AN UNADVERTISED STEEPLECHASE. ("Waitangi Tribune," May 15.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1889, 16 May 1878, Page 2

AN UNADVERTISED STEEPLECHASE. (" Waitangi Tribune," May 15.)

To carry out the joko, we presume, the owners of Pakeha, Shillelah, and Brunette put in an appearance at the post on tho Willow Bridge course, accompanied by a number of spectators, yesterday, when those present, determined to have some sport, subscribed the sum of Lll to be run for through the course paddocks, " barring " the waterjump. Brunette, Pakeha, Will-if-I-Can, and Mick came to tho post, nnd, on being started, the two former van off with the lead, with Mick in close attendance. Will, as usual, displayed a little of his \\o\y temper, refusing to start, although Joyce did his utmost to get the bigheaded brute on his logs. Mr R. Wellwood then took his pet by tho head and run along with him, almost causing another display of pig-headodness by holding on too long. However, off the brute went, about a distance behind the lenders, going at a rattling pace. Brunette took tho lead through tho first jump, landing on her knoes, when just as Bill M'Kay wan lifting her up, clown came Pakeha with his chest on the dark beauty's rump, and over they tumbled together, both horses getting away. Tom M'Ktvy remained on tho ground, being unable to rise, while his brother Bill started off in pursuit of Brunette, as hor ladyship was akimmiug along at a gallop. She mado towards the southern fence, and then turned mid galloped to the gorso on the sea side of the paddock, at which place she was caught by Mr Johnson, the rider of Mick, who found some trouble in getting his horse over the gorse. By thii time Will, after baulking twice, had reached the last gorse up tho straight, and there went through a performance which bore out our oft-expressed opinion of the brute. Ho was repeatedly put at the fonco by Joyce, baulking, rearing, and attempting to bolt. Aftor Brunette was caught Bill M'Kay sprang into the pigskin and took his mount over tho gorso in grand style, the excitement at that time being amusing. Two or three of Mr Wellwood's friends rushed down and tried to frighten thoir favorito over, but big-head was obninato, and danced about in a most spirited manner, Brunette at the time coming up tho back of the course at a good pace, when much amusement was created by tho excitement of the admirers of the two horses. Tho black beauty took the heavy gorae hedge on the turn to the water-jump cleverly, passing the latter obstruction, a.nd coming up the straight at a fair gallop. On roaching Will, M'Kay. managed to baulk his mare, getting a, fling out of the saddle, which spoilt tho chemut's chance, as Joyce could, not persuade his brute to take the jump while the mare was at standstill. M'Kay was quickly in the saddle, turned

Brunette about, and took her over the gorse cleverly, coming up the straight, amidst applause, at a rattling pace. The gate had to be opened for the big-headed brute, but it is said that he was taken baok and jumped the gorse after the race was over. Pakoha found the country too hot fop him, as did also the routgh-looking Mick. The crowd speedily cleared for town, about two o'clock, highly amn«ed at the grand steeplechase. Tom M'Kay, we are sorry to say, had his collar-bone broken ; but, on being brought to town, he was attended to by Dr. Hoadley, and left by the late train for Oamaru last night.