Holue', bay, Last Wind Mr. But, bay, Second Vil rey, Jolly A. Veitoh's, chestnut, Second Violin started favourite in a field of five ponies out of nine entrants, odds being also laid against Hast Wind.' The start was delayed owing to the fractions-ness of Bonus. After several failures to get them away, they were despatched well together, Flick leading for the first quarter of a mile, three being nearly abreast, and East Wind last. After passing the g-nile post, Second Violin ran into second place, attended by Jolly Friar, and at Probst's Garden East Wind was even with Bonus. At the 4-mile post Flick fell behind Second Violin, and Jolly Friar and East Wind took second and thi places. Passing the Monument, Hast Wind came to the front with a rush and entered the Straight with an advantage of two or three lengths. Ho gradually increased his lead and won, hard held, by several lengths. It was a good tussle between Second Violin. and Jolly Friar for second place, the former obtaining it by s good length.—Time, min, Bsecs. of Tls. 10 each.—For China Ponies being bond fide Griflius at date of entry. Weight for inches as per scale.—One Mile-and-a-Quarter.
Mr. Bill's, dav, First Cornet Balu', black, Storm Wind Low's, black y, Flick.
hay, Second Vich Beruande's, brown, Jura Bell's, grey, B. & 0. 10, Ghoutisurs: chestuat, Propidas' 10 Young's, grey, Rani 10 1
3 Wight's, dun, Sandengo Daniel's, bay, The Symma Tohn Po From a list of 27 entries, twelve ponies came to the post. First Cornet was the favourite, being backed against the field. The Syma and Presumption were the only others enquired after. With regard to Storm Wind and Aw Revoir, the best was declared to win. After two or three false attempts Progress took the head, with The Syma and Earl Tostig close up. At the Stables The Symma took second place, and soon afterwards displaced Progress. First Comet, at the j-mile post, was leading the ruck, and in the run to Probat's Garden he passed both Earl Tostig and Progress, as did also Presumption. The Symma yielded to First Cornet at the half-mile post. Here Storm IVind came with a rush, and he and Presumption challenged the leader. First Cornet, however, responded to a call from his rider, and led by a couple of lengths at the Monument. Entering the Straight with more than thi advantage, he was not again hard pressed, and ho. passed the Stand in a canter. Storm Wind came down the Straight at rattling pace, and nearly collared First Cornet on the post, finishing a length and a half behind him, and about the same distance ahead of Presumption.—Time, 2 min, 42} secs, Secoxp Day, Tuesday, 3rd May, 1881.
The gloomy weather of yesterday became more threatening in the evening, and betwoon 9 and 10 o'clock drizzling showa of rain commenced to fall. Between throe and four o'clock this morning it was raining heavily and continued to do 80 for several hours. Pools of water formed on the Course, and as the time approached for the commencement of the day's sport, it still rained. The Stewards, however, were all in attendance with praiseworthy punctuality, and no sooner had the first saddling-bell rung than the rain ceased for a time, but showers fell at intervals throughout the whole afternoon. It was impossible to stand with any degree of comfort in the Grand Stand enclosure, except where it was paved, the ground being thoroughly saturated with water, and as the afternoon advanced, the weighing-in compound and the grass-plot in front of the Club tents were reduced to a quagmire. Notwithstanding. these unpleasantnesses there was a. tolerably good attendance, including about twenty-ive ladies, and the sport was carried on with unflagging zeal, the "fields" for the various events being as numerous as might have been expected under more favourable auspices. To compare, however, the achievements of the ponies, when they raced under such difficulties, with past records, would give but an inadequate idea of their capabilities, and we merely append a description of each event.
1.—Tue Fuvaway Prare.—Value, Tls. 100—For China Ponies.—Weight fur inches as per scale.—Winners of one Race in China or Hongkong since Ist October, 1880, "Ibs. extra; two or more Races, 10lbs. extra.—Entrance, Tls. 5.—Half-a-Mile.
There were eight starters out of a list of nineteen entries. The start was delayed by E. & 0. E. breaking away at the first attempt, and at the next time of asking, Progress bolted and did a gallop on his own account to the }-mile post. After other failures the lot were sent away to a good start, with Cassowary leading, closely followed by Black Cock; the others in a ruck, with Second Violin' bringing w the rear, At the Monument, Black deprived Cassowary of the lead, and Flick at the 4-mile post ran into, third place, with Second Violin at his quarters, Gasser wary was even with the leader at the entraueo to the Straight, and the pai made a good race of it to the finish, Black Cock winning by a full length, with less than half a length between Cussowary Flick for second and third places respe: tively.—Time, linin. secs.
The jockeys and ponies were all bespattered with mud, and their grotesqy appearance elicited much laughter when they came to weigh in.
2,—Tue Suanomar Denby.—A Sweepstakes of Tis, 15 each, with Tls. 100 For China Ponies being bond fide Griffins at date of entry.—First Pony to receive 75 per cent.: second Pony, 15 cent,; third Pony 10 per cent.—Weight 10st. 10lbs.—One Mile-and-a-Half. st, Iba, Mr, Von Broeck's, grey, Wild Dash..11 0...1 Low's, grey, Ktaadn 10 10...2 Dauiel's, bay, The Symma.....-10 Bills, dan, Firat Cornet black, Mores Wi ndo'e, grey, Beclefe grey, Cannobic
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.