South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889), Friday 6 January 1860, page 3


THE THEBARTON RACES.

These races, which had constituted such a prominent topic of conversation for weeks previously, commenced on Thursday, and so far as they have proceeded it would be difficult to conceive anything more completely suc-cessful. In the early part of the morning there were symptoms of the day proving a regular "scorcher," but towards noon a delightful westerly breeze sprung up, and it soon became manifest there were no reasons to apprehend a paucity in the attendance of visitors. Pe-destrians, vehicles of every description, and horsemen began to flock in by hundreds, and we have seldom seen so numerous and respectable an attendance upon a race-course in the colony. It is estimated that the number of persons present exceeded 2,000. We have previously alluded to the Grand Stand, recently erected at a vory heavy expense, and than which we can scarcely imagine a more complete affair. It embraces a magnificent saloon, capable of dining about 300 persons, a bar run-ning the whole length of the building, store-room, a i etiring room for ladies, and sitting accommodation for between 600 and 700 persons. The whole of the 'apart-ments aro exceedingly lofty and well ventilated, and the situation of the Stand and the arrangements for visitors are such as to command a com-plote viow of the course, which is nearly a dead level. A very excellent arrangement was made

by which perfect coolness was secured in tho stand and vicinity duriog the day notwithstanding the heat. The floor of the saloon was sprinkled with tan to the depth of several inches, and being occasionally wetted, the effect was to create and preserve a delightful coolness. A similar course was preserved for some distance around the stand, and the result was that not the slightest in-convenience from dust was experienced during the day by those in or about tho neighborhood of tho Stand. Mr. Aldridge, who was the caterer for the Grand Stand, provided a really sumptuous repast for the very moderate sum of half a crown ; the wines, liquors, &c, were also of tho choicest quality, and the luxury at this season-ice-had not been forgotten. Independently of the Grandstand there were thirteen booths upon the ground, many of thom of a very substantial and com-modious character, and in some instances efforts had been made to establish a humble rivalry with the Grandstand by erecting a second floor for the purpose of affording parties an opportunity of obtaining a better view of t!te various contests. These booths were so very creditably conducted that we think it only fair to mention the parties under whose management they were. They were Messrs. Honey, of the Beehive; Addison, of the Southern Cross; W. Raven, of the White Conduit House; J. Wilson, of tho Norwich Arms ; T. Hall, of the Butchers' Arms ; W. Hall, of Cumberland House; H. Gunter, of the Oddfellows Arms; G.' Jolly, of the Elephant and Castle; J. Hains, of the Hose of Australia ; Cave and Palmer, of the Governor Macdonnell ; McCarron. of the Ballway Tavern, Bowden ; and T. Jaques, of the Foresters' and Squatters' Arms. The stewards of the races were Messrs. E. M. Bagot, Charles Jenkins, Wm. Harrold, G. Bennett, and Wm. Hughes. J. Chambers, Esq., acted as Judge, J. Haimes, Esq., as Starter, and W. H. Formby, Esq., as Clerk of the Course, assisted by the veteran and universal favorite Charley Tanner, who appeared in magnificent trim-scarlet coat, buckskin breeches, and top boots, mounted upon a splendid cream color, and it is unnecessary to add that Mr. Tanner, being only the deputy, had to do all the work or the principal portion of it. Most ably did he perform his duty ; in fact the whole of the officials, Stewards, Judge, Starter, and Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Course are entitled to the highest credit for the very effective per-formance of the several duties whioh devolved upon them. We'previously noticed the very excellent arrangements which" had been made in connection with weighing the jockeys, &c. A suitable building has been erected in the paddock near to the Grand Stand, which no3 been fenced off for tho accommodation of the horses about to run, and here, that is in the aforesaid building, the jocks are weighed and loaded with additional lead, or relieved of some, accordingly as they may bo found below or above the weight. The first race was for

THE BUTCHERS' PLATE.

A sweepstakeB of two guineas each, with 40 sovereigns added, for horses the bona fido property of butchers, from December 1,1859. Heats one mile and a-half. The winner to be sold by auction after the race, and any surplus over 40 sovereigns to go the Fund, The entries for this race were-Mr. W. Bold's ch. m. Fidelia, aged, 10 st. 4 lbs. ; Mr. G. Bennett's br. g., Sandy, 5 or 6 years, 10 st. 4 lbs. ; Mr. W. Hughesa blc. m., Zella, aged, 10 st. 4 lbs. ; Mr. C. Walton's br. g., Sailor Boy, 5 years, 9 st. 9 lbs, Fidelia was ridden by Ferguson, Sandy by youns: Jewell, though it had been previously intended he should be ridden by Simpson, and was so stated in the cards of the races ; tZella by Simpson, and Sailor Boy by his owner, Mr. C. Walton. Prior to the commencement of the race a protest was entered against Sailor Boy, on the ground that he had not been the bona fide property of a butcher from December 1,1859, The general feeling prior to the start appeared to be amongst the knowing ones, that Sailor Boy would prove the winner, but it was impossible to deny that Zella looked amazingly like running, and as it was known Simpson was thoroughly up to his work, many were of opinion that the mare might, at the termination of the race, be " found occupying a very favorable posi-tion. The start was a very excellent one. Zella got the lead, but was very closely waited upon by the Sailor. An unfortunate, stumble which Sandy met with very shortly after starting threw him all behind, and he never obtained a favorable posi-tion. Fidelia very quickly shewed that sha had got something in her, and shot ahead ; but for some' distance a sheet would have covered three of the horses. It soon became clear that Fidelia could not maintain her advan-tage ; Sailor Boy shot ahead, but Fidelia was apparently determined not to allow him to win easily. The mare was beautifully ridden, but was np--match for "The Tar," who came in an easy winner by about ten lengths, without any punishment, whilst the mare, had had a plentiful allowance of whalebone and "Brummagen." Zella came in third, and Sandy last, both " all behind."

The Second Heat.-This heat, Sandy finding it ''No go," modestly retired from the contest. The start Was a good one, but the Sailor Boy soon took the" lead ; in fact it was clear the contest was an unequal one, the Sailor Boy being held whilst the others were somewhat severely punished. Zella soon fell behind, and the con-test, if such it could be termed, was consequently between Fidelia and the Sailor, who were for a consider-able distance neck and neck ; but upon coming in sight of the Grand Stand it became perfectly olear that the Jolly Tar was merely running with the mare, and not against her. When occasion required, he shot ahead without the aid of whip or spur, and came in an easy winner by about six lengths. ,

Sailor Boy was sold at the termination ot tne race to i

¡ Mr. Formby for £50. The second beat was done in {

13 min. 10 sec., and the first in about the same time.

Prior to the termination" of the race the protest against Sailor Boy was withdrawn, the parties who had originally been instrumental in causing it to'be pre-sented being satisfied that there was really no valid objection to the horse.

The second race'was

THE THEBARTON DEBBV,

which we may term the race of the day. It was a sweepstake of 10 sovereigns each, two forfeit, with 100 sovereigns added. One mile and a half ; 16 nominations. The entries were -Mr. W. Filgate'Swbr. o. Barey, 9st.; Mr. P. Jewell's br. m. Miss Fanny, 8st. lOlbs. ; Mr. H. Fisher's br. mi Stormy Petrel, 8at. lOlbs.; Mr. H. Fisher's br. m. Sapphire, 8st. lOlbs. ; Mr. C. B. Fisher's br. m. Midnight, 8st. lOlbs. ; The Hon. J. Morphetts br.g. President, 8st lOlbs. ; Mr. P.B. Coglin s b. c. Vanish, 9st. Barey' was ridden by B. Hall, Miss Fanny by E. C. Wood, Stormy Petrel by Mills, Sapphire by Ferguson, Midnight by Simpson, President by Heywood, and Vanish by Harvey, junior. The splendid appearance of President before starting induced many to think he-would prove the winner; Miss Fanny, a beautiful «reaturfe .in first-rate fettle, was not without her admirers, and the general opinión appeared to be that tho contest would be' between, Midnight, Sapphire, and Fanny. 'Simpson who rode Midnight had . the choice of three horses entered in -the t race, the pro

Îtarty of Messrs. Fisher, and had selected Midnight, who t appeared had run dead heats with the others; conse* I quently the choice was entirely a matter of judgment

upon the part of the lad 'Simpson. The "result of the heat shewed that he had not been mistaken in his choice. The start was not exactly a good one, but still no material advantage was gained by any of the competitors. Sapphire got the lead, closely followed by Midnight, and President was gaming at every stride, and would probably have soon occupied the foremost position, when he unfortunately knocked his knee against a post, nearly throwing his rider. Still the horse kept his pace, and in a short time the horses were " like Brown's cows," all together. When about a third or rather moro round the course a tremendous cloud of dust concealed the horses from view for a short time, and on again becoming visible, Midnight was lead-ing. Vanish was pushing a-head tremendously, and the bat was terrific. On rounding the corner to-wards the straight running to the wining-post Midnight was ahead by fully four lengths, and the advantage was rather increased upon nearing the winning-post. There was a close contest between Rarey and Stormy Petrel, but the first was pronounced second, and S toi my Petrel third. Sapphire came m fourth. Time, 2 mm. 54 sees.

It is worthy of remark that the Derby has run in pre-cisely the same time as the Victorian Tuif -Club Derby, which was won by Buzzard, which beat Flying Buck. The weights of the Victoria Derby are 71bi. less than ours, the difference being equal to half a distance, con-sequently there can be no doubt the Adelaide speed has been far greater than that of Victoria.

The next race was for

THE THEBARTON PLATE.

A sweepstakes of three guineas each, with fifty sovs. added. For all horses. Heats, two miles. The horses entered were Mr. E, C. Wood's b.g. Privilege, aged,

lOst. 4 lbs.; Mr. R. Lowe's b.g. Bambler, 6yrs.,10st. 4 lbs. ; Mr. P. Jewell's b.m. Pride of Kildare, 4 yrs. 8 st. ll«lbs ; Mr. R. T. Poole's o.g. Mack, 6 yrs., 10 st. 41bs. ; Mr. C. Dodd's b.m. Creeping Jane, ô yrs., 9 st. 9 lbs. ; Mr. J. Prest's b.m. Luenara, 5 yrs., 9 st. 9 lbs. ; Mr. \y, Coglin's b.g. Hálf-and-Half, aged, lOst. 4 lbs. ; Mr. E. Simmons' c g. Forester (late Doctor), aged, lOst. 4 lbs- Privilege was ^ridden by his owner, Mr. Wood, Rambler by Simpson, £ride of ^Kildare by Harvey, jun., Mack by J. Mills, Creeping Jane by T. Ferguson, and Forester (late Doctor) by the owner, Mr. E. Simmons; Luenara and Half-and-Half were scratched. This was

decidedly the best race of the -day. The start was splen-did. Mack got a little behind, but the rest were all to-gether. Privilege shortly-showed his mettle and took tho lead, but Maok insisted upon keeping company with him. Rambler for a short time occupied the second po-sition m tiie race, but waa evidently not. up to the mark. The race' bseame most exciting, Privilege and Maok constantly changing superior positions and Creeping Jane occasionally manifesting a desire to do something but failing in the attempt. "-The first heat was won by Mac by about a head,''Privilege being second, and Pride of Kildare third, "We heard a very largo number of sporting men declare that they had

never witnessed a morelnteresting race.

The second heat was a most exciting one. The start was a capital, ode. The Pride of Kildare got the lead, and was closery, followed by Forester, the rest, "¡au iy,a heap." Tn flns pelion jtney >pss?ed the Grand Stand, and when halfway round the position, when the dust had sufficiently cleared a%ay to enable one to see the horses,

was not much different. All held their ground, hut'almost' immediately afterwards the -howes were all together,' and kep$ 80 tiu within «bout a quarter of a mile of the

winning, when Mac and Creeping Jane shot a-head, and the former was the winner b3' about a head., Some idea of the interest created by tbis race may be considered when we state that the "position of-the leading horses was within the last two or three hundred yards changed at least two or three times. Rambler ran a good third. The time in which the first heat was run, was 4 m. 4 sees.; the second heat was run in 4 ra. 5J sees.

This race concluded the sports of the day, and every thing passed off most harmoniously, and it is only to be hoped the sports of to-day (Friday) will, in point of excellence and.harmony.be a repetition of those of the preceding one.