TOKOMAIRIRO RACES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3148, 9 March 1872, Page 2

TOKOMAIRIRO RACES.

The Tokomairiro Animal Races were held on Thursday and yesterday. The weather was delightful, and would have beeen too warm but for a slight breeze which moderated the effects of a scorching sun. For some days previously numerous strangers began to ihafiietheirappearance iix the township, and on Wednesday an unusually large number of cabs, omnibuses, and other vehicles, arrived fromDunediti. for the purpose of conveying pleasureseekers to the course. Unfortunately for them the number of spectators on Thursday was comparatively small, there being only about three hundred present. Tliis is no doubt to be accounted for by the fact that harvest operations are not yefc completed in the district, and farmers wisely preferred to tak« advantage o£ the fine weather to secure their crops, instead of seeking the pleasures of a, race course. The ground Beibcted this

year was a lea paddock on tfee farm of Meadowbani;, on the south side of the Main Road, and was generally considered as superior to tine paddock in wliich the previous races had been held. The course is of an oval shape, and the grand stand being erected upon slightly rising ground an excellent view of the horses is

, obtained throughout the race. On the ! opposite side of the course is a high gorse fence, which forms a dark background, and makes both horses mid riders easily / ditttinguiglicd. There were two licensed I and two.teuinfir3ui.ee booths on the ground, j all of whicli were well patronised, bnfc there was not the slightest approach to over-indulgence to be seen. The usual concomitants of a race course were also I present, and the owners of shooting galleries, punching machines, galvanic batteries, &c., contested for patronage. The course, though somewhat hard, j was in very fair condition, Mr L*ng!#y, fas.lNM^ jjcied .as jS^-tefj m $ MrCaj>r stick as" juitge, an A the whole events of the day passed off successfully, and without a single accident or disagreeable incident. At a qnarter-past i o'clock the bell rang as a signal to saddle uj> for the first event, wliich was the

Maiden Plate, 30 soys ; distance, 1} mile. To cany 1£ mile weight forage. Open for all horses that had not won an aclver- ! tised race (Hack Knees and Matches ex--5 e«pted). Entrance, £2. Five entries. Mr Laaigfey's Salamander Sam, 9st 41bs I Mr GnoMk'a Caniilia, 7st Slbs .... <E Mr Douglas's Flying Scud, 7st Slbs ".* 3 After a false start, the horses got away well togetlter, Plying Scud having the lead, followed eksely by. Little George. At the half-mile, Salamander Sam took the first place, and naamtained it tliroughout, coming ia an easy winner. Time. 2m. l'teecs.

I The next event was the District Han inc*r, GO sow; distance, H I mile > %%^ x a Sweepstake of £2, to be givent | to the secotul ijorse. Nomination, £2. Five entries. Mr Walters's Slander, lOst lib ... I Mr Robinson's Backbiter, 9st2lbs ... 2 Mr Douglas's Medora, Sst I3lbs ,„ ..[ $ Catapult went off with the lead, followed closely by Backbiter, and the horses kept in a ruck till near the finishl. At the half distance Slander was allowed to move to the front, Catapult and" Backbiter following neck and neck, aiwl slMitlr changing positions several times, till Medora made an effort and passed Catapult There was a good contest for second place. The first was Slander's, and she took it in a comfortable canter, seeming slightly annoyed at being so hard held. Time, 2m. 55sec. «

Distawck Hakmcaf Thotonu Race, 3d soys. 'Distance, 3 miles. Weight forage Entrance, £2. Six entries. Mr Coombes'B Bobby, 475 yards... . I Mr Cotton's Modesty, 300 yards 2 Mr Corsan's Ranger, scratch .... .... 3,

The start allowed to the old florae. Bobby, enabled him to beep the lea.4 throughout, though he wa* very closely pressed before jsassmg ihe post Bangeg?