CANTERBURY RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4571, 13 November 1875, Page 2

CANTERBURY RACES.

(per press agency.) Christchurch, Friday. Notwithstanding the dull and somewhat threatening weather this morning, there was a large attendance on the course. The Governor was again present. The Hurdle Race was the first on the list. Tins was regarded as almost a certainty for Tommy Dodd, though Muscatel had many admirers. The latter, however, lost all chance by baulking at the second and third hurdles. Pakeha ran gamely, but did not take his hurdles as well as was expected from the excellent way he jumped in training. In the race he struck every fence hard, and came down heels-over-head at the seventh. The Christchurch Plate brought four three year olds to the post—Daniel O'Rorke, with a penalty of 1-llbs,; Koran, with 71bs. extra ; Fishhook, at weight for age ; and Pungawerewere, with an allowance of 51bs. as a maiden. The knowing ones spotted Fishhook, on the strength of his running in the Derby, where he finished well up to Daniel O’Rorke. Pungawerewere, from her light weight, was also thought to have a chance. Daniel O’Rorke was not expected to start, so his name never appeared in the betting. Korari was the most sought after, as he was known to be as game as a pebble. He consequently carried heaps of money. Fishhook was considered his most formidable opponent. Korari won easier than expected—never being really pressed. The Metropolitan Handicap, as hitherto, was one of the best races of the meeting, being one of the best handicaps ever seen here. There were ten acceptances, which was very good, considering that four of the original nineteen entries had gone amiss. Templeton and Guy Fawkes started first favorites, Tambouriui, Pungawerewere, and Hercules coming next. The Dunedin horses were scarcely mentioned in the betting, and Elfin King was thought so little of that in sweeps worth .€l5O he was sold for £3. Tambourini made a game struggle all the way, and so did Little Templeton and Tadmor. After the first mile neither Rory O’More nor King Philip were in the race, and Hercules having bolted soon after starting, was thrown quite out of it. Templeton disappointed everyone, and the general opinion is that he has got considerably slower since last races, which seems to be proved by the fact that Pungawerewere, of whom such good opinions had been formed, in consequence of her good trials with Templeton, has been nowhere throughout the meeting. Elfin King came with a grand rush at the finish of the race, taking everyone by surprise. The Selling Race was a gift to Steamer, a clever little Tantrim colt. The following is a detailed account of the running : Handicap Hurdle Race of 70 sovs. if five, and 60 sovs, if any leas number start, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each for acceptors. Entrance, 2 sovs., to go to the fund. Two miles, over eight flights of hurdles. P. Campbell's Tommy Dodd, list. 7lbs (Mclvor) 1 O’Brien's Pakeha, 10st. 61bs .. . • (Owner) 2 The following also ran:—Cradock’s Muscatel, lOst. 21bs. (Edwards); Campbell’s Speculation, 9st. (Sellars). Betting—3 to 1 Tommy Dodd. Tho quartet got away on very easy terms. Speculation made the running, with Tommy second; the former baulked at the first hurdle, which Tommy took flying, followed in good style by Muscatel, with Pakeha third. At the

second hurdle Muscatel baulked, and Pakeha took up the running in the second place; Speculation also baulked, and fell over a hurdle. Muscatel was over first, but in the meantune Tommy Dodd and Pakeha weresailing away with a commanding lead. Pakeha joined issue with Tommy Dodd at the top of the course, and the two kept together until the last jump but one, when Pakeha fell, and left Tommy to win as he liked Christchurch Plate of 150 sovs., added to asweenstakes.of 5 sots. each, to be paid by 1p m 0 n the day of the race ; second horse to save' his stake Entrance, 5 sots., to go to the fund. Winners of £IOO to carry 71bs. extra ; £2OO lOlbs • £BOO lilbs. Maidens at starting allowed—for’ 3yrs. old, 51bs.; 4yrs., lOlbs.; syrs, and upwards, nibs' Two miles. Redwood’s Korari, 7st. Tibs (Lyford) 1 O’Brien’s Fishhook, Cst. 131 b (Allan) 2 P. Campbell’s Daniel O’Rorke, Sst. 21bs. (Jones) 3 The following also ran : Delamaine’s Pungawerewere, fist. Slbs. (Rowland). Rory O’More, King Phillip, Guy Fawkes, Blair Athol, Cloth of Gold, Rauolph, and Tattler were scratched. Betting—Even on Korari and Fishhook, 3 to 1 against Daniel O’Rorke, 6 to 1 against Pungawerewere. A beautiful start was effected, Korari at once talcing the lead, with Pungawerewere second, and Fishhook third- Opposite the stand Fishhook went to the front with a rusl but rounding the top of the course Kora. closed up again, and the two raced awa' together, with Daniel three lengths astern. Pungawerewere already tailing off. Going along the back of the course Daniel joined issue with the leaders, and a beautiful race ensued until reaching the bottom turn, when Korari drew away from Fishhook, and Daniel began to fall back. Coming down the straight Daniel came again, but could not reach his horses. Inside the rails Fishhook made his final effort, and looked very much like winning ; but Lyford sat down on Korari and he came away beautifully, winning by half a length, Daniel O’Rorke three lengths behind Fishhook for second place, Pungawerewere nowhere. Time, 3min. 44jsec. Metbopotitak Handicap of 100 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each for acceptors. Entrance, 3 sovs., to go to the fund. Weights to be declared by 9 p.m. on the second day of the races. Acceptances by X p.m. on the day of the race, on the racecourse. One and a half miles. Delamaine’s Ellin King. 6st. lOlbs. .. (Rowland) 1 O’Brien’s Tambourini, 9st. 41bs .. (Derrit) 2 Redwood’s Guy Fawkes, Sst. 121bs. .. (Lyford) 3 The following also ran :—Templeton, 9st.; Hercules, Sst. 31b.; King Philip, Sst. 21b.; Rory O’More, 7st. 121 b.; Tadmor, 7st. 41b.; Tattler, Cat. 71b.; CastiUian, fist. Betting—2 to 1 against Templeton, 3to 1 against Guy Fawkes and Tattler, 4 to 1 against Tambourini, and 10 to 1 against Elfin King. After two false starts, caused by the restiveuess of CastiUian, the flag fell to a good line, Templeton, Tambourini, and Rory O’More going at once to the front. At the back of the course Tamhonriui led, with Templeton and Rory O’More together. At the bottom turn all the horses were in a clump, and it was anybody’s race. Coming into the straight run home Tadmor made a rush, and worked up alongside Tambourini. At the distance Gny Fawkes got amongst the leaders, but died out in the race home. At the rails Elfin King came with a wonderful rush, and won one of the finest races ever run on this course by a length, Tambourini beating Guy Fawkes for second place by three lengths. Time, 2min. 47Jsec. The Selling Race of 50 sovs. Weight tor age. Three-quarters of a mile. W.C. Webb’s b. c. Steamer, 3yrs.,sst. 101 b. (Clark) 1 Shadbolt’s b. g. Black Pine, aged, 7st. 51b. (Shadbolt) 2 Two others ran. Steamer went to the front when the flag fell, but racing with him to the turn, when he caved in, Black Pine made a gallant struggle inside the rails, but without avaU, Steamer winning hands down. Mr. Shadbolt claimed the winner at 40 sovs.

This closed one of the most successful meetings ever held here.