ALEXANDRA RACE MEETING OF 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 664, 8 January 1875, Page 3

ALEXANDRA RACE MEETING OF 1875.

This annual ov{Ut came off on Friday last, the Ist January, 1875, and must bo considered, from every point of view, whether tho attendance of visitors, the number of competing horses, or tho gallant manner in which they ran for the stakes, an unqualified success. The weather, however, was not all that could have been desired ■; the early morning, and as far in tho day as three in the afternoon was fine, at about that hour however, clouds began to gather on the mountain tops which skirt tho valley of tho Manuheriltia, and shortly a heavy storm of rain accompanied with thunder burst over the Racecourse and district. This greatly militated against tho enjoyment of the spert, and materially thinned the Course of visitors. In about an hour tho storm having passed, and tho sun again reigning supreme. the racing was resumed, and carried on with greater zeal, if possible, than before the rain Tho racincr, as before referred to, was good, the particulars of which will Vie found addended. Mr L. Ryan, of tho Bendigo Hotel, who had the booth, was ns attentive as usual, dispensing the very best of liquors, and, if we judge rightly, was well supported. A second day’s sport, arranged for the following day (Saturday), consisting of horse racing and athletic sports, was. if possible, more successful than that of the day preceding. Maiden Plat* of 10 so vs., for all horses that have never won an advertised prize of LlO Weight for age. Distance, one mile. Entrance, 10s. Harrington’s Bismark, aged, 10st lib (Tiney) .. ... ... ... 1 Mooney’s Francis, 4 yrs, 9st 41bs (Goodman) ... .. ... ... 2 Neipers’ Morris Dancer, 4 yrs, 9at 41b (Hawley) ... ... 3 Dnngiven Lass, Little Charley, and Artful Joe also started. The Lass, as usual, shewed her bad temper by bolting and otherwise disporting herself, keeping the field at the post for fully half an hour. Eventually a start was effected, but the Lass fully bent on having her own way turned tail and galloped off in tho contrary direction ; the others got sway well together, and it was hard to say which was the better horse for the first half-mile. Here, however, Bismark, Francis, and Morris Dancer withdrew themselves in like order from the crowd and made a good race home, there being a length between the three. Alexandra Handicap of 15 sovs. Distance, one mile and a-half. Goodman’s Kathleen, 5 yrs. Sat 81b (Howe) ... ... ... ... 1 ■Cox’s Backbiter, aged, 9st 411) (Tiney) 2 Harrmgton’s Mignionctte, aged, 7st ... 0 Dunciven Lass accepted and was scratched, six others were entered but did not accept. This was a bad start Mignionotte being left at the post. The other two got away together, and kept each other company till some distance up the straight, but it was evident the race was tho marc’s, as the sequel proved, she winning easily, but of this none were surpbed, it being the general opinion that the old horse had got 1 more to carry than he was able to. Hack Selling Race of 10 sovs , the win-1 ner to be sold for Ll2 10s. Distance, three-quarters of a mile heats. Dawkins’('barley ... 1 1 Anderson’s Jenny .. ... 22 1 Crossan’s Girl of the Period .. 0 0 i This was a gift to Charley, though Jenny ! did her very best, and made a game race in 'noth heats. District Handicap of L2O. Distance, ono mile and a-half. Goodman’s Kathleen, Bst 21b (Howe) ... 1 Cox’s Backbiter, 9st (Tmey) ... ... 2 This was virtually a walk-over, it being evidently for two horses to start so as to claim the full stakes, as neither horse weut faster than a canter. Consolation Handicap of 5 sovs. Distance, enu mile. Backbiter, 7st 41b; Migninn.itte, 7st ; Francis, 7st, started, and made an exciting and well-contested race of it; but Francis proved the better horse, and reaching the post first claimed the stakes. The Hospital Race, for avhicb L 6 15s was collected ou the Course' and ran for on the Saturday, was won by Mr J. Cox’s Backbiter.