CROMWELL RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 820, 4 January 1878, Page 3

CROMWELL RACES.

(Condensed from Cromwell Argus ) In nnr last week’s issue we gave an account of the first day's races, in this we give the seconi. Second Pay—Friday. Handicap Hu dle Pack, of 26 sovs. Over ciiht flights of hurdles. Distance, two miles. Mr L. D. M‘George’s Dffnghhnv, aged iOsfc 21h ... ... ‘ (J. Mi Per) 1 ~ T. Tnohy’s Little Hawea, aged, lOst (P- Jarvey) From his game effort ip the Flying Handicap the previous day, Lamplighter was farcied for this event, hut unfortunately a suitable rider could not be found for him anl he had to ho scratched, much to, the public disappointment. The contest therefora lay b-tween the Clyde and Cardrona horses, the latter being well thought of, owing to his known speed on the flat. On the first hurdle being met, Hawea was le d on, but refused, as did also Doughboy. The latter on a second attempt got over, leavin'- Hawea a rood distance before ho , surmounted the timber. The second jump | proved no obstacle to the hay. but Ri wea | again refused, and had to be assisted with a stockwhip. Meanwhile Doughboy was a pood mile ori his way, and Was got. to—well, scramble, it could scarcely be called jump-

ing, br-r the hnrdlei. On coming tip tu the jump opposite the Stand, Hawea ag.'fin declined, ami after trying him half-a-dozen times he attempted it. He could not get the height and came down heavily on the other si'e, his rider fortunately getting clear. It was soon found that the horse was unable to rise, and examination showed that his hack was broken. The fine little I-mi'dO wqij Intron .i(T llionnnraa ami a 111,11.-f

put an end to Lis sufferings. He was a game animal, and his owner was much sympathise! with in his loss, as Hawea had contested and won a good many flat races, and was a favorite iu the Cardrona district. Doughboy thus had it all his own way, and took things comfortably. A protest was entered by Hiwea’s owner against the stakes being awarded to Doughboy on the ground that he had ran under a false name. Evidence was taken, but the Stewards’ decision has not yet been given. Jockey Club Handicap, of 40 sovs, Distance, two miles. Mr T. Keenan’s Freestone, 5 yrs, 9st slbs (Waddell) 1 „ C. M ‘Kenna’s St. Andrew, aged, 7st lllbs .. ... ... (Gourley) 2 ~ T. Tuohy’s Tinibertop, 3 yrs, fist 81 hs ... ... (Cameron) 3 Gordon's Ladybird, and Tuoby’s Speculation axso ran. ■ Haricot and Tinibertop had the call in the betting on tins—the principal race of the meeting—although not a few thought the extra impost on Freestone would be no bar to lus winning. The owner of Haricot was evidently of this opinion, as he scra f che-1 the Grey just a minute or two before the race, greatly to the disgust of many who had pinned the r faith to him. Mr Day >ins got the lot away to a splendid start, -'peculation leading, with his stable companion and the Saint in immediate attendance, the others being close up. At the mile post Spec, had done his duty in forcing the running, and fell back in the ruck, the three-year-old taking up the lead at a good pace. Half-a-mile from home lie fagged on it, and Waddell carried Freestone to the lead, with the aged chestnut on his flank. Coming round to the straight the gap was widens >, and it was evident Freestone had the race in hand. At the distance the Saint put on a gallant spurt, but failed to catch Waddell, who landed Freestone a winner with two < r three lengths to spare, Tinibertop a poor thirl, and the others whipping in. Shorts, of 10 sovs. For bona fide hacks that have never won an advertised prize of over 10 sovs. Distance, half-a-mile heats, without dismounting. No weight less than Oat.

Mr M‘Henna’s May Queen fGourley) 1 1 „ Dnimmy’s Moonlight (W. Marsh) 0 2 „ Partridge’s Llama (W. Barry) 2 0 Bushell’s Bri Iget, Werner’s Sly, and Dove’s Gaiety also ran. hi ay Queen was

much fancied, and justified her hackers’ opinion by winning both beats without apparent trouble. .In the second bout, Moonlight pushed her a trifle, 'out the result was never in doubt.

Stewards’ Purse, of 30 sovs. Weight for age. Distance, one mile and a-hatf. The winner to he sold (with his engagements) by public auction immediately after the race, and any surplus to go to the race fund. Winner to be sold for 1.50. If entered to be sold for 1 40. aPowed I4 ! bs; for L3O. al'owed 28Ibs ; for L2O, allowed 42lbs ; for LlO, allowed sClb.s. Mr W. Taylor’s Frances, aged, 7st 41b —to be sold for L3O (T. Barry) 1 „ T. Keenan's Jack the Flat, age 1, Bst 61b—to be sold for L4O (Gonrley) 2 Owing to the unfortunate acci lent to Hawea, this was a match between the two above-named, and it proved one ot the best contests of the meeting. The two raced right out from the start, and for the greater part of the distance were neek-and-neek. At the turn home, Barry shook the mare up half a length in advance, and this she maintained to the close, her victory being a most gallant one, and scarcely anticipated. Her performance proved that the mare has good stuff in her, and is every inch a stayer. At auction she was bought in by Mr Taylor for L 34. realising L 4 to the fun is. Consolation Handicap, of 15 sovs. For all beaten horses. Distance, one mile, Mr T.-ylor’s Haricot, aged, 9st (Barry) 1 „ M ‘Kenna’s St. Andrew, Sst(Gonrlev) 2 ~ Gordon’s Ladybird, Cst 71b (T. Barry) 3 As is not unusual, the last event on the card was really the most exciting of the meeting, and proved the fairness of the stewards’ judgment in apportioning the weights. The three got away stride for strids. and it soon liecatno evident the prize lay between the two local horses, who ran a most determined race. Coining down the straight the grey seemed to have a head in front, but as they approached the stand they were again on equal terms, and passed the judge’s box a dead heat. After a brief space the two were tent again, when Haricot maintained his superiority by-com-ing in a couple of lengths the better of his opponent.

Hospital Race, LI 7 16s collected on the course by Messrs Gudgeon Mid Kidd, R der of the winning horse to be presen'ol with a whip. Mr Taylor’s Frances (T. Harry) ... j M‘Kenna’s Clyde (Gonrley) ... 2 Woodger’s Skyonian, Old’s Jimmy, and Smith’s Tommy a’so ran. This event, which brought the meeting to a close, was a well-contested one between old Clyde and Frances. Clyde mewl the mare hard for a half-mile, but had ultimately to he content with second place. [The protest entered against Doughboy as winner of the Hurdle Race, we presume, will he settled purely on the evidence taken before the Stewards. That their decision will he satisfactory remains to be seen,— Ed. D.T.}