RACING IN NEW ZEALAND. WAIKOUAITI COUNTY RACES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1540, 14 May 1881, Page 19

RACING IN NEW ZEALAND. WAIKOUAITI COUNTY RACES.

The weather was not promising yesterdaymorning, and during the early part there were a few showers. Towards noon, however, these cleared away, and the unpromising morning gave birth to a fine afternoon. There was a very fair attendance, and considerable interest was evinced in the races* Tbe events were as a rule well contested, and the entries for them fairly numerous. The gentlemen who acted as officers in connection with the races are— President, George M'Lean, Esq., M.H.R. ; Vice-pre?ident, Mr James Green; Stewards, Messrs B. Bray, P. Duncan, J. Irwin, J. Johnston, It. Templeton, J. T. Alston, James LitUe, John Everest, William Little, William Affleck, W. Henderson, G. Dry, X, Lankaster, J. Kennedy, W. James, and D. Sutherland. Judge, Mr J. T. Alston ; starter, Mr J. Kennedy ; timekeeper, Mr Jas. Stuart ; clerk of the course, Mr J. Duff ; clerk of scales, Mr D. Sutherland ; handicappers, Messrs B, Bray, W. Affleck, and Duncan ; Treasurer, Mr Bray ; hon. secretary, Mr A. H, Gill. The following are the results of tbe various events :— HURDLE RACE (HANDICAP), Of £12 10s (with a sweep of 10s each, for all horaea ac« cepting). Over eight flights of hurdles, 3ft. Gin. high. Twice round the course. Mr G. Dry's g g Hawksbury, 6 j'rs, lOst Mr J. Kennedy's b m Half caste, 5 yra, lOst 21b . . W. James' Lucy, G. Dry's Te Whifci, and J. Duncan's Spankerina also started. The lot were sent away in fair order, and a good ' race resulted, all the horses taking the hurdles well, The final effort of Hawksbury brought him in a winner by about a length. MAIDEN PLATE, Of 10 soys (with a sweep of 10s each) for all horses, One and a-half mile. Mr E. Devine's b h Maribyrnong, 4 yrs, 9st . . 1 Mr W. Henderson's eh f Clinkerino, 3 yrs, 7st 121b 2 Mr E. Devine's eh g Horatio, 3 yrs, 7at 111b „ 3 H. Hertslet's Rosalind, C. M'Donald's Cassey, B. Bray's Never-mind-bim, M. BourWs Nelly, and P. Russell's Foreman also stai <]. The running in this race was cut out by Horatio and Cassey, followed closely by the others in a lump. When within about half a mile of the winning-post Maribyrnong forged ahead and took the lead, keeping it to the finish, and coming in an easy winner by about two lengths. The chances of Rosalind were spoilt by her coming in contact with a post. Her jockey was thrown, and sustained injuries sufficient to prevent bis remounting. WAIKOUAITI COUNTY CUP, Of 26 soys. Twice round the course Mr W. James' b m Bella, 5 yrs, 7st 91b .. .. 1 Mr W. Little's May Morn, aged, 9st 61b . . 2 Mr E. Devine's Horatio, 3 yra, 6sfc . . . . 3 E. Devine's Maribyrnong, W. Little's Raven, G. Dry's Slops, A. M'Donald's Mac, and S. H. Carey's Fairy also started, Bslla get the beat of a fair start, main* taining her lead throughout, and coming in an easy winner by about two lengthg. Horatio was a good third. TROTTING RACE, Of 5 soya. Three times round the course ' Mr W. Brun ton's r p Mystery, aged, 80 yda . . 1 Mr W. Little's b m Novice, aged, scratch .. 2 Mr R. Esther's eh g Golden Grape, 4 yrs, 70 yds . . 3 J. Sizemoro's (jun.) Star and Thunderer, and P. Duncan's Veno also started. Of a bad start Mystery got the worst, and it was not until after Novice came up that she could be got away, and even then Bhe broke so often that in passing the post for the first time she was nearly 400 yards behind. By this time she was got quito uuder, and passed those who were leading without difficulty, coming in an easy winner. Golden Grape was a good third. CONSOLATION STAKES, Of 10 soys. Once round the course, Mr W. Henderson's Clinkerino.. .. 1 Mr W. Littlo's eh m May Morn . . . . 2 Mr E. Devine's eh g Horatio . . „ 3 Five other horses Btorted. A protest was entered against the winner on the ground of a>j alleged cross. After some e/'dence was t considaration of it waa postponed " v Ol the evening. MAORI RACE, Ol h^<v' ,s. For all hoi-so« o«-«ou «.i*a .iauoa uy ■" Maoris. ~b\t Pratt's Who'd-havc-Thought-It .. 1 Mr Brown's Matagouri . . . . 2 Mr J. Matthews' Canary . . . . 3 This was tho bsst-2onte3ted race of the day, and the trio, which got away to a good start, kept almost within cover of one another throughout the race. At the finish Who'd-have-tbought-It had got the best of it by a short head, Canary being almost level with Matagouri for third. HACK RACE, Of 5 soys. Once round the course Mr Duncan's Foresail . . . . 1 Mr W. Affleck's Grecian Bend . . . . 2 Four other horses started.