THE RIVERTON RACES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1936, 2 April 1891, Page 25

THE RIVERTON RACES.

(Fbom a Coheespondent.) Favoured with the finest of holiday weather the Riverton Racing Club's meeting on Easter' Monday was a pronounced success. Never before had there been so large an attendance at any such gathering in the Western district. The sport was of the. very best description, and it can with safety be said that every horse that started was honestly sent to win. Further than this, there were no protests or disputes ; everything passed off most pleasantly. The sum of £1427 was passed through the totalisator in charge of Messrs Cowie and do., and the percentage coming from the machine, together with the takings from other sources, will place the club in a sound financial position. Maxwelton, who was in grand nick, secured the first event — the Hurdle Race— rather easily from Patchwork, and the resurrected May Boy. The Maiden Flat Race was principally remarkable in that tbe winner, Juno, paid the substantial dividend of £25 8s to her four backers. The Maiden Steeplechase introduced us to Tally-ho, a handsome four-year-old son of Golden Butterfly, who was opposed by Sandy.afirstfiighthunter, and Jerry, a useful sort of a horse, who is owned by, and was nicely ridden in the race by one of the best of Southland's sportsmen, Mr, G. S. Thomson. It was Sandy, however, vigorously ridden by James Cotton, that had to do with Tally-ho at the finish. Old Victory had no difficulty whatever in appropriating the Cup, after which seven saddled up for the chief event of the meetiDg, the Riverton Hunt Cap. Ranger, who won the event last year, and who had on this occasion the services of Cotton, was most fancied, but Victor and Patchwork, on the strength of their recent performances, were both well backed. Not a few pinned their faith on the ancient Waiau, the hero of many a contest, and Maxwelton too had no lack of followers. The race was one of the finest ever seen in these parts, and the result was in doubt right up to the finish. No fewer than 23 jumps had to be negotiated, most of them big natural fences with two doubles to be crossed twice, and it speaks well for the character of the horses that throughout the journey only one horse made a mistake. Patchwork, who was in a good position from the start, was first into the home paddock, and stalling off challenges by Maxwelton and Ranger, won by three lengths, half a length only separating Kanger and Maxwelton. Waiau, who finished fourth, pulled up very lame. He has ran his last race. Victor, as usual, jumped faultlessly, but was never prominent. The win of the president's horse was most popular, Patohwork being loudly cheered as he passed the post and again when weight was declared. The Flying Handicap proved an easy thing for the highly-bred Matamata, and May King was altogether too good for his four opponents in the Consolation. Subjoined will be found particulars of the several events :—

HANDICAP HURDLE BAOB, Of 15sov8. One mile and a-half.

Mr R Kirk's br g Msxwelton, 11.0 (Oobton) 1 Mr J Gardner's eh h Patchwork, 10.7

(MrFM'Kay) 2 Mr A Baird's b g May.Boy, 11.0 (Mr E Harvey) 3

These were the only starters. Fatohwork led for the first half-mile, when Maxwelton passed him, and was not afterwards headed, winning rather easily by four lengths ; Patchwork second. Totalisator, 140 (59 on winner) ; dividend, £2 2s.

MAIDEN PLATE, Of lOsovb. One mile.

Mr G Buright's blk m Juno, 6yrs, 9.1 (Welsh) 1 Mr F M'Kay'* b g Prior, syra, 9.1 (Owner) 2 Mr G Beid's b g Isman, aged, 9.1 ... ... 3 Blue Jacket, Rata, Merino, and Zsro also r&n. At the back of the course Judo ran through the field, and entering tbe straight had an advantage of half a dozen lengths, and this she maintained right up to the post ; a good third. Totalisator, £113 (£4 on winner) ; dividend, £25 Si.

MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE, Of 2060va. About two miles.

Mr F MKay'a oh o Tally-ho, 4yrs, 11.0 (Owner) 1 Mr J Tennent's oh g Sandy, aged, 11 4 (0 >tton) 2 Mr J S Thomson's b g Jerry, Aged, 11.4 (Owner) 3

Sandy was the first to show in front, and led Tally-ho over the first jump. Sandy still led as the course proper was left, but was passed by Tally-ho in the paddock behind the stand, and the young horse led over tbe big double at the Thornbury road. Recrossing the road Tally-ho and Sandy were together, with Jerry about a dozen lengths away. The leading pair were neck and neck along the running track at the back of the course. At 4 the far turn Tally-ho

[Jdrew in front and was first - over the jlast jump. Under punishment Sandy struggled gam.ely, but M'Kay keeping the J son of Golden Butterfly goiDg was not afterwards headed, anchpasaed the post nearly a length to the good ; Jerry six lengths away. Totalisator, 188 (61 on winner) ; dividend, £2 9j.

BIVBRTON CUP. Of 25sovs. One mile and a-half.

Mr J Crockett's oh g Victory, aged, 8.8 (Blee) I Mr J M'Farlane's b h May King, 4yrs. 7.10 « .. ™ m (M'Kenzie) 3 Mr H F Woodward's eh m Hawthorne, 4yrs, 7.2

(Meredith) 3

There were no other starters. Soon after the start Victory assumed the lead, and, never being troubled, won easily by four lengths from May King. The time was slow, 3noin. Totalisator, 323 (178 on winner) ; dividend, £1 12s.

BIVBBTON HUNT CUP, Of 30sovs. About three miles.

Mr J Gardner's oh h Patohwork, syrs, 10,7

(MrFM'Kay) 1 Mr J Ritchie's b g Ranger, aged, 10.7 (Cotton) a Mr X Kirk's b g Maxwelton, aged. 10.7 (F Smith) 3

The other starters were : Victor (12 0!, Waiau (10 0), Tally-ho (10.0), and Jerry (9 7). Patchwork was first and Victor was last over the itiitial obstacle — a gorse fence leading out of the racecourse. Several alterations in position took place as they ran towards the toad. Led by Patohwork, all crossed the double in safety, with the exception of Jerry, who came to grief at the jump into the road. Patchwork and Maxwelton were the first two to recross the road ; Waiau and Ranger in olose attendance — the other pair (Tally-ho nnd Victor) come distance away. Entering the racecourse, the four leading horses took close order ; but at the top turn Waiau fell back— the three others negotiating the post and rails and fence leading out of the racecourse paddock — the first jump the second time— side by side. As they raced for the big double for the second time; Msxwelton, Patchwork, and Ranger were still close together, a wide gap separating these from Waiau,, Viotor, and Tally-ho, who were in that order. Patchwork was first over the road, with Maxwelton at his heels, Ranger a couple of lengths away; and this order was maintained over the fourth double — recrossing the road for the second time. Waian, Victor, and Tally-ho were struggling in the rear some distance away. Maxwelton got alongside Patchwork at the back of the course, but when riding in earnest begnn the chestnut came away and entered the straight with a clear lead. Ranger and Maxwelfcon fought out a great finish for second place, the former gaining the situation by a neck. Totalisator, 278 (50 on winner) ; dividend, £5.

FLYISG HANDICAP, Of 15sov8. Six furlongs.

Mr J Crockett's eh g Matamata, syrs, 8.0 (Blee) 1 Mr M Hannan's blk m Taff rail, aged, 7.7

(M'Kenzie) 2 Mr F M'Kay's b g Prior, syrs, 7.12 ... (Cameron) S

Surprise was the other starter. Matamata went away with the lead, was never headed, and .won comfortably by two lengths; Prior a fair third. Totalisator, 205 (115 on the winner): dividend, £1 12*.

CONSOLATION HANDICAP, Of lOsovs. One mile.

Mr J M'Farlane's b c May King, 4yrs, 8 7 (M'Kenzie) 1 Mr M Hannan's Taff rail, 7.7 ... ... a

Mr W Woodward's Hawthorne, 7.10

May Boy and Prior also ran. Won easily by a length. Totalisator, 180 (94 on the winner) : dividend, £1 14s.

THE DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

The following letters have appeared in the Daily Times:—

70 THB EDITOB.

Sib, — Although I have not felt justified in using the columns of the press to defend myself against the frequent unmanly and intended charges made against me, the same reasons do not exist for remaining silent when I see my name constantly dragged into anonymous correspondence by a few discontented people who wish to curry favour with me (as the handicapper) at the starter's expense. The writers or their friends generally manage to give me a pretty accurate hint as to their identity. Their object is " too thin," and I beg they will discontinue it, for I can assure them they gain nothing by it.

As you are aware I attend most of the race meetings from Christchurch to Invercargill, and it is part of my business to pay special attention to the starting so that I may judge whether any of the horses gain or lose by the carelessness of the starter or by the many circumstances which cause aa uneven get away without the slightest blame to the starter. Now, while Mr Driver may, like every starter in the world, fail now and again to nick the right moment for dropping his flag, I have no hesitation in stating that his work as a whole is above the average I have witnessed on any other racecourse, particularly when it is borne in mind that he has had to start many two-year-old races from short distances with fields of half-broken youngsters, mixed with a few who are trying to get an advantage, and othera who do not care about getting away. In these races he has been very fortunate in scarcely ever making a mistake. Mr Driver has started about 400 races, most of them handicaps made by me, and I think he has made as few mistakes as any other starter who has despatched the same number of fields.

As handicapper, I desire no change, I have confidence in his ability and integrity at the pest, and I believe all the respeotable portion of the public and horse owners hold the same opinion. It is an easy matter to talk and to write about starting, by those who never tried i 6, but believe me it is one of the most difficult and thankless duties conneoted with horse racing. And if Mr Driver shonld resign, I firmly believe his successor will not give any better satisfaction.

Almost every day we read reports of mishaps at the post in other places. Only to-day we see at Napier that the Cup race was from a bad start, and the Sapling Stakes had to be run over again owing to the start being from the wrong past ; while Mr Tom Watson was lately fined for the same thing, and his father at the late V.R C. meeting, left Hales on the favonrite at the post with his head the wrong way. Why then should perfection be expected from Mr Driver P In place of abuse he is deserving of support and assistance, which would help to improve his work in the future, and not try to set the riders and pnblic against him as some bad-minded people are constantly doing. — I am, &c, Dunedin, March 27. Geobge Dowse.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sir, — I read with considerable interest Mr Dowses letter which appeared in your issue of to-day's date.

Of course, I at once admit that yoni correspondent has bad vast experience in racing matters in this colony, and that his opinion is worth a good deal, and it ia very gratifying that Mr Dowse has confidence in the ability and integrity of oar starter ; but as to the necessity for a change, I think that is a question which should be decided by the public, whose money is at stake, and not by the handicapper. Your correspondent compares Mr Driver favourably with Victorian starters, and then.

points out that Mr Tom Watson was lately fined for improper starting. Now, I fancy Mr Dowse has just here struck tbe nail upon the head, and has given the Jockey Club a valuable hint as to what they should do in the future— namely, fine the starter heavily for every bad start, just as freely as jockeys are fined by the starter, and I have very little doubt that we would have no more bad starting, because under these oircumetances Mr Driver would deem it inadvisable to Btick so tenaciously to the office of starter, unless perhaps the donations from the club became mote liberal and numerous in order to meet the fines imposed. Thanking Mr Dowse for his suggestion, and trusting that it will be. immediately adopted by the club, — I am, &c, Dunedin, March 28. Heavy Fines.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sib, — Mr George Dowse, in his letter in this day's Daily Times under the above heading, says that the letters that have appeared in the papers for some time past in reference to the starter are only written to curry favour with him. He is mistaken in the case of one writer, at any rate, who wants no favours ; but is determined to see that the public receive fair play. I have seen horses started upon different racecourses all over the world in my time, and can ' safely say the starting here generally is bad, and could be improved upon. It must be tried, at any rate, or the totalisator must be worked upon different lines. Mr Dowse says he wants no change. Of course he does not, but the majority want, and mnst have, a change. We must have things done differently in the future to what we have had done in the past, or we will insist upon doing away with the 10 per cent, deducted from the totalisator money, which is the unfortunate cause of all the trouble. It is of benefit only .to a few, while thousands — men, women, and even boys — are being rained by it. Are we to tamely submit to this state of things ? I certainly will not while you kindly, Sir, give me a small space in your valuable paper. — I am, &c, March 28. Dunedin.