MOUNT BENGER, RACES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 422, 2 January 1875, Page 2

MO UNT BEN GER, RACES.

' (By our Special Reporter.) ( 3 This annual meeting- was held on Tuesday and Wednesday! last on the recreation ground reserveafor the district at Moa Flat. An excellent course,' one mile in circumference has been formed within a short distance of _the main road, and with the exception ofea few rather sharp turns, better running ground for horses could hardly be ch(jaen, as the soil is of a light sandy nature that is never hard even in the dryest season, and any ordinary .rainfall does. .not. make it too soft for racing. The course is about eight miles from 'Roxburgh and one from Ettrick. The residents of the Municipality .have a good course of their own situated on the west bank of the Clutha JRiver, and it was the desire of them to hold the races, there this year, but a Committee chosen throughout the district preferred Moa Flat, and wisely too, in my opinion, as it is tuore^ccessible to the majority of the, people and the populated districts, and after all eight miles is only a pleasant drive for the Roxburgh people, just snKcient to give an extra zest to the* holiday. 4?n the opinion of many the sixteen mile canter or drive is the pleasan.test- part of the programme. Unless pettjr jealousies are put aside, racing at "Mount Benger will not prosper, so the people had better make up their minds which course will suit all parties in the district, and hold their annual races on it, aud not allow the question of site to cause such an amount of bickering as it has done of la,te. The attendance at the meeting was not up to that of last year, although the sport provided was very good. .No close or exciting finishes were witnessed, but 'he racing in the handicaps .showed that carehad been exercised by thehandicappers. The two principal events, also the Hurdle Race and Ladies' Purse were won by Mnnaghan's team. Bismarck and Tripolia both stripped in fine form, as also did German Louis, and but for his unfortunate habit of bolting he would very likely have won both the handicaps. The district races were keenly contested, though many of the horses were not in good form for g.illoping any distance, Sultana proved herself the best of them, as on the second day she cut down her opponents in a very easy manner. The stewards managed the two days racing very well, though some little grumbling was heard on Tuesday^ about the amount of time wasted between^ the races. This was owing in a great measare to %dispute s about the start of the second heat, in a race, and with that exception the arrange--* ments worked smoothly* throughout. The booths were leased by Mr. •R. M'Leod, who with a numerous staff of assistants, was kept busily employed. Fruit could also be obtained in unlimited quantities. Mr. M'Carthy had the gate, and realised a handsome profit therefrom. Appended is the result of the racing. First Day. * Maiden Plate, of 15 soys. Weight for nge. Distance, one mile and a half. Gordon's b. m. JTidget, 4yrc» (W. Gray) 1 Waugh's b.m. Lady Chorister, oyrs' (Quin) 2 Brazil's b. m. Countess, 4j rs (\Vebb) 3 A good start was effected, Lady Chorister soon showing to the front, kept the lead for about, a mile, when Fidget w^nt up to her, and after a short struggle forged ahead, winning by several lengths; Countess a bad third. Lady Chorister pulled up lame. Moujtt Benger Jocket C'iub Handicap, of 40 sers. Open to all comers. J. Monaghan's Bismarck, 8;t 101 b (iMsilone) 1 J. Monnglittajfrc.e. Ti-ipolis, flate A^a'Colt) Sat ' ' '" (Quin) 2 A G-ordon's b. g. Turpin, (Orossan) 3 H. Telford's b. g. German Louis, (Sutcliffe) 0 Mr. Mouaghan declared to win with Bismarck. German Louis was with difficulty 'got to the post,' owing to his fractibushess. The horses were eventually got away on pretty even terms, Louis rushing to the front, with , Bismarck and Turpin in close attendance. Tripolis last- This order was maintained at a good pace, until passing the stand the first time, when Louis bolted. Bismarck then took up the running, with Tripolis a good second, and Turpin a good third. Miners PirnSE, of 20 soys. One mile heats ; weight not less than lOst. A Gordon's Turpin . (Webb) 101 W. Waugh's Jackamaiy (if alone) 212 C. Holme's Sultana (Monaghan) 00 0 A. Young's Swindlo • . (Gray). 00 0 Turpin won the first heat in a canter. 'At the fall of the flag for the second, Turpin and. Swindle were left at "the post, and Jackamary came-in- first. A dispute arose as to whether the horses left at* the. post were distanced. It was ultimatelj decided by the Stewards that the horses' should run again, owing to the misunderstanding. Turpin came in first for this heat, and was declared the winner. Hack Eace, of 12 soys. One mile heats ; catch weights. A. Gordon's Fidget - (Crossan) 1 1 Patrick's Nimrod * (Gray) 2 2 Holme's Sultana (Afonaghan) 0 0 Waugu's Weazel 0 0 Graham's Merrimac ' 0 0 ll'Carthv'a Maid 0 0 Fidget won both hents 'easily. ' \ • Ladies' PurSe, of 13 boys. One mile and a half. ■ J. Monaghan'B Bismarefc, 12st 71b (owner) 1 J. JVlonaghan's g.g. Dido (M/Lellancl) 2 W. Waugh's Jackama^r (GorJon) 3 Holme's Sultana • , (scratched) Bismarck made the running, and won a good race by a length from Dido. Jackamary two lengths - behind the second horse. „„ , ; -„_ Second Day. , Hfrdle Race, of 15 soys. Orer six flights of hurdles 3ft 6,in,high. . Distance 2 miles ; weight lOst. J. Monaghan 's Dido " (T.Monaghan) 1 J. Monaghan's Bismarck "' (Jas. Malbne) 2 John Romance ~ •-* (ovfner) 3 Romance jumped the first closely^ followed by. the other two. all the, horses jumping in good style. Romance and Bismarck ranoft at the third j'uup, and Dido then went to the front, and though hard pushed by Bismarck, who lost the race through balking a second time, yon by three lengths. Romance was not persevered with after the first round. Membebs'-Handicap, of 40 bovIT" T/iilance, 2 miles., „ , J. Monagbin's Tripolis/ late (Ada Colt) • 9sfc4lb - , ' (Malone) 1 A. Young's YoungSwjnd]e6sfc 101 b (Crossan 2 H.'TelforcTs GeMan Louis ßst 81b (Sutler) 0 German Louis was run in winkers, but he did not get away well in them, and after going about a.mile and a half he bolted. Swindle ran well, and pushed Tripolis hard for first place, finishing within a couple of lengths of the winner. Publicans' Purse, of 15 soyg,» v - Dietancq, one mile and a half ; weight 9st, C. Holme's Sultana (T. Monaghan) 1 A: Gordon's Turpin (Gray) 0 Brazil's Countess (Webb) 0 Sultana made the running and won in a canter. Countess was pulled up.

*Hack Selling Race, of 15 aova. Distance, one mile.; lOst up. Buchan's Blink Bonny (Lesrj) 1 A. Gordon's Fidget ' (T. Monaghan) 2 Cros3an's Piebald (owner/ 0 Blink Bonny came in the winner by four lengths. Piebald nowhere. The winner was knocked down for £18 to Mr. M' Arthur. ' CoifsoiATioji Handicap efl6 sotb. Biitance, one mile. H.Telford's German Louis7stlO (Malone) 1 Mr. Young'# Swindle, 6st 101 b (Gordon) 2 Waugh's Jackumary 7st 4lb (Crossan) 3 .John Malone^j Eomaace . . few n ?j) 0 Louis won this race easily, and bolted at his favburite place immediately on passing the post.* Fortunately for his owner this race was. only once round the course, and his bolting did not interfere with hi» getting the stakes. .The rider of Romance was thrown in this race ai d severely bruised and shaken. The -accident was caused by the saddle slipping. The lad was insensible for a short time, but soon recovered and was aole to Walk back to the booths. Mr. W. Waugh having collected £4 6s on the course, and having augmented that sum by a subscription of a guinea for the Hospital Race, five horses started for it. Mr. A. Gordon's Fidget ridden Toy Jaraea Malone winning. The rider wan presented with a pair of spurs by theclub. - This concluded the two dayi racing.