THE NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION AND OTAGO JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 377, 6 March 1863, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION AND OTAGO JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

SIiCONU DAY. The rain that hal fallen the previous night made the road yesterday exceedingly difficult to travel—nor was it rendered more phasant by the occasional showers with which the cailier part of the day was distinguished. Towards the afternoon it became fine, and the road rapidly dried up. Nevertheless very hearty and emphatic anathemas were constantly levelled against the laziness of the Government in not opening a better road. We are informed, that with the least exertion the new road might have been opened in time, but of course, it was not to be expected that the Government would use any exertion. So, up and down the slippery muddy hills the horses had to toil or slide, and few managed to reach the course in much under two hours. The races were consequently rather later in commencing than on the previous day. The number of persons on the course was very considerable, taking the miserable weather into account.

The first event was rightly enough regarded as a csrtainty for Lady Bird. Young Alma ran well, but it was not on the books that he should hive a chance against probably the best mare in the Australian colonies. In the next ra c Lady Bird was tqually successful in beating Revoke. The latter was said to be not in her best form. Certainly her previous running would have led one to expect that she would make a batter race with a horse that had just previously gone through a severe ordeal. Lady Bird, however, in addition to her undeniable speed is evidently a regular v sticker." ' She is only four years oldso that she has a promising career befbreher. It is to be hoped she is entered for the Champion Race which is to be run at Ballarat next year. For the Handicap Mormon was the favorite but again the "pot boiled over,' and Ultima, who was in at an easy weight, succeeded in saining the prize. Mormon was a good second, and considering the weight he had on him, it must be conceded that he ran very well. Nothing shows more clearly that Mormon was beaten on his merits in the Champion Race than that Lady Bird's old opponent, Ultima, could with, what was certainly a very considerable allowance, earn a like victory. It remains to be seen today whether the slbs which Lady Bird has to carry extra lor winning the Champion, Avill not enable Mormon to snatch the Town Plate from her gra«p. The Selling Race was a gift to Vi nng Alma ; and Rocket, the favorite, justified his backers in the Trotting Race. As the afternoon advanced and the weather cleared up, people seemed to become more lively, and everything considered, the races yesterday passed off very satisfactorily. To-day, ifthe weather is fine, there is likely to be a large concourse on the ground, as besides the attractions of the Steeplechase, great interest is felt in the second struggle between Mormon and Lady Bird. Last night the Provincial room was crowded. Two Calcutta Sweeps were drawn on the Town Plate. Lady Bird ietehed a high price, Mormon came next on the list in favour, and Golden Cloud was not without friends. We append a programme of to-day's race?, merely adding that they are likely to be by no means the worst of the meeting.