SPORTING.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 764, 1 December 1876, Page 3

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN SPUING MEETING. [BY TELEGRAPH J {From a correspondent of the Press.) Stewards —Mr James Marshall, Mr James Davidson, Mr 0. W. Culloii, Mr D. Proudfool-, Mr G. S, Smith, Mr J. Beany, Mr W. H, Taggart, Mr G. W. Eliott, Mr James Shaud, Mr George Dowse, Mr T. II Dodson, Mr H. J. Mac Lean. Judge—Mr Henry Driver. Starter—Mr G. Dodson. Clerk of Course—Mr H. Gourley. Treasurer —Mr F. Meenan. Official Timekeeper—Mr R. H. Bailey, First Day—3oth November.

The morning of yesterday augured well for the success of the Dunedin Spring Meeting. The rain of the previous night had laid the dust, and the weather was very pleasant, though warm. Later on in the day there were several very heavy showers, but they came too late to affect the attendance, which was very good; so much so that I have no doubt the stewards will next year make the Spring Meeting almost as popular as the Autumn one. The stand was fairly filled and the traps numerous, but the ladies were rather conspicuous by their absence. The arrangements were very good, and the officials evidently the right men in the right place. The various everts were got off with commendable punctuality, and the sport, in spite of some predictions to the contrary, was really excellent: Five stripped for the Maidens, which was the first item on the bill of fare, and on paper it looked a certainty for Dead Heat. He appeared however like a hunted hare, and the field seemed a better thing than the erst Derby favorite. Miss Elswick, a hardy-looking filly, found plenty of support, and Spray, who is engaged in the Dunedin Cup, though manifestly short of work, was, so far as looks went, the beat of the lot. The race however was a gift to Dead Heat, who won it all k the way. Six came to the post for the St Andrew’s Handicap, Fishhook and King Philip having the call iu the betting. Kingfisher and Rob Roy, though improved on their Christchurch form, were not quite pink, and Right Bower was nothing like cherry ripe, Glengarry was "in too good company, and Sir William and the Fox were scratched. The King got well away, and might be said to have had charge of affairs through the whole journey. Fishhook was, I think, not made enough of in the early part of the race. He waited until half a mile from home, but had he come sooner the result would have been, I think, different, as it was it was a close thing. Mr Yeeud’s victory seemed a very popular one, and the horse was loudly cheered on his returning to the paddock. Kingfisher ran a moderate third, but was like Rob Roy, quite outpaced. The Selling race was a gift to Flying Beauty, a mare which some of your readers may recollect won the Maidens at the lasl Ashburton meeting, beating Bob Roy. For the Spring Handicap eight camo to the post, and Isaac Walton, the unreliable, was mad< a hot favorite- Ho ran really well and won with a trifle in hand by half a length from Haphazard who with Steamer made a very close finish of it—quite close enough to compliment Mr Moore on hit handicap. The Trotting Race produced perhaps the greatest excitement of the day, Polly, Lucy, and Major were all

supposed to be more or less certainties by their respective backers. The winner turned up in Blackboy, a Christchurch nag, I understand he has been backed for ten miles for £IOO against some dark Dunedin horse, and Major also is to have another match for £IOO against another Dunedin horse, I hear from those who know about trotting that the Christchurch horses should win both events. The Benevolent Scurry was a grand race, the three first horses being locked together all the way up the straight. The following are the details of the various events: —

Maiden Plate, of 40 sovs. Entrance, 2 bovs ; one mile and a half ; weight for age. For horses that have never won an advertised prize exceeding £25. Mr T. Logan’s b c Dead Heat, by Traducer —Misfortune, 3 yrs, 7st (J. Allen) 1 Mr J. Hastie’s br f Miss Blswick, 3 yrs, 6st 91b (J. Hastie) 2 Mr J, J. Doyle’s b g Wild Deer, aged, 9st 71b (Lynch) 0

Mr T. McKay’s (sen) b g Glencoe, 6 yrs, 9st 71b (J. Cotton) 0 Mr W, Taggart’s b f Spray, 3 yrs, fist 91b (Rudingsj 0 Betting—Even on Dead Heat; 6to 4 Misa Elswick ; 3 to 1 the rest. Immediately on the fall of the flag, Dead Heat rushed to the front, followed by Miss Elswick, the rest following in a cluster several lengths behind. Passing the stand they kept very much the same places, but at the turn they fell into single file, the favorite still being in front, Mias Blswick drew up slightly a quarter of a mile from home, but Dead Heat came away, and won easily in a common canter, Miss Elswick second, the rest beaten off, Time, 2miu 51£sec. St Andrew’s Handicap of 100 sovs, with a sweep of 3 sovs ; the amount accruing from the sweepstakes to go to the second horse ; two miles; nomination 2 sovs ; acceptance 3 sovs. Mr H. Yeend’s b h King Philip—by Camden, 5 yrs, Bst (D, Jones) 1 Mr D. O’Brien’s b g Fishhook, 4 yrs, Bst 101 b (Derrett) 2 Mr Walters’ ch h Kingfisher, 6 yrs, Bst (Cantell) 3 Mr J, Stephenson’s b g Rob Roy, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (H, Gourley) 0 Mr G, Coombs’ b h Right Bower, aged, 7st 101 b (Smith) 0 Mr H. Goodman’s ch g Glengarry, aged, 7st 101 b (T. Allan) 0 Sir William and the Fox were scratched.

Betting—2 to I against King Philip and the Hook, 3 to 1 against Kingfisher, 5 to 1 the rest,

After several false starts the lot got well away together, the King being the first to show in front, Rob Roy second, Right Bower third, the Hook, pulling double, last. They ran thus for about half a mile, when Rob Roy went to the front. The Hook drew up slightly passing the stand, and King Philip was leading by half a length, with Rob Roy next. To these succeeded Kingfisher, Right Bower, Fishhook, and Glengarry, in the order named. At the back of the course Glengarry and Right Bower were done with, and Fishhook coming through his horses, got on even terms with the King, The two raced together to the last turn, where Kingfisher and Rob Roy were disposed of. A good race home ensued between the two favorites, resulting in favor of the King by a short length ; Kingfisher ran a moderate third, the rest beaten off. Time 3tnin 45secs.

Selling Race of 35 aovs ; entrance, 2 sove; one mile and a-half ; weight for age ; horses entered to. be sold for £SO, to carry lOibs over ’weight for age ; for £lO, to carry weight for age ; for £3O, allowed 14lbs ; £2O, 28!bs ; £lO, 42lba. The winner to be sold by auction, aud any surplus to go to the funds. Mr P. Fagan’s ch in Flying Beauty, syrn,

7ot 31bs (LI. Goutlay)' 1 Mr A. Smith’s bni Alice, syre, 7sb 3lbs (Smith) 2 The Fox, Master Playfair, and Kathleen also ran.

Betting—3 to 2 agst Flying Beauty, 4 and 6 to 1 the rest.

The favourite made play from the jump at a clinking pace, had all the field stalled off in the first half mile, and won comfortably as she pleased. Time—2mih 64seca. The winner was sold immediately after the race to Mr Scott for £42. Spring Handicap of 50 sovs; one mile and a quarter; nomination 1 bov, acceptance I sov; the winner of St Andrew’s Handicap to carry 71ba extra, Mr Walters’s be Isaac Walton, by Dainty, Ariel—Fanny Fisher, 4 yrs, 7st 121ba (Oantell) 1 Mr A. Smith’s b g Haphazard, aged, 7st Dibs (S. Smith) 2 Mr J. Stephenson’s b g Steamer, 4 yrs, 6at 71bs 3

The following also ran:—Rosina, 6st Dibs ; Rob Roy, Bst 51bs; Sultan, 7st7lbs (including Dibs over-weight); Darkie, fist lOlbs; Sir William, 7st 121bs. Betting—6 to 4 agst Isaac Walton, 3 to I agst rest. Steamer and the favorite cut out the work from the start, followed by Haphazard, Rob Roy, and Sir William, Darkie being left at the post. In this order they passed the stand, and ran with very little change to the turn at the back of the course. The four first closed and ran together nearly to the turn in, where Isaac came away, and staying the longest won a capital race by half a length, Haphazard beating Steamer a length for second place. Time, 2min 21.)secs. Handicap Trotting Race of 30 sovs; three mile?; entrance 2 sovs; no weight under 10al; optional saddle or harness. Mr T, Milner’s blk g Blackboy, aged, 100 yards (W. Thomson) 1 Mr Reausy's br g Snip, 809 yards (T. McKay) 2

The following also ran:—Mr Kirkwood’s Major, scratch, owner up; Polly, scratch; Lucy, 25 yds; Mystery, 125 yds; Dry Hash, 250 yds; Dick, 35 yds; Charlie, 400 yds. Betting—6 to 4 against Major and Polly, 2 to 1 against Lucy. Snip got well away, and seemed right in it to the last turn, when Black Boy, who had been most patiently ridden by Mr Thomson, collared him, and eventually won pretty easily. Major trotted unkindly, and broke several times, and the two Dunedin mares did not answer the expectations of their backers.

Benevolent Scurry for a purse of sovs. Post entry, 10s; one mile and a distance; the whole of the proceeds of this race to be presented to the Benevolentlnstitution; theriderto receive, first horse, saddle and bridle; second, a whip; third, a pair of spurs. This race pjoduced four starters, and a grand race, which after a very close finish was won on the post by Alice,