DUNSTAN JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 355, 12 February 1869, Page 2

DUNSTAN JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

SECOND DAY. The attendance on the course to-day was larger than yesterday, and the only drawback to enjoyment was the dust, which a strong south-west wind swept up in alarming quantities during the earlier part of the sports. The grand stand and its refreshment department were again liberally patronised, and deservedly so, for Messrs. Johnson and Patterson had provided most bountifully, eveiything supplied being of the very best description. The events were as keenly contested as on the first day. Mr. Stronach made some very good starts, His experience on the previous day seemed to have worked wonders, and he appeared 0 have acquired more confidence. The steeplechase was an exciting event, and the Matakanui stables were again in luck. It was thought by many that Dragoon and Hindoo would not be run upon their merits, but results proved that any such surmises were perfectly unfounded and, had not the darkey come to grief at the last hurdle, the favorite old veteran of many a hard-won fight stood a good chance of forfeiting his laurels on this particular occasion. We have heard since the race that Mr. Glassford has decided to withdraw Dragoon from racing in future, and intends 1 tting 1 him retire upon his well-merited honors, j As Dragoon is so strictly a local horse, a , short sketch of his performances may not I be uninteresting to our readers. Since he

mode his debut upon the Dunstan Racecourse he has ran no leas than six steeple* chases, winning easily upon each occasion, and we must c'ass him as a really firstclass steeplechaser. In December, 1866, he carried off the Dunstan Steeplechase Handicap. The field was a strong one on that occasion, six horses starting, Dragoon beating the celebrated Garryowen and other cracks. Elated with success, his owner sent him to Dunedin in the following March, and there he carried off the steeplechase, beating Lottery and Od i Trick. In December, 1867, he again won the Dunstan Steeplechase Handicap, but forfeited the stakes owing to bis jockey having removed some portion of the obstruction at the water-jump with his foot. This jump, however, was a most formidable affair, i-nd no horse would look at it. At Queenstown, in January, 1868, he carried off the Hurdle Race, beating Garryowen and Camel. In the following March he once more paid Dunedin a visit, and again was victorious in the steeplechase, giving the town crack Lottery the go ; by, and showing his heels to Don Pedro. On Friday last he again appropriated the Dunstan Steeplechase Handicap as his usual legacy, and now withdraws from the field. Miners’ and Packers’ Purse of 20 Sovereigns. Three-quarters of a mile heats. Mr. Fraser’s Kate ... 1 0 1 M ‘Elligott’s Banshee ~010 Seven others started. Kate won both heats easily, and was hard held back in tha second ,heat, Betting, 2 to 1 against Kate. Dunstan Jockey Club Handicap, of 125 Sovereigns, with sweepstake of 5 sovereigns added. Second horse to receive the sweepstakes. Mr. Turnbull’s Golden Cloud (Grey) 1 Limbrick’s Traveller (Goodman) 2 Wentworth’s Croydon (Buckley) 3 Smitham’s Cromwell Cowan’s Spec Colclough’s Fenian Glassford’s Archer The flag dropped to a good start. Spec immediately bolted. A 1 the other horses kept well together, except Renown, who was out-paced. Archer, who appeared to be going well, fell lame within fifty yards of home, and dropped to the rear. Coming up the straight Cromwell struck Croydon’s heels, and stumbled, throwing his rider. About half a mile from Lome, Golden Cloud came to the front, and was never headed again, winning by about two lengths. Betting, 3 to 1 against Archer; 4to 1 against Cromwell, Golden Cloud, or Croydon ; 5 to 1 against Traveller. Handicap Steeplechase of 100 Sovereigns, over about four miles of country. Mr. H. Glassford’s Dragoon (Monaghan) 1 Handyside’s Hindoo (Bock) 2 Dragoon led to the last two jumps, taking his fences in capital style. The two raced at the last fence side by side, when Hindoo struck it and fell, Dragoon cantering in. Ladies’ Purse of 30 Sovi reigns. Gentlemen riders. One mile and a half. Mr. Cowan’s Spec ... 1 Glassford’s Merrythought .. 2 There were six entries for this race, hut four were scratched. Merrythought and Spec cantered together till within half a mile from home, when Merrythought bolted, and Spec cantered in to the winning post. Betting, 3tol on Merrythought. Consolation Handicap of 30 Sovereigns, for all beaten horses. One mile and a half. Mr. Howell’s Banjo ... 1 Newton’s Tonic ... 2 Smitham’a Cromwell ... 3 Colclough’s Feenian Limhrick’s Traveller Barbary’s Renown Banjo got away with a good lead, was never headed, and won easily Betting 5 to 2 against Banjo or Cromwell; 4 to I against Traveller.