ALEXANDRA RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 202, 23 September 1873, Page 5

ALEXANDRA RACES.

(t'ttOM OUll OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The Alexandra Spring Race Meeting took place on Friday, the 19th instant. The weather was everything that could be desired for racing weather, and the late rains had done much towards rendering the course in excellent condition, The attendance was unusually strong, the ladies mustering in force, and appearing to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Perhaps it was not altogether the racing they enjoyed, So much as the flirtation performances of the day ‘ and really these were very strong, in number and in nature. But, not wishing to be cynical, I may say that this kind of thing is only to be expected, for Alexandra is prolific in young people of both sexes just budding into maturity. The first event of the day was the District Handicap, of £l2 10s., which brought out a field of three, Cresidore being scratched in reserve for the Spring Handicap. Wild Manx Boy was the first to pass the winning post, followed by Kathleen, with Turpin a bad third, There was little or no excitement. The race was considered a gift to Manx Boy, who had it all his own way from the start.' For the Hack Selling Race, five came to the post, viz,—-Prince, Alice Hawthorne, Duke, Blackbird, and Nelly. Blackbird won two heats out of three, Prince being the only other horse having a show in the race. The rider of Prince managed to come to grief in each heat immediately after passing the win* ning-poat, and thereby caused no small amount of amusement. Next came the “ big event” of the day—the Spring Handicap, of £2O. Manx Boy, Cresidore, and Brunette started, and came in in the order named, Manx Boy, -whose star was in the ascendant, winning as he liked. There Was a great deal of betting on this race, the Clyde folks backing their mare Brunette at 5 to 1, and a great deal of money therefore changed hands, much to the annoy* ance of our friends of the Empire City. For the Ladies Purse, of £l2 10s., four started : Manx Boy, Nellie, Blinkie, and Prince. The first-named once more came to the front. There was an exciting struggle for second place, our old friend at the Balmoral labouring hard to obtain it, but he was doomed to disappointment. The Consolation Handicap Secured three entries but Cx-esidore, when the Weights came out, was withdrawn, thus leaving the contest to Kathleen and Turpin. A splendid race resulted, the ground being disputed inch by inch for the whole distance, and Kathleen binding the winner by half a length only. Three aspirants made their appearance for the Hospital Race, but it was a very lame affair, Kathleen winning hands down. And so ended the day’s racing. Great credit is due to the Stewards for the eminently satisfactory manner in which they conducted the business of the meeting. Not a hitch of any sort occurred to interfere with the success of the day’s proceedings, and everything passed off with the utmost harmony and good feeling on all sides.