SPORTING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2346, 23 September 1880, Page 3

SPORTING.

GERALDINE RACES. [r.Y OUK SPECIAL REPORTER.] [By Telegraph.] First. Day—Thursday, Sept. 23. Stewards —Messrs D, McKenzie, R. 11. Pcarpoint, T W. Corbett, IT. Chamberlain, J. Kennedy. Judge — Mr P, 11. Duncan. Starter —Mr J. Meiklc. Clerk of Course —Mr R. Stanscll. Hamlicappcrs— Mr D. McKenzie and T. W, Corbett. Clerk of Scales—Mr R. IT. Pearpoint. (Jeraldixe, Tin's Day. The weather is delightful, and the course is in excellent order, having been laid down with grass, which looks fresh and elastic after the late rains. The town of Geraldine was last night thronged with visitors, and the hotels are crowded. From an early hour this morning large parties on horse and in vehicles, began to gather from the surrounding country. Several vehicles, laden with men and ladies, hailed from Timaru, and as they arrived here in time for breakfast, they must have started at grey dawn. The surrounding scenery lighted up by an unclouded sky lends a charm to the prospect, which the presence of an unusually good muster of the fair sex tends to heighten. All the mild forms of gambling, including a persevering Cheap Jack arc in full swing. There are refreshment booths to regale the thirst}', one totalisator and a lively collection of betting men. The Grand Stand is well patronised, and the Stewards and other officers, from the indefatigable Secretary downwards, are exerting themselves to their utmost to make things agreeable and satisfactory to every one concerned. The saddling paddock, prior to the events was a perfect picture, the horses, which comprise the cream of the district of Canterbury, figuring to decided advantage—bright and glossy—in their best racing trim. Maiden Plate, 30 sovs. li miles. Mr J. H. Lunn’s b g Clarence, dvrs, !)st 61b .. .. .. (R. Derritt) 1 Mr M- Hobb’s b g Swindler, Gyrs, list Gib .. .. .. (Domuth) 2 Mr W. C. Webb’s ch g Knottingly Colt, 3yrs, 7st 51b .. .. .. .. 3 Mr J. Mundell’s b g Three-Sheets-in-the-Wind, aged, list Gibs. .. ~ 0 Lubra and Levant were scratched. Before starting Clarence got away and was with difficulty pulled up, A fair start was made the horses getting on pretty even terms. Clarence got a slight advantage but was quickly overtaken by Swindler. Passing the Grand Stand for the first time the horses were in the following order — Clarence, Swindler, Knotting!}', and Three-Sheets. Swindler put on a bigspurt here, and’soon afterwards Clarence overtook him. The finish was a neck and neck race between Clarence and Swindler, Clarence winning by half a length. Time—2 min. oOsec. Betting—Level money on Clarence

and Knottingly Colt; Uto 1 anything else, and very little doing at that. There was £9 on the totalisator —even on Clarence. Handicap Hu rule Race, 70 sovs. About 2 miles. Mr G. H. Thompson’s g g Lonchancl, aged, 12st lib .. (F. Hedge) 1 Mr C. W. Bourne’s b g Milo, aged, 10st 101 b (Hobbs) 2 Mr H. Schluter’s b g Little John, Gyrs, 9st 121 b.. .. (Armstrong) 3 Mr M. Hobb’s b g Swindler, Gyrs, 9st 61b 0 Mr J. H. Lunn’s b g Robin Hood, aged, 9st 71b 0 Levant was scratched. The horses got away to a fair start, Swindler got away with the lead, and took the first hurdle first ; p ollowed by Lonchand, the rest being tailed out a bit. Swindler led at the second hurdle. Rounding the top of the course Little John tried to make it warm for the rest, but was not good enough, and the third hurdle was taken by the horses in a cluster. Milo next got on tolerably even terms with Lonehaml, who was in splendid form, and made it warm work for the rest. At the fourth hurdle near home, Lonchand and Milo were to the fore, and an exciting neck and neck race ensued between them. Some money now changed hands as the little brown horse (Milo) put mi a tremendous spurt, and it seemed a moral that ho must score a win. Within a few yards of the winning post however, Lonehand shot ahead and won by a nose. Betting, even money on Lonehand ; 3 to 1 Robin Hood and Milo ; 4 to 1 Little John ; 5 to 1 Swindler. Time—tmiu 38sccs. There were £2l on the totalisator. HAWK!',S’ BAY 3. C. MEETING. Napier, Sept. 22. The following are the entries and dual payments for the Jockey Club’s Spring meeting on Oct. 5 : llawkes’ Bay Guineas —Colts, Bst lOlbs ; Fillies, Bst olbs. Laverock Hilarious Rewi Sir Garnet Primrose Firefly Prince Charlie Selling Hurdle Race, Jewess Scrip Warrengatc Old Ireland Spring Handicap. labeller, 9st 91b Laverock, 7st 91b Paramcna, Bst 51b Rewi, 7st 91b Piscatorius, Bst3lb Marie Stewart,7st 51b Hilarious, Bst Omega, 6st 121bs Sir Garnet,7st 101 b Never Miss, Gst 51b Mavis, 7st 91b Transit, Gst 51b Maiden Plate. Sir Garnet, 3yrs Florence, 3yrs Hinckawakurali lyis Addition, -lyrs Flying Buck, Gyrs Venture 1 aged Firefly, Gyrs Loch Lomond, Gyrs Laverock, Gyrs Rongoako, Gyrs Prince Charlie, 3yrs. Flying Handicap. Libeller, 9st Florence, 7st 9lbs Hilarious, Sst 51b Marie Stewart, 7st Paramcna, Sst Never Miss Gst 71b Sir Garnet, 7st 121 b Omega, Gst 71b Mavis 7st 101 b Moanatiri Gst. TARANAKI RACES. The programme of the Taranaki Jockey Club’s race meeting, on the 31st March and Ist April, is as follows : First day : Maiden Plate, £SO; Steeplechase, £80; Taranaki J.C. Handicap, £3OO ; Hack Race, £2O ; Taranaki Cup, £SO. Second clay : Handicap Hurdles, £SO; Hack Hurdles, £2O ; Autumn Handicap, £120; Ladies’ Purse, £10; County Handicap, £SO ; Consolation, £3O ; total amount, £BIO. Entries for the Taranaki Derby, 1881 and Champagne Stakes, close on April 7th, 1881.