SPORTING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1108, 7 January 1885, Page 3

SPORTING.

WAIPORI ANNUAL RACES AND SPORTS. Tiest Day. The above races and sports were postponed, owing to the unpropitious weather, from Boxing-day till New Year's and the day following. Up till Wednesday rain fell incessantly, and it was expected that a further postponement would have to be made. On Thursday morning, however, the gloom which had overspread the countenances of the lovers of the turf began to vanish as Old Sol peeped from behind the dark clouds which had obscured his brightness for such a lengthened period. The course was rather heavy the first.day and the ground a little wet under foot,, but the sunshine caused a more cheerful aspect, and towards noon a large assemblage had congregated in holiday attire on the racecourse. The handicappers for the races (Messrs Cotton and W. Knight) gave universal satisfaction. Mr Cotton acted as starter, sending his -fields away well together. Mr S. Caudwell (Judge), Mr J. Ritchie (Treasurer), and W. Knight (Secretary) did their utmost $0 give satisfaction. \ The different events were' well contested. - The following is the prize-list :— MAXPBN Plate, of £s— For horses that have pever won a race for public money Distance, \\ miles; weight for age. E. Tohill's Bushman (H.George) 1 P. Rodger's He»therboy 2 T. Arthur's Little Fraud 3 This was a capital race between the first two horses. Bushman made the running and came in a short neck in advance of Heatherboy, hard pushed. Publicans' Handicap, of £7— Open to all comers ; mile heats. Q. Welsh's Lady Ethel ... (Owner) 11 3, McDonnell's Merrybird , 2 2 Earl of Lynne and Miss King also ran. Lady Ethel had too much go for her companions and won easily. Merrybird oroe/in ft gooji second.

Waipohi Handicap, of £10— Open to all comers j distance, 2 milep. T. George's Shamrock, lOst (H. George) 1 P. Rodger's Heotherboy,7st 12: b 2 J. M'Donnell's Merrybird, Bat 71b ... 3 T. Dwyer's Edaluciss (Bat 121 b) also ran. Shamrock led from the fall of the flag and won in a canter, hard held. A good race ensued between the second and third horses. Disteict Hack Rao", of £4— For horses that have never won a race for more than the amount of the slakes, and that are the bona fide property of persons residing within a radius of fire miles from the Bridge, and that have been owned by them one month prior to date of races. Catch weight. P. Rodger's Heatherboy ... (Barclay) 1 F. Knight's Martini-Henry 2 F. Knight's Little Roan was also entered but did not start. The race was a moral for Heatherboy. The following athletic games were contested during the afternoon :— 150 tabds Foot-bace (Handicap)— lst prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. — Four entries. P. Curtain (scratch), 1; J.Donovan (syds), 2. J. Malone and W. Reid also ran. Cur to in was too fleet for his companions. Running Hop, Step, and Jump— lst prize, 15s; 2nd, 7s 6d. — Three entries. J. Malone (33ft 4iu), 1 ; J. Donovan, 2. 400 xabds Foot-bace (Handicap) — Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10.'. — P. Cuvtain (scratch), 1 ; J. Donovan (15yds), 2 ; J. Nash (12yds), 3.