Grand National Steeplechases. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2011, 28 May 1885, Page 2

Grand National Steeplechases. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Ciiiiisrcin Ken, Wednesday. The Now Zealand (tr.uid National Steeplechase Meeting is being held to-day. The weather is hue but cloudy, with fluutli we»t breeze. The cour.se is in excellent order. About 200 people were present

Xi,u Zi"yi.ym» (iRYxn National Handicap, of 203>0v», with sweepstakes of .■>-o\s each for acceptors, to go to the second horse. Distance, about 4 miles. Mi Hoot>\ Moody, list . 1 Mi Ken's Liuwood, list4lb 2 Mr Rodney Beniugton, 10>t 111b ; Mr Pijicr's HiMJii-wood, l'2-.t 4lb ; Mr Lewis' King Aitlnu, 12st 41b; Mr Protitt's Sciutincei 12-t 21b; also ran. King Arthur led sit tlic stait, Berrington being 2'id, Moody third. When approaching the big M>d wall King Aithur had fir le id about 20 lengths from Linmvood who wis followed b\ Betrmgton, Moody, Sf.iitiiu'fi and Ra\t>iiswood in the oider nin fd. At thij d>ubk> opposite tin* gi.md t did King Vithur .mil Linwood refused, i-id It'iiiiigton U'd the ulliuis o\ei the fjiic Scnitin >er bmiked, and Benington tf.it <i length .(chantage of Moody, who was th" -> une dist nice from Linwood. The g.ii-.o near laud's was negotiated by Ueilingtou, Linwood and Moody in the oidei u tmed. After going once round Linwood went up to Berrington, and the big .sod fence was taken by the pair in company, with Moody six length behind and Ra\ enswood fourth. After two miles had been negotiated Moody closed on the leaders. The second hurdle fence at Cutts' was taken by Berrington, with Linwood on hi* quarter and M »ody a couple of lengths away, a long gap srparat ing him from Rnvenswood and King Aithur. Scmtineer and King Arthiu fell 1J miles from home, sind the three leadors took the gorse opposite Ford'a almost simultaneously. Hobbs then took \ Moo<iy up, and a pretty race ensued be tween the three. Moody led at the thud fence from home, clot-ely followed by Berrington and Lmwod, Ilavenswood closing up hand over hand. At the fir»t sod wall m the straight Ravenswood fell. Sheehan being severely shaken. Moodj was never afteiwards caught Mid won ei-uly, Linwood being second, a good halfdozen lengths a-head of lJerrington. Time— llmin. "Win. Totalmtor dividend—£o 11s 6d ami t'S «s lid. The betting was 2to 1 a n 'st Linuood and Ravenswood, 3to 1 Berrmgton, 4 to 1 King Arthur, 5 to 1 the otheis. Myiukv V\ \rv, of 100-ovs., with a sweepstake of 4s.»\s. Weight for age. Di^tanci about two miles 1. Mr Agnew V Donald, 12st lib 1 Mr Hai key's Sefton (late Maoii Boy), 12st 31b, 2 Mi Lunn'sPukles, 12st 31bs 3 Mr Leaver's Secretary, 12»t Jllbs, alh > lan. Donald was the only one to get .safely o\er the fence near Cutts', and by the time lie leached Foul's had placed » quartet of,. mile between himself and Sefton. He was never caught, winning by that distance Totihsator dividends, £2 its lid and £2 8s Betting: li to 4 ag-t Donald, 2to 1 ag*t Pickles and .Secretary, 4 to 1 <igst Set tun. Hyndicyp Hnioi^s, of 80«ovs. Two miles. Mr Lea\i>r's Societaly walked over, Sciutineer and Mastei Agnes being sci atehed.

Thk Cos- v< k Swindlkr — A Cossack i ode up to the door of a little inn at Hr.ulc, dismounted, drauk a succession of glasses of brandy, ami then made a show of remounting his liorfao. The landlord r. niindud him that he had not paid for his chink. The Cossack, \\ ith a lien y sigh, drew out his huge dirty pui&e, and began fumbling for coin, when his horse gave a sudden t>uort and ft.ll to the ground. The Cossack waa in despair ;he did everything he could to raise the boast upon .ts legs, but all was in vain. "He is dead ! he is dead !" cried out in choiusa number of the bystanders, who had been atti acted to the spot by the accident. The. poor Cossack would not believe it. The crowd knowing that a Cossack's hoise is his own piopetty, and that the loss of the animal would be a teinble blow to the owner, bctxan to make a collection in order to mitigate his sufferings as far .19 possible. Even the landlord was touched, foigot his bill, and piosented the bereaved man with anothei glass ot biandy, lefusing auy pay. The Cossack lifted up his saddle, slung his lance over hiss shoulder, diopped a farewell tear over the faithful beast, and w diked soi row fully away. When he was about 1000 paces distant he suddenly stopped, turned round and gave a long slu ill whistle. At the sound of a well known signal the horse spiang up, neighed a tiieudly answer and darted off with lightning speed to his gi inning owner. The Cossack was soon on his back, making significant symbols of thanks to the assembled crowd for their generosity and sympathy. In a few minute.s he was out of sight, and the landlord of the krottchma was loudly registering his vow that he would never again trust a Cossack. Thn balance-sheet and general account of the Cambridge Town Bo.trJ for the jcar ending 31st March, 1886, appear in our advertising columns.