STEEPLECHASING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 907, 19 July 1889, Page 13

STEEPLECHASING.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB STEEPLECHASE MEETING. Patron His Excellency the Governor; President Sir W. Fitzherbert ; VicePresidents—Messrs H. D. Bell and J. S. M. Thompson ; Judge—Mr E. Pearce ; Hon Treasurer Mr F. Moeller ; Timekeeper Mr G. Donne; Stewards—Messrs J. Ames, J. Duthie, F. Franklyn, T. G. Macarthy, J. Maginnity, J. Saunders, and Dr Newman ; Starter— Mr N. Grace ; Clerk of the Scales —Mr J. Wilkins ; Handioapper—Mr J. O. Evett; Clerk of the Course —Mr E. J. Saunders. The Steeplechase Meeting held at the Hutt on Monday by the Wellington Racing Club passed off very pleasantly, and was on tlie whole a most enjoyable meeting. The weather, although rather threatening at about midday, when it rained for a few minutes, cleared up in the afternoon, andwas not at all sufficiently unfavourable to mar the success of the meeting. The attendance amounted during the afternoon to about 1500 persons, which, considering that the meeting had been postponed since Saturday, was very satisfactory indeed. His Excellency the Governor and Lord Cranley were present, with Captain Savile, A.D.C., Mr Walrond, and Mr Garland, and the vice regal pai ty were entertained at luncheon in the pressroom. In all respects the meeting was well managed, and every possible provision was made for the convenience of visitors. Two totalisators were efficiently managed by Messrs Hill and Poole, and the usual booths wero conducted for the benefit of all in the paddock and outside. The racing was fairly good all through. The first event, the Trial Steeplechase, was won by Defamer, the only starter who “stood up.” Doctor, a gelding owned by Mr J. G. Wilson, M.H.R., finished, a good second, and would undoubtedly have made a big fight with Defamer had he not fallen early in the race. The Hurdle race was won by Louis, considerably to the surprise of most people, the top weight, Chemist, having been pretty extensively backed. The Napier horse ran last all the way, however, and in this respect was emulated by Orient, who was never in the hunt. The |Flying Handicap was won rather easily by Repose, and the Ladies’ Bracelet fell to Kahu, who was very well ridden by Mr Gollan. The big event of the day, the Wellington Steeplechase, resulted in a rare boil over, the winner turning up in Rossiter, the horse selected by our sporting contributor “ Martini ” as moßt likely to

fill that position. . Kan<aroo, who ran second, fenced splendidly, but had not got the requisite “ foot ” at the finish. Defamer was about the best backed horse in the race, but catne down about a mile from home. The winner paid a dividend of £2S 13s. The Selling Race resulted in an easy win for Reputation ; and the Winter Handicap, the last race of the day, was won by Rewarewa. Following are details of the various events :

Trial Steeplechase Handicap, of 50 sovs ; second horse, 5 sovs. About two miles Mr A. Ellingham’s b g Defamer, aged, list (Owner) 1 Mr J. G. Wilson's b g Doctor, aged, 9st 51b ... ... . ... (Underwood) 2

Also started—Ariel, lOst 101 b ; Madcap, lOst 51b ; Patriot, lOst 4tb; Stonewall Jackson, 9st 111 b ; Rata, 9st 71b ; Billy, 9st 51b; Owhaiti, 9st; and J.D.K., 9st. Defamer went off with the lead, but was quickly steadied and gave place to Madcap, Ariel, and Owhaiti. A perfect chapter of accidents during the first journey round, however, left only Defamer and Rata in it after the water jump had been taken. At the sod wall Rata baulked, and Defamer was allowed to win as he liked. Doctor, whose jockey bad remounted after his horse fell, finished very strong, and was the only one beside Defamer who did finish Time, smin 403ee. Totalisators : Inside, 200 —67 on the winner; outside, .140 —46 ; dividend, £2 14s.

Hurdle Handicap, of 80 sovs; second horse, 10 sovs. About a mile and threequarters. MrC. O’Connor’s bh Louis, 4yrs, lOst 41b (O’Connor) 1 Mr H. Taylor’s b g Panic, aged, 9st (Cochrane) 2 MrP. E. Mcßae’s b in Clarice, aged, Bst 81b... 3

Also started —Chemist, 12st 21b ; Orient, list 101 b; Waterfall, lOat 71b; Kincraig, lOst; Rossiter, Bat 121 b ; and Right Bower, Bat 101 b.

Chemist was made a warm favourite in the machine. Kincraig. and Right Bower were the first to show out prominently, the latter taking the lead and maintaining it for the first three-quarters of a mile. Passing the stand Right Bower led Kincraig by a length, Waterfall lying third, then Panic, the rest close together, with the exception of Chemist, who was already a very bad last and passed the stand under the whip. Along the top turn Louis began to move up, and Orient dropped astern of the ruck. Panic also began to go up to the leaders, followed by Clarice and Rossiter. Louis crept up Blowly but surely along the back stretch, where, Right Bower and Kincraig drooping back, he assumed the lead. Nearing the straight Clarice, Panic, and Rossiter closed up, and a great race home resulted in Louis’ favour by three-parts of a length. Clarice was a good third. Time, 3mia 34sec. Totalisators —Inside, 220 —51 on the winner; outside, 376 —43 on the winner; dividend, £5 4s.

Flying Handicap, of 40 sovs ; second horse 5 sovs. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr P. Butler’s b m Repose, 4yrs, Sat 71b (Holmes) 1 Mr W. Havbittle’s b m Rewarewa, syrs, 7at 51b ' (Collello) 2 Mr J. Munn’s ch g Tennyson, 4yrs, 7st 61b (Shaw) 3

Also started —Strenuous, Bst 81b : Cupid, Sst 61b; Pretender, 7st 71b; Ngarata, 7st 4lb ; Peter, 7st 41b; Akatea, 7st 21b ; Solitude 7st.

A very straggling start was effected, Tennyson and Akatea getting away with a clear lead. Rewarewa came up with a rush crossing the road and assumed the lead into the straight. Here Akatea had had enough, and Rewarewa looked like winning, when Holmes brought Repose up with a rush, and won easily by three parts of a length. Time, lrnin 20 3-ssec. Totalisators—lnside, 363 — 58 on the winner ; outside, 210 —31 ; dividend, £5 15s. Ladies’ Bracelet, a bracelet of the value of 60 guineas ; gentlemen riders. Mrs Fairfax Fenwick’s b g Kahu, syrs, list 121 b ... ... ... (Mr Gollan) 1 Mrs F. Hood’s b g Obed, 4yrs, list slb & (Mr Shaw) 2 Mrs D. G. Riddiford’s r g Nutmeg late Tommy), aged, 12st (Mr Chavannes) 3 Mrs R. H. Smith’s Governor, 12st (Mr Gowland) ; and Miss Whitaker's Sir Maurice, 3yrs, lOst 121 b (Mr O’Rorke), also started.

Nutmeg made the running for a mile and three-quarters, and was then joined by Obed, Nearing the home turn, however, Kahu made his effort, and pissing the other two, won easily. Totalisators —Inside, 196 122 ; outside, 67 —32 ; dividend, £1 10s. Wellington Steeplechase Handicap, of 150 sovs ; second horse 15 sovs. About three miles. Mr F. Bell’s ch gßossiter, by May King, syrs,9s>t3lb (Camerou) 1 Mr F. Martin’s b g Kangaroo, by Ibe Mute, aged, lOst 101 b ... ... (Pell) 2 Mr H. Taylor’s b g Panic, aged, 9st :51b ■ (Cochrane) 3

Also started—Orient, list 101 b; Defamer, lOst; Oceola, lOst; Louis, 9st 121 b ; Ariel, 9st 101 b ; Don, 9st 51b ;' Right Bower, 9st ; Doctor, 9at ; and Owhaiti, 9st. A very even start was made. Kangaroo showed in front immediately, and led over the first jump, where Louis, Right Bower, and Owhaiti came down. Ariel was the next to leave the ruck, and as they came past the stand he led Kangaroo by some lengths, Orient lying third, and Rossiter fourth, Doctor being last of the others. Going off the course proper into the paddock Ariel, then holding a strong lead, ran. off, leaving Kangaroo in command, with Rossiter second, and Defamer third and Panic close up. Here also Orient came down. At the gorse hedge, Don came to grief ; and Kangaroo, leading oy jr the water jump, had Defamer as his attendant, Rossiter, Oceola, Panic and Doctor following pretty close up in that order. Oceola lost his number at the sod wall, and as they left the course Defamer came a cropper at the spot where Orient and Ariel had previously dropped out. Kangaroo was still in the van, and led Rossiter by 10 lengths over the last gorse fence, while Panic was in close attendance on Rossiter, and Doctor about twenty lengths away from the latter,. Panic now made his effort, and had

all bat got on terms with Rossiter when the latter drew away. Onoe on the course proper for the run home it was evident that Rossiter had a lot left iu, and responding splendidly to his rider's call he overhauled Kangaroo and won easily in a canter. Panic was a good third, and Doctor was fourth. Time, Gmin 42sec. Totalisators—iuside, 486—18 on the winner; outside, 210 —7 j dividend, £2S 13.5. Selling Hurdle Race, of 40 sovs. A mile and a half. Mr F. Martin’s b g Reputation, aged, £lO, Sst 121 b (Miller) 1 Mr R. E. Mcßae’s b m Clarice, aged, £lO, Sst 121 b ... ... 2 Mr H. Waller’s br g Kincraig, aged, £3O, lOst 101 b 3 Also started—Nutmeg, 9st 121 b. Won rather easily. Totalisators—lnside, 125 —l3 on the winner ; outside, 232—19. Dividend, £lO. The winner was sold to Mr Buick for £l3. Winter Handicap, of 50 sovs ; second horse, 5 sovs. A mile and a qnarter. Mr H. W. Haybittle’s b m Rewarewa, by Hippocampus Escape, syrs, 7st (Collello) 1 Mr F. Hill’s brh Strenuous, 6yrs, Sst 61b (McCormick) 2 Mr W. McNamara's br g Pretender, 4yrs, 7st ... ... ... ... (Shaw) .3 Also started—Repose, 7st 131 b , Cupid, 7st 131 b ; Peter, Gst 121 b ; Akatea, 6st 111 b ; and Solitude, Gst 91b. The race was a hollow one,. Rewarewa winning easily. Time, 2min 19£sec. Totalisators—luside, 196—35 on the winner; outside, 187 —28. Dividend, £5 9s.