SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1481, 14 November 1878, Page 3

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB ANNUAL MEETING. Eiest Day, Novembbe 13th. Stewards —Messrs E. Saunders, E. S. Coster, J. L. Crawley, Thos. Bullock, M. Stitt, R. Friedlander, J. Carter, Hay T. Smith, Neil McLean, and C. H. Dowding. Judge—Mr J. Campbell. Starter—Mr W. B. Compton, Clerk of the course— Mr E. Saunders. Handicapper—Mr H. P. Lince. Treasurer—Mr S. Saunders. Clerk of the scales —Mr II J. Briefo The Ashburton Racing Club were favoured on their opening day with unexceptionable weather and a good attendance. The arrangements made by the committee were very good, and the various events got off with the most praiseworthy punctuality. The grand stand was well patronised during the day, as were also the various amusements on the course, which were more numerous than usual. Mr C->mpton, who acted as starter, wielded the flag as to the manner born, and Mr Saunders was more than usually effective as clerk of the course. Mr Bristo discharged the onerous duties of clerk of the scales with care and precision, and Mr Wilkie made a most indefatigable secretary. Sport commenced with the Hurdle race, which was a gift to Te Whctu, hia only formidable opponent, The Agent, being scratched. Five district horses saddled up for the Midden for which nothing scarcely was backed, butChildington, who justified the confidsnco of his supporters by winning easily._ A protest was entered against the winner by the owner of Baron on the ground of being wrongly nominated as regards age, but the protest was ultimately withdrawn. Wood, the rider of Btron, was disqualified by the stewards for the meeting for cruelly punishing his horse when he had not the slightest chance of winning. This action on the part of the stewards met with general approval. Five went to the post for the Ashburton Cup, the event of the day; Danebury, who was scratched for all hia engagements, Endymion and Prudence being the absentees. As it happened, Chancellor, who waited behind Lady Ellen almost the whole way, won comfortably, Lima and The Agent not being persevered with. In the Ladies’ Purse, Kitty Clyde, the supposed certainty, did not come off, being beaten pretty easily by Merlin, who by the way is not the recent Derby competitor. Details are appended ; - Handicap Hurdle Race, of 40 sovs, over eight flights of hurdles, 3ft. 6iu. Two n ilcs. Mr W F Neilson’s cli gTo Whctnmaraina (by Tradncer), aged, 1 vtst 41 o (I'. O’ orient 1 Mr J. Morliug’s cli m Victorian 6 Mr P. Husband’s br g The Riven 0 yrs (G. Nicbolls) 0 Betting—4 to ion To Whelu. The Agent and Pakeba were scratched. Mr Compton despatched the trio to a nice start, Victorian lying hack. The favorite ltd, with Rover in close attendance, until the second turn round, when, at the fourth hurdle, the Raven ran second, and Victorian, who was lying close up, took second place. Te Whetu then came on and won in a common canter, hard held, Victorian second.

Match for 50 sovs a side, 10st each; one mile

and a quarter. Mr J. P. Mitchell’s Mi-ori ... (Mr Craig) 1 Mr Goodman’s Spotted Boy (Mr Harrington) 2 Ihe two got w« 11 away together, the pace being vny hot passing the slat d the hrst tio'e Maori was the first to show in front, ar d increasing his lead to the bark of the course had his opponent quite safe before the turn, and won as he liked. Maiden Plate of 20 sovs, open to all horses that hive not won an advertised race of the value of 15 sovs; weight for-age ; one mile and a quarter. Mr C. C. Books’ ch h Childiugton, 5 yrs, Ost lib ••• (Derrett) 1 Mr J. Benny’s b g The Baron, 9 t 5 b (Wood) 2 Mr J. Smith’s b m Nellie Grey, G yrs, Ost (Owner) 3 Mr Storey’s rn g Cast Out, G yrs, 9-t 51b (Owner) 0 Mr A. O’Neill’s b g Little Arthur, 3 yrs 7st 71b (O’Neill, pin ) 0 Betting—Even money on Childiugton, 2 to 1 agst Cast Out, 4 to 1 the rest. After some delay at the post, owing to the fractiousness of Cbildington, the flag tell to a fair start, the favourite making the running in front of Baron, Nellie Guy, and Cast Out, who followed in the order named, Little Arthur whipping in and being outpaced from the start. Thus they ran to the turn, where Nellie Grey made her effort, and took sec >nd place, whi -h honour she only held for a few strides. Coming down the straight all but Cbildington were under the wl ip, and it was clear from this out that Mr Pocks’ horse had the race in hand, having a strong lead, and evidently plenty in hand. He won eventually with consummate ease. The Baron, who was most unmercifully punished, finished a bad second, and Nellie Grey a very indifferent third. Time —2min. SOspcs.

Ashburton Cub Handicap of 70sovs. added to a sweep of 5 sovs. for acceptors. Two miles. Mr Goodman’s hr h Chancellor, byTraducer —Sweet briar, 4 yrs, 7st 41bs (findings) 1 Mr E. Masan’s ch m Lady Ellen, 5 yrs, Gst (Webster) 2 Mr P. Butler’s ch g The Agent, syrs, ‘-at 71b (B. NiehoUs) 3 Mr W. F. Neilson’s ch m Luna, 4yrs, 7st (F. Bodger) 0 Mr A. O’Neill’s ch g Little Arthur, 3 yr , Gst (Harold) 0 Danebury, Endymion, aud Prudence were scratched. „ „ . , , Betting—6 to 4on Chancellor, 3to 1 agst Lady Ellen and Luna, 4 to 1 The Agent, Chancellor and Lady Ellen made play in front of the The Agent, Luna, and Lady Ellen, who followed in the order named. Before a quarter of a mile had been covered, the favorite was eut planted by Lady Ellon, who led to the turn for home, with Chancellor about a length behind, Luna third, Agent fourth, and Little Arthur hopelessly in the rear. Coming down to the straight Ending called on Chancellor, and the colb passing Lady Ellen at the rails, won a good race by a length. Agent finished three lengths behind Lady Ellen, Luna and Little Arthur beaten off. Time—3min. 44sec. The Ladies’ Purse of 25 sovs for country horses only. Welter weights for age. Gentlemen ride-s. One mile and a half. Mr A. He rick’s b g Merlin, 5 yn, list (Mr M. Friedlander) 1 Mr J. Hay’s b m Kitty Clyde, aged, I2st 31b (Owner) 2 Mr J. Carter’s h m Decimena, 5 yrs, 11st Ub (Mr Bradly) 0 Mr J. J. Dawson’s b g Lone Hind, aged, 12st3ib (Owner) 0 Mr P. Husband’s br g The Raven, 6 yrs, 12st 31b (MrDuudas) 0 The Agent was scratched. Betting—Even money Kitty Clyde, 4 to 1 agst Merlin. The favorite was the first to show in front after a capiial start, followed by Merlin and Decimena, Lone Hard and The Baven being outpaced from the jump. They ran thus to the turn, when Merlin went up and, passing Kitty Clyde before the rails, came in and won by two lengths, the favorite beating Decimena four lengths tor second place. Time—2tnin 58aec. A Selling Hack Race brought the day’s sport to a conclusion.