WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5354, 25 May 1878, Page 2

WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE.

BY TELEGRAPH. : ' (I'llOSI 00E OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Waxoancx, Friday. The Wanganui Annual Steeplechase meeting, which is always a popular tryst, came off today with great success. The course, was in splendid order, and the jumps stiff enough to satisfy the greatest glutton for big leaps. A water jump had been added, and was the sticking point with most of the competitors, as the horses, though clever enough in getting over the other obstacles, had not been schooled in getting over water. They consequently either refused it altogether, dr plunged right into it, to the great amusement of the crowd, who had, gathered at the hole to see the duckings. Ten horses weighed out for the 'big money, and it was at once seen that Awahou, Medora; and Deborah were the fittest. .Gazelle looked stale, and was not much fancied ; ; nor Was Victor, who did not look anything like the horse he did last year, when he won the race. Victor was out of all form, and never should have started. The veteran, Middy Ashore, of Victorian fame, broke his leg in his stable on Wednesday night, and had to be shot. He was a grand horse in his day. The race was a chapter of accidents, as tumbles and baulks were the order of the day ; but no one was much hurt. Mr. Pollock get a bad shake, having mounted Deborah after she had fallen with Laing at the first jump, and she fell again two jumps further on, giving Mr, Pollock a nasty shake. 1 ; : 1 "' The Maiden was quite as prolific of tambles, as nothing but Deborah stoed up, and Bhody Mclvor had it all to himself. ■ After _ the first few jumps she, fenced splendidly, which after her clumsiness in the previous race was a great surprise. Two bad falls occurred in the Hack Hurdle Kaoe, Potter,. the rider of Sloper, getting severely hurt internally. The Consolation Steeplechase was the best race of the day, as the horses ( fenced better. Old Victor sailed in an easy winner, but a protest was lodged for his going on the wrong side of a flag. (The matter has not yet been heard.) The trot was a very slow affair, and was won easily by Mr. Boss’s Pidget. The attendance was very large,' some 3000 Being present, many coming by train from all the stations between Buxton and Wanganui. The arrangements were very complete, and gave every satisfaction. Dr. Earle officiated as judge in consequence of Mr. Owen being absent through illness. Below is the result of each event:— HANDICAP. STEEPLECHASE Of 150 sovs.’, 15 sovs. for second horse, and third to save his stake; over about three miles of fair i hunting country. - ' 1 ■

Sir. BogersVchgAwahou, Syrs., 10st7Ibs(Eae) .. 1 Mr. Mollae’s h m Medora, aged, list (D. Campion): 2 Mr. Campbell’s b g Bully-forryou, aged, lOst 10lb (Mclvor).. .. •• •• -- •• ~ 3 Gazelle (list 51b), Victor (list), Sportsman (list), Arbitrator (lOst 71bs), Deborah (lOst 61bs), Viotorine (lOst), and the Don (lOst) also started. After two false starts the field; were sent away, and Awahou and Medora began to go to the front. At the first fence Deborah fell, and was out of it. As each fence was reached, one or more of the field stepped, until nothing was left going but Awahou and Medora. The latter looked .'like 'winning easily.until half a’ mile from home, when; she baulked and lost mrioh ground . She soon began to pull it. up, arid came up the straight close beside Awahou, after safely jumping the last obstacle, a stiff timber jump. The young horse was too strong, however, and beat her by; a neek. Bully-fur-You, who was some distance behind, coming in fol-third hoaoro, and none of the others going tthb round.’ ’ V-»

MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE Of 75 bovs. Second horse to save his stakes. Over \ - - the same course as for the handicap. Entrance, i t; 3 sovs. Weight, one stone over weight forage. • .(A maiden horse or mare is one that has never I y won a steeplechase or hurdle race of the value of 20 sovs.) The winner of the handicap to carry ' 71bs; penalty. ■ Mr. Fleetwood’s ch m Deborah, C yrs, lOst lOlbs,;: (McTvor) .. 1 Mr, Stevens’ b g The Don, 6 yrs, lost lOlbs (D. Campion) «*. •; 2 Little Wonder, Sportsman, Awabou, Victoriue, and Aggravation also started. After the horses got away, and the first jump had been passed, the casualties began, and in a short time T)eborah was left alone, to win if she could only stand up, which she did, fencing splendidly. The Don,, who was persevered with, came in a bad second a long way behind the'winner. Sweeny’s veteran grey mare Violet won the Hack Hurdles easily. HANDICAP TROT •» ’ ' OflOsovs. Distance, 3 miles. - Mr. H. Boss’s Fidget, 000 yds (Owner) .. .. 1 Mr, Hewitt’s Oipsey, 500 yds (Owner) .. .•. 2 Messrs, Chadwick and Belcher’s OurPony(scratch) (Belcher) .. .. .... .. ♦ • .3 Seven others started. Fidget and Gipsey kept their respective leads, and Our Pony passed everything but them, finishing as above.