SPORTING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2494, 18 March 1881, Page 2

SPORTING.

SECOND EDITION

PLEASANT POINT RACES. President, B. Acton, Esq.; Vice-Pre-sident, Alexander Mee, Esq. ; Starter, Mr A. Mcßratney ; Judge. Mr J. Meikle; Stewards, Messrs Wright, Raynor, Smith, Bradshaw, and James Macdonald ; Handicapper, Mr D. McKenzie ; Clerk of Coarse, Mr R. Orton ; Clerk of Scales, Mr J. Wildermoth ; Treasurer, Mr Morris ; Secretary, Mr A, W. Gaze. The races yesterday were in every way successful. The course, a paddock belong to the Levels estate, was in good condition for the events, the weather was fine, and there was a satisfactory attendance of town and country residents. Messrs Nelson and Powell dispensed the liquors and refreshments, and the officers, particularly the secretary, were indefatigable in their exertions. The racing throughout was good. The finish in the Hurdle Race particularly was worth going a long way to see. At half-past twelve the bell rang for starting the competitors in the Hurdle Race. The field was reduced to four by the scratching of Milo. Robin Hood, who was freely supported, was made the favorite. Topthorn, who was in capital trim, was not considered in it, but at one and a half miles he caught Robin Hood, and after a slashing set-to beat him on the post by half a head. The Hack Hurdles was won by Picciola in a canter. Medora secured the Maiden by a dozen lengths. Then came the principal event of the day—the Cup. Robin Hood was scratched, which reduced the field to three. Deceiver, who was splendidly ridden by Phil Stock, jumped off with the lead, was never headed, and won by four lengths. The winner, with his jockey and owner, were loudly cheered on returning to the scale. The Hack Selling Race which followed was won by Seven Bells by twenty lengths, and on being submitted to auction was bought in by his owner for £l6, thus benefiting the club to the amount of £6. For the St Patrick Handicap only three came to the post, and of these Deceiver was made the favorite, but he had no show with Robin Hood, who won hands down. For the Consolation Gentle Annie landed the. odds of 2 to 1 which were laid on her with the greatest ease. This ended a capital day’s sport. The following are the events : Handicap Huedle Hack, of 25 soys ; second horse to save his stakes ; over 8 flights of hurdles ; distance, 2 miles. Mr J. Lukey’s Topthorne, lOst (Neale) 1 Mr J. Lunn’s Robin Hood, list (Cornelius) 2 Mr W. Hope’s Colonel, lOst 121 b (J oyce) 3 Murphy and Stock’s Gentle Annie also ran.

Colonel jumped of with the lead and led over the first hurdle by G lengths, Robin Hood, Gentle Annie and Topthorn following in the order named. All the horses refused at the second hurdle. Topthorn was first over followed by Colonel and Robin Hood. This order was maintained for one and a half miles, Robin flood and Topthorn taking the last two hurdles together. In the run home a slashing race ensued, Topthorn winning by half a head, Gentle' Annie 20 lengths away and Colonel nowhere, A protest was entered against Topthorn which was considered by the Stewards after the cup was run and disallowed.

Hack Hurdle Race of 12 sovs; for horses that never won £lO of public money ; distance, I.J miles.

Mr P. Stock’s Picciola ... (Stewart) 1 Mr W. Hope’s Colonel ... (Joyce) 2 Mr J, Lukey’s Fawn ... (Neil) 3 Sparkle was scratched.

Fawn led off and was first over the first hurdle, Picciola next and Colonel bringing up the rear. 4c the second Fawn refused and lost a lot of ground, Colonel and Picciola going on together until reaching the straight when Picciola drew away and won in a canter. Maiden Plate of 10 sovs, for horses that have never won an advertised race of £lO. Weight for age ; distance, miles. Mr W. J. Gibson’s Medora, 9st 51b (Stock) 1 Mr J. Dooley’s Redcliffe, Bst 41b (Lilly) 2 Mr R. Forbes’ Caledon, 9st 21b (Demuth) 3 Mr J. Lukey’s Fawn, 9st 111 b (Knott) 0

Redcliffe jumped off with the lead. Medora led first past the post, where Redcliffe commenced to buck and lost 100 yards. Medora kept on with the lead, Caledon second. Redcliffe, who was got in trim again, made up the lost ground and soon passed Caledon, but he could not catch Medora who won by a dozen lengths, Caledon 20 lengths away, and Fawn distanced. Point Cup Handicap of 30 sovs ; second horse to save his stakes; distance, 2 miles. Mr J. McDonald’s Deceiver, 9st 21b (Stock) 1 Mr J. Dooley’s Milo, 9st 71b (Hobbs) 2 Mr J. Lukey’s Topthorne, Bst (Demuth) 3 Robin Hood was scratched.

For this, the big event of the day, Milo and Deceiver were the'favorites. Deceiver kept the lead from first to last and won by four lengths.

St. Pateick’s Handicap of 15 sovs; distance, 11- miles.

Mr Lunn’s Robin Hood (Cornelius) 1 Mr J. MacDonald's Deceiver (Stock) 2 Mr J. Lukey’s Topthorne (Demuth) 3 The rest were all scratched. Deceiver got away with the lead, Robin second, Topthorn third. Deceiver kept well to the front for the first mile, when young Cornelius brought up Kobin and won as he liked. Deceiver seemed to run very unkindly, and Topthorne was quite outpaced . Hack Selling Pace of 10 sovs ; winner to be sold immediately after the race for £lO, any surplus to go to the fund. Mr C. Bourne’s Seven Bells (Cornelius) 1 Mr Johnston’s Midge ... (Xnott) 2 This race was a eiif to Seven Bells, who was bought in by his owner for £l6. Consolation Handicap of 5 sovs, with entrance added ; distance, 1A miles. Messrs Murphy and Stock’s Gentle Annie (Stock) 1 Mr J. Lukey’s Fawn ... (Scarf) 2 Mr Johnstone’s Midge also ran. Fawn led for the first half mile, when Gentle Annie came up, and won easily. This ended the programme, and the '

Stewards are to be comnlimonted on the success of the meeting. A word of praise is also due to the starter, Mr Mcßratney, the handicapper, Mr McKenzie, and the Hon. Sec., Mr Gaze. Mr J. Meikle also gave general satisfaction by his decisions, particularly in the Hurdle Race where the finish was so close.