CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3037, 8 November 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Thursday.

To-day the weather was decidedly the beßt of all three days. About ten o'clock a smart shower of rain fell and nicely laid the dust, while at the same time it tempered the atmosphere. The coarse was in splendid order, and everything gives promise of a day's fine sport. There is by no means so large an attendance as there was yesterday at this time, but the trains are arriving laden with sightseers, and no doubt many thousand will be here in the afternoon. The first race of the day was the—

MiTEOPOLiTAN Handicap. — Sinking Fund 1, Maritana 2, Danebury 3. Bet* ting: 2to lon the field, 2tol on the Hook, 3 to 1 Sinking Fund, 3 to 1 Dane* bury. Time: 2mins. 47£aecs. After a good deal of playing up at the post, and no lees than four false starts, the horses all got away. At the jump Merlin almost immediately assumed the lead, Maritana second, Danebury third, but opposite the stand Sinking Fund went through his horses and showed fully a length to the front, with the Hook second and Maritana third. On rounding the turn Sinking Fund and Mr Bay's mare were neck and neck, and a splendid race took place home, the Fond winning by a length, with Danebury several lengths behind, and the Hook fourth.

Publicans' Steeplechase Handicap. —Te Wbetu, 1•, Eversley, 2; Royalty, 3. Betting: 5 to 4 Eversley and Te "yVlietu, 4 to 1 Silverstream. Even money on thQ fifld- All got "e]l away together

without any false starting. At the first fence Eversley led, with Silver stream second, Boyalty third, Lad fourth, and Te Whetu, evidently held in reserve, last. When passing the stand the positions were almost the same, except that Silverstream was coming up, and soon took second place, and Te Whetu coming up rapidly at the turn. Eversley, Te whetu, and Boyaltj were all together, and a most exciting race ensued down the straight, resulting in Mr Nielson's gelding coming in winner by about a length, with Boyalty a good third.

Ohbistchuuch Plate. — Nemo, 1; Natator, 2; York, 3 ; Betting: 2 to 1 .Nemo and .Natator, 6 to 4 York. Time —3mins. 3£secu. Fishhook was scratched. This was by a long chalk the best race of the day. AH three horses were known to be good performers, and the betting on the result was very keen. From the start, after going a hundred and fifty yards, York had a strong lead, with JNatator second, and Nemo in in the rear. They maintained these positions until opposite the grand stand, when Nemo seemed involved in hopeleis difficulties, being at least a dozen lengths in the rear, but at this stage he rapidly increased his pace, and at the turn was close on York's quarters, Natator then having the lead. A pretty race took place down the straight, resulting in Nemo winning by a couple of lengths, with York a good third.