CROMWELL RACES.

Evening Star, Issue 3081, 3 January 1873, Page 3

CROMWELL RACES.

{From the Argus.) The first day was everything that could have been desired, but on the second, the prevalence of a high wind caused the dust to rise in very disgusting quantities, often completely Riding from view the racing

horses, and giving the unlucky jockeys, on their arrival at the winning-post, an appearance to be more easily imagined than described. The attendance on the course was quite up ( > the average, although fewer visitors than usual were present from the neighboring districts. The first day brought out the most numerous assemblage, doubtless owing to the enticing nature of the weather. Five hundred, perhaps would be about the number present. It seemed to bo the general opinion that the meeting won d stand a most favorable comparison with any former one, as regards the rifeness of money. We frequently heard it remarked, that never before on the course had so much money been seen in currency as on this occasion. Whether this state of things was induced by the presence of the “betting men,” or whether their presence was induced by an intuitive anticipation of the state of things, it is difficult to say ; but certain it is that they put in a stronger muster than ever previously. _ Most people have a firm conviction that this class are by no means conservators of turf morality, ortbat their patronage of a race-meeting is at all a guarantee of good sport or legitimate racing. And this meet of 1872 will not lessen or disturb the conviction in men’s minds. Dishonest running perhaps did not occur; but the racing was of a very mediocre character —the sport was decidedly “bad.” Except the Jockey Club Handicap and the Hack Race, no single event was even decently contested. The Handicap, mentioned, however, was a first-class race, and was run out-and-out on the respective merits of the different horses. We give the principal events Cromwell Derby ; a sweepstake of L 5 ss, (i.2 2s forfeit), with LSO added. Distance, mile. Colts, Bst 101b ; fillies, Bst 51b. MrS. Nosworthy’s cc Dragon, byßavensworth—Ladybird, 3 yrs - (R. Reay) 1 Mr W. Fraser’s b f H'lora, 3 yrs (J. Laing) 2 Mr G. B. Bond’s c g Port Philip Buck, 8 years - - • (G. Ballantyne) 3

Out of eight entries for this event, only the above three were brought in front of the starter. The race was almost a foregone conclusion for Dragon, who was far-and-away the best bred animal of the three ; and it is an old saying that “blood will tell.” Flora got away with the lead, and kept it up for the first half-mile. Then Reay sent the horse alongside, keeping the mare company for the second half-mile ; but presently be left her a length or so in the rear, gradually increasing this to three, by which number he won with ease. The Buck was in too good company, even if he had been fit, which he was not; and he was wisely taken on one side at the entrance to the straight run. Grand Stand Handicap. —LGO. Distance, U mile.

Mr S Nosworthy’s br m Malice, by Traducer—Mermaid, 5 yrs, 7st 121b - {Derrett) 1 Mr J. Hazlett’s b g Atlas, aged, Bst 4lb - . - (S. Waddell) 2 Mr R, 11. Wallace’s b g Boomerang, 4 yrs, 6at 101b ... - (T. Cotton) 3 Mr A. Patterson’s br g Burgundy, aged, B>t 91b - • - (II- Williams) 0 Ma S. Nosworthy’s b g Tambourini, 4 yrs, 9st 21b (R. Reay) 0 Mr J. Haz’ett’a b m Brunette, aged, 7«t 121b - dr.

Malice won this race just as she liked. Reay had two strings to hj s bow, Malice and Tambourini, and be declared to win with the marc. She took the load at the start, was never overtaken, and won by five lengths. Atlas had the wor»t of the start, but he soon took up second place, and beat Boomerang at the finish by a couple or three lengths. Burgundy was a good fourth, and Tambourini came in last, hard held. Flying Handicap : L4O. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr S. Nosworthy’s b m Hatred, by Traducer—Emmeline, 5 yrs, Sab 81b (R Reay) 1 Mr J. Hazlett’s b m Brunette, aged, Bst - (O. Holt) 2 Mr A. Patterson’s c g Lyndon, aged, 9st (H. Williams) 3 Mr D. O’Brien’s b f Kate Kearney, 3 yrs, 7sfc 21b - - - • (T. Cotton) 0 Mr J. Hazlett’s b g Atlas, aged, Bit 2ib - dr. Mr S. Nosworthy’s c c Dragon, 3 yrs, 7st 21b ' -dr. Hatred for this event was a hot favorite. Brunette also found admirers, but an unfortunate blunder which occurred somewhere at the start destroyed what chance she hid of winning. Kate Kearney was doubly unfortunate. While the boy was walkingher towards the starting-post, she took management into her own hands, galloping about a mile, and being stopped only when a sod wall was reached. Coming back she bolted again, and had another mile of it at a slapping pace. Then at the start, O’Brien, her owner, who was holding her head, held her at the post until the other horses had gone over a hundred yards, and until he had questioned the starter as to whether it really was a start Being answered in the affirmative, he let her go, but of course in three-quarters of a mile her chance was gone. Brunette’s jockey also was ignorant that the signal to start had been given, and pulled up with the intention of coming back. However, a liberal quantity of blessings on his devoted head by the mare’s trainer, who happened to be over at the start, sent him off at the double. But he was too late to get on level terms again with Hatred, although be managed to beat Lyndon by a length ; Hatred winning by a couple or three. Unfortunate Kate managed to make her appearance only when the winner was being led back to the scales. Handicap Hurdle Rice : LGO, with L2 2s sweepstake added. Distance, miles, over eight flights of hurdles. Mr J. Buckfaam’s c g Sir Tatton, by Malton —Blue Ribbon, aged, lOst 71b - (W. Gray) 1 Mr A. Patterson’s b m Maid of the Mill, aged, 9st 71b - - (W. Taylor) dis. Mr S, Nosworthy’s b g Tambourini, 4 yrs, lOst 31b dr.

The scratching of Tambourini for the Hurdle Race reduced it to a hollow match between Sir Tatton and Maid of the Mill. The mare baulked at the first fence, Sir Tatton being held in to let her pass. The chesnut was in splendid fettle, and cleared the jump like a squirrel. Taylor then succeeded in getting the mare over, but not without breaking down a couple of panels in the effort. Sir Tatton, excellently ridden by Gray, cleared the second and third hurdles, and then cantered round easily whilst the Maid was being tried at No. 2. The Maid, however. was obdurate, and would not attempt the second jump ; so she had to be brought back to the stand without going once round the course. Sir Tatton took his leaps in tine style, and gave his rider no trouble throughout

Jockey Ci.ci? Handicap, LIOO, with asweopstake of L 3 3s to go to the second horse. Distance, two miles. Mr A. Patterson’s br g Burgundy, by Golden Grape—Betty Martin, aged 9st 101b .... (H. Williams) 1 Mr 8. Nosworthy’s bg Tambourini, 4yrs,

10st 4 b - - - - (R. Keay) 2 Mr J. Hazlett’s b g Atlas, aged, Sat (car-

ried 21b over - - (S. Waddell) 3 Mr S, Nosworthy’s b m Hatred, 5 yrs,

9st 81b .... (I,'errettj 4 Mr B. H. Wallace’s b g Boomerang, 4 yrs, 7st 21b - - - (Ballantyne) 0 Mr J. Buckham’s c g Golden Cloud, aged, 7st .... (J, Cotton) 0 Mr W. Fraser’s b f Flora, 3 yrs, sst 12ib

(carried 31b over) • • (T. Cotton) 0 Atlas was a warm favorite for this event--for three reasons : hist, because ho ran second in the Grand Stand Handicap on Thursday; second because in this race he had 41bs less to carry; and third, because two of the best horses running against him—Tambourini and Burgundycarried respectively 1 Gibs and lolbs more weight than they did in the Grand Stand Handicap. The betting was even on Atlas ; 2 to 1 against Tambourini'; and 4 to I against Burgundv. Beay declared to win with Tambourini. The start

was a very good one, the whole field getting away upon equal terms. Tambourini, hard held, at once assumed the lead, Atlas coming second, Burgundy andj Hatred next and Boomerang closing up the rear. After the first mile, Burgundy shot to the front, Tambourini and Atlas being then second and third. These relative positions were afterwards maintained to the finish, (Joining up the straight there was a grand struggle between Burgundy and Tambourini. Both were splendidly ridden, but there was little or no whipping ; the gallant steeds did their “dead bet,” and needed no persuader. After passing the distance-post, Tambourini seemed to be gaining slightly, but only for a moment; Burgundy could not be beaten, and came in a short half-length in advance of the Canterbury horse ; Atlas, some lengths behind, being third; and Hatred fourth. Time, 3.58.