SPORTING.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 20 February 1880, Page 3

SPORTING.

MARLBOROUGH RACES. A finish day than Wednesday last it would he difficult to imagine, even in this proverbially fin. climate, and a large gathering on the racecourse was consequently anticipated. The numbers fell somewhat short of expectation, there beingsomc|7ooorSoo persons only on the ground. This was attributed to the fact" that many of the country settlers and farmers are busy with station and harvest operations, and that the events on the programme were not sufficient to attract them. There was a fair attendance on the grandstand, hut by no means so numerous a one as we have seen on some former occasions, and, on the whole, the attendance fell far short of what it was on the occasion of the Boxing Day Sports. Ihe horses entered were local ones, and the absence of strangers shows that the money to to he run for was not enough to tempt competitors from a distance. Some good sport, however, was exhibited, particularly in the Maiden Plate and the Cup. The usual outside attractions of skittles and games of chance were not wanting on the scene, and there was an ample supply of creature comforts. At the Grand Stand ail excellent dinner was provided by M.r Lewis, and Mr Barry of the South Sar, presided at the bar. Mr Penney, of the Rainbow Hotel, also supplied an excellent dinner, and refreshments of all kinds. Mr Scott had a refreshment booth adjoining, and Mr Collier a fancy goods stall. The novelty of the Totalisator was a great attraction. Of these machines there were two, oneinside the paddock, and presided over by Messrs Hill and Poole, and another outside the fence belonging to Messrs'Dumps and Irvine. Both were well patronised and the experiment of bringing them here, from what we can judge of the matter, has provod sufficiently successful to warrant its repetition, and eventually this mode of betting will doubtless almost wipe out the book-makers’ trade. On this occasion we fancy the fraternity known under the comprehensive name of “ the Talent,” of whom there were several representatives, did not appear to he overstocked with business.

The fust event of the day was the Hurdle Rack, of £3O. Entrance £3. Weights: 3yrs, ‘lst; 4yrs, lOst 51bs syrs, lOst 51bs ; Gyrs, list 31bs. Distance, twice round and a distance. Mr R. M’lvor’s g g Grey Momus, aged ... 1 Mr J. March’s bn g ’Whalebone, aged ... 2 This was a thoroughly hollow affair. Melvor rode the grey and Robinson the brovm horse. After a bad start Grey Momus got away first and went over the first hurdle, though he can hardly he said to have “ cleared ” it, his feet knocking against it. Whalebone made a much better lump, clearing the top rail by several inches and landing well on the other side. Robinson shortly afterwards drew to the side of the course and gave up the race, leaving Grey Momus to canter round for the money.' A protest was entered on the <n-ounil that Robinson pulled the horse, which will he decided at the next meeting of the Jockey Club.

Maiden Plate, of £25. Entrance £3. Weights for age. Distance, 1 : } miles. Air J. Barry’s ch g Hero 1 Mr B. De Ferrers’ bf Marie Stewart ... 2 Mr 11. Redwood’s b f Rore 3

Mr G. Riley’s g f The Eield, Mr A. R. Ward’s bn m Kate Coventry, Mr H. S. Bush’s Eugenie, and Mr G. Stevenson’s b c Billv Kraft also ran. Betting—6 to 4 against Rore, 3 to 1 against Marie Stewart, !) to 1 against Hero, 10 to 1 against Kate Coventry and The Field, and 01) to 1 against Billy Kraft and Eugenie. After two false starts the lot got away on pretty equal terms. Hero was the first to show in front, Bore and Kate being in close attendance for some time. Marie Stewart, who had lost ground at the start, then be(jan tod'. «w up and race through all the rest of the horses except Hero, at the back of the course and came in second. He o, who led all the way, passed the winning post about two lengths in front of her. On this race there was £fifi in Hill’s totalisator, and those who put £1 on Hero got £lO for thcii investment.

Sapling Stakes of £25. Entrance, £3 ; for two-year-olds. W eights : Colts Sst lOlbs ; fillies, Sst 51bs. Distance, three-quarters of a mile. Mr C. H. Owen’s Sir George 1 Mr A. R. Ward’s Heather Bell ... 2 For this race there was not a bad start, and the mare had the advantage, but was soon passed by Sir George, who kept ahead for the rest of the distance, and won by a length. Time linin. 2osec. Marlborough Cur, a handicap of £IOO, added to a sweepstake of £5. Distance, 2 miles. Mr H. Redwood’s Norseman, 7st lOlbs • 1 Mr Chas Redwood’s Magnolia, 7st lib... 2 Mr R. Mclvor’s Loch Lomond, 7st lOlbs 3 Mr A. Ward’s Clarence, and Mr G. Stevenson’s Mamama also ran. Pinfire and Marie Stewart were scratched.

Betting—Even on Norseman, 3 to 1 agst Magnolia, 5 to 4 Loch Lomond. The Totalisator hnd £l2B in it on this race. In this instance there was another bad start. Magnolia and Clarence bolted, and went right round the course before they could be pulled up. Another start was made, and Norseman and Magnolia showed in front, Loch Lomond following not far behind, and after him Clarence and Mamama. On coming up the straight for the second time, Magnolia, who had been slightly behind Norseman, came up to him, and a capital race ensued to the finish, Norseman passing the post first by a neck. Shearers’ Purse, of £lO. Entrance, £1 : Distance, one mile. Catch weights ; heats. The following horses entered for this event, in which a good deal of interest was apparently taken by the public : Mr Kelly's Fairhall ... 0 1 1 Mr Ward’s Amy ... ... 0 22 Mr Dillon’s Kiwi ... ••• 3 3 O Mr Henderson's Omaka ... 1 3 2 Mr De Ferrers’ Dick ... ... 3 0 (I In the first heat Fairhall got away at the

start, and kept it until coming up the] straight, when Amy challenged him, and j they raced neck and neck to the post, the judge being unable to decide between , them. In the second heat Omaka got away with a strong lead, which lie maintained to the finish, Amy trying hard to catch him, hut was beaten by a neck, Dick third. In the third heat Omaka again took the lead, with Amy in close attendance. When half the distance was over, Fairhall gradually went up to tlie leaders, challenged them, and won at the post by half a length. In the fourth heat the two winners only started. Fairhall jumped oil with the lead, was never headed, and won as lie liked.

Flying Handicap, of £4O. Nomination, £1 ; acceptance, £3. Distance, one mile. Mr F. Gentrys’s Talent 7st 31bs ... 1 Mr J. Barry’s Hero, fist 121bs 2 Mr Riley’s The Field, Mr G. Stevenson’s Mamma, Mr Mclvor’s Awatere and Loch Lomond also ran. Hero jumped off with the lead, the others close up, Talent second. At the turn the turn the leader was challenged by the favorite, and after that the result of the race was never in doubt, and Talent won as he pleased, hard held.

The weather on the second day was again remarkably fine, but the attendance was not even so large as on the first day. The several events on the card were well contested, hut a good many horses were scratched, as will be seen by the report, so that in several races a very s nail nu nber of competitors came to the post. The totalisator was well patronised, £G4!) being invested with Mr Hill in the two days. The popularity of this novel mode of backing yaur opinions is manifest, and it certainly seems a great improvement o:i the old system. Everybody can see what the odds are on any event, and can use his judgment accordingly. The amount of moneyjtaken at the gates in the two days was in round numbers £l5O.

landicap Hurdle Rack, of £SO. Entrance £4. Distance, twice round and a

distance. Mr A. R. Ward’s Clarence, 10st41bs... 1 Mr R. Mclvor’s Grey Momus, 12st Gibs 2 Mr J. March’s Whalebone, Ost 1 Olbs ... 3 Loch Lomond and Kate Coventry were scratched.

Betting —5 to 1 agst Clarence, 2to 1 agst Momus, Bto 1 Whalebone. There was £4O in the totalisator on this event.

The three horses got away to a good start Clarence being the first to show in front, Momus second. They ran in this position throughout the race, all taking their jumps in beautiful style. Clarence winning easily by three lengths, Whalebone a bad third. Hack Hurdle Race, of £lO. Entrance, £l. Distance 1£ miles. For horses that have never won a race where £loor more of public morey was given. No horse to carry less than Ost. Air Ferrers’Dick ... ... ... 1 Mr Henderson’s Omaka ... ... 2

Mr Dillon’s Foul Play ... ... 3 Mr Doreen’s Sam Slick was entered, but did not come to the post.

Betting—7 to .1 agst Dick, 2i to 1 agst Foul Play, 2 to 1 Omaka, 28 to 1 Sam Slick £2B in the totalisator. The horses got away on pretty even terms, Foul Play being first to show in front with the others in close attendance. They ran in this order for about half the distance when Dick went up and challenged the leader, who was soon passed by Dick and Omaka. These two raced up the straight, both jumping well, Dick winning rather easily by two lengths, Omaka second, Foul Flay a good third. Racing Club Handicap, of £44. Nomination £l, acceptance £3, distance If miles. Mr H. Redwood’s Norseman, Sst Dibs... 1 Mr Jas. Robinson’s Satellite, 7stslbs... 2 Mr Chas. Redwood’s Magnolia, Sst 21bs 3 Mr J. Barry’s Hero, Sst 21bs ... ... 0 Mr R. Mclvor’s Loch Lomond, Sst Gibs 0 Mr R. Mclvor’s Balmoral, 9st ... 0 Betting —2A to 1 against Norseman and Magnolia, 10” to 1 Loch Lomond, 12 to 1 Balmoral and Hero, 75 to 1 Satellite. £132 in the totalisator. After several attempts to start the lot were got away pretty well together, Hero showing first "in front, the rest all in a ruck at his heels. On entering the straight for the first time, Magnolia took the lead, and held a forward position for some time, with Balmoral in close attendance, but on coming round the last turn, Norseman went to the front, and was followed immediately by Satellite, who raced hard for the lead, hut was beaten by a length and a half, Magnolia third.

Ladies’ Purse, of £25. Entrance £2

Welter weights for age. 1} miles. Mr F. Gentry’s Talent ~ 1 Mr G. Stevenson’s Apology 2 These were the only two that came to the post. Betting—(s to lin favor of Talent. £7 in the totalisator. The result of this race was never in doubt from the start, Talent taking the lead and keeping it from start to finish, winning as he pleasod. Hack Race, of £lO. Entrance £l. Conditions same as Shearer’s Purse. Winner of that race not allowed to start. Catch weights ; post entry. Distance, three-quarters of a mile. Mr Orlando ... ... 0 1 1 Mr Ward’s Amy 1 0 2 Mr Dillon’s Kiwi 22 0 Mr Henderson’s Miss O’Rorke 3 0 0 Ten horses started for this race which was run in heats, although not so stated on the cards. In the first heat Orlando looked like winning but ran inside the ropes, thereby losing his chance. Amy winning easily. In the second heat Orlando won easily. In the third heat the two winners only startod, and Orlando heat his opponent easily. Betting—3 to 1 against Orlando and Amy. £3l in the totalisator.

Licensed Victuallers’ Plate, a sweepstakes of £3, with £lO added, for horses the bona fide property of Publicans for one month previous to race. Welter weights for age. Once round. Heats. Mr J. Barry’s Hero 1 Mr A. Dillon’s Foul Play 2

Only two horses entered for this race. Hero won both heats hard held. Consolation Handicap, of £2O. Entrance £2. For all horses that have started in the previous races and not won. Once round and a distance. Mr C. Redwood’s Magnolia, Sst 21bs ... 1 Mr Ferrers’Marie Stewart, fist Gibs ... 2 Mr .1. Robinson’s Satellite, 7st Gibs ... 3 Mr A. Ward’s Kate Coventry, fist 41bs 0 Mr Riley's The Field, sst lOibs ... 0 Mr G. Stevenson’s Billy Kraft, ost 71bs 0 Betting—2 to 1 against Magnolia, 3 to 1 against Marie Stewart, 5 to 1 against Satellite. £72 in the totalisator. Magnolia jumped off with the lead, Bill}’ Kraft second, the others’'in close attend ancc. At the hack of the course Marie Stewart ran up to Magnolia and raced her home but was beaten by a length. Forced Handicap, of £lO, with ten per cent, of all winnings. For horses that have won in the previous races; other

] horses that have contested allowed to start by paying an entrance fee of £2. Distance, 1 } miles. , Mr R. M’lvor's Balmoral, fist 7lbs ... 1 Mr F. Gentry’s Talent, Sst 2lbs ... 2 Mr Owen’s Sir George, 7st ••• ••• 3 Mr Ward’s Clarence, 7st 121bs ... ... 0 Norseman Dst, Magnolia Sst, Hero 7st 31hs, and Grey Momus 7st, were scratched. Betting—2 to I against Talent, 3to 1 against Balmoral, fito 1 against Sir George, 12 to 1 against Clarence. LGI in totaliser. Balmoral went off with the lead, never was headed, and won easily.