THE REEFTON RACES.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1064, 22 March 1882, Page 2

THE REEFTON RACES.

Third Day— Monday, March 20. Owing; to the bad weather of Friday and Saturday, the days originally set down for the races, many of the events had to be postponed till Monday, when at last the programme was got through. The rain held off, and a large number of persons attended the course, the booths too being exceedingly well patronised. The firat race on the card was the Hurdle Handicap that should have come off on Friday, but out of the five colored oil the card only three put in an appearance, Hercules, Dart, and Tambourine. The Dart was thought to be a "moral," but Hercules had him from the start to the finish, and won easily. The District Handicap produced one of the best races of the meeting, and but for the accident to Bide-a-Wee would probably have resulted in a dead heat. As it was, there are many who consider that he won the race, although the judge's decision was adverse, and cannot, of course, be questioned. Lillipie, who was a strong favorite, was never dangerous after the second round, the heavy ground telling seriouely against him. Forester ran a gObdVand game horse, and if properly trained and ridden may yet be heard of performing creditably in better company. The Hack Race was won by Dolly Varden, beating Rosina and three others. The Autumn Handicap was a gift to Fishhook,. who romped home just as he piefcse'e^ notwithstanding the steadier of lOst 12lba. Forester* again ran well, and Bide-a-Wee secured the very unsatisfactory third place. Dolly carried off the Trotting Race, and Hercules repeated his victory over the sticks beating Orient, Tambouring. JDarty., And Shamrock. Dan O'Connell managed to secure the Consolation, Rawdon, Maid of Honor, and the Bat, being bis followers. Whether the latter can be fairly said to be a follower may be doubtful, inasmuch as he bolted. The old horse evidently thinks he has done enough racing in his time, and will have no more of it, for he cannot apparently be got to go straight at all. The following are the results of the racing :-^ f / ;. Hurdle*' HAffWip of £20. Distance, two miles. Mr Carter's b. g. Hercules* 4 years, list 21bs (Holmes) 1 Mr Warm's blk. g. Dart, aged, 9st4lbs (Hannigan) 2 Mr Twohill's b. g. Tambourini, aged, Bst lOlbs (Cahill) 3 A good start was, effected, Tambourini assuming the lead, 1 Hercules second, and Dart last, but the latter soon went to the head of affairs, and kept the lead till the second round. Tambourine was still in the rear when Hercules went up, collared, and passed Dart, and won with ease. There was no spill during the race, all the horses jumping well. The next race was The District Handicap of £25. Distance, one and three-quarter miles. Mr M, -Williams' eh. g. Forester, aged, t&rtJgLhi @_. CJoMey) 1 Mr Cochrane'sb. g. Bide-a-Wee, aged, 9st 81bs (Bright) 2 Mr Gallagher's g. g. Lillipie, 5 years, 9st3lbs( ) 3 Rustic also started. Forester made the! running from the start, though at one period Lillipie went up, and challenged him without, however, securing any advantage. Bide-a-Wee came up, however, at the finish, and a. splendid race between the leaders ensued, resulting in the judge giving the race to Forester. Bide-a-Wee fell in the last stride almost throwing his rider, but not injuring him. The Hack Race was won as stated above by Dolly Varden. "TSh' of £60. Dis- . tance, one and" three-quarter miles. Mr P. Twohill's b. g. Fishhook, aged, lOst 121bs (Cahill) 1 Mr M. Williams' eh. g. Forester, aged, • 6st lllbs (E. Williams) 2 Mr W. Cochrane'sb. g. Bide-a-Wee, aged, 7st 91bs (G. Cochrane) ... 3 Dan O'Connell, Rawdon, and Orient, also started, the former being run in clothing. The race was never in doubt Fishhook permitting his horses to lead him till coming to the back of the course the last round, when he went to the front and won with ease. The District Handicap Trotting Race was won by Mr Craig's Dolly, who received an allowance of 330 yards, beating Dr. Thorpe's Ada, who was second with 296 yards, Black Bess at scratch, Polly .with 72 yards, and Painter, 82 yards. The Hxtkdle Handicap (the second) of £20. Distance, one and threequarter miles. Mr Carter's b. g. Hercules, 4 years, (Holmes) 1 Mr M'Coll's b. g. Orient, ( ) ... 2 Mr Twohill's b. g. Tambourini (Cahill) 3 Dart and Shamrock also started. This was won after a good race. Dart fell. Consolation Race of £15. Distance, 1 mile. For all horses beaten at the meeting. Mr Carter's b. h. Dan O'Connell, 4 yrs, (Holmes) 1 Mr M'Kee'a b. g. Rawdon (J. Conley) 2 Maid of Honor, and the Bat, also started, the latter, however, bolting. This brought the races to a conclusion,' and though the course was very heavy

and even dangerous on the latter day, we are glad to say that no serioua accidents occurred. The totalisator was in full swing, but was hardly as well patronised as might have been expected, though it did a moderate business. The police, notwithstanding the holiday time, had nothing to do, and everything passed off in the most orderly fashion, The totalisator on the first Hurdle Handicap showed 32 on Tambourini, 19 on Hercules, and 19 on Dart. In the District Handicap, there were 52 on Lillipie, 68 on Bide-a-Wee, 13 on Rustic, and 42 on Forester. In the Hack Race, 32 were on Dolly Varden, 11 on Diver, 7 on Maid of Honor, 6 on Butcher Boy, 21 on Rosins, and 2 on Native Cat, In the Autumn Handicap, there were 8 on Forester, 43 on Rawdon, 10 on Bide-a-Wee, 33 on Orient, 24 on Dan O'Connell, and 108 on Fishhook. In the District Trotting Race, there were 4 on Ada, 6 on Painter, 7 on Polly, 44 on Dolly, and 59 on Black Bess. In the Consolation, there were 76 on Dan O'Connell, 24 on the Bat, 19 on Maid of Honor, and 15 on Rawdon.