SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2291, 5 August 1881, Page 3

SPORTING.

CHRISTCHURCH HUNT CLUB STEEPLECHASES.

Pbidat, August 5. President: M. Stndholme. Stewards :P. Egan, H. P. Lance. P. J. Kimbell, J, Wilkin, G. G. Stead, W. Reeves, Dr Prins, P. W. Delamain, J. Haydon, J. B. Gressou, J. T. Ford, C. Newton, A. Scott, P. Brittan, H. O. Ferguson, B. B. Cox, J. Anderson, jun., T. Acland, H. H. Pitman. Jndge: M. Studholme. Clerk of the Course: J. Wilkin. Handicapper: hi. Q. Griffith. Starter: J. Brabazon. Clerk of the Scales: M. Mitton. Secretary : Q. O’Connell.

Favored with a splendid day, the weather resembling more that of the Metropolitan Meeting than a winter gathering, the Christchurch Hunt Club made their dehut as caterers for sport in the jumping line with much eclat. The attendance was fairly good, though not so large as might have been expected, considering that the weather was so tempting, and that a public holiday had been declared from noon. The trains were but fairly patronised, a goodly number, however, coming by the road. The arrangements were somewhat upset, owing to the fact of the grand stand being in what may be termed a transition state, the old one having been pulled down and the new one not yet erected. Under these circumstances the public had to be content with the old wooden stand, which wss well filled. The course was well fringed with vehicles, amongst which were several four-in-hands, notably the Boyal drag, tooled by Mr E. W. Millet, and the City Council, who came out for a day’s enjoyment, occupied it. Mr Jas. Wilkin, as clerk of the course, was what the wjthetios would call “quite too utterly too,’’ but he was, of course, far behind that most beautiful of clerks of the course, Mr Millet, who is totally unapproachable as such. Sport commenced with the Hunt Club Cup, for which Mr Woodman’s Forsaken was scratched, leaving six to try conclusions The steady going old Fakir carried a. good deal of public money, and justified the confidence by running pretty comfortably from Winfield after a nice race. Mr Lyford’s Tawera had some following, but hie chance was put out by an unlucky fall at the fence near Ford’s. Lucy was out of the game at on early period, having parted with her rider early in the race, though she gallantly continued to run with her horses. Flora war never in the hunt, securing third place after the rest had been in some time, and Nativt baulking at a fence near Redwood’s was out of it. , The Hunt Club Cup of 60 sovs (foi qualified hunters only), with a sweep o: 3 sovs each for acceptors, to go to thi second horse. Gentlemen riders; profea sioaals, 71b extra. Two miles and i half. , Mr H. Lunn’s g g Fakir, aged, 12st 71b (Owner) Mr T Ly ford's b a Winfield, aged, 13at 51b (Mr P. Duncan) Mr H. Ford’s b m Flora, aged, lOst (Owner) Mr T. Lyford’s ch g Tawera, aged, list 51b 1 (Owner) ; MrS. Osborne's br g Native, aged, l2st 71b > (Owner) ’ Mr W. H. Newton’sbmLucy, aged, lOst Sib r (Owner) p Betting—3 to 1 Winfield, 2 to 1 Native an ) Tawera, even on Fakir, 6 to 1 the rest. • Fakir and Tawera went off with the loac Winfield and Native, Lucy, and Nora oomin

in the order named. At the third fence Lucy threw her rider and was out of the race. Fakir, Tawera, and Winfield came on together, with the rest in a bunoh. Passing the stand Fakir led, with _ Tawera second, Winfield and Native third, and Flora fourth. At the fence by Bedwood’s Fakir, Tawera, and Winfield cleared it well, Fakir in the lead, but Native baulked, and no efforts of Hedge could get him up to it. Tawera, who was running well, fell at the fence near Ford’s, and as Hedge could not get Native up to the scratch, the race now laid between Fakir and Winfield. Both took their jump excellently, and came on down the homo stretch at a good bat, Fakir having a bit the best of it. At the last fence, Fakir still kept the lead. Hero Mr Duncan made his effort, but was unable to overhaul Fakir, who won comfortably by about two lengths. Flora came in third some time after the leaders. There were eightyeight on the totalisator, thirty-one of which were on the winner.

For the Gone-away Stakes three were starters—viz, The Agent, Quamby, and Clarence. The public favor went with Quamby, though not a few put a pound or two on the “ old ’un,” The Agent, and reaped the reward of their faith, as they deserved. The race was exceedingly pretty, all throe fencing admirably, and finishing within about two lengths of each other. Quamby led most of the way, with Clarence in close attendance, but at Redwood’s the second time round Th Agent wont up and made the running, and was not to be denied at the end, winning a fine race by about two lengths. All the horses were admirably ridden, The Agent especially so. Ihe Gone-awat Stakes, an open handicap of 80 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each on acceptance, to go to the second horse. Three miles. Mr P. Butler’s ch g The Agent, aged 12st 71b ... ... ... (C. O’Connor) 1 Mr F. St. James’ b c Qaamby, syra list s!b (Owner) 2 Mr J. H. Lnnn’s br g Clarence, aged 12st 21b (Mr H. Lunn) 3

ana clarence sec me oau rolling at a slow pace, Agent remaining in rear. In this order, diversified only by one or two changes of position with regard to the leaders, they went round the first time, all fencing well, the jumps being taken cleanly and nicely. After croesing the lest fence before the stand Agent got a lead, and went at a good bat away across for the west fence, with Quamby s cond and Clarence, who was evidently just a bit short of work, in rear. In this order they crossed the fence near Bedwood’s. Here Quamby made an effort, and got the lead again, with Agent on hii quarters and Clarence coming. The double was negotiated by all in fine style, the Agent having a bit the best of it. At the back of the course, past Ford’s, Quamby again took the lead, the agent still sticking to him, and Clarence gradually closing the gap between second and third. In this order they came to the two fences in the straight, which were negotiated by all in a cluster. After the last fence was got over Agent came away, and despite Mr Lunn’o efforts, landed the stake by a length and a half, two lengths between second and third. There wore 212 investors in the totalisator, of which sixty were on the winner.

The Tally-ho Handicap (for qualified hunters only) of -10 Bovs, with a sweepstakes of 2 sovs ou acceptance, to go to the second horse. Nomination, 1 sov, to go to the fund. Gentlemen riders; professional riders, 71b extra. Two miles. Winfield X Forsaken 2 Lncy ... ... 3