Sporting.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 463, 31 December 1880, Page 2

Sporting.

HEAD OF THE BAY RACES.

Stewards, Messrs Buchanan, Lee, Barker, Hay; judge, Mr W. Birdling, sen ; starter, Mr S. Johnston ; clerk of course Mr R. Main; clerk of scales, Mr A Wallace; handicappers, Messrs S. Lee and R. Main ; treasurers, Messrs S. Lee and T. Brooks ; secretary, Mr B. Barker- ?V The above races came off on Mon_k£v« last. The weather was all that M desired, the day being fine and war/ A»ciiJ and tempered by a pleasant hv<* —. There was a large linmber of the public .7.; on the ground, about 800 persons being present. The entries in the respective events were very good. The chief drawback was the tide, which necessitated the races being run either early in the forenoon or late in the afternoon. As a matter of course the first race .... did not start till three o'clock. There were the inevitable refreshment booths orLvo?'*' the ground, but there was a total absent. j«|h£j.: of publicans' booths. .The booths an Mr Brooks' Hotel all appeared to do good business. The steamer Pioneer made a trip to and from the Head of the Bay, leaving Akaroa at 10 a.m., and the Head of the Bay at 8 p.m. Th Akaroa drum and fife band was on the ground, and during the day played some „,4 very lively music in a creditable y\ The following is a curtailed account of day's running :— llPv^

Maiden Plate, of 10 soys., for horses that have never won public money (hack races excepted) ; entrance, 20s. Mr J. Brown's b m Hollyhock, 6 yrs, 9stslb. (Owner) 1 Mr.O'Gprmau's b m Colleen, 4 yrs, 7stl2lb. ... ..(Rodrigues) 2 Two other horses started. No Name got away with a good lead, but was soon overhauled by Hollyhock; Colleen came in a good*Secorid. Waindi Plate (open handicap), of 25 . soys. Nomination, 20s; acceptance, 15s Mr Brown's b m Mountain Maid, aged, list 101b ... (Owner) 1 Mr Shadbolt's bfa Blue Ribbon, 6 yrs, 9stßlb (W. Shadbolt) 2 This race was run in three heats. The first was won by Blue Ribbon, with The Maid second, Victim third, and Jack fourth; in the second heat The Maid was first, Victim second, Jack third, and Blue Ribbon fourth. The final heat resulted as above. Publicans' Purse (district handicap) of 15 soys. Nomination, 20s; acceptance, 15s. Mr Barker's c g Dick, 6 yrs, 9st 51bs (A. Wallace) l Mr Brown's b m Hollyhock, 6 yrs, 9st slb (Owner) 1 Sunbeam and The Maid started ; Blue Ribbon was scratched. This was a very exciting race. About 100 yards from the winning post Dick and Hollyhock were running neck and neck, Dick forged ahead, and won by a neck. Sapling Stakes, of 5 soys, for two-year-olds only; entrance, 10s. Mr Olson's c m Dolly, Bst 51b 1 Mr Shadbolt's b g Sunrise, Sat 51b ... 2 Mr Condon's Steel Trap, Bst slb ... 3 Mr Condon's Loo was scratched. Consolation Race, of 5 soys, for ail beaten horses; entrance, 10s. Mr Shadbolt's Blue Ribbon (Shadbolt) 1 Mr Wallace's Victim (A. Wallace) ... 2 Mr O'Gorman's Colleen (Rodrigues) ... 3

There were only three entries for this race.

Hack Race, of 5 soys; post entry, 10s. Ten horses started for this race, which was won by Mr Haras's Butterfly.

At the close of the proceedings three <jheers were called for for the club, handicappprs, and other officers, which were heartily given. We might mention that Mr W. Birdling, jun., acted as judge in place of Mr Birdling, sen., who was not present at the races.