WAITAKI JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 775, 5 October 1878, Page 2

WAITAKI JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

A more wretched prospect for a day's raeinir th.ii? that presentec'l yesterday rnoi-n----ing'could not well have been imagined. All through Thursday night the rain came down in torrents, and was followed yesterday morning by a steady downpour. As a naturafconsequence, the special train from Oainaiui was not nearly so well patronised as on the previous day ; though what may be considered a large number of persons under the circumstances, undaunted by the miserable weather, proceeded to Duntroon, fully bent upon seeing the races to the end, no 'matter how unfavorable the elements might prove. At one time there was some doubt as to the races eventuating ; but this was soon dispelled, for the Stewards haying met and cqnsiqered matters, determined upon a postponement until two o'clock, and to run off the different events in quick succession after that time. As may be easily imagined, the attendance, was small, there only being about 250 persons on the course when a start was made. Fortunately about two o'clock the weather cleared'up a little, but it was still very cold and damp. The course too was in a very heavy condition, but despite this fact some good' racing took pl.tcc, everyone of the events being well contested throughout, while the times in which the different races were run were very good indeed. Before we proceed, however, to give a description of the races themselves, we must say a word or two in praise of the manner in which the whole of the arrangements were carried out. We have never been present at a country meeting where everything y,T,rk.od so smoothly, i,r where so much attention was paid to'every little particular; indeed in iiu'iiy respects Metropolitan Clubs might well follow the examples set by the Stewards of the AVaitaki Jockey Club. Everyone worked well and in perfect harmony, and in consequence the whole affair passed off most satisfactorily. There was not much speculation on the different events, and the bookmakers therefore did not reap a very groat harvest. The Hurdle Race was one' of the best we have seen in the country, being well contested, and characterised by the total absence of a single spill or accident of any kind. The Agent, however, proved too'"good' for the company, though both Shillelagh and old Exile ran very well. The result of the Waitaki Jockey Club Handicap caused a considerable amount of surprise, Chancellor cutting down the favorite, Maritana, in fine style, and winning a capital race with something to spare, though the whip was applied pretty freely to the mare. Unknown also ran a game horse, though he could only get a third place. Chancellor ;4gf} proved himself a good horse by winning the Champagne, gpakjs,, qnce more showing what an erratic animal he is. The following is a'detailed account of the different' events : Handicap Hcrtjle Rack, of 30 sovs ; two miles, Mr, Devery's ch g The Agent, 5 yra, list 41bs (Hawkins) 1 Mr. Fraser's b g Shillelagh, aged, lOst 51bs (Armstrong) 2 Mr. Bell's ch g Exile, aged, 9st 51bs (Honour) 3 Theodore (lOst) also ran. Betting—2 tp 1 on The Agent, 3 to 1 against Shillelagh, 4 tq 1 Thepdqre, and 5 to 1 Exile. After one false start the lot were put awaywell together. The Agent led slightly over the first hurdle, the others taking the jump together, the wdiole of the horses jumping well throughout despite the slippery ground. Theodore and Exile ultimately led for over a mile, the latter invariably going to the front and taking the jumps first, and then falling back. After going a little over a mile, The Agent went to the fypnt, Exile coming next,

and Theodore falling to the rear. Entering the straight. Shillelagh went past Exile and endeavored to catcli The Agent, who was, however, landed a winner by about a couple of lengths, Exile being a good third. Time—4min. Bsec. Waitaki Jockey Clce Handicap, of 100 sovs., with a sweep of 2 sovs. to go to second horse ; 1 ; ? mile. Mr. Goodman's br h Chancellor, 4 yrs, 7st lib (Rudiugs) ... 1 Mr. Ray's b m Mai-itana. aged, Bst lOlbs (Wattie) 2 Mr. Hill's b g Unknown, aged, 7st, (J. Cotton) 3 Endymion (Cst 51bs) also ran. Te Whetn and Sinking Fund were scratched and Bhie Peter did not put in an appearance. Betting—2 to lon Maritana, 3to 1 against Chancellor, 4 to 1 Unknown, 5 to 1 Endymion.

The quartette were dispatched to a fair start, Unknown assuming the lead from the jump, with Chancellor second, Maritana third and Endymion, who was slow in getting away, last. Passing the Stand the first time Chancellor was leading, Maritana coming next, and Unknown third. This order was maintained for a mile, when Maritana went up and got on even terms with Chancellor, who soon after fell back i but he went up again half a mile from fcesne and having collared Maritana raced feer- into the straight amidst considerable excitement. Chancellor then drew slightly ahead, and despite the whip being applied to Maritana, won a grand i~a.ee hy half a length. Unknown, was a moderate third and Endymion nowaere. Time—3min 20secs. jf'irxTß-aax Plate, of the value of 40 sovs.; one mile And a half : weight for age. Mr. Beftttv'a ch g Henry, aged, 9st Slbs (Cotton) i Mr. Campbell's eh h Duntroon, aged, flxt-

lllb (A. M'Kay) Mr. M'Kellar's )> m Minnie. (V yrs, 9rit

Gibs (Gray) ..'.. ... :) Maid of Waitaki, Stay of the West, and Nelly also ran, Bettins.; —ft to, 4 against Duniroou : 3 to 1 Henry -fid; Minnie, 5 to \ the others. This was a capital race, especially between the two first, Henry eventually winning by half ft length, with Minnie a. fair third. Tiiitc —Smin, CiiAMi'.uixK Stakes of 70 sovs : one mile and a half ; welter weights for age. Mr. Goodman's b h Chancellor, i yrs. lOst 121bs (Omer) ... .'.'... 1 Mr. Hill's b g Unknown, - ;i ged, lrSfilib (\V. M'Kay) 2 Mr. T)i-vci-\'--*ekg The Agent. f> yrs, list ! ;",Ui,s (Powc-l-l) ... "... .".. . 3

Te' Wht-tu (I2st Lib), Exile i»2st HI.). Chittington (list Slbs). Pukeiui (Sst <>lbsi, and Prudence (Sst i"l>s) also started. Maligna, Jla;il vi Ho.nour Fund \\ c.i'e scratched. Betting'—G to 4 against Chancellor, 2to 1 Te Whetu and Prudono*\ 4 to 1 The Agent, and ;") to. 1 the others,

Te \YV'tu took the lead at the start, followed by Chancellor end The Agent, the others being all together. At the back of the course Chancellor took up the running, with The Agent second, and Te Whetu third. Unknown immediately afterwards passed Te Whetn and served The. Agent similarly on entering the straight, but failed to catch Chancellor, who won by two lengths, The Agent being a good third, and Te Whetu fourth, close, up. TV' v-est Mere a long way in the rear-, Time 2min. ) osees.

Con'soi,\tk,>< iiAMHi'AP, of sovs. ; one mile. Mr. "Kin's eh g Sinking Fund, G vrs. Sst 1ib..." ..'." "(Allen) 1 Mr. Swanson's g g Blue I'eter. aged, Tst 1211. ... " (Ward) 2 Mr. Bell's eh g Exile, aged. "jt, 4.1b (Jrloskhis) 3 Maid of Honor lOrt lilb). vJao ran. Betting. —Leyel ni.oii.ey about Sinking Fund, 2 to, 1 against the. others. Sinking Fund jumped off with the lea<l, bnt was immediately afterwards passed by Maid of Honor, who cut out the running for half a r.vile, when she fell back beaten. Sinking Fund then wont to the front, and won a good race, after a hard struggle with Blue Peter, This brought a capital race meeting to a close, and a rush was made for the Oamaru train, to catch which there was only a few minutes' time. Many persons were left behind, however, owing to their dilatoriness.