ALEXANDRA RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 9, 5 January 1870, Page 7

ALEXANDRA RACES.

(From our own Correspondent.) (Unavoidably held over from our last.) December 2S, 1869. We have just finished our first day's races, and the stewards of our Jockey Club have every reason to be satisfied with the result of their endeavours, seeing that the owners of horses have responded so well to the call for entries; and the public yesterday patronised the course in such numbers as to prove that horse-racing, when properly carried out, is the favourite pastime of the people. The two booths, owing to the heat of the weather, were crowded, and light drinks were greatly in demand, the two boothowners and their fair assistants being fully occupied. The day passed off very pleasantly, no rows occurring to mar the enjoyment of the meeting by everyone present. Some few speculations were entered into at the various hotels in the town, and sweeps were drawn and bets registered for the Maiden Plate in particular, Brunette and Bobby Burns being made hot fovourites. Within a short time of the advertised hour of starting, the bell rang for the first raco, the Maiden Plate, when five horses stripped to do battle. After a slow race, the horses were placed as follows : Brunette, 7st 2lb (Ilastie) 1 Wallaby, lOst 41b (Lang) 2 Crinoline, 9st 21b 3 Young Bobby Burns, 9st 41b 0 Black Bess, lOst 41b 0 Bruuette made the running from the start, well ridden by young Haatio : she was never collared, and won the race in a canter, with old Wallaby (of hospital renown) coming in a good second. This being the mare's first race, she gave great satisfaction to the visitors ; and her owners, who had backed her heavily to win, proved that their judgment had not been misplaced. The winning of this event made the mare a prime favourite for the Handicap which was to follow the ensuing race. After the usual interval, the horses were saddled for the Handicap Hurdle llace, and six faced the starter. Pacha, 9st 41b (Gray) Deborah, Sst 10lb (Lang) Faugh-a-Ballagh, 9st 41b (Swan) Turpin, lOst Tornado, Sst 21b Bobby, 9st 41b This was an excellent raco, the horses taking their jumps in grand style : Pasha and Deborah leaving the crowd at the straight,' and making a splendid finish—Pasha winning the first hea,t by half-a-length. The second heat was won by Deborah, hard pressed by Faugh-a-Ballagh. Pasha won the final heat easily, although Deborah's friends were laying five to four on her pushing in front. The next race on the card was the District Handicap. For this event, the following horses started : Nelly (hay, Sst (Cray) i Brunette, list (Sib Lady Helen, Sst 101b (Goodman) Balmoral, Gst 41b (Holt) Lady Ellen was backed against the field at even money, although many were sweet on the Maiden Plate winner. This was a good race, Lady Ellen and Brunette racing from the stait, Balmoral outpaced. Nelly Cray meanwhile was gradually creeping up, and she had the race in hand three-quarters of a mile from home, winning easily. .Brunette came in second, beating Lady Ellen only by a neok. The last event of the day was the Publicans' Purse. No weight under lOst. For this race five horse 3 started : Raven (Goodman) Welcome (Foote) Faugh-a Ballagh Native (Cook) Crinoline. This race was won by Pwaven. He took th< first and second heats easily. This event terminated the first day's racing. During the day the town w»s wall filled, am the publicans did a good stroke of business. Thi stables were all well filled, and beds were at ; premium. [Our correspondent's report of tlio socon day's racing has from some unaccountable cans not come to hand up to the time of our going 1 press.]