THE; LINCOLN RACES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2608, 14 May 1869, Page 2

THE; LINCOLN RACES.

A good finish is the desideratum of racing, and if the term may be applied in a modified sense to the season, yesterday’s annual meeting at Lincoln was more than usually satisfactory. For a district gathering, it was remarkably good, and most successfully closed a sporting period of exceptional activity and importance in the province. The presence of a member of the Royal Family, and a Governor of the colony, on two separate occasions, together with the general excellence of the sport, will give the season of 1868-9 a lasting prominence in our racing annals. The weather yesterday, made the journey out not the least attractive feature in attending a district meeting, and was largely taken advantage of by the Christchurch patrons of the turf. The morning was bright, clear, and bracing, and matter for observation is not wanting on the road. No licensed coach was started, but there was a large number of private traps of superior pretensions, and a very strong muster ot horsemen. The road assumed quite a lively appearance, and it may fairly be stated that the visitors were quite equal iu number to the local patrons of the meeting. These were in fact noticeably small, but the uumber of threshing machines to be seen at work on th - plains, gave a satisfactory explanation of the cause. The com se was only partially on the old ground, but an excellent piece of galloping turf was provided. The site upon which it was laid out is about half a mile beyond the Wheatsheaf Hotel, andalittletotherightof the Leeston track. Thecircumferenceattainedwas about a mile and a quarter, the winning post being on the upper side. The arrangements for the convenience of officials were placed in their usual proximity to that point, but were of a more primitive nature than we have noticed for some time, the roped run in, the large wagon serving as a grand stand, and other accessories being evidently pressed into

the service for want of better provision. The indispensable booth for refreshment was on the left of the enclosure, and was efficiently presided over by Mr Lawrence, of the Wheatsheaf, a commodious pavilion in rear being also erected as a luncheon-room. Of the minor items peculiar to these occasions, and destructive to the funds of venturesome visitors, there was a good muster, and a capital trade was evidently done. A detachment of police were also present under Sergt. Jeffrey, and they rendered most efficient service. The first saddling bell rang at 12.30, and each event was started with remarkable promptitude and freedom from confusion. For the Hurdle Race Centurion had been made a great pot, but his preliminary showed him very stiff and shaky, and he rapidly lost ground. Trump, on the contrary, justified an improvement, whilst Albatross and Peckham were also in excellent form, Kathleen, however, looking ill and anything but fit. The race was a very slow o ie, and would unquestionably have been Peckham’s but for the carelessness of his jock at the last hurdle. For the Maiden the horses, generally speaking, stripped well, Marquis looking anything but like a winner, Neglect had also a very slovenly stride, and Fly, as rough as she well could be, was clearly nowhere. Lyndon was favourite, hut not looking so well as we have seen him, Atlas ran him hard in the betting. The race was not ran at a very quick pace, and Atlas verified the favourable impression he had created by winning easily in the last half-mile. All the entries for the Lincoln Plate were in splendid form, Lyndon only being a little out. The race was one of the best we have seen during the season, but Backbiter ran game and well, landing his owner's colours by only a small margin. The handicapping for the Consolation, as invariably is the result of Mr Hustler’s efforts, resulted in a close and exciting straggle from first to last, Tantrum having nothing to spare in his win. The other races call for no comment. The gentlemen who officiated the day were—Judge, Mr Barnard; starter, Mr

J. Sband ; clerk of the w ~ >. chant; and handicapp er , Mr F ' Mw * result of the day’s L\ U P 8 ‘ er - The the manner in which each w.i * P , roof of charged his duties. Piously disHurdle Race—Of 25 sovs . •take of s sovs each, B*over 8 *over VfT l Weei hurdles. 3 yrs, 9 at ; 4 8 , n fl l ghu of yr«, list; 6 years and Led l ° 8 . t , 61b :5 Winner of any Hurdle Racers* 7 } b ' c_ ia«e, of the value of 25 sovs to^ ep lb extra; of 50 sovs, 10 lb extra- HiT ry 5 2 miles. ra; Mr Gi Osborne', bg Trump. aged . llst m MM.*. g"g Xii.£. a ' J g 1 Mr E Er.„. Albatross and Centurion, and 6 to , afm Peckham and Kathleen. 1 A capital start was effected, tr*. M leading, with Trump second, Albatross tv,-? and Centurion last. Kathleen increase? lead for a short distance, but was pumnL • the half mile, and fell Rapidly bLWt? last place. Albatross assumed a brief i* b f in the second round, but gave wav to r etd and Peckham going Remarkably , forced the running in the back g S’ Coming up from fourth place, he ran aik tross out, and then challenged Trumr, 4 .*' also succumbed before reaching the dii». All the jumps had been taker, in beautiful' style by each horse, and Peckham nowloS a certain winner ; he had a strong tod anl the race was considered settled, but at tK? last hurdle, Campbell incautiously wl ?® behind him, his horse swerved off the end of the hurdle, acd, being close at home had no chance of recovering his position Irnmn came in a good first, with Albatross second and the other two nowhere. oa ’

Maiden Plate— Of 20 sovs., 2 sovs entrance 2 yrs, 6 at 7lb; 3 yrs, Sat; 4 yra, 9at 3[h i yra, 9st 81b; 6 yra and aged. 9 5t 9 ’ lb for *ll horaea that have never won a sweet).’ atake or plate, diatrict races, or otherwise! distance, miles. e ’ Mr B. M. Morten’s b g Atlas, 4 yrs 9 8 { 31ba ... ... ... (Tankard) i Mr J. W. Mallock’s ch g Lyndon, 6 y« I3lbs (J. Wo.dj a

Mr J. W, Cottrell’s Dutchman (H. Thome'i Mr Merchant's Marquis (J. Main) Johnstone’s Neglect (H. Lunn), and Mr Fenwick’s Fly (Baker), also ran, but Mr Money’s Tiverton was scratched.

The betting was not very brisk, Lyndon was first favourite with Atlas next but some wild odds were, in exceptional instances laid against the latter. '

Another even “away” was accomplished Fly jumping in front, but it was a mere flash in the pan, for after 100 yards she was not again seen in the race. Dutchman then made the running, followed closely by Atlas Marquis and Lyndon some lengths in the’ rear. This order was maintained up to hall distance, when Atlas went to the fore, and the Marquis closed on the Dutchman, Neglect falling back to Fly, which was completely out. Lyndon then came with a rush and passed the Marquis and Dutchman, but could not get near enough to look dangerous, Atlas winning by several lengths.

Lincoln Plate, of 50 sovs. Entrance, 4 sovs. each. 3 yrs, Bst; 4 yrs, 9st 31b; S yrs, 9st lolb; 6 yrs and aged, 9st 131 b; distance, 2 miles. Mr J. Morrison’s blk g Backbiter, 5 yrs, $ et lOlbs (W. Craft) 1 Mr Webb’s ch g Bobby Burns, 3 yrs, Sst (Goodyear) 2

Mr Webb’s Tantrum (R. Reay), Mr Welbourn’s Wildboy (J. Main), and Mr Millock’s Lyndon (J. Wood) also ran, Mr Webb declaring to win with Bobby Burns. Betting: Even against the field on Bobby Barns, with Backbiter, who was fancied by a great many, at a very slight discount on that; 2 to 1 against Tantrum, the others not quotable. Mr Shand dropped his flag to a good line, and Tantrum acting on orders, at once cut out the running, Backbiter holding second . Lyndon third, and Bobby Burns last honours. Tantrum continued to improve for some distance, the others keeping well together, Lyndon and Bobby Lard held. At half distance Goodyear let the latter out and went up with Backbiter to the leader, Lyndon trying the same but failing, and Wildboy taking fourth place. The three leaders from this ran neck and neck with Wildboy two lengths in rear, a magnificent race ensuing throughout the last half mile. It was impossible to tell which horse was ahead, and the excitement became intense. Passing the distance, the whips were resorted to, and each horse was in turn named as the winner, bat until the last hundred yards no clear lead could be awarded to either. Backbiter was then showing in front, and by a game effort passed the post half a length a bea 1, a neck intervening between Tantrum and Bobby, and Wildboy well up. Saddle and Bridle, presented by Mr Angus, and Whip, presented by Mr Haskett. Entrance, IDs each. Catch weights. Post entry. For untrained horses, all h rses excluded that have ever won so advertised race of the value of 7 sovs. Distance, 1 mile. Mr J. Carlisle’s blk m Louie 1

Mr H. Dunn’s Mystery - Mr Beecher’s Promised Land, Mr iDxwtll’s Nuggett, Mr Burn’s Gray Blaze, and Mr Ranger’s Lady Bangor also ran. Nugget cut out the running at a terriac pace, quickly leaving the others behind, but when holding a lead of fully 150 yards, be made tracks across the plain for home, and Louie, a likely looking mare, won easilyBeing a district horse, and having beaten a horse like Promised Land, she received qu.ite an ovation on returning to weigh in.

Consolation Handicap, of 10 sots, added to a sweepstakes of 1 sov each. Distance, 1

mile. Mr Webb’s bin Tantrum, aged, 9st Tibs (K. Keay) l Mr G. Weibourne’s b g Wildboy, 4 yrs 9st (Main) - Mr Maxwell’s Nugget, Bst 4lbs (Drummond) ; Mr Mallook’s Lyndon, Set 4lbs (Wood) ; Mr Marchant’s Marquis, 6st Tibs (H. Lunn) ; and Mr Cottrell’s Dutchman,

9st (Sturgeon) ; also ran. Tantrum was made a hot favourite in the betting, but little was done. The Marquis led on starting with tee favourite a good second, and the rest close st their heels. A splendid race followed, and it was anybody’s purse up to the last. Tantrutn however, gradually worked forward, ana eventually won a hard race by a bare length, and the others within a few strides. A Scurry concluded the day’s sport, M Fenwick’s Medora beating six others, wia taking the stakes.