RACING IN NEW ZEALAND. TROTTING AT TAHUNA PARK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1997, 2 June 1892, Page 28

RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

TROTTING AT TAHUNA PARK.

Saturday, May 28.

President : Dr Jeff coat. Vice-president : Mr S. S. Myers. Judge : Mr Hugh Gourley. Treasurer : Mr W. L. Philp. Clerk of scales : Mr A. W. Bremner. Clerk of course: Mr S. Mercer. Starter : Mr J. Grindley. Timekeeper : Mr I< . Hyams. Handicapper : Mr George Dowse. , Stewards-Messrs K. S. Begg, John Fleming, W. , H. Taggart, J. N. Brown, A. W. Bremner, H. Gourley, J. Grindley, and Herbert Park. The inaugural meeting of the Tahuna Park Trotting and Racing Club was held on Saturday under conditions of the most favourable character. The weather was beautifully fine, the attendance was large, and the park was in splendid condition. The track, which is half a mile in extent, was a trifle soft, but when it has had time to become more consolidated it may be expected to prove admirably suited for its purpose. The arrangements were generally of a satisfactory description, the majority of those who were in authority being persons of experience in the conduct of race meetings. Mr W. H. Taggart acted as judge in the place of Mr Gourley, who was unable to be present; and Mr J. Grindley's efficient starting was a feature of the meeting. The Engineers' Band, who had 'been engaged for the afternoon, played several choice selections. Large fields went out for each race— no fewer than 75 horses taking part in the eight events— and the sport was fairly interesting. Considering the number of protests that the stewards had to deal with, the long programme was got through with commendable punctuality, but it would be as well for the management not to again attempt such a heavy bill of fate at this season of the year. Speculation was brisk, L 194-2 passing through the totalisator during the afternoon. Between 30 and 40 ladies and gentlemen sat down to luncheon, at the invitation of Dr Jeffcbat (the president), after the second race on the progcamme had been disposed of. The company included several of the officials of the Dunedin Jockey Olub. Before the gathering j separated, the President rose and stated that the Tahuha Park Trotting Club were extremely ] pleased to see them all there, and he was extremely pleased that he was able to include j ladies within the scope of his remarks. The club could assure them that they had felt quite confident with regard to the special arrangements that had been made with the clerk of | the weather for their benefit, whereby the Queen had been good enough to relinquish her prerogative of fine weather on the 24-th May and had' handed it on to the 28fch May.— (Laughter.) They could assure those present I of more than that— that everything which was I going to take place at the meeting would be of ' a most fair, square, and above board descrip- | tion— something entirely distinct from anything , that had ever taken place with trotting clubs before or that would ever take place with trotting clubs in the future. He hoped they would repose perfect confidence in the management of this important concern, and that management, after recouping itself for all outlays, was perfectly satisfied it would be able to hand over a very respectable dividend. He would not detain them ahy longer, but would ask them to drink to the prosperity of the Tahuna Park Racing Club. The toast was honoured in bumpers of champagne. The luncheon was satisfactorily catered for by Mrs Vannini. The following are details of the events :— MAIDEN HANDICAP TROT, Of ISsovs ; second horse to receive 3sovs from the stakes. Two miles. 39— Mr J. Patterson's b m Katie, aged, 7sec (G. Robertson) 1 IC— Mr W. R. Rochfort's b m Vesta, aged, lOsec (J.Allan) 2 2— Mr J. M'Kewen's eh m Queen of the Isles, aged, scr (W. M'Kewen) 3 Also started: 2 Dairymaid, 2sec (Fairley); 6 Physcilla, 2sec (Richardson); 3 Dexterina, 2sec ' M'Miillan) ; My Spieler, ssec (Wilson) ; 3 Tim, ssec (J. M'Kewen) ; 16 Judy, 7sec (T. Kett). Katie before a round had been gone had established a strong lead, and not being approached won very easily. Time, 6min 2O.sec. LBB on the totalisator; L 39 on the winner. Dividend, LI 19s. PONY HANDICAP TROT, Of 20sovs ; the second horse to receive 3sovs and the third 2sovs from the stakes. Two miles. 117— Mr C. Hammond's br m Sarah, aged, 30aec (Owner) 1 31— Mr R. Ray's br g Parnell, aged, 18sec (Owner) 2 49-Mr J. R. Sewell's g m Myrtle, aged, 23scc (Robertson) 3 Also started : 58 Sandfly, scr (J Allan) ; 21 Tui, 13sec (M'Dowell) ; 8 Emmie, 27sec ( W. M'Kewen) ; 4 Lubra, 33sec (Howorth) ; 18 Oarisbrook, 37sec (Hankins). The favourite took the lead in the first circuit, but, breaking, was repassed by Carisbrook, who was in front at half a mile, with Sarah, Lubra, and Parnell following in that order. In the next round Sarah again went to the front, and Parnell ran into third place ; while in the following circuit Parnell dis-

possessed Carisbrook of second place, and was 30yds behind Sarah when the last lap was entered. The gap was only partially reduced by Parnell, and Sarah won easily by 15yds. Myrtle was a fair third. Time, 6min 23sec. L 306 on the totalisator ; Lll7 on the winner. Dividend, L 2 §s. TAIU'NA PARK HANDICAP TROT, t Of 60sovs ; second horse to receive lOsovs and the third ssovs from the stakes. Three miles. 215— Mr R. Rutherford's br g Colac, aged, 30sec (M'Laren) 1 22— Mr J. M'Allan's blk g The Major, 6yrs, scr (Owner) 2 12— Mr J. M'Kewen's b m Gaiety, syrs, 36sec (J. Allan) 3 Also started : 21 Bondvillc, scr (Robertson) ; 33 Beaconsfield, 3sec (J. Crossan) ; 90 Eos, ssec (E. Price) ; 31 Tommy 111, 18sec (C. Hammond) ; 5 Welcome Lass, SOsec (W. M'Kewen). I Colac speedily assumed the lead, and when a mile had been covered held a comfortable advantage, Welcome Lass and Gaiety at that point being second and third respectively. The leading positions were held by the same three at the half distance, The Major then being fourth, 50yds away, but in the next half mile the latter deprived Gaiety of third place. In the fifth circuit Welcome, Lass dropped back, and The Major trotted into second and Gaiety into third place. Entering the last lap Colac was about 40yds in front of The Major, and the latter broke twice during the round, enabling Colac to increase his lead, the favourite passing the winning post 50yds to the good. Gaiety just beat Beaconsfield for third money. Time, Bmin 53sec. L 429 on the totalisator ; L 215 on the winner. Dividend, LI 15s. NOVEL TROT, Of 20sovs. Two miles. 91— Mr J. Loughlin's b g Present Times, aged, Msec (Owner) 1 58— Mr J. Allen's b g Maori Jack, aged, scr (Owner) 2 39— Mr W. Samson's m g Reefer, aged, 14sec (M'Laren) 3 Also started : 19 Lizzie, 17sec (J. M'Kewen) ; 3 Jack, 20sec (Howorth); 3 Queen of the Isles, 20sec (W. M'Kewen); 4 Grasshopper 11, 20sec (Gardiner) ; 4 Nobby, 23sec (Richardson) ; 12 The Rejected, 23sec (W. Hazlett); 1 My Spieler, 26' sec (Sutherland); 10 Katie, 20sec [lOsec penalty) (Robertson). Passing the post on the completion of the first round, The Rejected was in front with Present Times second, My Spieler, the limit horse, being last. When a mile had been covered Present Times had established a good lead, and Maori Jack, who trotted in fine style from the start, was fourth. On the last round Maori Jack ran into second place, but breaking, could not approach Present Times, who won pulling up by 30 yards. Timo, 6min l£sec. L2H on the totalisator; L9l on the winner. Dividend, L 2 7s. The winner was bought in by the owner for Ll2. president's handicap trot, Of 35sovs ; second horse to receive ssovs and the third 2sovs from the stakes. Two miles. 78— Mr W. Crossan's b g Tommy 111, asrod, 20sec (Hammond) 1 25 — Mr G. Reburn's b m Stella, aged, scr (J. Allan) 2 22— Mr W. Crossan's br g Beaconsfield, aged. lOsec (R. Crossan) 3 Also started : 14 Informer, ssec (J. Crossan) ; 29 Jane, Bsec (Loughlin) ; 20 Kathleen, 20sec (G. Smith) ; 8 Colac, 19sec [lOsec penalty] (M'Laren) ; 2 Gaiety, 33sec (J. M'Kewen) ; 9 Myrtle, 33sec (Davidson) ; 6 Monowai, 33sec (Moreland) ; 0 Nobby, 35sec (Wilkinson). Tommy 111 got to the head of affairs passing the mile post, at which point Monowai and Myrtle were running second and third. When three rounds had been traversed Monowai was still second, but yielded place to Beaconsfield I aiid Stella on the last round. Stella, going very fast in the last few furlongs, rapidly overhauled Tommy 111, but was not quite able to : get up, suffering defeat by a head ', Beaconsfield a good third. Time, smin 48£ sec. L 213 on the totalisator ; L7B on the winner. Dividend, L 2 Bs. A protest against Tommy 111. on the grounds that he did not trot past the winning post, and ! that he had not been trotted out in the | Tahuna Park Handicap, was dismissed. PONY HANDICAP TROT, Of Issovs ; second horse to receive 3sovs from the 1 stakes. Two miles. 37— Mr R. Ray's br g Parnell, aged, 18« ec (Owner) I B— Mr C. Hammond's br m Sarah, aged, 30sec (Owner) Z Also started : 3 Sandfly, scratch (J Allan) ; S Tui, 13sec (M'Dowell) ; 40 Myrtle, 28sec [disq,], (Robertson) ; 6 Dot, 27sec (Marks) ; 1 The Cat, 33sec (Fairley); 0 Lubra, 33sec (Howorth); 12 Carisbrook, 37sec (Hankins). Myrtle soon established a commanding lead, and, not being approached, passed the post s'Jvds in advance of Parnell and Sarah, who finished within a few lengths of each other. A protest was lodged against Myrtle for inconsistent running in the previous pony trot, and after deliberation the stewards decided to award the stakes to Parnell. Myrtle's time was returned at 6min 7£sec. LllO on the totalisator ; L 37 on the winner. Dividend, L 2 12s. DIIITHDAY HANDICAP TROT, Of 20 soys ; second horse to receive 3sovs and the third 2sova from the stakes. One mile. 115— Mr W. Crossan's b g Beaconsfield, aged, ssec (Owner) 1 37— Mr S. S. Myers' b g Pirate, aged, lOsec (W. Allan) 2 25— Mr R. Rutherford's b g Colac 7sec [ssec penalty] (M'Laren) 3 Also started :13 Informer, scr (R. Crossan) ; 10 Jane, 2sec (Loughlin) ; 14 Keilawarra, ssec (Taggart) ; 5 Billy, lOsec (M'Miillan) ; 1 Lizzie, l2sec (W. M'Kewen); 34 Birthday, Msec (Fairley); 2 Tim, 20sec (J. M'Kewen); 18 Vesta, 20sec (J. Beaconsfield was in front before half the distance had been covered, and, without being pressed, won by a [dozen lengths. Time, 2min 50£ sec. L 274 on the totalisator ; Llls on the winner. Dividend, L 2 2s. A protest entered against the winner for inconsistent running was dismissed. PONY HANDICAP FLAT RACK, Of 15sovs ; second horse to receive 3sovs and third 2sovs from the stakes. Five furlongs. 22— Mr J. Dunne's b m Patience, aged, 7.5 (Marks) 1 127— Mr W. Cairns' b m Somonuna, aged, i). 3 (M'llroy) 2 46— Mr J. Christie's (jun.) eh m Chrysalis, 3yrs, 7.10 (T. Buddicombe) 3 Also started : 7 Typhoon, 8.10 (G. Smith) ; 39 Kathlinda, 8.5 (Rainbow) ; 20 Jiks, 8.3 (Ray) ; 12 Trot, 7.7 (Godfrey); 5 Wee Nell, 7.2(Pyne). Somonuna was quickest away, and remained at the head of affairs until turning into the straight, where Patience got up, and having the best of the run home gained the verdict by a length, Chrysalis an indifferent third. During the race the rider of Trot parted company with his mount, but was not hurt. Time, lmiu 13sec ; L 278 on the totalisator. An objection laid that Patience was over the prescribed height (H. 2), was dismissed. Dividend, Lll 3s.