ALEXANDRA RACES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 393, 23 September 1874, Page 3

ALEXANDRA RACES.

(From our own Correspondent.) September 18th. The Alexandra spring meeting took place to-day, and, in spite of the dull times, was fairly successfid. Steady showers of rain fell during the night, and fears were expressed that the weather would prove too unfavorable for holding the races ; but about 8 a.m. the" weather cleared up, and before the races commenced was all that could be desired. The first event was the Maiden Plate, for which Magenta and Dungevin Lass were the favorites j but the winner unexpectedly turned up in Cox's Cljde, who won without much difficulty by five or six lengths. "Verbena •was scratched for the- Alexandra Handicap, and Kathleen was made a hot favorite in consequence, but bolting off the course the race was left to Little Nell, who won with ease. The Hack Race was won by Dungavin Lass, beating Little Nell and two "others. For the District Handicap, Verbena was backed against the field ; but Kathleen was in the. humor this time, and made the pace so hot that Verbena collapsed the first time round, and Kathleen won by several lengths, amidst loud applause from the Speargrass men, who had thus pulled off three out of the four events run. The Consolation Handicap, won by Don Caesar, and the Hospital Race, won by Maid of Athens, brought the proceedings to a termination. The following are the details of the various events : — Maiden Plate, of 10 soys. j weight for age j one mile. Mr. Cox's Clyde, aged, lOst. lib. - - 1 „ M'Lusky'B Dungevin Lasß, 3 yrs., Bst 131 b. 2 „ Gordon's Magenta, 3 yrs., £st. 41b. - 3 „ M'Donald's Alexandra, aged, lOst. lib. 0 Magenta declared to carry 51b. over- weight. When the flag fell, Magenta rushed to the froßt, but was soon passed by Clyde and Alexandra. Half-way round, Dungevin Lass made her effort, and ran into second place, bnt could not catch Clyde, who won by 6everal lengths. AraxAMPBA Handicap, of 15 soys. ; one mile and a half. Mr H. Crossarfs Little Nell, Ist. 121 b. - 1 , „ M'Donald's Don Cffisar, Yet. 71b. - 2 „ Bst. 61b. - - 0 Don Cteear ran instfe a post at starting, losing over a hundred yards. Kathleen and Little Veil raft at » great pace for about half the distance, when Kathleen bolted, leaving the race to %it&e3sell, who won at her ease.

Hack Race, of £7 10s. ; no weight under lOBt. ; three-quarters of a mile j heats. Mr. M'Llusky's Dungevin Lass- - 10 1 „ Gordon's Turpin - - - 0 1 2 „H. Crossan's Little Nell - - 22 0 „J. Crossan's Maid of Athens - 83 0 There was some grumbling about this race, caused by horses running as hacks that had been running in the handicap and weight for age races. There certainly ought to bo a jpule naacle to prerexit such occurrences. DisTßrcT Handicap, of 20 soys., with sweepstake of one guinea, to go to second horse ; two miles. i Mr. Wilkin's Kathleen, Bst. 21b. - - 1 „ Gordon's Magenta, 7st. 81b. - - 2 „H. Goodman's Verbena, 9st. - - 3 Magenta.got the best of the start, and led by a couple" of lengths for about three-quarters of a mile, when Verbena ran up, but could not pass her. Coming up the straight Kathleen rushed to the front, and Verbena fell back beaten. Kathleen maintained her lead, and won without being pressed. Consolation" Handicap. Mr. MTDonald's Don Caesar, 6st. 101 b. - 1 „ Gordon's Magenta, 7st. - - - 2 „ Goodman's Verbena,-7st. 12lb. scratched Won easily. Hospital Race, of £8 15s. Mr. J. Crossan's Maid of Athens - - 1