DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 30

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

DUNEDIN CUP DAY.

President, Hon. G. M'Lean, M.L.C. ; vicepresident, Mr John Stephenson ; stewards — Messrs J. A. Cook, J. Fleming, J. Hazlett, P. Miller, F. Meenau, 11. Gourley, J. Mills, W. H. Tag«art, L. Maclean, J. B. Keid, R. Wilson, and the lion. T. Fergus ; judge, Mr P. Miller ; starter, Mr J. (Jresswell ; treasurer, Mr F. Meenan ; clerk oE the course, Mr H. J. Gourley ; timekeeper, Mr E. Hogg ; clerk of the scales, Mr A. W. Bremner ; handicapper, Mr G. Dowse ; secretary, Mr Sydney James.

The Dunedin Jockey Club were favoured with fine weather for the opening day of bheir Autumn meeting, a fresh north-east breeze, while ib raised the dust, tempering pleasantly the heat of the sun's rays, and the attendance ab the Forbury racecourse was not only above the average of recent years, but was as large as has ever been seen at a Cup meeting. It is doubtless nothing more than a coincidence that, whilo there was such a throng of persons on the racecourse, certain meetings which were held in town were sparsely attended — that of the Dunedin Presbybery particularly so. Of course there can be no suggestion of cause and effect in this connection ; but the fact is noteworthy. To return to the racecourse : The ladies were present in the grand stand in unusually large number?, and the display of Cap toilets, aboub the wearing of which there could be in such weather no misgiving, lent to the lawn a very attractive appearance. Though visibors from the North Island were few and far between, there was a considerable sprinkling of prominent sportsmen from Canterbury present. Mr G. G. Stead was op the course, so that he was able to judge for himself whether his candidate for the Cup might or mighb nob have occupied a bebber position at the end of the race. Sir George Clifford was there bo see Teredina playing up at the start of the Champagne Stake* and to see the filly finish third to Neroli, whose

owner, Mr H. A. Knight, of Kirwee, being also present, received the congratulations of his friends upon the classic race being placed to the credit of the daughter of Artillery. Mr Pat Campbell, Mr J. A. Holmes, and Mr C. B. Winter were among other prominent Canterbury racing men who were noticed on the course, while Mr J. Tennant, whose represeutative secured a sibuation in the principal event of the meeting, and a number of stewards of country clubs were present from the south. Mr J. E. Henry, the Canterbury handicapper, was also present to compare notes with Mr G. Dowse, the weight-adjuster of these parts. While the attendance was, as has been remarked, larger than usual, speculation also was brisker than it has been for some time, the total amount which passed through the hands of Messrs Mason and Roberts, the botalisator proprietors, during the day being £9526. This sum is £608 in excess of the amount handled on the corresponding day of last year's meeting, but is less than the amount invested on bhe Dunedin Cup day of 1892. the total investments on that day being £10,958. Active steps were taken by the stewards to repress the laying of tobalisator odds, and during the afternoon nine persons, named respectively Frederick Wilson, George Smith, George Smithson, William M'Connell, D. Rosa, James Newman, Bosco Wilson, Charles Mack, .and Robert W. Price were reported as having committed a breach of the rules by betting tobalifmtor odds, and were disqualified, removed from the course, and warned off. The stewards received no information of the presence within the grounds of any of the persons who had been previoasly disqualified for laying totalisator odds. The presence of a new starter, Mr J. Cresswell, of Christchurch, was a feature of interest in the day's proceedings. The efforts of that gentleman with the flag were closely watched by the public generally and by the president of the club°in particular, who, mounted on a hack, was present at the starting point when the field was despatched in each race — a fact which was erroneously construed in certain quarters to mean that the hon. gentleman himself had some notion of qualifying for the starter's position. The impression which Mr CresswelPs wielding of the flag created may be said to have been, on the whole, favourable, the feeling being that, though he is not likely to be a brilliant starter, he ia, at all events, safe, and that so long as he handles the flag there is no danger of any serious blunders being committed. He was distinctly successful in getting the field for the Cup despatched without any fiddling at the post ; and another good start was effected in the Two-year-old Soiling Race, Mr Cresswell waiting patiently until one of the youngsters became quiet before he lowered the flag, bhe least successful efforts were in the Publicans' Handicap and Stewards' Purse, which are started at somewhab awkward corners of the course. The racing was of a thoroughly interesting character, if it could not by the utmost stretch of the imagination be bermed exciting, but the patriotic Otago sporbsman would have undoubbedly liked to have seen a larger field for the Dunedin Cvp — the most important event of our racing season — than the half-dozen horses which saddled up for thab race. If, however, bhe starters for the Cup, Champagne Stakes, and Publicans' Handicap were not numerous, the other events, with the exception of the Maiden Plate, attracted good fields, and the day's sport was certainly inaugurated satisfactorily when nine horses, comprising the best of those that have been put to the illegitimate game in the South Island, faced the starter for the Hurdle Race. There was a suspicion that some of these were not meant to win, but the totalisator figures indicated that the public were convinced that any money that was invested on Empire, Smuggler, and Clarence would be honestly run for, these three being all well backed, with Smuggler as first favourite. The unexpected, which is said to invariably happen, occurred in this race, for Cajolery, who has been suffering from soreness for a few weeks, and was on that account allowed bo go out at a price which, having regard to his racing abilities, was simply absurd, led practically all the way, and won in the end by a length from Clarence. The dividends were such as to put the supporters of the winner, who is understood to have nob been backed ab all by the stable, in a good humour with themselves for the rest of the day. The Champagne Stakes was the next event setdown for decision, and the six youngsters — only one colt among them— coloured on the card all faced the starter. Neroli commanded most supporb on the machine, but Bluefire was a better favourite on the lawn botalisator, and was backed almost equally well with the Artillery filly ; while Ambush, notwithstanding her penalty, had many friends, particularly on the machine in the shilling enclosure, where she was the basb backed of the lob. The outsider of the six was Chainshot's daughter Lady Lear, who justified the public's neglect of her by runniDg a very poor last. Neroli and Teredina, afber playing up a good deal, were given a disbincb advantage at the start, and this, as ib burned out, gave the former the race, for Bluefire (one of Maxima daughters), who got away a few lengths worse than Neroli ab bhe start, finished less than a length behind her. In connection with this race ib may be pointed out that Neroli's sire himself won the Champagne Stakes— at bhe meeting in | 1886, — aud this is the first occasion on which the evenb has fallen to the progeny of a previous winner. The next race on the programme was bhe Dunedin Cup, for which bhe half-dozen acceptors all came out. "There are only two horses in the Cup, and both of them are mares," was the confident assertion of a local sporttman a few days f\go ; but this view was not entertained by the public at Forbury, for while one of the mares engaged in the race — Mr Stead's Ich Dien — was served up a very hot favourite, Tempest was the actual outsider of the pxrty — a doubtful distincfion which bhe Southland horse Remembrance, who was backed almosb pound for pound wibh the winner of last year's Dunedin Cup, narrowly missed. After Ich Dien tbe horses most backed were Liberator and Prime Warden, but there was more money on her than the aggregate of the investments on the other two horses. The favourite, however, was defeated, though, with more judicious horsemanship, a different result might have been obtained. As it was, the lad who was riding Ich Dien allowed the filly to get so far behind that it was obviously impossible for her to get up in the last mile, and though she beat all but Liberator the finish was the reverse of exciting, Mr Butler's useful horse having nearly half a dozen lengths to spare, while Remembrance, who certainly did not disgrace Southland, was fully that distance behind Ich Dien. The my sbery about bhe Cup running, however, was bhe position occupied by Prime Warden, who apparenbly collapsed, and was pulled up a furlong in bhe rear before the race finished. The dividends paid on the winner were £5 9s and £4 18s, but the owner of Liberator had a firm belief in the ability of his horse to secure the stake, for, while bhe race was in progress he offered bo lay £200 to £100 upon the son of Betrayer— a rashly made offer which was as rashly accepted by a person standing alongside Mr Butler. There was a field of eight for the Selling Race, but the quality was very moderate; though the Aus-

tralian-bred horse Dunbar, who carried top weight, may perhaps turn out well when he is at all in condition. Derby, Lady Mab, and Lord Aston were the three picked by the public a3 having bhe besb chance, and the selecbion was a decidedly good one, for Mr Stephenson's gelding proved the winner, wibh Lord Aston next iv order, the third place beiog filled by Stockfish, who had made play for the greater part of bhe disbance. The scratching pen reduced the field for the Publicans' Handicap by one-half, only five jockeys weighing out. Flushed wibh bhe success which had attended his stable in the principal race, Mr Butler made no secret of his expectation that, through the agency of Au Revoir, he would win the second event of the double, and his confidence in the "little Frenchman " was very widely shared, for the son of St. George waa installed a strong favourite, being backed down to evens on the totalisator. Forbury, Persuasion, and Beadonwell were accorded very much the same amount of supporb, but Wolfs Crag, who completed the field, was very little sought after. The quintet were not despatched without a good deal of trouble, Au Revoir and Persuasion both being very restless, and the start was after all not a good one, Persuasion, of whose bridle Mr Cresswell had kept a hold, getting all the worst of it. Beadonwell was the first to move off the mark, and, maintaining a commanding position throughout, the locally trained colt effected a somewhat easy victory. Forbury was unable to stay the distance, and whipped in at the finish. Five withdrawals from the Maiden Plate left only four starbers, and Lord of Misrule was voted to be the good thing in the race, more than half of the money that was invested in each machine being carried by this colb. The running of Armature ab Lawrence was regarded as sufficiently promising to cause him to be fairly well supported, and Lady Mac was nexb in demand, bhe mosb friendless of the quartet being Reprieve, who had shown good form at the Maori Kaik ; but racing at the Kaik is somewhat different from racing at the Forbury, and Le Loup's son dropped to the rear in the first four furlongs. The preference shown by the public for Lord of Misrule was thoroughly justified, the race being a gift to him, for though Armature finished only a couple of lengths away it was purely on sufferance that the gelding got so close up. The Selling Two-year-old Race produced a good field and a pretty race. Quality was remarkably well to the fore in this event, Maxim, St. George, Apremont, Vanguard, King Cole, and Le Loup all being represented, while one colt, who was, however, not nearly fit, claimed the famous Australian horse Commotion for his sire. Searchlight was the j "tip" furnished by the machines, with King Wai as second best ; and this proved to be an absolutely correct estimate of the merits of the youngsters, for, with the benefit, apparently, of a flying start, the Maxim filly book the lead in the early stages of the race and was not afterwards deprived of it, while the son of King Cole was the Becond to finish. When the winner was brought under the hammer there was no bid made for him in advance of the reserve. The day's programme waf wound up with the Stewards' Purse, for which bhere were nine sbarters. Persuasion was heavily backed for this, Firsb King being most in demand of the others, but a boil-over was witnessed, bhe sbakes being secured by Cacbus, who was, wibh one exception, the outsider in the field. The contempt for the winner's chances which the investmenb3 bebrayed was altogebher unwarranted, for, apart from the fact that on the dam's side he belonged to the same stock as the renowned Templeton, Cactus beat Tempest — as readers of training notes must have known — the other morning in a half-mile gallop. The fact remains, however, that Cactus went out wibh long odds against him, got away with the lead and maintained it to the end, with the result that his backers on the lawn totalisator received £28 15s and those on the "outside" machine £40 5s for every ticket taken on him. The course, it should be said, was in first-class order, a great deal of pains having clearly been bestowed upon it of late, and the buildings having recently had a new coat of paint given to them, presented a much-improved appearance. The Ordnance Band per- i formed to the enjoyment of the spectators on the lawn, while the pleasure of those who patronised the shilling enclosure was catered to, and their pockets were appealed to, by the German band now in Dunedin. Complaints were made about the inadequacy of the service at the ladies' tea room, and there was a good deal of reasonable grumbling at the insufficiency of the accommodation on the railway for taking persons back to town after the lasb race, a large number of people being disappointed through a couple of carriages only with bhe locomotive forming the trafn which left the Forbury shortly after the completion of bhe race programme. The following are debails of bhe various events : — HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 80aovs ; the second horse to receive 103ovs from the stakes. One mile and a-half. i. O. 23 25— Mr 11. Lunn's eh h Cajolery, by Apremont—Flattery, syrs, 11.12 (Clarke) 1 124 77— Mr J. A. Holmes's b g Clarence, aged, 11.12 (Stewart) 2 195 95— Mr S. Waddell's br g Empire, aged, 10.7 (Galbraith) 3 20 16-Mr J. Poole's eh g Rebel, aged, 10.10 (Loughlin) 0 43 24— Mr D. Petrie's g g Silvertail, aged, 10 9 (Whybrow) 0 53 30— Mr W. Russell's blk g Magpie, aged, 10.5 (Holmes) 0 IGB 23— Mr J. Cook's b g Smuggler, aged, 9.9 (Poole) 0 47 37— Mr T. Daly's eh g Invader, 6yra, 9.5 [i dc. 31b over] (F.Watson) 0 11 2 — Mr R. Ellis's b g Jack Ilarka way, 6yrH, 9.4 [iuc. 41b over] ... (R.Allan) 0 659 429 Cajolery was iv front when the flog fell, and with Magpie iv close abtendance made the running, but in the first few strides Smuggler was taken into tho lead, and Magpie was pulled back to the roar. Cajolery, Empire, and Smuggler were in the van, almost abreast, at the top turn, and as they passed the stand Cajolery held command, with Empire second and Smuggler third, Silvertail and Magpie forming the rear division. At the five-furlong post Empire deprived Cajolery of the lead, and Invader occupied, third place along the back stretch, with Clarence, who was jumping badly, and Smuggler next in order. When a mile had been travelled Clarence began to go up, and as they came round the home turn was close upon Cajolery and Empire. The three negotiated the last hurdle together, but on bhe flat Cajolery more than held his own, winning by a length from Clarence, who was little more than that distance in front of Empire. Invader finished fourth, Smuggler fifth, and Magpie sixth. Time, 3min o£sec. Dividends : Inside, £22 2s ; outside, £15 Bs. CHAMPAGNE STAKES, Of 250sovs, with a sweepstakes of lOsovs each ; the second horse to receive BOsovs, and the third 25sovs from the stakes. For two-year-olds—colts 8.10, fillies and geldings 8.7. Six furlongs. 187 78-Mr H. A. Knight's br f Neroli, by Artillery— Nenuphar, 8 7 (Clarke) 1 164 84— Mr G. G. Stead's b f Bluefire, by Maxim— Sapphire, 8,7 (Derrett) 2 45 27— Sir G. H. Clifford's b f Teredina, by Maxim-Teredo, 8. (Matthews) 3

137 $— Mr J. B. Reid's br f Ambush, by Van- \ guard— Fairymaid, 9.0 [inc. 71b 1 penalty] (P.M'Grath) 0 85 |2— Mr B. Curtis's b c Casket, by CastorBangle, 8.10 (H. M'llroy) 0 33 17— Mr J. Meikle's br f Lady Lear, by Chain Shot-Miranda, 8 7 — (Stratford) 0 651 ?37 After some delay ab the poßt, caused by the f rac pousneßß of Neroli and Teredina, the fl»g was )owered to a moderate Btart, of which NerpJ»^ad distinctly the best, Teredina getting aw*y second, Casket third, and Bluefire last ; buS in the first furlong Ambush was taken into second place, and after the half-mile post had bee& passed Bluefire forged up next to the Vanguard filly, while Lady Lear had already dropped far behind. Approaching the home turd Bluefire made up ground very rapidly, but Neroli led inbo the straighb, wibh Ambush second. The latber cried content ab five furlongs, and passing the people's stand Teredina made a good rush nexb bhe rails, while Bluefire challenged Neroli on the oubside, bub bhe Artillery filly, maintaining her advantage, won by three-parts of a length. Bluefire and Teredina finished almost abreast, the judge's verdict placing the Maxim filly a neck ahead. Casket was fourbh, Ambush fifth, and Lady Lear a bad lasb. Time, lmin 17-lsee. Dividends : Inside, £3 2s ; oubside, £3 17s. Winners of Champagne Stakes.

dunedin cup, Of 500sovs ; the second horse to receive 40sovs, and the third 20sovs from the stakes. Two miles and a distance, i. o. 23r 123— Mr P. Butler's br g Liberator, by Betrayer— Diana, aged, 8.3 (Stratford) 1 558 2§2-Mr G. G. Stead's br f Ich Dien. 3yrs, 7.5 (Wilson) 2 166 77— Mr J. Tennant's br h Remembrance, syrs, 6.11 (Pine) 3 221 88-Mr M. Ilobbs's br h Prime Warden, 6yrs, 9.1 ... (F. Cochrane) 0 100 53-Mr J. B. Reid's b h Dilemma, syrs, 7.6 (Pagen) 0 16G 72— Mr J. Stephenson's b m Tempest, ZSTm 6yrs ' 613 (W - Reay) ° The field were despatched in even line at the first attempt, Prime Warden and Tempest, who were on the outside,- being rushed across into the lead. When they settled down into their places Tempest was in front, with Prime Warden second,' Remembrance third, Ich Dien fourth, Liberator fifth, and Dilemma sixth, and this was the order in which they passed the stand, bub at the seven-furloDg post Liberator took fourth place. As they turned into the back stretch Tempest had a two-lengths' lead, and Remembrance ranged alongside Prime Warden, who began to drop back at the fivefurlong post, Liberator assuming third place, while Ich Dien lay last. At the top of the course Tempest still held a useful lead, and Liberator deprived Remembrance of second place, while Dilemma was fourth. Entering the straight last year's winner showed the way, with Liberator closing upon her, Remembrance third, Dilemma fourth, Prime Warden (under the whip) fifth, and Ich Dien last, bub before the stand had been reached Tempest resigned the lead to Liberabor, who, making the pace a sound one, entered the lasb mile with an advantage of three lengths, Remembrance was still third, and Dilemma fourth, the latter being three lengths in front of Ich Dien. Opposite the windmill the favourite came with a strong rush and at the six-furlong post was third, Liberator still having a strong lead from Remembrance, who was second, having passed Tempest just previously. At the five-furlong post Dilemma, under punishment, forged past Tempest, and a furlong further along Remembrance was being ridden in the attempt to keep his place. Approaching the home turn Liberator was also under the whip, bub be held a substantial advantage at the enbrance to bhe straight, where Ich Dien was coming strongly. At the distance po9t the favourite passed Remembrance bub she could never geb on terms with Liberator, who won easily by five leDgths in a straggling finish, Ich Dien passing the judge's box half-a-dozen lengths in front of Remembrance. Tempest was fourth and Dilemma fifth, while Prime Warden pulled up, hopelessly out of the race, ab the bottom of the straight. Time, 3min 53sec. Dividends : Inside, £5 9s ; outside, £4 18s.

Winners of the Dunedin Cv:

* Aiter a dead heat with R. Ray's Sinking Fund, 6yrs, 6.10, run in 3min 57sec.

SELLING RACE, Of 50sovs. Weight for age. The winner to be sold for .£4O ; if entered to be sold for £20, allowed 141b ; £10, 211b ; nil, 281b. One mile and a distance, i. o. 195 83— Mr J. Stephenson's eh g Derby, by Daniel O'Rourke (nil), aged, 6.13 (J. Rae) 1 151 72— Mr J. Harris's eh g Lord Aston (£0), aged, 7.13 (Barry) 2 35 13— Mr J. M'Kewen's b g Stockfish (£10), aged, 7.6 (M'Comb) 3 10 B— Hon. H. Mossman's br h Dunbar, (£2O), 4yrs, 8.0 (M'lntosh) 0 22 9— Mr J. R. Richards's b g Surefoot, (£10), aged, 7.6 (Rainbow) 0 128 79— Mr J. Loughlin's b m Lady Mab (nil), aged (Pine) 0 24 11— Mr R. Cotton's eh g Pennine (nil), aged, 6.13 (Tree) 0 12 7-Mr A. M'Kellar's br g Milord (nil). aged, 6.13 [car. 7.3] ... (Ayers) 0 578 283

The horses were in even line when the flag was lowered, and the colours of Derby were the first to show in front, bub as bhey passed bhe sband Stockfish held the premier posibion, with Derby and Lady Mab on his quarters. Cutting out the running Stockfish was three lengths in front of Derby at the seven-furlong po3b, bub a couple of furlongs laber the eon of Daniel O'Rourke was called upon and Stockfish wbb dispossessed of the lead, while Lady Mab was third, Milord tailing off, witb|D unbar next last. At the home turn Lord Aston put in his claim, but though he passed Stockfish ab the distance he was unable bo overtake Derby, who won by three lengths. Stockfish finished four lengths behind Lord Aston, and Lady Mab was fifth, Pennine sixth, and Dunbar seventh. Time, 2min 3sec. Dividends : Inside, £2 13s ; outside, £3 Is. The winner was sold to Mr Claire for £21. publicans' handicap, Of ISOsovs, with a sweepstake of 3sovs ; the second horse to receive 20sovs, and the third lOsovs from tho stakeß. Seven furlongs, i. o. 133 82— Mr S. J. Mercer's b c Beadonwell, by St. Clair-Dione, 3yrs, 7.2 (F. M'Grath) 1 158 78— Mr H. Lunn's bf Persuasion, 3yrs, 6.7 (G. Smith) 2 442 220— Mr P. Butler's eh hAu Revoir, 4yrs, 8.10 (Stratford) 3 199 78— Mr J. Stephenson's b g Forbury, 6yrs, 7.9 (W. Reay) 0 56 23-Mr J, Brett's b c Wolf's Crag, 3yrs, 6.7 mm Ccar - <UO] (Pagen) ° An indifferent start was effected, Beadonwell and Au Revoir, who had the inside running, getting best away, with Forbury third ; while Persuasion, who was on the extreme outside, lost three or four lengbhs. At the six-fnrlong post Beadonwell showed just in fronb of Au Revoir, the pair racing three lengbhs in front of Forbury, but the latter went up to them at the half-mile post, where Persuasion ran into fourth place. Beadonwell led into the straight, with Forbury and Au Revoir a couple of lengthß away, bobh under the whip, and, though Persuasion came with a good run and secured second place, she could not get up to the colt, who won easily by a length and a-quarter. Au Revoir was three lengths away bhird, Wolf's Crag finished fourbh, and Forbury lasb. Time, lmin 30sec. Dividends : Inside, £6 13s ; oubside, £5 ss. MAIDEN PLATE, Of 60sovs ; the second horse to receive lOsovs from the stakes. Weight for ago. One milo and a quarter I. O. 268 156-MrC. Stratford's br c Lord of Misrule, by King Cole-Zealandia, 3yrs, 8.3 (Owner) 1 117 65— MrN. O. Potts's b gArmature,syrs,S.l3 (H. M'llroy) 2 83 46-Mr A. M'Donald's b m Lady Mac. 4yrs, 8.11 (M.Campbell) 3 52 40— Mr J. Davis' br h Reprieve, syrs, 9.2 (J. M-Ilroy) 0 520 307 At the fall of the flag Lady Mac was taken to the front, but Lord of Misrule almosb immediately supplanted her and led past the stand, with Reprieve third, and Armature fourth. At the seven-furlong post Reprieve dropped back last, and a furlong later Armature book second place, Lord of Misrule being, however, four lengths in front. From this poinb the race was a procession, Lord of Misrule never being caught and winning by two lengths ; Lady Mac a dozen lengbhs away, and Reprieve was a poor last. Time, 2min 20seo. Dividends: Inside, £1 14s ; outside, £1 15s. SELLING TWO-YEAR-OLD RACE, Of lOOsovs. Colts 8.5, fillies 8.0. If entered to be sold for £200, to carry stated weight ; for £150, allowed 71b; for £100, 141b. Five furlongs. 249 119— Mr G. G. Stead's b f Searchlight, by Maxim— lris (£200), 8.0 (Derrett) 1 171 121— Mr E. Cutts's b c King Wai (£100), 7.5 (Barry) 2 63 25— Mr T. Bassebb's br f Georgie Sharp (£160). 7.7 (Emmerson) 3 99 33-MrM. Sherwin's b c Barmby(£2oo),B.s (Stratford) 0 36 19— Mr T. Sheenan's eh c St. Louis (£200), 8.5 (Brown) 0 10 12 — Hon. 11. Mossman's b c Beau Brummel (£100). 7 5 (M'lntoah) 0 44 30-Mr P. Butler's b f Miss Madge (£100), 7.0 (M'Alear) 0 46 36— Mr M. Allan's eh f Leona (£100), 7.0 (Pine) 0 718 395 From a very good start King Wai was the quickest away, with Leona and Barmby next in order, the Psyche colt and St. Louis being the last to move off ; but in bhe first few strides Searchlight rushed right through the field on the outside and assumed command, King Wai lying second and Leona third. From the quarter-mile post Georgie Sharp came very fast, and she put in a strong claim at the home turn, where they were all under the whip wibh bhe exception of Searchlight, who was in the lead, with King Wai second. There was no alteration in the order of the leaders as they came up the straight, and Searchlight won by five lengths from King Wai ; Georgie Sharp was a good third, and Leona, Barmby, Miss Madge, Beau Brummel, and St. Louis finished in the order named. Time, lmin 3sec Dividends : Inside, £2 11s ; outside, £2 19s. The winner was bought in at bhe reserve. STEWAItps' PURSE WELTER HANDICAP, Of lOOsovs, with a sweepstake of 2sovs each, tho amount accruing from the sweep to go to the second horse. Six furlongs. I O. 21 B— Mr A. Smith's br g Cactus, by St. George -Folle Farine, 6yrs. 8.6 (Hendrick) 1 302 150— Mr H. Lunn's b f Persuasion, 3yrs, 8.6 (Clarke) 2 25 12— MrR Cotton's b h Wolselev, 4vrß, 9.9 (T. Cotton) 3 40 19— Mr J. R. Longfellow's eh h Exile 6yrs, 913 (Evans) 0 42 22— Mr J. Poole's blk h Maribymong, syrs, 9.2 (H. M'llroy) 0 18 12— Mr M. Allan's br h Mariner, 6yrs, 9.2 (Owner) 0 41 31 — Mr J. Loughlin's b c Aldershot, 3yrs. 9.0 (Owner) 0 118 69— Mr D. Mahoney's b g First King, 4yrH, 8.2 (Derrett) 0 64 35— Mr J. Harris's eh f Busybody, 3yrs, 8.2 (Matthews) 0 671 358 Cacbus was the best away from an indifferent start, Mariner, Wolseley, and Persuasion following him in that order ; but in the first couple of furlongs Maribyrnong joined tho leaders, supplanting Persuasion in fourth place. As they approached the home turn the latter made her rush, but Cactus led into the straight, with Mariner, Wolseley, and Persuasion in close attendance, and though Persuasion came strongly ab the finish she was unable to get up with the outsider, who won by half a length ; Wolseley was a length off third, and Mariner, Maribyrnong, Aldershot, First King, Busybody, and Exile finished in that order. Time, lmin 16sec. Dividends : Inside, £28 153 ; outside. £40 ss.

A Christchurch telegram states that at the annual meeting of the East Christchurch Football Club ib was unanimously resolved to instruct the club's delegates to vote in favour of the affiliation of tbe Canterbury Rugby Union with the New Zealand Rugby Union. Two other local clubs have also instructed their delegates to vote in the same direction,