South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Friday 21 December 1866, page 2


SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB'S SUMMiitt MtfETlNtf.

Fibst Day— Thursday. December 20.

Stewards— Hon. J. Morphett, Hun. J. Baker, Messis. i'. Levi and J. (iilbert. Judge— Mr. J. Chambers. Starter— Mr. u. beunett. For the first time we have to speak of the

Jockey Club's Summer Meeting in milder terms than congratulation and praise, it was fur from a failure; sucli a thing would have been impossible in presence of so enthusiastic a knot of turfites as compose the Club. Still it was not a access. Ihe public generally confessed to a feeling of dulness, and the turfites with more emphatic candour said they had never seen a poorer meeting on the ? Thebirton Course. Following immediately after the brilliant meeting of April last, the contrast wn all the more remarkable. Bat great changes happen in six months in this part of the world. The times are very different uow from what we had in April. Trade is very different, and so are the circumstances of the people. It was only to be expected that the prevailing dulness would ati'ccc the sporting community. Other special causes 111 ght be assigned for the change, ftix months ago South Auscialia could boast a number of crack horses which at present are all in Victoria awaiting more important events than ours. Excepting General Lee, Midnight, Crusader, Stag, and a few others, all the old familiar names have suddenly disappeared. But a good deal of young blood has been put forward, some of whicli may by-and-by be able to fill the vacant places. At noon on Thursday a long line of busses and cabs was drawn up in King William-street for the accommodation of intending visitors to the course. Most of them seemed to fill up very slowly, even the super-attraction of Cobb's Yankee ark having little criect. At 1 o'clock, the hour for the first

race to begin, there was very little snow ot animation either at the Grand Stand or at the saddling paddock. Both places continued filling up slowly, and by 2 o'clock the course had assumed something like a business aspect. At no time dining I'm afternoon was the attendance up to average, neither was it so brilliant as usual. Pew of the fair sex graced the Grand Stand. As for the buggies and domestic equipages, with the picturesque conglomeration of muslin ami plush and silver-plated harness, a fatality had overtaken them. Adelaide looked 20 years younger, as if it had relapsed into the seedy times out of which the gold-diggings so kindly rescued it. With the power of display the taste for amusement seemed also to have declined. Aunt bally was neglected, the pleasure of getting weighed and measured had fallen below the pennyrite, and was but slightly participated in. Improvised Christy's, with cracked banjo and wheezy concertina, did their best to persuade Sam not ' to let his spirits go down, Sir,' and he needed all then: assistance. Schroder's baud, stuck up in a corner of the Grand Stand, did their best in the same direction, by repeated editions of ' Tne Jolly Dogs.' Mr. Aldridge, in his important function of official caterer, administered most substantial consolation, solid and liquid, both being as usual well patronised and well appreciated. The weather was also kindly disposed towards the occasion, being exceedingly cool for tbia season of the year. The sky was so beautifully clear that the horses could be seen all round the course with the naked eye. Everything, in short, was propitious, but the hard times, which, seeing they are so much out of place, ought to take themselves off very soon* : The sport in itself was good on the whole, though not so exciting as when there were Cowras and Tim Whifflere and Seagulls among the competitors. The Maiden Plate was contested by a held of live, Mr. Hope's Kingfisher having backed out at the eleventh hour. The enly horhe which had appeared before on the turf was Tormentor, and he had not greatly signalized himself. The others were all equally protected by obscurity, and the game was evidently considered too haphazard fur much money to be risked on it. The filial struggle lay between Eugenie, Tormentor, and General Lee, and ended slightly in Eugenie's favour. The second event was for the Town Plate, in which the only crack horse of the meeting showed face— Midnight. None of the rank aud file were disposed to measure strength with her, and had Mr. Barnard not put forward his promising colt Richelieu it would have been a walkover. Notwithstanding tliat Kichelieu's appearance said much iu his favour, Midnight s previous achievements enabled her to command long odds against him. The colt did well, but he was not iu luck, aud after a scries of ? unfoituuate mishaps he killed his chance by getting inside the post, and thus giving the rare to Midnight. The Derby was the real event of the day. It drew out the largest field (live), and exhibited the best running. Crusader l*ing the only one which had accomplished anything was the general favourite, aud was bacKed level against the field. Of th-.- new chums Nina and Alexandra made the best impression. The former had a lot of surplus energy, which she wasted in a series of bolts, otherwise there might have been something to say of her. Alexandra and Me.iora gave evidence of mettle, but had not learned the importance of steady running. At starling General Lee got a temporary lead, but soon had to yield it to the rightful owner-Crusader— which maintained it without Hmching right up to the winning-post. The Shorts caused some excitement, and a little dissatisfaction, too, through the bad btart in the first heat. Stag seemed to think the game his own, and could not be made to wait for tiie others. His eagerness occasioned two filse starts, and then spoiled the heat. As soon a3 the word was given a third time he' set olf again, ami the other jocks, hardly knowing whether the start wob intended for right or wrong, remained motionless for a few seconds whre he was scudding along. When they discovered their mistake they did their best to repair it, but Stag had too great a lead. The second heat was much better started, and a fair race ensued. Stag proved that he did not reimire any undue advantage by taking the lead a second time, and maintaining it up to the post. The day's sport closed with a Hack Kace, for which there were four entries. Minna, a handsome bay filly of Mr. Harvey's, won both heats

with ease. ° It was close on 7 o'clock when the last event- was declared. A very speedy clearance of le course followed, and as far as known all gut back to town with their bones in proper aud natural order. That is more than we can say for some people's centres of gravity, but outhe wlrtile everything passed off decorously. AVe subjoin a list of the races : ?-First ltace— Maiden Plate of 5) sovs., for horses tat have never won; entrance. 5 sovs.; one mile. Hon. J. Baker's b.f. Eugenie, 3 yrs., 7st. 13 lbs. Cfunstall) ? 1 Mr. P. B. Coglin's b.c. General Lee, 3 yrs., 8 Bt. 2 lbs. (Matthews) ? ? 2 Mr. O. Adcock's bg. Tormentor, 3 yrs., 7st 13 lbs. (G.George) ? ... ... ... 3 Mr. J. Harvey's b.f. Stranger, 4 yrs., 9 Bt 6 lbs. (Harvey) ? ? 4 Mr. J. Lamb's b.f. Lotta, 5 yrs., 9 st. 11 lbs. (Stephens) ? 6 All came to the scratch but Kingfisher. Eugenie commenced her exploits by spillinc her jock and making a bolt across the field, which delayed the race about a quarter of an hour. It was expected that this little piece of supererogation would damage her chance: but she bad wind enough left to show the other four the way home. After a false stare th-i lot went off in tolerable order, Stranger keeping in front for a short disance, with Tormentor and General Lee close behiud. Eugenie gradually pulled out of the ruck, and began to dispute the first place with General Lee, Stranger subsiding into the rear. Tormentor next put on ste.im and improved his tosition, when it became clear that the race lay wtween him, the General, and ths Empress. At the entrance to the straight running the contest was still pretty equal. Eugenie appe»ring to have a ight advantage. Fluczinc now began m earnest

and the race was wound up with considerable dasli. Eugenie passing the post about a neck ahead of General Lee, and Tormentor making a good third. Time, I min. 59 sec. Second Kace— Town Plate of 100 sovs. ; entrance. 0 sovs.; 2 iciles, heats. Mr. P. Francis's b.f. Midnight, 4 yrs., 9st 4lbs. (Landcake) ? 1 Mr. Ij. Barnard's br.c. Kichelieu, 3yrs.,7st.;ilbs. (Webber) ? 2 Latest betling-25 to 5 on Midnight. The start in the first heat was by no means favourable to Richelieu, as Midnight made a sudden bolt ahead before the former had time to move. The colt was not discouraged, however, but showed excellent running, which gradually brought it within hail of its antagonist. They passed the post the first time in close company, Midnight having a slight lead. The next halt-mile was taken very quietly; but at the last half klidnight gave ai. other dash ahead. Richcieu made a plucky effort to catch up again, but it ended in a second mishap-running inside the post This virtually decided the race. Midnight cantered home at leisure, and Kichelieu completed his list of mishaps by running over a bobby. His first appearance though not successful was not discreditable to him. His running in many parU elicited admiration, and the general opinion was that he would make some noise on the turf yet. Time, 4min. 8}sec. The second heat was a walkover for Midnight. Third Kace-Derby-Sweeostakes of 10 sovs., 2 forfeit, with 100 sovs. added, for three-year-olds; distance, one mile and a half; colts, Sst. 7 lbs,; fillies and geldings, 8 st. 3 lbs. ; 32 nominations. Mr. O. Adcock's b.c. Crusader (Nunn) ? 1 Mr. P. B. CogJiif 8 b.h. General Lee (Steven;-) 2 Hon. J. Baker's f. Medorad'unstal!) ? 'i Hon. J. Morphett'skf. Alexandra (Tothill) ... 0 Mr. J. Harvey's b f. Nina (Calvin) ? 0 Apparition had been scratched on Wednesday, night. Mr. Adcock did the same before the rate began for Lottery, preferring to trust solely to the well-tested Crusader. This race commenced like the Maidens with a spill, or rather a double one on the part of Nina. Crusader was the puhlie favourite. General Lee ranking next. Alexandra and Mcdora had to be t iken on trust. The latter looked promising, and was easily distinguished by his rat tail, which is almost as characteristic a badge of the Hon. Mr. Baket's stable as the blue and white stripes. After mi unsuccessful attempt, a good start was effected, General Lee taking the lead. He was very soon deprived of it by Crusader, whicli then maintained his na'ural supremacy throughout. At the last uiirhr. nf ili(- fifhl tefore it disanDeared in a cloui

of dust, General Lee was playing second fiddle, and Alexandra had also very good position. When it again emerged, Crusader still showed in front, with Medora close at baud, and Kina pulling up hard. Before the straight running was commenced Crusader had a very considerable lead. The order in which they approached the post wai-Crtisailer first, General Lee second, and Medora third. Nina drew special attention to herself again by a third bolt, which effectually closed her interest in the game. On passing the post Crusader had quite two lengths to himself. General Lee and Medora shared the second rank, the General bcinfc slightly ahead. Time, 3 min. 4 sec. Fourth Bace— Shorts of 30 sovs.; entrance, 3 sovs. : half mile, heats, without dismounting. Mr. J. Scott's br.g. Stag, 5 yrs., 9 st. 10 lbs. (Tothiil) ? 1 Mr. J. Mullins's g.h. Collingrove, 4 yrs., 9st nibs.(Mullins) ? 2 Mr. O. Adcock'B br.g. Lottery, 3 yrs., Sst. 9 lbs. (jimpson) ? 3 After two false starts, in which Stag showed considerable anxiety to steal a march on his competitors, the spectators were surprised to see Stag dash along the course, followed in a few seconds by the other two. The cenernl opinion was that there had been another break: but there was no pulling up, and people resigned themselves to a bad race. Collingrove and Lottery kept together neck and neck, apparently gaining ground on Stag. The latter passed the post with a considerable lead. Unmistakable dissatisfaction was expressed at the start. The Startersaid he had distinctly told them to go; but Mullins and Simpson were under the i impression they had been called back. The second heat was' likely to be spoiled by another break; but on the second trial the field got off in beautiful order. For a time they all kept well together, then Lottery began to la1.', while Coliingrove seemed to be forging ahead. On i entering the straight running Stag again showed himself in his old place, and on passing the post he had two full lengths between himself and his second, Collingrove. Lottery was a good third, j Time, 54J sec. Fifth Kace-Hacks of 15 sore. ; entrance 1 sov. ; for horses that have never started for public money, except hack stakes; one mile and a half; heats; weight, S St.; post entrance; winner to be j sold for £W. and any surplus to go to the Fund. ] Mr. Harvey's Minna ? 11 Mr. Moiris's Unknown ? * ..,2 2 Mr. Lamb's Samson ? 0 0 \ Mr. Hughes'8 Little Jim ? 0 0 There was some interest shown in this promiscuous event, though the field was not very large. On getting off Little Jim 6truck out as if he had made up his mind to win. Before he was half : way round the steam went off' him, and the others caught him up easily. There was then a close fit-Id for some distance. When it broke Minna and Darkie paired-off, pulling neck and neck, while Samson and Little Jim ? kept each other company nt a respectful distance behinJ. From her first lead Minna continued to gain ground, notwithstanding Darkie's desperate attempts to collar her. The best the latter could do was to pass her on the wrong side of the post. Little Jim brought up the rear, apparently none the better for his premature spurt. The second heat was n«t taken by Samson. The other three started well, Little Jim striking out a3 before; but his gallop again proved short and sweet. The others caught him before the first quarter of a mile had been finished, and very quietly put him out of the game. Darkie seemed determined to recover his lost reputation, but the filly defeated all his efforts to get rid of her. After waiting on him like a mother-in-law till they were near home, she nlaced herself in front, and came iu an easy

winner. This finished the first day's programme. That of to-day we give below, for the convenience of our sporting readers. First Bace.- Jockey Club Handicap of 50 sovs.; one and a half mile; nominations, with 3 sovs. October 2b\ ISUO'; weights declared November 1(5, 1S6G; acceptances, with 10 sovs. sweep, onn'uiht of general entry. Mr. J. Lamb's ch.g. Cedric, aged. Mr. P. B. Coglin's b.f. Apparition, 3 yrs. Air. O. Adcock's b.c Crusader, 3 yrs. Mr. O. Adcock'8 br.g. Lottery, 3 yis. Second Ra.~e.— Trial Stakes of 70 sovs. ; entrance, 5 sovs. : 2 miles. Mr. J. Harvey's b.f. Stranger, 4 yrs. Mr. J. Mullins's g.h. Collingrove, 4 yrs. Mr. P. B. Coclin's b.h. General l^ee, 3yrs. Mr. P. Francis's b.f. Midnight, 4 yrs. Third Race.— Selling Stakes of 30 suvs. : entrance, 3 sovs. ; one mi e and a half. Winner to be sold after the race, and rurplus over entered price to go to the fund. Weight for age if entered at £70; allowed 7 lbs. if at £50; 14 lbs. if at £i\); 21 lbs. if at £25. Mr. J. Harvey's b.m. Nina, 3 yrs., £50. Mr. T. Kyan's blk.g. Sultan, aged, £25. Mr. J. Scott's br.jr. Stag, 5 yrs., £150. Fourth Race.— Hurdles of CO sots.; 5 sovs. entrance; one mile and a half, heats; over 4 hurdles 4 feet 6 inches high. Mr. P. Francis's b.g. Stranger. 6 yrs. Hon. J. Baker's b.g. Cocktail, aged. Fifth Race.— Forced Handicap ot 30 bovs., 'with a sweep of 5 sovs. from ali winners (except Hurdles and Hacks) of £50 and over, and 3 sovs. if under £50; lo:ers at 5 sovs. ; 1 mile 6 fur.