The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1870. WAIMEA SOUTH STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 47, 25 February 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1870. WAIMEA SOUTH STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Siew&rds : H. Redwood, Esq. ; A. Wis, Esq. ; M. Sellon, Esq.; R. M'Rae, Esq. Judge : C. Elliott, Esq. Clerk of the Course : Mr. J. Baigent. Starter : Mr. J. Gaukroger. If Nelson has of late years been retrograding in the matter of flat racing, she certainly is, owing to the energy of the Wakefield people assisted by the racing community at large, coming prominently forward in the more exciting sport of ateeplechasing, the great race of yesterday being such an one as has never yet been surpassed in New Zealand. At an early hour the townspeople -were on the move towards the course, and a more lovely day for a drive it would have been impossible to have had, the bright sunshine and soft sea breeze together forming what may be expressively described as a true Nelson day. On arriving at the course it appeared to us that the assemblage was not so large as last year, and that, although there was a larger number of visitors from town, the country people did not muster quite so strong as on previous occasions. However, all who were there thoroughly enjoyed the sport that was provided for them. Among those who went from town we must not omit to mention, an enterprising velocipedestrian who travelled the whole distauce there and back, in all 36 miles, on his bicycle, a feat which is well worth recording as being the first velocipede journey of any length yet undertaken in Nelson. The rather long intervals between the several races were enlivened by the strains of the Nelson band, which gave to several gentlemen of Terpsichorean propensities an opportunity of displaying certaiu steps which, we believe, hare not yet been introduced into our more fashionable dancing schools. Speaking of the band, we would veuture to suggest that an addition of some fresh airs to their present stock of music would prove grateful to their bearers ; by the next steeplechase we hope to be able to s ate that they have adopted our hint. But it is high time to notice the horses, which by 12 o'clock made their appearance on the course. The first to show himself was Sprightty, whose couditiou and excitable temperament were such as to make bettors fight rather shy of trusting him with their money. He had evidently not undergone the training necessary to enable him to last out through a three mile race, and the result proved that those who judged thus unfavorably of him, were not far wrong. Titoko Waru, -whose fame had been so loudly trumpeted abroad as to make him the favorite, as well as Trump, the Canterbury horse, appeared to us to have gone rather to the other extreme, and to be almost too fine to undertake the severe work of going over three miles of hunting country, including some twenty leaps, io such company as they would have to meet iu the race for which they then stripped. The grand looking Rustic, a ncble bay geldiug standing over 17 hands, culled forth expressions of admiration from everyone as he proudly yet calmly walked past the stand with his old rider Hope on his back. Quicksilver, too, found plenty of admirers, though it was feared that the crushing weight of 11 stone on a mare of her size, was such as to shut her out of the race. Eclipse was too stout and appeared to be a little shaky on his fore legs, and we certainly were unprepared for the good running he made in the handicap. Black Doctor, the last on the list, is a far better horse than he looks, and many were surprised at the exceedingly neat way in which he took his leaps. We now proceed to give an account of the running.

The Great Waimea South Stakes, of 100 sovs. Open to all comers. Second horse to receive 10 sovs. out of the stakes. Entrance 9. sovs. each. Over about three miles of fair hunting country. Acceptors 5 sovs. each. Three-year-olds to carry 9st; four years lOst; five years, lOst lOlbs; six, and aged, list. Mr E. Thoma's b g Rustic, aged ... (Hope) 1 Mr Sellon's ch m Quicksilver, 6 yrs . (Cook) 2 Mr Warren's bk g Black Doctor, aged (Blythe) 3 Mr H. Prince's b g Trump, aged ... (Owner) 0 Mr C. Tomlinson's b g Eclipse, 6 yrs . (Hagan) 0 Mr F. Plolder's ch g Sprightly, aged (Coleman) 0 Mr J. Day's g g Titoko Warn, aged . (Taylor) 0 The lot got away well together, the first fence being taken almost simultaneously by Titoko Waru, Rustic, aud Bla'ck Doctor, when the last-named horse went away with a strong lead, but at the road leap was caught by Eustic aud Quicksilver, the three going merrily away together, closely followed by Trump, Tito obstiuately refusing to take the fence until the others were half a mile away. It was a pretty sight from the stand at this time; Trump had collared the leaders, and the four might almost have been covered with the proverbial sheet, as they rose at their fences together in beautiful style; but this state of things was unfortunately put a stop to by Trump and the Doctor coming into cnllision, the former striking his medical adviser on the thigh and inflicting a severe gash, and in doing so twisting his own shoe nearly off. When opposite the stand Quicksilver came to grief at one of the fences, but iu an instant her rider was cleverly on her back again, and in hot pursuit of Rustic, who baulked, and thus allowed the little mare to come up to him. And now ensued a splendid tussle —leap after leap was taken at the same moment until the last fence, when Rustic was over first, and galloped down the straight run, a winner by some three or four lengths, having accomplished the distance in about 12 miuutes. Hack Race, for a Side Saddlr, Mr. Raigent's Sultan ... ... 1 Mr. Cook's Flora ... ... 2 Seven others started. Hack Race, for Saddle and Bridle. Seven started, and Mr. Macfarlane's Guess passed the post first; but a universal protest was entered, on (he ground that every one had done something wrong. We have not heard the decision of the stewards. The Amateur Stakes, of 10 sovs. One mile aud a half. Over ten fliehts of hurdles. Post entrance, 1 sov. Catch weights. Horses entered for the Great Waimea South Stakes or Wakefield Free Handicap, not allowed to start. Mr. Baigent's Sultan ... ... 1 Mr. Worthington's Toby... ... 2 Four others started, and an exceedingly pretty and interesting race ensued, with the result above mentioned. The Wakefield Free Handicap, of 50 sovs. Over about two miles of fair hunting country. Second horse to receive 5 sovs out of the stakes. Entrance, 4 sovs. Acceptors 3 sovs each. Mr. F,. Thomas'Rustic, list 71bs ... (Hope) 1 Mr. Tomlinson's Eolipse, 9st lOlbs (Hagan) 2 Mr. Day's Titoko Waru, lOst 121bs (Owner) 0 Mr. Prince's Trump, lOst 12lbs ... (Taylor) 0 This was a poor race. All the horses baulked at the first fence, Rustic eventually ge,ting over first. Trump, in jumping, fell on his rider, who sustained severe injuries, and was unable to mount again. Titokowaru vefused altogether, and was never seen again, thus leaving the race to Rustic and Eclipse, the former proving an easy winner. The Butcher's Stakes, of 5 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 1 sov each. One mile ; over six flights of hurdles. For horses the bona fide property of Butchers. Butchers up. Mr. Lyne's Butcher Boy ..." ... 1. Mr. M'Rae's Subaltern ... ... 2 A very pretty race, Butcher Boy owing his victory entirely to the clever manner in which he was handled by his jockey. One or two other hack races terminated an excellent day's sport.