ST. BATHANS RACE MEETING.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 50, 14 January 1870, Page 3

ST. BATHANS RACE MEETING.

, The following report of th 3 St. Bathans Eaces; was, in consequence of the -late, floods, received too late for piiblicatioii in our issue of last week, but was published as an extra on Friday afternoon:— . Our Annual Eaces came off on the 2'7th and 28th ultimo, with a success that exceeded the anticipations of the most sanguine. The weather was remarkably fine, and a timely shower on the evening previous to the meet left the course in splendid order. As will be seen by the entries for the various races, the attendance from the surrounding districts was very good; and never wera races more keenly contested. Upon the whole, I think I inay'safelv say it has been by far the most successful affair of the kind ever held in this district, v. At about one o'clock the bell rang for saddling for the Maiden Plate, of twenty sovereign?!. The following came to the'scratch: Maiden Plate of 20 sovs. Entries—Allen's ch filly iNorah, Handyside's g g Earl Kino\ blk horse Black Doctor, Gamut's b horse Waitaki, Douglas' bm Agnes, M/Phay's g m Sh.eplierde.6B.

A very good-start was effected, the lot getting away pretty well together. So' close was the running, that speculators seemed puzzled. However, Waitaki, in coming to the straight running showed a few lengths.in front, keeping his place to the post. V

Waitaki . ; ... : ; . ~..-. ... f" Shepherdess ... ... ... 2 Norali ... .... ... ... 3 Town Pjo ate of 60 sots. £2 entrance. En- .. tries—Mellor's Merrythought, Handyside's Earl King, M'Kay's Nigger, Keenan's Topsy, Keenan's Grame Cook, Allen's HaAvkdun., ■

This was the great event of the day. The greatest excitement prevailed, and it would be difficult indeed to name the favorite: Mr. Kenny, with his usual success, effected an admirable start. Merrythought led in passing the grand staad, but bolted immediately'•• after.

His rider (M'G-regor) skilfully .brought hiin on tlie course, and he again made running, showing in front as he passed the grand stand for the second time, In coining home he again bolted, and bis backers caved in. The running: was now between Topsy, Havvkdun, and Nigger. In coming to the straight running the St. Bathans mare, amidst acclamations, showed prominently in front, keeping her position to the post. Topsy ... ... ! Hawkdun ... ... ... 2 Nigger ... ... ...

PtTBLiCAXs' Purse of 20 sovs. Entrance £1 10s. Entries—Aitken's Black Doctor, Allen's Borah, Washer's Miss Ennis, Mellor's Pretender, Mellor's Ida, M'Pliay's Saucv Jack, Grant's Butterfly. Miss Eunis ... * ... ... i Black Doctor ... ... ... 2 Borah ... #-> ' 3 Hack Rica of £lO, -with a s-weep of 10s. Mellor's Jack, Keenan's Eva, S. Inder's Shadow, Ham-ahan's Lizzy Gray, Grant's Charley, M'Pliay's Flatcatcher, Taylor's Venice, M'Pliay's Teddy, Pyle's Princess Alice. This was by far the best contested race of the day. A tarpaulin might have covered the lot for the first round. With strangers Flatcatcher was evidently the favorite, but on emerging from the cloud of du*t kicked up lu'the vicinity of the crowd, it at once became apparent that he had reckoned without his host this time, the grev mare Venice under the skilful guidance of M'Kay, coming in an easy winner.

SECOND DAY. Hack Selxing- Race. Entries—Taylor's Venice, M'Pliay's Flatcatcher, Aitken's Black Doctor, Handyside's Harkawav, Smith's Charley, Grant's Charley, M'Comioehie's Colonel. Black Doctor ..." ... ... 1 Harkaway ... ... ... 2 Venice ... ... ... ... 3 St. Bathan's Ctrl' of 50 sovs., added to a sweep of 2 sovs. each. Entries—Mellor's Merrythought, Grant's Waifcaki, Keenan's Topsy, Keenan's G-ame Cock, Allen's Plawkdun, S. Tnder's S'abstanee, Washer's Miss Ennis:

This ra *e was also keenly contested, Topsy again proving victorious, but liotlypressed by Miss Ennis. A Hack Eace and a Hurry Scurry, botb well contested, brought the meeting to a close, and the Committee wound up their affairs with a considerable balance on band for next season.