The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-01 00:00:00

SPORTING IN CELLIGENCE.

TIE ALEXANDRA. PARK MEETING.
TLESDAY.

Stewards : The Duke of Newcastle, the Marquis o
Hastings, the Earl of Westmorland, Viscount St. Vin
cent, Sir F. Johnstone, Bart., H. Savile, Esq., and G.
Payne, Esq. Judge: Mr. J. F. Clark. Secretary: Mr.
Thomas Dixon. Clerk of the Course and Handicapper
Mr. J. F. Verralld
In the two years that have elapsed since a race meeting
was proposed to be held on the Muswell-hill estate great
changes have taken place in the ground, and also in the
proprietary ; but, after many drawbacks and disheartening
circumstances usually incident to these s; eculations, a
race meeting has at last been inaugurated, and was com-
menced yesterday with what, under the difficulties of a
new racing fixture, may be called " tolerable pro-
tnise." Before, however, detailing the main inciden s
of the sport, a few words relative to the course and
its buildings may be deemed necessary. On the summit
of the hill to the north of the course is a hugs palace,
empty as yet, but intended by the proprietary to
become a duplicate Crystal Palace ; but as this erection has
no bearing on the sports of the day, no further reference
to it is necessary. The course in itself is peculiar in shape.
It is in the form of a figure 6, the "loop presenting such
abrupt turns as are only to In met with at Chester ; and
hence it may ba inferred flea the careering the circle is
somewhat d,ffieult for both h arse an I rider, although the
straight run in is good, and there is a capital plot in which
to pull up after a severe race ; the run home, in fact, lead-
ing direct into .the saddling paddock, some 20J peels to
the west of the Grand Staud. In front of the S:and is a
gravelled slope, not very agreeable to walk upon, and here
the metubcrs of Tattersall's congregat .d. A little further
westward, opposite the offices of the officials, is a plot of
ground covered with tan, enclosed with pilings, in which
the winners are unsaddled after a race. The tan was to-
day much better appreciated than the rough gravel, and it
would perhaps have been wise if the betting ring had
been surfaced with a material less harsh and grating.
These and other details will, however, probably be
remedied, and, with the promises held out by
the management, we may expect better things in future.
The committee resolved to exercise their discretion as to
the people they admitted to the grounds, and certainly if
the number of police present could be any guarantee for
the respectability of the attendants, the meeting must be
set down as very select. There were mounted officers at
every point, and foot police guarded all approaches, while
Inspector Tanner had a careful eye over the "welshers,''
who had dared to penetrate the ring by stealth. The
Grand Stand may be considered one of the finest things of
its kind, its several terraces affording an almost uninter-
rupted view of the course; and as the Prince of Wales
was expected a royal box had been set apart and gaily de-
corated for the occasion. Royalty, however, was absent
to-day, but the Prince and the Duke of Edinburgh are ex-
pected to-morrow. The course, as may be supposed, was
of adamantine hardness, and it seemed dangerous to run
valuable horses on such dried-up clay. Hence the limited
fields. Ono objection may be interposed, which is, that
when running long races the horses are for a time hidden
front the view of those on the Stand by a clump of trees in
the cricket ground, and if they were removed a fair view of
the whole course would be obtained; and as these trees
seem to serve no purpose but mere ornament, and as the
success of the Park Company would seem to depend upon
their races, the sooner an unobstructed view is made the
better. The arrival of visitors before the hour for com-
tnencing the sport was slow, although the Great Northern
Railway Company had evidently made ample provi-
sion for any pressure upon their resources at King's-
cross; but by the time of the fixture for the first race an
immense assemblage had gathered within the grounds,
carriages being pretty numerous both at the stand and
alongside the course, not a few four-in-hands gracing the
scene. It is computed that nearly forty thousand people
paid the shilling gate-money before the close of the day,
and the visitors in vehicles must have considerably en-
hanced these numbers. The Trial Stakes, for which there
were only three subscriptions, was a rather inauspicious
opening of the meeting, as Mr. Porter's Haymaker walked
over for the stake, neither Pirate Chief nor Milton caring
to face Fordham's mount. The Alexandra Plate brought
oat seven runners of the thirty-two coloured, and at
the opening of the betting Goodfellow and Lily were
made equal favourites; but at the close Lily secured
more friends, and a trifle less was accepted about her
than about Goodfellow. The distance scarcely seemed
far enough for The Clown, although he managed to
secure second honours; another furlong might have
altered the result. Mexico carried off the Palace
Handicap, and did a good turn for the backers. An un-
named filly by Wallace, the choice of the talent, easily
bowled over a number of other two and three-yr-olds, in-
cluding the jade Valentia and Bouquetiere. The Two-
Year-Old Stakes was expected to prove a good race and
throw some light on the future, Martyr, Electricity, and
Flower Girl being the pick of the lot. Before this race
Mr. Stephenson laid 10,000 to 300 against Capt. Machell's
colt for the Derby, and this would seem to have installed
him as favourite for his present race. As Mr. Morgan
sent a couple of youngsters to the post ho declared to win
with Electricity, the doubtful victress of Masaniello at
Windsor. Fordham, however, disposed of the lot easily
with the Danebury filly, and scarcely ever stirred on her.
The last race was won easily by the favourite, Mr
Edwards adding another to his long list of victories among
the welter weights There was some little speculation on
future events, more especially on the Goodwood Stakes,
for which Gomera was very warmly supported. The re-
turns will, however, be found appended, as well as the
details of the racing.
The Trial Stakes of 5 soya each, with 100 added; two year
olds Get 71b, throe Bst 101 b, four 9st 121 b, five and up-
wards lost; mares and geldings allcwed 31b; any pre-
viola.; winner of 200 soya in 1867 or 1808 61b, of two
such stakes or of 500 soya at any one time 71b extra ;
maidens allowed in the following proportions : —two
year olds 31b, three 71b, four and upwards 111 b ; the
winner to be sold for 1,000 soya or carry 101 b extra;
about ono mile..
Mr R. Porter's Haymaker, by Leamington—Village
Maid, 3 yrs, Bst 101 b
The Alexandra Plate (Handicap) of 100 soya ; any winner
after June 25 (at ten a.m.) 711) extra. T.Y.C. (about
five furlongs.
Mr R.Brayley's Lily,-by Cape Flyway—Elfrida, 3 yrs,
7st 41b (Butler) 1
Sir F. Johnstone's The Clown, aged, Bst 51b (iu. 71b ex.)
(Parry) 2
Dir Beaduian's Goodfellow, 4 yrs, 75t 71b (Clement.) 3