SPORTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2750, 27 February 1890, Page 2

SPORTING.

Huntly Races, The following are the weights declared for the various events at the above meeting:— MAIDEN PLATE. St. lb. ' Bt. 11) Bob ... ... 9 0 Matauna ... 8 0 Surprise ... .8 12 Clarion ... 8 0 Billy ... 8 10 Success ... 7 4 Grace Darling 810 Viceroy ... 15 0 Mu-scatelle ... 8 10 Auriga ... 6 0 Faugh -a - bal- Contempt ... 6 0 lagh ... 8 4 HANDICAP HURDLES. Magnesia ... 11 11 Muscatelle ... 9 ! 9 Wideawake... 10 8 B'lly 9 0 Shamrock ... 10 4 Surprise ... 9^o Haricot ... 10 4 Gamecock ... 9 0 L irrikin No. 2 9 11 Rahotautau ... 9 0 Doctor ... 9 11 Skylark ... 9 0 HUNTLY CUP, Haricot ... 9 7 Grace Darling 6 12 Yum Yum ... 9 7 Faugh-a-Bal-Snake ... 9 5 lagh ... 6 7 Leila.:. ... 8 7 Matauna ... 6 0 Magnesia ... 8 0 Viceroy ...GO Mararoa ... 7 7 Success ... 6 0 Shamrock ... 7 0 settler's hack. Billy 9 5 Fanny Fisher 7 5 Surprise ... 9 5 Auriga ... 7 0 Grace Darling 9 5 Little Mary... 6 10 Argyle ... 8 4 Antic 6 0 Viceroy ... 7 5 PONY RACE. Grace Darling 9 12 Ribbon ... 7 0 Lottery ... 8 7 Kate 6 7 Fanny Fisher 7 7 Hipsey ... 6 0 Little Mary... 7 0 Contempt ... 6 0 Bang 7 0 Antic 6 0 Kat 7 0 Ecclisse ... 6 0 Eotorua Races.

In all well-regulated settlements, whether village, town or city, it is generally considered essential that a race meeting should t ike place at least once a year, thereby proclaiming that all is well and the condition of ihe place healthy. A district without an annual meeting (and they are fevv in the colony) is considered to be in a moribund state, or, to use a comiw-m phra.se, "played out," so that he who runs may rend. The great event of the year took place <it Kotorua on Thursday, the 20th inst., under most favourable circumstances. All the events on the programme were well contested, as will be seen below from the number of entries. The attendance of spectators exceeded that of any previous year, fully 1000 beitig on the ground. The Maoris showed up well, many of whom came a long distance. They take great interest in horse racing, and were the means of affording tourists and others much amusement. The European portion of the attendance comprised the inhabitants "to a man," together with tourists and visitors, tha Litter hailing from Tauranga, Taupo, and Waikato. Arnong-t those from the last named district, wero the bold American, Mr W. K. Carter, the enterprising Cambridge tailor, Mr C. Craig, the festive butcher, Mr J. Arnold, Mr Cowly, of Tamahere, and Mr Lavvson, of Kihikihi. Amongst the tourists was Mr Clarence, H. Hannell, President and Judge, and Henry, Handicapyer of the Newcastle N, S. W. Jockey Club, and who thoroughly enjoyed the sport. Mr Hannell remarked that he would much rather see such a- day's fun, than a race for either the Sydney or Melbourne Cups, and that if these races were contested tor in the same style as the various events on the card that day had been, there would be no fear of backers complaining (as they often did) that horses were " not on the work," while handicappers would have a true-line shown as to the relative merits of the nags, as each one was ridden with a determination to win if possible, whip and spur being used freely with this end in view, though the leadiug horse had the race well in hand. Mr Gibson, a tourist from Melbourne, rode in several events and was successful in winning the two principal ones, which were exceedingly popular, especially with the Maoris, who made the air ring with shouting " Kapiii Tarawern." Mr. McClelland had the refreshment booth, were eatables and drinkables of good quality were dispensed, but the ill effects of over-indul-gence in "stagger juice" was nnt observable, so that the " limb of the law" had an easy time of it, although assisted by the presence of Inspector Emerson and Constable Cavanagh from Tauranga. Mfssrs Blakie, Briiublecomb. and PtiillpoU of Auckland were kept busy, !>nd apparently did a fair day's business. The stewards are to be congratulated at the success of the meeting, which passed off without a single mishap. Dr. Ginders discharged the duties of judge ; Mr J. H. Taylor, starter ; Mr P. Mcllroy, clerk of scales ; Mr W. T. Carr, clerk of course ; and Mr R. King, secretary. The dust was rather disigreeable and rose in clouds behind the horses, hiding them in many instances. The following are the results :—

Handicap Huhdle Race, of lßsovs. Two miles. Over 8 flights of hurdles 3ffc. Gin.

high. Mr A. Clarke's b g Doctor, aged, list 71b ... ... 1 Mr W. Cowley's g g Peter, aeed, 9sllolb 2 Black Best and Touch-and-Go also started. The race was a good one between Doctor and Peter, and but for tho latter striking one of the hurdles he would have had first place. Maoki Hack Huudles. Mr Hapimana's Pamamou 1 Four others ran, but Pamamou won easily. Touuist Plate, of osovs. For ponies 14.2 and under. Top weight 9st; 71b allowed for every inch under 14.2. One mile. Mr S. Tanner's Gillie, 9st 1 Mr F. Arnier'e The Rat, B.st 71b ... 2 This was a big field, no less than eleven starting. Maori Hack Rack, of 23ovs. One mile. Mr. Watene's Bluck Best 1 Mr Irehei's Rotoranpi 2 Six others ran. Black Bast and R>torangi had to run twice, having finished the first time a dead heat. Rotorua Jdbilee Hani?icap, of 25sovs. Two miles. Mr A. Warbrick's c g Mararoa, aged, 7st. 121b ... ... 1 Mr Whareaita's b m Phoebe, 4 years 7st. 101b ... 2 Mr Wipaia's b m Kismet, aged, Bst. 121b 3 Galatea also ran, and was the favourite. Mararoa wan rather difficult to start, but the rider (Mr Gibson), eventually managed to get him away flying, whilst the other horses were at the post, having thus secured tho lead he maintained it to the finish, and won easily. Selling Raoe, of Ssovs. One and half miles. Mr F. Armer's The Rut 1 Five others ran, but The Rat held it all his own way, and won hard held. The owner bought him in for £11 ss.

Consolation Handicap, of 4eovs. One

Mr Wip?ia's Kismet 1 Phoebe and Gilatea also ran, but the Waikato stock was too good for them.

An extra event was added to the programme, a Maori woman's race. This caused immesse fun, five entered, one lady parted company with her steed rather unceremoniously in the scrub, whilst doing a preliminary canter. A false start was made, when one rushed off like a streak of lightning and was was half way roui'd the course before managing to pull up, on getting back to the post and a fair start being obtained, the same animal that rushed off before, again led the way at such a pace that the rest of the company was soon lett behind. The winner, Tiawhe, was ridden by a girl from Galatea, on a man's saddle.