straight, the second 'time Roy was still in the lead, with Simon, Thunderbolt and Glengarry, following in succession., , During f the v next , round Glengarry worked into second position, and was occasionally threatened by Simon ; and Thunderbolt, * who' < had broken, was obliged, to pull up and make a fresh start. Coming up the straight the, third time -the* positions->.were'*im«' altered, Roy still keeping . a-jcpnsiderable distance a-head'. " During tue last round ' much excitement prevailed,, as the rejfflt had become very questionable. Gjengarry began to sho\v signs, of exhaustion, ' whereas Simon was beginning to spurt. Roy, however, < was not to be overtaken, ' and passed the judge's box an easy winner, with Glengarry second, Simon third, and Thunderbolt fourth. Jennie Nye was nowhere. • i i THE TIAKO CUP. , >Of 33sovs. Second horse to receive £5 out of stakes. Two miles. Nomination^ 3Ds ; acceptance 20a, N. Cleary's b g Luckpenny, 9st 21b5... 1 J. Ransfield'sb q Robert the Devil, aped, Bst 2 H. Norgrove's br m Sour Grapes, aged, 7st 3 Celeste, Wee Lad, Hastings and Rere also ran, The field having got away well together, Hastings went to the front with <- Sour Grapes and the Devil following in order. At the end of the first round Sour Grapes was in the lead with Hastings well up, and Robert waiting his chance for a spurt. Luckpenny then came into the race passing Robert, and before long was in the lead with Robert behind. This position was kept for some considerable distance, when a hard race was made between the two foremost horses. The Te Aroha horse,- however, was not to be overtaken. He won easily, with Robert the Devil a fair second. The win was a very popular one. MAORI RACE. Only three enteied for this event, which was won by Winnie Gray's Peter. PONY BAUU. Of lOsovs. Weight for inches — 14 hands 2 inches and under. Entrance lsov. Distance 1 mile. There were ten entries for this event, which was won by Blackgown, with Ouida second and Hilda third. , COXSOIiATION HANDICAP Of lOaovs. One mile. Robert the Devil and Sour Grapes were the only entries. The race was well contested. Sour Grapes ran well for the first half mile, when he was overtaken and passed by the Devil. At the finish, however, the latter fell behind, leaving Sour Grapes to win by a short head. This closed the programme of events.