ALEXANDRA SPRING RACE MEETING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 597, 26 September 1873, Page 2

ALEXANDRA SPRING RACE MEETING.

On Friday last, the 12th instant, the Alexandra Spring Races came of in an extremely satisfactory manner. The weather was “Queen’s weather;” the course was in excellent condition, being free from dust and mud ; the contesting steeds, though not so numerous a« could have been desired, were in good form; and the attendance was satisfactory, there being about two hundred people present, including representatives from Clyde, Black’s, the Teviot, and other out-lying districts. The refreshment booth, under the superintendence of host Robertson, of the Geelong Hotel, was well stocked with all the creature comforts, and was well patronised. At the appointed hour the bell rang out for the fii at event on the programme, the District Handicap, for which only three horses came to the fore. The other races followed in quick succession, each one attracting more or less attention. The Spiing Handicap, however, was the chief attraction, and was anxiously awaited. When the horses were caparisoned and the riders mounted, a small modicum of real excitement was observable among the f**iends and admirers of each horse. The two hays were the attraction, and between them it was looked upon the struggle was to lay. The admirers of Brunette considered it a gift, and treely offered two, three, and even five to one on her against the field. The start was effected and the race was run, when the giv rs of odds dropped their tails as low as they before carried their heads. All sorts of illiberal things were said, but the defeat of the mare was ascribed to overweight and the heaviness of the course. Cresidore ran gamely, and there was a possibility of her carrying off the honor had she had a more finished jock on her back : as it was she took second place. Manx Boy ran and was ridden well, and proved himself, if not a fast horse, a good sticker. The Ladies' Purse, which followed, was also won by Manx Buy, against a field of three others. The Consolation and Hospital Race brought the sports to a close, Wilkin’s Kathleen being the winner in both cases. The particulars of the events are as follows : DISTRICT HANDICAP Of 12 1. 10s. ; second horse to receive 21. 105. from the stakes. One mile. Mr. J. Rivers's Wi.d Manx Boy, Sst 121b (Waddel) 1 Wilkin’s Kathleen. 7st lOlb (Robertson) 5 Gordon's Turuin, 75t,121b (Cameron) 3 ■ The race lay in Waddel’s Lauds from the start, and was won easily. HACK SELLING RACE Of lOsovs. Three-quarters of a mile, heats H. Crossan’s Blackbird (Owner) 12 1 T. Wilkin’s Prince (J. Crossan) 3 12 Gordon's Alice Hawthorne 3 3 0 Mercer’s Duke and Ryan’s Nelly also started for tho first heat. This was about as rough a piece of horsemanship as could well be desued, aud created no small amount of fun, at the close of each heat the rider of Prince always coming to grief. SPRING HANDICAP Of 20 sovs., with a sweep of 1 sov. to go to second herse. One mile and a half. Rivers’s Wild Manx Boy, 8-t 101b (Brosman) 1 Beresford’s Cresidor, 7st 121b (Ryan) 2 IJazlett’s Brunette, 9st 101b (Waddel) 3 A good start, Wild Manx Boy .-lightly in advance. About the three-quarters of mile post the mares made a spurt, but Ruled to collar the Boy, who now gradually gained, and won by about thirty yards, Cresidor taking second honors by half a length. ladies’ purse Of 10 sovs. Distance one mile. Rivers’s Manx Boy, lost 111b (King 1 Orossau’s Blinkie, 12st (Robertson) 2 Mercer's Prince, 12st (Webb) 3 Ryan’s Nelly, list 61b (M’Naughton) CONSOLATION HANDICAP Of 5 sovs. Three-quarters of a mile. Kathleen and Turpin, with Sst 71b up each, only started, the former winning easily. THE HOSPITAL RACE, For which 41. 7s. was collected on the giound, brought the day’s proceedings to a close. The race was won by Kathleen, and the jockey (Fraser) was presented with a first-class riding whip.