WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 77, 27 May 1881, Page 2

WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

These races came off on Queen's Birthday. The racing throughout was good,and the arrangements as perfect as could be wished. Owing to the unpleasant weather, the attendance was not so good as usual. The following is a description of the race for the Handicap Steeplechase of 250 sots. taken from the Herald :— When the flag fell Lady Mary and Lone Hand appeared in front, the field tailing away in a line almost immediately. The leaders cleared the firat jump very well, but Parika came down, the other horses clearing the rider very cleverly. At the second jump Chandler raced past Lone Hand and went on second, Omanuka fell at the third jump, thus reducing the field to eight. Coming to the double in the front of the Stand Lady Mary was a length in front of Chandler, Lope Hend third, Eclipse fourth, King Don the absolute last. All were jumping well, and the chances of a good race very rosy indeed. The horses turned in to the middle of the coarse and essayed the first wall. Lady Mary cleared it with a flying jump, closely. followed by Chandler. Long Hand came third, striking the sods on top of the wall heavily. Eclipse, Venture, Grey Momus, Sunray, and King Don went over in the order named. The water jump came next, aud shouts went up as Lady Mary and Chandler cleared it cleverly. Lone Hand came next but made a mistake and unshipped M 'Ivor. The downfall of the Australian crack left the race still more open. M'lver caught his horse and remounted, but had lost so much ground as to be quite out of it. In view of other events he was not persevered with. The rest of the horses cleared the water, quite 100 yards separating the first and last The next wall was safely negotiated, but at the timber jump into the course before branching away in Liffiton's paddock Chandler refused. He was promptly pulled round and got over at the second trial Much ground had been lost, and Venture drawing up to Lady Marj gradually went in front and led through the cricket field. King Don had also improved his position and was seen in the third place. The three leaders Venture, Lady Mary, and King Don were all jumping well, the latter gradually working to the front. At the fence dividing the cricket field from the racecourse King Don was only a length behind Venture. Lady Mary third, leading Chandler and Sunray. The double was now approached for the second time and was taken in the following order, Venture close to the rails first, Lady Mary and King Don neck and neck, Chandler fourth, Sunray fifth, Eclipse sixth, Grey Momus seventh. The line now followed the racecourse proper, and as the horses streamed round the top turn, Venture and King Don increased their lead. At the half mile post Higgie went to the front for the first time," and led Venture by two or three lengths. Lady Mary was still third, Chandler fourth, the others closing up. In the cricket field, Keith again came to close quarters with the Don, and the pair ran a pretty race. At the big jump on th 9 course Venture was slightly in front, Don second, Chandler third. Grey Momus must have unshipped his lider at one of the jumps out side the course, as the horse came riderleas over the fence. At the last timber jump Venture was a length ahead, jumping well. The weight here began to tell its tale,, and King Don blundered at the post and rails',' aud nearly came down. Higgie kept his seat in a workmanlike manner, and steadied his horse, sitting down to ride him home. Venture, however, had most left, and came along the straight with a wet sail, winning rather easily by two lengths, King Don second, Chandler third, Eclipse fourth, the others not placed. Time— 7min 5i Bee. ... The Maiden Steeplechase of 100 soys. was won by Uira, Mr J. Stevens' Sunray (ridden by Alex. Campion) being second. Won by a length. ' The Grand Stand Steeplechase of 75 soys. was also won by the Napier hone Venture, the other starters being Eclipse and Lone Hand. The latter refused the second wall, and left the race to Venture and Eclipse. Unfortunately, Ellipse fell and thus lost all chance of the race. His jockej , however, remounted, and secured second honors. j The Consolation Steeplechase of 40 soys. was won by Grey Momus.

Here is another example of a pcuible ' mis-construction of language. "I fear," said a country curate to his flock, " when I explained to you in my last charity sermon that philanthropy was the love of our species, yon must have misnnderstood me to say ' specie,' which may account for the smallness of the collection. . You will , prove, I hope, by your present contribution, that you are no longer laboring under the «§Jrie mistake." How it was. recently argued — " Do yon Eretend to have as good a judgment as I aye?" exclaimed an enraged wife to her - husband. " Well, no," he replied slowly ; " ourichoice 4>f partners for life shows that my judgment is not to be compared to yovn,"