ALEXANDRA RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 965, 15 October 1880, Page 3

ALEXANDRA RACES.

The most successful meeting that his taken place at Alexandra (or many years came off on Friday last. The weather was sum* beautiful, notwithstanding the uncertainty of it for several days previously, and the rain of the day before ha 1 improved the going a little, though the ground was very hard. A large number of horsemen and buggies put in an appearance during tbe morning, and judging from the number of familiar faces we saw, both Clyde and Blacks must have been almost deserted, whilst Cromwell, Roxburgh, and Tinkers were also well represented. Those visitors arriving late had to put up with such accommodation as they could got for their beasts, as every stable and stall in the town was full by midday. The town presented quite a lively spectacle, the pathway outside of every hotel being occupied by little groups of sporting men eagerly discussing the respective merits of the various horses entered, whilst inside the bonifaces themselves and their fair assistants were kept hard at it. It was long past two (fai too late) when a move was made for tbe course. Arrived there we found tbe usual followers of race meetings in stronger force than ever, each one trying to outvie the other in declaring that his was “ the fairest game on the course”—and so it was—for themselves, for during the day they were doing an enormous business, Mr H. Tohill catered for the inner man, and drove a roaring trade throughout the afternoon. For the Maiden Plate thee were six entries, and public opinion at once spotted one of Mr Rivers as likely to furnish the winner, and so it proved. Mr Pavers declared to win with Sunshine, which he did with the greatest of ease. The Alexandra Cup was the next event, and proved nothing more than a match between Dr Leahy’s Dandy and Mr M'Kenna’a Playboy, Haricot being scratched. There was a grand finish, but Dandy wn c’everly by a length. The Hack Selling Race proved a very hollow affair, Mr Rivers’s Sunshine placing another race to his credit by winning the two first heats, the runnerup in both heats being Mr Robertson’s Pillbox. Oidy four of the eight entered faced the starter for the District Handicap, and Mr M’Kenua's Haricot and Dr Leahy’s Acolyte were at once installed very hot favourites, Acolyte having slightly the call. This opinion was justified, for Acolyte, taking the lead from the start, was never beaded, and won hands down by five lengths. Playboy won the Consolation Handicap, and the Hospital Race was won by Friction. A private match was run between Mr Butler’s Lord Antrim and Mr Anderson's Chesnut horse, resulting in an easy victory fpr Lord Antrim. Messrs Beck and Fuche took round the hat for the benefit of the Hospital, and the public responded most liberally, no less a sum than Ll3 5s being collected. In one respect the-e races resembled those of last year, namely, by the two principal events.being won by one owner. Last year they were won by Mr M’Kenna, and on this occasion Dr Leahy carried off the honours, last year’s winners being second in both races. We congratulate the doctor on his double victory, as also Mr Rivers, Mr M’Kenna having to content himself wiih the Consolation Handicap. We should like to have seen Mr M’Kenna a little more successful, as he is an enthusiastic supporter of racing. In up country towns where horses meet <me another so seldom, it is no easy matter for the han licappers to bring them together on even terms ; and this is more especially the case in the fi'St .meeting of the season, 8o far as our observation went we slid not hear of any grumbling, consequently the baudicappera appear to have done their duty satisfactorily. Tbe arrangements made by tbe Stewards were as good as tho materials at their comm md would admit of. One or two narrow escapes through the fractiousness of hj uses occurred, but luckily nobody was hurt The last race was not run till dark ; we shall hope next year to record a little more punctuality. Nevertheless tbe meeting was a most enjoyable and siicca“8 f ul one in every respect. .Subjoined are the details of the raving : MAIDEN PLATE of 10 so vs. W»;ight for a;e. Entrance 15s. One mile. Open to all horses that have never won pub lie motley. Mr J. Rivers’s Sunshine ... (Mason) 1 Mr J. Rivers’s Spectator ... (Davis) 2 Mr H. Tohill’s Blair Athol... (Waddell) 3 Turk, Perihelion, and Ryan’s Sunshine also ran.

_ Sunshine and Spectator were most fancied, but Turk had many supporters, Mr Rivers declared to win with Sunshine.

At the first attempt the lot were got away to a splendid start, Turk jumping off ■with the lead. For half a mile they raced in a cluster, there not being three lengths amongst the lot. Opposite the stand Spectator came a little and took tho lead, and Sunshine ran into second place. Coming into the straight the pair drew away and raced homo, Sunshine winning by a short length. Blair Attiol an indifferent third. ALEXANDRA COP, with 15 sovs added. Nominations, 15s. Acceptance, 20s. One mde and a half. Dr Leahy’s Dandy, 9st 41b .. (Malone) 1 Mr M’Kenna's Playboy. Bst 61b (Fraser) 2 Mr King’s Rufus, fist 121b .. (Moran) 3 Mr M. Gavan’s C’appa, 7st 41b ... 0 Haricot was scratched. Dandy and Playboy wore hot favourites at even money, the former having slightly the call. Another good start was effected, Dandy getting a trifle the best of it. After going about a quarter of a mile, Rufus came out with a lead of several lengths, which he kept till passing the stand the first time, Cappa, Playboy, and Dandy following in this order, ami with four or five lengths between each. The pace began to tell on Rufus after going another quarter-mile, and Gappa showed signs of collapsing, as they were successively passed by Playboy and Dandy. Opposite the stand the race was simply a match between Playboy and Dandy, the former leading by a length, but not fur long, for almost immediately Dandy was on level terms. Neck and neck they ran till roundiug the turn into the straight, when Dandy took the lead by a length. Playboy mafic a game effort to recover the lead, hut the grey was not to he beaten, and being ridden by Malone with good judgment, won cleverly by a length Rufus was third many lengths behind. HACK SELLING RACE of 10 sovs. The winner to bo sold for LI 2. Entrance 10s. Three-quarter-mile heats. No weight under 9st. Post entry. Mr Rivers’s Sunshine 1 i_i Mr Robertson’s Pillbox 2 2—2 Topsy, Miss O’Brien, ami Caller On aI»o ran in the first heat. A capital start, Sunshine leading, Topsy and Pillbox following in close order. Sunshine kept the lead till coming into the straight, when Pillbox came with a rush and looked like winning, but Sunshine hel l his own and won by a length and a half. In the second heat only Sunshine and Pillbox turned out. The former again took the lead at once, which he kept right through, Pillbox on coming into the Straight looking dangerous, but Sunshine held the old horse safe and won easily by three-quarters of a length. The wiuner was sold for L 25 10s, tho purchaser being Mr W. Theyers, b

DISTRICT HANDICAP of 15 »ova. Nominations, 10s. Acceptance, 15a, One mile. • • Dr Leahy’s Acolyte, 7st 101b (carried Clb over) ... ... ■ ... (Davis) 1

Mr M ‘Kenna’s Haricot, 10at4lb (Fraser) 2 Mr Conway’s Friction, 7st 101b (carried lllbgover) ... (Mason) 3 Mr Cox’s Little Nell, 7st 101b (carried 81b over) (Cox) 0

Dandy, Playboy, aud Rufus did not accept. Acolyte was a hot favourite at even money, Playboy being next fancied. After a lot of fractiousness at the post on the part of Friction, a middling start was made, Acolyte at once showing in front, with Haricot and Friction next. This order was not altered throughout the race, which is easily described. Opposite the stand on the far side of the course Acolyte led by a couple of lengths, which he gradually increased, and won with the greatest ease by five lengths.

CONSOLATION HANDICAP of 5 aovs. Entrance, 7s fid. One mile. Mr M’Kenna’s Playboy, Bst 81b ... 1 Mr Conway’s Friction, 7st Sib ... 2

Mr Gavau’s Cappa, 7st 71b 3 Playboy got the best of tha start, followed by Cappa two lengths behind. On the opposite side of the course Friction ran into second place, but failed to overtake Playboy, who held his own and won hand down by three lengths. HOSPITAL RACE. Rider of win niug horse to receive whip. Mr Conway’s Friction 1 Mr Cox’s Little Nell 2