SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1657, 12 June 1879, Page 2

SPORTING.

WAIMATE STEEPLECHASES. TIMASU, June Stewards—Hon. E. Campbell, Mr Donald M'Lean, Mr E. M'Owen, Mr Studholme, Mr N. Fleming, Mr Shorwin. Mr A. Turnbull, Mr G. Lovegrove, Mr J. Doolcj. Judge—Mr M. Studholme. Handicappcrs —Messrs M. Studholme and M. Sherwin. Starter—Mr G. Lovegrove. Clerk of Scales—Mr M. Myttou. Clerk of Course Mr G. R. Freeman. The Waimata Steeplechases took place to-day, and were attended by about 400 people. Many more would bavo been present but for the Supremo Court sitting at Timaru. The weather wa-i cloudy, and the -dr sharp and bracing, while the course which took in gorse, ditch, and bank, post and rail fences, and a stiff water jump over a creek, was in capital order. Rowdyism was the order of the day, fights occurring several times, and assuming in one instance the appearance of a faction row. The run in was situated on the side of a hill which sloped away towards the fields below. It was altogether the most primitive place for a race meeting to behold on, flax bushes,stones, and watercourses predominating. The racicg, with the exception of the Maiden, was very good, some grand fencing being shown. For a considerable distance before reaching the waterjump, the field had to zig-zag amongst high flax bashes, and it was a source of mystery how the horses ever kept pace enough to take the water. One or two spdte took place, but with uo serious result. In the Consolation race Keith’s Sunrise fell over a stiff fence and broke his back. Ho was shot at once. The course, instead of being nt Willow’ bridge, as in previous years, was on this occasion chosen in Mr Studholmo’s paddocks, lying at the foot of the hills directly at the back of the town. The following are the results of the different events Waimatk Steeplechase Handicap of .£ICO, with a sweep of 5 sovs. ; second horse to receive 15 sovs out of stake. Nomination, 2 sovs. ; acceptance, 2 sovs. Distance, 3 miles. Mr P. Butler’s The Agent, 12st 71b (Hankins) 1 Mr P. MurtaglTs Harkaway, lOst 31b (Owner) Mr C. Goodman’s Ivanhoe, 10at 121 b ... 3 Loch Lomond, Loyalty, Lonehand, The Lad, Sunrise, and Pakeha also ran. At the fall of the flag Sunrise took the lead closely followed by The Agent and Harkaway, the rest in a cluster behind. After the second jump The Agent ran into first place, all tin others refusing the next fence but him. Hall way round The Agent was still ahead, Sunriit going hard second. On coming to the fin jump after passing the stand The Agent refuse! and Sunrise sailed over it, taking first piece again. Coming to the double jump, which he had next to negotiate, Sunrise threw his riter, and The Agent then had it all his own way, never refusing another jump. Harkaway c-.me in twelve lengths behind, second, and Ivanboe the same distance behind the second borseBoth the latter ran very gamely throne bunt* but there was no collaring the old horse, who wiw a strong favourite,

Maiden Plate of .£SO; entrance, J 3 5; weight for age ; second horse to save his stakes; distance, 2 miles. Mr Lyford’s Silvevstream (Lyford) 1 Mr Culling’s Naomi ... (Armstrong) 2 Mr Murtagh’s Black Prince ... (Owner) 3 This was a gift to Silvorstroam, as he was not only the only horse who took the water jump the first time, but he completed the whole round, and actually cleared the water jump tho second time before the others got over once. A good race round took place between Naomi and Black Prince for second honors, bat by the latter baulking a sod fence, Naomi obtained a strong enough lead to land him an easy second. Waimate Steeplechase Cup of i!75 ; entrance, .£5; second horse to save his stake. Distance, 2i miles. Mr Butler’s Agent (Hankins) 1 Mr Calling’s Naomi (Armstrong) 2 Mr Muir’s Lonehand (Hedge) 3 Loch Lomond also started. The Agent went to the front at first with Loch Lomond, and the others close up. All four took the first double fence without hesitation, and no change in position took place until tho water jump, half a mile distant, was reached. All baulked this but Loneband, who crossed it in company with Tho Agent, the latter facing it at the second trial. Coming past the stand The Agent had again a strong lead, Lonehand second, Naomi a good third, Lomond having stuck at the water jump. During the next round, with the exception of Lonehand baulking at the sod fence and giving Naomi second place, all the jumps were taken with little difficulty, The Agent again coming in an easy winner amidst loud cheers. Consolation Steeplechase Handicap of £lO. Nomination, _ 2 sovs ; acceptance, 1 sov. Distance, 2 miles. Mr Ivor’s Loch Lomond... ... (Owner) 1 Mr Maitland's Loyalty ... (Armstrong) Mr Goodman’s Ivanhoe (Joyce) Harkaway, Sunrise, The Lad, and Pakeha also started. Pakeha was the first to cut out the running, but ho baulked at the water jump, and was never afterwards in it. Ivanhoe supplanted him, but was in turn headed by Loch Lomond and Loyalty, and tho race then became uninteresting, no change or hard racing taking place. Sunrise fell over the sod fence and broke his back, but his jockey got off unhurt. The steeplechase horse Cherry, belonging to Mr Potter, of Waimate, which was to have run at the meeting, fell while out practising on the ploughed ground and broke his neck. The rider escaped unhurt.