7th, 8th, and 9h Janwary.
Our annual Race Meeting came off on the '7th, 8th, and 9th inst. and was great success. Phe weather was perhaps not quite all that one could wish for, on account of very high wind and dust on the third day, but the first two days were perfect, and the attendance was quite up to the usual average, The course was good, considering the great difficulties we have to contend with, and Mr. Jenkins can be congratulated on the satisfactory results of his endeavours. We had the usual difficulties in keeping the course clear, but Mr. H. P, White acting as clerk of the course with the aid of a few volunteers, gave us as orderly a course as we have seen for some time. TW. Wright og starter carried out his arduous duties with great success and false starts were conspicuous by their absence. Mr. Hughes acted in the capacity of Judge to the satisfaction of everyone, and there were some very close finishes tu record.
The first race brought out five starters, and as expected resulted in an easy win for Duncraggan. The Trials seemed a good thing fur Serenade; there were seven starters and Mr. Firth had no difficulty in landing Serenade an easy winner by some lengths. The Fouchow Cup only brought out two starters and resulted as was expected. There were five competitors for the Haekwan Cup, favouritism being divided between Muinbrace and Cobreb. After a good contest Mainbrace won, but if Mr. Firth had called on his pony a little suoner he would probably have landed him the winner. Four starters came out for the Chaasze Cup, Nero being most fancied, and the good thing came off", but his jockey had to do some hard riding, as Cheng Li Ma stuck very gamely to it." Only three came out for the Amoy Stakes, and Wi'd Mint who was made warm favourite cautered away with it, There were five starters for the Coast Cup, the winner of the Trials being first favourite and Formosa being fancied by a few; but once started the issue was never in doubt, as Serenade soon got the lead and won easily.
'As usual with us on the second day, the endance of ladies was very swab,' but many Chinese officials were present and seemed to take great interest in the spurt, The racing was good and some warm favourites were upset. The Compradores'
Cup: brought out a large field; there' being" eight starters, but the race calls fur little description, Serenade winning easily. Kumbier and Avonmore made a good race of it for second place, which resulted in a dead heat. Only four starters came out for the Challenge Cup, favouritism being divided between Duncraggan and Mainbrace. Cheng Li Ba and Cocktail went once round as a preliminary canter and then the starter got them all well away together. Mainbrace scun secured the lead, which he kept, and won easily. The Visitors' Cup was an easy win for Cobweb. Six ponies came out to contest for the Bund Cup and were soon let go to a good start, Formosa and Emin making the ruening. Redux went well for a short distance, but for the last round Mr. Boyd on Dunedin, was soon finished. Coming into the straight
riding well, overtook Formose and won easily. The Exchange Plate only brought out three ponies, the odds being 20 to:1 on Wild Mint, and yo takers. There were five starters for the Te Mao-Chin Plate, Nevo being first favourite. Lrneraggan on the rails got the best of the start; Nero raced alongside him for the first: half mile, and although Mr. Marshall made, many efforts to overtake the dun, Mr. Boy landed his mount an easy winner, Fantan coming up very strong at the finish and securing second place. The Racing Stakes brought out four starters, and great interest was taken in this race, as Serenade, Mainbrace and Cobweb looked a pretty even trio, but as Serenade had not been seen over a mile and Cobweb was beaten by Minbrace in the Hackwan Cup, Mainbrace carried most money. Serenade and Mfainbrace jumped away together, leaving Cobweb and Harmony soon some lengths behind. At the half mile post, the second time round, Cobweb was pushed along, and soon caught the leaders, who before the first mile was covered had killed" one another, leaving Cobweb an easy winner.
On Friday, the weather was not quite up to the two previous days, there being a very strong wind blowing, which made it moat unpleasant both for lookers on and riders, and slow times were recorded. Being' the Ladies' Purse day the attendance was good, The first event on the programme was the Formosa Cup. Four starters came to the post, Nero being the most fancied, and he won easily. 'The Ledger Cup brought tive starters, Formosa winning by half-a-length from 'Dunedin. Four came out for the Ladies' Parse, and they were soon away to a gosd start, Cocktail' on the rails showing the way. After passing the seven-furlong post Emin made a bid for the lead but could not head Cocktail who was well ridden and wou an exciting race by half a length from Emin and Pilot, who rau a dead heat for second place. After weighing out, the successful jockey was escorte by his friends to the Grand Stand, and rs, Bourne presented the coveted trophy with a few appropriate remarks, to which Mr. Thomas ably replied and called for three cheers for the ladies, which were heartily given. Only three starters came out for the Lottery Cup. Serenade and Muinbrace made a good race of it, the latter winning, with Aronmore a good third. Five came out for the Consvlations, Cheng Li Ma and Fantan being the most fancied. Cheng Li Ma won by half a length, thus securing Mr. Wilson his first winning mount. Four came out for the Champions, during the running of which there was a ale of wind blowing, carrying clouds of just with it. Wild Mint was made a warm favourite. They were soon away to a good start, Iild Mint and Nero making the pace hot. The first half mile was done in 63hsec. which was good time considering; the state of the course and the strong win Diowing. The time forthe mile was 2.18 and then Nero dropped out of it. Cobweb and Duncraggan came along with a grand rush and passed Wild Afint at the 1} mile jockey's call, and Mr. Boyd secured a most popular win' on gan, with Cobweb well up. The Nil Desperandum brought out seven starters and after an exciting race Stanley won by neck,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.