LEESTON RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 187, 17 December 1868, Page 2

LEESTON RACES.

— "* — Tbe racing season was practically opened yesterday, and if we may estimate the success of other meetings by that held at Leeston, a considerable improvement may be looked for in , some of the most important adjuncts. Leeston ha 9 usually held a high character for its annual races, but former achievements have now certainly been cast into the shade, i: A. larger number ef entries, with better blood, and twice the number of spectators, as compared with last year, all tended to make yesterday the most successful race day ever known in the district. Early morning did not present a very inviting aspect for a long journey to take part in an open air demonstration, but notwithstanding this, a large number of the Christchurch turfites mustered about eight o'clock, and, suitably provided for emergencies in the form of bad weather, started for the meet. Mr Cowan, the Leeston and Southbridge mail carrier, ran a four-horse coach from Cobb and Co.'s, at 8.53, and although only fifteen left the city under his protection, the vehicle was crowded out before many miles of the journey had been accomplished. Several private traps were also put uuder weigh about the same time, and these were followed by a few who, in defiance of the gloomy overcast appearance of the sky, pluckily performed the distance on horseback. On arriving on the racecourse a scene of activity was presented and the general arrangements were much on the same scale as last year, being complete in every respect. A grand stand of comfortable design, and commanding a good view of the course was erected on the side nearest the main road, and some three hundred yards distant from Mr Loe's Hotel, whilst immediately in front was a well-fenced saadling paddock, with the post directly opposite. Beneath the friendly shade of the stand, Mr Loe dispensed refreshments to a crowd of thirsty and hungry patrons. The stand itself was very largely patronised during each race, and from it the chief features of the meeting were seen at a glance. In front, the saddling paddock was thronged with a large muster of the knowing ones, amongst whom the Christchurch division was very prominent. To the left was a long array of traps, whilst iramedieately in rear were a small number of nut and fruit stalls. The course was the same as last year, but was in very bad condition ; although the large tussocks had been removed, there was a long growth of native grass upon it, whilst the ground itself was as hard as a stone pavement. The bell rang for the first race a few minutes before one o'clock, and each event was started with a promptness which in district meetings, where so many attend from a distance, is a very important matter, and it is to be hoped that it will be more generally adopted than hitherto. hurdle race was the first item, and as the horses showed up there was much speculation on their respective appearances. Merrimac appeared in better form than we have ever before seen him, and showed ir. his preliminary canter that none of his old fire had left him. He was strongly fancied, more especially as Spinks had the mount. Native was backed even against the field, but the pot boiled over»_and neither came anywhere near to winninjjj The ground- was too light and the distance too short for Merry, whilst Native, who wore two socks on his fore legs broke down in the first half mile, and came in quite lame. Mr Barnard would certainly have carried the day had the work been a little stiffer, for the old horse was never more fit and could easily have outlived his opponents. The Maiden Plate was from the first regarded as a certainty for Strike-a-Light, .v/hkh, although gone, in both fore legs, has an amazing tarn of speed in him for his j.breed, whilst his opponent was only fit for a longer spin. ;., The Ellesmere; Plate was the event of the day, and although no great speculation was indulged in on any race, there was decidedly the most money invested on this, "i he Beile : £n&>BjObhie Burns occupied first place in the betting, with a 'slight preference for the latter. Toayecy great extent this was justified by 'the result, and the race was a most exciting' .one. , ,Miss Fleet, for two-thirds of the distance looked like a certain' winner, and would have been so had she ; been better trained and ridden with a little; more judgf : ment. Bobby Burns' jock prudently- .ran a waiting race, and won well, although the Qejle would ngj; have been far behind had not her leg given way. Burgundy waa very lame on his near fore leg and never had a chance, whilst Wharfdale is a good looking horse, and well trained, but wants pace. The Leeston Plate was a complete" sell :

3ffir the knowing ones who had gone in heavily Rnj Foretop. The horse from appearances justified this, and we must admit some surprise at his defeat. He has the points of a good horse, and will no doubt make fall amends for his failure on a future occasion. The following is the detailed results of the various events :— Hurdle Racb, 35 soys. Two miles over eight flights of hurdles. 3 yrs, 9st lOlbs; 4 yrs, lOst 6lb; 5 yrs, list; 6 yrs and aged, list 71b. The winner of any Hurdle Race or Steeplechase of the value of 50 soys and upwards, to carry lOlbs extra; of any stake under 50 soys, 7lb«r< extra. Three horses to start or no race. Entrance, 3 soys.. Mr Brabazon's b g, Centurion, aged, list 7lbs, and penalty ' ... i Mr G. Osborne's b g Trump, aged, list 7lbs, and penalty ... ... ... 2 Mr W. Chamberlain's Native, aged, list 7lbs, and penalty ... ■... ... o Mr W. D. Barnard's br g Merrimac, aged, list 7lbs, and penalty ... 0 Betting— Native, even against the field ; 2 to 1 against Merrimac and Centurion ; 3 to 1 against Trump. A good start was effected, and Centurion took a slight lead, hut was quickly cut down by Old Merry, who was pulling hard ; Native baulked at the second hurdle, and never again shewed in the race, but came in dead lame. On the bottom turn Merry led by half-a-dozen lengths ; Centurion answered to the call, and, making the pace a hot one ; went to the fore. Trump, who had so far held third place, also closed up on the old horse, and passed him at the distance past finally coming in second, about a dozen lengths behind Centurion. The Maiden Plate, 25 soys. One mile, C.J.C. Maiden Plate weights. Confined to horses which shall have been bona fide the property of a resident yi the district (as described by the Road Board Map), or within a mile of the boundary of the ssid district, before Monday, 2nd Nov., 1868. Entrance, 2 soys. Mr E. Johnstone's br h Strike-a-Light, aged, 9st 9lbs ... 1 Mr W. Lunn's eh m Tarndale, aged, 9st 6lbs 2 After an even start the winner went away at a clipping pace, with a lead of about half a lenth, and although Tarndale kept well up for about a quarter of a mile, Strike-a-Light came away and won as he liked. Ellesmere Plate, of 50 soys. Two miles^ 3 yrs, 7st Blbs ; 4 yrs, 9st ; 5 yrs, 9st 7 lbs ; 6 yrs and aged, 9st lOlbs., ■'" Three horses to start or no race. Entrance 4 soys. Mr W. C. Webb's Bobby Burns, 3 yrs, 7st ' Blbs ... ... 1 Mr B. Shadbolt's b m Miss Fleet, 4 yrs, 9st ... ... ... 2 Mr R. Gillett's b g Burgundy, 4 yrs, 9st S Mr Morton's Lady of the Lake, Mr Delamain's Belle of the Isle, and Mr Chamberlain's Wharfdale also ran. „ Betting— Bobbie Burns and Belle of the Isle' even against tbe field ; 4 to 1 against Burgundy and Miss Fleet ; 5 to 1 against Lady of the Lake and Wharfdale ; Rob Boy scratched. It was difficult to see the start owing to its taking place at a bend in the course, but Miss Fleet wns first to show in front, making the running at too fast a pace to last. Wharfdale was second, Burgundy third. Bobby Burns fourth, Lady of the Lake fifth, and Belle of the Isle last. At the end of tile first mile, Miss Fleet had increased her lead, Bobby Burns had wrested second honours, % and Belle of the Isle had fallen some distance further to the rear. Going round the bottom turn, however, she spurted, and successively overhauled her horses until within threequarters of a mile of home, when she had taken third place, and Bobby had cut Miss Fleet down, taking the lead, and his jock eventually winning by many lengths with hands down, for the last quarter of mile going at little more than a canter. Belle of the Isle and Burgundy, both of which had in the meantime passed Miss Fleet, raced some f distance in company, both whipping freely. The Belle eventually came away, but her leg ; giving way at the distance post she had to be * pulled up, and Burgundy came in second, with Miss Fleet third, and the others nowhere. Leeston" Plate, of 35 soys. One-and-a--half miles. For horses that have never won public money at the time of entry. Weights same as for the Ellesmere Plate, Three horses to start or no race. Entrance 3 soys. Mr W. Reed's Beeswing, 6 yrs,9st 101b5... 1 Mr W. D. Barnard's eh c Foretop, 3 yrs, 7st Blbs ... ... 2 Betting — Foretop and ■ Atlas against the field, the former very strongly supported ; 3 to. 1 against Flying Scud, and 4 to 1 against any other. ' ? The lot were sent SLway'on very even terms. Foretop'and JBeeswing taking a strong lead from the first, the former lieing a trifle in ' ' advance, and Atlas lying 'third. After the first quarter of a mile the two leaders came away almost as they liked, but Beeswing ■ after a hot contest shot to the front by several lengths. r . Foretop, however, stuck gamely to him, and was very near to again assuming ' the. lead. ' When about a quarter of a mile f riJrri honife 5 Friretbp's jock began to ply his whip and closed up to the quarters of Beeswing. _ Each horse strained every nerve, and the excitement became intense, not more -than half a 'length being sometimes to the credit of the leader, wl ilst both were loudly cheered by their respective supporters. Beeswing; however, retained; -his position, and eventually won by about two-thirds of a length. . - Ai -,-. ■■■A : - -..- The Hack Race was afterwards run, but it was only of the ordinary class, and calls fpr. . :no particular mention; ' '■''-.. %