SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2199, 14 March 1881, Page 3

SPORTING.

HURUNUI RACES. -Judge—Mr J. D. Lance; starter, Mr J. Hurse ; clerk of tho scales, Mr R. Foster; hon. secretary ond treasurer, Mr W. Thomson ; stewards, Messrs Lance, Crossley, Mcßae, Thomson and Rutherford. A better day’s racing than that of Friday last has not boon enjoyed by those who visited the course since tho lost year. The fields wore

large, and the rocing stock was bound to be of a superior sort to carry to the post successfully the heavy weights put upon them. The town visitors, who of course had to start away by an early train, and were conveyed from Amberloy to the course in two coaches put on by Mr Holder, considered the outing a most enjoyable one, and were made very welcome by the gentlemen managing the events. Upon the course, which is a portion of the sheep reserve, all tho arrangements possible to facilitate the racing, as well as protect the safety of the visitors, had been mode. Within the saddling paddock a tent for Mr Reg. Foster’s convenienco at the scales had been erected. The judge found a capital chair placed for him in a station waggon. There was the usual attendance of itinerant vendors of fancy wares, tho pastry man, and not least the portly publican, who was represented by Mr Cooper, of tho Wcka Pass Hotel, whose supplies of various liquids were well patronised. A detachment of the armed constabulary force under Sergeant Scott assisted when necessary to clear tho course, but as good order and sobriety prevailed their services were only otherwise required as a check. Splendid weather favored the day’s operations, and after the long spell of dry weather it was fortunate the wind did not get up, or the dust must have been blinding. Sport commenced over the flights, with six to go. Young Diomedes, who looked very pink, was sent for it, while The Lad, Cyclops and Hope, made it a very warm race. In the last quarter of a mile Diomedes, apparently pumped by over pressure at the start, was passed by Hope, and after an exciting spurt on the flat the latter won by a length. The District race was supposed to be between Prairie, Montrose and Jumper, the . former haying tho preference, but as the result proved the game Montrose was able to hold his own and two lengths to spare. Polly Plum ran well in this event. Great expectations centred in the race of tho day—the Cup —eight facing tho starter, who, after some fiddling on the part of the jockeys sent them away to a splendid start. Maid of Honor, Waikari and Btrike-a-Light, were looked upon os favorites by the local residents, while those who knew Don Juan’s performances preferred to put their trust in him. The race was a capital one between Waikari and Don Juan in the last half and up tho straight, the latter only winning by a halt length. The time of this event was slow, owing to the heavy weights. Oreawell, on tho winner, came in with a broken saddle-tree, and a stirrup gone. Bight more met the starter for the Waitohi Plate, for which Montrose, after his last race, was the favorite, and for once the popular horse did win; Jumper second. Kamptulioan ran gamely, but was outpaced by Montrose. A second district race was won by |Moid of Honor, Messenger a good second, and Strike-a-Light in attendance. The Ladies’ Purse fell to The Lad, who was hard run by Nobby, and only had the race by keeping the inside place. Polly Plum run a good third. The officers of the races, particularly Mr. Thomson, hon. sec, were well to the fore. The winning post bore a crape band on it, placed there by one of tho laborers as a mark of respect to the late lamented gentleman who hue for years discharged the duties of judge. HURDLE Racb of 15 boys ; second horse, _2 sova. Distance, about li miles, over six flights ; weight, not under 12st 71b. Mr T. Green’s oh g Hope ... (Green) 1 Mr E. Murfit’s blk h Young Diomedes (S. Murfit) 2

Mr D. Euthorford’s oh g Tho Lad (0. Thomson) 3 Mr J. Wethered’s r g Jack, Mr W. Thomson’s hr o Cyclops (late Walker), and Mr F. Hodge she Young Barbarian also ran. Young Diomedes went off with tho lead, with The Lad and Young Barbarian well up. At the third hurdle Hope came on, and Barbarian, running round, was out of it. In the last half-mile Hope came to the front, and won a smart race by a length. District Race of 5 boys ; second horse, 1 sov. Distance, j-mile; weight, not under 10st. „ , Mr T. Green’s ch h Montrose ... (Green) 1 Mr P. Jones’ b g Jumper ... (Sheridan) 2 Mr G. James’ g m Polly Plnm 3 Mr J. Little’s ch m Nell, Mr J. Fraser’s b m Thistletop, Mr W- Davidson’s blk g Moonlight, Mr B. Johnston’s b m Bock, and Mr Q. Mcßae's b m Prairie aho ran. This was a most exciting scamper, and it was difficult to decide how the horses ran, owing to the clouds of dust which they raised. Montrose was a winner by two lengths. Hurunui Cdp of 20 sovs; second horse, 2 sovs. Distance, 2 miles; weight, not under 12st. „ Mr E. Darritt’s br g Don Juan (Cresswell) 1 Mr J. Hood’s br g Waikari (R- Parsons) 2 Mr J. H. Evans’ h m Maid of Honor (H. Murfit) 3 Mr T. McNanght’s Bob-in, Mr A. Blundell’s b g Messenger, Mr Q. Gordon’s hr g Strike-a-Light, Mr F. Hodge’s Young Barbarian, and Mr D. Rutherford’s hr g Magic also went. At tho word to go Strike-a-Light made a rush forward, but was not able to hold on, Maid of Honor lying up second, and Waikari, one of the favorites, third, and running strong. At the back Waikari wont to the front, when Maid of Honor came up and Erotnisod to bo a winner. The two raced ord together, when Don Juan, who had kept in the cluster, at the last three-quarters came on with a rush, and taking up Waikari, which had left the Maid, a fine race for home ensued, Don Juan winning by half a length, Waikari second, and Maid of Honor a capital third. District Eace of 10 sovs ; second horse, 1 sov ; distance, J mile; weight, not under list 71b. Mr T. Green’s ch h Montrose ... (Green) 1 Mr Jones’ g m Jumper ... ... 2 Mr Mcßae’s b m Prairie, Mr E. Corbett’s Eamptnlican, Mr James McParlane’s Midge, Mr Mood’s Tim Whiffler, Mr James’ Polly Plum, Mr Carder’s Nina. This race resulted in a win for the horse easily, Jumper a close second. Kamptulioan, who was looked on as a probable winner, did not make the running as anticipated. Waitohi Plate of 10 sovs ; second horse, X sov; distance, 11 miles; welter weight for ago. Mr J. H. Evons’ b m Maid of Honor (E. Parsons) 1 Mr A, Blundell’s b g Messenger (Ljford/ 2 Mr Q. Gordon’s b g Strike-a-Light ... 3 Mr Green’s Hope, Mr Thomson’s Cyclops, Mr Sheenou’s Kosciusko, Mr E. Wilson’s Gipsy. The Maid had the race in hand all tho way. Kosciusko and Messenger made a close race of it till coming to tho straight, when the former gave way and let Messenger win. Strike-e-Light kept u prominent position in the cluster. District Race of 5 bots ; second horse, 1 sov; distance, one mile ; weight not under 10st. Mr Rutherford’s The Lad ... (O. Thomson) 1 Mr J. D. Lance's Nobby ... (F. Lance) 5 Mr Jones’ Polly Plnm ... (H. Lance) 1 Montrose, Tim Whiffler, Midge, Jack, Moon' light and Jumper also ran. A smart gallop took place between tho laal three, especially in the finish between Thi Lad and Nobby. Ladies’ Purse of 10 sovs; second horse, 1 sov gentlemen riders ; weight, list 71b. Mr Rutherford’s Tho Lad tO Thomson) Mr Derritt’s Don Juan ... ... ... 1 Mr Murfit’s Young Diomedes I Five started, and a very good race was thi result, all tho horses keeping well togethe till the finish. Consolation Race, 5 sovs ; one mile. Mr Lance’s Nobby ... ... (F. Lanoe) Mr Gordon’s Striko-a'Light ... A match took place on the course after wards between Polly Plum and Tim Whifflei which resulted in favor of the former. Nex day, a match took place between Polly Plur and Moonlight, which also was won b, Polly.