SPORTING.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 563, 7 April 1876, Page 3

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACES. Thursday, April Bth. Stewards—Sir J. C. Wilson, C. 8., K.C.5.1., W. C. Walker, George Scott, Cathcart Wason, E. S. Coster, Michael Studbolme, C. H. Dowding, 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 and Treasurer—J. Stanley Bruce. The Ashburton stewards were yesterday favored with beautiful weather and a capital attendance. The arrangements were again very complete, and the various events were started punctually. The first event was the District Hurdle race, for which three horses figured on the card. Madras, who in former years, held a sort of pre-emptive right over the Ashburton Hurdle race, was made a favorite. The race was a comparative failure, as both the favorite and Barry Lyndon cleared out at the second hurdle, and putting their subsequent refusals on one side, Billy had the race virtually won before they could be induced to jump it. For some inscrutable reason, both horses were ridden out to the last inch for second place. Barry Lyndon was very short of condition, but will in time make a good useful horse. For the Publicans’ Purse four faced the starter—Bezique, Madras, The Chief, and Tommy Dodd being absentees. Tadmor, who arrived from town in the morning, to the consternation of those who had backed his stable companion the night previously, started with two to one on him. The race is easily described. Tadmor held all his horses after the first quarter of a mile, and won easily. The Pony race was a failure in every respect; so much so, that we should recommend this item being omitted from the next programme. Six ran, and passed the winning post at long intervals, They were all disqualified but one. In spite of the irregularity of tneir arrivals, this race mubt be looked upon as one of the closest on record, as it was landed literally by half an inch measurement. The Somerset Stakes did not, wo were sorry to see, as previously, form a portion of the programme ; but to supply the deficiency, the stewards got up the Ashburton Handicap. This produced a a very good race, and gave another win to the veteran Tommy, who in spite of his top weight and the proverbial uncertainty which attaches to favorites, just managed to pull it off. Rob Roy and Mignonette both ran well, but want of condition told its tale, and they both died away at the finish. Five came out for the Consolation, which, after a good race, was won by Rob Roy. On the whole the stewards had every reason to be well satisfied with the result of the meeting, and we feel sure that with the number of thorough sportsmen in neighborhood, next year’s meeting will be even better than this. We subjoin the details of [the various events: — Handicap Hurdle Race of 20 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs for acceptors ; 1 sov nomination ; distance, 1J miles, over six flights of hurdles ; district horses only. Mr W. Smith’s gr g Billy Buttons, 5 yrs, 9st 51 bs (Hankins) 1 Mr J, F. Mitchell’s b g Madras, aged, lOstTlbs (Mr Ravenhill) 0 Mr Saunders’ br g Barry Lyndon, 4 yrs, 9st 71b (T. Lyford) 0 Betting—Even on Madras; 3to 1 the other two.

Barry Lyndon made piny from the jump, the other two lying close up. They ran thus to the second hurdle, when Barry refused, and Madras followed suit. Billy Buttons now had it all his own way to the finish. The other two horses baulked alternately at every hurdle, but joining company at the last hurdle from home a close race for second place ensued, resulting in favor of Madras by half a length. Publicans’ Purse —A handicap of 20 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 2 sovs for acceptors ; 1 sov nomination ; distance, 1£ miles ; open to all comers. Mr Bay’s br g Tadmor (by Caledon — Brunette), 4 yrs, 95t... ... (Bay) 1 Mr Shand’s b m Wild Rose, aged, 7st 21b (Clark) 2 Mr W. Hankins’ br m Mountain Maid, 4 yrs, 7st (McHugh) 3 Bntting—2 to 1 on Tadmor. Tommy Dodd, Btzique, The Chief, Mignonette, and Madras were scratched. After one false start, the lot got well away, Tadmor on the inside being the first to show in front, but he was almost immediately supplanted by Wild Rose, who, with Mour.. tain Maid in attendance, led to opposite the stand, Here Tadmor, who had been lying

I back, closed up, and the trio ran together to the turn, where Tadmor came away and won easily by a length, Wild Rose beating Mountain Maid a length for second place. PONY Race of 10 sovs ; entrance, 1 sov ; post entries ; catch weights ; ponies not to exceed 14£ hands ; distance, 1 mile ; district ponies only. Six started for this race, which was won in a canter by Mr Kidd’s Lily. This mare and four more ponies were disqualified for being over size. The stakes were therefore awarded to Mr Cookson’s Murphy. Ashburton Handicap of sovs ; one sov on nomination ; 5 sovs on acceptance ; l ' f miles. Mr P, Campbell’s Tommy Dodd (by Bay Middleton), aged, Oat lOlbs, (Ray) ... 1 Mr Lunn’s br g Rob Roy, 4 yrs, 7st 101 bs (A. Lyford) 2 Mr W. Davis’ ch m Mignonette, 5 yrs, 7st 13lbs (Uichardson) 3 Mr T. Shand’s br c The Chief, 3 yrs, 6st 121bs (Clark) 0 Mr J, Hay’s b m Kitty Clyde, aged, Bst 41b (Moore) 0 Betting—Even on Tommy Dodd ; 2 to 1 against Mignonette ;3 to 1 against the Chief, Rob Roy, and Kitty Clyde. Tommy and Mignonette wire the first away, but gave place alrmst immediately to Kitty Clyde, who, followed by The Chief, went to the front, and forced the running at a strong pace. They ran thus to the back of the course, where the lot closed up, and raced together for some distance. Kitty Clyde fell back beaten before the last turn, The Chief following suit. Rob Roy now assumed charge of affairs, and at one time looked all over like winning, but the old horse collared him at the distance, and staying the longest won eventually by half a length, Mignonette a fair third. Consolation Handicap of 15 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 1 sov each ; 1 mile ; open. Mr W. Davis’ ch m Mignonette (Malton — Tantrums), 5 yrs, 7st libs (Richardson) 1 Mr Lunn’s br g Rob Roy, 4 yrs, Bst (A, Lyford) 2 Mr J. Mitchell’s b g Madras, aged, 7 s t (Moore) 0 Mr T. Shand’s b m Wild Rose, aged, fist 121bs (Clark) 0 Mr W. Hankins’ br m Mountain Maid, 4 yrs, Gst 71bs 0 Betting—Even on Mignonette, 2 to 1 agst Rob Roy. The flag fell to a good start, Rob Roy going at once to the front, followed by Madras, Wild Rose, and Mignonette. Before half a mile had been covered, Rob Roy had a strong lead, and Mountain Maid fell back outpaced. At the last turn Mignonette and Madras closed up with Rob Roy, and Wild Rose was out of it. Rob Roy and Mignonette raced together to half way up the distance, when the mare came away, and won with something in hand by a length. This brought a very successful meeting to a close in good time for the visitors to return to Christchurch by the evening train. We were almost forgetting to mention that the usual race dinner took place at the Somerset Hotel, Sir Oracroft Wilson occupying the chair. Mr Shearman, the host, put an excellent spread upon the table, and his exertions to satisfy the requirements of his very numerous visitors were universally appreciated.