The Te Awamutu Races.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1699, 26 May 1883, Page 2

The Te Awamutu Races.

These events, as in former years, came off in White's paddock, adjoining the township, on Thursday last. Despite the fact that the weather was most unpropitious there was a very fair attendance, fully boo or 700 visiting the course during the day, Of this number more than ono half arrived by train, the special from Auckland, bringing nearly 300 people, who took advantage of the excursion rates to have a poop at the Waikato. To these the trip must have been sadly disappointing. The morning was anything but promising, and by the time the first race started the rain commenced to fall, and continued with short intervals to descend during tiie whole day, The Cup race was run in the face of a. blinding storm, which prevented the onlookers fiom obtaining anything like a clear view of the horses. The want of a stand, or indeed any adequate shelter from the downpour was seriously felt, and it is to be hoped this is a matter which will engage the attention of the committee another year. The ground was sloppy and unpleasant iv the extreme. Indeed, to say that anyone enjoyed the outing of Thursday would be a gross abuse of language. People found themselves there, and simply stayed, but every atom of pleasure must have been washed out of them long befoie the flag fell for the last i ace Notwithstanding that they had to bear up against such depressing influences, the stewards, and the zealous secretary, Mr R. W. Roche, worke.l most energetic illy to make the affair a success, and so far as it lay in their power they wcie successful. The cwntstook place with some regard to punctuality, and there were no disputes of any moment. Mr Wilkinson performed the duties of starter most efficiently, getting his fields away together in the fairest possible nnnncr. The refreshment booths (Mrs Coi boy, publican's, and Mr Whcelan-, temperance) were very liberally patronised, and gave general satisfaction. An enterpiising bookmaker from Dunedin was in attendance, but there was an almost total absence of betting. Of the racing it is not necessary, nor indeed possible to say much. In the absence of a stand or any uoint of vantage, to say nothing of the drenching rain, very little could be seen. The events appeared to be well contested, and the victories of the local horse, Rewi, were vtry popular. Additional interest was lent to the Cup by thi 1 circumstance of Larry lo3ing his jockey (rlocldon) at the back of the course wlnlo occupying second place, and then beating Rewi up the straight. Moonstone broke down in this race. The following is a more detailed account of the event :—- lIANDIC'VP HURDLE R\CK, Of 25sovs. Distance two miles, over eight flights of hurdles, 3ft Gin high. Nomination, lsov. Acceptance, lj soys. Mr A. Walker's eh q Rakau, aged, lOst lOlbs 1 Mr Ruthcrfor I's eh q Sportsman, aged, l(ht lOlbs 2 Mr Norgrove's b h Charlie, aged, lOst 41bs, also ran. Mr Adam's blk q Christmas was scratched. Charlie went off with a slight lead, but was soon passed by Rakau, and in this order they went o\cr the Hrst hurdle, Charlie, however, struck and lost ground, yielding second place Sportsman, who was running easily and well. Rakau refused the second hurdle, and the old Te Awamiitu horse then went to the front. Rakau was taken back, and this time went straight. Chai lie also balked, an 1 was thereafter practically out of the race. Rakau went ahead at a swingeing pace, and soon got on even terms with Sports man again. B»foie the fourth hmdlc was reached, lie took the leul, and did not relinquish it the second lound. Ivdkau struck the last httidh coining up thostiaight, but this did not impede him, and he landed a winner by about 10 lengths. MUDKX I'LVTE, Of 15so\s. For hoisa-s that have never won an adveitucd race of luwvs. Distance, H miles. Entrance, lsov. Weight for age. Mr Hoy's b q Welcome Davy, 6yrs, Ost 21l)s 1 Mr Norgrove's b q Charlie, aged, Ost 21bs 2 Mr W. Taylors b q Fishcrboy, 3 yrs, Bst olbs 3 Mr Joslin's Kai Korari and Mi Potatau's Tohu Tonga, also ran Kingsley, Perm, and I Don't Know were scratched. Mr Wilkinson effected a splendid start. Welcome Davy soon showed to the front, with Charlie second and Fisherboy third. This order reuniuod unchanged, Divy winning a prstty race, hard held, with the second and third horses close up. The remaining two were nowhere at the finish, the pace beini; much to hot for them. Tli AWAMOTIT CUP lIAN'DICVP Of 40dovs. Sweopstike of lsiv. pud at the post ; amount accruing from sweepstake to go to second horde. Distance i miles. Nomination lsov., acceptance "2^ovs. Mr Laidlaw's blk q Rowi, syrs., 7st 7it» 1 Mr Hoy's b q "Welcome Davy, Gyrs., fist lOlbs 2 Mr All will's Lany and Mr Gibsons Moonstone also started. Maori was sciatched. Rewi led from the start, with Welcome Davy second and Lany third. Tho latter was the popular favourite, and looked fit enough to do anything. He kept his position until at the back of the course the second round, when he began to challenge Rcwi ; Hodson was, howover, keeping too' close to the posts, and got knocked out of the saddle. Larry with empty saddle then kept on Rewi's quarter until the straight was reached, when he put on a spurt and passed the post about half-a-lcngth in front of the Te Awamutu horse, amid the applause ot the onlookers. This race was run in a a tremendous downpour of rain.

WAIKATO STAKES HANDICAP Of losovs, for horses the bona jfide property of Waikato settlers for three mouths prior to race meeting. Distance, 1 mile. Nomination, 10s ; acceptance, lsov. Mr Norgrove's eh q Victor, 2yiS., 6st Slbs 1 Mr Taylors b q Fisherboy, 3yrs., 6st 2 Mr Potatau's b q Clover, aged, 7st 7ft> 3 Rewi, Victoria, Miss North and KaiKorari were scratched. This was a very close race, Clover, who carried 191bs over- weight, making the running hot for the others.

PRIVATE MATCH. Mr YV. Taylors Kingsley, 3yrs., (by Kingfisher) Bst 51b 1 Mr Jas. Watters' b q Penu, 3yis., (by Wareagle) Bst slba 0 Mr Storey had also entered a filly for the same match, but she fell lame about a fortnight ago. The race was somewhat easily won by Kingsley. Pcun's rider got inside a post and pulled up. publican's purse handicap Of 20t>ovs. Distance 1£ miles. Nomination, 15s ; acceptance, lsov. Mr Laidlaw's blk q ftewi, oyrs., 7st 101b 1 Mr All will's gr q Larry, syrs., Sst 12lb 2 Maori, Moonstone and Fisherboy were scratched. This was a dual between Rewi and Larry, and was won by the former after a close fight.

SPXLIMG HACK RACE. Of lOsovs. Winner to be sold for loaovs, Distauce 1 mile, Mr Laidlaw's Blue Peter 1 __ All Fours ..; 2 Mr F, MoMiau'a Kellie ... „. 3

The winner was sold for £24, the club gaining £9 on the sale. CONSOLATION HANDICAP Of lOsovs., for all beaten horses during the meeting. Distance 1 mile. Larry 1 Fisherboy 2 There were only two entries, and the race resulted in a close Ihmh, Larry winning by about half-a-length. This brought the day's proceedings to a close, and those who had remained till the last now gladly made their way towards the township.