CROMWELL ANNUAL RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 767, 29 December 1876, Page 3

CROMWELL ANNUAL RACES.

—o— Stewards—Messrs J. A, Fteshaw, t>. MaoKollar, P. L. Digftan, J. Marsh, 8. N. Brown. R. Stewart, J. Cowan, I. Loughnan, S. M. Dalgleiah, and R. Kidd. Judge— D. A. Jolly. Starter—J. Dawkins. Clerk of Course— O. Pierce. First Day—Wednesday, December 27. This meeting opened with fine holiday weather, and was equally as successful as any of its predecessors. The attendance was fully up to the standard, there being between 400 and 500 people on the course, amongst whom was a good number, from. Clyde, as also from St. Bathans. The racing, excepting toi the Hack Race and the Ladies’ Purse, was par etctllenee; evidencing that the handicappers had faithfully performed their 'duty. For the Hack Race there were 'but two competitors, and as Jackass was able to have iTun rings round his opponent, old Pillbox-, it was but a tame affair. In years gone by the hack races were about the best, as not only as a rule were there plenty ot starters, but they were of a superior class of horse. Cf late years how ever, we have noticed a gradual diminution in their numbers ; to account for this we are at a less, excepting we assume that there no hacks, or that ’there is a Warit of spirit amongst owners. Whichever it he, the /■ fact is patent and to be.'deplored, and \ye \ shall hope to see a return of the old, feeling at future meetings. For 'the Ladies’ Purse also there were but two starters, and the two belonging to one owner, Mr Keenan, it was but a quiet canter round for themoney. A disgraceful, scene was enacted during and after the running of the Maiden Plate, between two of the jockeys, and in the interest of all concerned, owners of horses, the pu'olio, and the jockeys, ill' ncluded, we trust that the Stewards of the Cromwell Jockey 'Clfcb will institute an inquiry into the affair, and will mete out such a punishment to the one in fault as w’ll deter others from attempting a repetition, at all '-events . on the Cromwell 'Course. Anything approaching to larrikin-, ism or rowdiness must be put down with a strong hand, or the end will be that racing will fall into such bad repute that none but 'the rough and the rowdy will be its patrons. Racing carried on in a fair and honest manner is the most legitimate of pastimes, but otherwise it must be a curse. The whole • of the arrangements for carrying out the meeting successfully were perfect, for which the stewards deserve a word of praise. The 'Grand Stand and Booth, under the management of Mr Lawrence, Was well conducted, : and if the lepeated popping of corks and the continued jingling of glasses was evidence of good trade, the lessee could have no reason to complain of his venture. Between the events the time hung, somewhat heavily on hand, as there were no games or pastimes to vary'tho monotony ; even “ Old Aunt Sally ” was absent. The supplying of something—we do not know it it would come within the province of the Stewards of the Jockey Club—at any rate is worth •considering. The following are the particulars of the events : ■, Maiden Plate of 30 sovs. For all horses . that have never won an advertised prize of over 20 sovs. Weight for age. Distance, one-mile-and-half. Keenan’s ch g Freestone, 4yrs 9st (Malone) ... ... ... ... j Duhig’s b g Bonghleen Dhoun, 4yrs, Bst 'lllhs (G. Fraser) .. ... ... 2 Gordon's ch m Ladybird, 6yrs, 9si 41hs (J. Fraser) ... ... ... 5 Longhnan’s Spey, and Thomson’s Nina also came to the post. Spinaway just be'fore starting got away frdla'her rider, and was not caught again in time for a start. A good start being effected all went away at a good pace. At the back of the Course a passage at arms took place between the riders J. Fraser and Malone, they using their'whips over each other pretty freely. Malone, however, got away from his antagonist, and urging on his horse got on level terms with'Boughleon Dhoun, who Was leading. From here an exciting race ensued, which resulted in Malone landing Freestone a winner'by about half a length, Ladybird being third. J. Eraser, ‘ pulling his mare up short, went over her head'; mounting again he made straight for Mdlone, and delivered one or two heavy blows about his head. The Clerit of the Course-here interfered, and driving J. Fraser off, led the winner to the weighing room where he 'weighed out. A short time elapsing after all were weighed out J. Fi'aser agam attacked Malone and severely punished him ; the Police hereinterfered, and took Fraser into custody Time, 3min. llsec, Grand stand Handicap 6f '4O sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. .... Taylor’s g g'Haricot, 6yrs, Bst 4lhu (Richardson) ; ... 1 Keenan’s ch g'Gamecock, aged, 9st 51bs (Malone) ... ; . <2 Touhy’s b g Littlo'HaWea,' aged, Bst4lbs (F. Ballantyne) ... ... -3 Kidd’s ch g Wexford, aged, 7st (T. Barry) ... 4 .. ... ... 4 This was a good race between the tWo first, who had the race between them from the first. No great advantage was obsefv-, able till gaining the'straight, when the grey crept to the front, and despiteall his effofts. Gamecock had to be content with second honors. Time, 8 minutes 3 seconds. Hack Selling 'Race of 15 sovs. Distance, one mile. There were Only two starters, Jackass and Pillbox, the fortner lauding an easy ■winner. On being sold by Mr'Colclough he realized LIT. Keying Handicap of 30 sovs. Distance, one mile. Taylor’s ’b In 'Frances, 6yrs, Tst 61b (T. Barry) ... ... ... j TnuhyVPort Phillip Buck, aged, Sst 21b (T. Ballantyne) ... ■ v.m... ... 1 Taylor's g g Haricot, aged, Sat '6lb (Richardson) ... j.. "5 Keenan’s ch g Jack the Plat, aged, Sst 4|b (Malone) ... ... ... 4 Stewart’s ch m Spinsway, 4yrs 7«t 61b Q Thomson’s b m Nina, 4yrs 7st 21b ... O ■ k 8 Jkmghlecn Dhdiln, £yrs, 7st ... ... ... '0

This was the race of the day, and from the statt till within 100 yards of home the lot were in a heap with Frances slightly leading.' - A grand ruehwas'now made, resulting in the first four named reaching the post all within a head, Francos and the Buck being nose and nose. After t,|i o Ladies’. Purse was run, the two ran . off, Prances winning by lengths. Time, Ist race, 1 minute 54 seconds; 2nd race, 1 minute 56 seconds. Ladies Purse of 25 sovs. Distance, one mile and a half. Keenan’s Henry, aged,. (J Dawkins) ... 1 Keenan’s Gamecock, aged, (Owner) ... 2 This was merely a walk over, Mr Keenan having declared, to win with Henry. Second Day —Thursday, December 28. The weather this day was not so fine as yesterday, the wind blowing half a, gale the whole day, and raising the dust in blinding clouds, the attendance on the Course, therefore was not so good as on the first day, though 'there were a good many present. The following details-of the racing we have been favored with Handicap Hurdle Race of 30 sovs. Over eight flights of hurdles. Distance, two miles. Thompson’s Nina ... ... 1 ; : Kidd’s Chandler - ... 2 Marsh’s Mataura ... 3 Jockey' Club Handicap of 60 sovs. Distance, two miles. Keenan’s Freestone ... . . 1 Keenan’s Gamecock . ■ ... 2 Taylor’s Haricot ... ... 3 Shorts -of ,18 sovs. Distance, half-mile heats. This race was won liy Ironheart, Noname being second. Stewards’ Purse of 40 sovs. Weight for age. Distance, one and a half miles. Stewart’s Spinaway... ... 1 Kidd’s Wexford ' ... . ... 2 Taylor's Frances ... ... 3 Consolation Handicap of 20 sovs. Distance, one mile. Kidd’s Wexford ... .1 Touhy’s Little Hawea ... 2 Six horses started for this race.