WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2237, 14 January 1897, Page 33

WEST COAST NEWS.

By Totara. January 4. The Westport Jockey Club held its annual meeting on Boxing Day, and it was a decided success. Although the fields were small the attendance and the totalisator receipts were much larger than in previous years, the sum ot £1793 being handled the first day and*£l747 the second day— making a total for the two days of £3545. Johnny Faa had no difficulty in winning tho Stewards' Handicap. Dividend, £2 4s. The Hack Race was won by Rekaiti, owned by Mr Colvin, of Westport. This win was moat popular, that gentleman being a really good sportsman. Dividend, £3 17s. The Westport Cup was captured by Seabreeze, who returned her investors £5 6s. Nellie accounted for the first day's trotting event, paying £4 9a. Johnny Faa bad another turn of fortune by winning the Nahr Memorial Handicap— uamed in remembrance of the late Mr Nahr, who was a prominent member of the Wettport Jockey Club. Dividend, £2 11s. Rekaiti easily defeated her fire opponents in the District Hack Handicap. Dividend, £1 17s. Minerva and Couranto were the only starters for the Hurdle Race, and as it was pretty freely stated that they were owned by the same parties very little interest was taken in the race. There was only £10 invested on the machine. Minerva won, paying £1 10s. The second day the attendance wa3 again large. The_ racing started with the Hurdle Race, Minerva again winning. The Hack Kace was won by Fiah Ob, paying £1 14s dividend. Kate II won the Trotting Race Handicap. Nellie, the previous day's winner, being second ; Doll third. The owner of the winner was subjected to a protest for not having a trainer's and rider's license. After the matter was considered by the stewards Mr Snodgrass withdrew his protect. Dividend, £2 la. Seabreeze was again iv evidence, capturing the Hughes Memorial Handicap (named after the late Mr Hughes, who was also a prominent member of the Westport Jockey Club). Dividend, £2 4s. Johnny Faa made his third win during the meeting by annexing the Buller Handicap. Dividend, £2 19s. Mr Colvin again scored with Rekaiti in the District Hack Rac», making the third win during the meeting for the daughter or' Awatu. Dividend, £1 Bs. The Farewell Handicap brought the meeting to a close, Review winning as he liked. Dividend, £2 15s. > Mr Mcc, the energetic secretary, carried out hia many duties in a moit creditable manner. Mr J. O'Neill was very happy in his despatcher, making some very good starts. Mr Dunbar gave satisfaction as handicapper. I regret that the Westport Jockey Club and the Reefton Jockey Club race on the same date. It is certainly not in the interests of racing that thes* two clubs t should clash, and I trust that some amicable arrangement will be come to in order to prevent both clubs racing on the same dates. I sincerely hope wiser counsels will prevail. January 6. The Greymouth Jockey Club's Midtummer meeting opened on Thursday, December 31. The weather early in the morning was certainly threatening, but before the people started for the course it cleared up. The at-endance was large, representatives from all parts of tho Coast aud surrounding districts being present. Taking it throughout the meeting, the racing was very fair, some close finishes resulting. ; The Christchurch sports scooped tbe pool, Marino winning tbe two principal events the first day, f and Aiquebus doing likewise the second day. The races were not run t> time as punctually as in the past few years, and a certain amount of grumbling was indulged it. ♦ ' The ball opened with the Omotumotu Handicap. Nine figured on tile card, but four were ■withdrawn, leaving five to face the starter. Speculation, on his recent running, was installed favourite, Surrey being next in demand. The start for this race was not a good one by any means. Surrey woe first away, and led past the stand, and kept that position until the mile post was reached, when Bloomsbury and Speculation went up to the leader, and it promised to be a close furi»li between the three leading horses ; but Fate deemea it otherwise, as coming round the turu into the straight Speculator fell and brought Bloomsbury down also. This mishap left Surrey again at the head of affairs. Tutanekai came with a late run, but could not catoh murrey, who won by a length, Johnny t*'aa four lengths away third. Time, lmin 36jjec. Totalisator, £577 ; dividend, £4 5». Stratford, th- rider of Speculator, got his shoulder injured, which will preveut him riding at any of the Coast meetings this summer. Galbraitb, the rider of Bloomabury, escaped without injury. Neither of the horses were hurt. The First Hack Race wa« the next item. Five had the pen drawn through their names, leaving four to contest the race. Taipari received most support. From a good start Ffsh Oh went to the front, Reveille lying next, Return last, his rider hanging on to him as if it were a "tug-of-war" contest. Fish Oh led to the back of the course. Reveille wan by this time hanging out signs of distress. Taipari was being vigorously rioden by Holmes, and made up a lot of lee-way, Return's rider still playing tug-of-war." Half-way up the straight 'J aipari was coming very fast and by desperate riding he managed to get home by a neck from Fish Oh. Return, pulling the rider out of the saddle, came very fast when the race was practically over, and finished third. Return's exhibition was the strongest sham seen for many a day, and how the stewards allowed it to pass unnoticed lam at a lo3S to understand. Time, lmin Sl^ec. Totalisator. £641 ; dividend, £2 6s. i The Greymouth Cup, the event of the meeting, ' next claimed attention. Out of 10 acceptors seven were withdrawn on the course, leaving Marino 9.3, Arquebus 8.7, and Banner 8.4 to contest the race. Marino, who had been specially Mserved for this race, looked very well indeed, and Arquebus looked bright and nice. Banner did not look as well as I have seen him in the past ; beside.", his legs were encased in bandages, which is not an assuring sign. Marino was an odds-on favourite, tnoiy than half the money on the machine being invested on the big son of Nelson, Banner beiDg the outsider of the party. To a good start Arquebus showed the way, Marino next. At the back of the course the first time round Banner went up to Arquebus, Marino going well within himself. Passing the stand the same order was maintained. Arquebus was the first to land into the straight, Banner next. When halfway down the straight Holmes brought Marino with a well-timed run along the centre of the course and fairly smothered his opponent?, winning easily by half a length from Arquebus, Banner four lengths away third. Time, 2min B2 3-ssec. Totalisator, £1115; dividend, £1 12s. ' The four acceptors wept to the post for the , Hurdle Race, Clarence being a red-hot favourite. On the Reefton running it looked a real good > thing for the son of Tekoa, and so it turned out, as he won as he liked. There was a fair start. Minerva led over the first hurdle at a good pace, Couranto being slow to move. At the second hurdle Couranto jumped the rails leading into the sand track and* cam* down; fortunately neither M'Taggart (the rider) nor the horse was injured. By this time Minerva was sailing along with several lengths of a lead, Clarence going very comfortably. Passing the stand the last time round it was evident that Minerva was tiriug, as she was beginning to come back. At the hill Clarence made a forward move, and before the la»t hurdle was reached Clarence had Minerva safe. Both jumped the last hurdle together, but on the flat the mare had no chance with Clarence, ■who won easily by half a length from Minerva, Regalia several length* away thh-d. Time, 3min 30JUec. Totalisator, £iT2. Dividend, £1 7s. The West Coaat Piuduce Slakes brought out a Held of five. Beu More was installed favourite. '

Moonlight being a rank'outsider. From a fair start Home Rule and silver Rose <vent to the front and ran together for balf » mile, B>:n More, third, going well. At the back of the course Kekaiti fell. Entering the straight Beu Mmc came away from his opponeuca and won fairly easily from Silver Rose, Home Rule third. Moonlight ran round the , rails and into the crowd on the outside enclosure; fortunately he was stopped before any person was hurt. Time, Imin23sec. Totalisator, £766 ; dividend, £1 16 a. After the race was over the crowd rushed over to where Rekaiti fell. In the meantime the rider, Wallace, had been picked up insensible, and he was so severely injured that he was removed to the hospital immediately. Rekaiti had her back broken, and she was destroyed. Great sympathy is felt for Wallace, who is a quiet, decent, und inoffensive lad. Much ! sympathy is also felt for Mr Colvin in losing his promising little mare. Four went to the post for the Second Hack Race, Crawley being an odds-on favourite. On the release of the barrier Crawley went to the front aud maintained his lead to the bottom of the hill, where Gloire de Dijon challenged him ; he then immediately threw up the sponge and dropped back last, a great race between Gloire di Dijon and Mis* Charm ending iv the former getting home by a head from Miss Charm, Touganui third, Crawley a bad last. Time, lmin 22?aec. Totalisator, .£245 ; dividond, £13 15a. Out of 15 figuring on the card far the Bnmnei; Handicap only five faced the machinp, Marino being most in demand, Tutanekai being next. From a fair start Home Rule went to the front, the others close up, Marino last. The same order w«s maintained to the b.ick of the course. When fairly in the f-traight Marino came with a big run mid romped home by half a length from Bloomsbury. Tutanekai thitd. Time, lmin 1!) 4 ssec. Totalisator. £460; dividend, £2 Bj. This race brought a good day's sport to a conclusion. New Year's Day was a beautiful day, and the attendance the largest on record for a Coast meeting, the tr.iina from Reef ton aud Hokitik* being pneked to excess. There must have been between 3»'iO and 4000 people on the ground during * he day. The totalisator was largely patronised. The course was much better going than on the previous day. During the afternoon the grand stand was literally packed, the accommodation being taxed to the utmost. The racing opened with the Flying Stakes," six furlong*. Nine figured on the card, but five were scratched, leaviug four to fight out the finish. Slaiden was pounced on as a good thing, bain? backed to leps than level money. From a good start Gloira de Dijon went to the front, and led to the back of the course, when Tutanekai went up to her. Going up tha hill Tutanekai fell back, and Silver Rose put in her claim aud displaced Gloire. Then Slaiden challenged Silver Rose, and iv a determined finish beat her by a head ; Gloire de Dijoo third. Tutanekai pulled up on three legs, having broken down. Time, lmin 20?aec. Totalisator, £664 ; dividend, £1 17s. The Hack Race was the next race. Three were struck out, leaving five to go to the post. Ben More was ias called favourite. From a good start Reveille and Surrey led the way past the stand. 1 incing neck and neck. This order was maintained to the back of the course, when Reveille was done with, Ben More going up. Entering the straight he showed a bold front, and looked all over a winner, but Surrey carried too many gum for him, and won by three-quarters of a length ; Taipari third. Time, lmin 36aeo. Totalisator, £765 ; dividend, £5 15". i The Grey Valley Handicap, the chief event of tho second day, enticed tix to face the barrier, Banner, the local horse, being heavily supported ; Arquebus next in demand. From a good start Home Rule led the way past the stand, Banner next, Johnny Faa whipping in. At the back of the course Arquebus moved up a little, being handy when required. Entering the straight Arquebus camo with a run, and soon had everything settled, winning tasily from Banner; Bloomsbury, riddeu out, third. Time. 2min lflfcec. Totalisator, £1116 ; dividend, £3 Bs. Clarence and Couranto dropped out of the Hurdle Race, leaving only three to go to the post, Crawley, a new aspirant at the hurdle game, being one of the Btarters. He jumped very well for a beginner, but not being endowed with staying powers, was unable to live with R?galia Rt the finish. Minerva opened a hot favourite, but before the machine closed Regalia, was well backed, several of the knowing ones hay in* got the " whisper" to put their dollars on Regalia, as matters were all right. From a good start Crawley led over the first hurdle, and kept tho lead for once round, Minerva being in thn rear, no doubt for the purpose of getting a good view of the race. At the hurdle past the stand Regalia supplanted Crawley, and at the back of the course Crawley was in trouble, Minerva's rider sitting still on her, thus allowing Regalia to get clear away. When fairly iuto the straight Regalia was sailing along in front, Minerva not making a semblance of a race. When Regalia had the race well in hand Minerva came very fast, after there was no chance of getting up ; Crawley a bad last. Time, 3min 3s«ec. Totalisator, £793 ; dividend, £2 13a. There is no doubt there was room for an inquiry regarding the running of Minerva. It was palpable to anyone with a knowledge of racing that the race was not, run correctly. The Second Hack Race was the next item for consideration. Out of 10 horses himdicapi.ed only four went to the post. Cyrus was picked on as a good thing, Miss Charm being also well tupportcd. To a fair ttart Tonganui went away with the l»ad, and kept that position to the back of the courss, when Miss Charm moved up. Entering the straight Miss Charm got on terms with Tonpauui, and a good finish resulted iv Mis« Charm getting hdme by a neck from Tonganui ; Cyrus wus> third, his run- ■ ning being regarded with a certain amount of suspicion. Immediately after the race the owner of Cyrus lodged a complaint against Heidy, the rider of Cyrus, for not trying to win. Time, lmin 51sec. Totalisator, £662; dividend, £2 16s. * Fourteen figured on the card for the Publicans' Handicap, but only five accepted, Marino being the favourite, with Return close at hand. The connection* of the letter were in high glee with themselves when they saw the weights, but to my mind to have had even a moderate chance in this race his running the previous <-ay must have been all wrong. From a fair start Bloonisbury passed the stand first. Return lying second, Marino last. At the back of the course Return took command. At this time Arquebus was going well. Return led into the straight, Bioomsbury falling back beaten. Arquebus then put in his claim, and stalling off the challenges of Return and Marino won by half a length from Return, Marino close up third. Time, lmin 32§sec. Totalisator, £632; dividend, £8. The running of Return in this race proved conclusively that there was something radically wrong in his running in the Hack Race the previous day. For the Farewell Handicap four faced the j barrier, B inner being a less than even-money ' favourite ; Seabreeze was aleo in request. To a good start Home Rule went to the tront, Seabreeze next. Pjßsing the stand Banner was iv the lead. At the foot of the hill Banner was steadied, and dropped back a. little, but when fairly into the straight he swooped oown on his opponents and waltz-d home an easy winner by two lengths, with Seabreeze second and Home Rule third. Time, lmin 49 4-ssec. Totalisator, £553 ; dividend, £1 18s. This race concluded the most successful meeting ever held by the Grej mouth Jockt-y Club, and I take tins opportunity of congratulating the club on its success. This club has always endeavoured to advance with the times, and will compare most favourably with any club in New Zealand ■ in comparison to the population of the town. The course and the surroundings look really pretty this season, showing that the club takes a keen interest in its property. Every meeting one sees improvements on the course. The sum of £9456 passed through the machine during the two days, which is the record as far as the Coast is concerned. Mr Harry James and his able assistants deserve the highest praise for the most creditable manner in which they carried out their responsible duties. Mr J L. poogan, the populw secretary, had everything in apple-pie order, which shows that he is well versed in theiesponsibleduties appertaining to the office. 1 have to thank Mr Doogan for the courtesies that he extended to me during the meeting, any information that I required being readily given »>y that gentleman. I think the stewards might have taken notice of the running of Minerva and Return in order to satisfy the public. Except for these omissions the; carried oat their duties in a creditable

! manner. Mr M'Kay as judge gave general Rat'sfacrion. Although there wore some cloae finishes the mo3fi crif cal cniTd not take exception to his decisions. Mr W. R. Kettle as fJerk of the scales performed bia duties well, lining most careful ia weighing in and out. besides being moat courteoun to the trainers and jockiy?. Mr F. C. Dupre ai timekeeper fulfilled that oftire satisfactorily. Mr R. ' lough, as clerk of the course, was in hia element; the more work he had to do the mow he revelled in it, and the more pleasant he looked. Mr J. Walton, the handi- , copper, did his work well, some close finishes rei suiting. Mr H. C. Flicker, the starter, got his : fields away well, which was a great improvement '< on his efforts last March. I think more general , satisfaction would have been given if the races I had been started to time punctually, in order to i allow the public to return to their homes at an earlier hour. The lad Wallace, who was injured when Rekaiti fell, is improving as well as can be expected. The jockey O. Reidy, who rode Cyrug in the Hack Race the second day, was called before the stewards on the evening of January 1, and was severely reprimanded for the manner in which he rode Cyrus. Tutanekai ia still on the racecourse, not beiDg fit to move to town. It is feared his racing days are over, but he may be witched up for the stud. The report of the Westiand Kacing Club's meeting will appear in next week's issue.