CROMWELL SPRING RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 1, Issue 46, 28 September 1870, Page 5

CROMWELL SPRING RACES.

The most enthusiastic admirer of the “ noble old English pastime" of horse-racing could not have desired more favorable weather for the thorough enjoyment of the sport than that with which we were favoured on the first day of the Spring Meeting. The air was warm and clear, yet not oppressive ; and there was just sufficient wind stirring to temper the sun's rays down to a pleasant degree of coolness. The amount of stakes to be contended for was of course small in comparison with the prizes offered at our annual race meetings ; and although the entries were nominally limited to “hacks,” several horses of some note were among the entries for the more important “ events.” The number of persons present on the course on both days was as large as might have been expected, and the ladies were more numerous than is usually the case on such occasions. Mr J. Harding, of the Junction Commercial Hotel, had the Grand Stand and the booth connected with it, and it is hardly necessary to say that the arrangements were all that could be desired. The programme was arranged for Friday only, but it was afterwards extended so as to afford another day’s amusement on Saturday. FIRST DAY, FRIDAY, SEPT. 23. It was late in the afternoon before the horses entered for the first race came to the startingpost. The entries wore numerous, but most of the horses being comparatively unknown, not much interest was felt in the result. Maiden* Plate. —A sweepstake of 10s each, with 10 sovs. added. Open to all horses that have never won an advertised race (hack or other) up to the Ist September, 1870. Distance, three-quarters of a mile ; heats. Weights : 3 years, Bst; 4 years, 9st 41bs ; 5 years and aged, lOst 11b. Mr Frank Hayes’ g m Kate, 3yrs, Sst Sib (W. Edwards) - I 1 Mr Werner’s b g Sly, 3yrs, Sst, (R. Swan) - 2 4 Air J. Dillon’s b g Doctor, aged, lOst lib (D. O’Brien) - 3 2 Mr Dagg’s Cout-o'-Kildor, syrs, lOst 11b (Taggart) • 0 0 Mr Goodger’s g hj Ratty, 4yrs, !)st 41b (Miller) - 0 0 \ *r Mackinnon’s bl m Black Bess, 3yrs, Sst 121b (Owner) - 0 0 Kate at once took the leading position and maintained it to the finish, winning both heats with the greatest possible ease : neither of the others had the slightest chance in the race. The horses passed the judge’s stand in Indian file, abound' ty yards between each of them. Hurdle Race. —A sweepstake of £1 each, with 15 sovs. added. Open to all horses. Distance, a mile and a-half, over five flights of Hurdles. No weight leas than list. Mr 0. Tnrnbnll’s bl g To Kooti, aged (Owner) - i Mr R. M'Morran’s g g Faugh-a-Ballagh, agod (W. Gray) - ?, Mr T. A Fraser’s b g Daniel, aged,- {D. O'Brien) - 0 Tho horses started off at an easy pace, until the first hurdle was cleared, when Daniel get a

slight lead of the grey, To Kooti’s rider holding him hard. Daniel took the second leap admirably, but had scarcely recovered himself when some obstruction in the course tripped him, and he came to the ground. His rider was unseated, and got under the horse’s feet, but was not hurt. Daniel then broke away, but was caught soon afterwards, and was found to be slightly lame from the fall. The grey topped the second hurdle close on the heels of Daniel, and was followed by Te Kooti, who soon collared and passed him. The rebel chief now kept the lead throughout, and jumped all the hurdles in splendid style. Faugh-a-Ballagh baulked at the fourth leap, and his jockey lost time in getting him over it. Meanwhile, Te Kooti had gained too much ground to be overtaken, and won easily. Third Race.—A sweepstake of £1 each, with 15 sovs. added. Mr J. Cox’s o m Madam (Butler) - - I 1 Mr W. Smitbam’s c g Rip (O’Brien) - - 23 Mr J. Wrightson’s b g Doodlem Buck (Swan) - 3 2 Mr J. Sherwood's bl g Tonic (Waddell) -4 4 Mr J. Dawkin’s gni Nelly Gray (Gray) - 0 0 Mr H. S. Thomson’s b g Pompey (Foote), - 0 0 Mr C. Colclough’s b g Fenian (Partridge) - 0 0 Madam won both heats—the first one by about three or four lengths. There was a good race between the mare, Doodlem, and Rip in the first heat ; and between Madam and Doodlem in the second. Hurry Scurry. Mr R. M ‘Mnrran’s c g Roderick (C. Holt) - 1 Mr J. Wrightsou’s b g Doodlem Buck (Young American! - 2 These were the only entries, and Roderick although for some distance hard pressed by the Buck, came in an easy winner. Both carried verv light weights, and the race was a fast one. The Hospital race was postponed till the following day. SECOND DAY, SATURDAY, SEPT. 24. The Stewards met on Friday evening and arranged a programme of four races for Saturday. The first of these events was the Free Handicap of 10 sovs. Distance a mile and a half. Five entries. Mr Cox’s c m Madam, 9st - - - - 1 Mr R. M'Morran's c g Roderick, Bst 101b - 2 Mr ,1. Dawkin’s g m Nelly Grev 9st, - - 3 Mr W. Smitham's b g Cromwell, 7st 101b - 4 Mr F. Hayes’ g ni Kate, Bst • . - - 0 This was the best contested race of the meeting. .Kate bolted immediately after the start, but all the others kept well together, and, to use a sporting phrase, might have been ‘ ‘ covered with a sheet” for the greater part of the distance. Madam had a slight load throughout, and won only by a nose ; Roderick second, Nelly Grey third, and Cromwell fourth. It may be here stated that Cromwell was only brought in off the grass on Saturday morning. Trotti.no Race, for a Riding Saddle, valued at £5 55.. Distance two miles. Eight entries. Mr R. Stewart’s r g Stumpy (scratch) - - 1 MrJ. VI‘Donald’s b m Grace Darling (75 yards’ start) 2 Six others started, but the race lay between Stumpy and Grace Darling, and the first-named carried off the prize. Consolation Handicap, for all heaton horses. Distance, one mile. Mr Smitham’s b g Cromwell, 7st 101b - - 1 Mr c g Rip, Bst 51b - - - 2 Mr Dawkins Nelly Gray, Bst 21b - - -3 Mr Wrightsoa's b g Doodlem Buck Sst - 0 On account of his want of condition, Cromwell was handicapped at a light weight, and this no doubt had something to do with the result of the race. [Under any circumstances, Mr Smitham deserves credit for the pluck and perseverance he has always evinced in racing matters, in spite of the ill-luck he has had on the turf latterly. We trust that the spirited owner of Young Tom King, Cromwell, Rip, and Mailboy, will meet with better success in the future.] The concluding event of the meeting was the Hospital Rack, distance three-quarters of a mile. Catch weights. Mr R. M'Morran’s c g Roderick (C. Holt) - 1 Mr Wrightson’s Doodlem Buck - - .2 Mr ’s Comet 0 Six horses were entered for this race, which was well contested. Roderick, ridden by Charlie Holt, was the winner. In accordance with the usual custom, the boy was presented with a handsome riding-whip, valued at 20s. The sum of £lO was collected on the course in aid of the funds, and we are informed that the youthful jockey above-mentioned has won altogether about £4OO in stakes for the benefit of the Hospital. Mark Twain’s Hotel.—Having lately opened a hatshery, I send you these, my rules and regulations :—'Fliis house shall he considered strictly inn-temperate. None but the brave deserve the fare. Persons owing bills for board will be bored for bills. Boarders who do not wish to pay in advance are requested to advance and pay. Boarders are expected to wait on the colored cook—for meals. Sheets will bo rightly changod every six mouths, or more if necessary. Double boarders can have two bods with a room in it, or two rooms with a bod in it, as they choose. Boarders are requested to pull off their boots before retiring, if they can conveniently do so. Beils with or without bugs. All moneys clobber valuables arc to bo left in care of the proprietor. This is insisted on, as ho will bo responsible for no other losses. Inside matter will not he furnished for editors under any consideration. Relatives coming to make a six months’ visit will be welcomed ; bnt when they bring their household furniture, virtue will cease to be a forbearance. Single men with their families will not be boarded. Dreams will be charged for by the dozen. Nightmares hired out at a reasonable price. Stone vaults will bo furnished for snoring boarders, as the proprietors will in no wise bo responsible for the broken tiupanumi of others’ ears.