THE TRADESMEN'S RACES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2003, 1 June 1868, Page 5

THE TRADESMEN'S RACES.

These Races, which had been pofitponed from Monday, in consequence of the then inclement state of the weather, came off on Saturday last, on the Ocean Beach (bourse. Considering the miserable coldness of the day, the exposed position of the course, and the counterattractions of the Regatta, there was a very good attendance, the different events on the card bringing together respectable fields, both as regard the ; number and quality of the horses. Taken | altogether, the meeting may fairly bo i deemed a successful one. There was, a« a matter of course, a total absenco of all the usual adjuncts of a regular race course. No " wheel of fortune," no " Aunt Sally, " tempted the unwary to invest their stray shillings. One speculator, indeed, did continue to reap a harvest by means of a numbered table and a dice box, th<» dice generally casting up a number that was " not insured;" but his operations were confined to a few, the majority present being mninly engaged in watching the events and trying to keep themselves warm. No comfortable booths dispensed creature comforts, or gave shelter from the' biting breeze and occnsionnl showers which came sweeping across the ocean, with such severity as to render it a matter of difficulty to weigh the jockeys, from their very shaking with the cold. One miserable canvas breakwind, which, by the way, should have been on the other side of the impromptu bar, did duty for a refreshment booth, where a brisk trade was done. But we are wrong, there was one regular adjunct of the legitimate race course, " tho k'rect card," which, strange to nay,, was correct. As might bo expected, there was a disposition on all Bides to hurry over tho programme ns fast as possible, and, therefore, ohortly before the time named for starting, tho saddling-bell rang, and at half-past one precisely tho starter got his Jiorsea into position for the Maiden PIATK.—Of 25 soya ; dibtance, one and a-half miles ; weight for age. Mr Jas. Hastic's blk m Little Nell, 4 yrs, OstOlb (Kelly) 1 Mr A. M'DonaWa b g Gambler, syra, Out lllb (O'Brien) 2 Mr J. W. Hutchison's blk m Lady Teaslc, 4 yrs, Oat 61b 0 Mr A. Smith's br g Venture, 0 yrs, lOst lib , 0 M>* J. Bradshaw'B br g Tomboy, 3 yra, Bst lib 0 The Fox, Who'd have Tllought it, and Tapioca were scratched. There was no betting which could be taken as a criterion, and it is almost needless to say that the taking of time over a beach course would be no test of tho capabilities of horses. At the second attempt, the Starter succeeded in getting his horses well together, and the flag fell to a beautiful get away. Little Nell at once taking the front position, closely followed by Gambler, with Lady Teazle third ; tho rest nowhere. After half-a-mile, Lady Teazle shut up, and the race was left to Little Nell and Gambler —the mare passing tho Judge's chair six lengths in advance, and without onco being called on. Owing, however, to her having gene tho wrong side of tho one sclitary post, which, in our opinion, should never have been erected, she was disqualified, and tho race awarded to Gambler. Tiiadesmbs's Platb.—A handicap of 40 sovß ; distance, 2 milee. Mr T. Kitchingbam's b g Schoolboy, 6 yrs, lOst lib (J. Smith) I Mr T. Bradloy'a blk m Merrituac, aged, ostslb (W. H. Taggart) 2 Mr T. Kitcliinoham's br f Lady of tho Lake, 3 yre, 7st »lb 3 Mr J. lfastie"s blk ra Littlo Nell, 4 yrs, 7st9lb 0 Mr J. Beauy's blk g Topthorne, aged, Sat 0 Mr Jas. Stcolc's b g Native, aged, 9st 21b •• 0 At tho first attempt, the horses got away on excellent terms, Schoolboy at onco rushing to the front, Menimac taking second place, and L:idy of the Lake third. This race needs no description, tho same order being preserved throughout, Schoolboy winning by about three lengths, hard held; Merrimac second, a position which she occupied mainly owing to tho capital riding of her jockey. Little Nell and Lady of tho Lake made a capital race for the barren honor of third place. Selling Back, of 25 soys. Distance^ one mile. Weight for ago The winner to be sold for 25 soys., aud any surplus to go to tho funds. Mr A. M'Donald's b g Gambler, 5 yrs, 9st 12ibs (O'Bneu) 1 Mr R. Smith's br f Lady of the Lake, 3 yrs. BstClba ...(Kclso) 2 Mr J. Bcal'a blk g Tonic, aged, lOst 101b 0 Mr A. Smith's gr g fidget, 4 yrs. 9nt 81b 0 Mr E. Brown's gr m Alico Hawthorn, 5 yra, 9atl2lb •• • ** Mr J. Keany's blk g Topthorn, aged, lOatllb •• ° After some little delay, caused hy some of the horses not coming up at once, and one false start, tho field got away together, Alice Hawthorne (considering the ground) taking up the running at a tremendous pace, and maintaining the lead for the first half-mile, when she Bhowed symptoms of. having had enough. Gambler, who had occupied second position, then assumed the lead 3 orjd through

tho excellent riding of O'Brien, who saved at least fifty yards by critically straight running, wan landed an easy winner. TJik was the fastest race of the day, Gambler making much bettor time than in the race which had been previously awarded to him. After tho race i! lc, w.J nner was put up by auction by Mr too J and bou Shfcin by hia owner for Hack Race of 10 sovu. Distance 1 mile. This race was cleverly won by Mr \V McDonald's br. g. "Who'd Have Thought ! it >r beating twelve others. The following gentlemen were on the Course, and did good service in contributing to the success of the sports in the various capacities assigned to them Stewards: Messrs W. H. Taggart, M* Fagan, J. li. Mills, E. Pritchard, w'. M'Donald, J. Reany. Judge :Mr G. Dowso. Starter : Air Caleb Moore. Hon. Treasurer, Mr A. M'Jlroy; Secretary, Mr Sydney James. Wo cannot conclude our notice of these races without expressing a hope that on tho next occasion, their promoters may be enabled to select a course over which there can be something like running, a thing impossible on the Ocean Beach. Surely the Jockey Club should make some exertion to secure a proper course for Duncdin, especially when it is known that the Government has expressed its willingness to aid in the matter. Not only is a beach course totally ineligible for racing purposes, but the spectator is deprived of seeing anything of the race except while tho horses are passing thejj j.laco where ho stands. Another thing to which we would call attention is the absurdity of placing a flag as the winning post on the waterside of a strand course. The water is at nil times a sufficient boundary; and no advantage in point ->f distance is to be gained by a jockey selecting what he naturally would select—the firmest ground—that noirest the water. We arc informed that such a flag was never before used on tho course, and placing it there on Saturday waa a grave mistake