SPORTING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1068, 22 September 1879, Page 2

SPORTING.

WHASE KURI RACES. (FB.OM A COIUIESPpIsDENI.) These races came off on the 2nd inst. The day was fine, which had the desired effect of drawing a goodly number of spectators together to witness the several events. Amongst the spectators were more of the fair sex that we have seen 011 any previous occasion, and we were pleased to see some of them mounted on steeds equal, if not superior, to any horses in the Province ; whilst others, with their families, took the more commodious mode of transit in their buggies, which were worthy of the occasion. The sport was good, the fields of horses fair, and the competition superior to anything we have witnessed at such meetings. The several events were closely contested for, notwithstanding the smallness of the stakes compared to former meetings, yet w r e must admit the meet was a great success. The best of order prevailed, as usual, and no protests were entered, everything passing off to the satisfaction of everyone. Great credit is due to Messrs. Smith and Goddard, for running a coach from Duntroon on the morning of the races, and at a price suitable to the times, viz., half fares. The ball was opened by the grand colt Emerald (a three-year-old, and son of the famous local thoroughbred horse Duntroon, which is now located at Hampden) who carried off the Maiden, after, a fast race, beating his half-brother Honesty by a neck 011 the post, and four others. These colts, I have no hesitation in saying, will, if properly attended to, make a name for themselves, as well as extol the name of their siro to the skies.

The races of the day were the Cup and Handicap. The former was won by Coeleno, by a head, and the Handicap ivas declared a dead heat, after a splendid race. In the run off the Maid carried off the honors easily/ which could be attributed to her condition, whilst the fast colt Honesty proved himself ■ a good stayer by winning the Shepherds' Race easily. Biddy M'Kay distinguished herself by carrying away the Hack Race in fine style, beating Paddy and four others. Honest Jack camo out, and ran a fast race, winning easily, from Batsman and three : others, the Consolation. A hack race was got up for all horses on the course ; Honest- Jack ran away with his catch weight, and won easily, beating the famous mare Deception and four others, to the j surprise of everyone. The following is I the result " Maiden Plate, of 15 sovs, for all horses that have never won a race ; weight for age ; entry, 15s. Mr. Goddard's Emerald (W. M'Kay) ... 1 Mr. Patersoji's Honesty ... ... ... 2 Mr. Stevens'Maori ... ... ... 3 . A. capital start was effected, when Honest Jack made the running at a slashing pace, closely followed by Maori and Emerald. When at the quarter-mile post Honesty came up at a rush, and drew ahead until the straight was reached, when young M'Kay urged on Emerald, and won on the post by a bare neck, and Maori close up. This was a grand race between six horses. Wiiakekttri Cup, of 20 sovs. Weight for age ; distance, 2 miles ; entry, LI 10s. Mr. Stoddart's Coeleno (W. M'Kay, 1 Mr. Cairns' Maid of Waitaki ... ... 2 Mr. Price's Batsman ... ... ... 3 Mr. M'Kay, as usual, despatched his horses on equal terms, when Coeleno cut out the running at a smart pace, and kept the lead until the straight was reached, when Green called on the Maid, who responded gamely and gained at every stride, but it was too late, and Coeleno won by a head. We think Green held Coeleno toa cheap, for had he called upon the Maid sooner, ha undoubtedly would have. won. This race was worth going a few miles to see, more especially at the finish. Both riders deserved credit for the way in which they handled their horses.

Shepherds' and Working Men's Race of 14 so vs. Employers of labor excluded • weight for age; distance, H niilc • entry, 15s. " ' Mr. Paterson's Honesty (Owner)... i Mr. M'Lean's Tichborne ... ... ' <> Mr. Price's Batsman ... ... ' 3 At the fall of the flag Batsman took up the running, and at the half-mile post Honesty ran up and took command of affairs, winning easily. This grand colt bred in Duntroon, is as good an animal for pace and staying power as we have seen, and we hope to see him again in our forthcoming meetings, when we trust he will be in' different form. Hack Race, of 7 sovs, for all horses that did not run in any of the previous races. Catch weights ; distance, 1 mile; cntrv' 10s. •" Mr. Munro's Biddy M'Kay (Owner) j Mr. Cairns' Paddy... ... ... J_., o Mi-. Munro's Bella ... ... ... ' I 3 The flag fell to a good start, anu j\y was quickest on her pins, cutting ouc the running at a slashing pace. Paddy followed closely behind, but could not get nearer than a length. The others were not far away. Forced Handicap, of 13 sovs. Compulsory to winners and open to losers ; distance, If mile ; entry, LI. Mr. Cairns' Maid of Waitalci (T. Green) 1 Mr. Stoddart's Cceleno ... ... ... 2 Mr. Price's Batsman ... ... ... 3 Again a splendid start was made, and Cceleno picked up the running, going so closely with Emerald and the Maid that a blanket would have covered the three ; but, unfortunately, the colt bolted, and, despite the attempts of the lightweight jock, M'Kay, lie could not get hiin on the course again, and the Maid and Cceleno ran locked together home, tho judge declaring it a dead heat. The owners agreed to run it off, and, the condition of the Maid giving her an advantage, she won easily. As it was getting dusk, it was resolved to runoff the Consolation next day, and all wended their way to the Wharekuri Hotel, where' a table was spread which reflected great. i credit on the host and hostess.

SECOND DAY.

The weather was fine, and the attendance not so large as on the previous- day. When the bell rang for the Consolation, three horses came to the post:— Cousolation Race, of 7 sovs, for all beaten horses throughout the meeting. Dis- . tance, 1 mile ; entry, LI. Mr. Lefevre's Honest Jack (W. M'Kay) 1 Mr. Price's Batsman 2 Mr. Beattie's Mistake 3 There was a good start, and Jack tookthe lead, and was sent along at a rattling pace by his jockey, young M'Kay, and, despite the exertions of Batsman, he could get no nearer than a length, and Jack won easily. A hack scurry was got up for all horses on the course, and Honest Jack again gave all the horses a taste of his fleetness of foot for a mile, beating even the famous, mare Deception and five others, to the surprise of everyone. Great credit is due to the Judge, Stewards, and Hon. Sec. for their indefatigable exertions to make the meeting a success. A meed of praise is also due to Mr. W. M'Kay, who kindly acted as starter in the absence of our respected friend and local starter, Mr. Beattie, who unfortunately met with an accident by a kick from a young horse the other week. We hope to see him soon amongst us again, but we fear it will not be before our other meets are off. However, we hope the Omarama and Otcmatata meets will be fortunate enough in obtaining the services of a good starter. We expect to see good racing at the abovementioned places on the 18th and 2Ctli respectively.