WELLINGTON RACES.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2743, 6 February 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON RACES.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

WELLINGTON, this day. The town is remarkably full of visitors from the country, come to witness the races. To-day is observed as a public holiday. The Cup raGe will be run at half-past, two. It is stated that Andrew Young, owner of Sailor, will give his jockey £300 if he wins the Cup hace. The Empire Hotel was last night crammed, aud exceedingly brisk business was done in Calcutta sweeps and betting. Several horses have dropped ont of the calculation altogether, and in others there have been sudden rises and falls. Danebury has gone back, and Longlands came up with a rush. The horses in the following list have lots of fanciers, who freely back their choice :—Laertes, 3 to 1, tkn; Longlands, 4 to 1, tkn; Lara, 100 to 20, tkn; Maritana, 100 to 15, tkn ; Kata, 100 to 12, tkn ; Diver, 100 to 10, taken ; Lady Grey, 100 to 4, tkn ; Sailor, 100 to 20, tkn. Final payments for Derby : Merlin, Bribery, and Dundee.

Over £800 were laid out in sweeps last night at the Empire Hotel, and over £600 on the previous night.

The weather bids fair for a five day,

L A TEST TIPS,

"Nemo,"ia last night's "Post," referring to the sporting speculations going on at the Empire Hotel last night, says the feature of the evening was a rush on Laertes, who is now installed a warm favourite ; whilst his stable companion, which was erstwhile the public's fancy, is wholly friendless. Lara's position seems to have been not the least affected by these proceedings. Maritana was a good deal inquired for,- and before the Hag falls will see a much shorter price. Last night's quotations may be givea as 3 to 1 against , Laertes, taken ; 4to 1 against Lara, offered—s to 1 taken; Longlands, Danebury, and Maritana, 100 to 5 offered ; but transactions only t;>king place as regards the latter ; Diver, 100 to 8 taken ; Kata, 100 to 5 offered ; Lady Grey, 100 to 8 taken; Kata, 100 to 5 offered ; Lady Grey, 100 to 4 taken ; Sailor and King Quail, 100 to 3 offered ; Mufti not men-

tioued. Prices realised in Calcuttas were— No. 1, net value, £61 10s: Longlands, £5 10.s ; Danebury, £6 ; Laertes, £15; Lady Groy, £2 ; Lara, £10 10s j Mufti, £1 10s ; King Quail, £1 10s ; Diver, £2 10a ; Kata, £2 10s; Marilana, £8 10s. No. 2 value, £54 10s : Maritana, £5 ; ltata, £3 ; Diver, £3; Danebury, £3 10s;-Lqnglands, £5 103 ; Sailor, £2 ; Laertes, £10 10s ; Lara, £8 10s ; Mufti, £2. No. 3, value £79 15s : Mufti, £2 ; Maritana, £7 10s ; Lady Grey, £1 10s; King Quail, £2; Laertes, £16 ; Lara, £7 ; Diver, £4 10s ; Kata, £4 ;. Longlands, £8 ; Danebury, £7. No. 4, value £63 : Diver, £2 10s ; Maritana, £10 lO.s; •Danebury, £3; Lady Grey,, £1110s '•; King Quail, £1 10s ; Laertes, £8 10s ; Rata, £4 ; Longlands, £4 ; Mniti,.£l 10s; Lara, £5. HE SPOTS THE WINNERS. He proceeds to. spot the winners as follows :—The Maiden Plate rests between Merlin and Undine, but he prefers the mare. The Hurdle Race : TeWhetu first, the Agent second. He selects Laertes for the Cup, Maritana or Longlands..two and three. Bribery is his favourite for the Hutt Park Stakes, and Lady Ellen for the Flying Stakes.

Hutt Racecourse, noon,

There is every indication that the races will be more largely attended than on any previous year. The ten o'clock train from the railway station was a spectacle in itself, when starting there being no fewer than 20 carriages and trucks composing the train, and all densely packed. There could not have been less than six hundred people. Second ■ class carriages were marked " first," and cattle trucks converted into " second's." Besides the engine in front, another powerful one was pushing behind. A few minutes after tea, the 10.30 train began filling up with wonderful rapidity, the entrance to the station being kept constantly crowded with vehicles, besides foot passengers streaming in from all directions. The crush for tickets was so great that the first and second class were issued from different offices. This proved a great convenience, and largely facilitated the despatch of passengers. A variety of little evidences of foresight on the part of the railway officials showed that they anticipated and endeavoured to pro\ide for the convenience of the day. As an instance of this it mfght be observed that some of the trucks temporised over them were apparently for the convenience of ladies too late to obtain seats in the proper coinages. The cool north-west breeze aud cloudy sky being suggestive of rain, a large number of people were provided with umbrellas and overcoats.

Before 10.30, the crowds that hung round unable to obtain admission, notwithstanding all the devices resorted to to accommodate people, aud they were consoled by the announcement of "Another train at 11 o'clock. ' Despite all the crowding in the trains the road was full of vehicles. Arrived at the Hutt, a scramble ensued for the few vehicles there to take the people to the course. Scarce a tenth could get a trap of any kind, and had perforce to foot it. On the course the ground is very dry and hard. The weather is windy and gloomy overhead, cold and grey-looking, but it is doubtful if it will raiu after all to-day. In any case it is not likely to do so before afternoon. About a thousand people were on the ground a quarter before noon. All games usual on the racecourses are in great force. There is a good squad of police, mounted and foot. The bookmakers are rolling up fast, and the lawn is beginning to look active.

Maiden Plate, 75 sove, one mile and a hah". Merlin 1 King Quail 2 Undine _ 3 There were six entries and five started. Castillan was scratched. When the horses were led on the course their action seemed stiff and proppy with the whole of them, except Merlin and Undine. All were festive, and there was one false start. Betting was level on Undine and Merlin ; 3 and 4tol on any of the others. Black Prince was eager for the fray. He had the lead, and cut out a hot pace, but Merlin and King Quail raced alongside in a business-like manner, Undine lying back. The King soon managed to get up to Merlin, pushing past him, all racing at top speed. On completion of a mile the four were in a cluster, and then came the test of the mettle, aud a strong tussle ensued in the straight between Merlin and King Quail, the latter whipping. Merlin passed the stand half a bead first, with three lengths between King Quail and Undine. Time, 2min. 51£secs. Hurdle Race, 50 soys. two miles, weight for a#e. Agent .. 1 Harkaway .. .. .. .. _ 2 TeWhetu _ 3 For the Hurdle Race five entered, but ou)y taree came to the scratch ; Momus and Eversley being scratched. Betting : ,Te Whiti was the favourite ; even money on him being refused. Harkaway rushed to the front at rhe start ;. Agent, second ; Te Whetu going leisurely, a long way behind ; all going well Within speed. The first hurdle- was taken by Agent aud Harkaway together. At the second hurdle Harkaway stumbled, but recovered. Then* I commerreed a pretty race, Agent and Te .Whetu taking the jumps side by side j Harkaway several lengths Behind, always losing a,t his jump and then catchiag up again, causing Agent and Te Whetu to px»t the best foot forward,/ 'and took the laat jump together, leaving Muriagh out of it. However Te Whetu seemed to strike, and getting over, nearly stood still, allow ing Harkaway to come up and take second plase, about 3 lengths of Te Whetu..

K Seyen horses started for thi araC ea Black Warrior .7 " '* - ~' M '| THE WELLINGTON oßs from the stakes; two miufs qSf^&S ?s, tffii Ir'" ai°s9ibs i'e''«'w.*i a « ) > Lontflands, 7st 121b ," " " -" ! Laertes, Bat .. " *" ■•'•(.. " • ,;: Danebury, Bst 71b *"■ " - ''' Camballo, 7«t 101b * " " ~ "I Kata, 7at .. " " •- ~ HJ : Mufti, 7st.. "■'■"-.} ••,,.„ " J L>iver,-6st 121b .. " " '■:. '"•'.' "'] Lady Grey,6st«b " " •'• J~'>i!,4 "I Kinj? Quail, 6st 21b " " " *. " J * Sailor, sst 71b .. .. "' " •• *! This was a grand race "-•••■ * ! Time • 2 mins. 34 3-lOths secß fi „ bolted wnen leading before comi« j^ Btraiptht the first time. """S *» h Hutt Park Stakes, 50sovs- onn^n H»ck Rack, IOsovs; mileaWadio^ 6Flyi.vg Stakes Handica^ SOm^. 06. quarters of a mile. wjov 8 ; jw • Laertes. 831J01b . ■ Maritana, 9at 21bs " ■"* :« « Bribery, Bst lib.. .. " " .•• ." J ExpcotatioD, 78t 61b " ** •• _■• • Otawa, 7519 b .. "' " •• / ! Ratcatcher, 7st 51b '.'. " *" •• Doncaster, 7st 51b " ~ •>. , j Sailor, 7et 91b .. \\ |* - « ,* J _________________ * "■ ti! A