RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 4 March 1882, Page 21

RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

DUNEDIN J.C. AUTUMN MBEETING.

First Day— Thursday President -Mr James Marshall. Vice-president-Mr James Hazlett. Judge-Mr Jno. Stephenson. Starter -Mr T H. Dodaon. Stewards-Mr H. Driver, M H.R., Mr G. M. Bell, MrH. J. Maclean, Mr J. Shand Mr H. Bastings, Mr R. Wilson, Mr G. Dowse, Mr W. H. Taggtvrb, Hon. G. M'Lean, M.L.C , Mr L. Maclean, Mr J. Jobberns, Mr D. Proudfoot, Mr Jaa. Davidson, Mr T. W. Hungerford, Mr J. Reany, Mr Geo. Dodson. Mr J. F. Kitching,\ Dr Coughtrey. Clerk of the Course— Mr H. Gourley. Clerk of the Scales -Mr S. G. Smith. Treasurer— Mr F. Meenan. Timekeeper MrS. Kohn. Handicappers ■ Messrs Dowae, Jobberns, and Taggart. Secretary— Mr Sydney James. The weather on Thursday, in spite of the gloomy forebodings that were indulged in, proved exceedingly favourable, and the prospect of a large attendance to witness the Cup lent an extra attraction for that section of the public who are interested rather in the sights and sounds of a racecourse than in the actual sport. From an early hour the road between Dunedin and Forbury was alive with vehicles of all shapes and sizes, each conveying a goodly number of spectators, and they continued to ply backwards and forwards in an almost unbroken stream up to 3 o'clock, at which time the bustle and excitement was at its height. At the hour fixed for the Cup race there could not have been, by a rough estimate, less than eight or nine thousand people on the course. The grand' stand was to the full as crowded as we recollect to have seen it in former years, and many of the ladies' costumes were exceedingly tasteful. The totalisators, of which there were- three in all, worked under the auspices of the Jockey Club, *nd did an enormous amount of business during the day, "no less than £4810 being invested altogether, the dividends in some cases, especially in that of the Cup, being very considerable. . The racing of yesterday, on the whole, may be described as exceptionally interesting, several of, the events being closely contested, and all being previously considered fairly open. For the Hurdles, Clarence was greatly fancied, and level money was all that could be obtained about his chance. Agent, who stripped well, found plenty of support at 4to 1 ; out decidedly the prettiest-looking of the bunch was Carrigeen, whose condition appeared everything that could be desired. The. victory of Agent, although not the best that could have come off for the ring, pleased many. Nonsense at the last moment created also a most favourable impression, but it was not thought that she would be able to show in front of Mr Robinson's colt. The great event of the day was productive of tremendous excitement, and there was perhaps more outside speculation than has been the case for some years past. The race was regarded as an open thing, but Libeller, Chancellor, and Mataku carried most of the public money, the latter being warmly supported at a shade of odds. The result proved, indeed, a surprise to most persons present, as Lady Emma was looked upon as fairly out of it at the weight. She, however, ran gamely throughout, Allan keeping her judiciously in the background until a mile and a-half had been covered. When called upon, however, she came in a style that would brook no denial, and earned a most popular victory. The Selling 'Race was won by Laertes; and for the Publicans' Handicap the field dwindled down to three, of which Nautilus was universally selected as the winner. He justified general expectation by keeping an easy lead throughout, and there was little interest in the running. A most exciting tussle, however, resulted for the Maiden Plate, which looked as nearly as possible a dead-heat, a few inches at the most separating the first couple. The following are details of the various events : — HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 80 soys ; the second hors-e to receive 10 soys from the BtaUes. Two miles and a. distance, over 10 ilights of hurdles, 3lt Gin high. Mr P. Butlers eh g The Agent, by Oliver Cromwell, a^cd, 12st .. .. (T. Lyford) 1 Mr B. Zurbano's br g Trovatore, 4 yra, Sit 71b (W.Clifford) 2 Mr J. H. Lunn'a b g Clarence, iiged, list 121b (Lunn) 3 Mr Thomas Foster's g g Rocket, aged, IOsL (Alexander) 0 Mr D. Proudfoot's b g Isaac, aged, 9st 12!b (M'C>y) 0 Mr T. Leahy's gr g Dandy, aped, 9st 71b (J. Allen) 0 Mr T. W. Huugorford's gr h Carrigeen, agoil, 9st (J. CJottou) 0 Betting : 6to 4 agst Clarence, 4 to 1 Agent, 5 to 1 Rocket. Considerable time was lost at the post, owing mainly to the restiveness of Rocket and Clarence, who both broke away several times. A splendid start was, however, eventually obtained. Tho first hurdle was taken pretty well together, Trovatore showing with a slight lead in front of Rocket, Dandy, and Agent. At the second jump Rocket secured an advantage, and the r.old straggled oub. The order at t,-e half-distancp v/a-s ;ls follows : — The greys, RockoL and Oarrigeeii, blowing the way, closely followed by Trovatore ; Clarence, lying well back, fouvt'h ; and Isaac bringing up the rear. All of the foremost horses wore jumping

cleanly, Oarrigeen especially seeming full of go, At the far side of the course Agent, who had been held well back, went up with a rush and challenged the leaders. Rocket here fell, and Carrigeen appearing to have had enough of it, an exciting race ensued between Trovatore, Clarence, and Agent. They entered the straight almost neck-and-neck ; but whilst Clarence and Trovatore were under the whip, Agent came along almost without asking, and won by a length and a-half in front of Trovatore ; Clarence third, four lengths behind ; Carrigeen fourth. Time, 4 mm 32 sec There was £870 in the three totaliiators, of which £164 was on the winner. THE CHAMPAGNE STAKES, For two-year-olds ; a sweepstakes of 10 soys each, with 150 soys added. Colts, Bst 101b ; fillies, VBstV Bst 71b ; no allowance for geldings. The second horse to receive 20 soys from the stakes. Six furlongs, Mr H. Horsford's eh f Nonsense, by Albany— No Name, 2 yrs, Bst 71b .. .. (llickton) 1 Hon. W. Robinson's br c Vanguard, by Traducer— En Avant, 2 yrs, Bst 101b .. .. (Derritt) 2 Messrs Mason and Vallance's br c Turquoise, by Tubal Cain— Topaz, 2 yrs, Bst 101b . . (Wattie) 8 Messrs Mason and Vallance's br c Armourer, by Tubal Cain-Seaahell, 2 yrs, Bst 101b.. (Webster) 0 Mr G. Dodson's b f by Cassivelaunus— Miss King, 2 yrs, Bst 71b . . (Thompson) 0 Mr J. Cowan's br f Argolis, by Tubal CainArgosy, 2 yrs, Bst 71b .. ..(T.Allen) 0 Mr J. Cowan's b f Stockflower, by Saunterer— Stockrose, 2 yrs, Bst 71b . . (Lawrence) 0 Mr J. Stephenson's eh c Taiaroa, by Tubal Cain — Ace of Heartß, 2 yrs, Bat 101b (S. Waddell) 0 Mr P. Butler's b f Te Ata, by Koran— Awatea, 2 yrs, Sat 71b . . . . . . (Ivemy) 0 Betting : sto 2 agst Nonsense, 6to 4 Vanguard, sto 1 Turquoise ; 7» 8, and 10 to 1 any othor. Siesta was scratched, The was very little trouble at the post, and the field were sent away well together. Nonsense went to the front in the first few strides, and was closely followed by Vanguard, Armourer, and Stockflower. Argolis acted as whipper-in. There was little excitement in the running, as Nonsense maintained her lead with the greatest ease, and although Vanguard was called upon he was unable materially to improve his position. Turquoise before entering the straight came away through Armourer and the second-class runners, and took third place. Both Derritt and Wattie were whipping hard in the run home, but Nonsense, with the lighter weight, came in hands down, a winner by slightly over a length; Turquoise third, three lengths in the rear ; Te Ata fourth. Time, Imm 18 sec. ,. The time as taken from the fall of the flag was 1 mm 15£ sec, but this was late in falling, and 1 mm 18 sec is correct. The totalisators in the enclosure showed respectively 77 and 51 on the winner, the total numbers being 307 and 188. In the other machine, out of 173, Nonsense was selected by 57.