N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1383, 1 June 1878, Page 9

N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.

[By Telegraph.] (from our own correspondent.)

Christchurch, May 25th.

Pres'deut, Mr Andrew Turnbull ; stewards — Messrs F. W. Delucain, G. P. Williams, J. T. Ford, S. H. Bristol, J H.Rome, G. Loveprove, A.St G, Hamorgley, W. S Raine, K. Elworthy, G. J Donniatown, C. Orbell, W. P. Neilßon, p. Hrittain, G. Lee, L. Macloan, J. Marshall, M. Studholme, P. Teschemaker. D. Maclean ; judge, Mr J. Braba<;un ; starter, Mr F. Kimbsll ; clerk of tho course, Mr E. W- hiillett ; h'»ndicapper. Mr H. B. Lance ; clerk of the scales, Mr Mytton ; lion, treasurer, Mr Frank Egan.

Although the morning of Friday was cloudy and threatening, it cleared up somewhat towards noon, and the weather was more propitious than might have been expected. The attendance was» very large, every train being crammed, and the road also largely patronised. During each race the grand-stand was literally packed, and I should think that at one time there could not have been iess than 3000 people proaent. Things might in one or two instances have been better arranged, and tho want of punctuality was particularly noticeable in many respects. Things seem to have been left till the last momeut, which of course, resulted in confusion nnd delay. Amongst the well-known patrons of the turf present were noticed Messrs Lovegrove, Harnmersley, O'Kane, Neilson, Teschemaker, Brabazon, Denniston, Orbell, J. Marshall, Delernain, F. Brittain, Lancelot, Walker, Lance, Williams, Captain Ologstoun, Studholme, Digby, Egan, Goodman. Dundas, G. Lee, Hawkes, Leech, Valpy, Selfe, Stead, &c. Racing commenced nearly an hour late, and the first sensation was the scratching of Agent, owing to wrong description in thy entry. This was a pity, as I am of opinion that if he had stood up he could not have lost. JLAvr tho Maiden I'!a + o five weighpd out, Sir Tat ton being made the favourite, and there is no doubt if he Lad stood up he must have won, as he had them all beaten half a mile from home. As it is the winner turned up in Stockman, a rank outsider, who jumped very well. Dan O'Brien's fall looked a very nasty one, but I am happy to pay he escaped with a severe shaking. H. Lunn was not so lucky, a« he sustained a fracture of the collarbone by Cannon Ball falling when going very well. Eicht numbera went up for the big e/ent. Te Whetumarama and Mousetrap being made equal favourites at 2to 1, the Australian crack coming next. The race woe a very fast one, and Albert Lyford

coming off Te Whetu at Redwood's jump left; the race to all uppefwiwice ; J^ftv/ven Mousetrap and Eversley, but the latter tiripg every yard in the last half mile, »:id refusing the last fence from sheer distress, left the little grey, who fenced magnificently, to canter- in alone. Mouse and Zetland pa-sing Eversley while still baulking at the last jump, and running a very good race for second honours, Moose just beaMng the other by a head. Eversley ran a very good Jborae, but was I think made too much use of, and I fancy if the jockey who was, I believe, originally intended to ride him had been up he might at all events have got near the winner. The Hunt Club Cup brought five to the post, and the little grey was again made a favourite at lev<>l money. In this race a gentleman rider, Mr C. Goodman, made his debvt on the Don, and nhaped very well, bub was unable to do much good on his unsatisfactory mount. Dan O'Brien rode with consummate judgment and was ablo to leave them all when it came to galloping, the result being that he landed Te Whetu an easy winner by three lengths. The victory, like Mousetrap, in the proceeding race, was a very popular one. In the Consolation only three put iii an appearance, the Don, Turk, and Mickey Free, and, notwithstanding the latter having 141bs the' worse of the weights he won easily,- the Turk havihg blundered at the second fence. The meeting wa«, with the exception of the shorb comings I have pointed out, a highly successful and pleasant one. Mr Egan, the Secretary, was here, there, and everywhere, in hte exertions to ensure a good meeting. Mr Kimbel l was not very successful in wielding the starter's flag, two starts particularly being very bad. Mr Brabazon'a duties were by no means onerotu, and to say that Mr Millett was Clerk of the Course is to say that the duties appertaining to that office were performed as they ought to be. Mr Mytton was unremitting in attention as Clerk of the Scales, and all the other officials were attentive and courteous in their duties. Subjoined is a detailed account of the sport : — Maidkk Plate, of 100 sovp, with a bWtepstaUei of 5 soys each to go to the arcon I liorso ; nomination of 2 itivs pach, to go to the fund. Weight f(r aje. Distance, 2 miles Mr W Keith's br g Stockman, aged, 12st 81b

(Sheonan) 1 Mr W P Neilson's eh g Sir T.itt^n, twred, I2st (O'Brien) 2 Mr J Fisher's eh g Mickey Froo, nped, 12st 31b

(W Hawkins) 8 Mr A St George's br c The Turk, 5 y/s, list 12ib8

(J Coate3) 0 Mr G P Willhms'e b g Cannon Ball, 4 yrs, list, carried list 101b((H Lunn) .. .. „ 0 Betting : 3tol on the field. The field went well away together over tha first fence, which Turk refused, and raced to the second fence, which Sir Tatton, Cannon Ball, Mickey Free, and Stockman negotiated in the order named, which was maintained to the post and rail fence, where Cannon Ball fell heavily, breaking his rider's collar-bone. Sir Tatton led over the next four fences, and blundered at the fifth, injuring his near hind leg, and letting Stockman and Mickey Free up. He still, however, kept in front, and led over the last fence but one, and at this time it looked "a guinea to a gooseberry " on him, but ha made a mistake at the last fence, and fell all over Dan, who was so much shaken that he was unable to remount until Stockman had passed him. Mickey Free also coming down, left the issue to the former and Sir Tatton, who was unable to catch Stockman, who won as he liked. - . , New ZeaiiAND Ghakd NA/rioxAli Handicap, of 200 soys, with a sweepstake of 6 soys each, to «o to the second horse. Nominntion of 2 soys o teh to go the fund. Distance, übiut four miles. Mr L. Markey's g g Moustrj.p, aged, by C'amden , Creep -Mouse, list 4lbs (M C^y) 1 Mr W P Nellbon's br g Mooso, aged, lOst lOid (P Mathev.B) 2 Mr W. Seabright's b g Zathnd, agod, lOst 31D3 .. 3 Mr C G Hawiion's eh g livers ey, aged, 12st 71b9 (Joyce) 0 Mr S G Dolinnn's br g Shark, nged, list (Sheenan) 0 Mr G P Williams's gr g Rikir, 5 yrs, lOst lOlbs (3 Osborno) 0 Mr W M'Lra'th'db pr Lunatic, aged, lOst, sibi.

carried lOsc Gibs (W Hawking 0 Mr W I? NeiUon'a eh g Te Whetuni.ir.vina, 0 yrs, llßb lOllis (A. Lyford) 0 The following horses ware scratched : — T. Esjan's b g The Don, Mr R. Eraser's b g Shillelagh, Mr S. Powell's eh g The Agent. Betting : 3tol on the field. On the flag being lowered to a bad start, Moose cut out the running at a strong pace, being closely followed by Mous9trap, Eversley, Fakir, Shark, Lunatic, and Te Whetu, Zetland being last. At Redwood's fence Eversley went up to the little grey, and the pair assumed a lead of about three lengths, Moose still being second, the rest followhig in tho order named. On coming to the stone wall opposite the stand Mousetrap and Eversley, who were both jumping well, and pulliDg double, negotiated it together in splendid style, the rest of the field still maintaining the same posi:ion. At next fence Te Whetu blundered, and disposing of hia jockey got away from him. At tho double, which Mousetrap led Eyersley over at n clipping pace.Fakir ran round, and being taken back again ran right across Moose, who was ju st coming at it, the result being that both horses fell together, without, however, injuring their riders, who were speedily in the pigskin again. From this out the race apparently la.y between tbe top weight and Mousetrap, who was now forcing the running at a tremendous pace. Before the next fence was reached it was evident that the big chesnut wa« hanging out signals o£ distress, and "the pony "being full of running and jumping the last fence in good form, left his companion on the other side, he being too beaten to get over. While repeatedly refusing he was passed by Moose and Zetland, who both managed to get safely ovHyathough completely beaten, and the p«ir ran a good race home for second place, Moo-e, winning by a head, Mousetrap having already won the race by 40 lengths. The rest walked in with the crowd. Hunt Club Cup, of 150 oov3, with a swaepstakes ot 5 soys each to go to the siicond horso. Nominations of 2 s^vs to go to tho fiu-.d. Woight for ago. Amateur ridoi s allowed 71o>. Distance, about 8 miles. Mr W P Neilson's cb g To Whetumarama by Traducor, 0 yrs, 129t 31b .. .. (D O'Brien) 1 Mr S G Doliuan's br g Shark, iigod . . (She9nan) 2 Mr L Markov's g g Mousetrap, aged, 12a 3lb(M'ooy) 8 Mr II Fraser's br g Shillelagh, agod, 12nt Sib (F Simpson) 0 Mr F Egan's b g Tho Don, azed, list 10lb (Mr Goodman) 0 Betting : Even against Mousetrap ; 6to 4 against Te Whetu ; 4to 1 apainHfc any other.

After a soniewbat indifferent start, they got away with Mousetrap leading over the first jump, Sbillelaerb. muring second, the Don and To Whetu bringing up tho ronr, Shark last. Shark, however, rushed through hiy horses, and got on even Irrnn with Mousetrap at the second fence and soon assumed the lead, Shillelagh running third, Te Whetu next, and the Don acting as whipper in. Shark and Mousetrap topped the wall in company, Shillelagh still third, and the other two maintaining their respective positions. Mous otrap came again to the front at Redwood's, with Shark in close atteudunce. At the back of the course Shark and Mousetrap were running neck and neck, Shillelagh being out or it, and Te Whetu coming up, This order was maintained to the double, where Te Whetu rushed to the leaders, closely followed by Shillelagh. There, however, Mousetrap'e exertions in the big race began t0 tell their tale, for though talcing the J&st fenof