DUNSTAN SPRING RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 545, 27 September 1872, Page 2

DUNSTAN SPRING RACES.

The Annual Spring Race Meeting of the Dunstan Jockey Club came off on Friday and Saturday last, the 20th and 21st inst., and as a success, whether for attendance of visitors, number of competing horses, and their performances, or foi fine weather, completely eclipsed any Spring Meeting ever before held on the Dunstan course. The days were beautifully fin , scarcely any dust rising to mar the pleasure of any one. The contesting ground was in capital order, and the arrangements of the day were carried out without a hitch, thus everything conduced to the satisfaction all must have experienced. Each part of the district was fairly represented, and many were the happy greetings of friends and acquaintances, who had not met for a long time. Ever since the sturdy miner first entered the valley of the Upper Clutha in his search for the hidden treasures of the Molyneux, and by his presence c inverted the sleepy hollowiuto a busy thoroughfare, the Dui soan race-course was always a favorite trystiug place, and on Friday an I Saturday last the best, of evidence was given, in spite of all the croaking, and of the ungenerous sentiments of some of its neighbours, that it has still power to attract, and it is our beany wish that it may retain it, and that it will fall to our duty, for years to conic, to recount the pleasures of many more such successful meets as the one we'are now engaged on. The programme contained eight events, and the money to be sun for 951. Mr. William lusley was the holder of the booth, and from thepatronage bestowed on him, we think he has no cause to r. gret his venture. That most persuasive of all card vendors, and in mitabla of bellmen, Bub Moore, did a thriving business, as did also the fruit and other salesmen, of whom there were several. Aunt Sally, we opine, must have been laid up in ordinary, as she did not put in an appearance, neither were the merry-go-round and the other concomitants of the race-course present, but in their place was a pretty string band, and a rather unworthy repiesentative of the Davenport family, who after entangling himself in a piece of rope, was ready either to give or take odds about extricating himself. A gentleman was heard in all sincerity to say, with a deep drawn sigh,—a piece of rope might he the death of him yet. With tins slight digresssou no will to our task. For the Alexandra Handicap, the first race on the earn, six noble steeds put in an appearance, and with them as good a race ensued as could well be desired, hut as is not at all unusual, the favorite, Ac as, was not to the fore; in fact, and apparently much to the chagrin of the knowing ones, ne took third place. The race was between Merrylass and Cialadin, the mare, no novice at iho game, had tire ball in her hands Irour the beginning and howled it home at her leisure. Nine horses were colored and went to the post for . the Maineu Plate, including Swindle, Lady Chorister, Glenwherry, Dtwdrop, Gamecock, Port Phillip Buck, Polly, Hotspur, and Coquette and but for an accident, the rider of Buck coming in contact at the start with a flag post ana half stu. ning himself, the chestnut would most assuredly have won the as for tho last two hundred yards and when the boy ' had regained his consciousness he made a strong spurt, running like wind through Ids horses but reached only fourth place. Swndle however, who ran gamely with Lady Chorister close on her quarter, was declared vi tor. •'even went for the Hack Selling Race, which was won by Wexford after running the three heats, Lady Chorister running gamely and well for the whole i he event of the meeting, the Dunstan Handicap, of 30 sovs., was next contested for by Brunette, Chorister, Bobny, and Saladin; Br uettu lauding the money, after a hard struggle with Cresidor, who raced side by side with the bay from start to finish making it hot coffee. Saladin bolted therefore had no show in the race. Bobby stuck to his work but had no show. For the Hurdle Race four went, and tho favorite was again foiled. Unfort nately in the second heat he struck himself on the fore toot and went dead lame, and made it i walk over for the last h- at for Merrylass, who ran gamely and was awarded tho money. Fire-eater in tho second heat came down a cropper. Waddell, after a s.iako was quickly-amount again aud brought his no-se home. For the Consolation, the last race on tho . programme, eight were nominated hut only . six came to the sciatch, Glenwherry and Bedouin declining. Cresidor made the tinning pretty hot for the whop distance, mt site had to succumb to Saladin, who vas in fine fettle. Six went away for tho Hospital Race, vhich was won by Wexford, Fanny second. The Tiotiing race brought the meeting • a close, it being dusk when the start was mile, nothing further than the start and inidi could be sen, and as Penny came in irst tlie money was awarded her. The following are the particulars of the .eeting. FIRST DAY. VLEXANDRA HANDICAP, of 15 sovs. One mile. r. J. Mcllor’s b.m. Merrylass, Sst.’(Holt) 1 T. M‘Kay’s b.h. Saladin, Sst, Clb. (M 'Kay) 2 J. Hazlctt’s b.g. Atlas, 10s-. 21b. (Waddell) 3 J. Cox’sc.c. Por Philip Buck, Cst. 71b. • D. Taggart’s b.g Glenwherry, 7st.7lb. T. Hawthorne’s g.g. Bobby, Cst. 12!b. After one false start the team was got way all of a heap, Merrylass and Boi by n tadually drew away, and for half the ilis- , ance led the Held a merry dance. Bobby s. -towever could not stay, and had to give n’ ‘.ay-to the field, who, one by one passed :e by him. Saladin and Atlas took second ol and third places and in this position passed id the post. MAIDEN PLATE, of 10sovs, -Weightfor

age. Three quarters of a mile. 1 Mr M’Pherson’s b.g. Swindle, 4yrs 9st. I 101b. .. ... (M’Kay) 1 t Grindley’s r.f. Lady Chorister, 3yrs ( 9st. 41b.. ... . (Laing) 2 ( Taecart’a b.g. Glenwherry, aged lOst i S lib. (Taggart) 3 I Six othc s started This was a fast and ( well contested event, A good start sent ' them away, with Swindle in front, Lady , ‘Chorister ami Glenwherry close up, Port , Phillip Buck in the rear. Swan who was j riding the Buck, in getting away come foul j' of a flag post and received a severe blow on the bead, and it was only by the exercise of good judgment he kept his saddleand the colt on the course ; the field were a long way in advance before ho recovered himself, when he put on steam and passed his horses like a bird, he was, however, too far behind and only reached fourth place, the others taking the positions as above. A protest was entered against Swindle by the owner of Lady Chorister, the grounds of protest being that Swindle was five years instead of four. The stewards however decided against Mr. Grindley. HACK SELLING RAGE, of 15 sovs. Three quarters of a mile, heats. Mr. J. Hazlett’s c.g. Wexford, 10 1 W.'Grindby'sr.f. Lady Chorister2 I 2 T. M‘Kay's c.g. Magenta- 3 2 0 Gamecock, Jessie, and Slipfoot also started. Wexford and Lady Chorister on the fall of the flag bounded off with the lead and 'raced to the post, Wexford passing it by a nose only. For-the seco ;d beat Wex* f„rd took it easy, and the running was mad e between Lady Chorister and Magenta, but the filly was the better horse of the two. Toe t: ird heat was a conti st between Wexford and the Lady, and -was won comfortab'y by Wexford, who was afterwards sold for 20(. DUNSTAN HANDICAP, of 30 sovs. One mile and a half. Mr. J- Hazlett’s'b.m. Brunette, Sat. 101b. (Waddell) 1 Beresford’s c.m. Cresidor, 7st. 41b. (Moore) 2 Hawthorne’s g.g. Bobby, Gst. 81b. (Richardson) 3 M'Kay’sb.b. Saladin, Ss ,31b. (Swan) 4 False star's were the order, and it was not till several futile at’erapts had been made did Mr. Cowan get bis hoists away, however they went at last and ait a right good pace. S aladin soon got the better of his jock and bolted for it, pu.ting himself ■completely out of the-race. The three ■others continued in the order as above, and in the straight an exciting race took place be.ween the two 'mares, resulting in the bay taking first honor, the chestnut closa on her quarter. SECOND DAY. The weather was equally as fine as on the day previous, and nearly 'as many were assembled to see out the programme. RACK HURDLE RACE, of 10 sovs. Three quarters of a mile, heats. Mr. Metlor’s b.m. Merrylass, (Gray) 2 11 M‘Kay's b.g. Sir Charles, (St-Kay) 12 0 Fireeatcr, (Waddell) 3 0 0 Cowan’s blk.g. Dr. Black, •Sir Charles and Merrylass jumped away with the lead on the fai l of the flag, and took their hurdles flying till the last one win a Merrylass ran round thus losing her the first heat. Fireea'er ami the Dr. j”g ed in leisurely. Tor the second heat Dr. black was withdrawn ; the three others s arted. Fireoater came to grief heavily at thasec-n Ijua>, an I left it to Merrylass a d Sir Charles, who cleared everything ca 'Rally, over the last hurdle the horse fell bi k allowing the mare to win. On pul ing up; Sir Charles was found to be d<>ad lame, aid bad to withdraw. Merrylass walked over for the third heat. HOSPITAL RACE. Mr. Hazlett’s c.g. Wexford, (Moore) 1 Fiveotbers-s 1 artel. CONSOLATION HANDICAP of 10 -ovs. One mile. Mr. -M‘Kay’s b.h. Saladin 1 Bcresford’s c.m. Cresidor 2 Griudley’s r.m. Lady Chorister 3 -Eight were entered, but six only came to the scratch, including beside the above named, Dewdrop, Roderick, and Port ■Philup Back Excepting tire Buck, who played up, all got away well together, Saladin, Cresi lor, and Lady Chorister took first rank and raced well to the straight, where the little horse showed bis mettle aud ■forged ahead, winning by a few lengths. TROTTING RACE, of 5 sovs. Entrance added. Two miles. Mr. Perry’s Peggy, GOO yards 1 Mcllors Tommy, scratch 2 King’s Donald, 400 yards 3 This was a gift to the mare who won •easily.