WELLINGTON RACE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4182, 15 August 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON RACE MEETING.

' The programme of the Wellington JockeyClub for the ensuing meeting, now issued, is one which that body may be fairly proud of. Compared with that of last meeting, it is as great an improvement as that was on the preceding one. On several other points the club are to be heartily congratulated, the first of which is, that His Excellency the Governor has become a member. It is well-known that the support of Sir Hercules Robinson to the turf in Australia has given an additional impetus to the rapidly-increasing popularity of the sport; and it is to be hoped that Sir James Eergusson's patronage may be the means of working a proportionate improvement in this Colony, and that before many seasons elapse His Excellency's name may figure in the list of nominators for our Derby and other races of importance. In fixing upon the month of December for their meeting, instead of -March as heretofore, the club have taken a most judicious step, and one which must inevitably have a beneficial result. The alteration acts in concert with the Canterbury Jockey Club, whose meeting takes place in November, so that horses talcing part in the meeting South may be kept up for Wellington without inconvenience. It will also suit the proposed Wanganui and Wairarapa meetings. The bill for the 3rd and 4th of December, is a most attractive one, commencing with a Maiden Plate of 100 sovs., which should prove an inducement to the numerous Platers that do not often have the chance of such a nice picking. The principal item of the bill follows, and a capital prize it is—The Wellington" Cup, a handicap sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with 200 sovs. added, the second horse to receive 25 sovs; two miles. This is a prize which should draw together all the best horses in New Zealand; and an excellent field should face the starter's flag, if the handicappers are fortunate in their adjustment of weights. Last year the added money to the Cup was 150 sovs, so that we now have an improvement of 50 sovs. A selling race of 50 sovs. is next offered as a nice little prize for those nags that might find the Cup and Jockey Club Handicap company a cut above them. A hack race of 10 sovs. follows, and the first day is wound up with the Provincial Plate, of 100 sovs, for all horses owned for six months prior to the race by bona fide settlers of the Province of Wellington, weight for age, one mile and a half: another half mile would have lent an additional interest to a weight for age race. The ball is opened on the second day with a handicap hurdle race of 75 sovs, two miles, over seven flights of hurdles, 3ft.. 9in high—why not 3in. lower, which is the recognised height for hurdles, and which would make a deal of difference in two miles at racing pace. The hack hurdle race which follows is badly placed on the programme, and might be advantageously changed with the selling race of the first day. To have two hurdle races in immediate succession is a most unusual and awkward arrangement. The Derby, 100 sovs., with 10 sovs. sweepstakes, comes next, and for it eighteen nominations have been made, out of which ten should come to the post, comprising the best blood in the Colony, consequently a good race with the three-year olds may be looked for. The Jockey Club Handicap, of 100 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs., will be a soothing morsel for the unsuccessful competitors for Cup honors, and as the handicap will be made after the nags have shown their form in the great race, the handicappers should succeed in putting them well together. Besides the distance is half a mile shorter, and those whose want of staying powers may fail to bring them home the last half mile—which finds the weak spot in so many—will have a show of finishing nearer the front in the shorter race. A Consolation Handicap of 50 sovs., and a Hack Race of 10 sovs., wind up a very excellent programme of what should prove a most successful meeting. The Club is deserving of every support from the public for the very liberal spirit they have shown, and it now behoves the sporting community to come forward in response to the invitation and supply numerous entries for their tempting prizes. The Club may rest in the proud satisfaction of having well done their duty towards giving Wellington a high position in racing matters, and we heartily, wish them numerous entries, largo fields, and a good attendance for the meeting of 187-1, which it is to be hoped will prove so successful that encouragement will be offered for effecting a still further improvement next year.