THE HUNT CLUB RACES

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 64, 3 December 1881, Page 180

THE HUNT CLUB RACES

Despite the threatening appearance of the weather on Saturday morning last, the afternoon turned out perfect, and the 1881 meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club will long bp remembered by pleasure-seekers as one of the jolliest little reunions in the Auckland record. From a backer's point of view, however, things were the reverse of rosy. Certainty after certainty was bowled over in the most exasperating manner, and the bookmakers must have made quite ti little fortune out of.th.eir three hours' work. Talking of this fraternity reminds me that a well-merited rebuke was administered to cmc of them by a. gentleinnn on the Grand Stand, who intimated politely, but firmly, that immediately under the Indies' noses was not the proper place to bawl out the odds or tender wagers. Some expression of opinion on this point has long been wanted, and I was glad to see the nuisance put a stop to. The opening event of the day, the Hunt Club Cup, excited unusual interest, owing to a rumour that that renowned horseman, Captain Julius Angerstein, would pilot the favourite, Mr Mowbray's Awahou, to victory. This horse was in prime condition, and Mr Profitt and other good judges declared that, well ridden, there would be nothing else in the race. Butcher Boy was voted lii^ht and wanting in muscle ; but Goodman had the mount, and this fact, together with the doubts which some perverse folks persisted in having re Captain Angerstein's capabilities as a jockey, gnvo the old horse the call in betting. Young Sledmere seemed well, and was much fancied by his party, who, however, feared he might not be able to negotiate the jump on the hill. Viceroy hnd also a good few admirers, and neither Comus nor Misfortune ran unbacked. Altogether, the field was one of the best that had ever been seen out for a Hunt Club Steeplechase for years, and gave promise of a keen contest. The appearance of Captain Augerstein, resplendent in a vermilion satin (the colour, by the way, of Her Majesty's livery), whs the signal for considerable excitement. Quite a little crowd of " currant-jellyites" assembled to see the swell jock weigh in, and before he mounted Mr Mowbray conveyed him to the bar and primed him with a supply of " Batch courage," in the shape of a good stiff 8.-and.-S. Whether this was an altogether judicious proceeding is questionable. I overheard one mini say that, considering the Captain had drunk hardly any thing for n month, so much P.B. was calculated to flurry him; but the sequel didn't show this. If anything, indeed, Captain Augerstein had not enough "go " in him. He pulled his horse out of the race in the first half mile, and remained out of it till Sledmere hnd won. It is sad to have to tell such a tale after all the elaborate preparations for a victory, but so it was. The Captain appeared afraid to ride his horse, nnd subsequent events showed Awuhou wants a lot of riding. After the first mile and a half the race lay between Sledmere and Butcher Boy, and the former won a long way from home. Augerstein woke up a bit when it was too late, and made v race with Misfortune for the third place. Judging from the Consolation, there can be no doubt that, properly ridden, the chesnut would have won in a canter ; and the affair shows the folly of not putting up an experienced jock. For the Maiden Hurdle Kace four horses came to the post, and there was at once a big rush to get on Mignonette (who won a steeplechase at this meeting last year) at even money. Poole fielded strongly on the chance of Greyhound boiling the pot over, and this is just what happened, for at the distance the weight stopped Mignonette, and Mr Tonics, riding in a most determined manner, won comparatively easily. The King roared delightedly over the result, but their joy wus much mitigated when it turned out that a protest had been lodged on the score of Greyhound having won a hack hurdle down South. It is said that the horse has passed through five persons' hands siuce this occurred, and of course Mr Tonks knew nothing about it. I understand Billy Kraft let the cat out of the bag. The Maiden Steeple produced a superb race between Newmarket (late Ghost) and Viceroy, the latter falling at the last hurdles just when victory appeared to be within his grnsp. After this everybody flocked to back Sledmere for the Members' Hurdles, but once again fortune proved uupropitious, and Mr Laxon's horse went down before the invincible Greyhound, really grandly ridden by Digby Tonks. And now, for the first time on Saturday, a good thing came off, every farthing available (it wasn't much) being got on Nebula for the Pony Race, who won all the way iv the hands of little McGee. The Consolation looked a sife 10 soys. for Mignonette, but the old mare was not iv it, and Awahou, who ran fast and gamely in the hands of Whewell, won after a good race with Butcher Boy. This ended a capital day's sport. Saul.