INVERCARGILL RACE MEETING.

Southland Times, Issue 1541, 23 February 1872, Page 2

INVERCARGILL RACE MEETING.

(BY OUR OWN REPORTER.) Tempusfugit, and bo it does, for I can hardly recognise the fact that it is twelvemonths since I sent you my last billet doux concerning the above event, but it is so nevertheless, and I will endeavor to give you an epitome of the events as they occurred. Unfortunately, the weather, which had been for the last few days as fine as one could wish, although perhaps a little too hot, proved, as usual, that it c>uld not be depended upon, the wind veering round to the S.E. brought up a mizzly rain, which increased to a heavy downpour that lasted all day. It is therefore not to be wondered at there being but a poor attendance on the course, the cry being not " the Camp— I- els" but "the M'lritoshs" are coming. The first rice, the Maiden Plate, which is generally an open one, brought the seven entered to the post, Ben Nevis being the favorite in spite of the " Early Bird's" prophecy, the Professor colt, which I surmise to be H.R.EI., although a fine— looking animal, being virtually out of the race, Mr Bonner's neat little mare, Sixty-one, coming away when called upon, and winning easily, the favorite being second, and Eoekaway a good third. For the Town Plate only two horses came to the post. Slander, whose performances being so well known, Maniototo having met her previously, no interest was exhibited, it being, bar accidents, a foregone conclusion, which turned out to be correct, that splendid mare being in my opinion second to none in New Zealand for 1£ miles, winning as she liked ; the colt, a promising one, owned by our late townsman, Mr Wm. Eobinson, showing a good turn of speed, and will, when thoroughly furnished, be no mean opponent for any horse on the New Zealand turf. The Ladies' Purse, owing to the result of the previous event, and Mr Robinson's having scratched Lyndon, of course was an equally tame affair as the former, Slander, although giving the colt 2st 31bs. doing as she liked. The nest event, the District Handicap, was, as its title would lead one to believe, the race of the day, it being not only for the largest amount, but confined to horses of Southland district. For this event all the six entered put in an appearance, Stackpole, Firetail, and Ben Nevis sharing public favors, Firetail, if anything, for choice. A capital start was effected by Mr G. F. Martin, who, I must state, was most successful in all his previous attempts. A splendid race ensued, Wee Colleen, a neat and game little mare, taking the lead, Stackpole second, others closa up, Firetail bringing up the rear. These places were maintained for the first time round, when, owing to the heavy, course, Wee Colleen had to succumb, Stackpole taking the lead. Firetail gradually overhauled his horses until half a mile from home, when he came to the front and won in a canter, Stackpole being second, and that pretty filly Ballet Dancer a good third. The Hack Selling Eace again proved the good qualities of the well-known flatcatcher Postboy, as he won the two heats easily, and was afterwards put up to

auction and wisely bought in by his owner, Mr J. Smith. This concluded the day's performance, everything., going off in a most satisfactory manner, great credit being due to the stewards* foresight and general management. Maiden Plate of 25 sots. For all horaes that . never won an advertised race over £10. Mile and a half. Weight for age. Entrance 425. Mr Jas Bonnets b m Sixty-one (E. Raines) 1 Mr W. Cochran'a b g Ben Nevis (A.M'lntosh) 2 Mr F. R. White's b g Rockaway (T. White) 3 Seven started. Town Plate of 50 soys. Open to all horses. Weight for age. Distance 2£ miles. Entrance 4 soys. Mr Walters' b m Slander (French) 1 Mr Walters' bg Maniototo (Brosnan) 2 j Yatterina — scratched. Ladies' Pixbse of 20 soys. Open to all howes. Welter weight for age. Gentleman riders only. Distance one mile and a half. Entrance 425. Mr Walters' b m Slander (F. White)- 1 Mr Kobinson's b g Maniototo ... (owner) 2 Lyndon — scratched. District Handicap, 60 soys., with a sweepstakes of 3 soys added. Open to all horses that have been in the late province of Southland for six months prior to the date of the races. Distance 2 miles. Entrance 4 soys.,' half forfeit if declared after weights are published. Mr W. Lwaon's b g Firetail ...(J. Bourke) 1 Mr W. Malcolm's m g Stackpole (J. Tanner) 2 Mr F. R. White's br f Ba.Uet Dancer(GhSmith) 3 Six started. Hack Selling "Race of 10 soya. Entrance 20a. The winner to be sold for £15, any surplus to go to the Race Fund. One mile heats. Mr J. Smith's b g Postboy ... ... (owner) 1 Mr Townsend's blk h Black Cameron (Tanner) 2 Seven^- started. The winner waa put up for sale by Mr Macrorie, and sold for £20, being bought in. Owing to an unfortunate accident, which resulted in Mr J. Roche's black gelding, Blackbird, breaking hia back, the Handicap Hurdle Race will, we are informed, result in a walk over — Mr Kelly owning the two other horses entered. The following are the declared weighti for the Invercargill Handicap : — Firetail, Bat; Lyndon, 7st 121 b; Slander, lOst 61b j Tatterina, lOst.