OAMARU RACES.

Evening Star, Issue 3164, 10 April 1873, Page 3

OAMARU RACES.

(BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

First Day,

The good folk of Oamaru were certainly favored by the weather, which on Tuesday, the first day of the meeting, was splendid ; ana advantage was taken of it, as the attendance was numerous, the ladies turning out in great force. The road to the course was rather dirty, but the course itself was in excellent order. The stewards and starter performed their duties fairly, if we except a want of punctuality; and Mr Wheatly, in very natty costume, made a very efficient clerk of the course. For the Maiden Plate, Blackbird and Honest John were strong favorites; while many fancied Morven and Color-Sergeant. Blackbird, however, did not betray the confidence reposed in him, but at the finish came away ami won cleverly. The O.J.C. Handicap was a very tame affair, Nelh 7 Gray not being able to maxe Tamhonrini or Hatred extend themselves, and Tam. won in the commonest of canters. The Hack Selling Race was won easily by Bounce, who was sold for L 25 ; and the Ladies’ Purse was a canter for Malice, who showed very-clearly the difference between a hurdle-hwsc and a racehorse. The Hospital Race, which was w-on by Stockings, very cleverly on the post, brought the day’s sport to a conclusion. The following is a detailed account of the races : Maiden Plate, 20 «ovs. mile.

G. Balding's blk g Blackbird, by Meleager, 5 yrs, (Ist 2lh - - - (McKay) 1 R. Fraser’s ch g Color Sergeant, 6 yrs, 9st .‘Oh (Galt) 2 11. M. Auly’a br g Ringleader, 4 yrs, 8»t 111b 3 H. Schleuter’s b g Honest John, 0 yrs, 9st 31b 0 L. Grant’s brg Morven, 6 years, Oat 31b - 0 H. Schleuter’s ch g Guy Fawkes, 4 yrs, Bst 111b 0 J. M‘Lean’s ch g Electricity, 5 yrs, 9st 21b 0 Betting; 2 to 1 agst Blackbird and Honest John, 4 to 1 agst Morven and Color Sergeant, sto 1 agst any other. The flag fell to an even start, all keeping well together the first half round; Honest John, however, appearing not to get well away, was not able to got on terms with the leading horses. Color Sergeant then went to the front, which position Ipi maintained for the next quarter of a iqilo, when he was challenged by and Blackbird. Ringleader now crept up, and a good race ensued to the straight. Morven’s condition here telling on him he fell back, and Blackbird drew away and won by two lengths; Ringleader a bad third, while at intervals of a few lengths came the other four. Time, 3 min. 2 sec. O.J.C. Handicap, of 100 sov«, milw t R. Derritt’s b g Tambourini, 4 yvs Qst IQIV, by Teuton (lleay) 1 S. Noswoithy’s b (n Hatred, $ yrs, 9st Tib * r ’ (Demtt) 2 L, Grant’s gr m Nelly Gray, aged, fist 101b - - -. - - - -(Cotton) 3 A, Paterson’s hr m Maid of the Mill, aged, Bst 41b, scratched. Betting even, on Hatred and Tambourini. The three kept well together during the first round, the two stable companions playing’ with the old mare. After passing the stand. Tuw took a strong lead, Hatred shepherding tno old one, who was evidently getting into difficulties; this position they maintained to. the Judge’s box, Tam w;nniug a slow and uninteresting race bands down, Hatred an easy second, with Nelly Gray flagging in the rear. Hack Race, of 10 sovs; three-quarter-mile; heats ; winner to be sold for L2O.

Eight started. Both heats were won easily by Mr Paterson’s roan mare Bounce, On being submitted to auction after race, she was sold to Mr Gibsoq % LJ& benefiting the funds L 5.

Ladies’ of 40 sovs; welter weights for flge ; distance two miles. This was a cantor for Malice, the hurdle horse only getting near her on sufferance. The Hospital Race, for which five started, was won by Mr M‘Kay’s Stockings; Chieftain, a likely-looking brown horse belonging to the Hon. J. M'Lean, having the race apparently iu hand from the start, and until fifty yards from home, when be appeared to die away. M‘Kay kept his horse going, and riding him very determinedly, landed him a clever winner by half-a-neck.