ASHURST AND POHANGHINA HACK RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 441, 5 January 1899, Page 14

ASHURST AND POHANGHINA HACK RACES.

Proceedings commenced with the Maiden Hurdles of one and a half miles in beautiful weather. Omnia, 250, was made favourite, but in a field of five runners he could only get second to Watershot (160), Dubious (129), finishing third,

The Ashurst Hack Guineas of 100 sovs was the next race, and three well-bred youngsters faced the starter. Derringdo (144) by Derringer—Tohoma, was made favourite, but finished last in a wretchedly slow run race, Victorine,by Derringer —Nectarine, the least backed, carrying 107 won easily trom Corydon (117), by Strephon —Young Dinah. Time, lmin 54jsec. Dividend, £3 Is. Victorine * as afterwards decorated with the blue riband by Mrs H Gillies. The Flying Handicap brought out five runners, Tortulla in Prosser’s stable being most backed with 283, and he won easy from The Masher 189, Langtry, 176, being third. Time, lmin 19 3 ssec. Dividend, £2 12s.

The Manawatu Gorge Handicap, one and a quarter miles, worth £125, was the next race on the programme. Eight of the ten coloured on the card faced the starter. Bush Rose, 912 (341) ; First Blood, 8.10 (72) ; Daphne, 8.6 (147) ; Gobo, 7.10 (186) ; Derrincote, 8.0 (67) ; Thrush, 7.6 (67) ; Worry, 7.4 (249) ; Derry, 7.7 (92). Worry and Derry were responsible for the pace for most of the journey, half-a-mile from home Bush Rose, who had been lying off, went up, while Gobo and and First Blood supplanted Worry in the lead. Once in the straight Bush Rose had won his race, Gobo and First Blood finishing second and third. Time, 2min 16sec. Dividend, £8 4s. On the strength of having run Worry to ahead at Pahiatua, Waipuna was an odds on favourite for the Maiden, one mile and a distance. She literally had everything in trouble six furlongs from home, Challenger (92), Sir Kitchener (50), Little Jack (7) finishing behind in this order. The winner had 200 investors. Dividend, £1 Ils. Time, 2min 3sec.

In the Visitors’ Handicap, seven furlongs, Daphne (9.5), in spite of a big go in the Gorge Handicap, was most fancied, and won comfortably from Rimlock, 7.7 (123) and Omnia 7.0 (86). Masher, 7.3 (252) also started.. 305 on winner. Dividend, £2 ss. Time, lmin 34 l-ssec. Bush Rose covered himself with glory by coming out and carrying a 71b penalty to victory, making his weight 10.6 in the Pohangina Handicap of one mile, Gobo (8.0) and First Blood (8 12) were second and third. Worry, Thrush, Full Charge, and Redoubt also started. Dividend, £1 15s. Time, lmin 48sec. This gelding should win a good handicap soon if he keeps well. He was a racehorse among hacks to-day.

The Farewell Handicap of five furlongs saw another double event win. Tortulla (7.7) repeating his Flying Handicap performance somewhat easily from his stable companion The Guard (7.0) and Discount (7.7). Langtry (8.8), Kaimia (8.7), and Pastime (6.10) also startecl. This brought a rather tame day’s sport to a conclusion. The course was in capital order, and the officials performed their various duties courteously and well.