RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2529, 3 September 1902, Page 49

RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

■GERALDINE HUNT CLUB STEEPLE-

CHASE MEETING.

Thursday, Auoust 2&.

On Thursday afternoon the Geraldine branch ef the South Canterbury Hunt Club closed a roost successful season with a steeplechase meeting in a paddock, about two miles from ■town, kindly placed at the disposal of the club by Mr E. Burke. The weather was delightfully fine, aii-d tb-ere was a fairly large attendance, including a number of, ladies. No charge vas made for «<smi«sio'2i to the ground, but a collection was taken up to defray expenses, and nearly £7 was taken in the hat. "The course tvae perhaps a little rough, but on the -whole it was good going, and a most enjoyable afternoon's eport was the result, only on« accident being recorded. Every horse enterad -went in to win, and backers could therefore rely upon every race being run straight, thus snaking the events all the more interesting to fhe general public. The officials were : — Judge, Mr A. Hutcninson -, starter, Mx O. Scott Thorn- . son; clerk of scales, Mr C. K. Shallcrass; feandicapper, Mr A. Or ton. The races commenced about . 2 p.m., and were got through comfortably by a little after 6 o'clock. The j results are as follows: — MILITARY RACE. One mile.

Corporal M'Shane's Orari (Owner) .. .. 1 £*rg«ant H. Crowe's Omrah (Owner) .. .. 2 Sergeant A. MacD on aid's Honi (Owner) . . 8

Corporal E. G. Temple's Mick (owner) also •tar ted.

From a splendid start Honi was first to the front, and after making the pace for about a quarter of the distances he was caught by Orari, who then had everything hi» own way to the finish. Omrah got on even terms with Hcni at the home turn and won a good second placo with little to space.

FARMERS' TROT. Two miles.

Mr D. Lewis's Mississippi (Owner) .. .. 1 Mr J. Reid's Swift (Owner) 2 This raoo was like a funeral procession to th« home turn, when it warmed up a little, and Mississippi cams away and won by a few lengths.

STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP. About two miles, over fair hunting country. For horses ridden to hounds during the season. Mr B. .JR. MacDonaid's Agitator, 13.0 / (Owner) 1 31- Oorsbie's Rata, 12.10 (M. Harper) .. .. 2 Mr A. Barklie's Crusader, 12.0 (R. Green).. 3

The other .starters, were: Mr A. Beattie's Swagger 12.7 (owner), Mr O. Scott Thomson's Zulu 12.0 (J. O'Brien), and Dr Hislop's Sind 12.9 (M. Ormsby).

The field were got away nicely, and Zulu ■was first to make play, leading to the -first post and. rails, and aft the double he and Sind ■were racing w. ponxpany. The pair led. over the double across the road, and were still together at the back of tUc course. Sind then took commimd, with Zulu second, Swagger third, and Eata, last. In this older the field raced down tho straight. The four leaders refused tke double in front of the judge's stand, and Agitator, who was coining strongly bieliiad, took advantage and «esumed command. Swagger wm quickly got going again, «nd Sind, following, caught and passed Agitator at the back of the course and was making an easy race of it, with about two chains separating him from the second horse, when he missed the last jump and left the race to Agitator. FARMERS 1 HACK RACE HANDICAP. One mile. Mr R. Green'B Banjo, 12.10 (Owner) .. .. 1 Mr H. M'Shan&'s Orari, 12.4 (Owner) .. ..2 Dr Hayes's Jumbo, 12.10 3 Mr R. Scott's Cocky 12.4 (J. O'Brien) also started. Banjo made the pace nearly all the way. Orari once caught kirn at the back of the course, but ho aoon got to the front again and won eaeiiy.

TALLY-HO STEEPLECHASE About two miles.

Mr Corobie's Rata, 14.0 (Owner) .. .. .. 1 Mr A. Orton's Mistake, 14.0 /Owner) \ . . . 3 Mr W. Connolly's Brushwood, 14.0 (R.

Grean) 3 The other starters were: Mr J. Skinner's Te Moans (A. Beattie), Mr Barklio's Crusader, Mr W. WbacDonatd's- Paddy (P. Dick), and Mr Beattie' s- -Swagger (owner). ■

Paddy fell at the fir at post aud rail fence, turning a somersault- over his rider, who sustained a fracture of the collarbone. Mistake led till near the last jump, when Rata came away and managed to get home first an easy ■winner.

LADIES" BRACELET FLAT RACE.

Miss MacDonalcl's Honi

Miss Baxklie's Jumbo

One mile and a-ha-lf. For horses nominated by ladies and ridden by members of any hunt club. Miss Crowe's Kiwi .. .. .. .. .. •• 1 o V. V. '.'. '.'. '.'. 3 Zulu was the fii*t to moke play, and entered the straight for the first time with good hopes of a win, .bu^, getting en 100 muob. pace, belted off the track before reaching the juSge'* box. Kiwi then went to the front and led to, the finish. Zulu was Bet goiug ngain after t&e bolt, but had no hope of regaining the lost ground.

FAKE WELL HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE. About two miles. Mr A. BeaUie'e Swagger (Owner) 1 Mr A. O. Temple's Pluto (B. Woods) .. .. 2 Dr HMop's Sind (M. Ormsby) 3

Pluto held a strong lead for the first time xoujid, with Siud second wad Swagger iying third. Before the homo turn Sv.agg«r pushed <he leader li&rd, *u<l, eventually gaining oa him, cajue np the, straiglii. an easy -winner. The rider of Pluto rod© an excellent race, and na» cheezed wh«m be came in.