South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Friday 22 April 1864, page 2


BoraHA!«&J«ffirclOT'B

Onvivn '»»-? TurTRSDAY. ATHUiSl.

StewardsrSir J. H. Fisher aTe8iaeno.nou. Jnc, Morphett, Hon. G. C. Hawker, Hon. J. Baker, Mr? P. Levi, and Mr. J. Gilbert. Judge?»r_ Ts o ? o*n.fn._nii. o. Rcnnett. lion.

Secretary— Mr. E. M. Bagot. ,rm,~, . Thursday may be considered the chef «£«™? of racing days in South Australian history,, for oa that occasion the first champion race in JWS colony took place. As we have frequently before mentioned, the Jockey Club Committee determined to make the Autumn Meeting of 1854 a memorable one, and they were enabled to put out such a programme as had not Itefore been seen in tbe colony. This was issued in January last, ana embraced amongst its various events the Auelaiue Cup of 500 sovB., with a sweepstakes of 50 sots. added, which it was considered would induce horses in the other colonies to leave their staulea and contest the honours on a South Australian Course. The Committee considered that this step «uld encourage the breeding of good horses in r own colony. We liave now some fine young stock, which promise to take a very prominent position on tho turf, and it is ouly by the ofier of good stakes that this interest will be fostered and encouraged. India now presents a fine market for good horses, and unless sufficient inducement is held out those which still remain hero will follow Enficld, Lottery, Lord of the Isles, aud the many other racers which have been exported thither. For tlus reason, then, if for no other, the Club deserves the warmest acknowledgments, not only of those directly interested in stock, but those also who nro anxious to sec our numerous resources

developed by tbe prosperity of wiiicn south Australia will be made to hold a high place among the Australias. But the Club are worthy of thanks for other reasons besides the ulterior results which will flow from the breeding of good stock in tho colony. Racing has somewhat deteriorated ;and languished within the past few years from the palmy days of old, but the enterprise which has this year been shown will revive this time-honoured and national sport; and the public, without whose -support little can be done, should second the praiseworthy effort!) of the Club, and place them in such a position as will enable them to ofier stakes north running for in future years. It canbwdly be expected that in so small a community as ours a stake so large as the Cup can Ins offered every year, but there is no reason why Adelaide should not be the Bcene of a turf championship every two or three years. Let the public enable this to be done, and tho results will prove a permanent benefit to the colony. But to r. turn, The nominations for the Cup wero received until March 1, when it was ascertained thatl6horsc8 were entered:— Mr. Fisher's Chrysolite, Mr. Fisher's Lantern, Mr. Harper's Barwon. Mr. Harper's Banker, Mr. Lang's Onthunme, Mr. Wilson's Musidora, Mr. James's hbor. Mr. Dowlina's Falcon, Mr. Dowllng's Roebuck, Mr. Gilbert's Cinderella, Mr. Gilbert's Lubra, Mr. Baker's Levity, Mr. Oleeson's Cupbearer, Mr. Bagot's Little John. Mr, Baker's Lucifer, and Mr, Mullins's Quicksilver. Of these the first named nine belong to Victorian stables, the other seven being South Australian horses. Barwon. Oriiknimc, Lucifer, and Quicksilver afterwards forfeited, thus leaving the race between n round dozen. ' . , . , Great interest was taken in tho event for a considerable time previously. Books were opened at an early date upon the race, and the day was anxiously anticipated when our own horees should appear ill the field against the celebrities of a neighbouring turf. That day dawned on Thursday. It is now a thing of the past, and Falcon has the honour of being the victor of tho first Adelaide Cup. , , „ The weather in' the morning promised a fine day, but towards noon the sky bocamo overcast, mill tlinntrli llm Riin endeavoured occasionally to

peer uirougn me neavy ciouuh which uiwcureu his rays, he was but partially successful. Rain fell in the afternoon, and tho Handicap nns run in a smart shower, which remleiod the courso very muddy, the hindmost jocks being thoroughly Iwdaubcd with the Bcrapings of the horses in the front. Never before has there lieen so larce an attendance on a South Australian course. The Government Offices closed at noon, as did also boiuo of the merchants' establishments; nnd from midday there was a continual flow of people ton-arils Thebarton. Every description of vehicle was called into requisition, and hour after hour they deposited their living occupants on the course. The Grand Stand was thoroughly packed, and a very large number of ladies occupied the seats. There were also present representatives of every class of the community, while the sporting fraternity mustered in full force. The fences all along tho Btraight running were crowded by people anxious to have a glance ot the horses as they pasted; and at the lowest computation there must havo been 7,000 or 8,0(10 persons present. His Excellency tho Governor, attended by his Private Secretary und Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Daly, arrived just Iwforo the start for the Cup. His Excellency went into tho saddling paddock, and evinced considerable interest in viewing tho horses as they prepared for the start. There was an efficient band of horse and foot police on the ground, who managed to preserve excellent order throughout the day. We heard of no serious disturbance, which is a noteworthy fact where so large a crowd was congregated. Mr. Aldridgc ;catcred in the Stand. We know not whether he was taken by surprise nt tho immense attendance of visitors, but his arrangements were not bo complete as they should huvu been, and considerable annoyance waB experienced by the difficulty to obtain, with anything like dispntch, the various drinks which were ordered. Ihe Volunteer Regimental Baud were on the ground throughout the day. and played ninny popular and pleasing pieces ot music. The sports have never been surpassed in tho colony, cither for speed or close racing. For every stake I lie contest was most exciting; and it would be hnrd to say whether the strugcle between Mazeppa aud Mack in the Trials; Falcon and Roebuck in the l .'up: Bushman, Midnight, Gipsy, and Brenda in tho Shorts; Telegraph, Colonel, and Little John in the [Handicap, iwcrc tho most interesting. The first event on the card was tho Trlals-a milo and a half race, with heats. This was contested by n team of four, Mr. Adcock's Flying Buck, aud Mr. Baker's Zenobia having been scratched. Zenobia, wo hear, badly hurt her foot, which was already sore in running for tho Town Plato on Wednesday. Mack ancT Doctor were the decided favourites while saddling, tho chesnut standing Al in public estimation, especially as he was backed by so talented a jock as Simpson. Doctor, however, found considerable support. Mnzcppa looked very nicely, and he was managed by his owner, Mr. Low, who is a good rider. A good race was looked for lietwecn these three, but Waterloo was not mentioned. Mazeppa led off and held tho running

throughout Coraine down to the wiuning-poHt, however, the mare, Alack, and Doctor seemed to be neck and neck. Mazeppa, however, won by about half a neck, Mack and Doctor running a dead heat for second place. In the second heat Mazeppa again led the way, closely attended by Mack, who hung on to her quarter for the mile, when he collared her, and Doctor cloging up, tho three raced in a ruck. Doctor's attempt, however, was only a spurt, and the race lay between Mack and the mare, the former winning after a capital run up by a couple of lengths, 'The old bobtail was loudly cheered on returning to the yard for his gallant victory. The third heat was adjourned until after the race for the Cup. Mazeppa held llm lead for a mile, when Mack let put and won by a lcngtli or two. At 2 o'clock the bell rang for the grand event of the day-the Adelaide Cup of 1,000 sovs. All tho horees excepting Falcon were kept closely stabled until brought out to mount, bo that the spectators, though very anxious, and on tho tiptoe of expectation to sec the celebrities, were unable to do bo until immediately preceding their departure from the yard. Musidora had been hacked throughout at good odds; but betting was even upon her on the morning of Thursday. Bhewns eagerly criticised on making her appearance, but no one seemed inclined to lay against her Falcon is an immense horse, with a tremendous stride, which foretold that there would Iks a difficulty in beating him, Ebor seemed second favourite. Ho is own brother to Musidora, and a year older —a circumstance which uo doubt gave him so high a place in popular estimation. Banker stood next, his performances in victoria inspiring many with confidence that he would bo the winner of the Cup. Roebuck and Lantern both looked well, but it was doubted whether twoyear-old stock would be up to such hard work as two miles at a spanking pace. Chrysolite wiu brought out well, and she is a sweetly pretty little filly. The JJoutli Australian stock wove all in flno order. Little John was equal to any jn appearance, He is a slashing horse, and seemed m perfect condition for his work, and Mr. Bagot, his owner, appeared confident about the result, Cinderella was the fancy of her own stable, although outsiders were more inclined towards Lubra, who had proved herself to be a splendid mnre. Cupbearer and Levity looked game for the work, but were not thought likely to do much. Falcon was the first to show in the fore after starting, but he was immediately displaced by Roebuck. They passed the Stand at a tremendous pace, Roebuck leading, Chrysolite second, Falcon third, and Cinderella close on his Quarter. Chrysolite took up the running at the half mile, but began to fall off after rounding the south-east corner -Roebuck pushing into tho fore, with Cinderella third, and Falcon fourth. Musidora. who had not previously shown, now frept up. but she was immediately passed by liittle John, who was game enough to challenge Roebuck. *a con and Banker alw closed up, and these fiyci ran in & ruck round the last turn. At a rattling speed they came down the straight running, the greatest Sment prevailing In the Stanl The niaropu jackets belonging to Falcon »d Jtoebuk wdrB seen in the front, while Little John, Banker, and MusidonTwcre close on their Quarter. Cnes of ''It?s Falcon's race,' 'Roetowk's heading,' 'lutifl irthn. bv jingo,' 'The marc's coming up^' roVfS X/deJof the Stand, but F_lcon'5 stride was too much for them, and he won by nearly a length. Roebuck being second The raco between the next three horses - Little John, Musidora, and Banker-w hich were some lengths teMnTww very fine. The fint two of these ran adeadheat for third place, Banker being about o neck behind. The race was done in 3 min. &0_ sec which is splendid time. The Shorts was the next event, for which eight horees came to the scratch. Midnight was looked UDon as the most likely winner. Luenara was In good trim, and she was known to have good speed, especially for a short distance. Gipsy and Cotherstone had their supporters, but there were no decided favourites. The first heat was a splendid race between Bushman, Midnight, and Gipsy, The former won by barely a neck, Midnight Recond, and Gipsy a head behind. In the next heal Bushman occupied foremost position; but the second and third places were respectively taken br Brenda and Luenara, tho former of which drew up in fine style on neanng the Stand. His Excellency the Governorbere left the course, and a heavy shower which came on had the tendency of inducing many others to leave also The last event of the day was the Jockey Club Handicap, and for thid there were seven entries, including Little John and Hanker, who had appeared on such good terms in the race for the Cup that day. Besides these two and Telegraph, who ran bo well on Wednesday, little mention wasmado of the other horses, and speculation was not brisk ontlrse The ho»«es went to ttie post while tho rain wasialling, and after 'much difficulty they got away on pretty (?ood terms. Little John took the lead but was afterwards passed by Telegraph and Banker. The trio ran together capitally, Little John and Telegraph alternately showing in the fore Colonel came down the straight running at a fine pace, and took second honours Telegraph be np first? Little John third and Banker fourth. Patchwork, who ran wide at the first turn, but was soon put on the track again, broke down at the distance-post from some cause which we were unable toleam. The jock escaped unscathed, but «' i« feaiedthe mwe U wrloujly u- uwL