DUNSTAN ANNUAL RACES.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 1004, 25 February 1871, Page 2

DUNSTAN ANNUAL RACES.

Stewards : Messrs W. Fraser, J. G. G. Glassford, J. Hazlett, J. A. Douglass, R. M. Turnbull, W. Smitham, A. R. B. Thomson, H. S. Thomson. Jidge — Mr Vincent Pyke. Starter, Mr Welsf ord ; Clerk of the Course, Mr R. M'Morran ; Secretary, Mr R. Barlow.

For the last three months the residents of Otago seem to have been under the influence of a racing mania. Every centre of population in the province had its " meet" — the races got up in the smaller localities being confined to horses of local celebrity, while districts of larger pretensions offered attractions and challenged all comers, It was thought by many that on account of the number of meetings throughout the country, the Dunatan annual races, which are considered the most important in Otago, would not pass off so well as in former years. Though these anticipations were to a certain extent realised, still taking into consideration attendant circumstances, and the fact that most race-going people had pretty well a surfeit of aport ; the Dunstan meeting of 1871 cannot be considered otherwise than a success. The attendance of visitors was, it is true, not so large as in former years, but the racing itself, taking it altogether, was of a class which will bear favourable comparison with that of any other meeting in New Zealand. The horses which won laurels so easily in Tuapeka and Wakatip were there pitted against each other, and had to fight for the prizes. The most satisfactory feature of the meeting was that the Canterbury " cracks" did not have it their own way, and that local horses came in for their fair share of the money.

The first day's racing took place on Thursday, the 2nd inst., and despite the weather, which was very disagreeable, being both dusty and cold, a large number of visitors from Cromwell, Alexandra, Nevis, Blacks, Ida Valley, St Bathans, Teviot, Drybread, Bendigo, Kawarau Gorge, and Barsnockburn, besides a sprinkling from the more distant localities of the Lakes, Tuapeka, and Mount Ida, made their appearance on the course. Betting, to any extent, was not only freely indulged in, but sweepstakes found many patrouisers. The first event on the card was the Maiden Plate, and its result was a great disappointment to those who are supposed to know everything connected with racing — the winner, Reefer Boy, being a complete outsider. So valueless, indeed, was his chance considered, that when he was 'drawn in a Calcutta sweep the previous evening he could not find a purchaser. For the Grand Stand Handicap opinions were pretty equally divided, Novice and Backbiter being the favourites. The light weight the former had to carry, in the opinion of some, gave her a preponderating advantage, though the black horse found many supporters, his fine form on stripping securing him a considerable advance in public estimation. For the Handicap Hurdle Race there was scarcely any favourite — if any, it was Don Pedro. The Town Plate was the moat unsatisfactory event of the meeting, and the scratching of Backbiter did not at all please the public, who anticipated a good race.

The weather the second day was superb, and, as a result, the assemblage on the racecourse was considerably larger than on the previous day. The various events were splendidly contested, witH the exception, perhaps, of the first, which fell an easy victory to Sir Tatton, through the injury sustained by the Don on the Becond heat. Ihe Jockey Club Handicap sold many, the probability of Excelsior winning being generally considered exceedingly remote. For the Members' Handicap Novice and Backbiter were again about equally backed — the Clyde mare, if anything, being the favourite. The victory of the Canterbury horse is attributable entirely to skilful jockeyship, and the keenness of the contest is a proof of the excellence of the handicap. The Ladies' Purse was won easily by Mr Smitham, on Backbiter. The Cup itself is a splendid specimen of the silversmith's art, and is one of the best ran for in New Zealand. It was provided by Mr Barlow, of Clyde.

On Saturday, the 4th instant, a number of races were got up, the Dunatan Jockey Club voting L3O towards them. The various events had numerous entries, and were well contested, and to those whose love of the sport induced them to brave the somewhat disagreeable weather, were as enjoyable as those of the previous days.

I need not state that those enterprising firms who mysteriously appear on racecourses, catered for the amusement of the visitors by exposing Aunt Sally to the arohery practice of her irreverent relatives, and in various ether ways managed to derive profit from the assemblage, for in what raciog report were »uw thtogi

omitted. The. Grand Stand and Booth were excellently patronised, the accommodation and refreshments appearing to satisfy the public, and the results thereof the lessee, Mr Juslip. FIRST DAY. Maiden Plate of 50 so vs., for all horses that have never won an advertised race. Weight for age. One mile and a half. Mr Logan's b g Keefer Boy (Swan) ... 1 Mr Foster's b g Coqnet (Mason) 2 Mr Robinson's br g Hawkdun 3 Thirteen started, Gamecock being the favourite. After a false start, the horses went off well together, Kuby taking the lead one -third of the way round, but then bolted. Ree"fer Boy took first place, closely waited upon by Coquet and Gamecock. At the finish a keen race took place, resulting in the first two horses retaining their positions. Hawkdun coming in third. Time — 3 mm. 5 sec. Grand Stand Handicap of 100 soys., with a sweepstake of 2 sots. Second horse to receive amount of sweepatakes. Mr Hazlett'o o m Novice, 5 yrs, 7st (Edwards) - 1 Mr Logan's br g Excelsior, aged, Bst 41b (Gray) 2 Mr Dawkin's g m Nelly Gray, aged, 7st 41b (Mason) 3 Prince's blkh Backbiter, aged, lOst 21b (O'Brien) 0 Mr Fester's br g Hamilton, 6 yrs, 7st 111b (Cotton) 0 The horses got away well together, Backbiter leading. Hamilton, however, made the running at a stiff pace, leading past the stand and to the back of the course, when he was overhauled by Novice and Excelsior, the black horse falling behind. At the straight, Backbiter put on a tremendous spurt, but it was no use — the others had got too far ahead, Novice landing a winner easily, Excelsior second, and the grey third. 4 mm. 11 sees. Handicap Hubdle Race of 75 soys. Dia* tance 2 miles, over 7 flights of hurdles. Mr Pritohard's g g Don Pedro, aged, 9at 121b (Goodman) 1 Mr Cowan's c g Poison, aged, 9at 41ba (Gray) 2 Mr Grant's c g Pretender, 5 yrs, 8»t 121bs (Laing) 0 Mr Prince's Sir Tatton, 6 yrs, lOat lOlbs (Prince) 0 Mr Ray's r g Stewkpole, 5 yrs. Bat 12iba (Williams) 0 At the start the Don took the lead, Sir Tatton, however, depriving him ©f it while passing the Stand. At the second hurdle past the Stand, Sir Tatton baulked, his example being followed by Stackpole. Pritchard then went a-head, and never was caught. Don Pedro was second, and Poison third, both horses pressing the winner hard. A protest entered against Pretender, on the ground that he missed the second hurdle, was upheld, and he was disqualified. Town Plate of 125 soys. Open for all horses, second horse to save his stake. Weight for age. Distance, 2 miles and ahalf. Mr Morten's o h Southern Chief ... 1 Mr Morten's b g Atlas ... 2 Backbiter was scratched. A walkover, Monaghan declaring to win with the Chief. Hack Selling Rack of 20 soys. No weight under lOat. The winner to be sold for L2O ; any surplus to go to Race Fund. Three entries. Charlie won, and was sold for L 27 10s. SECOND DAY. Hubble Sblung Raoe of 30 soys. "Weight for age. "Winner sold for L5O. If entered not to be sold, to carry 71b extra. If en* tered to be sold for L4O, allowed 71bs j if L3O, 141bs j L2O, 211bs j LlO, 281bn. One mile -heats over 4 flights of hardies. Mr Prince's eh g Sir Tatton, lOab Slbs (Prince) 1 Mr Pritchard's g g Don Pedro, lOat 81ba (Goodman) 0 Mr Foater's eh g Charlie, 9sb 81bs, 4lbs over (Swjin) 0

Mr Ray's StookweU^ Safe 81bs, 81ba over (Tiney) 0 The first heat was won by Don Pedro, who took the lead from the" start. At the last hurdle Sir Tatton, who had overhauled, and was running abreast with the grey, refused, leaving Don the winner. The second heat was won by Sir Tatton, Don Pedro having hurt his -loins by striking one of the hurdles. The third heat the grey was unable to go, and Sir Tatton walked over. Dtjnstan Jockey Oltjb Handicap of 100 Bova, with a Bweepstakes ef 5 spvs each j second horse to receive amount of Bweep* stakes. Distance, 2£ miles. Mr Logan's oh g Excelsior, aged, 7st 131b (Rioharda) 1 Mr Hazlett'sc m Novice, 5 yri, 78t 6lbs (Edwards) 2 Mr Dawkin's g m Nelly Gray, aged, 6at lb (Cotton) 3

BID 3 Mr Morten's o h Southern Chief, 5 yrs, - *• i2lbs (Monaghan) 0

The Chief Btarted off with the lead, which he maintained to the back of the course, when Novice, who had been clpaely waiting upon him, wont to the fcoftt, Exo&ior then coming into the

straight, the Cromwell horse, who had been creeping steadily up, overhauled Novice, and after an exciting struggle, won by two lengths. Nelly Gray was nowhere, and the Chief pulled up before coming to the post. Members' Handicap of 50 soys, for all; horses. Distance, 14 mile. \ Mr Prinoe's blk g Backbiter, aged, lOst 41bs fO'Brien) 1 Mr Haalett's 0 m Novice, 5 yrs, 7st 121bs : {Edwards) 2 Mr Foster's br g Hamilton, 6 yrs, 7sfc4lbs (Cotton) 0 SirTatton, Stackpole, and Ruby also van. SirTatton, at the commencement of the race, made the running. At the back of the course, Novice and Backbiter took first places and ran together. At the finish both jocks commenced whipping, but after a game struggle the Clyde mare was beaten by half a length. Ladies' Purse— A cup, value 25 soys. Dunstan Jookey Club welter weights. Gentlemen riders. Distance, one mile and a half. Mr Prinoe's blk g Backbiter, aged, 12«t 71bs (Smitham) 1 Mr Robinson's oh g Lyndon, aged, 12at (Handy side) 2 Flora and Excelsior were scratched, and Cromwell started, but pulled up after going two or three hundred yards. Lyndon took the lead, but was disposed of at half-way round, and the black won easily* Consolation Handicap of SO soya. $ for all beaten horses. Dietance, one mile. Mr Grant's c g Pretender, Bst 81bs (Gray) 1 Mr Robinson's 0 g Lyndon, Bat (Cotton) 2 Staokpole, Cromwell, Kate, and Rode* rick also ran. All the horses kept together till the straight, when Pretender came from the ruck and won by about a length.