SPORTING.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 284, 10 May 1875, Page 3

SPORTING.

KOWAI PASS RACING CLUB. (From the Press.) May 7th, 187fi. Stewards:—Capt. Parker, Thos. H. Anson, A. Hawdon, Wm. White, M.P.C., John D. Enys, R. H. Campbell, John Brabazon, H. J. Mathias, R. Foster, John H. Brett. Judge: —Col. De Renzie Brett. Clerk of the course:—E. W. Millet. Starter: —John Brabazon. Clerk of the scales: Henry Williamson. Handicapper:—H. P. Lance. With the prestige of many former firstclass fixtures, and with a very liberal programme to back it up, the stewards of the Kowai Pass had every right to expect a most successful tryst on this occasion. That the meetimg was not so successful as could have been wished was no fault of theirs. The date was fixed early in the season, and at a time when there was no probability of the meeting clashing with any other. Unfortunately, the Timaru programme presented superior attractions, and the Southernites elected to have their races at the same time as Kowai. On this the Kowai committee altered their date twice, which was to say the least of it injudicious, and did more harm than good. That two such popular meetings as Kowai and Timaru should clash, shows a want of judgment somewhere, and we trust that, for the future, the Jockey Club will, so far as possible, suggest the dates for the various up-country meetings early in the season. There is no reason why they should not follow in regular sequence, nol interfering with, but rather assisting each other. Such an arrangement would suitall concerned. Owners of horses would know what they were about without any of the uncertainty they have at present, and stewards of the up-country meetings would see good entries, good racing, and instead of having to put their hands in their pockets for an extra subscription would have a balance for the next season. The Kowai stewards this year adopted a very good plan by making every subscriber of £1 a member of the committee. This course might be taken with advantage by other district stewards, for races require money, and the more interest taken in the meeting the more is likely to be forthcoming. If the Kowai stewards have not achieved success they have, like the friend of Sempronius, at any rate deserved it, and next season, with the number of real sportsmen resident in the district, we shall look forward and with great pleasure to chronicling good stakes, good fields, good racing, and what theatricals are wont to call an unprecedented success. The morning of the race broke badly, and the threatening appearance of the weather no doubt deterred many Christchurch visitors from paying their yearly visit to the coal district. By some mistake no booth was on the ground. This was all in favor of temperance and sobriety, but Boniface is a very good adjunct to a race meeting on a cold wet day, and on this occasion the fortunate possessor of a flask was anything but friendless, and even gingerwine rose in the market. The usual k’rect card was also wanting. It is not we believe an unusual thing at country meetings for the speculative purchasers of the race cards to be out of pocket by the transaction, and perhaps on this occasion speculators were coy, but even if the committee had lost a trifle by it, they would have done better to issue cards, and we have no doubt this omission will be supplied next year. The course, and a capital course it is, was in very good order, but the stewards would be money in pocket if they were to erect a good permanent saddling paddock. The cost would not be much, and a small charge for entrance would not only soon pay for the fencing but would keep out people who have no business there and are continually in everybody’s way. Colonel Brett officiated as judge, but his duties, like those of the guardians of the peace, Sergeant Burtenshaw and Co, were very light. Mr Millett was as usual clerk of the course, and one could have wished that his duties had been more arduous, but the attendance was small, and the course only too easily cleared. Mr Brabazon must be congratulated on the excellent manner in which he sent his horses away. Indeed all the officials and stewards worked hard to make things go off well, and the punctuality with which the various events were started cannot be too highly commended. The programme commenced with Mousetrap walking over for the Hurdles, Tommy Dodd and Medora being absentees. For the Maiden Plate three faced the starter, two of these, Malva and Kensington, appearing in Mr Hawden’s colors. Malva is a neat-look-ing little mare, and a half sister to Arundel, being by Mai ton out of Cruiskeen. Of her performance the less said the better, as she was never in the hunt after the first hundred yards, and in the race she started for afterwards she cut it. Kensington, perhaps better known as the Prophetess colt, stripped well, is a big raking horse, and in point of condition was far ahead of the winner, but he could not foot it with the Chief, who could not be held back slow enough for his company. The latter is a very powerful colt, with a rare set of legs, and should he not turn out fast enough for the flat, which we think he will, would make a grand cross country horse. He is by Towton out of Queen of the South, and though far in the gross side of condition, won how he liked. He was exceedingly well ridden by Albert Lyford, who is cerl ainly a very powerful and promising youngster. Since then several long shots have been taken about this colt for next year’s Derby, and if Mr Redwood has many more like him his summer campaign here ought to be unusually successful. Five weighed out for the Farmers’ Plate, Kate and Haricot being the most fancied by the local cognoscenti, and they were right, for the two raced home neck and neck, the mare, who iwd travelled fort" miles previously,

just pulling it off. Mountain Doe was left at the post, and never recovered her lost ground. The Malvern Stakes, the big event of the day, was reduced to a match between Tadmor and Guy Faux. After their close racing in the Consolation in Christchurch, it was thought that the five pounds received by Tadmor would bring them well together, and as Guy Faux was clearly suffering from a cold, and looked altogether out of sorts, Tadmor was rather fancied. He looked a trifle better than when we last saw him, but still was anything but pink. The race requires little description. -The dark conspirator made all the running, and won pretty easily. TheKowai Cup was another match, Kensington and Mousetrap being the only starters. Mousetrap had the best of it all through, and won with a good bit in hand. It would have been a close thing had Kensington not carried 161 b overweight. Albert Lyford’s riding, as before observed, is singularly good ; but it was scarcely good policy to give away 161 b to secure even his services, when a light lad was to be had. The Hack race produced only three entries. It was a matter of surprise in a district like Kowai there were not more competitors. The race was a gift to Wanaka, a chesnut colt by Elswick. For the saddle and bridle (very good specimens of Mr Wood’s skill) Haricot proved too good for Kate, who was pulled out to run again, Malva, the only other competitor, going for her stable. We append a detailed account of the various events. Handicap Hurdle Race (open); 40 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs ; one on nomination, two on acceptance ; two miles, over eight flights of hurdles. Mr L. Markey’s gr g Mousetrap, by Camden—Creepmouse, aged, lOst 61b, (Sheenan) w.o. Maiden Plate ; 30 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs; weight for age; 1£ miles ; open. Mr H. Redwood’s br c The Chief, by Towton—Queen of the South, 2 yrs, sst 71b, carried 7st 31b (A. Lyford) 1 Mr A. Hawden’s b c Kensington, 2 yrs, fist 7lb, carried 7st lib (Moore) 2 Mr A. Hawden’s b f Malva, 3yrs, Bst 21b, (Rowland) 3

On the fall of the flag the Chief at once went to the front, and before a quarter of a mile had been covered held a clear lead of five or six lengths. At the turn he seemed as if he wanted to clear out, but Lyford steadied him, and he still kept a good lead. At the mile-post Kensington, who had been lying second, went up a little, but never got on terms with the Chief, who maintained his supremacy for the remainder of the journey, aad cantered in an easy winner by half a dozen lengths ; Kensington second. Malva was outpaced almost from the jump. Time, 3min B£secs. Farmers’ Plate ; 15 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 1 sov ; one mile ; Maiden Plate weights; district horses ; post entry. Mr Pocock’s gr m Kate (by Caledon), aged, 9st 71b (G. White) 1 Mr McLennan’s br g Haricot, aged, 9st 71b (Jones) 2 Mr Main’s ch g Wanaka, 3 yrs, Bst 21b (Rowland) 3 Mr Markey’s ch f Mountain Doe, 2 yrs, fist 7)b (Honor) 0 Mr McNae’s b g Waiau, 3 yrs, Bst 21bs (Shepley) 0

The lot got well away together with the exception of Mountain Doe, who was left at the post. Haricot was the first to show in front with Kate close up, and it was soon apparent that the race would lie between them. The former led to the turn, where Kate closed and Wanaka improved his position, but was evidently outpaced. A capital race home ensued between the two leaders. Kate having a trifle the best of it, and though at one time it seemed as if Davy’s jockeyship would pull the race out of the fire, the mare passed the post first by a short half-length, Haricot second, Wanaka a bad third. Time —2min.

Malvern Stakes (handicap) ; 60 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs ; two on nomination, three on acceptance; two miles ; open. Mr H. Redwood’s br c Guy Faux (by Ravensworth —Fidget) 3 yrs, 7st 51b (A. Lyford) 1 Mr R. Ray’s b ’c Tadmor, 3 yrs, 7st (Rowland) 2 Mr A. Hawden’s b f Malva, 3 yrs, 6st 51b sc

Guy Faux made play from the jump, and led by several lengths to the last turn, where Tadmor closed up. Coming up the straight Guy Faux came away and won easily by a length and a-half. Time—3min 57 sec.

The Hack race which followed produced three entries, and was won easily by Mr Main’s Wanaka.

Kowai Pass Cup (handicap) ; 35 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs ; one on nomination, two on acceptance ; 1-J miles ; district. Mr Markey’s gr g Mousetrap, by Camden —Creepmouse, aged, lOst (Sheenan) 1 Mr A. Hawden’s b c Kensington, 2 yrs, 7st 21b (including 161 b overweight ... (A. Lyford) 2

After one false start caused by the anxiety of the hurdleracer to be first off, the two were despatched on very level terms. Kensington made the running for the first half mile, when Mousetrap went up and the two ran together to the straight, when the grey drew away and won easily. Time, 3min 4secs. A race for a saddle and bridle presented by Mr W. C. Maxwell was won after a capital race by Mr McLennan’s Haricot; Kate and Malva also ran. The latter left shortly after the start for her own stable, and the game old grey mare had had enough of it. This brought the meeting to a conclusion in time for the Christchurch visitors to return by the last train. THE DINNER. In the evening the usual race dinner was held at Redfern’s Hotel, the chair being occupied by Mr R. Foster. Messrs Bluett and White, members for the district, were also present. The room was very tastefully decorated, and the catering unexceptionable. The cloth being removed, and the usual loyal toasts honored, the following toasts were proposed and responded to as follows : —The Successful Competitors,” proposed by the chairman and responded toby Mr Redwood; “ The Judge, Col. Brett,” proposed by the chairman, and responded to by Colonel Brett, who proposed the “Unsuccessful Competitors;” Mr A. Hawden' returned thanks. “The Stewards ol the Meeting,” proposed by Mr Redwood. Messrs Poster and White returned thanks. The health of “ The Chairman,” “.Messrs Anson and Maxwell,” as old stewards of the Kowai Pass Race Meeting, “ The Press,” and the “ Host and Hostess,” were also proposed and responded to. During the evening several capital songs ■were sung, and before leaving the stakes were paid over to the winders,