INYERCARGILL JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Southland Times, Issue 1217, 1 March 1870, Page 2

INYERCARGILL JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

SECOND DAT— FEIDAY, FEB. 25. The " pluvial tendencies" which the clerk of the weather has been pleased t» exhibit for some weeks past, were temporarily suspended on the second day of the Invercargiil races, and it was generally expected that a large number of people would congregate on the course to take advantage of the "glorious sunshine," and witness the contests for the , several prizes offered by the club. Those who expected to see a large muster were somewhat disappointed, for although the Invercargillites turned out in pretty good force, the faces of country settlers were sadly deficient in the crowd. Our farmers generally take great interest in our races, and their absence from the present meeting is not from any falling off in that respect, but is to be accounted for by the very commendable desire on their part to take advantage of the first blinkof fine weather to attend to their crops, which in too many instances have been considerably damaged by the bad weather of the last few weeks. In town all the places of business 1 were closed, and traps and horseflesh of every description wera

in great request. A very fair number of ! our citizens patronised the train laid on ! for their convenience by the lessees of the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill , railway, and were conveyed by this mean's to ■within a couple of miles of the racecourse. By far the largest number, however, seemed to prefer the equestrian mode of locomotion, as the number of steeds on the ground amply testified. The banks of the Makarewa afforded \ some shady nooks for pic-uic parties, and a few, adventurous youths were now and then to be seen disporting themselves in the pellucid stream. The stewards and those engaged in carrying out the programme, went about their duties very quietly, and they seem to have given very general satisfaction, as we have heard of no complaint of any kind, nor are we aware of any accident of even the most trivial nature having ' occurred during the meeting. Of the racing itself it is only necessary to say that it was a genuine test of the powers of the various animals, every horse " running to win." There was an entire absence of that noisy betting which is generally to be heard near the saddling paddock, some harmless " sweeps" engrossing the attention of a few speculative individuals. Inspector Chapman and his staff had really nothing to do, the utmost decorum and good feeling being everywhere apparent. The day's proceedings were commenced with the Hurdle Race, for which the six horses on the card were presented to the starter, who managed to get them away on a pretty equal footing. Turpin soon took the leading position, which he held till the second round, when Fire Eater forged ahead and took first place, coming in an easy winner. Mickey Free baulked at the first hurdle, and, with Blackbird, was soon out of the race. Eough-'un had no show, and came in a bad fourth. Sultan kept a third position in the event, "but lay well up to those before him. Hahdioap Hdbdle "Race, 40 sots. Open to all horses. Distance, 2J- miles. Over ten flights of hurdles, 3 feet 9 inches high. Entrance 3 sots. . 3£r Hewitt's br. g. Fire Eater, asced, lOst. «. ... ... ... (Hewitt) 1 „Laverty*s b. g. Turpia, aged, lOat. 71b. ... (Laverfcy) 2 „ Patterson's eh. g. Sultan, aged, 9st. 51b. ... (Raines) 3 „ Jbrrick'B r.g. Rough-un, aged, 9sfc. 101 b. 0 „ Cameron's b.g. Blackbird, aged, 9st. fib. 0 „ White's ch.g. Mickey Free, 5 yrs, Bst. 71b. 0 The next race, the Invercargill Handicap, was a most exciting one, as the best horses at the meeting were brought forward for a final tussle. All those entered, with the exception of Skyonian, came to the post, and were despatched to their work at the first attempt, Prairie Flower going away with the lead, Beeswing second, Banjo third, and Lady Ellen in the rear. On passing the stand the first time, the three first-named were running a neck-and-neck race, the chesnut mare being still behind. On getting half way round, however, Lady Ellen was let out, and she very quickly took the leading position, with Banjo pushing hard close behind her. Mr Pollock's mare held her ground, and came in the winner by a couple of lengths. ImrERCAB&HiL "Handicap of 80 guineas, with a sweepstake of 4 sots, each added. Distance 2\ miles. Entrance, 4 guineas ; half forfeit if declared after weights are published. Mr Pollock's eh.m. Lady Ellen, a»ed 103t (Kelly) 1 „ Howell'fl ch.g. Banjo, aged lOst (Owner) 2 „ LaTerty'flh.m. Beeswing, a2ed9st7lb (LaTerty) 3 „ Patterson's b.m. Prairie Flower, a^ed 9?t 0 In the District Handicap, old Postboy carried off the money. Prairie Flower was scratched, and Peg the Rake got lame, so that the contest lay between three horses. The first heat was won in 1 mm, 56 sec, and the second in 1 mm. 58 sec. DHTBICT Haht>icap, 20 sots. Open to all horses that hare been the bonafide property of residents in Southland for 6 month?. Once round the course — heats. Entrance, 2 sots. Mr Hare's b.g. PostboT, aged (J. Smith) 1 I „D. Salmond'sb.g. Warlock, aged (Connor) 2 2 „H. HowelTs ch.g. Banjo, aged (Owner) 3 3 The Consolation Handicap brought out a field of four horses, and was won easily by Chips. Prairie Flower, being ridden by a youth who was evidently unaccustomed to such work, bolted off the course soon after starting, and was out of the race. doraoiAHOir Hxndioap of 20 sots. For all beaten horses during the meeting. Distance, ■ once round the course. Entrance, 20s. Mr Mitchell's r.g. Chips, 5 yrs, 7st ... ... 1 „ Laverty's b.m. Beeswing, aged, 7st 101 b... 2 „ Patterson's b.m. Prairie Flower, aged 7st 41b 0 „ Patterson's ch.g. Sultan, aged, 7st 4lb ... 0 The advertised programme was concluded by a hack-race, for which there were four entries, which resulted as follows : — &nxxx& Hack Bacb of 10 sots. Winner to be sold for £15, any surplus to go to the Race Fund. Distance, once round the course. Heats. Catch weights. Entrance 10s. Post entry. . ! Shepherdess ... '.. 311 Quickstep 13 2 Allander 2 0 0 INolfcane 4 2 0 The winner was knocked down to Mr ! Pollock for the sum of £25. j A hurry scurry wag got up after this ! race, but the majority of those on the ground began to move homeward, being ! evidently satisfied with the day's amuse- | ment.