PALMERSTON NORTH RACE MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 42, 25 January 1881, Page 2

PALMERSTON NORTH RACE MEETING.

«■ (by our special reporter.) iffovvarila : Messrs/X. MoKenzie, J. c .Young, oohn Beicl, James King, W^Vkera, Thomas Knight, and ,* :'• J.|| Nathan. i| •^Bjtnrte^p Atessrs. H. J. Haynsyand r D. Knight. Clerk of Scales : Mr T. King. Olerks of Course : Messrs. W. R. Diniond, and J. Lane. Secretary: B. L. Pkani. The above races were held ou Saturday last, Anniversary Day. The extremely boisterous weather which had prevailed during the week up to Friday evening seemed very likely to continue over Saturday, and it waa with much pleasure that holidayseokers found such a glorious day, there being a nice breeze that temered the glaring heat of the sun. As some of our readers are no doubt aware, the meeting held on Saturday was simply a scratch meeting, the money for tho prises being obtained by subscriptions only from the townspeople and settlers, aud was not held ' under the auspices of the newlyformed Jockey Club. A. course was obtained in Mr Beale's paddock and although rather small, still it answered the purpose admirably. At the northern end the course was taken through, tho fence into tho adjoining I paddock, and back again into Mr Ueale's paddock, thereby adding to its length by about 200 yards. This part of the course was not so good as that iv Mr Beale's paddock, being rather rough and uneven in some places. The length of the course was rather under three-quarters of a mile. The Judge's post and saddling paddock were fixed at the western side of the course, close to the edge of some all bush, aud as the sun passed the meridian, this becamo well sheltered from the severe heat. A strong grand stand was erected, which was well patronised during the day. Under this edifice was Mr Batchelor's booth. At the rear of the drinking counter, divided off, was a luncheon room, and it is needless to say that Mr Batchelor and his assistants were kept hard at it all day. Mr Carroll, whose booth was outside the saddling paddock, also had his share of support. In addition to the publicans' booths there were two or three refresh tne ut booths. There were a large number of games of chance on the ground, the proprietors of which kept up one constant screech all day ; indeed, there were such a number as to be a posi tive nuisance, and it is high time that Jockey Clubs took up a stand against this nuisance, but we are afraid that whilst they obtain a pound from each man they will not be in a ; great hurry to abate the numbers on a course. The attendance on the ground was good, but not so much as mijit have been expected, the auniber present being computed at about a thousand." These were mostly on loot from tbc town, and included a largo number of the fair sex. The races \v#re very good, each item being well contested, and it would be impossible to soo a bettor race than the . landicap proved. . Tho Hurdle Rice was very tame, as owing to baulks and falls by the horses the winner had it all his own way, and cantered in .ibout a hundred yards ahead of the .icciond horde, the same distance separating the secoud from the third. In chis race Beeswax fell, and his rider ivas rather badly shaken, but nothing serious was the result. This was tho uily spill of any consequence during the day. The handicaps were made by the stewards, and judging from the close contests that took place, ap>eared to have been made with great fairness. tiURDLE Race of £10. Oue mile and a li:ilt ; over six flights of hurlKis 3ft 9iu high. AU hor.sea to carry 10*t 7lb. Mr Graces' dbg Uncle Tom, 5 yeurs ... 1 \Jr Land's bg dimmer, ajed 2 M' 1 Lawtou's b % Feather, aged ... 3 Mr Ak^rs' Bte-twas also started. Th>horses all not away well together, hut thu fir-it rouml of hurdles had the effect of scattering the tie Id a good deal, as several baulks took place, Tom being the only li >rse that cleared the jumps well. At the fourth hurdle Bue* wax, who had been coming up fast fell. It was evident that Tom . hod the race all his own way, and he came m au easy winner by 100 yarda, Climber being second. leather, who had also fallen, secured third place. Maidf.x Plate of £10. One mile and a quarter. Weight for age. For all horses thnt have never won an advertuud race. Mr T. Cribb's b g Right Bower, 5 yre, Oat 91b ... 1 Mr D. Knight's eh m Maid of Athol, 5 yrs, 7stßlb 2 Mr Lane's cr m Ladies' Maid, azed, 9st9lb ... 3 Cora, Inkerman, and Otang&ki also started. A good start was effected. Otangaki took the lead, Maid of Athol aud Right Bower following close behind, hard Held. This order was maintained until ipposite the stand, when Campion let Bower go, and he came iv a& easy winner by .two lengths. Coming down the straight, Ladies' Maid tried to take second place from Mr Knight's mare, but tho attempt was made too late, and she was beaten for second place by a length. Pony Race of £5. One mile. Catch •weights. For all horses 14 hands and under. Psst entrance 10*. There were fmr entries, and the winner turned oat in Mr Desmond's Tommy, who won an Mr Jensen's Jack being Bi'C'»nd. ,"■' ~ b LaBIEB' Perse of £15. One mile and a half. Welter weights for age. Gentlemen riders. Mr A. L.>v»Joy» B Skylark, 6yrs. 12st<lH^ 1 1 MM 1 . Fraser's Aurora* 4«kf*llb 2 Mr Lawton'a Aorangi, 5 yra, Hat lib... 3 Dick, F>x. Beeswax and Otangaki also started. Barmaid was scratched. Aurora was the favourite. A capital start was

effected, Afj|»ra at once taking the lead, ttfg others *H together just behind. This order was maintained for some dist*nce, tfhen opposite th£»tand the second time Lovtsjgy took Skylark up alon side the mare, and they raoo^ neck and neck until the turn into the straight was reached, wh>.n Aurora fell back beaten, and Skylark came in an easy winner by three lengths, 'Aor.ingi making a good third. The Hack Selling RACE.of i"5, brought three horses to the etart,ylwt the race was wm easily by Mr PrioeV Lulu, Mr J. Robinson's Kangaroo taking second place. The winuer was sold afterwards for £12 10*. Manawatu Handicap, of £25. Two miles. Nominations, 5s ; acceptances, 2 soya. Mr Lovejoy'a Skylark, lOst 91b ... 1 Mr M'Kenzie's Otangaki, 7st 2 Mr J. Robinaon'a Barmaid, Bst slb ... 3 Six others started. Aurora and Camelia were scratched. Barmaid started a strong favorite, but the knowing ones considered that the weight was too much, as the result proved. < Skylark, ridden by W. Reeves, took the lead, the others being all in a; cluster immediately behind. This order was maintained all through. Coming up. the straight the last time Otangaki made a gallant effort to pass Skylark, but Reeves Janded the latter a winner by half a length, Barmaid making a good third. This was a splendid race from start to finish. Consolation Handicap, of £7 103. One mile and a quarter. For all beaten j horaes. Aurora, Ost 81bs 1 Barmaid, 7st 91bs 2 Fox, B*t2lbs 3 Ladies' Maid, Aorangi, and Maid of Athol also started. Alter one or two false starts, the horses got away on fairly even terms, Aurora taking the lead. Although at one time Barmaid looked dangerous, Aurora was never caught, and won easily by two lengths, Fox securing third honors. The Hack Race, of £5, was won by Mr Mudgway's horse, Kaikorare. Eight others started. This event brought the meeting proper to a close, but two private matches were afterwards run off. The first was a pony race over hurdleß between Mr Jensen's Jack and Mr Grammar's Firetail ; the former won easily. The other was a match between the winner of the hack race and Mr Fagan's filly. After a capital race, the nlly proved the winuer by a length. In nearly every race a protesi was lodged, but we do not think the result will be affected iv any case.