MOUNT IDA RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 823, 25 January 1878, Page 3

MOUNT IDA RACES.

(Condensed from Mount Ida Obroniclfe.) First Day. The races this year were not so well attended as on previous Occasions. The neighbouring centres of population also failed in contributing their usual representation. Rain, accompanied by high Winds, fell on Tuesday ..night, with occasional showers early on Wednesday morning. Tn the forenoon a fresh breeze prevailed, with a cloudy sky. The various events were fairly contested considering the few entries. Mr Keenan, of St. Bathans, with Freestone and Jack the Flat, carried off the big events of the first day—the District and Grand Stand Handicaps. Mr Binder, of the Empire Hotel, the enterprising caterer, made every arrangement for the comfort and enjoyment of his patrons, but he was unable to fight against the wind and dust. The arrangements made by the Stewards were all carried through most successfully. Maiden Plate of “20 so vs. Distance, 14 miles. Collin’s ch g Silvio, 3 yrs ... ... 1 Jones’ 1> m Tuttle Charlotte, aged ... 2 Bradshaw’s'Ruby, aged ... ... 3 When the trio passed the judge’s box the Cambrian mare was leading by about thirty yards, Ruby a length ahead of Silvio. Tins position was maintained until, on approaching the straight running Silvio put on a spurt, and won by about two lengths. District Handicap of JO sovs. Distance, 14 miles. Keenan’s c g Jack the Flat. aged. fist .. I ■ Laverty’s ob g Henry, aged, Sst Tibs ... 2 Hall’s c g Ferryman, S yrs, Ist ... 3 Jack the Flat won by about two lengths, Henry making a good second. Grand Stand Handicap of 50 sovs. Distance, 2 miles. Keenan’s ch hj Freestone, 5 yrs, 7st 121bs 1 Swanson’s ggßlue Peter, C yrs, 7st 121bs 2 A good start was effected, Blue Peter being hard hold. This was a good race, several attempts being made by Blue Peter’s tider to overtake Freestone, which was ineffectual, Freestone winning by six lengths. Selling Race of 25 sovs. Horses to be sold for L4O, weight for ago; fjiO, allowed 20il>; 810, allowed Jfllbs. Keenan's cb g Jack the Flat, agfcd ... 1 T.averty’s cb g Monty, aged ... ... 2 Tattle Brothers’ ch g Cmleno, aged ... 3 Collin’s ch g Pakeha, aged ... ... 0 Ccelenn, Pakeha, and Jack the Flat carried weight for ago—Henry, upon whom there was a reserve of L.JO in the event of his being the winner, being allowed lOlbs. Jack kept the lead with Henry second and finished in like manner. Inder and George put Jack up to the hammer,- and knocked him down to Mr R. H. Browne for L 43. Hack Race of 15 sovs. Open to all horses that have never won an advertised prise , of 820 or over. Distance, 1 mile. Bradshaw’s Ruby ... ... ... 1 Jones’Bi’tlo Charlotte ... ... 2 Foster's Zurab ‘1 Little Charlotte kept well in front during the early part of the race, when she had to give place to Ruby. Second Day. The attendance on the course was not sb large as on the previous day. A smart shower took place about two o'clock, while the Mount Ida Handicap was being run for, and heavy squalls occurred later. Stewards’ Purse of L 25 sovs. Distance. II miles. Keenan’s cbh Freestone ... ... 1 Freestone had a walk-over—half the stakes. Mount Ida Handicap of 55 sovs. Distance, 14 miles. Swanson’s g g Blue Refer, 7st lOlhs, 6 yrs 1 Keenan’s ch hj Freestone, fist Jibs, oyrs 2 Blue Peter came hi a winner hands down.

District Selling Race of 15 sovs. Horses to be sold for LIS, to carry Bst 71b,. To be sold for LlO, to carry Sst. Heats. Distance, three-quarters of a mile. Brown’s ch g Jack the Flat .. ... 1 Devon’s g g Balaam ... ... ... 2 Jack took the lead, the old horse Backbiter in the centre, with Balaam a bad third. In the next heat Balaam and Jack started, the latter winning easily. Jack was put up to competition, aud was sold to Mr Swanson for L 43. Free Handicap of 20 sovs. for qualified horses. Distance, 1| miles. Second horse to save stake. Swanson’s g g Bine Peter ... ... 1 Keenan’s cb hj Freestone ... ... 2 Browne’s ch g Jack the Flat ... ... 3 Collin’s ch g Pakeha ... ... 0 Peter and Freestone had the racing for some time, xvhen Peter forged ahead, keeping the lead till the finish. Consolation Handicap of 15 sovs. Dis--1 mile. Little Brothers’ch g Cceleno ... ... 1 Laverty’s ch g Henry ... ... 2 Jones’bin Little Charlotte ... ... 3 Henry took the lead, Cceleno close behind. Half way round Cceleno overtook her companion, and wen by three lengths. Hospital Race of 10 sovs. Rider of winning horse to receive a whip'; second horse a pair of spurs. Distance, 1 mile. Baxter’s b m Miss Lavender ... ... 1 Only three entered—Baxter’s Lavender, Bradshaw’s Ruby, aud Stephens’ Sandy.