“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30960, 17 January 1966, Page 10

“The Press” In 1866

January 17 CANTERBURY RACES. Fine weather, a large attendance and capital sport, not unmixed with some of the glorious uncertainty that proverbially attends upon turf affairs, formed an auspicious opening for the Canterbury Championship meeting of 1866. From an early hour yesterday the Riccarton road presented the animated appearance it is wont to assume during these three eventful days. Vehicles of all descriptions, from the aristocratic drag or towering Cobb’s six-horse coach to the humble gig or slowly moving dray, streamed onwards to the Racecourse, interspersed with groups of horsemen and not a few pedestrians, who, determined not to be absent but unable to

indulge in a ride, manfully accommodated themselves to circumstances, and coat over arm strode sturdily on. After the intense heat and drought of the last three or four weeks it is hardly necessary to say that the road was dusty, still as in the morning the wind but was very slight, less inconvenience was felt than might have been experienced on that score until turning the corner to Riccarton church, but from thence to the turn towards the course the dust gathered thickly and rose in dense clouds under the trampling hooves and rolling wheels, till each separate vehicle bowled along half hidden from its neighbours in a cloud of its own raising, like a frigate firing an interminable royal salute.