SOUTH CANTERBURY RACES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2238, 30 April 1881, Page 3

SOUTH CANTERBURY RACES.

[rUESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] TIMARU, April 29. The weather to-day was miserable. A driving sleet from the eastward prevailed until late in the afternoon, making the course very heavy, and seriously militating against the attendance, which proved very poor. In several instances the mist and sleet were so dense that it was quite impossible to watch the horses at the back of the course. South Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap of 100 sovs, with a sweepstake of 5 sovs for acceptors; amount accruing from the sweepstakes to go to tho second horse. Distance, miles. The winner of the Timaru Cup to carry 71bs penalty. Mr P. Butler’s Luna, 6st lib ... (Butler) 1 Mr G. McLean’s Lady Emma, 7st 31b (Allen) 2 Mr H. Horsford’s The Joker, Gst 11b (Rosewarne) 3

Mr H. P. Lance’s Natator, Mr R. H. Vallance’s Randwick, Mr Walters* Libeller, Mr Prince’s Hilarious and Sir Garnet, and Mr Bates’ The Poet also started. Billingsgate was tho only horse scratched. Poet was declared 91h, The Joker 121 b, and Sir Garnet overweight. Betting—s to 2 agst Natator and Lady Emma, 4 to 1 Luna, 5 to 1 Randwick and Libeller, 10 to 1 any other.

The flag fell to a grand start, the whole nine springing to the signal. On passing the stand Randwick was in front, with Joker, Luna, and Lady Emma close up, all the others in a string. Poet bringing up the roar. At the turn Joker ran into first place, the others in a cluster. Despite the heavy state of the ground tho pace was a rattling one, and at the back of tbe course Luna cut out the running, with Lady Emma doing her best. The Joker a good third, and Natator fourth, tho others a few lengths behind. A grand struggle then ensued between Luna and Lady Emma, but coming down the straight the former easily distanced the filly and won by two lengths. The Joker and Randwick came in some six lengths behind. Some very severe punishing was done towards the close of the race, but before reaching the rails it became evident that this was useless, and that the race was settled. Luna’s victory was hailed with vociferous cheering. Time—2min. 48sec. There was £195 in the totalisator, thirty shares being on tho winner. Handicap Hurdle Race of 80 sovs ; distance about 2£ miles, over eight flights of hurdles ; second horse to receive £lO out of the stakes. Mr T. Lyford’s Winfield, aged, 9sc ... (Lyford) 1 Mr J. Poster’s Sailor Boy, aged, list... (Pool) 2 Mr P. Butler’s Agent, aged, 12st ... (Lunn) 3 Mr John Dooley's Milo also started. Clarence was scratched. Betting—3 to 1 bar 1. The flag fell to a good start. Sailor Boy getting the best of it, with Milo second. Agent third, and Winfield fourth. Sailor Boy held his lead round to the back of tbe course. Before coming into the straight Agent had run into second place, but the hurdle in front of the stand was first taken by Winfield,while the other three, who were close up, could, while rising to it, have been covered with a blanket. Sailor Boy appeared to be hard held round the turn. By the time that the next hurdle was reached the four were running abreast, and it was impossible to tell which negotiated it first. Sailor Boy, however, shortly afterwards was again visible in the front. Agent and Winfield being close upon his heels, and Milo lying a few lengths in tho rear. Winfield then rushed to the front, and, coming into the straight, rapidly increased his lead, winning easily by six lengths over Sailor Boy, Agent being a poor third, and Milo nowhere, smin. 52sccs. £132 was in the totalisator, eleven shares being on the winner. This boil over created great excitement, and Winfield received quite an ovation on returning to the saddling paddock. Selling Hack Hurdle Race of 20 sovs ; 11 miles.

Mr Kelly’s Johnny (Nioholls) 1 Mr Masefield's Parnell ... (Mr Tosswill) 2 Mr W. Bnrgoss’Baron (Joyce) 3 Johnny had the worst of the race at first, bnt eventually won easily. Wihteh Oats Hasxiicap of 50 sots. Distance, 1;

mile*. Mr 11. Horsford’s The Joker, 5 yrs, 6st 71h (Allen) 1 Mr \V. Walters’Billingsgate, 3 yrs ... (Bntler) 2 Mr G. Bates’Hilda, 1 yrs, 9st ... (Wattle) 3 Out of nineteen nominations the above three were the only acceptors. Betting—2 to 1 on the field. On the fall of the flag The Joker and Billingsgate went away in close company, Hilda refusing to budge until her companions had covered some distance. At the back of the course The Joker cut out the running and led by two lengths, Hilda being all behind. As the turn was approached Billingsgate closed up to the leader, bnt it soon became evident that his weight, combined with the heavy ground, was too much for him, and he had to give way, the race resulting in Joker being landed a winner by twenty lengths. Hilda was a poor third.

Time—2rain 24sec. There were 205 tickets in the totalisator, 42 being on the winner. . Consolation Handicap of 30 aovs; post entries 1 sov; distance, 1 mile. . - Mr Geo. Bates’ The Poet, 7st 81bs ... (Butler) 1 Mr J, Chaafc’s Nautilus, 3yrs, 7st 101 b, (Thompson) 2 Mr W. Walters’ Billingsgate (Wattie) 3 Betting— 3 to 2 agst Billingsgate and 2to 1 agst The Poet and Nautilus. This race was won by a length.