OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1450, 7 February 1918, Page 24

OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB.

ANNUAL RACE MEETING. During the next couple of months owners, trainers and racing enthusiasts in the Auckland province will be kept fully employed in extending their patronage to the gatherings held at various townships, all of which are within easy reach by rail. One of the most popular of these, gatherings is the Ohinemuri Jockey Club’s annual reunion, which, as in previous years, will again be held on the Paeroa Racecourse on Saturday, March 16, a week later than the Te Aroha Jockey Club’s meeting. The Ohinemuri Jockey Club are offering highly remunerative stakes for the eight events to be decided at the meeting, not one of which is less than 130sovs. The chief event is the Ohinemuri Cup Handicap of 400sovs„ one mile and a-quarter, which will undoubtedly prove the means of many of the leading performers at metropolitan meetings in Auckland being taken to the fixture. Next in importance come the St. Patrick’s Handicap of 200sovs, six furlongs, and the Karangahake Handicap of 200sovs, five furlongs, which are not likely to escape the attention of owners of eligible candidates. Other events included on the excellent programme are: Handicap Hurdles of 150sovs, one mile and threequarters, Maiden Handicap of 130sovs, five furlongs, Netherton Welter of 150 sovs, seven furlongs, and the Paeroa Steeplechase of 140sovs, about two miles and a-half. Nominations for all events close with the secretary, Mr. H. Poland, or with Mr. F. Yonge, High Street, Auckland, on Saturday, February 23, at 9 p.m.

With over 80 days’ racing—horses, ponies and trotting—in January alone, it is difficult to believe the sport has been restricted to any extent in New South Wales, says “Pilot.” A wellknown country stipendiary steward told that writer recently that he was now attending more meetings than at any time since he filled his present position.

R. Hannon, the Waikato ownertrainer, must be holding a bit more of the prize money given away in Auckland so far this season by the various clubs than any other owner in the province.

In a recent case in New South Wales a number of persons were fined for playing “two up.” They did not use a kip but a dice box was substituted in which were placed two threepenny pieces, the tail side of the coins being blackened.

A number of the horses sold at the sale of the second draft of the late Hon. J. D. Ormond’s thoroughbreds are reported to have been purchased for Auckland. They are the brood mare Orvieta (by Orvieto—Florigold), 35gns.; Pellicle (by Birkenhead— Film), 65gns., b m by Birkenhead — Snooze 23gns., b m by Hymettus— Snooze lOgns., b m by Hymettus— Pellicle 72gns., and a two-year-old filly by King Mark —Outer, 25gns.

At the Richmond (N.S.W.) pony meeting recently £617 10s. was the tote turnover and the tickets were ss. each.

Biplane, who is to race at Wanganui, has not really been out of work this season. Mason has kept him busy even while his cracked hoof was causing anxiety.