JOCKEYS “GET FRESH”

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 21 February 1935, Page 9

JOCKEYS “GET FRESH”

STARTER IMPOSES FINES

TEN YEARS OF PROSPERITY

Several of the jockeys are reported as trying to “get fresh” in 1904, but starter C. Chevannes “dropped on their corns” by fining no less than five of them £5 each. Banana won the Cup and well known identities in P. Johnson and E. Murtagh rode winners during the day. In 1905 Mr J. R. Stewart succeeded Sir Robert Nolan as president. The Cup was won by Mr M. J. Goodson s Chola. C. Jackson again rode two winners and E. George and J. Fryer one each.

Mr R. W. McNeill, as starter, was the only change of officials in 1900. On tliis occasion C. Jackson won the Cup on Glenullin and another race, while A. Olliver and C. Cochrane had two wins each.

Another change saw G. T. Yardlev starting in 1907. Lady Sylvia won the Cup and C. Cochrane won two races during the day, A step ot' considerable importance was taken in 1908, when Opunake exchanged dates with the Stratford .Racing Club, racing on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, instead of New Year’s Day as formerly. An innovation xvas a trotting race, which was retained on the programme for the following four years. Well handled by R, Barlow, Daisy- Paul won the Cup. In* 1909 Mr R. E. Macßae was appointed judge and Mr A. Morse starter. G. Price, who is now a prominent trainer in Australia, Avon the Cup on Paul, also the Flying Handicap on Hydraulic.

The club had a new president in Mr A. Good in 1910, when the Cup was Avon by Paul for the second time. Two trotting eA'onts were contested, but Vibon won both Avitli such ridiculous case that they- Avcre rather disappointing. For the first time a starting barrier was used. W. Price rode three winners.

A PROSPEROUS PERIOD,

Then followed ten years of great prosperity- for the club, the meetings being held year after year Avitli evergroAving success. Se\-cral happenings of interest occurred in this period, including the absence of the bookmakers for the first time from the course in 1911. In 1912 the Opunake Cup stake

was raised to £.120, going up again to £l.lO in 1015 and £2OO in 1917. After holding office for just on 30 years, Mr G. W. llogers retired and the present secretary, Mr P. Riley, took over. Many outside horses were now competing at the fixture, and the standard of riding also improved, horsemen of the calibre of W. Price, Arthur Oliver, C. Price, B. Deelcy and H. Gray being in attendance at the majority of these meetings. Olliver rode three winners in 1913, Owen MeCarten five in 1010 and H. Gray four in 1918 and three in 1920, including the Cup winner on both occasions. With racing at its peak it was not surprising to find the stake money for the Cup jump to £350 in 1021, only to drop to £3OO in 1923. An outstanding feat was registered in 1925 by H. Gray, who on seven mounts had five firsts and two seconds, winning his third Opunake Cup. This was the best meeting ever experienced from a financial point of view, no less than £20,840 being handled by the totalisator and £1072 received in gate money. Since then, like the majority of other racing bodies in New Zealand, the Opunake Club has been hard hit by the depression, and it was not until last year that an increase was again shown in the totalisator turnover.