INVERCARGILL RACES.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 30, 20 February 1863, Page 2

INVERCARGILL RACES.

We were aroused from a peaceful slumber at an early hour on Wednesdaymorning by the strenuous and unceasing exertions of a powerful pair of lungs, the man they belonged to declaring himself to be the vendor of" the correct card for the Invercargill Races, together with the names, weights, and colors of the riders." We listened for a ■while to his wise charming, and finding all chanco of a further " snooio " moat effectually prevented, we reluctantly rose, breakfasted, and commenced " taking stock " for the day. From information received, it became apparent that the town meant having a holiday, and seeing the fun on the course. We, therefore, after due consideration, came to tbe conclusion that our duty led us in the wake of the holidaj^makers, and, a lame horso and trap having been procured for a considerable increase on usual charges, the writer went to the racecourse and contrived to keep tolerably wide-awake for many hours. Our first thought was to hire some gentleman to chronicle the events of the day at — say, a penny a line — but, knowing how apt a man is to find a multitude of words wh*n each of them counts, and how willing he 13 to confess that, under the circumstances, his " lines have fallen in plea* sanfc places," we changed our mind and said we would do the business in proprid persona. Cobb's coaches ran that day, and Ike tooled as he used to before the railways were made in Victoria. He eviden tl v enjoyed the road as be always has done and alwoys will till coaches are forbidden by Act ot Parliament. But Cobb and Co. had rivals which' on this occasion, they did not ran off the road. We observed a variety of " c »nveniences " hastening to the racecourse. There was a van about fifteen feet long (not including tbe shafts) ; then came a few gigs, and a little further on we caught sight of something which looked lika' Noali'a ark, placed on wheels " for this occasion only.' And then there were large consignments of beauty and fashion on horseback, protected by a smaller number of black coats aud nicely fitting tops, — lucky fellows, at once the admiration and envy of the less fortunate. Having arrived at the place of execution, (the termination of our journey) we took up a commanding position on a very Grand Stand, and from thence saw all that was worth seeing; and did not return to town until fairly convinced that Bob Apples was worth a "plum" to his owner, and that Kaurie Gum was much fatter than when he took the shino out of Falcon last year on the Ota^o course. The number of people on the course at any one time during either of the two days did not exceed 700 (one man told us in confidence 1-AOO, but we believe tb.afc from causes which it is needless to enter into ha saw double.) To wind up, the weather during tbe whole of the meeting was fine, the racing was fair, the sandwiches and bottled ale pretty good and not to be despised, the ropes were badly secured, there were not too many dogs, thero was no thimblerig, there were few spills, the drinking was conducted on scientific principles, and rbe police, having no disagreeable duty to perform, proved themselves efficient members of society. We came home fully convinced that a race course, if properly conducted, is a good thing for the Anglo Saxon race. We then dined and retired to rest, and should have probably slept till thia morning had not the devil (our professional and printing devil wo mean,) woke us and called for copy, when we got up and wrote of the FIRST DAY. Maidek Plate of 30 soys., with two eovs entrance ' added. For all horses that have never won public money. Sis entries, namely — Mr Wallace's b h Cavour, Mr Cuff's bk g Whyover, Mr Cameron's c h Isaac, Mr Procter's b m "Natty, Mr J. Clerke's bk m Wandering Gipsy, Mr Procter's b h Kangaroo. Isaac went off with tho lead, closely followed by Whyover for about a mile, when Whyover shot hi 3 bow, and Isaac apparently had the race to himself as far as the distance ; Cavour then challenged him and made a good race home, Isaac winning by a head. Time, 3 mm. 15 aec. Isaac (Smith) 1 Cavour (Wallace) 2 Whyover (A.dams) 3 Southland Cup of 75 soys., with 3 soys. entrance added. Three horses to start or no race. Distance, 2J- miles. Five entries ; three starred, namely — Mr Julius' S h Billy, Mr Julius' br g Bob Apples, Mr M'Kenzie's g g Sailor. In thi3 race Sailor took the lead, Bob Apples Wing in his wake first time passing the stand, Sailor leading Bob Apples by about a neck; this order was maintained till they came half-way up the distance, when the rider of Bob let him out, winning comfortably bj about, a length. Time, 5 mm. Bob Apples (Smifcb) 1 Sailor (Billy) 2 Ladies' Pprse of 40 soys with 3 soys entrance added. Gentlemen riders. Once round and a distance. . . . .. Four entries, namely — Mr Cuff's bk g Whyover, Mr Julius' br g Bob Apples, Mr Procter's b h Kangaroo, Mr Hamilton's bk g Lucifer. ' The running was very similar to former race* - Smith letting his horse go in time to win. Time» ,3-inin.l2 6ee. Bob App1e5... .........(5mith) ,1 . Whyovsr (Adamß) 2

rHicfKitß of 20' soys ; 1 soy entrance, itffctfld. The last horse to pay the second horse^isidke; *- iateh weight3-;-distance,o«e mifc <r %~ '.^ \ This via tbe largest muster for.ttfe day there being fourteen entries, V/ Mr ]£„ Hamilton ,landed bis pony*, a winner -by r about' • Jen£th,' ,Mr T. , HarßiltonVPnnce, riddf rtbjr'Smitb., fleooWd."^ \j ' • A flurry Scurry wounS"iip"*the sport, won bj'% Maori, Mr T. Hamilton's horse being (Tecond. In* this race Mr Propter being last had to pay the second horse's stake. We'heard W friend remark it was rathera~ <( sell" for the geatitonea. SECOND DAT. >/, , Ikvebcabgill Plwe' of 40 son f entrance 3 sovß, & Ided. Second horse to save bis stakes. Distance, 3 miles. - ' T-,1 Three entries namely — Mr Procter's b;h Jack, Mr Julius' b g Kaurie Gum; Mr M'Centie's bg~ Sailoiv < £- K Sailor took the lead, closely followed by Caurie Gum for about a mile, when Kaurie went to the front, but his superfluous -flesh would not allow him to maintain the running and Sailor went tv the tore, the old horse, however, kedpint* Him going ; Sailor won by about two lengths. Time, 6 miv. 32, sec. - „ >M : Ji ■ SailcMw..;';;; ... .^^^^UW^l^V ':?:?>;« ' :. -':'^V^Ka^ie-€Kim':£^ ,Pußtici.?fß' :^vv^-o.^fi^i^^iti^iino»^r •,:' 'added. Distance 2 jmi);es; ! •^;:*r : £r ; * : r$^ r 4 ; -'*&: *T Only .two of Mf^ ; Julius^^ 4 h6rses ; jbav.ing 'been entered for: this race, 'Kaaf ie Gruia w^ikedtpter-the cour«e,- with' Smith up. • ' •"; .-. ■ ; o ;-r ' : '/>#:^;j' : ; Hr/RDLB -Jlacb.. of- 40' soys; with; 3 soys eptrince; :' ; ■, "Five^ehiriesi 'riamelT—Mr GiiuT's bk^s*>Whyover^ Mr Cameron's cV,h Isaac^r^Mjr* Jiilius'Crbrfeßj)^ 'AppieSj'Mir Procter's b h Comet, jlijr^Frukias'h it*; Polak. Bob Ap]jlesiw_as scratched; . .- .;.v*:!:"V ' .; •Isaac opened .theS rannin^>J^ih^;]the^Bra|;9t'er]: N,b. 1 hiirdle;^closejly ■ fbUo^vj^SJbyi the maintained 'the lead, taking His' leaps beautifully, and winning eftaly. ' M'Keritie, the^rideßof J?aa.<y having dismounted before: coming to thai scale, a protest was % enterW.-by..;thiß i^*B«»nd;.lio!rse l . The decision of the'ste^arcls will bo; fgvren rJo-'daiK . \Ye did not take-tho time '--for this race;; the pace, ho|r-;' ever, was good throughout.;/.:- ','_ -'■',* ■'•_.- „,..•'. Isaac ..;.;.. .;:...i.(M*^nki^_l(protest). Comet .............. v.(Procter) -S • _- Whyover ...(Hamilton) 3Cohsoiatios Stakes, 20 sow; ; , entrance, 1 soy added for all horses that hare not wdfa a race during the meeting . ITo 'be 'handicapped by;the stewards— distance one mile and a half. "* Five entries, four started. r , . .-. .-. ■■•^ ■'. Prince took the lead, closely followed- by CaToiWiv Prince swerved at the stand, Cavour taking up the running and winning easily. .Time, 3 mm. 16 .aecs. . ■-' ' '■■• '... .- -•■ • '" Cav0ur..........,...v( I Wrallace) 1 The rest distant There were several Hurry Skurrie* after this race, amongst others a trotting match, for which ten started ; won by Mr G; Hateiy. ' The meeting terminated by a cry out for Cobb's coaches for town. ■'" : . .