PATEA RACING CLUB’S HACK MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 91, 21 April 1892, Page 6

PATEA RACING CLUB’S HACK MEETING.

(from our own correspondent.) New Plymouth, April 19. I he annual hack meeting of the Patea Racing Club was held on Easter Monday. The weather being splendidly fine, the sporting settlers of the district largely patronised the meeting, and many visitors were also present from Vvanganui, New Plymouth, Hawera, and Waitara. All the events on the card, eight in number, were got off without anything happening to mar the day’s sport. Mr. G. F. Potto, the hon. sec., worked hard to ensure success, and in his endeavours he was ably seconded by the stewards and other officials of the Club. Mr. Martin Baird wielded the starter’s flag in the absence of Mr. S. Powell at Christchurch, and, considering the large fields, he was fairly successful in his endeavours to get the horses off together. The adjustments for the handicap events were on the average very good, producing in a couple of instances really exciting finishes. Mr. Henry’s work appeared to give general satisfaction, judging by the large acceptances. On account of Mr. Henry’s absence in Christchurch, Mr. R. G. Pardy, at the request of the stewards, framed the handicaps for the Forced Handicap. The Handicap Hurdles, i£ miles, was the initial race, for which seven came to the post. Baccarat, the top-weight, went to the van at the end of six furlongs, and remained there, winning with a lump up his sleeve by two lengths from Bradshaw, who was unnecessarily flogged home by Stevens ; Romeo a moderate third. Time, jmin. Bsec. Dividend, £3. Eleven contested the Flying Handicap, six furlongs. After a good deal of trouble Mr. Baird got the comparatively large field away on even terms. Strike, who appeared to be in great buckle, went to the front when half the distance was traversed, and keeping his advantage to the finish, won easily from Nganeko, Outer being third. Time, imin. 22sec. Dividend, £4 18s. For the Catch Weights, four furlongs, eleven also assembled at the post Mr. Baird found this field very untractable, as the horses were continually on the jig, the cause undoubtedly •being the "jockeys, who were endeavouring to get an advantage at the start for such a short spin. Mr. Baird fined Eva, rider of Irene, £2 for not coming up to his field when requested to do so. The New Plymouth mare Armour bolted twice with her rider; the first occasion making a half circuit of the course, and the

second time going right round. When the flag was eventually lowered Armour got off well, and soon went to the head of affairs. She was challenged at two furlongs by Miss Cole. The little daughter of Armourer responded, however, to the challenge, and a ding-dong race resulted in Armour getting home (with good riding) by a short head. Time, 55 I_ sth secs. Dividend, £6 6s. Nine weighed out for the Easter Handicap, miles, Strike being made favourite on the machine. The field got away in straggling order, Pill being blocked by The Barber at the post. After going a furlong Swindler came down through a jostle, presumably ; and later on Pill slipped and fell. Strike took the head of affairs at the mile, and although hotly pursued by War Cry he ran home an easy winner by a length. Time, 2min. 51 i-sth sec. Dividend, £5 6s. Holmes, the rider of Swindler, escaped free of injury, but Hargreaves, the rider of Pill, got a crick in the neck which knocked him out for the rest of the day. Diana was a third bn sufferance. There were eight starters for the Farmers’ Plate, 1 mile (gentlemen riders). Valentine, ridden by Mr. F. Watson, was made favourite, but the winner turned up in Pennant (Mr. Hair), who won from Princess (Mr. Hastie), after a slashing go. Lady Emma (Mr. C. Goodson) was third. Time, imin. 58 2-sth sec. Dividend, £5 17s. There were ten starters for the Alton Handicap, 1 mile. The pony Storyteller led from the jump, and was just collared on the post by Miss Cole, who was just squeezed home by good riding. There were only six investors on the pony, and the dividend would therefore have been substantial. The dividend on Miss Cole was £5 17s. Time, imin. 53fsec. For the Post Stakes, half-mile, eleven came out. This was won by Gunner, an ex-Waitara pony, who beat Slip in the last fifty yards. Time, 54 3-sth sec. Dividend, £6 14s. Seven cried content for the Forced Handicap, the winner turning up in Waipiro, who beat Outer by a head. Time, imin. 54 3-sth sec. Dividend, £2 19s.

I might mention that the heavy rain that fell on Sunday rendered the course a bit slippery, which accounted for the rather slow time. Mr. F. Hill worked the totalisator, and put through £1,629. Lett was the most successful jockey, having had three wins. McKeague had one, Higginson one, Holmes one, and Riley one. The sport concluded in plenty of time for the north and south visitors to catch their respective trains.