WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2289, 13 January 1898, Page 33

WEST COAST NEWS.

By Totaba.

January 4. The Greymouth Jockey Club held its first meeting this stason on December 31 and January 1. Being by far the most attractive 'meeting on the West Coast of this island, the attendance was very large indeed. People from all parts of the coast visited the meeting. The weather was splendid and the racing was very good, some fine finishes resulting. The course was wonderfully improved, by the recent alterations, and the pretty surronmlingiS were particularly admired by the /isiiors. The Greymouth racecourse may now be said fco eompue most favourably with the larger racecourses tti New Zealand. The attendance tbe first day was really splendi'J, and the second day it was a record for the coast, quite 4000 being present. The booth did a splendid busine&s, yet there was not the slightest case of intoxication on the course The running track was in fine oner. Tho hill before entering the straight has been eat away, and the times are now murfi taster than in the past.

The proceedings opened with the Omotuaotu Handicap, btven furlongs. Fifteen figured on the card, and seven wer« withdrawn, leaving eight to face the barrier. Surrey opened favourite, but befoie the machine closed The Spinner had run him very close for supremacy on the tot.ilisHtoi-, UeiMtnt, Reality, and Corruption being very pooily supported by th° publi;; in fact-, 'a%d Corruption been successful she would have p;ud the handsome dividend of nearly £94. However, at no part of the race did she have a chance. To a good start Surrey was quickest away, with Bloomsbury next ; Corruption the last to move. Parsing the stand Bloomsbury showed out in front; at the half-n*ile post The Spinner put in his claim, Mid soon obtained charge of affairs, Surrey and Reality beiug alongside one another ntxt the leader. This order maintained to the straight. The whips vere out on all axcept The Spinner. Half way up the f.traight Frenchy made his effort. The Spintser continued on in frvnt, winning somewhat eas-ily fiom Surrey ; Frenchy third, Compton a bad last. Time, lmin '.!S|aec. Totalisator, £731 ; dividend, £2 S<.

The four that giaced the r.ard went to the post in the First Hack Race, one mile. Tonganui was made an O'Jdti-on fivrarite, Cactus being next in deiusmd. To an ordinary stait 'i'onsanui got the best of it and led the way, fch<s positions being Tongantsi, Taipari, and Token. When half the journey had been accomplished Taipari cried a go, Cactus taking the latter's place. Entering the straight the investors on Tonganui were on good terms with themselves, as she appeared to be having an easy victory, but Fata decided otherwise, as Tt/ken caught the rider of Tonganui napping, and defeated the m<\re by a head on the post ; Cactus three lengths away third, 'lime, lmin 47sec. Totalisator, £406" ; dividend, £3 16s.

The Grcymoutti Cup, of 250*>ovs, one mile and a-half, w»8 supposed to be the attraction of the meeting, 'but owing to the exposed form in Reefton only three went to the barrier— Epaulet 9.12, Haria 9.9, and Hiilatone 8.10. Haria wa3 in the pink of condition. Epaulet looked well as far as appearance was concerned. Hillstone evidently bad done a gopd preparation, but was not cls-ss enough. Haria was entrusted with most money on the machine, but ISpuulet was not far behind as far ss support was concerned. _Tcf a good start Haria showed out first, Spaulet being particularly slow to start. After going half a mile Hillstone ran to the front, Epaulet being lengths away last. This order was continued for a mile, whsn Haria assumed command. From this out the result was never in dcubt, Epaulet being ridden vigorously, but was not able to make up any of the way. Haria simply cantered in, wiDniag easily-by two lengths from Hillstone, Epaulet a ve^ybad last. The running of Epaulet was most mysterious. In no part of the race did he flatter his admirers — in fact he was getting farther behind the longer they went. Holme 3 applied the flail very freely, but it was ot no use, as the horse couM cot g<*llop. Time, 2min 41§sec. Totalizator, £793 ; dividend, £2.

Only three went to the post for the Hurdle Race. Clarence, on his Reef ton running, was installed a very warm favourite, but at the weights he found his master in Troubadour. To a fair start, Couranto was first on his legs, and led over the first jump. Clarence struck very bard and nearly turned a seven. Couranto led for more than half a mile, when Troubadour moved up to him. This position was not altered passing the stand. About four furlongs from home T> oubadour took command. Clarence by this time had run into second place. At the last hurdle Troubadour ran down the fence, losing some of his advantage ; but, Alexander soon got him going again, and defeated Clarence by a length, Oouranto some lengths n,w»y third. Time, 3min Slsec. Totalisator, £949 ; dividend, £2 16s. Silver Rose was withdrawn from the West Coast Produce Stakes, six furlongs, leaving only three to face the music. Bcumore was. favourite. To a good start National was first away. At the half-mile post Benmore and National were locked together, and were fighting hard for supremacy. A quarter of a mile from homo National was by himself in front. About 100 yds from the winning. Bost.Benmore made another attempt to catch the

leader ; but it was of no avail, National stalliafl off Benmore's rush. Won by three-quarters of a length. Time, lmin 20 2-ssec. Totalisator, £445; dividend, £2 7s.

The Second Hack Race, six furlongs, brought out a field of four, Shylock being made an odds on favourite. Tonganui was the first to move, and led the way, Johnny Martin next. But the latter soon dropped back After going half the distance Tonganui was still in charge; Shylock second. This order was continued to the straight when Shylock made a determined attempt, but could not reach Tonganui, who won very easily by a length ; Shylock second, Gloire de Dijon third. T im e, lmie 19 3-s:ec. Totalisator, £960 ; dividend, £2 16a. Fourteen figured on the card for the Brunner Handicap, lOOsovs, six furlongs. Eight were scratched. Return wss made a redhot favourite, Hillstone be.iag next iv demand. There was considerable delay in starting this event, Crescent being very troublesome. Eventually a fair start was made, Crescent getting away last. Reveille soon assumed command ; the favourite last. The hollow-backed son of Maxim and Siesta made the pace very warm, and it looked as if the Reefton sports were in for a good coup. Biddy chased Reveille into the straight, but could not get near him. Crescent then came with a wet sail, and soon had Reveille at his mercy, Crescent winning by a length, Reveille second, and Bisley third. Return ran into fourth place, but he was a great disappointment to his connections. Had Reveille triumphed, bis owner would have fallen into a good stake. Time, Jmin 17 3-ssec. Totalisator, £595 ; dividend, £11 6s. From what I could learu, Crescent was not supported by his party, Bisiey being the bearer of the dollars for. the stable.

Thus ended the first d^y's amusement, the sum of £5169 passing through the machines. The second day the weather still continued fine. The attendance was much larger than the first day, speculation being again brisK. The racing was again good.

The Flying Stakes, six furlosgs, was the first item for consideration The Spinner aDd Frenchy were well backed. This was a wretched start, Frenchy getting a decided advantage. Reveille and The Spinner were hampered by one side of the tapes, and both w->re left. After going three furlong- Frenchy was out by himself, Crtscent being hia nearest attendant, The Spinner being last. Frenchy continued his lead into the straight. F-eality made a forward move, and half-way down the straight made matters very interesting. The whips were now going on both Frenchy and Reality. A Bplendid race resulted in Frenchy gainii g the judge's decision by a head from Reality ; Reveille, half a length away, third. Time, lmin 19 4-ssec. Tottlisator, £671; dividend, £3 4s. The decision did not altogether please the public, many being of opinion that Reality had won by a short head ; in fact a number of the supporters of Frenchy thought that Reality had won, and you will also hear people who had backed neither say Reality was first. However, to give a correct decision one must be directly in a line with the winning post, and as the judge is in the best position his vesdict must be accepted as correct. For the First Hack Race, seven furlongs, all the acceptors (five) went to the post. Tongaimi was in strong demand. Tonganui was again quickest away, and passing the judge's box was in front, Cactus next, Shylock, some lengths away, last. When half the distance was completed Tonganui had Gloire de Dijon as her closest attendant. Shylock was improving his position. Ones in the straight, Tonganui had everything settled. Shylock made a rx.ld bid, but he could not get up to Tonganui, who won by a length from Shylock ; Cactus third, Taipari beaten off. Time, lmin 32 4-ssec. Totalisator, £729 ; dividend, £2 6s

Five graced the card in the Grey Valley Handicap, of ISOsovs, one mile and a-quarter. Surrey was withdrawn. Epaulet was weighed out, and was walking about the saddling paddock with his saddle-cloth (No. 1) on. Suddenly, for s >me unforeseen reason, he was withdrawn at tbe last minute. Hillstone 8.10, Speculator 86, and Bona Fide 7.10 comprised the field. Booa Fide was slightly a better fa-vourite than Hillstoue. To a good start Boua Fide was quickest away. Speculator soon joined Bona Fide, and both ran together for a quirter of a mile, when Boaa Fide went on by himself, making the pace very warm. Passing the stand Hil'stone was second. When three-quarters of a mile had been coiripa-s&ed Hillstone made au effort, but did not materially reduce the gap. At the turn into the straight Hillstone's rider was at him with the whip. About 200 yards from the winning post Bona Fide's rider drew out his whip also, and a good lace ensued, but the black horse lasted longest and won by thvee-quavters of a length. Speculator wa<? outpaced after going two fnrloDg*, and wai a long way lai-t. Time, 2min 13 3 ssec. TotaHsator, £1166 ; dividend, £2 2s. This is the largest amount ever invested in one race on the Coast on the tntslisator.

Six faced the barrier in the Hurdle Race, one mile aud a-half. Clarence started favourite, although Slav en was well supported. To a good start Cyrus showed the way, but he wa3 not allowed to have that position for loug, as old Courftnto, with renewed vigour, galloped away in the lead at a great pace ; Bl&omsbury sec >nd, Cyrus third. After going half a mile, Slaiden rushed into second place. Passing the stand Couranto was still in front ; Troubadour had now got into second position ; Clarence was in trouble after getting over the first hurdle, and acted as wbipper-in. Orjca into the straight for the last time Troubadour established bis claim and led to the last hurdle, but jumping very badly Oouranto got iip*ftgahi, but ot> the flat Troubadour h id more to*, and beat Couranto by nearly a length'; Bloomsbury third. A protest was entered against Troubadour for crossing at the last hurdle, but ifc wa3 dismissed, lime, 2min 58 3-ssec. Totalisator, £862 ; dividend, £5 12s Five faced the machine in the Second Hack Race, six furlonps. ToDganui was again made a very strong order. A lot of delay occurred in getting the field away. Eventually they were got a\v»y to a poor start, Tonganui agaiu bein|; quickest on her legs, and soon obtained a decided lead. After going three furlong 3 Tonganui was stiU in command, Gloire di Dijon second, Shylock third. Entering the straight National mn up to third pl»ee, Gloire de Dijon having fallen back beaten. Tonganui came away in tbe straight, and won ea*ily. Shylock made a big attempt to catch the leader but it was of no avail ; Cactus third. Time, lmin 19|sec. Of the 14 that figured on the card for the Publiowirf' Handicap, of lflOsovc, seven furlongs, only two went fc> the post— Bisley 8.4 and Suirey 7.7. Speculation was not brisk in this race. Surrey was first to move, and passing the st»nd was nearly two lengths in advance of Bisley When cthey had gone half a mile Bisley closed a little on the leader. JKntering the straight Bislsy waa alongside of his opponent. The last 20yds was a real good set-to, and Bisley, lasting longest, won by a head. Time, lmin 3l|see. Totalisator, £86 ; dividend, £2 6<j. Seven weie entered for the Farewell Handicap,

one mile. Speculator was the only withdrawal. Manawanui was picked upon as the real good thing. A horrible start. Token being badly left. Reality got much the bevt of the etart, and led the wf-y paat the judge's box, Manawanui being next. At the half-mile pos>t Reality was sailing away in front, and lauded into tbe s!ri>igrrta couple of lengths to the good. Manawanui made his effort, but it was futile. Reality winning ss sh.B liked, Manawanni second, French y third, Miser, a bad last. Time, lmin 45 4-ssec. Totalisator, £750 ; dividend, £5 9s. This event concluded a most successful meeting. The sum of £5140 passed through the machines during the day, making a total of £10,309 for the meeting, which is a record for the West Coast. Two machines were used at the meeting, one for the inside enclosure and the other for the outside public. Both totals were added together, the one dividend being for insida and outside. Mr Harry James and his most efficient staff worked the machines splendidly, giving general satisfaction all round. The running of Epaulet was most mysterious. Epaulet ran a real good race at Reefton, and had be been brought up earlier iv the race the Inangahua Cup would hava been a much faster race ; but at Greymouth he was unable to raise a gallop. Holmes was at hira from the rise of the barrier, but the horse seemed in trouble, and could not make auy headway. The Greymouth handicapper, apparently, was not satisfied with Epaulet's running at Greymouth. In the Greymouth Cup Epaulet carried 9.12, li«S

Btone 8.10. Epaulet never got within lengths of Millstone at any part of the race, yet the adjustment for the Grey Valley Handicap, one n>ile and a-quartcr, was as follows :— Epaulet 10.12, Hillstone 8.10. Epaulet was risen a stone, and Hillstone was kept at the s*rne weight, yet the la-tter easily finished in front of Epaulet in the Greymouth Cup. On paper it would look as if the handicapper had made a glaring error, but what do we find ?— viz , that Epaulet accepted with all the discrepancy in the adjustment, and was actually weighed out, but did not statt for some mystic reftson. I think a question might have been asked in the interest of the public in order to hays an explanation of the running of Epaulet. Either something was radically wiong or the handicapper made a gioss error in his adjustment between Epaulet and Hillstone the second day. Very probably the handicapper may have had very good reasons for handicapping Epaulet as be did, and the owner of Epaulet may be able to give a satisfactory explanation of the horse's running in the Greymouth Cup. Had the club instituted any i»quiry it would have put an end to the unpleAßant talk that has been indulged in since the race took place. The stewards aud officials worked really well, and are to te congratulated on the immense suecee6 of the meeting. Punctuality wos obierved in starting the vaiious events, thus enabling the public to return to their homes at a reasonable Lour. The other clubs on the West Coast might ■well take a pattern by the Greymouth Club in starting the events to advertised time, and observing the same punctuality. The starting was in the hands of Mr F. C. Flicker, who carried out his dulies in a cieditable manner. There were one or two poor starts, but taken as a whole the starting was very good indeed. Mr J. L. Dorgan had everything in apple-pie order, and -was most energetic in carrying out his responsible position. The handicapper, Mr Walton, was succtssful in his adjustments, some fine finishes resulting. The judge, Mr M'Kay, had seme close finishes to adjudicate on, but with <he exception of Reality and Frenchy in the Flying Handicap, his decisions gave general satisfaction to the public. MiKettle was all smiles in w«ghi_»g out the lads, the new weighiug chair minimising his responsible duties. Lasr, but not leas'-, Mr R. Clough was a " beau ideal " clerk of the course. I trust that the Greymouth Jockey Club will always fcave such a successful meeting.