NEVIS RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 727, 24 March 1876, Page 2

NEVIS RACES.

This meeting came off on Friday (St. Patrick’s Day) and Saturday, the 17th an'l 18th insts., and of all the np-cnmitry meetings we have put in an appearance at for some years past for being a successful one we must award it the palm. The number of horses competing was far above the average —seven, eight, and even ten facing the starter for some events—and despite the many little attempts at the contrary, the fastest horse was the winner ; there are except! Ms to every rule, and «e are sorry to note that one flagrant instance did occur,-but after a'l the pot was upset, as the little nag (game and good as he is) that was intended for first honors, was thoroughly outpace 1 an! had to he satisfied with a third place. The stewards, wiio mustered in full force on the field, did everything in their power to render the meeting a success, and by the unanimous expressions of approval on all sides, their energy and determination to do the right thing met with its reward. The most difficult position at a race meeting, that of starter, devolved upon Mr Stratford, who on every occasion managed to well catch the eye of the field and effectel eapi'al starts ; Mr Paul acted as Judge : Mr A Wi'liamso-, Cerkof the Course ; and Mr Bayleacarried out the duties of Secretary in a rn-'st exemplary manner. The other prominent members of the Club were Mr Wm M‘D'wa.ll, Mr Gilbert, Mr Scally, and MrM’Gerr. Amongst the visitors we noticed re 'rrs -nbatives of Arrowtovn. Bannockburn, Ciomwell, an-1 Clyde, who. together with the denizens of the Nevis Valley made npa ve’y respectable gathering. There were also a fair sprinkling of the fair «ex, whom presence gave an inleserible charm to the whole scene. Of the usual race course pas. timeg—though there were a few on the course equal tn a game of “Under an! Over,” “Prick in the Garter,” “ Roulette,” and other harm'ess little gamoq where the odds are in favor of the banker- th-re o ero none, the presence of a most indef iti able gentleman in bine proven'ing them. Mr O’Conne’l, of the Upner Nevis ha 1 charm of the refreshment department; Mr desse Geer, of Quar‘zville. eoff e and eataVcs ; and Mr I' ersen, fruit, < f which he had a most excellent sample. Respecting the last named right there was some sli dit iron 1 l». two other fruit vendors, one from Clyde fhe o’her from Dunedin, havin r cnnv> on f o the course without, knowing that the right was sold ; however, after some argument, they wnul 1 not, persist in selling. The following are the particulars of va'ious events : First Day. Maiden* Plate of P sons Distance, nr© mi’e. For all horses that hj ive never won an alv -rtised p -- iz • of 5 sons. Mr T. Gilmoir’s hr g Bd’arat, 5 yrs, (Roberts vi) ... ... 1 „ hi‘Gregor’s b g Gib! stown (late Forbury), aged... ... ... 2 ~ F, Thompson’s ch g Swe’l, aged ... 3 Miss Manic, Iron IF art ('ate Harry) Celt, Onoy, and Ame’ia also s'artod. This was a gift to Ballarat, who won as he liked. A p-otist was entered that Bab larat had won a Consolation Stake, at Albert Town, of over 5 sovs. In defence it was urged that the s’ako was not an adver. tised one, the race having been alvertised as a Consolation Handicap of sovs T be Committee he! I that the plea for d fence was a good one, and dismissed the protest. Flying Handicap of 15 sovs. Distance, one mile. Mr T. Gilmmir’s b m Mountain Hare, aged, 7st 101b (Potter) .. 1 „ T. M'Morrans b g Freeze, aged, 7st 41b ... .. 2 j „ J. Newtown's g g Pillbox, aged, 7st 3

Clyde, Bst 71b; Little Dick, 7st 101b j Lady Pembroke, 7st Clb j Gibbstown (late Furlmry), 7st 2lb, also started. Nevis Pet, 6st 71b ; Haricot, Oat; and Amelia, 6st, wore scratched. This was an exciting race as tho horses kept changing plnces so frequently, until the straight, when the Haro took lend, and came along at a spanking rate, closely followed by Freeze an I Pillbox, who ran a good race for second place. Hack Selling Race of 10 sovs. For a'l . comers. Tho winner to he sold for 15 sovs, surplus (if any) to go to the Race Fund. Three-quarter-mile heats. No weight undsr 9st. Mr M‘Gregor’s b g Mistletoe ... 1 1 ~T. Gilmom’s hr g Ballarat ... 22 „W. \l‘Arthur’s b m Comet ... 3 3 Blank Bess, Jackass, and Iron Heart also ran. Nevis Handicap of 20 sovs., with Sweep of 1 sov. to po to the second horse. Distance, one mile. Mr W, Taylor’s g g Haricot, Gst Gib (La>ng) .. ... ... 1 ~ T. Gilmnur'a hm Mountain Hare Bst 2 „ J. Newton’s g g Pillbox, 7st 2!bs ... 3 Freeze, 7st 91b; Little Dick, Bst 2'h ; Clyde. Pat, started. Lady Pembroke, 7st 91bs ; and Ame’ia, Gat 41bs, scratched. This was a well oontes'ed race, arid' for throe quarters of a mile the result was doubtful. Haricot, however, who was fresh, it being bis first race for the day, took to the fere, and gradually gaining came in a winner by fully four lengths, the others in the order named. Hurry Scurry of 5 sovs. Distance, once round the Course. Mr °-ilm mr’s Mountain Hare ... 1 ~ W Barry’s Frances ... ... 2 ~ M ‘Gregor’s Mistletoe .. .. . 3 Lady Gray, La 'y Franklin, Mias Maude, Snip, and Nevis Pet also were entered. Second Day. Handicap Trot of 5 sovs. Weight, list. Distance, two miles. Mr R. Smith’s g m Nellie Gray, 250 yds (Partridge)... ... .. 1 ~ J. M ‘F-trick's bg Wild Boy, LSO yds 2 ~ M'Gregor’s eh g Scamp, 300 yds ... 3 Whe her by arrangement, or otherwise. Lady Chips, who was at scratch, and was looked upon ns the winner failed to start on the fall of tp" flag. Bets were now freely laid on Scamp, who pattered away in fine style and looked able to win ; but the fates were adverse, and the little fellow had to take third place, Nelly Gray ami Wild Boy pa-sing him and whining by 50 and 20 yards respectively. Miners’ and Packers’ Purse of 10 sovs. Distance, one mile. Weight, 10st. Mr J. Newton’s g g I’illbox .., 1 „ Hugh Munro’s b m Marie Stuart .. 2 ~ Cura Goon Fong’s ch g Oney ... 3 Nevis Jock'y Club Handicap of 30 sovs., with Sweepstake of 2 «ovs. Second horse to receive 5 sovs. from sweepstake. Mr C. Johnson’s hj m Lady Pembroke, Gst I Olios (Clare) ... ... 1 ~ W Taylor’s g g Haricot, lOst Gibs... 2 „ T. Gilminr’s b m Mountain Hare, Bst lllib ... ... ... 3 Clyde, 9st 41b ; Ballarat, Gst lOlbs, also starte 1. Freeze, 7st 41b , Little Dick, Sst 4!b= ; Pillbox, Gst lOibs g Iron Heart, Gst 7D>3; and Amelia, Gst, did not accept. Lady Pembroke jumped off with the lead and was never caught. A good race between Haricot aud the Hare for second place ensued. Hack Rack of 7 sovs. Distance, one mile. No weight under Gst. Mr W. Barry’s bin Frances ... 1 ~ M‘Gregor’s b g Mistletoe ... 2 ~ Gilmour’s b m Mountain Hare ... 3 Onsolation HanpicvpoE 10 sovs. Distance, one mile an 1 a distance. Mr M‘Gre_-or’s b g Freeze. 7st .. 1 „ M‘Arthur, ban Comet, 7st ... 2 ~J. Evan’s ch g Little Dick, 7st 101b 3 Cy 'e, Sst, also started. This was an exce’l nt race. Hospital Rack of IS sovs. Stake to be divide I between the Dunstan and Cromwell Hospitals. Mr W. Barry’s bra Prances ... 1 Freeze, Pillbox, anl Mistletoe also contested.