HOPE RACES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 122, 25 May 1877, Page 2

HOPE RACES.

The meeting yesterday, although hurriedly got up, passed oft smoothly and pleasantly, • about 500 being present. It aimed at being nothing more than a succession of hack races, and as such afforded a good deal of sport, some of the events being well contested, if not for first, at all events for second place. Mr Canning, who had kindly lent his paddock for the occasion, acted as judge, Air T. Harley as starter, and Mr Gundry as clerk of the course. The first event on the card was The Handicap Hurdle Race of 15 sovs; two miles, over eight flights of hurdles. Mr Blower's Septimus, list 2lbs (Day) I Mr Kerr's May Mora, lost 6lbs (R. Kerr) 2 Mr Gundry's Cloud, 9st Qlbs (J. Gardner) 3 These were the only horses that came to the post, and Cloud was very soon out of the race as he baulked at the first hurdle, while the other two went away merrily until Septimus, taking the seventh hurdle, left May Morn behind, she preferring to go round to taking the leap. The Hack Hurdle Race of 5 sovs, one mile over four flights of hurdles, fell to the lot of Happy Jack, who took firs; honors, lea /ing tle;second(and third places to Fishhook and Tommy Dodd respectively. Handicap Hurdle Race of 10 sovs; 1| miles, over six flights of hurdles. Mr Gundry's Cloud, lost 61 bs i Mr J. Hagan's Spear Grass, lOst lolba .'.! 2 Mr W. Harley's Zenobia, 9st 21bs ... 3 The race was throughout between Cloud and Spear Grass, Zenobia being, apparently, thoroughly careless as to the result, which ■ was as stated above. The Hack Race for a side saddle, valued at £8 Bs, was won by Mr Nieman's Wild Boy, beating Mr Kerr's Volunteer, Mr Warren's Brewer, and two others. Pon/ Race of 5 sovs; three-quarters of a mile. Mr Hagan's Bobby 1 Mr Warren's Polly 2 Mr Fowler's Flirt 3 Three.ott ers started. There was a good deal of amusement over this race, in which the five diminutive steeds did all they could to win. Bobby, however, was too big and too fast for his opponents, and won easily. Handicap District Plate of 10 sovs; Umile3 Mr Gundr> 's Cloud, 9st 6lbs ... ... 1 Mr Kerr's Volunteer, Bst 2 Mr RicLetts' Tommy Dodd, Bst 3lbs '.".. 3 Mr Niecran's Wild Boy 0 Volunteer went away with a strong lead which he soon increased to at ?east 100 yards, his jockey riding him hard the whole time! After travelling half the distanoe, however, he was pumped, and Cloud went up and passed him, and retained the lead without an effort to the end. Handicap Trotting Race of 10 sovs; two miles. Mr Gifford's Blue Coat, 20 yards back ... 1 Mr Harley's Black Eagle, 100 yards back 2 Mr Hagan's Nelly, scratch 3 Mr Warren's Sandfly, 55 yards back ... 0 Mr Warren's Chinaman, scratch 0 This was a capital though not a fast race. Nelly retained her lead for over a mile, when Blue Coat, who had been steadily gaining on her the whole time except once when she broke, challenged and deprived her of first honors, and shortly after she had to resign the second place to Black Eagle who came 1 up well towards the end. This was the last race of the day, and there was at Once a rush for the train which was drawn up outside the course ready to return to town. The Artillery Band enlivened the proceedings considerably by playing at intervals during the day. For those who were hungry or thirsty Mr Stallard had taken care to provide everything they co.ild desire, and his efforts to please appeared to be fully appreciated.