SPORTING. Warrengate Races.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8372, 12 January 1894, Page 2

SPORTING. Warrengate Races.

(By Our Special Bepoiter.) President : Mr A Biggie. Vice-Prssident : MrWßamber. Judge: Mr A J Parsons. Clerk of the Scales : Mr James McGregor. Clerk of the Course: Mr M Higgle. Starter: Mr EJ Chapman. Timekeeper: Mr It. Higgie. Handicappor: Mr J B Henry. Stewards : Messrs W Chapman, James McGregor, R Higgie, D Cameron, T Stewart, E J Chapman, BC Beach, Angus McDonald, B Cameron, W Bamber, T Bennett, James Crawley.

Within a short distance of Wanganui-— it is only something like ton miles — is situated the Warrengate Jockey Club* course. And a neatly arranged and wellappointed course it is, giving every promise in the near future that under the same able management it will prove a docided rival to those more pretentious Clubs. To a certain extent primitiveneßS is apparent, but Bystem and organisation are prominent-characteris-tics, and as the Club increases in popularity, bo, do doubt, the comfort and convenience of rececourse habitues will be duly conserved. That aims auch asi these have evidently been well planned and are now under process of being carried out were noticeable by those who attended the Back Meeting held yesterday, for amongst the improvements is a very convenient members' stand adjoining the ■judge's box, and extending back a distance of about 50 feet ; also convenient, though temporary, approaches to the totalisator, for next year it is intended to erect a proper house for the mechanical bookmaker. The mOßfc complete arrangements were in vogue for the purpose of affording every information lo the public and the Press, and the officials, one and all, worked in that harmonious and energetic spirit so asaential to the success of a race meeting. The courae itself, which is a little over a mile in circumference, was very rough m places ; this, no doubt, will receive due consideration in time, and, notwithstanding this disadvantage, some very fast times were registered, as will be seen below. The saddling paddock affords plenty of room, and the suggestion is made that the planting of some shade trees would be a docided boon, to say nothing of a few Boats. Visitors by rail and road began to assemble very early on the scene, and by the time the cup was run there must have been an attendance of something like 1200, or about double that of last year— a fact in itself attesting the growing popularity of the Club. Without being invidious, the greatest praise must be accorded Mr George Morse, in carrying out so methodically and in practical manner his very onerous secretarial duties, and he was, moreover, the recipient of hearty (congratulations on the introduction of such a correct, and at the same time, novel race cavd ; in fact thin sumo card (which was very nently printed at the Heeaxd Office), iB tho best of its kind wo have seen in the colonies, and might, with advantage, be copied by other olubs as giving overy information, and allowing plenty of that space so necessary for the punter and pressman alike. The weather wa» what might have been termod decidedly sultry, and yet everyone seemed bent on enjoyment, and enjoyment they had, it being generally conceded that a more successful gathering has not been held in the district for many years past. The publican s booth was naturally eagerly sought for by lucky and unlucky backers, and Mr Fred Tasker and his staff were kept busily employed throughout the day dispensing excellent liquors, while Mr E. McLeary as proprietor of the refreshment booth adequately attended to tho requirements of the hungry. Mr Frank Hill, as usual, was ably assisted by Messrs Frank Neylon and und &porge Spriggens at the totalißator, and satisfaction in that quarter reigned supreme, paying-out being exemplary iv its promptness, while mistakes wero unkriown. Kegarding tbo racing, the principal thing noticeable was the large number of the fields, and the excellent starting by Mr "Ted" Chapman, to say nothing of tho clear course kept by the clerk, Mr M. Higgie. Commencing with the Handicap Hurdle Eace, Sister was made a very hot favorite, but backers suffered an unmiefcaieable roveree and were highly chagrined to coo Narrate romp homo, and were further disgusted to find that the mare had returned her six admirers the substantial div. of £41 179, and here it may be remarked that the owner was not an invester on the winner, ho thinking she had not a possible chance. Another excellent dividend was that paid out on Tramore in the Flying principally owing to so many being backed. Although The Artist did not secure a place in this race ho was heavily backed for the Trial Stakes, and won handsomely. Then camo the Cup. which according to popular fancy was considered a good thing tor Strayshot, but to the general surprise Eothen won rather easily, although a few days previous in a trial Strayshot beat the chestnut by over a chain in a mile and a half gallop. Taking into oonoideration Eothen' s running in the previous race the stewards deemed it advisable to hold an enquiry, but tho result was that no action was taken. The Maiden Hurdles need no comment, neither does the Electric Handicap, excepting that Marama showed a clean pair of heel 3to his opponents, and he is one of the most slippery customers over the distance that racegoers have been introduced to for some time. Gorse should undoubtedly have won the Bracelet, had he not been made 80 much use of half a mile from home, aud it was Mr Watson's horsemanship that ensured victory for Mrs Tuohey'a nomination. The Final Handicap brought out a field of six, and was the only event of the day that caused any dissatisfaction as regards the Judge's decision, whicn led to a hostile demonstration on the part of those who were of opinion that Tramore had been the first to pneß the post. This concluded the racing, and notwithstanding the deUy caused by the enquiry the visitors wero enabled to leave for their homes ia good linio, thoroughly satisfied with a really excellent day's sport. The sum of £2349 was put through tho totalisator, which is in excess of that registered at last year's meeting. The winning sires wero represented by Natator (2), aud Flagolette, Somnuß, Ascot, Patriarch, lsuivk WaKon, and Governor one each. Fortune was equally distributed amongst the jockeyß. those having winning mounts being Morris, Donnelly, Kiugan, McCormick, Higgins, Boss, Stevenson, and Mr Watson. The results of tho racing were as follow : — Handicap Hurdlo Kaco, of 40 sovb, 1 mile and 5 .furlongs— 6— Mr J. Green'a b in Narrate, aged, by Natator — Peter Flat mare, 9at (Morris), 1» 39 -Mr J. Tuohey's b m Cin E alee, lOsfc 12lb (Cook), 2; 20— Mr R. Hunt's br g Omahu, Out 3lb (Holmes), 3. Also etarted— 33 Nanakia, H4 Sister, 25 Hula, 63 Tupato. Mr Chapman had no trouble in lotting this, the Imt field of the day, well away, and passing the stand tho first time Omahu bad a slight lead, with Siator, Narrate, Tupato, Cingaloc, Nanakia, and Huia in tn.it order. Going round the turn Sister began to run very unkindly, while later on Huia hung out signals of distress, co fast had the pace becjnie, Ihe colors of Narrate soon began to show out prominently and taking command in a most determined manner the mare stalled off every challenge and won somewhat easily by three lengths. Omahu wan third, and tho rest finished iv very straggling order. There were 299 investors and the dividßnd was £44 17s. Flying Handicap, of 40 soya, six furlongs — 35 — Mr J. Kennedy's br g Tramore, 6yre, by Flageolet — Mignonette, 7«t 91b (Donnelly), 1 ; 21— Mr F. Tilley's br m Gild Cup, 7at 21b (Schaffer), 2 ; 60 -Mr J. Better's gr m Magazine, 9st (W. Holmes), 3. Also started— 49 Pihaoga, 20 Strike, 26 Tamarere, 46 The Artist, 28 Cutkiae, 17 Bloomsbury, 5 Flirt. Tho twolvo starters wero despatched on very even terms, and Tramore's green jacket was soon seen in the van. Making every post a winning one, tho gelding came homo fall of running and was landed a clover winner. Time, Imm 19£ sec, There were 378 investors and the dividend was £9 13s. Trial Stakes, of 25 sovc, one mile.— lo2— Mr T. Cameron'B b m Tho Artist, 3yrs, by Somnus— Lady Artist, Bat 41b (F. Kingan), 1 ; 55— Mr C. Leigh's b m Sea Bird, B it 111 b (McCormick), 2 j 10— Mr H. Mohuia'a oh g Whitiao, Bst 111 b (McTaggarfc), 3. Also started — 41 liOzenge, 11 Taihaire, 14 Matarihi 11., 52 Akatea, 6 Paella. Whitiao got very badly away from the start in front of the stand, and lay last for half a mile, when he made up his ground very fast. In the meantime, Taihaire had been in the van until challenged by Sea Bird. The latter having disposed of Mr Morte'a mare, Beemed to have her field settled, but Kingaa brought Tho Artist up with a great rush when fairly landed in the straight, and an exciting run home ended in, the latter w^nning jwaewhat easily by two lengthy while

Whitiao was an oxcellanfc fcbird\ Time, Imin 52 and 3-sth seo. Thero were 292 investors, and the dividend wag £2 Us. Warrengate Cup Handicap, of 70 soys, li j miles.— s2 — Mr W. Butler's eh g Eothen, 4yrs, by Ascot — Sunshine, 7sfc lllb (MoCormiok), 1 ; ISI— Mt F. MoGovarn's b m Strarshot, 7sfc 9lb (Johnston), 2 ; 33— Mr W. H. George's b m Swif fc, 6st 101 b (Stevenson) ,3. Also started - 18 -Hinau, 7«t 12lb (Hnrgravea) ; 62— Hark, 7at 91b (Bchaffer) j 115— Taugaro*, 7it 61b (Jenkins). The cardinal colours of Hinau were rather promineufc after an excellent etarfc, bufc Hark ; was soon brought to the front, trad as they came past the stand in almost fcwocompsxjfc lines tho Ascot maie was just in front, while Eothea was last. Making the paco a cracker, Hark oarried on the running right ronnnd the back of the coarse, Tangaroa and Strayehob being bar n3areat attendants, while Eothen had joined his field, and already looked dangerous, as the gelding gradually but surely ran into third plnco. Bufc Hark, who was now attended by Strayshot bravely held her lead, and turning into the straight the latter headed the marc. Here McOormick brought up Eothen, and Swift came with a rattle. The issue was then left between the three, and McCornjick, in his u«ual vigorous manner, drove the chestnut along and amidst excitement gained the judge's verdict by about a length, with. Swift, who finished remarkably well, third, n-hile Hark was fourth, Hinau fifth, and Tangaroa last. Time, 2min 47jsec. There were 441 investors and the dividend was £7 Us. Maiden Hurdles, of 25 soys, 1 mile and s. ' distance — 46— Mrs Mackav's, b g Romeo, aged, by Patriarch, lOsfc (Higgins), ) ; 87 — i Mr B. Roes' br g Strike, lOsfc 71b (Laing), ■ 2 ; 19— Mr R. Hunt's b g Seddon, 9st 71b > (A. Hall), 3. Albo started — 3 Matariki 11., 1 and 13 Pilgrim. This race needs but little > do:cription,for Higgins quickly took Romeo ) to the front and remained there to the end, • the Patriarch gelding fairly revelling in his i work, and fencing in good style, what turned t out to be " a moral " was landed the easiest • of winners. Time, 2min 18|sec. There ■ were 118 investors, and the dividend was £2 ', 6s. 3 Electric Handicap, of 30 aove, 4 furlongs : 3 88 — Mr Wilson Hunia's br g Marama, aged, J by Izaak Walton — Lilian, lOsfc 61b (Ross), 1 1; 104— Mr W. Butler's oh m Kai Iwi 1 Lady, 9<fc 71b (WcCormick), 2 ; 36— Mr F. 8 Watson's br m Cutlaae, 7st lllb (James), 3. f Also started: — 17 — Tamarere, 15 — Bloome- • bury, 30 - Camalachie, 36— Gold Cup, 18— c Wakarua, 6— Rynda, 7— Whitiao. This ' race was virtually a gift to the winner who, 8 beinp exceedingly smart off the mark, soon % put a gap of five or six lengths between his r field and himaelf, did not give them a 0 chance to reach him, and sailiod home the '* easiest of winners, tho rest in a cluster. a Time, 52 4-sfch seas. There were 357 in19 vestorp, and the dividend was £3 13s. 19 Ladies' Bracelet Handicap; a bracelet value 16 eovs for first and bracelet value v 5 soys for Rccond horae, one mile aDd a die- _ tunce— 66 — Mrs J. Tuohoy's b m Cingalee, aged, by Governor — Psyche, list 101 b (Mr 7 F. Watßon), 1 ; 120— Miss M. G. Todd's eh g Gorse, lOsfc 131 b (Mr C. Patterson), 2 ; 1 * 9 Mrs J. Abbott's eh g Nanakiu, lOafc 91b 7 (Mr P. Harrison), 3. Also started — 17 — '-"£ Pilgrim (Mr Currie), 31— Omahu (Mr O. Ashwin), 6— Waihau (Mr D. Kitchen), 29 — Eomoo (Mr Hllis), s— Puella (Mr 8. V Morton), 7 — Fashion (Mr Christie), 3— ' B Maud S (Mr iitraohan). Cinsalee was X landed a clever winner, principally owing , to the excellent horsemanship of Mjr Waty son, when the race looked almost a certainty '= for Goran. Time, 2min lO^sec. There were 283 investors and the dividend wis c " £4 9s. The trophies were duly presented ■"* by Mr Alex. Higgie, with terse bufc j appropriate remarks. id Final Handicap, of 30 soys., seven furie> longE — 17 Mr V? . George's b m Swift, 4yrs, ,t- by Nalator — Gladiator mar-s, 7st 31b c- (Stevenson), 1 ; 104 — Mr J. Kennedy's eh g 3K Tramore, Bsit 81b (McOormick), 2 ; 36 — Mr lie Tillley's br m Gold Cup, 7«t7lb (Schaffer), Ir 3. Also started— l 4 Sea Bird, 7sfc 31b (Mcho Elwain) ; 3 Wakarua, 6Bb 71b (Manning) ;18 ft. Pibanga, 7afc lllb (J. Hall). At tho disip tance post ie looked as if Tramoro had this ob at bis mercy, bufc Swift; being allowed to :e - come up on the inside, just managed to -win to on the post by a nose. Time, Imin 34 and er l-sth sec. There wore 192 investors, and the od dividend wa3 £10 3s.