SPORTING.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1309, 30 May 1878, Page 3

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON COUNTY STEEPLECHASES. Stewards, Dr. Stewart, Dr. Kesteven, Messrs Winter, C. Fooks, Bullock, N. McLean, E. S. Coster, J. F. Mitchell, A. Saunders, E. G. Crisp, and J. L. Crawley. Starter, Mr Crawley. Judge, Mr J. C. Wason. Clerk of the course, W. B. Compton. Clerk of the scales, H. J. Bristo. The first of what it is to be hoped will prove a long series of successful meets took place yesterday at Ashburton, when the county steeplechases came off. The t round selected by the stewards was situate in the paddocks of Mr H. T. Smith, and was fair hunting country, but not too stiff except in the place where the jumps were congregated in close proximity—no less than four, amongst them a double and a water jump, being within a radius of a quarter of a mile. The attendance wa« large, the Grand Stand —which for an improvised erection answered the purpose very well-being filled. _ Mr Compton, as clerk of the course, appeared in the orthodox pink, and the whole of the officials discharged their various duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. Lonehand and Ivanhoe, through their acceptances being lodged too late, were scratched for all events, which made the big race of the day—the County Steeplechase—afar more open thing than was the case when Mr Dawson's pair were colored on the card. The winner turned up in Faugh-a-Ballagh, but the game little Billy Buttons would have run him very close for first honors had he ran kindly. As it was, his pranks near the stand, when going round the first time, lost lum the race, the leaders getting at least two fields ahead before Hankins set him going again. The Hunt Club Cup was won by Messrs Saunders' clever Barry Lyndon, who was ridden with much tact and judgment, and the Farmers' Plate fell sombwhat unexpectedly to Maid of the Mill, the public having put their faith in The Raven. The Maiden was won by Nelljy Grey, and the Hack Race by Lonehand, against whom however a protest was entered, as not being a hack. The weather was all that could be desired, and, barring a want of punctuality in starting, which appears universal at steeplechases, the day's sport waa a thorough success. We append details j Ashburton County Steeplechase, of 30 SO<?9.. added to a sweepstake of 2 sovs. for acceptors. Over about three miles of fair hunting country. Mr W. B. Oomnton's ch g Faugh-a-Ballagh, aged, list (Hayden) 1 Mr P. Husband's br g The Raven, 5 yrs, lOst 121 b (Hay) 2 Mr C. C. Fooks' g g Billy Buttons, aged, lOst 91b (W. Hankins) 3 Messrs Saunders Bros.' b g The Rake, aged (McEwen) 0 Betting—2 to 1 on Faugh-a-Ballagh; even money Kavcn ; 3 to 1 agst the rest. After a very long delay, caused by the horses not being able to get into the field where the start was to be made and the fractiousness of Billy Buttons, Mr Crawley sent the lot away on pretty even terms. It was difficult to see from the stand the first few hundred yards, but Coming to the first fence Raven's colors were seen to the fore, with The Rake, Faugh-a-Bailagh, and Billy Buttons close up, the lot crossing the fence in the order named. At the fence before tha double jump The Bake took charge of affairs £cr a short distance, with Billy Buttons in attendance, Tha Raven and the Irish horse having been steadied dooft by their riders. The double was crossed by The Rake i'jrst, with Faugh-a-Ballagh second, Raven third ar.d Billy Buttons last, the pace being exceedingly slow. The water jump, which was a portion of the creek, was crossed by all the field eafely, but almost at a walk. After the water jump the jocks set their horses going a little, *nd at the hurdle close by The Rake baulked, and was out of the race. Faughpassing the stand the first, timg had a long lead, Hayden in vain trying to stop him. The Raven came second, with Billy Buttons in rear. Just past the stand Billy Buttons refused to move, and stuck Hankins up. __ In the meantime the other two had got a lead of about two fields before Hankins tfot Billy under weigh again. When he did he went off at a hot pace. Favgh-a-ballagh was sailing away with about five lengths lead from The Raven, which he held until eouiiug to the fence near the road, where The Raven went up and led to the first double. A mistake on the part of 'J he Haven's rider as to the course brought Faugh-aßallagb once more to the fore, Bijly Buttons fast making up his lost ground, in thi.-i order th-y ran until arriving at the fence near the stack. Raven ugain made another effort, and the timber was cleared by both hor.-es almost together. A capital race ensued across a piece of ooeu couitry between tue two leaders, but Faugh - a - was not to be denied. Coming to the double bffore the water jump Raven baulked and throw his rider, who remounted him, but Faugh aBallagh had so improved the opportunity that he won easily by any number ot" lengths. Billy Buttons, who bad been gamely making up his Joat ground, hero passed Tbo Rayen, and a good

race for second place ensued, but the latter got the best of it by about ten lengths. Ashburton Hunt Club Cur.—For silver cup value 15 sovs., with silver-mounted whip for rider. About two miles. Weight forage. Gentlemen riders. Messrs Saunders Bros.' b g Barry Lyndon, aged, 12st 31b (Mr launders) 1 Mr Herrick's b g Merlin, 4 yrs, list (Mr Smith) 2 Mr W. B. Compton's ch g Faugh-a-Bullagh, aged, 13st 31b (including 71b penalty) (Mr G. H. Thompson) 0

Betting—Even money about Barry Lyndon. This was reduced to a match between Barry Lyndon and Merlin, as the penalty of 71bs imposed on Faugh-a-Ballagh for winning the A.C. Steeplechase and his previous exertions put him out of the race. The race requires little description. Bairy Lyndon cut out the work at a hot pace, Merlin lying second until nearing the fence by the stack, when he came to the fore. Faugh a-Ballagh fell at the fence near the road and his rider had his arm broken. Coming to the water jump Mr Saunders took Barry Lyndon to the front, and after this had been negotiated by the two in safety, Merlin baulked at the hurdle, threw his rider, and started on a gallop to himself. Barry Lyndon coming in an easy winner, Merlin not appearing at the winning post for sometime afterwards. Farmers' Plate of 15 sots., weight for age, about 1$ miles. Winner of previous races excluded. Mr E. Corbett's b m Maid of the Mill, aged, 12st 31b (Hunt) 1 Mr Husband's The Eaven, 5 yrs, list 121 b (hay) 2

Larry Doolan and Fanny also ran. The Eaven went away with the lead, with Larry Doolan and Maid of the Mill close up, Fanny in rear. In this order several fences were crossed. Coming for home Maid of the Mill c>me at a tremendous pace, and led over the remaining jumps, with the Raven second, in which order they finished. Maiden Steeplechase of 10 sovs., weight for age. One mile. Mr J. Smith's g m Nelly Grey, 5 yrs,

list 121 b „. ». ■■■ Mr J. Williams's b g Never Mind, aged,

12st 31b ••• ••• i Never Mind cut out the running for about half the distance, when his bolt was shot, and the little mare came away, taking all her jumps prettily, and winning by about ten lengths. The Hack race was won by Lone Hand, but a protest was entered against him, which was not decided when the telegraph office closed. This brought a very pleasant little meeting to a close.

THE DINNER. The race dinner was held at the Somerset Hotel in the evening. About seventy sat down to an excellent repast provided by Mr Shearman. Mr Bullock occupied the chair. The cloth having been removed, the chairman gave the usual loyal toasts. , Mr C. P. Cox, in proposing " The Ag multural Interests of the District," said he hoped that tho trial of the steam plough, which was witnessed yesterday, was the forerunner of the introduction of a better description of farming. He also referred to the rapid strides agriculture had made in the Ashburton district. Mr C. E. Fooks next proposed " The health of the President, Mr Hunt, and Vice-President, Mr H. G. Smith, which was drunk with honors. Mr J. Wilkio proposed "The Stewards," and apologised for the absence cf Mr Wason. He complimented the stewards on the successful issue of the day's racing, and spoke feelingly of the accident which befel Mr Thompson, rider of Faugh-a-Ballagh, who had broken his arm. Mr Bullock having responded, the next toast was proposed by Dr. Kesteven, that of "The Committee," coupled with the name of Mr Crisp, who responded, and said that instead of his name being coupled with tho toast those of Mr S. Saunders and Mr Briato should have Mr M. Smith gave a recitation, and Mr Crawley proposed the "Winners." The Chairman then handed Mr S. Saunders, on behalf of his brothers, the Hunt Cup. Mr W. B. Compton returned thanks on behalf of the winners. He was sorry that Lonehaud and Ivanhoe were disqualified through not being entered in time. Mr S. Saunders returned thanks for the cup. The Chairman next gave the " Officials, Judge, Starter, and Clork of the Scales," coupled with the name of Mr Crawley, who responded. Several songs wero sang, but the meeting was abruptly ended at 9.30 p.m. by an alarm of fire in the Somerset Hotel, caused by the explosion of a kerosene lamp in a 'passage upstairs, which was happily extinguished without much damage being done.