SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2140, 4 January 1881, Page 3

SPORTING.

AUCKLAND EAGING CLUB. [PBBSS ASSOCIATION TBIBGBAM.] AUCKLAND, January 3. There wag a moderate attendance at the races to-day. Makes Produce Stakes, ICO sots. One mile and a quarter. Captain Walmsly’s Moonstone ... 1 Mr Walters’ Kosarina 2 Mr A. Bnckland’a Prince Charlie ... _3 Mr Walters’ filly made play with the inside running. Prince Charley made • his usual brilliant attempt along the straight and then died out. Bosarina led by a length into the cutting, when Moonstone challenged her, and a good race followed. Moonstone came up very strong at the finish, and won by half a length.

Auckland Plate, 150 aovs. Two miloa, Mr A. Macdonald’s Foul Play ... 1 Mr Edgar’s Ariel _ 2 Mr Leonard’s Kenilworth

Ariel cut out the running from the post, and made tho pace too fast for Kenilworth. The latter showed signs of distress within a mile of the required distance. It was a_ close race with the other two. Ariel was ridden throughout, but Foul Play galloped nicely within himself and won as ho liked.

Handicap Steeplechase, 150 sovs. Three miles and a half; over fair hunting country. Mr Butler’s Agent X Mr Rutherford’s Sportsman ... 2 Mr Russell’s Ghost 3 Lone Hand, Don Juan, Jack Shepherd, and Mignionette, also started. On the signal being given Jack Shepherd and the Ghost went to the front, and crossed the double jump in front of the stand, slightly in advance of the field. Lone Hand with the middle position, was the only horse to baulk, causing a howl of disappointment from his backers. Lone Hand refused everything, and was walked in, to the disgust of his numerous backers. Crossing the road towards Crowther’s, the Agent was slightly in advance of Sportsman. All the jumps were taken in excellent form by both horses. The last hurdle in the straight was taken by Agent half a length in front of Sportsman, An exciting struggle up the straight on the part of Sportsman made no difference in the position of the horses. Time —llmin 18iec. Stewards’ Handicap, 100 sovs. One mile

and a distance. Mr Walters’ Libeller 1 Mr McDonald’s Foul Play 2 Mr Walters’ Billingsgate 3 This was the great event of the day, and was understood to be a groat trial between the best of Mr Walters’ stable and the great crack of the South, Foul Play. Mr Walters had in the race Billingsgate and Libeller, and declared to win with the former, but could not accomplish it. Betting—2 to lon Billingsgate, 4to 1 agst Foul Play, 4 to 1 agst Libeller, 5 to 1 agst Yatapa. The race was looked upon as a certainty for Billingsgate, but Foul Play had many friends, and was well backed. As tho result proved, it was lucky for Mr Walters that he had two in his string, for without Libeller he could never have landed the stake. A good start was effected after repeated trials, Billingsgate making fast running up to the distance post,, without being able to head Foul Play. Hero Billingsgate was spent, but Libeller took up the cudgels and raced Foul Play homo, winning by a length, with his stable companion a good third.—Time —2min. 4eec. _

Consolation Handicap of 40 sovs. One mile.

Lonehand 1 Ratcatcher ... 2 Vampire, Vortex, Maid o! Honor, and Slander filly also ran. An unpleasant feeling prevails as to the genuineness with which Matthews rode Foul Play in the Grand Stand Handicap, and the feeling shared by Mr McDonald, the owner of the horse, who had backed hitn to win a good round sum. So strong was his feeling that ho discharged Matthews on tho spot, and it is understood that he will ask the stewards to inquire into his conduct. Matthews repudiates the charge, and also demands an inquiry. Tho inquiry will be heard to-morrow. Mr McDonald has challenged Mr Walters to run the horse* over tho same course for £SOO aside, A deposit has been made, but the race is not likely to come off.