TFlli: RACING SEASON, 1844. 303 



Extempore beat Mr Jaques's Semiseria in a Matcli for 500 

 sovs., in a canter. 



The Gorhambury Meeting showed some ^ood sport. The 

 Gorhambury Stakes (handicap) afforded an interesting race, 

 The Devil to pay obtaining the victory by half a length. 

 The Park Stakes for two year olds, brought together a good 

 field, for which there was a false start, when all the horses, 

 save one, ran the course through, that promising filly, The 

 Maid of Orleans, coming in first in both races. 



Passing by Eglinton Park, where there were some good 

 races, but only of momentary interest, we hasten to Epsom. 

 The great race at this meeting was shorn of its splendour 

 by the nefarious actions that were there brought to light. 

 That the best horse won, we have not the least doubt, but 

 had the merciless make-play of the four year olds been out 

 of it, we should have had, most likely, a different kind of 

 finish. There is no denying that the whole field were but 

 an indifferent lot, while the Oaks mares were above the ave- 

 rage, and that race, as subsequent running has proved, was, 

 with the exception of Sorella, who appeared to be out of 

 condition, as truly run as any recorded. The impudent 

 attempt on the part of the owners of Julia, recoiled with 

 awful force on themselves. 



To make amends for the entire absence of royalty in 1843, 

 Ascot was this year honoured with the presence of three 

 crowned heads on the Tuesday and Thursday : the King of 

 Saxony and the Emperor of Russia being in attendance on 

 Her Majesty. The weather was delightful and the racing 

 first rate. That wonderful mare, Alice Hawthorn, ran oft' 

 with the Vase just as she liked. The Ascot Stakes brought 

 together a large field, it was won easily by Mr Payne's 

 Johnny by three lengths. The Artful Dodger made away 

 with the Members' Plate. Sorella made a good race for the 

 Ascot Produce Stakes, and won by half a length. Her 



