CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2866, 23 April 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Monday. The Autumn Meeting commenced to-day under the most favourable auspices. The weather was beautifully fine and the attendance large. Greater interest than usual was taken in the races, the speculation on each event being very lively. The running throughout was decidedly good. For the Champagne Stakes there were more started, and a much better class of youngsters, than were ever seen here before. Natator is a grand colt, and promises to make a first class race horse. He started a very hot favorite, though York, Nemo, and Merlin were also freely backed. The Great Autumn Handicap was one of the prettieit of the races even s«en on the. course. Longlands was heavily backed, and he and Natator were taken in a good many doubles. Maritana, Templeton, and Ariel were all backed out to a large extent for a heap, and were taken in double with Natator and York. The finish for the Autumn Handicap was very exciting, and it was nobody's race till up to the straight, when Maritana and Longlands came away a little and raced neck and neck to the post, where Longlands ju9t got his head in front. The pot boiled over in the Free Handicap, which, prior to the start, was regarded as a perfect gift for Bribery, but she was never seen in it. Champagne Stakes of 150 soys, for two-year-olds, added to a sweepstakes of 15 soys each, of 19 subscriptions. Bedwood's g c Natator (Matthews)... 1 Poynter's g c York, 211bs over weight (Bay) ... 2 Matlock's b c Nemo, 21bs over weight (Lyford) *.. 3 Atlantic, Merlin, and Waitakialio ran; Piccadilly and Bamarama were scratched. Betting: 3 to 2 against Natator 2 to 1 Nemo and York, and 3 to 1 the others. After several false starts, in which Natator especially seemed anxious to get away the well-known shout " They are off" went up, and Natator was seen to be leading, closely followed by York and Nemo. At the turn York went up to Nemo and Natator, and for a moment or two seemed likely to wrest the lead from him. He swerved, however, from his course, and so lost ground. Matthews gave Natator his head, and won a pretty race by a length; York second; Nemo a good third. Time, lmin 17£secs.

Gbkat Autumn Handicap of 300 soys, added to a sweepstake of 10 soys each, ■econd horse to save his stake ; 1 mile and a-half. Bedwood'g Longlands (Clifford), 7st 31bs 1 Lunn'a Maritana (Allen), 6st 121b ... 2 Webb's Jangler (T. Clark), 6st 12lbs 3 —Templeton, Ariel, Titania, Bid-a-Wee, Mufti, and Bribery also ran. Bribery, Foul PJay, and Luna were scratched. Betting : 2 to 1 against Loncrlands, 4 to 1 against Ariel and Templeton, 5 to 1 against Bide-a-Wee, 7 to 1 against Maritana, 8 to 1 against Titania, 100 to 12 against Jangler. After some trouble a fair start was effected, Templeton and Longlands first showing front. At the mile and a quarter post oberon took the' lead'with Maritana close up, Longlands and Templeton being next. A quarter of a mile further on Maritana collared Oberon, when the latter fell rapidly to the rear. Turning into the straight Longlands went up to Maritana, and the others were in a ruck close behind them. Maritana and Longlands raced down the straight amidst great excitement, and cries of " Longlands wins," " Maritana wins," both horses being whipped, and after a magnificent struggle Longlands won by a short head. Jangler was a moderate third, and Ariel fourth. Time, 2min. 41-J sees.

Fbie Handicap, of 50 sots, added to a sweepstake of 5 son; three-quarters of a mile. O'Brien's Luna, 6st 31bs (Allen) ... 1 Matlock's Bauolf, 7st (Trade) ... 2 Webb's Undine, 6st 3 Bribery, Bst 4 Ratcatcher, Cat ... ... 0 Betting: 6t04 on Bribery. There was a fair start. Banolf and Luna at once took the lead, with Luna and Bribery a few lengths astern. This order was maintained to the rails, where Luna gradually began to forge ahead of Banolf, and ultimately won by a half a length. Undine was a bad third. Time, Imm 7£ sees.