BURNHAM WATER RACES.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 263, 5 February 1848, Page 2

BURNHAM WATER RACES.

On Wednesday and Thursday last, the first races took place on the new race course at Burnhara Water, about three miles from Te Aro. This course has been recently formed by private subscription, fiom a desire to provide a suitable place for these amusements, on the part of those who delight in the pleasures or the turf. It is about a mile in extent, and its present shape is that of an irregular oval, part of the course is heavy, the soil being of a sandy description, but in the course of another year we doubt not considerable improvements will be effected in levelling its inequalities and laying down the course with grass so as to form a good turf. The situation is very pleasing and picturesque, surrounded on all sides by an a mphitheatre of hills, except towards the outh where it lies open to Lyall's Bay. At

the distance of a quarter of a mile lies the area formely covered by Burnham Water, now perfectly drained by the tunnel cut for that purpose through the hills by Mr. Crawford. The weather during both days was extremely favourable. The first day was very warm, the second was cloudy and cooler with a light south-easter, which moderated the temperature. The course was numerously attended, particularly on the first day, there was a strong muster- of equestrians, while the pedestrians attracted by the fineness of the weather and the promise of good sport were also there in considerable numbers, many also came by water landing at the head of Evans Bay, from which the course is not more than a quarter of a mile distant. Several booths were erected on the course, and a stand was provided for the accommodation of the ladies. Hurdle Race. Mr. St. H ill's Harrybogine, (Winteringham) 1 1 Mr. Rhodes's Forlorn Hope, (Owner) 2 *? Mr. E Dorset's Naughty Boy, (Bromley) 0 dr. Mr. M. Evans Mary Blanc, (Donald) 0 dr. Mr. Suisted's Yet, (Grimaidi) 0 dr. In the first heat Harrybogine and Forlorn i Hope cleared the first leap in good style, { the others refused, eventually Mary Blanc \ and Naughty Boy took it, but at the second leap Mary Blanc fell with her rider Donald, who we are sorry to say met with a severe accident, breaking the small bone of his left I arm just below the elbow. The race lay i between Harrybogine and Forlorn Hope 1 both horses taking their leaps cleverly, and ! the former winning by several lengths. Before the second heat it was attempted to \ take Mary Blanc round the course by another rider, but she refused the leaps and he was obliged to abandon the attempt. In the second heat the two horses took the leaps in capital style keeping closely together till near the winning post, when Harrybogine took the lead winning easily. Flat Race. Mr. E. Dorset'" Naughty Boy (Bromley).. 1 1 Mr. St. Hill's Little Pickle (Winteringham) 3 2 Mr. J. Doi set's P/iormium Tenax (Dale) ..2 3 Capt. Daniells Scourge (Watt) 4 4 In this race Naughty Boy took the lead in both heats, winning easily. Ladies' Purse. Lieut. Pace's Rainbow (Owner) 1 2 Mr. M. Evans Mary Blanc (Bromley) 2 9 Only two horses started for the Ladies' Purse, which, according to the conditions of the race, was withdrawn : in the second heat Rainbow walked over the course.