THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1339, 26 May 1874, Page 3

THIS DAY.

ISmi gS loofced brighter than yesf^fte'lanw. . °oUrße was very heavy ?%Tta^'ilfatt wl»ch fell in ffi ab »ttt inivT tlme of commencing there Slof tJh? 0 °a the «>*"».'' fixe, at:S*ef hrin!; CT patf y'as it arrived was £**• S 5" ai ljfeto~the steeplechase l?°bvWs tv * Woßt severe one, .and it &*'«*w"W Woold tave little to b«A a 2°.'he contest. The start P01?t uside tW'rails a^out ft

quarter of a mile up the straight. Opposit 6 tbe brrand Stand two made hedges were placed about 15 yards apart. These were ot I oraiidable proportions and made a very pretty beginning. About 300 yards further on the course led over a scoria wall 3 J feet high, an awkward looking obstacle. Another ot these faced the riders after about a quar ter of a mile more had been traversed." Ihese obstacles attracted large crowds of spectators. The trcck, which up to - this point had kept inside the ordinary coarse, now went across it through Mr Peach's paddocks, on the far side, taking a post and rail leap and two hedges m the way. Here a steep hill had to be climbed, on the 'top of which was a gorse hedge. From this point it was all down hill till striking the course again at the bend for home. This round had to be traversed twice to make the three miles, and it looked a hard journey for any horse. The band of the Royals, under Bandmaster Hunter, was again in attendance. The wind, which blew hard all day, was piercingly cold during the afternoon, and it seemed impossible to find any place to which it did not penetrate. The day was in other respects fine. Mr Perkins . again provided an excellent luncheon in the Grand Stand. I

THE AUTUMN (HANDICAP) STEEPLECHASEOf 100 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 10 soys each ; second horse to receive 20 soys out of the stakes ; entrance, 2 soys. Distance, 3 miles, over a fair hunting country, to be pointed out by the Stewards. Horses to be nominated to the Secretary at the Auckland Hotel, by 8 p.m. on Saturday, 4th April; weights will be declared on or before 18th April. Acceptances, enclosing 5 soys, to be made by 8 p.m. on Saturday, the 2nd May, and balance of sweep (5 soys) on night of general entry. Mr Mcßae's b g Rustic (McCoy), aged, list 71bs , ... ... .. ... 1 Mr J. Thorpe's ns gr g Barey (J. Thorpe), aged, lOst 51bs ... 2 Mr A. Murray's chg Mount, aged, lOst llstslbs ... ... ... ... 0 Mr Joseph Bank's b g Costello, aged, 61b. 0

Betting: 6to 4 against Rustic ; 2to 1 against Mount; 3to 1 against Rarey; sto l f against Costello. After a deal of needless fiddling the flag fell to a good start. The mishaps began early. Costello jumped sideways at the very first jump, and cleared the Racecourse rails as well as the hegde, coming down on his head, and giving his jockey a nasty purler. In the meantime Rarey went on with the running at a good pace, followed by Mount, Rustic bringing up the the rear. Before turning Mount bolted, apparently not caring for the stone walls.* He was, however, compelled to continue his journey, which he did at a respectful distance (about a mi'e) from the leaders. Rustic and Rarey now had the race to themselves, and the two successfully negotiated every obstacle till passing the stand the second time. Here it was manifest that Rarey was tiring as Rustic without an effort came up and passed him. Loud cheers were now raised for Rustic, but his backers changed their tone when at the first stone wall his jockey went head over heels and the horse bolted oil the course. He was pursued and caught, and McCoy; pluckily remounting him went after Rarey, who in the meanwhile had not been without his adventures. Immedialy after Rustic's bolt Earey had come full butt against another- horse and rider who, were cooly standing in the middle of the course. The collision brought both the grief,J and apparently tbe stranger had the worst of it,- for when he got up he was very lame. Rarqy's jockey was unhurt, and rapidly mounted, getting ivell-underweigh just as Rustic was brought. J).acK Going along the far side paddocks Rarey- bad a" lead of about a hundred yards. At the hill Rarey's jockey walked his horse. This enabled Rustic to collar the grey at the gorse jump on the top, and renewed shouts proclaimed the impending victory of Rustic. This time the shouters continued to shout up to '. the end. Rarey, helplessly beaten, 'toiled on; in the rear, and Rustic passed the post about a dozen lengths a-head amid tremendous cheering. The Winner, though a.plain looking animal, jumps beautifully and is a capital stayer. Mr Marks has a splendid horse in Rarey. He jumps splendidly, and was greatly admired. But for, the accident with Mr Dornwell's horse there is little doubt he would have won easily.

[PER PIGEON EXPRESS.]

THE St. LEDGER BTAKES-^Of 100 soys, added to a Bweepstakes of 10 soys each ; nominations, 2 soys; 3 soys on acceptance on day of general entry, 18th'May, and 6 soys before 10 a.m. on the day of tbe race. - For 3-year-olds : Colts, Bst 121b ; fillies and .geldings, Bit 71b. Closed : 3 Biibsctiberß.' Distance, 1 mile 6 furlongs 132

yards t - .;:•? '• Mr H. C. Young's bo Bedouin, 3 yrs, Bst 1 Mr E. Perkins? chf Discord, -3 yrs, Bst. lOlbs ... ,:. ... " [':.:. .... .... -2 Mr H. C. Young's Tattler, 3yrs, Bsb 0 Betting-: Even '^on Discord, 2 to 1 each against Tattler, apd Bedouin. The flag J fell at the first attempt, and Bedouin at. once rushed to the front, and before half-a-mile had been covered was fully six lengths a-faeaft Past the Stand Discord and Tattler were running neck and neck together, and Bedouin appeared to be increasing his advantage. This state of affairs continued to the bend near the keeper's house, where Tatler bolted out of the course, leaving Discord alone to fight out her battle with the leader. On the far side she began to make up the leeway, and loud were the shouts of the filly's partizans as she ran up to Bedouin s side at the cutting. The two continued side by side for about two hundred yards. Then Discord shot out, and her victory was thought certain j but the proverb, i\ there s many a Slip, &c.," was verified in_tbis case Before making the last bend Bedouin had again drawn up; arid the appearance of. the latter's head in front as they rounded into the straight was the sigrial forjja great deal of counter-cheering in his favor. Both jockeys were now riding hard, and Tatler responded eamely to the call made upon him. Discord however, seemed distressed, and could not maintain her position. Tattler in the dip was a length ahead, and this ho increased to two at the finish of a most interesting race. Discord looked too fine for good condition. We hear that she is not all well. THY AUCKLAND CUP (HANDICAP)-Of 100 ™vs addedfo a sweepstakes of! IC> soys each with TO soys sweep, before 10 am. oxi uio «»_ therace. Distance, li miles. Mr J Watt's (Sutherland) br f Batter, 3yrs, 9stlolbs... -^ , ••• , - • Mr James (G. Cutts) b g Parawhenua, ■ fe 4yrs, 10at 51bs — . -' nrAA '' Mr O. McGeejs (Thorpe) eh g Gulden. Crown, syri 9st7lbs ... • ••;.:,; ••• Mr E. Perkin's eh f Discord, 3yrs, 6st

121bs .... . ...... •••■ ;•' •• Calumny was scratched lastiiight. -■ Bettingl Even on Batter ; 2 to 1, Parawhenua f 5 to 1 Golden Crown and Discord. Some time was cut to waste at the start, but when they got away it was upon very levei terms. Golden Crown led past the btranj. Batter and Parawhenua'lying second ana Discord last. The-last named waso.ut-pac. •'> frpmthe start, and had evidently suit |«i from her last race.; The Crovvn k^nb /trje, lead :tp , tho far side when B- **r cri.o I axisr pressed him, being foh o wed hy

Parawhenua into second place. The race was now over, as Mr Watts' pair came on at their ease, Batter winning! in a canter by half a length. Golden Crown was ridden out, and finished two lengths hehind the second. Mr Watt|declared to win with Batter.