SWITZERS ANNUAL RACES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 268, 20 March 1873, Page 6

SWITZERS ANNUAL RACES.

The annual raoes of the Switzers Jockey Club took place on the 13th and 14th iust. The weather turned out everything that could be desired. Although up till ten o'clock on Thursday night rain came down, yet Thiusday broke bright and clear — previously depressed spirits becoming elevated in ratio to the rising of the mercury in the barometer. At ten o'clock the course was in capital condition. The atten- j dance of spectators was better than on previous years, and, with one exception, the events were spiritedly contested. The Tuapeka horses had a fair share of good luck. The exception referred to was the District Handicap, Renown being scratched at the last moment, thus leaving the contest (save the mai'k!) between Nigger and Lyndon — the j prettiest little horse ever seen on the Switaers course, and whose performance equalled his good looks. Appended are the results :—: — Maiden Plate, of 20 soys. Distance, one mile and a half. Hill's Queen Bee 1 Falke's Curaooa 2 Laurie's Jewess 3 Macheson's Te Kooti, Orange's Lady Bowen, Skene's Miss King, and M'Kellar's Beeswing also ran. When the flag dropped, the Queen Bee started off with the lead, and never was caught. Ladies' Purse, of 15 soys, with a sweepstake of 1 guinea adcled, to be given to the winning horse. Distance, two miles and a quarter. Laurie's Blackbird 1 Brancaley's Prairie Flower 2 Matheson's Dick 3 I Scott's Salamander Sam also started. A capital stai t was effected by all except Salamander, who got as far as the judge's stand, and then refused to progress further, Blackbird showed the way from the commencement, and won by about two lengths. Switzeks Handicap, of 30 soys., with a sweepstake of 2 guineas , the amount accruing from sweepstake to be given to the second horse. Distance, one mile and a half. j Seven horses had been nominated, but Lyndon only came to the scratch. He walked over, receiving half the stakes. Hack Each, of 10 soys. ; mile heats ; the winner to be sold for £10. Evan's Kitty Darling 1 Laurie's Welcome 2 Morrison's Malcolm and Branchley's Mosquito also ran.' The latter imitated Salamander Sam in refusing to pass the stand. There was a very good contest ' between first and second, Kitty Darling winning by about a length. Second Day. Handicap Hurdle Race, of 25 soys. Distance, two miles. Clark's Falcon 1 Laurie's Don Pedro 2 Matheson's Dick 3 M'Kellar's Dandy also ran, but spilled his jockey at the second hurdle. Don made the running,- retaining first place till the last hurdle, in crossing which Falcon gained considerably, and won by a length and a half* Waikaia Handicap, of 50 soys., with a sweepstake of 3 guineas ; the second horse to receive- amount of sweep. Distance, ** two miles. Ward's Lyndon 1 „ Nigger 2 Renown was scratched at the last moment, leaving the race a gift to Lyndon. District Handicap, of 15 soys. Distance, one mile and a naif. Matheson's Lady of the Lake 1 Skene's Renown " 2 Salamander Sani and Beeswing also ran. Tt was thought this race was a gift to Renown, and so it would have been had not Salamander Sam taken it into his head, when close alongside him, to spill his rider. Jockeyship alona saved RenownV rider from being thrown off, but ,his chance of the race was destroyed by the contreienyas. Consolation Handicap, of 15 soys. Distance, two miles, Branchley's Prairie Flower - 1 I )ore's Curacoa - 2 Miss^King ' 3 Salamander Sam 8 This was the beat contested rabe of the m«et, and resulted in the Flower winning by a nose.' Hukey Scurry Hack Race, of 5 aovs. Mile heata. Ten entered, and a genuine hurry scurry eusued, Kitty Darling proving the winner, after a close contest with M'lvor's lona. Mr. Wood, as judge, was the right man in the right place ; and Mr. Fielding, as. starter, was unexceptionable.