THE STEEPLECHASES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 338, 24 May 1877, Page 2

THE STEEPLECHASES.

President, Mr. F. W. 0. Grant; Vice-Pre-sident, Mr. G. S. Lintott; Stewards, Messrs. M. Studholme, J. O'Meagher, W. Gardiner, and A. H. Maude ; Judge, Mr. W. F. O. Grant; Starter, Mr. G. S. Lintott ; Clerk of the Course, Mr. It. Smart; Clerk of the Scales, Mr. G. R. Taylor ; Handicapper, Mr. M. Sherwin; Treasurer, Mr. S. Richmond; Secretary, Mr. G. Greenfield.

The annual Steeplechase Meeting of the Oamaru Steeplechase Club took place today, on the Oamaru racecourse, and formed the chief centre of attraction for holiday-makers. From an early hour in the morning a considerable number of people might have been seen wending their way to the scene of the struggles between the crack horses over sticks, as steeplechasers are at times designated. Every description of vehicle was brought into requisition to carry passengers to the course, while every kind of horse, from the well-bred down to the miserable wornout hack, was pressed into service. Many persons, too, seemed to prefer doing the journey on foot. The special trains from the Oamaru station were each well patronised, the number of passengers which they obtained being sufficient to do something more than pay the expenses attending the running of special trains. Still, however, there was not so many people on the course as might have been expected, the number, when at its highest, being about 900. Of course, all those little things which go to make up a stirring scene on a race-course were fairly represented. There were the usual booths for the sale of strong and exhilarating waters, and of the " cup that cheers but not inebriates," as well as for the disposal of the more substantial satisfiers of the cravings of the inner man. Besides these there were a few itinerant dispensers of fruit, &c. All of the above seemed to be doing a fair business. Of course, the " sharps '» and " flats" usually to be found on race - courses were represented: indeed, a race meeting of any kind would scarcely be looked upon as a success if there was a total absence cf these not very desirable concomitants of the racecourse. The grand-stand and saddling paddock received a fair amount of support, the softer sex being well represented on the former. The course itself was in tolerable order, but was somewhat heavy. This, however, was no fault of the gentlemen entrusted with the laying off of the course, but was attributable to the late wet weather. The course over which the steeplechases were run had been carefully laid off, and comprised two water jumps of a not very difficult nature, four pretty stiff fences, and about half a dozen hurdles. The whole of the office-bearers were indefatigable in their exertions to make the affair pass off successfully ; and if the meeting was not altogether an unqualified success, it was not the fault of those entrusted with its I management. Of the steeplechases themselves, we cannot speak in the highest terms of praise, for, although mostly all the jumps were taken very well, the racing was somewhat slow and wearisomeThis was no doubt to be accounted for by the heavy state of the course. Spill s seem to be inseparable from a Steeplechase Meeting, but, though there were several to-day, no accidents of a severe nature occurred to any of the horses or their riders. The Maiden Plate was the first item on the programme, and was won by Grey Momus, Will-if-I-can being second. The Waitaki County Cup was a somewhat hollow affair, and, as was fully anticipated by most people, was almost a gift to Tommy Dodd, who proved himself too good for his opponents when at weight for age. Lottery, who struggled pretty hard throughout the race, was second, and Cleaver, t he only other starter, third. The Handicapper then fixed the weights for the great event of the day, the Oamaru Steeplechase Club Handicap. While this was being done, the Hack Selling Steeplechase was run, the winner being that veteran Bob Apples. Only three horseS started for the Handicap, which was won by Tommy Dodd, Grey Momus being second. The Consolation Race had not been run when our reporter left. The following is a detailed account of the racing : Maiden Plate—Of 40 sovs. For all horses that have never won a steepchase of 20 sovs. (hack races and matches excepted). About 2 miles, and across such country

as the stewards may appoint; weigtUt- for age. Entrance, £2 25., with a sweep ol £1 Is., to go to second horse. Mr. H. Lunn's Grey Mcmus, aged, 12st. 31b (Lunn) \ Mr. J. Vining's ch h Will*lf-I-Can, 5 yrs., list. 61b (C. Joyce) 2 Mr. Thos. Sbalder's g g Nevis, 4 yrs., list (T. M'Kay) 3 Mr. S. Hoskin's b m B-unette, aged, 12st. 31b (A. Kelly) 0 A good start was effected, Brunette laking the lead with Grey Momus second, Nevis third, and VVill-If-I-Can last. Brunette and Momus jumped the first two hurdles together, and at the first fence they and Nevis took it together beautifully. At the first water jump Will-If-I-can fell, but was soon mounted and after the leaders, Brunette at this period still having the lead which she kept over the second water jump with Momus second, Nevis bolted at this point of the race, Brunette and Grey Momus were about a quarter of a mile away from the others, taking the fences almost together. At the fence leading into the paddock Grey Momus feli, but quickly recovered him« self, and gradually drew Tip to Brunette, who showed signs of having had enough of it. Will-If-I-Can then began to make up lost ground, and on reaching the third last hurdle was almost ou even terms with Brunette and Momus, but the effort to reach them had pumped him, as Grej Momus won a slow race by two lenghts, Will-If-I-Can second, and Nevis a bad third. Brunette hung at the second last fence from home. Wataki County Cup—Of 50 sovs. About 2k miles ; weight for age. Nomination, 2"sovs., with a sweep of 3 sov., to go to second horse. I Mr. W. Swanson's b g Tommy Dodd, ' aged, 12st. 31b (F. Hedge) I Mr. T. M'Kay's c g Lottery, aged, 12st. 31b (T. M'Kay) ! Mr. W. M'Kay'sbg Cleaver, aged, 12st. 31b (It. Gait) 3 Cleaver stuck at the post at the start Lottery went off with the lead, closelj followed by the favorite, who, at tin second jump, went to the front, and main tained that position until coming to thi first water jump, where lie fell, and Lot tery also, but the last-named was mount® quickly, and got a lead of about a quarte of a mile before Tommy Dodd was se a-going, Lottery taking the jump verj well all along the back of the courso But the favorite, when properly se going, caught Lottery about half a mil frome home, and won as lie liked, Lotter crawling through the last jump. This race was one of the greatest farce ever seen on a course, as the horses wer alternately trotting and cantering tli whole ot the time. Hack Selling Hack —Of 20 sovs. About I miles. Is'o weight less than lOst. Tli winner to be sold for 20 sovs., and an; surplus money to go to the funds of tl Club. Bob Apples Merrimac m Oamaru Stef.plkchash Handicap—Of G sovs., with a sweep of 5 sovs!, t\> got second horse. About 3 miles; Weight to be declared after the Waitaki Count Cuji has been run. Nomination, 2 sovs, acceptance, 1 sov. ' Mr. W. Swansou's b g Tommy Dodd, aged (F. Hedge) Mr. li. Lunn's Grey Momus, ...(Simson) Lottery, Cleaver, and Brunette wor scratched. Banjo took the lead, Monw second, and Tommy Dodd a long way i the rear. Banjo and Mornus fell at th first fence, the former getting away froi his rider, Mr. W. M'Kay. Tommy Dod then took the lead, and Avon by about mile, Grey Momus second, and Banj pulling up half way round, lame.