SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3426, 3 April 1879, Page 3

SPORTING.

KOWAI PASS RACES. Stewards — lion John Hull, J. D. Enys, Wm. llineliin, R. N. Hopkins, T. Anson, P. Westenra, Jas. Cordy, A. Cardale, J. R. Pearson ; Judge— IT. J. Matthias ; Starter — Jas. Cordy j Clerk of the Course— J. Murray; Clerk of the Scales— John &. Qilchrist ; Hon. Sec. and Treasurer — R. J. Shanks. After an interval of four years, the inhibit ants of the Kowai Pass district have re-established their race meeting, and during that time the trustees of tho race course have dono a good deal in getting tho course into proper order. When tho last racos were held tho running ground had been ploughed, but now the whole of it is beautifully covered with a green sward. Tho turns in the course are sharp, but altogether fow country districts possess so good a race course va the Kowai Pass district. 'I he attendance on the grouud was very good, nearly all the residents of tho neighbourhood being present, and a most lovely day, as far as weather was concerned, they had for their outing.

At. a quarter to onp the bell rang for saddling for the Open Handicap Hurdle Race, when three out. of the lour horses entered weighed out. Evorsley not putting in an appearance, Te Whetu was installed as first favourite, but us he waa handicapped at 128t, while Robin Hood carried Bst, and The Lad 9»t, it was thought possible one of the light weights might win. Te Whetu led all the way and won easily. Robin Hood, who was pressing liitn hard at the last hurdle, struck the top rail and sent W. Clifford flying, and tho horse getting away was not caught till the race waa over. The Lad ran round his second fence and his chance was gone, although after the accident to Robin Hood he secured second place. For the Maiden Plate, all the horses entered came to the post, and Robin

Hood was a strong favourite, although there was no betting. Orange Peel led all the way and came in first, but on returning to scale a protest was entered against his winning, on the ground that he had won public money at Tai Tapu and elsewhere. The protest was allowed and Robin Hood declared the winner, Orange Peel being distanced. For the Ladies' Purae four started. Te Whetu, with 12st waa hardly considered able to beat Huntingdon and Orange Peel, with such light weights to carry as 9st 71b nnd9st, but from the jump the Maori went to the front, waa never collared, and won rather easily. This was one of the beat races of the meeting, the horses keeping well together all the way. The Publicans' Purse was for a cup presented by the Crown Brewery Company, and was the only race confined to District horaes. Three horses came to the post, and for half the distance the race was closely contested, but the condition of The Lad told its tale, and ho won easily. The Springfield Plate Handicap was looked forward to as being tho race of the meeting, but contrary to all expectation Numa went away the moment the flag fell, and was never caught. Tho general opinion of the knowing ones was, that Milo would give a good account of himself, and most probably win. He ran game, and when W. Clifford found he oould

not overtake Numa, he contented himself with beating Huntingdon by a short distance. Elfin .King waa outpaced all the way, and could only secure fourth place, while Orange Peel was never in the hunt after the first mile had been run. The following is a detailed account of the events : —

Open Handicap Huhdlk Rack of 40 soys,

Distance, two miles ; over eight flights of hurdles. Mr W. F. Neilson's eh g Te Whetu, by Tm-ducer-Lady Bird, by Kiddleswortb, ngml, 12<>t ID. O'Jirien) 1 Mrli. Markey's cb g Xho Lad, 4 yrd, Oat (Crock) 2 Mr J. SI. liunn's b g lio'Au Hood, agesl, Bs. t (W. Olitfnd) 3 Mr H. Princ .'s cb g Kvcrsloy scr Tlie Lad went off with the lead, going over the first jump six lengths in advance of To Whetu, who was a couple of lengths ahead of Robin Hood. Well over the first fence, Te Whetu was let out, und before getting to the second jump was alongside of The Lad, both going at the hurdle together, Te Whetu clearing if, and The Lad running round. Te Whetu now went along with a good lead from Robin Hood, both taking their fences very prettily. The Lad was a long way behind. The leaders safely negotiated the sixth jump, ten lengths separating them. Clifford, on Robin Hood, now made his effort, and cleared the seventh hurdle three lengths behind the Maori. From here the struggle took place, and on coming to the lmt fence Robin was only a length behind Te Whetu, who was safely landed over, while Robin slightly struck the fence, threw his rider, and bolted. The Lad now camo up, and getting safely over, came in second, several longths behind. Time — 4min Msec.

Maiden Plate, open, of 20 soys ; distance, 1 mile and a half ; weight for age. Mr J. U. Lunu's b g Bobin Hood, njred, 9sf: 41b

(W. Clitford) 1 Mr B. .A skew's cb. f Littla Maid, syrs, O.st 21b (Bean) 2 Mr L. Markey's b g Moonlight, 6yrs, Ost -lib

((Jrook) 3 Mr J. M'Causlaud's b g Orauge Peel, syrs, Sst Ub

(J. Boll) 0 Robin Hood was first to get away when the flag fell, but the lead was soon taken from him by Orange Peel, ttobiu Hood gradually tailed off, and Little Maid and Moonlight closed upon the leader, the tlu-ee going past the Stand for the iirst time noarly together. Moonlight now fell away, nnd Kobin Hood went up to his horses, and half a mile from home had passed Little Maid, and was alongside Orange Peel, who, however, came away, and won easily by three lengths. Kobin Hood beat Little Maid by four length* i'er second place. Time — 3miii Sisscs.

When the horses were weighed in a protest was entered by Mr Lunn against Orange Feel, as ho had won several advertised races. The Stewaids considered the protest proved, and awarded the stakes to Eobiu Hood, distancing Orange Peel.

Ladies' Pukse, open, of 20 aovs ; distance, 1 mile.

Mr W. F. Neilson'sch g To Whetu, by Trauucer — Ladybird, aged, 12st ... (D. O'Jirien) 1 Mr H. Vallance's b c Huntingdon, 3yra, list 71bs

(W. Clifford) 2 Mr J. M'Caii^latid'.s b g Orange Peel, aged, D.st ,r „r. IJiIS - Bo11 ) 3 Sir H. Cnssidy's b j» Kensington, aged, 7sfc 51b3 (H. Hockey) 4 Mr H. Pnuce s cli g Eversley scr Mr J. H. Lunn's br g Milo scr Directly tho flag fell, Konsington went to the front, but the others soon went up to him, To YYlieLu having slightly tho best place, with Orange Peel close behind, and then earno Kensington, with Huntingdon last. • A quarter of a mile from home Clifford drew up, and an exciting finish took place between Orange Peel, To Waetu, and Huntingdon, the Maori winning by a length. Huntingdon beating Orange Peel by a neck for second place. Kensington was a moderate fourth. Time — lruin 54see.

PtuiLicANs' Puuse, cup presented by Crown Brewery, with 5 soya added ; : distance, one mile and a half j for district horses only. Mr L. Markey's eh g Tbe Lad, by Messenger, 4yrs, Odt (Crook) 1 Mr fcl. Oassidy's b g Kensington, aged, 9-it 41b . '■

(Hockey) ' 2 Mr G. Kufchorford's b g Magic, 4 yrs, 9st

(W. Clifford) 3 Happy Jack and Elfin King were scratched. The trio got away well together, The Lad and Kensington running side by side with Magic lying eorne lengths behind. The Lad passed tho stand, tho iirst time round, about a length ahead of Kensington, Magic coming about four lengths behind, but gradually drawing up. On the other Bido of the oourse, opposite the stand, the trio were in a cluster. They ran well together for about three hundred yards, when T io Lad drew ahead and gwi'lually improving his position, won easily by two lengths. Kensington beat Magic for second honours by six lengths. Spiung FIELD Plate Handicap (open) of 60 soys ; distance, 2 miles. Mr W. l\ Neilson'n b g iN'uina, by Master Eowo, aged, 7at (Demtt) 1 Hi- J. 11. Lunn's b g Milo, svrs, Sab Mb

(W. Clifford) 2 r H. Vallanoo's b c Huutiugdon, 3 rs, 7. t li!.

(S. Hai-rio) 3 v 11. Cassidy's b % Ellin Knitr, jigcl. i,'st

' (\l. Hockcv) 4 nit J. M'Cuuslaud'j b g Or.iu^o reel. ai;cd, 7:it

(M'Conke.i ) 5 After one false attempt, Mr Corrly sent the horses away to a very good start. Numn wont to the front at onco, and soon had half-a--dozen lengths between himself and the other horses, which load he maintained to the finish. Huntingdon and Orange Peel ran well together for throe-quarters of a mile, Elfin King coming about a length behind and" Milo list. Half a mile from home Milo ran through all his horses and took second place, but failed to lessen tho distance between him and Niuna. Huntingdon made a rush in the straight for second place, but could not roach Milo by half a length. Elfin King was a bad fourth, and Orange Peel completely outpaced. Time— 3min 42see.