The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1868. NELSON RACE MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 100, 29 April 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1868. NELSON RACE MEETING.

First Day. When our reporter left the Course yesterday afternoon two races remained to be ■run, the Scurry Stakes and the Ladies' Purse. The Scttrrt Stakes, of 40 bovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs each ; entrance, 2 sots. Two years old, sst lOlbs ; three, 7st 4lbs ; four, Bst 7lbs; five, Bst 12lbs; six and aged, 9st; albs allowed to mares and geldings. Threequarters of a-mile. For this race of seven entries five horses started: — Conquest (McGrlashan), Presto (D. Jones), OrlaDdo (French), Blackboy (Marney), and Refraction (Moses), Star of the South having been drawn- Blackboy went o£F -with the lead, and was never overtaken, winning easily. A good race took place between Orlando and Presto for the second place, all through, which ultimately secured by the former horse j The Ladies' Purse, of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs. For three years old, 9st 2lbs; four, 10st5lbs; 5, list; six and aged, list slbs ; 3lbs allowed to mares and geldings. Entrance, 2 sovs each. One mile and a-quarter. Four out of five entries (Star of the South having again been scratched) competed for the last race of the day, the Ladies' Purse. Nebula went away with the lead, followed by XXX, who passed her and took the inside place near the mile post. Miss King (Fuller) then came tip, taking the lead at the bottom, was never headed, and came in the winner, held fast, having in fact had it all her own way from the commencement of the race. The sport afforded by the various races duriug the day was unquestionably of a very superior character to any which has been offered to the puhlic for many years past, but the thin attendance of visitors, and the peculiarly unseasonable weather which prevailed especially during the early part of the day, conspired to deprive the meeting of much of its wonted animation. Second Day. Although the occupants of the Grand Stand were hardly so numerous as on the previous day, there were many more vehides, equestrians, and spectators generally, and the genial weather rendered the proceedings far more enjoyable. The Maiden Plate, of 50 sovs. ; with a sweepstakes of 4 bovs. added. For three years old, . Sstllb; four, 9st lib; five, 9st 6lbs; six and aged, 9st Slbs ; 3lbs allowed to mares and geldings. 'Entrance, 3 sovs. each. One mile and a-quarter. For all horses, maidens at the time of entering. Mr Redwood's XXX .. (Martin) 1 Mr Sellon's Robin Hood (Fuller) 2 Mr Stafford's Conquest (M'Glashan) 3 This race lay entirely between XXX and Eobin Hood, Conquest being entirely out of the running, and the black mare 1 evidently had the game in her own hands, " -though it was very pluekily disputed by Eobin Hood.

The Duke op Edinbubgh Cup, of 100 sovs., ■with a sweepstakes of 5 sovs. added. For three years old, 7st slbs j four, Bst 12lbs ; five, 9st 61bs ; six and aged, 9st lOlbs ; 31bs allowed to mares and geldings. Entrance, 4 sovs. each. Three miles.

Mr Stafford's Magenta (Bright) 1 Mr Studhohne's Knottingly (R. Kay) 2 Mr Mallock's Backbiter (F. Gay) 3 Mr C. Webbe's Miss King (Goodyear) 0

Seven horses were entered for this race, which was by far the best of the whole meeting, but only four started. Knottingly was the favorite against the field, and led off. Backbiter and Mageuta being neck and neck together, and Miss King a long way behind. On passing the Judge's chair for the first time, Backbiter was first, but immediately afterwards Knottingly took up the ruuuing. The second time round Miss King gained ground, and the four horses were close together, Knottingly still heading until after passing the Judge's chair the second time, when Magenta collared him, Miss King being completely " done." Magenta kept the lead to the finish, and came in victorious about a length and a half ahead of Knottingly, amidst the most uproarious cheering. This splendid race was run in 5 min. 59 sees. The Handicap Steeplechase, of 5 sovs. each, _ hf. ft., with 70 sovs. added, over about three "* miles of fair hunting country. Entrance, 3 sovs. each. Mr Holder's Sprightly (Taylor) 1 Mr Johnson's Harkaway (Marney ) 2 Mr C. Webb's Don Pedro (Ray) 3 No slight excitement was created by this race, Don Pedro's reputation in the neighboring provinces, having constituted him a formidable opponent. The first fence was taken well by all three horses; the Don leading, Harkaway being second. The fence in the'eentre of the course was also taken in excellent style by Don Pedro and Sprightly, but Harkawaj baulked, and was out of the running for some time. The Don and" Sprightly both crossed the gorse fence into the road, and Don Pedro had jumped the fifth fence when he fell on his head, throwing his rider. This accident gave the race to Sprightly who took the remaining fences and rails very satisfactorily, coming in several minutes before his companions, followed by Harkaway and Don Pedro, who had recovered himself. Both the Nelson horses were loudly cheered on passing the Grand Stand, ■ and [very geueral satisfaction was expressed at the result of the race.

Four races remained to be run, when our reporter left at 3 o'clock.

The concert given last night by Madame Carandini and her party at the Provincial Hall, was well attended, and passed off very successfnlly, with encore galore. The programme for this evening's concert is a very attractive one; and we hope to see a very numerous audience, the concert being the last of the series.