THE REEFTON RACES.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1063, 20 March 1882, Page 2

THE REEFTON RACES.

First Day— March 17. Not differing from past experiences, Saint Patrick's Day, was ushered in by anything but promising weather. A good deal of light rain had fallen during the night, but as the glass still stood reason- . ably , high, corresponding hopes were _ fge^ej^al that -it; would clear up by noon. By that time, however, it became evident there would be more than " The dew to wet the Shamrock," and as the committee had declared against postponement, the public began to cluster about the Grarid Stand in considerable numbers. Arriving on the ground we found it necessary, after payment at the gate money, either to climb over or get under ' a post and rail fence, which debarred the passage from the gates to the stand, and noticed several ladies inclined rather to turn back home than to face such an unpleasant ordeal. Whoever may be responsible should look to this. At a quarter past one the bell rang for the District ; Plate Handicap, and five s&-roB&--4wice round and a distance, which was won easily by Lillipie, Rustic, second Lillipie taking up the running from the first, and maintaining to the finish. The rain now poured down in a perfect torrent, and an alarming amount of stolen property in the form of umbrellas was publicly exhibited. It was in vain that people sought the shelter of the tiro booths below the Grand Stand. Rain in concentrated streams poured down through, the floor of the structure with the additional disadvantage of dirtying ones clothes, and the committee lost a fine' haul through not having it roofed over. After a very long delay it got current that the sport would be brought to 1 a premature close by the Handicap Hack Bace, and six horses toed the mark lor the struggle, once round the course jin heats. This race, as is commonly tbe case, was gamely contested, and finished opportunely by Dolly Varden winning both first and second heats, when the crowd rapidly dispersed homewards or public housewards* A prominent feature on the ground, and new to many, was the To-Jajisatpr, which was freely patronised. ExtueAjely simple and lucid in its workings it is yet equally difficult to undeistand from any verbal description. Any persons, therefore, who may wish to acquaint themselves with this new gaming' machine, liave only to watch the fortunes of their stakes, for one event, to become* thoroughly acquainted with the myster*. Unfortunately, however, the reeled web, showing the gross accumulated bets, top irtiialf, and tally had to be kept on^a

' slate, but the accident being obnous no dissatisfaction accrued. A band oi music heroically kept its position under & fictitious shelter of unbleached calico on the exposed top of the Grand Stand, proving themselves worthy disciples of Matk : Tapley. ' The following are the particulars of th* ; day's racing: — District Plate Handicap— Of £20. Distance, twice round the course and a distance. Mr J: Gallaj-her's g.: g.:Lillipie, 5 yrs. Bstlolbs(Cahill) 1 Mr J. Warm's b. g. Rustic, aged, 7st 71bs 2 -Mr Bright's b. m. Half-caste, aged, 9st lOlbs 3 Mr J. Barton's blk. g. The Bat, aged, Bstlolbs 0j Mr A. Breen's eh. m. Rosina ... 0 The Bat bolted, though the race was never in doubt, Lillipie taking the lead and keeping it. Handicap Hack Race of £10. Threequarters of a mile heats, without dismounting. Open to all horses that have never won a stake exceeding £10. Post entries, £1. Dolly Varden (Echall) 1 ; Maid of Honor (Hurd) 2 ; and Hercules, 3. Four others started. Second Day — Saturday, March 18. | It was hoped tiiat the weather would clear on Saturday, and in the morning there were great signs of amendment, tiie sun shining out brilliantly at times. These indications, however, proved fallacious, for before half the day was over another steady downpour set in, and spoilt all calculations. The Black's Point band was on the ground, and greatly added to the enjoyment of the day, and in the early morning everything looked cheerful The first race, the Goldfields Handicap, though advertised for 12 sharp was not started till 1 o'clock, and Fishhook, notwithstanding his tremendous impost of list., won easily. A heavy pot boiled over on Dan O'Connell, whose owner was very sweet on hia chance, whilst the believers in Lillipie, especially in the face of his victory on the previous day, were legion. The old horse, however, came up in some measure to his old form, and won gallantly. The Trotting Race is an institution that has not yet been acclimatised on English courses, and further it is one that we hope will never be popular. No less than seven animals put in an appearance, however, the best of which was Black Bess, who won without great exertion. After this event was got through the rain commenced to pour down, and anything further was found to be impossible, so the remaining undecided events were postponed till Monday (this day). These comprise the Hurdle Handicap, and all the races on the programme for the second day. The booths seemed to do a good business on both days, and tiie attendance considering the threatening weather was good. The delay that took place in running off the' events might be very w^U cortftUdd in fatuxe for lugd there been even *n jq&r-o^^jQr punctuality, the races might ha*-*** ***«_■> got through before the heavy rain act in. It is to be hoped that the weather will be more favorable to-day though at the time of .writing it is -falling heavily with very little sign ol abatement. The following are the only two events that came off : — The Goldfields Handicap of £50. Distance, two miles. Second horse to receive £5 from the stakes. Mr P. Twohill's b. g. fishhook, aged, llst(Cahill) 1 Mr W. Cochrane'sb. g. Bide-a-Wee, aged, 7st lllbs ... 2 Mr Williams' eh. g. Forester, aged, 7st 3 Mr Carter's b. h. Dan O'Connell, 4 yrs, 9st lOlbs ... , 0 Mr M 'Coil's b. g. Orient, Bst4lbs ... 0 Mr Gallagher's g. h. Lillipie, 5 years, 7stlolbs 0 Mr Warm's Rustic, aged, 6st 121ba ... 0 There was very little betting, but Lillipie and Dan O'Connell were strongly fancied. The Totalisator showed 44 on Lillipie, 30 on Dan O'Connell, 24 on Fishhook, 12 on Bide-a-Wee, 8 on Orient, 3on Forester, and 1 on Rustic. After two false starts, Mr Dick sent the horses well away on their journey, Dan O'Connell taking charge at the start, Lillipie lying next him. Forester well up, and the others in a cluster. On the second round Orient cut its and was out of the race. At' (his stage Lillipie took command, Dan O'Connell declining rapidly till he was absolutely last Forester meanwhile was doing, well, and looked exceedingly dangerous. Before rounding the last turn the heavy weight came to the finish, Bide-a-Wee well up, and Forester making a game race of it. Eventually Fishhook WOtt with something in hand by a little more than a length, Bide-a-Wee a tolerable second, and Forester, a good third, the others nowhere. The next race was The District Handicap Trotting Race of £10. Distance, 3 miles. Mr Carter's Black Bess, scratch ... 1 Mr Young's Dolly, 275 yards ... 2 Polly and Painter 40 yards, Warwhoop 66yds, Ada 225 yards, and Yankee Tom, w***ratch, also started. Won after a good race. There were 114 in the Totalisator, Black Bess being a long way the favorite. A protest was entered against Fishhook, but was overruled. Racing to-day, we understand, will begin early, and the whole unfinished programme will be run off.