The Meeting of 1841.
Batman's Hill was now, by common consent, abandoned as a racing arena, for the special fitness of the Saltwater River Flat was undeniable. For several years the n e w locality was known simply as " the Racecourse." Gradually a small hamlet sprung up on the main thoroughfare from Melbourne to Mount Macedon. " B o b " Fleming, one of the first colonists, w h o took to retailing meat for the sustenance of the Melbournians settled down there, and it was in compliment to this pioneer butcher, the dozen huts and shanties were dignified by the name of Flemington, a nomenclature subsequently extended to the racecourse. It was therefore determined by the Turf Club that the next meeting should come off there, and it did so accordingly, with Messrs. W . Gardiner, and J. R o w e as Clerks of the Course. At four o'clock on the evening of the entry day (the 12th April) all the competing horses were paraded on the eastern side of Batman's Hill, and there was a strong muster of Melbournians to behold the turn-out. O n the opening morning and under favourable weather, people began to flock from all parts to the since well-known banks of the Saltwater River. There was a town band of three performers in attendance, mastered by Mr. G. B. Hailes, afterwards a prosperous timber merchant and J.P., w h o played on the bass viol. His services were retained for ^ 2 0 by Mr. T h o m a s Halfpenny, the keeper of the principal booth, the William Tell, constructed of green bushes and canvas, and close by the Grand Stand a shaky concern of stringy bark and ti-tree. The course is described " as an excellent piece of turf, selected with considerable judgment." T h e attendance on the first day was good, but as a drawback it is recorded that " for aristocracy, fashion, and beauty, the muster was scanty ; and the fatal glances of the black eye and blue were 'Like angels' visits, few and far between.'"
First Day.—Tuesday, 13th April. 10 sovs., with 50 sovs. added; heats; two miles and a distance; weights, from 8 st. for three year-olds, up to 9 st. 10 lb. for six years and aged. Six horses were entered, but only five started, and the result was :—•
TOWN PLATE.—Entrance
Mr. M'Nail's g h Plenipo, aged, black and white stripes ... ... ... 3 2 1 1 Mr. Watson's ch m Countess, 6 yrs., crimson and black .. ... • • • 1 3 3 3 Mr. A. Hunter's ch g Romeo, 5 yrs., crimson and green ... ... ... 2 1 2 2
Mr. Carrington's b h Councillor, 4 yrs., black and red, black cap ... ... 4 4 dis. Mr. Sherwin's g g Mustache, aged,
blue
5 5
dis.
There was no jockeyship, yet good racing. Plenipo, at starting five to one, took the lead, Countess and R o m e o close up, and when within 100 yards of home, they passed him, had a very sharp run in, the lady beating the gentleman about his o w n length. In the second heat the same condition of things was repeated until near the close, when R o m e o came to the front, with Plenipo a good second, but the two winners—the first and second heats—appeared m u c h distressed. For the third heat Councillor and Mustache were drawn, and only the other three started. It was a spirited effort, in which the riders rendered but small service, R o m e o winning by half a length. There were n o w three winners of a heat each, and what is very unusual, there was a fourth or conquering race to be decided. T h e three horses got off well, but the heavy day's work so told upon the Countess that her ladyship was obliged to strike her colours very soon. Plenipo got the lead, and several times struggled hard to bid " R o m e o , Farewell;" but R o m e o would not be shelved and was only conquered by a neck. T H E P U B L I C A N S ' PURSE.—Entrance, 6 sovs., with 50 sovs. added. Distance and weights same as before. There were only three starters, and both heats were w o n through good riding by Lamb's b h Clinker, 5 years, beating M'Nall's b g W o o d m a n , and Hunter's b m Venus. WW
