CANTERBURY RACES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 259, 8 November 1878, Page 2

CANTERBURY RACES.

CiißisTCiicKCir, Thursday. To day tho weather was decidedly the best of ali three days. About ten o'clock a smart shower of rain fell and nicely laid the dust, while at the same time it tempered the atmosphere. The course was in splendid order. There is by no means so large an attendance as there was yesterday at this time, but the trains are arriving laden with sightseers, aud no doubt many thousands will be here in the afternoon. MhTßovor-irAN Handicap of 100 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 5 soys. Second horse to save his stake. One mile and a half. Mr Ray's Sinking Fund ... 1 Mr Ray's Maritana 2 Mr Gilligan's Danebury ... 3 After a good deal of playing up at the post aud no less than four false starts the horses all got away at a jump, Sinking Fund and Mirelle almost immediately assuming the lead, Maritana second, and Daneburythird, but opposite the stand Sinking Fund went away from his horses and showed fully a length in the front with the Hook second, and Maritana third. In rounding the turn Sinking Fund aud Mr Ray's mare wore neck and neck, and a splendid race took place home, the Fund winning by a length, with Danebury several lengths behind, and the Hook fourth. [Our telegrams told us yesterday that Sinking Fund aud Maritana were disqualified as the result of a protest, and the stakes were awarded to Danebury.] Publicans' Sxekplechasb Handicap of 75 soys, added to a sweepstake of 5 soys. Mr Nielsen's Te Whelu 1 Mr Prince's Eversley ... ... 2 Mr Brittan's Royalty 3 All got well away together without any false starting. At the first fence Eversley led, with Silverstream second, Royalty third, The Lad fourth, and Te Whetu, evidently held in reserve, last. When passing the Stand the positions -were almost the same, except that Silverstream was coming up and soon took second place, and Te Whetu coming up rapidly. At the turn Te Whetu, Eversley, and Royalty were all together, and a most exciting race ensued down the straight, resulting in Mr Nielson's gelding coming in a winner by a length, with Royalty a good third. CmusTCHtJiicii Plate of 150 soys, added to a sweepstake of 5 soys each. Mr Maliock's Nemo 1 Mr lledwood's "Natator 2 Mr Redwood's York 3 Betting, 2 10 1 against Nemo aud Natator; 6 to 4 against York. Fishhook was scratched. This was by long chalks the best race of the day. All three horses were known to be good performers, and the betting on the result was very keen. At the start York had a strong lead, with Natator second, and Nemo in the rear. They maintained these positions until opposite the Grand Stand, when Nemo seemed involved in hopeless difficulties, being at least a dozen lengths in the rear, but at this stage he rapidly increased his pace, and at the turn was close on York's quarters, Natator then having the lead. A pretty race took place down the straight, resulting in Nemo winning by a couple of lengths, with York a good third.