CROMWELL ANNUAL RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 9, 5 January 1870, Page 2

CROMWELL ANNUAL RACES.

Alter a long season ot oppressively not weather, from the effects of whici Own- i well and tlie surrounding district was in\ more than usually parched-up state, wel- \ come showers of rain fell on Wednesday I last, cooling the atmosphere, and eliciting! J from exhausted and perspiring citizens pressions of satisfaction at the change. —mingled, however, with a 1 mythical persoftage known as of the weather" would kindly abstain frW any further moistening of mother oafllh until the Cromwell Jockey Club Races of 1869 had been competed for. This waa not to be, however, and Thursday morning broke with every prospect of the fiVst day's racing having to be carried out under a heavy and continued downfall. There were some very heavy showers in the morning, but towards noon a decided change I for the better had taken place, and during * the remainder of the day but little rain fell. All the places of business in Cromwell were closed, and shortly before noon a general start for the race-course, distant about two miles, 'was made. Making our way across the plain, we soon arrived at the course, where already all was bustle ' and excitement, —sporting individuals ditcussing the chances of such-and-such a horse winning the so-and-so handicap—equestrians dashing about regardless of the limbs of mankind on foot—the "k'rect card of the races" boy adding his quota i to the general din—and the other usual ' concomitants of the race-course not being wanting. In the shape of auxiliary amuseI menta, there was a swing-boat erected for I the special benefit of juvenile visitors—the ' boat, seemingly a very secure and easygoing concern, being painted green, and having printed on it in bold letters the word Donnybrook ! The rather inclement weather prevented young Cromwell being present in any great numbers, and as a consequence, business in the aerial boating , line was if anything rather slack. Another individual essayed to earnan honest penny by instituting a rather novel specießof the 1 game of " Aunt Sally." On his nasal organ he had placed an ordinary bottlecork, decorated with a white feather, the nose fitting into a slit made in the cork. Providing himself with three or four other corks, this worth j invited persons so dia-\ posed to have " three shies for a bob," th© object being to knock the cork offliis f.ice. - In this interesting occupation a good few dfl persons seeing to join, and as many of jl the corks were thrown with considerable ] force, and seemed to tako an especial do- J light in striking the enterprising &dividu*l in the neighbourhood ol we imagine that tho " bobs" Mere w.dl earned. A substantial grand stand «'«* erected, bu\t \ on account of the weather it was not very J well patronised. The bootis, No. 1 owned by Mr Dagg, and No. 2 by Mr Marsh, seemed to bo doing a ratting stroke, although tho weather was lot such as to cause a demand for the coo and refreshing J drinks usually in detnanj on race-days. I An unfortunate accident happened on the 1 first day, while the Hurdle Race was being 1 run, resulting in the death of Mr Jones's horse' Pacha. On coining into the straight;; . running, his jockey states he felt the giving way under him, and on putting him ;' ! to the last hurdle, he caught the top bas,. J; :', and fell, breaking his neck. ':'i considerable amount of rain had fallen, th 6 •% course was not by any means in bad order ; in fact, if anything, the rain had done good rather than harm. Mr Dawkins officiated as starter. Mr R. Loughnan as judge, and Mr W. J. Barry acted as clerk of tho , course. They seemed to give very goneral satisfaction, and the energy and perseverance displayed by the last-named gentleman in keeping the course clear and terrifying stray dogs with his whip proved his fitness for the office. The weather on Friday was all that could be desired, and was peculiarly favorable for horse-racing. There were certainly two or three slight gusty showers from the I eastward during the afternoon, and'towards J evening tho air was decidedly chilly j but i the cool breeze was a welcome relief from J the almost tropical heat wo have had to 1 endure for some weeks past." The course ■ was in splendid condition, the rain of I Wednesday and Thursday having efFectu-1 ally laid the dust, and at the same time ■ rendered the courso smooth and springy. H The attendance of the fair sex was more I numerous than on tho previous day, and 9 the grand stand was tolerably well patron-1 ised, although many of the ladies prefe red ■ to remain under the shelter of the various 1 conveyances in which they had come to .] witness the events of the clay. It was USgsJl two o'clock when the horses entere/IIBBH the Miners' i'Tirse" were brought to starting po,, and an interval of at least 1 half-anhov.' elapsed between the several 1 heats. Tjere seemed, indeed, to be a 1 great deatJf unnecessary delay betw«cru i all the rices, and a considerable amount 1 of grumUmg was the consequence. v 1 FIRT DAY, THURSDAY, DEC. 30. /I ; MAIDM PLATE, of 30 sovs.,.for all horsoa/j tht nave never won an (tuck and matches excepted). Dflj tiftleaml a half. fl| Mr J; Uzlefct's chin Novice fl| NAv'a was the only animal canter rnuuJ tho course jB flJjYt event, on the w.is"