BOXING DAY RACES HASTINGS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3271, 27 December 1881, Page 2

BOXING DAY RACES HASTINGS.

The racing meeting that for many years past has been held at Havelock, and was certainly the most popular of the bymeetings in this district, was held tbia year at Hastings. The excellence of the course, the accommodation provided for the public, and communication by railway, were sufficient grounds for the change, while the attendance of holiday makers, and the superior number of horses taking part in the racing, justified the alteration. Under the operation of the Gaming and Lotteries Act the course was shorn of every means of amusement, and there was nothing for the great bulk of the visitors to do but to drink. There was nothing to engage their attention between the races but the booths.- It is/ true there were two totalisators and the band, but it is not everybody who goes to a race meeting who has either the money or the desire on the one band to gamble to the extent of 20s on each event, or, on the other, the inclination to dance a polka within a circle of admiring onlookers. Thus several hundred people had nothing to do, and spent the day in aimless wandering about in the broiling sun. Those who could afford a seat on the grand stand were so far better off that they were sheltered from the heat, and could enjoy an extended view over the magnificent stretch of country that is to be seen from Hastings. From the numerous complaints from the visitors it is very evident that unless the law is very considerably amended horse racing, pure and simple, will speedily cease to attract tbe general public. The first event on the programme waa the Maiden Plate, of 25 soys. Distance, one mile and a quarter ; open to all horses that have never won an advertised race of more than £15 in value. Entrance, £2 ; weight for age. Captain Russell's b m Sydney, 7st 111b 1 Mr E. Tanner's b m Love Not, 7et 111b 2 Mr Jones' b g Ohikakarawa, 7at 111b 3 Mr W. Douglas' br h Panic Bst ... 0 Mr P Martin's b g Laird 7st lllb .. 0 There had been six entries, but the above four came to the post, and were sent off to a capital start. Sydney went immediately to the front, and kept it to the finish, winning easily hard beld. Handicap Hohdle Race, of 60 soys. Distance, about two miles; nomination, 1 soy ; acceptance, 4 soys. Mr Murtagh's b g Angler, list ... 1 Mr Gallagher's c g Te Whetumarama, 10st4lb 2 Mr Jones' c g A.G., 10st . . ... 3 Mr Douglas' c g Quilp 9st 101b ... 0 This was a remarkably pretty race. A.G. taking the lead at the start, showed the way over the first flight of hurdles, Quilp being the only one that refused. Te Whetumarama then went to the front, but all three kept together, taking their jumps almost simultaneously. 10-\ the last round, at the back of the course, Angler, who was hard held, came upon level terms with A.G., and at the straight an exciting race took place, witb, however, the result as shown above. Hack Hukdles, of 10 soys. Distance, about one mile and a half; no weight under 10 stone. Post entrance, 1 soy. Mr Dabbs' Jack Spratt 1 Mr Hollis' Nancy 2 Mr Pohuka's Te Ana 3 Mr Douglas' Mystery 0 Mr Duffy's Black Warrior .. ... 0 This was a well contested race, all the horses being excellent jumpers. The event was easily carried off by Jack Sprat t. Boxing Day Handicap, of 100 soys. Distance, one mile and a half; nomination, 2 soys ; acceptance, 6 soys. Mr Martin's b. m. Mischief, 9.t ... 1 Mr Jones' c. m. Prim. 7st slb ... 2 Mr Ruddick's c. g. Merlin 9st 41b ... 3 Mr Middleton's b g Soukar, Bst 101b 0 Mr Martin's b m Mavis, Bst 101b ... 0 Mr Douglas' br h Panic, 6st 0Mr Martin declared to win with Mischief. Mr Gallagher's Saunterer, Mr Broughton's Hero, and Captain Russell's Kincraig were scratched. This race was easily won by Mischief who took the lead at the start snd came in in the commonest of canters. Hack Race, of 10 soys. Distance, 1 mile; no weight under 9 stone. Post entrance, 1 soy. Mr Atkins'Kuni '''... 1 Mr Murtagh's Tim Whiffier 2 Mr Danvers'Countess 0 Mr Smith's Gaffer Grey 0 Mr Dabbs* Pilot Fish 0 Mr Pellichet's Dumb-Boy 0 Mr Douglas' Lady Bab 0 Mr Hart's Cadger .0 Railway Handicap, of 60 soys. Distance, three-quarters of a mile; nomination, 1 soy.; acceptance, 4 soys. Mr P. Martin's br m Mischief, 9st 3lb 1 Mr Middleton's b g boukar, Bst 121b 2 Mr Ruddick's c g Merlin, 9st 41b ... 3 Mr Robinson's b g Parawhenua, Bst 0 Mr J. Jones' c m Prim, 7st ... ... Qp Mr J. Gallagher's c h Saunterer, 7st 41b 0 Capt. Russell's b m Sidney, 7st ... 0 W. Broughton's c g Hero, 7st ... 0 Mr Murtagh's c m Comet, 7st ... 0 Mr G. Grant's c g Repudiator, 6st4lb 0 Mr W. Broughton's c m Novelty, 6st 0 Mr W. Douglas' b m Tiny, 6st ... 0 With very little delay the above field got away on level terms, but there was no doubt as to the winner. Mischief cleared out of the crowd and led to the finish. A Consolation, of — soys ; nominations, 1 soy ; acceptance, — soys. Distance, 1 mile. Mr Jones' Prim, 7st 61b ... ... 1 Mr Robinson's Parawhenua, 7st 71b 2 Mr Middleton's Soukar, 9at... ... 3 Mr Broughton's Novelty, 6st ... 0 Tbe above brought a very good day's racing to a close. We should mention that Mr R. Wellwood acted as Judge, and Mr Danvers aa starter, and both gentlemen, gave unqualified satisfaction.

KAIKORA RACES. The following weights have been declared :— W.CR.C. HANDICAP. st lb st lb Mischief ... 9 9 Parawhenua 7 5 Merlin 9 2 Never Miss... 7 5 Angler 9 0 Saunterer ... 6 7 Romeo 8 7 Laird 6 4 Prim 7 10 Panic 6 0 HURDLE RACE. St lb St lb Angler 11 7 Quilp 9 7 A,G 10 0 Roebuck ... 9 7 Te Whetuma- Hastings ... 9 5 rama ... 912 Tui 9 0 Will-If-I-Can 9 9 ALF> T. DANTER9, Handicapper.