FIRST RACE MEETING AT RICCARTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 10 May 1924, Page 1

FIRST RACE MEETING AT RICCARTON.

Mr A. Selwyn Bruce writes:— “ Amongst some old Christchurch papers lent to me recently was a copy of ‘ The Canterbury Standard ’ of January 4. 1855. An item that niay be of sufficient interest to print in your Saturday ‘ Star’ was an account of the opening of the new racecourse. Following is a copy for your perusal:— Races on New Year's Day. Tlie inauguration of the new course beyond Riccarton Cross Roads, under the auspices of the Jockey Club, took place on New Year’s Day. A considerable number of equestrians assembled on the course a little before two o'clock, the time fixed for the first and principal race. There were several ladies on the course, some on horSehack and some in conveyances. The Thomas Brown. Fendall. and Jerningham Wakefield. Mr liaSelwocd acted as .fudge, and Mr Brown as starter. A remarkable feature in the scene was the attendance of a large number of natives, including one lady, or. horseback, anxious for the success of the mare belonging to their

countryman. John Pattison. The course appears to have been very judiciously chosen. It is two miles in length, all but six chains, and has a beautiful straight run in, exactly half a. mile in length. The last 150 yards of the run-in is very neatly railed in, and tiio posts round the inner circle of the course being stout saplings 10ft high, guide the eye easily round the elongated oval formed by the course. When we add that the ground is neither too hard nor too soft, but promises to bear a good springy turf, with little trouble, our readers will be able to conclude that the first undertaking of the Jockey Club has been tolerably well performed. At about halt past two o'clock tlie sports began with the following:— Match for £SO each, £lO forfeit. Heats two miles. Weights, list. Mr John Pattison's b m Lady Gladstone, syrs (Mr R. Hilton) 1 1 Mr C. Turner's b g Cruiskeen, aged (Mr Freet-h) 2 2 Ln the first heat the horses went ott at in? the first mile his rider appeared to ba holding him hard, and the majority of the bettors, who had all along backed him, felt very confident. But the mare passed him at the beginning of the* straight halfmile, and won by a full length easily, the oid horse having been called on iu vain when a few sti ides from the post. Time Tlie second heat was run very nearly in the saino manner, but in lOaec less, and :L as , w , on casil y by a‘length and a half. We believe that ihe result of the race was a matter of great surprise to most of tho judges or horseflesh, who thought both, distance and weight too great for the mare. It is clear, however, that she possesses move blood and bottom than she had generally obtained credit for She was by no means distressed after either E 1 ’ f! ltl , wasS untouched by whip or spur. Tht old horse appeared stiff in the hind quarters utter the first heat, and he was dead lame in the off fore-leg after the race, having been, as we were informed, . ncked ” in that limb about a week before The natives were highly delighted at. the result. Both jockeys were well appointed, and did their duty well. Mr Hilton ,-ode in tartan and .Ur Freeth in black and white. Several other matches were made upon the course and added to the days entertainment, f "«ii ild bo interesting to learn •it tins inaugural meeting ol tho C anterbury _ Jockey Club, as it might had to their reminiscing and so providing some interesting reading. I am alraid, however, that as it is sixtyniuo years sin.ee the event took place, there is very little chance of finding anyone who was present. My picture ol the laying of The foundation stone of St Andrew’s Ohurcii must- remain among things forgotten, as J have found no one who was present at. that