Katanning Turf Club. Katanning Turf Club. Katanning Turf Club.
The although I have been unable to find any records prior to its first meeting in 1901. I believe it has always been held at what is now O’Callaghan Park. If anyone has any information on the Club’s formation I would love to hear from you at admin@lostkatanning.au
The information below has been sourced from the files of the Great Southern Herald and the Southern Districts Advocate on the National Library’s Trove website.
KATANNING TURF CLUB.
Great Southern Herald
16 November 1901 – P3
On Wednesday last the Katanning Turf Club was favoured with splendid weather for the by-meeting inaugurated by the committee. The attendance was very good, and on the whole a most successful day’s racing eventuated.
The contests in the principal events were close and exciting, and in the principal event of the day – the Spring Handicap – the judge gave a dead heat between Sianella and Pastille. The Finish for the Wickham Stakes was also of a very exciting nature, Harkaway and Actress fighting out a desperate finish for supremacy. The latter claimed victory by a neck, but many present were of opinion that Harkaway would have won had he been allowed a clear ran at the finish.
It is to be hoped that the meeting of Wednesday will prove an incentive to patrons of the club to render every assistance for the promotion of the sport, and thereby ensure the success of the annual meeting in February next. Through the efforts of the secretary, Mr H. J. Starr, and the committee the meeting besides affording an enjoyable day’s outing, was a decided success financially.
The following gentlemen occupied the positions assigned therein:
Patron – Hon. F, H. Piesse, M.L.A.; President – Dr. Black, B.M.; Vice-Presidents – Hon. C. A. Piesse, M.L.C., Hon. S. J. Haynes, M.L.C., A. E. Piesse, Esq., J.P. and G. R. Turner, Esq. Committee – C. M. Denny, A. H. McKenzie, W. E. Cronin, T. Cornelius, R. W. A. Warren, W. H. Trott and R.M. Fonceca.
Judge – B. M. Fonceca. Starter – Mr. F. E. Piesse. Clerk of the Course – Mr. T. H. Stanbury. Handicapper – Mr. J. S. Rogers. Stewards – C. M. Denny, J. C. Cook, W. E. Cronin, A. H. McKenzie, Dr. Wilson, A. E. Piesse, T. Cornelius. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer – H. J. Starr.
Following are the results:
Maiden Plate – Sweepstakes of 5s each, with £4 10s added; for horses that have never won an advertised race. Welter weight for age – 6 furlongs
1. Mr J Haddleton’s Commodore, aged 11st 3lb (owner)
2. Mr W Dearle’s Fairy, 3 yrs., 10st 7lb (owner)
3. Mr H Maley’s Bonnie, 5 yrs., 11st (W. Schurke)
Glencoe Pony Race – Sweepstakes of 5s each, with £4 10s added; for horses measuring 13.2, and under. Weight 9st – 5 furlongs.
1. Mr B. Wilcox’s The Mite, 9st 31b (owner)
2. Mr W. E. Cronin’s Astron (Toomey)
Betting: 6 to 4 on the winner.
Of the four on the programme only two started for this event, Bonnie having been scratched, and Juggler, failing to come under the prescribed height, was struck off the list of starters. The Mite led off on the fall of the flag, and continued in the van until entering the straight, having then a lead of a length. Astron got almost on terms when fairly in the straight, but The Mite soon afterwards established a substantial lead, and passed the winning post fully ten lengths in advance of Astron.
Spring Handicap of 10 sovs., second horse to receive £2 10s from the stake. 1-mile, nomination 10s.
1. H. Mr F. Dillon’s b m Pastile, 4 yrs., 10st 21b (Norrish)
2. DH. Mr A. Stewart’s b m Sianella, 4 yrs., 8st 51b (Teomey)
3. Mr J. R. Norrish’s Sailor Boy, 4 yrs.’ 8st 101b
Other starter: Mr, C. M. Denny’s (ns) Paddy, 9st 31b.
Betting: 3 to 1 on. Pastille, 3 to 1 agst. Sianella, Paddy, and Sailor Boy.
The favourite got the best of a fair start, Sailor Boy being last away. Pastille led for about a furlong, when Sianella made a forward move, and, catching the favourite, a magnificent race resulted down the straight, Sianella and the favourite, between whom the race now rested, struggling for supremacy. A neck and neck race of an exciting character was witnessed to the winning post, the judge declaring the result a dead heat, Sailor Boy being third. Time 1 min. 51 see. After a lapse of an hour ‘s time the dead-heater’s ran off. Sianella was at even money, whilst 2 to 1 on was the best price about Pastille. After a couple of false starts, the pair got away on even terms. Galloping neck and neck for a couple of hundred yards Sianella took the lead, and at the back of the course was about six lengths in advance of the favourite, who, up to this point appeared to be going without any exertion. Her rider, however, had to apply the whip to reduce the gap. The favourite got within half a length of Sianella, only to fall back again on approaching the home turn.
As Sianella appeared to assume a substantial lead on entering the straight, it was thought to the onlookers that she would wear the favourite down, but halfway down the straight Pastille made a successful effort to supplant her opponent, who appeared to have lost considerable ground by running from the in to the outside. The race was now practically over and, by superior riding on the part of Norrish, the favourite led past the post by fully two lengths. Time 1 min 54sec.
Moojebing Stakes (for qualified Hacks) – Sweepstakes of 5s each, with £4 10s added; minimum weight list 11st; 6 furlongs.
1. Dr. Wilson’s Indinup (Haddleton)
2. Mr A. Newton’s Dreadnought (Dearle)
3. Mr. C. M. Denny’s Tormentor (Leeder)
Indinup was made favourite for this event, even money being the best price obtainable.
A capital start was effected. Dreadnought drew away after about a furlong had been traversed, and with over half a dozen lengths separating him from the others, he led for about three furlongs. On approaching the straight the favourite began to improve his position and, by the time the straight was entered, appeared to have had the race won, but halfway down Dreadnought and Tormentor put in a fast run and reached the leader, to whom, however, they were only able to hang on for a few yards, as Indinup, gaining at every stride, passed the winning post about two lengths in front of Dreadnought, Tormentor being third.
Woodanilling Stakes – Sweepstakes of 6s each, with £4 10s added; for horses measuring 14.2 or under Weight 10st; 6 furlongs.
1. Mr W. E. Cronin’s Actress (Norrish)
2. Mr Don Cronin’s Harkaway (Toomey)
3. Mr T. Cornelius’s Vixen
Betting – 2 to 1 on Actress, 3 to 1 Vixen and Harkaway.
Actress was the quickest off the mark on the fall of the flag, followed by Harkaway and Vixen. The two first named raced together for a furlong, when Harkaway got in front and led into the straight. The favourite came with a fast run about a furlong from home and overtook Harkaway. A splendid race home resulted between the pair, Actress winning by a bare neck. Time: 59secs.
Wickham Stakes (for two-year-old’s) – Sweepstakes of 5s each, with £4 10s added: Weight 9st; 4 furlongs.
1. Mr J. R. Norrish’s Sailor Roy (Norrish)
2. Mr A. B. Newton’s Dreadnought (Haddleton)
3. Mr P. O’Neill’s Little Maid (O’Neill)
Robbie also started. Betting Evens against Sailor Boy, 2 to 1 others.
Dreadnought took command from the start and kept in the van until well into the straight, when Sailor Boy caught and passed him. From here to the winning post Sailor Boy increased his lead and won by a dozen lengths. Time – l min. 26 sec.
Consolation Stakes – Sweepstakes of 10s each, with £7 added; for all horses who have not won a race at the meeting. Welter weights; 5 furlongs. Post entry.
1. Mr. A. Stewart’s, b m Sianella, 4 yrs. 9st 91b (Wilcox)
2. Mr. C. M. Denny’s Paddy 9st 2
Only two started. Sianella was favourite at 6 to 4 on, even money being obtainable about Paddy. Although the pair got away and kept together to within a furlong from home, the result was never in doubt. The favourite won with apparent ease, by a length.
Hurry Scurry.
Four started for this event, viz., Tormentor, Toby, Dreadnought and Fairy, the latter ??
In the evening a ball was held in the Public Hall, and a very enjoyable time was spent by those present.
KATANNING TURF CLUB.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Great Southern Herald
4 April 1903 – P3
The annual general meeting of members of the Katanning Turf Club was held in the Agricultural Hall on the night of Saturday last, March 28. The President of the club, Dr F. M. House, R. M., presided over an attendance of about 20 members. A letter of apology for absence from the retiring Hon see, Mr. H. J. Starr, owing to his having been called away from Katanning on urgent official business was read.
The minutes of the last annual general meeting were read and confirmed.
The Chairman then read the balance sheet, concerning two items on which the hon. secretary wrote as follows. “I wish to explain two items… 1. A. Holding’s cheque for £2. At the meeting held in 1902 this amount was inadvertently paid to W. Dearle, as second in the Hurdle Race, instead of the above man. The amount has therefore been paid twice. I may say
that the committee verbally sanctioned this payment. 2. Re Hurry-Scurry Race. Only £2 has been paid out for the prize in this race so far, so it will rest with the meeting tonight how much more is to go to the first and second horse. My reason for paying only £2 was that I wished to strike a balance. Several questions anent items in the balance-sheet were asked and answered satisfactorily by the Chairman. The balance-sheet, as signed by the auditors, Messrs M. F. Laurie and L. Roth, showing the club to possess a credit of £14 16s 6d, was then adopted.
A motion to the effect that the owner of the second horse in the Hurry-Scurry event should receive 5s was lost in favour of an amendment that the matter be left in the hands of the committee to deal with.
The Retiring Hon. Secretary. On the motion of Mr T. H. Stanbury, seconded by Mr G. F. Clarke, it was resolved: That a hearty vote of thanks should be accorded the retiring hon. secretary, Mr H. J. Starr, for the able and energetic manner in which he had carried out the recent race meeting, and that he be voted an honorarium of £5. A letter from Mr Starr dated March 28, was read, in which his resignation as hon. secretary was tendered. Mr. Starr wrote:
“I regret to find that I cannot afford the time to carry on the duties any longer but will at all times assist the club as far as possible in my power.” It was resolved that the resignation be accepted with regret.
New Hon. Secretary. On the proposition of Mr. Stanbury, seconded by Mr Laurie, F. Longson was elected hon. secretary.
A Bye Race Meeting. Resolved, upon the motion of Mr Stanbury, seconded by Mr C. B. Ranford, that a bye race meeting should be held by the club. It was further resolved that an application be made to the W. A. Turf Club for a date, the day following the Great Southern Pastoral and Agricultural Society’s annual show, whereon to hold the bye meeting that the amount of stakes to be distributed the meeting should not exceed £40; that the events on the programme, be open to all comers with one exception, the Farmers’ Plate, an event, to be restricted to racehorses the bona fide property of farmers, which the committee be recommended to include in the programme.
Auditors. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring auditors. Messrs L. Both and T. H. Stanbury were elected auditors for the ensuing year.
Committee. Upon a motion that the number of the committee be added to, the following five were elected to the committee: Messrs H. J. Starr, M. F. Laurie, G. F. Clarke, J. Anderson, and C. R. Ranford.
Subscription Privileges. Resolved that a member subscribing 10s 6d to the club’s funds shall be allowed one lady’s admission ticket for the club’s race meetings, and that any member subscribing: £1 1s should be allowed three admission tickets for all race meetings held by the club, free of extra charge.
A hearty vote of thanks, carried by acclamation, to the President for having acted as chairman terminated the meeting.
KATANNING TURF CLUB.
Southern Districts Advocate
14 January 1914 – P2
The annual general meeting of the Katanning Turf Club was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr T. Anderson, president, occupying the chair.
The balance sheet showed the club to have a debit balance of £94 17s 1d. A motion was tabled by Mr R. Anderson for raising the members’ fee from 10s 6d to a guinea. This he thought a fair thing now that the club intended running two meetings a year.
Mr A. Burt objected, and desired to see greater facilities to members before the subscription be raised, Mr Abbott agreed; but Mr. H. Piesse seconded the motion, which was carried. It was also agreed that no member’s ticket be issued till subscriptions are paid, and also that no ticket be issued to those in arrears for last year.
The election of officers for the following year then look place as follows:
Patron, Mr A. E. Piesse, M.L.A.
President, Mr T. Anderson.
Vice presidents, Messrs Ross Anderson and A. Burt.
Committee, Messrs White, E. T. Anderson, Ramsden, Harwood, Johnston, G. House, H. Piesse, Abbott, and Dr Holland.
Stewards, Messrs H. Piesse, Abbott, R. Anderson, G. L. Hardie, Ramsden, T. Richardson, and E. White.
Starter – Mr H. Piesse volunteered to write Mr S. Chipper to ascertain if his services could be secured. In the event, of Mr Chipper failing to come Mr G. L. Hardie will act as starter.
Judge, Mr P. Stuart; assistant judge, W. Raitt. Clerk of Course, Mr F. Cronin. Clerk of Scales, Mr W. Raitt. Auditors, Messrs Downes and Joy. Secretary, Mr van Raalte.
ANNUAL MEETING
PROFITS FOR PATRIOTIC
Great Southern Herald
26 February 1916 – P3
The Katanning Turf Club held its annual meeting on Wednesday, the weather conditions being perfect for an afternoon’s racing. The course was in good order, Secretary White and his hard working assistants having spent a lot of their spare time in bringing it up to date.
There were a large number of Kojonup, Broomehill, and the surrounding districts, and the latest muster of motor cars ever seen on the course. Great interest was taken in the military race, which resulted in a win for B. G. Green’s Tippo
The following are the results:
Trial Stakes. Five furlongs.
1. J. Jones’ Rifle Ball, 8.11 (Jones).
2. G. Lochart’s Czardel, 8.11
3. S. Powell’s Misprint, 8.11
Won easily. Time, 1.6 1/4
Farmer’s Plate. 4 furlongs.
1. C. James’ Arabic, 9.0
2. A. Dawson’s My Silver, 9.0
3. E. B. Anderson’s Faint Echo, 9.0
Won by three lengths. Time, 1.6
Harvest Plate. Five furlongs.
1. J. Jones’ Humbling, 9.0 (Jones)
2. A. Dawson’s Nippering, 8.0
3. Anderson’s Lockout, 8.7
Won by three lengths.
Katanning Handicap. One mile.
1. F. C. Thomas’s Mural Maid, 8.1
2. J. Tembley’s Straggler, 7.9
3. J. M???’s Lady Ludlow, 10.5
Won by two lengths, Time,1.47,
District Handicap. Six furlongs.
1. A. Dawson’s Nippering, 7.9
2. T. Jones Rifle Ball, 8.11
Won by three lengths, time 1.18
Military Race.
1. B. G. Green’s Tippo, 10.0
2. J. Young’s Golden Eel, 10.0
3. A Radford’s Bill, 10.0
Eclipse Stakes. Six furlongs.
1. F. Thomas’ Mural Maid, 8.4
2. F. Hills’ Miss Fidelis, 8.4
3. G. Lochart’s Princess Ayran, 7.5
Won easily, Time 1.18