PAPANUI STEEPLECHASE

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1485, 14 September 1865, Page 12 (Supplement)

PAPANUI STEEPLECHASE

This event came off on Aug. 31, and seemef ] to have the effect of waking up Christchurch from the torpor which ha* lately beset it from the lack of recreation. The day was a lovely one ; a glorious sunshine and a briffhf blue sky added to the enjoyment of thosp who took advantage of the occasion to mak* holiday. * As the time drew near for the commence ment of the sport, the road to Papanui was thronged with persons, either on horseback in every conceivable description of trap or on foot. The stable -proprietors must have done a good business, as there was a run upon them for vehicles and horses. Great fun was at intervals created by some obstinate brute of a horse, who seemed to resent being put into harness, and showed his indignation by kicking and jibbing. But the great sensation on the road was caused by the starting of Cobb and Co.'s large coach A team of eight liothch, driven with reins by Mr. L, Cole, was harnessed to a large American wagon, either new for the nonce, or so renovated with paint and varnish as to be as the clothesman said of his dyed coat, " betterish nor new." As soon as this vehicle drew up at the office it was iruinf-'l iHtcly erammed with passengers, both inside and out; about forty persons were conv<-yr-d in it. The team comprised all the best horses in the stables of the firm, amongst others the noted " Butcher." The trap went off very smoothly and evenly, the horses being under the perfect control of the driver This was the first time that ei»ht horses have been driven in hand here, although the practice is (;orn _ mon enough in America. In England and on the continent, when the team exceeds four, postillions are usually employed. An ingenious mechanism was adopted on this occasion. The pole was lengthened by three extra ones attached to it, the leaders being alone without one. These two animals were selected for their staunchness and docility, as the driver mainly relies upon his leaders for the safety of the whole turn out. With regard to the steeplechases themselves, they must be thought successful if the number of spectators is the primary object to the promoters of the day's sport. I'or those who go to see racing, the sport must I have been disappointing, as the great race of the day was a farce. However, the 2nd (the Maiden Plate), was a good race, and we were not shocked by the sight of any two-year-old appearing at the post to carry 7st. lolbs. across country. The course might be described as rather cramped, at least that portion of it near the stand, as the horses had three jumps in veryclose proximity, anel on coming round the second time to finish, they had only some 60 yards to go after the last fence. As we were unable to go round the course, and could only see a very limited portion of it from the winning-field, we are unable to aire such a full description of the race as we hoped to do. Red Rover was booked a certainty by his party, but the betting was of the very mildest description, at least all that was done on the course. Tim Whiffler was liked by some, but there •was a report that he was hardly as well as he might be, though he was backed on the strength of Mr. Hope riding him. Nobody seemed to know who was going to ride Chance, and the knowledge of his being an awkward horse to ride made this uncertainty tell against him. He would have found backers at 3 to 1, but nobody seemed inclined to lay the odds. Perfection was very quiet, and looked as if he wanted more time ; whilst Chance looked the fittest, and Tim Whiffler showed up with a pair of bandages on his fore-legs. Red Rover, who appeared more like a coachhorse than a steeple-chaser, looked well enough, and his jockey (whether to make up weight or not, we don't know) took the extra precaution of a roll strapped on the front of his saddle, and this said precaution stood him in good stead, as he was unfortunate enough to break a stirrup leather in the race. "VVe did not see the start; bur from what we can hear. Perfection was first over the first fence, and went on first to the second, I (where he bungled on landing,and hurt liis leg. His jockey perceiving this pulled him up, and the race was reduced to the three horses left. When they first became visible from the winning-field the pace was wretchedly slow; and, in fact, the rider of Red Rover actually pulled his horse into a trot twice or three times. They passed the stand the first time round with Rover leading, Chance second some ten lengths behind, and Tim Whiffler a long way astern. The pace got a little better after passing the stand, and when they made their reappearance on the far side

of the course, Rover and Tim Whiter were going on together, "with Chance some way behind. In this order they continued till a few hundred yards from home, when Mr. Hope called on Tim Whiffler and meed Hover for a few yards, but fell back again, ami Rover carried Mr. Ladbrooke's colours first past the post some three lengths ahead of his only adversary, as Chance came in some time afterwards, having had a fall in the race. For the Maiden Plate, a horse with the extraordinary name of " Jirks" seemed to be fancied by a good many; but Mr. Hope's mount, a little grey mare, named Dilemma, went by far the best. They started at a good pace, and all jumped the first fence close to each other, saving only the grey mare some four lengths behind. At the second, there was a determined refusal on the part of a chestnut horse of Mr. Barnard, who however got over at the second attempt; and then, as in the tirst race, the whole lot disappeared from our view. On their coming in sight again the grey mare was well ahead, and going all over like a winner to the second fence from home, where a fall pushed Chance out ; and Mr. Oram's mare Patience, who had been lying second, cantered in an easy winner. Dilemma, remounted, came in second, and the others made their appearance in straggling order, Pai Mairire having evidently evinced an inclination for water, as his ruler f clothes were saturated. A Hack race, won by Mr. M'UiH s Suu-i----tail, wound up the sport.

The Pai'ani i Stkkpu.cu.vsk, of 10 each, with 80 sovs. added. .'5-year-o i > < carry 9st. rib. : 4 years, ltw. UUb.: ■ •> years, list. 1211). ; 0 years, li'st. >10. : ai aged, li'st. 7ll>. ; winners of i'K'O tooar ;\ 71b. extra; niaivs and geldings allfwt- 1 31b. ; three horses to start, the different owners, or no racc. Dif ami, three miles. Mr. Ladbrooke's b. <r- lied Kovor. aged. (Evans) Mr. Shirley's br. g. Tim Wiiifller. (Mr. Hope) , r Mr. Dilloway's eh. g. Chance, aged. (.Monkman) T Mr. C. M. Cogle's b. g. Terteetion. sgui, (Owner) Maidkn SWKKI'STAKES, of ;s sovs. eac!i, win 25 sovs. added; open to all ll(,rs f have never won an advertised steeplec n * • or hurdle-race; distance, two miles. « - old to carry 7st. 101b.: :5 years, Sst. •' 4 years, 9st. 71b.: 5 years, IM. •> <;. years and aged, list.; mares and geldnv allowed 3lb. Messrs. Oram's eh. m. I'atienee, 5 years. (J«"- 1 Mr. E. Hope's gr. m. Dilemma, aged, (Ownei) - Mr. H. Dunn's br. g. Mildew, aged ... - 0 Mr. Hep worth's eh. g. Jirks, aged ..." 0 Mr. W. D. Burnurd's cli. g. I«' Man at, Hack Rack of £1 each, with £5

distance, one mile. Mr. McGiU's Silvertail, The proceedings of the day pjissLui satisfactorily. Every oik-, , tl , r . seemed in a good temper, and 0 rj^ ;0 mined to make the best of ever.* J , lW [ starting was pronounced to be vei \ * \ s () f there was no dissatisfaction at ' • t j Klt the judge. There wa<? a total a* L feeling of discontent and an t. • so greatly marred the m > iK'cisteeplechase here : and tat nlJ ;st dents to spoil the ciijoymeiu • -• y. ],„ ,-c been lo all Willi ]«irtio|.ai«! pleasant holiday. . — - Wtnn