174 RACEHORSES IN AUSTRALIA 



stand. 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 Metro- 

 politan Cup, the first race on the programme, won by Mr. Hall's Hercules, 

 who went out favourite. The St. Leger, a sweepstake of 1 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 I 00 

 sovereigns, with 1 00 sovereigns added, 1 Ost. 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, 1 2st. up. The winner was Frederick, 

 ridden by Lieutenant Chambre, with Slasher (Mr. Came) second and Mark- 

 man (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. 



At Windsor the sportsmen had established the Hawkesbury Turf Club, 

 and they held their first race meeting on what was termed the Australian Race- 

 course, on August 4th, 5 th and 6th, 1841. Mr. James Cullen was secretary 

 of the club. The Town Plate was won by Mr. Rouse's Jorrocks. The Colonel 

 broke down in the race. Mr. C. Smith won the Two-year-old Stakes with 

 Beeswing. 



The Australian Race Committee started with their second meeting at 

 Homebush on August 26th, 1841, when the Australian Stakes, a sweep of 

 sixteen sovereigns, with 200 sovereigns added, w.f.a., was won by Mr. C. 

 Smith's Beeswing, a chestnut filly by St. John. Jorrocks went out favourite 

 at 2 to 1. Beeswing's price was 5 to 1 . She won her first heat (2i miles 

 140 yards) in 5 min. 10 sec, and the second in 5 min. 12 sec. Mr. Scott 

 won the Publicans' Purse of 50 sovereigns, I J mile and 310 yards, with 

 Mentor, by Toss; he won his first heat in 2 min. 41 sec, and second in 

 2 min. 44 sec. Captain Hunter's Prince, by Camerton, ■won the Welter easily. 

 He was ridden by Mr. Pryce, and ran the 3f miles 210 yards in 8 min. 

 5 sec. Beeswing won the Champion Cup in two heats (2 J miles 180 yards), 

 the first in 5 min. 30 sec, and second in 5 min. 40 sec Mr. Scott's Mentor 

 won the Ladies' Purse, beating Jorrocks (Mr. Rouse), but the latter won 

 the Handicap with 1 Ost. 91b., beating Gohanna, list., and others. 



In 1 842 the Autumn Meeting at Homebush saw Jorrocks in winning form. 

 He led off on the first day, March 24, winning the Metropolitan Stakes of 

 10 sovereigns each, with 75 sovs. added. The St. Leger of 15 sovereigns 

 sweepstakes, with 1 00 sovs. added, 1 I mile, was won by Mr. S. Smith's Bees- 

 wing, by St. John, ridden by Marsden, Captain Hunter's The Princess, by 

 Gratis second, and Conservative, by Gratis, third. Mentor, by Toss, won 

 the Ladies' Purse, and a Selling Stakes of 25 sovereigns went to Mr. Cullen's 



