MARLBOROUGH RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1562, 1 April 1920, Page 9

MARLBOROUGH RACING CLUB.

AUTUMN MEETING

The attention of sportsmen is directed to the Marlborough RacingClub’s autumn programme, which appears in this issue. The meeting is to take place on the Waterlea racecourse, Blenheim, on May 4 and 5, and judging by the wide patronage extended the club’s recent Cup fixture, another successful gathering should be experienced by this enterprising South Island racing body early next month. In regard to the autumn programme it is necessary to mention that the committee of the ' club,

whilst not in a position at the present time to increase their stakes very materially, have put up the second and third money. It is realised that the expenses of taking horses to Blenheim are somewhat heavy and this increase in the second and third money should be welcomed by owners of Hacks.

The club, as at its March meeting, has undertaken to pay half return steamer and train fares from Wellington to Blenheim on all horses competing at the meeting. The new course at Waterlea, which was opened in March, proved to be of the most satisfactory nature, and as further improvements are contemplated from time to time the course should rank with the best in New Zealand. It is hoped that the

progressiveness of the Marlborough Racing Club will be rewarded by firstclass entries.

The principal handicap on the opening day will be the WaterleaCup (open), of 200sovs, one and a quarter miles, while the Flying Handicap (open), of 120sovs, five furlongs, and the Open Welter Handicap, of llOsovs, seven furlongs, are also both certain to be well patronised by owners. Three hack races are provided, and promise to attract excellent entries. The events in question are: Maiden Hack Race, of 70sovs, six furlongs, for horses that have never won a race of greater value than £2O at the time of starting; Opawa Welter Hack Handicap, of 90 sovs, seven furlongs, minimum weight 7.7; and the Dash Hack Handicap, of SOsovs, five furlongs. Two trotting events are provided on the opening day as follows: —First Trotting Handicap, (saddle) of 65sovs, one and a half miles, for unhoppled horses only, 4.4 or better; and the Second Trotting Handicap (harness) of 65sovs, one and a half miles, 3.52 or better.

The three open events on the second day consist of the following: — President’s Handicap, of 150sovs, one mile and 80 yards; Telephone Handi-

cap, of 120sovs, six furlongs; and the Farewell Handicap, of llOsovs, five furlongs. The Omaka Welter Hack Handicap, of 90sovs, seven furlongs, minimum weight 7.7; Riverlands Hack Handicap, of 90sovs, five furlongs; and the Hack Handicap, of 70sovs, six furlongs, cater thoroughly for the hack division, which should materially help to swell the lists when nominations come to be taken for the fixture. The Third Trotting Handicap (saddle), of 65sovs, for unhoppled trotters, 5.24 or better, and the Fourth Trotting Handicap (harness), of 65sovs, one mile, 2.33 or better, complete the second day’s programme.

Nominations for all events close with the secretary (Mr. E. J. Harvey), High Street, Blenheim, on Wednesday, April 14.