CHRISTCHURCH RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5327, 24 April 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH RACES.

(per press agency.) Christchurch, Tuesday. Ou the second day the weather was threatening in the early part of the afternoon, but subsequently cleared up, and continued fine throughout. The racing again was very good. The Steeplechase, though there were only two starters, was" a pretty.race, both horses jumping beautifully, and the result being to 1 all appearance doubtful till near home. Longlands and Natator were scratched at an early hour for all engagements, and this must have been a very great disappointment to a large number, as both had been heavily backed over night, both straight out and in doubles. It is said the very hard state of the course, consequent on the recent dry weather, was the cause of these horses, being scratched. The Easter Handicap was a splendid race throughout. Kanolf looked all over a winner till nearing the rails, when he ran off the course. The other races need no comment.

THE PLYING STAKES, i Of 100 sovs, with a sweepstakes of 5 sovs. Weight for age. Distance, three-quarters of a mile. Mr. Ray’s Templeton, aged (R. Ray) .. ..I Mr. Mallock’s Foul Play, 3yrs.(H.iggott) .. ..2 Mr. Mallock's Nemo, 2yrs (AVade) 3 Ratcatcher also ran. Bribery,' Natator, and Merlin were scratched. ' Atlantic and Turk did not show np. Betting; Even on Templeton, 6 to 4 agst Nemo and Eoul Play, 3 to 1 agst Ratcatcher. At the third attempt a capital start was effected, but Templeton at once rushed to the front, followed by Ratcatcher and Nemo, while Foul Blay was last away. Within a quarter of a mile Foul Play came through the ruck and joined issue with Templeton. They raced into the straight together, and were neck-and-ueck to the rails, when Templeton drew away, and won by half a length ; Nemo a good third. Time, Imin. 17iseo.

HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, Of 100 sovs.. added to a sweep of 10 sovs. Distance, tlireo miles and a quarter. Mr. Mackey’s Mousetrap, aged, list 41b. (O’Brien) 1 Mr. Dawson’s Ivaulioe, aged, list 71b (McCoy) .. 2 Betting : 6toi on Mousetrap. Eclipse was scratched. Mousetrap at once took the lead, and held it throughout the running by several lengths, without once being, called upon. Both horses took all the nineteen jumps, including a double, splendidly. Time, Bmin. 24seo. EASIER HANDICAP, Of 100 sovs., added to a sweep of 7 sovs. Distance, one mile. Mr. Mallock’s Foul Play, Syrs, 7at '2lb, (T Clarke) 1 Mr. Fraser's Banbury, 4yrs, 7st 41b, (Clifford .. 2 Mr. Bunn’s Maritana, aged, 7st 51b, (Nicholls) .. S Templeton (@st 81b); Ariel (9st 31b); Luna, (6st 21b) ; Oberon (6st); and llanolf (Gst 91b) also ran. Betting ; even agst Templeton, 2to 1 agst Foul Flay, Kanolf, and Oberon, 5 to 1 agst Bribery. At the starting post Bribery played up and Maritana bolted. Ultimately a level start was effected. Ranolf and Bribery made the running, Luna going third, anil Templeton fourth. On entering the straight Ranolf and Bribery still led, Foul Flay creeping up ; on nearing the rails Foul Flay collared the leaders, when Ranolf bolted off the course, and a pretty race between Foul Play and Bribery ensued, resulting in favor of the former by halt a length. Maritana was placed third, Luna fourth, but the two really came in in the reverse order. Time, Imin. -lo^sec. SELLING .RACE Of 50 sovs. added to a sweepstake af 5 sovs. Distance, three-quarters of a mile.' Mr. Mullock's Ranolf, £IOO, Sst 71b (Allen).. .. 1 Mr. Webb’s Undine. £IOO,- Ist 31b (Clarke).. .. 2 Mr. Fraser’s Bribery, £3OO, Sat 121 b (Clifford) '.. 3

Oberon, £3OO (Sst'Slb); ‘Waitaki, ■ £IOO. yat Sib ; John Stovel, £SO (7st 81b) also: ran.. Betting ; 6 to 4 on the field. A capital start was effected. Bribery’and Ranolf again jvent in front of the othefe, except John .Stovel, {who was 1 ’ close up, ‘ ‘After'entering, the straight Undine ran into third place, and there was a neck-and-neck . racei between Bribery (and Bnnol£ to when the latter showdd ia

front, gradually drew away, and won by a length. Time, limn 17sec, ' Cu being put up at auction Ranolf was sold to Ray for £165, the club thus getting £65. ' CONSOLATION RACE, . Of 40 sovs. Distance, one mile. Mr. Redwood s Ariel, 9st 3lbs (Matthews) .. 1 Mr. Dunn s Maritana, Sst (Deimith) .. ~ .. 2 Betting: 6t04 on Ariel. Maritaua led till well into the straight, when Ariel came away and won by three lengths. Time, Imin 46 secs. ' A man named Ivmsman, a warder at the lunatic asylum, in returning from the , races was run . oyer by Dalwood’s omnibus, and killed. It is said no blame attaches to the driver of the omnibus.