POINT TO POINT STEEPLECHASE.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7141, 31 August 1888, Page 6

POINT TO POINT STEEPLECHASE.

[By Telegraph. J [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] TIMABU, August 80. The Point to Point Steeplechase of the S.C.H. and W.C.H. postponed from last week on account of the wet weather, came off to-day on an unknown track to the north of the Washdyke. The weather was very inclement, a cold wind and repeated squalls from the southward making things generally very unpleasant for all. The starters were as follows :— Heavy Weights ; Isat up... Mr B. G. Rutherford's The Mount v (Owner) 0 Mr C. E. Studholme's Bismarck (Owner) 0 Mr B. H. Lance's Riccarton- .. . {Owner) 0 Mr A. C. Prinnle'e Rocket ' ! ..- (Owner) .0 Mr J. C. Thiren'B Guy ..(Master W. C. H.) 1 Mr J. T. Rutherford's Maude . •..•■:-}. (Masters. C.H.) 2 Mr G. F. Smithson's Johanne .. (Owner) 0 Light Weights ; 12st up. Mr C. K. Meredith Kaye's Stockman (Mr R. Cramond) 1 Mr J. G. Rutherford's Herald (Mr M. Archer) 2 Mr R. G. Black's Stockings.. .. (Owner) 3 Mr R.H. Rhodes' • (MrC. A. Jefferson) 0 Mr J. A. Gracie'B Antigone ... (Ownfer) 0 Mr H. G. Bristol's Irish Bird catcher (Owner) 0 Mr C. K. Meredith Kaye'e Ruflbrd (Mr Gordon Wood) 0

The chasers were walked to the starting post along the road, while the lookers-on made their way along the point to the judges , stand in front of the plantation on the Pleasant Point side of the Levels Station Homestead. Here two flags were _jiut., up and a beacon fire lighted, the smoke of which riders had to make for. The start was made at Mr T. Bronsham's farm to the north of the racecourse, and riders were instructed to make across the adjoining country in the best could to the beacon fire. At first the field. kept well together, but at last got spreadeagled through some of the riders cutting out a line for themselves. As they came on to the country opposite the Levels' homestead, about half-a-dozen horses had it all to themselves. A splendid view could now be got from the Downs, and as the Point road was reached, it was seen that the Mount and Rocket were nearest home. In making for the home paddock, however, Rocket refused and was out of it, and the Mount fell at the gorse from the road take-off. This let Stockman, Ivanhoe, Herald, and Stockings get well up, the first-named especially going well. As he came to the last gorse Ivanhoe had him well held, but in negotiating it Mr Jefferson lost a stirrup, and the saddle slewing only saved himself by good horsemanship. As a result he had the misfortune to see himself beaten by about a length, and thus losing the light-weight trophy. Herald and Stockings finished fairly close up to the above-named pair, and then came Guy, who beat the Mount comfortably. For heavy weight honors Maude and Antigone came next, the rest losing themselves in backyards and ploughed paddocks. Riccarton, who fell at the last gorse double while well in the hunt, unfortunately broke hie back. The rider escaped unhurt. The accident is to be regretted, for Riccarton was a splendid fencer, and must have been ridden right out at the tame of making such a fatal mistake.