AUCKLAND POLO CLUB’S SPORTS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 300, 23 April 1896, Page 8

AUCKLAND POLO CLUB’S SPORTS.

Saturday, 18th April. The weather on Saturday morning was so miserably cold and wet, and altogether so uninviting, that at one time it was thought, the above sports would have to be postponed, but towards one o’clock the weather cleared and the sun shone out occasionally, but a slight shower in the afternoon did not improve matters. The attendance of the general public, in consequence of the wintry weather, was decidedly meagre, and I think the attendance might be sent down at about 500 people. During the afternoon His Excellency the Governor, the Countess of Glasgow, and a party from Government House arrived, and remained until near the last event. The rain in the morning had made the track at Potter’s Paddock very soft, and the going was decidedly slippery, but, notwithstanding this discomfort for those taking part in the sports, everything passed off pleasantly and without a hitch, the hon. secretary (Mr W. R. Bloomfield) having quite a busy time of it, although he was ably assisted by his brother official. All the events were kept well up to time. The ‘"afternoon tea was under the management of Mr T. MclCwin. Mr Itnpey’s well-known band played selections in a pleasing manner during the afternoon, The various competitions and races were splendidly contested, the visiting polo team from Kihikihi holding their own in several of the competitions. 'lhe following are the results of the afternoon s sport: — Bending- Competition, for trophy. First stake 20 vards from starting point; stakes 8 yards apart, and 18 stakes in course. Any competitor knocking over one stake to be disqualified. First heat: Mr A. Hanna’s Chummy, 1. Second heat : Mr W\ Kay’s Makarau (Kihikihi), 1. Final: Mr W. Kay’s Makarau, owner, 1; Mr A.

Hanna’s Chummy, Mr Whewell, 2. Mr W. Kay’s Kerry was also entitled to compete, having drawn a bye in the first round. Hurdle Race, for trophy. Six furlongs. Mr E. G. Eliott’s ch m Ikeora (late Ike), 11.7, owner ... ... ... ... ■• • 1 Mr H. C. Tonks’ blk g General Mite, 10.11, owner ... ... ... ■■■ ••• 2 Mr E. D. O’Rorke’s b g Gisborne, 11.7, Gordon ... ... ... ... ... 3 An exciting finish resulted in Ikeora winning by a head, Gisborne five lengths away. Time, Imin 38 l-ssec. Polo Ball Race, for trophy. Ball to be hit from starting point round flag 220 yards distant and back through goal posts. Ball to be hit from right to left round flag. First heat : Mr E. B. Simpson’s Demon, owner, 1. Second heat: Mr R. H. Wynyard’s Laddie, owner, 1. Third heat: Mr J. Corboy’s Dick, owner, 1. Final: Mr R. H. Wynyard’s Laddie, 1 ; Mr E. B. Simpson’s Demon, 2. Tandem Race, for trophy. Rider to drive one po y in front <>f his mount, tandem style. About four furlongs. Mr W. Kay’s Bilboa and Kerry, owner ... 1 Mr R. H. Wynyard’s Junket and Robin Hood, owner ... ... ... ... ... 2 Mr H. C. Tonk’s Makarau and Chummy ... 3 This race resulted in a splendid finish between the first and second teams, McKay just winning by about half a length. Auckland Polo Cup, for trophy. Weight-for-inches ; minimum weight, list 71b. Four furlongs. Mr E. D. O’Rorke’s ch m Nimble, by Howitzer 11.7, Mr Gordon 1 Dr Sharman’s g g The ’Unt, 11.7, Mr Bloomfield 2 Mr H. C. Tonks’ b m Lucy Grey, 11.7, owner 3 Also started —Br g Robin Hood, 11.7, Mr Whewell; b m Coquette, 11.7, Mr Lawson.

The’Unt led to the turn, where Nimble and Luck Grey joined him, and a slashing set-to resulted in Nimble winning by half a length, a length between second and third. Time, Imin 11 3-ssec. Ladies’ Bracelet, for trophy. Ponies to be nominated by ladies. Competitors to stark with ribbons, gallop round post from right to left, one furlong distant and back, dismount at starting point and lead pony to lady, who will thread needle ; when needle threaded, remount and again gallop round post from right to left, with needle threaded. First heat: Mrs O’Rorke Nimble, Mr Gordon, 1. Second heat : Miss Cullen’s Dick, MrCorboy, 1. Final : Mrs O Rorke’s Nimble, Mr Gordon, 1. The final, owing to the Kihikihi rider catching his foot in the stirrup, was comparatively a walk over for the winner. Steeplechase, for Cup presented by Mr E. Dennis O’Rorke. Weigbt-for-inches; maximum weight, list 71b. Winner of Hurdle Race or Cup to carry 51b penalty. One mile and a half. Mr H. G. Tonks’ blk g General Mite, 10.11, owner ... ... ... ••• - .... . I Mr E. G. Elliott’s ch g Ikeora, 11.12 (inc. Sib over), owner ... ... ... ... 2 Mr K. D. O’Rorke’s b g Gisborne, 11.7, Mr Gordon ... ... ... ... 3 Also started —B g Kiwi, 11.7, Mr Gilmore. General Mite came through at the ben • , and won comfortably by four lengths. Gisborne was a poor third. Time, 3min 30 l-ssec. Cigar Race. Competitors to start with coat off and saddle on the ground, and unlighted cigar; to mount and go ome round the post, and finish with pony saddled, coat on, and cigar lighted. Mr R. Whewell was the winner, on Mr A. Hanna’s Chummy. Tug-of-War (Kihikihi v. Auckland), for trophy. Open to members of polo clubs in provincial district of Auckland.

The teams were— Kihikihi: Messrs Kays, Corboy, Lawson, and Weatherall, 1. Auckland : Messrs Tonke, Wynyard, Bloomfield, and Makgin, 2. , a The Kihikihi ponies seemed to understand the business better than the Auckland ponies, and •the visitors had a fairly easy win.