SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6319, 17 February 1882, Page 5

SPORTING.

WAIKATO TURF CLUB RACES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COBBESPONDENT.] Hamilton, Thursday. The first day's racing of the "Waikato Turf Club Summer Meeting, to-day, was a great success. The attendance was large, the racing good, and the arrangements carried out by the stewards and others for the public convenience, added in no little degree to the material enjoyment. But one accident occurred, and that was attended by no more serious results than the smashing of wheels through the collision of two vehicles. The Hamilton Band was on the ground and performed some choice selections of airs, under the leadership of their conductor, Mr. Hadfield. This band has much improved lately, and is a credit to the town of Hamilton and district. Before the first race announced, Colonel Lyon, on behalf of the Waikato Turf Club, presented a handsome flagstaff and flag to the starter, Mr. C. J. Storey. The staff was of polished rata, and bore the inscription on a silver band :—" Presented to C. J. Storey by the Waikato Turf Club." Mr. Storey returned thanks for the kind manner in which his services as starter at these meetings had been recognised. Three cheers having been given to him, the saddling bell for the first race. Handicap Hurdle Race. All five got away to a good start, Contts' Harkaway going off with the lead, which he kept for the first round, when he was collared by Shakespere's Harkaway, Sportsman, and Rawenata lying back a considerable distance. At the fourth hurdle Uncle Tom fell, and rolfed on hia jockey, who lay for some time stunned, but received no serious injury. Shakespere's Harkaway having got the lead, kept it to the finish, and won by a couple of lengths. Shakespeare's Harkaway ... ... ... 1 Coutts'Harkaway 2 Sportsman ... ... ... ... ... 2 Maides Plate. McCracken's Nelly was scratched. This was a gift to Buckland's Prince Charlie, who won by a couple of lengths. Then came a splendid struggle between the Saint and Blackcock for second place, the former winning only by a head. Bond's Beeswing nl&o ran. Prince Charlie 1 The Saint 2 Blackcock 3 Tckf Club Handicap. This was decidedly the best race of the day. All five horses got away together, but Kenilworth commenced drawing ahead, and kept the lead first time round the course. Randwick and Dewdrop overhauled him about a quarter of a mile from home. A grand race ensued. The three horses coming up the straight neck and neck. The pace told on Kenilworth, who fell away, and the race lay between Dewdrop and Randwick. The mare winning by a length. Lara, the favourite, was a bad fourth. Yatapa also ran. Dewdrop 1 Randwick 2 Keuil.vorth ... ... ... ... ... 3 President's Stakes. Of six horses entered, three only ran. Coutts' Harkaway, Dewdrop, and Blackcook being scratched. On srst reaching the post Randwick and Rita raced neck and neck. Robert the Devil waiting on them some three lengths behind. The Devil soon caught the hindmost, and then collaring Rita at the straight, went to the front and won easily by three lengths. Randwick, when overtaken by the Devil, fell out of the race. Robert the Devil 1 Rita 2 Tiie rain was threatening during the latter half of the day, but held up to the finish. There is every appearance of a wet day for to-morrow. The Selling Hack Race was won by Buckland's Omega.