DUNSTAN ANNUAL RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 16, 2 March 1870, Page 5

DUNSTAN ANNUAL RACES.

—■»— Of all the up-country sporting meetings mnually held in the Province, the Dunstan lockey Club Races occupy, by common :onsent, the foremost place as regards .ttractions offered for securing a large oncourse of spectators, and for several easons. On the Dunstan Course the nost vaWiblw stakes are competed for and fon£&,; i 3 the battle-field whereon the of thegenus "thoroughred,'' and the greatest number of them, re annually mustered to test their speed nd mettle, to win or lose money for their wners and backers, and to run the gauntit of the most critical assemblage (in a orse-racing point of view) that is to be ncountered outside the precincts of the Itagan metropolis. The auri sacra fames ! nowhere more loudly or more openly reclaimed than where the bookmakers—lose condors of the turf-—" most do conregate;" and if the Dunstan race meeting f 1870 in any respect fell short of those f former years, it was surely not from ny diminution in the ranks of the army f blatant bettors that annually favour ie district with their presence. The

eather was favourable throughout the leeting, the only drawback in that respect sing the discomfort arising from the clouds F dust which occasionally hid from view ie horses and their riders. There was a pry numerous turn-out of vehicles of every ascription, many of which were from disint places. Cromwell was fairly repressed, but from the Bannoekburn and itwarau Gorge there were not many ho attended the races. On Wednesday ight and Thursday morning the. usually net town of Clyde was thronged with isitors from various parts of the Province, id so great was the crush that many were lable to find accommodation at the hotels, id were glad to avail themselves of the jspitality offered them by the owners of •ivate houses.

About 12 o'clock on Thursday a general art was made for the race-course, situate wilt three miles from Clyde. The four-n-se coach belonging to Messrs J. Chaplin Co ; the large van of Messrs Bird, Blow, id Wills' Circus Company, with its band musicians ; Mr Smitham's coach from romwell; together with numerous other mages and public conveyances—which ere freighted with passengers—made up scene which is seldom witnessed at the unstan. The course itself is not surissed by any other in the Province ; it is fficiently level to afford a good view of I the races, from start to finish, from most any position on the ground. Notitlistanding this fact, the grand stand was lly occupied, and indeed during the ineipal races it was crowded. The arngements made by the Stewards were raplete and satisfactory, and there was > confusion.

iThe District Handicap and the Town ate, which were run on Thursday, were Tied off by the Canterbury horses Wild if and Fore top. Wild Boy also won Jockey Club Handicap and the Free ndicap on the following day. The first ned horse ran a dead heat with Miss t in the Canterbury Grand Stand Hanip on the 19 th of January, and won the isolation Stakes the following day. At same meeting, Foretop took second lours in the Maiden Plate and Metroitan Handicap, and ran third in the key Club Handicap. At the Tuapeka :es on the 10th and 11th ult., Foretop l the District Handicap and. Town te, beating Lady Ellen in the former,

d Water Witch and Excelsior in the iter, The Cromwell favourite, Excelsior, ded nothing to the reputation gained by

n here and at Mount Ida. He was I *ten by Foretop and Atalanta (both from aterbury) in the Town Plate on the first y, and Musician in the Ladies' Purse on iday. Cromwell, although he carried i lightest weight (6st. 121b.) only gained inl place in the District Handicap—a o-mile race. Mr Cowan's Poison (from iwarau Station) carried the honours in 3 hurdle-racing, beating Don Pedro, the nterbury crack, on Thursday, and Grey iar and some others of lesser note on the sond day. THURSDAY, FEB. 24. Ijden Plate of 50 sovs. Weight for age. One mile and a-half. Nine entries. Cox's b m Miss Ennis, 5 years, 9st 101b (Mackay) 1 Davine's b g Sir Charles, 5 years, 9st 101b (Foote) 2 Glassfoid's b g Dick, 4 ydars, 9st 51b (Bock) 3 Knudsen's b g Gurnet, aged, lOsfc lib (Goodman) 4 iarkaway, Gamecock, Brunette, Exile, and nan also started. Harkaway and Sir Charles wed in front for about three-quarters of a e, when Miss Enuis came up and passed in, winning easily by at least three lengths, ne, 3 minutes. Gamecock bolted. The other ses were seven or eight lengths behind at the sh. ..-,.■ strict Handicap of 75 sovs., with a sweepstake of two sovs. each, to go to the second horse. Distance, two mile 3. Delamaine's b g Wild Boy,' 5 years, Bst 41b . (Richards) 1 Dawkins' g m Nelly Grey, 4 years, Sst <,.,,,, " (Gray) 2 bmithain s brg Cromwell, 5 years, 6st 121b n ■ , * (Soott) 3 fevme sb hj Captain Scott, 5 years Sst 51b „ . (Gibson) 0 Harrison's bl g. Maori Chief, 4 years war , < Holt ) 0 M. jllorran s eg Spec, four years, 7at m it , , (Edwards) 0 Mellorsbg Merrythought, 4yrs, 7st 51b 0

Atalanta was scratched. Captain Scott took the lead, bat was quickly overhauled by Cromwell and Nelly Grey—the former leading till within half-a-milo of tho Grand Stand, Wild Boy then camo up, and there was a good race between him and the two Cromwell entries, who appeared to be on vary friendly terms with each other. Both, however, had m vie the best of their time in the first mile an 1 a half, and. after a short struggle Wild Boy shot ahead and won by a length ; Nelly Grey second, and Crom.vall a length behind Nelly. Time, four minutes.

Handicap Hurdleßace of 75 sovs. Distance, two miles and a half, over eight flights of hurdles . Mr Cowan's c g Poison, aged, 9st 71b (Gray) 1 „ Reay's g g Don Pedro, aged, lOst (Reay) 2 „ Mellor's b g Harkaway, 5 years, flat (Bock) 0

(Sir Charles was scratched.) Harkaway got away with a slight lead, but blundered at the first hurdle, and came down, unseating his rider. Bock, however was not hurt, and as soon as the horse was caught he mounted again, although by that time his chance of winning was very small. Poison and Don Pedro got clear over the fallen hurdle, and went away at a tremendous pace—Poison maintaining a slight lead all the way, and both horses clearing all the remaining hurdles in splendid style. Reay made a great effort to pass his opponent, but the 71bs more weight carried by the Don told against him, and Poison never let him come up. As the two horses approached the last hurdle, there was a

judicious slackening of speed, and the fence was cleared by both in good order. No sooner, however, was Poison over, than Gray let him out, and he won by twenty or thirty yards. Harkaway took all the jumps after the first one in excellent style, but was too late to do any good. This was the fastest hurdle race that we have seen for some time. Town Plate, of 150 sovs. Second horse to receive £25 eut of the stakes. Weight for age. Two miles and a half. Mr Reay's c hj Foretop, four years, 9st 31b _,; . • 1 „ Delamaine's c m Atilanta, aged, lOst lib

(Thape) 2 „ Jolly's c g Excelsior, aged, 10at lib . (Swan) 3 „ Grant's b hj Waitaki, three years, 7st (Edwards) 0 „ Keenan's c hj Gamecock, three years, 7afc (Donaldson) 0 (Gamecock carried 41b3 overweight.) Foretop had the lead at starting, but allowed Atalanta to make the running for a mile and three-quarters,—Excelsior lying third, several lengths behind. Foretop was then called upon, and after a splendid struggle in the last halfmile, regained his position in front, and kept it to the finish—winning by a length. Time, 5 min. 58 sec. Excelsior came up very gamely at the end, and finished a good third. Waitaki and Gamecock were never seen after the start. Hack Sklliko Race, of 29 so vs. Mile heats. No weight under lOst.

For this race there were nine entries. The first heat was won by Doodlembuck ; the second by Banshee ; and the third and final heats by Dick, who was consequently declared the winner.

SECOND DAY-FRIDAY, FEB. 25.

As on the preceding day, the weather on Friday was splendid. The rnominw broke bright and clear, and with scarce a cloud in the sky. Towards the middle of the day, however, the sun's rays were intensely hot, and not a breath of wind cooled the heated atraospliere. By ten or eleven o'clock all the (irom well visitors who intended reaching Clyde in time for the first event were on the road, and the drive down was enjoyed by a goodly number of those who had not been at the races on the preceding day—the only drawback to the pleasure of the trip being the thick coating of dust with which all were gradually covered. Black coats were by this means speedily turned into white ones, and it seemed as if the old days of powdered hair were come again, judging from a cursory glance at the heads of dusty travellers. The attendance on the course was numerically much about the. same as on the preceding clay, and the grand stand was closely packed while the various events were being contested. En passant, we may mention that the indefatigable secretary (Mr R. Barlow), in conjunction with the stewards, who were unremitting in their exertions to admit of everything passing off satisfactorily, deserves every praise for the energy and activity displayed by him in the performance of his multifarious duties. The first event on the programme was the

Hurdle Selling Race, of 30 sovs. Entrance one sov. Distance, one mile and a half; over five flights of hurdles. Weight for age. Winner to be sold for £SO. Mr Cowan's c g Poison, aged, 9st 81b ] „ Glassford's g g Grey Friar, aged, Sst lib.. 2 „ Delamaine's b g Patch, aged, lOst lib 3 „ Mellor's b g Harkaway, 5 years, 9st 101b 0 „ Cox's b g Armagle, 6 years, 10at lib 0 ~ Barnard's g g Don Pedro aged, lOstSlb... 0 ~ Grant's b g Comet, aged, 9st 81b 0 „ Samson's bl g Dr Black, aged, Sst lib .... 0 This was an easy victory for the veteran Poison, who' ran in his usual game manner, jumping the whole of the hurdles, under the skilful jockeyship of Gray, in splendid style. Comet and Armagle ran off the course at the second hurdle, and had no chance in tbe race. Throughout the running, the winning horses kept the positions in which they were placed at the finish, Poison winning in a canter, hard held.. Patch a bad third.

Dunstan JOCKEY Club Handicap, of 12550v5., with a sweepstake of 5 sovs. each ; the second horse to receive amount accruing from sweepstakes. Distance, two milos and a quarter. Mr Delamaine's b g Wild Boy, 5 yrs, 75151b... 1 •„ Hazlett'a c m Novice, 4 years, 7st 51b 2 „ Barnard's c hj Foretop, 4 years, Bst 81b.... 3 ~ Delamaine's c m Atalanta, aged, 9st 21b... 0 „ Smitham's b hj Cromwell, 5 years, 7st 0 „ Keenan's c m Topsy, 5 years, 7st 41b 0 ~ M'Kay's g m Shepherdess, 6 yean, Gat.... 0 „ Grant's b hj Waitaki, 3 vears, 6st 71b ... . 0

,Mr Delainaino dee) are J, to win #\ li A.', dan' a. Wild iioy and Shepherdess to >k the k-i.l, Lao remainder following,iu olosa order, wi:;h the exception of Waifcaki, who liolte-1. Topsy had some friends, btuaho.ha.i no show whatever in the race. Mr Dulaniaino's choice for first honours also lacked the physical power requisite for a place in the race, and Wild Boy was called upon to make the pace. Ho won a splendid race, Novice also running gamely, and coming in a good second. Time, 4uun, t'lseos. Free Handicap, of 21) 80V8i{ added to a sweepstake of £1 Is. Distance, one mile, Mr Delamai'no's b g Wild Boy, lOst 1 „ Glassford's b g Dick, 7st '. ..; .'!.'2

~ Cowan's c g Poison, Bst 51b 3 ~ Cox's bm Miss Emms, Bst 101b 0 ~ Goodman's bl in Little Nell, Oat 0 „ Grant's b hj Waitaki, 7at 0 ~ Harrison'* bl hj Maori Chief, 63t 0 The owner of Waitaki declared to carry overweight. Dick made the running from the beginning, and forced the pace the whole of the distance. On coming into the straight running, Wild Boy collared Dick, and led by about half a length at a terrific pace. Dick failed to make up the lost distance, leaving first place to Wild Boy. A protest was entered by Dick's owner for alleged jostling ; but after a lengthy examination of witnesses for both parties, a decision was given in favour of the winning horso. Time, lmin. 54secs.

Ladies' Purs'?, of 30 sovs. Dunstan Jockey Club welter weights for age. Gentleman riders. Mile and a half. Entrance £3 3s. Mr Hazlett's g g Musician, aged, 12at 1 ~ Jolly's ch g Excelsior, aged, 12st.. 2

Wild Boy was scratched. Considerable interest was centred in this race, both horses having their backers. M usician looked in splendid form, and, as the result proved, fully deserved the enconiums passed on him prior to the start. Although Excelsior ran gamely, he had more than his match in Musician, who took first place in an easily won race. Time 3min. 4 sees.

Consolation' Handicap, of 30 sovs., for all beaten horses. Distance, one mile and a half. Post entry, £1 10s. Mr Dawkins' g m Nelly Grey, Bst 31b ... 1 ~ Goodman's bl m Litlle Nell, Sst lib 2 ~ Delamaine's ch m Atalanta, 9st 51b 3 ~ M'Kay's gm Shepherdess, 7st 51b 0' ~ Knudsen's b g Garnet, 63t 121b 0 ~ Grant's b g Comet, 6st 121b 0

This was one of the best races of the meeting, the race home being a splendid exhibition of the good jockeyship of Cray, on his equine namesake. After a severe- finish, Nelly was landed a winner by about a head, Little Nell second, and AtalanDa a bad third. THIRD DAT—SATURD Y, FEB. 26. At the conclusion of the racing on Frir day it was arranged among the principal owners of horses, and others who- had attended the meeting, that a third days' racing should be got up for the following day, Saturday. It being almost dark on Friday evening when the Consolation Stakes were run for, it was also decided to postpone the Hospital Rice, for which a considerable sum of money had been raised, till Satnrd.iy. Several events having been arranged for, a good number of spectators were on the course by the'usual hour, and the races undermentioned were contested :

Handicap Hurdle Race of 25 sov3. Distance, mile and a half. Over live nights of hurdles. Entrance, 1 sov. ; acceptance, 1 sov. Second horse to receive amount of acceptances. Mr M'Morran's Dr Black, lOst 1 ~ Fraser's To Kooti, 9st 2

~ Glassford's Gray Friar, 9st 3 Billy, Swell, and Tornado also ran. Don Pedro was scratched. Gray Friar was the favourite, To Kooti also having his backers. The race was an excellent one. All the horses took the first hurdle in first-rate style, Gray Friar leading. It was soon apparent that Dr Black, who had taken first place, would win the race, although at every hurdle Gray Friar and Te Kooti made efforts to join liim. The Doctor was never caught, and won a very good race.

Handicap Rack of 25 sovs. Open to all horses. Mile and a half. Nominations, £1 ; acceptances, £l. Amount of acceptances to go to second horse. Mr Hazlett's g g Musician, Bst 101b 1 ~ M'Morran's Roderick, 6sfc 101b 2 „ Samson's Young Alma, tist 101b. '. 3 Little Nell, Miss E mis, Cromwell, and Golden Cloud also ran. Splendid race home for second place between Roderick and Young Alma. Musician was not called upon once during the race. Selling Race, of 20 sovs. Open to all horses. Winner to be sold for £ls ; surplus (if any) to go to the race funds. No weight under 9s t. Distance, one mile. Entry, £l. Mr M 'Elligott's Banshee . \ ~ M'Kay's Shepherdess 2 Doodlein Buck, Wallaby, Donald, and Welcome also ran. It was considered that nothing could touch Doodlem Buck in the race. Banshee however, won easily, and was afterwards sold for £23. Hospital Race, for £23 Ss Gel, collected on the course. Six horses started, Young Alma being the winner. His jockey was presented with a riding whip, given for the purpose by Mr M'Keown. The election at Waikouuiti lias resulted in the defeat of our townsman, Mr Ure Mr Mitchell having been returned by a large majority.— Dunedin Letter. tidhway's Pills,— An Effectual Remedy for Debilitated Constitutions.- Disordered Liver Bile, and Indigestion.—Mr Robert llendloy, en'giueer, of Old Market-street, Bristol, in a letter to Frofessor Holloway, dated April 23, 1854, states that he was afflicted for nearly seven years with violent attacks a' indigestion, at! ended with pains in the side and disease of the liver, arising from a debilPated com'itution, brought on by oxposure to wet and cold weather. Every remedy had failed to give him any relief until he commenced using Ilolloway'a Pills ; but in two months they clfected a change in his whole •ystem. and finally restored him to perfect health