“ THE AGENT ” IN CANTERBURY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 7, 5 October 1878, Page 3

“ THE AGENT ” IN CANTERBURY.

A"ont,” a horse bred in the Tamm A district by Mr Ford, has been giving a good acconnt of himself in Canterbury. The Agent is recognised as the best steeplechaser in the colony, but up to last week had never run on the flat. He has now shown himself to be swiftfooted as well as a safe jumper. At the Geraldine races, which commenced on Thursday week, The Agent took first place for the Maiden Plate, and ran almost a detid heat for the Ladies’ Purse. The following account of both events is from the Timaru Herald : Maiden Plate, of 25 sovs; weight for age, distance, 1) miles. Mr A. Dcverv’s ch g Agent, 9st 31b 1 Mr J. Kennedy’s hr g Horse shoe, 9st 31b 2 Mr 11. Lima's Cannonball, 9st 31b 3 Betting—Even on Agent, 5 to 2 against Cliittington and Cannonball, G to 1 against any other. The Hag fell to a good start. Agent was the first to show to the front, Cannonball lying on his quarters. Alter a few strides Cannonball went to the front, and Horseshoe ran into second place, Agent, who was going easily, gradually falling back. Coming past the stand Cannonball was to the front, having obtained a lead over Horseshoe of nearly four lengths. Shortly afterwards Agent secured second place, all the others being well up. Opposite the stand Cliittington took third position from Horseshoe, and Agent went to the front. From this point all the others were distanced, Agent, although pushed bv Horseshoe, winning by a length, Cannonball being a good third, and Chittiugton fourth. Horseshoe ran very had only been a week off the grass he performed wonders. Time—3 min. Ladies’ Purse of 25 sovs ; welter weights for age. Distance, 11 miles. Mr Neilson’s ch g Te Whetumaraina 1 Mr A. Devery’s ch g Agent, 5 yrs 2 Mr W. N. Hawkin’s ch h Cliittington 3 Betting-—6 to 4 on The Agent ; G to 4 against Te Whetumaraina; 4 to 1 against “"ft™ went off with a fair start. • Cliittington obtained the lead, and Agent iiiarama last. This order was varied after a short distance was gone overby Ivanlioe falling back to the rear, where he remained to the end of the journey. In coming round the turn towards the Grand Eland, Agent challenged the leading horse, ami both came up to the strait disputing every inch of ground, with Te Whetiunarama close behind, rapidly placing a distance between himself and Ivanlioe. This order was maintained for some time afterwards, until the turn lx—yond the Stand was passed, when Chit- ( tingtori gave way to Agent, and soon to j Te Whetumaraina. Tlieuce to the winning j |*ost the race was most exciting. Te j Whetmuanmun continued gaining gradu- j ally on Agent until both horses ran side ly wide. About half i ly up tl e str ii i i Wbetmnanma was perceptibly improving his/ dion without obtaining any derided and opinion seemed to ! k- equally divided as to the result of the j rare, wiiielt, however, fell to the lot of Te j Whetiunarama by half a neck, with Chit- i tington a bad third.