T h e fees paid by publicans for this privilege of out-of-town grog selling, went towards the remuneration of some special constables sworn-in to maintain good order. These pacificators (lucus a non lucendd) were, pro tern, under the control of the then Chief-Constable (Mr. William Wright, better known as " T h e Tulip"). This "Tulip," of w h o m some amusing reminiscences are given in an earlier chapter, was the Grand Marshal of several of the earlier meetings at Flemington, and he got through his unenviable mission as satisfactorily as could be reasonably expected. There was a large attendance from Melbourne, though pedestrians complained bitterly of the long tramp, and would have m u c h preferred if the Stewards had not changed the venue. Numbers travelled by rowed boats from town, for river steamers were then an unattainable luxury, and rail transit was not even dreamed of. T h e other modes of conveyance were " mounted, " dog-carts, bullock-drays, and the like.
THE FIRST RACE.
Though not in the official programme, the opening race was a match for fifty guineas, between Lieut. Vignolle's bl. c. Conrad, two years, and Mr. Gisborne's b. c. Hassan, two years; heats; two miles and a distance; owners riders. T h e betting had been freely offered and taken, two to one on Hassan. T h e first heat was w o n without any extraordinary effort by Conrad. After starting in the second heat, Hassan threw his rider, Mr. Blakeney, and broke his arm, so that Conrad had easy work to make the winning. T h e riding by Gisborne, as the owner, was waived by consent, and Blakeney, unfortunately for him, acted as a substitute. THE
TOWN
P L A T E . — O f 5 sovs. each, with ,£50 added; heats, two miles and a distance;
weights for age, from the two-year-old at 8 st, to 10 st. for the six-yearers and aged ; mares and geldings to be allowed 3 lb. Mr. Wood's bay mare, aged, Mountain Maid— 1 Mr. Bailie's brown horse, 6 years, Duke of Argyle— ... ... ... ... I I pink and white. black and red Mr. Powlett's brown horse, 5 years, Sir Charles, M r . Willis's brown gelding, aged, Deceiver—red green and blue ... ... ... ... 2 21 and black. Mr. Browne's chestnut mare, 6 years, Old Mr. Russell's brown gelding, Freedom, 6 yearsgreen and gold. Countess—tartan and black cap ... •• 3 3
O n this race the betting ranged from 2j4. to 3 to 1 against Sir Charles and the Mountain Maid, both freely backed against the field. N o n e of the others were looked at. T H E L A D I E S ' P U R S E — O f 30 sovs., with 3 sovs. entrance added; three mile race; gentlemen riders, and weights from 9 st. for two-year-olds to 11 st. for six-yearers and over. There were only three starters, viz. :— Mr. WTood's b g aged, Will-if-I-Can—red and black ... ... 1 M r . Highett's b m Music, 6 years—crimson and black cap Mr. Russell's b g Freedom, 6 years—green and gold, black cap
... ...
2 3
The owners of each animal rode, and Will-if-I-Can was the favourite. Whipcord seemed to be particularly in request, and applied accordingly. Mr. W o o d had not m u c h trouble in pulling off the prize. THE
P L A T E . — F o r horses w h o never ran for any stake or plate. Heats, one mile and a distance. Weight for age.
MAIDEN
and ,£25 added.
Mr. Carrington's ch g Romeo, 3 years—red and black ... ... 11 M r . Yaldwyn's b h Blacklegs, 4 years—black and white stripes Mr. Powlett's b f Matilda, 2 years—green and blue ... Mr. Highett's Irish Lass, 5 years—crimson, and black cap M r . Russell's c h Pickwick, 5 years—green and orange.
... 2 2 ... 3 dis. ... 4
Entrance, 2 sovs.,
