SPORTING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3787, 27 May 1885, Page 3

SPORTING.

[Bt Telegraph.] Napier, May 26. At the Petono races yesterday the chief event, the Birthday Handicap, of 100 sovs, was won by Mystery, Ugly Buck second, Emir Bey third. On the course a horse harnessed to a cart bolted into the crowd near the Stand, and injured several persons severely, bat no fatal results are recorded. Christchurch, May 26. Welcome Jack has been scratched for the Now Zealand Cup. Dunedin, May 26. The settling-up took place to-day, when the following amounts were paid over: — J. Stephenson £323 P. Butler ... 250 W, Haokshaw ... ... 135 J P. Kitching 65 Hon. G, McLean ... 50 A.G. Clark 50 M. and G. Hobbs ... 50 J. Rivers 30 M. Sherwin 30 Several smaller sums brought the total up to £1157. Twenty-four nominations have been received for the Champagne Stakes, 1886.

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES.

Christchurch, May 27.

The New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase meeting was held to-day. The weather was fine but cloudy, with a strong South-West breeze. The course is in excellent order. About 2000 people were present. Gband National Handicap, about 4

miles.

Messrs M. snd C. Hobbs’ Moody, list (0. Hobbs) 1 Mr J. Ksrr’a Lin wood, list 41b (Cotton) 2 Hon. E. Eodney’s Herrington, 10« t 111 b ... ~... (Lyford)_ 3

Mr H. Piper’s Eavenswood 12st 71b, Mr 3. Lonn’e King Arthur 12st 41b,and Ur Proffic’e Scrutineer, 12st 21b, also ran. King Arthur led at the start, Barrington being second, and Moody third. Approaching the big sod wall King Arthur had a lead of twenty lengths from Linwood, who was followed by Herrington, Moody, Scrutineer and Eavenswood in the order named. At the double opposite the Grand Stand King Arthur and Linwood refused and Berrington led the others over. At the fence near Cntta, Scrutineer baulked and Berrington got six lengths lead of Moody, who was the same distance from Linwood. The gorse near Ford’s was negotiated by Berrington, Linwood and Moody, in this order. After going once round. Linwood went up to Berrington, and the big sod fence was taken by the pair in company with Moody six lengths behind, and Eavenswood fonrtb. After two miles had been covered Moody closed on the leaders, and at the double opposite the Grand Stand Berrington knocked down tbs second hurdle. The fence at Gntt’s was taken by Berrington with Linwood on his quarter and Moody a couple of lengths sway, a long gap separating him from Bavenswood, King Arthur, and Scrutineer. King Arthur fell one and a quarter miles from home, and the three leader* took the gorse fence opposite ford’s simultaneously. Hobbs then fetched Moody up, and a pretty rsoo resulted between the three. Moody led at the third fence from home followed by Berrington and Linwood, Ravenswood coming up band over hand. At the first sod wall in the straight Ravenswood fell, Sheehan being severely shaken. Moody was never caught and won easily, Linwood second, a good half dozen lengths ahead of Berrington. Time —11 mins 35 secs, Totalisator dividends —£6 11s 6d and £8 8a 6d. Betting—2 to 1 against Linwood and Bavenswood,J3 to 1 Berrington, 4to 1 £ing Arthur, 5 to 1 the others. Maiden Steeplechase, about 2 miles. I Mr E. Agnew’s (Lyford) 1 Mr 6, S. Starkey’s Sefton (late Maori Boy), I2st 31b (J. Cotton) 2 Mr J. H. Lunn's Pickles, I2st 31b (Lunn) 3 Mr Leaver’s Secretary, 12st 31b ... 0 Sefton led at the Stand followed by Donald and Secretary and Pickles bringjng np the| rear. At the double opposite the Stand Sefton led with Donald second and Secretary third. Donald was the only one safely over the fence near Cutts, and by the time he reached Ford’s bad placed a quarter of a mile between himself and Sefton. He wai never caught, winning by that distance, Sefton being about three lengths from Pickles, Secretary being nowhere. Totalisator dividends—£2 9s 6d, and £2 Bs. Belting—6 to 4 against Donald, 2 to 1 Pickles and Secretary, 4 to 1 Sefton.

Handicap Hdedi.es, Mr Leaver’* Secretary walked over, Scrutineer and Master Agnes being scratched. Tally-ho Handicap, about Senile*. The Hon. P. Rodney’s Berringten list (Lyfoid) 1 McssrsM. and C, Hobbs’ Moody, list 61b (Mr Jefferson) 2 Mr H, Piper’s Eavenswood, and Mr V. Campbell’s Madge also ran, Moody led at the start, followed by

Berrington and Madge, and in that order ■ they took the double, Moody then increased his lead and Rivenawood came up to the other two. All four closed and took the first sed wall in the straight abreast. Madge and Moody drew ahead but baulked at the next double. Berrington was first over the fence at Cults, with Ravtnswood three lengths behind, the others some distance off. The positions were altered till Ravenswood fell at the last fence but one. Berrington then went away, winning as be liked. Time —stnin 57«ecs. Totalisator Dividends —£4 9s and £4 11s. Betting—3 to 4 against Ravenswood, 2 to 1 Moody and Berrington, 5 to 1 Madge.