Helensville Annual Races.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 3082, 6 March 1880, Page 3

Helensville Annual Races.

Judge: John RoKan, Esq. Stewards : Messrs. 11. P. Kavanagh, J. A. Walker, Jas. MoLeod, Thoa. O'MoiK John Drinnan, .las. McDonald,

Tim Helcusvillc races were a greater success than the most sanguine steward in 'ais brightest anticipations could have been led to expect. The fact of so large an attendance, and that eight horses ran in the first event, nine in the second, and seven in the third, demonstrates the increased popularity of these annual meetings. During the week Helensville had been in a state of unusual excitement owing to the preparations being made for the races, and the arrival _of various notable racehorses, some of which were intended to compete at Helensville, and afterwards be forwarded to Dargaville. Among the arrivals were Piscatorious, Malvern, Barney, No Name, Marquis, Flora, &c. A Kaihu Maori refers contemptuously to Water's grand colt, Piacatorious, and other Auckland horses. He says the Maoris have three horses up at Dargaville which will lick the head off anything sent from town. The Helensville aboriginals, (i.e. Maoris) were during the week equally sanguine, they had an invincible grey horse named "By Golly," which every tribe and hapu backed to win the hurdle race. They had another grey horse named " Bloody," and these sanguinary names wero flung, in the faces of pakehas, as being the future conquerors. The natives abound in money having reaped a big harvest from kauri gum. They betted pretty heavily. The gum-diggers were another particular feature of the attendance, and were not without ready cash. The race-course is on the grounds of Mr James Hand, the course situated on the flat at the base of a somewhat semi-circular shaped range, the latter forming a natural «rand stand, from the summit and slopes of which spectators can watch the progress of the races the whole distance round. The course, though not iv good going order, has received a lot of attention lately—the proprietor having ploughed it up afresh and had at. heavy roller at work, next year he will have it covered with a vclvetty turf. Yesterday it tried the staying power of horses, while the hindmost steeds were punished by receiving copious mouthfuls of

dust. This year's meeting was the largest ever held here, while the arrangements were better than at any proceeding ones. The

stakes, moreover were larger; for instance, the Maiden Plate was increased to £15, and the Railway Plate to £15. Last year, these were only £10 each. The secretary worked with characteristic enthusiasm. The starter, Mr Foughy won general praise for the excellent way in which he got the hoifC3 away. Mr Kogans' decisions were never questioned. The handicapping was very satisfactory; indeed all the officers acquitted themselves in a highly creditable manner. Host Walkur, of the Kaipara Hotel, had the bootns, and kept an unusually choice supply of viands, the public being very much pleased with the catering. As most of the results of the races appeared in our last night's issue, it will only be necessary to give a brief resume of the events. The Handicap Hurdle race contested by eight horses, was thought a certainty for Marquis, but though he jumped well, he could not stay the distance at the pace. Lark scoring a good win. The Maiden Plate brought out the biggest field. Flora was a favourite at the start, but Fulton's Ellesmere was in excellent form, and went in very superior style, winning without being colled on. The Maori race was an exciting affair, the start was perfection, all going off at a smart gallop, and travelling once round the course in a cluster, during the second spia round whips were freely used. Bloody increased a slight lead he had from the first, until passing the stand, when Warrior challenged him, and the two raced neck and neck the last mile amid intense excitement, the former won by half-a-head. The Heleusville Handicap was Barney's race until near the winning post, when the rider dropped his whip, and Thorpe brought Magician up smartly at the finish, wiDner by a length. The Eailway Plate was won by Ellesmere Unknown second, Tom Finn third.—The Pony race was won by Barney, Flora second. —The consolation by Tom Finn, Unkuown second.—A hurry scurry closed the best day's sport ever witnessed, at Helensville.