The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-04-18 00:00:00

Tri STOTTRIMMCIP OPSFIVIII.

others, more wise in their generation, preferred lees fightlng and drunkenness than is usually to
the road which led throngh Pedmore. Lath- be seen where such numbers of people congre-
crone were the sights on the former road. There ; gate for public amusement. It is abundantly
were to 10 seen men and women battling to se- evident that there is a strong love for the na•
cure a firm footing on the greasy muddy slopes tional sport amongst the people of Stourbridge
of which a great portion of the road was cum- and district, or else such throngs of thorn would
posed • striding over stiles, to frequently come • never have put up with so much toil and dia.
to grief on the other side by slipping down full comfort to witness the races,
and we hope that
length in the mud; or attempting to jump the it wi.l not be long before the authorities are in-
frequent water courses or drains that constantly ; duced to allow the meetings to be held as of yore,
intersected their path. Well might the rough, on the Stuurbridge course, and thus do away
looking women, whose eiothee were covered with with the inconveniences to which the public had
mud, exclaim. "if we'd a' know'd, the races to submit on the present occasion.
might ha' been at Jericho for we, afore us 'ad al, The following is the order in which the yeti.
crude 'ere, to be served like this. And, when ous races were run:—
they reached the gr and their troubles were but
half over, tor it was ill 116 equally a bad condi-
tion as that over which they bail just so pain-
fully traversed, and what with the slush in which
they were compelled to stand, and their dirty
draggled appearance, their " enjoyment " must
hove been of a very dubious nature. Lord Pal-
menden described dirt as "matter in the wrung
place ;" but we most certeirtiy think if he could
have seen the torlorn lookiog females—some of
them having children with them—on the race-
ground on Monday, he would have conic to the
conclusion that there was something else in the
wiong place, besides the " mutter " alluded to.
Many were the comparisons drawn between the
ground on which the pieseut races were held,
awe that on which a theetiug of a similar nature
took place a few y ears ago, which were anything
but favourable to the for 'en, and wishes were
fervently expressed that the next may be held
over the old Stourbridge Racecourse' where,
whether the season be wet or dry, a good sound
footing was always to be had for man or beast.
But the meeting was not confined to the pedes-
trian class, for great numbers came up in vehi-
cles of every descripiion, from the swell's
fashionable btu-um:he or break to the 'coster's
diminutive pony and trap; in fact anything that
cold stand on wheels, aiiil some even that could
not, judging frith those we saw which had come
t glief through being taxed bee otid what their
would li...ar. 'rue gr.•at mejority of
alit ••,
rilly persons
mi is, re nee to be ea ea t• teilee, and who,
eet tor a evict:" acre deter-
in et . .umubmves aceoiding to their
its .11, way which etkquuti Lu &mew best.
!Led, most certainly, Mark dapiey, in the Awe.
man swamp, never hid a better opportunity ef
iicing jolly under adverse circumstances than
they lied. Some of them night be seen madly
floundering throngn the mud, from one hurdle
to the other, in the It. of seeing the different
uoreee take the leaps, their pleasure in a great
many eases being cuusiderelny enhauced if some
,uekless rider "cams to grief" over the fences.
Jthers, on the principle of "putting wet in to
keep wet out crowded the refreshment booths,
drinking freely of ale and spirits, neither of
which could be possibly called by the most devo-
ted disciple of teetotalisiu—" tutient ;" and the
former of which west certainly looked and tasted
as if the muddy water-cuurses that abounded on
e ground had been the sources from which the
te.rrels had been replenished. There were, per
is. rdly so uniuy of those itinerant caterers
.or tile pubic amusement told the public pence
present, as one usually sees at meetings of ii
similar nature. The betting fraternity were,
uowever, numerously represented, from the pa.
trician of his class, who, having the entree of that
,uagic circle—" the ring "—was willing to Lay
any number of "ponies" against the favourite,
to the humbler " list-men" who stood outside,
riving a brisk trade with the horny-fisted sous
of toil who chose to ri-k their shillings or half-
crowns in backing their individual "fancies."
And, in this place, we may remark that we did
not hear of a siiigte cuss " wishing" through-
eut the day. The running, on toe who:0, wae
excellent, the finishes, in many instances, being
of an extremely close and exciting character.
The first race, the 1. timers' Hunt Steepleeh ses,
brought out four runners, and was eventually
won with consummate ease by the favourite,
Interest, who ran iu a winner by 20 lengths.
Eor the next race—the Pedmore Steeplechase—
:surprise and. Star Thistle started almost equal
favourites, the former for choice, and was a de-
lied sporting affair. Surprise made the run-
Aug for more than half the journey, and was
going well, when, to the diemay of her backers,
die suddenly came to grief over a feuce, and the
-se we to Cremerne and Star Thistle.
e'er a short time the do wee showed such a bold
"elle peel. ..tere were uumd offers is the ring to
• ek veus for a-' ploy," but he also fell
.11t1 inc-rice was won by star Thist:e by thirty
lengths. Ihe uext race— the Red Coat Steeple
chase-- was a well-contested one. Honiton mare
was made the favourite at 6 to 4 against her,
Gnlst 2 to 1 was offered against Moonlight, and
double that amount against Vivandiere. Ban.
tam was first off, and led his field at a smart pace
f 'flowed closely by Vivandiere, Moonlight, and
tioeitou mare. Moonlight refused at one of the
fences early in the race, and nearly upset Vivien-
diere. Captain Bulkelei , however, managed to
weep her straight, and bringing her along in flue
style, caught the leader at the distance, and won
an exciting race, after a magnificeni finish, by a
neck. 'The Lauer° Harrier Cup was decidedly
the most interesting affair of the day. It was
contested by seven of the eight animals entered;
the betting being 2 to 1 against Little John, 4
to 1 each against County Belle and Sauterne,
end sto 1 against Goldfinch. Early in the race
Little John, Sauterne, Ulla GO.dibleh hail their
opponents Imaten, and the r ,Ce was event ually
reduced to a match betweeu tho liret-named two.
Roth Mr. Jones and Mr. tilpiit rode with great
determination, hut Little John lush slightly the
best of it at the finish, and wen by is short head.
Goldfinch was beaten by ten !enethi for second
piece, the remainder bring tailed off'. Lund
cheers greeted the winner, on retnruing to weigh
in, which were renewed when the usual "
all
right" was pronounced. This was in a great
measure due to the fact that the winner is the
property of the Earl of Stamford, who is de-
eervedly popular about here, not only for his
nun.ficeut liberality in supporting the popular
pastime, and giving large donations to all kinds
at charitable objects, but for many other acts of
kindnese, foremost amongst which stands the
throwing open of his magnificent grounds to the
public during the summer months. An °Nee-
tioll was lodged against the rider of Little John
tMr. Jones), by Major Dixon, but it was after-
wards withdrawn, to the great relief of all pre-
sent.. The Stourbridge Open Hunt only man-
aged to secure two runners, notwithstanding the
filet that £lOO would have been added if eight
norses had started. The two contesting it were
Mr Phillips's unnamed mare by Buckenham,
dart. by Merryman, and Mr. Bowen's So Glad;
ti thug ruling at 2 to 1 on tiie former. The
.1 them did little more than canter for the
'tester part of the distituer, S.) (11;e1
%VMm Ammt threeemarters of a mile from Mime

r

SI!

The FARMERS' HUNT SIZEPLECEASIt of 40 sovs.. en.
tea, 2 soya , for bona lide hunters. About three miles.
Mr. Geo. Yearee's Interest, by Principal—Bed-
wardiue, 4 yrs, lOst 716 Mr. J. Tyler 1
Mr. H. Wiisou's Woodman, by Merriman, 6 yrs,
12st 711. . Mr. A. Jones 2
Mr. H. I'. Williams's Silvertail, aged, 12st itti
Mr. Smith 0
Mr. 11. Blewitt's Venrose, by Defender, lint 71b
Mr. Blewitt, jun. 0

Betting: C to 4 agst Interest, I to 1 apt Silvertail,
Who made the running for the first mile, where Wood-
man took it up. In passing the enclosure neat time,
Interest increased the pace, which he held to the finish,
and won by twenty lengths. Veniese refused the cecond
fence, and was not persevered with.

The PIMMUIIE STERPLECRASE of 2 SOU. each, 1 80V.
to the fund, with 15 Soya. added, for horses under 15
bands ; weight lOst each; whiners extra. About three

Mr. Dabba's Star Thistle, 104 71b.... W. Daniels 1
Mr. C. Weaver's Creinorne, 104 711., (ear.lost
Owner 2
Major Dixon's Bessie, aged, 104
Mr. W. Tyler's Surprise, aged, 10at 7th,
Mr. Fisher 0

Betting: 6 to 4 each agst Surprise and Star Thistle
any price others. Surprise made the running, followed
by star Thistle and Cremurne for half the &stance,
where the hatter fell, awl Cremorne Idilowing suit at the
last fence, the r.tee was left to Star rhistle, who won by
thirty lengths.

The ItEn COAT BTREPLILCIIASE of 5 cove each, to the
hied, and 60 advs. added, for bona tide bunt.rs; 12 x ith
eaoll ; %rumen extra; about thtee miles and a.hali.

Mr. 11. Sparrua Vivaudtere, 6 yrs, 12st 716
Captaiu 131tikeley 1
Mr. W. C. Baldwin's Bantam h b), 6 yrs, 12st
711 Captaui Baldwin 2
W. Phi:tipe's ch ni by Moulton—Jain by
zafsguard, 6 yr, •, 13/st Captain liolyoalse 3
Mr. Boycott-Wight's Moonlight, aged, 12st 711
Mr. J. Knight 0

Betting: 6 to 4 on Moulton mare, '2 to 1 agst Moonlight
and 4to 1 mist Vivandiere. Bantam jumped off with the
lead, followed by Vivandiere and Moonlight, Honiton
mare last. In getting into the country past the stand,
Moonlight refused, and nearly upset Vivandiere, but Cap-
tam Bailieley quiskiy righted her, and gettiug well up
with the leader at the distance, won an exciting finish by
a neck; half a length between second and third.
The ISKERE HARRIER Cue, value 20 sure., for horses
r.guiarly hunted with Mr. 'fro w's harriers this season;
about three miles.

Lora Stamford's Little John, aged, 12st 711
Mr. A. Jones 1
Major Dixon's Sauterne, 6 3 rs, 12s1 71b,
• Mr. Gilpin 2
Mr. W. Webb's Goldfinch, aged, 124 71b
Laptain Holyoake 3
Mr. F. S. E. Swindell's County Belle, aged, 12s1
7Lb ...„ ................... Owner 0
Mr. W. Pearson's Junior, 114 Sib.... Hancoeks
Mr. C. Firm.tone's Black Boy, aged, list 71b
Owner 0
Mr. 0. W. Roberta's Tipperary Boy, aged. 124
711 t . Mr. Moulton 0

Betting: 2 to 1 agst Little John, 4 to 1 each agst
County Belle aid Sauterne, 5 to 1 agst tioldfruch. After
the first halt mile, the three placed had the field beaten,
and Little John sta)rng the longest, won a well-ridden
firriM by a head, ten lengths separatrug second and third.
Others beaten off.

rhe STOURBRIDOE OPEN HUNT STEEPLECHASE Of 5
BOYS. each, 2 80V8. to the fund, 5() soon. added weight for
age; wistuera extra. About three miles and a had.

Mr. G. Bowen'a So Glad (late Black Bea), aged
12st 7.b
Mr. W. Fnill,pa m by Buckenbam, dam by
Merryman, 6 yrs, 12at Captain Holyoke 0

Betting 2to 1 on Buckenham mare. The non-for.
ourite made all the running to three-quarters of a mile
from 110430. where liuckenham ware, woo bad been goin&
slovenly at her fences, challenged and csine away nicely.
but going a header at the next fence, unseated her rider.
giving him a severe shaing, and No Wed come iu alone.
The ENviLLE STEEPLECHASE of 5 [Ms, each, 2 nova to
the fund, with 50 added; 12st each ; winners extra
About 34 miles.

Mr. Thomas Lloyd'. Baronet, aged, 13t
Captaiu Brickley 1
BoycottlVight's Red Lancer, aged, 13t
Mr. J. limght 2
. . . _ .

Mr. A. Jones's Florie, aged, 12st Owner 0
Betting: 5 to 4 on Baronet, 7 to 4 agst Red Lancer,
and sto 1 &gat Florio. Red Lancer laid in front until a
limited of a mile from home, where Baronet joined issue,
Arlo g Atom the best over the last fence, a tine race home
can WOU by . send; norm did Wit peso tue poet.
The KIDDERMINSTER STEEPLECHASE of 5 FOES. each, 2
sorb to the fund, wltn £4O added, fur bons lide haters;
w, mint for age, penalties and nirowaucia ; secoad horse
io saVe LDS stake. About three miles. •

Mr. H. •shenden's Mark, aged, 13st.. Mr. esdpiu 1
Mr. .1. naVer's Nut Blow, 7 yrs. 12e. Owner 2
Mr. Yerlfy Bates' Silvertail, by Distio—lieepsake
3 yrs, 114 71b Captain Ba.dsio 2
Mr. h. Hardcaatle's Loiterer—La.ly of th, Tees.
yrs, 12at Owner 0
Mr. Woo,i'a Scots Grey, 5 yrs, 12a.. Mr Ureen
Mr. H. Wilaou's Ciaverley, aged, 134
Mr. A Jcacs 0
Mr H. karrow no Mr. Phillips's Lifeboat—Lapi-
dary, llst 71b .......... .. Mr. J. Tyler 0
Mr. Boycott-Wight's Lady Worcester, aged, 12st

Mr. J: S. Vriglat 0

Betting: 5 to 4 apt Mark. 4 to 1 each sgst SiWelt&
ad Nut Blow, 5 to 1 eget Loiterer geldiag. ft tu 1 sgst
L fetsnit mare. Directly the fig fed Na, tit.ov jamped
off wan toe lead, with Clat,riey. Silvertail. and 1.0
W qc.,eter dose up, Mark and Lifdicat mire lying mat
t It, far side fat.ce, opposite Vie itand, weer, Lady of
the ices came up to her horse.,, but soon drupped bock.
feb 'ms mare then increased th, lace, and Stark
c one away, and won by a coapll of lsuggis ; four
iengt,,,i between second and third.

The• fALLY-HO STEEPLECIIA*: WWI won by Mr. Boy•
Cott- 1V ,g..L'd Moonlight, beating two other..

_
11..1t oake l;rought, along the Buckenhinn
.eare at a rattliog puce, and pdared So Glad
easily; amidst offers from the ring to lay 4 to 1
in the Buckenlim mare. She came Owl), how-
ever, a retail iar purler "at the next Luce, gie-
big Captain Ifolyoake a severe snaking, his chin
also being badly cut in the fali ; and so ti.act—
to the joy of the fleld.q.s—caine in alone. For
the Enville Steeplechase Baronet started noinin-
ady the favourite, but Red L mcer was largely
supported by the local talent; the other runner,
being almost friendless at 5 to 1 against.
The latter cut out the work at first, but was soon
after deprived of the lead by Red Lancer, who
held it till within a quarter of a mile from home,
where Baronet closed with him, and -a punishing
struggle ensued, which was eventually decided
in favour of the latter by a head. There were
several murmurs by the backers of Red Lancer
against the decision of the judge, as they stoutly
persisted in asserting that the latter bad won,
but we must remind them that no one is in a
position to decid€ a close contest like this was,
but that functionary ; as it is impossible for any
one besides those who are in the judge's box to
gunge sum' a short dietance, and we are confi-
dent that Mr. Biakeway, who acted as judge,
would not have given his decision without be
was certain that Baronet had won. The Kid-
derminster Steeplechase brought out the best
field of the day, eight of the eleven entered on
the card contenting the ruce. Mr. Ashenden's
Mark was installed first favourite, and never
leaving the issue in doubt, won with ease by a
couoie of lengths Toe Tally-ho brought out
three runners, and was won by Mr. Boycott-
Wight's Moonlight; and brought an excellent
day's racing to a close.
Mr. S. Smith acted as starter, and Mr. F.
Blakeway, as judge, and the whole conduct of
the meeting was under the direct superinten-
dence of Mr. Sparrow, to whose energy and zeal
the sport loving community of Stourbriage and
district aro indebted fur the
,satisfactory way in
which tiie whole affair was carried out. The
whole paoceediugs were carried out without •
single hitch in the programme, and there MI