LAKE DISTRICT RACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 219, 20 January 1874, Page 6

LAKE DISTRICT RACES.

NOTES BY ▲ CROMWELL VISITOR. Queenstown was hardly so crowded on the occasion of the annual races as it was at several previous meetings, This may possibly be accounted for on account of the accommodation which is procurable among the settlers, who are becoming more and more numerous ♦very year in the neighbourhood. There %as a good gathering, 1 however, with people from our own and other districts. The Cromwell auctioneer was there, T saw, and he succeeded in getting off, a good few Calcuttas, although the money hardly appeared so plentiful as I have often before seen it. Amongst Other .things fop the amusement of the people, ■there were performances by the Ixion troupe, Who were lately performing in Cromwell, and by the Clifton troupe. There was also a billiard-match between Weston, the champion, and Mr Powell, a well-known local player. Mr Weston gave Mr Powell 350 points out of 700, and failed to catch him with that handicap, as Mr Powell won by about half of the points conceded. Mr Powell made breaks of from 15 to 35 during the game. The champion did not appear to be up to his usual form. The betting fraternity were present in goodly numbers, but business in their line in the town was very dull. In the Maiden Plate, Misty Morn had the ■call, the only other mentioned being Little Hawea. In the Grand Stand Handicap, Tafffrail was. supported for a large amount, and ugly rumours prevailed on the course in consequence. The Jockey Club have fenced in the racecourse reserve, and rented it to some person or other. He charged 2s. 6d. admission to all horsemen, and a corresponding amount, 1 suppose, to foot and carriage passengers. The lessee must have done very well indeed by his bargain, as the attendance on both days was very good. The Club has also built an •excellent Stand. It is a commodious structure, with good dining, bar, Stewards’, and jockeys’ rooms. Our old friend, Mr Barry, was the purchaser of the Grand Stand on this occasion, and as there were merry times at the. bar on both days, the speculation must have been remunerative. The catering as regards both eatables and drinkables could not well have been surpassed. His Excellency the Governor arrived on the course about one o’clock on the second day, and met with a hearty reception, to which lie responded in' his usual courteous and expressive manner,—by gently removing and then replacing his white hat. Many enquiries were made as to a gentlemanly-look-ing young man, an occupant of the carriage ; xftany asserting it was the equerry ; others, that it was some swell, a personal friend of the Governor, holding an estate adjacent to his in the old country. But all gossip ceased when Sir James left his vehicle for a ■stroll, and a friend stepped forward and shook the stranger by the hand, who turned out to be Mr Carmichael, Cobb and Co.’s wellknown and trusted driver. The appearance of the crops, which are looking splendid, and the beautiful nature of the scenery round the race-course generally, added not a little to the enjoyment of the

races. It was (for the Lake district) inclined to be a little dusty, but nothing like what •can-be witnessed on the Cromwell or Dunstan flats on divers occasions. FIRST DAY—THURSDAY. Maiden Plate, of 25 so vs. One mile and a half. Weight for age. Little Hawea I Of this race, the less said the better 'or racing morality. Little Hawea could not be Lept back, and consequently won under great apparent disadvantages. The general public were enthusiastic at his victory. Misty Mom, the great “ pot,” finished in a manner -that shows her incapable of winning against •ordinary hicks. <3rand. Stand Handicap, of 50 sovs., and a ' sweep of 3 sovs. each, to go to second horse. Two miles. Tambnrini .. 1 Taffrail 2 Malabar ... 3 Hack Selling Race, of 20 sovs. Heats, once round the course. Port Philip Buck 1 Wakatip Handicap, of 25 sovs. Open to district horses only. Two miles. Swaggerer .. 1 Misty Mom 2 Fbankton Handicap, of 35 sovs. One mile and a half. Sir Tatton.. 1 Brunette 2 As anticipated by the friends of Brunette, she failed to carry the weight to the front, and was beaten after a good race by the veteran Sir Tatton. SECOND DAY. Wakatip Derby, of 40 sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. The Maid 1 ■ The Maid won in a canter. Hack Hurdle Race, of 25 sovs. One and a half mile heats. Over five flights of hurdles. .No less weight than 10st. Nigger 11 Nigger won both heats easily. Dr Black came ,in dead lame. It is a great pity some admirer of the turf does not purchase these two veterans and pension them off, placing them in some good paddock for the rest of their short lives. The winner is about 22 years old ; while the age of Dr Black is unknown, „ but he is supposed to have arrived shortly after the visit of Captain Cook. La’bS District Handicap, of 80 sovs. Distance, two miles. Malabar 1 TapibjiHiii . .., ... ... 2 MslAbat, with his light weight, won from

start to finish. , Tamburihi straggled through with his lOst 31b, but could not come up, the young monkey on Malabar beckoning O’Brien to come on, a request Dan. would no doubt have been glad to comply with, i ■ ■ Ladies’ Purse, of 25 sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. Welter weights for age. Gentlemen riders. Sir Tatton a 1 Malabar ... 2 Sir Tatton beat Malabar easily, the latter being evidently spent from his efforts in the handicap immediately preceding. Consolation Handicap. Taffrail l Brunette 2 i Brunette was a great favourite, two to one being offered on her. The weight, however, seemed to suit Taffrail, who landed her friends’ money in fine style.