THE GREYMOUTH RACES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 481, 23 March 1869, Page 2

THE GREYMOUTH RACES.

SECOND DAT. (From the Argus.) The second day was even more successful than the first. Every event was keenly contested, and some splendid racing was the result. The attendance of the public was not as large as on the first day; but it was noticeable that there were many more strangers present, and the Grand Stand was crowded. The first event of the day, the Selling Stakes, was started very punctually to time, and brought to the field Cossack, Mazeppa, Prince Patrick, and Hanhover. This was generally looked upon as a safe thing for Cossack, but the result showed how far public opinion was mistaken. It resulted in a splendid contest between Prince Patrick and Mazeppa, and was won by the former only by a neck, with Cossack third. The great eventof the meeting, the Greymouth Handicap, of 225 sovß., came next, and excited an immense amount of interest. Only three horses accepted for tm> splendid prize, although the "krect card " stated that there were five, but as these three—Nebula, Backbiter, and Flying Jib—were as fine animals as ever graced a course, a close contest was anticipated. It was generally looked upon as Nebula's race, but the odds were freely laid against the mare after her breakdown on Wednesday, and considering the splendid condition in which her opponents were. After a good start the Jib and Nebula ran off together, with Backbiter in waiting about ten yards off, but as the Stand was neared m the first round she came up and all ran together, holding hard. As the pace was increased Nebula took the lead, going in splendid form, with Backbiter close behind. But here the backers of Mr Garforth's gelding met with a dreadful disappointment, for one of her stirrup straps broke, and she had to be pulled up. This reduced the event to a match between Nebula and the Jib, but the former continued to lead all the way. In the fourth round this order was unchanged. In the last the Jib was called upon, and made his effort. A magnificent contest ensued, as the Jib gradually crept up in the rush home, and finished only half a neck behind Nebula. For the Cheroot Scurry there were five entries, but in both heats Prince Patrick literally ran away with the race, Selim second in both instances. For the Ladies' Purse of 40sovs., only three horses came to the front—Native, Backbiter, and Nebula. After the splendid work Mr Stafford's mare had done in the handicap, it was not thought that she eould pull off this event, and the betting was much in favor of Backbiter. The Native made the running at the start, but after the second round Backbiter came up and took the front place, which he kept to the finish, winning easily, with Native second, and Nebula last. The Hurdle Handicap, of lOOsova., came next, and brought out Don Pedro, Native, Blink Bonny, Gamester, and

Jtaieppa, a very good field. The Don had been reserved for this event, and, as he appeared in splendid form, was freely backed against the field, but the result was one of those unlooked for events which so frequently occur in hurdle-racing. The race commenced splendidly, all the horses taking the bardies nicely, but on the second round the Don baulked, and although put to the fence time after time, continued to refuse until the other horses were at the next hurdle, where a series of baulks took place. Blink Bonny and Gamester got away first, and settled down to their work, taking the hurdles almost neck and neck. Meantime, Native in taking the hurdle at the back of the course got staked with her forefeet through the bars, and was so much injured that she was out of the race; Maeeppa also retired here. The Don had, however, resumed his temper and his work, his jockey trusting to the chapter of accidents. He was right, for at the next round one of Gamester's saddle-straps broke, and he had to be pulled up while making a splendid race of it, with every prospect of coming in first. This left the event a gift for Blink : Bonny, with Don Pedro second. For \ the Consolation Stakes, Selim, Moss f Base, Okair, and Mazeppa entered, and the result was a closely-contested race, cleverly won by Selim, Mazeppa a head behind, and Okair close up, with Moss Rose a length behind. Late on Thursday evening it was determined by the Stewards to arrange for a third day's racing, should the weather prove favorable, and a number of extra events were run on that day, Mr Kingham's Gamester coming in first in three of the races.