THE RACES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 614, 31 January 1879, Page 2

THE RACES.

SECOND SERIES OF EVENTS.

A glorious day ! A hot sun cooled by gentle breezes. A lively turn out all over the town. The course splendid for spectators, bul rough for the horses. It will be better next year. Bookmakers busy at work again. Made a pot of money yesterday. Mean to top up today with odds against the favourites. A funny calling is that of a bookmaker. Bookmakers don't like toil. Show.; MB one of them who would do aisplidrvceek'sp work 1 ott"a^aily ,p^pi©r,/an<i. flot toae -flesh and temper. We' knew -"a book-., maker some years ago. We dined at his house. A fine establishment. Splendid table. 7 Liquors of the very best ; light wines all, and exceedingly well selected, showing-fine judgment and a delicate palate. us warmly, and treated us with •>great hospitality. For • once, and only once, we took the odds of the bookmaker at (his own table, and lost £10. This, we fancy, paid for that particular dinrier. Bbokmakers are temperate men. Never go m for hard stuff. Keep their heads cool and their wits about. During racing intervals they amuse themselves with billiards, at which they play well ; or at euchre, or bluff or poker, at which : their luck is ; sometimes wonderful to behold. This > bookmaker we have referred to .we met years afterwards. We drove up to an hotel m Dunediri, and called for the hostler.., "Coming,' sir," said the, man, and when he came he was the identical bookmaker with whom we had dined and drank wine, and for which we sub-; sequently paid so handsomely. We took him to our room m the evening. He had, he said, come down m the world, and we' couldn't help being of the same opinion. He had bet against favourites two seasons running, and the favourites r were too much for .him. They would win, >and jockeys nowaday were not what they used to be. Then he lost his head. Took to liquor. Couldn't meet his settling nights, and it was all U P with him. Got to be a touter, but couldn't keep from liquor. Liked liquor now, but couldn't afford his favourite tipple, which was claret. Was much obliged to us for the two half-crowns we gave him ; and he brought out our horse for us the next morning ungroomed, and we found the horse had not been watered since he was stabled. All bookmakers are not alike. Some have wives .whom they dote upon, and children to whom they are good and affectionate parents. Some bookmakers have two wives, or a wife and some one else which the wife knows nothing about, but suspects a good deal. Ifc must have been a lucky race day yesterday, for every one Avon. Every man we inquired from had come off a winner. The very lowest estimate made by several of the winners was that they had cleared their expenses. It is m human nature for men to boast of their gains and to keep their losses to themselves. We are glad nobody lost any money yesterday, and can only wonder how it's done. We have received kudos for the way we managed to get the result of five racing events m our laßt evening's issue. We deserve it. At a quarter to. five we had posted the result on all the hotel-boards. At halfpast five the Herald was through the town and suburbs. The young gentleman, who brought the results all correctly, worked up, rode from the course to our office door m seventeen minutes, which spoke much for the rider and more for his horse. The events to-day were very ,exciting ; because the horses which the knowing ones made sure would, win did ttiftf win, and those did which were least expected. Many who went out took the cool beach. Those with heavy traps, strongly horsed, had to face .the. dust. Sam Stevenson m full luck again at taking gate-money. The way that enterprising man looks up the money is surprising. There is no one living able to' dodge him or evade payment. "This is his linef of argument, " What do you want to pass through for without paying ?" '* Why, sir, I'm on

the press." "Well, I don't care whether you are or not. " ' • What is the T?im to me, or me to the Press,? Pby your money or stop out."'^o-clear'-the way !" There was much natural arid acquired thirst on the ground to-day, but the supply was found quite equal to the demand. We now proceed to chronicle events. SECOND DAY. ... FRIDAY, JANUARY 31st 1879. Stewards : Messrs. Poynter, Tucker, J. W. Johnson, M'Donald, CD. Pitt, M. Hall, and E. ff. Ward. JUDGE ; Harry Kenrick, Esq. ; Starter : Gk Winter, Esq. Handicafper : O. L. W. Bousfield, Esq. Clerk op the Scales: R. Thelwall, Esq. Clerk of the Course : A. Pritchard, Esq. 1. Hurdle Race Handicap, of 40 soys. ; nomination of two soys'. j on the 21st of December 1878, and acceptance of three soys. on the 25th January 1879, night of general entry ; .weights to be. declared on the 6th' January 1879, top weight, 12st ; over eight hurdles 3ft. 6in. high; distance two milea ; acceptances added to stakes. . ■ Mr. Goldsmith's My ... 1 Mr. D. Page's Day and Martin ... 2 ' Day and Martin bolted, arid would not look at the hurdles. A walk "over for Fly.""' ' ■■■:•• "•> ■ 2. Publicans Purse Handicap of 30 bov'b. ; nomination of two soys. on the 21stDecember 1878, land* acceptance'of two soys. on the night of the first day's races, when weights; will be declared. Distance 1£ miles. Acceptances added to stakes., Mr. G. Burnand's West End ;...,... 1 This was a very gobd race. Joe Leonard bolted at the first half mile. 3. Corsair Cup,' presented by'W. #iack\ Esq., and 10 soys. j for progeny of Corsair; two-year olds,' weight for age ; I of a mile, acceptance 1 soy. Mr. P. Barries f Lady Ormpnd ... 1 After a false start Lady Ormond came m first. All the' others bolted. ; 4. Turanga Stakes Handicap, of 100 soys. ; nomination of five soys. on the 21st December, 1878, and acceptance of five soys. on. the 25th January 1879, night of general entry; weights to be declared, on the 6th January, 1879 ; top weight not to exceed 9st 81bs. Distance, two miles. Acceptances added to stakes. ' • : ' ' Mr. A. Mci Donald's eg Pinfire " j Mr. W. Black's Songster .;. ..V''V.i 2 Mr. R. Kelly's Joe Leonard 3 • A veryiine raise, Pinfie winning hands down; Repoi last, Songster well- up, making a^real gqqdface,; /■:,,+■■ - , < [ TJ&feBiWK 'HuWlg-'Bace was'wonby Silvia. • :: - i -^- < v .>-'•■-:;;, >*■' — — ————^———^ „ jl%