SPEAR-GRASS FLAT RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 622, 20 March 1874, Page 3

SPEAR-GRASS FLAT RACES.

. .y The second meeting under the management of this Club came off on Tuesday lasb the 17th instant, the anniversary of Ireland’s Patron Saint (St. Patrick), and may be saiil to have been an unqualified success. It is not (lesiicd to be inferred that the visitors were in attendance by the thousand, or that the! field of horses was equal to » Melbourne Cup, as neither was the case. Yet there was a very respectable gathering both of quadrupeds and bipeds, and beyond question, the latter thoroughly enjoyed themselves, entering heartily into the sport, One most commendable feature in the day’s proceedings was noticed,— punctuality and despatch regulated the actions of all concerned, as is evidenced by the fact that the seven events were all over by six o’clock in the evening ; thus the visitors from far and near were enabled to reach their homes before night fairly set in upon them. For this the Committtee of Management deserve no light praise and fall support on any future occasion they present their programme to the public. The racing, of which a detailed report is given below, was fairly up to the usual average, and beyond question was honest, each horse running purely on its merits. The Bald-hill Flat Race Meeting is now fairly established, and we may expect that each succeeding gathering will will add fresh honors to those already won. The district of Bald-hill and Spear-grass Flats possesses within itself the means of ensuring a successful issue to an annual meeting, and as year after year passes on it must increase in popularity. The situation is (specialty favorable, and the population it commands are of that class, mixed farmers and miners, who ever enter heartily into the old English pastime. Mr. Kemp's new hotel, at the bottom of to flat, was very fairly patronised, and most deservedly so. We question if there is a better hotel outside of Dunedin. It is substantially built of stone, and stamps the owner as a most energetic, pushing, anil striving man. Mention must not be omitted of M‘Comrade's hotel, also on the fiat, which met with a very fair share of support. Maiden Plate of 10 sovs. Distance, one mile. J. Crossan’sMaid of Athens, Syrs 1 J. M ‘Closhej's Dnnganctr Lass, oyrs 2 J. Bailey’s Odd Stockings, aged 8 (Jordon’s Blink Bonny, syrs To a good start the whole team got away, and raced well together for half the distance, when the two males forged a-head-The Maid nude the running, and won by about four lengths. Bald-hill Flat Handicap of 15 sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. J. tsiltv’s Young Leamington, aged, 9si -jib 1 11. Craig's Sultana, aged, 9st 101b 2 tV. Bertslcrd’s Cressidor, aged, Bst 21b 3 11, Cross.nr's Little Kell, Syrs, 7st This was an excellent r ace. 'i ho start, however, was not good, as Cressidor was left at the post. At the half, the position wa.: Suita a, 1 ; Young Leamington, 2 ; Little Noil ; Cressidor e, 4. This order was rctai ed to the mile-post was reached, when Voung Leamington took the lead, and Little Neil dropped to the rear. A hard struggle now ensued, but without r,ny material alterial change of position, and the winning post was passed ia the order as above given. Hack Selling Race of 10 sovs. Distance, one mile and a quarter. Winner to be sold for 10 sovs. P. Carroll’s Judy Callaghan 1 W. Crotsan’s Jenny 2 Only lire two starto 1. Jenny had the lead for the first mile. Judy, who was close up all the lime, now made a spurt, took tlie lead, and won by about two lengths. She was afterwards soil for 15/. 10s. District Handicap of 10 sovs. Distance, one mile and a quarter. T. Wilkins’s Kathleen, 4yrs, Sst Sib 1 J. CrosSan’s .Maid of Athens, 3■: s, 7st 2 P. Carroll’s Jody Calaghan, 3ys, 7st 3 This was a gift to Wilkins’s mare, who jumped off with the lead, and won easily. Miners’ and Farmers’ Purse of 7 sovs Three-quarters of a mile heats. Crossan’s Little Kell 1 1 Beresford’s Cressidor 22 by leh's Maori 3 3 Roth heats were gamely ran, and resulted in the victory of Little Kell. Autumn Handicap of 15 sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. T. Wilkins’s Kathleen, Sst 41b 1 H. Craig’s Sultana, 9st 2 J. Bailey’s Young Learning ton, 10st 41b 3 This was an excellent race, and was won by Kathleen, hands down. Consolation Handicap of 10 sovs. Distance, one mile. Sultana 1 Little Kell 2 Cresmlor 3 Five started. Won by Sultana by two laagths.