CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB AUTUMN MEETING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2604, 10 May 1869, Page 4 (Supplement)

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB AUTUMN MEETING.

The Jockey Club have the credit of contributing one of the most successful items in honour of the Royal visit. It may be a matter of regret in sporting circles, that his Royal Highness, did not, like the Governor, visit us more opportunely, but we may safely assume that a fair insight into the provincial facilities for racing has been afforded him, and not a doubt can be entertained of the enjoyment which he derived from the day’s sport. , The weather was quite on a par with that of Thursday, and every facility by rail or coach for reaching the course was available. The railway was rushed between eleven and twelve o’clock, and so great was the crowd, that many had to watch two trains depart before they could obtain a ticket. The Ricoarton Road was also busy, and the number of traps and horsemen resembled the “good old times.” ' The general arrangements of the ground were the same as usual, excepting a limits tiou in the number of caterers for public refreshment. Only one large booth for this purpose was erected, and it was presided oyer by mine host of the Racecourse Hotel. The amusements were however almost as plentiful as at the midsummer meetings, and one or two novelties were to be seen. This decrease of stands, it was evident, resulted in considerable advantage to the proprietors. The crowd was about equal to those attending the annual races, but the traps lining the sides of the course near the stand were much more numerous than usual. All sorts were there, from the well appointed family trap to the vehicle peculiar to agricultural communities, and we also noticed one of the four horse “ Leviathan ” coaches which used to form such a conspicuous feature in the attendance. At twenty minutes to one o’clock His Royal Highness drove on to the ground four-in-hand, attended by an escort of the Yeomanry Cavalry. In the drag were his Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Elliot Yorke, Capt. Montgomery, and other members of the Royal suite. Although so early as to take the public by surprise, a loud cheer greeted the cavalcade. The members of the Jockey Club, headed by Mr L. Walker, received His Royal Highness. Having escorted him to the balcony of the Stand, a further round of cheering was given. These demonstrations were acknowledged, and after viewing the course His Royal Highness descended into the ring. The Prince viewed the first race from the roof of the Stand, which was densely crowded. A very hearty cheer greeted the Prince. For the remainder of the races His Royal Highness occupied the platform in rear of the judge’s box. Between the second and third races, a recherche luncheon was laid for the Royal party, in the upper room of the Stand. The Jockey Club were the entertainers, and the catering was in Mr Oram’s best style. The Royal party remained on the course until after the last race, when his Royal Highness drove away amidst a farewell round of very hearty cheers. The racing did not commence until quite half an hour after the advertised time. On stripping for the Steeplechase no horse showed in such form as Merrimac, and if his old rider, Spinks, had been on him he could not have lost the race. Unfortunately for his owner, Ball put him too fast at the last hurdle, and, swerving off the course, be lost all chance of winning. He was certainly going fresher than Albatross, which, although a beaten horse, came in alone. The interest of the race lay entirely in these two. For the Galatea Handicap old Knottingley stripped in great form, and directly the talent saw him they piled the money on. Backbiter, to our fancy, did not look quite so fit as he might have been. Mr Mallock, with his usual ill luck, could not get nearer than third, although when stripped his horse appeared in as good form as any. Scandal was not meant, aiid the rest were far from being up to the mark. The race was run at a strong pace throughout, and after a spanking struggle up the straight Mr Mallock’s cast-off won by a short neck. The Hurdle Race proved what it appeared to be from the first—a gift to the Don. The Selling Race was one of the closest struggles ever seen on a Canterbury course, Wildboy, without being headed, winning a tremendous race by half a neck. The general arrangements, as usual, were good, but they were scarcely carried oat with the punctuality for which the Canterbury Jockey Club is so favourably known. Mr E. W. Millet officiated most satisfactorily as Clerk of the Course ; Mr Fitzroy performing the duties of starter with care and success; and Mr Cox, so well known for his abilities as judge, again acting in that capacity. Mr Hustler was handicapper and clerk of the scales, and it is needless to remark upon his ability to fulfil the duties. The various events were decided as follows : The Canterbury Steeplechase of £175. The second horse to receive £25; rather over 3 miles. 3 yrs, 9st 7lbs; 4 yrs, lost lOlbs; 5 yrs, list 8lbs; 6 yrs and aged, I2st lib. Winners of £IOO or over, lOlbs

extra, winners of £SO slbs extra. Entrance, £5. Mr Middleton’s gr g Albatross, 6 yrs, list 12lbs (Brabazon) 1 Mr Murphy’s br g Merrimac, aged, 12st Blbs, including lOlbs extra. ... (Ball) 2 Mr Campbell’s ch g Gildcroy, aged, 12st

3lbs ... (Campbell) 3 Mr Delamaiu’s blk g Dred, aged, list 12lbs. (Spinks) 0 Mr E. Evans’ b g Peckham, aged, list I2lbs (F. Hedge) 0

Betting was very quiet, but what little took place was in favour of Merrimac at evens, Albatross coming next at slight odds. A good start was effected, Dred leading, bat Merry passed him in a few strides, and went over the first jump in his old style, Albatross lying second. Gilderoy came down a burster, Dred refused, and Peckham bolted off the course directly after getting over. The two leaders raced together, Merry having a slight lead until in the the back stretch he swerved from the jump, and Albatross took a long lead. Up to this time, none of the other horses had passed the second fence, and were clearly out of the race. Going round the second time, Albatross, in his turn, refused, and Merry, showing splendid form, almost closed up the gap. A hard race home ensued, and on entering the straight. Merry succeeded in getting slightly to the fore. This was maintained to the last jump, the old horse pulling double, whilst Brabazon was hard on the grey. Approaching the hurdles, however, Ball got too near the end of the fence, and not taking his horse well in hand, Merry, most unaccountably for him. swerved away from it, and Albatross, getting well over, came in as he liked. Ball recovered his horse in time to come in second, and Gilderoy, after hard work, came in third.

The Galatea Handicap of £IOO, added to a sweepstake of £3 for acceptors. £3 entrance. 2 miles over the flat. Mr Garforth’s hi g Backbiter, 5 yrs, 9st 2lbs (F. Gay) I Mr M. Studholme’s ch h Knottingley, 5 yrs 9st Slbs (U. Fuller) 2 Mr Mallock’s ch g Lyndon, 6 yrs, carried 7st libs (J. Wood) 3 Mr Mallock’s b g Scandal, 5 yrs, Bst 7lhs (D. Jones) 0 Mr Delamain’s ch m Atalanta, 6 yrs, carried Bst 3 Jibs (Sturgeon) 0 Mr Money’s b g Tiverton, aged, 7st (Cresswell) 0

Betting ; Even on Knottingley, 2 to 1 against Backbiter, and 3 to 1 against Lyndon. The lot got well away, Backbiter, followed by bcaudal and Knottingley, making the running, and Lyndon coming last. At the mile post, Scandal was beat, and Knottingley with a burst headed Backbiter. Coming into the straight, Backbiter answered gamely to a

call and got a little in front of Mr Delamain’s horse. Fuller made free use of whip and spurs but could not improve his position, and after a hard race, Backbiter won by a neck, Lyndon coming in a moderate third, but none of the others were near. Hurdle Rack of £SO. 2 miles over eight flights of hurdles. 3yrs, Bst; 4 yrs, 9st 71bs; 5 yrs, 10 st; 6 yrs and aged, lost 4lbs. No allowance for mares and geldings. Entrance, £5. Mr Barnard’s gg Don Pedro, aged, lost. 4lbs (R- Ray) 1 Mr Osborne’s bg Trump, aged, lost Blbs (F. Hedge) 2 Mr Middleton’s gr g Albatross, 6 yrs, lost 4lbs (Ball) 3 Mr Delamain’s b g Patch, aged, lost 4lbs (Sturgeon) 0 Mr McLean’s blk m C. M, Mare, aged, lost 4lbs (F. Moon) 0 Mr Hill’s br m Kathleen (late Little

Mate), aged, lost 4lbs ... (Smith) 0 Betting: Even on the Don, and 3 to 1 against anything else. Trump led, knocking down the first hurdle, the rest in a ruck close behind him. At the second jump Ray’s stirrup leather gave way, and he lost ground, the Don falling back into fourth place. The horses raced into the straight without material alteration, but Bay calling on his horse he came away, and after a smart race won by a length ; Albatross a very bad third. Selling Flat Race of £25, added to a sweepstake of £2 each. 1 mile. Weight for age. The winner to be sold by auction immediately after the race, and any surplus to go to the fund. The winner to be sold for £100; if entered to be sold for £75, allowed 7lbs; for £SO, allowed 14lbs; for £3O, allowed 2libs; and for £2O, allowed 28lbs. Mr Welburne’s b g Wild Boy, 4 yrs (£76) Bst 7lbs (Sturgeon) 1 Mr Mallock’s ch g Lyndon, 6 yrs (£SO) Bst 6lbs (J- Wood) 2 Mr R. M. Morten’s o h filly, Lady of the Lake, 4 yrs (£75), Bst 71bs (D.Jones) 3 Mr Osborne’s b m Promised Land, aged

(£100) carried lost Blbs (F. Hedge) 0 Mr Money’s b g Lawyer, 6 yrs (£3O), Bst Hb (Creswell) 0 Mr Morley’s br g Dutchman, aged (£SO), carried 9st 81b ... (H. Thorpe) 0 Mr Nixon’s ch g lago, 5 yrs (£3O) 7st 12lbs (M. Goodyear) 0 Mr E. Johnstone’s br h Strike a Light,

aged (£2O), 7st 9lbs ... (H. Lunn) 0 Betting : 5 to 2 against Lyndon, 3 to 1 against Lady of the Lake and lago, and 5 to 1 against any other. After ten false starts. Lady of the Lake made all the running for half a mile, the rest pretty close up. On turning into the straight a slashing race ensued, Wildboy going to the fore, and without being headed, winning a splendid race by half-a-neck; Lady of the Lake a moderate third.