CANTERBURY AUTUMN MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3435, 15 April 1879, Page 2

CANTERBURY AUTUMN MEETING.

Second Day. Stewards: Messrs J. Studholino, H. H Pi-in, L. Walker, E. L. Clogstoun, F. W Delamain, J. Brabazon, Sir J. 0. Wilson C.8., K.S.I. Judge : Mr M. Studholme Starter : Mr J. Campbell. Clerk of the Course : Mr E. W. Millett. Handicapper : Mr H. P. Lance. Clerk of the Scales : Mi S. Garforth. Hon. Treasurer : Mr G-. Q-. Stead. In splendid contrasb to tho gloom of yestorday was the weather of this morning, delicious as a day in early summer, and enticing enough to send out big crowds of holiday makers to the Racecourse. At the railway Btation, even the matter of fact, ofllcials were influenced by the genial sunshine, and seemed to experience a pleasure in stowing away, as comfortably as possible, tho eager travellers. So crowded was the first train that a number of journalists were kindly accommodated in one of tho guards' vans. The train was started with tho utmost punctuality, and the same rule was observed with tho succeeding contingents, so that not tho slightest ground for a grumble coidd bo found by anyone. On tho course all the wonted animation was apparent, and the betting men, who on the previous day had evidontly only partially succeeded in raising themselves from a state of hybernation, wore now as busy and as noisj aa over, giving bewilderiugly enticing odds, and doing a good stroko of business. So, too, with the various games of chance. All were aurrounddd by dense crowds of Fortune votaries, and to the greater proportion of them the fickleness of the dame was once more demonstrated. The grand stand was exceedingly well filled, and gay colours and bright faces were there in plenty, while under the sunny influences prevailing, the races themselves seemed to be '

eve?before fceßfced *** 6l ° itiDg tbm Handicap Stebpibchasb, of 100 sovs, added to a sweepstake of 10 sovs each. About three miles and a quarter, over such coun* m,1 7 £ 8^ h ® Sfc ewardß may direct. Mr P. Butler's cb. * The Agent, syrß, l2at 71b Mr G. Goodman's b g Iranhoe, ageM'SS^ l MrW. F.Neil S o n ' B ch g TeWhe t u,a g ed,ffill2 * Mr H. Lutm's gr g Fakir, aged, lOat & °' mU \ 0 Betting : Even on the Agent and Te Whetu. 3 to 1 agst Ivanhoe and Fakir. The preliminary jump, as usual, wa« eagerly looked for, and all the four acquitted, themselves creditably. Ivanhoe, however, being the heaviest goer, and not caring to force the starter. The start was almost a walk away, the solemnity of the pace creating hearty laughter. Agent was first to wake up and take a fly at the first fence, Ivanhoe following the lead. At the second jump the tailing out com* inenced, Ivanhoe for a short time going to the front, with Agent, Fakir, and Te Whetu in tho order named. All the leaps, and by all tho horses were well taken, excepting at the fourth fence, when Te Whetu simply crashed through. At the sixth obstacle there was the same relative order, and then there was a general closing up. After passing over the hurdles, the seventh jump, Agent showed the way, with Fakir going up into second place, Ivanhoe being third. Tho pace was nowbecoming pretty stiff, and with regard to the relative style of the horseß, it was universally agreed that the Agent's style of getting over was grand. He seemed to gain a clear advantage at every jump. After the double, the order was Agent, Ivanhoe, Fakir, andTe Whetu, though at this stage Fakir was evidently done for. The 13fch and last jump was taken by all the horses, and in tho run in there was a pretty struggle between The Agent and Iranhoe. Flyino Stake3, of 100 sovs for two-year-olds and upwards, added to a sweepstake of 5 89V8 each. Weight for age. Threequartera of a mile. Mr W. F. Neilson'a b g Fishhook, aged. 9st lib (T. Stewart) 1 Mr G. Eraser's b g Mata, 4yrs, 9st (VV. Clifford) 2 Mr E. Bay's b h Teinpleton, aged, 9st lib (Owner) 3 Mr J. W. Mallock's b c Noino, 3yrß, Bst 51b (S. Higgott) 4 Mr B. Blrndbolt's b o Blue Ribbon, 2yrß, Ost 81b 0 Naiad, Saunterer, On Dit, and Casta Diva were scratched, and Blue Ribbon was not ready in time for the start.

Betting -. 5 to 4 agst Templeton and Fislihook, 4 to 1 agst Nemo, 3 to 1 agst Mata, 10 to 1 agst Blue Ribbon.

When tho horses made their appearance, Mata displayed a fine thowy gallop, which was much liked, but tho white-faced Hook was tho primo favourite, looking as if ho would take a lot of rubbing out. Tompleton also attracted general attention, but was not considered good enough for tho company. Nemo as usual displayed a liberal allowance of temper. At fivo minutoa paafc one, 35 minutes behind the stated time, tho flag fell, Temploton and tho Hook getting the best of tho start. Then the lot got together, and at the next chango Fishhook dropped to the rear. Tho lot, however, were still together, Temploton having the inside running. On. turning into the straight there was a startling change, for Fishhook mado a sudden dart, and wont by tho rest like a flash, though tho pace was a warm one. Tho rest iu running in spread out slightly, but eo far as tho winner was concerned all was over, tho Hook landing easily by threo longths. The roet were pretty close togothor. Time— lmin 21i}8ecs.

Bastek Handicap, of 100 sovs, for throe-yoar-olds and upwards, added to a sweep* stake of 7 aovs each. Second horse to save his stake. One mile. Mr G. Fneor's b g Mata, 4yrs, 9st 1 MrG. Fraser's cli g Longlands. 4yrs,7st7lb ... 2 Mr H. Goodman's br h Chancellor. 4yrs, 6>t 101b 3 This was the best race of the meeting. It was a grand finish, and was won on the post.