SPORTING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1337, 7 May 1885, Page 2

SPORTING.

GERALDINE AUTUMN RACE MEETING, Stewards; Messrs L. Walker, M, J. Godby, D. McKenzie, R. K. Pearpoint, W. DeUenzy, J. Meikle, W. R. Lawson, W. Polhill, J. Mundell, and D. Denoon. Clerk of the Scales: Mr W. R. Lawson. Clerk of the Course: Mr G. C. Miles. Judge: Mr Teschemaker. Handicapper and Secretary ; Mr D. McKenzie. FIRST DAY.

The Autumn Race Meeting under the auspices of the Geraldine Racing Club commenced on Tuesday on the course at Orari. The weather was splendid during the day, though a little cold towards evening. Notwithstanding, however, the Oneness of the day the attendance was not large, not more than 600 being on the ground. The special train from Timaru brought about 100 passengers, and a number came down by the express from Christchurch. The officers are to be commended on the success of tne arrangements for the day, not a hitch occurring to interfere with the sports. Mr McKenzie filled his post as Secretary in his well known manner. The meeting was very quiet and orderly, and the detachment of police on the ground under Inspector Broham had very little to do beyond keeping the course clear. Those inseparables from a racecourse, gentlemen with their “ little games,” were present in pretty strong force. Betting was very quiet, - but Messrs Mason and Roberts’ totaliaator was well patronised, £1046 being put through during the day. The grand stand general license and refreshment booths were under the supervision of Mr R. Taylor, of the Geraldine Hotel, the twt> outside booths belonging to Mr Farrell. Trade seemed fairly brisk with them during the day, but few persons were seen “ under the influence.” Mr L. Tombs had a refreshment booth, Mr Shepherd the horse yards, and the gates were farmed by Mr G. Rae. As will be seen from the details of the races, the racing on a whole was good. The good acceptances and racing for the handicaps proved that little fault could be found with the handicapping. The Handicap Hurdle Race was won by Mr T. Sheen an’* handsome horse Master Agnes ; his condition and appearance installed him as favorite, and, notwithstanding the steadier he was carrying, he won with something to spare, The Autumn Handicap was one of the best races we have seen on the Orari course. Talebearer was most fancied, but his weight told on him on the somewhat heavy running the course. The winner turned up in Grand Duke, who is a useful-looking horse. Yinco ran gamely, and many were of opinion that had she been pushed sooner she would have given Grand Duke some trouble to win. The Gang Forward Steeplechase produced a field of four of our best cross-country horses, and a good run was expected. The result was spoiled, however, by the refusal of Moody and through Ravenswood, the favorite, falling. The two remaining horses made a desperate finish, both horses and riders doing tbeir utmost, Lynwood just managing to win by a short neck from Berrington. The following are the details: — Handicap Hurdle Race, of 50 aovs. j distance 2 miles. Mr T. Sheenan’s oh g Master Agnes, list 21b ... ... (Owner) 1 Mr J. Forward's ch g Boyalty, Oat 71b (Evans) 2 Mr R. Henry’s b g Faust, 9st 51b (J. Cotton) 3 Mr R. W. Agnew’s Unil, and Mr J. Clancy’s All Fours also ran. Rarenswood, Moody, Secretary, and Hector were scratched. The course being about a mile in circumference the start for this race took place opposite the stand. Faust got the best of a loose start. Unit and Royalty, however, soon rushed to the front and led over the first hurdle together, Master Agnes last. The two leaders made the pace pretty warm along the back of the course and both gained on the rest of the field. Coming up to the hurdle in the straight the gap was closed somewhat. Passing the stand the order was : Boyalty, Unit, Faust, Master Agnes, and All Fours. The clinking pace now began to tell on All Fours and Unit, both gradually losing ground. On turning the bend into the straight Master Agnes improved his position, gradualy creeping to the front, and took the last hurdle with Royalty, who struck it rather hard and lost some

ground. A good race look place tip the straight, Muster Agnes winning with something to'spare by a short length from Royalty, Faust being third about the same distance from the second. All the horses jumped fairly well throughout ths race. In the totalisator there were 151 investors, 99 on the winner; dividend, £1 7s. Hack Hurdle Race, of 15 sovs. \\ miles. Weights not less than lOst. Winner to be sold for 15 sovs. ; any surplus to go to the Club's funds. Mr J. Bull’s bg To Hira (F. Bull) ... 1 Messrs M. and C. Hobb’s b rn Shadow, (C. Hobbs) 3 Mr F. Warner’s Black Prince also ran. Black Prince went off with the lead, the others, however, quickly outracing him, and all took the first hurdle together. Black Prince the first time round refused the hurdle on the straight, but was got over on being brought round and sent in pursuit of Te Hira and Shadow, who virtually had the race to themselves, the former leading the mare by some twenty lengths along the back of the course, which position was kept to tbs finish. Of the 105 investors in the totalisifor 19 were on the winner ; dividend £4 19s.

Autumn Handicap, of 75 sovs ; 1| miles. Mr T. Quill’s b c Grand Duke, 7at 121 b (McLaughlin) 1 Mr D. Donoon’s hr ra Yinco, 6st 71b (Stuart) 3 Messrs M. and C. Hobbs’ b g Borderman, 7at 101 b ... (Evans) 3 Mr W. Weston Conundrum, and Mr P. Butler’s Talebearer also ran.

This proved to be the best race of the day, and perhaps one of the best ever run on the course. The five horses on the card started, Talebearer being most fancied, Conundrum also having a good many supporters. The start took place at the back of the course, Yinco having tho worst of it. Passing the Stand Conundrum was leading, followed by Grand Duke, Borderman, and Vinco in close order, with Talebearer a few lengths behind, The race was a grand one along the far side of the course, all the horses being in a cluster so that it was almost impossible to distinguish one from the other. On entering the straight, however, Grand Duke had a slight lead. Vinco gamely responded to the call made on her, and coming out of the ruck challenged the leader. Grand Duke was still going strongly, but his rider was nearly caught napping, Yinco almost catching him on the post, the former only winning by about half a length, Borderman a good third, Conundrum fourth, aud Talebearer last.—Time : 2rain. 55sec, Totalisator, 304 investors, 94 on the winner ; dividend, £2 18s. Selling Race, of 30 sovs ; weight for age; winner to be sold for 30 sovs, and any surplus to go to tho Club’s funds. If entered to be sold for 20 sovs 71b allowed ; if for 10 sovs lOlbs allowed and if for nil 211bs allowed. Six furlongs. Messrs Murphy and Stock’s b g Jack (£3O), 9st ... ... (Evans) 1 Mr K, Alexanders b g Forest King, (£2O), Sat 7lb ... (Elliot) 2 Mr A. Thomson’s b g Te Kooti (£2O), Sst 71b ... (B. Macdonald) 3 Mr C, Hood’s Egypt and Mr O. Wise's Sweet Briar were scratched.

Jack led the trio from the start, and was never caught, winning by two lengths from Forest King who made a good effort at the finish. Te Kooli was last all the way.—Time, Irain. 22sec. In the totaliaator there were 54 tickets (out of 128) on the winner j dividend, £2 2s. The winner was put up by auction and sold tor £32. Gang Forward Handicap Steeplechase, of 100 eovs, lOsovs. to go to second horse ; about 3 miles, Mr J. Kerr’s b g Lynwood, list 21b (Cotton) 1 Hon. R. Rodney’s b g Berrington, list 21b ... ... (Lyford) 2 Mr H. Piper’s Ravenswood, and Messrs M. and C. Hobb’s Moody also ran.

The course was laid off on the inside of the ordinary track, and the fences consisted of posts and rails, and hurdles brushed with gorse. Barrington was the first to show to the front, with Ravenawood as his nearest attendant. They led over the first gorse jump, and over the next post and rail fence. All took the post and rail fence in front of the Stand in good style, but Moody and Lynwood refused the next gorse fence, and after a few attempts to get him over, Hobbs brought Moody in. Lynwood had been smartly wheeled round and put over, and was not long in overtaking the leaders. On passing the Stand the «eecond time Lynwood led the trio over the post and rails. Ravenswood fell at the next fence, and apparently got a severe shaking, Sheenan, who escaped uuhurt, not persevering with him any further. Lynwood and Barrington now had the race to themselves, and took matters easily on the next round, both horses fencing well, the former showing the way. The last post and rail fence was taken together, anb a desperate race took place to the post, Lynwood winning by a short neck. The win was a popular one, some hearty cheers being indulged in on the return of Cotton from the scales. There were 252 investors in the totalisator, 29 on the winner. Dividend, £7 16s.

Hurry Scurry, for a saddle and entrance money. 6 furlongs. Mr Moorehead’s br m Fraud ... 1

Mr P. Burke’s ch g Foxy Dick ... 2 Mr W. H. Walton's b g Sefton ... 3 Mr J. Bull’s Nancy Lee also ran.

Fraud took a strong lead from the start and was not caught till well into the straight, when Foxy Dick attempted to pass her but failed, the mare winning by about a length. A protest was entered against the winner for crossing Foxy Dick and for having won public money previously. After consideration the protest was disallowed by the Stewards. There were 106 tickets taken out in the totalisator, 28 on the winner ; dividend, £3 Bs. This race brought the first day’s meeting to a close.

SECOND DAY.

The weather on the second day was excellent, and the attendance about the same as on the previous day. Owing to pressure on our space we find it necessary to curtail our report. The following- is tho result Hubdib Handicap, of 40 sots 5 winner of the Handicap Hurdle Race, first day, to carry lOlbs penalty. Distance, li miles Mr T. Shoenan’s Master Agnes, list 31b (Owner) 1 Mr H. Piper’s Raronswood, 12st 21b (Lyford) 2 Mr R. Henry’s b g Faust, 9st 51b (Cotton) 3 Moody and Royalty also ran. Borderman

and Secretary werencratched. Time ; 3miii' SOisec. Totalisator, £272; 122 on the winner; dividend, £2. Selling Huedlb Race, of 30 *ova, The winner to bo sold for 40 sovs., any surplus to go to the Club’s funds. If entered to be sold for 30 sots., 71bs allowed ; if for 20 sots., 14lbs allowed ; if for 10 sots., 211bs allowed. Distance, lit mil-’s. Mr E. Henry’s b g Faust (£4O) 10st 111 b, (Nicholson) 1 Mr R. Agnew’s b g Unit (£2O) list lib, (Mr Wood) 2 Bordeaux, Royalty and Black Prince were scratched. Time: 3mm. 15iec. Totalisator, £102; £56 on the winner; dividend, £L 12s, Railway Stakes Handicap, of 40 sots. The winner of tha Autumn Handicap to carry 71bs penalty. Distance, 1 mile. Mr T. Quill's b g Grand Duke (Laughlin) 1 Mr P. Butler’s blk h Talebearer (Butler) 2 Mr W. Weston's Conundrum (Clarke) 3 Mr D. Denoon’e br m Yinco also ran. Time : Imin, 55sec. Totalisator, £344: £ll3 on the winner ; dividend, £2 14s. Tallt-ho Steeplechase, of 75 sots. The winner of the Gang Forward Handicap to carry lOlbs penalty. Distance, 2i miles. Hon. E. Rodney’s b g Herrington, list 3lb (Lyford) 1 Mr J. Kerr's b g Lynwood, list (Cotton) 5 Ravenswood fell at the second hurdle from home. Time, smin. 31sec. Totalisator, £271, £63 on the winner; dividend £3 17». Hack Flat Selling Race, of 15 sovs, for horses that have never won over 15 sovs, of public money (in one event on the flat.) J Weight not less than 9st. Winner to be sold for 15 sovs, any surplus to go to the club's funds, Distance, once round the course. Mr McKay’s Miss Lyle ... (Wyatt) 1 Mr Bvan’e Chadwick ... (Hoare) 3

Mr ICoorehead’s Fraud ... (Laughlin) 3 Mr Thornton's Te Kooti alio ran. Totalisetor, £254; £ll3 on the winner; dividend, £2, Consolation Handicap, of 30 rove., for all beaten horses during tha meeting. Dietanoe, once round the course, Mr Butler's Talebearer, Set. (Laughlin) 1 Mr Hobbe’s Borderman, 7et, 101 b (Bvane) S Mr Weiton’e Conundrum, 6it 12lbe (Clark) 3 Time, Imin 48 eaoi.