CLUTHA JOCKEY CLUB.

Clutha Leader, Volume XII, Issue 598, 1 January 1886, Page 3

CLUTHA JOCKEY CLUB.

The annual race meeting of the above Club was held on Tuesday last. The weather in the early part of the day was anything but favourable to the success of the gathering, there being a strong sou'wester blowing,- accompanied by occasional heavy showers of rain. Towards mid-day, however, it cleared up considerably, until in the afternoon the only disadvantage was the strong gale that prevailed, which must have proved somewhat disagreeable to onlookera. The attendance of the' general public, though very fair, was not quite so., large as; last year, which doubtless is to be attributed to the uncertain state of the weather. A coarse was, as last year 3 kindly placed at the disposal of the Club by Mr, Robert Patersori,. On $he fyhole, it #as perhaps

not quite so good as last year, there being some rather sharp turns, and in many peaces it was somewhat sandy and heavy. In this respect, however, it had ; the advantage that it thoroughly tested the staying powers of the horses. We understand that this course could be obtained as a permanent one, and if so, a little expenditure on the part of the Ohib would make it a first-class course. The spectators here occupy ground a. little higher than the course, and thus a splendid view is obtained of the race from start to finish. As. to the racks, there were a good number of entries for every evont, some of the horses coming very long distances, a fact which .' is surprising, considering that the money offered was in many cases comparatively small. The Club, in making the money 1 " small, did so in view of the present depressed times, and also with the object of offering leas inducement to crack horses coming from a distance and carrying off the principal events, the object of the Club being to hold out every inducement for local horses. To a certain extent this had the .desired effect, although many of the events were won by horses from a distance. The races, on the whole, were honestly conducted, although we believe in some cases the results did not seem to be with general approbation. However, no one had any cause to complain, of the questionable and sharp practices which are usually attendant , on race meetings. There was an entire absence of anything approaching rowdyism, and although the booth was liberally patronised, there was nothing approaching to over-indulgence. Indeed our race meeting of Tuesday partook very much of the character of a quiet social fathering. The services of the Kaitangata Brass Band had been secured, and added considerably to tho pleasure of the gathering. Messrs .Mason and Roberts had a Totalisator on the ground, which was patronised to the extent of nearly L3OO. The Club had all arrangements complete, and the office-bearers performed the duties relegated to them with satisfaction. Mr Hewitson proved equal to the duties of starter, as also did Mr R. Hogg in the position of judge. Mr Armstrong, as clerk of the course, had little to do, but he did that little courteously and well. The. energetic secretary, Mr G. W. K. Wood, was indefatigable in his efforts for the success of the meeting, and we have to acknowledge his courtesy in supplying us with all the required information.

The following wore the several events : Handicap Hurdlb Rack, of. £10 10a. Diatsuiee, 1£ miles. Mr W. Alexander's Little John, list 21b, (Owner) 1 Mr IT. Thaekeray'a Poten.s, 9st 101 b (Powley) 2 Mr Dunne's Bunsjaree also started. This was a good race ; the horses got away well together, and took the first 3 hurdles almost abreast, Bungaroe slightly in the lead. About half way round he ran off the course and lost all chaaco of winning. Potens' jumping was much admired. Dividend, £1 14s. Maide» Plate, of £8. For all horses that have never won public money. Distance, 1^ miles. Weight for age. Mr T. JanW Jack SjJr*lt (Robprtpon) 1 Mr 0. Rertpath'R Mi« Ellen (G. Dnnnej 2 Mr J. Dunne's Maclenn (Powley) 3 , Mias Ellen. led moat of the way round, but towards the finish Jack Spratt put ou a spurt and came' in an easy winner. Maclean was out of it all the way round. Dividend, £L 13*. H audio ap (Tr&re) Trot, of £10. Distance, 3 miles. No weight undnr 10 stnno. Mr J. Crosbie's Tommy, scr. (Buntmtyne) 1 Mr W, Raid's Booju.n, scr. (Owner) 2 Mr R. M'Guffo^H Kojjer, 35 twca. (Dunne) 3 Great interest was manifested in this «vent, for which ei^ht hnrsos started. Doctor, Hopfor, and Galiph went well, but in the last round .they were overhauled by the scratch horses, and Tommy maintained his lead although hard pushed by Boojum who but for slight breaks might have led. The others made a good spurt at the finish and came in all of aheap, with the exception of Nellie and No Use whose chancea from the very commencement were nil. Dividend, £4"25.

Pmjtha Handicap, of £20. Nomination, 203 ; acceptance, 20s. Acceptances to go to the second home. Distance, l£ miles. , Mr C. Pacey'a Kurawao', B*t 10lb (Powley) 1 Mr W. Alexander's Little John, 9nfc 101 b (Owner) 2 Mr T. J*nW Sir Audley, 9«t Clb (G. Duunej 3 Mr A.. HewitKon'u Archie, 8»t 101 b (M'Liirou) ' 0

' This was the principal event of the day, and elicited much interest. Jack Spratt, Lady Camden, and Miss Ellen also ran. The race was well contested. Kurawao assumed the lead on the far sirle and kept it to the finish, although at times pretty hard pushed by Little John. Sir Audley made a grand spurt at the finish, and with another, hundred yards to go might hayo been declared the winner. Jack Spratt ran off the course. Dividend, £9 15a.

Hack SotLixo Race, of £10. Entrance, 10a. No weight undor 10 stone. Distance, ] mile. Wiuner to be sold for £10, surplus (if any) to go to the Race Fund. Mr "W. Fitzgerald's Merrie Bird (Luttimore) 1 Mr J. DuuneVßungaree (G. Dunne) 2 Mr 0. Redpath's Hard Oaae (Bilzon) 3 Merrie Bird assumed the lead early in the race and held it throughout. Dividend, £1 18s. * Ladies' Pubsr, of £10. Entrance!, 10s. For horses that have never won public money. N o weight under 12 stone. Distance, 1 mile. , ' Mr' FT; Thackeray's Poteng (Owner) 1 Mr l i\ James' Jack Spratfc . (FitzjreraM) 2 Mr C. Re'dpath'fl Hard Case (M' Donald) 3 Mr J. Dunne's Macledn and Mr W. Armstrong's Bluebeard were scratched. Jack Spratt led for about half way round, but had to give place .to IPctens. Dividend, £2 12s. Novel -Race, of £15, Entrance, 15n. No . weight undnr 10 stone. Distance, 1$ "miles. The winner to be the absolute property of theOlub. Mr J. Dunne's Bungaree (G. Dunne) 1 Mr J. Dunne's Maclean , (Powley) 2 Air S. Wright's Spankereena (W.Wright) 3 -'Mr J. Dunne's Mips Ross was scratched, Maclean was the first to pass the judge, but was only' placed second having passed Bungaree on the inside j Spankereena was np where. Dividend, £4 10s. Consolation Race, of £10. For all beaten horses. Entrance, 10s. " Distance, 1| piles. Mr T. James' Sir Dudley, 9*t 41h (G. Dunne} 1 i Mr A. HewitWs Archie, Bst Ulb^Roberison) 2 Mr J. Dunne's Lady Camden, fat 81b {ffopel . ». Mr J. Dunne's Maclean, 6st 81b (Buddingham* 0 Lady Camden led till ennjing up the straight, when Sir Dudley put on a grijnd spurt and came in an easy winner. Piyi-. dend|£H§V *j^ - • \