LITTLE RIVER STEEPLECHASES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 170, 5 March 1878, Page 2

LITTLE RIVER STEEPLECHASES.

Stewards—Messrs Olphert, J. F. Stanbury, W. Birdling, jun., H. Buchanan, W. Coop, S. Nutt; judge, Mr W. Birdling, jun'. ; starter, Mr S. Johnson ; clerk of the scales, Mr Jas. Reynolds ; clerk of the course, Mr Jn. Stanbury ; handicapper, Mr J. Duxbury; secretary, Mr L. Jacobsen. The above races took place at Wairewa, Lake Forsyth, on Saturday last, the 2nd inst. At an early hour our reporter started from Akaroa, there being every prospect of the weather being propitious for the coming sports. The ride over the range was pleasant in the extreme, a short stay being made at "Garwood's House on the Hill Top," in order to give the horses a rest. On arrival at Little River, Host Olphert was, of course, interviewed, and there a considerable number of well-known faces were met with, and the usual courtesies exchanged. Nominally, the races were to have been commenced at 12 o'clock, but considerable delay ensued, from what cause was not ascertained. However, towards 1.30 p.m., the stream of people who\might have been seen wending their way from all directions to the course, which is about three-quarters of a mile this side of the hotel, showed that the fun was shortly to commence. Going with the stream, the desired spot was reached, and a preliminary inspection made of the course, fences, line of country, &c, which, on examination, proved to be by no means easy for either horses or riders. The course itself was rough in the extreme, and the fences pretty stiff, especially a post and three-railer, which had to be taken at the start and finish. The attendance was not so large as had been expected,,;but; still there was a fair number of spectators, chiefly residents, who, at any rate, thoroughly enjoyed the day's racing, which, as it is the first event of the kind in that part of the district, must not be too severely criticised, save, perhaps, that we may hope that next year proper accommodation will be afforded for the weighing, jockeys, stewards, &c, so that some sort of privacy and order may be observed in conducting the usual business attaching to such sports. Mr Olphert, to whose kindness and civility, as also that of the stewards and other officers named above, thanks are here returned, had a booth on the ground, which was well patronised. We noticed, also, some of the " thimblerig " fraternity and vendors of " patent" jewellery. One feature which marked the whole proceedings was the utter absence of any rowdyism-or drunkenness, so that Sergeant Ramsay and his men had an easy time of it. The first race, as follows, commenced at seven minutes past two o'clock:— '■' Wairewa Handicap Steeplechase, of 20 soys. ; open to all comers. Nomination, 10s ; acceptance, 10s, to go to. the funds. Distance, about two miles. Mr T. Sheenan's b g Lemon Juice, 12st (T. Sheenan) 1 Mr J. M'Farlane's b g Charlie, lOst 101b (A. Lelievre) 2 Mr J. M'llraith's b'g Lunatic, list 41b (B. Shadbolt) 3 At the start, Charlie got away first, Lunatic being close after him, and Lemon Juice taking it easy. All got over their fences well, Lemon Juice overhauling them and leading in the second round, with Charlie a good second, who, however, resigned his place to Lunatic in the third round, Lemon Juice being an easy first. In the fourth and; last round: the same order was observed until the last fence, when Lunatic fell, giving his rider a very nasty shaking, which prevented him from riding for the rest of the day. and thus allowing Charlie to take the second place. The pace, however, was by no "means fast, and from the first it was evidently Sheenan's race. A protest was immediately entered by the owner of Charlie against the owner of Lemon Juice for entering his horse under a wrong name, but this, with other protests afterwards mentioned, was not decided when our reporter left. Maiden Steeplechase, of 10 soys., with a sweep of 15s added, for horses that have never won a race of over £10. Nomination, 10s, to go to the funds. Distance, one mile. Mr B. Shadbolt's b m Ladybird (A. Lelievre) .... ..' 1 Mr T. Morshead's b g Tearaway (T. Morshead) ... ... 2 In this race, a good start was effected, Tearaway leading. Both horses took the first fence in good style, but baulked at the second. Ten times the riders took their liorses at it, but each time it was refused. The Whole field was in roars of laughter, and each failure that was made was productive of an outburst of merriment from both Europeans and Maoris, of whom a large number of the latter were present, such as has seldom been heard, we opine, on a racecourse. Finally, Lelievre put his horse against the fence, and using whip arid spur forced her through it, thus getting the lead. The next fence, however, was successfully negotiated, and, though baulking occasionally, the riders managed to get round for the second time. At the third fence on the third round, Morshead's horse fell

heavily- with his rider, who gave up, leaving the course to be ridden over by Ladybird, who, when taking the last fence in the fourth round, also fell, but Lelievre picked himself up again, remounted, and won amidst great cheers and excitement, the riding throughout being one of the pluckiest performances it has fallen to our lot to witness. Publicans' Handicap Steeplechase of 15 SOVS.J with a sweep of 1 soy. added. Nomination, ss; acceptance, 10s, to go to the funds. Distance, 1£ miles. Mr J. M'Farlane's b g Charlie (A. Lelievre) .. 1 Mr T. Sheenan's b g Lemon Juice (T. Sheenan) ... 2 Mr B. Shadbolt's b m Lady Bird (J. Bambury) ... ... 3 Charlie took the lead at the first, cleverly taking his jumps, as did also the two other horses, but it was evident that Lady Bird was badly jockeyed. In the second round, Charlie still maintained the lead, Sheenan riding carefully and with good judgment, when, unfortunately, his horse fell with him into a ditch, from which Sheenan had great difficulty in extricating him. Mounting again, however, he made splendid pace after the others, eventually coming in as above stated. At the termination of this race, a protest was entered against the rider of Charlie by the owner of Lemon Juice, for pushing him off the course. Hack Steeplechase of 5 soys. Nomination, 10s, to go to the funds, Distance, one mile. Mr J. M'Farlane's Bismarck (A. Lelievre) 1 Mr B. Shadbolt's Noble (J. Bambury) 2 Mr F. Birdling's Dick (F. Birdling) ... 3 Mr T. Morshead's Tearaway (T. Morshead 0 The game old horse Noble got well away first, and led for some distance, being overhauled, however, by Bismarck and Dick. At the first fence on the-second round, Tearaway fell heavily with his rider, kicking him just below the temple and treading on his stomach. Mr Morshead was picked up in an almost unconscious state, but seemed to revive quickly, at least sufficiently to walk off the course, where he was duly attended to. At the second round. Noble still led, Dick being second, and Bismarck third, the whole well up together. In the third round, however, the rider of Bismarck proved ones more his judgment and skill, and, urging his horse, took the front place, winning the best race of the day in excellent style. During this race, on the far part of the course, Lelievre had another fall, but managed to pick himself up, remount, and win as abovementioned. Consolation Stakes. Mr M'llraith's Lunatic (A. Lelievre) 1 Mr B. Shadbolt's Noble (J. Bambury) 2 The above were the only entries for this race, which was won easily by Lunatic. It was universally agreed that Noble was badly ridden, but the old horse's jumping caused much comment and admiration. This event concluded a most successful day's racing, and a very pleasant meeting, which it is to be hoped may become an annual affair. An adjournment was, of course, made to the Forsyth Arms, where an excellent dinner was discussed, after which, as the weather looked bad, and a slight drizzling rain was falling, an early start was made for home, well satisfied with the day's racing, and grateful for the courtesy shown us by the committee, who are to be congratulated on the success of the first Wairewa Steeplechases.