SPORTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 193, 16 November 1880, Page 2

SPORTING .

TO-MORROW’S RACES. [by telephone.] Judging from the appearance of the weather, the unusually large number of entries and acceptances for the various events, and the attendance at to-day’s show, I venture to predict an unprecedented success for the Ashburton Racing Club’s annual meeting of 1880. The course, which I visited this morning, is being rapidly cleared of the pebbles so objectionable to owners of horses ; new distance posts are erected, the judge is provided with a box of considerable architectural merits, and Mi". Stitt will find himself in a position where he will not be liable to bo displaced from the top of a fence rail. The reserve is now being ploughed up, and I notice the fact that the lessee means to make the most of his lease, he having ploughed up the site of the booths and the right of sports ; this, I imagine, will cause some dust if there is any wind to-morrow. I hope funds for a new Grand Stand will be forthcoming before next meeting, the present structure being totally inadequate for the number of visitors who have, and are likely to visit the course. As to to-morrow’s racing, the great Australian Lonehand, Milo, Levant, and Topthorne are content with their weights ; for the Hurdle Race, if Lonehand is in anything of a decent humor to-morrow morning, he can’t be beaten, even if the handicapper had given him another stone. I hear that the mysterious Topthorne is a clinker from Nelson. It may be, but they will finish— Lonehand 1 The rest nowhere For the District Hurdle Race, for which all the horses nominated have accepted (a fact which is certainly a compliment to the handicappers), I must say that the bay Lonehand has scarcely met with fair treatment, Merlin and Raven’s performances entitling them to carry top weights. However, if Merlin can keep on his legs, which are dickey, I think he will win. Raven is a glutton for the whip, and with his usual luck might get his nose in front. Lonehand is so reliable, and in such good hands that I will tip Lonehand (bay) 1 Raven 2 Merlin, for the cause stated above, not in it. The other two on the card will surprise me if they are near enough to see the other jocks weigh in. For the Cup four have declared content, as against two last year. I hoped to see more, but our best hopes are only too frequently blighted in this world. Virginia Water’s breeding and reputation should make her a warm favorite, but 7st. Gib. on a Syr-old is pretty stiff for a two-mile spin. Lara, 7st. 41b., ran twice last year, beating Numa once, and being beaten by him next day, he ought to have a considerable say in the matter. Randwick and Holderness are only known to the public by the training notes published—as performers they have no record, but from report I should say'Randwick was the best of the two. Mr. Stitt will, I think, see them pass Virginia Water 1 Lara ••• 2 Randwick ... 3 The Ladies’ Purse ought to be the event of the day. Seven horses on the card, and all likely starters, will be a race worth looking at. Considerable complaints have been made by owners as to weights now allotted in welter races. I certainly think them easy on three-year olds, but the C. J.C. are . f course the best judges. As I ham but little space allotted me, I must confine myself to the tips, which arc Zulu ... ... .., ■ 1 Tam o’ Shanter ... .... 2 Minnie 3 The following are the acceptances for the first day’s races : HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. st. lb. Lonehand 12 7 Levant ... ... •• ■ 10 10 Milo ... 10 3 Top thorn 10 0 Ashburton Cup. st. lb. Virginia Water ... ... 7 6 Lara 7 4 Randwick .»< ••• 7 0 Holderness 0 0 DISTRICT HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. st. lb. Lonehand ... ••• 12. 0 Raven ... ... ••• H 7 Merlin ... ... ... 10 8 Mungo Park ... ... 10 5