SPORTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1412, 23 December 1884, Page 2

SPORTING.

METHVEN RACING CLUB.

Annual Meeting.

(By ode Special Reporter.)

[by telegraph.]

Mbthven, To-day. President, J. C. Wason; Vice-President, W. C. Walker ; Judge, D. Cameron (Clones) j Q * Stewards, T. T. Jackson, W. Wright, T. r * K. Cunningham, W. Rowse, R. Alexander, A. Macfarlane, R. Patton j Treasurer, J. |( i Jackson ; Starter, J. Devery j Clerk of the r- Scales, J. Hibbs ; Clerk of the Course, ,G. t, Coward; Handicappers, S. Saunders; M. r. Stitt, and W. Rowse; Hon Secretary, G, id Coward. j. The weather for the races to-day is parr- feet and the attendance very satisfactory, d although there are few visitors from Ashle burton or Christchurch. The coarse is e situated about a mile from the township, it and is a fairly good one, but somewhat a rough, and the turns are severe. Messrs i- Hobbs and Goodwin have a totalisator on i- the ground, but the speculative spirit of . the public is probably restrained by other than sentimental motives. Mr y W. Rowse, of the Canterbury Hotel, s has a publican’s booth on the ground, and - appears to be doing a good business, while r Mr Davidson at the confectioner’s booth supplies more solid refreshments. The t ground arrangements are rather primitive, a but the officials one and all, and particularly Mr Mo William, the assistant-secre-tary, are indefatigable in the discharge of ) their duties. i Maiden Plate, of 15 sovs ; weight for i age ; distance, miles. > Mr Alexander’s ch f Duchess of Ali bany, 7at9ib (Wadsworth) 1 Mr Welsh’s g m Beauty, f|at 11b' (Walla) 2 i Mr Reynold’s b g Lignite ... (Demuth) 3 Mr Lake’s bk m Minnie, Bst 111 b (Mitchell) Q Mr McKendry’s Little Fraud, 7at 71b (Price) j) Beauty got the best of a very indifferent start, and Duchess and Lignite the worst. Passing the stand Beauty still led, but at the next turn Duchess went throqgh her horses and turned into the straight w[th a ten Japgths lead of Beauty, the rgat pf the field tailing off. Entering the rails Duchess made an attempt to get off, and it was with great difficulty Wadsworth persuaded her to finish five lengths in front of Beauty, Lignite twenty lengths away, obtaining third place on sufferance./ There were no investors on the totalisator- . Handicap Hurdle Race, of 25 sovs (over six flights c£ Hurdles; about 3ft 6in high), and a sweep of 1 sov each. Distance, l£ miles. Mr J. Oorbstt’s b g Captain, lOst 101 b, ... (Owner); | Mr J. Wilkinson’s b g Marmion, list 21b ... (Walla) 2. Captain took the lead at the start, Uarmion being hard held. Captain won easily by some h , and the rider of Marmion was lo )ted on returning to the scale. Tft Ik <ards met after this

race and diaqualaiuu -he horse Macmiou and the rider Wails, for two years, and declare all bets offi |

Thb Methven Ocp. a handicap of 6( oova and a sweep of 2 sovs each to crc to the second horse. Distance, D miles. Mr j, Smith’s Frantic, 6st 121 b, (Price) 1 Mr Murray- Aynslay's Nellie, Sat 3 b (Lee) 2 Mr Alexander’s Lauriaton, 7st 71b (Wadsworth) 3 The field was despatched to an excellent start, Lanriston taking the lead at the first turn. Passing the stand Frantic went np to the leader and held command at the far side of the course. Nellie made her effort half a mile from home, and soon had Lanriston in difficulties, but Price took out his whip to Frantic, and rousing the Oylesdale he won easily by six lengths. Totalisator —8 —2—L 3 12a. : An objection which was lodged by the rider of Lauriaton against Nellie in the Onp race for crossing, was upheld by the Stewards. Lauriston was consequently placed second and received the amount aoerning from the sweep. Trotting Sacs, a distance handicap of 12 sovs. Distance, 3 miles. Mr Physiok’s Kate 1 Mr McKendry’a Brigham Young ... 2 Mr Wright’s Gipsy . ••• ® Titokowaru, Tats, Clara, Maggie and Rosy also ran. Totalisator —10—3 —L3.