RIVERTON RACING CLUB.

Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 3, 20 April 1895, Page 5

RIVERTON RACING CLUB.

[By Tally-Ho.]

The annual meeting of the above Club, which took place last Monday, was in all respects a very successful, one. The weather was far from promising in the forenoon, and in fact all day, but fortunately rain kept off, and the last race was got off in sufficient time to allow visitors to get. away by the various trains. The attendance was very good, numbering close on 1400, a large contingent having arrived from Orepuki, Nightcaps and Invercargill, by train, while the number of vehicles of all descriptions on the ground was evidence of the number that travelled by road from all directions. The first race was got off shortly after the advertised time, and the winner (Victory) returned his backers £l4 4s, the largest dividend of the day. The win of Grace Darling and St. Patrick caused some excitement, as owners of both horses are popular members of the Club. Of course the great events of the day were the two steeplechases, which were won by Huntsman, but the public view was obstructed a good deal owing to the lack of some points of vantage from which all the jumps could be seen, and while the horses were passing round the back of the course, they were hidden by the various structures on the inside of the course. The Club are to be congratulated on the efforts they made at punctuality, Mr Wohlers, who was in his old place, doing his best to get the horses out to time ; and Mr Smith is to be complimented on the way he wielded the flag. All the officials worked harmoniously, but special praise must be given to Mr T. R. Winton, the hon. secretary, who was indefatigable throughout the day. Messrs Mason and Roberts worked the totalisator, and put through £1313, a slight falling off as compared with last year, caused no doubt by the smallness of the field in one or two events.

Next year it is to be hoped the Club will be able to shift the saddling paddock, totaiisator, and other buildings to the outside of the running track, in order that the view of the public may not be obstructed ; and when this is done I have no hesitation in saying that the Riverton Racing Club will be one of the foremost clubs south of Dunedin.