PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 14, 1 November 1890, Page 3

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

The annual race-meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club was brought off, after a week’s adjournment owing to the heavy rains, on Saturday last. -The weather, fortunately, was most propitious, and the attendance consequently quite up to the average. On the stand there were a large number of ladies, who seemed to take more than ordinary interest in the sport. Mr. Thomas Morrin occupied the judge’s box, but he had no close finishes to trouble him, and Mr. E. D. Halstead was successful with the starters flag. Mr. R. Garrett officiated as clerk of the scales, and Mr. T. Brown (the huntsman) as clerk of the course. Mr. H. H. Hayr worked energetically as secretary. The totalisators were in charge of Messrs. Adams and Andrews, who, unfortunately for themselves, made a very serious error in paying out too large a dividend on the Members’ Hurdle Race, a mistake which cost them over eighty pounds. The dividend paid out was £2 25., whereas each of the 184 investors on Hurricane were only justly entitled to £1 13s. Hunter’s Artillery Band discoursed some excellent music on the lawn, which materially assisted to enliven the afternoon’s proceedings. Unfortunately a severe accident occurred, Mr. E. B. Laxon, who was riding Tawhiao in the Members’ Hurdles, receiving a fall and fracturing his collar-bone. He was promptly attended to by Dr. Coom. The racing does not call for much comment. Orlando, who appeared rather “ beefy,” won the Open Hurdle Race pretty comfortably. The old son of The Painter will yet pick up a few crumbs at the minor meetings. Nap, who was much fancied in some quarters, was never prominent, but probably the horse was not seen at his best. The Hunt Club Cup was robbed of some of its interest owing to the absence of Costley, who, unfortunately, broke down the morning before the race. Old Hurricane, who has certainly proved himself a bit of a wonder, was the only one out of the six starters that negotiated his obstacles without making a mistake. He was capitally ridden by Mr. Tom Craig, who rode with consummate judgment throughout. Capella, favoured by a good start, won the Flying Stakes pretty easily, and thus scored, at the first time of asking, for her present owner. Old Falcon again appropriated the Farmers’ Plate for Mr. John Lennard, being admirably handled by Mr. E. D. O’Rorke. Priscilla scored her first, victory in the Maiden Plate, which she won pretty easily from a field of nine runners. This filly is a half-sister to the well-performed Patchwork, being by Captivator—Patch. She started six times last season without running prominently. Transit, who started a warm favourite for the event, was not dangerous at any portion of the journey. Hurricane had no difficulty in winning the Members’ Hurdle Race from the moderate three opposed to him, and Lord Gillie, ridden by his owner, had a still easier task set him in the Ladies’ Bracelet.

Auckland, the steeplechaser, has been turned out for a spell, and will be put into work again about December with a view to competing in the Autumn and Winter Steeplechases.