WESTLAND RACING CLUB.
By Telegraph. (from oub correspondent.) HOKITIKA, January 6. The Weatland Racing Club was very unfortunate in the weather for the opening day of its New Year's Meeting. The forenoon was fair, but just as people were wending their way to the course a heavy rain storm was experienced, and drenching showers fell at intorvala during the afternoon, and it was found necessary to postpone the decision of the hurdle race, which is set down for the first item on Monday's card. The sum of £1722 was handled at the totaliaator on the five events. The following were the results :— TRIAL STAKES, of 25 soys; second 5 soya from the stake; one mile—l 99, Mr D. Clauschesy's eh h Home Kule,s yrs, 7st (Hannah), 1; 86, Mr H. Knisfht's eh m Poinsettia, aped, 6at 131b (Moran), 2: 62, Mr L. Bell's b s Nile, 6 yrs, 7st lib (Allan), 3. At once going to the front Home Rule soon established a commanding lead, and won hard held by five lengths from Poineettia, Nile being half a dozjn lengths away last. Time, lmin 53 3 -sth sec. Dividend, £1 11s.
HANDICAP HACK RACE, of 15 soya; seven furlongs-15, Mr Jas.< Scott's blk g Portland, 4 yrs, tot 131b (inc. 71b over) (Moran), 1; 183, Mr A. Smith's b g Jack, aged, 93t 81b (Clarke), 2 ; 14, Mr a. Ginn's b if Mount Morgan, 7st 121b (inc. 81b over) (Pickering), 3. 38, Tonganui, 9st lib (Mitchell) ; 35, Uloirede Dijon, 7st 61b (Allan); 66, Wreath, 7at Ub (Myers); 15, All Gold, 7st (Hatfnah); also started. Passing the stand .Portland drew away from the others, but, although Jack got on terms at the home turn, he was unable to sustain his effort and Buffered defeat by a full length, Mount Morgan close up third. Timo. lmin 402 sth sec. Dividend, £22 6*. HOKITIKA HANDICAP, of 60 soys: second 10 soya from the stake; nine furlongs—ls, Mr R. Eeay*s b c Marino, by Nelson—Wnitiri, 4 yrs, 10at 4lb (W. Clarke), 1; 87, Mr P. O'Neill's bl h Johnny Faa, aged, Bst 61b (Birkett), 2. Johnny D'aa made play two lengths iv front of Marino to the top turn, where the favourite closed up, and taking command when their heads were turned for home, won very easily by three-parts of a length. Time. 2min 20 4-sth see. Dividend, £1 Bs. FARMERS' PLATE HANDICAP, of 10 soys; once round the course—2oo, Mr J. O'Brien's b>? Wanganui, aged, Bst (Duggan), 1; 21, Mr J. Holmes' gr ni Miss Guy, aged, 7st 10lb, 2; 17, Mr A. Meharry's blk f Nellie, 4 yrs, 7st 3lb, 3. 82, Ritchie, &rt 3lb, and 63, Rapid Roan, 7st 61b, also started. From one false start Ritchie, Rapid Roan, and Miss Guy covered the entire course, the last named stumbling and losing her rider at the entrance to the straight. In the race itself Wanganui led all the way, and won in a cante-. Dividend, £114 a.
PRESIDENTS HANDICAP, of 30 soya; second 5 sove from the stake; seven furlongs—2ls, Mr P. O'Neill's bl h Johnny Faa, ageJ, 9st 41b (Birkett). 1; 47, Mr W. Claujfhesy's eh h Home Rule, syrs, 7st 131b (Hannah), 2 ; 117, Mr IL Knight's eh m Poinsettia, aged, 6st 121b (Myers), 3. Home Rule was in command to the hill, where Johnny Faa closed up and was in command turning into the straight. Half way up the running Home Rule got on terms, and a great struggle to the chair ended in favour of Johnny Faa by & nose ; Poiosettia. two lengths away. Dividend, £1 lie. A protest for interference was dismissed.
It rained in torrent* all the forenoon in Hokitika, and the second day of the Westlaud Bacing Club's gathering had to be postponed. The track will necessarily ba very heavy when the racing is resumed. Lord Zetland was accepted for in the Westland Handicap, but is not sufficiently recovered to take part. It will therefore probably resolve into a match between Epilogue and Johnny Faa, the former seems much che better of tbe two. Regalia may win the first hurdle race.
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