SPORTING NOTES.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1341, 1 June 1878, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

By Sinead. [from the pbess.J Friday, May 24th, 1878, may well be termed a red letter day in the annals of steeplechases held in Christchurch, for that day was chosen by the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Club for the purpose of holding their annual meeting hero for the second time. Two years ago, on the occasion of the last visit of the club, then newly formed, to Christchurch the elements seemed to have determined to put an end to ,its existence before it had any chance of accomplishing the object for which it was formed, viz., the improvement of the bread of horses in New Zealand. The Queen’s Birthday was remarkable that year as being the only day out of forty-two in which rain fell. In what torrents it came down will easily be remembered by the select few who assembled to see the programme carried out, and though in every other respect the meeting was a great success, the Club found itself almost at its birth, saddled with a debt of over £3OO. Bow, thanks to the anergy displayed by a few gentlemen, notably the president (A. Turnbull, Esq.) and the bon. secretary, the Club has been enabled once more to resume its position as the leading Steeplechase Club of New Zealand is now a matter of history, and no better proof of the fact could be found than the programme which was carried to such a successful issue on the 24th. Smaller stakes were adopted at the meeting held last year in Timaru, with a view to redeeming the Club’s finaucial position, and this object was greatly aided by the voluntary donations of the public and a very large majority of the members of the Club. Very large fields (twelve started, if I remember right, for the big event), and really good racing were, coupled with the enormous attendance, the main features of the meeting, and the one now under notice forms a fitting sequel to what I might almost call the great steeplechase revival last year. 4t a general meeting of the Club, held on the 23rd ult., it was decided that Oamarn should be the rendezvous of the Club next year; and, as 1 have no doubt the stakes will be considerably increased, we ought to see a very large gathering. Before giving a resumd of the different events which were contested last Friday, I should like to call attention to what I consider the want of thought, to say the least of it, of the Canterbury Coursing Club, in fixing their first meeting for the same date as that of the Steeplechase Club. The. programme of the latter body was published long before the date of the coursing meeting was determined on, and surely Canterbury is not so abundantly provided with sport, that it should be necessary that two such fixtures should clash.

The steeplechases themselves were certainly the best that have been seen in Christchurch, and the public evinced the greatest interest in the proceedings. The enthusiasm evoked by the victory of that popular horse and perfect fencer, Mousetrap, will not readily be forgotten by those who witnessed it, and the finish for the Hunt Club Cup, when four horses rose at the last fence together, would be hard to beat even in England. The business of the day commenced with the Maiden Plate, and for this event Sir Tatton was installed a hot favorite, especially when it was found that The Agent had be n scratched for all engagements by his owner. It was stated in the report of the meeting in the daily that The Agent was not allowed to run by the stewards. This was incorrect as it was decided by the meeting of stewards that the horse should be allowed to run und,er the age at which he was butered, subject of course to an objection from the owre" cf any other horse engaged in the race.' This his owner declined to accede to, and therefore s ratched him for all his engagements. Five came to the post for the race, and when Cannon Ball fell at the fence beyond lledwood’s, it looked as if Sir Tatton would win by about a quarter of a mdo. N"vor was the glorious uncertainty of stvcplcchas ng more clearly demonstrated than in this race. At the fence at the far end of the course, Sir Tatton got into the ditch, and O'Brien was obliged to buck him over it. In doing this the horse appears to have injured his stills, aud was unable afterwards to galop with his usual freedom. Owing to this accident hiickey Free and Stockman were enabled to get on terms with the leader, aud when they jumped the second fence from home Sir Tattou was not more

than a length in advance. At the last fence Sir Tatton fell heavily, as also did Mickey Free, leaving Stockman to galop home an easy winner, a good race for second place resulting in favor of Sir Tatton by about a length. I regret to say that Lunn had his collar-bone broken, besides badly shaken when Cannon Ball fell. O’Brien also was much shaken, Sir Tatton having kicked him in the jaw when attempting to rise, and this contretemps incapacitated him from riding in 'the succeeding race for the Grand National Steeplechase. Dr. Frankish kindly sewed up the gash, and Dr. Prins gave his good offices to Lunn. When the eight horses weighed out for the Grand National, there could not have been less than 3000 people on the course, and the excitement increased as they prepared to jump the preliminary hurdle. Mousetrap’s leap as usual called forth shouts of approval, but those who saw Eversley take off at least fifteen feet from the hurdle, hardly expected that he would get as far over the course as ho did without coming to grief. He is evidently a very hard horse to ride, and while on the subject I cannot refrain from calling attention to what I consider a rather harsh criticism of Joyce’s riding, which appeared in one of the morning papers. For my own part I don’t believe that even Tom Oliver or the great Mr “ St, James” himself could have brought Eversley any nearer home in the condition in which the horse ran. It could hardly be expected that a horse only six weeks off ship board should be brought to the post perfectly pink, and I certainly think that Joyce deserves some credit for having got him as near the finish as he did. Te Wetumarama was brought to the post as fit as trainers hands could make him, and was installed a hot favorite as soon as the betting opened, 3 to 1 being freely accepted about his chance. The Moose looked better than I ever remember seeing him, and no fault could be found with either Shark or Fakir. When} once Mr Kimbell got them together, there was very little |delay at the post, and an excellent start was effected. Moose rushed off with the lead, closely followed by Mousetrap and Eversley, after whom came Fakir, Zetland, Shark, and Te Whetumarama in the order named. They all cleared the two sod walls beautifully with the exception of Te Whetu, who struck the second heavily, and nearly unseated Lyford. The three leading horses took the wall almost simultaneously, and it would be hard to say which jumped best. Mousetrap then took the lead, closely followed by Eversley, the others following some way behind. The first round was finished in much the same order, Mousetrap still leading, and Te Whetu having slightly improved his position. At the fence opposite Bedwood’s Te Whetu lost his rider, and just before reaching the double Moose and Fakir came in collision, both riders being thrown. Mousetrap and Eversley still retained their lead, and the latter, being completely beaten, refused at the last fence, leaving Mousetrap to canter in an easy winner ; Eversley continuing to refuse, he was successively passed by Moose and Zetland, and a desperate race home resulted in Moose getting second money by half a head, both horses being quite ridden out. Mousetrap’s victory was hailed with tremendous enthusiasm, as many of those present had invested a little on him, knowing what a sure fencer he is. I must congratulate Mr Markey on the great improvement which he has made in the horse. With as little delay as possible the different jockeys were weighed out for the Hunt Club Cup, and as soon as the numbers went up Mousetrap was backed to win a large sum at level money, Shark, Te Whetu, and Shillelagh being all in small demand at from 2 to 4 to 1. The Maori horse was this time ridden by Dan O’Brien, and at the start I heard offers to lay 7 to 4 about Mousetrap, or take it about Te Whetu ; but this did not elicit any response from the backers of the grey. The race is easily described. All the horses fenced perfectly, and Mousetrap, Shark, and Shillelagh having alternately led till they were dead beaten, Dan O’Brien brought up TeWhutumarama, and getting on terms with his horses at the last fence, at which all four rose simultaneously, he won somewhat easily at the finish by about a length, Shark being second about the same distance ahead of Mousetrap, who beat Shillelagh about two lengths for place money. The Consolation Handicap followed, and Mickey Free won after a good race to the last fence with The Don. This brought to a conclusion the most successful steeplechase meeting ever held in Christchurch, and the Club may well be congratulated on the success of their efforts to provide good sport for the public. A few remarks on the arrangements may not be deemed out of place, I think myself that the sod wall which formed the last jump was certainly too heavy a fence for the finish of a four mile race, and to this may be attributed the defeat for the Maiden of Sir Tatton, one of the most perfect jumpers that ever ran in New Zealand. Punctuality was not a feature in the proceedings, but this may be ascribed to the delay caused by the question of The Agent’s disqualification being brought before the stewards just before the time fixed for the Maiden.

The Waimate Steeplechase comes off today with every promise of being a great success.

The stewards of the Dunedin Birthday seem to have been scarcely so fortunate in the matter of weather as those of the Grand National, but the attendance was fair and the fields good. Eight weighed out for the Maiden Plate, which was wen by Captain Douglas, a colt by Knottingly, who was much fancied for the last Dunedin Champagne Stakes ; Bluebell was second, and a trio from whose breeding ope might have expected better things, viz., Endymion, Contriver, and Oampanelle, seem to have been dead out of it. Ray’s representative, Bide-a-wee, ran second to Blue Peter in both Birthday and Tradesman’s Handicaps, in both of which Oberon only succeeded in running into a place. The Trotting Race was appropriated by Bella, and the Selling Race, which produced a field of seven, by Lady Ellen. This mare was purchased after the race was over by Bob Ray for £4l, and has, in company with Bide-a-wee, since arrived in Christchurch.

At Wanganui the steeplechase meeting seems to have passed off with much success. Deborah appropriated the Maiden, and Awfp-oa the big event j old Medora, who was conceding Awaroa seven pounds, being second, and Bully-for-You third. Ten started. Victor, the winner of the last Wellington Hurdle Race, carried off the Conso lation, in which Gazelle, W'ho will be remembered as performing in the Grand National in Christchurch two years ago, ran into a place. Mr Markey has determined to send Mousetrap by the next trip of the Albion to Tasmania, whence he will eventually proceed to Sydney. Before leaving, the good little grey will be painted by Mr Brock.