NAPIER RACES, 1867.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1045, 21 March 1867, Page 4

NAPIER RACES, 1867.

STEWARDS; Messrs. G. Cooper, J. D. Ormond, J. Rhodes, G. S. Whitmore, and J. Watt. Starter—Mr. Thomas Tanner. Judge—Capt. Curling. Ci/f.rks of the Course —Messrs. F. E. Hamlin and B. D. Danvcrs.

(From the Hawke's Huy Herald, March 9.) FIRST DAY—TUESDAY, MAROM 5. The morning promised well in point of weather for the day's sport. A cool sea breeze, well from the eastward, set in early and prevailed during the day, rendering tho air delightfully cool, almost too cold, indeed, as evening approached. The first event of the day was the— M*idfm Plate ; distance, 1 i- m les. Entrance, 5 soys., with £50 added. Weights for ago, For which the following horses camo to the post:— Mr. G. E. G. Richardson's ch g Warren Hastings, [ 4 years, Ost Gibs—Powdrell Mr. Watt ns b f Marchioness, 3 years, Bst 21bs — Mahoney Mr. Paiker ns ch g Erin, aged, lOst lib— Tj pdell Mr. Swan's br g Ranter, 5 years, 9st lllbs—Hague Mr. R. McDonnell's ch m Maggy, aged, lOst lib— Barnes The race was started at ten minutes after tho advertised time, and resulted in tho signal defeat of the favorite. Banter went at once to the front, and was closely followed by Warren Hastings, Mnggy, and Erin, in which order they passed the stand first time ; Marchioness, who got badly away, and had outside place at starting, being last. At the mile Warren Hastings, who never got up to the leader, shot his bolt and was pulled up. Marchioness then took second place and began to luako play, but the immense distance she had to make tip made it seem impossible that slio could ever catch Hanter. Before they got into the straight, however, she was on better terms, and won eventually by about half a length. Maggy was a bad third, and Erin walked in with the crowd. Tho fiat of the judge was— Marchioness (Mahoney) 1 Rantor (Hague), 2 Maggy (Barnes) 3 This race, considering the heavy state of the course, was run in very fair time—3 min. 5 sec., and the closeness of tho finish between the little mare and " Eanter " was a surprise to those who had looked on the race as a certainty for Warren Hastings. There was no betting on tho course, but we hear that as much as £100 to £15 was laid against Banter. Warren Hastings was at even money, and Marchioness 2 to 1. The Maiden Plate was followed in due time by the— Yictuatxeiis' Ptjbsf.—Distance 2 miles. Entrance 4 soys., with £-10 added. Weightß for ago. In this race all the horses came to the post. Mr. Waltors' b g Numa, aged lOst lib—Taylor Mr. .T, D. Ormond's g g Higlilow, aged, lust lib — Powdrell Mr. Watt ns b or br h Day ond Martin, 4 years, 9s fc Slbs—Cutts Mr. W. Hunter ns g g Rowdy, aged, lOst lib— Barnes Mr. Hague's blk g Euclid, aged, lOst lib—TTaguo This race did not find an absentee, and was justly looked forward to as giving some insight into tho remaining races of the meeting, Euclid and Numa were the favorites, while Day and Martin, from former performances, found favor with some not in the secrets of the stable. The start was a very good one, and although Day and Martin had inside place, he could not long take advantage of his position. After a quarter 1 of a milo was travelled, it was evident that the race lay between Numa and Euclid. The first time past the stand these horses ran neck and neck, while the Blacking Merchant was six lengths in the rear, followed by Eowdy and Highblow. Tiio latter was then stopped, persevering with him being useless. Eowdy struggled gamely on, but could never reach Day and Martin, who on his pnrt was outpaced by the leaders Numa and Euclid, between whom there was a slashing race home—the former winning by a neck, and Day and Martin beaten by three lengths for the third place : — Numa (D. Taylor) 1 Km lid (Hague) 2 Day and Martin (Cutts) 3 The time in this race was not what might have been expected, being 4 min. 14 sec. This race was followed by the— Hack Race. —Distance half-mile. Heats. Post entrance 1 bov., with £10 added. Cateh weights. This race brought 12 starters to tho post. We cannot do more than name tho 'winners of the two heats, tho first being won by a black gelding of Mr. Powdrell's, and the second by Mr. McDonnell's b. m. Nelly. The deciding heat terminated in favor of the latter by at least ten lengths. The next event on the card was the— Sctteiiy Stakes.—Distance 1 milo. Entrance 3 soys., with £30 addod. Weights for age. The horses came to the post at 5 o'clock, and much disappointment was felt at Marchioness being scratched for this event. The stable, however, preferred saving her for the next two days' racing, and trusted their chances to Chrysalis. The starters for this raco were— Mr. Walters' b h Count, C years, lOst 41bs— Taylor Mr. Richardson's ch m Frenzy, G years, lOst lib— Powdrell Mr. J. Watt's blk g Chrysalis, G years, lOst lib— Cut's Mr. E. M'Donnell's oh m Maggy, agod, 10at lib— McDonnell The Count had inside place at starting, which position lie did not fail to take advantage of, getting well away to the front. The fractiousness of Frenzy, who did her best to get rid of her rider, in terferedgreatly with thestartof Chrysalis, while Maggy ran him out at tlic turn.* The race lay between the Count and Chrysalis. At the half milo pretty'frec use was made of both horses, but the Count ran the longest and secured first honors by a length and a half— Maggy an indifferent third, Frenzy pulled up and did not pass tho post. The lot were thus placed— Count (D. Tt.ylor) 1 Ohryjalis (G. Cutts) 2 Maggy (E. McDonnell) 3 Thcro was no betting on this event, the interest in it being gono when the Maiden Plate winner was scratched. The first race on the card was the— Hawke's Bay Jockey Club Orr. Distance 1 miles. £100 with a sweepstake of 10 tors. ; second horse to receive £10 out of the ttikes; weight for age. Which only brought four starters to the post, viz.:— Mr. Walter's rh Orlando, 4 years, 9at 91b— Taylor. Mr. Hague's blk g Euclid, aged, lOst lib—Cutts. Mr. G. Richardson's ch m Frenzy, G years, lOst lib—Powdroll. Mr. G. E. G. Richardson's ch g Warren Hastings, 4 years, 9st 61b—Harris. Eowdy was no doubt saved for the three-mile race the following day; Hikutoto is, we believe, lame; Highlow's chance was hopeless from yesterday's running, and he was very properly scratched in all his engagements. Thus, our great race, which closed on the Ist November iast with eleven entries, and finally closed on the Ist January last, with eight subscribers, turned out only a field of four, and of these, two were quite out of it —leaving the result a match between the two champions, Orlando and Euclid. Both found admirers, and the race was a much closer one than Orlando's stable expected. I Neither horse was exactly fit, but in this case '

we think the best horse won. The start was | effected at 1.10 p.m., and the four were des- [ patched from the post without delay. "Warren Hastings went at once to the front, I and led easily pnsfc the quarter mile | post. On turning into the straight, however, it was apparent he did not mean to try, as, > though he passed the stand abreast of Euclid and Orlando, ho bored against the outside rails, and, as soon as he got beyond the barriers, bolted clean off the course. His rider fortunately pulled him up without an accident. From this point Euclid went on forcing the running and had his condition been better, might have lasted Orlando out. The whip was used freely on Orlando from the far side of the course, and, from this circumstance many thought the race was to remain with Napier. Ti'l a quarter of a mile frdm homo Euclid had the best of it, but on tho turn into the straight thcro was not much room for duubt. Notwithstanding Cutts' splendid finish on Euclid, h«? could only secure second honors—Taylor, after a punishing race, landing Orlando a winner by a neck. The time was 3.6, the same as that of the Maiden Plate ; and miich regret was expressed that the winner of that race was not in it. The Club, however, we think, acted wisely in closing the entry for this race at an early date, as we are certain there would have been a | smaller entry had the closing day been later, and we question much whether under the circumstances, a larger number would have come to the post. The first horse wins in this race £140.. while the second gets £40, so that the honours were not barren. The next event on the card was the — Bajiway Stakes.—Distance, half-mile. Heats. Entrance 3 soys., with £30 added. Weights for age. Notwithstanding many doubts as to its proving a success, this turned out as good a race as any at the meeting. It found six subscribers, though only four made an appearance at the post, viz.— Mr. "Walters' b h Count, 6 years, lOst 41bs—Taylor Mr. G. E. G. Richardson's cli g Warren Hastings, 4 years. 9st 71bs—Powdrell Mr. Swan's br g Hanter, 5 years, lOst lib—Cutts Mr. E. McDonnell's ch m Maggy, aged, lOst lib— Parker.

As on Tuesday, in the Scurry, the Count had the luck in drawing inside place, and in consequence got away well in front. Maggy next made play for some short distance, but the weight soon told on the little mare. Warren Hastings again shewed temper, and ran Eanter out so far at the turn that his chance of this heat was hopeless. Tho Count made an easy win of it, Maggy being second on sufferance, and Eanter third. Warren Hastings bolted off the course, but inside the distance post, so that he was not disqualified for starting again. Time, 57 seconds.

After an interval of 20 minutes, the bell rang for the second heat, and this was looked upon as such a certainty for the Count, that 5 and 6 to 1 were laid on him, while Eanter found no supporters. The horses taking places for starting to the order of running, Count had again inside, with Eanter next him. The race was confined to the two. The Count got away a clear length ahead, but patient riding brought Eanter up, and, after a slashing finish, the Judge's fiat was for a dead heat, which, under the circumstances, went for nothing, leaving it optional for all horses to start again. The time in this heat was again 57 seconds. Maggy, however, was wisely reserved, we presume, for one of the handicaps on Thursday.

The last having been a dead heat, places were tossed for for the next, Eanter winning the inside. After the first 200 yards the result was never in doubt—Ranter winning by three lengths, though the finish might have been closer iiad Taylor persevered. Time again 57 seconds.

A fourth heat had to be run to settle this really interesting event; and in about half an hour both came to tho post—Ranter looking the fresher of the two. This heat was a repetition of the last, and was never for a moment in doubt —Cutts winning, hands down, by two lengths. Time, 5S seconds. The horses were placed thus :—

Ist 2nd 3rd 4th Rantor 3 dh 1 I—Cutts Count 1 dh 2 2—Taylor 2 3 dr dr—Parker Warren Hastings... 4 dist dr dr—Powdrel This race, as well as tho Maiden Plate, proves Eanter to be no counterfeit, and he will probably rise as much in public estimation as he was before despised. We have no doubt he will do better things. This race had occupied so much time that every one was anxious to get over tho hack race, which was next on the card, viz.— Hack Race.—Distance 1 mile. Post Entrance, 1 eot., with £10 added. Cateh weights. There were nine entries, and the horses were soon despatched to a fair start, Mr. MeHardy's Kitty Darling going to the front and remaining there for half a mile, when she was collared and passed by Mr. Rdward McDonnell's mare Nelly, the winner of Tuesday's hack race. From this point it was between the two —Nelly winning, hands down, by four lengths, while Xitty Darling, who felt tho differenco of weight, was a good second.

This event did not create the interest it otherwise might have done, as the day was setting late and the patience of tho public had been sevcrly taxed in the Eailway Stakes, though the interest did not flag while the various heats were being run off.

A small field only came forward for the Ladies' Pursf., —Distance 1J miles. Entrance 4 sovs., with £10 added. Weights for age. Mr. Walter's b g Numa, a»ed, lOst lib—Taylor Mr. Hamlin ns g g Brusher, aged, lOst—Danvers Mr. Watt's d f Marchioness, 3 years, Sat 21b Mahoney

The starter's duties were not difficult, and the horses were despatched at the first attempt, to a capital start. Marchioness had inside place, and her rider took care to keep it. Brusher ran very forward for the first three quarters of a mile, when he retired, and Numa went up to the little mare. A splendid raco ensued, but Numa could never get his head in front, and though ridden most perseveringly by Taylor, was beaten at the post by half alength. Time, 3.35.

Marchioness was not fancied by any but her own stable, and as much as 3 to 1 was laid against her at the start, the race being looked on as a certainty for Numa, after his easy defeat of Euclid for the Victuallers' Purso on Tuesday.

THIRD DAY, THURSDAY, MARCH 7,

The three mile race was looked forivard to with great interest, as in it were to meet the Cup winner, Orlando, the Maiden Plate Winner, Marchionness, and the old Napier champions', Rowdy and Euclid. For this event Day and Martin, who is much amiss, and old Highlow were scratched. Tho race started at about a quarter of an hour after the advertised time (one o'clock), and a good start was effected for the—•

Hawke's Bay Stakes. Distar.ce 3 miles. Entrance G sovs., with £G0 added. Weight for age. Mr. Walter's r h Orlando, 4 years, 9st 91b— Taylor. Mr. Watt ns b f Marchioness, 3 year?, 7st lib — Mahoney. Mr. Hague's blk g Euclid, aged, lOst lib—Hague. Mr. W. Hunter ns g g Eowdy, aged, lOst lib—R. Parker.

Erclid drew inside place, — Marchioness, Rowdy, and Orlando drawing the other places in the order named. Position, however, is not much of an object in a three raile race. At starting neither of the four seemed anxious to force the running. Before many lengths had gone, Orlando, who evidently knew better than his trainer how far lie was from Ibeing fit, posi-

tively refused, and, notwithstanding every persuasion on the part of liis rider, would not q make an attempt to go until his chance was s hopeless. He was very properly pulled up at c the quarter mile post, and witli his retirement ] all interest in the race ceased. Marchioness, judiciously kept in the rear, allowed Ro>vdy 'and Euclid to make the running. ' The latter •, made the pace, hut not a fast one, for the j first two miles, Rowdy evidently going well ■, with him, and able to run over him whenever he liked. About three quarters of a mile from < home, however, the little three year old who had been patiently ridden by Jack Mahoney, began to feel her horses, and 'without an effort went to the front, and got inside place for the | last turn home. From this out Marchioness ■ had a very comfortable wiu. Her little jock catching a good hold of her head, went on and | won as he liked by tlirce .lengths ; while Eowdy had no difficulty in securing second honors from Euclid whose rider made too free a use of him at an early part of the race. The result of this event was, we fancy, as great a surprise for the owner of the Marchioness as to the public, though from her running with Numa, in the Ladies' Purse, it was evident she had not only a good dash of foot but did not want for endurance. We cannot, however, look upon the performance as a great one, the time being 6 min. 21 see. The heavy state of the course may partly account for this ; but Rowdy's slowness, and Euclid's want of condition, had. more to do with it. Had Orlando started and got safely over the first mile, we have no doubt he would have warmed on it, and proved himself the game horse he has always done. As it is, the uncertainty of racing, which is proverbial, places another win to the credit of Marchioness, who, we fancy, does not now owe her stable much. Jjay and Martin, we believe, carried the stable money for this event; and notoriously wrong as he is, could Orlando's mishap have been foreseen, we have no doubt the Blacking Merchant would have gone for this event, —the slowness of which must have made it as easy a win for him as it was for the mare. "We hope we shall yet see him a sound horse on our racecourse, when we have no doubt he will not disgrace his pedigree. The judge's duties were easier of performance than in any previous race of the meeting. They were thus placed at the finish : — Marchioness (Mahoney) 1 Rowdy (Parker) 2 Euclid (Hague) 3 MATCH. This race was followed by a match made, we understand, about three months ago, between — Mr. "Watt's blk g Chrysalis, 6 years —Cutts Mr. Richardson's oh m Frenzy, 6 years —Powdrell Distance 1§ miles ;40 so vs. each, p. p.; weight for

ago. But little betting took place on. tlie event, though at one time, some weeks ago, as much, as 3to 1 was offered on the mare. At the post, however, the public seemed inclined to follow the luck of the stable, and the odds were reversed—3 to 1 being offered on Lady Bird's half brother, who is now for the first time a winner in Napier, at least on the race course. Chrysalis was beautifully ridden by Cutts, who waited on Frenzy till the turn home, when the mare swerved and left an opening for Chrysalis, who was two lengths in. front before the mare was got straight. Frenzy was carefellv ridden by Mr. Pon drell, who made the most of a bad mount. This race was not timed, but must have been very slow. The nest event on the card was the— Forced Handicap.—Distance, 1 mile. Entrance 4 bov3., with £40 added. Optional to losers. Top weight 10st 71ba. The Forced Handicap found no favour with losing horses, though they had an optional entry, and the stake was not a bad one. The race was therefore left to the five winners, who were handicapped as follows : Marchioness, 3 years, 9at Numa, 6 years, lOst lib Count,. 6 years, lOat Orlando, 4 years, 9at lib Banter, 5 years, 9sfc 111b.

The first named had already done very well, and her stable were satisfied with previous luck. Orlando of course was a non-starter, so that Numa and the Count were left to contest the stake with Ranter, the winner of the Uailway Stakes. Mr. Walters declared to win with the Count, but the event proved that little Numa at the weights was too good for the winning by a length and a half, while Cutts on Banter beat Count for second honors by half a length. This was a good race throughout, and the finish, though not very close, was a punishing one for all. Numa (Taylor) 1 Hunter (Cutts) 2 Count (French 3 Consolation Handicap.—One mile and a distance. Entrance £2 with £20 added. The Consolation this year found five entries—a £20 consoler, with 2 sov. sweep, forming a fair stake for a beaten stable. The following handicap wa3 made, and gave, we believe, as in the case of the former one, general satisfaction, though, of course, some might feel themselves aggrieved.

Highlow, aged, Bst 111b Howdy, aged, Bst 121b Chrysalis, 6 years, 9st 41b Euclid, aged, 93t 61b Maggy, aged, Bst 71b All came to tho post, and for Maggy, with her light weight, it was looked on as a good thing. Eowdy, too, found favor with some, but his chance was not bettered by his trainer giving away 9 lbs. The other horses carried their weight as handicapped. Eowdy at once went to the front and made the pace as good as he could; indeed at one time he was two clear lengths ahead of anything. Maggy was early disposed of. Running out very wide at the first turn, thus losing many lengths, she was never afterwards in the race. On the turn into the straight it was evident the race lay between Eowdy and Chrysalis. The latter had been saved as much as he could be in a mile race, and the superiority of riding snatched the palm from Eowdy, whose 91b overweight also told on him. The time was not bad—2 min. 17 sec., but we must bear in mind the weights were lighter than weight lor age.

The match between Numa and Maggy, which was a foregone conclusion for the former, did not come off—half forfeit, we understand, being paid. Thus closed by far the best meeting we have had in Napier, and we hope it may be the forerunner of many more equally good. The Auckland horses have proved their superiority, and we hope our Napier friends will see from this the necessity of paying more attention to breeding. We want mares more than horses, as both Herald's and the Bishop's stock have proved themselves no mean performers. Marchioness's performance will be a feather in Herald's cap, and we hope his stock here will do him as much credit as the filly, though the want of mares will be much against him.

Another matter worth bearing in mind is the great want of riders in Napier, and several races at this meeting were undoubtedly won by riding. The good horsemanship of Mahoney, both in the Ladies' Purse and Hawke's Bay Stakes, is such as we do not often see at a Napier meeting, and we have no doubt he owes much to his preceptor, Mr. George Cutts, to whom we think no horseman in Hawke's Bay will be offended ifwe award the palm. A winning horse makes a good rider, as the old saying is, but we think too little attention has been paid here to a matter so necessary, particularly if wo are to have racehorscs at three and four years old.