SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1795, 21 November 1879, Page 4

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON SPRING- MEETING. Eibst Day—Wednesday, Novembbb 19th. Stewards— Messrs E. Saunders, Hay T. Smith, H. T. Winter, B. S. Coster. M. Stitt, R. Friedlander, J. Carter, J. Hunt, N. McLean, Dr. Rosa ; judge, Mr M. Stitt; treasurer, Mr E, Saunders ; clerk of the course, Mr 8. Saunders; clerk of the scales, Mr E. F. Wright; hnndioappers. Messrs H. P. Lance and N. McLean; starter, Mr N. McLean : secretary, Mr J. Wilkie. The day was not quite all that could he desired, heavy clouds hanging about, but luckily the rain kept off till the afternoon. Tho attendance was very large ; greater than on any previous one, and the various enterprising sportsmen who paid small fees to have the right to run their various shows were very well patronised. Since last year the committee have spent about £llo_ in improving tho course, which is situated in a reserve of no less than 146 acres. The grass, owing to the dryness of last autumn, came up rather badly, and the course had to be hand raked, stones being rather numerous in the locality. Tho committee intend this year to improve the course, and also, if possible, to form a good atceplechaao course and a training ground, and also to enlarge the grand stand to four times its present size, to allow of a good luncheon booth underneath; and as the meeting financially is even a greater success than lasi year, there is a good prospect of these improvements being effected. That there is a necessity for them was well proved yesterday, when many of the ladies on the grand stand would have been only glad, during the showers, to seek tho friendly shelter of a luncheon booth, or in fact any other shelter. The tctalisator was on the ground, for the first time in New Zealand. Messrs Lea, Leo, Murray and Co. were its possessors, and were well patronised. They argue that they give better odds than the bookmakers. Those backing the winner receive a share of total amount deposited, 10 per cent being deducted, and if the winner is not backed depositors receive their money back less 10 per cent. About 2 30 p m. the rain came down heavily and many ladies left the course, but the love of sport kept the sterner sex on the ground to a man. The committee room, which is also used for weighing, is far too small, and no doubt its enlargement will bo one of the improvements effected by the committee. Sports commenced with the Handicap Hurdle Race, for which only two horses put in an appearance, and both visitors, viz., To Whetu and Robin Hood. There was no betting whatever on the event, except privately, and in that Te Whetu was the most fancied, a confidence which he justified by winning with something to spare. For the County Hurdle Race three saddled up, viz., Raven, Lone Hand, and Johnny. There was no betting, but the Raven had a following from his performances, who invested their money at the post on him. Lone Hand, who had the experienced pilotage of Fred. Hedge over the country, had some friends. The Raven had to carry any amount of dead weight, as his rider, Nicholas, could not draw the weight. Lone Hand made the running, but at the third hurdle he baulked, and was out of tho hunt, and allowed Johnny to get in, who won by a couple of lengths from the Raven. A protest against the winner was entered on tho ground of his not being a district horse, but was disallowed. The Cup resulted in a match between Lara and Numa, who were the only two to cry content to the fiat of the handicapper. The race was a good one throughout, and ended in a very close finish, tho Wellington and Auckland Cup winner adding yet another to his victories. The Ladies’ Purse brought out a field of six, and was cleverly won by Orange Peel, who ran a game horse throughout, Tam O’Shanter running second, and Billy Buttons third. These two races were run in a perfect downpour of rain, which had the effect of inducing spectators to seek shelter wherever it was to be found. Appended are the results of the day’s racing. Handicap Hurdle Race of 40 soys.; over eight flights of hurdles 3ft. 6in.; distance 2 miles. Mr P. Butler’s ch g Te Whetu, aged, lOat 71bs (A. Lyford) 1 Mr J. Luan’s b s Robin Hood, aged, 10st (W. Clifford) 2 Mr McLean got the pair away to a very good start, Robin being the first to show in front, and crossing the first hurdle about three lengths in advance of the Maori horse. This lead he held until the back of the course was reached the second time, when Te Whetu went up and challenged Robin Hood. The Maori horse got a bit tho heat of it, and at the turn came with the lead, Robin about half a length, in rear. They came down the straight at a good pace, but at the last hurdle Te Whetu drew away and won comfortably by about four lengths, Robin Hood not being persevered with. County Hubble Race Handicap, of 25 sova. ; over six flights .of hurdles 3ft 6in. ; one mile and a-half. District horses only. Mr Primmer’a b g Johnny, lOst 101 b (S. Osborne) 1 Mr P. Husband’s hr g Raven, aged, Hat 121 b (Nicholas) 2 Mr Dawson’s b g Lone Hand, aged, list 21b (F. Hedge) 0 A very good start was effected, Lone Hand being the first to show in front, with Raven second, and Johnny third. In this order they crossed the first hurdle opposite the stand. At the second hurdle Johnny baulked and went off the course, but was soon pulled on again by Sam Osborne, who rode him well. Raven then assumed charge of affairs, with Lone Hand close up. At the third hurdle Lone Hand baulked, and Johnny went to tho front. Sammy Osborne, who bud been hunting Johnny along, came into the running, and led, with Raven close up. At the turn tho Raven made his effort, but, despite tho fact that he was under tho whip all down the straight, tho Raven was unable to get within two lengths of Johnny, who won comfortably, Lone Hand five lengths in rear.

A protest was entered against the winner by the owner of the Haven on the ground thai he was not a district horse. Maiden Plate of 20 sova.; distance, 11 miles; weight for age ; district horses only, that have not won an advertised race. Mr M. Friedlander’s ch £ Dagrid, 3 yra, 7st 71b, carried 7st 101 b (Ward) 1 Mr H. Primmers’s ch m Ada, aged, 9st 71b (W. Clifford) 2 Mr M. Friedlander’s ch m Cassandra, 4 yrs. Set 121 b (Owner) 3 Mr H. A. Anderson’s g g Tam O’Shanter, 6 yrs, 9st 71b (Lawson) 0 Mr F. Etandish’a br g Longheach, 5 yrs, 9st 41b (K. Derrett) 0 Sir Roger and Tim Flaherty were scratched. Betting—2 to 1 against Longheach, 2to 1 against Cassandra, 4 to 1 Tam o’ Shanter. A fair start was effected. Ada and Dagrid were the. quickest on their legs, with Tam o’ Shanter close up, Cassandra and Longheach bringing up the rear. In this order they ran to the turn, when Tam o’ Shanter assumed the lead by two lengths with Dagrid second, and Ada third, just before reaching the winning post, Tam o’ Shanter, who hud the lead, and looked like winning all over, bolted into the crowd and let Dagrid in, who won comfortably from Ada by two lengths, Cassandra finishing third. The rest scattered. The stewards met after this race to consider the protest against Johnny in the County Hurdle Race, and after hearing evidence, the stewards decided that the protest should be dismissed as frivolous, and the deposit of £2 2a forfeited.

Ashburton Cup of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstake of 5 sovs [for acceptors ; distance 2 miles. Messrs Mason and Vallanee’s b hlara, aged.

9st ... (Nolan) 1 Hon. W. Robinson’s b g Numa, aged (Ward) 2

Mr McLean sent the pair away to a good atart, Numa, who was full of iunmng, being the first to steer in front. He led past the stand tho first time, Lara hard held, and they went in this order to the back of the course. Here Nolan called on Lara a bit, and ho got on terms with Numa. They raced together to the turn into the straight, where a good aet-to between tho pair took place, each doing their best. Lara, however, stayed tho longest, and won a capital race by a short half length. Ladies’ Purse of 25 eovs ; district horses only ; welter weights for ago ; gentlemen riders, who must bo members of tho Ashburton Racing Club; 1J miles. Mr T. McCausland’s b g.Orange Peel, 4 yrs, llatSlh (Mr Boll) 1 Mr H. A. Anderson’s g g Tam o’ Shanter, 6 yrs, 12st 41b (Mr Carter) 2 Mr C. C. Fook’a g g Billy Buttons, aged, 12at 41b (MrJ.Lunn) 3 Mr T. Husband’s b g Haven, aged, 12st 41b (Owner) 0

Mr J. J. Dawson’s b g Lone Hand, aged. 12st41b (Ownei) 0 Mr F. Standish’s b g Longhcach, 5 yrs, list 71b (carried list 10lb) ... (Mr Hay) 0 Tim Flaherty was scratched. After a little delay, Mr McLean despatched the lot to a good start. Orange Peel at once rushed to the front, with the Haven, Lone Hand, and Tam O’Shanter close up, Billy Buttons and Longbeaoh forming the rear division. After passing the stand, Tam O’Shanter came into second place, with Billy Buttons third, the rest out of it. It was soon seen that the race lay between the two, and at the turn Tam O’Shanter made his effort, but died away, Orange Peel, who was full of running, winning by two lengths from Tam O’Shanler, Billy Buttons third, tho rest scattered.

Farmers’ Plate of 10 sovs.; for horses tho bona fide property of owners residing within the County of Ashburton; no weight under 12 stone; distance, one mile and ahalf; entrance, 1 eov. Mr MeCuusland’s Orange Peel, C yrs, 12st 41b (Owner) 1 Mr Herrick’s Merlin, aged (Smith) 2 Mr Primmer’s Johnny, aged 3 Mr Dawson’s Lone Hand was scratched. There was a good start ; Orange Peel cut out tho running, Merlin pressing him the last half mile, but being unable to pass him, Mr MeCausland’s horse scoring another win by a length from Merlin, Johnny nowhere, "With respect to the Ladies' Purse a protest was entered against Orange Peel on the ground that he was entered as a four instead of a six year old. Mr Stiff proposed, and Mr E. Saunders seconded —“ That the case be referred to the Canterbury Jockey Club." It may be remarked that, though, owing to an error, Orange Pool was entered as a four year old, ho carried the full weight of 12st 41b. For tho hack race there were eight entries. Mr Grant’s Steamsr was the favorite, and justified his backers by winning pretty easily, Mr McOausland’s Creeping Jenny being second. After the Farmers' Plate the owner of Merlin laid a complaint against a Mr Baker on tho ground that he crossed tho post in front of one of the winning horses, viz., Merlin. Afer hearing evidence, tho committee fined Mr Baker £2.

Second Day— Thursday, November 20. The day was glorious, the weather being all that could possibly be desired, and the result was a much larger attendance, particularly of ladies. For tho County Steeplechase all six started, Ada being most fancied, and justifying her backers by winning a very pretty race in good stylo, being excellently piloted by Pat McCoy. For the Racing Club Handicap, Lira and Numa were the only entries, and the former from Wednesday’s performance was the favorite. Numa, however, got a good lead, and won by half a length, though Lara pressed him bard at tho finish. Only three out of the seven on the card started for the Tradesman’s Handicap, Raven and Lonchand having had enough of it in the County Steeplechase. Orange Peel, who took first prize at the show and so distinguished himself yesterday, was made tho favorite, and the handsome sen of Diomedes won very easily from Merlin and Cassandra. For the Forced Handicap for winning horses only, Te Whetu and Dagrid were the only acceptors. In the preliminary canter Dagrid threw his rider and bolted to town, so the race had to be postponed till after the Consolation. For tho Forced Handicap To Whetu and Dagrid only faced the starter. The latter bolted in the preliminary, and threw his jockey, but the boy was not hurt, and was soon ready to mount again. Dagrid, who had made an excursion to town, having been brought up again. Te Whetu carried nearly all the public money, and won very easily. The Consolation was a walk over for Mr J. Lunn’s Robin Hood, and the Hack race was a win for Mr McOausland’s Creeping Jenny, Steamer second, Flirt third. The races wore well contested, and the meeting a most successful one in every way, a considerable balance having resulted in favor of tho club.

County Steeplechase of 30 sovs., over about two miles of fair hunting country, including a double jump in front of the Grand Stand; weight for age ; for district horses only; entrance, 2 sova. Mr H. Primmer’s b m Ada, aged, 12st 41b (A, Lyford) 1 Mr J. Dawson’s Lone Hand, aged, 12at 41b (Hedge) 2 Mr P. Husband’s hr g Raven, hged, 12at 41b (P. McCoy) 3 Mr C. C. Fooks’ g g Billy Buttons, aged, 12st 41b (Woods) 0 Mr H. Primmer's b g Johnny, aged, 12st 41b (Owner) 0 Mr M. Friedlander's g g Outside, aged, 12st 41b - (Owner) 0 AH the lot on the card weighed out, and a good race was anticipated, Ada being slightly the favorite. Tho start was rather an indifferent one, Ada and Lone Hand having the best of it. Ada led over the double opposite the Stand, but Lone Hand was in close attendance, and the others were coming up fast, all getting over safely. The next hurdle however witnessed the fall of Johnny, who hurt his owner, Mr Primmer, who was riding him, but luckily not seriously. Outside also, •who was piloted by Mr M. Friedlander, his owner, cleared off tho course, and was out of it. The other four kept pretty close to the back of the course, where Billy Buttons threw his rider, and soon after Raven, who had been running gamely, thowed he had had enough, and a splendid race ensued between Lone Hand and Ada, both jumping the last hurdle together. The mare, however, had most foot, and won by a length from Lone Hand, Raven third. A protest was lodged by Mr Dawson against Ada, on the ground that she was not a district horse.

Racing Club Handicap of 40 sovs, added to a sweep of 3 sovs for acceptors ; If miles; open ; nomination, 2 sovs. Mr P. Butler’s b g Numa, aged, 7st 31b (Nolan) 1 Messrs Mason and Yallance’s b h Lara, aged, 9at (Clifford) 2 Numa declared Bflb over weight. Lara started with a slight lead, but Numa came up up passed the stand a length ahead, and improved his distance to the back of the course. Here Lara began to come, and pressed Mr Butler’s gelding hard, but could not succeed in passing him, Numa winning a very fast race by half a length. The protest against Ada in the County Steeplechase was not sustained, Ada being clearly proved to be Mr Primmer’s horse. Tradesmen’s Handicap of 20 sovs ; for district horses only ; If miles; nomination, 1 sov; acceptance, 1 sov. Mr P, McCausland’s b g Orange Peel, 6 yrs, lOst 91b (Bell) 1 Mr Herrick’s b g Merlin, aged, 9st 11b (Smith) 2 Mr M. Friedlander’s ch m Cassadra, 4 yrs, 9at 41b (Derritt) 3 Tam O’Shantor, Raven, Lone Hand, and Tim Flaherty were scratched. Betting—2 to lon Orange Peel. Orange Peel was the public’s favorite from his previous performances. The start was a good one, Orange Peel leading first time past the stand, Merlin in close attendance, Cassandra last. At the back of the course, Cassandra made her effort and came up to the leading horses but speedily died away and was out of it. When they came into the straight. Merlin was under the whip, and responded, but could not catch the handsome son of Diomedes, who won by a length and a half hard held. A protest was lodged against Orange Peel, on the ground that he was nominated as a four instead of a six-year old. The protest, like the foremer, was referred to the Canterbury Jockey Club. Orange Peel carried his full weight us a sixyear old. Forced Handicap 7of _ 15 sovs.; for all winning horses at this meeting; entrance 2 sovs.; If miles. Mr P. Butler’s Te Whetu, 9st (Derritt) 1 Mr SI. Friedlandor’s Dagrid, 7st (Tilley) 2 Dagrid led to the back of the course, where Te Whetu, who had been kept back by Derrett, passed him and led to the finish, winning as he liked by two lengths, hard hold. Consolation Handicap of 15 sovs., for beaten horses. Mr Lunu’a Eobiu Hood ... ... w.o. Hack Race, of 15 sovs. Mr McCausland’s Creeping Jenny ... ... 1 Mr Grant’s Steimer ... ... ... ... 2 Flirt 3 Steamer led to the back of the course, when Creeping Jenny came through her horses, winning pretty easily.