IN THE EARLY DAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 137, 6 December 1935, Page 6

IN THE EARLY DAYS

RACE MEETING AT PETONE

"With settlements so widely scattered in the early days of New Zealand's colonisation, it is not easy to ascertain now. where the first race meeting, in the young colony's history was actually held, but one that was staged at Petone (.then named Petoni) in 1842 can have very few rivals for the honour. New Zealand's actual colonisation began only three years prior to that date, and it is not likely that the first colonists had much time to arrange for horse races during the" first busy year or two after their arrival.

The record of the meeting at Potonc is given in the "New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator" of 1842, and fairly full particulars are set out. The principal event was won by Figaro, a four-year-old horse by the English-bred Operator (son of Emilius) from the English-bred Merlin mare Theorem. Figaro was foaled in New South Wales, and was the first thoroughbred stallion to be landed on New Zealand soil. The report also shows that Colonel WakeHeld was a participant at the meeting, his horse . (Beau) winning a match against "Mr. Virtue's bay mare." The following is the report of -that meeting, taken from the column that modern newspapers usually set apart for. the leading articles:—

NEW ZEALAND fiAZETTB AND WELLINGTON SI'ECTATOK." Saturday, 22nd October, 1542.

Durins this race Mr. Wade rode up on Sulky in most unsportsmanlike manner between tlie two horses,■ and we see that our contemporary has imagiued (hat ..a match took place between Beau and Sulky.

• So runs the account of what was probably: the first race-meeting to be staged: in New Zealand's history.

I'ETONI HACES. Thursday, 20th October. .Sweepstakes for ten guineas each. (Jenllemen riders. Heals of one mile and a half:— Heats. ■. - ■ First. Second Mr. Watt's ch h Figaro, ridden by owner 1 1 Mr. Mplesworth's blk h Calmuc Tartar, ridden by owner' 2 2 Mr. Virtue's «r g Marksman, ridden by owner -..'.. 3 — Mr. (!.'• Hunter's b m Temperance, ridden-bvDorset .... i 4 Mr. Handler's Hi K Sulkv, ridden by Wade .......'. r> 3 Cain. Buckley's ■ br h Daylight, ridden by owner .... .. (! dist. Mr. liowcn'.s gr h Mazcppa,. ridden by Tyser ..:..... dist. — I-'ifaro's superior blood enabled him to win both heats with the greatest ease. Ho was the favourite throughout, and was freelv backed at 5 to 1 on after the first heat. Several other matches were afterwards made up on the spot, of which wo believe the following to be a correct account: — SWEKl'STAKES of one pound each, distance one mile. Mr. Bevan's blk k Dandy, rlilden by Dr. Uorset 1 Col. WakeUeld's ch g Beau, ridden by Mr. -Watt- 2 Mr. Ci. Hunter's br g Wai-ake-ake, riddeu liy owner 3 Mr. .Allen's-gr g, riilden by owner 4 Mr. Virtue's b m, ridden by owner 5 Matches for one pound a side, distance one mile:— Mr. C. von Alzdorf's blk c Black Billy beat ' Mr. Machattle's bay pony. Mr. I.yon's cart horse beat Mr. Virtue's cart horse. Match for five pounds a side, distance one mile :— Col. Wakeflcld's cli B Beau beat Sir. Virtue's bay marc.