REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 53 



Cup, one filled on the Doomraon Cup, for which Morning Star, 

 Dirk Hatterick, Rockwood, Silver Star, and Kate accepted, it 

 being virtually a duel between the rival stables of Messrs. 

 Collins and Manchester, the former's stable was run up to 

 Rs. 600, but Bricky stood by his nags pluckily. Then there 

 was a lottery on the Welter, five starters, Prince Alfred was 

 favorite. The day opened with the Hajeepore Stakes, only 

 Van, and Debenture, going out; and again the fiddle-headed 

 old buggy nag had it all his own way. Then came the 

 Doomraon Cup, which Morning Star won easily for Mr. Collins; 

 there was a good deal of grumbling over this handicap, the 

 other owners thinking Dirk Hatterick chucked in, but he ran 

 a rank cur and finished in the ruck. Colonel Roberts, too, was 

 very angry at game and consistent little Rockwood's impost of 

 8st. The Welter was an upset, for Mr. Major's new pur- 

 chase, Zuyder Zee, who had sold for Rs. 90, won easily from 

 Challenger. Five stripped for the Hajeepore Stakes, which 

 Dr. Rimmer's Amsterdam won, never being headed, and so 

 ended the fourth day. The poor acceptances for the principal 

 races made punters shy, and again only a couple of lotteries 

 filled ; both on the second class handicap, Dirk Hatterick favo- 

 rite in both, fetching Rs. 290 in one of Rs. 750, and Rs. 300 in the 

 second. Again owners were dissatisfied with the handicaps, 

 the chief cry being from the owners of the worst horses, who want- 

 ed crushing weights put on the good animals, which the Stewards 

 were far too sporting to do ; for they started both the big 

 handicaps at the fair racing weight of 9st. lolbs. In the Ticcaree 

 Cup, they went in all conscience far enough, when they 

 allotted Morning Star nst. 4lbs ; but even then there were 

 howls, verily a handicapper's life is not a happy one ! Only 

 two came to the post for the Losers' Handicap, Colonel Robarts' 

 Rockwood, conceding Mr. Freeman's Blink Bonny ist. 5lbs., the 

 former won from pillar to post. Then the mighty Van, the only 

 acceptor out of the five handicapped for the Ticcaree Cup, walk- 



