CROMWELL SPRING MEETING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 385, 3 September 1869, Page 2

CROMWELL SPRING MEETING.

These races came off on Wed csday last, the Ist inst,, in the presence of a good muster of people. The weather was most favorable, and the course was in first rate condition for running. The various events were keenly contested, and throughout it may be considered to have been as successful a meeting as was ever held on the Cromwell Race Course. The accommodation for visitors was as good as could be expected under the ciicumstances, and every credit is due to Mr. Dagg, the holder of the booth, fertile maniier in which he performed his duty as caterer. The want of a grand stand is badly felt, and I am of opinion that if one adorned the Cromwell course, everyone interested, whether owners of horses or spectators, would be benelitted, or at any rate better pleased, and more likely to attend any meeting than they are under existing circumstances. The hint lias been given, and we think it will bo as well if the Cromwell Jockey Club act upon it. The racing in the four events was very good, and the results, if deep drawn sighs and long faces are any criterion, were not so satisfactory as might have been to some of the knowing ones. For the first race seven started, and the money fell to Excclj sior, one of the favorite-. The hurdle race next followed, for which six started. The result took everyone by surprise, us Dr. Black, who carried | away the money, was not thought to | have any chance with the rest of the j company. Third race. Six started, when Excelsior was crowned victor, under the able guidance of Taggart, who has had charge of the horse for the past few weeks. The meeting was brought to a close by the best iaoo of t! e day, in which six competed for the honor of presenting to the Dunston District Hospital the amount collected on the course (about IH.), the distance being one mile. The horses, having been got well together, went off on the fall of the flag all of a heap. The position of affairs was not altered until the half-mile post was reached, when the pace began to tell on the bellows of some, and one by one they dropped in the rear, giving fast place to Charlie Holt on Wallaby, who reached the gaol first. Sweepstake of 10s. each, with .£lO added. Three - qearters of a mile heats.

M‘Donald’s c.g. Excelsior 1 1 M‘Morran’s b.g. Wallaby 1! 2 Foster’sb.g. Hamilton ... 3 3 Allen’s Steeve Kncudsou’s Kate Gray’s Wild Rose. J. . Hay’s Black Prince "ti Both heats wore much about the same, the struggle being between Excelsior and Wallaby, although Hamilton shewed up well. Hurdle race. £1 each, with £lO added.

Cowan’s hlk.g. Dr. Black 13 1 Foster's c.g. Charlie ...4 1 2

Jones’s eg. Pasha ..2 5 M'Morran’s c.g. Stockwell ...3 4 Cox’s hlk.g. Tonic ...5 2 Barry’sb.g. Catsmeat ...G G Betting, five to one on Charlie, five

to one against Dr. Black

Great excitement was evinced over this race. For the first beat Charlie

took the lead, taking his jumps inline style up to the last one, when he rushed past it, allowing Dr. Black to take his place, who reached the winning pest first with Pasha upon his shoulder. The second heat Charlie again took the lead, and maintained it right home. For the final heat Dr. Black and Charlie took it alone and made a splendid race, jumping their hurdles side by side in good style; the Dr. at length got away and landed home an easy winner, amid hearty cheering. Sweepstake of £1 each, with £lO added. One mile heats. M’Donald’s c.g. Excelsior 1 1 .

Town’s b.g. Traveller .. 22 Wrightson’s b.g. Free Trader ... 3 Smitham’a Cromwell Goodman’s Madam Duhig’s Wizard This was the best race of the day

In each heat, Excelsior took the lead and made the running, but 'was closely pushed by Traveller, who won second honors, the ruck being close up at the finish. Just before the racing commenced a pigeon shooting match took place for 20/ a side between a man from the Arrow and a quartz reefer. Fourteen birds were slrot, the men kept shooting bird for bird until the last pair, when the Arrow man shot dead, the Quartz-reefer merely winged, and going to pick it up, the bird took wing, and after flying for a long time outside the boundary, returned and fell inside where he was picked up and claimed, the bird having crossed the boundary line the Arrow man claimed the stakes, on referring to the refeiee, he decided it in of the Anew man, who according! was declared the winner, and the money handed over to him In our opinion the question is a very nice one to decide, inasmuch as it was stated by one side that the bird did not alight outside but merely had a fly and returned to within the boundary allowed for birds to fall in. On the other side it was stated it did alight. A good deal of money passed hands between the supporlers of the competitors.