The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1872. WAIMEA SOUTH STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 46, 22 February 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1872. WAIMEA SOUTH STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

[By Our Special Reporter.] Iv company with a number of others apparently bent on a similar errand I yesterday morning wended my way to Trafal-gar-street with a view to taking a passage ia the most likely looking vehicle bound for the races, and was not long iv making up my mind in favor of Holder's van wiih its six horses. In a few minutes after the advertised time there was a cry of " all aboard," and five-and-twcnty of us were " off' tothe races" in earnest. The weather did not wear a promising aspect, and, on looking round, I found that my fellow passengers appeared as though they were not clear thit a day's enjoyment was before them, but rather as if they were sacrificing themselves to the calls of duty, with the feeling, on tbe one band, that they were doing the correct thing in going to the steeplechase, and on the other, that if they consulted their own convenience they would far rather remain at home than expose themselves to ihe inevitable wetting that seemed to be in store for them. On arriving at the turnpike, it was positively refreshing to see one really cheerful countenance, such as that of the gatekeeper, as he kindly condescended to accept the little packet containing three shillings that our driver threw to him as we rattled through the gate, and, if I were put upon my oath on this subject, I should feel fully disposed to state without the slightest reservation that his opinion was entirely in favor of all descriptions of sports that would be the means of bringing together a large gathering on the southern side of tbe toll gate, and that be would look upon it as a most heinous offence did any individual plead bad wrather as an excuse for not attending the steeplechase meeting. On arriving at the top of the hills tbe fears of those who had predicted a wet day appeared to be fully justified, for before us lay the Waimea Valley enveloped ia a thick mist, which looked as though it would penetrate the stoutest of great coats. I had undertaken to point out to one of tbe strangers who was "on board " all the beauties of the scenery as we drove out, but now all I could do was to ask him to peer into the gloom, and allow his fancy to paint a neatly laid out farm here, a picturesque church there, and a beautiful plantation of English trees in another place, and, pointing to where the mist was the densest, I had the satisfaction of informing him that there lay the racecourse for which we were bound. However, as we bowled along at a smart pace, the atmosphere gradually got clearer, and by ths time we had reached Richmond, some of us were rash enough to assert that, after all, we should have a fine day. Carriages and horsemen here begun to pour in from the by-roads, and, altogether, the scene was more lively and inspiriting, and on arriving at the course we were quite a different party to that which had left Nelson with such gloomy apprehensions, and we began to feel that tbe performance of tbe duty we had undertaken was not to be altogether devoid of pleasure. By twelve o'clock there was a lair muster of spectators of both sexes, and after a great deal of bell ringing and somewhat tiresome waiting, the horses began to put in an appearance for the Hurdle Race. Modesty was the first to perform her toilet and her game look and shapely forni were freely and not altogether unfavorably comirented upou. Next came Eclipse, who, though a powerful, horse, did not give the idea of his being a racer, but there were many who thought that his strength would stand him in good stead in getting over the eight flights of st : ff hurdles that were to intervene between the starting and winning posts. Gloriana ■was the last to enter the saddling yard and her appearance was such as to give her a slight advantage in the betting. The race, of which an account will be found below, calls for no special comment, and is is only necessary to say here that Eclipse proved an easy winner. And now we come to the event of the day. Quicksilver was the first to show up, and none could fail to admire her condition, but she was too well known to obtain many backers, and the prevailing opinion was well expressed by one who knew her well, and who kindly tendered me the following advice : — " Don't back her, don't go out of your way to bet against her, for she's as uncertain as any woman." L admit that the remark was most unga'lant, but I give it as it was said to me, and not as originating with me. Eonald was the next ' to show himself, and there was a general extraction of books from the pockets of betting men, as his sheets were taken off, and a too unanimous desire to hedge displayed by those who liad laid their money agairist him. Barring a certain slackness about his loins he is a dangeious looking customer, and there were those who thought that Rustic had at last found his match. A weary half-hour's waiting— have the stewards no power to enforce punctuality ?— brought out Rustic with the same bandage-encased legs, and the | same calm, self-confident air that we have seen for the last three years. His condition is excellent, and if those legs will but stand tbe trial he has to undergo, there seems to be but little fear of bis failing, to be the first to attract the Judge's eye. To Jthe suspicious-looking bandages the frequenters of the Wakefield course have become . accustomed, and that which would at. once con- . demn any other horse is looked iipon' as merely the normal state of things with the Kelson champion steeplechaser.'Thefourth hprse.Equity, did not care to enter' the siddling-yard 'but as be cantered strongly -past the stand, I 'heard a great many offer to back him for places against Quicksilver. Of the race, I shall only say here that it was without exception the best contested, that

ever took, place for the Great Waimea South Handicap,' and the riders of the different horses deserve great credit for the pluck, nerve, and cool judgment displayed by them in tbe difficult task they bad undertaken. The next event 'of i nportance was the Wakefield Free Handicap, for which four hor3es stripped, Rustic, Ronald, Quicksilver, and Eclipse, the latter of which found a few supporters owing to his excellent running in the hurdle Race, but the general opinion was that he had not a sufficient turn ot speed for the company in which he found himself. This race deserves special mention from the fact of its resulting in a dead heat, a most unusual termination for a steeplechase of two miles o\er country not remarkable for the weakness or lowness of the fences. It is difficult to do justice to the pretty finish of this race. Ronald was the first over the last fence, several lengths intervening between him and the other horses, and a couple cf hundred ) ards only remained to be traversed between tbat and the winning post, but behind him was old l!u;tic, and, what was more to tbe point, on Rustic's back was Hope, and both horse and r der knew perfectly well what they were about. " Ronald wins ! Ronald wins ! " was the shout thtt rose from many a hundred voices, but the cry grew feebler as the veteran with the bandaged legs ga-nely answered to the call of his jockey, and stride after stride brought him nearer, still nearer, to the chestnut, who had run so honestly throughout, hut whose strength was quickly and perceptibly giving way under the tremendous exertion be was asked to make at the finish of this nobly-ontested race. On came Rustic. His head is level with the tf.il of the leading horse, but a very few yards only have to be passed before the j<"dge is called upon to give bis decision, and the question i*, can he possibly do it in the time ? Now his nose is in a line with the knees of Ronald's rider, and at last with one giant stride, taken with a wil], as though be knew as well as Hope that in another second it would be too late, be closes with hU game opponent, and instantaneously it is known tbat the magnificent race has terminated in a dead heat. Those who went to Wakefield in search of excitement must certainly have obtained their wish on this occasio.i. My preliminary remarks have extended to such a length that I fear I shall tire your readers before giving a description of the races, so that what I have still to say must be put in a very few words. Before concluding, I desire to offer my congratulations to tbe stewards and to the racing public generally, on tbe great success of this meeting. The principal events were such as any racecourse in the colony might be proud of, and the Waimea South Steeplechase has without doubt become an established institution, for after the really splendid racing that was witnessed yesterday I am quite sire that the people of Nelson will never suffer ifc to fall through, but will rather endeavor to increase its attraction's by coming forward more liberally than ever with tbeir subscriptions, thus enabling the stewards to advertise stakes sufficiently valuable to induce horses from the other provinces to come and take part in it. Of the hack races too I cannot speak in terms too laudatory, as eich one of them was hardly contested, often by half the horses that started for ic. It is unfortunate that the day broke so gloomily and that the rain poured down so mercilessly throughout the afternoon, as otherwise tbe attendance would certainly have been much larger, but I may safely say that the only thing wanting to ensure a most complete success was that the weathersbould have been a little more favorable. This, of course, was beyond human control, but everything that could be done was done by the stewards and all who took part in the meeting, to render it one of the most attractive ever seen in Nelson. The Wakefield band was in attendance during- the day. but I wou'd make bold to suggest that those who constitute it should endeavor to take a more cheerful view of life than they at present appear disposed to do, judging from the melancholy strains with which they favored their audience yesterday. Twelve months will elapse before they will be called upon to occupy the same position again ; these they might devote to mastering airs of a little more lively nature. I trust they will take my hint in good part. My remarks have hitherto been of a very general character; those who wish, for fuller details will find them below. Hurdle Race, of ?0 soys. One and a half miles, over eight flights of hurdles. Three-year-olds, 9st; four years, lOst; five years, lost lOlbs; six years and aged, list. Entrance, 2 soys each. Mr. Hagan's b g Eclipse, aged (Hagan) 1 Mr. Thomas' bk m Gloriana, aged (Hope) 2 Mr. M'Glashan's g m Modesty, 6 years (Simpson) 3 Gloriana and Eclipse got away with a trifling lead, and took the first hurdle simultaneously in splendid style, Modesty, whose jumping called forth exclamations of approval and admiration on all sides, followed close behind them. Eclipse then forged ahead, but at the fourth leap be and his rider very nearly parted company, owing to his not quite clearing the hurdle, but after this everything went smoothly with him until he came in an easy winner, Gloriana and Modesty having both fallen in taking the sixth hurdle together. Fortunately, however, neither riders nor horses were hurt, and the former were in their saddles again instintaneously. Great Waimea South Handicap, of 100 soys, v second horse to receive 10 soys out of the stakes. Over about three miles of fair hunting country. Entrance, 3 soys each. Acceptors, 4 soys each. Mr. Thomas' b g Rustic, aged, 12st 71bs (Hope) 1 Mr. M'Glashan's eh h Ronald, aged, 1 1st (Joyce) 2 Mr. Powell's eh m Quicksilver, aged, 9st 7lbs (Powell) 3 Mr. Taylor's b g Equity, 6 years, lOst lOlbs (Taylor) 0 At the start Quicksilver went off with a strong lead, but at the first fence baulked, and allowed Rustic and Ronald to pass h n r, Equity, who refused the third fence, being taken off the field by his rider. Owing to the misty state of the atmosphere it was difficult to follow the movements of the horses, but when opposite the Stand Ronald was seen go '.ng away with a strong lead, Rustic and Quicksilver being -in close company. A short distance from the road Ronald baulked at a leap and was caught by Rustic who maintained the lead to the end, Ronald and Quicksilver being within two or three lengths of him at the winning post. Time : 7 mms f 59 sees. -- ■<■ Hack Huhdik Race of 5 soys. Once round.. Mr. M'Rae's Sea King ~ ..." 1 Mr. Reams' Te Kooti 2 Mr. Cooke's Garry Owen .... 3 This was a splendid race between the two leading horses who ran together, the whole way, : rising at their fences at the same moment) Sea King ultimately winning by a head. - -

Flat Race for first-class Lady's Saddle. Onceround,. . /■ Mr! F. Blhndeil's Caraep ... v .„. : ... i ' Mr. Arnold's Miss Nightingale 2 Mr. Bal^s Eiretail .;. ! ... .... ... o . Mr. Coleman's Make Haste ... ... 0!| Mr. Reams' Sultan • ... o] J A well contested race between Cameo and Sultan, tbe latter passing the winning post about half a length in advance of the mare. A protest, however, was raised against him on the ground of a cross, which was allowed, and Cameo declared the winner. Flat Race for First-Class Gentleman's Saddle. Once round. Mr. Ball's Firetall 1 Mr. O'Dogherty's Kate 2 Four others started, but the race was confined to the two first, and was cleverly won by Flretail "Wakefield Free Handicap, of 40 soys. Over about two miles of fair hunting country. Entrance 1 soy. each. Mr. Thomas' b g Rustic aged, I2st. 71bs. (HopOt 1 Mr. M'Glashan's eh h Ronald aged. lost. lOlbs. (Joyce)f 2 Mr. Hagan's b g Eclipse, aged, lOst. Blbs. (Hagan) 3 Mr. Powell's eh m Quicksilver, aged, 9st. (Powell) 0 The four got well away together, Rustic gradually forging ahead until the fifth leap where he was collared by Ronald, who quickly passed him arid took up the running at a rattling pace, Rustic, Eclipse, and Quicksilver keeping well together until opposite the Stand where the mare I baulked. On clearing the last fence Ronald had | a strong lead of at least half adozen lengths, and then ensued a most exciting struggle between him and Rustic, which resulted in a dead hear, Eclipse a couple of lengths behind. The owners wisely agreed to divide the stakes rather than run their horses again. Match for £5 a sidp. Catch weights. Once round. | Mr Kearn's Sultanf 1 . Mr. Blundell's Cameof 2 A splendidly contested race resulted in a dead heat, and on being run again a change favorable to the gelding was made in his rider, and he came in the winner by half a length. Flat Rack for Gentleman's Saddle. Once round Mr. Thompson's Dromedary 1 Mr. Arnold's Miss Nightingale 2 Five others started, and another excellent race was the result. Flat Race for Gentleman's Saddle. Once round. Mr. Bolton's Faugh -a-ballagh 1 Mr. Kerr's Sandfly ... 2 Five others started, and the race was a hard one from beginning -to end, five ofthe horses being altogether in turning the last corner. Faugh-a-ballah ran so weil, and with so professional an air, that the stewards were induced to make inquiries as to his precedents, when he proved to be the ouce famous Otto, the prize was therefore was j>iven to the second horse, no winners of £20 or over being allowed to compete. Another hack race, of which we were unable to ascertain the particulars, brought to a close the best day's sport ever known on the Wakefield couree.