ALEXANDRA SPRING RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 807, 5 October 1877, Page 2

ALEXANDRA SPRING RACES.

-o_ This, tho opening Meeting of tho Season* took place on Fridayriast tho 28th ultimo* and was a fair average success for an upcountry Spring meeting. Tho day being fine and calm, the day’s amusement was thoroughly enjoyable for those who pm in an appearance, though It was noticed by many that the attendance was not anything like so numerous as in previous years; many reasons were assigned and opinions advanced for this, but whether tho true one was hit upon is very questionable. Our opinion is that people are more settled than formerly, and with a large section, the farmers especially in the busy season tho game is not worth the candle—there wore, however, between two and three hundred on the course, including representatives of nearly every centre within a large radius, alld of nearly every class. Mr H. Tohill, of tho Criterion Hotel, had charge of the booth, and claimed a fair amount of attention. The utmost good order was kept, not a cross or angry word being heard during the day. The events on the Programme wore run in the following order. Mr James Samson acted as Judge, and Mr H. Tohill filled tho unenviable position of Starter with satisfaction. Maiden Plate of 10 sovs., weight for ago. Mr Hodges Snip, aged, lOst lib (Goodman) ... ... ... I O’Brien’s Dan O’Connell Bst I3lb ... 2 Lynch’s Eagle Hawk, fiat 131b 3 Smith’s Lady Morris, lOst lib .. 0 Lady Morris jumped off with the lead, which she maintained for about half a mile, when she appeared completely pumped and at once fell into the rear. Snip who in the mean time was fiot far off, now took the lead, Eagle Hawk and Dan O’Connel falling into second and third places. This position was maintained to the end, Snip winning by a few lengths. District Handicap, of 20 sovs. Distance* one mile and a half. Mr M'Kenna’s St. Andrew, Bst 41b (D Cummings) ... ... 1 Goodman’s Rosemary, 7st 2lb ... 2 Beresford’s Sir Vincent, Bst 101b .. (carried overweight) ... 3 Phinn’s Madam, Sat ... ... 4 GoodffiaU’s Rose of Denmark Bst 21b, and Taylor’s Haricot Bst 101b, were also entered, but refused to accept. There was some little feeling over this race, and opinion was divided between the top and bottom weights ; tbe pot, however, if pot there was, boiled over, as neither bad a show. A good start was effected, and they were all in a heap for the first quarter of a mile, when daylight' began to appear between them till the order in ; which they came in was taken and mainj tained till reaching home, fir Vincent was j looked upon as a sure winner, bnt the load ’ he had was too much. Hack Selling Back, of 10 sovs. Distance, | three-quarters of a mile heats. No weight under 9st. Mr O’Brien’s Dan O'Connell ... I 1 | Smith’s Lady Morris ... ... 22 ! Tohill’s Wanaka ... ..3 3 Dan O’Connel won both heats right out | and just as he liked, and was afterwards 1 sold for Ll6 15s, Mr Tohill being the purchaser. i Alexandra Handicap, of 15 sovs. Distance, one mile. Mr M'Kenna’s St. Andrew, 9st 81b (Fraser) ... ... ... 1 Beresford’s Sir Vincent, Bst Olh (T. Allen) 2 Goodman’s Rose of Denmark, Bst 101b, Goodman's Rosemary 7st 101b, Phinn’s Madam fist 121b, and Lynch’s Eagle Hawk 6 it, were also entered, but failed to accept. Both horses got away well together, and ran neck and nenk till within a few yards of home, when in answer to a call he bounded forward and won easily. Consolation of 5 sovs., distance one mile. Mr Goodman’s Rosemary, Sst 71b (T. Allen) 1 Phinn’s Madam, 7st 71b ... ... 2 The Hospital Race of L 6 13s, gathered on the course—the rider to receive a first-class whip, fell to “Snip,” J. Robertson being the rider.