CHRISTCHURCH RACES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 241, 8 November 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH RACES.

The annual Christehurch carnival has been in f uTTswfrig this week. The weather has been all that could be desired. Perhaps no place in the colony throws itself more heartily into holiday making than Christchurch does at this particular period of the year. By common consent business is all but universally suspended, and pleasure reigns supreme.

His Excellency the Governor and suite arrived in Christihurch on Monday. The scene in Christchurch on Tuesday morning, the first race day, was extremely animated. Everj r available vehicle had been pressed into the service of the excursionists from the natty well-appointed private equipage to the seed}- disreputable "shandrydan." But the number of those in vehicles was as nothing to the crowns which thronged Manchester street on thiir way to the railway station. The a made here by the authorities to prevent confusion and overcrowding were simply admirable. His Excellency arrived on the ground a little before one, and the fust race commenced almost immediately.

The following are the results of the different races:—

Free Handicap, a sweepstakes of 5 soys each, with 100 soys added. One mile. Mr J. Gilligan's cli h Danebury, 5 yrs, byTraducer—Ada, 9st 1 Mr E. Ray's eh g Sinking Fand, 6 yrs, 7st 121b 2

Mr J. W. Mallock's br h Foul Play, 4 yrs, Bst 121b Camballo, Lara, Lady of the Lake, and

Kaliila also ran, coming in in the order named.

Betting: Even on Foul Play, 2 and 3to 1 against any other. Time, ltuin. 46f Bees. Debby Stakes, a sweepstakes of 15 soys each, with 150 soys added. For three-year-old colts. Bst 101b ; fillies and geldings, Bst oil). Second horse to save his stake. One mile and a half. Closed with 36 subd.

Mr W. F. Neilson's.cli c Natator, 3 yrs by Traducer— Waterwiteh, Bst 101b 1 Mr.Bedwood's eh v York, 3 yrs, by Traducer—Mosa IW, Sst lOib ... ~. 2 Mr J. W. Mallock's b c Nemo, 3 yrs, by Albany—X» Name, Bst 101!) ... 3 Betting : 2 to 1 on Natator, 3 to 1 agst any other. Five started. Time, 2 mm. 45 sees. Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap of 500 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 20 soys. Second horse to receive 50 soys from the stake ; "ttrird "horse to save his stake. Two miles , .

Mr R. Ray's b in Maritana, aged, by Tradncer—Hypatia, 7st 71b 1 Mr H. Goodman's br c Chancellor, 4 yrs

6st 101b ' ... Mr D. O'Brien's b g Fishhook, aged,

9st4lb 3 The following also ran :— Tenipleton/ 9st7lb; Longlands, Bst 51b ; Laertes 8* 51b ; Bribery, 7st 121b ; Foam, 7st 91b ; Mufti, 6st 121b ; Luna, 6st 91b; Kama Rama. Gst 71b ; King Quail, Cst 71b. Ariel (9st 21b) and Pinfire (7st 91b) were scratched. ■

This race was, of course, the event of the day. Rama Kama .was the favorite, and the two first horses were nowhere in the betting. The three first horses passed the judge's chair almost a dead heat. The decision was in favor of Maritana by half a head for first place, and a head for Chan-

cellor for second. The time was the fastest two mile race ever run in New Zealand, viz., 3min 36|secs.

Bailway Plate of 100 soys ; entrance, 5 soys. Weight for age. Half a mile. Mr J. Gilligan's eh h Danebury, syrs, by Traducer—Ada, 9st 21b 1 Mr H. Redwood's eh c York, 3yrs, Bst 2 Mr HorsfalPs b c Ratcatcher, 4yrs, 9st 3 Mr J. W. Mallock's br c Foul Play, 4yrs, 9st 0 This proved an easy victory for Danebury. Time 50secs. A hack race was won by Mr Cowan's Lothair, beating seven others. It is noticeable that the three winners of the four races are all by Traducer. Natator, the winner of the Derby, was entered in Mr Redwood's name, but sold by him iininedtately prior to the race for —it is said—a thousand guineas.

The second day, Wednesda}', was even a greater success than the first. The following are the particulars of the races run:—

Maiden Plate, of 100 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 10 soys each. Second horse to save his stake. For all horses f hat have never won a sweepstakes or Plate of the value of 25 boys previous to entry. The winner of the Derby to cany 71b penalty. Weight for age. Mr J. W. Mallock's b c Nemo, 3 yrs,

7st4lb 1 Mr H. Redwood's eh g Pinfire, 4 yrs 9st 2 Mr Farmer's b c Dundee, 3 yrs, 7st 41b 3 Kama Rama and Merlin were scratched. Betting: Even on Nemo and Pinfire, 3 to 1 agst Dundee. Time, 2min 48|sec.

Canterbury Cup, of 500 soys added to a sweepstakes of 20 soys; second horse to receive 50 soys from the stake ; third horse to save his stake. Two and a quarter miles. Mr R. Ray's t> h Templeton, aged, byTrad ucer—Belle of the Isle, 9st 91b 1 Mr D. O'Brien's b g Fishhook, aged, 9st9lb 2 Mr W. F. Neilson's eh c Natator, 3 yrs 7st lib 3 York, Ariel, and King Qnail also ran. Betting: 5 to 4 agst Fishhook, 2 to 1 agst Natator, 3 to 1 agst Templeton, 5 to 1 agst Ariel, 6 to 1 agst York, and 20 to 1 ■agst King Quail. This, the great event of the meeting, was a capital race. The finish was a splendid performance by the first and second horses, which were ridden up to the handle by their respective riders. It is described as being the best Cup race ever seen on the course.

Time, 4min. llsecs.

The remaining races were the Spring Steeplechase Handicap, Avon by Agent; the Tradesmen's Handicap, which fell to Foul Play, and a Selliug i - ack race, which was taken by Mr Keith's Paddy.