SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1552, 8 February 1879, Page 3

SPORTING.

—.——* WELLINGTON RACES. Second Day. [Press Special Wire.] Wellington, February 7. The bill of fare to-day was sufficiently varied to attract a larger number of spectators than turned up, but in spite of a cloudless shy and lovely weather, the attendance was far more limited than on the previous day. The want of punctuality in starting the events was again much complained of, and the arrangements for notifying scratchings were very poor. A large proportion of the persona who pay for admission to the course do not go inside the paddock, but it is not fair that they should bo debarred from any knowledge of such items of interest as the owner’s declarations, nominations for hack races and consolation stakes, &c. The fields on the whole were very good, and the finishes close, but the handicappers cannot be complimented on their handicapping in the Consolation Stakes. Why Undine, a four-year-old, who failed to get within cooing of the winner in the Maiden Race, should concede lllbs to Lady Ellen, who has always proved herself a remarkably swift mare for the distance, is a puzzle, especially as Lady Ellen was yesterday in the Flying Handicap given Bst 41bs to Otawa’s 7st 91bs, while the latter now gave the former 21bs. The only explanation that can be offered is that the handicappers, overwhelmed with remorse, were atoning for their harsh conduct on the previous occasion. The proceedings commenced with the Wellington Derby ; a sweepstake of 10 sovs rach, with 100 sovs added. Half forfeit for acceptors. 3 year olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 51b, Mile and a half.

MrYallance’s b c Merlin, Blue Boy—Malice,

Bst 101 b (Nolen) 1 Mr Webb’s br c Dundee, Traducer —Rona:es,

Bat 101 b (Fuller) 2 Barbelle was scratched. Dundee had rather the call in the betting. After one or two false starts, in which Merlin showed impatience to get away, the flag fell to a final departure, of which Merlin had slightly the advantage. Merlin led past the stand, and ran a waiting race. At the back of the course, coming into the straight, they were close together, but Fuller then beginning to ride Dundee, Merlin forged ahead and won with something in hand by about a length. Time, 2 min 58 sec. Hurdle Handicap of 75 sovs. Two miles, over eight flights hurdles.

Mr Mclvor’s g g Grey Momus, aged, Tradueer - Patrician, lOst 121 b ... (owner) 1 Mr H. Prince’s chg Kversley, aged, lOst 101 b 2 Mr Knight’s b g Koebuck, aged, 9st 71b ... 3 Mr P. Butler’s ch g Agent. syrs, 12s 41b ... 0 Mr Neilson’s Te Whetu, 12st 71b, was scratched.

Betting—Even'on Agent, 6 to 4 agst Grey Momus, 3 to 1 agst Eversley.

Great interest was manifested in this race, for while Agent’s running yesterday, and his magnficent performances at the Steeplechase in Auckland, had impressed the public with a strong faith in his resources, the Grey had a by no means despicable following. Eversley took the lead at start and led over the first hurdles followed by Grey Momus and Roebuck, the favorite lying last. This order was maintained over the second jump, but before the third hurdle in front of the stand was reached Roebuck had fallen in the rear, and at the fourth jump was hopelessly out of the race. Eversley retired opposite the stand, bis want of condition telling against him, and from this out there was a magnificent race between the two leaders. Coming into the straight Grey Momus had secured a decided lead, and took the last leap in splendid form, but Agent, in trying to do the same, struck the hurdle and sent his rider over his head, turning a complete somersault, Hankins narrowly escaping damage. Eversley then took second place, and Roebuck third. A protest was entered, on the ground of the course only having contained seven (lights of hurdles instead of eight, but this was disallowed by the stewards. Time—4rnin. llsec. Wellington Racing Club Handicap of 200 sovs ; second horse to receive 25 sovs

from the stakes ; one and a half miles. Mr P. Butler’s br h Liertes, aged. 7st 101 b 1 Mr H. W. Gibson’s c g Otawa, aged, 7st 101 b 2 Mr R. Valance’s ch m Lady Ellen, i yrs, Cat 121 b 3

Mr Kay’s Bribery, 8-4 filb ... ... ... 0 Mr Knight’s Lara, Bst 2lb, and Mr Frasir’s Loaglands, 7st lllb, also ran. tuning —2 t■ t f .g.t, Jem and Lady Ellen, 3 to 1 ag*f. Bribery and Otawa, 4 to 1 agst Lone hi nds, and Laertes had a few admirers. 'I hero wore f mi-* false starts, caused by the fraotiousness of Bribery, but, eventually she got away well, Lara close on her quarters, ihe puce whs made very warm. About halfway round Ofawa, Laertes, and Lady Ellen came through their horses, and a good race ensued Down tire straight the three leaders raced home, (ill the race was won by Laertes by half-a length, Olawa winning by half-a-length from Lady Ellen. The time 2min SOsecs. Hack Race, of £lO. For this event their were eight starters, and Annie was installed favorite, a confidence which she justified by winning with the greatest ease. Free Handicap of £SO; five furlongs. Mr F Butler’s br h Laertes, aged, 71bs penalty... ... .. ... ... ... 1 Mr A. Young’s b g Sailor, ngi d, sst 71bs ... 2 Mr D. Knight’s ch c Saunterer, 2 yrs, fist... 3 Bolting—2 to 1 on Laertes. Lady Ellen had a good many friends for this race, but the pen was run through her name. Sailor also was not friendless, and it was hoped by all Wellingtonians that his popular owner would score a victory. Laertes, however, had the race in hand all the way, and won by six lengths ; Sailor the same distance ahead of Saunterer. Time—lmin 16J-sec. Empire Plate of 100 sovs. Entrance, 5 sovs. Weight for age. Second horse to receive 25 sovs from the stakes. One mile and a quarter. Mr C. Belcher’s ch m Expectation, 5 yrs.

fist 21b 1 Mr D Knight’s h h Lara, aged, fist 1110 ... 2 Mr VV. H. Gibson’s ch g Otavra, aged, fist 81b 3 Mr T. Ray’s Diver, fist 81b, and MrMurtaah’s Hurkaway, fist 81b, also ran.

Betting—Even on Lara, 3 to 1 agst Diver, Expectation, and Otawa; any odds about Harkaway.

Harkaway had all the best of the start, Diver and Otawa being last. Opposite the stand Lara and Expectation came up, and before entering the straight Otawa also came to the front, thence to the finish the nee was a grand one. The finish was one of the beet of the meeting, the three leaders being so close together. Expectation’s running, and her victory with something in hand, show that her being scratched for the Cup, where she was only awarded Gst filbs, was a great error of judgment, as from her running with Lara to-day she could not have lost the Cup. Time, 2min. 20sec. Consolation Hantucap of 50 sova; entrance 2 sovs; second horse to receive 10 so vs. from the stakes. One mile. Mr Gibson’s Otawa, 5 yrs, 7st ... ... 1 Mr Webb’s Undine, 9st 2

Mr Vallanco’s Lady Ellen, Gst 121 b ... ... 3 Mr Murtagh’s Black Prince, fist, and Mr Red rood’s Rata, 6st 71b, also ran.

Betting—6 to 4on Lady Ellen, 6to 3 agst Rata, Otawa, and Undine. Undine got all the best of the start, but Lady Ellen at once took the lead opposite the stand. Undine and Lady Ellen were racing neck and neck, with Rata third. Otawa then came up with a rush, and soon passed all but Lady Ellen, who raced her down the straight, Otawa flogging. Lady Ellen passed the post half a length in advance. A protest was entered against Lady Ellen for a cross at the start. After taking evidence, the stewards disqualified her, and gave the stakes to Otawa. This was an unpleasant ending to an otherwise pleasant meeting, undoubtedly the beat in the way of sport, and the worst as to attendance and general liveliness, ever held in Wellington. Mr R. Ray has purchased the colt Saunterer from Mr Knight for £IOO. He is by Sator, out of a Riddlesworth mare.