CANTERBURY. [From the Lyttelton Times ]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVI, Issue 1241, 2 August 1859, Page 1 (Supplement)

CANTERBURY. [From the Lyttelton Times ]

STEipr,n- Chase.— The long talked'of steeple-chas# fcame off bti Wednesday lost, the Bth June', on ■ground •elected in the neighbourhood of v the race- ground The fences were ditch and ba k ih some Instances with gorse hedges, and in one case' a" flight ofWitS ; but'hone of them' were very severe, as the horsei were all new to this sort of work. ' The only awk. ward jump was in and out of a lane .on the Christ church side of the Avonhead estate. Although i would havebetn a very small performance for well trained horses/ y^t it proved somewhat of u stickler to the raw steeds entered. Every facility was af. forded by the neighbouring farmers; — who, jrftec theold English fashion, laved sport better than their fences. ! J The following were the entrances :—: — ' Mr.°Fi Leech's br. q Retribution,* Owner '.". . .? I Mr. C. Turaet's b. g. Auckland Jack, Mr. Adams 2 Mr. Wilkia's b. g. Scrip, Mr. Beville 0

Mr. Cator's br. g. Polka, Mr. Mangan 0 Mr. Hodgson's b. g. Wild Dayrell, Mr. Lawrence 0 Mr. C. J. Perceval"* b.g. Flutcutcher, Mr. Palairet 0 Thf appearance of the old horse Auckland Jack occasioned a very pleasurable surpi ise— us few, svho had seen the old f ivourite pulled up lame on the race-course a few months ago; expected ever to tee him again on any stage. We behave he was ridden up tti the course off grass, by his owner, "quite promiscuous like-," and entered at the last moment. Those who saw the game varmint-looking old horse on his way home were still more surprised and pleased to see how sound he went after the gallop ; it seemed to have agreed with" him. - A good muster of spectators were assembled on horseback before the appointed hour for the start, orte 6'clock, amongst whom 1 were several ladies. But owing to some mismanagement the flags were not^placed until half-past two o'clock, shortly after | which time the start was effected. However, as it j was 1 ! beautiful day the impatience of the spectators was not very great, and all appeared pleased with i the excuse for a holiday, and a gallop on the racecourse. The riders v»ci"e tne worst off, as they had a nearly level sun in their eyes' for most of the distance. Auckland Jack led over the first jump, a ditch and bank, in good style, and kept the lead the first time round the course; but falling over a gorse! fence, he wns passed by Retribution; who won in a ' canter. Auckland Jack was pulled up after his fall, and the rest of the horse* were nowhere. We have not received any account of the race throjghout, but it appears to be agreed that Mr. Leech rodo his horse with gteat judgment. Ho had something to do to recover a bad siart, as, Retribution twice refused the first jump,— although he took the others very well, with the exception of th« rails, at which he refused to v rise, but broke them down, giving his rider a spill. The lane appears to have pounded most of the horses. , - The steeple-chase, the first in Canterbury, was got up by some private individuals not under the auspices of the Jockey Club. Nobody was responsible for the delay in laying out the course and starting the horses ; so that the public will be at a loss to know who'they are to thank for a very pleasant day.