SPORTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 183, 3 November 1880, Page 2

SPORTING.

V.R.C. SPRING MEETING.

(By Cable.)

Second Day—Tuesday, Nov. 2.

THE MELBOURNE CUP. (Condensed from the Lyttelton Times.) Melbourne, Nov. 2. The great event of the racing season took place to-day. The weather was beautiful, despite the threatening appearance of the sky yesterday, and there was an immense traffic toward* Flemington. The Governor drove out in his own drag, and amongst the Vice-regal party were the Duke of Manchester, Sir W. Jervoise, Sir Francis Smith, the Chief Justice of Tasmania, and others. The course presented a magnificent spectacle ; in point of fact, the attendance is the largest ever known, the number of visitox-s being estimated at fully 100,000, and the scene'will long be remembered as a red letter day in the annals of Victorian racing. As the time for the great race approached the excitement became intense. The chief favorites were Progress and Grand Flaneur ; then came Lord Burghley and Mata. Besides these, Richmond, Napper Tandy, and Auckland were much fancied, but the ring was laid so heavily about the favorites that the betting was almost paralysed. Mata since his arrival has been greatly fancied, and would have been the worst winner for the ring, for he carried no less than L 70,000 of public money. After the preliminary canter, in which Grand Flaneur, Lord Burghley, and Progress were mostly admired, 22 horses toox op their positions for the Melbourne Cup, a handicap sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, 10 ft, or 5 if declared, with 500 added. The winner of any handicap race of the value of 100 sovs after the declaration of weights to cai’ry 31b extra ; of any such race of the value 200 sovs 51b extra ; of any such race of the value of 500 sovs, 71b extra. Penalties not accumulative. The second horse to receive 200 sovs and the third 100 soys oxxt of the stakes.

Two miles. (109 subs.) Mr. W. A. Long’s Grand Flaneur,

Syrs, Yattendon—First Lady, Cst lOlbs (Hales) • 1 Mr. W. Branch’s Progress, 3yrs, sst lOlbs, including 31b penalty (St Albans) ... ... ... ~, 2 Mr. F. R. L. Rossi’s Lord Burghloy, syrs, 7st 51bs (Piggot) 3 At the start Mata went off with the lead, accompanied by Chester, Sccundus, and Auckland. Bosworth, Martindale, and Richmond were the three last to get aw r ay. Coming into the straight Napper Tandy showed in front, followed by Progress, Auckland, Lothair, Woodlands, Totalisator, and Grand Flaneur. Passing the stand, Totalisator took the lead, Lothair, Secundus, Progress, Auckland, Woodlands, and Riverton following in the order named ; Lord Burghley, Bosworth, and Richmond being last. At the river turn Totalisator was half a length in advance of Lothair, who was well clear of Chester, Progress, and Auckland, in the order given, Secundus dropping last, behind Riverton, Totalisator, tapper Tandy and Lothair. Hear the bridge Riverton shot to the front, followed by Totalisator, Napper Tandy, Lothair, Grand Flaneur, Woodlands, Mata, Chester, Martindale, Auckland, Rivalry, Richmond, Secundus Banter, as named, Dairiwell absolutely tailing off. At the bridge Napper Tandy was in front, closely attended by Progress and Riverton, the three all of a heap, with Auckland, conspicuous at the head of the rest; then came Chester, Martindale, and Lord Burghley. Near the abattoirs Mata came up outside Grand Flaneur, Progress, apd Lord Burghley—all looking dangerous. Entering the straight, the last named was leading, with Progress and Grand Flaneur close up, followed by Richmond, Chester, Mata, Riverton, Martindale, and Wandering Jew ; Rivalry and Secundus being the two last. Coming home Grand Flaneur went to the front about two hundred yards from the winning post, and came in an easy winner by a length from Progress, who beat Lord Burghley by half a length. The others came in in the following order : Lothair, Richmond, Chester, Auckland, Martindale, Mata, Riverton, Wandering Jew, Rivalry, Totalisator, First Water, Napper Tandy, Secundus, Rothschild, Woodlands, Elastic, Banter, Bosworth; Darriwell absolutely last. Time —3min 34| sec. Betting —4 to 1 against Progress, sto 1 against Grand Flaneur, Lord Burghley, and Mata ; 12 to 1 against Richmond, Napper Tandy, and Auckland.

The following is the result of the other events :

Maiden Plate —Orient 1, Exeter 2, Heron 3.

.Railway Stakes - Monarquo and Dougalston ran a dead heat, Chatterer. Kensington Stakes — The Duke 1, Baltic 2, My Lord 3. The Baulina Stakes— La Trobe and Supplejack ran a dead heat, Hildobrandt 3.

Ashburton Racing Club. The following entries and nominations were received last night for the Ashburton Annual Spring meeting : Handicap Hurdle Race Mr. 0. W. Bourn’s Milo, aged. Mr. E. Barrett’s Levant, 6yrs. Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Lonehand, aged. Mr. J. Lukey’s Topthorne. District Handicap Hurdle Race.

Mr. W. Moss’ Terror, aged. Mr. John Smith’s Merlin, aged. Mr. T. Cotton’s Mungo Park, syrs. Mr. P. Husband’s Raven, aged. Mr. H. Muir’s Lonehand, aged. Ashburton Cup (Handicap).

Mr. H. P. Lance’s Marie Antoinette -lyrs. Mr. Walter’s Libeller, 4yrs. Mr. R. Mason’s Randwick syrs Mr. Mason’s Lara, aged. Mr. P Butler’s Laertes. Mr. W. S. Moorhouse’s Badsworth, Syrs. Mr. W, S. Moorhonse’ Holderness, Syrs. Mr. W. C. Webb's Virginia Water, 3yrs. Ladies’ Purse,

Mr. John Smith’s Minnie, 4yrs. Mr. O: B. Harrold’s Parlor Maid, aged, Mr. J. M'Gausland’a Orange Peel, aged. Mr. R. D. Pullar’e Lagmohr, syj?s,

Mr. Moorshead’a Dagrid, 4yrs. Messrs. Wilkie and Muir’s Tam o’ Sbanter, aged. Mr, H. Friedlander’s Zulu, 3yrs. County Steeplechase Handicap. Mr. T. Cotton’s Mungo Park, syrs. Mr. P. Husband’s Raven, aged. Mr. H. Muir’s Loneband, aged. Messrs. Wilkie and Muir’s Tam o’ Slianter, aged. Racin» Club Handicap. Mr. E. Barrett’s Levant, 6yrs. Mr. H. P. Lance’s Marie Antoinette, 4yrs. Mr. Walter’s Libeller, 4yrs. Mr. R. Mason’s Randwick, syrs. Mr. R. Mason’s Lara, aged. Mr. J. M'Causland’s Orange Peel, aged. Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Loneband, aged. Mr. P. Butler’s Laertes. Mr. R. D. Pullar’s Lagmohr, syrs. Mr. W. J. Moorebouse’s Badswortb, Syrs. . Mr. W. J. Moorehouse’s Holdorness, 3yrs. Mr. W. C. Webb’s Yirginia Water, Syrs

Farmers’ Plate. Mr. John Smith’s Minnie, 4yra. Mr. G. James’ Steamer, aged. Mr. 0. Harrold’s Parlor Maid, aged. Mr. U. D. Pullar’s Lagmohr, syrs. Mr. M. Moreshead’s Dagrid, 4yrs. Messrs. Wilkie and Muir’s Tam o’ Shan ter, aged. Mr. H. Friedlander’s Zulu, 3yrs.

Trotting Race Handicap. Mr. Mordaunt’s Houser, aged. Mr. O. Digby’s Jess, aged. Mr. H. Muir’s Jack, aged.