MARLBOROUGH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XV, Issue 860, 6 February 1861, Page 3

MARLBOROUGH.

THE EACES.

(From the ■?,Press,' December 29.)

The Marlborough Races came off on Wednesday, the 26th instant, with great success. The weather, notwithstanding the threatening appearance of the early morning,'was all'■'■that could be desired, and the number of spectators was far beyond what could have beeri iexpected.'- The number is variously estimated but we believe it may be safely put down at between four arid five hundred. It was very gratifying to see the number of women and children who were enabled to attend, from the ciroumstance that the ground was easily accessible to the centre of population. There is reason to believe that next year an"effort will be made tn> have the meeting on ground on whibh those will be willing to'attend who have withheld their support on the present occasion. The running was decidedly good, with the exception of that for the Marlborough Plate, in which Sportsman was only started in order to qualify r Bushman to win. We feel bound to reprobate the recourse to any such expedient for winning money, and hope that hereafter no stokes \yill be paid unless won in a fairly contested face. On the Whole, however, the arrangements were made and carried out in a

manner to defy criticism, and to the satisfaction of vfr SU, .cnbers and spectators; and in spite of all difficulties and drawbacks, there was probably never a. meeting in New Zealand which was more thoroughly enjoyed; and if it be accepted as an augury of tho future we may fairly anticipate that the Marlborough Races will figure conspicuously in tho annals of Now Zealand sports. We subjoin a statement of tho running.—■• The Jockey Club Plate of 30 soys., added to a sweepstakes of 3 soys. each. Second horse to save his stake. For three years old, Bst 91bs; four, 9st 13 lbs; five, lOst 71bs; six and aged, iOst lOlbs; 41bs allowed to mares and geldings. Two miles. Mr. Hewitt's b g Bushman, 6yrs (Henderson),!; Mr. P. Mcßae's g g Sportsman, 4yrs (Davies), 2; Mr. H. Godfrey's br m Jane, syrs (Leary), 3; Mr. W. Robinson'r g g Raglan, aged (Scutfcer), 4. Bushman jumped away with the lead, closely followed by Sportsman, who tried hard at the straight run home for first place, but was unable to get in front. Bushman won a well r contested race by half a. neck; Sportsman second, Jane third, and little Raglan bringing up the rear. Time, 4mm 6 sec.' y^IHE PICTONANB BLENHEIH PLATE bf 20 SOYS., added to a sweepstakes of 2 soys. each. Second horse to save his staked J.C.P. weights. Heats. One mile. Mr. P. M'^ae's br g Chevalier, 3 yoaft (Davies), 1, 3,1; Mr. V. Hewitt's br g Garibaldf, 3 years (Wakefield), 4, 1, 2; Mr. W. Robinson's bra Leda, 3 years (Robinson), 2, 2, 3 ■•' Mr.;H. Godfrey's br m Surprise (Gay), 3, dis. Ist Keat: A capital start was effected." Chevalier was' the first to show in front, but soon gave it up to Leda. At the last corner Surprise came up, and a very pretty race ensued, which was won by Chevalier, by a bare half length; Leda second, Surprise third, and Garibaldi last. Time, 2 mm. 3isecs. 2nd heat: All got away well together, but. Surprise bolted before she had done a quarter of the way, and was not got back before' the race was finished. The three ran well together to the distance, when an exciting race took place to the finish, and was decided by Garibaldi winning by a head, Leda being half a neck in front bf Chevalier. Time, 2 mm. 7 sees. Concluding heat • This again was a well-contested race throughout; and was won by a length by Chevalier, Garibaldi second, Leda a couple of lengths behind. Time, 2 mm. 3 gees. The Maelbobottgh Plate of 30 soys.; added to a sweepstakes of 3 soys. each. Second lioree to save his stake; J.C.P. weights; Heats'; one arid a half miles. Mr. Hewitt's b g Bushman, 6 ' years (Henderson), 1, wo- Mr. P. M'Rae's g'g Spprtsi man, 4 years (Davies), dis. This race was an entire failure; Sportsman only starting to enable * Bushman tp claim the stakes. - ,„,

The Hack Stakes of 5 soys., added to a sweepstakesof 10s. each. ; catch weights; one mile. Mr. H. Ball's Harkaway (Read), 1; Mr. Attwood's Prince Cambridge, 0; Mr. Lakeman's Wild Irish Girl, 0- Mr. Walker's St. Aubin; 0; Mr; M'Rae's Stella, 0 • Mr. Rogerson's Schombergi •0 ; Mr. Robinson's Sir Colin Caihpbell. 0; Won by Harkaway. Time,2min7 ."-' ; "■"•' -;:

The Consolation Plate of 15 govs., added to a sweepstakes of 2 soys. each,, p.p., for horses that have started and not won in the previous races. Second horse to save his stake. One mile. Mr. P. M'Rae's g g Sportsman, 4 yrs (Henderson) 1 ; Mr. W. Robinson's g g Raglan; aged (owner) 2; Mr. Hewitt's br g Garibaldi, 3 yrs (J. Robinson) 3; Sportsman took up the running, and maintained it throughout, and won easily by two lengths. "Time', 2 mm. 2 sees. -

The Ladies' Pubse of 20 soys., added to a Sweepstakes bf 2 soys. each. J.CiP. weights. Heats^ One mile.—Mr. V. Hewitt's b g Bushman, 6.'.yrs. (Henderson), 2,1, w. b.; Mr. M'Rea'sgg Chevalier, 4 yrs (Davies), 1, dis.; Mr. Godfrey's br ni Jane, 4 yrs (Leary), 3, dr. Ist heat.—Bushman jumped awaylwitL the lead,-closely followed by Sportsman and Jane. TAt the last turn Sportsman took the lead, and won by a couple of lengths, Bushman second. TimO,'2 mmV2rid; Heat.--^Bushman 'again jumped away with thelead^ arid agiaih atthe:distance gave way to Sportsman, who, before he came tbttie ropes, ran on the wrong side j?f a post, and his rider was unable to pull him lip in time to save his distance. Time, 2 mm. 2 -sec. Bushman for the third heat walked over.