WAKATIP SPUING RACE MEETING.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 779, 15 October 1873, Page 3

WAKATIP SPUING RACE MEETING.

On Friday last, the first Spring Meeting of the Lake District Jockey Club took place, and, from the decided success achieved, there is good grounds for prophesying that it is only the beginning of what will one day prove the most attractive enjoyment of the district. The cool, bracing air of a lovely spring day is a pleasure which one cannot well enjoy on a racecourse in midsummer, where usually suffocating heat and dense clouds ot dust do much to militate against the pleasure of " going to the races," and even the excitement attendant on " backing" the favorite steed is somewhat dimmed by those unavoidable evils. But, on Friday last, the enjoyment of witnessing good honest racing was rendered more enjoyable by the weather being all that could be desired—indeed, the finest day we have had this season. The course was in splendid order for running, and, although the entries were not numerous, the racing, as before remarked, was good, each hack going on its merits. The attendance was large, considering the season of the year, when most of our farming community are kept busy; and it is noteworthy that people seemed more inclined to enjoy the day's sport in its harmless aspect, rather than indulge in heavy betting on the result. Sweepstakes appeared to be the main channel whereby money changed hands. Before proceeding to detail the racing and results, it is but right to bear testimony to. the efforts of the Judge, Stewards and Secretary to carry out smoothly the programme of tha day ; and which they did in a most satisfactory manner. It is no pleasant duty to be called upon to decide disputes between owners of local animals; and to do so amicably requires much tact and judgment. This was shown in one instance on Friday ; but we are glad to hear that the decision of the gentlemen appointed has turned out correct. The booth was in the hands of Mr W. J. Barry, which is sufficient guarantee that everything was done in proper style in his department. Punctually at the hour appointed, Mr Powell, the starter, dropped the flag to the

Maiden Plate : sSovs.—Distance, onco round the Course. Post entry, ss. J. Bridge's b.f. Stormy Petrel, 3yrs, 7st (Fraser) 1 J. Hemmen's c.c. Golden Cloud, 3yrs, 9st2lb (Colville) 2 G. Atkins' b.f. Misty Morn, 3yrs, 6stl2lbs (Fitt) 3 This event was thought by all to be between the two fillies, but the colt cut out the running strong, and maintained a good lead for some distance. The Petrel, however, showed the blood of her sire (Morris Dancer), and, when about three-parts round, came away gallantly, and passed the post a long way ahead. No doubt, Misty Morn would have made the running hotter had she been better ridden. Frankton Handicap : 10 Sovs.—-Distance, once round the Course. Post entry, 10s. Atkins' b.m. Taffrail, 6yrs, 9st 71bs (G. Reed) 1 M'Moran's Roderick, Bst 91bs (C. Holt) 2 M'Moran's Merrythought, Sst lOlbs (G. Fraser) 3 Powell's Billy, M'Entyre's Topsy, and Bridge's Stormy Petrel also ran. The race was a gift to Taffrail, especially after Merrythought indulging in his old game of bolting off the course. Old Roderick ran game, but the mare was too much for him. The others were nowhere. Hack Selling Rack : £7 10s.—Distance, once round the Course. Post entry, 7s6cl. Winner to be sold by public auction for 15 Sovs., any balance to go to the Race Fund. Hemmen's Flying Cloud (G. Fraser) 1 M'Bride's Puck Tie (Cummlngs) 2 Mes3ent's Bobby ( ) 0

When coining to the first turn, Bobby bolted, thus leaving the race a match between the two others, which resulted in a victory for the Cloud. He was bought in by his owner for £l6.

Ladies' Purse : lOSovs.— Welterweight for age. Distance, once round the Course. Post entry, 10s. Atkins' Taffrail (Messent) 1 M'Moran's Brian O'Lynn (Holt) 2 M'Moran's Merrythought (M'Gregor) 3 Atkins' Bismarck ( :—) 0 This race was rather a hollow affair, from the fact of Bismarck and Merrythought bolting, the former shortly after the start The backers of Merrythought fancied they had a good thing in him, as he went serene with a strong lead till three quarters round, when off he went, thus losing all chance. Taffrail then came along, and won hands down. Hack Selling Race: 5 Sovs.— Distance, once round the course. Post entry, ss. Winner to be sold by public auction for 15 sovs, any balance to go to the Race Fund. Messent's Bobby (G. Reed) 1 Myers'Dandy Jim (M'Gregor) 2 Scoles'Polly ( ) 3 ln<rr.T.ni's ChftrlfiV ( ) 0

Hack Selling Race : 5 Sovs.—Distance, once round the course. Post entry, ss. Winner to be sold by public auction for 15 sovs, any balance to go to the Race Fund. Messent's Bobby (G. Reed) 1 Myers'Dandy Jim (M'Gregor) 2 Scoles'Polly ( ) 3 Ingram's Charley ( ) 0

Although for a small prize, this was really one of the best contests of the day. All the horses started well, and kept close for half-a-mile, when Bobby and Jim forged ahead, sticking to each other neck and neck. A game struggle took place in the straight, but Reed landed the cob the winner by a head

Hospital Race : £9 10s, collected on the Course. M'Moran's Roderick {Holt) 1 Oolville's Little Dick - ( ) 2 Atkins' Becky Sharp and Bismarck also contested the honor of this event, but Roderick and his clever rider maintained their joint reputation of Hospital winners.