WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2198, 16 April 1896, Page 31

WEST COAST NEWS.

By Totaba.

Kumara, April 9. The Kumara Racing Club could not have desired a finer day than on Easter Mouday. A large number of visitors from Reefton and Greymouth took advantage of so inviting a day to attend the races. Sports were held at Hokitika, which prevented a large number from attending the races. It is to be regretted that those controlling the various clubs could not come to some amicable arrangement, whereby the cla?hing of amusements could be avoided. To make rticing or sports a thorough success the public attendance is essential, and where attractions adopt the same dates, the retenue of both must necessarily be more or less impaired. The racing was good, same fine finishes resulted. The starting machine was used at the meeting, and the despatches taken as a whole were very good. The course, owing to the recent raiu, was rather Boft in some parts, but the back of the course was fairly good going. The Kumara Racing Club cannot be commended for their puctuality in starting the various events; so much delay occurred that the laot race on each day was run in the dark. I would strongly recommend the K.R 0. to adopt the system of starting each event at a stated time, thus allowing the public to return home at a decent hour. Unnecessary delays between each race do not tend to entice visitors to return on a future occasion. I mentioned that two races were run in the dark. I don't .think dubs take into consideration seriously enough the consequences of racing in the dark. Tn justice to the riders, it is not fair to ask them to endanger their lives and limbs by racing in the dark. Ihen, again, the owners also run the risk of getting their property injured. Unfair practices may be retorted to during tin race, yet the stewards could not see what wag going on. As, for instance, ia the Produce Stakes the first day, a protest was entered against the rider of Silver Ro»e for having struck the rider of Hanß with his whip. The evidence was simply one rider against the other, there being no corroborative evidence for either rider, whereas, had the race been run in daylight, the rtewatds would have been on the look-out. The stewards had no other alternative than to dismi the protent. Let it not be thought for one mom°nt that I am writing for the purpose of fault-findine, as such iis far distant from my mind. lam merely drawing the attention of clubs with the view of remedying mistakes of the above nature, and I trust my remarks will be accepted in that spirit. _ The Trial Stakes, one mile, was the first item on the programme. Five went to the post. Tutanekai was accorded moßt support, and Johnny Faa the least. To a good start Epilogue went to the front, and led past the stand, Johnny Faa last. At the half-mile post Tutanekai and King L^ar joined the leader., Johnny Faa still last. Entering the straight Tutanekai and Epilogue were disputing,sup-emacy, the former lasting longest won by three parts of a length. Johnny Faa, who came very fast up the straight, third. Time, Imin 52isec. Total on machine, £257; dividend, £2 J0». , , Regalia 10.3, Minerva 10.0, and Jacob Faithful 9.13, composed the field for the Hurdle Race. Regalia was given out as a real good thing, the knowing ones mitting down their pieces in earnest; but matters did not turn out as they anticipated. Apparently the rider of Jacob was afraid that the bridle might !>• eik if he put any further test of strength on the reins, so just near the winning post the reins were relieved of its tautness, and Jacob Faithful won from Regalia, Minerva some distance away third. Time, 3min 39aec. Total on machine, £331; dividend, £3 10b. Seven was tha number for the Hack Race. Tonganui was made favourite. Silver Rose, who had been causing some delay by her fractiousness, got the best of a fair start and kept the lead to the finish. At the turn into the straight Jaok made a forward move, but could not get up to Silver Rose, who won easily, Jack second, and All Gold third. Time, Imin 37sec. Total on machine, £315-, dividend, £4 3s. The Knmara Handicap attracted a field of only three—Banner 8.13, Johnny Faa 8.13, and Epilogue 8.8. Banner was made a red-hot favourite. To a good start Epilogue led for half a mile, Johnny Faa her closest attendant. At the back of the course Banner assumed command, and kept this position to the finish, winning easily from Johnny Faa; Epilogue third. Time,2min4B 4-sseo. Total on machine, £319. Dividend, £19s. The Trotting Race brought out a field of eight. Jennie II was installed favourite, and after going a mile it was soon apparent that there was only only one horse in the race (bar accidents), Jennie II winning in a hollow fashion by several lengths from Bismarck; Weka third. Time, 6min 4sec. Total on machine, £205. Dividend, £113s. Five faced the starting machine for the Produce Stakes. Home Rule was most in demand, Hans being a complete outsider. Only five tickets out

[of 278 were invested oa him. The race wan run f%. the dark, so little description can be given of ifc... About 80yds from the winning post Silver Rose, Hans, and Ben More were altogether, Silver Ross eventually winning by half a length from Hans ; Ben More close up third. Time, Imin 24sec. Total on machine, £278. Dividend, £i 16s. A protest wbb entered by the rider of Hanfl against the rider of Silver Rose for having struck him with the whip *hlle coming up the straight. The riders of the other horses in the race did not see the alleged infringement, as it was too dark ; therefore it was one rider's word against tha other — consequently the stewards had no other alternative than to dismiss the protest. Unfortunately rain fell heavily during the morn* ing of the second day's racing, but about noon it cleared up, and very little rain fell during the afternoon. General regret was expressed for the Kumara Racing Club that the weather did not hold good for the second day's amusement. A large number Btayed away, being afraid to venture from home. Pioceedings wore opened with the Hurdle Race. Three went to the post. Jacob Faithful was an odds-on favourite, and justified the confidence by winning fairly easy. Time, 3rnin 12Jseo. Total on machine, £222 ; dividend, £1 15s. For the Miners' Purse, one mile and a quarter. Banner 9.3, Johnny Faa 8 10, Tutanekai 7.9, and Home Rule 7.6, comprised the field. As Banner was only risen 41b for winning the previous day, it was thought a real good thing for him, bnt the unexpected happeued— Johnny Faa defeated the favourite by a neck. To a good start Banner was quickest away, but before the stand was reached Johnny Faa and Tutanekai were in front. At tho back of the course Johnny Faa left Tutanekai, and took command, Home Rule whipping in. A quarter of a mile from home Banner made a for* ward move, and entering the straight the^whipa were out on Banner and Johnny Faa, and a dingdong, finish resulted in Johnny Fa» winning by a neck. Tutanek*i third. Time, 2min 23 4-ssec Total on machine, £288 ; dividend £4 16s. Five was the main f->r the Hack Race. Jack received most support Tonganui got the best of the start, and led for half a mile; Hans then assumed command. At the turn into the straight Jack made a forward move, but facing home Strayshot came under punishment and won fairly comfortably from Jack, Hans third. Time, Imin 55 3-ssec. Total on machine, £195 ; divi« dead, £4 Is. For the Flying Stakes five went to the bamsr. Banner 9.2 was a little more than even-iuoney favourite; Epilogue 8.0 was also well backed. It looked a good thing for the daughter of Rosalind with that impost, but she did not strip well. Banner went to the front at the rise of the barrier, but Crawley rushed to the front and kept that position for a little more than three furlongß, when he died away. Tutanekai then put in his c'aim; and going to the lead kept there to the fiuish, winning fairly easily from Johnny Faa, Bianer third. Time, Imin 23jhec. Total on machine, £254; dividend, £15 45." The Trotting Race attracted a field of six. Unknown was favourite. Jennie -II and Bicraarck wera evenly backed. Bismarck led for nearly a mile and three-quarter?. Eotering the straight he broke up, Jennie II coming along in gool style passed him and won fairly easily. Time, 6min 2sec. Total.on machine, £81 ; dividend, £3 4s. Five went to the post for the Consolation Handicap. Epilogue was an even-money favourite 1 . This race was also run in the dark, consequently very little description can be given. Epilogue woa fairly easy from King Lear, Harkaway third. Home Rule last. Time, Imin 55 4-ssec. Total on machine, £132. Dividend, £2. The sum of £1705 passed through the machine the firit day, and £1174 the second day, making a total for the meeting of £2879. Mr H. James and his efficient staff worked the totaHsator to the satisfaction of the public and the club. The Premier attended the racs both days, an& seemed to thoioiU'h'y tnjoy himself.