EPSOM RACES:

New Zealand Herald and Auckland Gazette, Volume I, Issue 42, 12 January 1842, Page 3

EPSOM RACES:

We'yc all our ups and downs I know, Both small, But oh! tuese Epsom Downs Are worst of all. The delightful state of the weather, combined with the racing attractions and the beautiful locality of our Race-course, as we anticipated, drew to the enclosure, on Wednesday last, a very numerous and respectable assemblage of visitors, among whom we noticed His Excellency the Governor and suite. The pedestrians mustered in strong force, and not only the sides of the course but the hills was thronged, and those who paid their first visit, were loud in their commendations of the pains which had been taken by the Stewards, to contribute to the general gratification. The sports (of which we give a description hereafter), it will be seen, were not only abundant, but from the number and quality of the horses, fully equal to some of our provincial Meetings in the Mother-coantry, with the advantage too, of an exclusion of many of those nuisances experienced elsewhere. , The sports came off as follows: Wednesday, Jan. 5. —The “ Town Plate” of 30 sovereigns—for 3 year olds, Bst. 7lbs.; 4 years old, 9st. 3lbs.; 5 years old, 9st. 121b5.; 6 years old and aged, lOst. lOlbs.; mares and geldings allowed 3.bs.—Heats twice round and a distance. The winner to be sold for £l5O if demanded. Dr. Gammie’s b. m. Haidee, by Toss .... 1 1 Mr. S. A. Wood’s b. g. 80bby .... 22 Mr. Mason’s ch. g .New Zealander bolted. Mr. Brewer’s b. m. Kitty, ............ dist. Lieut. Smart’s ch. g. Chance ... bolted. First Heat —Betting even on Haidee against the field; and 2 to 1 against Chance. Bobby took the lead, and made strong running to within two distances of home, when the mare took it up, improved her pace, and won easily by several lengths. Second Heat.-—3 to 1 on the mare. Bobby again cut out the work, but after a spin of about half-a-mile his chance was gone, and Haidee came in an easy winner. The “ Valparaiso Stakes,’’ of 20 sovereigns each, and 20 added by the committee. Lieut. Best’s b. m. Miss Starch 1 1 Mr. Lawson’s br. g. Cruisheen «... 3 2 M r. Lawson’s g. m. Mavourneen ........ 2 dis Mr.|Young’s g. g. Bon Raphael, bolted’ Betting, even on Miss Starch and Cruisheen against the field. Mavourneen went off with a lead at a good pace, followed by Miss Starch, the rest being well up ; on nearing the distance Miss Starch passed Mavourneen, and ran in a winner by two lengths. Second Heat —5 to 1 on Miss Starch ; the old mare went off at scent, and tiie steam leg once put ir. motion, continued making strong running, and ended in her winning in a canter by several lengths. Thursday —The weather was again all that could be desired, and the dust was the only drawback to those who padded it to the pleasures of the sport. The company, if not so numerous as on Wednesday, was not less respectable, and the sport was such as to satisfy the cravings of the mostfastidous, whether as to amusement or excellence, as our account hereafter will testify. This was the last day’s racing till the next neason ; but from the impression made on the visitors, we are satisfied that the seed has been sown in such a manner as to secure future patronage of the highest grade. > ’■Ladies Pu.se,” of £3 each, with contents, and £ 0 added. Heats—twice round and a distance. Dr. Gammie’s b. m, Haidee .......... 1 1 Lieut, Smart's ch, g. Chance 22 Betting even ; the mare for choice. Chance made strong running till within 300 yards of home, when the mare challenged ran by him, and won ina canter by several lengths, Second Heat—Chance jumped off with the lead at a good pace, followed closely by the mare; they ran in this order to near the distance, when the horse shut up, and allowed the mare to win, hard held, by as many lengths as she pleased. We cannot but express our admiration of the coolness and judgment of the riding of Mr, Rich, jun,, on the occasion. Consolation“ Handicap Stakes’of 2 sovereigns and 20 added, 2 miles and a distance. Mr. Mason’s ch. g. New Zealander , bolted. Dr. Gammie’s b. in. Haidee, fell. Lieut. Best’s Miss Starch, l. . Betting. The mare against the field, 2 to l against New Zealander, 10 to 1 against Miss Starch. Haidee led the van at a brisk pace, followed closely by New Zealander, Miss Starch bringing up the rear; in this order they ran a t a killing pace, to the distance, the fourth time round, when New Zealander challenged, and ran up alongside her. A fine race must have been the result, but when on the tip-to® of expectation, the mare set to work, the hors® swerved at the spur, threw the mare out of the f a e > to the

astonishment of even he self, the old mare with her noted steam-leg, came in an easy winner, bv half-a-dozen lengths. The “ Little Go beaten Stakes,” of £l each, and £ls added, catch weights. Betting, 6to 4 on New Zealander, 2to 1 against Bobby, 3to 1 against Miss Kilty. Bobby made all the running to the distance, when New Zealander challenged and won cleverly by a length. Second Heat.—Bobby again made play, when New Zealander thinking persuasion better ihan force, swerved at punishment, and dismonnted both her own rider and Bobby's, leaving Miss Kitty the goal to herself, but she preferring company, waited opposite the Stewards’ stand, until New Zealander came up and most ungallantly beat her in. A dispute arq.e, and the Stewards decided on a third heat. Little remains to be told, Miss Kitty led to the distance, when Nem Zealander passed her with much ease, running in a winner cleverly, DESCRIPTION OF “HAIDEE,” (By a Correspondent .) Haidee stands 15 hands and half-an-inch. She is a rich bay, and free from white, with the exception of near hind stocking ; her head is clean, with rather long ears, fine eyes, and open nostrils; her neck straight, with open gullet; immensely strong and oblique shoulders, full chest, great fore and back ribs, large hips, and very wide over the loins, long drooping quarters, tail set in low, very powerful in the gaskins, with most extraordinary thighs nnd arms for so small a mare; good knees, and strong and clean hocks, flat short legs, and excellent feet. She has since been purchased by her former owner, Mr. Murray, as a brood mare, and must produce valuable stock.