SPORTING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2263, 18 June 1880, Page 2

SPORTING.

JO UTIL CANTKIIBUKY JOCKEY CLUB STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Stewards—J. A\ T . White, E. G. Kerr, M. Jonas, J. A. Gainadc, and T. Hall; Judge—M. Stuclholmc; Starter—Robert Stansell; Clerk of Course—A. St. G. Hamcrslcy ; Handicapper—M. Shcrwin ; Clerk of Scales—J. Mciklc; Hon, Sec.—J. 11. Stansell. The weather to-day was all that con’d be desired for stecplcehasing, and tbo racecourse and its surroundings, lighted up by an unclouded sky, presented a magniiiciont picture. In town the day was observed as a half holiday. The two trains which left at noon, punctual to time, were well patronised, but a largo number of townspeople made their way to the course in vehicles. Mr Richmond, of the Melville Hotel, ministered to the wants of the thirsty in the two popular booths,while Mr Levien conducted the Grand Stand refreshment booth in a manner that gave every satisfaction. The presence of a considerable number of ladies gave the stand an unusually gay appearance. (_)n the other parts of the course there were the customary auxilaries—a totalizator of the newest design, two or threescore of betting machines, a group of spectacular pugilists who exhibited the -science of sparring through the atmosphere for a shilling, and an Aunt Sail}’, managed by a loquacious “ old sport,” who kept the crowd in roars of laughter. The saddling paddock towards one o’clock was the centre of attraction. All the equine celebrities appeared at their best, and the favorites were the theme of admiration. Lone Hand was universally accorded the palm of praise as far as line syiumctery and show went, and but for his peculiar temper being notorious, lie would undoubtedly have been heavily backed. As it happened he- cut a splendid figure in the lirst event, and had the distance been two instead of throe miles, he would have had the race to himself. In addition to four made jumps, 3ft. ‘Jin. in height, on the course, lucre were six natural jumps, consisting of gorsc hedges with hurdles, one of the latter being fully four and a half feet in height. In the Tally-Ho Handicap twouty-two jumps had to be made, and this, together with the distance, must have tested severely thy endurance of the horses. The jumping, however, as a whole was magniliccut, and but for the accident to Lone Hand and his plucky little rider, Hedge, the race, would in every respect, have been a grand one. The following are the events :—• Tally-Ho Handicap, of 100 sovs. ; nomination, 2 sovs, acceptance, 2 sovs, with a sweep of 5 sovs each for starters, amount accruing from isweep to go to second horse ; distance, about

;} miles. Mr P. Cutlers Agent, aged, 12st 111 b (Lunn) 1 Mr Cl. H. Thompson’s Ivanhoe, aged, lOst 71b .. .. (Joyce) 2 Mr Cl. H. Thompson’s Lone Hand, aged, 12st 21b .. (Hedge) 0

Mr Ciiixord’s Clarence, aged, list

(Lyford) 0 Mr F. 11. Brittan’s Royalty, aged, ICst Bib .. .. (Sheehan) 0 Mr VC. McKay’s Shillelagh, aged, lOst Gib .. .. (Osborne) 0 Petting—6 to 4 on the field ; 3 to 1 outsiders.

Royalty led at a rattling pace, and showed tho way over the first fence, with Ivanhoe- at his heels, Lone Hand third and the rest in a cluster. This position was kept up till approaching the made jump at the Grand Stand when Clarence dashed to tho front, taking the jump in splendid stylo, with Lone Hand scarcely a neck behind. At the first hedge Lone Hand baulked, hut being pressed to a second effort, took the jump splendidly. In the paddock to the right of the course, Clarence had the lead by a couple of lengths, with Lone Hand, Ivanhoe, Agent,, and Royalty following. The first jump in the paddock was taken in the order named, hut the second or tallest juivqr, changed the positions,and brought Agent to the fore with Ivanhoe and Lone Hand neck and neck, followed closely by the ruck. Over the road side jumps Agent led the way. Lone Hand who was jumping magnificently, now

came up, and took the made jump in company with Clarence ahead of the rest. A beautiful and exciting race through the course cnsnvd between Lone Hand and Clarence, who passed and repassed eacli other successively at the different jumps. Passing the grand stand for the second time Lone Hand led by fully a couple of lengths followed by Clarence,lvanhoe Loyalty, and Agent. The position of Thompson’s grey, and the way in which he took the leaps, aroused the utmost enthusiasm, and as Lone Hand showed the way over the gorse fences into the paddock again, the bookmakers could be heard offering to lay heavy odds on him. In the paddock Loyalty ran away and was out of it. The race now apparently lay between Lone Hand and Agent. Approaching the big fence, Agent began to make the pace very hot, and on reaching the road the grey, though running splendidly, was displaced. Agent shewed first in the course, and took the made jump. Lone Hand hard pressed at his heels, fell at this jump and rolled over his jockey, who appeared to he seriously injured. Ivanhoe, who had been running and jumping steadily from the first, came away from the rest and secured second place, Agent winning easily.

The totalisator contained £9O on this race, of which £3O was on the winner! and £2O on Clarence.

Maiden Steeplechase of 40 sovs ; nomination, 2 sovs ; weight for age ; distance, about 24 miles.

Mr S. Osborne’s b g Robin Hood, aged, 12st 31b .. .. (ThcOwnei) 1 Mr M. Jonas’ blue roan Colonel, aged, I2st 3lb .. .. (C. Joyce) 2 Mr G. H. Thompson’s b g Deceive’ 1 , aged, 12st 3ih .. (N. McKay) 0 Mr P. llutlcr’s eh in Stella, aged, 12st 31b .. .. (P. McCoy) 0 Betting I —Level on Robin Hood, 15 to 1 anything else. In the preliminary canter, Stella, who i i well known for her vicious proclivities, throw McCoy when going past the judge’s stand, and it was at first thought he was hurt, but he soon recovered himself. A fair start was effected Stella quickly showing in front and negotiating the first hurdle, [Robin Hood close up. Deceiver and Colonel last, but he quickly improved his position, vaulting over the second jump in grand stylo, followed by [Robin Hood, Deceiver, and Stella, in the order named. Deceiver baulked at the third hurdle throwing McKay, who quickly remounted. Robin Hood now showed in front and took tin; lirsldonble, quickly followed by Colonel and Stella in this order, Deceiver baulked at the double. Entering tbe straight the race lay between Robin Hood and Colonel, they took the last hurdle together and after an exciting struggle the bay landed the winner.

Tuiauu Steeplechase Cup Handicap, of 50 sovs ; nomination 1 sov, acceptance, 1 sov, with a sweep of 2 sovs each for starters, amount accruing from sweep to go to the second horse; distance, about 2.V miles.

Mr P. Butler’s eh g Agent, aged, I2at 121 b 1 Mr F. Brittan’s h g Bovaltv, aged, lOst 71b .. .. -.2 Mr H. U. Bradley’s h m Miss Hungerford, 5 years, lOst .. .. .. 3 Mr H. Schlutor’s b g Little John, aged 0 Mr G. H. Thompson’s g g Lone Hand, aged .. .. .. .. 0 Mr G. 11. Thompson’s b g Ivanhoe,

aged .. .. .. .. .. 0 Mr Clifford’s h g Clarence, aged.. .. 0 Mr W. McKay’s b g Shillelagh, aged .. 0 Mr S. Osborne’s b g Johnny, aged .. 0 Betting—2 to 1, bar one.

Agent got well away with the lead, with, Lone Hand close up. [Royalty now showed in front and led over the first jump followed by Miss Hungcrford and Lone Hand. Johnny baulked at the second jump, but ultimately got over it. Going round at the back of the course Lone Hand led with Miss ITnngerford close up. At the second hurdle for homo Lone Hand balked and avas out of it. The Agent now took up the running, rvilli Royalty and landed an easy winner. Consolation Handicap, of 30 sovs; post entries, 2 sovs; distance, about 2 miles. Miss Hungerford 1