The Parramatta Races took place on October 1st and 3rd, with the following results:—First day: Maiden Plate, of £25 (heats), Mr. Roberts’ Woodman; Australian Plate, of £50 (mile heats, w.f.a.), Mr. Roberts’ Traveller (Bennelong started, but broke down); Hack Race, Mr. Lawson’s Velocipede. Second day: Town Plate, £50, Mr. Roberts’ Traveller; Sweepstakes, £5, with £50 added, Mr. Lawson’s Velocipede; Hack Race, Spider.
Cumberland Turf Club.
The Cumberland Turf Club, at Campbelltown, held its first race meeting on October 21st and 22nd, on the estate of Dr. Redfern. Results:—First day: Members’ Cup, 25 guineas, two-mile heats, Mr. Howe’s ch. h. Forrester (late Mantrap); Hack Race of £2 each, with £10 added, Mr. Scarr’s b. h. Rattler; Pony Race, £10 (mile heats), Mr. Byrne’s filly; Sweepstakes, Mr. Stewart’s ch. m. Norma, 1; Mr. Hordern’s Fireway, 2. They were ridden by their owners. Second day: Ladies’ Purse of £30 (for maiden three-year-olds, mile heats), Mr. Keightan’s b. f. Creeping Jane; Sweepstakes of £3 each, £20 added, Mr. Howe’s Theorem; Hunters’ Plate (a steeplechase), Dr. Kenny’s b. h. Ramrod; Ladies’ Race, once round, concluded the meeting, and was won in good style by Miss Byrne, of Campbelltown, on the veteran Scratch.
The last sporting announcement of the year was that of the formation of the Illawarra Turf Club at Wollongong.
1835. Imported Horses. Sydney Races.
Maitland Races. Racing at Patrick Plains.
One of the most notable happenings of the year—1835—was the arrival of Gratis, the afterwards-celebrated sire, and Velocipede. They arrived in the ship “Hercules.” Gratis was a performer in England, and was by Middleton from Lanica, by Gohanna. He was imported by Captain Daniels, as was also Velocipede, a grey, by Velocipede from Jane, by Superior from Bried’s Noblesse. Later on in the year both were offered for sale, but passed in, Gratis at £350 and Velocipede at £300. Afterwards Mr. C. Roberts purchased Gratis for £450.
Sydney Subscription races opened on April 22, with the following results:—First Day: Members’ Plate of £20 (heats), Mr. C. Smith’s Chester, by Camerton; Two-year-old Plate, Captain Williams’ br. c. President, by Emigrant; Ladies’ Purse, Mr. C. Smith’s b. f. Lady Godiva, by Emigrant. Second Day: Farm Stakes of £50, Mr. Smith’s Chester; Tradesmen’s Purse, Lady Godiva; Sweepstakes of £5 each, £20 added, was won by Flirt, by Whisker, who was described as being the most perfect picture of a racehorse in the colony. The stewards at this meeting were Majors Bouverie and England, and Captains Williams and Hunter. Judge, Captain Deedes, and Treasurer, Mr. G. Hill.
The meeting at Maitland was held on July 8 and 10, with the following results:—First Day: Maitland Purse, £50 (2-mile heats), Mr. Simpson’s Pitch; Ladies’ Purse, for two-year-olds, Mr. Earle’s filly, by Whisker; Hack Stakes, Tam o’ Shanter. Second Day: Town Plate of £30 (2-mile heats), St. Patrick’s Toss; Hunter River Stakes, Countess, who was considered to be the best of her inches in the colony. Hack Race, Steamer, who was then backed to run Tam o’ Shanter. The former won the first heat by a short neck, while Tam won the second and third heats.
On September 9th and 11th the first race meeting was held at Patrick’s Plains, with the following results:—First Day: Patrick Plains Purse of £25, Mr. John Earle’s Countess, by Mantrap; Ladies’ Purse, Mr. H. Scott’s Panula, by Toss; Hack Race, Tam o’ Shanter. Second Day: Sweepstakes of £2 with £10 added, Mr. J. Earle’s Countess; First Hack Race, Steamboat; Second Hack Race, No Mistake.
Parramatta races were held on September 30th and October 1st and 2nd. Results:—First Day: Australian Plate of £50 (two-mile heats, w.f.a.), Chester; Maiden Sweepstakes of £5 each, £15 added, Mr. Lawson’s filly; a second Sweepstake was won by a colt, by Whisker. On the second day there appears to have been only a Steeplechase of £3 each, £15 added, about 2 miles, 11st. 2lb. up, won by Woodman. Third Day: Town Plate of £50, Lady Godiva; Two-year-old Stakes, Mr. Plunkett’s Lilla.