MOUNT IDA JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 136, 6 October 1871, Page 5

MOUNT IDA JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING.

A more miserable morning than that which ushered in Wednesday last, the second annual Spring Meeting of the Mount Ida Jockey Club, it has seldom been our misfortune to witness. Dark, dreary, wet, and drizzling was the early morn; still, hopes were entertained that as the day advanced the weather might improve, the sun shine, and a fine afternoon be experienced. But as the day wore on it was evident that all these fond anticipations were doomed to be disappointed, for soon after noon the rain set faiily in, and continued without intermission throughout the entire afternoon, sometitn .«.s amounting to a regular downpour. Nothing daunnted, the good people of Naseby mustered in force, determined that nothing should deprive them of their favorite amusement. This feeling was shared in also by the sporting men from the outlying districts, Kyeburn, Hyde, Hamilton, Sowbun, Hill's Creek, and St. Bathans being well represented. Considering so much and such continuous rain, the course was in as good condition as could be expected, though the amount of mud with which both horses and jockeys were bespattered must have been anything but agreeable. In spite of the drawback to which we have referred, every possible vehicle was, as usual, put into requisition, and, as far as we were able to observe, appeared to be doing a thriving trade, going to and returning from the course during the entire afternoon, well freighted with passengers. The attendance on the course was, under the circumstances, remarkably good, there being, however, a very perceptible dimunition in the attendance of the fair sex compared with former occasions. The racing was ou the whole good, and the various events well contested, our local horses carrying off several of the principal prizes, as will be seen by the subjoined report. Mr. AV. J. Millar, of the Old Victorian Hotel, supplied the creature comforts in abundance, far which there appeared to be a good demand. The day's sport over, the pleasure seekers returned to Naseby, the appearance of the whole manifesting that if they had enjoyed a pleasant day's sport it must have been not only under difficulties, but certainly ;t great expense of personal comfort. Notwithstanding everything, however, the greatest good humor appeared to prevail everywhere, and none seemed inclined to find fault with the sacrifice they had made in pursuit of pleasure. The first event was the Maiden Plate of 15 sovs., open to all horses that have never won an advertised race (hacks or otherwise). Entry, one sov. No weight under 10 stone. Distance, one mile. Seven entries : Snell's Turk, Keenan's Snackam, Packman's Bounce, W. Inder's Kate, Brown's Steelboy, Oliver's Nelly Grey, and Foster's Coquet. In this race Coquet, from his Duustan running, seemed to be the most fancied, and Kate and Nelly Grey were also highly spoken of. Mr. Packman's roan filly Bounce, however, took up the running, followed by Kate, the others lying close behind. This order was maintained till the last turn, when the Naseby mare Kate dropped into the third place, Coquet coming up second. Although Coquet made a good effort he could not come near Bounce, who won in a canter. Bounce.. ( ... i Coquet ... ... , # 2 Kate ... ... 3 Mount Ida Plate, of £2O, open to all horses | that have never won a race of £SO or over.

Entrance, one guinea. Welter weight ß for age. Distance, one and a half mile.— Six entries: Robert son's Banker, Keenan'B Gamecock, Brown's Steelboy, Laverty's Brunette, Foster's Hamilton," Robertson's Tommy. Coquet was scratched. In this race the running was at once made bv the Naseby horse Tommy —Banker,' who looked dangerous, being hard held In the second round Brunette closed up with the leaders, and a capital race ensued till the distance, when Tommy had it all his own way, Brunette second, and Banker third. Enquiries were made for Gamecock, who was everywhere but in the eyes of the judge and stewards.

Tommy... ... _ i Brunette ... ... 2 Selling Race, of £2O, open "to all horses. Entrance, £1 Is. Distance, one mile and a distance. Horses entered to be sold for £SO to corry 10 stone; £4O to carry 9 stone 71bs ; £3O, to carry 9 stone; £2O, to carry 8 stone 71bs ; £lO, to carry 8 stone Post entry. Any surplus to go to the Race Fund.—Six entries : Merrythought, 9st 71bs ; Merry Lass, Bst 71bs ; Norah, 9st; Idleboy, Bst 71bs ; Nelly Grey, Bst 71bs; Zoe,Bst7lbs.

The horses eaino away well together, Zoe having the lead. Merrythought, who was fancied by the knowing ones, was in trouble throughout. Norah, who was waiting her time, collared Zoe at the last turn, and won very prettily, in spite of the Hyde mare's very game fight. The winning marc, Norah, was afterwards sold by public auction, by Messr.s. Inder and George, and was bought by Mr. R Johnstone, Blackstonft Hill, for £32.

Norah ... i Zo ~ ■■■ '■'.'. Z 2 Hack Race, for £lO. Entry, 10s. 6d. Distance, three quarters of a. mile heats. Winners of £25, or over, and winners at the present meeting not allowed to start. No weight under Bst. 71bs. Post entrv. There, were seven entries for this race—Roderick, Jessie, Judv, Charlie. Hawkdun, Kate, and Hkyblue. Kate took the lead in the first heat and maintained it, with Jessie a good second, Eode;i:k apparently being saved. The second heat lay between Koderick and Jessie, the chesnut only getting his head in front. In the third heat, between Roderick and Kate, the chesnut horse proved too powerful for Kate on a heavy course, and won easily. Roderick ... 1

Second Day. Yesterday was the exact reverse of the previous day, the weather being both light and warm, and in every way adapted to the manly sport of horse racing. Though not an advertised race day, there was a very fair attendance on the course, it being well known that several horses of some local note were intended to be pitted one against the other; nor were the expectations of the public in any way disappointed. The first event was a match for £5 between Aitkon's Cockey and Hall's Vanity. A good start wa« effected, Cockey faking the lead with Vanity close to his heels. ,They kept well together for some distance, but all fie efforts of Vanity were of no avail, Cockey coming in an easy winner. The second event wa« a Handicap Race of one mile for a saddle, value £l2 125., manufactured by Mr. Haven of this town. Seven horses started, and kept well together till about half distance, when MThail's Norah showed to the front, and keeping the lead, came in an easy winner. The whole arrangements were well carried out, and reflect the greatest credit on the stewards and the Mount Ida Jockey Club generally, under whose auspices the races were initiated and carried out.