OXFORD JOCKEY CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1928, 13 November 1884, Page 2

OXFORD JOCKEY CLUB.

Annual Meeting. Stewards : Messrs F. Rose, R. Fawcett, I). O'Laughlin, S. Hunter, W. F. Madipan and 0. Willis. Judge : Mr A. Isaacs. HandicapperB : Messrs R. Kirkwood and W. Scott. Starter : Mr A. Heany. Clerks of Course : Messrs J. Tyson and A. Robinson. Clerk of Scales : Mr H. W. Moore. The annual race meeting under the auspices of the above club was held on the new course on the Okoroire estate on Monday last. Taking everything into consideration—the threatening aspect of the weather, the badness of the road, and the distance from any centre of population — the meeting was a decided success. The racing was excellent throughout, the handicapping in the principal events being specially noticeable, and the attendance was much larger than Oxford has witnessed on any former occasion. A large number of people had come up from Cambridge the previous day, and during the morning, and Mr Carter's coach was well patronised. The new course is a decided improvement, being on one of the best sites in the district, and the races can be seen from stint to finish without the aid of a stand. The ground, however, was rather heavy on account of the rain. Mr F. Rose had a lefreshment booth on the course, and the wants of the public in this respect wero well attended to. Mr Adaniis o" Auckland brought up a totalisator, but judging from the amounts recorded, hu daily work could not have been very profitable. Two other gentlemen of the " under and over " fraternity put in an appearance, but were accorded a very limited patronage. The arrangements of the stewards were very good, and the indefatigable secretary Mr H. McClelland spared no pains to secure success in every department. We regret, however, we can - net allow the starting to pasi unnoticed. Mr Heany may thoroughly understand the business, but on this occasion his services gave anything but satisfaction. The weather kept fine in the morning, but rain fell heavily in the afternoon, and continued throughout the evening. As to tho racing, both handicaps weie exceedingly well contested and excited ccv - siderable interebt. Rewi and Larry ran .1 dead he.it for the event of the day, but the owner of the former lodged a piotest against the rider of the latter for "crowing " which after a little consideration on the part of the stewards was sustained. and the race was accoidingly given t> Larry. The creneral feeling of the public was that the protest was very frivolous and should not have been entertained, and th.it to settlo the matter both horses should have gone over the giound again. Not :i little indignation eiuued on the decision of the stewards, the judge, Mr Isaac-, vacating his post, and a number of other gentlemen leaving the course. The two wins of " The Clown " were very popular, being a local and what might be termed a new horse. He won the " Maiden " easily, and in the " Steward's "came home gamely in front of such blood as Rewi, Larry, and Victory, the weight being all in his favoui. Larry on this occasion was brought out in proper fettle, and showed what ho really could do when in piopor hands. His racing at the forthcoming Spring Meeting at Cambridge, promises to surprise his friends. Prospero disappointed his patrons, but his bad luck on Monday will serve him well during the coming season. The Hurdles was a gift to Te Whetu. Stockman proved himself a "duffer," but Dick Swiveller, though evidently more at homo in a plough, r.m a game hor.se throughout. Mr Ransfield had his u*ual ill-luck with Snake, though he succeeded in carrying off the Maori race against Maungatautari. Appended is a more detailed account of tho day's racing :—: — Maiden Plate. Of 15 sovb., 1-^d miles. Weight for age. If or. horses that have never won an advertised prize exceeding 10 soys. Entrance, lsov. Wercta'schc "The Clown," 3yib, 7*t 121bs, (Norgrove) 1 Mr W. K. Carter's b q Fibherboy, syrs, 9ot (Hoaton) . . 2 Mr Lumsden'R eh q Te Whetu Marama aged, Oat. (Lumsden) 3 Also started : Te Namu. The Clown was the favourite and was well backed by the local sports. Fibherboy was well favoured To Whetu went to tho front at the start with the Clown, Fisherboy and Te Nama following in order. The Clown soon went to the front followed by Fisherbuy, and on leaching the outbide of the course, the older was altered leaving Te Whetu behind. The race was now between Fisheiboy and the Clown. On entering tho straight the contest was yet doubtful, but the Clown soon came fonvaid and maintained a .slight lead till the finish, winning by about half a length. It was thought that Fibherboy was kept in reserve too long. Handicap Hurdler. Of 20 so\s, 2 miles, over eight flights of hurdles, 3ft (hu high, Nomination 1 soy. Acceptance 1 soy. Mr Lumsden's eh q Te Whetu Marama, ap ed, I2st. 7lb. (Lumsden) . 1 Mr Robinson's b q Dick Swiveller, oyrs, 10,t, (Rhodes) . . 2 Mr McCann's Stockman (Mason) also started. Te Whetu took tho lead from start to finish, followed closely by Swiveller ; both horses took their jumps smVndidly, but Swiveller though game and honest was evidently to heavy for the work Mason was unable to got Stockman over the second huidle. OXI'ORD HaN'DICV!'. Of3osovi. li miles, Nomination, I], soy«, acceptance, IV .soys. Mr J. Brown's q r Lai ry, aged (Pearson) . ... t Mr L. Foster's blk q llowi, aged (Bond) t Mr J. Randsfield's eh q Snake, syrs (Norgrove) ... „, ■ ■ .-3 Also started : Pro&pero, Victory, and The Clown. Rewi was the favourite, but Larry was spoken of as likely to cause a boil over. The Clown was well backed by his patrons, and Snake was also generally fancied. The start took everybody by surpii.se. Larry was over a chain on his way home, Prospero was turned the other way, and the other horses were only setting into position when Mr Heany, who evidently did not take any trouble to get the field together, let the flag fall. Consequently Prospero did not get away at all. Snake followed by Larry and Rewi, who was some time in getting away, soon entered the running. Passing the post the first time, Lairy, Snake, Rewi and The Clown, were almost abreast, Victory bringing up the rear. Rewi now went to the front, but was well followed byLany, The Clown and Rewi falling behind. A very exciting race ensued between Larry and Rewi, which resulted in a deacl heat, with The Clown close up. Mr Brown lodged a protest on behalf of Larry against the rider of Rewi for "crossing." After hearing a few witnesses, the stewards retired and on a very shoit deliberation sustained the protest and gave the race to Larry. The decjsjon was received with cheers, but a number of people, including the jucjge, left the course. Maori Race. Of 5 soys., twice round the course. Entrance, £ soy. Horses to be owned and ridden by Maoris. Mr J. Ransfield's Snake 1 Mr Te Puhis Mau«ig*tantari ... .. 2 Only two ran, Snake won as he liked. The saddle of Maungatautari turned round shortly after starting, the rider making a splendid race bare backed, with the saddle hanging by the girths. The event caused not a little mirth. Stewards' Handicap. Of 15 soys,, Ik miles, Nomination, 1 soy. acceptance, $ soy, Mr Wereta's eh c The Clown, 3yrs, Ost j 121bs, (Pearson) 1 Mr Foster's blk q Rewi, aged, 9st 7lbs, (Bond) 2 Mr Brown's q q Larry, aged, Bst 71b (McKenzie) 3 Victory, Bst 41b, and Prospero, 9st 41b, also ran, The, field g«t away faiily together, and passed the post in a crowd, Larry being last. Larry, however, soon went up, and a good contest ensued. Rswi was leading, but had to give way to Larry, who in his turn had to give way to The Clown. Larry, Rewi, and The Clown now ttrorj&efl h,ar4 for prepedence. Coming up the straight The Oioiyn we»fi gaine(y to the front, and was successively challenged bj Rewi and Larry, but he maintained his position, and kept the lead until the finish, winning by about a length. Rewi started the favourite. The win was a very popular qne, af)4 excited considerable enthusiasm, ' HyRBJ SOUBRV; Resurrection won this event, for which four started. Consolation; Of lOaovs., 1 mile. Entrance, lsov. TeNiram .- - ... 1 ' Prospero ...■ » 1.. >;. ..,, ,\ 2 None others, started,.