LEESTON RACES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2483, 17 December 1868, Page 3

LEESTON RACES.

forits annual races,but i*n er acn eve A larger number of entne., mm a 9 cam . a »d twice be number of spec™ , pared with last year, all ended jo terday the most successful race nay known in the district. . yiting aspect for a long «. / ith . m « SKJ, vi r?e°„Sr ofthe Christ--2Kst-2K aW eight o'clock,

and, suitably provided for emergencies in the ™ rm _ of ba ° weather, started for the meet, Mr Cowan, the Leeston and Southbridge mail carrier, ran a four-horse coach from Cobb and Co.'s.at 8.30, and although only fifteen left the city under his protection, the vehicle was crowded out before many miles of the journey had been accomplished. Several private traps were also put under weigh about the same time, and these were followed by a few who, in defiance of the gloomy overcast appearance of the sky, pluckily performed the distance on horseback, Fortunately the weather cleared up soon after ten o'clock, the dense clouds rolling away to the south west, and the sun shining forth with brillinnt splendour, whilst a moderate north east wind kept the atmosphere pleasantly cool. This fortuitous change aided a more open examination of the country passed through, and the views afforded were certainly of an interesting nature. Romantic or beautiful scenery was not to be found on the route, but the well ordered and well-cul-tivated farms covering the plains on either hand were worthy of no trivial notice. The more improved holdings of the early settlers, with their abundant vegetation, and the newly broken up ground of late arrivals served equally to form a picture of agricultural progress, attractive even to the least impressible. The crops observable during the journey appeared to be in a forward state. >Some, indeed, were 90 far advanced that the scythe will be at work within a few days, two or three patches of oats being now almost ripe enough for cutting. This cereal, it may be remarked, predominated to a large extent, and wo must confess some surprise at the comparative scarcity of wheat fields. Of the general progress of the district during the past year there were many noticeable instances. Some quantity of new land has been fenced and broken up, more especially between the Selwyn and Irwell; tracks have changed to well formed roads, and several new tenement have sprung up; but yet there was on the whole a fulling-ofi as compared with the progress of the two previous years. Kemarks upon these wayside incidents served to employ the time most agreeably until Loe's Hotet-the terminus-was arrived at. Here a legion of traps, together with a number of horses picketed, showed that the success of the meeting in point of attendance was ensured.

On arriving on. the racscouise a scene of activity was presented and the general arrangements were much or. the saim soul* as last year, being complete in every respect, A grand stand of comfortable design, and commanding a good view of the course was erected on the side nearest the main road, and some three hundred yards distant from Mr Loe's Hotel, whilst immediately in front was a well-fenced saddling paddock, with the post directly opposite. Beneath the friendly shade of the stand, Mi'Loe dispensed refreshments to a crowd of thirsty and hungry patrons. The stand itself was very largely patronised during each race, and from it the chief features of the meeting were seen at a glance. In front, the saddling paddock was thronged with a large muster of the knowing ones, amongst whom the Christchurch division was very prominent. To the left was a long array of traps, whilst immedieately in rear were a small number of nut and fruit stalls. The course was the same as last year, but was in very had condition; although the large tussocks had been removed, there was a long growth of native grass upon it, whilst the ground itself was as hard as a stone pavement. The bell rang for the first race a few minutes bofore one o'clock, and each event was started with a promptness which in district meetings, where so many attend from a distance, is a very important matter, and it is to be hoped that it will be more generally adopted than hitherto. The hurdle race was the first item, and as the horses showed up there was much speculation on their respective appearance?. Merrimac appeared in better form than we have ever before seen him, and showed ir. lus preliminary canter that none of his old fire had left him. He was strongly fancied, more especially as Spinks had the mount. Native was backed even against the field, but the pot boiled over, and neither came anywhere near to winning. The ground was too light and the dismnce too short for Merry, whilst Native, who wore two socks on his fore legs broke down in the first half mile, and came in quite lame. Mr Barnard would certainly have carried the day had the work been a little stiffer, for the old horse was never more fit and could easily have outlived his opponents. The Maiden Plate was from the first regarded as a certainty for Strike-a- Light, which, although gone in both fore legs, has an amazing turn of speed in lura for lus breed, whilst his opponent was only fit for a longer spin. The Ellesmere Plate was the event of the day, and although no great speculation was indulged in on any race, there was decidedly the most money invested on this. The Beile and Bobbie Burns occupied first place in the betting, with a slight preference for the latter. To a very great extent this was justified by tIM result, and the race was a most exciting one Miss Fleet for two-thirds of the distance looked like a certain winner, and would have been so had she being better trained and ridden with a little more judgment. Bobby Burns' jock prudently ran ut waiting race, and won well, although the Belle would not have been far behind had not her leg given way. Burgundy was very lame on his near fore leg and never had a chance, whilst Wharfdale is a good looking horse, I and well trained, but wants pace.

The Leeston Plate was a complete sell for the knowing ones who had gone in heavily forForetop. -The horse from appearances iustified this, and we must admit woe surprise at his defeat. He has the points of a good horse, and will no doubt make full amend* for his failure on a future oocanon. The following is the detailed results of the various events : HURDLE Race, 35 sovs. Two miles over eight flights of hurdles. 3 yrs, 9st iulb3;4yrs, 10st 6lb; 5 yrs, list; G yrs and aged, list 71b. The winner of any Hurdle Race or Steeplechase of the wine of 50 sovs and upward*, to carry 10 bs extra- of any stake under 50 sovs, 7lbs extra! Three horses to start or no race, Entrance, 3 sovs. Mr Brabazon's b g, Centurion, aged, 11st | 711b, and penalty • ••• MrG. Osborne's bglrump, aged, list

7lbs, and penalty ... - ••■ - Mr W. Chamberlain's Native, aged, list 7lbs, and penalty ... • Mr W. D. Barnard's br g Mcrrimac, aged, list 7lbs, and penalty • ° Betting-Native, even against the field; 2 to 1 against Merrimae and Centurion ; 3 to J against Trump. A good start mm effected, .anil Centurion took a slight lead, b..t was qmckly cut down hv Old Merry, who was pulling hard; ti baulk3'at the second hurdle, and nev r aga >• shewed in the race, but came in del lame On the bottom turn Merry J.Tbv lalf-a-dozen lengths; Centurion 1 JL hi the call, and, making the pace answered to the can, fengths behind Centurion. « „»« Piate 25 sovp. One mile. THE r R r D Ma£ PU weights. Con- ? J, i\ n h« es which shall have been fined to horses vi«" res jdent in bon a fide, the'fHbdbTlßMd the district («b dewbea nhe ? oa », before Mr nohn S tone' B brhStrike.a-Li g ht, j aged, 98b 9lb» "",- 'jli e need, 9»t jl r VV. Lunn's ch m r/nrndaie, age , g 6IDB "" * n 'rV dm winner went away After an ewnjtort «« w»«f , mlf a StfaJSfofamile,S,ike.a-Light }ffi. T 5% aged, 9stlOM itoS'hii to start or no race. Entrance 4 «OTB.

MrW.C. Webb's Bobby Burns, 3: yrs,7st Blbs ...' ... 1 Mr B. Shadbolt's bni Mies Fleet, 4yrs, 9st 2 Mr R. Gillett's b g Burgundy, 4 yrs, 9st 3 Mr Morton's Lady of the Lake, Mr Del»- : main's Belle of the Isle, and Mr Chamberlain's Wharfdale also ran. Betting—Bobbie Burns and Belle of the Isle even against the field ; 4 to 1 against Burgundy and Miss Fleet; sto 1 against Lady of the Lake and Wharfdale; Rob Roy scratched. It was difficult to see the start owing to its taking place at a bend in tire course, but Miss Fleet was first to show in front, making the running at too fast a pace to laet. Wharfdale was second, Burgundy third, Bobby Burns fourth, Lady of the Lake fifth, and Belle of the Isle last. At the end of the first mile, Miss Fleet had increased her lead, Bobby Burns had wrested second honours, and Belle of the Isle had fallen some distance further to the rear. Going round the bottom turn, however, she spurted, and successively overhauled her horses until within threequarters of a mile of home, when she had taken third place, and Bobby had cut Miss Fleet down, taking the lead, and his jock eventually winning by many lengths with hands down, for the last quarter of mile going at little more than a canter. Belle of the Isle and Burgundy, both of which had in the meantime passed Mis* Fleet, raced some distance in company, both whipping freely, The Belle eventually came away, but her leg giving way at the distance post Bhe had to be pulled up, and Burgundy came in second, with Miss Fleet third, and the others nowhere. Leeston Plate, of 35 sovs. One-and-a-half miles. For horses that have never won public money at the time of entry, Weights same as for the Ellesmere Plate, Three horses to start or no race. En-

trance 3 sovs. Mr W. Reed's Beeswing, 6 yrs,9st lOtbs... 1 Mr W. D. Barnard's cli c Foretop, 3 yrs, 78t81bs 2 Betting—Foretop and Atlas against the field, the former very strongly supported; 3 to 1 against Flying Scud, and 4 to 1 against any other. The lot were sent away on very even terms. Foretop and Beeswing taking a strong lead from the first, the former being a trifle in advance, and Atlas lying third. After the first quarter of a mile the two leaders came away a'most as they liked, but Beeswing after a hot contest shot to the front by several lengths. Foretop, however, stuck gamely to him, and was very near to again assuming the lend. When about a quarter of a mile from home Foretop's jock began to ply his whip and closed »u> to the quarters of Beeswing. Each horse strained every nerve, and the excitement became intense, not more

than half a length being sometimes to the credit of the leader, w'ilstboth were loudly cheered by their respective supporters. Beeswing, however, retimed his position, and eventually won by about two-thirds of a length. 'I he Hack Race was afterwards run, but It was only of the ordinary class, and calls for no particular mention.