WAIMEA SOUTH STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 51, 1 March 1871, Page 2

WAIMEA SOUTH STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

[by a LOOKER ON.] h "A. southerly wind and a cloudy sky proclaim it a hunting morning/ says the old song, and, as these were the characteristic features of the morning of yesterday, on which day one of the pleasantest race meetings that Nelson has seen for a long time took place, it is but fair to suppose that they aye as appropriate to a racing, as to a hunting, morning. About half-past nine a goodly crowd of pleasure seekers with great coats and blue noses collected at Everett's corner awaiting their respective conveyances, each one trying to look as jolly as was possible with the cold wind that was blowing, and which formed such a contrast to fhe late sultry weather. For my own part I had decided on taking a passage in the fast and famous four-horse-power "Enterprise" (Captain James Lucre). A 1 at Newton's for — well, I don't exactly remember just now how many years she has been looked upon as A i, but it is a matter of no consequence — I was fortunate euough to secure a box seat, in which I was closely packed and kept comfortably warm by two well-con-tlilioned preservers of the peace of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, and at 10 o'clock we effected a start, and bowled away right merrily over the dustless roads. Ou arriving at the newly-gravelled College Hill we observed one of the fleet which was sailing iv the same direction as ourselves hauging out signals of distress, but, on coming up with it, our Captain did not consider that the passengers oi crew were in any danger, and consequently did not stand by to render assistance, but steadily pursued his course. When we reached the top of Jenkins' Hill we were at no loss to account for the shiveryshakery appearance that we had all presented befoi-e starting, for the distant hills were white with snow, by which the south-west breeze that was blowing in our faces was evidently tempered. However, the freshness of the atmosphere only added to the enjoyment of our drive, and as we entered upon the plain, and saw the fields looking so beautifully green and freshened by the late rains, the effect was most exhilarating, not only to my fellow passengers, but also to the horses, who seemed to revel iv the fresh country air. I have no doubt the larks were gaily carolling over our heads, but their songs were drowned in the clatter of our wheels as we rattled along over the hard roads at such a pace as to overtake every other vehicle tbat was bouud for the same destination as ourselves. Forty minutes saw us at the Star and Garter, and here, of course, out of consideration to our horses, we halted for a few minutes just to moisteu their mouths, and give them "a blow." These necessary operations being completed we started again, and soon found ourselves in company, not only with many of the conveyances from town that had passed us during our halt, but also with nurjaerous horsemen aud carriages that poured in from the various by-roads, so that by the time we had reached that elegant structure, the Wairoa Bridge, the road had assumed quite a lively aspect. Here, at the Bridge Inn, some of my more compassionate fellow-travellers insisted upon once more giving the horses a few minutes rest, during which time innumerable carriages quickly rolled past us, and our captain, who had promised to be first on the course, had, after crossing the bridge, to put on full steam in order to keep his word. It is only necessary for me to state here that he did keep it, and that right honestly, ours being the first public conveyance to pull up in front of the stand. And now, I must confess to having been somewhat disappointed at fiuding that the country settlers did not show up in such large numbers as I had

naturally expected, indeed, had it not been for the visitors from town, there would have been but a poor show of people, on the course. But the reply that I invariably received to my remarks on the thinness of the attendance waa, it must be allowed, a perfectly valid excuse — " Well, sir, the times is so bad just now" — No comment is needed from me on ihis head, for I fear that only too many of the inhabitants of the town are fully able to sympathise with their country brothers wheh they state their case in these words. But by this time the vehicles have drawn up in the most favorable position, and the Stand is full, aud eager looks are bestowed upon the horses as they are stripped in the saddling yard. First comes Butcher Boy, and, as the cloth is whipped off him, there are murmurs of admiration of his couI dition, and those who have been betting against him quietly slip off for the purpose of hedging. Then we have an opportunity of scanning the beautiful proportions of the uoble Rustic as he calmly surveys the crowd with a look of the most perfect seifconfideuce, which seems to say, "You have on previous occasions seeD me pass tbat winning post in advance of all uiy opponents, and I am going to repeat the dose to-day." Still there is something about the glorious old animal that seems to speak of advanced age and hard work, and this, together with a suspicious looking bandage on the near fore leg, makes his supporters just the least bit shaky. Lastly, little Quicksilver puts in an appearance, but she looks nervous and " fuuky, ' and — so do her backers. The " preliminary " is over, the race begun, and excitement begins to manifest itself in the lookers-on. Quicksilver takes the lead, arrives at the first fence, baulks, aud from that moment is out of the race. Rustic takes it in his old style, but the attraction of gravitation proves too powerful for Butcher Boy's rider, who falls, but soou remounts, and tears away in pursuit of the old horse. The course is three miles, but the race is easily described. For Rustic's owner it must have been highly satisfactory, but for the lookers-on utterly devoid of interest, as the champion was never tackled, and won as he pleased, Butcher Boy a fair second, Quicksilver out of sight. The next event on the card was a Hurdle Race for amateurs, for which nine entered, but which ended in a race between Sultan and Sailor, the former winniug by a neck. Then came the most amusing race of tbe meeting. It was a hurdle race, and again nine horses came to the post. The sj^wting place was about a couple of hupdred yards above the Stand, in front of which was erected the first flight of hurdles. Four horses took it cleverly, and a fifth after a little persuasion, but the ruck persistently declined to do anything but excite the ire of the jockeys, and the mirth of the lookers-on. Whips and spurs were plied in vain ; the noble animals would gallop up most gallantly to the obstacle placed before them, cunningly peer over, and obstinately intimate to their riders that they preferred the upper to the lower side of the hurdles. The fun grew fast and furious, but meantime a little diversion was effected on the opposite side of the course, where four of the other horses were conducting themselves in an equally absurd manner, while the ninth took his fences well, came past the Stand for the first time, and took leave of his rivals, who still adhered to their determination not to cross the Rubicon — I confess I never heard this term applied to a row of hurdles before, but it gets me out of a tautological dilemma, and that is a consideration. But all this time Titoko Waru is forging a-head, and has again passed the other four horses at the lower part of the course, and shortly comes in tbe winner before the Rubiconrefusers have taken their first leap. After this I have but a very confused idea of what took place in the race ; I only know that some five minutes later a shout was raised that a second horse had made his appearance at the winning-post, and that for ten successive minutes afterwards beflogged and be-spurred animals were rushing past at a speed that might have proved efficacious earlier in the race, but whose efforts at the time they had chosen for passing the post were quite misplaced. But I cannot enter into all the details of the numerous hack races. I must content myself with stating that the last event on the card was cleverly won by Sailor, ridden by his plucky young owner, who contrived to land his horse the winner much to the surprise of the public. No doubt his success was partly owing to Hope, the rider of Rustic, having met with a severe fall in which he dislocated his shoulder, but we must not for that reason refuse to accord our meed of praise to Mr. W. Nicholson for the judicious and clever manner in which he rode his horse, and I am quite sure that every one on the ground felt that the young Bporfcsman, who yesterday made his first appearance as a steeplechase rider, fully deserved tbe

success which attended his efforts. If the preliminary canters of the horses on the course were anything like as lengthy as my preliminary remarks on this meeting I am sure they would be thoroughly weary before commencing the race ; I .can but hope that I have not tired my readers before entering on the details of the various events, but, previous to bringing my introduction to a close, I would veuture to give one hint to the musicians who yesterday favored us with their strains. It is that for tbe future they should take care that their selections are a little more appropriate to tho surrounding circumstances. We rather pride ourselves in Nelsou on having taken the initiative iv the colony in sporting matters, but the "Hallelujah Chorus" on a racecourse is just a little too much of a novelty. Below will be Found the results, of the races : — The Great Waimea South Handicap, of 50 soys. Over three miles of fair hunting country. Mr. E. Thomas' bg Rustic, aged, list Gibs (Hope) 1 Mr. Warren's b g Butcher Boy, 5 yrs, 9st Blbs (ML'Glaslian) 2 Mr. Sellon's eh m Quicksilver, a.ged, lost (Downes) 0 There was no race at all, Rustic taking the lead at the first leap, and retaining it to the end, making the running as he j' pleased. I The Amateur Hurdle Race, of 10 soys. ; Over 1«* twelve flights of hurdles. Mr. Baigent's dig Sultan 1 Mr. W. Nicholson's b g Sailor. 2 Four others started,, but the race became oue between Sultan and Sailor, the former winning by a neck. The Hurdle Race, of 5 soys. Twice round the course. Mr. Reams' b g Titoko Waru 1 Eight others started, some of which never got past the first flight of hurdles, and others preferring to remain at the third, while the old savage went twice round and won as he liked. The Waicefield Handicap, of 25 soys. Over two miles of fair hunting country. Mr. W. Nicholson's b g Sailor, 4 yrs, Bst Slbs (Owner) 1 Mr. Warren's b g Butcher Boy, 5 yrs, 9st, (M'Glashan( 2 Mr. Thomas' b g Rustic, aged, last... (Hope) 3 Mr. Sellon's eh m Quicksilver, aged, Sst (Simpson) 0 Quicksilver baulked at the first fence, when Rustic went to the lead" but shortly after crossing the road was passed by the others, but when opposite tlje*. Stand the three leaders baulked at a feiicfe which the old horse took and thusY obtained the lead again, Quicksilver refusing the fence altogether. When near the re-crossing of thesroad Rustic, Butcher Boy, and Sailor all fell, Hope putting his shoulder out, but the riders soou re-mounted, Nicholson getting away with the lead which he retained to the winning post, Butcher Boy second, Rustic third. There were several hack races during the day, and although there was not much real sport there was plenty of fun and amusement.