PORT VICTORIA BAY RACES.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1582, 15 March 1879, Page 4

PORT VICTORIA BAY RACES.

Stewards —Messrs G. Edmonds, J. Gebbie, H. B. Manson, J, Smith, A. D. Gebbie, D. Gebbie, H. Hawkins, R. O. Bradley ; judge, Mr John Ferguson; starter, Mr F. Birdling ; handicapper, Mr S. Garforth ; clerk of scales, Mr A. Constable; clerk of course, Mr C McCormick; treasurer, Mr W. D. Gebbie; secretary, Mr O. Bradley. The first meeting ever held in Port Victoria came off yesterday, a.d from the interest taken in it by the local sportsmen, it is safe to predict that the fixture just initiated will shortly grow into a very good meeting. The various officials did their utmost to make things go pleasantly, and the result was a very fair day’s sport. Next season, however, a “ correct card” would be a sweet boon to visitors, aud if the races be held in tre same paddock, it will be very littta trouble or expense to form an excellent course. A horse yard, too, would not only be a source of profit to the club, but a great convenience to visitors, many of wfiom yesterday were bard put to it to know what to do with their animals. The day was very fine and the attendance good, not a few putting in an appearance from both Lyttelton and Christchurch, 'I he sport, which was confined mainly to the lical horses, was very fair, though the fields were in most cases limited. Three weighed out for the District Hnrdle Race, which produced a very goo i finish between Lilly and Swindler Had the mare been made more use of she would probably have won. Swindler, who carried off three races during the day. is a big useful looking horse by Holden Grape, out of a Skeleton mare, and would, I think, figure to advantage in perhaps better company. The Maiden Plate was won by Baron, who figured to more advantage than in the Hurdles, Lil’y again being second. The open race (the Port Victoria Handicap) produced a good finish between Mr Robinson’s two. Their owner declared to win with Tarewa, better known as Merry Monarch, but the old horse twisted one of his shoes in tha race, and was in trouble on that account from the distance. Both the District Handicaps were won easily enough by Swindler, though in the latter race Lilly would have run him very close had it not been for her unfortunate accident. The Consolation was won in a canter by Young Mouse. It would perhaps be as well on future occasions if owners could endeavor to supply themselves with riders, who could get up say within half a stone of the weight allotted to them, as the handicapping yesterday was simply a farce. Results are appended. District Hurdle Race, H miles, six flights hurdles; no weight to be less than 10st. First horse, £10; second, to save his

Mr J. Smith’s blk g Swindler, by Golden Grape, aged (Sheenan) 1 Mr J. Gebbie’s b m Lilly, 4 yra (Moreshead) 2 Mr J. Qarforth’s b g Baron, aged ~.(Bnll) 3 Betting—2 to lon Swindler At the fall <f the flag Lilly went at once to the front, and led Swindler by two lengths over the first hurdle, which Baron refused, and was consequently out of the race. The mare made the running till about half a mile from home, when the favorite, whoso refusal at the fourth fence had lost him a lot of ground, closed with her. The two ran a capital race heme to the finish, Swindler securing a half length verdict. Maiden Plate, 1 mile; weight for age, First horse, j6B ; second, to save stakes. Mr J. Garforth's b g Baron, aged, Gat 21b (Angus) 1 Mr J. Qebbie’a b m Lilly, 4 yrs, Bst lUb (A. Shadbolt) 2 Mr 0. Bradley’s br m Mealynoso. 4 yra, 9st 101 b ( 31b overweight) (Owner) 3 Mr Holmes’ b g Reindeer, 4 yrs, 9st (S. Stringer) 0 Betting—2 to 1 agst Baron, 3to 1 agst Lilly Mr Orton dismissed the four to a capital (-tart The Baron was the first to show in front, cutting out the work at a good pace. To him succeeded Lilly and Mealynose; » eindeer, who was outpaced from the start, last. In this order they ran to the last turn, where Lilly made her effort, but she was never able to get on terms with the Baron, who won easily by three lengths. Port Victoria Handicap, open to all comers ; about 2 miles. First horse,JJ 20; second, save stakes. Mr Robinson’s ch g Titokowaru, by Bantan, 4 yrs, Bst 31b (Castle) 1 Mr Robinson s ch g’ Tarewa (late Merry Monnrct), aged, 9st 91b (21bs over) (Cahill) 2 Mr Shoenan’s g m Miss Brizzle, 4 yrs, Gat 31b (Angus) 3 Mr B. Shadbolt’s b g The Swell, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (carried lllbs over) ...(Shadbolt) 0 Mr Robinson declared to win with Tarewa.

Betting—2 to lon Miss Brizzle. Titokowaru cut out the work in front of his stable companion and Miss Brizzle, the Swell whipping in. They ran thus for nearly a mile, when the three leaders closed, the Swell being already out of it. Passing the stand, Titokowaru, who was already being ridden was a length in front front of Miss Brizzle, Tarewa close up. At the far side of the course Miss Brizzle was hanging out signals of distress, snd at the last turn it was quite evident that the race lay between Mr hobinaoa’a pair. Both were ridden out, Tito beating his stable companion by a short length. Time, 4min. 24aec.

District Handicap, 1$ miles. First horse,

JSI2 ; second, save stakes. Mr G. Smith’s blk g Swindler, by Golden Grape, 6 yrs, 9st 41b ... (dheenan) 1 Mr 0. Bradley’s hr m Mealy Nose, 4 yrs, Bst 41b (L. Brad ey) 2 Mr J. Garforlh’s b gTheßaron, aged, Bst4lb (M. Angus) 3 Mr W. Holmes’ br g Playboy, 4 yrs, 7st 71b (S. Stringer) 0 Mr J. Sullivan’s b g Dick, aged, 7st 121 b (T. Cahill) 0 Betting—2 to 1 agst Swindler ; 3 to 1 agst Baron. In this event nearly every rider declared overweight. After several breaks away, in which the colors of Swindler were conspicuous, Mr Orton sent them away to a flying start, of which Swindler, on inside, had a long way the best. The black led his field by several lengths for the first quarter of a mile, when the lot closed save Dick. Passing the stand Mealy Nose was in charge of affairs, with Swindler and Baron as his immediate attendants. Dick and Playboy were already outpaced, and the latter was not persevered with. At the back of the course Swindler led Mealy Nose to the turn, where the mare, getting on terms with him the two raced home together. The mare, however, was being ridden all the way, and the Hurdle race winner won pretty easily by three-quarters of a length Baron a bad third. Handicap Back, for district horses only;

1| miles. First horse, saddle and bridle, given by J. Gebbie, Esq., and J. Ferguson, Esq. Mr G. Smith’s blk g Swindler, 6 yrs, lOst 101 b (Sheenan) 1 j Mr I Bradley’s br in Mealy Nose. 4 yrs, i Bst 71b (S. Bradley) 2 Mr O. Brad ey’a br m Young Mouse, 6 yrs, 10st (2at over weigut) ... ... (Owner) 3 Mr J. Gebbie’a b m Lilly, 4 yn, 9st lib (A. Shadbolt) 0 Mr Holmes’ b g Reindeer, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b (Stranger) 0

Betting—3 to I agst Swindler and Lilly. After some delay at the start, Swindler again jumped off in front of his opponents, and led to the first turn where Mealy Nose_ took the lead, closely attended by Swindler, Lilly, and Young Mou-e. At the turn past the stand Reindeer, who had been lying last, ran off the course, and Lilly, swerving badly at the same place, lost a good deal of ground. At the back of the course Swindler again took up the running, followed by Young Mouse and Lilly. About half-a-mile from home the mare slipped up, putting her fetlock out, and the top weight won, hard held, in a canter from Mealy Nose, Young Mouse a bad third. Consolation Race, £ mile, for all beaten horses. First horse, £5 ; second, save stakes. Won easily by Young Mouse, beating three others. A Maori Race brought very pleasant little meeting to a close, a meeting wnich we hope will be the precursor of many others.