Horse racing -- Australia -- History; Race horses -- Australia -- History; Stainforth, Martin, 1866-1957
During August of 1831, the death was announced of the Windsor champion,
Scratch, while being exercised.
In the same week Mr. Nash’s stables at Parramatta were destroyed by
fire, and the horses Junius and Laurel died from injuries received. For
the previous two years Junius had been pensioned off by his sporting
owner.
On August 24th, 26th and 27th, a race meeting was held on the beautiful
Killarney course near Windsor. The opening event, Publican’s Purse, was
won by Mr. Bayley’s Tomboy. There was a field of ten for the Ladies’
Purse, won by Mr. Smith’s Flying Pieman, after four heats. Winners of
other races were Chase and Matilda. The Scarvell Cup (heats) was keenly
contested and eventually won by Mr. Warby’s Sovereign.
Parramatta Subscription Races were held on October 5th and 7th, 1831,
when Tomboy, now a four-year-old, won the opening event, a £50 purse
(heats). Mr. Hartley won the Maiden Plate with Shamrock, and Chase beat
his only opponent, Brutus, for a £30 purse (heats). The first day’s
proceedings closed with a hack race, won by Matilda. On the second day,
Bennelong beat Chase in the Town Plate, and Shamrock won a Sweepstakes,
defeating Tomboy.
Mr. Wentworth elected President of the Turf Club.
Governor Burke Presents a Cup.
In February of 1832, a meeting of the Turf Club members decided to hold
the spring race meeting at Parramatta. Mr. Wentworth was elected
President of the Club, and Governor Sir Richard Burke eventually
consented to assist the Club, and presented a cup for competition. The
meeting took place on April 11th and 13th—probably the best meeting yet
held.
Proceedings opened on the first day with the race for Governor Burke’s
Cup for horses of all ages, twice round the course. There were three
starters—Bennelong, Shamrock, and Mr. Icely’s three-year-old Chancellor,
by Steeltrap from Minto, which won. The Two-year-old Stakes of £30 was
won by Mr. Lawson’s Belinda, by Skeleton. The Wentworth Purse (heats,
once round, about 1 mile 1 furlong) was secured by Mr. Bayley’s
three-year-old filly Lady Emily, by Manfred. The winner won a heat in 2
minutes 30 seconds—a very fine performance. On the second day the
seventh Brisbane Cup was won by Chancellor. Lady Emily took the Members’
Purse, Belinda the Town Plate, and Matilda a handicap.
It is reported that the second day was long remembered from the fact
that about 40 women who were taken out of the Parramatta factory to cut
brooms, bolted from the overseers and made for the racecourse, where
they were received with loud cheers. One of them was mounted on a horse
behind the rider and borne round in triumph. The others were liberally
treated to brandy and ginger beer before they were captured. Several men
also escaped from the gaol and took a few hours’ recreation at the races
before they were retaken.
Steeplechasing. First Liverpool Races.
Parramatta Races. Important Action at Law.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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