Sporting.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 318, 16 March 1878, Page 20

Sporting.

WANGANUI RACES. (from our own correspondent.) Wanganui, Friday. This was the second day of the Wanganui Autumn Meeting, and the weather was more settled and the attendance much hvrger than yesterday, about 2500 persons being present. The public had a good cut in, as they managed to spot the winner in most of the events, scoring - a treble or two and a few doubles. On the whole the ring must have got much the worst of it for the hurdles. Owing to the heavy impost on Te Whetu Gazelle and Bully-for-you wore well supported. The race itself was a chapter of accidents, as they all fell except the winner, who fenced better than on the first day. Songster was made a great pot by the visitors, who brought his price to evens against the field, but the Wangauui division put their money on last year’s winner, and landed it, to the chagrin of the ring, in most of

whose doubles Resolution was picked to win the big money. Songster ran very poorly, shutting up directly the pace began to be made veiy warm ; in fact he was never in it, being neither fit nor speedy enough for such clinkers as he met. The result of the race was loudly cheered, as Mr. George always runs to win, disdaining to play fast or loose with the public by misleading them as to his intentions. Queen of the Vale, • who had been picked in a lot of doubles for the Flying Handicap, and bad only been scratched a few hours before the race, for the ostensible reason of saving her for the big money, ran very wide at the turn, and was never dangerous. The way Eoam struggled to the end of a fast race, under young Alfred Walker’s handling, was a treat to the lovers of good sport, and the mare was loudly applauded as she weighed in. Expectation ran a game mare, and will be heard of yet, as she has only been up a short time, and is susceptible of great improvement. The Day Dawn was a boil over, as Luna was not thought good enough to win. Chanticleer, a rare two-year-old, will ripen into a racehorse of both speed and bottom. The maidens were a fine level lot of youngsters, and a credit to the district. Nothing but Skyblue, half brother to Trueblue (dead), would go down with the public, who came out strongly in his favor, reaping the reward of their pluck, as lie won cleverly. They got another good turn in the Consolation, as they piled on Ouida, who Avon the most exciting race of the meeting by a very short head, Eeep-o’-Day Boy, with young Alfred Walker up, making it very hot for the favorite. The meeting passed off most successfully, the office-bearers performing their duties most satisfactorily. There were no accidents of any consequence, nor any disturbances, everything going smoothly and harmoniously. Eollowing is au account of the running : HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 70 so vs. D stance, two and a quarter miles. Mr. brewer’s Gazelle, lOst 71bs (Nicholson).. .. 1 Mr. J. 8. Campbell’s Bully-for-You, lOst (lidwards) 2 Mr, K. Stent’s To Whetu, list 121bs (Campion) .. 3 Mr. Heaton’s Victor lOst 31bs (Potts) .. .. 0 Betting: Even on Te Whetu; 6 to 4, Bully; 2 to 1, Gazelle ; 4 to 1, Victor. Directly the Hag fell the four went off at a slashing pace, which brought the crack Te Whetu to grief at the first hurdle. He was soon remounted, but Avas too far behind to have a show of winning, if the others only stood up. Victor was file next to come down, leaving Gazelle and Bully to fight it out. The growling Bully had in the Flying Stakes yesterday told, and lie too bit the dust, hut Avas hardly doAvn before Edwards was on him again and had him going, Gazelle making no mistake won by several lengths. None of the riders or horses Avere much the worse for their tumbles. HACK HURDLE RACE Of 3 0 sovs., with a sweepstake of 1 guinea added. Over live jumps, 3ft 9in high. Weight not loss than 9sfc. Cost entry. Mr. Sweeney’s Violet .. .. .. .. .. 1 Mr. Harrison’s Cossack .. .. .. .. ..2 Mr. D. Eraser’s To I tonga .. .. .. ..3 Juana, Tommy Dodd, Agravating King, and Dou also started. All the horses in this race either fell or baulked, except the grey veteran Violet, Avho Avon as she liked, making no mistakes. AVANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP Of 250 sovs. Distance, two and a quarter miles. ' 2G nominations, ami 13 acceptances. Mr. George’s Resolution, Sst lOlbs (D. Campion) 1 Mr. AY. T. Owens’ Foam, Gst 51bs(A. AValker) . . 2 Mr. Powdrell’s Queen of the Vale, (ist 121bs (Read) 3 Wheeler’s Expectation (7st 41bs), J. O. Hayward’s Ouida (7st), D. Scott’s ch g Haphazard (6st 121bs), Gilligan and Bolton’s Songster v 7st s lbs), and Lyon’s Tamatea (7st 51bs), also started. Opawa, Lara, Tamouri, Danebury, and Chokebore Avere scratched. Betting : 6 to 4 agst Songster, 2 to 1 agst Haphazard, 4 to 1 agst Queen of the Vale, 5 to 1 agst Expectation and Resolution, 6 to 1 agst Eoam and Ouida, 10 to 1 Tamatea. After tA\ r o false starts the field got away on good terms, Expectation and Queen of the Vale first showing in front, Avith all the others Avell up, except Haphazard, who Aims running last a few lengths behind. On passing the stand for the first time Queen of the Vale led, with Ouida, Songster, Eoam, Expectation, and the others avoll up. The pace Avas mending; every stride, and Songster was soon in difficulties, having Tamatea to comfort him. The first mile ivas done in Lain. 52scc. Ou passing the stand the second time Resolution, who was going like a lion, had the lead, ivitli Eoam pulling double on his girths. At the back stretch Haphazard, avlio had been improving his position, tried to get ou terms with the leaders, but could not, and soon gave up the attempt. As they swept into the straight Eoajn Avas ahead of Resolution, hut the horse lasted longest, winning by a neck, Queen of the'Vale au indifferent third. Time, 4n.in. lGgsec, <

THE DAY DAWN CUP. A'aluo 20sovs. One and a half miles. Weight for age. Mi. Durrie’s Tuma, 7st 121 b (Atkins) .. .. 1 Mr. McLaughlin’s b g Loch Lomond, 7st 121 b (Knox) .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Mr. .T. Paul’s Chanticleer, Gst 31b (A. Walker) .. 3 Legacy Avas scratched. The three kept well together until entering the straight the second time, when Tuma got the lead, and held it to the end. Time, 2min. 57sec. MAIDEN PLATE Of 50 sovs. AA r eight for age. One and a half miles. Mr. P. Rowe’s Skyblue, 3 yrs, 7st 121bs (.T. Harris) 1 Dr. Ravi’s Charity Girl, 4 yrs. Sst 131bs (Edwards) 2 Mr. J. Quinlin’s Redeemer, 2 yrs, ost 51b (Quinlan) _ 3 Betting : 6 to 4 on Skyblue, 2 to 1 Tamouri, 3 to 1 Snowstorm, 5 to 1 Redeemer, 10 to 1 any other. After two false starts they Avere sent on their journey, Charity Girl taking the lead, Avitli Skyblue in close attendance. At the back stretch the field began to tail off, Charity Girl seemed to be going too strong to be caught, but the Blue came Avhen asked, and won cleverly. Time, 2min. Bsec. CONSOLATION HANDICAP Of 20 sovs, 1.) miles. Hayward's Ouida, 5 yrs., 7sfc. .. 1 Harrison’s Peep-o’-Day, 3 yrs., Gst. .. .. ..2 Scott’s Haphazard and Handley’s Te Waka also started. This was a splendid set-to betAveen the first and second horses, and Avas only Avon on the post by a short head amid great cheering. OAMARU RACES. (PER PRESS AGENCY. 1 Oamaru, Monday. The annual meeting of the North Otago Turf Club commenced to-day under most favorable auspices, the Aveather being fine and the attendance large, and all the races avcll contested, without the slightest contretemps to mar tlie pleasure of the spectators. MAIDEN PLATE, Of 40 sovs. AVeiglifc for age. "Distance, one mile and a quarter. Mr. Mitchell’s ch g Mistake, aged .. .. 1 Mr. Gray’s b m Flirt, aged .. .. .. .. 2 Mr. Shalder’s gr m Nelly, 4 yrs 3 Lady Ann, 3 yrs, also started. Betting : Even money on Elirfc, 2 to L agst Mistake, 3 to 1 agst Nelly, 6 to 1 agst Lady Ann. The race virtually lay between Mistake and Elirt, the other two being out of the hunt after going one mile. After a good set-to, Mistake came away at the finish and Avon by three lengths. Time, 2min. 24sec. SELLING RACE, Of 30 sovs. Weight for age. Distance, one mile and a quarter. Mr. Wm. McKay’s cr m Miss Elswick, 4 yrs .. 1 Mr. A. McKay’s ch g Jack-the-Flat, aged .. .. 2 Mr. A. McKay’s br g Celceno. aged .. .. .. 3 Lady Ann also started. Betting : 2 to 1 agst jack-the-Elat and Miss Elswick, 3 to 1 agst Celoeno, 10 to 1 agst Lady Ann. This race needs little description, as from the time the flag dropped Miss Elswick held the lead, though hard pressed by Jack-the-Elat. The cream-colored daughter of Elswick-won easily at the finish by two lengths. Time, 2min. 2Ssec. NORTH OTAGO TURF CLUB HANDICAP, Of 100 sovs, with a sweepstakes of 5 sovs ; second horse to receive 20 sovs; third horse, 10 sovs. Distance, one mile and three quarters. Mr. Redwood’s b h Ariel, 4yrs, lOst lib .. .. 1 Mr. O’Brien’s b g Fishhook, syrs, Ost Sib .. 2 Mr. Swanson’s g g Blue Peter, Gyrs. Gst Sib .. 3 Unknown (aged, 7st 81b), Maritana (aged, 7st 31b), Bide-a-wee (aged, 7st 61b), also started.. Templeton (lOst Sib), Hippo (Sst. 10lb), Punga (Sst 41b), Longlands (7st 12ib), Oberou (7sb 31b), and Mireille (7sb lib), were scratched. Betting: 5 to 4 on Ariel, 2 to 1 agst Eishhook, 3 to 1 agst Bide-a-Avee, Maritana, and Blue Peter, 5 to 1 Unknown. A half dozen Avere sent away to a fair start at 2 p.in., Maritana having the lie.lt, and Fishhook the worst of it. Past the stand Maritana led by half a length, Blue Peter second, Unknown and Bide-a-wee half a length behind, while close alongside them Ariel came, with Fishhook two lengths away. After going half a mile Blue Peter assumed a clear lead of two lengths, and there were a great many who thought the race was already over. This order was maintained until opposite Slialders, when the Hook Avas observed to go through his horses like a shot, and when they reached the turn into the straight, he had passed them all in succession; but on entering ■’die straight Matthews called on Ariel, and. the latter, aylio had been running third, soon passed Blue Peter, and Avlien the horses entered the rails he Avas on e\ r en terms Avith Fishhook. Erom thence came one of tlie grandest struggles ever seen on the Oamaru course took place, and amid intense excitement and shouts “ Ariel Avins,” “ the Hook Avins,” the tAvo champions rushed past the stand. At the last feAv strides Ariel got his nose in front, and won a grand race by a short head from the Hook, Blue Peter a good third, Maritana fourth, Unknown fifth, Bide-a-wee last. Time, Bmin. 18sec, NOVEL RACE, Of 50 sovs. Weight for age. Winner to bo sold, and proceeds to go to the race funds. Distance, one mile and a half. Mr. Grey’s b m Flirt, aged .. .. . - .. 1 Mr. A. McKay’s ch g Jack-the-Flat, aged .. .. 2 Mr. W. McKay’s cr m Miss Elswick 3 Betting : Even money on Jack-the-Elat, 2 to 1 agst Elirt and Miss Elswick. Boomerang (aged) also started, but was out of the race from the start. Elirt took the lead at the start, kept it, and Avon easily. Time, 2min. 9sec. HACK RACE. Six started for this race, which was won by old Malabar. TRADESMAN’S HANDICAP, Of GO sovs. Distance, one mile and a quarter. Mr. Ray’s 1) in Tituuia, 4 yrs, 7st lOlbs .. 1 Mr. Mullock's b c Foul Play, 2 yrs, 7st lOlbs .. 2 Air. Swan’s g g Blue Peter, G yrs, Gst lOlbs .. .. 3 Izaak. Walton (5 yrs, 7stl2lb), and Cracroft, (o’ yrs, sst 71b), also started. Templeton (9st 101 b), Punga (Sst 81b), Longlands (Sst), Chancellor (7st Sib), and Mireille (7st 61b), Avere scratched. Betting: 3 to 2 on Foul Play ; even on Titania and Izaak Walton ; 3 to 1 agst Blue Peter ; and 6 to 1 agst Cracroft. Punctually at 5 p.m., Slialders sent the horses aAvay to a splendid start. On passing the stand Blue

Peter took a clear lead of a length, with Izaak Walton second, after which came Titania and Cracroft, the latter being then clean out of hand. On entering the straight, Delmuth called on Titania, and the game little mare passed the three leading horses in about a hundred yards. When half-way up the straight she had a clear lead, and from this the race was never in doubt, for she won easily by a length ; Foul Play second, Blue Peter a good third, Izaak Walton fourth, and Cracroft nowhere. Time, 2min. 16sec. SECOND DAY. Oamaku, Tuesday. To-day, the second day of the races, the weather was fine, and the attendance good. HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of TO sovs. Distance, two miles and a half. Shark, lOst .. . - .. ■ • .. 1 Shillelagh, Ost 101 b.. .. .. .. 2 Merry Monarch, Ost Tib .. .. ..3 Banjo (list) and Theodore (lOst 71b) also started. Eclipse was scratched. He had been backed heavily to win it outright at even money ; there were also a large number of doubles and trebles. Great dissatisfaction was expressed at the conduct of the owner. A good many people insinuated that the bookmakers made him a “ stiff one,” as they would all or nearly all have been struck in trebles anti doubles had Eclipse won. The race is easily described. Banjo led for one mile; Shark then went to the front, was never afterwards headed, and won by three lengths from Shillelagh, Merry Monarch third, Banjo fourth, and Theodore last. Time, smin. 25sec. SELLING HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. Of 30 sovs. Four started. This event was won easily' by old Malabar. publicans’ handicap. Of 100 sovs. Fishhook, 9st 31b .. .. ~ 1 Maritana, Ost 01b .. .. .. 2 Ariel, 9st 121 b .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Hippocamus, 7st 121 b, also started. Betting: Even money on Fishhook, 5 to 4 agst Ariel, 3 to 1 agst Hippocamus, 5 to 1 Maritana. This was one of the grandest and quickest races ever run in the colony. When the flag fell Maritana rushed to the front and led past the stand, Fishhook at her girths being second, and the other two side by side a length away. After going for a quarter of a mile Kay pulled Fishhook back last. Maritana led to the straight, with Ariel and Hippocampus close up, but shortly after entering the straight Fishhook rushed up to the front with the other horses, and at the distance-post they were all together. After a desperate struggle the Hook won by a short half-length, Maritana beating Ariel on the post by a head, .Hippocampus being a length behind. Time, 2min. 45sec. HOSPITAL HACK RACE. Of 30 sovs This race was won by Mistake. Seven started. FLYING HANDICAP. Of 75 sovs. Distance one mile. Fishhook, 9st Gib.. .. .. .. .. ..1 Luiia, 6st 21b .. .. .. .. .. 2 Foul Play, 7st 121 b 3 Blue Peter and Isaac Walton also ran. Betting : 6 to 4 agst Fishhook, 2 to 1 agst Foul Play, 3 to 1 agst Isaac Walton, 4to 1 agst Blue Peter, 3to 1 agst Buna. This was a magnificent race from the start to the finish, and all the horses could have been covered by a sheet. When ten lengths from the post Fishhook got his head in front, and won a fast race by a neck from Luna, Foul Play being the same distance ahead of Blue Peter, and Isaac Walton one length behind Peter. Time, Imin. 493 sec. CONSOLATION HANDICAP. Of 40 sovs. One mile and a quarter, buna, 7st .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Blue Peter, 7st 21b .. .. .. .. .. 2 Maritana also started, but lost her saddle by a swing round when she was leading up the straight. It was a splendid race, and was won by a head. Time, 2min. 17^sec. Mr. Sherwin, the handicapper, has been congratulated by the leading sportsmen in the colony for his handicaps, all the finishes being close and exciting. This meeting was the most successful ever held in Oamaru.