THE BELL BLOCK RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 97, 2 June 1892, Page 2

THE BELL BLOCK RACES.

The Bell Block Racing* Club brought off their second annual meeting on Queen’s Birthday, under fairly favourable circumstances as regards the weather. The heavy rain that fell the preceding day made the track a bit heavy, and the times made during the day were therefore rather slow. Mr. Adams, of the firm of Adams and Andrews, put £950 through the machine, the Government tax being £l4 ss. The events were got off without a hitch, except in one instance. Mr. A. A. Ambridge, the energetic secretary, worked hard to make the meeting the success it was, and he was ably seconded in his efforts by the other officials of the Club.

Business was begun with the Steeplechase, about 2£ miles, over twelve jumps. Five faced the starter, but Flukem was the only one who had sufficient condition to compass such a journey. On the fall of the flag Flukem jumped away with the lead, which he maintained to the finish, winning with a bit to spare. The Masher came down at the eighth jump (a sod wall), and Recruit came to grief at the ninth jump (another sod wall). Moonlight ran a good second, and Atlantic, who looked jaded and unfit to gallop a hundred yards, was an indifferent third. Time, 6mins. 39 l-sth secs. Dividend, £1 15s.

For the Pony Handicap, 6 furlongs, eight came to the post. The start was spoiled owing to the fractiousness of Tuiau, who threw her

rider once, and was finally left at the post’. Coronet made the running for two furlongs, when Poppy took the lead. In the straight Daisy put in her claim, and, staying best, won by a length; Hymen a good third, and Billy, who got blocked in the early part of the race, got fourth. Time, lmin. 28Asecs. Dividend, £2 2s.

Six horses weighed out for the Cup, 1> miles. Sirius was made favourite, with lonic next in demand. Flukem and Nugget started to make the running as soon as the flag fell, with Armoury third, Sirius close up fourth, lonic several lengths away fifth, and Te Pota last. This order was maintained for a mile, when Armoury and Sirius made a simultaneous move on the leaders and disposed of them. A furlong further Armoury too was in difficulties, but here Crozier brought up lonic with a rattle, and challanged Sirius in the straight. The mare, however, was able to hold her own, and won by about half a length ; Armoury a fair third. Crozier, the rider of lonic, complained that Stevens, the rider of Sirius, crossed him in the straight, but no protest was entered. Time, 2mins. 57 l-sth secs. Dividend, £3 ss. There were fourteen untrained nags in the Farmers’ Plate, the public establishing Joseph favourite on the machine. When the horses were ranged up for the start an occupant of the stand gave the words to go, which was acted upon by 'all the riders. After a ding-dong race Austral (ridden by Mr. D. Teed, jun.) got home by a neck from Belle (ridden by Mr. Townsley). As the starter stated there was no start, the race, after a lot of talk, was run again, when Twilight squeezed home by a head from Dare bin; Haricot a capital third. Time, lmin. 52 l-sth secs. Dividend, £l3 ss. Nineteen horses went out for the Trot, 2 miles, Charlie, ridden by J. J. Russell, winning easily. Sailor Boy was second ; but no third horse was placed. A peculiar incident occurred in connection with this event. Russell weighed out to ride Peggy, his own mare, and Stohr weighed out to ride his own horse Charlie. The riders did their preliminaries before the public on these horses, but just before the start they changed steeds. This was done, it was stated, to mislead the public, and the ruse succeeded, as many backed Peggy on seeing Russell on her. No action was taken by the stewards in the matter, but the public commented freely. Time, 6mins. 18 3-sth secs. Dividend, £2 6s. Six horses started in the Flying Handicap, Shela being made favourite. Rainbow took the lead on the fall of the flag, closely attended by Armour; then came Maroro, Flukem, Nugget and Shela, in order. After going two furlongs, Nugget stumbled and dislodged his rider, who escaped any hurt. Armour led into the straight followed by Rainbow, but Maroro was then brought up, and heading the two he looked like winning, till Shela, who came with a fast run under the whip, tackled him fifty yards from home. Maroro, responding to his rider’s call, managed, however, to catch the judge’s eye by a head ; Armour a bad third. Time, lmin. 25 4-sth secs. Dividend, £7 16s. Fourteen horses started in the Hurry Scurry, five furlongs. Marquis of Tewkesbury took command in the straight and won with a bit to spare from Appin; Wizard being third. Time, lmin. lOsecs. Dividend, £1 18s. Three of the races were started by Mr. C. Enderby, who was appointed by Mr. F Watson, the official starter, as the latter was interested in these events. The officials who measured the ponies rejected two that had passed under successfully at the Taranaki anniversary races. This was hardly satisfactory to owners, considering the primitive stand in use at Bell Block.

Mr. T. Carrington’s design for a trophy for this year’s Melbox me Cup has been selected by the Committee of the Victorian Racing Club.

Mr. James Lamond, brother to Mr. Thos. Lamond, the well-known Sydney trainer, died at his residence, Terara, Shoalhaven, on the Sth inst.

The latest yam eventuating from America is to the effect that a Shetland pony mare twenty-three months and four days old has foaled a filly.

The weather on the day preceding the Queen’s Birthday caused the running at the different meetings throughout the Colony to undergo many changes from what was previously anticipated. This fact is borue out by the large dividends which were paid on some of the events.