The gloomy and broken weather of the early part of the week cleared away just in time for the grand half-yearly holiday, and Friday morning gave the lie to the superstitions by smiling on the sports with all the brilliancy of an autumn sun, Bat a keen wind opposed the sun's beams, and on one side of the Stand it was summer while on the other it was something very ike winter, Need we say that the Ladies affected the sunny side, and that it was the sunnier for their presence. A ce derable number responded to the invitation of the Stewards that they should Honour the sports, and we have no doubt the afternoon was enjoyable. Everything was couleur de rose, especially the jockeys? dresses, or perhaps they might be more correctly described as couleur pow. The ponies were in. splendid trim, and the sport was all the fairer that champions were difficult to point out. Yet most of the races, including the Maidens, were won by distances which never left room for doubt, the effects of the late rains had not yet worn off, but the time was good for' a rather heavy course. Notwithstanding the numerous field, the time of the Maiden "Stakes. was "not, however, up to what it might have been, partly owing to the condition of the course, and partly to the absence of decided "racks." That Pik Ying should have got the race was unexpected, but prophets after the fact were not surprised. From sixth crowd some great unknown was sure to emerge into fame, and Pik Ying is a pony which we understand has latterly been coming out well in training. Sympathisers with our local supporters of the turf were a trifle startled to hear that the Tally Ho with which the Meeting opened, gave another victory to the Northern men who have introduced such formidable rivals to local merit as Skelp, Skyte, Kuo-pwchu, and Snowdrift. But on the whole the local men have had it sufficiently their own way so far.
'The Grand Stand gains in interest from the beginning made a Meeting or two back to adorn its somewhat blank walls with memorials of the doifigs which have been witnessed from it, and the idea has now been extended to' giving photographs of the most noted ponies that have achieved fame at recent meetings. An excellent coloured picture of Ravenshoestands beneath the clock, and portraits of Kuo-puchi, Suowdrift, Leechcraft, Handicraft, and several others are to be found in the neighborhood. 'The beautiful piece of plate which has been presented as the Storekeepers' Cup, valued at $500, was exhibited. It consists of silver fruit and flower stand contrepiece, of a graceful style and exquisite workmanship, with finely modelled supporting figures and neat candelabras. Unfortunately an accident befell it by which one of the fruit dishes was dashed kill the time till the ponies should get to-from its pedestal and broken, gether and a start be effected, the ery 'The number of spectators, generally, ex-suddenly arose—they are off, and so they: ceeded what we have usually seen on' the were, rather suddenly as it seemed. Mon first day. Although in the Stand enclosure Etoile and Sir Lancelot were in front, and there seemed a slight reduction and a an easy pace was taken which gradually kening of interest; outside, the blue quickened, Rufus coming up on the out-border of Chinese was broad and dense, side, opposite the Stand, where the pace while the gathering of carriages was so was decidedly brisk. Past Probst's corner great mand around the Stand that it all were together. but they at once began is surprising no serious accidents happened. to tail towards tue Monument, Ravenshoe The sports began soon after twelve, with and Lightfoot coming up, and though Mon the usual interval for_tiffin after the third Etoile kept up fairly to the last corner, he race, when relays of guests shared the was easily distanced there. Five-tientyliberal hospitality of the Race Club, much five showed about centro of the first flight incited thereto by the keen air and the for a time, but did not justify the enhanced excellence of the viands purveyed by Mr. value of his name by taking a place. Williams. The day's amusement was also Ravenshoe won in a canter, any distance finished in good time, so that there re-from the others. Five-tienty.five was mained sufficient of the short twilight to fourth and the dangerous Rufus about enable racegoers to get home safely. sixth, Time—2m. 11s.
The following were the events.
3.—Tue Maren Stakes.
1.—Tue Mate Prate.
Value, Tls. 175; Second Pony, Tls. 25;—For all China Ponies.—Last Pony to pay third Pony's entrance,—Weight, for inches as per seale.—Winners For China Ponies that have never run at at Spring Meeting, 7bs. extra.—Entrance, any Meeting in China or Hongkong.—Weight for inches as per scale,—Entrance, Ws. 10.—Three-Quarters of a Mi el Mr. Seer's white Pih Ying 10st 61b.
Bill's grey Fee Mah 10st 61b.
mie's Henry's black Souvenir 10s¢ 111b.
3 Morriss! dun Audjekeewis 10st 19ib Grove's black Othello 10st 71 1 Robert's grey Zvanhoe 10st 81b.
Ubert's chesnut Little Bille 33 Bill's dun Gowonee 10st 1b.
Arthur's grey Sauce qui peut 10st 81 Hochstroem's spotted Sharik 10st 8ib. Mr. Drakeir's grey Hurrah 11st Alb Otis' dun Baccara 10st 2ib Grove's chesnut ata Hari List grey Cui Bone 10st Molesworth's dun Smiling Me Kushan's grey Priesteraft 10st 516 G. Van Olm's cream Baron 10st 51b Blackridge's Day Hun-fin-Tee of i0ib 'Harvey' prey Harebell Uist Blackridge's grey Nobo 10st Hampton's roan Rover 9st 101b Rarey's grey Quickstep List Among the maze of colour which broke Higginson's chesnut Hex door 10st 1ilb Troy's grey Marmoset 10st 5lb.... on our bewildered vision, when thirteen Carmichael's dun Bintang 10st Sib Brat race of the day, it was difficult to jonies turned out in apple-pie order for the Jos. Dawson's grey Cremorne 10st si Jos. Dawson's grey Cavalier 10st ngle out the more prominent runners Drakeiv's grey Light Brigade 10st sib.. with perfect accuracy. Add to this that, Drakeir's chesnut Dizie 10st 8Ib after one false start, the field went off in 8. Hovel's grey Pride of the Meadow unbroken form, and kept it till the corner 10st was reached. So far as we could make out, Low's black Sir Tristram 10st Sib of things, Harebell led, shouldered by Tally unfamiliar as we were with the appearance The enormous field of twenty-one poni Ho, who of course should have headed the appeared to bid for places in racing fame for the first time, and as might be expected burst. Rounding the corner Herebell fell no little trouble was experienced in effect. off, and Little Billee came up vigorously, ing a start, for, however quiet under ordi-but though he received the chin chins of nary circumstances, ponies are apt to fidget spectators, these were a trifle premature, when they get into the particolored pro-Tally Ho had not yielded, and kept his cession which leads to the post. on @'Or place fairly against all opponents on the succeeded twice in throwing his rider, and straight. Godolphin shot up on the inside and became second, while had Ravenswood the first time gave trouble to catch him, but he was remounted and induced to join been able to got the race extended another his horses at last. Even then, however, fifty yards it might have been his. His Eng however, only enabled him to place he helped the false starts by backing deter-ruinedly when he was asked to go forward, Little Billee fourth. Tally Ho, who comes and it was expected that the race would from the same famous stable that has have to yo on without him. A very fair turned out Kuopuchu, Snowdrift and other start, considering the number, was at last Northern cracks, was steadily ridden accomplished, and it was seized by Cui throughout, 'The half-mile was done in Bone. Sir' Tristram was a good se-Lin: 02s. cond, and at the Corner Cavalier 2.—Tur Crrrenton Stakes. came up briefly, the first flight being A Sweepstakes of Tls. 25 onch.—Tls. 15 a large one, Then Leanhne and Souvenir to be paid to the Secretary of Race Club showed strongly, and Mudjkeewis was with on or before the Isat September 1873, and them. Not till they came into the straight Tis, 10 to be paid at the date Closing the did the ultimate winner, Pihying, come Entries.—In ease of Non-Entry, the orignal out much, though he held' a good inside deposit to be forfeited.—For all China Po-place all the time, and then ho simply ran nies.—Weight for inches as per soale.—away with it, second third and fourth Second Pony to sare his Stakes.—One (Leardioe) close together. Time.—I1m, 34}s, Mile.—Nominations not transferable.
4.—Tne Tourar's Cur.
Mr. Spynie's Ravenshoe 10st 5lb..
Payton's sreaen Lightfoot 10st 51b Value, $100.—Presented by H. E. the Toutai—For all China Ponies.—Weight Low's grey Sir Lanneelot 10st. Sib for inches as per scale.—Kntrance, Ts. 6.
Fungus's brown Mon Etoile 10st 51—Two Miles.
2 Grove's cream Sunbeam 10st GID Mr. Head's grey Monitor 10st 8b...
A. Hickling's brown Grasshopper Jos. Dawson's grey Alexis 10st 111b 32 Higginson's grey Five-ticenly.five Payton's bay Lingerer 10st lb..>.
Trco-twenty-three 10st Sib Henry's dun Sleepy Hollow 10st Sib Henry's chesnut Rufus 10st A select field came out for the Criterion, Fungus grey Blue Beard 10st Grove's black Othello 10st Sib of ponies apparently all in admirable fettle, Fabach's black Hara Lama 10st 51b and bystanders could not but remark the The Major's chesnut Julius Cesar 10st Sib. splendid condition in particular of Ravens-'Mr. Harvey's grey /Tarebell 10st sib oe. There were others however which it Moleswworth's grey Dewy ye 10st Sib was thought might match him. While 'A very fair field of well-tried ponies con-people on the Stand were doing their best to tested the Tautai's Cup. Lingerer belied
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.