WELLINGTON RACES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6161, 3 February 1882, Page 2

WELLINGTON RACES.

[by telegraph. 1 Wellington, Thursday.

The first day's races of the Wellington Jockey Club's summer meeting were a great success. The weather and tho i-acing were all that could be wished. The attendance when the Cup race was run was about 2500. The rails were well lined with carriages, but the grand stand was only half full, very few ladies being present. The Governor and Lady Gordon and suite arrived a few minutes before the first race, and were received with the usual salute by the guards' band, who afterwards performed selections on the lawn during the afternoon. The course was in excellent condition, the rain overnight having made it first-class, though rather too soft on the far side for fast time. No sweeps were allowed openly, but several were indulged in on the 'sly. aud fclie P 0 " cc did not seem to be very anxious to interfere. Hill and Poole had both totalisators, the one in (he paddock being Hayes patent, a capital machine. About £1500 was put through the two during the afternoon, the beat dividend being that paid over Hilda for the Cup. The proceedings commenced inauspiciously with a walk-over for the Maiden, Salvage being reserved for the big money. In the Hurdle Race none of the light weights were in it when it came to galloping, and Clarence got all the best of .Agent in the run home. Tho Cup was a very open race right up to the finish. Fleurde Lys and Grand Duchess having both met with accidents were scratched, and Louis DOr being absent the field was reduced to seven starters. Salvage, who maintained the position of favorite up to the fall of the

flag, is a neat business-like, though small, chesnut, showing good quality, but nothing like -the. grand proportions of Foul Play, aiid Natator. Tho doubt about Eobinson and Lance's disqualification on account of Ray, made most of the bookmakers stipulate that all bets should be first past the post. Piscatorious looked well, and attracted many backers, bui he ran as if not thoroughly wound up. Sir George was supported by many, but faile.l to justify their confidence. Lady Emma's coat shone like satin,, and tho bookmakers were not Anxious to lay against her. The Auckland Cup winner, King Quail, had plenty of supporters, who still maintain that but for his jockey being thrown ho would hare won. Mr Bates' pair were not taken much notice of in the paddock. The Poet putting up overweight caused his admirers to fight shy, and llilda being under suspicion after her accident at Auckland very few thought much of her chance. The result was a complete surprise, and proved that either of the despised pair could have won. Mr Bates took 400 to 40 about Hilda overnight) md 6s he had other wagers must have thrown ia for a fair, stake. The closeness of the finish made many believe it was a dead heat, while others even maintained that the power! ul southern confederacy had just managed to secure a third decisive victory. The opinion, however, of the majority in the best position forseeingwas that the judge's decision was correct. Tho Flying Stakes produced a splendid finish between Luna and •Mischief. Butler's mare was the favorite, and having all the best of the start, was expected to walk in, but Mischief, who was turned out the very pink, caught her in the run home, and won a slashing raoe. The arrangements generally were good, though the time might have been better kept. MAIDEN PLATE. Magnolia, syrs w.o. HANDICAP HURDLES, 2£ miles. Clarence, aged, list lOrb (O'Connor) L Agent, aged, 12st (T. Lyford) ... 2 Scrutineer, aged (J. Prosser) 3 —The General, 9at 21b, and Totara, 9s t, also started.

Betting— Even on Agent, 6 to 4 agst Clarence, 3 to 1 Totara. The Agent got the best of the start, and led the field at a slow pace for the first half-mile, when General rushed to the front and increased the pace. He fell at the second hurdle, and although Hamilton, his rider, remounted him very quickly he was never in the hunt afterwards. Agent after this resumed the lead, and maintained it, with Clarence in attendance, until the last turn inte the straight. O'Connor here brought up his horse, and Agent being in difficulties directly he was called upon, O'Connor went on, and keeping Clarence well in hand won easily by a neck. Time, 5 mm. 29£ sees. HACK HURDLES. Totara 1 Stag 2 Sunray # ••• 3 A protest was entered against the winner on the ground of his not being a hack, and it is said the second horse will get the stakes. WELLINGTON CUP. Bates' Hilda, 4 yrs, 6st 41b (Thompson) 1 Hon. W. Robinson's Salvage, 3 yrs, 6st 61b (Butler) 2 Bates' The Poet, 4 yrs, 6st 121 b, (including 51b overweight) 3 —Lady Emma, 4 yrs, 7st 71b (Allen), Sir George ; 4 yrs, Bst 21b (Hird) ; Piscatorious, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (Wattie); King Quail, 6 yrs, 7s fc 91b (including 71b penalty) also started. Betting— 6 to 4 against Salvage, 3 to 1 bar one.

After four breaks away, in which Salvage and Hilda were prominent, th« flag fell half an hour late to a good start, all the lot getting away in a cluster except King Quail, who lost about two lengthß. Dirictly the horses had settled into their stride Salvage showed in front with a slight lead of The Poet, but after 100 yards had been traversed the latter went to the front and led to the road, where Salvage resumed command. Down the straight the order was — Salvage, Poet, Hilda, Sir George, Lady Emma, Pescatorious, and King Quail, the pace being good and the favorite going well. Under the hill Piscatorious fell back last, and King Quail, while going up on the inside, came into collision with a post, and unseated his jockey. On the far side Poet had half a length the ■worst of the favorite, and both held these positions to the turn for home, Hilda being in close attendance, and Lady Emma looking formidable, Sir George and Piscatorious about three lengths away. Once in the straight Poet gave way to Hilda, who came up fast, and challenged Salvage at the distance. From this point a magnificent race ensued, both jockeys riding with great determination. Salvage had the best of the struggle until 20 yards from home, when Hilda got level, and getting up in the last stride, just received a head verdict ; Poet, nearly two lengths away, third, and Lady Emma fourth. Time, 3 mm. 45 sees. HACK KACE. Ray's Annie ... .. ... ..1 Tararatahi 2 Four ran. FLYING STAKES, f mile. Mr P. Martin's br m Mischief, 7st 71b (Wattie) 1 Luna, 7at 121 b (Derritt) 2 Soninua, Bst 71b (Rudding) . . . . 3 — Magnolia (Hird) also ran. Betting — Even on Luna, 6 to 4 Somnus, 4 to 1 Mischief. Luna as usual was quickest on her legs, and soon showed with a lead of three lengths, causing her backers to shout that the others would never catch her. Mischief, however, who was second, began to go up at the road, and with Somnus also gaining there seemed a prospect of a good race. Once in the straight Wattie called on his mare, and joining the leader 100 ' yards from home, and in spite of Derritt's splendid riding, landed the daughter of old Malice first past the post by a quarter of a length. Time 1 mm. 23 sees. The total amount paid through the totalisator to-day wa3 £1818. Tho following weights were declared at 3 o'clock to-night : —

HUTT PARK STAKES.

HURDLE RACE.

BACINa CLUB HANDICAP.

BAILWAT PLATE.

The following acceptances were received at 11 o'clock. HT7TT PARK. STAKES. On Dit La(J y Emma Mavis l.una Sonmus Slander filly HUBDLE 821.CE. X"eat Clarence RACING CLUB HANDICAP. King Quail The Poet Sir George Bi.II/Wi.Y PLATE. Mischief Magnolia Sir Modred Luna Laly Emma Slander filly Mischief and Fleur de Lys were scratched for the Racing Club Handicap *adEyttP«rkStak«» (

st lb st lb SirModrei ... 9 4 Grand Dnchess ... 7 5 Somiins 8 2 Hildi 7 i Lnna 7 12 Mavis 7 4 Mischief 7 12 Slauder filly ... 612 TleurdeLys ... 7 6 Magnolia 0 4 Xiady Emma ... 7 6 Speculation ... 6 0

Bt lb st lb KirModred ... 9 5 Lady Emma ... 7 0 Somnna 8 0 Hinemoa 6 12 Grand Duchess ... 712 Slander filly ... 6 18 OuDit 7 12 Mavis 6 10 Luna 7 7 Magnolia • 7 King Quail ... 7 7

at lb 8t lb Agent 12 0 Scrutineer 8 7 Clarence 12 0 General 8 7 Totaxa 8 7

st lb Bt lb BirModred ... 9 7 Lady Kinm«. ... 7 2 Soninus 8 2 Sir George 7 0 OnDit 7 12 Hilda 6 12 Piacatorious ... 7 8 Hinemoa 012 KinirOnail ... 7 7 Tbe Poet 6 12 Ssd'Or.:. ... 7 4 Slander filly ... 610 Salvage 7 2