REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE, 5* 



declared to win with the mare, though his other string, the great 

 Van, was of course the better ; but at one time it looked as if 

 Hackney would have to bring up the champion, as Choochod 

 at the distance post brought up Rockwood with a rattle, and 

 Dignam's whip hand went up as a danger signal, but his mount 

 lasted out, and got home by half a length. Mr. Blacker's luck 

 was in, for Buckleg with Tingey up, won the Durbangah Gup 

 as he liked ; never headed, he simply romped home. The last 

 face, the Moorcroft Stakes, a three-quarter mile selling race, 

 .fell to Mr. Collins' Zuyder Zee after a good race with Mr. 

 Major's Violet, who overpowered her jockey, and ran herself to 

 a stand still; Zuyder Zee was put up for sale, entered at 

 Rs. 700, Mr. Major ran him up to, and bought him for Rs. 1,075. 

 Mr. Major was old Major " Buxie " Brown of Dinapore, he 

 was paymaster there for years, he bred Verdant Green himself, 

 he also bred some fine half English cattle there and did a lot 

 of good in that way. At the second night's ordinary the first 

 lottery was on the Hutwa Cup, Morning Star, Vanderdecken, 

 Rockwood and Kate being the only starters, this time " Bricky " 

 declared to win with Van, but had to pay Rs. 620 for him, much 

 to the delight of the lucky ticket holder ; the rest went for an 

 average of thirty rupees. For the Planters' Purse, Blink 

 ; Bonny, Amsterdam, Verdant Green, Coupon, and Pixie were 

 declared ; Amsterdam, the property of Dr. Rimmer, a hot 

 favourite, bringing Rs. 410, Blink Bonny Rs. 190, Pixie Rs. 140, 

 Coupon Rs. 70 and Verdant Green Rs. 20, the favourites were 

 both bought by the same gentleman, Dr. Rimmer, the owner 

 of Amsterdam buying the Verdant one. These were the only 

 lotteries held, as there were only three starters for the Gallo- 

 way Stakes, and the small fry hack owners did not want to 

 gambol over their mokes' chances, so all got early to bed or, 

 rather, to supper. Vanderdecken won the Hutwah Cup in a 

 -.?f rot, there being no excitement over the race, but very 

 much more interest was evinced over the Planters' Purse, 



