WELLINGTON RACES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 33, 7 February 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON RACES.

Wellington, Thursday night For the Wellington Cap race there were thirteen entries, and nine came to the scratch, namely Maritana, Lara, Laertes, Longlands' Bata, Diver, Lady Grey, Sailor. The foil lowing were scratched :— Fishhook, Danebury, Camballo, Mufti, and King Quail. Betting 10 to 1 agst Lady Grey, ditto agst Sailor and Diver, 6 to 1 agst Rata, 3 to 1 agst Maritana, 2 to 1 agst Lara, Laertes, and Longlands. There was considerable delay in starting, and several false attempts were made, Bribery at one time bolting for nearly half a mile. On getting away Lara shot to the front, followed by King Quail and Diver, close up ; Maritana was slower to got away, and was a long way behind. Rata

*oon came to the front and took a strong lead, Diver lying alongside, and all the rest in a cluster. A fine racu then onsiied, Marltana going through the lot and ranging alongside Rata. Laertes by this time was right out of it ; Lara, going strongly, was challenged ior the lead by Mantana, and the excitement became intense, both racing neck and neck for some distance, with Longlauds lying in the rear, close on their quarters. Coming up (he straight it was seen that Maritann had It all her own way, as Lara was stopping hard. Maritana won by a length and a half, Louglands three lengths behind Lara. Time, ;!mins 48>l'cs. Hutt Park Stakes of Si» sovs, one mileThere were eight entries, but only Uribery and Sauntorer came to tiic pnst." The following were scratched :- Diver, Fishhook, Expectation, Rata, Merlin, and Doncaster. The lead was taken by Bribery, but Saunterer would not be shaken off, and there was little difference until in the run home> when Bribery had it his own way, winning, tumds down, by sir. lengths. Time, Imin 55secs. Fltixo STaki s of 50 sovs, three-quarters of a mile. — There were eleven entries, but the following were scratched •.— Maritaua, Laertes, Lady Ellen, Camballo, and Diver. It wa3 a capital race. Ratcatcher 1, Opawa 2, Expectation 3. Bribery, Sailor, and Doncaster also ran. The greatest attendance during the day was between three and four thousand. The Governor was unavoidably absent. Colonel Whitmore and Mr Sheehan were present. There was a high wind all day, and much dust, but little rain. Race Course, Friday 1.50 p.m. The weather is all that could be desired, but the attendance is rather smaller than at the same time yesterday, and the interest correspondingly diminished. A quarter past 12 oud everythiug dull. The severe strictures passed on the catering at the Grand Stand and booths appears to have affected them as no luncheon is provided for to-day. The lawn and Grand Stand are empty, and the few bookmakers present are sileut ornearly so, there is in fact nothing doing. The vehicles to-<iay are fewer than yesterday and the trains are not nearly so crowded. " The course in consequence looks empty. I"SS p.m. The Derby-. There was some difficulty in getting a good start. Dundee being fractious, and several false starts occurred. At length Merlin got off with a big start, Dundee being apponently taken by surprise. On passing the Stand the first time Merlin was several lengths ahead. About half round Dundee put his best foot forward and an exciting race ensued. Coming to the straight Merlin led by about a length, and Dundee plied the whip vigorously, and the run up the straight to the Grand Stand was very exciting, the fanciers of Dundee thinking that he could do it. but it was not to be, Merlin clearly having the whip hand of him, and, despite all Dundee's efforts, Merlin won by an easy neck being held well in hand all the time. Time 2mius 57secs. 2 30 p.m. Hurdle Handicap : Grey Moruus 1, Agent 2, Eversly 2. 3.34 p.m. W. K. C. Handicap: Laertes 1, Otawa 2, Lady Ellen 3.