SPORTING.

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 2982, 12 March 1875, Page 3

SPORTING.

PENINSULA AND LITTLE RIVER

RACES.

Stewards—Hugh Buchanan, William Birdling, William Coop, William Gebbie, Joseph Judge, Henry Piper, George Scarbrough, Charles Haylock, B. Shadbolt, J. Beecher, Thomas W. Barker. Judge—William Birdling. Starter —Henry Piper.

Fair weather and a good attendance go far to contribute to the success of an upcountry meeting. "The Little River stewards had the advantage of both yesterday, and the sport was better than we have been in the habit of seeing there, and better than one might have expected from the amount of stakes offered. The Little River meeting is actually the race meeting of the Peninsula,

■ and were the committee to follow the example eet them by the Kowai and other districts in making a careful canvass, they would be in a position to offer a programme that would be only st-cond to the metropolitan. We make a present of this suggestion to the stewards to work upon before next season. There is no doubt that some time and trouble will be necessarily entailed ; but a greater number of entries and those of a better "character and consequently an increased interest in the various events, will we feel con-

fldent be the result,

The drive from town is

always most enjoyable, and many would avail themselves of it, were the attractions t qual to those offered at other up-country meetings. Aβ we have the attendance was numerous, although the Christchurch contingent was mainly conspicuous by its absence. Akaroa visitors showed up in considerable numbers, and the Aborigines were there in great force, and appeared to enjoy the sport. Mr Franks of the Beach Arms was in charge of the commissariat, and as usual gave universal satisfaction. Sergeant Ramsay was the representative of law and order, but as far as we could judge no opportunity occurred for running anybody in. The various officials did their best —and that euc-

cessfully—to make the meeting go off well, notably Messrs Piper as starter, and Holt as

hon sec, but while on the subject of arrangements we must confess to a liking for a race card. It may or may not be correct, but our feelings on the subject are very similar to those of Mrs Gamp—in reference to the bottle—which she might or might not use. The programme opened with the district Maiden Plate, which on some future occasions might possibly with advantage be made an open race. For this event three faced the starter. The winner, Symphony, is a neat looking little bay mare, showing a fair htnouut of quality. She is own sister to Star of the South, and though her high action scarcely recommended her in her preliminary, she won easily enough. She was piloted by Mr Cradock, who, by the way, scored three wins during the day. There are not many professionals that could concede the usual allowance to this gentleman, judging from his yesterday's riding. The other two competitors were Little Sawdust and Lottery. The former is a useful little Cocoa pony, but out of place on the turf. The latter—a strong three-year-old—who looks as if he might some day make a jumper, was quite out of condition, and the race was, as we have stated, quite a gift to Symphony. The Hurdle race was the event of the day, and a capital race it was. Old Brown Stout, the hero of many a contest, in spite of his advanced age, was the most fancied. He jumped as well as ever, bat it is nearly time for the game veteran to retire ft>r good into private life. The other two competitors, Bantam and Noble, were both useful- looking horses. The latter jumped exceedingly well, but was quite outpaced. Bantam ought certainly to have won, and his owner will probably on the next occasion endeavor to get some jockey who can ride him within, let us Bay, a atone of his weight. On this occasion he carried 211b overweight. Old Brown Stout made all the running, but his race home with Bantam was perhaps one of the best struggles ever made upon the Little River course. The Peninsula Plate resolved itself into a match between Muscatel and Volunteer, Alice Gray only going to the post to comply with the Little River regulations, that three horses start or no race—a regulation which, it must be confessed, is rather hard upon an owner who comes fiom a distance, and who, by a punctual attendance nt Little River, may only learn that he is the only competitor, thereby having every chance of going home minus expenses. Muscatel is a big raking-looking colt, whom many of our sporting readers will remember as having been for some time an inmate of Mr Webb's stables. He has furnished greatly since then, and is certainly a very promising animal. Volunteer was never in it from the start, and for the future he had better confine himself to races where, with catch weights, he might have a chance of winning in indifferent company. The Little River Purse was a gift to Symphony, who only had to beat her previous opponents in the Maiden and Volunteer. In the Consolation Alice Grey conceded over two stone to each of her opponents, Volunteer and Sawdust, and could scarcely be held back enough to make even the semblance of a race.

The Hack race had not come off when our reporter left for town.

We append the detailed account of the various events :—

District Maiden Plate of 10 soys; for all district horses that have never won an advertised race; weight for age. About one mile and a half. Entrance, 1 soy. t Mr J. Castle's b m Symphony, by Camden—Frolic, aged, lOst, (including 61bs overweight) (Mr F. Cradock) 1 Mr Shadbolt's bg Little Sawdust, 8 years, 7st 121bs (B. Shadbolt) 2 Mr F. Birdling's b g Lottery, 3 years, 9st 61bs (including 211bs overweight) (Mr G. Birdling) 3 The lot went away slowly to an indifferent start, Symphony at once assuming the command, Sawdust lying second, and Lottery, who got away badly, last. At the first turn Sawdust was supplanted by Lottery, Symphony still leading by a short length. These positions were maintained till they passed the stand. For the next half mile, Symphony and Lottery led alternately, bnt a quarter of a mile from home Sawdust joined issue with the leaders. The three then raced together to the turn, where Lottery's bolt was shot. Symphony then came away and won easily, Sawdust finishing second under the whip, about three lengths behind.

Hubdle Race of 10 soys ; for all horses ; weight for age. About two milts. Entrance, 1 soy. Mγ Beecher's br g Brown Stout, aged, lOst 41bs (including Dibs over-weight)

... (Jones) 1 Mr Hendley's grg Bantam, aged, list lib (including 201bs over-weight)

(S. Mullins) 2 Mr Shadbolt's gr g Noble, 4 years, Bst iaibs (B. Shadbolt) 3

Mr Piper despatched the trio to a capital start, Brown Stout making the running, and leading over the first hurdle. Here Bantam refused, but was soon turned, and on his road again. At the back of the course Stout held a lead of eight lengths, Noble lying second and Bantam last. At the fourth hurdle the veteran refused, giving Noble the lead ; but passing the stand he was again in charge of affairs, Noble about a length behind and Bantam coming up. They ran thus until half a mile from home, where Noble fell back beaten, and Bantam got on terms with Stout. They raced to the last hurdle, which they jumped together. A capital race home ensued, terminating in favour of Brown Stout by half a length. - Peninsula Plate of 20 boys; for all horses; weight for age. About two miles. Entrance, 2 soys. Mr J. Lunu's b g Muscatel, by Golden. Grape—Betty Martin, 4 yrs, lOst (including lolbe overweight) __ _ _ , (Mr F. Cradock) 1 Mr J. Barker's eh g Volunteer, 6 yrs, ™*i "t ; ( Joneß > 2 air j. iiunn s gr m Alice Gray, 5

y r rs , (J.Lnnn) 0 Volunteer made play for three-quarters of a mile, Muscatel lying about four lengths behind. Alice Gray only went to the post, and was pulled up immediately. At the turn into the straight Muscatel challenged the chestnut, and they passed the stand at Jie!bourne Cup pace. Muscatel took a lead at the next turn, which he gradually increased, aud won easily, Volunteer bein" qnite outpaced in the last half-mile. ° Little Rivee Pubse of 15 sots; for district horses only; weight for age. About two miles. Entrance, £1 10s. Mr Castle's b m Symphony, by Camden Frolic, aged, Dst 91 bs (Mr F. Cradpck) 1 Mr Birdling's b g Lottery, 3 yrs, 7st lOlbs

Mr „, ~ (Osborne) 2 Mr fehadbolt's b g Sawdust, 3 yrs, 7st lOlbs

Ttr tt. (Shadbolt) 3 Mr J. Barker's chg Volunteer, 6 yrs, 9st 91 bs

„ , (Jones) 0 Volunteer and Lottery made the raining tor the first mile. Passing the stand Lottery was leading by half a length; Volunteer second, the other two cU*e up. They

ran thus to the back of the course, where Symphony came through her horses and raced to the last tarn with Lottery. Iα the rua home the mare drew away and «-on easily by two lengths; Lottery, second; Sawdust third.

Consolation Handicap Stakes of 10 sots; about one mile and a half. Entrance, 1

Mr J. Luna's Alice Grey, Golden Grape— Banshee ; lOst Tibs... (Mr F. Cradock) 1 Mr J. Barker's eh g Volunteer, 6 yra, Bst 3bs (Jones) 2 Mr bhadbolt's b g Little Sawdust, Bst

(bhadbolt) 0 Alice Grey made play for the jump, and passing the stand the first time held a strong lead. Sawdust was here pulled up. At the turn Mr Cradock, thinking apparently that the race was over, pulled the mare almost up, but seeiug Volunteer was still moving, set the mare going again, passed Volunteer, and won at his leisure.