THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY RACES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1489, 29 May 1880, Page 20

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY RACES.

The annual Qneen's Birthday race meeting under the management of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held on Monday at Forbury Park. The weather was fine, but cold. This interfered with the attendance of the ladies, who were not nearly bo numerously represented as as usual ; bub otherwise the numbers present were about the average. A feature in connection with this meeting was that two of Mr Siegfried Franck's totalisators were at work upon the ground— one within the stand en. closure, the other outside— and both were under Mr Francis's own superintendence, combined with that of the Jockey Club, of course. The one within the enclosure worked in every way satisfactorily, but one or two disagreements over the one outside took place. We do not know the particulars of these, but only that there were complaints on the part of investors. The tiade of the bookmakers was almost at a standstill, the new gambling-machine having the whole run with the betting public. Altogether about LI2OO passed through the two totalisators. Ab we have said, the public indulged in a growl over alleged mistakes in the working of one of them, but Mr Franck blamed these upon tbe incompetency of one of the loperators— whether rightly or wrongly we cannot say ; at any rate, when Mr Franck himself undertook the marking everything went smoothly. The one inßido the enclosure, of course, gave the best intimation as to the favour in which the public held the various horses. In the Hurdle Race, thos9 who were lucky enough to "spot" Antoinette secured a good thing, aB the L 66 invested had to be divided, less the percentage, amongst four persons. There were 161 investors in the Maiden Plate, of whom 31 had chosen Playboy, the winner. L 173 was in on the Birthday Handicap L 29 being on Adamant. There was Lll6 on the Trot, which had to be divided amongst 37 investors. Over the Novel Race L9l was put in, and 13 lucky ones Bpotted the winner ; and in tbe Tradesmen* Handicap Adamant had 37 backers out of a total of LlO6. Thus in one case it will ba seen the extreme odds of 13 to 1 were given, while in tbe others the machine afforded larger odds than could be obtained from the bookmakers. The management on the part of the Jockty Club officials throughout tbe day was excellent, the races being got cS. in very decent time. Mr Georgo Dowse officiated as starttr. Speaking of the racing itself, the most pro. minent fact in connection with it was the exceedingly slow time made throughout the day This is to be accounted for by the heavy nature of the course, owing to the rtcent rains. The Hurdle Race produced three ppilh, one of them falling to the lot of Kildare, who ho seldom makes a mistake. Antoinette, ridden by Cotton, won it cleverly. The Maiden Plate showed tbe merit of Hood, for at the finish the contest lay between colts by Yaltendon andlraucer The time for the Hulo and a quarter in this race was almost equal to that for a mile and hal£ under ordinary ciicurobtacces. Jbe two handicaps— the Birthday aud Uk, Trades-men's-went to Adamant, a very Jwndnome chestnut of Traducer blood. Titania was bia principal opponent in the former, and < York m the latter, but he won from both comtoriably. York had to be content with the Cousoiatiou. The winner of the Novel lUca turned up in old

Sir William, to the surprise of many, and especi ally of those who took notice of his rough con dition. Tho following were the results of the various events :— HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 30 soys. Two miles and a distance. Mr W Ross' br m Antoinette, 0 yrs, Bst 71b (J Cotton) 1 Mr D M'Mastcr's blk m Black Bess, aged, 9st (J Allen) 2 Mr R Hunter's br g Romance, aged, 9st 51b (carried Ost 71b) . . . . (J Gourlcy) 3 Mr II Gourlcy's eh g Kildare, aged, 10bt (HGourley) 0 Mr W Sutherland's b g Theodore, aged, Ost 101b (carried lOst 21b) .. (AM'Kay) 0 Mr A Smith's br g Huntsman, aged, Ost 61b (G Smith) 0 Mr C Samson's b g Isaac, aged, 9st (carried Ost 31b) (T Samson) 0 Mr A Thompson's Castro, by Elswick, 5 yrs, Bst 71b (carried Ost 41b) . . . > (G Mayne) 0 The whole of the horses on the card dame to the poßt for the first event, but of the eight only five finished, three coming to grief. Huntsman, Kildare, and Theodore were most fancied, the others having but few admirers. Kildare, however, lost all show by falling and dislodging his rider at the first hurdle. Castro and Isaac also oame to mother earth during the hunt. Antoinette and Black Bess soon took a commanding lead of perhaps 50 yards from Theodore and Romance, and this they kept in company till nearing home, when Cotton brought Antoinette away, and getting over the last hurdle a couple or tbrea lengths in advance, kept his lead till the finish. Romance beat Theodore for third place, while Huntsman never had a ghost of a show. Time, 4 mm. 50 sec. MAIDEN PLATE, Of 25 soys. One mile and a-quartcr. Weight for age. Mr H Goodman's br g Plajboy, by Yattendon— Frolic, 3 yrs, Bst 41b .. (C. findings) 1 Mr T George's eh f Nautilus, by Traducor—Waterwitch, 2 yrs, 6st lib . . (T. Thomson) 2 Mr W II Tag-gart's br g Concrete, by Architect, 3 yrs. Sst 41b .. .. .. (T Allen) 3 Mr Walter Ross' eh m Maude, 4 yrs, Bst 121b (WRoss) 0 Mr T Dryden's eh in Boadicea, 4 yrs, Sst 121b (J Allen) 0 Mr W H Taggart's br m Grace Darling, 4 yrs, Bst 121b .. .. .. .. (TLow) 0 Mr A C M'Ktiy's br f Miller's Daughter, by Pertobe —Maid of the Mill, 3 yrs, Bst 51b (carried Sst 101b) (G Smith) 0 JJr D M 'Lay's eh g Boroprathoneco, 3 yrs, Sst 'lib Mr J Morkano's eh c Manuka, 2 yrs, Cst 13lb (M Allen) 0 Castro, Botanist, and Messingham were scratched. Nautilus was a strong favourite, Playboy next in order, and Boadicea following. There was a somewhat straggling start, of which, of those who afterwards ran into good positions, Concrete had the worst of it. Nautilus, Playboy, Boroprathoneco, and Maude were amongst the first past the post ; but about the back of the course a very decided lead was taken by the two youngsters of these, and the chestnut with the big name began to fall away. Manuka and Grace Darling were now hopelessly out of it j Boadicea and Maude held a good position close to the leaders, and the others were in a Btring. Concrete was coming j well through Ms horses at the turn, and enter- ' ing the straight some thought he would win ; but he could not get within a couple of lengths of Playboy and Nautilus. The latter two had a good race, Playboy at last winning pretty | comfortably. Maude was fourth; Boadicea fifth. Time. 2 mm. 36 sec. I BIRTHDAY HANDICAP, Of 80 soys. iOne mile and a-half. Mr F Schaw's eh c Adamant, by Traducor— Ada, 3 yrs, 7st3lb .. .. .. (M Allen) 1 Mr II Goodman's b m Titania, 6 yrs, Sst 121b (S Waddell) Mr H Goodman's eh h York, i yrs, 7st 131b (C Rudings) 3 Mr A C M'Kay's g g Blue Peter, aged, 7st 91b (J Allen) 0 Mr G Stevenson's g g Satellite, aged, 7st 71b (Webster) 0 Mr Goodman scratched Tera (7s 1 7lb), andof his remaining two declared to win with Titania, thereby causing her to become a favourite. Satellite had not many friends, but all the others were fancied a little. There was a good start, out of which Blue Peter and Adamant took the lead, with York and Satellite following, and Titania last. Adamant fell back, York making the running alongside Blue Peter ; and going round from the stand, Satellite gave place to Titania. Blue Peter lost his lead about half a mile from home, and Adamant went up with a rush, York keeping him company. Then Waddell began to send Titania along, but Adamant rather improved his advantage than otherwise, the boy galloping him right to the post, and winning by about four lengths. Titania led York by about a length at ihe finish, Blue Peter and Satellite whipping in. The time waß 2 mm. 58 sec. HANDICAP TROTTING RACE, Of 30 soys. Three miles. No weight under lOst. Mr T Dryden's b g Donald, aged, 62sec (R Gait) 1 Mr T Fairlcy's br m Bblla, aged, 12sec (J Conway) 2 Mr D Mathieson's b g Kafoozleum, aged, 57sc (J Stewart) 3 Mr W II Taggart's b m Kate, aged, C2sec (Owner) 0 Mr W Watson's b m Fanner's Daughter, aged, 62sec . . . . (W Watson) 0 Mr C Samson's eh g Charlie, aged, 52sec (C Samson) 0 Mr T Geary's br m Polly, aged, 46sec (D. Peters) 0 Mr R Winkflcld's br m Modesty, aged, 46' sec (J Gourlcy) 0 Mr J Rcany's b g Snip, aged, 35scc (II Goodman) 0 Mr J Vezey's blk g Zulu, aged, scr (W Jamieson) 0 Donald was the f avourite for this event, Bella aud Zulu having next call. Zulu and his rider are becoming w ell known on the course in trotting events, but on this occasion tbe South African waa not up to bis usual form. Bella trotted magnificently from the start, and would | ur questionably have won had it not been for a wmple of breaks coming up the straight. Donald oeat her by a v »out four lengths Kafooz leum was a good third, warmirp up a bit at the end. The time was 10 mm. 51 sec. from the time Zulu btarted. Tho plan of starting the horse* by time is an improvement upon the distance plan, the onlookers being much better able to pick out the hoi sub as they go. It may be worth while to mention that Donald, the winner, is an old frainca* horse, having been sold to his present owner about three months ago. NOVEL RACE, A handicap of 50 soys. One mile and a-half. The winner to be sold by auction, proceeds to go to the Club. Mr J King's eh g gSir William, aged, 7&t 121b (Rudings) 1 Mr W II Taggart's b g Concrete, 3 yrs, 7st (A Iloskins) 2 Mr W Ros-,' eh m Maude, 4 > vs, 6st . . (Webbtcr) 3 I MrW II Taggart's b g Spoy, aged, 7st 51b (J W Taggart) 0 Mr W A Johns' b m Dolly Barwon, 4 yrs, Cst ] 21b (M Allen) 0 MrD M'Ma&tov's b g .Seagull, 5 yrs, Gst 91b (RGourley) 0 This was regarded as a very open event. Concrete had perhaps most fanciers. Thore was a, poor start, the worst, of the day, Concrete and Seagull lit ing two or three lengths. The event wan fall of change. Maude and Dolly Barwon came past tho btand together with a goi.d I.°ail. Towarda the buck of the course Bpoy came away, and pansiug Sir William aud Doily Barwon, into second place, Sir Williara, however, bad running in biro, and making lu"s iffort, got eventually on level terms with Maude, whom after a straggle he disposed of. Coucrete had been last, but he put on otesm approaching tho turn, and passing Maude .got

into second place. A good race ensued between him and Sir William, but the old chestnut kept going, and beat the son of Arohitect by a length and ahalf. Maude waa third, Dolly Barwon fourth. Time, 3mm 5 sees. The winner was sold to hia owner for L2O. TRADESMEN'S HANDICAP, Of 50 soys. One mile and a distance. The winner of tho Birthday Handicap to carry 71b extra. Mr F. Sohaw's eh c Adamant, by Tmduccr— Ada, 3 yrs, 7st 111b (including 71b penalty) (Webster) 1 Mr ll Goodman's eh h York, 4 yrs, Sst (C Rudings) 2 Mr A M'Kay's g g Blue Peter, aged, 7st 121b (J Allen) 3 Mr D M'Lay's eh g Boroprathoneco, 3 yrs, Cst (W Sharp) 0 Adamant was the favourite for this, 5 and 6 to 4 being laid about him. York was looked upon as his only opponent. York and Blue Peter pecured the best of the start, the other two passing the stand a couple of _ lengths in rear. Adamant eased off greatly till about half-way round, when he began to race. York, however, was not done, and kept the lead till entering the straight, when Adamant got in front, and notwithstanding York's utmost efforts, maintained a lead of a length or more all the way home. Blue Peter was third, Boro last. Time, 2 mm. 13^ sec. HURRY SCURRY. One milo. Mr Hamilton's g g Swagsman . . (Taggart) 1 No Name, Duchess, Tommy, and Castro also ran. This event was got off whilst the handicap for the Consolation was being arranged, the winner getting the entry-money. Swagsman won very easily. CONSOLATION HANDICAP, Of 20 soys. One mile. Mr Goodman's eh h York, 4 yrs, Sst 51b (Rudings) 1 Mr M'Kay's g g Blue Peter, aged, 7st 121b Mr Taggart's b g Spoy, aged, sst 101b (Taggart) 3 York was the most fancied for this event, which was got off just at dusk. The chestnut ran a waiting race till the straight was reached, when he came away, and won by a couple of lengths, hands down. Time, 2 mm. 1£ sec.