SPORTING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 218, 16 December 1880, Page 2

SPORTING

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB,

Starter, N. M'Lean, Esq.; Judge, M. Stitt, Esq.; Hon. Treasurer, E. G. Crisp, Esq.; Hon. Sec., H. C. Jacobson, Esq ; Handicappers, S. Saunders and C. C. Fooks, Esqs.; Clerk of the Course, S. Saunders, Esq. The inaugural meeting of the Ashburton Trotting Club was held to-day on the racecourse. The attendance was not so large as we had hoped to have seen, and we fear this fact must have been painfully apparent to the purchasers of the usual privileges mid the executive of the Club. The weather in the morning promised to be superb, but before the first race the prevailing wind threw off its zephyr-like proportions, and, assisted by the accumulated deposits of dust, made things exceedingly unpleasant for the spectators. Wo append details of the sport, up to the hour of our going to press :

Maiden Trot, in saddle, of 15 sovs; for all horses which have never won £5 in one event in public. Three miles. No weight, less than 10 stone. Entrance los. Mr. O. Digby’s Bijou (Physick) ... 1 Mr. Dickens’ Ploughman (Mcßae) ... 2 Mr. M. Morsehead’s Bones (Owner) ... 3 Bill, Maori, and Ginger also ran. Bijou was the first to get into his stride and led by six lengths past the stand, bis immediate successors being Ginger, Bones, and Ploughman, the latter going in exceptionally nice style. At the far side of the course Ginger spurted up to the leader, but shortly after fell back, and Bijou turned into the straight with a commanding lead, Ploughman taking up second place, with Ginger third. This order was maintained past the stand the second time, Bijou increasing this lead as they made the railway turn. At Pike’s, Mcßae called upon Ploughman, who looked very much like winning, until he broke at the last turn, thus leaving Bijou with a considerable lead, which he increased to the finish, •winning with great ease from Ploughman, Bones and Ginger cantering in third and fourth respectively. Time—lo mins. SO.sccs.

Maiden Harness Trotting Rage, of 10 sovs. Four miles. To be run in two-wheeled vehicles of any description. Entrance 15s. Mr. W. B. Compton’s Firefly... ... 1 Mr. J. W. Mcßae’s Brandy ... ... 2 Mr. J. Wilkie’s Donald ... ... 0

Firefly led Brandy by a length fur the first mile ; Donald, being harnessed to a very heavy vehicle, could not live with the other pair. Second time past the stand, Firefly was still leading ; Brandy hard held second ; Donald having pulled up at the turn into the straight. At Pike’s, Mr. Compton increased his lead to five lengths, Brandy getting up again at the next turn, but, trotting very unkindly, lost his position coming down the straight. During the third round Brandy several times got near the mare on sufferance, but the result was never in doubt, Firefly winning very comfortably by six lengths. The winner was well driven by her owner. Time —1C mins. 30 secs. '

Ashburton Champion Handicap Trotting Race, in saddle, of 20 sovs. Entry 1 sov.; acceptance 1 sov. Four miles. Weights 12 stone 4 pound. Mr. W. B. Compton’s Firefly, 300 yds. (Owner) ... ... 1.. ... 1 Mr. O. Digby’s Jess, scratch (Physick) 2 Mr. Price’s Ginger, 350 yds. (Owner) 3 The horses retained the positions allotted by the handicapper until entering on the second round, when Firefly began to go up to the leader, and at Pike’s passed him. On completing the second round Joss, who had not improved her position, and Ginger pulled up beaten, allowing Firefly to complete the distance alone, which she did in the very good time of 13 min. 30 sec.

The Buggy Tournament Handicap, of four miles, for 15 sovs. Entry 1 sov.; acceptance 1 sov. Any fourwheeled vehicle owned by a member of the Club allowed to enter. Mr. J. M'Rae’s Brandy, scratch ... 1 Mr. J. Wilkie’s Donald, 200 yds. 2 Mr. Irvine’s Taipo, 250 yds 3 Immediately after the start Donald passed Taipo, who was completely outpaced. Brandy gradually 7 crept up to the leader, and after they had gone three miles passed him, eventually winning with

ease. A little excitement was created at the finish of this race by Donald bolting, but Mr. Wilkie succeeded in stopping him without any accident occurring. Time — 17 mins.

The Welter Handicap was the last race on the card, but it took place at too late an hour for us to give the result in tins issue.