SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5996, 4 February 1881, Page 5

SPORTING.

THE WELLINGTON RACES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. The weather was splendid for the races to-day, but the attendance was very ■ small; not above 2000 persons present. Although the day was generally observed as a holiday in town, the majority of holiday-makers, however, seemed to prefer picnicing to paying heavy charges for admission to the course and stand. For the Maiden five came to the post, Badsworth stating favourite, with The Governor close, and Miss Domett having many friends. A fine start was effected, Miss Domett jumping off with a good lead, but being immediately held, Badsworth led past the stand, and at the back of the course he and The Governor had it neck and neck a long way in front of Miss Domett, who however came \ip grandly as the straight was approached, and was almost on even terms with the other two, appareutly having a point of running in hand, when she fell heavily, rolling on her rider, Williams, who broke his collar-bone as the result of his first mount in the colony. Coming up the straight, The Governor and Badsworth raced, and what appeared a palpable cross by the former threw the latter out of the race. Contrary to general expectation, no protest was entered. It was whispered that the omission was owing to the fear of reprisals on account of a mistake of Badsworth's at the back of the course. Time, 2mins. 47secs. Webster rode The Governor, and Watty Badsworth.

Hurdle Race, weight for age.—Only two started, Agent being a long way the favourite. Clarence led round the first time, but afterward fell back. Both took all the leaps splendidly. Approaching the straight Clarence came up, taking the last hurdle about three lengths. Agent then came up rapidly, and won cleverly. Clifferd rode Clarence, and O'Connor Agent. The Hack Hukdle Rage was won easily by Roebuck, only one other starting. Wellington - Cur.—For this race Lady Emma was scratched, owing to an accident to her imported jockey—Williams. Eight faced the starter, Natator (Derritt) being the favourite, with Libeller and Dan high in public favour. The start was not a good one, Norseman hanging on the post. Luna and Mischief had the best of it, and holding the lead past the stand ; Dan, third ; Natator hard held in the rear. At the back of the course Dan assumed the lead, and Natator and Libeller came up and passed him, and led up the straight, the former winning by a couple of'lengths, Dan a fair third, Sir George fourth, Norseman fifth, and Luna going easily about the last. Randwick which was fourth about the entrance of the straight parted company with his rider (Hawkins), who, however, was only slightly shaken by the fall. Hack Race was won by Tim Whiffler from a field of ten, after a very good race. Libeller was scratched. Flying ■Handicap.—Seven started, Luna and Dan being about equal favourites. Luna got away first, but soon relinquished the lead to The Governor for a short time, then came up grandly close pressed by Dan, and won by a head after the best race of .the day, Keen's Cassevilanus filly being third. The following weights were declared this evening : — Hurdle Handicap.—Lone Hand, 13st.; Agent, 12st.; Grey Momus, list. 71bs.; Clarence, list. 71bs.; Artful Joe, 101b. lOst.; Matau, lOst. 71bs.; Raven, lOst. 41bs.; Eclipse, 9st. 71bs. JiUTT Park Stakes.—Billingsgate, 9st. 61bs.; Libeller, Bst. sfbs. ; -Rand wick, Sst. 41bs.; Luna, 7st. lllbs.; Virginia Water, 7st. Slbs.; Lady Emma, 7st. 41bs.; Astronomer, 7st.; Comus, 7st.; The Governor, 7st.; Dan, 6st. 121b5.; Mischief, 6st. lllbs.; Miss Domett, 6st. lOlbs.; Sir George, 6st. 101 bs.; Badsworth, 6st. 71bs.; Annie, 6st. 7 lbs.; Petruchio, 6st. 71bs. Racing Club ' Handicap.—Libeller, Sst. 41bs.; Randwick, 71bs. 13st.; Virginia Water, 7st. 71bs.; Lady Emma, 7st. 31bs.; The Governor, 7st. 31bs.; Norseman, 7st. 91bs.; Luna, 6st. 131b5.; Dan, 6st. 131b5.; Sir George, 6st. lOlbs.; Mischief, 6st 61bs. The time for the Cup was 3m. 3Ss.; Flying Stakes, lm. 18s. ACCEPTANCES. The following acceptances for to-morrow's handicap were received at 11 to-night:— Hurdles.—Agent, Clarence, Grey Momus, Raven, and Eclipse. Racing Club Handicap.—Libeller, Randwick, Governor, Norseman, Luna, Dan, Sir George, and Mischief. Hutt Park Stakes. —Billingsgate, Randwick, Luna, Governor, Dan, Mischief, Miss Domett, and Badsworth.

SUPPRESSION OF GAMBLING AT RACES. Wellington, Thursday. Considerable dissatisfaction was excited on the course to-day by the action of the police, under Superintendent Shearman, sternly suppressing all games of chance, except the two totalisators in the lawn. The Racing Club had sold the right to the games for £22, and about twenty tables of various kinds, including two with monkeys to draw tickets from a box, were on the grouud ready for action, when the police interfered. The stewards interviewed Mr. Shearman, to induce him to permit what has always heretofore been allowed at race meetings, but he absolutely refused. THE WANGANUI RACES. Wanganui, Thursday. The acceptances for the Wauganui Autumn Meeting are :— Wanganui Cup. — King Quail, Dan. Rocket, Redeemer, Libeller, Foul Play, Badsworth, Natator, Grip, On Dit, Randwick, Norseman, Opawa, Soukar, My Dream. Wanganui Stakes.—King Quail, Dan, Rocket, Redeemer, Banshee, Libeller, Badsworth, Foul Play, Natator, Grip, On Dit, Randwiek, Norseman, Opawa, Sincerity, Soukar, My Dream. Flying Handicap. - King Quail, Dan, Redeemer, Badsworth, Natator, On Dit, Randwiek, Sir George, Billingsgate, Otawa, Astronomer, Soukar, Woodpecker. There are ten acceptances for the District Race. TE AROHA RACES. Te Aroha Cup (Handicap).—Lone Hand, 9st.; Yatapa, Sst. 21bs.; Dewdrop, 7st. 81bs.; Bundarra, 7st. olbs.; Sunbeam, 7st. 41bs.; Harold, 7st. 41bs.; Golden Crown, 7st. 21bs.; Potentate, 6st. olbs.; Moonstone, 6st. olbs.; Barney, 6st. 21bs. Hurdle Race.—Lone Hand, 13st.; Harold, 9st. 71bs.; Loafer, 9st. ulbs.; Doubtful, 9st. 31bs.; Destiny, 9ft. 31bs.; Radical, 9st.; Hurricane, 9st.; Tempest, 9st. Wμ. Pekcival, Handicapper.