FIRST DAY-THURSDAY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1216, 23 January 1886, Page 3

FIRST DAY-THURSDAY.

The third annual meeting under the auspicei of the above Club was held on the Lawrence racecourse on Thursday and Friday, 21st and 22nd inst. The fine weather of several weeks past continued throughout the meeting, excepting a very heavy shower of rain that fell at about six o'clock on Thursday evening, just before and during the running of the final heat for the Hack Selling Race. The heat of the sun was very severe on Thursday, but on Friday, when the sky. was considerably beclouded, the atmosphere) was much cooler, and the outing afforded was a good deal more enjoyable. The attendance, especially on Thursday, was fully up to the average of former years, great numbers of people coming from all parts, quite a large number being from Dunedin. The j heat, as has been the ease for some time past, being very oppressive many of the spectators, especially of the fair sex, preferred to watch the progress of events seated on the hillslope above the booths rather than wander among the crowd on the lower ground. Numbers flocked to the booths and refreshment stalls, which were kept well filled during both days ; and the vendors of drinks of all kinds were kept hard at work supplying the wants of the many thirsty souls who suffered from the effects of the hot weather. Between the booths and the course were fruit-stalls, cheap-jack, and a fair sprinkling of the sporting fraternity and dealers in " Whitechapel Pool" or some other pool which was, as the proprietor of the concern stated, likely to bring in a halfBovereign for every shilling invested. In spite of the dull times, or perhaps in consequence of them, man; shillings were invested. The police were well represented, both in uniform, and in plain clothes, but there was nothing, or very little, so far as we could see, to disturb their urbanity. People seemed bent on enjoying themselves, and behaved in moderation, and in such a way as to do some considerable credit to the community of which each is a part. The fields on this occasion were not so large as last year, although, strange to say, the entries for the various events, with one or two exceptions, were more numerous. The first event on the card was the Maiden Plate, which was appropriated easily by Warbeck, who won as he pleased. The Novel Race was carried off by Specimen, an old coachhorse, who galloped very well, despite the fact that he was very sore and stiff. The Publicans' Handicap proved a " boil over," there not being many investors on the winner (Factory Girl) in the totalisator. The District Handicap, to the surprise of a great many of the " knowing ones," was a gift to Bushman, who fairly galloped away from Warwick (the favorite) in the last half-mile. The winner of the Lawrence Handicap turned up in Garibaldi, who won the same event at the Club's last annual meeting. The Hack Selling Race, which was placed to the credit of Gondaline, was noteworthy from the fact that the three starters in the second heat all came to grief owing to the slippery state of the course after the shower of rain which fell in the interval between the heats and during the running of the heat. The sum of £744 passed through the totalisator during the day, which is less by £355 than the amount which passed through on the first day's racing last year. The machine was in charge of Messrs Solomon and Murrell(of Cromwell), who discharged their duties to the apparent satisfaction of all the investors. We may remark that the utmost cordiality existed between the enterers and the officials. Mr Arbuckle (judge) gave complete satisfaction in his decisions; while we must not forget to mention that Messrs T. Arthur, junr. (clerk of scales), Mr Mitchinson (timekeeper), and all concerned were distinguished for their courteous and gentlemanly bearing, Mr H. P. Thompson (Secretary) among the number, notwithstanding the arduous duties to be performed, and the many annoyances connected therewith. The following is a detailed account of the various races :—: — Maiden Plate, of 20sovs. — For all horses that have not won over £10 ; hack races included. Distance, 1J mil es. Mr T. Keenan's b h Warbeck, 4yrs, 9st (J. Cotton) 1 Mr W. H. laggart's eh m Martyr Filly, 3yrs, 7stlllb ... (J. Taggart) 2 Mr P. Roger's br g Heatherboy, 6yrs, 9st Ub (B. Brown) 3 Mr Dwyer's br g Lackington, 6yrs, 9afc lib 0 Messrs W. and N. Reid's b m Lady Ethel, afied,99tlib 0 At the fall of the flag, Lady Ethel took command of affairs, closely attended by the Martyr Filly; Heatherboy and Lackington came next, with Warbeck two or three lengths in the rear. Passing the judge's box for the first time, Lady Ethel and Heatherboy were close together, the others being not far off. Before the coalpit tarn was reached, Lady Ethel, whose bolt was now shot, gave place to Heatherboy, who was going very well. On rounding the recreation reserve Warbeck improved hta position, and being full of running soon deprived Heatherboy of the premier position, entering the straight with a clear lead of three lengths. This he gradually increased, passing the judge's box fully a dozen lengths in ad- ! vance of Martyr Filly, who ran into J second place shortly after Warbepk took the lead. Heatherboy was a good third. Time, 2min. 563ecs. Totalisator, 100 investments ; dividend, £1 12s. UoVßli Rack (Handicap), of 30sovb. — The winner to be sold with all its engagements, and the proceeds of the sale to go to the funds of the Club. Distance, 1 mile. Mr H. Craig's eh g Specimen, syrs, 7st (F. Cochrane) 1 Mr 3. Poole's br f Iris, 4yrs, 9at (G. Evans) 2 Mr T. James' b g Land Leaguer, aged, Bst (B. Finnegnn) 3 Mr C. Pacey*sch gKuriwao, aged, 9st 4'b 0 Archie (83t 101 b) was scratched. A false start occurred before the flag fell Specimen taking the bit in his teeth and' doing a gallop of three-quarters of a mile before his rider could pull him up. On again facing the starter, all the horses were sent away on pretty fair terms. Land Leaguer passed the judge's stand for the first time half a length in front of Specimen, the others being close up. Specimen, however, soon wrested the lead from Land Leaguer, who dropped back on rounding the coalpit turn and save place to Iris. This order was maintained for the remainder of the distance, despite the desperate efforts made by the rider of Iris to overtake Specimen, who, although under the whip managed to catch the judge's eye firit a short half-length to the good. Kuriwao was completely outpaced. Mr Craig's win was a very popular one.Tjme, lraißt £lse<?J

The winner, on being put up to auction, was knocked down to Mr Hugh Craig for £10. Totalisator, 135 investments ; dividend, £5 10s. Publicans' Handicap, of 30sovs.— Distance, 1 mile. Mr Jas. O'Donnell's b f Factory Girl, 3yra, 6st 101 b (F. Cochrane) 1 Mr H. Swift's r g Foul Play, aged, 7st 131 b (carried 2£ldb overweight) (T. Smith) 2 Mr M. Studholme's eh h Viking, 4yrs,B3t 31b (M.Allan) 3 Mr Gordon's b h Kpicure, sm, 7*t 101 b 0 Mokarakara (9st 41b) and Warwick (6at 101 b) were scratched. A rather straggling start was effected, Epicure getting away badly. Foul Play was soon to the fore, with Factory Girl at his quarters ; the others following in straggling order. Rounding the recreation ground, Foul Play and Factory Girl were racing neck in neck, and on entering the straight it could not be told with any degree of certainty which had the advantage. Both came along the straight under the whip at a terrific pace. The judge's decision was that the daughter of King Philip scored a win by a short neck. — Time, lmin. 47isecg. j A protest was lodged by the owner of Foul Play agaiust Factory Girl's rider for jostling. After evidence was heard by the stewards, it was decided not to entertain the protest.

Totalisator, 185 investments ; dividend, £7 Us. Distbiot Handicap, of 20sovs. For all horses within a radius of 20 miles from Lawrence, and must be the property of the owner three months previous to the date of entry. Distance, 1£ miles. Mr J. Henderson's b g Bushman, aged, 7st (F. Cocbrane) 1 Mr P. Rogers' br g Heatherboy, 6yrs, Bst (H. Georpe) 2 Mr T. Dwyer's eh g Warwick, aged, 9jt (J. Cotton) 3 Lackington (7st 121 b) wa.a scratched. The flag fell to an excellent Btart, all the horses being despatched on very even terma. Warwick and Bushman raced together stride for stride for fully a mile, but thereafter the former could not maintain the pace, which up to this time had been " a cracker." Heatherboy then made an effort, but could not get near Mr Henderson's horse, who came away full of running and won by six clear lengths. — Time, 2min. 51secs.

Totalisator, 64 investments ; dividend, Lawbence Handicap, of 403ors.— Distance,

1£ miles, Mr M. Gordon's b g Garibaldi, aged, 7st 71b (F. Cochrane) 1 Mr M. Studholme's eh h Vikiug, 4yrs, Bst (Laughlin) 2 Mr M. Sherwin's b g Mokarakara, aged, 9it 3 Mr C. Huddleston's b g Knickerbocker Sam, aged, Bst 61b 0 Mr Jas. O'Donnell's b f Factory Girl, 3yrs, 6st frlb 0 Trapper (7st 101 b), Foul Play (7st 101 b) and Martyr Filly (6st) were scratched. A lot of fiddling occurred at the post, occasioned by Viking being very keen to get away. When the flag fell, Garibaldi was the quickest on hia legs, with Viking and Knickerbocker Sam at his heels, Mokarakara being last. The race needs very little description. Garibaldi, who was full of running, led the way past the stand for the first time a length in advance of Viking, all the others following in rather straggling order. Although several efforts were made by Viking's rider to get on even terms with Garibaldi, these proved utterly fruitless, for the latter had everything his own way, passing the stand two lengths in advance of Viking, a length separating Mokarakara from the latter. Time, 2min. 44secs.

Totalisator, 191 investments ; dividend, £4 Bs. Hack Seizing Rack, of lOsovs.— Winner to be sold for £12, and any surplus to go to the race funds. No weight under 9st, Mile heats. Mr R. Simpfoa's b m Gondaline, 4yrs

(M. Allan) 1 1 Mr A. Atkinson's b g Wandoo, aged 2 2 Macdonuell's Sandy, Pacey's Hazard and J. Lung's Roderick also ran. The first heat was won by Gondaline in lmin. 52^secs. In the second heat only three horses came to the post — viz., Gondaline, Wandoo and Hazard. Owing to the slippery nature of the course, occasioned by the shower of rain which fell during the interval between the first and second heats, a series of mishaps occurred,' all the horses missing their footing and falling with their riders. The rider of Gondaline received a nasty fall near the coalpit, but very pluckily jumped on his horse and again went in pursuit of Wandoo, who fell near the recreation ground. Gondaline was knocked down to Mr J. Macdonnell at the close of the race for £17 10s. Totalisator, 34 investments , dividend, £1 16s. Owing to the state of the course, it was decided to run the Hack Race (substituted for the Hospital race) on the following day.