The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1868. NELSON RACE MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 99, 28 April 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1868. NELSON RACE MEETING.

The first day of our annual meeting, despite the large anticipations which had been excited and not unreasonably, by the numerous entries for the various events of horses of very considerable repute in the neighboring provinces, can hardly be said to have taken place under very favorable auspices. The very unseasonable character of the weather for such amusements, operated materially, in producing this result, for the high wind which prevailed unquestionably deterred many from being present. The Grand Stand especially suffered in this respect, and although it was graced by a goodly representation of ladies, still it did not put on so gay an appearance as has been the case on former occasions, and the number of pedestrians and equestrians was not so numerous as usual. Shortly after 12 o'clock the first event .•f the day came off.

The Great Nelsojt Tkiai. Stakes of 10 soys each, 5 ft, and only 3 if declared on or before Ist of January, 1866 ; 50 soys added by the Turf Club, provided six horses start, and 30 if any lesser number. Colts, Bst 7lbs ; fillies and geldings, Bst 31bs. One mile and a-half. Out ot 13 entries only two horses came to the starting post, Mr Stafford's br. f. Conquest, ridden by McGlashan, and Mr. F. H. Bluudell's br. c. Robin Hood, ridden by Fuller. This race made a rather inauspicious commencement to the day's sport. Conquest led for a considerable distance, but was overtaken by Robin Hood, who seemed to every prospect of being the winner, when on turning Austin's Corner he suddenly bolted, and left the race to Conquest. The Turf Club Plate, of 80 soys, added tq a sweepstakes of 5 soys each. For three years old, 7st lOlbs ; four, Bst 121bs ; five, 9st 4lbs ; 6ix and aged, 9st 9lbs; 3lbs allowed to mares and geldings. Entrance, 3 soys. Two miles. Miss Webb having been drawn, the three following horses started for this race : —Knottingly, (R. Ray); Magenta, (Bright) ; and Blackboy, (G. Cutts). A splendid race ensued, the three horses keeping well together nearly throughout, Blackboy leading until half a mile from the winning post, when he was passed by Knottingly and Magenta, and never recovered his ground. The race ended in a victory for Knottingly, closely followed by Magenta, Blackboy being about a length behind. Time —3 mm. 57 sees. The Waimea Plate, of 10 soys ; entrance 1 soy each, for all horses that have never run for an advertised race of the value of 20 soys. Catch weights. Second horse to save his stake. Once round. Eight horses started for this race, which afforded much amusement, and was won by Mr M'lntosh's Cossack. The Handicap Sweepstakes of 5 soys each, 2 soys ft., with 80 soys added. Entrance 3 soys. One mile and a-half. This was the best race of the day. Seven of the eight horses entered started, including Omen (Bright), Numa (French), Nebula (Fiven), XXX (Martin), Presto (D. Jones), Tussock (F. Gay), and Moss Rose (Marney). Omen took the lead from the commencement of the race, aud kept it throughout, closely followed at first by Presto, the rest being several lengths off. As they came up the distance the five outsiders came up in better form, Omen still leading, aud they passed the winning post in the following order; Omen, Numa and Nebula, the rest following at almost equal -distances, Tussock being last. The Scurry Stakes aud Ladies' Purse remained to be run for, when our reporter left.