PENINSULA JOCKEY CLUB ANNUAL RACES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 169, 1 March 1878, Page 2

PENINSULA JOCKEY CLUB ANNUAL RACES.

Stewards—Messrs S. Lee, G. Scarbrough, C. Haylock, W. Coop, W. Birdling, sen., J. Ayhner, J. Gebbie; judge, Mr W. Birdling, sen.; staffer, Mr S. Johnson ; clerk of the scales, Mr J. Duxbury; clerk of the course, Mr G. Birdling. These races were held yesterday on the old course on the bed of Lake Ellesmere, the turf being much superior to the course used last year. The weather was all that could be desired. . There was a fair attendance of spectators but not so good as the sports deserved ; this was. probably owing to the Dunedin Races occurring on the same date, which, in these days of improved communication, would induce men of sporting proclivities to attend the larger meeting. Tbe arrangements of the stewards were all that could be desired, and Host Wascoe was well to the fore in supplying creature comforts at a most reasonable charge. The first event was the Maiden Plate, of 10 soys. Entrance, 20s. For district horses only, that have never won an advertised race. Weight for age. Distance, about 11 miles; Mr H. Piper's Jack 1 Mr T. Sheenan's Orange Peel 2 Mr F. Birdling's Edith Wynne ... 0 Mr J. Brown's Hollyock 0 True to the appointed time, four horses faced the starter for this race, Orange Peel being the favourite at 2 to 1 against the field, while Hollyock had not a few mirers at 3 to 1, the others not being considered worthy of support at any price. To describe the race properly would be difficult, but a better race was never seen on any course between Orange Peel and Jack, A. Shadbolt riding with great judgment, both riders whipping and the horses leading alternately for half a mile from home, Jack eventually winning by a short half head, amidst great excitement, thus causing the pot to boil over to perfection. The next race was the Handicap Hukdle Race, of 15 soys. Nomination, 20s. ; acceptance, 20s. Open to all comers. . Over 8 flights of hurdles. Distance, about 2 miles. ' Mr Sheenan's Lemon Juice 1 Mr J. Macfarlaue's Charley- ... ... 2 Mr T. Lyford's Disturbance 0 Three'horses started for this event. Lemon Juice favorite, and came in a winner by two lengths. Charlie lead until after the last hurdle, when the superior breeding of the other horse enabled his Jockey, J. Sheenan, to land him a

winner. The principal race of the day now came off— Peninsula Handicap, of 20 soys. Nomination, 20s ; acceptance, 20s. Distance, about 2 miles. Open. Mr J. Lunn's Maritana... 1 Mr J. Brown's Mountain Maid ... 2 Mr B. Shadbolt's Volunteer 3 Mr. T. Lyford's Disturbance ... ... 0 For this race there were four entries, of which Maritana and Disturbance were first favourites. This was another really good race, Mountain Maid leading the" whole distance until entering the straight, when whipping and spurring became the order of the day. A well contested race ensued between Maritana, Mountain Maid, and Volunteer, winning in the order named, half a length between each horse, Disturbance pulling up lame. Little River Handicap, of 15 soys. Nomination, 10s.; acceptance, 20s. Open. Mr J. Castle's Symphony ... ... 1 Mr J. Lunn's Merry Monarch ... ' .;, : **2 Mr B. Sh-aubolt's Little Sawdust . ... -5" Mr T. Lyford's Disturbance-, 0. Four horses started for this race. Merry Monarch being the favorite by the majority, 2 to 1 being given and taken. Symphony was also admired. Again we have to chronicle a splendid race, shewing that the handicapper had truly judged the horses. Symphony led for the first mile, when Merry Monarch took the lead, the two keeping together and racing for the remainder of the distance. After a really game struggle, Symphony was landed a winner by a length'and a half. Little Sawdust and Disturbance also ran. Publicans' Purse, of 10 soys. Entrance, 20s. For district horses only. Distance, about miles. Mr J. Castle's Malvina 1 Mr J. Brown's Mountain Maid... ... 2 Mr T. Sheenan's Orange Peel ... ... 0 Mr M. O'Connor's Volunteer ... .0 Mr J. Bell's Phoebe ... ... ... 0 The betting in this race was all on Malvina, who justified the good opinion of her backers by winning easily ; Mountain Maid and Volnnteer racing for second place, the former winning by half a length in the last distance. Hack Hurdle Race, of 10 soys. For district horses only. Over 8 flights of hurdles. Weight for age. Distance, about 2 miles. Mr T. Sheenan's Lemon Juice _... 1 Mr J. Macfarlane's Charley ... '... 2 Mr B. Shadbolt's Lady Bird 0 Lemon Juice was chosen for first place in this race, her previous performance satisfying most that he had tho best of Charlie. The result turned Out that again he was the better horse. Lady Bird also ran, but baulking at the first two hurdles, was out of the race.

•mt P rotest "was immediately entered by Mr M'Farlane against Lemon Juice, on the ground that the horse had not been the bona fide property of T. Sheehan for three Months before these races. This protest will be decided by the stewards this evening. Maori Race, of 8 soys. Entrance, 20s. 0 Open to all comers. Distance, about 2 miles. Mr J. Karaura's Maori Boy 1 Mr G. Robinson's Jack of Trumps ... 0 Mr Eli's Hokitika 0 Mi-C. Tekau's Pigeon 0 This event brought out four entries, Maori Boy winning by any number of lengths, hard held. The Consolation and Hack Races have jet to be run. The racing so far has been very good, the day being a most enjoyable one. The above report was brought by pigeon express, the first bird being sent by our representative from the course at 3.35 p.m., and tbe last at 6.20. We have to thank Mr James Wood for the loan of the birds and the trouble taken by him to oblige us.