Sporting News.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 252, 1 March 1894, Page 2

Sporting News.

MANAWATU R.C. AUTUMN MEETING. The first day's races of the above meeting was held at Palmerston yesterday, and was a most successful gathering in every way. The weather looked threatening early in the morning, but cleared up beautifully as tho day wore on, the temperature being cool and comfortable. There were about 1000 people present, among the visitors being the Premier, tho Hon. J. Carroll, and Colonel Fraser, of Auckland. There was also a large contingent of sportsmen present from Wellington, Wairarapa, and Hawkes' Hay. A goodly number of the fair sex graced the lawn, where the proceedings were considerably enlivened by the strains of music from the Palmerston Fire Brigade Band. Splendid fields faced the starter in every race, the big money bringing out a field of fourteen, and the last race — the Scurry Hack Handicap - enticed fifteen to the post. The inevitable consequence was that dividends were the order of the day, the smallest being £8 8s and the largest the unusually large one of £123 18s 00 the despised mare Dorothy in the Hack Hurdles, who gave her three backers a splendid return for their investment. The officials of the club left no stone unturned to ensure the smooth working I of everything connected with the pro- | ceecUngs, and Mr Miles, the secretary, ! was especially unremitting in his attention to all and sundry. Unfortunately the start of the first race was a bad one, Magazine getting about two lengths lead and maintained the lead to the winning post. Mr Stevens, on acconnt of the complaints made, handed the flag over to Mr E. Wood, who wielded it for the rest of the day. The sum of iC3702 was put through the totalisator. The following were the results after we went to press yesterday : — First Hack Flat Handicap, 1} miles. — Pumau, 1 ; Sylvanus, 2 ; Senator, 3. Seven others ran. Sylvanus and Pumau raced up the straight neck and neck, the latter winning by a head. Time, 2 miv 15sec Dividend, £22 9s. Manawatu R.C. Handicap, 1\ miles — Rangipuhi, 1 ; Pinrose, 2; Scott Free, 3. Rangipuhi went to the front at the distance post, and won with a bit in hand by a length. Mahaki fell during the race. Time, 2miu 15 2-sth sec. Dividend £5 12s. First Hack Hurdles, 1} miles—Dorothy, If; Lonely, 2; Tenby, 3. Entering the straight Lonely appeared to have the race iti hand, but Dorothy came very fast at the finish, and won by half a length. Time, lmin 29 l-sscc. Dividend, A12!l 18s. Borough Handicap, mile and a distauee—Scot Free, 1 ; Zanclla, 2 ; Poinsettia, 3. Won by a leugth. Time, 2iuiu. Dividend, 1.10. Scurry Hack Handicap— Gold Cup, 1 ; Dandy, 2 ; Tricky Jack, 3. Won easily by a length. Dividend, £1 3s. SECOND DAY. Fitzherbert Handicap. — Variety, 1 ; Eve, 2; Scot Free, 0. Won in the straight by a length. Time, lmin 45sec. Dividend,* £15 Is. Hack Hurdles— Narrate, 1 ; Lonely, 2 ; Spreydon, 3. Won easily. Time 2min 57secs. Dividend £4 16 a MELBOURNE NOTES. (PEtt PRESS ASSOCIATION ) Melbourne, February 28. Betting has been slack to-day. Fortunatus has hardened at 100 to 10, and Tullamore at 100 to 9. A wager of 500 to 15 was taken about The Captain, and one of 200 to 12 about Capstan. After 5 to 1 in hundreds had been accepted about Carnage for the Australian Cap, 4 to 1 was the best offer obtainable. The Jeweller and Bessie Macarthy have been scratched for all engagements, and Sternchaser for the Newmarket Handicap.