NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2200, 20 May 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES.

The aboTe events promise to be by far the b«t steeplechase races, we have yet witnessed in the Oamara district The acceptances M« Bnmeroni, and the best oroM-coantrr honM in New Zealand are engaged to take part in the conteeU for flntpboM. Th» An«lr»li*n Loneh&nd'a non-aeoeptanoe hat, »«»rding . to many, left the race for the Grand National Handioap a more open one, and although many no doabt deurtd to witneWthe performance of the great Victorian crack, yet the pleasure of the spectators will be enhanced by the knowledge thai the race is more than erer a pecuUarif of** ont * k* *** **» id * n P^te

there are six hones engaged, nearly all of which are known to fame. Harkaway oomea with a great name aa haying beatea The Agent ahd Te Whetu. Silventreaiu has been seen at our local Steeplechase meeting* before. The other horaea are strangers, but several have earned reputations for ernes-country qualifications. The Maiden Plate promises to be a wellcontested event. In the meantime there are, I understand, only two of the acoeptors being trained in the vicinity, th« others going through their preparations at other places. In the New Zealand Grand National there are thirteen which have; cried content, and as only one of these is engaged in the Maiden Plat*, we may anticipate that a grand field will face the starter for this event. For this event Te Whetu and The Agent are most in favor, and this from their past brilliant performances, but the same certainty does not attach to steeplechasing as to races on the flat. It is, therefore, not out of possibility that neither may be first. All the horses are good fencers, and the race will certainly be looked forward to with interest, from the fact th»t rarely do we see such a splendid field at will probably start for this race. The Hunt Club Oup has secured eight acceptors. The horses engaged are mostly those which will try conclusions in the Grand National. Then follows the Consolation. I will have something more to say before the 24th. The Club has made arrangements with the railway authorities as to the running of trains. Tickets will be issued at single fares on Friday and Saturday at all stations up to the 26th, and by special arrangement holders of tickets will be admitted to the ground and to the grand stand. The coarse has been laid off, and possesses all the advantages which could be wished for in respect to fences. There are water jumps, stone walls, ditches, gone hedges, in short everything has been arranged to give visitors a proper idea of iteeplech using. The grand stand commands a magnificent view, being a natural rise in the vicinity of the Deborah railway station. From it a splendid view can be obtained of the different events. The Club deserves the encouragement of those who take an interest in steeplechasing, and I hope to hear that the meeting of the Club at Oamaru has resulted financially to their benefit. Other parts of the colony have held out inducements to the Club to visit them, no doubt trusting to the fact that their meetings have been most successful hitherto. SiPTDcns.