SPRING RACE MEETING, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Issue 650, 2 October 1874, Page 2

SPRING RACE MEETING, 1874.

— o — Last Friday this event cameofT, and was, without question, an unqualified success, the more conspicuous cause being not so much the good field of horses, but the keenness and evenness with which they contested each event The handicaps were more especially noticeable, and without being guilty of flattery we can venture to say tl al the handicappers deserve a full meed of praise for bringing thsir horses so close together. The weather was everything to have been desired, and doubtless drew many on to the course who otherwise would not have put in an appearance. Amongst the visitors wo noticed a good sprinkling from Cromwell and Alexandra. Backs and D'ybrcad, however, were conspicuous hy their absence. The racing commenced ■with the Alexandra Handicap, for which seven were entered, but a quartette only faced the starter, Brunette, and Dungiven Lass being scratched, and Turpin not accepting; Verbena was looked upon the win. ner to a certainty ; however, she grossly deceived her supporters, faking only third p’ace. The Maiden Plate brought only five to the fore, Jack the Flat, a handsome upstanding chesmit, prov'ng the better horse. T'ae next event on the card—the Dunstan Handicap—brought six to the post, and so great a moral was it considered for Bra ue'-te that the field was offered against her even, and the result proved that her supporters were correct in giving such long odds. The Selling Race followed, and was carried off hy Clyde, who was afterwards sold for L2G, Mr E. Kidd, of Cromwell, bi« ing the purchaser. The closing event was the Hurry Scurry, for which five started, amongst them being Wild Manx Boy, who lad year won nearly everything he ran for. But this year, whether it was that the horse had not condition, or what it was, at all events he cut but a sorry figure, and was nowhere ; the race, however, was an excellent one, Kathleen winning hy a short neck only. Appended is a detai'ed account of the Races. Alexandra Handicap of 15 snvs. His- • tauco, three-quarters of a mile. Wilkin’s Kathleen, 4 yrs, Sat 71b (Monaghan) 1 Keenan’s Pickpocket, ngod, Bst2lh(Smith) 2 ’ Goodman’s Verbena, 4 yrs, Sstillb (Fraser) ,‘i Taylor's Stanley, aged, 7st s!b .. 0 Hnr.lett’s Brunette, aged, 9st 71b, scratched M’Cloikey’s Dungiven Lass, 3yrs 7at 101b ... ... scratched Gordi n's Turpin was entered, but did not accept. A fair start was effected. Verbena jumped away followed by Kathleen and Pickpocket. This was kept till entering the a ini; lit when Verbena was given the go-hyc, and an exciting race took place, resulting iu Kathleen securing the win hy a neck. Maiden Plate of 10 sovs. Distance o: s mile. Weight fir age. Keenan’s Jack the Flat, 5 yrs, Ost 121b (Tiney) ... ... ... ) Gordon’s Magenta, 3yrs, Sat 131b (Fraser) 2 Buckle's Gipsy ... ... ... 0 Brodio's Dandy ... ... 0 Dove’s Cornua ... ... ... 0 This was a gift to Jack tho Flat, who jumped oft' with the lead, an easy winner. Dunstan Handicap of 20 sovs Disfa: c?, oue mile and a-half. Hazlett's Prunettt \ aged, Ost 41b (Waddle) 1 M’Cloakey’s Dungiven Lass, 3 yia, 7 t (Potter) o Wilkins’ Kathleen, 4 yrs, fist 71b (Monaghan) ... ... ... ;{ Goodman's Verbena ... ... 0 Keenan's Jack the Flat ... ... 0 do Pickpocket ... ... n The team was kept at the post waiting on Dugivcn Lass, whocvidenced a strong aversion to make a start, and it was not till sho had showed her temper in a variety of firms and apparently had got some of "tho devil " out of her that sho allowed herself to be led up, when the flag dropped to a comparatively good start. For half the distance it was impossible to say wbowas who, but here Verbena was leadiug with Kathleen and Keenan's pair close up, and Brunette and the Lass in the rear. This position was maintained till about the mile post when Pickpocket dropped out of tho race through loss of a stirrup. No further alteration iu places occurred till rounding into the straight when Brunette and tho Lass came up after a struggle and took first and second places, the race home being au exciting one. Seliing Race of 10 sovs. Winner to bo sold for Lls. Distance, three-quarters of a mile. Heals. Cox’s Clyde (Waddle) ... 11 Crossau’s Little Nell (Owner) ... 22 Alexandra, Charley, aud Jenny Lind also staled. The old horse Clyde won both heals gamely, and was afterwards sold by auction as before stated. Hurry Scurry of 5 sovs. Distance, threequarters of a mile. Wilkins' Kathleen ... ... 1 Kidd's Clyde ... ... ... 2 Dungiven Lass, Turpin, and Wild Manx Boy put iu an appearance. This was a truly game race, and conidcring Clyde had but scarce a quarter of an hour previously taken off his saddle alter winning a race in two successive heats, there is nothing to wonder at him taking second honors ; yet it stamps the old fellow ai a game bit of stuff, and if iu condition, a lit companion for many of whom more is said but may bo less thought of. The sum of L 8 4s 6d was collected on tho Course for the customary Hospital race, but on account of tho lateness of tho hour, and the few people re maining on the Course, tho race was indefinitely postponed.