SPORTING. WELLINGTON RACING CLUB SUMMER MEETING, 1881.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 27, 3 February 1881, Page 2

SPORTING. WELLINGTON RACING CLUB SUMMER MEETING, 1881.

THURSDAY, 3rd" FEBRtfABY. President— The Hon Sir William Fituherbert, K.C.M.G., M.L.C. Vice-Prosident— W. Hickson, Esq., J.P. Judge— Edward Pearoa, Esq., J.P. Handioapper— B. G. Griffith, Esq. Stewards— Messrs. A. Braithwaite, J. P., W. H. Levin, M.H.R., J. R. George. H. S. Fitzherbert, J. S. M. Thompson, D. Jobberns, and Dr. Diver. Starter— Mr. A. Young. Clork of the Course— Mr. W. lorna. Hon. Treasurer —Mr. W. V. Jaokson. Secretary— Mr. A. E. Grimstone. The Summer Meeting of the Wellington Ba r ing Club was oommenood this morning, on the Hutt Park Course, undsr vory favorable auspices as regards weather, attendance, and the other circumstances which affect most largely the success of such gatherings. The course is in capital condition for racing, although too hard for training purposes,* state of things to which is attributable the late arrival of the horses at' the soeno of action. We certainly think the plough gallop should have been attended to bettor than it has been, for if a. oqurse gets a repntati6n' for Ming Hard upon horses' legs, trainers and owners will be very shy of risking their valuable animals ttpon it. The new secretary will perhaps see to this when he gets usea to bis duties. Considering all things, the nominations for tM various raoes have exoeeded expectation, and although at one time the Cup looked like being reduced to a match betwoori Betrayer and Natator, events took a favorable turn, and a good deal of speculation has been going on during the last week. Tho scratching of Betrayer a fortnight ago, loft Mr. Lanoe's horse with a commanding load in the quotations, but Libeller's victories in Auckland and Napier, Luna's wins at tho Spring Meeting and at Oamaru, and the glowing aocounts heard of Norseman, Virginia Water, Bandwiok, and Badsworth, imported much interest into the event. Last night there was a good mustnr of sporting nten at tho Empiro Hotel, and several Calcutta sweeps were brought off, the largest being worth JS)O. In this tho prio6s of tho favorites were as follow:— Natator, .£3l; Libeller. .£l5; Randwiok, .£9 10a ; Norseman, .£7 ; Mitsohiof, £6 ; Luna, £4; Dan, £3. During tho evening Libeller, Norseman, and Dan, wore < in greatest request, the first named being backed by Mr. Vallance and other good judges to win several hundred pounds at 4 and 3to 1 . Mr. H. Redwood's horse reooived much attention from tho reijrosontativo of a well-known soft goods firm in the city, and all the- tens to one having been absorbed, ona hundred to twelve became tho best offor. Dan's gallop in tho morning made him mauy friends, and he was backed at 100 to 8. Tho favorite did not quite keep his position, aa after trying in vain to get anyone to back him at evens they, had to offer 5 to 4, and this was met by offers td take 6to 4. In tho sweeps he fetched high prices, his principal purchaser being tho bookmaker referred to yeifcorday, who is bad against him. Luna, •was out of favor, and the offers of 10 to 1 did not attract much Bupport to Mischief. •'The expected demonstration in favor of Randwick did not come off, and as tho parties connected with him backod Libeller, it is probablo they do not fanoy him. A curious faot is notioeablo in connection with tho horses left in the Cup, which ib that seven out of the twelve are ohesnuts.. A handsomer lot, whatever may bo said as to their excellence, ha« seldom been seen on a racocourse, and their condition refleotod much credit on.their trainers. , ' ■ [FROM OUR SPECIAL RBIHJBTSR.I RACEOOtrasB, 12.30 p.m. The weather is delightful. T.he attendanoo at present does/ Hot exceed 1500. The trains arrived crowded and very dusty, and the pedestrians were neatly blinded. Hill and Poole havo a totalisator in the paddock, and have made a start on the Maiden Plato, for which all start except Petruohio, who iB scratched. Hobbs and Goodwin have the "Pari Mutuel" and fenoe. The same gentlemen have the cardv, but the manner in -which they are got up gives anything but satisfaction, as no arrangement is made for sweeps. Tho Guards' Band (Bandmaster Barber) iB on tho lawn in front of the grand stand, which at present is only half filled. The dusty road apparently frightens the ladies from coming, as they are only moderately reprosontod. The saddling paddock now presents a busy appearance. Tho various candidates are just going out of the stand outside tho paddock, which is fairly filled, and there is a good line of carriages along the rails. '1 ho people grumble very much at being charged 2a for 'bus fare and 2s admission. Games of nil sorts, from " under- and-oyor" to rifle shootiag, aro already in full swing. There are bo listmon on the ground the totalisator having completely annihilated them. 1.10 p.m. MaidbnPlatb, of 50 soys. ; for all horses that havo never won a sweopstakos or plate of the value of 25 soys. previous to entry. One mile and a half. Horsford's o h The Governor, 7st 101b (Webster) 1 Moorohouse's c o Badsworfch, 7st 101b (Wattie) 2 Five started. Betting WJ to ■4, against each, Badsworlh and Tho Governor. On the totalisator Badsworth was a hot favorite. After one false start the horses got away we'l together, Miss Domett going to the front, but being pulled back. Governor was first at the stand, Badsworth a length behind the filly. At the turn Badsworth went to tho head of affairs, and already there were only three in it. Badsworth aud Govornor raced together round the far side. At the road Governor began to leavo his companion, and shouts were raised in his favor, when suddenly Miss Domett, who had been held back, shot up and looked like winning, but fell at the turn into the straight, leaving Governor with two lenpths' lead of Badsworth. In the straight, Wattie called on the latter, who responded gamely, and O'Borke at once brought Governor to whip. Wattie first tried to pass on the outside, but Governor swerved over and prevented him. Then he tried on tho other side, when Webster appeared to pull his horse across him again, and got homo half » length the first. A protest will probably be hud. Comus, who came in third, was a dozen lengths bohind. 1.80 p.m. Williams, the new jockey, from Melbourne, who had the mount on Miss Do»ett, broko his collar-bone from the falL Tho mare crossed her legs at the turn, which causod the accident. Great sympathy is > felt for Williams, whose first mount it it in tho colony. He was riding splendidly. Dr. Diver attended to his injuries. No protest has been lodged. 1.55 p m. Hurdle Rack, of 50 soV3. About two milc3 and a half. Lunn's b g Clarence, 98t 111b 1 Butler's eh g Agent, 9st 111b 2 Only three started. Betting— 3 to 1 on Agent. On starting, Agent was held back, and Clarence, after going a quarter of a mile, had a lead of a dozen lengths. On the far side Agent began to <Jome np, and at tho turn into the straight he went by both, jumping well, but the paco was little more than a canter. Agent drew away in the straight, and half way round tho second time led by as far as Clarence in the first round. The latter began 'to cwep np at the road, and got on even terms at the turn into the straight. A good set-to then took place, and amid great excitement Clarence drew away at the finish, and won clearly by half a length. Clarence wm ridden by Clifford, and Agent by O'Connor. 2.12 p.m. It now transpires that Badiwoifth went inaide tho post in the Maides Elate, which accounts for no protest being laid. The time was 2min 47seca. Scratching*" for the Cup— Virginia Water, Badsworth, Governor, and Lady Emma. 2.38 p.m. Hack Hurdlb Race, of 15 sove. About one mile and a half. Hill's Boebuck -...? ... 1 Crosbie's Hollowback "• Only two started. Roebuck won easily by three lengths. A protest has been entered against the winner, as having won public money. 3.6 p.m. The Cup candidates are now being saddled. There are eight starters. Latest betting :— Evens on Natator, 4 to 1 against Libeller, 7 to 1 against Norseman, 10 to 1 against Luna, Mischief, and Dan. Natator looks very fit, and attracts great attention. Wellington Cup, of 400 soys ; second horse to receive 30 soys. from the stakes. Two miles. W. Robinson's oh h Natator, 83t lib ... 1 Waltera' br c Libeller, 7st 4ib .... .2 Won easily.

I Why ia a man who marries an heiress a lover of music?— Because lie marries for. tune.