SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1475, 7 November 1878, Page 3

SPORTING.

CANTERBURY METROPOLITAN

MEETING

Third Day—November 7,

Tho weather at tho first part of the day was anything but promising, and tbe lovers of sport looked very downcast. However, about the time appointed for the start) of tho meeting the weather cleared up, and it was one of the most enjoyable days of the meeting. The showers in tbe early part of the morning no doubt tended to reduce the attendance somewhat, nevertheless there was a very fair muster of visitors for a third day. Sport was commenced with tho Metropolitan Handicap, for which nine wore colored on the card. Of these, however, Natator was absent. Sinking Fund, Danotury and Fishhook were tho favorites, and Mr Ray won with his second gtring. Metropolitan Handicap of 100 sovs, added to a (Sweepstake * of 5 sovs each for acceptors. Second hor;e to save his stake. Mr R. Ray's eh g Sinking Fund, (5 yr?, 0 st 41b (Wcoster) 1 Mr R. Ray's b m Maritana, aged, 8 st (Watty) 2 Mr J. Ciiligan's eh h Danebury, ft yrs, Sat 3 lbs ••• (Martineau) 3

Butting—o to 4 agst Fishhook, 3 to 1 agst Danebury ; 4 to 1 agst Maritana ; 2 to 1 agst Sinking Fund. Mr Poyntor's mare Miriclle made a little trouble at the start, and the horses went one or two fruitless journeys before they were finally despatched on their way. Miriclle had all the best, of the start, of which {songster got all the worst. Sinking Fund took command of affairs after passing the stand, with Danebury and tho Hook in cioso attendance, Maritana third, Pinfire, Songster, Miriclle, and Lor glands forming the rear division. In this order they ran until opposite Ford's, where Maritana ran into second place, the Hook and Danebury racing together, the rest in the ruck. Corning into the turn two or three of thorn were under the whip, Sinking Fund still leading, with Maritana second, the Hook third, and Danebury fourth. In the straight it was evident that Mr R'-y'a two horsea had the race in hand, and Sinking Fund won by about a length and a half irorn his stable companion, who had plenty in her, Danebury running into third place, ;|the Hook fourth, the rest scattered. Time —2min. 48sec. The stewards disqualified Maritana and Sinking Fund, in consequence of Ray not declaring to win with Sinking Fund, tho race consequently goes to Danebury. For the Publicans' Steeplechase, fiv? numbers went up, all the performers over timber having decided to go for the money. Of those colored on the card, To VVhetu was most fancied, hut V.\-< \-~\':,y had also a good foliowing. Some ot the southern contingent laid a little money about Silverstream after bis Waimate victory. The race wis a very hi 0 one from first to last, and Hankins rode the winner with great judgment throughout. The finish whs good, but To Whetu had too much foot for Mr Prince's recent, acquisition.

Publicans' Steeplechase Handicap of 75 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of h sovs each for acceptors, fc'ecoml horse to save his stake. About two mile 3, over such country u,x the Stewards may direct. Mr W. h\ Melvin s eh ;.; Te Whetuma'-n.nia, I2st (Hankins) 1 Mr ii. Prince's eh g Eversley,aged, list lulu (A. l.yford) 2 Mr F. Brittan's br g Royalty, aged, lost 71b (T. Lyford) 3

Betting—Even money, To Whetu ; 6 to 4, Eversley ; 3 to 1 the rest. The lot got. iiway to a fine start, Eversley leading orer the first fence, with Silverstream second, Royalty third, the Lad fourth, and Te Whetu in rear, b'dng held. In this order they passed the stand for the first time. Silverstream got a bit the best of it after a few strides past the stand, but ho soon had enough of it, and Eversley took charge of affairs. At Eord's Te Whetu began to improve his position, and ran into Ibid place after the double was negotiated by nil. At the turn Eversley, Te Whetu, ana Royalty were in a cluster, and they came to the last hurdle in this order. Te Whetu and Eversley negotiated it almost together, and then a fine race ensued down the straight, terminating in favour of Te Whetu by about two lengths, Royalty third, Silverstream fourth, the Lad fifth.

Chbistchtjrch Plate of 150 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs each. Second torse to s-ave his stake Entrance, 5 sovs, to go to the fund. Winners of weight for age races in one event, since August ls\ 1878, to carry the followin? penaiti's—of 200 sovs, 51b extra; of 500 sov-,, 71b. Penalties not to be accumulative. Mnidens at starting allowed, for 3 yrs. 51b ; 4 yrs, 101 b; 5 yrs aud upwards, 141 b. Once round and a distanee.

Mr J. W. MaUock's b c Nemo, 3 yrs 7st 41b (T. Clark) 1 Mr Neilson's eh c Natator, 3 yrs, 7st 91b (A. Ruddings) 2 Mr Redwood's ch c York, 3 yrs, Ost I3lb " (M'Conlcy) 3 Betting—2 to 1 against Nemo and Natator, 6 to 4 against York. Eor the Plate four were coloured on the card, but Fishhook did not start. Nemo had the call in the betting, and York also had somo friends. Natator also was fancied by some, but he did not justify their confidence. Mr Campbell sent his lot away to a good Btart, York cutting out the work at a hot pace, Natator Becond, and Tommy Clark playing a waiting game with Nemo. In this order they ran until coming to tho stand, where Tommy Clark began to send Mr Mullock's representative abmg, and at the turn he began to close on his leaders. Here Natator was in charge, with York second. In this order they came into the straight, when Tommy Clark called on Nemo, and he ran in a winner by two lengths, Natator second, York third. Time—3min. 3isccß.

For the Selling nice only four out of the eight faced the sturter, Mireille, Seven Bells, Lady Ellen, and Nemo being absent. Bribery was the most fancied of tho quartette, though her well known fractiousnees at the start prevented much being laid on her. The winner turned up in Mr Ray's Sinking Fund, who won by about two lengths from Bribery, Ratcatcher a bad third, and Lady of the Lake out of it.

Selling Race of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each. Weight for age. Winner to be sold by auction immediutely after the race for 400 sovs. any surplus to go to tho fund. If entered to be sold for 800 sovs, allowed 71b; for 200 sovs, 141 b; for 100 sovs, 211 b; for 60 sovs, 281 b. Threequarters of a mile. Mr H. Ray's ch g Sinking Fund, G yrs, (=£100), 7st 101 b (Allen) 1 Mr G. Eraser's b m Bribery, 5 yrs (=£10>)), Bstl2lb (Matthews) 2

Mr Horsfall's b c Ratcatcher, 4 yrs (<£2()0), Bst (Hughes) 3 Mr Gilligan's ch m Lady of the Lake, 5 yrs (J 2200), 7st 121 b (Martineer) 0 Betting—3 to 1 ugst Bribery ; 4 to 1 Ratcatcher ; even money Sinking Fund. Bribery enme up to the start in a hood, and it was ad Ted Cults and Matthews could do to hunt her up to face Mr Campbell, lie dismissed them to a Hying start, of which Sinking Fund got the best, with Bribery second, Ratcatcher Ibird, Lady of Like last. In this order they went for a few strides, when Bribery and Ritcatchor came up. Mr Ray's pick, however, came to the front coming down the straight, and landed a winner by about two lengths from Bribery, who was full of going; Ratcatcher, three lengths behind, third ; and Lady of the Lake List. Time—l min. 21 sec, The winner was sold for £145, being bought by Mr R. Ray. Flying HANDICAP of 100 sovs, added to a Sweepstake of 5 sovs each for acceptors. Entrance 5 sovs. Weights to be declared after the race for tho Ohristchurch Plate. Ac-eptances within half an hour of the declaration of the weights. Three-quarters of a mile. Luna 1 Chancellor 2 J ady Ellen 0 Foul Play 0