VICTORIA RACING CLUB. Spring Meeting, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 357, 14 November 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

VICTORIA RACING CLUB. Spring Meeting, 1866.

(from, the age.) Committee : C. B. Fisher, H. Power, J. G. Dougharty, G. Watson, J. Blackwood, W. Pearson, R Goldsbrough, C. S. Ross, F. C. Standish, T. Henty, W. I. Faris, P. J. Keighran. Secretary: R. C. Bagot. Stewards : H. Power, P. J. Keighran, W. Pearson, G. Watson, R. Goldsbrough. Judge : J. G. Dougharty. Starter : P. J. Keighran. Clerk of the course: "Richard Tattersall. Weigher : Isaac Hind. The Spring Meeting of the Victoria Racing Club for the current year, was commenced on the Ist instant, on the Flemington course, and was altogether one of the most brilliantly successful gatherings of the kind ever held in Victoria. The weather, which upon occasions of open air festivity is always a matter of importance, demands especial attention on this occasion. Diving the latter part of the previous night and the early morning of Thursday, the aspect of the heavens was most threatening, the sky being overcast with clouds, from which proceeded at brief intervals vivid flashes of lightning. Towards daylight the lightning was accompanied by peals of thunder, heavy gusts of wind, sharp showers of rain, and immense volumes of dust — atmospheric conditions, it is needless to say, by no means conducive to the enjoyment of a holiday on the turf. Early in the forenoon, however, these unpleasant and threatening symptoms entirely disappeared, and gave place to a cool but genial temperature, and occasional gleams of cheerful sunshine. The concourse of visitors to the scene of recreation was immense, the tide of vehicles of all sorts rolling out from the city during the forenoon and afternoon, and back again in the evening, in an uninterrupted current for a couple of hours either way. His Excellency Sir H. Manners- Sutton fully corroborated the public rumor which, on his recent arrival amongst us, ascribed to him a warm attachment to the field sports which form so striking an item of the pursuits of his countrymen. Bri-gadier-General Carey was also on the ground, accompanied by Colonel Buchanan, and evinced an active interest in the various contests which took place. The carriage paddock was thronged with private equipages, and the display of fashion in feminine attire which was presented on the stand aud lawn was too bewildering for description by a masculine pen. ( )f the racing itself it would be difficult to speak in terms too favorable. Such an assemblage of horses, as regards either number or quality, has never been seen on a Victorian course. The grand event of the day was, of course, the race for the Cvp — that event which has long been proverbially known as the people's race, but which never so fully established its claim to that flattering title as it earned on Thursday. Indeed, the Cup has steadily grown in public favor every year since its initiation, and it glories up to the present time culminated on Thursday. Last year, this splendid prize brought twentythree starters to the post ; Thursday it attracted no less than twenty-eight competitors, the largest field of horses, it is believed, which ever started for a stake upon the turf out of England Last year, too, the time in which the two miles were accomplished, was 3 mm. 44 sec. ; on Thursday the same distance was traversed in 3 mm. 43 sec. The Maiden Plate and Ascot Vale Stakes were carried off by the famous and popular stable of Maribyrnong; thus justifying the widely-entertained conviction that, with the young stock, at least, of this stud, there is little chance of competition with a reasonable prospect of success. For the Ascot Vale Stakes (for two-year-olds), indeed, Mr Fisher narrowly missed repeating his double victory of last year by running first and second with the only two representatives of his interests engaged in the contest. Mr Keighran, however, who, it will be observed, ran second in the Cup, also interposed to prevent the whole of the honor, if not of the profit of the race, being appropriated by the fine establishment on the banks of the Saltwater River, and dispelled the illusion that a two-year-old Fisherman cannot be beaten by a scion of less famoiis modern blood. The race for the Cup is not so easily disposed of. Regarded* merely from a scenic point of view, it was the finest spectacle of its kind, ever witnessed in Australia. The start was effected with two flags, the rearmost, which was the signal to go, being in the hands of Mr Keighran, and the foremost, or that which conveyed to the riders the intimation that that signal had been given, in those of Mr Pearson. Much difficulty was, as might reasonably be anticipated, experienced iv getting so large a field into orderly array ; and, though the horses were first mustered at the post some time before four o'clock, it was considerably pastthathour when they were finally dismissed upon their jouoney. The first serious difficulty was occasioned by the fractiousness of Shenandoah, a quality of which that undoubtedly fleet little mare has given a specimen on more than one previous occasion, and most conspicuously at the last Geelong meeting. So playful was she that she unseated her rider, and, getting away, galloped at racing speed past the Racecourse Hotel, and far down the hill beyond it. She was ultimately caught and brought back, but after such an escapade the capture could be of little

advantage, |as affecting her chance of carrying off the prize. It is certainly to be regretted that she should not have had a fairer show for her money, as she was by no means unfavorably in as regards weight, and might at the least have secured a respectable situation at the finish. The bad example of this little lady was quickly followed by Mr Fisher's fine filly Seagull, who broke away with her rider (Hill), and defied all his attempts to pull her up until she had arrived abreast of the site of the old stand at the back of the course, from which point she was walked back to the starting post. The start, when it ultimately took place, was effected in Mr Keighran's best style, the front division forming an almost military straight line across the course until they had arrived considerably within the distance. The style and pace in which they swept past the stand will not soon be forgotten by any who witnessed them ; but the details of the running will be more appropriately described m another place. The Cup was succeeded by the Hurdle Race and Darling Stakes, neither of which calls for any remark beyond those embodied in the subjoined details of the running. j The first event was the Maiden Plate A sweepstakes of ssovs each, with 150 soys added. For 3 yrs old, 7 st ; 4 yrs, 9 st ; 5 yrs, 9stß lb ; 6 yrs aud aged, 9 st 10 lb. Distance, one mile and a half. Mr C. B. Fisher's br f Syren, 3 yrs, G st 91b ... ... (Davis) 1 { Mr L. L. Smith's b f Lady Manners-Sut-ton, 3 yrs, 6st9 lb .*. (Goldspink) 2 Mr P. Lewis's eh g Laucer, 5 yrs, 9 st 5 lb ... ... (Bateman) 3 Mr H. Wheatley's br g Newminster, 5 yrs 9stslb '... ... (Ryan) 4 Mr S. Waldock's b g Lunatic, 3 yrs, 7 st (Hocking) 0 Mr J. Barnard's br g Elliston, 5 yrs, 9 st 51b A good start was effected, and, passing the stand for the first time, Lancer showed in advance, closely followed by Syren, with Elliston and Gay Lad next in succession. At the turn by the log fence Gay Lad fell to the rear, and Gonfalon took fourth place. By the time the lot had passed the abattoirs, Gonfalon had assumed the lead, tightly pressed by Syren, and these two raced together until they approached the turn towards home, when Syren came to the front, and it was manifest that she aud Mr Greene's filly were the only two in the race. At this stage Lady MannersSutton was third, and Gay Lad was toiling hopelessly in the rear. Coming near the distance Gonfalon fell off, beaten. Syren won easily, the others coming in in the order above mentioned. Elliston and Gay Lad were pulled up inside the distance, and walked home. Time, 2 mm 57 sec. The next event \* as the Ascot Yale Stakes. — A sweepstakes of 20 soys, h. {X, with 100 soys added. For two-year-oU colls, Bst 71b, and fillies, Bst 21b. The winner of any tw o-year-old race to carry 51b extra. Distance, five furlongs. Mr C. B. Fisher's br f Sour Grapes, 2 yrs, Bst2 lb (Morrison) 1 Mr P. J. Keighrau's br c Fireworks, 2 yrs, Bst7lb (Waterman) 2 Mr C. B. Fisher's b c' Little Fish, 2 yrs, Bst7lb (Brian) 3 Mr W. Dicksou's b c Phosphorus, 2 yrs, Bst7lb (Chifney) 0 Sour Grapes got away with the lead, i followed by Fireworks and Phosphorus, and this order was maintained until they reached the straight running. Inside the distance Little Fish made a game effort to get into second place, and passed Phosphorous, but was unable to get in front of Mr Keighran's colt. The race between these two was very close aud interesting, and the whalebone was called freely into requisition, but Fireworks secured the barren honor with literally nothing to spare. Time, 1 minute 10 seconds. The next event was the Melbourne Crr. — A sweepstakes of 20 soys, 10 soys forfeit, or 5 soys if declared, with a piece of plate, value 100 soys, and 200 soys added. The winner of any handicap of the value of 100 soys, after the declaration of weights, to carry 3lb extra ; or two or more such races slb extra. Distance, two miles. Mr J. Tait's br c The Barb, 3 yrs, 6 st 91b ... ... (Davis) 1 Mr P. J. Keighran's b g Exile, aged, 7 st 101 b ... ... (Cavenagh) 2 Mr J. Tait's eh g Falcon, 5 yrs, 8 st 2lb not placed ... ... (Stanley) 3 Mr C. B. Fisher's b m Lady Heron, 4 yrs, Bst7lb ... ... (Morrison) 0 Mr W. Craig's b h Tim Whiffler, 4 yrs, Bstßlb ... ... (Chifuey) 0 Mr E. M. Bagot's gr f Cowra, 4 yrs, Bst 71b ... ... (Stevens) 0 Mr J. Cleelaud's b h Barwon, aged, 8 st 71b (S. Haynes) 0 Mr G-. Wright's eh g Songster, 5 yrs, 8 st 61b ... ... (Parslow) 0 Mr P. Lewis's eh g Falcon, aged, 8 st 61b ... ... (Bateman) 0 MrW. Pearson's br g Sparrowhawk, 5 yrs, Bst 51b ... (Harvey) 0 Mr J. Tait's eh g Warwick, 5 yrs, 8 st 51b ... ... (Holmes) 0 Mr 8. Thompson's b g Woodman, aged, Bst4lb ... ... (Bishop) 0 Mr J. Wilson's br m Musidora, aged, Sst 41b ... .... (M'Donald) 0 Mr W. Craig's br in Miss Fisher, 4 yrs, Bst ... ... (Carter) 0 Mr P. J. Keighran's b g Play boy, aged, 8 st ... . . (Waterman) 0 Mr W. Pearson's b g Viscount, aged, 7 st 121 b ... ... (Mason) 0 Mr W. C. Yuille's gr g Toryboy, aged, 7 stSlb ... ... (Green) 0 Mr G. Watson's b g Minstrel, 6 yrs, 7 st 51b ... ... (Gregory) 0 Mr A. M'Donald's bl g Dun Dolo, aged, 7sts 1b ... ... (Tyrrell) 0 Mr J". Cleeland's gr in Shenaudoah, 6 yrs, 7st2lb ... ... (Peller) 0 Mr J. Armstrong's Mozart, aged, 7 st 1 lb (Hill) 0 Mr H. D. Parr's br f Deception, 5 yrs, 7 st (Parr) 0 Mr L. L. Smith's b g Glenyuille, 6 yrs, 7 st (Hill) 0 Mr T. Henry's br g Coventry, 4 yrs, 6 st 121 b (Griffin) 0

Mr C. B. Fisher's br f Sergull, 3 yrs, G st 71b f (Hill) 0 Mr L. L. Smith's gr g Protection, 5 yis, Gst4lb ... ... (Davies) 0 Mr S. Waldock's b c Lunatic, 3 yrs, 5 st 81b ... ... (Howcll) Mr W. J. Faris* b c Solitaire, 3 jvs, sst 81b ... ... (Bennett) 0 Of the start it is needless to say more than has been above recorded. The entire field, with one exception, came away from the post with a rush the instant the flag fell, in a style equally creditable to the starter and the riders. The solitary exception was Cowra, who, after having shown some symptoms of fractiousness previously, remained quite stationary for a moment or so after all her competitors were well undcrweigh. It must be confessed that when she did start she did it in a style indicative of a determination to make up for lost time, for she came past the stand at such a pace as led an old turf critic to exclaim very audibly that she was even then not out of the race. As the compact ruck flew round the turn by the log fence, indeed, the gallant mare was almost ori terms with them, but the spurt she had put on so far was too much for her, and from this point she was not seen in the race. Gleuyuille continued to hold the lead at a rattling pace to about the point where Cowra 1 s bolt was shot ; but here the Barb drew steadily up, and immediately assumed the lead, with Glenyuille second, Tim Whiffler third, and Barwon fourth, the remainder of the field well up in a ruck, almost as solid as a pack of beagles. In this style the mingled mass of flying colors rushed along the back of the course, the changes of relative posit'ons being quite iudistinguishable from the pace at which the horses sped along ; but by the time the turn past the abattoirs was reached, the Barb and Exile could be plainly seen, racing almost stride and stride, with Sydney Falcon in the third place, and Playboy fourth. At the next turn the Barb showed in front, and it became evident that, barring accidents, the great prize lay between the Barb and Exile, the former having the preference. Between these two a magnificent struggle home ensued, and, as they passed the further extremity of the grand stand, it seemed doubtful which would bo the foremost to catch the judge's ej'e. Sydney Falcon came next. The bulk of the remainder of the field came closely flying 1 at their heels ; but, ultimately, the Sydney champion wr.s landed a winner by a short neck. Seagull and Tim Whifflcr were well up, Cowra about the middle of the ruck, and Lewis's Falcon was in the rear division. Toryboy was scarcely seen in the race, and the order in which the others finished it was impossible to distinguish. Seagu U and Deception were pulled up some distance from the winning post, and walked home, the former quite lame. Time (as al"eady stated) 3 mrmles 43 seconds. The next event was the Hurdle Race. — A handicap sweepstal.es of 5 soys each, with 100 soys ad ded . Distance, about tlr-eo m M es. Mr Rcwcll's b g Elk (late Pony), aged 9 st 5 lb (jn'lett) 1 M- T. Coker's Valentine, G j s, 10 st 3 lb ... (Morrison) 2 Mr T. Joel's bli Gay Lad, G j rs, 9st 7 lb (Jillelt) 3 Mr F. Tozer's b g Weslei.i, 5 yrs, 9jfc 4 lb (Parslow) 0 Mr S. Waldcock's Happy Jack, aged, Bit 7 lb (T. Waldcock) 0 Mr Coker's Prince, Mr Brown's Yorkshireman, Mr G. Watson's Flatcatcher, and Mr Liersch's Dangerous were also entered for this race ; but the three former were scratched, and the last mentioned was disqualified. A good start was effected after two unsuccessful attempts, and Valentine was first over the hurdle, closely followed by Happy Jack and the Elk, the others nlso surmounting the obstacle safely. Immediately afterwards, Topthorue took a prominent position, but, at the next hurdle, Gay Lad baulked, and lost a good deal of ground before he could be persuaded to go over. Valentine still maintained the lead, but Happy Jack gave place to the Elk, with Topthorne close up. Gay Lad made play, but only for a short distance, and Valentine and the Elk set to in earnest for a race between themselves. At a hurdle at the back of the course Gay Lad threw his rider and got away. Half a mile from home, whilst Valentine and the Elk were trying conclusions, Topthorne, who was quite fifty yards behind them, came up with a rush, and was the first to reach the second jump from home. On rising at this he struck the hurdles heavily, unseated his rider, and got away, i The Elk crossed the same hurdle a minute afterwards, just in advance of Valentine; and as these two raced home Topthorne galloped with them at his topmost speed, took the last jump in safety, though breaking the upper rail of the hurdle in doing so, and was first to pass the judge's chair, to the great amusement of the general public. The Elk came next, and putting on a spurt after clearing the last jump, won by half a dozen lengths. The next event of the day was The Darling Stakes. — A sweepstakes of 10 soys, h. ft., with 100 soys added. For 3 yrs, 7st ; 4 yrs, 9st ; 5 yrs, 9st 81b ; 6 yrs, and aged, 9st 101 b. The winner to be sold for L2OO. Distance, ono mile and a-half. Mr L. L. Smith's Aggravator. 3 yrs, 7st (Hill) 1 Mr W. Craig's br g Midshipman, 6 yrs, 9st 71b (Carter) 2 Mr T. Ivory's b g Cockles, 5 yrs, 9st 51b (Kean) 3

Midshipman took the lead, but was quickly passed by Aggravator, who made all the running, the others close up, and won as he pleased. This closed the day's proceedings.