THE SOUTH CANTERBURY STEEPLE CHASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2372, 17 August 1899, Page 35

THE SOUTH CANTERBURY STEEPLE CHASE.

The new racing season opened on Thursday last, wher the South Canterbury Hunt Club got off its postponed race meeting. The Timaru Herald reports that the meeting was held at Holme station, and proved a great success, both from attendance and racing points of view. The club recognised that the station is rather far away, and had made arrangements to hold the meeting at Mr Robert Brookland's Lower Pareora, but the snow and rain effectually cancelled these, and the meeting was consequently brought off as above. The course was the usual one, over capital country, and the going was exceptionally good. A goodly number of lovers of hunting drove or cycled out of town, and found the roads, both by the zigzag and Heaconsfield, somewhat heavy. The weather was n.ild, the sky being overcast, but got cold towards evening ; as a whole, however, it was an enjoyable afternoon. The attendance was very representative, southern visitors from as far as Waimate being in the majority. From a good start in the principal race Tommy and Dugald made play in company, and on coming to the gorse all flow it but Bnllbird and Taipo. The latter refused, and Bellbird taking off big landed right on it, and came down heavily. Passing the judge the' first time Tommj and Dugald took the double in company, Sam just giving Pareora a lead, and of tho others Taipo made splinters of the post and rail?. As they passed along the back Tommy left his companion, and Sam moved up to Dugald, but on coming to the gorse by the entrance gate, Tommy ran off, and left Sam to pilot the others. Tommy, however, was soon put straight agajn, and although he blundered over the sod wall, he was up with the leaders again as they came for the second time in front of the judge's fland. He and Ram took the double almost on terms, and then Tommy was away again, and Sam being in distress was easily passed by Dugald. All this time Bellbird was mulo ing up ground fast, and all went well until the leaders reached the sod wall. Tommy raced at this, and came down heavily, unseating and giving his rider an ugly fall. Dugald then had his turn, and jumping beautifully ran in an easy winner, amid great applause, by about four lengths. Tommy, who had been recaught, was third, Bellbird having another mishap in the paddock near home. Mr Orton (the well-known huntsman) thoroughly deserved his win, as he rode exceedingly well, never bustling the handsome chestnut, who made no mistake over the lengthy journey. Time, Bmin 52sec ; fast time for such country as was raced over.