SPORTING.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 477, 28 December 1875, Page 3

SPORTING.

GREYMOUTH RACES.

[By Telegraph,]

{From a correspondent of the Press.")

Heavy rain ushered in the first day of the meeting. In the early part of the day the stewards thought of postponing, but as the day showed some sign of improving they very rightly decided upon carrying out tha day's programme. The attendance was very limited, and though the racing was very fair, the heavy rain and the long delays between the various events marred what would have been a very good dav's sport. The course, which was a very good one, was rather heavy. For the Trial Stakes, the first item on the programme, only two faced the starter. The betting was very limited, but Cloth of Gold was made a strong favorite. Nero, his opponent, made all the running, and won easily, the colt bolting off the course coming into the straight. For the Midsummer Handicap, the big event of the meeting, ODly a trio came to the post, viz., Nectar, Tadmor, and Septimus. The C.J.C. winner started at even money, though both Tadmor and Septimus had support. Septimus was short of work, and after making the running the greater part of the journey, died away in the run in, leaving the issue to the two Christchurch horses. Nectar, in spite of carrying four pounds overweight, stayed the longest, and won a capital race by half a length; Tadmor second, Septimus a fair third. The Railway Stakes produced a field of five, and was won prettily easily by Sandy, a local celebrity, who it appears is equally at home on the course or in the plough. The All-comers' Handicap, which would have been a gift to Alice Grey was, owing to the late hour and the rain, postponed till next day. I append a short account of the various events:—

Trial Stakes of 40 sovs; weight for age with penalties ; 1£ miles. Mr W. Hungerford's b g Nero, aged, 9st 71b (J. M'Bwen) 1 Mr R. Bay's ch c Cloth of Gold, 3 yrs, Tat 101 b (G. Rowland) 2 Greymouth Midsummer Handicap of 150 sovs, added to a sweepstake of 5 sovs; second horse to receive 45 sovs ; 2 miles. Mr m Nectar, by Golden Grape —Bthelred, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (including 41bs overweight) ... (M'Bwen) 1 Mr R. Ray's b c Tadmor, 4 yrs, 7st 21bs, (Rowland) 2 Mr W. Cameron's g g Septimus, 6&t 51bs 3 Tadmor was quickest on his legs, but was almost immediately supplanted by Septimus, who made the running at a fair pace, Nectar lying second, with Tadmor on the outside on her quarter. They ran thus with very little alteration for about a mile, when the two Canterbury nags went, up for a feel, but fell back almost immediately. The trio now resumed their original positions until the last half mile, when Septimus compounded, and Nectar went to the front, fallowed by Tadmor. M'Ewan let the mare lead all the way home, and although Tadmor came with a rush on the post, he failed luctcti JNtc'ar. who finished about half a length ahead of Tadmor; Septimus, who seemed to comagain in the run in, a moderate third. The Railway Stakes Handicap of 50 sovs ; l\ miles. Mr Cochrane's ch g Sandy, by Peter Flat, aged, 68t 4ibs (Cochrane) 1 Mr Campbell's b g Tommy Dodd, aged, 7st6lbs (Kowlarrd) 2 Mr Canavan's blk g Black Eagle, ag^d, 7st 31bs. Nero and The Bat also ran. The lot got well away, but almost iram<:diate 1 y after the start The Bat and Nero cannoned, which lost both several lengths. Sandy made play from the jump, and was soon in possession ot a strong lead, Black Eagle sacuud, with Tommy Dodd (the favourite) about a length behind him. At the back of the course Black Eagle took second place. At the turn both the leaders were being ridden, but the light weight on Sandy told its tale, and he went in a winrer by two lengths ; Tummy second, Black Eagle third ; the other two beaten off.

As the handicaps are not out I can give no opinion as to the probable winners to morrow.