PLEASANT POINT RACESL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 6

PLEASANT POINT RACESL.

Stewards — Messrs R. Orton, A. M. Paterson, A. laemonger, P. Herbert, J. Worthington, Judge— Mr J. Meikle. Starter— Mr J. Mcßratney. Clerk of the Course — Mr J. Worthington. Tho race meeting held at Pleasant Point on Monday, attracted to Ihis pretty little place between 300 and 400 persons, many of whom came from Titna:u and Temuka. There is not tho slighted doubt thut there would have been a larger attendance if a mid-day train had been run on such a Bpecial occasion, us the lurge number from Timuru, who came by rail, had to start at Beven o'clock m the morning, and consequently to put up with tho extreme cold produced by tho previous night's hurd fro?t. Tho weuther, however, grew warmer aa the day wore on, and ono and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the rucing, which was the bert ever yet witnessed ut lho Point j nnd the Stewards are lo be congratulated on the success which bas attended tlieir efforts to provide a good day's sport for the public. Owing to the sharp turns, tbe course was not a good ono, and a much better could have been obtained if the Stewards hod not wisely chosen to hold the meeting close to the township. Pleasant Point haß not yrt sufficiently advanced m pacing matters to have a Grand Stand, but a good view of the races could be had from various spotß. The Open Hurdle Kaco opened the business of tho day, and for this event only four entered. Black Prince was the lavorite, and, ridden by his owner, M r Murtugh, ho justified the confidence rep >sed m him by winning easily. The same number of horses sadcllert up for the noxt event — the Hack Hurdle Race, which Mr Spillnue's bay maro Nell won by tlireo lengths from Mr Jobnßtone's black gelding Forester, the otlier two — Mr Thomson's chesinul mare Nell and Mr Mannerton's Temuko— baulking at the hurdles and not going the dislance. Mr D. Lanoghon's maro Polly, who ran third for the greater purt of the way, won the Maiden Plate, owing to being well ridden by C. Hobbs, by half a length from Mr Mannerton's Temuka. Pakeha, Deceiver, Black Prince, and Castout toddled up for the Point Cup. Black Priace held tho lead for hulf tho distance, when he was supplanted by Deceiver, who kept his lead, and won easily by a length m front of Castout, who had made hiß ground up quickly m the last half mile. A protest was entered by Mr Murtagh, the owner of Black Prince, and who rode him, against Deceiver being handed tho stakes, on the ground that Hobbs had jostled him, but afterwards wished to withdraw it, as it seemed to be the feeling of the Stewards tbat it would not bo entertained. Mr Lunnghon's Polly ndded to her victory m the Maiden Plate, by also winning the Publicans' Handicap ; Gambler again running second to her. Only threo horses showed up for the Consolation, which waa won by Mr C. Goodman's Alma ; but it was really a good race, the horses keeping well together for tbe greater part of the way. Twelve entered for the Hack Race, won hy Mr C. Colls' Topsy ; Butterfly, owned by Mr Cunningham, being second. A good deal of amusement was creato I by lhe Trolling Match, m which samo Timaru sportsmen rode gamely, until seeing that thoy were out of it, thoy commenced to lake short cuts acro>6 the course. Mr Verity's horso kopt tho lead tho groater part of the dißtnnco, aud Mr Nichol's horso was second. Beforo closing tho report, a word of pniiso i 9 certainly due to the Stewards, Judge, and Sta v ter, who performed their duties m a highly satisfactory manner to all concerned. Throughout the day the proceedings wero of a most orderly description. Hubdlb Race (open), 25 per cent of money Bubscribed ; 2 miles, 8 flightß ; horses to carry not less than list. Entrance, 1 soy. Mr Murtnah's bk g Black Prince, (Own^r) 1 Mr C. Goodman's b g Alma (Ravcnhill) 2 Mr McDonald's b g Deceiver and Mr R. Ravenhill's Pakeha als > ran. Black Prince was the first off with tho lead, eloßely followed by Alma. Deceiver and Pakeha come distunce behind. The two latter, although splendidly ridden, refused to take the first hurdle. Black Prince and Ahnu negotiated all tho hurdles safely but the laßt, 1 which the Princo struck heavily, breaking it do-* n. A lma was unable to get on even terms with him, nnd ho won eaeily by two lengths Hack Huudle Race (di ? trict horaes only), 5 per cent. of money subscribed, entrance money added ; ljiniles, 8 flights; weight. not less than lOst. Entrance, 1 soy. Mr Spillune's b m Noll ... (Demuth) 1 MrJohnstone'Bbkg Forester (Mcßratney) 2 Mr Thomson's eh m Nell and Mr Worthington's b g Temuka also ran. Mr Spillune's mare held tho lead all the way, and won by three lengths from Forester, who proved himself a good cross country horso. The othera woro soon out of the race. Maidbn Plate (district horses only) 20 per cent of money subscribed ; ' 1 mile ; welter weight for age j entrance, 1 boy. Mr D. Lunagban's b m Polly (O. Hobbs) 1 Mr Mannerton's b g Gambler (Owner) 2 Mr Kinross' b g Stormbird... (A. Kinross) 3 Mr Thomson's eh m Nell ... ... ... 0 Gambler held the lead lor three-quarters of a, mile, when Polly, who had been running third, passed Stormbird, ond raced up to him. A good rare then ensue 1 between Gamb'er and Polly, wliich resulted by half a length m favor of the latter, who was very cleverly ridden. Point Cup (open), 25 per cent of the money subscribed, added to a sweepstake of 1 soy ; 2 miles ; weight for nge ; entrance, 1 soy. Mr McDonald's b g Deceiver (C. Hobbs) 1 Mr Story's m g Castout ... (Demuth) 2 Mr Ravenhill's eh g Pakeha 3 Mr Murtagh'B b g Black Prince 0 Black Prince was quiokest away, and led till a mile and a half had beon covered, when Deceiver, who had been running second from the start, collared him, nnd, nfter a short struggle, went by him. Shortly afterwards Black Prince, having run iigainst a post, pulled np, and left the race to Deceiver, whe won two lengths m front of Castout, Pakeha being a. bad third. Publioans' Purse (district horses only), 10 per cent of amount subscribed ; li miles ; weight not less than lOst. Entrance 1 soy. Mr D. Lanashan's b m Polly (O. Hobbs) 1 Mr H. Mannerton's b g Gambler 2 Mr D. McKinross' b g Stormbiid ... 3 This race was won easily by Polly, after a struggle with Gambler, Btormbird never showing up well. Consolation Raoe, 10 per cent of money subscribed; lmile; weight not lesß than lOst. Entrance 1 soy. Mr Goodman's Alma ... ... (Owner) 1 Mr Story's Castout ... (Demuth) 2 Mr Ravenhill's Pakeha ... 3 These were the only horses entered. Alma won this race after a good struggle from first to lost with Castout, whom ho beat by hßlf a length, Pakeha being a shocking bad third. Hack Race, £ mile heats, five per cent of money subscribed, irith whip added ; catch weights. Entrance 10s. Mr MoColl's Topsy ... (Demuth) 1 Mr Cunningham's Butterfl- (Cornelius) 2 Mr B. Hobb'B Nelly Gray, Mr C. Ferry's Bob .Mr Thomson's Nelly, Mr W. Jones* Tim Finni^an, Mr Bngerley's Business, Mr Velvin's Kate, Mr Bowling's Dolly Vnrden, Mr Long's Fairy, Mr Kinross' Stormbird, and Mr Dineen's Rowdy Boy, nlso ran. A trotting match, not on the programme, land m which there were seven entries, was won by Mr Verity's horse, with one owned by Mr Nichols second.