REVIEW OF THE PAST SEASON. No. V.

Otago Witness, Issue 1555, 27 August 1881, Page 20

REVIEW OF THE PAST SEASON. No. V.

Danedin Spring raceß were held on November 30th and December Ist with £500 of added money. The opening race was the Hurdle Handicap of 35 soys, in whioh Mr D. M'Masters' game little Scamp broke his neok. The winner turned up in Mr Lunn's Clarence (list 41b), with Eildare (who also soon came to an untimely end) second, Antoinette third, Levant unplaced. In the Maiden Plate Nautilus went away from the jump, and won easily from Syl< vanus and two third-raters, The St. Andrew's' Handicap of 100 soys was booked a certainty to Mr H. Goodman's recent 1000 gninea purchase Le Loup (9«fc 121b), but after a fine struggle' through the heavy ground "Mr T. George" scored a second win with the erratio Atlantio (6at 101b), Adamant (7st 41b) was third, Libeller (7st 121b) last. The big field of ten went to the post for the Trotting Handioap of 50 soys, and the public fancies were the Canterbury mare, Doctor's Maid (50 sec) and the local trotter Native Cat (75 see). A very fine raoe resulted in Mr W. Johns' grey winning, with Mr Hall's Minnie (55 sec) seoond, Doctor's Maid third.' The Spring Handioap of 45 soya went to Messrs Mason and Vallanoe with the aid of Randwiqk (Bsfc 61b), who, after a pretty race, beat Hilarious (7st 121b), Playboy (7afc 21b), and three others. The Benevolent Scurry, won by Mr T« Allan's Sandfly, concluded the day's work. Next day Clarenoe (list 121b) added the Hunters' Handioap of 40 soys to his previous viotory, beating Kildare [9at 51b), and two more, Messrs Mason and Vallanoe secured the President's Handioap of 70 soys with Volunteer (Bat 41b), beating Atlantio (7at 41b), Hilarious (6st 121b), and Nautilus (6*t 101b) pretty easily. Old Swagsman won the Selling Baoe of 30 soys for Mr J. Hamilton, and the useful Randwiok (Bst 21b) then off the Grand Stand Handioap of 50 soys from Hilarious (7st) and two others. After a Haok Raoe had been won by ' Mr M'Maßter's Seagull, the Consolation Handioap went to Mr F. Shaw'a Adamant (7st 71b). Libeller (Bat 101b), who showed to particular disadvantage throughout the meeting, came with a great rush in time to get second plaoe ; Sir William was third. ,' . At Masterton Opaki, Wellington, on Deoember 7th, about £200 was given in stakes. The prinoipal raoe was the Opaki Handioap of 60 soys, whioh waa won by Mr M. Farley's Angler from five looal horses. The Distriot Handioap of 40 soya fell to R. Higginson's Annie (Bat), beating Comus and Danebury (lOst 71b) ) Mr J. Deßmond's Kangaroo defeated two others in the Hurdle Handioap of 25 sots ; the Produce Stakes of 25 soys fell to Mr J« Maoara's Treasurer, a son of Premier } and the Maiden Plate to Mr T. Ray's Comus, a four- year-old son of Gladiator and Maid of the Mountain.

Oamaru (Otago) Spring raoes oame off on December 9th and 10th, but although a little over £400 was given by the Olub poor fields were the rule. The Maiden Plate of 30 soys was a gift to Mr H. Goodman's cole Sylvanus, by Golds* brough— Paradigm, who [had three opponent?* The Oamaru Handicap' of 100 soys followed, and proved as good a thing for Mr P. Butler's Luna (7at 61b), who beat Adamant (7et 61b) and Libeller (7at 121b). In the Publicans' Handicap of 40 soys Randwick (83t 41b) had only Clarence (6at 91b) to dispose of, but poor Nolan out it rather fine on the former and won by little more than a nose- Mr H. Sohluter's Little John beat three others in the Counties Plate of 25 soys, and the day's proceedings concluded with a Haok Race and the Benevolent Scurry. On the seoond day Mr Lunn secured the Hurdle Handioap of 50 soys with Robin Hood (83t 41b), beating Little John, Shillelagh and Milo. Mr Calling's Naumai took the selling Hurdle Raoe of 20 soys, and Little John scored another win in the Counties Handicap of 30 soys. Luna (Bst 101b) was again to the fore in the Flying Handioap of 50 soys, having only Sylvanus (7st 21b) and Clarence (6at 101b) to beat. The Novel Handicap of 30 soys went to Mr Evans' Nimblefoot, in a field of five and the Consolation Stakeß to Libeller (9at 41b). At Taupo, Hawke's Bay, on Deoember 16th, our old friend Te Whstumarama won for Mr Gallagher the Hurdle Handioap, but ran seoond to Mr Soott's Hastings in the Cap, and seoond to Mr Brady's Vengence in the Ladiea' Purse. The other events are unimportant.

Makikihi (Canterbury) raoes on the same date were of no great acoount. Mr Lunn's Robin Hood won the Hurdle Race; Mr J. Rich's Mokerakere, the Maiden Plate ; Mr D. Grant's Milo, the Cnp ; and a mare called Gentle Annie the Consolation Stakes.

Amberley (Canterbury) races were held on the same day, and £210 was given in stakes. Clarenoe won the Hurdle Handicap of 30 soys from Shark and Supplejack. Randwiok, still in good form, carried off the Amberley Cup of 50 soys and the Northern Handicap of 30 soys ; but he had not much against him. The Maiden Plate of 20 soys was won by Mr F. Busoh'a Farewell, a daughter of Totara ; the Ladies' Purae of 20 soya by Mr T. M'Naught'a A-Bob-In ; and the Consolation Stakes by Mr G. P. Williams' Talent.

A small trotting meeting was held at Ashburton, Canterbury, also on the 16 at whioh the Maiden Plate was won by Mr O. Digby'a Bijou from six others ; the Champion Handicap by Mr W. Oompton's Firefly ; and a Welter Race by Mr Dickson's Ploughman. No more raoe meetings were held until Christmas week, when Buoh a swarm oame off that I must defer dealing with them till my next article.