SPORTING.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 603, 25 May 1876, Page 3

SPORTING.

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES. (Jtrom the Press.') "Wednesday, May 24. President—M. Studholme, Esq. StewardsCaptain ClogstouD, J. T. Ford, Esq, P. Brittan, Esq, E. Rlartelli, Esq. J H. Raine, Esq, Hon John Maclean. A. Turnbull, Esq, J. Campbell, Esq, George Dodson, Esq, F. Archer, Esq, H. Ford, Esq, E. Griffith, . Esq, P. Campbell, Esq. J. Brabazon, Esq, F. Teschemaker, Esq, J. Maclean, Esq. Judge—M. Studholme, Esq. Starter— C. Lovegrove, Esq. Clerk of the CourseJames Campbell, Esq. Clerk of the Scales—M. Mitton, Esq. Secretary and Treasurer—A. St. G. Hammersley, Esq. Handicappers—M. Studholme, Esq, and G. Stead, Esq. The third annual meeting of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Clul came off yesterday. Year by year this club has been increasing in the number of itsmembers and in the popularity of its meet ings. Originally started in the South Canterbury district, the two first meetings were helo on the beautiful course at Waimate, but as the club is essentially now a New ZealaDf one, it is the intention of the com mitten U shift the venue annually. Next year the

meeting is. we understand, to be held in Otago, and we can only wish that our Southern neighbours may have as good a day's sport as we enjoyed yesterday. That a horse who is able to carry twelve stone over country may certunly be called a useful animal cannot be denied, and hitherto such horses have beeu very hard to fiud. It has, in fact, not paid breeders to go in for cross country horses in the Absence of paying stakes The Grand National, and we venture <o add the Canterbury Hunt Club, have already created a demand for the class of horses to which we have above alluded, and we wish, in the interests of horse breeding, both institutions every success.

The stewards yesterday bad every cause to grumble at. the clerk of the weather. The proverbial " Queen's weather" in Canterbury ifi apparently a misnomer, for it seems always to rain upon the 24th of May; but it did s>em hard lines, after a three weeks' ran of fine weather, to break up at the last moment, and tend to spoil what would otherwise have been a most enjoyable day. It commenced to rain early in the morning, and the attendance was in consequence very limited, though the stand was far better patronised than we should have expected under the circumstances. The various events were not pulled off with quite as much punctuality as might have been desired; but, taking into consideration the wet day and the large fields, there was but little cause for dissatisfaction. The various officials were iudefatigable in tbe'r endeavors to ensure success, and apropos of officials, we were glad to welcome back Mr K. W. Millett, -viio anted in the place of Mr J. Campbell as clerk of the course. Mr M. Studholme, who was almost the originator of the club, occupied the judge's chair, and Mr Lovegrove, who acted as starter, was most successful throughout the day. The course, which was laid out under Mr Lance's auspices, was, as might have been expected, a very nice one, and we only re echo a very generally expressed opinion during the day, in complimenting that gentleman upon the result of an undertaking on which we have every reason to know he has taken the very greatest pains. The programme was a most liberal one, but on a future occasion we should suggest, for many reasons, that the big haudicap should come off before the Maiden. To come to the sports proper, the first event was the Maiden Plate, for which twelve faced the starter, Brunswick and Gazelle being absentees. Moose was made a hot favorite, and very cleverly ridden by R Me Ivor, won whit was certainly the race of day. Zetland, who ran second, is a very promising four jear-old. He was very well brought out by Dick Richardson. He jumped in very good form, and showed far more pace, both in this race and in the Consolation, than we should have given him credit for. Terror and Barmaid jumped steadily and well, while Fakir's performance was exceptionally good. He made his own running the greater part of the way, and jumped in capital form. This colt, we venture to predict, will, with a little more age on him, be very hard to beat. Daniel O'Connell was in rare condition, but came sadly to grief ; so much so, that we fear it will be a long while before this game little horße will be seen appearing in public again. The performances of the rest are only items in a chapter of accidents, but we fancy Brunette, with a bit more schooling, will be heard of again. The Grand National Handicap produced a field of six, Tommy Dodd and "Mousetrap having a trifle the call in the betting. Auckland Kate, who was very pink, had plenty of supporters, but the winner, Don Juan, and Gazelle, did not seem to be very much in favor. The race is very easily described. Mousetrap made strong running from the jump, and wore himself right out. All the rest, with the exception of Royalty, made more or less mistakes during the and Mr Brittan's horse, who waß ridden with the most consummate judgment by Mr Martelli, stayed the gallant little grey out, and the weight telling in the run home, Royalty won pretty easily. The victory was a very popular one, and both rider and owner were loudly cheered as the horse returned to the saddling paddock. Mousetrap's jumping throughout was a treat to look at, but 11 stone and four miles told their tale. For the Hunt Club Cup eight figured on the card, but only a trio came to the post. Butcher Boy, a very usefullooking Nelson horse, was quite outpaced, and the interest of the race lay between Auckland Kate and Tommy Dodd. The former made the running, waited on by Tommy, but the old horse had too much pace for the mare, and coming at the last turn with a fljwing sheet, won easily. The Consolation brought out a field of six, most of whom were in trouble early in the day, and before a mile was covered the issue lay between Don and Zetland. Between these two the race was a most exciting one ; the latter, however, stayed the longest, and scored the last race of the day to the credit of Mr Seabright. We had almost forgotten to mention that the catering for the Grand Stand was entrusted to Messrs Pyett and Broadbent, who provided a capital spread, and gave universal satisfaction. We append a detailed account of the day's running : Maiden Plate of 100 sovs, added to a sweepstake of 5 sovs each, to be paid at the post; nominations of 3 sovs to go to the fund ; weight for age ; distance, two miles. Mr F. Rives' blk| g Moose, aged, 12st 31b (R. Mclvor) 1 Mr Seabright's b g Zetland, 4 yrs, list (Sheenan) 2 Mr G. P. Williams' gr g Fakir, 3 yrs, list (H. Lunn) 3 Mr F. Brittan's b g Terror, aged, (Mr Martelli) 0 Mr D. O'Brien's bg Eclipse, aged, 12st31b (Owner) 0 Mr C. F. Barker's br g Doodlem Bucks, aged, 12st 31b (Lang) 0 Mr W. F. Neilson's b g Coquet, aged, 12st 31b (F. Matthews) 0

Mr D. Cameron's gr g Septimus, aged, 12st31b (S. Haynes) 0

Mr F. Hedge's br m Brunette, 6 yrs, 12st 31b (Oraer) 0

Mr F. W. Delamain's b g The Don, 4 yrs, list (Wattie) 0 Mr W, H. Burton's ch f Barmaid, 4 yrs, list (Higgott) 0 Mr P. Campbell's blk g Daniel O'Connell, 4 yrs, list (Owner) 0 Gazelle and Brunswick were scratched.

Betting—3 to 1 on the field. A. good start was effected, Eclipse and Fakir at once showing to the front, followed by Zetland, and Moose, with Septimus close up, the rest in a cluster behind. They ran thus to the water jump, which brought Daniel O'Connell and Eclipse, 'o grief, Don, who had refused at the second • erice, being at this time whipper-in, Coming o the first fence past the stand Fakir held a

strong lead, followed by Zetland and Moose. To these succeeded Septimus, Terror, and Brunette in the ord r named. At this fence Septimus and Coquet made errors, which put them out of the race, and Barmaid, who had been lying behind, slightly improved her position. At the double Fakir and Brunette made a mistake, and Moose and Zetland took up the running The two closely followed by Terror led alternately to the last turn, when Moose came away, and jumping the two last hurdles in capital style won comfortably by a couple of lengths, Zetland second, Fakir third ; Terror, Barmaid, Brunette, and Don finishing in the order named.

New Zealand Grand National Handicap of 250 sovs, added to a sweep of 15 sovs each ; distance, 4 miles. Mr F. Brittan's b g Royalty—by Blood Royal, aged, 10st .. (Mr Martelli) 1 Mr L. Markey's gr g Mousetrap, aged, list (T. Lyford) 2 Mr F. Rives' ch g Don Juan, 6 yrs, list 7ib (R. Mclvor) 3 Mr P. Campbell's b g Tommy Dodd, aged 12st71bs (Hedge) 0 Mr D. O'Brien's blk m Auckland Kate,

aged, list 71b (Owner) 0 Messrs Nicholson and Mcßae's b g Gazelle aged, lOst 101 b ... (Mr Nicholson) 0 Butcher Boy and Zetland were scratchpd.

Betting—2 to 1 against Tommy Dodd, 3 to 1 against Kate and Mousetrap,' 5 and 6 to I against the rest. Mousetrap cut out the running at a strong pace, followed by Auckland Kate and Gtzelle, Tommy Oodd, Royalty, and Don Juan lying back. They ran nearly in this order to the fence opposite Mr Redwood's, which Mousetrap jumped in grand form, and where Gazelle fell, throwing Auckland Kate out, which put them both out of the hunt. Tommy Dodd fell badly at the two mile post and rail further on, which put him out of court. Mousetrap continued the even tenor of his way, and, j imping beautifully, held a strong lead until the double the last time round. Here Mr Martelli, who had been riding most patiently, brought up Royalty, and the two raced together to the last ditch and bank at the top of the course, when Roy ilty took charge of affiirs, and Mousetrap was evidently beaten. The little grey struggled gam >ly home, but the weight tol I its tale, and Royalty went in a pretty easy winner by two lengths; Mousetrap second. Time, 9min 31sec. Hunt CLun Cup of 150 sovs, added to a sweepstake of 7 sovs each, to be paid at the post ; nominations of 5 sovs to go to the fund ; gentlemen riders; weight for age ; distance, three miles. Mr P. Campbell's b g Tommy Dodd, by Bay Middleton, aged, 12st 31b (Owner) 1 Mr D. O'Brien's blk m Auckland Kate, aged, 12st 31b (Mr Martelli) 2 Messrs Nicholson and Mcßae's ch g Butcher Boy, aged, 12st 31b (Mr Nicholson) 3 The following horses were scratched : Gazelle, Coquet, Noble, Daniel O'Connell, Fakir. Betting—Even money on Tommy Dodd and Kate, 2 to 1 agst Butcher Boy. Auckland Kate made play from the jump, with Tommy close up, Butcher Boy lying r.a"k. They ran thus to the first jump, which Tommy and Kate negotiated in company. Butcher Boy fell but was quickly up and on his way again. Auckland Kate now increased her lead and made the running to the double, where the three closed. Again Auckland Kate assumed the lead, which she held to the water jump. This she cleared in good style. Tommy jumped short and nearly came to grief. Mr Campbell recovered him cleverly, but the old horse lost a good six lengths by his mistake. Butcher Boy got over all right but it was manifest that he was outpaced. The mare led from this to the turn, where < Tommy came up, and forcing the pace, led over the last two hurdles, and won with something in hand by a length. Butcher Boy, who was outpaced, a bad third. Consolation Handicap of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs each ; nomi nation 1 sov, to go to the fund ; distance, two miles. Mr Scabright'sbgZetland,! yrs,loat 101 b (Kheenan) 1 Mr F. W. Delamain's b g The Don, 4 yrs, lOst (Watty) 2 Mr Nicholson's b g Gazelle, aged, list (Owner) 0 Mr Cameron'sgrg Septimus, aged, 10it 101 b (Joyce) 0 Mr Nielson's b g Coquet, aged, 10at 71b (Matthews) 0 Mr F. Hedge's br m Brunette, aged, list 51b (including 71b overweight (Owner 0 Auckland Kate, at list 101 b, was a nonacceptor. Betting—o to lon the field. The lot got well away, and ran on pretty even terms to the water jump, where Gazelle fell. Septimus and Coquet refused at the jump opposite Redwood's, leaving the issue to the Don, Zetland, and Brunette. These three ran in the order named to the back of the Course, where a mistake of Brunette's put her out of the race. A very pretty race between Zetland and the Don ensued, terminating in favour of the former by about two lengths. Th s brought a most capital day's racing to a conclusion. TRADESMEN'S RACES. Dunedin, May 24. Maiden Plate. , Sultan 1 Miss Elswick 2 Tkottinu Match. Polly 1 Magic 2 Birthday Handicap. Tadmor 1 Glengarry 2 King Philip • 3 Tradesmen's Handicap. Rob Roy 1 Glengarry 2