THE NELSON RACES.

Colonist, Volume XXXI, Issue 5169, 23 March 1888, Page 3

THE NELSON RACES.

The attendance on tho race course at Richmond Park was not 30 large yesterday as on tho first day of the meeting, nevertheless it was good, and the sport commenced well, for the two first events ware watched with great interest. Undoubtedly the Hurdle liaces were the. best and most exciting of those which took place yesterday, for tho number of starters in the subsequent events were so limited that tho interest was not maintained. Then, too, there were some long delays to some extent necessitated by reason of handicaps having to be prepared, but although the last race was got off earlier than was the case last year, the publio were naturally dissatisfied when they were kept waiting about for a race to start. Tho fact of unforeseen circumstances preventing the getting off of the event* at the appointed time does not weigh muoh with the mass of people who are wait, ing, and one result of such delay 3is that many leave before the last race is run. No doubt several of the Stewards fully appreciate ths necessity of keeping as cloaa to time as possible, and some of them were ceitainly doing their btst yesterday to_ huivy things on; still in order to satisfy the "publio it will bo necessary ta get the racing over by five o'clook, and there should be no -difficulty in doing so. Some allowances are to be made for the delays which have occurred during j this meeiing, and the experiences of the past \ I two days will in all probability lead to punctuality being better observed in the future, Before the dato of the next annual 1 meeting of the Nelson Jockey Club is fixed, it will be advisable to correspond with other Clubs so that the Nelson meeting dees not clash with others, as it has done this year, but although other meetings have affected the number of horses which have taken part in these races, there would still have been a greater number of starters but for some of the horses nominated having'-met with mishaps. Two or three horses were unable to start yesterday in oonsequence of their being unfit, and especially was general regret expressed when it became known that Puritan bad met with an accident which prevented him running. This horse in being taken aorosa the course got foul of some timber and injured itself. The accident was particularly unfortunate for Mr Tafner, as ths horse was generally admitted to be j very fit, and Puritan was only one of those whioh had to be scratched for all engngements. However, tho meeting it3elf has passed off without a single accident worth speaking of, for the only spill was unattended by'injury, and Dome of the races were exceedingly pretty. Tho fine course and tho j pleasant outing was enjoyed by all, and it may be pretty safely predicted that both sport and attendance will be better next year. [ Handicappors may always expect to be found fault -with, but the results at thi» meeting* have shown that the handicappers were muoh nearer the mark than some who found fault with them. Mr Evett was the handioapper for the first day, and the Stewards prepared the handicaps for the distriot races and for all the events yesterday In yasterday's issue tho good services of the (Judge and tho starter were alluded to, and it is only possible now to repeat tbe romarks then made concerning these gentlemen,' the Clerk of the Course, the Secretary and his Assistant, and tho3e who conducted the Totalisator. It ha 3 also to be mentioned that Mr J. K. Kittle acted in his usual capacity as Clerk of tho Scales, and that Mr Fred Greenfield was Timekeeper. Praise is, however, due to Mr Chaa. Sharp, the Treasurer, who had his hands vary full on both days, as well as to Mr Percy Adams and Mr Rodk. Mcßae, who were chiefly engaged on bebalf of the Stewards generally. It is a coincidence that the amount put through the Totalisator yesterday was exactly the same as that passed through on the previous day— namely, £1153—thus making a toial for the meeting of £2,300, which is considerably below the average. The band stand was altered yesterday, ami the ohango of position "was a very great improvement. Subjoined are the particulars of the races:— Hubdle Race, Handicap, of £50; two miles spd a half. Over ten flights of hurdles, 3ft.. fr'n. high. Mr M'Coll's br g Orient, aged, 12st 121bs (Gentry) 1 Mr H. Satherlsy's b g Oceola, aged, 103t (Winteringtiaiß) 2 Mr H. Newman's g ni Jilt, aged, Bst 71ba (Poison) > .. --v 3 The scratching of Freebooter,ana Myrtle left only a trio to be sent away^sad from a capital rtart Jilt took the lead^nd her rider could not keep her back. Passing the Stand the first time, tbe grey mare vtas leading with Oceola and Orient lying a couple of lengths behind. The same order was maintained and tbe jumps were taken remarkably well right round tho back of the course to the sea, where Jilt went off the course, and was thereby put, completely out of the race. Coming past the Stand next time Oceola was a length in advance of Orient, and Jilt, after coming up and taking her jump in. grand style, was pulUd up, h«r position being hopeless bar accident. At the back of the course Orient made a grand jump, recovering some 3 yds and coming up to Ooeola, and by the Bea the old horse was pat to it. He came down tho straight with plenty in reserve, and beat Oceola with ease by a bare couple of lengths. Time, 5 mine 30 sees. There were 173 investors on the Totalisator, 80 on the winner, and these drew £1 18s each. BISTBICT HtfUDLE EiCB, HANDICAP, £40 ; two miles and a half. Over ten flights of hurdles 3ft. 6in. high. Mr H. Newman's gr in Jilt, aged, 9st (Poison) 1 MrF. Green's oh g Dang-rous aged, 9st (J. Reilly) 2 Mr Page's b h Bata, aged, 9st (J. W. . Reilly) 3 The scratobing of Bones left four starters, Myrtle,, list, being the other to run. As in the former race, Jilt was very anxious to take the van, but the field might for loma distance have besn covered by a table cloth, Myrtle and Jilt having a slight advantage, and Dangerous and Rata being together, after getting once round the course, Rata tailed behind for a time, Jilt leadiug with Myrtle following. Passing the Stand the second time, however, all were well together, Jilt having a slight advantage. Down by the toad all were in a line, and at the south-eaet corner Myrtle was Bhowing out, but soon after Rata showed signs of distress. At the north-east turn Jilt led with Myrtle in attendance, and Dangerous making Eard work to keep up. By the eea Myrtle had secured the lead, and she maintained it to the straight, but at the hurdle tkt-re she fell, her rider Driseoll having a narrow escape from the following horses. Jilt was then left with a big advantage, and coming up the straight; Dangerous and Rata were under whip and spur, and they responded so well that the whip was applied to Jilt, who however won with tolerable ease, Dangerous and Rata being very close for second -plaoe. Time, 5 mina 25eecs. The totalisator paid a dividend of £3 6s, there being 64 investors, on Jilt out of a total of 236. Selling Hack Race, £10; one mile and a distance. Post entries. Minimum weight, Bst. Opori to all horses that have never won an advertised race of over £10. The winner to be sold for £20. Mr Hathaway's Blucher (Burkett) .. 1 Mr Delaney's Master Juan (F. Page) , „ 2 Mr H. Satherley'a MiseD'Or (H.Peters).. 3 This race was virtually between Master Juan and Blucher from start to finish. Mr Dillon's Fisheiman, the only other horse entered, being out of it after a short distance had been run. There was a good race at the finish, Blucher winning by a length from Muster Juan ; Miss DOr being third. Time, 2mins 15secs. Totalisator dividend, £5 14s; there being 171 investors, and 27 on the winaer. It is worthy of mention that this race did not Btort till about a quarter to three, wherea3 it should have taktn place at a quarter past one. Tka winner was pat up at auotiun, and bought in, ■ '■".■" ]

RiCHMONB Park Ftakes, Handicap, £115 ; one mile and three-quarters!* The second hoi so to receive £15 out of the StikfiP. Mr H. Eedwood's b m Her Ladyship, 3 yrs 7st 121bs (T. Ball) .. ... i Mr A. Peters' b h Smooth, 4 yrs, 7st lOlbs (Peters) .. .", " '.. ~ .'., 2 This was a most uninteresting race, Dudu, Puritan, * Voltigeur, and Loohnagar being scratched, thus leaving only two horses to ran, Her Xjadyehip having it all her own way from tart- to finish, and although flhe was only f some twelve lengths in advance at the post she might well have distanced her opponent. Indeed, the mare apparen-.ly did^not think she had been racing, for after passing the Judge, she went round the coinse twice on her own account. Time, 3mina 29secs. Totalisator dividend, 235; there being 187 investors on the winner out of a total of 245. Ladies' Pubse, Weltbk Weight iron Age, £30; 1 mile and a quarter. Mr Tancred'a oh h Forestw, 4 yrs, list (Jas. Hathaway) .. • • .. 1 Mr H. Eedwood's b m Her Ladyship 3 yw lOst lib (Eobt. Hathaway) .. .. 2 Dadu, Puritan, Voltigeur, and Lochnagar were scratched, leaving but two horses in the running, fid owiag to Her Ladyship having been headstrong and taken a couple of miles extra gallop after the last race, Forester staited favorite., Frpm the stare, Her Ladyship took the inside running and the advantage, but at the back of the course Forester obtained the lead, and held it to the finish, winning by a clear length. Time, 2mins 25 seo3. Totalisator dividend, £1113 on the 53 tickets taken on the winner out of a total of 93.' Consolation Bade, Handicap, £25 j one mile and a distanoe. Mr ■ Bartlett's b m Maud, 6 yrs, 7st olbs (Peters) .... .. ..1 Mr W. Page's br h Lochnagar, aged (F. Page) .. .. 2 Mr H. Satherley's Oceola, ag)d (Burkett) 8 Mr Alexander's Freebooter and Mr Green's Dangerous were also nominated, but the former was scratched, leaving four starters, end these were cleverly sont away by Mr Bird. Lochnsgar and Maud who was declared to carry olbs extra, at once settled down as though they had it to themselves, but after going half round Dangerous made an effort, and then Oceola was seen to ho gaining ground. However the result was never in actual doubt, and Maud won with comparative ease, Lochnagar being a good second. Time,2min 10£sec3. The totalisator dividend, £1 16s paid on 116 tickets, there j being £235 on the machine. This being the last event on the programme the 1888 meeting was then virtually at an end, and we learn that the settling will take place en Monday night.