The North Eastern Ensign at KellyGang 2/4/1875
WINTON RACES
Although only a small township the residents of Winton are an enterprising people, and have begun to look upon their race meeting as a day on which all parties are to thoroughly enjoy themselves;. and this fact alone will account for the unqualified success that attended the efforts of the stewards to make the Winton races of 1875 pass off with greater ? than on any previous occasion. The weather was fine and cool, the attendance of the public large, and, the racing for the various prizes very good. Mr G Willis acted as starter, and Mr Robert Montgomery as judge. The arduous duties of hon. sec. was undertaken by Mr Cupples, and all present were unanimous in their praise of the exertions made by that gentleman to bring the meeting to so successful a termination. The following are the events:
The races were held within about 500 yards of Mr Cupple's Winton Hotel, the services of the proprietor in getting up the sports being generally eulogised; but it was a noticeable fact that another Winton man, who had neither subscribed a cent to the race fund, nor paid a licence fee for selling liquors, had erected a tent for disposing of grog, &c., as nearly as possible to the winning post, thus ‘taking in’ many who were not ware of the little game thus played.
After the sports had terminated the school, children were regaled with the good things of life at a pic-nic kindly inaugurated by Mr and Mrs Hennesay, the teachers, and Mr Stafford, farmer. A dance for the lads and lasses was also highly enjoyed during the evening.
MAIDEN PLAT, of one saddle, value £5 10s,
Mr Hughes’ Ethel . .. .. 1
Mr Bain's Nutmeg. . 2
Five horses started.
ALL. COMERS' RACE, for saddle and bridle, value £6 10s
Mr. Bain's Grace Darling .. . 1
Mr Hughes' Ethel .: 2
Three started.
HACK RACE, for one saddle, £4 10s
Mr Bain’s Nutmeg; ... .1
Mr Hughes’ Emperor of Russia .. 2
PONY RACE, for bridle, whip and spurs, value £2 2s
Mr Skelton's Paddy the Piper .. ....1
Mr Willis' Lorna ..2
CONSOLATION STAKES, for one saddle, value £4.
Mr Gunn's Maid of Glasgow .. .. 1
Mr Hughes' Cahir Lass; ...2
Six started. This was the best race of the day, the whole of the horses keeping well together right round the course.
TROTTING RACE, for bridle; whip, and spurs, value £2 2s. Five horses entered for this race, but none would start against Mr Murray's Jessy; as she was known to be a fifteen miler. Mr Murray afterwards withdrew her, and the race fell to Mr R Jones.
A foot race for a bridle, whip, and spurs, a was won by Gunn; and this brought the day's sports to a close.
There was a very fair attendance to witness those races, but owing to the morning being showery and threatening it is thought that it prevented many visitors from a distance availing themselves of the amusements afforded, who otherwise would have been present. However, an hour or so before the commencement of the racing, the weather changed and turned out a beautiful afternoon. There were a good many horses from different parts of the district to contest tho various events, and some really good racing was enjoyed, some horses running so close together that it was a matter of difficulty to judge the winners, especially in the heats for the Farmers' Purse, which was an excellent race between Donovan Brown and Nimrod in running off the second heat. The other races were also very well contested, and after the last race the assemblage repaired homeward evidently well pleased with their day's enjoyment and feeling proud that their annual race meeting terminated so successfully. In the evening there was a grand ball held, where a large number of the "young. Samaritans" shook the floor” until the early hours.
The following will show the result of the various races:-
MAIDEN PLATE of £5. Weight for age. There being only Mr Little's Fairy King entered for this race it fell through.
SAMARIA HANDICUP of £10.
Mr J Ferguson's Wee Pet 1
Mr G Leary’s b g Madlicock 2
This was a very good race. Mr Little's Fairy King was scratched.
HANDICAP HURDLE RACE for saddle and bridle; value £5
Mr T Redding's b g Nimrod.. 1
Mr Little’s b g Donovan Brown and Mr T Redding's b m Cinderella were also entered, but were scratched, leaving Nimrod a walk over.
FARMER'S PURSE, for £5. Heats. Weight for age
Mr J Little's b g Donovan Brown.. 1
Mr T Redding's b g Nimrod.. .. 2
Three other horses started. This was a splendid race, the two first horses almost running a dead heat the second time.
HADICAP CONSOLATION STAKES 30s.? with two and a half per cent. of the winnings.
Mr T Henry's b m Miss Martin 1
Mr G Leary's b g Madlicook . . 2
Mr S Higgins's Creeping Jane was scratched for this race.
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