LOCAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 14, 20 March 1866, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS.

NELSON ANNUAL KACE MEETING. The races which have lately excited so much interest commenced this morning. . The day was all that could be desired, and the road to the course at Stoke was early lined with horsemen and pedestrians, as well as with vehicles of all kinds, conveying eager holiday folks to the ground. We noticed there nearly all the public officers and business men of Nelson, proving that the occasion for a holiday had been generally taken advantage of, a fact which might be seen also by the - deserted appearance of the town all day. The first race was The Geeat Nelson Trial Stakes of 10 soys each, 5 ft., and 50 soys added by the Turf Club, provided 8 horses start, and 30 if any lesser number. Corsair, eh c, Mr. T. Redwood's ... 1 Atalanta, eh f, Mr. Morse's 2 Harmony, eh c, Mr. Elliott's 3 There \rere only three started ; 14 entries. A fair start was effected, and the racing was tolerably even till the horses came nearly to the Grand Stand. Oh passing the stand the first time Harmony led by more than a length, the two others pretty even. "Whilst going down the hill Corsair collared and passed Harmony, and took the lead. At the bottom of the hill Atalanta passed Harmony and collared Corsair. On ascending the hill Harmony ' then dropped behind. The race from this time was between Corsair and Atalauta, which kept alongside each other. . The excitement was great as it became apparent that Atalanta was gradually drawing .ahead ; But Corsair- now rapidly accelerated his pace, and won by iabbut a length. Just before coming to the winning post, Harmony made a gallant attempt to pull up, but without avail. She was full 20 yards behind. Time 2 mm. 58 sees. ... The Tokf Club Plate of 80 soys; entrance, 6 soys . each/"'.':: ,' • \ Lady Bird, eh m, Mr. H. Stafford's :! 1 ; •' . ; '. Voltigeur, b g, Mr. O'Dvyec's t '.' "

Two horses started for this race, Mr. H. Stafford's ch m Lady Bird, and Mr. O'Dwyer's b g Voltigeur. At- starting Lady Bird was immensely the favourite, odds of five to four being offered upon her. The favorite led by a length after a fair start. At the Grand Stand Lady Bird was fully a head of her op - ponent. The race was won easily by thirty yards. Time, 4 min. 7| sec. The Waimea Stakes of 10 sovs, for all hacks ; entrance, 10s. each. Catch weight. Bluebell, Mr. M'Rae's 1 1 For this race four horses started, and got well away together, Mr. Bird's Grey soon took the lead ; at the bottom of the hill Mr. Mcßae's bay, Blue Bell, gradually closed up, and when about 100 yards from the grand stand, went a-head, and won by about two lengths. The grey was a good second, the Maori horse third, and the chesnut last. In the second heat, the bay gradually drew a-head trom the starting, and won easily. There was a capital run for the second place between the Maori horse and the grey, which resulted in the former winning by about 20 yards. TJie Handicap Plate of 60 sovs: added to a sweepstakes of 10 sovs each, h ft. Blackboy, bk g, Mr. Redweod's 1 The Queen, bf, Mr. H. Stafford's... 2 Harebell, ch m, Mr. C. Redwood's... 3 For this race the following horses started : — Mr. C. Redwood's ch m Harebell, Mr. H. Stafford's b g Trust, Mr. Redwood's bk g Blackboy, Mr. Coleman's ch m Compensation, Mr. H. Stafford's b f The Queen, and Mr. Godfrey's b g Gamester. A very fair start was effected, on passing the grand stand the first turn the horses were all well together, the Queen slightly leading. On going down the hill the Blackboy gradually drew up in the hollow. The Quuen was shortly in advance, Blackboy second, Trust, Compensation and the Gamester following close, Harebell almost distanced. As they came up the hill Blackboy drew ahead, The Queen following close, in which position they passed the winning post. Harebell, however, soon gained upon the others, and came in a good third, the Gamester and The Queen together, and Compensation last. Time, 2 min. 56| sees. The Ladies' Purse of 50 sovs; entrance, 4 sovs each. The last race taking place so near our time of publication, we are unable to give the full results to-day, but the race was won by Mr. Redwood's bk g Blackboy. The course was well kept, and the large company assembled appeared thoroughly to enjoy themselves; there was a fair amount of betting on the various events of the day, and we judge that a considerable amount of money changed hands. We much regret to hear that an accident occurred in the morning to a German musician, who was walking out to the race ground, where he intended to perform ; he was kicked by a horse and had his leg broken. The Comedy Troupe — This troupe announce a repetition, this evening, of the highly successful burlesque " Aladdin," which is to be the first part of the performance, in order to accommodate the juvenile portion of the audience. The mirth provoking qualities of the troupe, may be fully expected to be exercised, and an audience more numerous than usual is sure to patronize the exceedingly funny comedies whieh they know so well how to do justice to.