CANTERBURY RACE MEETING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XV, Issue 860, 6 February 1861, Page 4

CANTERBURY RACE MEETING.

Yesterday, which ushered in the Canterbury Races for the present year, was every way propitious as regards the weather. Though the programme gave promise of good sport—a promise which was fully carried out in the performance—it failed to attract any great numbers to witness it. The number present could scarcely have equalled that of-the first day of last year, and that was by no means a large one. \ The main noticeable difference on the course was a,larger number and better style of traps of various sorts than in former years. The absence of the people is^ no doubt, owinw to the fact that they are unwilling to lose a day of fine harvest weather at this precious season of the year. The races, as far as we can report, were decidedly better than last meeting, when it will be recollected that the " foreigners ". came down and divided the spoil as they liked; Though they are still winning, the two races that have been won to-day by them have been fairly contested. The day's proceedings opened with

Trial Stakes of £2 each, with £25 added; one mile. 2 years old, sst. lOlbs.; 3 years, 7st. lOlbs.; 4 years' Bst. 71bs.; 5 and 6 years and aged, Bst. lOlbs. Mr. H. H. Stafford's bin Ultima, 5 yrs ... 1 Mr. F. €X P. Leach's b m Eleanor, .4 yrs ... X. X 2 Mr. J. Cuff's b m Kitty, aged ...... .'.' 3 Mr. Shand ns br h Antidote, 5 yrs ...... X. X. 4 (Mr. Moneys Rob Roy was entered but did not start.) Eleanor got away with the lead, closely followed by Kitty and Antidote; Ultima lying well behind the latter. At the half distance the horses all drew together, when Ultima took the lead, and won not over easily by half a length. Two lengths between second and third, Antidote close up. Time, 1 mm. 52 sec. Betting—2 to lon Ultima.

The Maiden Stakes, of £6 each, h.f., with £100 added; 1| miles; for all horses that have.never won a sweepstakes or plate previous to starting. 2 years old, sst. 21bs.; 3 years, 7st. 71bs.; 4 years, Bst. 71bs. • 5 years, and aged, Bst. lllbs. The second horse to receive £20 out of tho stakes, and tho winner to pay £5 towards expenses of the course. Mr. C. Redwood's bg. Otto, 3 yrs ... ... 1 Mr. W. X McDonald's b h Gamestor, 3 yrs ... ,X ; 2 Mr. E. J. Wakefield's b m Ebyal Miss, 5 yrs ... ... 3 Mr. H. P. Lance's be Strike-a-Light, 3 yrs .... ... 4

A good start was efFected, the horses getting well off together. Otto and Royal Miss rushed to the front taking a strong lead with Strike-a-Light third and Gamester a bad fourth. About a- mile from home Strike-a-Light came up; Royal Miss relinquishing her post. The two horses then ran head

to head to the corner, where Gamester drew up to the front challenging at the distance, but was beaten by half a length. ■ Strike-a-Light and Royal Miss were both pulled up. Time, 2 miv. 5, sec. A match between Mr. Collier's Polly and Mr. Baker's Nancy did not come off, owing to.the maro having gone wrong. There is strong suspicion of foul play. The Lottery Pla.tr, of dB3 each, with £30 added; •boats, fths of a mile. 2 years old, 7st.; 3 years, Sst.lOlbs.; 4 years, 9sfc. d'lbs.j 6 yearn and aged, M. Olbs. Tho winner of tho Trial Stakos, 3lbs. extra; and tho winner of tho Maiden Stakos,l4lbs. extra. For horses tho bona fklo property of residents in the settlement six months previous to tho day of ontranco. Mr. Monoy'sbr g Rob Eoy, oyoars... ... ... 011 Mr. B. Parkcrson's eh h I'rinco Charlie, agod 1 0 2 Mr. H. P. Loach's b m Eleanor, 4 yrs ...... 14 0 Mr. Tumor's br.m Minuto, 5 yrs ''..."'• Mr. Stand ns br h Antidote, 5 yrs Mr. Lanco's b c Sfcrikc-a-Light, 3 yrs Mr. Cuff's b m Kitty, aged Messrs. G. & F. Day's b g Hector Norman, aged Mr. Minchin's b m Cassandra, 5 yrs In the first heat all ran well together to the distance, when Prince Charlie and Eleanor raced neck and neck to the half distance. At this point the Prince took the lead and won in a gallant manner by two lengths. Time, 1 mm. 20 sees. In the second heat all got well away, except Prince Charlie, who never quite recovered his lost ground. The horses all raced together to the rails, when Bob Roy shot ahead, and won by a length and a half, Antidote second, Cassandra third. Time, 1 m.235. The final heat was won easily by Bob' Roy, who took the lead and naaintained it throughout.

There were two other races on the list, which we were unable to include in our report.