Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Lord G. H. Cavendish's Godolphin filly, the first of an expatriated father, beat the Duke of Grafton's Charon, Brother to Carbonaro, a match for 500 sovs. each. Bugle won his stake of 100 sovs. each. Money is always desirable; but here was nothing towards establishing a character.

Lord G. H. Cavendish's Godolphin filly won again: the stakes 100 sovs. each.

Mr. Payne's Oppidan beat the Duke of Grafton's Lancastrian; and Lord Tavistock's Leeway beat Babel almost out of sight thus finishing the most miserable day, and the most miserable day's sport, ever witnessed at Newmarket; leaving the best judges, from the extraordinary state of the ground and the day, much in the same state they were in at Christmas.

TUESDAY.-The morning more propitious, with the ground (for I cannot call it turf, as many acres together were left almost without a vestige of grass) to appearance in a better state, it having dried very much on the surface. This, however, rendered it the more deceiving, particularly to large horses, to heavy weights, and deep striders. If it is not so, the turf this season must be in a wretched state as to horses.

The first race ran Charon won, well rode by Robinson; Mr. Gre ville's colt, by Moses, second. It was a Stakes of 200 sovs. each: a smart thing, and only won by half a neck.

The second race Juryman won the horse that could have won the July Stakes last year, the horse that was afterwards sold to Lord Sefton for 800 guineas, after a mistake, rather it was thought in favour of the seller. He came out now in a new coat, under a new

trainer (Edwards), a new jockey (Robinson) in a new jacket, and for a new master; and it is but justice to say of the whole, that I never saw a better "turn out" upon Newmarket Heath in my life: he won very easy; a colt by Walton, of Mr. Nowell's, second; the other three very far behind. Druid, a crack Derby horse in the winter, in the course of three or four hundred yards' running, became as if paralyzed; and it might easily have been thought so, only it was known that he was not well prepared, and that two others kept him not only in company but in countenance.

Lord Stradbroke's colt by Filho, his dam Miss Cantley, a sister to Burleigh, won a Stakes of 200 sovs. each, beating Lord Orford's Vicar, who ought to have remained a Curate, and that a Welch one. Lord Verulam paid. The pace very bad, and almost a disgrace to racing.

Then came the Oatlands, with high sounding names and nags, causing serious and anxious faces to many, and no small share of interest to all present-the handicappers having, in the minds of almost every one, given reasonable hopes to the friends and admirers of each horse. Leeway paid, in consequence, I should suppose, of having made severe play in deep ground with Babel on Monday; or the distance, which is her own, with a year and four pounds given by the winner, must have been advantageous terms. Miss Craven, receiving thirteen pounds, made her look well, and a deserved favorite. Paul Pry, carrying but two pounds extra for his year, with a pretty good rustic reputation, brought his followers. Memnon, though looking, in the opinion of

former admirers, rather thin, yet Lord Cleveland's money, and the party backing him, with Chifney's riding, made him hold a prominent situation in the ring. Miss Craven made true smart running (not severe) for the first mile; but when near to the bushes she set to work as if running the Yearling Course. This put the extinguisher upon all, except Mameluke (the winner); his speed and beautiful commanding stride kept him clear of her influence, at the expense, however, of some "sighing and sobbing." Chifney gave in for Memnon" at the turn of the lands. Wheatly rode Mameluke, and let him win nearly twenty yards, without in any way interfering with the horse's own natural inclinations.

[ocr errors]

For a Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, for colts and fillies rising four years old, Glenartney and Mr. Payne's Snowdrop colt only came to the post; three paid. The Snowdrop could not hold up his head, nor get one leg before another. Really a man mounted on him could scarcely get out of the way of an active footpad. This let Glenartney, who looked beautiful and bright, come staring in with a most imposing appearance, and shewed that the change of character from Glenartney himself to a Veluti, had been perfectly successful; but I could not help fancying that, like Falstaff, if "rebellion lay in his way," he would have found it.

I ought to have mentioned in its proper place the race before the last, between Toso and Donna Clara. Toso, without going out of a common canter, won-at one hundred yards. I thought at first sight it was the effect of accident, such as a sinew or a joint gone, or a blood

vessel broken; but upon closer inspection it became evident that sickness or constitutional decay had reduced her to little better than a bundle of rags.

WEDNESDAY we had four races: the first for a Plate of 501.—a very small muster, notwithstanding it is calculated to bring any thing dark from behind the curtain; but if I mistake not, this curtain has been withdrawn quite soon enough for the purses, stables, and prospects of two-thirds of the turf. Mr. Udny's filly, by Woful, her dam Miracle, won so very easy, that the rest are not worth the consideration of any sportsman.

A Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each was won by Lord Orford's colt by Tiresias, his dam Ringtail; Colonel Russell's Anticipation colt (Oracle's dam), second. It was a very fine race between the two. Great shouting amongst the boys; as if the young scoundrels had taken it into their heads that his Lordship wanted sweetening a little.

The third race, a Stakes of 100 sovs. each for fillies, was won in a very good form by Sir John Shelley's Rosalia, by Walton, dam Rosanne. The worthy Baronet seemed to express a delight that went beyond the bounds excited by so small a Stakes, and such circumscribed betting-probably it might speak well for something else; Scribe, the July filly, second, but beat cleverly.

The Second Class of the Oatlands created some bustle and considerable betting, although the horses left in it were not of so high a class as the first; but the race itself presented exactly the same appearance. The Antiope colt (now Amphion), certainly the handsomest living creature of his species, came in first, about three

or four lengths; Grampus second, about the same distance from Moor Buzzard: and so of the rest, as if carefully measured, and the jockeys, like well-regu lated jockey boys, were taking a gallop at three quarters speed.

On THURSDAY we began in a more humble way. A Stakes of 10 sovs. each was won easy by Mr. Uday's Miracle filly; Mr. Walker's Intruder second. One or two of the best in it did not start: Bobadilla, for instance, is reserved to be fresh for her match with Mr. Goddard's Anticipation colt tomorrow. Pavis rode the winner. I should have taken more notice of the riding; but it is a curious fact that there has not been, up to this time, three races where the talents or exertions of a jockey have been brought into action.

Lord G. H. Cavendish's Godolphin filly won again, a Stakes of 200 sovs. each. Mr. Greville's Elinor tried to contend with her, but it would not do. Mr. Greville looked amazed, but why I cannot tell.

Sweepstakes of 150 sovs. each Barnardo won. This, however, is no feather, as I find the Brother to Emilius is bad, and not very fit.

The Dinner Stakes of 300 sovs. each-Lord Anson's Elizabeth filly won; Magnet, second. This seals the fate of Magnet; for though his hopping has obtained for him most of those indulgences which many people think Chifney's training requires, his good-looking condition and action, and above all Sam's superlative riding, which perhaps was never equalled by any other, not even by himself; I say if he could not win with this, he may despair of ever seeing Epsom. Zoe, who I have had occasion to mention before, won the Underly

Stakes very easily; Brother to Emilius second; Zinganee third; and Stoughton Lass fourth. Four paid. Some account of this Zoe may be found in my observations on the Houghton Meetings. She is a mere lath-and-plaster-built one; but she is by Orville, and in the Oaks.

Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, for the produce of mares, &c. four subscribers-two came to the post, and two paid: Lord Exeter's Enthusiast, by Whisker, his dam Zealot's dam, first; Magnet, I should think for the last time, second, unless, as in the present case, two only start.

Out of the seven subscribers of 200 sovs. each for the batch of Claret, two only dared shew their faces -the Espagnolle colt (now Rapid Rhone), and Brocard; but the Spanish bred sot rushed uninterruptedly to the banquet, leaving the beautiful Brocard most ungallantly behind, until it was too late to become a partaker, unless for a small share.

We had eight races on FRIDAY (the last day). The four first winners were all out of Pettit's stables; the first a 501. plate, twelve started, which Goshawk won, rode by Robinson; Soldan second, named by Bloss, who claimed the winner at 300 guineas for Dilly, must consider him a cheap horse, not so much for racing purposes as for trials. Any man having a young one that can beat him, receiving a stone, need not be afraid of laying out a little money, as Goshawk now runs with perfect steadiness and truth.

For a Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, four started, Lord Durham's, now Mr. Houldsworth's Leopol dine colt first, an easy winner, rode by Robinson; the Duke of Port

land's Freak colt second, who had some friends that thought they knew something; and the Duke of Grafton's Segar, whose terrific stables are now become all smoke, third.

The next, a Sweepstakes of 100 sovs, each for fillies only, Lord Durham's (Mr. Houldsworth's) Loo filly winning rather smartly; the much-talked-of Trampoline second: but before the shouting had ceased, hailing Mr. Houldsworth's return to Newmarket, and rejoicing at his good beginning, Lord Exeter's Bessy came cantering in by herself. What does this mean? The answer might be seen in every face -a false start! How? They started before the time, and Bessy was not up. A council being called, it was proved to be a false start, and they were sent back; Mr. Houldsworth seeing no fear, and Trampoline, who had not run at all, not knowing how to go straight, never having, it is said, been stript before, gave well founded hopes; but Bessy might just as well have stayed at home, and saved Mr. Houldsworth the disappointment, as Trampoline, having learned a thing or two, ran very straight and honest, and won handsomely.

For a Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, for colts and fillies, five started and four paid. Here is something to look at in the Calendar, as such things as these are not given away every day. Mr. Houldsworth won it with his Leopoldine colt, rode by Robinson, making ample amends for the disappointment of losing the last race.

Stakes of 150 sovs. each, three started: Lord Tavistock's Warlock, most beautifully rode by George Edwards, first; the Vicar second, rather near, but still easy won.

Mameluke and Amphion, both of the first class of horses, alone started for the Port; it was still, however, very interesting; but Mameluke ran, and won, as if determined to have no rival at Newmarket.

The little Godolphin filly again (making four times in one week) won a Stakes of 200 sovs. each, five subscribers. She is, however, considered "very bad." A few such (for all this opinion), so engaged, must be to a sportsman very entertaining.

The wind up for the week was for a cool 100 between Mr. Goddard and Mr. Pettit; Buckle rode the winner, Bobadilla, and in no day in his life did he ever look or ride better than on this occasion. OBSERVATOR.

Norfolk, April 11, 1828.

ADVICE TO YOUNG FISHERMEN.

SIR,

PON several occasions I have

"To

addressed you, and you have been kind enough to insert what I sent. If you think the following worth putting in your Magazine, perhaps it may be of some service to young fishermen, and those that have a difficulty in procuring bait for trolling and triggers. draw a great number of fish to any place you intend to fish," take a quarter of a pound of old Cheshire cheese, and bruise it in a mortar with the lees of olive oil, until it acquires the consistency of a thick paste. To this compo sition add a pennyworth of rose water, and divide into a great number of little balls, not bigger than a pea.

Strew them about in that part of the water where you design to angle, or throw your casting net, the evening before you fish

[blocks in formation]

trial for the Cup was a sort of ruse de guerre, not the most handsome, in appointing fresh umpires without acquainting the former gentlemen that they would not be required to decide in the next course. Your Correspondent farther says, that the two Judges of the Ashdown Park Club were upon the

REMARKS ON WEST ILSLEY ground, and that they were re

SIR,

COURSING MEETING.

AS one of your constant readers, allow me to trespass a little upon your pages. Observing the account of West Ilsley Coursing Meeting in your last Number, was surprised to read that a Goblet was the prize for the second dog; and as I know that truth is your motto, you will permit the lovers of this diversion to be acquainted with the facts of this meetingthere being only one prize, a Cup. In consequence of the report that "fur" was scarce, only four members attended, one of whom ran three dogs; and I question if there would have been even the talk of a Cup, had it not been to prevent disappointment to the spectators. With regard to Mr. Goodlake being dissatisfied with the umpires' decision, shew me the sportsman who is satisfied in being beat. Mr. Goodlake could see but little of the few courses, as he was in his Stanhope at a distance, having a few days before met with an accident that prevented him crossing his nag, which was on the ground. Your Correspondent says that the umpires could know but little of coursing. The name of Mr. Cripps is a tower of strength to all coursers, and stands high in the Sporting World: the other tryer, Mr. Clark, a more honorable man does not breathe. The match that was run during the supposed

quested to decide. It is not correct: Mr. Williams was one; but the other gentleman named (Mr. Palmer) was not in the field. A Mr. Brown, a young gentleman in the neighbourhood, was the other Judge, and who never in his life acted as a tryer at any public meeting before, and wished much to decline in the hearing of many. This gentleman is the friend of Mr. Clark. Several very old sportsmen were appealed to, among whom was Mr. West, who all gave it as their opinion, that Messrs. Cripps and Clark were right in their decision. of the eight courses-all that took place during the day. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

April 9, 1828.

A COURSER.

BETTINGS.

THE Spring Meetings having

commenced, and as the Derby day is now fast approaching, all ranks of Turf supporters have been regular in their attendance, and manifested their usual anxiety, though, on the whole, it is plainly observable there is not any great quantity of money in the market. The betting was very slack on the Derby at the early part of the month, as all were waiting the decision of the Two Thousand Guinea Stake, being the master-key to the Great Derby. Navarino, and nothing else was talked of-44 to 1

« AnteriorContinuar »