SPORTING.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 562, 6 April 1876, Page 3

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACES. First Day—April 5. Stewards —Sir J. C, Wilson, C. 8., K.C.5.1., W. C. Walker, George Scott, Cathcart Wason, B. S. Coster, Michael Studholme, C. H. Dowding, and C. F, Barker. Judge— Sir Cracroft Wilson, C. 8., K.C.S.I. Handicapper—George G. Stead, Starter— Neil Maclean. Clerk of the Course—E. Saunders. Clerk of the Scales —H. Friedlander. Hon Secretary aud Treasurer—J. Stanley Bruce. The Ashburton meeting, always one of the most pleasant of the up-country meetings, came off yesterday. The weather was made to order, and the attendance was good, far larger than we have ever seen before at Ashburton. The morning trains brought many visitors from Christchurch and Timaru, while not a few took up their quarters at the Somerset the night before. The course was rather rough, and the stewards could expend a few pounds profitably by improving it before next season. A good permanent saddling paddock would be another very desirable addition to the Ashburton course, the present one being very much too small. The arrangements were very good, and the various events gut off with very creditable punctuality, so much so that visitors were able to see the Ashburton Cupjrun'.for and be in time for the 4 p.m. train. The Handicap Hurdle race was the first event on the card, and Tommy Dodd being reserved for the Cup, Theodore was made the favorite, but both Phantom and Billy Buttons had plenty of admirers, aud the race was supposed to be a very open one. Phantom, who was very patiently ridden by Mr Cradock, won at the finish, with something in hand, and had it not been for the mare’s blunder at the first hurdle, she

could have won very easily. Theodore was quite out of form, and Billy Buttons, who won the District race last year, was in too good company. The Maiden Plate brought out a field of six, all locals with the exception of Bob Koy, who, with 6 to 4 on him, was thought a real good thing. Mountain Maid was the local tip, but no one spotted Flying Beauty, who, making her own running nearly all the road, won easily, and earned the blessings of more than one penciller by the way. The favorite was not made quite enough use of in the earlier part of the race, but his performance was a very poor one. The Ladies’ Purse was won pretty easily by Kitty Clyde, who won it last year. Madras started at the same odds, and was the only one who ever asked the mare to gallop. The others were all outpaced in the first mile. For the Ashburton Cup four faced the starter, Rob Roy being naturally, after his Maiden Plate performance, an absentee. Wild Rose, even with her light impost, was so manifestly out of work that the bookmakers never wrote her name, and the Chief, her stable companion, though much improved in looks since Oxford, only lasted a mile and a half, which seems to be the very furthest distance he can get. Tommy Dodd was made a strong favorite, with 3 to 2 on him ; but Mignonette, who stripped very fairly, carried a good bit of money. The mare made all the running, waited on by the veteran hurdle racer. The latter stayed the longest, and won with enough in hand to make me fancy him for the Publicans’ to-day. The Hack race produced ten entries, and was won by Mr Hankin’s Lady Heron. The following is the detailed account of the racing : Handicap Hurdle race of 26 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs for acceptors, and 1 sov nomination ; distance, 2 miles, over eight flights of hurdles ; open to all comers. Mr F. G. Cradock’s g m Phantom, by Golden Grape—Banshee, 5 yrs, lOat, carried lOst 51bs (Owner) 1 Mr A. Davies’ blk g Theodore, aged, lOst 121bs (including 51bs overweight), (Joyce) 2 Mr W. Smith’s gr g Billy Buttons, 5 yrs, 9st lllbs (including 1] lbs overweight), (Hankins) 0 Betting—Even money on Phantom and Theodore ; 6 to 4 against Billy Buttons. The trio were despatched to a good start, Theodore at once going to the front, followed by Billy Buttons, with Phantom bringing up the rear. The first hurdle was cleared in this order—the two leaders jumping splendidly, Phantom coming on her head. Mr Cradock recovered her cleverly, but she lost many lengths by the mistake. Passing the stand Theodore and Billy w'ere going stride for stride, the pace being strong. They ran thus to the back of the course, where Billy fell back beaten and Theodore went on with a strong lead. Phantom, however, was improving her position at every stride, and at the lasi hurdle got on terms with Theodore. From this out it was clearly her race, as the weight was telling on Theodore, who was ridden all the way from the distance post. The mare won eventually by a length and a half. Billy beaten off. Maiden Plate, of 20 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs for acceptors, 1 sov nomination ; miles ; weight for age ; open to all comers. Mr Wallace’s ch m Flying Beauty, 5 yrs, 9st 71b (McHugh) 1

Mr J. Lunn’s br g Bob Boy, 4 yrs, 9st (Milne) 2 Mr E. Saunders’s b g Barry Lyndon, 4 yrs, 9st (Lyford) 3 Mr A. flewson’s g m Bezique, 4 yrs, 9sfc 81b (including 81boverweight) ('Griffin) 0 Mr Hankin’s br m Mountain Maid, 4 yrs,

9st (carried 9st 51b) ... (Hankins) 0 Mr Bosenburg’s ch m Adelaide, 4 yrs, 9st (carried 9st 61b) ... (Parkinson) 0 Betting—6 to 4 on Bob Boy, 4to 1 agsfc Mountain Maid, 5 to 1 agst the rest, The lot got well away together, Flying Beauty and Barry Lyndon cutting out the work, with Bob Boy aud Mountain Maid close up. They ran thus to opposite the Stand, when Flying Beauty was leading, the favorite fourth, Adelaide and Bezique outpaced. At the turn into the straight Bob Roy went up, and Barry Lyndon and the Mountain Maid fell back. From this to the finish Flying Beauty had it all her own way, winning easily by two lengths, Bob Boy, who was ridden right out, second. Ladies’ Purse, of 20 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs for acceptors ; 1 sov nomination ; distance, miles ; gentlemen riders ; district horses; lowest weight, lOst 71b, Mr J. Hay’s b m Kitty Clyde, by Malton, aged (Owner) 1 Mr J. Mitchell’s b g Madras, aged (Mr Eavenhill) 2 Mr A, Hewson’s g m Bezique, 4 yrs (Mr Stapleton) 0 Mr E, Saunders’ b g Barry Lyndon, 4 yrs, (Owner) 0 Mr J. Wallace’s b m Flying Beauty, 6 yrs (Mr P. Campbell) 0 Adelaide was scratched. Betting—Even on Madras ; 2 to 1 Kitty Clyde ; 3 to 1 Barry Lyndon and Flying Beauty. After one break away, in which the starter was run down, the lot got well away together. Kitty and Madras forced the running, and opposite the stand held a very strong lead. Flying Beauty here went up nearly to the leaders, but died away almost immediately, and was not persevered with. Before the turn into the straight Barry Lyndon and Bezique had shot their bolt, and the race was left to Kitty and Madras. The mare had all the best of the run home, and won pretty easily by two lengths. 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 P, Campbell’s b g Tommy Dodd (by Bay Middleton), aged, 9st 41b (Ray) 1 Mr W. Davis’s ch m Mignonette, 5 yrs, 7st 111 b (Richardson) 2 Mr T. Khand’s br c The Chief, 4 yrs, 7st (Moore) 0 s Mr T, Shand’s b m Wild Rose, aged : (Clark) 0 s Bob Boy was stratched. ; Betting—6 to 4on Tommy Dodd, 2to 1 i agst Mignonette aud The Chief, 3 to 1 agst • Wild Rose. . After one false start, Mr Maclean des- ; patched the lot to a capital start. Migl nonette made play, followed by Tommy, the 3 other two close up. They ran thus with I very little alteration for the first mile and a I half, when The Chief fell back beaten. At the last turn his stable companion, Wild r Rose, was also out of it. Mignonette led • to the straight, but Tommy tired the mare 3 fairly down, and won a very good race by 3 a length, Time, 3min 48sec,