DUNEDIN ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 2844, 1 April 1872, Page 2

DUNEDIN ATHLETIC SPORTS.

e _____ g The sports provided by the Dunedin Ath* . letic Club attracted a large number of spec* ■g tators to the orth Dunedin Recreaticn Ground to-day. An additional zest to the day’s enjoyment was imparted by the pre* sence and enlivening strains of the St. t Patrick’s Brass Band. We were glad io tee ’’ that though the Club, which deserves well , of the public, was denied the power cf , making an “‘entry charge,” that most of those who sought admittance unhesitatingly . paid something on entrance to the ground, y The day’s proceedings commenced with s, I IIE Maiden Flat Race, 220 yards (once te round), for all members who have never r, won a club race. Four entries. Two scratched. 3r F, li. Smith - - -1 t- Christie - . . o r- From the first it was apprehended that ,r Christie would win; but this prediction was il not verified. They got away in capital ig order, Christie having the inside place ; but ic when about forty yards from home, Smith 1, passed his man, and came iu an easy winner. Time, 27sec. 11 120 Yards Hurdle Race.—Six entered, four only starting. Prizes : trc phies. >e Brewer .... 1 F. J. Muir • - . .2 • Christie .... 3 e J. Reid .... 4 e This was a good race. It was impossible d to determine who would be the winner from the close proximity of Brewer and Muir, with n whom the race evidently lay. At the eighth e hurdle Muir unfortunately caught his knee, e which threw him out of the race, Brewer !S consequently winning by about live feet, n Christie and Reid “caved in” when defeat r - became inevitable. 0 Running High Leap.—(All comers.)— First ir prize, LI : second prize, 10s, r D. Anld .... 1 e F, Muir .... 2 ,e When the men reached a height of 4 it feet 7 inches Muir sprained his ankle, ,f which disabled him—All Id added li inches, e winning with 4 feet Si inches. r One Mile Walking Race, Prizes : • trophies. Two entered. Buden • . . . 1 Brown .... 2 j. Brown led till the end of the seventh e lap, when Boden passed him and main* e tained his position to| the end. Time, e 9min. 45sec. d Handicap Fiat Race.—One mile. Prizes : trophies. Two entries Smith starting at ;» scratch ; GLn, thirteen yards handicap. '< Glen • • . • . 1 Smith .... 2 ' Smith apj eared to be the favorite, perhaps from the fact of his having won the Maiden Flat Race. It was clear, however, from the first that if Smith was to win be e had his work before him, Glen being in line form Glen took the lead, and though at j' the end of the fourth lap Smith appeared to have gained slightly upon his man, it was quite apparent that he was nearly “ used ' up,” and, iu the seventh lap Glen put on his j mettle, and showed that he meant winning. When about 200 yards from home Smith gave in, leaving Glen an easy winner. Tim •, omin. llsec, - Half-mile Handicap Flat Race.—All t comers. First priz;, L2; second prize, LI. J Nine entries. Seven started. 1 Hogg 1 e Westland .... 2 1 The knowing ones predicted that Fox, ■ who started at scratch, must inevitably win ; 1 but as usual the predictions of the “knowing > ones” we e not verified. From the first is > appeared to all impartial observ. r |that Fox 1 could not possibly win. The race was bet tween Hogg and Westland. Westland, who > had a handicap of 13 yards, passed Dunlop 1 (29 yards) and Pollock (20), when nearly 1 half-way round the last lap, and came • in second; the winner having the extraordinary start of 45 yards. It certainly did seem that Fox ran as though ' he meant not to win, and drew up before ■ completing the third lap. Time, 2min. 105.: c., allowing for handicap. It will perhaps be remembered that Fox ran the halfmile race at the Caledonian Sports in January in 2min. 9sec., and started from scratch, winning easily. Handicap Flat Race, once round, 220 yards. Prizes : trophies. Nine entries. Five started. Brewer, scratch - . - 1 Smith, 1 yard - . - 2 Fulton, 7 yards • • - 2 Brewer was the favorite, and as the result proved, pulled off the event easily. When about half round be passed fll his men and

came in a goed distance a-bead. Time, 26iaec. At the last Caledonian Gatherm.,, 250 yards (less handicap of 8 yards) was covered in 25sec. There is little doubt if Brewer had not such contempt for his competitors, that he might have completed his journey in less tune than that recorded above. Vaulting with the Pole. Handicap. All comers ; 2 entries. Auld } t Muirhead - ■ ~ " The outside public were afraid of the handicap, and neglected to enter ; and as oulv P. Muir and Thos. Mmr entered, the committee decided on the grouiu to abolish the handicap, which caused the two well-known competitors Auld and Muirhead, to enter. Thomas Muir failed to nut in an appearance, and tree! Muir having sprained his ankle in the Running high Leap, the contest lay between Auld and Muirhead. Prom the way in which the men proceeded to their work the common impression was that this was a pre-arranged contest, the winning height being 8 fee. 10 inches, as against 9 feet 8 inches, at the Caledonian gathering. Ciiamwon Race, 440 yards. Prizes : trophies. Two entries. Brewer • ’ * Reid Reid took the lead, which he maintained for 250 yards, when Brewer came up with his man, who by some means fell, and left Brewer an easy wiuner.—Time, Imin. 3sec. Two-mile Walking Race.— Handicap.— (All comers). Four entries. Ihree started. First prize, L2 ; second prize, LI. M‘Gregor (scratch) - • 1 Fade (85 yards) • - - Boden (130 yards) - • J This, the great event of the day, excited considerable interest. The favorite was undoubtedly M‘Gregor, though, from his being ao heavily handicapped, doubts were entertained as to the result. At the seventh lap M‘Gregor caught Bade at the post, who then made a spurt for a few yards, but was easily overtaken by M‘Gregor before he had gone 50 yards. It was now apparent that barring accidents, M'Grcgor, who was in splendid form, would win the race. Whilst punishing his competitors, he appeared perfectly fresh, and went on increasing his pace to the end, -winning by about 25 yards. Time first mile, Bmin. 13 sec. ; distance, 1/mm. 37sec.