SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 5

SPORTING.

SYDNEY GOLD CUP. [Reuter's Telegrams.] I Received March 22, at 1.20 p.m,*] SYDNEY, March 22. Nelson has done a long and slow canter at Randwick. The recent heavy rain has made the course heavy. Betting on the Cup is unchanged. ELLESMERE JOCKEY CLUB. The weather was far from promising when the early train left Christchurch yesterday morning for Leeston, the scene of the annual race meeting of the Ellesmere Jockey Club; but things meteorological considerably improved during the journey down, and by the time the course was reached the sun shone out brightly, and a pleasant day, so far as the elements were concerned, was assured. The attendance, which was composed almost entirely of residents in the locality, was by no means large, and the arrangements generally were of a most primitive character. A commencement was made —half an honr late, as usual at these country meetings with the District Hurdle Race, in which the much-improved Gunpowder, with the steadier of 13st in the saddle, showed a clean pair of heels to two very moderate opponents. With Mr H. Lunn in the saddle “Mr Russell’s” gelding fenced like a thorough workman, and if his legs were of the wearing sort he might be returned as a winner over big country. An hour later—the interval, be it noted, having been extended in the interests of the favourite—the son of Guy Fawkes was again pulled out, and approEriated the Open Hurdles with a bit in and from Secretary and Azim. Arcade romped homo in front of Swamphen for the Maiden Plate, bnt the gelding was subsequently disqualified for having won at Lincoln, and the stakes were awarded to the filly. The totalisator paid out on Swamp Hen, but as the protest was lodged against Arcade previous to the race, and many of those acquainted with its merits backed the filly in confidence that it would be _ allowed, it appears to be a case in which the stewards might very properly have exercised their discretion, and ordered the money to be returned to investors. Wee Roddie broke down during the race for the Ellesmere Cup, and Curate's “leg” also gave way at the home turn, leaving Leeston to win comfortably at the finish. The Trot attracted a field of very ordinary performers, and the favourite won easily. Marlborough was well bacKecr for the Welter Handicap, but what a delicate pen would describe as “an error of judgment” on the part of hia jockey, prevented him- being placed just where his backers could wish. The field for the Plying Handicap was the only one that gave Mr W. Lunn any trouble. After the first break away Gold Dust, Erin-go-Bragh and Azim ran the full distance before they could be pulled up. When the flag ultimately dropped the favourite whipped round and made off in the wrong direction, while Erin-go-Bragh over-reached himself and fell. This left the race to the three outsiders, and, after a magnificent struggle, the game Spec managed to get home by a bare head from the hurdle-racer. Justice, a piebald by Burlington, proved the best of eight hacks, and considering his abominable colour was well enough sold at 20 sovs. Marlborough, on whom the odds of 5 to 1 were laid before the appearance of the weights, won the Consolation in a canter, and concluded one of the most dreary meetings of the season. Mr W. Spring provided refreshments of various designs of solidity, both on the ground and at his excellent hotel in Leeston ; and the totalisator, from which the cheery voice of the senior partner was sadly missed, was worked by Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin. The following are details of the

day’s racing:— DISTRICT HOE OLE EACE HANDICAP, of 15 sots ; sweepstake of 1 bov to go to second horse. Over six flights of hurdles 3ft 6in high. No weight tmder lOst 71b. One mile and a-balf. 28 Mr W. Bussell's hr g Gunpowder, by Guy Fawkes—Diomedes mare, Syrs, 13st (Mr H. Lnnn) 1 4 Hr W. Adams’ p g Justice, 4yrs, XOsi lOlb (Bell) 2 6 Hr W. Holley’s g g Donald Dinnie, aged, list (carried Hut 21b) .. (Sheenon) 3 Gunpowder and Justice ran in front of Donald Dinnie for the first half-mile, when the grey closed up; but after covering another couple of furlongs together, the favourite and Justice drew away, the former winning very easily by half a length. Time—3min 27sec. Totalisator, 38-28—£1 4s.

OPEN HURDLE EACE HANDICAP, of 30 sovs; sweepstake of 1 sot to go to second horse. Over eight flights of hurdles 3ft Giu high. Two miles, 65 Air v*. Bussell's br g Gunpowder, by Guy Fawkes -Diomedes mare Syrs, 10st Sib (T. Byford) I 27 Hr J. Higgins' Secretary, aged, list 31b (D. Mitchell) 2 42 Hr T. Sheenan's Azim, aged, 10st 31b (Bishop) 3 Azim was the first to show in front, and after going half a mile, held a lead of four lengths, while Secretary, seven lengths from Azim, was whipping in. At the top turn Gunpowder took command, and never being headed, won easily by five lengths. Secretary beating Azim by two lengths for second place. Time—4min 2seo. Totalisator, 134—65—£1 17s.

MAIDEN PLATE, of 20 sovs. For horses tbit have never won i.n advertised Plate or Sweepstake. One mile and a quarter. 91 MrS. H. Lemon's b t Bwamphen, by Bur. lingtou, 3yrs. Bst lib (Dodd) 1 42 Hr W. Bussell s ob g Arcade, Syrs, Bst lib

(Goobrano) disq. Arcade waited on Swamphen until half a mile from home, when he took command, and easing up in the straight, won by a neck. Time—2min 23sec. A protest lodged against Arcade previous to the race, on the ground that he was not eligible to run as a maiden, was allowed, and the stakes awarded to Swamphen. Totalisator, 133—91—£1 65.. ELLESMERE CKP. of 40 sovs, with a sweepstake of 1 sov each for acceptors to go to second horse. Two miles. 11 Mr N. H. Lemon's b gr Tension, by PythonLady Caledon, Syrs, Gat 21h ... (Dodd) 1 47 Hr J. Beil’s br b Curate, aged, Get 101 b (Bales) 2 16 Mr P. Busch’s b c Marlborough, Syrs, Sat Üb, (Bam bar) 3 13 Mr J. Brown’s b g Wee Boddie, 7st 91b, (Price) 0 35 Mr P. Busch’s b m Spec, aged, 7st 41b (Gibbs) 0 Curate was the first to show in front, and when they settled down was leading Marlborough by a couple of lengths, while Leestou, Spec and Wee Boddie followed in Indian file. They ran in this order past the stand, but at the mile post Wee Boddie pulled up, and Leeston closed on the leaders. At the top turn Leeston and Curate were together, with Marlborough, three lengths away, as their nearest attendant, but once in the straight Leeston drew out and won easily by a length, two lengths between second and third. Time—3tnin 45seo. Totalisator—--122—11 j£9 19s. DISTRICT HANDICAP TIME TBOT (in saddle), of 15 sovs; sweepstake of 10s to go to second

horse. No weight under XOst. About three miles. SO Mr P. Wood’s h m Peg Leg, aged, 40?eo (Owner) 1 3 Mr J. M’Conkey’s b g Tommy, aged, 20seo (Bielly) 2 3 Mr J. Hosting's b g Dublin Jact, syrs, 30seo , „ . (Christie) 3 4 Poll (eot), 1 Megrims (35seo), 7 Little Nell (40soo), 9 Maggie (45seo), 3 Try Me (COaeo), 0 Polly (65seo). 0 Maude (55sec), 1 Kate (60soc), and 5 Charlie (60sec) also started. Peg Leg gradually worked through her horses, and preserving a good gait, won easily by four lengths. Time—lOmin 60sec. Totalisator, 66—30—£1 19a. OPEN WELTER HANDICAP, of 20 sova, with a sweepstake of 1 sov each for accepters, to go to the second horse. One mile and a half. £8 Mr T, bheeuan’s b g Presto, by Presto— Diomedes mare, 6yrs, 9st 41b ... (Bishop) 1 62 Mr P. Busch’s b o Marlborough, 3yrs, 10st 61b (Bamber) 2 17 Mr J. Higgins' ch g Secretary, aged, 10st (D. Mitchell) 3 Secretary made play two lengths in advance of Presto for the first mile, Marlborough lying off. At the back of the course Secretary fell back, and Marlborough, pulling double, carried on the running in company with Presto. At the top turn Presto took command, and Bamber taking things very easy on the favourite, Mr Sheenan’s gelding won by a neck. Secretary five lengths away third. Time—2min 52Jsec. Totalisator, 137—58 —£2 2s. FLYING HANDICAP, of 20 sovs, with a sweepstake of 1 sot each for acceptors, to go to second horse, Sir furlongs, 14 Mr P. Busch’s b m Spec, by Ante fob— Ethelred, Sat 81b (Bamber) 1 21 Mr T. Sheenau’s b g Azim, aged, 7st 101 b (T. Dodd) 2 5 Mr J. Bell’s ch m Gold Dust, aged, 7et 91b (Bales) 3 36 Mr W. Bussell’s g g Erin-go-Bragh, Syrs, 7st lib (Cochrane) 0 87 Mr S. Lemon’s b g Oliver Cromwell, 4yrs, Cat 101 b (Dodd) 0 After some delay at the post, during which Azim, Gold Dnst, and Erin-go-Bragh galloped the full distance, the flag dropped to a capital start, but Oliver Cromwell at once bolted off the course, and Erin-go-Bragh stumbled and fell. The other three ran together to the home turn, where the whips were out on the lot, and Spec lasting the longest, won by a bare head from Azim, Gold Dust close up third. Time—l min 22sec. Totalisator, 163—14 £lO 9s. The Selling Hack Race was won by Justice, by Burlington (Bartle), beating Osman, Bob Roy, Glenlora, Disturbance, : Lime Juice, Larry and Little Minnie, and 1 the Consolation Handicap by Marl- I borough, by St George Farewell ; (Bamber), Bst, beating Gold Dust, 6st 1 101 b. !

RACEHORSES PROM THE NORTH. The racehorses Master Agnes, Teddy Yuille and Snapshot arrived at Lyttelton by the steamer Wairarapa from the North yesterday morning.

WOODBURY RACING CLUB'S EASTER MEETING NOMINATIONS. The following are the nominations for the handicap races to he run at Woodbury on Easter Monday:— WOODBURY CUP. Mr Grigg's Mountain Deer Mr M. Scott's Goldfinch Mr S. Bull’s Seagull Mr J. Worner’a Zaaljt Mr Crocker’s Nelly Mr Mason's Brunette Mr W. S. Arroitnge’s Juggler Mr C. Hammond’s Bezique Mr J. Lewis' Nipper Mr P. Gormley’s Wire-in Mr P. Gormley’s King William (lata Bwaet W liam HANDICAP HURDLES. Mr Armitnge’s Juggler MrP. Bull’s Seagull Miss Button’s Kahikatea Mr J. Werner’s Wrangler Mr P. Werner's Panic Mr B. Hunt's Arundel ALL-AGED DISTRICT HACE. Mr F. Bail's Seagull Miss Button’s Kahikataa Mr Crocker's Nelly 'MHfemmondteffiffiJquo Mr Bull’s Forest Queen

GERALDINE RACING CLUB. At a meeting of the Geraldine Racing Club held recently, it was decided to hold the annual Winter Steeplechase Meeting on Monday, June 20, the anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne. The programmes in connection with the same will be issued in a few days.

HUEUNUI EACES. The Hurunui races, one of the most pleasant of the country fixtures, came off yesterday, and the two principal elements necessary for the success of a race meeting —the weather and the racing, were all that could be desired. . The course is reached from the Medoury railway station, and is a well shaped little course, one mile ten and a half chains in circumference, of good, sound turf, though a trifle hard going. About £SOO was put through the totalisator during the day, and though the dividends Were by no means large, the money was well distributed. Mr James D. Lance occupied the judge’s stand. Mr E. Bichardson wielded the starter’s flag, and was most happy in despatching his fields, and the officers generally seemed well up to their duties. The first race on the card was the Open Hurdle Eace, which Maywood won easily after Barnard fell and Defiance ran off. The first District Eace was fought out between Mr D. Eutherford’s Lady Eva and Mr H. Pitt’s Squib. The latter is by a son of Anteros, out of Eocket’s dam, and can gallop more than a little. Mr Rutherford’s mare just pulled through by a head. The Hurunui Oup was won by Lady Eveline, another of Messrs Eutherford’s Perkin Warbeck mares, after a punishing finish. Lady Eva pulled off the Waitohi Plate by a neck from Parihaka. The second District Eace saw Squib returned a winner. The Ladies’ Purse, a race for gentleman riders, proved as popular as these events usually do, seven amateurs weighing out. Halswell, after laying back until entering the straight, came away and won easily. The last District Eace on the programme saw a regular boil over. Squib’s rider was winning easily, and took matters too easy until Lady Eveline was level with him, and lost by a neck. A Consolation Eace was to have been run, but had not taken place when the return train left at 5/30 p.m. HUHDLE EACE, ot 20 sots. One mile and a half. Weight not under 12at 71b. 22 Hr E. Shepherd’s b m Maywood, by Presto (Miles) 1 8 Mr T. Hood’s b m Barmaid, by Totara (S, Osborne) 2 13 Mr T. Bradley’s br andblk g Defiance also ran. Barmaid, who had a little the best of a good start, came down at the stand hurdle, but was cleverly remounted. Defiance, who was leading at the far end of the course, ran off, and Maywood, who had been kept going steadily, won very easily. Dividend—£l 15s.

DISTRICT BACK, of 10 bovs. Weight not under 12st. Half a mile 63 Mr D. fiatherford’s g m Lady Eva, by Parkin Warbeck- Trixie (findings) 1 9 Mr H. Pitt’s k m Squib (Owner) 2 21 Mr J. Cameron's ch g Mao ... (Osbirne) 3 1 Little Nell, 2 Egypt, 1 Topsy and 23 Mataku also ran. , Squib, Lady Eva, and Mao were quickest on their feet, and ran in this order to the turn into the straight, where Mac dropped back, and Squib coming fast, made a desperate race, Mr Eutherford’s mare winning by a head, Mac a good third. Dividend, £1 14s. . BURUNDI CCP, of 20 sovb. No weight under list. Two miles. S 3 Mr D. Euthertord’s b m Lady Eveline, by Perkin Warbeck-Polly Dixon ... (Uudiogs) 1 It Mr A. A. Emery’s blk g Halswell (c. Cooke) 2 6 Mr J. Cameron’s oh g Mao ... (Osborne) 3 13 The Devil, X Mignonette, 3 Mataku, 3 Black Jim also ran. . Mataku was the first to show m the van from a capital start, and made the running for the first quarter of a mile. Passing the stand Halswell, Mac and Lady Eveline led. Black Jim last. These three fought out the race, of which Lady Eveline had a bit the best at the finish, Halswell a good second, Mac third. Black Jim last. Dividend, Jei 11s. _ . WaITOHI PLATE, of 15 sovs. Weight for age. One mile and a quarter. 51 Mr D. Rutherford’s g mLady Eva, by Perkin Warbeck—Trixie, aged (findings) X 33 Mr W. O. Rutherford’s h g Patihaka, aged, ICstlSlb (Thornton) 2 8 Defiance, 9 Moodooderrdoo also ran. Lady Eva, with Moodooderrdoo, made the running until past the stand, when Defiance went to the front. At the far side of

the course they were all of a cluster. Here Lady Eva and Parihaka, locked level, ran right away from the rest. Lady Eva won by a neck, with Parihaka, a length away, second; Moodooderrdoo a bad third. Dividend, £1 17s. DISTRICT RACE, of 10 boys. Weight not nndor list 71b. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr H. PitC>/ 'm Sqatb, by a son of Anteros— Mr G. Munroe bTk AgJpt 2 Mr W. Cooper’s b m Megrims ” 3 Squib was quickest on her feet, Egypt second. Megrims last, and the race was practically won from the jump. No investments in the totalisator. LADIES’ PURSE, of '0 sovs. One mile and a half. Gentleman riders. Weight not under 11 si 71b. 24 Mr A. A. Emory’s bl g Halswell, by Albany Tantrums (Mr C. Kerr) 1 3 Mr Shepherd’s b m Maywood (Mr L. Harley) 2 39 Mr D, Rutherford’s g m Lady Eva „„ ‘ (MrO.Thomson) 3 0 Mao. 8 Parihaka, 0 Defiance, and 2 The Devil also ran, ’ Mac and The Devil raced past the stand, the field closing together at the top corner. At the back of the course Lady Eva and Mao went to the front, Mac pulling double, Halswell meanwhile holding a good position. Lady Eva led into the straight by half a length, when Halswell came very fast, and won easily by three lengths. Dividend, £2 19s. 6 DISTRICT BaCE, of 10 bovs. Weight not under lOst. One mile. Mr D. Rutherford’s b m Lady Eveline Mr H. Pitt’s g m Squib wner j 2 Mr W. O. Rutherford’s ch h Mataku (Thornton), Mr A. Cod man’s c g Monte (Miles) and Mr W. Cooper’s m Megrims (Osborne) also ran. Squib was apparently winning easily, when Lady Eveline's jockey coining with a rattle, Mr Pitt dropped his whip, and being unable to set his mount going, suffered defeat by a neck. Dividend. £2 19s 6d. ‘

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 22. The following weights have been declared for the A.J.C. Autumn meeting:— 2SASTJ3R HANDICAP* One mile apd three-

quarters. st lb stlb Pasha ... 9 4 Wapiti 7 6 Waitiri ... ... 9 X British Lion 7 4 Silence ... ... 8 13 Bivalet 7 4 Spade Guinea ... 8 12 Friendship 7 4 Tigredia ... ... 8 11 Victoria 6 12 Pearl ... ... 8 9 Pretender 6 9 Turquoise... ... 8 6 Maoriland 6 7 Tetford ... 8 4 Tennyson 6 0 Derringer ... ... 7 10 Torori 6 0 Cinderella ... ... 7 9 Cannon ... 5 7 LadyNorah ... 7 8 K)T£i!»fLEGfiA.S£ l About tbreo miloB and a half. Guy Fawkes ... 11 9 Fair Play 9 10 Peter Osback ... 11 7 Quilp 9 7 Falcon ... 11 0 Blue Bell 9 7 Silver ... ... 10 7 Wat Tyler 9 7 Owhaoko ... ... 10 7 Tip 9 7 Tyro... ... 10 S Bowdy 9 7 Omaha ... ... 10 3 Darkle ... ., 9 7 New Year ... ... 9 12 Coral 9 7 Volcano ... ... 9 12