SPORTING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 909, 15 March 1879, Page 2

SPORTING.

WANGANUI RACES. Wangajoti, March 15. The second day's races were even better attended than the first. Handicap Hckdles ;70 sovs. Two and a quarter inilgs.

Mr M'lvor's Loch Lomond, 9st. 4lb. ... 1 Mr Baird's Una, lOst. ,71b -2 Mr Brewer's Gazelle 3 Victor and-War Eagle also ran. It was an exciting race all through. War Eagle cut out the running at a hot pace, but soon ran himself out. Loch Lomond held a good position till entering the straight, when TJria closed up, and a good race followed, but Loch had the best of the struggle, and won by half a length. Time, 4 min. 52 sec. Railway Plate of 30 so vs. One. mile. Merlin, Bst. 31b 1 Slander Colt, sst. 61b. (earned 7st. 41b.) 2 Midge, sst. 31b : 3 This proved an exciting race all round. Midge got a bad start, but in half a mile caught up and passed Confident, and went close up to the Slander Colt. Coming into the straight, Merlin, the Slander Colt, and Midge were all together, 'Midge being between the other two. Ali responded gamely to the call of the whip, but the two outside horses closed in on Midge, and shut her out. Merlin got the advantage at the grand stand enclosure, and won by half a length. Time, 1 min. 31 sec. Wanoanui J.C. Handicap of 300 so vs. Two and a quarter miles. Mr Vallance's Pinfire, Sst. 121b 1 Mr Gibson's Otawa, 7st. 131b 2 Mr M'lvor's Peep-o'-Day 3 A magnifient race, the three leading horses being locked together all the way up the straight, but the splendid riding of Nolan brought to the front Pinfire by a head, the same distance dividing the second and third. There was intense excitement over this race, as the Southerners were afraid of Otawa. Bribery (9st.), Resolution (9st.), and Expectation (7st. 101b.) also ran, Mr. Vallance declared to win with Bribery. Peep-o'-Day led for two miles, but then the leaders closed on him, and a slashing race was run home. Time, 4 min. 15 sec.