NORTH CANTERBURY STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7384, 9 August 1889, Page 5

NORTH CANTERBURY STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Thursday, August 8. President-J. Lanoe. M.H.R. c-ourage, C. Dampier-Crosalev, J. Lewton. D. Rutherford, F. H. Courage, W, S. fcnnth, F. Lance, W. C. Nicholle, Q. B. acarky, S. Coleman, R. J. fareona, G. Mcßae, H. F. Keece. F. B. Deunis, K. Mitchell aud R. M. Pemberton. Judge— *. Courajje. Handicapper— J. B. Gresson. Clerk of the Course—B. Coleman. Treasurer— T. McNaught. Clerk of the Scales— O. Mcttae. Starter—G. D. Greenwood. Hon. Secretary— M. E. O'ConnslL The early part of the day was bright and pleasant, but the afternoon turned somewhat chilly, though the weather was most seasonable for this season and there was realiy an excellent muster, the attendance being estimated at over that of previous years. The fair sex was largely represented, and as is usual at country meetings, conveyances of all discriptions were numerous. The meeting was held, like many predecessors, on Mr Courage's Seadown Estate, which presents natural advantages, so far as 1 have seen, unequalled in Canterbury. Indeed, the hill forms a coign of vantage, and slaves the expense of a grand stand. The country is nicely laid off, and the fences are mostly growing ones. The management was first class, aud though the actual racing was hardly up to the mark, every one seemed to enjoy the outing thoroughly. The Addingtoa Workshops Band did much to enliven the proceedings, and discoursed inspiriting strains during the intervals. Messrs Hobba and Goodwin worked the totalisator satisfactorily. The police were present, but every thing passed off in an orderly manner, and the only trouble on hand was with a "spieler," who was taken red-handed by a detective, and marched off "fco durance vile," but what his exact onence amounted

to I could nob ascertain. All praise is due to Mr O'Connell, who got through his secretarial duties to the satisfaction of all. 6heenan and Kiugan, the jockeys, were particularly unlucky throughout the meeting. The following are the details of the racing:—

Great Northern Steeplechase Handicap. of 60 soys. added to a sweep of 3 soys each for acceptors; second horse to receive 10 soys out of the stake. Nominations, 2 soys. The wiuner of any race of the value oi 350 after the weights are declared to carry 141b penalty; and of any race of the value of 100 aovs, 71b penalty. Distance about three miles. 93. Mr P. Butler's b g Monteagle.'aged, by Guy Fawkes, Use 101b .. (T. iiyford) 1 69. Mr W. O. Hiitiierford's b g Presto, iS-jr, 710 (Sheer an) 2 4S, Mr B. Kingan's b g Playboy, aged, I2st 51b (Owner) also started,

i At the fall of the flap; Sheenan took Presto to the front. Playboy and Monbeagle at long intervals following. After 1 going through the lower paddocks, and over the ploughed field, Playboy went: up to Presto and led slightly, but Presto once more took command, Monteagle closing up. Passing through the crowd Presto led, but Playboy joined him descending the incline, and was nearly on terms at the fence leading out of the road when he fell. Monpeagle meanwhile had closed up, and waiting till the second fence from home made an eifort, and had the top weight in trouble, winning aa he liked. Playboy did not finish, 'i'otallsator, 203— 93; dividend, *2. Hunters' Pi-ate, of £25, consisting of a Cup value £10, and 15 soys; second horse to reooiye Aid one of the stake. Kntrance, £1. Weight for age. For horses that hare been regularly hunted with the Urackenfleld hounds, and to be ridden by members of the Ch."'u Owners of horses to produce a certificate from the Master at the time of entry as CO their qualification. Distance, two miles. 67. ivlr J. Counsell's b g Bloodsucker, aged, 12sc3ib : -- .. (H. Munitt) 1 63. Mr G.B. Starky's chg .Lick, aged, lzat 31b :<llcDonald) 2 49. Mr F. H. Courages eh m The Nun. aged, 12st 31b-(e&rried 41b ove>) .-«<.-*•

(Mr Courage, jun.) 3 20, Mr W. Messena's g g Grey ateel, aged, 12st 31b (Owner), also started.

This race is easily described, as Bloodsucker went to the front, and never being asked to fairly extend himself, won easily, Dick being close up second on sufferance. Total, 199—67 ; dividend, £2 Vis.

Sbadown Steeplechase Handicap, of 30 eovs; second horse to receive 5 soys from the stake. Nomination, leov: acceptance, XOs. The winner of 100 soys to carry 71b extra after the weights are declared; the winner of the G.iN'.S.H. 71b additional. Diatanoe, two miles.. 52. Mr R. J. Parson's bg Young Guy, by Guy ■ Fawkea, aged. 9si 12lb .. (Cochrane) 1 70. Mr VV. O. Rutherford's b g Presto, aged, 12st71b .. .. .. (Saeenan) 2 65. Mr K. Kingan's b g l J layboy, aged, list

(Owner) 3 41, Mr W. Rnesell's b m Swamphen, t> yra, lOst 31b (Mitchell), also started.

Following his previous tactics, feheenan took I'resto to the frout, but Svvainphen was quickly on terms, and led for a short distance when she stuck up at one of the fences. Playboy going up and joining issue with Presto and Youug Guy, at the same time getting on even terms. Two fences from home the three horses were abreast and rose well together at the obstacle, but Young Guy, served by weight, came on and won easily in the run home by three lengths, Presto three lengths in front of Playboy. Swamphen was not persevered with. Totallsator, 239 —d 2, Dividend, £3 19s.

Tally-ho Plate, of 25 soya; second horse to receive 5 soya from stake, ifiacrance, 1 soy, For horses that have nevei won a public stake. Weight for age. Distance, two miles. 83. Mr H. G. Pitt's g m Squib, bj a son of Anterod, ayed, list 31 b .. lownerj 1 29. Mr W. Russeii's b m Swamphen, c yrs, 12atSlb .. .. .. (Mitchell) 2 Squib led ail the way and won easily. Total, 112—53. Dividend., JtJl 4s. Farmers' Steeplechase Handicap, of £iO, added to a sweopsiat-e of £1 ouoii for accep' tors ; second, horse to receive £5 out of Uia stakes. Nomination, £1. Weights to be declared same time as Great Northern Handicap Steeplechase. Open to all horses that have not won £20, or over, of advertised public money. Winner of Great Northern Handicap Steeplechase to carry 71b extra. Two niiiee. 130. Mi , R. J. Parson's b g Young Guy, by Guy Fawkes, aged, :£C 7 Jo, <;ib over (Cochrane) 1 26. Mr J. F. Johnstone's c g Bachelor, aged, 9atlOlb (Kingan) 2 15. Mr G. H. McClure's b g Garry Owen, lost

(Stewart) 3 107, Squib, I3st; 83, Enterprise, lOse 12ib; 7, Grey Steel, lOst, also started.

This race looked likely to prove the race of the day, but was accidentally spoiled. Squib fell at the second fence, Grey Steel at the road, where Garry Owen stopped. Young Guy led Enterprise till coming to the ploughed ground, when Sheenau sent the grey along; and led t»y a length to the next fence, when Enterprise overjumped and fell. Young Guy was then left wich a good lead, but Bachelor, who jumped well, made up a lot of ground, and iinished ten lengths away second, Garry Oweu third. The others did not finish. Tocalisator, 368—130; dividend, £2 10=. Consolation Rack of 15 sove. About one mile and a hair. 45, Mr Russell's b m Swamp Hen, lOst (Mitchell) 1 7. Mr W. Messena s g g Grey Steel, lUst (Binnie) 2 51, Enterprise, lOst 121b, abo started. Enterprise, when on level terms with Swamp Hen, fell, and the mare had nothing to do but canter in an easy winner. Totalisator—lo3 —iS; dividend, & Is.