Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-13
THAT SHEFFIELD HANDICAP.
Full Particulars About the Defeat of the
Pittsburg Sprinter.

Full Particulars About the Defeat of the
Pittsburg Sprinter.
The following account of George Smiths
defeat in the Sheffield handicap taken from
the Sheffield Daily Nelcs, will be of interest
to Pittsburgers:
There was little or no betting yesterday fore
noon, and after reaching the grounds Smith
was still fayorite. When racing commenced
rain came down in torrents, and only about
20O0 persons were present. The running path
was covered with pools of water, but there was
a strong wind behind the runners which aided
them. The betting at start ruled at 5 to on
g. Smith, s to l against Ransom to ! each j.
20 to 100 to any other. Martin, of Sheffield,
who was ]. Smiths trial horse, did not turn
out for the first heat, for which Ransom was
made favorite at odds of to on and he won
cleverly by yard and half, in three yards
worse than L seconds. The second produced a
close race between G. Smith, of Pittsburg and
Wheeler, of Notts, but the general opinion of
the spectators, who were in the best position to
Judge, was that Smith had won, and at one
time it appeared quite probable that the spec
tators would take serious umbrage, but happily
they contended themselves with having a
grumble for their money. A great many of
the spectators were wishful for the proprietor
to interfere and order the race to be run over
again, but whilst coinciding with the opinion
that the referee had made mistake, Mr..
Ford explained that he could not upset the
referees decision. Wheelers time was about a
yard slower than Ransom, and then the third
heat produced grand struggle between South.
Hudson and Williamson, the former of whom
won on the post in u 25 seconds.
Owing to Edwards breaking down. Walker
had not much difficulty in defeating Clarkson
and Scott. In the draw for stations for the
final struggle Ransom was fortunate enough to
secure the track nearest the enclosure ratings
which was the best condition. while Walker
drew the one next to the green sward which
was very heavy and holding and this good for
I'm Qr0 a la6 n yHI1 N he fr0r
Walker, and credit himself with his second
Sheffield handicap within Il months. The we'll
known Sheffield penciller, Mr.. Herbert Foster,
backed Foster for the Easter handicap-which
he won-for upward of "a 0O0 and it is almost
certain that Mr.. Foster will throw in for quite
as big stake on the present OCCASION for be-
on nne
day night at e 026 to flS3 AS an instance of
good fortune we may state that this is the
third winner Mr.. Foster has had this wear, he
having backed Thompson, of Miles Plating,
for the Shrovetide handicap, and Ransom for
the Easter and Christmas events. Ransom,
who is 26 years of age, stands feet 81 inches
in height, weighs list. lbs, and trained at
Leicester under the care of Uncle Billy Johes,
of Sheffield the latter having had the good for
tune to train three Sheffield Handicap winners
within year. In our report of Wednesdays
racing we alluded to the absence of Jennings.
who had been supported at as little as to l.
We were informed on good authority that the
cause of Jennings absence was due to his hav-
ing broken down on Wednesday morning. and
that the money he was supported for on Tues
day evening emanated from his masters
According to arrangement the hackers of
Smith and Ransom met yesterday at noon, but
a hitch arose regarding the stalking of the
money, and the race fell through As Smith
was beaten by Wheeler, who was in turn well
beaten by Hanson in the final heat of the
Christmas handicap, it is rather improbable
that Smiths party would now care to match
him to run Ransom.
6. Wheeler, of Watts had yards start of
Smith, and the latter had II of Ransom
Jach Gibson started in the handicap and was
defeated in his second heat. Smith had 2H
yards start of him.