SPORTING.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 892, 4 May 1877, Page 3

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACES. [By TELEGRAPH.] [from the special correspondent op the PRESS.] Ashburton, May 3. Judge—Sir Cracroft Wilson. Handicapper — G. Stead. Clerk of the Course —E. Saunders. Clerk of the Scales —H. Friedlander. Hon. Sec. and Treasurer —C. C. Fooks. Stewards — Sir C. Wilson, W. C. Walker, Cathcart Wason, E. S. Coster, C. F. Barker, G. G. Stead, and E. Saunders, This pleasant little fixture commenced today. The weather was exquisite and the attendance very good, though it must be confessed the Christchurch contingent was a limited one, and the sport, in spite of small fields, very fair. The various officials worked well. Sir Cracroft Wilson, notwithstanding his recent accident, was in his old position of judge ; Mr Neal McLean wielded the flag with his usual success, and Messrs Friedlander and Fooks, as clerk of the scales and secretary, filled their posts with great efficiency. The new r grand stand was very comfortable, but the course was not in good order, and the committee will do well to improve it before next season, Mr Shearman catered success-

fully for the public, and we hope also for himself, in the grand stand. The various events were got off with the most commendable punctuality. The sport commenced with the Op. n Hurdle Race, for which, Eclipse bein? an absentee, only three came to the pos . Mousetrap was naturally made a great moral for after their Timaru running he clearly held Lone Hand safe, and as it was Grey Momus’s first appearance over the hurdlebackers went for the old horse. As it was, the son of Traducer had an easy victory. Lone Hand fell, and Mousetrap, who was a little fine, died right away in Cotton’s hands nearly half a mile from home. He finished gamely enough but Grey Momus, who jumped in capital style, won how he liked. Eor the Maiden Plate Lone Hand was pulled out again to meet a single opponent in Seagull, a big useful looking grey from the dam of Albatross, Alma and Septimus. He was not in racing form, having only been up a fortnight and running rather unkindly at the finish, let Lone Hand win with a bit in hand. For the Ladies’ Purse six moderates came to the post. Billy Buttons was the local favorite, but the eventual winner, Never Mind, looked most like a winner in the preliminary canter. He was very well ridden, and, after waiting behind for a mile, came with a flowing sail before the last turn. From this the race was never in doubt, and he won easily. Only three acceptors figured on the cards for the Ashburton Cup; and after his Timaru running. Eclipse was the most fancied. Maritana seemed gone off a little in condition since we last saw her, and Laddie was out-paced almost from the jump. Maritana ran a really good race throughout with Eclipse; but the little hurdle racer held her safe from the distance, and won eventually by about a length and a half. Disturbance, who, I think, would not appear to disadvantage in better company, won a well contested Hack race, Merry Monarch finishing a good second. I append results: — Handicap Hurdle Race of 30 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. F. Cradock’s gr g Grey Momus, by Traducer, out of Patrician, aged, lOst (Watty) 1 L. Markey’s gr g Mousetrap, aged, list (Cotton) 2 Smith’s b g Lone Hand, 6 yrs, 9st 111 b, including 41b overweight ... _ 0 Eclipse was scratched. Betting even money Mousetrap. After one false start the flag was lowered to an excellent start. Grey Momus made play, followed by Lone Hand, the favorite lying back. In this order they took the first hurdle. Moustrap then took up the running, and led past the stand, waited on by Momus and Lone Hand last. At the turn Momus took charge for a few strides, but fell back until the back of the course, when lie challenged the favorite, and Lone Hand coming to grief the issue was left to the two greys. At the last hurdle but one the favorite was done with, and Momus coming on full of running, cleared the last obstacle five lengths in advance of Mousetrap, and increasing his lead at every stride, won in a canter. Time, 4min. 26scc. Maiden Plate of 20 sovs entrance, 2 sovs added; Ij miles ; weight for age; open to all comers. Mr W. Smith’s b g Lone Hand, by Socrates, 7 yrs, 9st 71b (Hankins) 1 Mr Seabright’s gr g Seagull, 5 jts, 9st 11b, including 21b overweight ... (Lyford) 2 Lone Hand was quickest away, and made the running to the last turn, where Seagull closed and a good race ensued up to the rails. Lone Hand, however, stayed the longest, and won with a little in hand by a length. Ladies’ Purse of 20 sovs; entrance, 2 sovs added; distance, LV miles; gentlemen riders; district horses; lowest weight, lOst 71bs. Mr W. Harris’ b g Never Mind ... (Owner) 1 Mr Smith’s b g Flying Jib ... (Mr Muir) 2 Mr Fook’s gr g Billy Buttons ... (Owner) 3 Mr Draper’s hr g Purakanui ... (Owner) 0 Mr Fried! aider’s blk m Black Bess (M. Friedlander) 0 Mr Toshack’s eh g Foretop (Mr J. Lunn) 0 Betting—Even money Billy Buttons and Forctop, 3 to 1 the rest. A capital start, Flying Jib and Black Bess being the first to show in front., followed by Forctop, Never Mind, and Billy Buttons in the order named. They ran thus to the turn past the stand, when Billy Buttons went up on the inside and took command, Purakanui improving his position at the back of the course, Billy Buttons and Purakanui even racing in front three lengths ahead of the rest, Foretop and Black Bess in the rear already hanging out signs of distress. At the last turn Never Mind coming with a rush, run through his horses took up the running, and falling off Billy Buttons in a few strides, went in an easy winner by several lengths ; Flying Jib, who came with a rush at the finish, beating Buttons almost a length for second place. 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 D. O’Brien’s b g Eclipse, by Prince Charley, aged, 7st 71b (Thomson) 1 Mr A. Money’s b m Maritana, 6 jts, Bst 71b, (Annesley) 2 Mr Demuth’s Laddie 0 Betting —3 to 2on Eclipse, even money on Maritana. The flag was lowered to a capital start, the favorite making play half-a-length in front of Maritana, Laddie whipping-in. They ran thus for the first mile, when Laddie was evidently outpaced. Eclipse and Maritana led alternately to the last turn, the pace being good, but the light weight favoring the favorite, he gradually forged ahead, and won a capitally contested race by a length and a half. Time —Brain. 52secs. The Hack Stakes produced a field of ten, and werej won after a capital race by Mr McKay’s Disturbance, well ridden by Demuth. This brought the day’s sport to a conclusion. The usual race dinner was held in the evening at the Somerset Hotel. Sir Cracroft Wilson occupied the chair, and the catering was in Mr Shearman’s usual capital style.