SPORTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 219, 17 December 1880, Page 2

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB.

Welter Handicap Race, of 10 sovs. Three miles. Entry 15s. To be ridden by members of the Club. No weight less than 15 stone. Mr. J. M'Rae’s Ploughman, 150 yds. (owner) ... ... ... ... 1 Mr. O. Digby’s Jess, stratch (owner) 2 This was the best contested race of tie day, Mr. Digby tiding his mare with great care and judgment, gradually made up to Ploughitiaii from the'start, but eventually suffered defeat by two lengths. Time—--10 mins. 15 secs.

Hurry Scurry Flat-Race, for a sweep of 10s. each ; second horse to save his st .kes. Mr. Mcßae’s Darkle ... ... ... 1

Mr. Moorsehead’s Spot ... ... 2 So ven others ran. Darkle jumped away with the lead, was never headed, and won by any number of lengths. As a whole, the meeting cannot be pronounced a success, either as regards mangement or sport. We cannot attach blame to any particular official, all appeared to do their best, but there was a lack of enthusiasm about the affair which made the proceedings rather dreary, and we have no fear that the “national pastime” will materially suffer by the attraction of its votaries to this newer sport. There is little doubt that, should trotting become a popular and richly endowed sport, it would do more for the improvement of our ordinary horses than flat racing as it is now conducted. If sufficient inducement was offered for the systematic breeding of trotters, wo have no hesitation in saying a very beneficial effect would be produced on our roadsters and horses, but until this particular sport occupies a little higher place in public estimation, its pursuit will do little towards the desirable ends we have referred to.