SPORTING.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 275, 29 April 1875, Page 3

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACES.

First Day—April 28.

Stewards Sir Cracroft Wilson, C. 8., K.C.5.1., W. C. Walker, George Scott, Cathcart Wason, G. C. Nixoo, E. S. Coster, Michael Studholme, C. H. DowliDg, J. C. Aitken, C. E. Fookes, E. Saunders, J. Cramond. Judge—Sir Cracoft Wilson, C 8., K.C.S.I. Handicapper—H. P. Lanoe. Starter —Neil Maclean. Clerk of the Course—E. W. Millett. Clerk of the Scales—H. Friedlander. Bon Secietary and Treasurer—J. Stanley Bruce. The numbers of acceptors in the various events of the above programme produced a greater amount of interest in the races than there has ever been before. Several left town for the scene of action the pr< ceding night, and though the morning of the race broke most unfavorable in town, the train was well rilled, and the Christchurch contingent unusually numerous. Apropos of the railway, we cannot see the "necessity of locking the doors of the cars. The narrow-guage cars are not the pleasantest travelling at the best, but. were one allowed a breath of fresh air on the car platforms it would make more agreeable going of it. The weather at the Ashburton was warm and pleasant and while waiting for a start to the

course the majority of the town visitors made the most of their time, by visiting the new bridge, which is now nearly finished in every respect, and does credit to the contractor. The township has grown amazingly since last year, and has an improving and prosperous appearance. The course has been apparently looked after since last meeting, and the rain of tha day before made the going very good. A capital grand stand was erected. This was quite a new institution, and other country race committees might follow the example set by the Ashburton. In most meetings a stand addß considerably to the comfort of visitors, and would generally be a source of profit to the committee. The booths were under the auspices of Messrs Quill and Kleingenstein, and were well patronised, while Mr Booth's confectionary booth proved a great attraction to the juvenile portion of the visitors. A band of a harp and violin discoursed sweet music, and one of the fair musicians sang to, we fear, an unappreciative audience at intervals, while the proprietor of the two-headed calf and four legged fowl had full houses of wondering agriculturists. The police, under Sergeant Fulton, were to the fore, but Ashburton was orderly, as it usually is. The bookmakers were numerous, and as the races were for the most part cons'dered forgone conclusions they scarcely wore the point off their pencils. The local attendance was unusually large, and those present seemed thoroughly to enjoy the sport, particularly in the local events. The arrangements were very good, and the indefatigable secretary, Mr Stanley Bruce, is to be congratulated on the successful result of his exertions. Mr Neil Maclean officiated as usual as starter, and Mr Millett's well known voice was heard at intervals entreating, in dulcet tones, excited agriculturists to keep off the course. Mr P. Campbell acted as judge, in the absence of Sir Cracroft Wilson. To come to the racing proper. The expectations formed of the sport from the number of acceptors were scarcely realised, many of the southerners not putting in an appearance, and the scratchings were many. It would be better on a future occasion, assuming the Ashburton follows the autumn meeting, to hold back the handicaps until after the autumn meeting, for had Mr Lance been in possession of the recent Christchurch running, he would of course have framed his handicaps very differently. For the hurdles only Tommy Dodd, Alice Grey, and Albatross came to the post, Medora being scratched. Tommy was made a hot favorite, for he was running Alice Grey on the same terms as in Christchurch, on which occasion the horse won with a good bit in hand. The result yesterday was almost a repetition of the Christchurch running. Albatross was for a time confounded with the veteran hurdleracer of the same name, and backers of Tommy were rather staggered at seeing a very useful looking grey in fair trim walk on the course instead of the worn-out animal they anticipated. He ran fairly and jumped ditto, but was obviously green. We should not, however, ber ; surprised if he made a very good performer with a little schooling. The Maiden produced a field of five. Of these Waverly and Muscatel were at once spotted, and started even favorites at 2to 1. Yankee Grab, a neat looking colt, by Caledon out of Queen Bee, carried a little money, but the impost was all against him. Had; it not been for this he would have been very near winning the race. Muscatel got away badly, and many thought Griffen was waiting too long, for he never came till the turn; but it appears the horse runs better behind. The finish was a very good one between him and Waverly. Kitty Clyde made the running, and showed a fair turn of foot, but she could not foot it home with the first two, and the Jilt seemed to be out-paced. We must confess that we are disappointed in Waverley's performance. His running in last Metropolitan meeting, where he ran in two events a fair, horse, led many to back him. But from his yesterday's performance it would seem that three-quarters of a mile is about as far as suits him. A protest was entered against Muscatel on the ground of having won public money. This was not decided at the time our report was dispatched. The Ladies' Purse, being a local event, excited a good deal of interest. Four horses went to the post, and Lady Ellen, who won last year, was a hot favorite. Wild Darrell found not a few friends, but Narrow Guage, who was carrying 71b overweight, and Kitty Clyde, were almost unsupported. The race is easily described, Kitty made most of her own running, and' won easily. The Ashburton Cup was, of course, a gift to Castaway. He started at 2 to 1, and takers were scarce and coy. His only competitors were Sonnambula and Nectar. The latter made most of the running, Sonnambula lying back, but at the last turn Lurline's big brother came away and won easily without being called upon. The Hack Race produced a field of eight, and was won by Foretop. It will be seen from the detailed account of the races, which will be found below, that in two out of the three open races there were only three starters. We have seen this so often. We have not once but many times known owners who were supposed to have a good chance of winning, have to pay other owners to start their horses to make up the race. A walk over is, of course, never very satisfactory to spectators, but the principle of three horses to start or no race, is very hard on a man who pays his nomination, acceptance, travels perhaps many miles with heavy expense, and finds after all that he has to pay more for a chance of winning back a little over his expenses. The following is a detailed account of the races:—

Handicap Hurdle Race of 25 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs for acceptors and 1 80V nomination ; distance, 2 miles over eight flights of hurdles ; open to all comers. Mr George Stevenson's b g Tommy Dodd, by Bay Middleton, aged, lOst lllbs (M'lvor) 1 Mr J. H. Lunn's gr m Alice Grey, 5 years, 9st7lbs ... (Batty) 2 Mr William Smith's gr g Albatross, 5 years, 9st4lbs (Hankins) 3 Medora was scratched. Betting; 2 to 1 on Tommy Dodd. Mr Maclean dismissed the trio to a capital start at the first attempt, Albatross being the first to show in front, with Tommy Dodd close up, Alice lying about two lengths behind. They ran thus for a quarter of a mile, jumping the first hurdle in the same order. Albatross refused the second hurdle, leaving the command to Tommy, who held it all the way to the last turn, Alice waiting on him, about a length behind. Coming to the last hurdle, Alice went up, and the two rose at it together. A grand race home followed, resulting in favor of Tommy by a neck ; Albatross refused at the third hurdle again,

and though he took it the second time of asking was quite out of the hunt. Time, 4min 22scs Maiden Plate of 20 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs for acceptors, 1 sov nomination : distance, 1£ miles ; weight for age ; open to all comers. Mr F. Cradock's bg Muscatel, by Golden Grape -Betty Martin, 1 yrs,9st (Griffin) 1 Mr Lunn's b gWaverley, 3 yrs, Bst 31b, (Batty) 2 Mr Hay's bm Kitty Clyde, 9st 111 b. (Edwards) 3 Mr Nixon's b m The Jilt, 3 yrs, Bst 31b, ~ (Richardson) 0 Mr Spring's be Yankee Grab, 2 yrs, Bst 31b (Bnderson) 0 Castilian and Kensington were scratched. Betting—2 to 1 against Muscatel and Waverley ; 3 to 1 against Yankee Grab. Kitty Clyde was quickest on her legs, with Waverley and Yankee Grab next ; Muscatel, who got away badly, last. They ran with very little alteration to the last turn, where they all closed for a few strides. Coming into the straight the race was left between Muscatel and Waverley. who ran neck and neck together home, both being ridden. Muscatel stayed the longest, and won by half a length. Kitty Clyde an indifferent third. Time, 2min 26secs. Ladies' Purse of 20 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs for acceptors; 1 sov nomination; distance, 1J- miles; gentlemen riders ; district horses ; lowest weight, lOst 71b. Mr J. Hay's b m Kitty Clyde (by Malton) 6 yrs, lOst 71bs ... ... (Owner) 1 Mr JR. Smith's blk m Lady Ellen, 5 yrs, 10st71bs (G. Nicholas) 2 Mr Marsh's br g Wild Darrell, aged, 10st71bs (Shepherd) 3 Mr Wilcock's br g Narrow Gauge, 5 yrs, 11st41bs 0

Betting—6 to 4on Lady Ellen. At the fall of the flag Kitty went at once to the front, followed by Lady Ellen. Passing the stand' they were all pretty well together, Kitty still holding a slight lead. They ran thus to the back of the course, where Narrow Guage was out of it, and Kitty still was making the running. At the tujn Wild Darrell's bolt was shot. The favorite here closed with Kitty, but coming up the straight Kitty came away, and won easily in a canter, Lady Ellen second. Time, 3min 3sec. Ashburton Cup—A handicap of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs for acceptors; 2 sovs nomination; distance, 2 miles; open to all comers. Mr R. H. Campbell's ch c Castaway, 4 years, 7st 121 b 1 Mr J. H. Lunn's b m Nectar (late Dolly Varden), 4 yrs, 6st ... 2 Mr R. Ray's ch f Sonnambula, 6st 81b ... 3 Kitty Clyde led for a short distance, Castaway being outside. With Sonnambula steering well on the inside, when about half way round the distance Castaway came to the fore and won easily, with Nectar close up, Sonnambula a good third. Castaway showed and ran in splendid form, and justified the capital management of the trainer, Mr Webb. This horse seems to improve each stripping, and justifies the opinion held of him, that he will fine down to one of the finest five-year-olds in New Zealand. Nectar ran a good mare, but has hardly the quality for such good company. Sonnambula ran well, but did not show in front during the race. Time, 3min 48sec. Hack Race of 5 sovs, entrance 1 sov added; post entries; catch weights; for untrained district horses only; distance, f-mile; to be run in heats. Foretop 1 Eight started for this race, which was won by Foretop. Owing to the race not being run till after the last train left, we were unable to get full particulars. The usual race dinner, and a very excellent one it was, took place in the evening at the Somerset Hotel, Mr Walker in the chair, and Mr Cathcart Wason in the vice-chair. There was no lack of other entertainments, as Mr Collier's company appeared in the Library Hall, and the Panorama was also exhibited. A ball wound up the evening's amusements. KOWAI RACES. The following nominations were received yesterday:— HURDLE RACE. R. Ray's Medora L. Mackey's Mousetrap George's Stevenson's Tommy Dodd MAIDEN PLATE. A. Hawdon's Kensington A. Hawdon's Malva R. Mason's Brown Colt R. H. Campbell's Castilian MALVERN STAKES. R. Raj's Tadmor George Stevenson's Guy Faux R. H. Campbell's Envy