SPORTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 2450, 2 September 1891, Page 2

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON COUNTY HUNT CLUB ANNUAL STEEPLECHASES,

Patrons—-Hon. John \tcLean, Matthew S-itt, and E. G. Wright. President--John Grigg, Vice.-Prh9IOE.NTS—G.; H. Alington, W, B. Denshire, Dr. Leahy, D.^McLean, W. C. Walker. Stewards —G. H. Alington, J. C. N. Grigg, Dr. Leahy, W. P. Chapman, D. McKendry, W. M. Helmore, H. McLean, G. A. M, Buckley, H. H. Wright, and W. RoUitt. Judge —M. Stitt. Starter —D. Thomas. Clerk of the Course—A Hewson. Clerk op the Scales—R. Friedlauder. Treasurer—A. J. Kelly. Handicavper—J. Cress well,

The annual Steeplechase meeting of the Ashburton County Hunt Club, after being postponed from August 21, was held yesterday. For several years the fixture has been at the Ashburton Racecourse, bqt this year the course being under crop the venue was changed to the pretty Tinwald Domain. On arriving there yesterday it was seen that many improvements had been made since New Year's day. Ornamental iron gates had been fi.sed, at the entrance, the lake fenced m and planted about with shrubs and trees, aud more grass sown. The belt of pines around the domain is noife well-grown and makes acapit.il background to the course, and the course itself is getting into fair order though still very rough m some parts. Th,e steeplechase coursp was laid off-on the outer part of the course. We have already described the jumps and need only say now that the height of the " ditch and rails " obstacle had been reduced by three inches, and none of the jumps were of great difficulty though quite sufficient to represent the stiffesb of the fences generally. :&n x qounte,red Jn ths hunting , field. The " ditch. and rails " hras more formidable m appearance fchaiif m reality, and stopped several of the competitors, and the treble at the stand was also more than some of them cared -for. Some spots on the course were rather 1

dead from the effects of the rain, but otherwise the sluing was sound. The weather was all that could be desired, and as it led to the attendance being the largest that the Hunt Club have yet had, a similar date will probably be selected for future meetings, so as to have the benefit of the Spring Minshine. This year's gathering was completely successful—a most unusual result of a postponed fixture. The racing was very interesting. The field-., though not m any case large, were larger than they would have been had the original date been adhered to. The Hurdle race, with which proceedings commenced, was run at a slow canter till the field entered the straight for home, Then Kihnarnock's speed soon put the issue beyond doubt. Don was favourite, but he wont very lame during the race. Master Raven and Will if I Can may each be more successful another day. The Hunt Club Cup produced a very pretty race Lewis and'Morok jumped splendidly, the former especially. Old Glen slipped up at a critical point m the race, and Matariki showed insufficient schooling but a considerable degree of pace, racing over the fences after his first difficulties had been surmounted. Postboy showed great improvement, and was capitally handled by Cochrane, and even if Lewis' rider had not come to grief the result would have been the same. Lyndodra appeared to hold all her opponents safe, and will show a better performance before long. Cantata was favorite for the Hack race, but Magpie, who was as well-conditioned as anything on the course, wjn pretty comfortably only to be disqualified as ineligible to compete. Under the circuinI stances the Stewards might well have returned the investments on Magpie, as his backers had no chance to win. In the Maiden Steeplechase Kahikatea sailed ayvay from the others and won as he liked, though had Glentui nob baulked afc the "ditch and rails," there would have been a good race if not a different result. Miss Button's win was very popular. Magpie consoled his 1 backers by winning the Bracelet very comfortably from Sherwood, who was at the disadvantage of carrying nearly a stone more than he need have done. Begorrah bioke done just as there was a prospect of his making a close finish with these two. Only three entered for the Consolation Steeplechase, and Lewis was of course selected as a moral at the weights, but Matariki was sent along from the fall of the flag, and had Lewis beaten a furlong from home. Theie was a protest against the winner, but most of those who had their glasses on him at the fence m question thought he had jumped it properly. The races were get off promptly and were concluded m good time, and the various officers deserve every credit for the good day's sport and the satisfactory result. Messrs Mason and Roberts put £865 through the totalisator, agairst £762 last year. Mr T. Tinwald Hotel, had charge of the booths. The following is the complete report of the racing : — : HUNTERS' HURDLE RAGE HANDICAP •f 15 soys; second horse to rceeive 3 soys from the stake. -Two miles. 25. Mr S. Brown's b g Kilmarnock, by Cheviot, 6yrs, list 51b (McConochie) 1 36. MrE. Wilson's g g Master Raven^ syrs, list 51b ~ ... (B. Price) 2 40. Mr F. P, Claridge's eh g Don, aged, 12st 41b (Owner) 3 7. Mr T. Hunt's g g Will if I Can, syr«, l(y 61b j.. (McDonald) 0 "0. Mr F. Cookson's a g Tewauahu, aged, 10.st (7ib allowed) (H, Ireland.) 0 Master Raven led for the first half mile with Will If I Can close up and Don bringing up the rear, Will If I Can then took the lead, and with Master Raven led the field at a very slow pace past the stand when the Held were well together. Master Raven went to t.he front along the back of die course, and rounding the turn Kilmarnock joined the leaders, Don at the same time closing up and ..Will if I Can droppiug out. The chestnut, however, coul i never get on terms, and Kilmarhock easily disposing of Master Raven passed the post a two lengths'' Winner," Don a bad third.".■JS'o time was taken. Dividend — £3 17s. HUNT CLUB CUP STEEPLECHASE, a handicap of 30 soys ; second horse to receive 5 soys from the stake.,,,, Open to all qualified hunters, the property of members of any recognised Hunt Club. Minimum weight lOst. Maiden rider allowed 71bs. About three miles. 26 Mr F. P. Chapman's g g Postboy*, by Marmion, aged lOdt 101 b (Cochrane) 1 32 Mr F. P. Claridge's br m Lyndoora, 6yrs, 13sfc 21b (Owner) 2 38 Messrs Chapman and Moore's r g Morok, aged, 12st 71b (Mr A. E. Cox) 3 63 Mr G. Murray-Aynsley's b a Glen, aged, list 121 b ... (ftwrier) 0 28 Mr W.C. Wynn-Williams' b g Lewis, aged, list 91b ..; (Owner) 0 1L Mr J. C. N. Grigg's eh g Matariki, aged, lOst 101 b ... (E. Price) 0 When the flag fell Postboy dashed to the front, followed by Morok and Glen. All got over the water, though Matariki blundered. Morok then took the lead and made the running at a good pace. | Matariki, refused three times at the ditch and rails, and though got over was never able to join the rest of the field. Morok and Lyndoora were together, half a dozen lengths m advance of the other three till nearing the stand the second time round, when the five were together, Lewis led over the treble m front of the stand and the next three obstacles, Morok, Postboy an.l lyndoora oil his heels, and Glen now tailing off. At the ditch and bank Lewis made a tremendous jump, and his rider lost a stirrup. He kept m the lead, however, over the final obstacle, but Mr W lliams lost his seat turning into the straight when racing Postboy. The latter then came on with a slight advantage of Lyndoora whom he had beaten afc the rails, and Postboy finished about three lengths m front of her. Morok half a cloven lengths further away was third, and Gleu closs up fourth. Matariki completed the journey some distance behind. Time, Ymin 17secs. Dividend—£6 17s. HACK RACE, of 10 soys, no weight under 105t. Six furlongs, was won by 8 Mr J. Docherty's b g Gillie 1, 6yrs, (J.Lewis) 1 44 Cantata, 16 Flyaway, 21 Magpie, 2 Gil pin, also, started, Magpie finished first, but was disqualified, having been entered for a handicap, and thus being disentitled to start. Dividend-£lO 3s. MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE PLATE, of J.Ji soYa; second horse to receive 3 sov^j from the stake. Weight-for«age. About two mil^s. 19 Misa Button's eh g Kahikatea, by Saunterer, aged, 12st 31b (Mr B. McDonald) 1 41 Mr E. ■ Wilson's: g g Master Raven, oyrs, list 101b' ... (E. Price) 2 56 Mr G. Murray- Ayncley's b g Glen■lui, aged, 12st 31b ... (Owner) 3 8 Mr J. Heseltine's b g Blackwood, aged, 125t31b... .„ (Corbitt) 0 4 Mr J. C. N. Grigg'g b g Rout, ajjed, last 31b ... (J.Lewis) 0 8 Mr T. Hunt's Will If I Can, syrs, list 101 b ... (R. McDonnell) 0 Glentui was quickest away and over the first fence. Kahikatea then went to the front, and was never afterwards headed. Blackwood ran off at the second fence, and Glentui, Will If I Can, and Rout baulked a^ the ditch and bank. Glentui cleared the obstacle at the second attempt, but by this time Kahikatea had taken a long lead, Master Haven being next and a long gap between him and Glentui. Master Raven challenged Kahikatea entering th^ straight, but was disposed of without difficulty, and Miss Button's felding won a* ho liked, GJ^tui a bad.

third ;no other finished Dividend—£6 Bs. LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP, value 20 soys (first horse bracelet value 15 aova, second norae bracelet values soys.) About two miles. 26 Miss M. Clarlwon's b g Magpie aged, lOst 711) (Mr P. P. Ckiidge) 1 5 Miss Russell's g g Sherwood, oyrs lOstlOlb (ear. list) (Mr K. Robert^) 2 74 Mrs S Brown's b g Kilmarnock syrs, list (Mr U. McbuMld) 3 52 Miss M. Murray-Ayusloy's. b g Begorrah, aged, list 51b (Mr G. Murray-Aynsley) 0 35 Miss M. C. Grieg's, eh g" Union Jack, aged, list 31 h (Mr A, E. Cox) 8 Miss W. Ch'ipin.... , m g Morok aged, list (car. list 31b) (Mr H G. Moore) 0 Sherwood led at a very slow pace, with Begorfah next, the others m a bunch U half a mile from home. Begorrah then ran up to Sherwood, but immediately broke down. Magpie made a run coming into the straight, and soon taking command, Avon comfortably by two lengths from Sherwood, Kilmarncck a poor third. Dividend, £6 18s. CONSOLATION STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, of lOsovs. About one mile and a half 16 Mr J. C. N. Grigg's eh g Matariki aged, lOst (car. lOst 121 b) (is). Price) 1 60 Mr C. Wynn-Williams' b a Lewis aged, list 71b . (Mr F. P. Claridge) 2 16 Mr J. Heseltine's b g Blackwood ' aged, 1(U ... (R. McDonnell) 0 When the flag fell Matariki was taken to the front, and soon had a long lead of Lewis, Blackwood soon putting himself out by refusing. In the last half mile Lewis drew up to Matariki, and after taking the last fence put m a challenge, buh Matariki drew away again* and Lewis' further efforts did not. appear to be extremely strenuous, though Pried had to shake Mp his Mount as ths winning post was neared to get home first by a couple of lefcgt hs. A protest was lodged against Matariki for having jumped outside the flag at the ditch and rails, but after taking evidence and examining the ground lit was disallowed. Dividend, £5 3s.

(PER PRESS; ASSOCIATION )

■'■■_. Wellington, September 1. Four of Mr Gollan's horses, Tirailleur, Tiraillene, Sternchaser, and Renata, arrived from Napier to-day (Tuesday), and four others Leonardo, Medjidie, Darnley, and Kimberley arrive to-morrow. The lot leave for Sydney by the Waihbra on Thursday, It is doubtful if any of Mr Gollan's team will fulfil their engagements at the spring meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club.