CHRISTCHURCH RACES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5496, 7 November 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH RACES.

(run TRESS AGENOT.) Christchurch, Wednesday. The weather to-clay, on the occasion of the second day of the Metropolitan meeting, was everything that conld be desired for racing purposes; a cool wind was blowing and there was a cloudy sky, so that after the heat of the previous day,, the atmosphere felt quite refreshing. There was a very large attendance, fully 8000 persons being present. There were a great many visitors from the Southern towns, and particularly from Dunedin. The racing on the whole was remarkably good, and the victory scored by little Templeton in the race for the Cup was received by the public with marks of the greatest possible approbation, the clregrs of the spectators being enthusiastic and longcontinued. The following is a list of the various events ; MAIDEN PLATE. The winner of the Derby to carry Jib penalty. Weight for ago. Ono mllo and a half. Mr D. Mallook's b o Nemo, 3 yrs, 7st 4lb (Clifford) 1 Mr H. Redwood’s cb g Pinflrc, 4 yrs, Ost (MatMr farmer's b o Dundee, 3 yrs, Tst Mb ..(T, Clark) 3 Eamarama and Merlin were scratched. After one false start all got away together, Dundee soou getting to the front, with Nemo well up, and Piufiro close alongside. Nemo did not long remain in the second place, but quickly came to the front, riufiro eecond, and Dundee following behind. On coming into the straight all wore flogging, but Nemo kept his pride of place, and came In a winner by about two lengths, with Piufiro second, and Dundee a good third. Betting: Even money on Xhnfire and Nemo, 3 to 1 agst Dundee. Time, 2min. 4SJseo. CANTF.UBDRY CUP • Of SCO 80V3. Mr B, Eav's b h Templeton., aged, Traduoer—, - Hello ol the Mo, Ost 01b (E.' Kay) ~ ~ 1 Mr D. O'Brien’s b g Fishhook, aged, Ost 91b (p. O’Brien) .. - .. .. 2 Mr Kedwood'a ch o Natator. 3 yrs, Tst 111 b (Clifford) S Mr Eodwood’s ch c York, 3 yrs. Tst lib (.McConkcy) 4 jirEedwood’s b It'Ariel,'aged, Ost Olb’ fF.’ Matthews)".. ' .. .. .. .. 0 Mr Horsfall's b o King Quail, 3 yrs, Tst lib (NiOllOlls) ... Q Betting: -5 to 1 on Templeton, even money on Fishhook, 2 to 1 agst Natator, 10 to 1 agst tho rest. Time, 4min. lOseo. This event was looked forward to with groat interest, and as tho Uoraos canto from the saddling paddock

they were eagerly scanned by the Grovel. Natator had plenty of admirers, and the game little horse Templeton looked in the very pink of condition,' and those who bet on. him appeared to rest perfectly satisfied with their choice. The Hook was also much fancied, but after his defeat of the previous day was not so well backed as on that occasion. Natator and the Hook played up a bit at the post, but eventually all were got away on pretty even terms. York soon obtained the lead, with the Hook second, Templeton third, Ariel fourth, and Natator lying close behind. On passing the Grand-stand for the first time York was still leading, with the -Hook and Templeton close .alongside and evidently hard held, the first-named horse making the pace. When opposite Redwood’s place Ariel fell out and Fishhook took the lead, closely pressed by Templeton, with York a good third. When rounding the turn all three were almost neck and neck, racing splendidly, and on coming into the straight the result was considered to be between the first two named, Ray here called upon the old one and he gallantly responded, springing to the front and winning by a couple of lengths, Natator third, closely followed by York, with Ariel fifth. HANDICAP SPRING STEEPLECHASE, 01 150 sovs. About three miles. Sir A. Devcry’s ch g The Agent, 5 yrs, 12st 3lb (IV. Hawkins) 1 Mr 11. Prince's ch g Eversley, aged, 12st (A. Lyford) .. 2 Mr R.. Chamberlain’s b g Ivanhoe, aged, 12st , (Goodman) 3 Mr P. Brittain’s br g Royalty, aged, list 71b (T. Lyford) 0 Mr W, F. Neilson’s br g Moose, aged, list 21b (Matthews) .. ' .. 0 Mr W. P. Neilson’s ch g Tho Lad* 4 yrs, list (O’Neill) .. .. 0 Betting : 6 to 4 on the field, The Agent for choice. Te Whetu was scratched. Aa, the ■ flag went down The Lad jumped away to the : front, hut declined to take the first fence, , which, however, The Agent negotiated successfully, followed by Eversley, Ivanhoe, Royalty, and The Moose. They ran in this order until the turning into the straight, when the favorite gave place to Eversley, Ivanhoe still third, Royalty, Moose, and The Lad evidently already outpaced. They ran very much in this order for the next mile, there not being a single refusal, when The Agent went again to the front, maintaining this advantage to the finish, winning eventually by three lengths, Eversley .being completely beaten, with Ivanhoe a good third, and the rest nowhere. The race was an excellent one, and there was not throughout a single spill. tradesman’s handicap, Of 100 sovs. Mr J. D. Mallock’a b c Foul Play, 5 yrs. Sat *"b (Clifford) 1 Mr J. GlUigan’s ch h Danebury, 5 yrs.-Ost (Demuth) 2 Mr W. F. Neilson’s ch f Luna. 4 yrs, 7st 71b (Rodger) 3 Mr Ray’s b m Marifcana. aged, 7st 7ib .. .. 0 Chancellor, Lara, Lady Ellen,' and Lady of the Itake also ran. Betting: 5 to 2 on tbe field. Lara got away with the lead, Lady of the Lake, second ; Lady Ellen, third; and these positions were maintained until coming to the straight, when the whole of tbe field were racing together. Foul Play now forced his way through the ruck, closely followed by Danebury and Luna, and in this order they came to the post, Foul Play winning by a couple of lengths. Maritana was out of the race from’the start. The Hack Race brought seven horses to tho post, and the event was won by Mr. Walker's , Charlie Wallace. The race was a selling one, but the horse was not sold. Nearly all the events were well contested, and the day’s sport was excellent. The event of the day, the winning of the Cup by Templeton, was hailed with delight, which no one seemed to share in more than Mr. Delamain, his late owner. It is said that Bob Ray has pulled off £4OOO on the result. The day’s sport passed off without casualty of any kind, and the trains performed their part of the work in a most exemplary manner.