DUNSTAN ANNUAL RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 170, 11 February 1873, Page 6

DUNSTAN ANNUAL RACES.

So far as attendance is concerned, the Dunstan meeting of 1873 bears a very unfavourable comparison with those of former years. 303 people are but a poor gathering to witness what has hitherto been deemed the most important up-country meet in the Province ; and certainly it is the oldest established. Here we may correct an error into which the Dunstan Times has ignorantly fallen when it says that the first race-meeting in Otago was held at Silverstream in 1862. Dunedin had races in ’SO or’6l, and occasionally afterwards in the interval, also. It is difficult to account for the gradual falling-off in the attendance at these Dunstan annual meetings, which has been perceptible during the last three or four years. Perhaps the season of the year is unfavourable, the miners having now settled down to work, and being unwilling to leave it so soon after the holidays. Whatever the reason, such an attendance is far from gratifying to the Club, which deserves a far greater public appreciation of its success and trouble in getting up so excellent a programme year after year for the public diversion. The first day was far from enjoyable. The racing was poor, and this is disagreeable to everyone—to the handicapper, the stewards, the unlucky horse-owners, and the public. Then the dust was disgustingly prevalent ; and as the tickling in the throat it always occasions could be allayed only by means of shilling drinks, the British public could not afford to patronise the remedy to the extent they would have liked, and therefore felt dissatisfied, and grumbled and growled accordingly. However, the second day was an improvement in all respects. The events, with the exception of the Town Plate, were well contested. The weather, though plaguey hot, was not windy, and thus the dust plague was done away with. And souls who had thirsted in sorrow, if not in silence, while the shilling held sway, enjoyed the unlooked-for reduction to sixpence, and so, too, enjoyed the sport, with a new-found satisfaction in the fact that money to-day went twice as far as yesterday. Mr Hawthorne had purchased the Grand Stand and booth for £lls ; but his venture could hardly have been a fortunate one. Four shillings was charged for a seat in the Stand. The Club, since they have obtained the race-course as a property, have wisely expended a considerable sum of money in improving the refreshment, stewards’, and jockeys’ rooms, &c. The Mayoral element was largely and respectably represented, no less than four Mayors and five ex-Mayors being present on the Course on Thursday. Perhaps it will not be thought out of place here to pay a slight tribute to the memory of a jockey who has been connected with nearly every race-meeting at the Dunstan, Cromwell, and Queenstown for a number of years, and who died in the Dunstan Hospital only two or three weeks ago. We refer to William Gray,—so well-known and respected among his fellows and by many others throughout this district. He was thoroughly honest as a rider, and a decent, quiet, sober ■ young man ; and there were none who knewj him who did not grieve to hear that Billy | was gone. The stewards on this occasion deserve a word of commendation. All the racing over by six o’clock, is a new experience on the Dunstan course. Otherwise, also, the diffc- 1 rent officers carried out their duties with a j praiseworthy energy. FIRST DAY-THURSDAY, FEB. 6, Maiden Plate : £3O. Distance, one mile and a half. Weight for age. Mr W. Fraser’s b m Flora, by Roebuck, 3 yrs, 7st 51b (Moore) 1 Mr J. Hazlett’s eg Wexford, aged, 1 Ost lib (Waddell) 2 Mr Monaghan's b g Otamcte, o yrs, Ost 161b (M‘Kay) 3 Flora was the favourite. One or two false attempts at a start were made, and when Mr Cowan did get them away it was in rather straggling order, —Wexford having a couple of lengths the worst of it for a hundred yards or so. Otamete gradually increased the lead he had taken to about three lengths, the two others running together. But when half the journey had been accomplished Flora passed him ; and Wexford also before the straight was reached. No further change of position occurred. Flora won without much trouble by two lengths ; Wexford, hardly pushed at all, heating Otamete by three. Time, 2.58. Handicap Hurdle Race : £6O. Distance, about 2 miles, over eight flights of hurdles. Mr S. Nosworthy’s b g Tambouriui, by Towton—Opera, 4 yrs, Ost 121b (Keay) 1 Mr J. Backhands c g Sir Tatton, aged, lost 41b ... (Laing) 2 Most people favoured Sir Tatton. Ho was the “hero of a hundred fights,” many of them hard-won victories, and long ago established a good name for himself ; while T-un-bourini came forward to a maiden performance in the hurdle line of business. But Sir Tatton stripped badly, and at once sank in general estimation as a likely winner. He almost dozed while his shoes were being taken off; looked dull, almost pinebed-np, and in no likely humour to jump. And he did not belie his looks ; for at the first fence, to which he led, he refused. He consented on the I second asking, however; after a little shaking i up ; and thereafter took every leap in his usual flying stylo,—not coining up to them half hesitatingly, and rising only when directly on top of them, but taking them fairly in his stride, almost as if he enjoyed the fun, as a noble horse should. Tambouriui never declined, although he seemed rather dubious /it the fourth hurdle, where Sir Tatton gained

quite thirty yards in the jump, getting within fifteen lengths of his opponent, or even less. Bat the musical gentleman had “the turn of foot” ; what he lost while jumping ho more than recovered in running ; and he passed Mr Simpson’s box forty or fifty yards ahead. Even had Sir Tatton not baulked, in all probability the result would have been the same. This victory goes far to prove that Tambourini can beat anything in the country, except Medora perhaps, over hurdles, —at weight for age, at any rate. Dunstan Jockey Club Handicap : £IOO, with a sweep of £3 3s. to the second horse. Distance, two miles. Mr J. Hazlett’s bg Atlas, by The Peer—Barbara, aged, 7st 71b (Holt) 1 Mr U, O’Brien’s b g Wiklboy, aged, 7st 101b (J. Cotton) 2 Mr D. O’Brien’s b m Miss Ennis, aged, Gst 81b (T. Cotton) 3 Mr S. Nosworthy’s br m Malice, 5 yrs. 9st 111b (Reav) 0 Mr J. Hazlett’s b m Brunette, aged, 7st 21b dr. Atlas was generally believed to be “best in” as regarded the handicap, and his appearance in the saddling-paddock confirmed the probabilities of him winning. At the start, too, he was all life, and anxiety to get away; and in each of the four or five false attempts, he went the greatest distance. Eventually, when the flag dropped, Miss Ennis rushed off' with the lead, hard held, and maintained it for .about three-quarters of a mile, when she had to succumb first to Atlas, immediately afterwards to Wildboy, and presently to Malice. Reay, however, shortly appa rently abandoned hope, and allowed Malice to drop again to the rear, in which position he quietly cantered home. Atlas and Wildboy were meanwhile going strong, and increased their lead to six or seven lengths, the latter losing by a full length and a half. The winner was never pressed at all. Time, 3.50. The time for the Jockey Club Handicap (of the same distance as the race under notice) at the last Canterbury meeting was 3.43 ; in which Malice, carrying 7st 121b, was beaten by only a length. Hack Selling Race : £ls. Distance, one mile. No weight under lOst. Mr J. Wrightsnn’s b m Fanny ... (Laing) 1 Mr Gordon’s Young Turpin (M‘Kay) 2 Mr Colclough’s Fenian (Cameron) 3 Mr Wilkins’Kathleen (V'arshnll) 0 The last on the list was a filly of but three years of age, and the weight was altogether too much for her. Fenian was very poorly ridden. Fanny won by a couple of lengths. She was bought in at auction by Mr Wrightson for £lB 55., £3 os. of which went to the race fund. Members’ Handicap : £4O. Distance, one mile. Mr .1. H:izlett’s b m Brunette, by Scud—Callista,,aged, 7st 41b (Holt) 1 Mr J. Cox's c m Madam, aged, Gst 121b (Richardson) 2 Mr D. O’Brien’s c hj Dragon, 3 yrs, Gst 91b (T. Cotton) 3 Mr W. Fraser’s^m Flora, 3 yrs. Gst 3!b ... (Moore) 0 A false start took place, and Dragon, quite regardless of his youthful, or at least diminutive, rider’s efforts to pull him up, galloped the whole d stance. This, of course, was a j strong barrier to him winning the race,—a runaway gallop being of a swaying, struggling nature from beginning to end, having a mucli more tiring effect than a steady spin of the same distance would have. When the field ! w r ere sent away in earnest, Flora entirely spoiled her chance by running a muck at the first post she came across, and thus getting herself left considerably behind. Brunette and Dragon raced in close company for the first half-mile, after which Brunette gradually put distance between them. Then Madam passed the chestnut horse, and coming into the straight it looked as if she were going to pass Brunette also. But it was not to be, although the boy certainly rode her all he know ; Brunette—Holt from time to time casting enquiring but confident glances over I his shoulder—maintained a lead of a length and a half to the finish. Dragon and Flora were three and five lengths behind Madam respectively. Time, 1.53. SECOND DAY-FRIDAY. Grand Stand Handicap : £GO. Distance, a mile and a half. Mr Nosworthy’s b in Hatred, by Traduccr— Emmeline, 5 yrs, Sst Gib (Dcrrett) 1 Mr Hazlett’s b g Atlas, aged, Sst 81b (Waddell) 2 Mr Nosworthy’s br m Malice, 5 yrs, S;t 121b (Reay) 3 Mr O’Brien’s b g Wildboy, aged, 7st 121b ... (J. Cotton) 0 Mr Fraser’s b f Flora, 3 yrs, ost 121b ... (Richardson) 0 Mr O’Brien’s b m Miss Ennis, aged, Gst (T. Cotton) 0 Mr Hazlett’s b m Brunette, aged, Sst (Holt) 0 This was the most exciting race of the meeting ; and indeed may be truthfully described as the best contested event of the season. That the handicap was as near perfection as possible, was proved by the fact that from first to last the field kept so closely together as to render it a matter of some difficulty to distinguish one from another. The start was a very fair one. For the first couple of hundred yards, the horses were almost hidden beneath a cloud of dust; but as soon as they came to the first turn, a clear view was obtained, and Brunette was seen to be leading, with Malice close on her quarter and the others all in a heap. Brunette remained in front until half a mile from homo, when she was passed by Malice. Reay now ventured to give his mare a touch of the whip, to which she responded by swerving of] the course a few yards ; and although sire was quickly got on the track again, her chance

was gone, for Hatred and Atlas now came up, fl racing, almost, neck and nock, and both passed ■ Malice opposite the Grand' Stand. . Hatred I here made a splendid effort, shook off Atlas, I and won by a length and a half. The time, B as taken by Mr Buckham, was 2.49 ; but Mr I Prins made it 2.50. It should be stated that I Mr Hazlett had declared to win with Atlas, I who was a strong favourite in the Calcuttas. I Scurry Stakes ; £25. Winner to be sold fl by public auction : if for £4O, 10st 11b ; £3O, ft 9st 11b ; £2O, Bst lib. Surplus to go to the ■ Race fund. Distance, one mile. iv Mr J. Cox’s c m Madam, Bst lib (J. Cotton) 1 fl Mr S. M ‘Cullough’s c g Golden Cloud, 9st 11b B (J. Laing) 2 B Mr Cox’s br hj Bedouin, lOst lib ... dr I For this race only two entries came to the ft starting-post—Golden Cloud and Madam, B Bedouin having been scratched. After an K excellent start, Madam went to the front and I kept the lead throughout, winning without an I effort by half-a-dozen lengths. Laing made B strenuous exertions to win with the Cloud, ft but the distance was too short for the old B chesnut.—Time—l.s2. The winner was sold ® by auction for £33, Mr W. Fraser being the ® purchaser. |; Town Plate : £7O. Distance, two miles and 8.... a half. Weight for age. | Mr Nosworthy’s b g Tambourini, by Towton ® Opera, 4 yrs, 9st 31b . ..(tleay) 1 ft Mr Patterson’s b g Burgundy, aged, lOsfc 11b 0 ft" This was virtually a walk-over for Tam- I bourini. The other horse, Burgundy, had I been bought by Reay subsequent to being I entered for the Plate, and was merely started B to enable Tambourini to win tbe full amount fl of the stakes. Much disappointment was ex- I pressed that no trial of speed was afforded, B. especially as the great majority of the spec- || tators knew nothing of Burgundy having B changed hands until after the race. But, I after all, no blame could be attached to any B one in the matter, and it was generally ad- B: mitted that Mr Nosworthy’s stable deserved fl the windfall. I Hack Race ; £lO. Ko weight under 9st, B Distance, one mile. & Mr M’Cullongh’s c g Golden Cloud, by Tow- p ton—Emma, aged (Laing) ]■ Mr Haz’efct’s c g Wexford (Waddell) 2H Mr Quail’s b g Wild Manx Boy ...(Crossan) 3 p Mr M‘Kay’s c m May Queen ... (Owner) oft: Four others ran—viz., Mr Coiclongb’s Fenian, B Mr Butler’s Ivanboe, Mr Scott’s Fenwick, ami K Mr Roach’s Grey Nell. f; A very good race until near the finish, ft when the held were somewhat scattered, K Wexford, followed by May Queen and Golden l| Cloud, led for a little over half a mile, when B the Cloud took up the running, and kept the|| lead to the end, winning by half-a dozen B lengths. By dint of good riding and plenty B of whip, Waddell managed to bring Wexfoidft ' in a good second; Wild Manx Boy, riddenß 1 by a non-professional, being a very 7 good third, B ' Time—l.s3. || ; Golden Cloud was afterwards sold privateir B 1 to Mr Prins for £2B. In Canterbury, wln-iiß 1 a three-year-old, the same horse is said toB ( have realised £359. t; The last race of the day was the H Consolation Handicap : £23. Distance, ft j, one mile. B Mr H. Williams’ b g Burgundy, by Golden ft Grape—Bttiy Martin, aged, 9st 121b ... B , ... ... (Williams) ll 1 Mr O’Brien’s chj Dragon, 3 yrs, Gst 71b ... ft J (J. Cotton) 2B| ” After the start, the result of this race was ft never in doubt. In spite of the great dis-ft P* parity in the weights, Burgundy went awayß f () in advance from the jump, and was neverß ’ even approached by the son of Ravens worth j| j and Ladybird. Burgundy’s victory in thisß , 1 race aitbrds another proof of his great supe-K’ riority as a weight-carrier over all the horse® T that have run against him this season. Tam® i bourini would most likely beat him at weiglitap j for a ;e, but certainly no other horse in Otagfiftl 0 \at the present time is entitled to be placediiß i the same rank with Burgundy. ftßy In accordance with the usual custom, tlB Hospital Race was postponed till the tiro® n -‘ day, Bam SATURDAY, ■ ftw 1 and, in addition, a Handicap Race and®ton Private Match were also arranged for tliftanc same day. ® I The Handicap—a well-contested race-w® the won by Wild Manx Boy, beating WextoWand and others. ®to c The match was between Wild Manx Bclßjdoli (owned by Messrs Reay and Prins) and Wei® ford ; the former being backed by his ownenft \ and the latter by a well-known sportiiSjthe banker, for L.20 a side. The match result*®iu 0 j in a victory for Wexford, ridden by Holt. R adh The Hospital Race was won by Wild Mu®stru Boy. ®ikiu