SLUING RACE MEETING, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Issue 649, 25 September 1874, Page 2

SLUING RACE MEETING, 1874.

ALEXANDRA. The Punstan District Spring Racing Season of 1874 was opened on Friday last, the IStli instant, at Alexandra, and withal, considering the dull times and our scant population, was a very good beginning, and plainly evidenced that the love of a good day’s sport is as keenly relished as when sovereigns wore as plentiful as now are shillings, and when the visitors were to ho numbered by the hundreds instead of bj' tens as is now the casa. The attendance on the course on Friday last was small, yet every one appeared to enjoy thoroughly the day’s outing, perhaps saving in the intervals between the events which we cannot but think, (in fact we heard many complaints) were drawn to too fine a point, but as the programme was concluded before dark, and one and all being in good humor and spirits it was just as well to make a full day of it. With regard to the racing we were scarcely content, as by the position of some of the competing steeds, at the termination of some events, and their after performances it boro a very strong appearance of “squaring however, I will leave that to those who had a greater interest than f, and perhaps who know more, but may bo inclined to say less. Of the talent those deep-mouthed gei.t’emon, whose presence on a race-course is but a questionable pleasure with their constant “ I’ll take the field against anything;” “I’ll bet five to one against they were most conspicuous by their absence, of which I was pleased, as it occurred to mo there wore no “pigeons plucked.” Of the simple five or ten shillings’ wager between friend and friend there was the usual quita, hut the winnings and losings were not heavy The course, however, was graced with one interesting gentleman from the metropolis, who was ready to take even money on the black or red marble, and give eight to one on the white, and who was well patronised. The Heathen Chinee even went into this little game, whose immovability of countenance—whether he lost or won—was a picture worth studying. The Booth was under the superintendence of Host Larry Ryan, who appeared to drive a very fair business. Tim particulars of the various events arc as follows Maiden Plate of 10 sov?. Distance one mile. •I. Cox’s Clyde, Iqst 11b ... ... 1 M'Cluskcy’s Dungiveu Lass, Bst 131b 2 Gordon’s Magenta, 8)t loll) .. 3 M‘Donald’s Alexandra .. .. 4 This was a gift to Clyde, who won easily. Alexandra Handicap of 15 sovs ; second horse to receive 1.2 10s from the stakes. Distance one mile and a-half. Crossan’s Little Nell, 7st 1211)3 .. 1 M ‘Donald’s Don Caesar, 7st 71b .. 2 Wilkin’s Kathleen, Bst 61b .. 3 Goodman’s Verbena, 9st 41b scratched Don made a had start, but it made uo difference as ho had no chance with cither of his competitors. At the half-mi’o Ka‘hleen bolted, and Little Nclbcantcrcd borne as she liked.

Hack Race of L7lO s. No weight undo

10st. Three-quarters of a mile, heats. M'Cluskey’s Dungiven Lass 14 1 Crofsan’s Little Nell ... 22 0 Gordon’s Turpin .. ... 4 12 Crossan’s Maid of Athens ... 3 3 0 The first heat was well contested, and Little Nell made a good second. For the second heat the Lass did not make a S f rl 'gs, r le. The run home, however, with Turpin and Little Nell was game. The finish heat though gamely run, was a gift to the Lass. District Handicap of 20 sovs., with a Sweep of one guinea, to go to the second horse. Distance, two miles. T. Wilkin's Kathleen, 8s: 21bs .. 1 Gordon’s Magenta, 7st .. ... 2 Goodman’s Verbena, 9st ... 3 Tile three got away well together, but at the half-mile Kathleen was loading strong. Shortly after Verbena was pulled into a gentle canter, and gave up the contest. Kathleen maintained the lead and won hands down. Consolation Handicap of 5 sovs. Distance, one mile. Don Caesar, 6st 101b ... .. 1 Magenta, 7st .. .. ... o Verbena,'Sst 121b .. scratched A good race. Hospital Race—for which L 8 19s 6d was collected on the course Was won by Maid of Athens, four others starling.