In May of 1840 the Australian Race Committee decided to adopt the rules which governed racing at Newmarket (England), and appointed the following committee:—Captain Hunter, Mr. Lawson (senr.), Captain O’Connell, Messrs. Kater, Scott, G. Way, Anderson, Holden, P. T. Campbell, Leslie, Captain Westmacot, Lieutenant Price (28th Regiment), Lieutenant Chambre (96th Regiment). The stewards acting at the first meeting, held at Homebush on March 16th and 18th, were Mr. P. T. Campbell, Captain O’Connell and Messrs. R. Scott and H. H. Kater; Judge, Captain Hunter; Clerk of the Course, Mr. A. Way. On the first day it was estimated that 8,000 people attended. Many made the trip in steamers to Homebush Bay. The course presented a gay appearance with its three buildings, viz., Grand, Walker’s and Pullinger stands. The band of the 80th Regiment performed on the lawn. His Excellency Sir George Gipps, Sir Maurice O’Connell, Mr. P. T. Campbell, Major Nunn and others made a great display with their handsome carriages. There was also a special stand for the officials opposite the grandstand. On it were Messrs. Kater and Holden, also Captains Westmacott and O’Connell and Lieutenant Chambre, while in front of the grandstand was exhibited the handsome trophy to be presented to the winner of the Metropolitan Cup, the first race on the programme, won by Mr. Hall’s Hercules, who went out favourite. The St. Leger, a sweepstake of 10 sovereigns each, with 200 sovereigns added, was won by Mr. Rouse’s Eleanor. Other starters were Eucalyptus, Industry, Tranby and Young Duke. The winner was favourite. Captain Hunter won the Ladies’ Purse of £50 with Prince. A match between Mr. C. Roberts’ Colonel and Mr. H. H. Kater’s Cap-a-pie for £200 aside resulted in a win for the latter by a length. There was a great crowd on the second day, over a thousand coming out on horseback. They created disorder by galloping into the paddock with the racehorses. The first race on the card, Gold Cup, valued at 100 sovereigns, with 100 sovereigns added, 10st. up, two-mile heats, was won by Mr. Onus’s Jerry Sneak. Mr. C. Roberts won the Homebush Stakes with Flirt. The third race was to have been over hurdles, but through some mistake the jumps were not erected, and the stewards decided to make a flat race of it, with gentlemen riders, 12st. up. The winner was Frederick, ridden by Lieutenant Chambre, with Slasher (Mr. Carne) second and Markman (Mr. Raymond) third. In April of 1841 Camperdown Estate, known as the old racecourse where the defunct Sydney Turf Club raced, was announced for sale. It comprised two hundred and forty acres, and was the property of the late Rear-Admiral Bligh.