On August 25th, 1832, a steeplechase took place over five miles of ground between Botany and Coogee, in which the last horse forfeited £5 to the winner. The following horses started and finished in the order given:—

Mr. Williams’ ch. h. Thiefcatcher (Capt. Deedes)1
Mr. E. Deas-Thomson’s Tam o’ Shanter (Owner)2
Mr. Meller’s gr. m. Moll (Owner)3
Capt. Hunter’s b. h. Tom (Owner)4
Mr. Bourke’s gr. h. (Owner)5
Mr. Finch’s gr. h. Bogtrotter (Owner)6
Major Bouverie’s gr. h. Ugley (Owner)

They went away at a killing pace, Captain Hunter leading, followed by Mr. Thomson. When crossing the brook in Coogee Bay a sheet would have covered five of the number, but a steep hill which had to be surmounted settled the pretensions of all excepting Thiefcatcher and Tam o’ Shanter. The latter then took the lead and held it for about five hundred yards, when Captain Deedes challenged him with Thiefcatcher and succeeded in winning a beautifully ridden race by a neck, in 18 mins. 30 secs. Mr. Finch took a line of his own, the result of which was most disastrous, as he parted company with Bogtrotter; otherwise it was believed that he would have won. The course was a very severe one, and the plucky riding surpassed anything ever before witnessed in the Colony.

On September 1st another steeplechase between numerous gentlemen took place on a course at Cook’s River, and was won by Mr. E. Deas-Thomson’s Tam o’ Shanter.

A Match and an Action at Law.

A match for £100 aside was run off on October 4th, 1832, between Mr. Bayley’s Velocipede and Mr. Hartley’s Blacklock, at Parramatta. The former came in first, but was protested against, and the result was finally settled at Court. This is about the first case in Australia in which a stakeholder was summoned to return the money deposited with him. The case, Hartley v. Shadforth, was tried on March 21st. It was an action brought by the plaintiff before the Chief Justice and Messrs. Manning and Lane, Assessors, to recover £100, being stakes deposited in the hands of defendant, who acted as judge and stakeholder in a match run at Parramatta during the previous October between Velocipede, the property of Mr. Lawson, and Blacklock, who was borrowed by plaintiff from his owner, Captain Harper, for the purpose of this match. The assessors found a verdict for defendant.

First Liverpool Races.

The first races at Liverpool took place on October 12, 1832, on a course lent by Mr. Throsby, on the Glenfield Estate. Only untried horses were allowed to run, in order to induce owners to train the well-bred horses in that locality. Although the day was windy and wet, the racing was interesting. The Members’ Purse was won by Mr. C. Roberts’ b. m. Selina, beating Broughton’s Jupiter, Wentworth’s Victoria, and Ward’s Poppitt. Mr. Throsby took the Ladies’ Purse with Whitefort, beating Jenkins’ Fidget and Roberts’ Jolly Roger; but the winner was disqualified in consequence of his rider dismounting without orders. Proceedings closed with a pony race, won by a chestnut filly owned by Mr. Bayley.

A New Racecourse.

At the beginning of 1833 the Governor sanctioned a new racecourse on the Botany Road. He also authorised the loan of 20 labourers to assist in its formation. This year the Spring Race Meeting took place at the new course on April 17th and 19th, when the Governor’s Cup was won by Mr. Bayley’s imported colt Whisker—a three-year-old. This colt and a filly named Lady Emily cost approximately £500 when young foals. Lady Emily was said to be a handsome filly (own sister to Doctor), by Manfred. Whisker was by Whisker from Woodbine, by Comus, from a mare by Patriot, great granddam by Phenomenon, from Czarina. Whisker also won the Ladies’ Purse on the second day. Other winners at the meeting were: Trial Stakes, Mr. Badgery’s York; Maiden Plate, Mr. Smith’s Chester; Town Plate, Mr. C. Smith’s Emancipation; Handicap, Mr. C. Smith’s Chester. It is said that the track was very heavy and should be sodded. Almost all the leading hotels in the city were represented by booths on the grounds. After Whisker had won the Cup, Sir John Jamieson protested that the winner was incorrectly nominated as a three-year-old. The protest was dismissed.