MOUNT IDA RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 673, 12 March 1875, Page 3

MOUNT IDA RACES.

—O— The Mount Ida races appear to have been "tolerably successful. The field was almost solely confined to local horses there being only one or two exceptions. For the Maiden Plate, of 25 sovs, there wore four entries, all started, Mr Inder’s Firc-away secured first place, Miss King second. The Flying Handicap, of 30 sovs, was won by Mr Cotton’s Envy ; Venus, 2nd ; Wild Manx Boy, 3rd. District Race, of 20 sovs, Venus, Ist; Maggie, 2nd. -. jt . Selling Race, of 25 sovs, winner to be sold for L4O, fell to the lot of Mr Inder’s Blood Royal ; Pickpocket, 2nd. The Grand Stand Handicap, of fiO sovs, was the event of the day, for which six horses started. Gamecock came in after a hard struggle by scarcely half a length, followed by Envy and Coquet. On the second day Friday last, the attendance of persons on the course was much larger, but taken aa a whole the assemblage

on th 6 course on both days was considerably less than formerly. ' The Mount Ida Handicap, of 65 sovs, brought four horses into the field. The St. Bathan’s horse, Wild Manx Boy, had everything pretty well bis own way and came in an easy winner, with Coquet 2nd, and Envy 3rd. The other horse contesting the race was M r Laverty’s Venus. District Selling Race, of 20 sovs—threequarter mile heats—was an easy victory for Blood Royal, who won first and second events. Artful Joe occupying a similar position for the second place. Blood Royal was bought in,for L 29.

The Free Handicap, of 25 sovs, brought four horses into the field, when Wild Manx Boy carried off the stakes after a game contest with Venus, winning by a short head. For the Consolation Handicap, of 20 sovs, there were only three entries, Coquet coming in an easy winner; Maggie, 2nd ; Miss King, 3rd. . ..... ‘ ~, The Hospital Race" brought out three horses—Blood Royal, Miss King, and Charley. The race was won easily by the latter. The results of this race were L 24, including a donation of LIO from the Jockey Club.

The professional bookmakers lost heavily. It is said that Messrs Belcher and Drake returned to Dunedin with considerably lighter purses than when they left it.