The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-28 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD MEETING-THURSDAY.

A capital programme was issued by the promoters of the
Oxford meeting, and the opening day's racing was de-
cidedly the most successful and attractive of the week.
Cool and pleasant weather, excellent running ground, and
a largo attendance, both of bookmakers and backers, all
conduced to the prosperity of the gathering. There were
seven events set down for decision, and in most instances
the contests were interesting and exciting. The principal
race of the day (the Oxfordshire Stakes) fell to Virginia
Creeper, who shared the favouritism with Papillon, the
latter,who finished third, having a slight call of the winner
when the flag fell. Otherwise, the details of the remainder
of the day's sport given below tell their own tale :

The County Members' Plato of 30 sovs, added to a Han-
dicap of 3 sovs each ; winners of any handicap after
August 20 (at 10 aan.), 711) extra; three quarters of a

mile, s`-raight ; 13 subs.
Sir F. Johnstone's Sister to Vedette, by Voltigeur—Mrs
Ridgway, 4 yrs, 7st (Wilson) 1
Mr Merry's Highland Mary, 4 yrs, 7st 9113 (Butters) 2
Mr Goddard's Veni, 4 yrs, 6st 41b (Vinci!) 3

Ambition, Vampire, Esher, and Amour Propre also ran.
Bottin g-6 to 5 agst Ambition, 9 to agst Highland Mary,
sto 1 agst Sister to Vedette, and 7to 1 agst Veni. Won
in a canter by twenty lengths.
A Handicap of 5 sous each, with 50 added ; the winner to
be sold for 50 sous; winners of any handicap after
Aug. 20, at ten a.m., f.lb extra. Half a mile straight.
19 subs.

Mr Alwyn's Heather Bell, by Dundee—Mountain Maid,
3 yrs, 7st lib (Jeffery) 1
Capt. Christie's Paris, aged, Bst 121 b (Ford ham) 2
Mr Taylor's Brontia, 2 yrs, Est • • (Vinell) 3
Mr Saxon's Hagar, 2 yrs, Est 101 b
Betting-5 to 4on Paris, 9to 4 agst Heather Bell, and
10 to 1 "bar two." Heather Bell made the whole of the
running, and won easily by two lengths. Three lengths
separated the second and third, and Hagar was last. The
winner was sold to Mr. G. Payne for 120 guineas.
The Oxfordshire Stakes (Handicap) of 15 sovs each, 10 ft,
and 5 only if declared, with 100 added; winners of any
handicap after Aug. 13 (at ten a.m.) 51b, of two 71b extra ;
the second to save his stake • tiro miles; 21 subs, 12 of
whom declared.
Mr Trimmer's Virginia Creeper (late Changeable), by
Woathorbit—Abbess of Coverham, 4 yrs, 7st llb
(Peppier) 1
Mr Wolsby's Child of the Islands, 4 yrs, 7st 51b...(Fry) 2
Mr Brayley's Papillon, 3 yrs, 7st lib (Kitchener) 3
Gulnare and Benfleet also ran.

Betting 6 to 4 agst Virginia Creeper, 7 to 4 agst Papil-
lon, .5 to 1 agst Guinan), and 10 to 1 agst Child of the
Islands. Benfleet held a slight lead of Child of the
Islands for nearly half a mile, when the latter took up the
running, Papillon and Benfleet lying in close attendance
to the turn beyond the stand, when Benfleet
bolted and took: no further part in the race.
When fairly round the bend the command was taken
by Virginia Creeper, who at the same time materially im-
proved the pace, which up to this point had been mode-
rate. Three-quarters of a mile from home Vir-
ginia Creeper increased her advantage of Child of the
Islands to at least three lengths, Papillon being about a
similar distance in the rear of Mr. Welsby's horse. Withi❑
the straight Papillon drew up to Child of the Islands; but
Virginia Creeper had thorn both in difficulties at the dis-
tance, and though Virginia Creeper held Child of the
Islands rather too cheaply he won easily by a neck ;
Papillon being beaten a length from the second. Gulnare
was a bad fourth.

The Selling Plato of 50 sovs; two year olds 7st 31b, three
9st 11b, four 9st 121 b, five lOst, six and aged lOst 21b ;
mares and geldings allowed 31b ; the winner to ba sold
for 150 sous; if entered for 100 sovs allowed 71b, 75
101 b, 50 141 b, 30 211 b ; half a mile, straight.
Mr Chaplin's Fairfax, by Glenmasson, 3 yrs, Ist 51b,...£30
(Jeffery) 1
Captain Christie's Paris, aged, Bst 61b, £3O ...(Fordham) 2
Lord Westmorland's Kernel, 2 yrs, sst 71b, £3O

(Wilson) 3
The following also ran : —Lelia, Claudia, Lord Chatham,
Albert, Sundew.

Betting-2 to 1 ogst Fairfax, 100 to 30 each agst Paris
and Kerne!, 100 to 15 agst Lelia, and 12 to 1 agst Claudia.
Fairfax led from end to end, and won easily by a length,
a neck dividing Paris from Kernel. Lelia was fourth,
Claudia fifth, Lord Chatham sixth, Albert and Sundew
being beaten off. The winner was bought in for 200 gs.
Mr. Chaplin claimed Paris.

The Prince of Wales's Stakes of 10 soya ea3b, h ft, with
50 added, for two year olds; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst 71b;
winners of a btaka of the value of 50 sous 31b, of two
fifties, or a stake of 100 soya 51b, 200 71b extra ; starters
twice without winning allowed 31b, thrice 51b. Half a
mile straight. 11 subs.
Mr Hoene's Luna, by Camerino, Bst 21b (car. Bst 41b)
(J. Adams) 1
Mr H. Wright's Grand Turk, Bst 41b (Parry), 2
Betting-9 to 4on Luna, who made play throughout
and won in a canter by ten lengths.

The Port Meadow Plate (Handicap) of 100 DOW; any