RANGITATA RACE MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 4751, 16 March 1899, Page 4

RANGITATA RACE MEETING.

This annual event came off under very favourable weather auspioies on Thursday. The weather was all that could be desired, and there was a fair attendance of ladies as Wall m gentlemen from the surrounding distriots. All the events were keenly contested, and large fields its the horse racing and trots, especially the latter, being a decided improvement) on former meetings at this place. Io the two principal trots there were eight and nine horeea respectively. QChe Minister, belonging to Mr Jan. Bell, of Liemore, came & cropper m the Farmers Plate, and sustained a dislocation of the fetlock of the off hind leg, but m kickiag he managed to put it back into its place again, When Mr Bell bandaged it up and sent him home quietly, where he arrived all right. The jockey (T. Cotton jor.,) was luckily thrown clear of the horse, and sustained no injury farther than a slight shaking up. All the horse events were got off punctually by the starter, Mr B. R. McDonald. AH the other stewards performed their duties very well indeed, and It says much for the handieappers and competitors that not a single protest was entered during the day. There were onl) two athletic events—one, the 100 yards handicap flit race, was won by George Bliasefct with syds start; R. Ibell (7ydß), second; E. Beokley (1 yard), third. Four others started. The other was the 220 yards haqdiu&p flit race, ia which A. J. Daon ran first, E. Beckley second, and T. Qasid third. Mr R. I). Petrie, the new landlord of the Bridge Hotel, ably seconded by Mrs Petrie, catered satisfactorily, everyone being unstinted m their praises of the efforts of the host and hostess. A dance took place, and was kept up m a spirited manner until the »m»H hoars of the morning. Appended are the winners of the several horse events. Maiden Tbot s one and a half mile ; 5 sovb. W. K. McDonald's Paddy, 18 sees. 1 Wtn. Houston's Nobbie, 15 seos., .. 2 R.Grieve's Tracy G.,183ec, .. ..3 . Farmers Plate, one mile, 6 soys. R. Burnett's Perkinette, lOst .. .. 1 R. Grieves Wetsail,9it llib, .. .. 2 Peel Foubst Trot, two miles; 6 sovb. Mr E- Sharplia's Bella, 25 bpcs , .. 1 j Mr W. Houston's Nobbie, 32 boos., .. 2 AbundkL Cup, 1£ mile; 8 soys. and cup. G. W. FTardwick's Windermere, 12s 10 b .. 1 I. A. BHssett's Sir Robert, 9ib 31b .. 2 K. Burnett's Perkinette, 9*t lO'.b .. 3 Hack Race, 6 furlongs; 5 boys. i K. O'Brien's Sunne*, 9it 10ib .. .. 1 'D. MoPnerson'a Forest Maid, lOit .. 2 Hobby Scurky, Sweepttake of sj, with 1 soy. added. : Forest Maid ... * Wetsail d Consolation Ti'OT, Sweepstake of 5?, with 1 soy. added. P nguio, (J. Loreelly's) .. .. 1 Nubble .. 2