SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7561, 28 May 1885, Page 5

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NEW ZEALAND GEAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES.

The elements yesterday morning gave every promise of being most favourable for the above Steeplechases, and bo they proved. With the exception of a light Bou'-wester, the weather was all that could be desired, and the attendance, notwithstanding the postponement of the meeting, was larger than anticipated, over two thousand spectators being present. Although a fair amount of rain ' had fallen recently on the racecourse, the ground was firm and the going all that could be desired. Several spills occurred during the afternoon, but none of a serious nature. Trooper Patterson, in the Cavalry Eace, received a nasty fall off Jasper, and was rendered unconscious for a short time. Dr Prins attended to him, and pronounced that he would be perfectly right again in a couple of days. The second Bod wall from home proved most disastrous to the chances of good horses, while Cutts' fence stopped a good many. At the first-mentioned obstacle, Eavenswood, when he looked like winning the Grand National, came to grief, ■giving Sheenan a nasty spill. In the Tally-Ho Steeplechase this wall brought him down again, Mr H. Lunn also receiving a heavy fall. Linwood might possibly have won the Consolation had he got over .this same jump in safety, but he came a cropper, and gave Mr Lunn anotner shaking. The racing, taking it all through, was of a very fair description, but none of the finishes were close. Mr W. St Lindsay very energetically fulfilled his arduous duties as Hon Secretary, and all the officers of the Club performed their various tasks in a most satisfactory manner. Messrs 'Hobbs and Goodwin worked three totalisators with their usual care, and succeeded in putting through the machine! the good sum of Proceedings commenced with the Grand National Steeplechase, and all six coloured on the card faced Mr.Meikle, who throughout the day wielded the flag in his usual faultless style. With Sheenan in the saddle, Eavenswood left the paddock a firm favourite, but Linwood and King Arthur had a large following. Scrutineer was early out of the hunt, and King Arthur came to grief a mile from home. These accidents left Moody, Linwood,Berrington, and Eavenswood to fight out the race. ' The three first-named jumped the sod wall near the half-mile post simultaneously, with Eavenswood some dozen lengths in the rear. Sheenan then pushed the latter along, and was rapidly gaining on his opponents when the next fence proved fatal to him, and he lost all chance by falling; Moody, who had by this time drawn slightly away, had more left in him than either Linwood or Berrington, and he won comfortably by half-a-dozen lengths. Tour saddled out for the ■Maiden Plate, and all were well supported, Donald being most fancied. After the others had made mistakes, he was left to finish the race alone, taking all his fences in excellent style, but Sefton, who was capitally ridden by Mr F. Cotton, would have been close up at the finish had he not made a mistake at Cutts' fence. Sheenan, being too severely shaken to ride Master Agnes in the Hurdle Eace, scratched him, and, the pen being also put through Scrutineer's name, left Secretary to walk over. A field of four weighed out for the Tally-Ho Handicap. Eavenswood, with only 12st 71b up and Mr H. Lunn in the saddle, was installed a hot favourite, but extinguished all chance of winning by falling at the second sod wall from home. Madge having stuck up at Cutts', the race lay between Berrington and Moody, and the former won easily, the victory of the Hon E. Eodney's horse being enthusiastically received. Six entries were received for the Cavalry Eace, in which a good deal of interest was centred. Hard Times and Ben H r.eceived the largest support, and after a mile had been traversed, had the race left to themselves. They kept close company from" the start to the quarter-mile post, when Hard Times drew away, and won with a little in hand. Both Corporal Brown and Trooper Kerr deserve praise for the

style in which they rode their respective horses. : Only Linwood, Scrutineer, and Madge went to the post for the Consolation. The latter persistently baulked at Cutts' fence, and Linwood fell at the saine fence which brought Eavenswood down in the Grand National, so Scrutineer finished alone. Lyford made himself conspicuous by winning three out of the four races he rode in, being successful in the Maiden Plate, Tally Ho, and Consolation. The following are the details of the events : ' > NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP, of 200 aovs, with a sweepstake of 5 bovb each for acceptors to go to the second horse. About four miles. 110 Messrs M. and C. Hobbs' b g Moody, aged, list (C. Hobbs) 1 153 Mr J. Kerr's b g Linwood, aged, list 41b .•.. (J. Cotton) 2 125 Hon E, Rodney's b g Berrington, aged, lOst 111 b (Ly.ord) 3 297 Mr H. Piper's tog Eavenswood, aged, 12st 71b (Sueenan) 0 162 Mr H. Lunn's b g King: Arthur, 6yrs, 12st lib (Owner) 0 78 Mr W. Profltt's ch g Scrutineer, aged, 12st 21b (Stewart) 0 Betting: G to 4 agst Eavens>vood, 3 to 1 agst Berrington and Linwood, 5 to 1 agst King Arthur, 6 to 1 each agst Moody and Scrutineer. . On the fall of the flag King Arthur was taken to the front, followed by Linwood and Berrington. Going to the big sod wall at the half-mile post, King Arthur placed a big gap between him and Linwood, and still further increased it as he came towards the stand. The first wall in the straight was negotiated by King Arthur, followed by Linwood, Berrington, Moody, Scrutineer and Eavenswood in that order. King Arthur baulking at the post and rails at the stand double caused Linwood to follow suit, and Berrington then took command of affairs, closely pressed by Scrutineer and Moody. King Arthur and Linwood, however, were quickly set straight again and the field were pretty close together at Cutts' fence. Thi3 obstacle, which proved disastrous to Scrutineer, was first negotiated by Berrington four lengths ahead of Moody, the same disi tance separating the latter from Linwood. Berrington was first over the gortse near Ford's, while Linwood had gone into second place. After going once round the latter overhauled Berrington, and the pair took the big sod wall in company six lengths ahead of Moody, with Eavenswood fourth and King Arthur fifth. When half the journey had been accomplished Berrington, Linwood, and Moody were close together,but Berrington hitting the hurdles opposite the stand lost ground. He soon made it up, however, and was first over Cutts' fence, with Linwood on his quarters and Moody two lengths away, while a big gap separated these three from Eavenswood and King Arthur. The latter falling at the next fence, was not afterwards persevered with. Passing Ford's the leading trio were all together, and the big wall was tiken by them simultaneously. At the second fence J from home, Eavenswood, who was quickly Hessening the'gap between him and the ]eaderscametogrief,givingSheenanasevere ' shaking. At this fence Hobbs let Moody out, and at the last wall was six lengths ahead of Linwood. He then had matters his own way to the post, and won comfortably by half-a-dozen lengths, the same distance separating : Linwood and Berrington. Time—llmin 35sec. Dividends, .£6 lis 6d and .£8 8s 6d.

The following is a table of the winners of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase:—

MAIDEN PLATE, of 100 s'ovs, with a sweepstake of 4 sots each fir acceptors to go to the second horse. Weigbt-fer-age. About two miles. 313 Mr E. Agnew’sh gDonald, aged, 12st 31h ... (Xyford) 1 135 Mr G. B. Starkyls ch g Sefton (late M-iori Boy) aged, 12at 91b (including 61b overweight) ■ (Mr P. Cotton) 2 204 Mr H. Lnnn’s h g Pickles, aged, 12st 31b ... (MrH. Lunn) 3 200 Mr B. Leaver, jun.’s, ch g Secretary, aged, 12st31b ... ' ... (Stewart) 0 Crescent and Presto were scratched. Betting : 6 to 4 agst Donald,'2to 1 each aget Pickles and Secretary, 4 to 1 agst Sefton. Mr Cotton at once took Sefton to the front, and led Donald by ten lengths over the first two fences. Sefton jumping badly at the double let Donald get up to him, but he again took the lead as Cutts 1 fence was approached. Here ho made a mistake, and Mr Cotton fell off, with his foot hanging in the stirrup, but luckily he was quickly released from his awkward position. Pickles also stuck up, and Secretary bolted off the course. By the time Sefton and Pickles were set going again, Donald had placed a gap of nearly a quarter of a mile between him and Sefton, and, taking his other fences in safety, won as he liked by about half a mile, Sefton beating Pickles by three lengths for second . money. Dividends, £2 9- 6d and £2 Bs. HANDICAP HUEDLE EACE, of 80 sovs, with a sweepstake of 3 sovs each for acceptors to'go to the fund. Second horse to save his stakes. Two miles; over eight flights of hurdles. Mr E. Leaver, juu’s., ch g Secretary, aged, 10st (Stewart) w.o. TALLT-HO 'HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. with a sweepstake of 5 sovs each for acceptors, to go to the second horse. Amateur riders allowed 71b. About two and a half miles. 243 Hon E, Bodney’s b g Herrington, aged, list (Lytord) 1 256 Messrs M. and C, Hobbs’ b g Moody, aged, 12st (Mr Jefferson) 2 [O2 Mr H. Piper’s b g Eavenswood, aged, 12st 121 b (Mr H. Lunn) 0 133 Mr Campbell’s b m Madge, aged, lOst 121 b (Bamber) 0 Betting: 6to 4 agst Eavenswood, 2to 1 each agst Moody and Berrington, 5 to 1 • agst Madge. Moody at once went to the front and made the pace, followed by Berrington, Eavenswood and Madge, and in that order they negociated the double. Mr Jefferson increased his lead as the big sod wall was approached, and he jumped that obstacle ten lengths ahead of the others, who wore all side by side. Coming into the straight. Moody was pulled back, and the next wall was taken by the quartette all abreast. Madge and Moody then drew away, but both refused the post and rails opposite the stand, and Eavenswood and Berrington then obtained a good lead. The latter was first over Cutts 1 fence, followed closely by Eavenswood, and along the back stretch he increased his lead. At the second fence from home Eavenswood came down and parted company with Mr Lunn. Berrington then had matters his own way and won with the utmost ease. Moody was second about a hundred yards away. Time—smin 57sec. Dividends, £4 9s and £4 11s. CAVALEY EACE for piece of Plate value 10 sovs. No weight under 12st. Two mile's. 228 Corporal J. E. Brown's b g Hard Times, aged (Owner) 1 210 Trooper J. Meikle’s b g Ben H. (Trooper P. Kerr) 2 37 Trooper J. Melton's b m Myrtle, 6yrs (Owner) 0 77 Trooper H. M’Lean’s br g Jasper, aged (Trooper Patterson) 0 60 Trooper J. Lnkey’s oh g Pawn, aged (Owner) 0 Pawn led over the two sod walls, when Myrtle, Ben H., and Hard Times closed on him. These four came in even lino to the double opposite the Stand, tbepoat and rails being negociated by them' at the same moment. Cutts 1 fence, however, proved disastrous to Fawn and Myrtle, and the race was then left to Ben H. and Hard Times. This pair kept close company till the last fence from home, when Hard Times drew away, and won comfortably by three lengths. Dividends, £2 6s. Trooper Patterson, on Jasper, came to grief at the double, opposite Pord r s, and fell heavily. He was stunned in the fall.

but Dr Priiis, who attended him, pronounced his injuries as not serious. CONSOLATION HANDICAP, of 40 sots. About two miles. 164 Mr W. Profltt’s cli g Scrutineer, aged, 12st 71b (Lyford) 1 ,226 Mr J. Kerr’s b g Linwood, aged, list 121 b . (Mr H. Luun) 2 37 Mr P. Campbell’s bm Madge, aged, lOst 121 b • (Bamber) 0 Betting: 6 to 4 on Linwood, sto 2 agst Scrutineer, 10 to 1, agst Madge. Scrutineer and Linwood went away together, and kept close company to the double, where Madge baulked. Scrutineer here drew slightly away, but Linwood was at his girths after , jumping Cutts’ fence. There was nothing to choose between them until the sod wall at the halfmile post, when Scrutineer had about a length advantage. This he maintained to the second sod wall from home, where Linwood fell, and he then cantered home an easy winner. Time—smin 30sec. Dividends, £2 6s and £2 6s 6d. PLUMPTON PAEK EACES. The following weights are declared for Mk* '

cne HANDICAP HUBBLE EACB. Two miles. af.'lVt o+lVi

AITTrTM’W HTAinas. miln nnfTn. nnirb.

HANDICAP TIME TSOT. Three miles.

vUTiY ixUW wu •• < . WELTBH HANDICAP. One mile. TO A I DnlAtrt 1A 1A

jrruuxvßU ... ... ax v/ r iuhuuo ... ... xv v SPBINT HANDICAP. Half a mile.

AUCKLAND STEEPLECHASES. [Pee Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Mat 27. The following are the weights for the undermentioned 1 events of the Auckland Eacing Club’s Steeplechase Meeting on June 6:— '

STEEPLECHASE.

HANDICAP HUEDDES.

FOOTBALL. The East Christchurch Club will bo represented by the following on Saturday next, colours gold and black. First fifteen y. first Merivale, on Lancaster Park at 2.30p.m. sharp: Ataok, Atkinson, Blanchard, Dow, Denham, Francis, Fuller, Fooks, Hobbs, Holmes, Murray, Moorhouse, Rayner, R. Shand and B. J. Wilson. Second fifteen v. North > auterbury, at Rangiora j drag leave? Post Office at 12 o’clock sharp:—Barge, C. Burke, Craddock, Edgar, F. Hobbs. Mason, Price, Phillips, Scully, A. L. Smith, J. W. Shand, Taylor, Telfair, West and Wood. Third fifteen v. second Merivale, at North Park, 2.80 p.m. Bradford, liaehford, Baird, Charlesworth, Colebrook, Forbes, Hinge, Misson, Montgomery, North, Lonisson (2), Tait, WagstafE and White The following will play for Sydenham first fifteen against Christchurch F. C. on North Park- on Saturday next Fleming, Allardyce, Ml Lean, O’Brien, Ell, Donnelly, Hobau, Sutherland, Dobbs, Moir, Cain, Weekes, Jackson, M'Leau, M'Kny ; emergency—J. Steveuron. Sydenham second fifteen ’against Christchurch second, at Exhibition ground :—Petrie, White, J. Gariy,' J. Fleming, Burnip, Haddrell. Wall-., Percival, Marr, Turner, B. are? Beattie, Comer, W. Haddrell, Anlsehrook : emergencies—Poinrin, Morrison. Sydenham third against Christchurch third, at North Pork: — Wicks, Jack, Bullen, Yeung, Savage, i ain, Joel, Russell, Dynes, Patterson, Hall, Millar, Lafferty, Saunders, J. Scott; emeigenoxes—Oliver aiid A. Gotten!!. The following will represent the Christchurch Football Club in the match against Sydenham on Saturday next: Backs : Hargreaves, Giigg, Mathias, Morgan, Palmer and Harman ; forwards : Beswiok, Bunny, Haast, Fisher, Moir, Somerville, Short, Toiaroa and Turnbull. The match will be played at the Christchurch ground, North Park, and will commence at 3 sharp. The following will represent the Richmond on Saturday against Lincoln College, to be played on Richmond ground, play to commence at 2.45 p.m. sharp:—Ballantyne (captain), Broderick, Bates, Empson, M'Clary, M‘Gmty, Napier, Knight, De Mans, Prehble, Haydon, Lane, Anderson, James Taylor, Butcher; emergencies—Taylor, Sorton. The following will represent the North Canterbury second fifteen against the East Christchurch second at Rangiora, on Saturday nextßourke, M. Dixon, C. and W. Du Moulin, Gulliver, Hammon, J. Higgins, M’Neil, M’Tavish, Partridge, Pearoe, Sannderson, Sheehan, Toirlesse, nnd Wilson. The team will dine together, at the Junction Hotel at 6.80 p.m. The following will play for the second fifteen of Kingston in their match with the Kaiapoi Juniors on Saturday:—Bugg, Lawrence, Rowe, Robson, Irving, Snedon, W. Forrester, S".inner, Niven, Cox, Dobbs, Hobbs, Manchlin, J. Ayrey, H. Petrie. A conveyance will leave the Clnb Hotel at 12.30 p.m. sharp. The following will represent Merivale in their matches on Saturday:—First fifteen v. East Christchurch, on Lancaster Pork Crowe, Gapes (2), Halley, Monntforfc, Ashby, Bennetts, Haskins, Horner, Bowman, Garrard, Nutt-Ji, Evans, Burke, and Lowry. .Second fifteen v. East Christchurch third —Richards, Pope, Scrimshuw, Turner, Horner, Smart, Percy, Pozzi, Dewsbury. Evans, Woodward, Pearoo, Parkyn, C. Garrard, Fergnsson: emergency—Monday, i his match takes place on Merivale ground, North Park.

Year. Owner. Winner, Weight 1 Strs, 1 1876 Mr P. Brittan Eoyalty fit 10 lb 0 6 1H77 Mr G. Williams Fakir 10 5 13 1878 Mr L, Markey Mousetrap 11 4 y 1870 Mr P. Butler The Agent 12 8 12 1880 MrP. Butler The Agent 12 7 12 1KKI Mr H. J. Bunn Clarence 12 2 6 l-«2 Mr D. Cbristie Katerfelto •10 0 8 1883 Mr H. Adams Kosciusko 10 5 5 1884 Mr P. Butler The Agent 12 6 4 1885 M. and C. Hobbs Moody 11 0 6

Eavonfiwood St ... 12 lb 7 Secretary ... ... 10 9 Bine Gam... ... 9 7 Hoyslty ... 9 V Ida ... 9 0 Baldie ... 9 0

Presto. st lb ... 8 12 Nelly ... 8 10 Silver King ... 8 10 Topsy ... 8 5 Crescent ... ... 8 5 Bex ..; 8 5

Tim Whiffler ... 8 10 Puck ... 8 7 Socket ...'8 2 Eavenawood ... 8 0 Conundrum ... 7 12

jne mile ana a qui Mermaid ... liter. .. 7 3 Irish King... .. 7 2 Primrose ... 7 0 Little Doll .. 6 5

Cock Sobin .. sor Daisy •• » Jimmy Brown Term .. lOseo .. 20 „ BiUy .. 30 „ Warrior ... .. 40 „ Nobby .. 40 „ Sly Sam ... .. 40,. QmSeri ..45,, Curly Kate .. 60,.

Dorset Maid ... Msec Brad ... 50 „ liftdy ... 50,,' Jimmy ... 55 „ My Idea ... ... 55 „ Apprentice - 60 Gentle Annie ... 60 „ BoI>... ... 60 „ Irchester ... ... 60 „

Puck ... 12 01 Conundrum ... 11 7 Mermaid ... ... 11 5 Snpdejack... ... 11 0' Primrose ... ... 11 0

Baldie ... 10 12 Ida ...10 7 Adventnre... ... 10 5 Mor ... 10 2 Finance ... ... 10 0

Eoctet ... 8 10 Progress ... ... 7 0 EaUy ... 8 7 Little Doll ... fl 10 Conundrum ... 8 7 Egypt ... 6 7 Primrose ... ... 7 12 Meteor ... 6 7 Castillo filly ... 7 5 Puri Puri ... ... 6 0

at lb Btlb Scrutineer ... 12 4 Revenge ... ... 10 7 Maocoroni ... 12 0 Diomedee .. ... M 4 King ... 11 7 Julia Ann... ... 9 10 Director ... ... 11 7 Exchange... ... 9 10 'New Year... .;. 11 2 Jed water... ... 9 ,7 Cooutahonc ... 11 1 NgaU ... 9 7 Whalebone ... 10 18 Recbleea ... ... 9 7 Quilp ... 10 10 Fair Play... ... 9 7

fipi 9 0 Scotch Mist 9 0 StDnnatan 9 0 Disappointment.. Bon Jour... 9 9 0 0 New Year... 9 0 Notice o t Motion 9 0 Chevalier 9 0 Kahi Kahi 9 0 Alfred 9 0

Scrutineer ... U 12 Maocaroni ... 11 10 Director ... .... 11 5 King ... 10 12 Revenge ... ... 10 ip Nigger ... Exchange... ... 10 ... 10 1 2 Claude ... 10 1 Harkaway ... 0 10 Ngata ... 9 7