The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-04-16 00:00:00

WADDON VALE STEEPLE CHASES.

The Wiuldon Vale Steeple Chases, which luive
been again revived, have this year attained, if pos-
sible, a more wide-spread popularity and excited
more stirring interest than heretofore. Thu weather,
which for so long period had been unsettled,
appears to have oct ill lino—a great treat by-thsphy
—thereby giving the were timid adventurer's courage
to venture with considerable cotitleitec abroad.
" Nature's face was fair," and Thursday last was
quits a " Queen's 1 'ay."
Wadden Vale is situated about half•way between
Dorchester and Weymouth, but considinably west
of tho high road, and at a conceniunt distance from
Ilridport. It would, indeed, be hard to -hit upon a
litter spot for a thorough-paced sta:eplo chase than
this line vale, sweeping, as it does, for miles among
grassy steepes, and along the foot of Corton-hill,
towards which every part of the thickly-fenced
lowland lies well open. The scene is also one of
much natural beauty as viewed from the hill-side
just named, for, looking across the valley am! over
Friar Waddon farmstead, the eye glances agreeably
forward till it rests on the blue stretching waters of
the English Channel. Portland standing boldly up
as a rough background to placulduoking Weymouth,
and dividing the West Day front the roadstead—so
valuable fur shipping during ad verm it lads—with its
picturesque tracings of elawp chanty cliffs; while to
the right hand and to the left is disclosed a wide
panorama of quiet green slopes, occasionally varied,
I away to the east, by the passing along of a railway
I train.
All the morning the note of preparation could be
, heard throughout lbrehester, and our Weymouth
correspondent informs us that that town was in an
equally Watling state. Lille!, of " traps" of multi-
form character, dotted by "nags" of every conceiv•
able cut, coming into or careering through the town,
going to the races ;" and beyond the town
"The roads were thranged, frac side to title
Wi' teeny a teary hotly
For fun that day."
_ .

Up to long after the running of the first race
groups of persons of all classes were seen still
docking from surrounding places to the point of
attraction ; and, midway up the hill restedUa long
array of carriages, tenanted principally by the fair
sex, whilst great numbers of ladies and gentlemen
on horseback, from either end of the county, were
constantly moving about, so that there were probably
limn 6,0410 to 7,000 persons delighting in the enjoy.
went of tho animating spectacle, ever, as the chasing
WWI in course, breathing aloud their expressions of
exultation!, vividly " reporting progress" of the
Bev ern! striving competitors as they glinted athwart
the hedges or hied along the open fields.
Thu occasion, of course, was improved as one or
festive merriment. Speculating bonifaces erected
booths, ornamented with streamer, of sundry denomi-
nations " dubbed " with captivating titles, and
fitted up with talks and sloping bencLes—
down to the hill side, and industriously dealt out
beer, or retailed spirits; whilst tents fur the sale of
gingerbread and confectionery were not wanting.
Bet the former deseript l of "stoics" oere mostly
patronized, and all day long these quenched their
waiting crowds. Music, too, afforded its alarms,
tznipting some few Tcrpsichorcans, club in hand,
vigorously to come a rustic Southern reel, or fanciful
"fandango," seeming as if

" They had 110 WWI 101 t to he glad.
Nor-want—but when they thirsted."

The ground wam kindly lent for the UM of the
public by Mr. Williant Dunning, Mr. Thresher,
Mr. Hawkins, and Mr. Mandela. The stewards
were: J. C. Itailclyfre, W. H. P. Wagon, and
C. Hambio, Esqrs. .1. Thresher, Esq., acted as
honorary secretary, and it was, undoubtedly, M
consequence of that gentleman being captajn of the
Weymouth Ride Corps, that the Weymouth brass
lOtvisited the ground in full uniform, and played
several popular pieces ill lirst•rate style.
The course was well picked out with couples of
small Haw,. awl—thank, to the rtioa weuchor of Om
few pm :ceding days—the ground was comparatively
dry and firm. All woo meadow from the starting
point oil Pull-kb:llU rallll,lXlollglng to Mr. Manfield,
to the winning post. The circuit was three
miles and a quarter nearly, with 19 stiff jumps, in-
cluding several gates, a rail fence, a high double
fence bounding a Lilo about 10 feet wide, and a stone
wall. The winning post was placol immediately
below what may be ters:;ea the grind stand, the hill-
este %here the spectators stood to witness the sports

of the day.
The raccs were ailvcrtissl to come off at 12 o'clock,
hut a good deal id' time was wastctl in preliminaries.
.Nlucli good feeling was, however. manifested. At
length, " They're ofk" rose from the loolicrs-on, 134
every ono•was intent in watching the first race.
THI; 1113N•f STAKES

of 3 sous. eaehosith %OVA.ft4a.l; weighto, 124. 7lb.
Thorough-bred bor.,. extra. The winner of any
previous nice or litrepkeliase 10Ihs. extra. To be ridden
by gentlemen, yeomen, tradesmen, or their sons.-8a
entries.

Mr. Hendon% " Count."—O'Kelly 1
Captain Markham's " Harlequin "—Owner ... 2
Mr. Weston's " Patchwurk,"—i. Gant •
Mr. W. Hole's " Romeo "—Owner ... 1
ry Mr. B. P. Ound's " IsUng
Mr. Radcliffe% ' Lancer,"--8. Lane 0
A good start took flaw, and Romeo instantly showed
slightly in the van, with Patchwork laying next, and the
others bringing up the rear, afiwist in a line. Lancer
threw its rider at the first fence and disappeared (ruin
the field. After clearing the first 2or 3 fences, Patch-
work :hot in front and kept the command over 8 fences
end a wide ditch, when it c11:110 to the road,
and nu clearing ono of the hedges its rider fell.
Harlequin twice refused the road fence, and Long Tuni,
which at tide time wax third, then took time lead,
ebony followed by Count awl Romeo. On turning
the corner near tlei atone wall, Patchwork had again
:ilmost come up with the rest when its rider was again
thrown, but instsMly ri mounted. After clearing the
wall Count took • slight command, closely followed by
Long Tom and iluirle.j , Romeo and Patchwork
licing slightly in the rear. On chair ng the hod (mice,
Long Tow brew ils rater, awl Mr. Guudry 111.,1
led trout the field alma:catty very notch hurt. Count
won easily by about three lengths, Harlequin coming in
about a neck in advance of Patchwork. It was WI
. . . .

excellent raeu, but Patchwork would no doubt have
i 4 co the winner land it not been for the unfortunate
mishaps of twico thiowing its rider. Thu distance wiui
accouiplished in eight iuinutcs.
THE IVADDON VALE STAKES,

of 3 WA.. each. with 30 oVS. Weights, Mite
Prot....immix allowed to iid, by earryiuy ill. extra.
Mr. Woohnington's " Burrough Mits.

Mr. 0. Kelly's "Lawmit."- -Owtier ... 2
Mr. Ilrown's "Creeping Jane,"—T. Saunders ...
Mr. Itiehard'a " Cyclone,"— Owner
Mr. F. Itadelytfe's "Prince,"—S. Lane
Mr. it. B. Foster's " Despair" did not kart, Thu
command was taken up gallantly by Cyclone till coming
t.i Cie fifth fence, when it" pitched" and the rider fell.
Mee, a !deli WAX !It thu rear at karting, threw its
mire at the peened knee. Cyclone's rider being iiia-
,,,omited, Creeping Jane took the lead, and maintained
it during the whole of the straight running, Lewattit
being well up,aml Ralik following about a length in the
rear. On turning the corner before arriving at the
sine wall Creeping Jane ran out of the course and in
ding o led Leweilit netl..,y. Raffle then took the lead
and wen eaady by about two ler.gths.
THE FARMERS' PLATE,

of 40 FovA., to be nu for by horses, the property of
tcn.oit farmers only, re.i.ling in the county of Donal.
Entrance I sor. each. Weights, IJ.t. Saute condition.,
we first race.
Mr. J. Shettlc's "Lady Jane,"--J. Strange... I
Mr. J. Burgess' " Zelstone,'-e-T. Spear 2
Mr. E. " Lady Auittsta,"—S. Lune 3
Mr. T. lkiniett'a "M.!, Ludgrant,"—Owbrey ... 0
Lady Jane led, followed by Zelstone and Lady
Ingioda. ZeWon° refuse•l two fences, but after clear.
lug the third, the three ran almost in • line and
kept that position with but few euriations throughout.
exoull,nt race. Ludy Jane won easily by • nark, and
Lady Augusta making an excellent third. Iridi Emb
grant, winch was in the rear at starting, threw its rider
at the rails sml also in clearing one of the road fences.
THE DOR&H LSTER. fli,IlOUlIl ST. K LS,

of 25 sovs., wiled to a sweepstakes of 2 sees. cash.
Weights 12t. 71bs.—tiause conditions as first race.

Mr. Harare's "Couat,"- - (Melly (Ms. extra)
M. We,tou'a "Pateliwork."—J. ;art!.
. ItaidelylVa " Laucer,"—T. Spear. ...
Mr. Thri.,.le "Ittkerassan,"—O weer.
Mr. I 'Charlie."

lukermati shewed in the an nt Alerting, but
threw ite rider into the dit, h at the firi,t
fence, and, Alter other inkfort,ine, disappeared
from the field. l'ount thel took the leed,elosely followed
I. P..teli work, which alm fell nt the second fence.
Lancer then took the place of Patchwork, till coming to
the "double," when its rider had also the nakfortium to
bee hie seat. Patchwork's rider, apeedilly remounting,
overtook Count on coming to the wall, and cleartd it
first, when Count again took the Med and won by about
two lengtlus, Lancer tinkling &Lad third.

THE HANDICAP :iTAKES
for the beaten horses da net fill.

General Garibaldi i going immediately to the sulphur
baths of Acqui, although the season there has not yet
begun.