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1893 PLUMPTON PARK TROTTING CLUB'S SPRING MEETING

There was a large attendance at the Plumpton Park Club's Spring Trotting Meeting to-day, but the high nor-wester made things very unpleasant. Results:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 25 sovs; second horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr H Mace's br m The Duchess, aged, 10sec (Stace) 1.

Mr H P Hookham's blk m August, 5yrs, 6sec (Owner) 2.

Blackberry 7sec, Nancy 10sec, Shooting Star 10sec, Seagull 12sec and Autonomy 12sec also started.

The Duchess soon established a long lead, and won easily by fifty yards from August, who came very fast at the finish. Time 6min 6sec. Dividend - £1 10s 6d.

PONY HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs; second horse 2 sovs from the stake.

Mr J Fraser's gr m White Wings, aged, 15sec (Hill) 1.

Mr W Bell's br g Nipper, 5yrs, 17sec (Farrar) 2.

Chance scr, Hilda 5sec, Merrybody 12sec, Dick 14sec, Search Light 15sec, Navigator 15sec, Woodlands 17sec and Nancy Lee 17sec also started.

White Wings at once went to the front, and though Nipper kept in close company, the white mare won comfortably by half a dozen lengths. Time 3min 6sec. Dividend - £2 13s.

SOCKBURN HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr E Ralph's b m Brown Duchess, 5yrs, 25sec (C Kerr) 1.

Mr E Berry's br g Stonewall Jackson, 6yrs, scr (Stace) 2.

Mr C Wilson's br g Tonga, aged, 30sec (A J Keith) 3.

Brown Duchess passed Tonga before the first mile was completed, and the pony soon afterwards gave way also to Stonewall Jackson. Brown Duchess broke twice, but was not overtaken by the scratch horse, who broke when within a couple of lengths of her in the straight, and was beaten by three lengths. Time 5min 35sec. Dividend - £2 1s 6d. Stonewall Jackson's time was 5min 12 1/2sec.

MAIDEN HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs; second horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr W Horner's gr m Harewood, 5yrs, 7sec (Rae) 1.

Mr W Stokes' gr g Ben Allen, aged, 7sec (Owner) 2.

Lina scr, Jenny Lind 5sec, Miscatta 5sec, Barndance 5sec and Beatrice 7sec also started.

Jenny Lind took the lead, but broke badly, and Harewood went on in front, with Lina next. Lina died away and was passed by Ben Allen, but Harewood held her own, and won by forty yards. Time 6min 23sec.

RICCARTON PLATE HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 35sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. Tro miles.

Mr F Mulholland's b m Trissie, 5yrs, scr (W Kerr) 1.

Mr E Ralph's br m Brown Duchess, 5yrs, 8sec (penalised 10sec) (C Kerr) 2.

Chuznee 40sec and Marigold 40sec also started.

Chuznee was out of the race from the start. Marigold held the lead for a mile and a quarter, when Brown Duchess closed on her, and both broke, letting up Trissie, who from that point drew away, and finished seventy yards in advance of Brown Duchess, Marigold just distanced. Time 5min 11 3/4sec. Dividend - £2 1s.

PLUMPTON PARK HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 60 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr H Mace's blk m Maggie L, aged, 42sec (Stace) 1.

Mr G Cridge's blk m Medjidie, aged, 36sec (Warburton) 2.

Zealandia scr, Sonny 3sec, Three Cheers 30sec, Geordie 35sec, Shrewsbury 38sec and Old Dad 45sec also started.

Old Dad dropped behind from the start, leaving Maggie L in the lead, which she held unchallenged to the finish winning by fifty yards from Medjidie. The others excepting Three Cheers, who finished third, cut up badly. Time 6min 1sec. Dividend - £1 10s 6d.

PONY HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs; second horse 2 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr P Free's d g Uncle Tom, 5yrs, 15sec (Owner) 1.

Mr C Pearce's b m Lady Audley, 4yrs, 40sec (Johnson) 2.

Polly Plum scr, Tit 30sec, Washington 32sec, Woodland 35sec, Tot 40sec and Queen of the Ring 42sec also started.

Lady Audley led for a miole and a half, when Uncle Tom, trotting beautifully, overtook her, and, going on, easily won by twenty yards. Time 6min 23sec. Dividend - £2 19s 6d.

RECOVERY HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 25 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile.

Mr H Mace's br m The Duchess, aged, 20sec (Stace) 1.

Nilreb 4sec, Brown Duchess 5sec, Orizaba 17sec, Ipswich 17sec, Mallow (late Bay Tom) 21sec and Marigold 22sec also started.

The Duchess was in front in a quarter of a mile, and was never approached, distancing her field. Time 2min 58sec. Dividend - £2 13s.

Credit: Star 8 Nov 1893

1892 PLUMPTON PARK TROTTING CLUB: SPRING MEETING

Handicappers, the Committee; Starter Mr H Piper

The annual spring trotting meeting of the Plumpton Park Racing and Trotting Club came off yesterday, the weather after the decision of the second event coming over wet. The attendance was the largest seen on the new ground, quite 1500 people being present, and the sum of £3073 was passed through the totalisators. The trotting was not first-class, but several interesting contests were decided. The following are results:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr H Fear's br g Vulcan, aged, 5sec (T Munro) 1.
Mr J S Lewis' b g Commotion (late Hilton), 4yrs, scr (Owner) 2.

Spec 5sec, Album 10sec, Gobo 10sec also started.

Vulcan took the lead in the first quarter of a mile, and, though he broke badly once, won by five lengths from Commotion. Time 6min 28sec. Dividend - £2 3s.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 15 sovs; second horse 2 sovs. For ponies 14hds 1in and under. One mile and a half.

Mr J Dewey's b g Sambo, aged, 10sec (Owner) 1.
Mr W F Jackman's br g Chuznee, aged, 8sec (Edwards) 2.
Mr J Jardin's gr m Shela, aged, 10sec (Owner) 3.

Parnell scr, Ayrshire Lass 10sec, All Serene 29sec, Merivale 37sec also started.

Merivale led for three-quarters of a mile, when Shela and Chuznee passed him, but Sambo, catching them at the entrance to the straight, went on and won by five lengths from Chuznee. Time 4min 38sec. Dividend £4 6s 6d.

CANTERBURY CENTURY HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second horse 10 sovs and third 5 sovs. Open to all horses with a 6.10 record or under, or its equivalent. Two miles.

Mr E Barry's b g Stonewall Jackson, 5yrs, 33sec (J Milne) 1.
Mr A McFarlane's br g Wakarara, aged, 40sec (Murfitt) 2.
Mr E Leaver's br g Hassen, 5yrs, 20sec (Wright) 3.

Contractor scr, Star Of Honour 10sec, J M 15sec, Lady Jane 20sec, Maid of Ulster 30sec, Regina 31sec, Rosewood 31sec, Paulina 33sec, Bridal Rose 33sec, May Queen 33sec and Mary 40sec also started.

Wakarara at once drew out and made the running until a quarter of a mile from home. Here Stonewall Jackson caught him, and, going on won comfortably by fifty yards from Wakarara, with Hassen, twenty yards away, third. Time 5min 47 1/2sec. Dividend - £9 9s 6d.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs. One mile and a half.

Mr W Fox's (ns) b m Snowdrop, aged, scr (Owner) 1.
Mr T Waddington's ch m Fairholm, aged, 4sec (Moorhouse) 2.

Fairholm remained in front until the straight was reached, when Snowdrop ran up to her, and drawing out, won by five lengths. Time 5min 10sec. The £1 on Snowdrop was returned. The winner was bought in at £9. Dividend: The money was returned to the solitary investor, no percentage being charged.

RICCARTON PLATE HANDICAP (in harness) of 25 sovs; second 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.

Mr A McFarland's br g Wakarara, aged, 36sec (Murfitt) 1.
Mr H Mace's br g Bedale, aged, scr (Stace) 2.
Mr J Bowes' b m Pride of Erin, aged, 30sec (Gosling) 3.

Lady Jane 17sec also started.

Wakarara travelled nearly as fast as the scratch horse for the first half mile, but at the end of the first mile Bedale broke when he had taken 15sec off his handicap. In the next mile he broke repeatedly, and only got up in time to beat Pride of Erin for second money, being 40yds behind Wakarara who won easily. Time, 6min 20sec. Dividend £3 2s 6d.

METROPOLITAN HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 35sovs; second 5 sovs from stakes. Two miles.

Mr T Waddington's b m May Queen, aged, 33sec (Moorhouse) 1.
Mr E Bowes' ch g Roy, aged, 2sec (Angus) 2.

Diana 24sec and Broomlands 26sec also started.

Roy had gained half his handicap in the first mile but tired and broke, and when within 4sec of May Queen broke again and was beaten a hundred yards. Time, 5min 8sec. Dividend £2 2s 6d.

MAIDEN TROTTING RACE (in harness) of 20 sovs; second 3 sovs from the stake. One mile and a half.

Mr F Magon's gr m Bonniveen, 5yrs, 5sec (Fox) 1.
Mr F Holmes' br g Oddfellow, aged, 5sec (Munro) 2.

Little Maid 9sec and Vixen 9sec also started.

Bonniveen got to the front at the end of a mile, and won easily. Time, 5min. Dividend £4 18s 6d.

TELEGRAPH HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr E Bowes' ch g Roy, aged, scr (Angus) 1.
Mr J Jardin's b g Unknown, 3yrs, 13sec (Owner) 2.
Mr E Barry's br g Stonewall Jackson, 5yrs, 9sec(5sec pen)(Milne) 3.

Jubilee II 13sec and Miss Irwell 14sec also started.

Won after a good race by five lengths, a neck between second and third. Time, 2min 50sec. Dividend £1 15s.



Credit: The Press 11Nov1892

On April 4, 1892, the first annual meeting of shareholders in the Plumpton Park Company was held. Mr T Quill was listed as chairman of directors and a profit of £62 was announced.

Mr Quill noted that during the last 12 months the Plumpton Park Racing and Trotting Club had operated as a separate body, having taken over the course and grandstands at cost price plus £25 per annum rental.

The Plumpton Park Club continued to operate successfully, mixing full gallop and trot meetings until 1896-7 when its two meetings that season were strictly for trotters.

The meetings were split into four days and were known as the spring and autumn meetings.

Credit: CPTC: Centennial History

Then on July 9, 1891, the CANTERBURY TIMES carried an advertisment for a Plumpton Park Steeplchase meeting to be run on August 1.

The Club was granted a "conditional permit" by the Canterbury Jockey Club to run four steeplechase events and, at the time of advertising, still did not have a totalisator licence.

Stewards of the Club were given as: D O'Brien (also the judge), E W Roper, F Beverley, J A Holmes, C S Howell, J B Hill, T Quill, A S Clarkson (also hon. secretary), A Loughrey and R J Mason.

It was known officially as the Metropolitan Plumpton Park Company.

The CANTERBURY TIMES commented on the return of a Plumpton Park Club, recalling the debacle of 1888 and claimed there was "no known club racing at Plumpton Park".

The steeplechase meeting was moderately successful. The CANTERBURY TIMES on August 6, noted the club had now changed its name to the Plumpton Park Racing and Trotting Club and this is confirmed in a report from the New Zealand Trotting Association.

On October 8 1891, the CANTERBURY TIMES advertised the "inaugural meeting" of the Plumpton Park Racing & Trotting Club to be held on November 12.

It was to be the club's first full trotting meeting with eight races. Stewards were listed, the same as for the meeting on August 1, but the treasurer was Mr C S Howell, the secretary, J A Connell, and the starter, H J Derrett.

Nominations were taken at the Scotch Stores Hotel.

The meeting was a great success, the totalisator handling £2,409, and the honour of winning the first race went to Mr J Gaskin's grey mare J.M., which also won the last race.


Credit: CPTC: Centennial History

1891 PLUMPTON PARK TROTTING CLUB

Stewards - Messrs A Longhrey, J A Holmes, F Beverley, R J Mason, T Quill, E W Roper, C S Howell, F B Hill, A S Clarkson, D O'Brien. Judge - Mr O'Brien. Clerk of the Scales - Mr F Beverley. Timekeeper - Mr R J Mason. Treasurer - Mr C S Howell, Handicappers - The Committee. Starter - Mr E Derrett. Secretary - Mr J A Connell.

Fine weather, a large attendance, and keen speculation helped to make the inaugural trotting meeting of the Plumpton Park Trotting Club financially successful, but the majority of the horses that competed were below the average in the matter of class, and, with one or two exceptions, the contests were not very interesting. The mile course is in capital order, far better than the most sanguine had expected to find it.

The Maiden Trotting Race, in saddle, proved a good thing for IM, but Seawood broke repeatedly, and spoilt any chance he possessed. The Metropolitan Handicap, over three miles, was won very easily by Sapphire, but Tommy, the Timaru gelding, misbehaved himself frequently, or the result might have been altered.

The Selling Trot was a most uninteresting event, and Diplomacy, the favourite, and Windsor, the second favourite, trotted like commoners throughout. The respective drivers of this pair were had up before the Stewards, but they gave satisfactory explanations. Windsor is evidently of little account, and Diplomacy was not on her best behaviour.

Ringwood was made a big favourite for the Plumpton Park Handicap, which he won in good time, but Star of Honour put up a rattling good performance by getting within fifty yards at the finish. The Maiden Harness Race was a tame affair as Colonial went away from score and won easily. The Riccarton Plate Handicap produced a surprise, old Darkie just getting home after a good set-to with Fragment.

The following are the results:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT RACE (in saddle) of 20 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. For all horses that have never won a trotting race, private matches excepted. Two miles.

Mr J Gaskin's gr g IM, 6yrs, 10sec (C Harrold) 1.
Mr T Honeybone's ch g Seawood, aged, 23sec (Munro) 2.
Mr W S Martin's ch m Queen of the Isles, aged, 23sec (G Robertson) 3.

Old Maid 16sec(Angus), Exile 23sec(Campbell) and Spinaway 23sec(Butterworth) also started.

IM caught Seawood after going a mile and a quarter, and won easily, a hundred yards separating second and third. Time 6min 9sec. Dividend - £2 18s.

METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second horse to receive 5 sovs from the atake. Three miles.

Mr H Paul's b m Sapphire, aged, 48sec (Munro) 1.
Mr J Dinnicombe's b g Tommy (Timaru), aged, 57sec (Thomas) 2.
Mr T Walker's b m Elsie Gay, aged, 30sec (Owner) 3.

Marion 35sec(Bowes), Jubilee II 35sec(Hammond), Humbug 60sec(Harrold) and Colonial 65sec(Barnes) also started.

Tommy led for a long way, when he broke, and breaking repeatedly afterwards, Sapphire went to the front, and was never headed, and in the last mile assumed a long lead, winning pulling up by fifty yards; a bad third. Time 9min 26sec. Dividend - £3 14s 6d.

HANDICAP SELLING TROT (in harness) of 25 sovs. Two miles.

Mr W Lerhart's g g Davey, aged, 44sec(Owner) 1.
Mr W O'Neill's (ns) blk g Sangano, aged, 46sec(Hayward) 2.
Mr A Gaskin's br m Diplomacy, aged, 29sec(Gosling) 3.

Windsor 49sec(Sexton) also started.

The grey forged ahead, and won easily. Time, 7min 10sec. Dividend - £5 19s 6d.

PLUMPTON PARK HANDICAP (in saddle) of 35 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr W Kerr's b g Ringwood, aged, 28sec(W Kerr) 1.
Mr J P Henley's blk g Star of Honor, aged, 12sec(Harrold) 2.
Mr C Horner's b m Lady Agnes, 34sec(Bowes) 3.

Vivian Grey 15sec(Robertson), Tom 24sec(McKerrin), Darkie 30sec(Duncan), The Major 30sec(Mayze). Spinaway 40sec(Hay), Maid of Ulster 40sec(Owner) also started.

Ringwood caught Lady Agnes in the first round, and, trotting nicely all the way, won by fifty yards from Star of Honor, who went in good style. Time, 5min 48sec. Dividend - £1 17s.

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs; second horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr D Barns' ch g Colonial, aged, 27sec(Owner) 1.
Mr G M Tevendale's b g Charlie, aged, 21sec(Owner) 2.
Mr R Hull's r m Violet, aged, 15sec(Duncan) 3.

Oddfellow 15sec(Manton), VBQ 21sec(Moorehouse), Sombre 21sec(Hayward) also started.

Colonial led all the way and finally won by twenty yards from Charlie and Violet, who finished side by side. Time, 6min 57sec. Dividend - £2 3s.

RICCARTON PLATE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 30 sovs; 5 sovs from the stake for the second. Two miles.

Mr A Duncan's blk g Darkie, aged, 60sec(Owner) 1.
Mr R Dick's g m Fragment, 6yrs, 48sec(Moorehouse) 2.
Mr W Kerr's b g Ringwood, aged, 48sec(W Kerr) 3.

Connemara 25sec(Price), Tommy(Timaru) 40sec(McKinn), Fairchild 52sec(Whitehead), Maid of Ulster 55sec(Gascombe), Queen of the Isles 55sec(Robertson) also started.

This was a very interesting and exciting race. Fairchild led for over three-quarteres of a mile, when Fragment caught him, Darkie being third, Fairchild, however, led again when they were passing the winning post, Darkie being second and Ringwood and Fragment close together. At the turn out of the straight Ringwood broke and Darkie passed Fragment and led down the back, and went to the head of affairs leading by fully fifty yards, but at the turn into the straight Darkie broke and the grey mare then got the lead, and it looked any odds she would win, but Darkie came again, and after a most interesting contest just succeeded in catching her at the post, Ringwood a fair third. Time, 6min 1sec. Dividend - £24 14s

PONY HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 15 sovs; 2 sovs from the stake for second place. One and a half miles.

Mr C Horne's (ns) ch g Bobtail, aged, 15sec(Bowes) 1.
Mr R McDonald's b m Iona, aged, 15sec(Farrar) 2.

Taffy scr, May 15sec, Chic 15sec, Dick 20sec also started.

Bobtail started off very fast from score and was ten seconds in advance of Iona at the end of half a mile, and he went on increasing his lead to the end of a mile when he broke and Iona gained on him, in the straight Bobtail broke again, and Iona, who appeared to be mixing her pace - if not actually galloping - just before reaching the home turn, still further improved her position. Bobtail shirked his work unmistakeably again and again, and finally broke a few yards from the post, actually winning in a canter by half a length. Time, 4min 47sec. Dividend - £2 9s 6d.
A protest was lodged, but disallowed.

TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 10 sovs. One mile.

Mr J Gaskin's g g IM, 6yrs(Harrold) 1.
Mr A Duncan's br g Darkie, aged, 15sec(Owner) 2.

Cygnet scr(C Kerr), The Major 20sec(Mayze), Humbug 21sec(Butler), Sly Fox 26sec(Moorehouse), Dick Turpin 28sec(Wallbank), Biddy 28sec(McFarlane), Vixen 28sec(Fraser) also started.

IM soon forged ahead, and won by twenty yards from Darkie, The Major and Cygnet close up. Time, 3min 3sec. Dividend - £4 2s 6d.

The sum of £2409 passed through the machines.

Credit: The Press 13 Nov 1891

1888 PLUMPTON PARK RACING CLUB: Thurs 9 Feb 1888

[Per the 'Star's' Pigeon Express]

The Midsummer Meeting of the Plumpton Park Racing Club was held today. A strong nor'-west wind was blowing at the commencement of the proceedings, but the attendance was fairly good, the special train from town being well filled.

The following are results received up to the hour at which we went to press:-

MAIDEN TROT, of 20 sovs. No weight under 10st. Open to all horses that have never won any public money. Two miles.

Mr W Page's b g Double Hill, aged (W Scott) 1.

Mr H Gilray's b m Jane, 4yrs (Bourke) 2.

Mr H Piper's b m Violet, aged (Owner) 3.

Wanda, Rose, Physic, Jenny and Jubilee also started.

Double Hill went to the front immediately the word was given, and Jane and Violet, his most formidable opponents, repeatedly breaking, he won easily by ten lengths.

Time 6min 45sec Totalisator dividend - £4 10s.

Credit: Star 9 Feb 1888

1888 PLUMPTON PARK RACING CLUB: 17 April Meeting

[Per the "Star's" Pigeon Express]

The weather was again favourable for the racing at Plumpton Park this afternoon; but although the special train from town conveyed a fair number of visitors to the course, and the road was tolerably well petronised, the attendance when all told, is only a moderate one.

The course, much improved by the late rains, is in good order, and it seems likely that there will be some interesting racing during the afternoon.

-o0o-

The following days paper carried the results of seven races, two of which were trots, their results were noted as:-

The First Handicap Time Trot - Narrow Gauge, Gipsy, Blue Gown.

Second Handicap Time Trot - Lunatic, Tommy, Blue Gown

Credit: Star 17 Apr 1888

On September 14, 1888, the CANTERBURY TIMES reported a court case involving Mr C Hood Williams, owner of Sultan, a winner at the meeting and to whom £28/10/- was due. Mr Williams sued a Mr P Campbell, who had been listed in the official race book as a steward and thus culpable to pay the stake.

During the case it was learned that Mr Bell, Secretary also of the Plumpton Park Coursing Club and the Island Bay Racing Club in Wellington (it was in recess at the time) had approaced Mr Campbell to act as a steward on the day.

Others in that capacity were a Captain Bell, Mr E S B Bell and Mr George Cutts.

On September 20 Judge Beetham found against the owner, Mr William, and ordered him to pay costs of £6/7/-, saying he had no claim against Mr Campbell.
"You entered into an agreement with Mr Bell, not Mr Campbell, and did so with your eyes wide open," said Judge Beetham.

The judge's decision aroused considerable controversy and the CANTERBURY TIMES was moved to comment: "It is a pity Judge Beetham was not better acquainted with the customs of the racing world in such matters."

The Plumpton Park Club then went into recess. It did not operate at all in the seasons of 1888-89, 1889-90 or 1890-91.

Credit: CPTC: Centennial History

The last meeting of 1887-8 was held in July and in August the CANTERBURY TIMES reported there appeared to be a problem with successful owners not being paid out.

It transpired the meeting had been run solely by Mr E S B Bell, who was now adjudged bankrupt. Quite a scandal erupted and investigations revealed that Mr Bell's licence to run the meeting under the name of Plumpton Park had been granted by the Canterbury Jockey Club, which, for no apparent reason, had refused a similar request from a Mr M Taylor.

Stewards of the Club in those days were liable for the payment of stake-money but Mr Bell was found to have advertised his meeting without including the names of the stewards or other officials on the day.

The owners and public had contributed some £160 to Mr Bell and there should have been enough to pay out the stake-money and still leave some £40 over.

Mr Bell appears to have dropped out of sight, but the scandal continued.


Credit: CPTC: Centennial History

In 1886-7 there were four meetings and the following season Plumpton Park reverted to five meetings. At the February and April meetings the Club ran two trots on the programme instead of the customary one.


Credit: CPTC: Centennial History