Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

needs little comment. Snowstorm found a solitary enthusiast here and there that took 7 to 1 about him; and a nag, called for the convenience of quotation, "Wont-you-come-out-to-night," had backers at 12 to 1. Certain others were at long prices, but of no account at these presents. The changes and chances of the race were about equal-there were, as regarding the issue, none at all. The crack at the start lay in the front rank, always able and willing to leave them in the rear. This he did when they rounded the turn to the left going out. Here he was clear of his horses, now one "coming" and now another, but never near the leader. As they passed the stand for home, little Mann set his steed going in earnest, and landed him a winner by three lengths-the animal with the five fathoms of name being second. This clever Windischgratz is a good general. The Eglinton Stakes, of 10 sovs. each, with 100 given by Lord Eglinton, for two-year-olds, T.Y.C., and four subscribers, came off a quatuor. Teddington was first in the ring at 6 to 4 against him; Buckhound 5 to 2; and Phlegra 5 to 1. The two outsiders of the market had the race between them, the filly winning by a length. The Cowderay Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 40 added, for all ages, T.Y.C., nine subscribers, drew together five-the favourite at 5 to 4 against her, being one of the Goodwood division-the filly by Don John, her dam by Dr. Syntax; 3 to 1 was betted against Cora; 7 to 2 against Vigilant; and 4 to 1 Hazy. This was a very pretty scurry, won by Cora by a neck-the crack and Vigilant making a dead heat of it for the second place. Match for 100, h. ft., Craven Course-Jock o' Sot 9st. 4lbs., beat Beebee Bunnoo, 7st. 8lbs., by half a length in a fine race. The Drawing Room Stakes, twelve subscribers, 25 sovs. each The Bee-hunter walked over for, and the sports of the day closed.

Thursday, the Cup Day.-This, like similar occasions at Ascot and elsewhere, was the gala of the meeting. The attendance was a multitude, and despite an undeniable shadowing of its quondam brilliancy, it was a noble festival. In "pomp and circumstance" it was such as its predecessors have been for the last dozen years. The sports, without introduction, must tell their own tale. It opened with a Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, for two-year-old fillies, T.Y.C., three subscribers. This came off a match between Coticula, with 3 to 1 on her, and Barcelona. The favourite lay astern till they closed the stand, when she went to the front and won easily by two lengths. A Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each for three-year-olds, two miles, four subscribers. This was another match with another 3 to 1 on the crack-Cariboo, against Cranberry. The betting was quite correct, the pet winning by half-a-dozen lengths. A Selling Handicap of 50 sovs., &c., &c., for three-yearolds and upwards, half-a-mile, eleven subscribers, had eight runners. Ploughboy was the pick of the market at 5 to 4 against him; 4 to 1 against sister to First Chance, and higher odds against a few others, backed "just for a shy." After a rattling spurt with the favourite the race was awarded to the filly by Touchstone, out of Potentia, by a head. The Racing Stakes, 50 sovs. each, for three-year-olds, one mile, sixteen subscribers. Four came to the post for this sporting event; 5 to 2 on Pitsford, 3 to 1 against William the Conqueror, and none else fancied. The play up to the distance was made by William, here joined by Pitsford, but without, however, losing his lead. Abreast of the

ring the final struggle commenced, and the award was "William the Conqueror by a head." On returning to scale, Alfred Day, who rode Pitsford, objected to William the Conqueror, on the ground that he had twice crossed him in the race. The matter was therefore referred to the stewards, and they awarded as follows :-"We are of opinion that William the Conqueror swerved against Pitsford before passing the post, and thereby prevented Pitsford from winning. We therefore decide that Pitsford is entitled to the stakes.

[blocks in formation]

Upon the declaration of this award Lord Henry Lennox stated that it was his intention to submit to the Jockey Club the propriety of adopting a rule that none but the judge should be permitted to occupy his box while in the discharge of his duty. "A rule, which at this nor other meetings, has been sufficiently attended to!!"...... I am sorry that anything capable of being construed into dissatisfaction or disapprobation should have been thrown out against so earnest and upright a public servant as Mr. John Clark......The Sussex Stakes of 25 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, T.Y.C., nine subscribers, came off a match between Sir R. Pigot's colt by Faugh-a-Ballagh, dam by Bran, and Sir Joseph Haw. ley's Merry-peal; the former the favourite at 7 to 5 on him. This view was a correct one, for he won easily by two lengths. And now comes the great issue of the day. The Goodwood Cup, value 300 sovs., the rest in specie, &c., &c., two miles and a-half, 23 subscribers. It is late now to enter into the whole of the vexata questio connected with this event, and for reasons that need not be more particularly alluded to I have an objection to offer my opinion upon it, or even to state the case in my own words. I therefore take the liberty of copying the report given in Bell's Life of the 4th ult. The field consisted of eight animals, as it will be seen of very various pretensions.

Lord Stanley's Canezou, by Melbourne, 5 yrs., 9st. 71b.
Mr. Greville's Cariboo, 3 yrs., 7st. 4lb.

Mr. Pedley's Cossack, 6 yrs., 9st. 2lb.

Lord Chesterfield's Stultz, 6 yrs., 7st. 12lb.

Mr. Lister's Knight of Gwynne, 3 yrs., 7st. 4lb..

Capt. Aschdall's Windischgratz, 3 yrs., 7st. 4lbs.
Count Kinsky's br. m. Maria Mont, 6 yrs., 6st. 8lb..
Lord Eglinton's Probity, 3 yrs., 6st. 4lb.

....

...

.F Butler 1 Charlton 2 .Templeman 3 Flatman 0 .Dockeray 0 Wakefield o Rodney 0 Peacock 0

"Betting: Even on Windischgratz; 2 to 1 against Canezou; 8 to 1 against Cossack; and 20 to 1 against Stultz, Cariboo, Probity, and Maria Mont. Cariboo, who was started to make play for Canezou, took up the running directly after starting, followed by Probity and Maria Mont, Stultz fourth, the Knight of Gwynne and Canezou next, Cossack seventh, and Windischgratz last; the pace moderate. In turning out of the course Cariboo increased his lead considerably, Probity lying second, and Stultz third, there being a space of five or six lengths between the latter and second body of horses, in advance of which laid the Knight of Gwynne and Maria Mont, Cossack following the mare, the favourite last. In this way they rounded the extreme turn, but on reappearing, Stultz was second, Probity third, and Canezou fourth: Cariboo still having a strong lead, and the favourite still lying off. In rising the hill the lot behind Stultz began to close up, and in turning into the straight running the latter was headed by the mare, Cossack

immediately after, on Stultz breaking down, taking the third position. At the distance the race was virtually over, the mare taking up the running, and winning very easily by two lengths, Cariboo beating Cossack by a length. Windischgratz persevered to the end, and finished a bad fourth, Maria Mont being fifth, the Knight of Gwynne sixth, and Probity seventh. Stultz was pulled up immediately after breaking down."

"As usual, the favourite (Windischgratz) attracted all the attention, an d when, upon looking him over, the horse was generally considered to look bright and well, he found increased support at odds on him. Canezou, however, did not lack friends, and her appearance on the course was as favourable to her backers as they could desire. I confess it required, after her Ascot exhibition, some convincing proof of the mare's improvement, before I could place that confidence in her on this occasion which her stable were evidently ready to do. I did not anticipate that she would able to give the young ones the weight she had to do, nor am I satisfied that Canezou could have effected her task but for circumstances which favoured her undertaking. I take it for granted that Windischgratz was, by his previous day's exertions, out of all form, for he took no part in the cup race, and ran-if what we saw was his true form-like a thoroughly bad horse! It is impossible that he can have been himself. Cariboo, another young one, made all the running, and was, in the face of every one, pulled up to allow Canezou to win. There is no doubt that Cariboo ran to serve Canezou, but no one in the ring dreamt that the former was to be stopped to let Canezou go in before him, or otherwise, the moment it was known that Cariboo was to start, that horse would not, as he was, have been backed for hundreds by men who thought his chance a good one. Under the circumstances, a declaration should at least have been made that Cariboo was started to make running only for Canezou, which latter was to win if she could; that would have been perfectly fair, and would at least have saved the anathemas, "loud and deep," given utterance to at the termination of the race."

According to this journal, " Cariboo was, in the face of every one, pulled up to allow Canezou to win,"...... Cariboo is the property of Mr. Charles Greville, Clerk of the Council, and Canezou belongs to Lord Stanley, both gentlemen being members of the Jockey Club. At page 22 of the last volume of the Book Calender, (vol. 78), there is the subjoined "order." "At a meeting of the Jockey Club held on Thursday, in the Second October Meeting, 1838, which was very numerously attended, it was unanimously resolved-That it is the opinion of the club that it is necessary to declare their extreme disapprobation of horses being started for races without the intention on the part of their owners of trying to win with them."...... The reader will make his own comment upon these data. It may, perhaps, assist him in arriving at a conclusion to observe that Captain Rous, in his treatise on "The Laws and Practice of Horse Racing," makes no mention whatever of this “unanimous "resolution of the Jockey Club, although the other "resolution" passed at the same meeting is given in full, literatim et verbatim-" all standing"...... The Duke of Richmond's Plate, handicap, two miles, had a field of nine. Wallflower the favourite at 2 to 1 against her. The crack won in a canter as she pleased. The Molecomb Stakes, of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for two-year-olds, T.Y.C., fifteen subscribers, had three at the post. The betting was 3 to 1 against Hippolytus, 4 to 1 against Hurry Scurry, and 5 to 1 against Teddington. The finish

was a pretty set-to between Hippolytus and Teddington, of which the latter had the best on the post by a head. Hurry Scurry, after showing as much temper as she could, fell backwards upon her jockey, Flatman, but fortunately without doing any grievous mischief. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with 30 added, for all ages, T.Y.C., ten subscribers, brought out half-a-dozen, Woodlark being the fancy of the ring at 5 to 4 against her she was, however, beaten by a head by Diligence, in a very resolute set-to for victory. The Anglesey Plate, amateur riders, was won in a field of seven by Quiver by a head, ridden very artistically by Mr. Percy Williams. Claymore having received in a match for 200 sovs., h. ft., from Mimosa, the curtain fell.

Friday, as the Italian proverb runs of the medal, had its "reverse." The list was very good-the weather was very bad. William the Conqueror having received in a Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, h. ft., Craven Course, three subscribers, the racing commenced with the Nassau Stakes, of 50 sovs. each, for three-year-old fillies, &c.—one mile, sixteen subscribers. The odds were 2 to 1 on the Countess, 3 to 1 against Nutmeg, and 5 to 1 against Harum Scarum. This trio constituted the field, and after as exciting a finish as ever was seen, the judge gave it a dead heat between the three. For the second attempt they laid 5 to 4 each against the Countess and Nutmeg, and 4 to 1 against Harum Scarum. Nutmeg, however, had it all his own way, taking the lead and keeping it, and winning cleverly by a length-the other two running a dead heat for the second place, and the 100 sovs. attaching to it. The Settrington Stakes, of 25 sovs. each, 10 ft., for two-yearolds, T.Y.C., seventeen subscribers, was another trio. They laid 5 to 4 on the filly by Bay Middleton, out of Venus; and 6 to 4 on the colt by Faugh-a-Ballagh, dam by Bran, out of Active. The latter cut out the work at good earnest speed, and won in a canter by a couple of lengths. The Chesterfield Cup handicap, for all ages, from three-years-old and upwards, Craven Course, 32 subscribers. Fourteen went for this, Turnus, the pick of the basket, at 2 to 1 against him, 4 to 1 Wallflower, 5 to 1 Don John, ditto Officious, 7 to 1 Strongbow, 8 to 1 Mildew, 10 to 1 Thornhill, and ditto the Swede. The favourite led from end to end, and won cleverly by a length. Officious was second. Great confusion and consternation fell upon the ring in consequence of Officious being telegraphed to start at the last moment, and Harum Scarum's number being taken down. Disorder is the badge of the Harum Scarum tribe

"Rorum, Scorum,

Sunt Divorum,
Harum-Scarum-divo,
Tag-rag, merry-derry,

Periwig and hat-band;
Hic, hoc, horum genitivo!"

The Richmond Stakes, of 25 sovs. each, 10 ft., for three-year-olds. Three-quarters of a mile, 28 subscribers, came off a match between Musician and Compass; 5 to 4 on the latter. The non-favourite had it all to himself, however, and won very cleverly by a length. Thrown into desperation by his defeat, Compass flew at his antagonist, and tried to eat him.......A Sweepstakes, of 10 each, for three-year-olds and upwards,

half-a-mile, seven subscribers. They laid 6 to 4 Ploughboy beat the three that showed against him, and so he did in a canter by three lengths. The Goodwood Nursery Stakes handicap, 15 sovs. each, 5 ft., with 200 added-one mile, 35 subscribers. Nine thought this worth trying for albeit Phlegra was backed at even to win. She did win, but it was a very close shave at the finish with Thorough-good Sam, who was only beaten by a neck. He did not run, however, quite as honest as his name implied. The Queen's Plate, of 100 guineas, Queen's Plate Course, produced four runners-though at one time the odds were 6 to 1 on the Gent, the opinion being nothing would show against him but Athlestane. Eventually Nutcracker and Escape were telegraphed, but they might as well have staid where they were, the Gent casting over, Athlestane walking in after him, and the others not taking the trouble even to perform that slight service. The March Stakes, of 10 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-year-olds and upwards, three-quarters of a mile, gentlemen riders, nine subscribers, brought five to the post. They laid 5 to 2 against Woodlark, the same about Honeycomb, and 3 to 1 against Joc-o'-Sot. It was a pretty scurry, won by Woodlark cleverly by a length. A Sweepstake of 5 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, half-a-mile, four subscribers, being walked over for by Vigilant-the bill of the play was run out....... One word, in the way of moral, and then adieu for awhile for Goodwood! The four days dealt a heavy blow, and great discouragement both to the proprietors of lists and sweeps, and the public their patrons. The result was a route among the former, and, as a natural corollary, the knaves had the best of the fools. The big wigs "levanted:" the scum "bolted "--both to return when it suits their "books." I see as regularly as I visit Newmarket, or any other of the great racing marts, hail fellow, well met with "the nobs," one whom I heard, a learned judge, very energetically desire to lay his hands upon, that he might have the pleasure of transporting him! Where is the Edipus shall read this enigma-is it not hopeless? "do you give it up?" NO!

The Provincial Meetings, which intervene between Goodwood and Brighton, however locally interesting, were not of sufficient turf importance to call for a record of their details in this work. We will therefore pass on to the marine metropolis and its equestrian pageant, celebrated on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of the last month. Brighton Races for several years have been in that which naturalists call the dormant state, whereof their late anniversary let us hopefully believe was the chrysalis. Instead therefore of investigating the causes of the apathy and indifference, to say nothing of the active hostility, which at one time threatened the existence of the turf in connexion with the pleasure appliances of that queen of watering places, we will tell of the coming events which now cast their effulgence before. Foremost is the racing club which has sprung up under such promising auspices; and then there is the deter mination to erect a new grand stand, the profits of which, after reimbursing the expenses, will be placed to the credit of the race fund. The course is the most characteristic and picturesque of any in our islandthe locality for recreative objects one of the best-it is not to be doubted that now the tide has set in, being taken at the flood it "will lead on to fortune !" The sport on the first day was plentiful, but did

« ForrigeFortsæt »