WELLINGTON RACE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4279, 7 December 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON RACE MEETING.

Saturday, December 5. The decision arrived at by the stewards of the Wellington Jockey Club on Friday last to postpone the second day’s events till the following day, proved to be a most happy one. Saturday last was delightfully fine—even excelling Thursday in that respect; with an almost cloudless sky, and an even southerly breeze, which made the weather most enjoyable. The rainfall of the previous day, besides bettering the condition of the running ground, made the ride from town, either by rail or carriage, a pleasure, there being an absence of the dust which proved to be such a source of aunoyanoe and discomfort on the first day of the races. The well-kept hedges on either side of the road leading to the course presented a refreshing appearance, the rain having removed their dusty covering. The attendance on Saturday last was probably over a thousand. Many left town by the early trains, but the eleven o’clock train, consisting of all the available carriages, was very crowded. The course was in splendid order, and the contrast it presented until the previous day was very marked. There was a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen on horseback, besides a number of carriages. Good order prevailed the whole day. No accident of any land happened. The book-makers appeared to do but little business, people generally giving them a very wide berth. Those who described their little games as “ the only legitimate ones on the course ” found few foolish flies, most of those present devoting their attention to the racing and to drawing impromptu sweepstakes. The grand stand was fairly patronised, though at no time was it crowded. The judge, E, Pearce, Esq., arrived on the course at a quarter past twelve, the first bell for saddling ringing a quarter of an hour later. The stewards and everyone connected with the meeting did their utmost to make the day’s events a success, and they succeeded admirably. The first race, which was started at 12.45, was the Handicap Hurdle Hack, of 75 sovs. Two miles, over seven flights of hurdles, 3ft. 9in. high. Mr. K. Mclvor’s b. g. Tommy Dodd, aged 9st., 121 b , 1 Mr. J. Stevens’ b. g. New Zealander, 4 yrs.,

Three horses entered for this event, but Monarch declined the contest. Tommy Dodd, from his previous performances, was a hot favorite, and he proved confidence in him was not misplaced. Both horses got away well together, and made hard running for half a mile, New Zealander appearing to be a wilful horse, and making hard work for his jockey. At the third hurdle he slightly scrajied his leg, removing one section of the hurdle. Tommy Dodd then began to draw ahead, making the running for the remaining distance and winning by a couple of, hundred yards. New Zealander arrived at the saddling paddock completely pumped out, Tommy Dodd appearing fit to run the distance again. Time, 4min. 34sec. Hack Hurdle Race, of 10 sots. Mile and a distance over four flights of hurdles. Mr. Stevenson’s Kangaroo ... ... ... 1 Mr. Martin Baird’s Dick Turpin ... ... 2 Dick Turpin was the favorite. Both horses went away as hard as they could gallop, but refused to take the first hurdle. A second attempt, however, was more successful. The race then became amusing, each waiting on the other to take the next hurdle first, neither horse going faster than a walk. Ultimately Kangaroo led the van, and cleared the hurdle in fine style, which Dick Turpin imitated. Both horses were then allowed the rein. Dick Turpin proving the faster got away, but at the last hurdle refused to jump. Kangaroo cleared it splendidly, and came in an easy winner. A private match for £5 a-side was then, arranged between the owners ot the horses, the race to be run ■without hurdles. The Wellington Derby, of 100 eovs., added to a sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, hf. ft.; for three-year olds—colts, Bst. 101 b.; fillies, Sst. 51b. Distance, one mile and a half. Mr. J. Watts’ b. f. Ngaro, Sst. 51b. ... 1 Mr, «L Emerson’s br c Guy Gawkes, Sst. 101 b 2 Mr. H. Redwood’s b. f. Remnant, Sst. 51b. 3 Mr. J. Stevens’ blk c. Nanakia, Sst. 101 b. 0 Seven horses accepted for this event, but Voltaire, Glenavy, and Rangi were scratched. The betting appeared to be considerably in favd* of Ngaro, 3 to 1 being freely offered, although Remnant was considered by many to be a dangerous rival. Great difficulty was experienced by the starter, and several attempts to get the horses away together failed. At last what promised to be a fair start was effected, but Nanakia had turned sulky, and kept the starter company for some time after the others had got away. The rider of the colt saw it would be of no use contesting the race, and quietly rode into the saddling paddock. In. the meantime Ngaro had taken the lead, making fast running, with Guy Fawkes a little in the rear, and Remnant pushing hard for second place, which he obtained about half a mile from home. The three horses, just before turning for the strait run, were well together, Ngaro slightly ahead. After getting round the bend Ngaro*s jockey gave her whip and spur, to which she answered gamely, getting away slightly ahead of Remnant, with Guy Fawkes dropping behind. Within a hundred yards of the winning post Remnant’s jockey hauled his nag up short, allowing Guy Fawkes second place. Time, 2min. 53sec. Neither Ngaro nor Remnant appeared to be in the least distressed.

The Jockey Club Handicap, of 100 sovs., " added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each. One mile and a half. Second horse to save,his stakes. Mr. J. Watts' h. c. Parawhenua, 5 yrs., Bst. 91b 1 Mr. H. Redwood's h. f. Remnant, 3 yrs., 7st. 2 Mr. J. Gilligan’s r. f. Princess Mary, 3 yrs., Cst. 61b. ... ... ••• 0 Mr. J. Emerson’s Guy Fawkes, 3 yrs., 7st. 0 Mr. Madden’s Phoenix, 5 yrs., Bst. 51b. ... 0 Mr. J. Watts’Nga.ro, 3 yrs., 7st. 61b. ... 0 Mr. Tancrod’s Premier, 4 yrs., Bst. ... 0 Ten horses entered for this handicap, Tambourini, Voltaire, and Rangi being withdrawn. There was more interest evinced .in this event than in any other during the day. Kemnant was considered the likely horse, Princess Mary and Phoenix finding many backers. Heavy odds were offered against Parawhenua and the others. A good start was effected, Parawhenua taking the lead, but he was quickly collared by Remnant, who took first place before passing the grand stand the first time. The other horses ran well together for a distance, but Guy Fawkes aud Princess Mary began to drop behind till within half a mile from home, where Parawhenua took first place, with Remnant at his heels, Guy Fawkes and Princess Mary drawing up. Fast running was then made, Remnant trying hard to overhaul Parawhenua, but without avail, Princess Mary taking third place. These positions were maintained till the judges’ stand had been reached. Guy Fawkes aud Premier did not acquit themselves well, neither horse having the least show for the stake. Time, 2min. 49sec. Consolation Handicap, of 50 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. Once round the course. Horses to be named within a quarter of an hour after the race for the Jockey Club Handicap. Mr. T. Rowe’s g. g. True Blue, 6 yrs, Bst. 1 Mr. J. Watt’s b. f. Rangi, 7st. 61b. ... 2 Mr. J. Gilligan’s r. f. Princess Mary, 55t.... 3 Mr. Madden’s b. m. Phceuix, 7st. 51b. ... 0 Remnant also entered for this event, but withdrew. A bad start was effected, after several attempts. True Blue took the lead, with Rangi second, the rider of which appeared to have some difficulty in managing him. The race was entirely between these horses, the hard running which Princess Mary had made in the previous event being too much for her. Phoenix was last. The time w'as not fast. Hack Race, of 10 sovs.; catch weights ; post entrance. The winner of the Hack Race on the previous day not allowed to start. Mr. Martin Baird’s Hick Turpin ... ... 1 Mr. Greathead’a Nutworth ... ••• - Mr. Collins’ Tommy Dodd Jj Mr. Stafford’s Don Juan ... _ _ ••• ” Nutworth, having distinguished himself at previous meetings, was the favorite. The starter got the four horses away well together,

all going at top speed. Put little distance had been covered when Dick Turpin and Nutworth drew away from the other two, making the running hot for each other. At about a quarter of a mile from home, Dick began to leave his opponent, who made every effort to overhaul him, but without avail. Young Walker brought his horse to the judge’s view in excellent style, with two lengths to spare. At the finish of the Consolation Handicap, and before the Hack Pace was started, a private match, which had been arranged between the owners of Kangaroo and Dick Turpin, came off. It arose out of the hack hurdle race, which was won, by a fluke, by Kangaroo. At the start Kangaroo took the lead, which he maintained for a quarter of a mile, when Dick Turpin came up with him. A fine race then ensued, both horses running neck and neck for fully half a mile. Dick Turpin, however, gradually drew ahead and came in a winner by six lengths. The race was once round the course. All the events on the card were finished by five o’clock, when everybody made a start homewards. The ’buses on the course were found to be too few to convey all who unshed to proceed to the railway. Many were therefore compelled to walk. However a train was in waiting to convey passengers to Wellington,’ which was safely reached at 0.30 p.m., everybody appearing well pleased with their day’s * sport.