WANGANUI RACES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 129, 1 June 1874, Page 2

WANGANUI RACES.

[From the Herald, May 30 ] Grand Colonial Steeplechase. First horee to receive 75 soys; second horse to receive 20 soys; third horse to receive 5 soys. Entrance, £5 ss. Weights — 3 yrs, 88t lllbs; 4 yrs, lOst lib; 5 yrs, 10st 81bs; 6 yrs, 10at lllbe. Open to all comers. "' -' ' Mr R. E. M'Rae's c g Butcher Boy, aged (Nicholson) 1 Mr A. Gower's b g Supple Jack, aged - (Gower) 2 Mr R. Stevens' c g lalesman, aged (Campion) 3 Mr T. White's b g Pointsman, late Jack, aged (Walker) 0 Mr T. Greig's b g Kangaroo, aged (Lahig) 0 Mr T. V. Brown's b g The Peer, 6 yrs (Palmer) 0 Grecian Bend, Paddy's Land, and New Zealander were pulled up. A good start was effected, Old Jack taking op the running, closely followed by Butcher Boy and Supple Jack. Tbe first hurdle was taken in fine style by all except the Peer and Paddy's J and, the former coming to grief, and the latter refusing. Pointsman maintained a strong lead until comiDg to the water leap, which he refused; Butcher Boy then came up and made a good attempt to clear tbe leap, but fell short, his rider coming off. Nicholson, was however, soon mounted, and then got away with the lead, followed by Supplejack, who managed to get through the water leap without much effort. Islesman, who had been kept behind, then drew on the leaders. This order was maintained to the finish; the others tailing off. On coming to the water leap the second time, Islesman made a grand effort, clearing the water with two or three feet to spare. Grecian Bend and Nevr Zealander fell during the first round and were never again in the race. Pointsman had evidently made the race too hot for himself, as he finished some two minutes after the leaders. Kangaroo jumped well throughout, but was soon outpaced. On coming into the race home a determined struggle was made by Supple Jack for first place, but the Nelson horse having too good a turn of speed for him, came in a winner by two lengths amid great cheering ; Islesman coming in about a hundred yards behind the leaders, with Kangaroo and Jack a bad fourth and fiftb. Every horse fell during the race, which was a very exciting one. Time, S_ mins.