FOOTRACE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5463, 30 September 1878, Page 2

FOOTRACE.

The footrace between the two peck, Hart and Woods, was started on the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon, but was not finished, much to the disappointment of the onlookers. Between half-past two and three o’clock there were from 400 to 500 persons present. Shortly after three o’clock the two men made their appearance. Woods was the favorite, and was backed freely to win. Mr. George Fisher acted as starter, and after two or three false starts got the men together and pulled the trigger. Woods jumped away with the lead, and after running 100 yards was fully seven paces ahead. On passing the grand-stand Woods looked behind at his opponent and smiled. The former, however, held the stranger too cheaply, who put on a splendid spurt, and won by two feet, much to the surprise of the public, who had looked upon the event as a certainty for Woods, more particularly as he had. such a good lead. The general impression was that had he not looked round and laughed he would have won easily. After waiting for about half an hour the men toed the scratch for the 150 yards. Woods as usual was very eager to get away first, and he did, by about five paces. The start was certainly a very bad ; at any rate for Hart, who was left behind at scratch, In coming by the stand he put on a grand spurt, but could not overtake Woods, who won by two yards. The public now thought that they would see'some good running for the 300 yards, but they were greatly disappointed. Hart made use of some uncomplimentary language to the starter, and said lie would not run again. Upon this the starter left the ground, and the final heat never came off. A number of Hart’s backers advised him to run over- the cour&, so as to claim the stakes, which he did, amongst the cheers of some and jeers of others. ___