NELSON RACE MEETING-1861.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 437, 31 December 1861, Page 2

NELSON RACE MEETING-1861.

The alteration from the usual time of this occurrence to three mouths earlier has given us two meetings in one year, and in addition to the reasons which induced the stewards to make the change, the advantages which attended it in some cases were perceptible. Longer hours of daylight were afforded either for more deliberate preparations for the start, or for enjoying a more lingering return than the previous 'arrangement permitted. Tlie attendance on .the first day was sparse—more so than we remember for many first days past in such events —and whether this was attributable to the races following rather too closely on Christmas day. or that the generality of the racing publii bad an exact appreciation of the amount of sport that the card presented, the same scarcity of spectators was noticeable on the second day in a worse degree. The grand stand, which had been but poorly garnished in numbers on Thursday, was now too weak to furnish the-first row of seats suitably, and the-goodly crowd of vehicles that hitherto have crowded the rails for some distance opposite the winning post was on both days sadly wanting to give more animation to the scene. The weather, too, up to this time had not been of the best, the heavy showers of rain early on Thursday morning augured but badly for the opening race day, and when fortunately a compromise offered in the shape of a heary spout wind which dissipated the rain clouds, we were inclined to be thankful for small favors, although the elevated region of the grand stand was visited roughly enough. Friday was more favorable, the wind having reduced itself to a cooling breeze. Saturday, however, was all that could be wished, and some excellent; racing ensued,- with a largely increased company. The race for the Maiden Plate, which was won by Mr. Redwood's Lady Bird,, beating The Colonel, Shadow, and St. Patrick. After which' came: the great race for the Town Plate, which was won by Mr. Morse's Kevoke, beating Mr. Stafford's Ultima, Mr. Hope's Kate, Mr. T. Redwood's Otto;. 3 miles. Next came the Scurry Plate, won by Lady Bird," beating Mr. Newcome's Ugly Buck and Mr. T. Redwood's Shadow, all carrying equal weights, except the winner, which carried extra for having won the Maiden Plate previously. After which came the Consolation Plate, and lastly the Forced Handicap, the weights; fo which were increased 3 Hw extra, as no jockey could lie round to ride Ultima according to the Handicapped weights. , "■■"•■ - As will be seen the race for the Town Plate terrai , nat'.-d in a dead iient. and as the horses had eaehi been .teveielytesteii, ami the owners equally satisfied with their >ever 1 performances, they agreed to consider it a drawn battle.' ■• -; ■.■■•..• ..-.-.■ It, will be seen that they were, with the exception of Ultima, Kevoke, and Otto, all untried horses, V\aimea nut, allowing, owiiij; to an accidental hurt received shortly before the race*. As* regards the new lot, Litdy Bird proved herself a first-into, and was (together with Revoke) brought to itie post in fiisi-rate eoudi-I tion, and we thii.k ii will requiie something superior, to anything she ii«» imd to coiupeie with this year to: match her as a-four-year old should Mr.- Redwood bring her out another year. We believe it is the intention of Mr. lied wood to take hi* three horses to Canterbury, as al*o .Vir.'StaffuKi, and we l.iavu no doub* they will maintain the superior character of. the Nelson blood, which they have hitherto done when they have met the Canterbury Pintr'um. even should they attempt to come up to them with a Wet sail. ; Thursday; dkcembkb 26. The Great Nelson Irial Stakes OflOsovs. each. 5 ft; 50 .soys. added by the Turf Club, provided eight horses start, and 30 soys, it any less number; for produce of mares covered in New Zealand in the season of 185.-8. If eight start, tho second horse to receive 20 soys out of the stakes, and the third horse to save his stake ; if any less number, the second horse to save his stake. Colts. Bst7lba; fillies and geldings, Bst Slbs. One mile and a-half. Mr. Morse's eh f Lady Bird (J. Redwiod). ~ 1 Mr. H, Ssafford's brc St. Patrick (Ted ) '- 2 Mr. Newcomo's br c Ugly Buck (Gay) 3 Out of eight entrances the above only started Lady Bird jumped off with the lead. When half way round, St. Patrick gained on the filly, Ugly Buck being well ( up. In the race home, however, Lady Bird gradually increased the distance and won easily. Time, 3 minutes 3 seconds. %he Iwf Ckh Phu Qf 40 soy«. added to a sweepstake" of 4 epva each. 5 : B^ond,.'bWft to 8»y« his. stake, tb^e.ywra

I old, 78t121b.»; four, 9st 71bs; five, lOst lib; sir and aged. lOst 3lhs; 3lbs allowed to mares and geldings. Two miles. Mr. Morse's b m Revoke, 4 years, (Redwood) 1 Mr. Redwood's b g Otto, 4 years ((i. Gutts) 2 - A good start was effected, Revoke- at. inside place, both horses well together at the first round, Redwood pulling hard at the mare, raced well together to the bottom, when Revoke, putting a spirt o >, challenged Cutts at the distance and won a good half length in advance. Time, 4 minutes 7 seconds. The Handicap Sweepstake* Of 10. soys each, hf, ft, with 40 soys added by. the Turf Club; second horse to save his stake. One mils and a-half. Mr. Stafford's b m Ultima, 6 yrs, 9st 31bs (6. Cutts) 1 Mr. Morse'd b m Revoke, 4 yrs, 9st 41ba (Redwood) 2 Mr. T. Redwood's b.f Shadow, 3 yrs, 7st (Oay) 3 Ultima made the running, Shadow lying well u« for the first half-mile; at the second half-mile Revoke came up and attempted to take the lead, but was outfooted. Revoke and Ultima then raced well to the distance-post; Shadow too far in the rear for a chance* Redwood made another attempt for the lead, but Catts put on the steam in earnest, and, although Revoke . tried her hardest, she could reach no nearer than Ultima'si girths at the winning-post. Time, 2 minutes 56 seconds. . The Ladies' Purse ! Ot 30 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 3 soys each; second horse to save hia stake. For three-year old, Bst lib; four, 9st 71bs; five, 9st 131bs; six and aged, 9st 131bs; 31bs allowed to mares and geldings. The winner of the Turf Club Plate to carry 4lba extra. Heats. Oncoh round and a distance. Mr. Stafford's b m Ultima, 6 yrs. (E. Cutts) 1 Mr, H. Redwood's eh f Lady Bird 3 yrs (Redwood* 2 Mr. T Redwood's b g Otto, 4 yrs (G. Cutts) ■ 3 Mr. Hope's b m Kate, aged (Hope) a Mr. Elliott'* Colonel, 5 yrs ' " 5 Both heats were won easily by Ultima, although Lady Bird had many backers. Time, firaf heat 2 minutes 23 seconds. ' FRIDAY. ; The Pony Stakes ■Of 12 soys; entrance, 10 shillings each. Catch weights. Once round. Heats. No pony exceeding 13 hands 2 inches to start. Mr. Stafford's Tommy (rather a large pony) won this, against Mr. Harkness'a Nithsdale and Mr. Schroder's My Mary Ann. The Hack Race For 10 soys, for all hacks; entrance, 10 shillings each Catch weights. No horse that has run for «ny save a hack race to be allowed to start. Once round ■ Second horse to save Imb stake., Heats.' '. * Six horses started, Mr. Line's filly, amongst others, showing much game; but Mr. Stafford's Totnm} was too much for the whole of them. A trotting match between Mr. Potter's grey mare and Mr. Hargreaves* black mare caused some amusement ; the owners riding their horses at'equal weight! made it requisite for Mr. Hargreaves' to carry above aeven stone of dead weight, which was made up by various means, including a coil of rope slung on his shoulders. The black mare, in spite of this, won the match easily. One or two other matches concluded the second day's racing.