EGMONT RACES.

Patea Mail, Volume XI, Issue 133, 26 February 1886, Page 2

EGMONT RACES.

PRESIDENT — Hon. M-jor Atkinson. V zcw-President—J. LiriristoP, Stewards —Messrs M. F. Bain), John Heslo’g F. H. Brett, J. Crocker, D, Knight, R. E. Me line, W. W. Mi! obeli. Starter— Mr A. "W. Budge. Clerk op the course— Mr H. I. Davis Creek of the Scales —Mr J. C.; Ycuke. Hakuicappeu— Mr Alex. Higgle.f Timekeepeu—Mr H. GL Pitcher. Judge —Mr F. R. Jackson. A more lovely d«y than Wednesday for a race day could not have been nmilfactured, and a more beautiful little course could not be wished than is the Ilawera course, and given these two roquiremeidsand add to them good horses, urn straiglK’ goo;i stewards, who thoroughly know then work and do it, and cfliciont office bearers, and how can a day’s racing be otherwise than successful, and this is what was prepared for visitors to the Ilawera course yesterdaj-, and the unanimous verdict was !i the most complete!}'’ enjoyable day I’ve spent for the season.” The programme was a most liberal one, the “ K’rcct Cards ” setting forth nine events,everyone of which was honestly contested and faithfully earned. There were two or three accidents, but none accompanied with serious consequences, and everyone was enabled to enjoy the day without a single drawback. The excursion trains from both New Plymouth and Wanganui we.ro well patronized, and arrived at the course thoroughly crammed with passengers, and by the time the first race started the grand stand was well filled, and a good muster of onlookers took possession of every possible point of vantage, “the rails” being lined with vehicles of every conceivable pattern, the roots of all such as possessed such commodities being also besieged. The arrangements for working the tolalisator were not quite as satisfactory as wc have seen them, being ch iractised by excessive slowness, probably arising from the proprietors being strange to the work. In the absence of Air F. 11. Jackson, who was unavoidably absent, Air James Paul of New Plymouth filled the ollicc of judge, and gave unquestioned satisfaction, Wc cannot, however, speak quite so favorably of the starter, ns this duty was the lean! well done of any though not from any fault of the officer, but from lack of power to see and grasp the moment when his horses are in position to bo sent on their A-ay, as very many splendid oppoi’tunitu-s were missed, that, bring seized, would have saved much unnecessary and harassing' delay. A starter can scarcely expect to get a string of animals, brought to the post lit and well, to toe the line like a regiment of soldiers on parade, and if his eyo won’t record the instant that a field can bo despatched without injustice he had better turn his attention to another portion o/ the programme, as no amount of patience can supply the place of such a deficiency. Any shortcomings of ollicials (and they were few indeed), were amply recompensed by the giant exertions of the. übiquitous secretary (Mr Nolan) to whose increasing energy' and painstaking application the thorough smoothness of the day’s proceedings must in a great measure bo attributed. The Ilawera Band was on the course, and contributed to the amusement of the day' by discoursing some capita! music during the intervals between the events. The following are the results ; —•

11 a v d i ca r> Hurdles of GO sots; second horse to receive 10 sovs from the strikes. Two miles and a distance. Over 9 /lights of hardies 3ft Gin high. For this even!, a field of five faced the starter, and after a short delay got away to a good start, when Lo Chur immediately jumped to the front, and carrying his jockey on the curb cut out the pace at a rush, but being evidently beyond all control soon “ran wide” and negotiated the jumps, after the first two, by going round them, and ultimately left the course altogether before the first round was completed, The second round Druid assumed control, and had evidently the foot of the field, but. unfortunately, thought it easier to go round than over ’.ho Hurdles at the back of tire course, and virtually put himself out of it, as his jockey saw clearly he had not time to pul! and go again, and so finished, as lie was coming in with plenty in hand. A protest, however, was laid, and upheld, the stakes going to Egrnont, with Gang Forward second. The wore £135 on the machine, G2 being on Druid, and 11 on Egrnont. Dividend, £lO Bs, Time, 4rnin. 54sccs. Following this came the Hack Hurdle Race of 15 sovs; entrance 1 sov, post entry; one mile and a distance. Weights not less than 9sf ? for which a field of eight “ jumping kicks ” sported silk, but were all disposed of publicly by the “ Auctioneer,” tho time occupied in doing so being 2min. 24 2-6 th secs, with the net return to his supporters of £4 3s. Tho next on the list was tho Flying Hanbicai* of 50 soys. One mile. Winner of any handicap of tho value of 30 sovs or more after declaration of weights to carry 51bs extra. For this event two blacks and two bays were brongt to ,‘tho post, and, to the anxious onlookers, it scorned as if it was intended they should remain there, but eventually they were “set loose” to a very indifferent start, when Satoria went to the front and ied tho way till they readied the back of course, with Speculation and llagar in close attendance, Armourer being last at the top of the course. Before turning into the straight Armourer began to close on tho others, and all turned in a cluster for the struggle home. Unfortunately Satorid hugged ihc turn to closely, and uiu into a post of the training track fence, and horse and rider gra.-sed it. with most unmistakeablc precision (it. would be as well, however, for the committee to have this fence altered before another meeting, us it certainly is somewhat• dangeious). No eorioue harm was done to the boy, but the horse'fl chest was very badly lecoratod. The other throe, animals coniuiaui their race in earnest, all iho whips being out, and every jockey at l ending strictly fi> business, Speculation and Annoiuev disputing every jump with II agar, ’nut the little mare evidently meant to have the money, and after a haul fought tussel secured by a neck, tho judge’s numbers shewing Speculation ... ... ... 1 “ Armourer ... .. ... 2 llagar ... ... ... 3 Speculation was made a hot favourite from the beginning, The machine showed a total of 237—123 being on Speculation

and 74 on Armourer. Dividend, £1 13s. Time, Imin 50 2-sths sec. ,/ r, m Novel Race of 30 sovs. Distance, a ! 'ont one mile. Entrance, 1 sov ; post entry. Weight not to be under Bsfc 7!hs. The winner to become the property of the Club, and to ho sold immediately after the race. Was next put through, for which there ) were four contestants, Merlin, Wheel of Fortune, Commotion, and Emmet. These wore sent away from a capital start, ana with the exception o£ Wheel of >.Fortune raced well together to the straight, when Merlin and Commotion tried conclusions, and a capital race home ensued, the judge’s conclusion being that Merlin was entitled to the stakes. There were 100 investments on the machine, 37 on the winner and 45 on Commotion. Merlin was auctioned hy Sir Nolan, who knocked him down to the; bad of Mr Mcßae for £22 lO.s, 'lire race of the day came next, the Egmont Handicap of 200 sovs, Second horse to receive 30 sovs from the stakes. Nomination, 2 sovs; acceptance, 6 sovs. Distance, 2 miles. Winner of any handicap of I lie value of 100 sovs or more after declaration of weights to carry albs extra. For which four came to interview the starter, and after considerable delay were sent away on their two mile boat, though from a very bad start. Salvage at once took the load and cut out the pace just a little too severely for his own success. Bayard and Landseer waited on him pretty closely, Armourer lying in rear at a steady batter, but within range. This order was tolerably well maintained until the hack of the course was reached, the second time when Armourer began to put on the pace a little and gradually gained on his horses until his nose began to show in front of Landseer, who in turn freshened up a little and came forward to challenge Salvage's right to first place, and on turning into the straight the jockeys one ami all were sitting dose and 1 evidently riding for a severe struggle, all the whips being out. When the distance was passed Salvage’s chance was for a place only, as his say in the race, was gone, and Armourer’s jockey ceased to

mmish his mount and finished a good long ill in front with something left hi hand, Landseer next, and Salvage following both ridden right out, Bayard last. Tim win was a very popular one, although tho money was principally on Salvage. The judge’s numbers placed th in Armourer (Hickey) Bst 2!bs 1 Landseer 7st ' ... ... 2 Salvage Bst ... ... 3 Bayard 7st Dibs ... ... 0 Administrator, Poet, Normanby, and Ringleader were scratched. There were 181 (£2 tickets) on the totabsator, 89 being on Salvage, 30 on Armourer, 28 on Bayard, and 26 on Landseer. The dividend awarded to those who pinned their faith on Armourer was £8 11a. Time, 3mia 49 2-51h secs. Tho nest event was the

Maiden Plate of 40 sovs ; for 3-year-olds and upwards ; weight for ace ; distance, miles. Six racing maidens sported silk in response to the starling bell, but in response to the starter’s flag a poor start was effected, Juliet and Lottery being first to show. On turning into the straight the first time Ruapehu tried a canon with a post, and put the jockey to earth without any trouble. On the jockey’s part luckily no harm was done beyond losing all chance of the race, Juliet was never collared, and won easily. There were 256 on the machine, 35 on Juliet. Dividend, £6 11s. Time 2miu 54 3-sths secs. The next thing on tho book was the Hack Flat Race of 15 sovs ; entrance 1 sov ; post entry ; one mile and a distance. Weights not less than than Bst 7!bs. Which brought out a field of ton and included “ail sorts and conditions” of horses, from a Hensation to a Ruby and a Dream to a Darkey. Tho “hacks” dodged about at the starting post for a considerable time before tho starter released them, when spreadoagling began at once, until at the top of tho course (here appeared to be three fields and a whipper-in, Mr Dream, however, proved too smart for the more wakeful ones, and secured a favourable verdict from the judge, and its supporters, 58 in number, a dividend of £3 16s from the machine, 65 received sensational disappointment, while 34 invested on Rangiora without any return. Time, 2min 5 4-stbs secs. The weighing next rang for the District Race Handicap of 50 sovs. Distance 14 miles. Open to all horses owned six months prior to time of entry by bona fide residents who have been living’ between the White Cliffs and the Manawatu River for that time. Winner of Egmont Handicap to carry 51bs extra. For this event six horses stripped, Speculation being made a hot favourite. The flag fell to a most execrable start, Maratau having a very bad worst of it, Landseer cut out the running at a fair pace, Maratau taking last place, tho others working along between them. At tho top of the course Speculation improved her position slightly, and Maratau came through her horses and looked all over like winning, and on corning into the straight; all the horses were together under the whip, ami a most exciting race ensued, Speculation running most gamely under punishment succeeded in catching the judge’s eye first, with Landseer at her neck and Bayard close up. Maratau, having unfortunately being called on a little too early, shot her bolt before tho post was reached and only managed to get fourth place, the judge’s account being Speculation (McCormick) Bstl3lbs... 1 Landseer 7st 3lbs ... ... ... 2 Bayard 7st 12ibs .. ... ... 3 Juliet, Hagar', and Maratau also ran. Armourer and Ringleader were scratched. There were 260 investments on the event, 116 of which were placed to Speculations account, 72 to Maratau. and 39 to Landseer. Dividend, £2, Time, 2rnin 47 4sihs secs. Tire next and last advertised race was the County Handicap of 30 sovs. One mile and a half. Open to all horses owned and trained for one month prior to time of entry, by bona fide residents within the Hnwera County, And this brought live bits of silk in front of tho white flag, and after a very great deal of trouble, caused to great extent by tho intractability of Ruapehu, they sailed away on their journey, Lo Clair immediately moving to tho front, and cutting out the pace. 11 i y bolt was soon .shot, however, and at tho end of a mile was disposed of. On coming into the straight Linnet made a fight for places, and came very Cast, but only succeeded in playing

second fiddle to Ruapehu, who won hands down, Linnet second and Volunteer third. There were 201 on the machine, 92 of which were on Ruapehu, and 47 on Volunteer. Dividend, £ 1 19s, Time, 2min 51 see. A Ilmry Scurry’Race, of three-quarters of a mile, was then got up, for which seven entered, and. it resulted in a dead heat between Commotion and Flirt, Commotion securing the second heat easily. There were 56 on the totalisator, 23 being on Commotion, on which horse the stewards ordered tire machine to pay out. This concluded one of the most successful and fautless race meetings ever held on the coast, and certainly adds another laurel to tho already substantial bunch secured by the committee and officerbearers of the Egmont Racing Club. BLENHEIM RACES[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.J BLENHEIM, This day. Racing Club Handicap. Silence 1 Refrigerator ... ■ ... ... 2 Alpine Rose ... ... ... 3 £3500 was put through the totalisator n two days.