CROMWELL SPRING RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 October 1872, Page 5

CROMWELL SPRING RACES.

+ On Friday morning the sky looked threatening, and a chilly south-westerly gale blew until after midday, when a change took place for the better ; and during the afternoon the coolness of the atmosphere was tempered by frequent glimpses of genial sunshine. At tha Racecourse a larger number of people congregated on that day than we have seen at any I previous Spring Meeting in this district. I The attendance could scarcely have been less than 300, and possibly the estimate may be .under the mark. An animated throng o : sightseers buzzed about in the vicinity of the stand throughout the afternoon, and although batting—the bane of the British turf—was almost neglected, there were other and more rational means of amusement or excitement provided. A clever band of German musicians played and vocalised in the intervals between the several races, and their exertions were liberally recompensed with contributions of silver coin. The talented young female violinist attached to this troupe handles her instrument with a degree of skill and a delicacy of touch hardly to be excelled by the most accomplished professors of the art. Two of the members of the Star Variety Troupe—Messrs Prosser and Melville—performed a number of novel and daring feats on the trapeze; and these "artistes" also made a considerable " rise" out of their "show." The grand stand and booth were under the management of Mr J. Marsh, of the Bridge Hotel; and it is almost superfluous to add that the arrangements in connection with the liquor and refreshment departments were as complete and effective as could be desired. The stewards of the races displayed the utmost assiduity and attention in the discharge of their onerous duties throughout the meeting. The weather on Saturday was bitterly cold, —in fact, quite as much so as on any day during the past winter ; but this circumstance did not prevent a very tolerable muster at the Course in the afternoon. Immediately after the Selling Race, the winner (Wexford) w is put up to auction by hi< owner, Mr Hazlett, and ro-purchas?d by that gentleman at the low price of £ls. The stewards, who knew nothing of the matter until after the sale, held a meeting to inquire into the circumstances, and the result was that the President was deputed to wait upon Mr Hazlett and request him to hand over the horse to the stewards, who alone had power to authorise the sale of the winner of any such race. Mr Hazlett distinctly refused to comply with the demand of the stewards; and the matter was again brought up at'a meeting of the stewards held in the evening at the Bridge Hotel. The following resolution was then unanimously adopted : " That unless'the chestnut gelding Wexford, winner of the selling stakes, be handed over to the Stewards for sale according to the advertised programme, or authority be

received from Mr sell-the horse. 1 the stake 3 of said rUoe be" withheld." 'The Secretary was instructed to' telegraph the foregoing resolution to Mr Hazletfc (who had returned to Clyde) early on Saturday morning ; but we understand that no reply has yet been received by the Club. We give below the results of the racing. FIRST DAY-FRIDAY. Maiden Plate of £lO. Three-quarters of a mile. Weight for age. Mr M'Kay's c a Vnri. PhiJin Buck, 2 "rs. Ssfc ~ "(Fraser) 1 Air Jaggart's b g Glenwherry, aged, lOst. ••••••;•■. (W.Gray) 2 Mr J. Grindley's r m Lady Chorister, 4 yrs.. 9st (J. Lang) 3 Mr Eraser's cin Ruby, 4 yrs., 9st. (VVaddell) 0 Mi- Knudseu's biu Kate, aged, 105t.... ' Mr T. Johnston's b g Young Don, 3 yrs., Bst .'(A. Robertson) 0 Mr J. Wrightson's b m Fanny, aged, lOst. Mr J. S. Burres's c g Croton, 5 yrs., lust.... After a very straggling start, the Buek was seen to be leading, with Mr Taggari's bay in close attendance, and the remainder of the field advancing in small detachments some distance in the rear. Turning into the straight, Lady Chorister, Fanny, and Ruby made good running, and succeeded in closing .well up to the leading horses, both of which - c were going at a tearing pace. W/ithin forty yards of the goal, the Buck was called upon to make a spurt, and passing Glenwherry, won by about a length ; the bay a very good second, Lady Chorister next, Ruby and Fanny fourth and fifth. After passing the post, Glenwherry demonst-ated his displeasure at being beaten by tossing Gray out of the saddle, and taking a gillop across the plain on his own account. Tiie jockey, fortunately, was not hurt, and the runaway wa? soon afterwards caught. The race, as timed by Mr Cowan, occupied 1 min. 25 se -s. Spring Handicap of £25. Distance, a mile and a half. Mr T. M'Kay's br hj Bedouin, 6 vrs, Sst. 10lh "(Fraser) 1 Mr J. Wrightson's b in Fauay, aged, 7st. 51b. (J. Simpson) 2 Mr T. M'Kiy's br hj Saladin, 5 yrs, 9st '. (W. Gray) 3 Mr J. S. Burres' c g Croton, 5 yrs . 7st. (carried 2at. 0.w.) (v. Rob3rt3on) 0 Mr M'Kav, the owner of Bedouin and J Saladin, declared to win with the former. Starting from the grand stand, Bedouin led for three-quarters of a mile, followed by Croton, Fanny, and Saladin, in the order named. At the three-quarter-mile post, Mr Wrightson's mare came up and passed Oroton and Bedouin, but was only able to maintain her position for a brief interval, foi.' the Arab's rider give him the rein, and it was not long till Bedouin gave a convincing proof of his superior stamin i. Nearing the win-ning-post, the dapple-brown stallion seemed to be going quite at his and won the race by half a dozen lengths ; Fanny second, Saladin third, and Croton kinging up the rear. Croton's fractious behaviour.tended more than his lack of speed to lessen his chance of a better place at the finish. Tme 3.12. ' Selling Race of £ls. The winner to be sold for £ls: any surplus to go to the Race Fund. No weight under lOst. Three-quarters of a mile heats. Mr J. Kazbtt's c g Wexford (S. Waddell) I 1 Mr John Wilson's b m Nelly (G. Partridge) 22 Dr Lake's hj g Gambler (J. Line) 3 - Mr R. Kidl's c g Magenta (Fraser) 0 .'i In the first heat, Wexford (the favourite) at once took up the lead, and maintained it throughout, winning by a dozen lengths. Gambler assumed second place at the outset, but was soon displaced by Nelly, aid could not be persuaded to get up steam enough to give him the slightest chance at the finish Magenta could not have been expected te distinguish himself in point of speed ; at all events, if any entertained such an expecta- j tion regarding him, they were disappointed. For the second heat, Gambler did not ! stirt, and the result was the same as that of [ the first heat: Wexford won in a canter, with Nelly an indifferent second. Handicap Trotting Race of £5. Distance, two miles. No weight under list. Mr W. Goodall's b m Mary Anne, 150 vds Bfcirt (R. Swm) 1 Mr W. Gray's ch g Sam, 50 yds (Own)f) 2 Five others started, viz.:—Mr Scot's b ra Bones (200 vds.) ; M- Knld's cc Baldr (101) yds); Mr Marshall's big Mwri (2'JO vds.); Mr M'Kay's b m Nightingale (2 0 yds.); and Mr Matthews' bg Vulcan (scratpl). The trotting was very mush betberthan mig. t have been expected for si small a shake. At different stages of the distance, Bone?, Bald -, Maori, and Nightragle were "mowed d >wn," and ere the last half-mile, there were but three resirvntng contestants,—Ma'y Ann' Sam, and Vulcan. When the was reached, San had managed to get within fifty yards of Mr Goodall's mare ; whilst Vulcan had hardly held his own,— certainly i not gained at all upon his more favourably ! treated rivals. Hack. Race of £lO. DVance, one mile. I No weight under lOst. Mr T iggart's b ; Glenwherry (T. M'Kav) 1 i Mr J. Wilsto's. z g Native (Fraser) " Mr Kmidsen's bl g Prince (Partrid , 9 ) 3 i M r Grmdley's r m Lady Chorister (Lang) 0 Glenwherry won easily by four lengths. This concluded the day's programme ; and ! by half-past six p.m. ihs course was "com-1 pletely deserted.

' SECOND DAY—SATURDAY. The Shjrts, a race for £10": half-mile heats without disriiottnMng. No weight mi ier e ght stone. Mr M'tvav's Port Philio Hujk .. (Fraser) 0 I 1 Mr Taint's Mtmwuerry (Owner) I ) 2 Mr DoVd'sg g rippL (i'o!lock) 2 0 0 ,J r « u . r i eß V r ' )ton M'Kiy) 0 2 0 MrOnffi-hB B>bby Burns (Swan) 3 3 0 Mr ttubirta' Na:ive o 0 0 In th 3 first heat, Glen vherry went off with the lead, was afterwards pass' d hv the Bu aid tha Cripple, and towards ihe finish a»ain amim-id the foremost, n'ace rawsia* the judge's box four lengths in advance" of the grey. The Buck was held in reserve for the succeeding h-ats. When abreast of the win-ning-post, the Chippie stumbled and fell on his rider, who was taken up in a'sta'e ofuuconsciousness ; but fortunately no b;>n is were broken. The lad (J. Pollock) was pr >m it y attended to by Dr Corse, and sjon ltco/Jred from the tfficts of the accident. At the start for the second heat, C.oton, although ridden with winkers, gave hj ir der a great deal of trouble in getting i im up to the scratch. Having at last got him into position, Mr D iwkins dropped the flag to a veryuievei start, and the Buck mad i the running very warm throughout. Bobby was abreast of the Buck for a couple of fu lon rs, but it soon becama apparent the chestnut »ai t>o fast for him. Croton mad ■ a string eff rt to prove himself a flyer, and succeeded in passing everything except the Buck. The winner passed the grand stand with the saddle ungirthed, but the jockjy foi tun ltd/ kept his seat, and won the heat eas ly. The final heat lay between Glenwherry and the Buca. The latter ,von as he liked, alt iou A Taggart tried his best to bring about a different result. For the Consolation* Handicap of £lO, distance one mile, there was but a single entry, and the result was a hollow victory for Mr M'Kay's br hj Saladm. In accordance with the usual custom in . such cases, tin owner received only fifty per cent, of the stakes. The nnefcing was brought to a conclusion with a Hospital Race for £lO ; distance, half a mile ; catch weights. The rider of the winning horse to be presjnted with a handsome wxap. Port ' liilip Buck (Fraser) 1 Mr Hod,Ws Merrythought.. ..(Robertson* 2 Mr Hurley's Fenian (Wright) 3 MrM'Kiy's Saladin (Gray) 4 Mr Ballard's Uid U Mr M'Donald's Flying Tib 0 Mr Talboys'Brigha n Youno; 0 This was decidedly the most exciting event of tae meeting, the finish being partic Uany g)od. Alter a rapid run the Buck proved a winner. Merrythought was only a length behind, and Fenian a very good t lird.