SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9492, 14 August 1891, Page 5

SPORTING.

[Special to Press Association.] [Received August 13, at 11.40 a.m.] MELBOURNE, August 13. In the House of Assembly yesterday, a Bill legalising tho totalisator was introduced, and read a first time. Monmot has been scratched for both Melbourne and Caulfield Cups. The hurdle racer Crusoe was injured while training, and had to be shot. CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. Stewards; Messrs P. Cunningham, G, H. Clifford, L. Harper, F. J. Kimbell, J. D. Lance, G. F. Martin, E. M. Morten. T. Teschemakcr, H. Wynn-Williams, Hons B. Parker, L. Walker and Dr Prina; Hon Treasurer -. Mr Q. G. Stead; Judge: Mr P. C. Tabart; Handioapper: Mr J. E. Henry; Starter: Mr A. Boyle; Clerk of the Seales: Mr T. Acland; Clerk of the Course: Mr T, Bassett.

The Grand National Meeting, which haa been the one subject of conversation in sporting circles for some weeks, was held at hiiccarton yesterday. The pleasant, summerlike weather, and the prospect of an afternoon’s interesting sport attracted a very largo attendance, the largest that has ever assembled on the course at this season of the year, and the Stand and enclosures presented quite a gay appearance when racing commenced shortly after oao o’clock. South Canterbury, as usual, contributed a powerful contingent—powerful in numbers and powerful in their confidence of the ability of their solitary representative to appropriate the principal stake—and the Amuri, another district in which the jumping horse is regarded as the ideal of equine excellence, sent down a strong array of hardy countrymen. The North Island, too, was well represented, both by horses and men; but Otago, for some reason or another, hardly supplied its share to the gathering. The local sportsmen, it is scarcely necessary to say, gave the meeting the support its character deserved, and none of the visiters should have been disappointed with the bill of faro provided for their delectation. Tho course was in capital order, better perhaps than it has ever been before, and the general arrangements reflected the highest credit upon the officials to whom they were entrusted. The starter ia seldom much troubled m jumping races, but what there was to do Mr Boyle did promptly and to the satisfaction of all concerned, while Mr Henry, the new haniicapper, completely puzzled the public and entirely confounded the critics who have attempted to pull his work to pieces. Mr Wankiyn more than confirmed the high opinions be had previously won as Secretary, aud his stall of assistants were as obliging and efficient as ever. The new totalisator arrangements, by which the whole of the investments were placed upon one machine, were tried for thefirst time, aadalthough they entailed a rather large amount of traffic across the lawn, and were not worked with tho despatch which will probably bo acquired later on, they are evidently capable of being made acceptable to the public. The rule by which the totalisator closed some minutes before each race was started, caused a good deal of disappointment and grumbling, but its principle is so obviously fair that it may be safely continued in the best interests of sport. Speculation was fairly brisk, and .27086 were passed through the machine during the afternoon. Mr Amyea again undertook the principal part of the catering, and left hie numerous patrons with nothing but an appetite to desire; while Mr Freeman dispensed after noon tea with equal success. The real business of the afternoon commenced with the Hunters’ Hurdle Race, for which a baker’s half-dozen went to the post. Dan was the beat looking, aud apparently the best prepared, of the lot, and with Mr O’Rorke in the saddle ho was at once installed a' firm favourite. Gheshunt and The Chicken made play at such a pace that they soon brought Mexico and Lightning to grief, and when Dan retired, it appeared as if Gheshunt would get home; but Camera, who had been admirably ridden by Mr D. Kimbell, joined issue at the distance, and getting the best of the struggle in the last hundred yards, won with nothing to spare by half a length. This cleared tho way for the Grand National Steeplechase, and before Camera, who pulled up very lame, had weighed in, the paddock was thronged with people anxious to inspect the candidates for the jumping “blue ribbon.” Alma naturally came in for the lion’s share of attention, and his unconcerned demeanour and muscular appearance were the themes of laudatory comments from every side. Sentinel also found favour with most of the critics, but Jenny was obviously not at her best, and Taurekaitai, although a strong “ tip ” with the northern division, did not fill tho eye as a horse likely to carry his substantial burden to the end of the long journey. Freeman and Christmas were certainly the best-looking of the light-weight division, and tho result of the race showed that, in their cases at least, appearances were not deceptive. Very little time was cut to waste at the start, and directly the flag fell Morok, tho outsider of the whole party, was taken to the front and carried the field along at a good sound pace. Morok, whose unexpected display was one of the principal features of the race, kept his position until half a mile from home, and when he fell at the sod wall Freeman and Christmas practically had tho finish left to themselves, and Mr Ehodes’ gelding, staying better than bis opponent, won very comfortably by four lengths. The victory of the South Canterbury horse was very well received, and Clark, who rode with excellent judgment and was fortunate in winning on his first attempt over tho big fences, was warmly congratulated upon his success. Ahua, who was the public selection from the moment the weights appeared, ran very disappointingly and much below the form he haa recently displayed on the track. He lost all his ground in tho first mile, and although he responded freely enough when asked for an effort, in the last mile he could never get on anything like terms with the light-weights. Christmas ran well up to his private reputation, and was only beaten by a better horse of the same class ; but Darnley gave Hickey a very uncomfortable ride, and Tauraekaitai performed better than his appearance would lead one to expect. Waiisngi again struggled into a place, and M'Morraa may taka some credit for getting tho uncertain Kangaroo to theend of the journey. There were several casualties during the race, but with the exception of Alien, who sustained a fractured collarbone, the riders escaped with nothing worse than a shaking. The Ladies’ Bracelet produced another surprise, Leonie, who was reported to he very infirm, winning cleverly from tho betterbacked Norton. As two or three wellperformed flat-racers were engaged in the Grand National Hurdle &ace, it was confidently predicted that the record would be beaten, and this was accomplished, notwithstanding the fact that the fences wore placed on the outside of the course. The main feature of the race, the position of the winner, is easily described, as Conraato jumped away in front, and, making all his own running, won by a length. Ecgina was at the leader’s heels most of tlie way, but she struck a hurdle very hard half a mile from homo, aud besides losing her position interfered with Waihi, who blundered and fell. With the mare out of the way, Kulnine came with a strong run ou tho outside, and appeared to be getting up, when he practically suffered the same fate, for although he recovered himself very cleverly after striking the hurdle at the top of the straight, he could never quite get up to the leader. Altogether Couranto must bo counted somewhat lucky in the accidents which bofel tho favourites, but he showed such a rare turn of speed and jumped so brilliantly that no one can say his success was undeserved. The Maiden Steeplechase was reduced, by the withdrawal of Christmas and Freeman, to a match between Darnley and Lyadoora, as neither Jenny Mount nor The Chicken could keep anywhere near the other pair. Darnley ‘showed the way foe most bf the distance, but directly he

was challenged by the mare ho collapsed and Mr Olaridge was able to score a welldeserved victory in his own colours. There was a pretty finish for the Welter Handicap, but Erin-go-Bragh always occupied a good position and won rather cleverly from Eangiora and Thackeray. Lightning fractured one of his fetlocks during this race and was subsequently destroyed. Jet d’Eau was very sore when he started, and of course pulled up lame, and it may not be an unwarrantable interference with another person’s business to suggest that it would have been more humane to leave an animal in this condition at home. There were only four acceptors for the Final Handicap, and Begorrah and Waitangi falling, Kangaroo only had the ancient Irish King to defeat, a task he accomplished without any serious difficulty. This brought the programme to a close, a little after the advertised hour, and as the air had grown very chilly after sundown, the visitors lost no time in making their way to town. The following are details of the racing HUNTERS’ HURDLE BAGS HANDICAP, Of 60 g,BOvs; second horse to receive 10 sova from tha stake, Gentleman riders ; maiden riders allowed 61b off tha handicap weight. Once round and a distance.

50 Mr D. Rutherford's hr g Camera, by Ahuß, aged, 10st 61b (oar lOst 91b) (Mr D. Kimball) 1 80 Mr George’s oh g Choshmit, 6yrs. lOst I2lb (Mr A. G. Cox) 2 331 Mr J. Dennis’ b g Dan, aged, Hat 101 b (Mr B. D. O’Eorte) 3 28 Mr F. P. Claridge’a oh g Don, aged, Hat Sib (Owner) 0 110 Mr G. Murray-Aynaley's b g Lightning, 4yrs, Hst7lb ... (Owner) 0 43 Mr W. H. Woodman’s g g Mexico, aged list 51b (Mr Woodman) 0 43 Mr R. Rutherford's ch g The Chicken, 6yrs, 10at 91b (Mr Coleman) 0 Cheshunt was quickest away, and ran just in front of Dan to the first hurdle, which the pair jumped together, followed by The Chicken and Mexico, with Lightning whipping in. Going round the bottom turn Ban was steadied, and Cheshunt and The Chicken went on with a strong lead of the rest. Lightning still bringing up tha rear. There was no further change in the positions until reaching Ford’s, where Mexico and Lightning fell and Ban began to close. on the leaders. Tha Chicken was beaten before reaching the top turn, and Cheshunt and Ban showed the way into the straight) but before reaching the last hurdle Camera rhn up, and getting the best of the struggle on the flat, won all out by half a length from Cheshunt, with Dan seven or eight lengths away third, and Don fourth. Time—3min 11-Jsee. Dividend £l2 3s. NEW ZEALAND GKAND NATIONAL STEE. PLEUHASS HANDICAP, of 600 sovaj second horse to receive 75 sova, and the third 25 sovs out of tho stake. About three and a* half milos. 183 Mr G. Rhodes’ b g Freeman, by Guy Fawkes—Miss Freeman, aged, 9et lilb (olb extra) ... ... ... ... (Clavbo) 1 82 Mr U. A. Durie’s g g Christmas, aired, B®o 71b (Redmond) 2 87 Mr J. Poole’s blk s 'Waitangi, apod. Oat 121 b (Owner) 8 401 Mr D. Rutherford's b h Ahua, ag*d, 12at 101 b (Stewart) 0 125 Mr C. E. Hewitt’s b g Sentinel, aged, list 131 b (Weal) 0 37 Mr W. Barnard's ch m Jenny, ngod, list llib ... (Johnston) 0 201 Mr J. Eollo's ch g TaurekoiUi, aged, list 101 b (EoUo) 0 61 Mr C. Richard's b g 000, aged, lOst 61b (Frewin) 0 210 Mr 8, H. Gollan'o blk g Darnley, egad, lOst slb (Hickey) 0 32 Mr F. Martin’s b g Kangaroo, aged, lOst 4!b (M’Morran) 0 70 Hon J. D. Ormond’s b g Otaieri, aged, 9st 111 b (Stowe) 0 11 Messrs Chapman and Moore’s rn g Morok, aged, 9st 71b (’lien) 0 Mr Boyle lost no time in marshalling the large field into line, and at the firat attempt they wore despatched on their long journey. Morok showed the way to tho first fence, which he jumped just clear of Waitangi and Christmas, with Kangaroo, and Oeo tho most prominent of the rest. Aa they streamed towards tho double opposite the stand, after settling into their places, Morok was still in front, and as they crossed the obstacle the outsider, who was jumping in capital form, was followed by Christmas, Waitangi, Kangaroo, Freeman, 000, and Sentinel in that order, with Jenny and Taurekaitai bringing up tho roar. Morok increased his advantage as they. ran round the bottom turn, and approaching Ford’s was six or seven lengths in front of Kangaroo, while Waitangi, Freeman, and Christmas were occupying good positions. Morok drew further away as they went along the back of the coarse, and Waitangi again ran into second place, but the leader struck the big wall very heavily, and was only two or three lengths in advance of Waitangi and Christmas as they jumped the ditch and bank. Coming to the stand double for the second time, Morok, Christmas and angaroo were almos t in line, but the firstnamed was quickest over, and went on with the lead to Cutts’, where Kangaroo, Christmas, Waitangi, and Freeman composed the front division, and Oeo end Otaieri fell. At the next obstacle Sentinel came to grief, and as the pace improved, Morok, Kangaroo, Freeman, and Christmas were altogether, and Ahua, who had been lying right away from his field, slightly improved his position. At the double opposite tha Kennels, Darnley, who had been jumping very slovenly all the way, fell, and at the next obstacle Morok also came to grief. This left Christmas at the head of affairs as they turned forborne, and the North Islander jumped the ditch and bank barely clear of Kangaroo and Freeman. Before reaching the last hurdle Froeman had taken command and stalling off a feeble challenge by Christmas on the flat drew away and won comfortably by four lengths from tho latter,whowas ten lengths in front of Waitangi, with Kangaroo, just beaten for the place on the post, fourth, Ahua fifth and Taurekaitai sixth. Time—Bmia 29i-sec. Dividend £7 6a 6d.

The following table shows winners of the Grand National Steeplechase:—

LADIES’ .BRACELET, ot 75 sovs. A bracelet of tho value of 60 sovs for first horse, and a bracelet of the value of 15 sots for the second horao. Gentleman riders: maiden riders allowed Sib. Two miles cn the flit. 90 Miss farmer's br in Leonio, by Leolinns— Amohia, 4yrs, lOat 91b (Mr IS. D. U'Korko) 1 403 Miss L. Rutherford's oh g Norton, Cyra, Hat 71b (MrE. P. Claridgo) 2 169 Mies A. Busch's eh g Eangiora, Syrs, list (car. list 21b) (Mr Parsons) 3 33 Mrs H. A. Knight’s b g Ragamuffin, aged, list 21b (Mr H. Knight) 0 85 Mrs W. O. Rutherford’s brg Statesman, Srrs. Hat Sib (Mr T. D. X.unoe) 0 376 Mrs G. G-. Stead’s ch m Burlesque, 4yra. 10?,c 9ib (Mr A. Boyle) 0 Leonie was quickest away,bufc Ragamuffin was at once taken to tbe front and showed tho way past the stand. At the cud of a mile tho pace improved and Statesman began to tail off,while LoonieandNortoa closed on tho leader and took command. Norton hold a slight advantage at tbe distance, but Leonio drew up again inside the rails, and, going on, won cleverly by half a length. Time—Smin 4Hsec. Dividend JSII 11s. NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACfI HANDICAP, of 300 uovs; second horse to receive 40 sova, and thd> third horse 20 Bora out of the staler. About two miles. 147 Mr J. Maher's brg Couranlo, by Petrarch —Quickstep, aged, 10st (Redmond) 1 46’ Mr I). Rutherford’s ch h Kuluiue, ,4yrs, 10st ... (Clark) 2 HO Mr S. H. Gollan’a du g Kimberley, eyrs. SstSlb (Mooro) 3 61 Mossra Currie and Hcgan’s b g Caitiff, 6yri>, ]oafcl3lb t (Maher) 0 63 Mr w. Brown’s blk g Captain Abram, agon, 10st 7!b (Stewart) 0 387 Mr J. T. Murphy’s b m Regina, aged. 10st 311, (Matthews) 0 279 Mr W." Russell's ch g The Idler. 4yrs, 10at (E. Kingan) 0 70 Mr H. Vallauca’s be g Hathaway. 6yrs, 9st 121 b (Morrigan) 0 31 Mr C. Moore’s b g Clyde, aged, 9st 7ib (Gillett) 0 39 Mr J. Maitland’s br g Theorem, aged, 9so 21b (Wright) 0 133 iir .T. Paul’s b t: Waibi, Syvs, 9<f( diggins) 0 At the second attempt tho field waa sent away oa capital terms, and they ran inline to the first hurdle, where Theorem fell and Couranto and Eegiaa drew out and made play to the second obstacle just in front of

Harkaway and Waihi, with The Idlei whipping in. There was practically no change in the positions as they went rennd the bottom turn, but Clyde, who had run round the stand hurdle, was pulled np, and Captain Abram blundered and got rid of his rider at the nest fence. Couranto maintained his advaw tage as they ran along the hack of the course, with Begins, Waihi, and Harkaway as his nearest attendants, but Waihi fell at the second hurdle from home, and when fairly landed in the straight Couranto drew further away, Couranto was,still clear of his field at the distance, and, although Kulnine, closed np in the next hundred yards, the leader held his own to the end, and won comfortably by a length from the favourite, while Kimberley was three lengths away, third, Harkaway fourth, Tho Idler fifth, and Eegiua sixth. Time-* 3min 52aec. Dividend, £lO 18s 6d, MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE, of 75 SOVS; second horse to receive (10 sova oat of the stake. Four-year-olds, lOst Sib; five-year-olds. Hit 61b $ six years and aged, list 121 b. About two milar, 207 Mr F. P. Olaridge’s br m Lyndoora, by Bundoora. 6<tb, list X2lb (Owner) i 257 Mr 8. B. Gollan’s blk g Daxnley, aged, list 121 b . (Hickey) I 110 Mr B. Rutherford's ch g The Chicken, 6yre, list 61b (Jackson) ‘8 42 Mr W. M'Hraith’a cb m Jenny Mount, aged, list 121 b (Johns) O Darnley was taken to the front and made play three or four lengths in advance of Lyndoora, while the other pair at once began to tail off. Darnley still shoved the way as they ran along the back of the course and round the top turn, but after jumping the big wall Lyndoora closed up, and tho favourite tiring in the last half-mile the mace drew away, and won easily by two lengths. Time-—4mia 7seo. Dividend,, £2 13s. ' ■ ■

WELTER FLAT RAGE HANDICAP, of 60 BOTf. Minimum weight of handicap, lOst. Gentlemen . riders allowed 51b. One mile and a quarter. 253 Mr W. O. Rutherford’s tr g Erln-go-Uragh, by Bt .George—Alice Grey, aged, list 71b (heenan) 1 51 Mr F. Busch’s oh g Eangiora, Syre, lOst 71b (Purdotn) 2 68 Messrs J. and J. Gaskin’s blk h Thackeray, 4yrs, list 2lb (Mitchell) 8 248 Mr 8. H. Gollan’s oh h Jet d’Eeu, 6yrs, IZst Olb (Owner) O 92 Mr G. Mutray-Aynsley'sbg Lightning, 4yrs, . lOitlllb (Clarke) 0 23 Mr J. Mills’ oh g Iroquois, aged, lOat 71b , (Morrigan) 0 108 Mr G. E. Clifford's oh g Beinga, Cyra, lOatSlb (Thompson) 0 12 Mr C. Wynu-Wiiliems’ b g Lewis, aged, 10>t51b ... ... ,„ (Mr Olaridge) ft 71 Hr H. Lambert's oh g The Chief, syrs. 10a151b x... (Jackson) O After a long delay at the post, for which Thackeray’s vagaries were responsible, Lewis jumped away in front, and ran just in advance of Beinga and Thackeray for the firat half mile. Before reaching the kennels Lewis retired, and Beinga carried on the running to the distance, where Eangiora, Thackeray and Erin-gO-Bragh closed up, and tho last-named always having the best of the struggle, won by half a length from who was the same distance in front of Thackeray. Time—2 min Idseo. Dividend, £3 5s 6d. FINAL HANDICAP, of 100 sovs; second hone, 15 sovs out of the stake. About two miles.

102 Mr F. Martin’s br g Kangaroo, by The Mute, aged, lOst 21b... (M’Morran) 1 45 Mr D. Rutherford's b g Irish King, aged, lOst 131 b (Clark) . 2 117 Mr J. Poole’s blk g Waitangi, aged, lOst *lt> (Owner) O 148 Mr G. Murray-Ayusley’s b g Begorrah, aged, 9st 131 b (Fergus) ft Begorrah ran in front for a mile, when he fell and left Kangaroo and Waitangi thirty length's in advance of Irish King. Kangaroo was in command as they ran' round the bend and into the straight, ahd Waitangi falling at the ditch and bank. Kangaroo was able to canter home an easy winner by four lengths from Irish King, Time—4min 13sec. Dividend, £3 12a.

CHRISTCHURCH HUNT CLUB-. Weights for to-morrow’s races were declared last night, as under HUNTBE3' HUEDIiS EA.CE, of SO SOTS; second horse 3 aova from the stake. About one mile

Acceptances close at twelve noon to-day. Lyndoora, by her win in the Maiden Steeplechase yesterday, incurs a penalty of 71b for the Christchurch Hunt Cup* her weight now being 12st 91b. As Glen and Lyndoora have both won races since they were entered lor the Tally-ho Plate at the Christchurch Hunt Club meeting, they are debarred from running, and this leaves but four in the race, viz., Launcelot* Bachelor, Teaser and Gold Wave. CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB. The Spring Meeting of the Canterbury Trotting Club takes place to-day on the show grounds. The following may can forward Maiden Stakes—Polly 5 Selling Trot—Dorothy; Addington Plate—Cygnet and Butcher Boy 5 Pony Handicap—Little Duck and Bobby Bums j Association Cup —H.R.H, and Sunlight 5 Electric Stakes— Bedale and Kentucky. ;

Tear. Winner, 2 - U) ‘5 £ Rider. | Starters 1S76 Royalty at lb 10 0 Mr Martelli 6 1877 Fakir 10 5 B, Osborns 13 1878 Mousetrap 11 4. P. M.'Coy 9 1878 Thu Agent 12 8 W. Hankins 13 1880 The Agent 12 7 Mr H. i.unn 13 1831 Clarence 12 2 P. Hodgo 6 1888 Katerlelto 10 0 \V, Clifford 8 1883 Kosciusko 10 5 T. Shoeuan 6 1884 Tho Agent 12 6 T. Dyford 4 1885 Moody 11 0 C. Hobbs 6 1886 f’anard 13 10 Mr H, I.unn 6 1887 EV.ugb-a-Ballagh 11 13 T. I.yford 13 1HSS Mangaohano 11 2 Hickey 0 188:) Chemist 12 7 A. ISJIingham 11 1890 Daddy tonglegs 9 7 T. I.yford 6 1891 Pi-ueruan 9 12 Clark 12

nad a half, st lb st lb Fffigy ... . , 12 7 Iroquois ... ... ll 7 Dau... ... . .12 0 Boa 11 « Begorrah ... .12 0 Lewis ... 11 0 Meada ,„ . 11 12 Lanncelot 11 0 Camera ... . . 11 12 Cactus 10 8 Oheshant ... . n 12 Gold Wave ... 10 0 Kaugiora ... .. 11 9 Lightning (dead)... 11 7 OPEN STEEPLECHASE, of 100 sots : second horse 15 »0vb from the stake. About three miles, over Grand StoepleobaKe ooari6« Ahua ... . .. 12 5 Ooo .. . ... ... 10 2 dentinal ... .u a Barnley ... ... 10 0 Tauraeknitai .. 11 5 Waitangi ... ... 10 0 Freeman ... .. 11 5 Begortah ... 8 10 Jenny 10 11 Otaieri ... „ 9 9 Jrish King... .. 10 7 The Braid,., ,. 9 8 Kangaroo... , .. 10 6 Inohkoith... - ... 9 7 Christmas... . 10 3 ; ' 1 OPEN HUBBLE BAGS, of 75 sots; second horse 10 sots from the stake. Once round and ft distance. Sentinel . . IX 9 Harkaway 9 9 Coaranto ... , . 11 3 Kimberley 9 0 Jenny ... . 10 IS Norton 9 8 Irish King,.. . 10 9 Theorem 9 7 Caitifi . 10 9 Otaieri 9 5 Erin-go-Bragh . . 10 9 Clyde ... ... 9 S Regina ... , . 10 9 Preston 9 8 Barclay ... . . 10 8 Ganger ... ... 9 0 Captain Abram . . 10 6 Tanmntn 9 0 Jet d'Eaa... , 10 S Cheshant 9 0 The Idler .. , 9 13