This site is © 2001 - 2003
Material and images on this site may not be used with out written consent.

EARLY SPORTING ACTIVITIES

by Fitzroy

HORSE RACING

After the race meeting in the winter of 1862 the sportsmen of the town and district resolved on doing better the next year, and offering an amount of prize money that would be attractive to owners of good horses at a distance.

THE MEETING OF 1863

Accordingly, early in May, 1863, those chiefly concerned, assembled and formed the Fitzroy Jockey Club, fixing member’s entrance fees at five guineas each. It was next decided to hold the first meeting of the new club, to extend over three days, on July 22, 23, and 24. There were four events on each day, and the added money for the twelve races totalled £655. it as easy to see who subscribed most liberally to the club, for the chief event of the meeting was made the Publicans’ Purse of £130, and three other events had a prize of £100 each attached, each event being enriched by a substantial sweepstake from starters. Ten of the events were weight for age, or welter weight for age, and the only handicaps were two minor events – the consolation handicap and the Forced Handicaps.
The officials appointed for the meeting have all passed away, most of them more than forty years ago, but their names will be remembered by many old residents so it will be interesting to give them, as follow:- Patron, His Excellency theGovernor, Sir George F. Bowen; President, Arthus Kemmis; Vice President, Albrecht, Fees; Stewards, A. Feez, S. A. Wesley, W. R. Stewart, F. N. Bourne, W. Dudley, J. S. Black, R. Triffit, J. Bennet, J. A. Watt, Howard St. George and H. O Paton; Hon. Treasurer, Mills Normald; Hon. Secretary. W. O Hodgkinson; Judge, W. R. Stewart; Clerk of the Course, F. Gregory; Starter, W. Dudlley.

It was a very good committee, and all of them workers, so a successful meeting was expected. Unfortunately by the steamer Queensland on June 28, there arrived “Toby” Ryan’s racehorses Traveller, Sailsman, and Storm. Now Ryan was a well known Randwick racing man and Traveller had been a prominent winner at the last meeting at that course. Now Traveller, among the other horses of that day likely to be at Rockhampton, was like putting Admetus into a race with hacks. Someone suggested turning the big races into handicaps, but better counsel prevailed, and it was resolved to let the programme stand.

Now the racecourse was not fenced in at this time, and it was decided to let every person enter the club’s property free of charge. There was only the privileges to meet the outlay for the meeting, except the nominations and so on from horseowners. Contrary to expectations the general entries were small, only one event having seven in it. The committee had decided to have as many “privileges” closed off as possible, and in spite of everything the total receipts amount to £178.
One of the so-called privileges was to erect a grandstand to the satisfaction of the stewards which was to become the property of the club. The builder was to be reimbursed for the cost of the building by charging those who occupied it on race days. The writer remembers that small rather rough, ungainly erection, which was the reverse of attractive, though possibly it gave a better view of the racing than could be obtained on the ground. It was only moderately occupied. This was the first grandstand ever erected in the Rockhampton district.

The privilege of erecting the stand and one publicans’ booth near it was secured for £46. No. 3 booth was obtained by Thomas Nobbs, who then owned the Criterion Hotel, for £20. The other booths also secured big prices. There was a race ball under the auspices of the club for which tickets were £2,2s, each, the holder of a ticker being allowed to bring as many ladies as desired, providing their names were first passed by the stewards. This inspection of names was not rigid as regards social position, but for reasons that can be readily understood. That ball was largely attended, gentlemen being largely in the majority, though there was a fair number of the gentler sex.

The bulk of those who attended the races rode on horseback, there being but few vehicles. Others had to walk, and as the equestrians went at a fast canter, when they were not racing with each other, those going per boot had to clear away from the beaten track or they would have been run down. The reckless riding and driving seemed to seek disaster, but mishaps were few, and evidently riders and drivers were experienced and capable, for the roads were rough and stumps plentiful
There were no amusements on the racecourse, so between the races the booths were liberally patronised by bushmen and others whose thirst appeared to increase the more they tried to assuage it. The writer, ever in those primitive times, noticed a few spielers, deluding the countrymen into trying their luck at the three card trick and also in pricking the garter, which has long ago gone out of vogue.

So far as the racing is concerned the competitors were many of them of a fair class, but being only up for a single meeting were not in the best condition. It is not remembered that any book makers from the south were in attendance though there was a lot of betting and all and sundry had no hesitation in yelling out what they were prepared to take. George Wilson, the stalwart master butcher and publican, as well as owner of a few horses, raised his stentorian voice above every din, shouting the odds he would take or give. Even whilst writing that big voice comes back again, “I’ll back Billy Buck against the field.” Those fine old sportsmen of early days disappeared long, long ago, and now the gentle voice of the professional bookmaker “ I’ll lay the f-i-e-l-d” is heard instead.

On the first day of the meeting the great Traveller was conspicuous by his absence, and the prize money was left to local competitors. The Trial Stakes brought out four, and Mr. Dougherty’s Tartar, with Tyrrel on his back won from Pelissier and Playboy. George Wilson’s Flying cloud, ridden by the owner’s adopted son, Maurice Harris, won the maiden plate from Quadrant and three others, in 2 min 56 sec for the mile and half. George Wilson’s Playboy easily secured the Selling Race as Tartar bolted. Doughberty’s Billy Buck, won the Ladie’s, Purse from Lieutenant, Vengeance and Young Mormon.

On the second day, the big even of the meeting, the Publicans’ Purse of £150. The distance is forgotten, but it would not have been less than two miles, probably twice round. Traveller’s rider was Sam Holmes, then a great Sydney Jocky, though getting up in years. He had been brought up by Toby Ryan to ride for him. Pelissier and Lieutenant also ran, but it was just an exercise gallop for the chestnut champion. The shorts came next, and Ryan’s Sailsman, also ridden by Holmes, won comfortably. Ryan also started Storm with which he declared to win, but as usually happened when a declaration was made the other horse won. The Squatters’ Purse of £100, brought out Traveller again, and the Sydney crack was ridden by that fine horseman Cyril Featherstonehaugh, who died not a long ago at a great age. Billy Buck, one of the best horses in Rockhampton at that time was second. A Hack Race post entry, brought out a field of ten and George Wilson’s Nugget won.

The third and last day drew a fair crowd to the course as it included a jumping race, named a hurdle race through the jump were mostly over gum saplings. The first jump not far from the stand, was in no part so little as 3 ft for the writer walked all along it and it was just under the chin, and nearer 5 ft than 4 ft. There were four starters for the jumping race, which was the opening event. The horse were Phil Hardy’s Vengeance, ridden by lieutenant Morisset, of the Native Police George Wilson’s Daddy, ridden by Gallagher; C. Featherstonehaugh’s Robinson Crusoe, owner up; Watson’s Jack Eagle. All the riders were raced twice round, over eight jumps, all the jumps had been erected by old Bill Carrington, a well known Rockhampton identity, and he evidently intended to test the competitors’ jumping ability.

The start was about 150 yards from the first jump and after the start Vengeance rushed madly at the jump, striking it heavily and came down with a crash, the other three scrambling over what the pole had come round. Vengeance rose to his feet and made off, but wwnt back to where Morisset had been helped to his feet. Though his right arm was broken Morisset would be mounted again, and being helped to the saddle, galloped off after the field. All this had taken about a minute but as it happened the second jump had stuck all three up, and Vengeance was only a dozen lengths or so behind when the last got over. That was a remarkable race, but Vengeance jumped better afterwards, and though he came down again, there was no delay and consequently, and having too much speed for the others soon had a fair lead. Only one more jump, and taking it in grand style Vengeance galloped home an easy winner from Featherstonehaugh and his Robinson Crusoe, with Daddy a poor third, Back to the little paddock amidst continuous cheering, “weight” was called and Morisset fainted away in the arms of those around, Dr. Callaghan, Dr. Robertson, and another medico soon had the gallant rider in hand and fixed him up as well as possible. The doctors found that he had a compound fractures of the arm. When Morisset came to his senses again his first words were “Did I win?” Again the crowd cheered heartily, as well the spectators might, for it was a plucky and clever exploit to win a jumping race with a broken arm, if not a unique one. He was sent away to town and must have made a good recovery, for it was only a few months later that he horse whipped the editor of a certain paper.

The other events followed in due order, though not so exciting as the jumping event. For the Town Plate of £100 Tavelller came out, and ridden by Sam Holmes, he started at 15 to 1, which might easily have been 100 to 1, as it was only a question of standing up. Billy Buck finished second, and Pellisier third. Then came the Consolation handicap, which was won by Lieutenant. All the winners, of course were in the forced Handicap, and the clever handicappers thinking Toby Ryan had not won enough of their money, placed Traveller with 11 st against his name. It was simply a gift and Ryan evidently regarded it as such, for instead of scratching as was usually done in those days by the biggest winner, Traveller went out and cantered home in front of Quadrant (7-8) by a length. At the settling the prize money and sweeps reached over £800, more than half of which was won by Traveller, Ryan acted rather generously and promised a trophy for the next meeting of the club, which never took place, because the Fitzroy Jockey Club, under that name, existed for only one meeting.

The foregoing particulars are rather out of date, but the meeting was really the first of much importance in the district, and was really a very creditable gathering to those gentlemen who carried it out. Before leaving Ryan sold Sailsman to John Ward for £50, and Dougherty secured Billy Buck for something like a similar amount. It was not for many years that so much as £800 was again given away at a Rockhampton meeting.

MATCHES AND SMALL MEETINGS

It will be easily understood that the hurdle race the writer has endeavoured to describe caused a good deal of discussion among those fond of racing. When owners are so certain of their own horse’s superiority it generally leads to a match, and it was so on this occasion, for soon after the meeting had been concluded. Hardy’s Vengeance and George Wilson’s Daddy were matched for £50 aside, over twelve jumps distance three miles and three quarters. This seems to indicate that George Wilson was of the opinion that had the Hurdle Race at the meeting been longer Daddy would have won. In the match both carried the same weight. C. Featherstonehaugh rode Vengeance, and Bailey bestrode Daddy. Daddy was most in favour with the spectators who went out to see the fun. Different tactics were adopted on this occasion for the horses went away at a steady pace, both jumping splendidly practically on terms. The result was that Vengeance won cleverly, and probably easily, by half a length.
Another match, a flat race, between a horse ridden by A. E. Pavis, and another ridden by Bishop, ended in a win for the former.

Aday or two later there was a match between Quadrant (A. E. Parvis and W. E. Orehard’s Jemmy Lundwhich the former won.

Still a day or two after there was a match for £100 aside between M. Wormald’s Lieutenant and Phil Hardy’s Haphazard. Pavis rode Haphazard and Waike Quadrant, and Pavis, allowing Waike to take the lead came, at the right end and won by half a length. Waike was a well known remittance man, a nephew of the then bishop of London.

These and other matches showed the temper the people were in and some of them wanted racing excitment every day. The meeting showed people the folly of giving large prizes to weight for age events in a new community, and most people saw that shorter races and those handicaps would be better in every way. One good southern horse might come and sweep the board it weight-for-age races were persisted in. Traveller, by the bye, was soon after sold for India. The writer regrets that he has forgotten this notable horse’s breeding.

By the time 1864 came round new people had come, some of the old ones had departed, and those remaining were not in agreement with the polity of the Fitzroy Club, the consequence being that the club died of inaction, and the race meeting was a subscription affair, with comparatively small prizes, Ryan’s trophy and £20 from the committee for the prizes for Traellor’s Cup, which was won by Latham’s Playboy. A Town Plato w.f.a., was won by Robert Ross’s Snip, the distance being three miles. The same owner’s horse Euclid carried off an event. The Publicans Purse was won by Maurice’s Hazeldean, and Sailsman won the consolation handicap, ridden by Billy Purcell.

In 1865 a proper race meeting was allowed to lapse, but in 1866 a new club was formed named the Northern Queensland Jockey Club, with A. E. Pavis, as secretary. For that meeting Billy Ruddle and Larry Flannery brought up from Brisbane the horses Premier and Tal Tal respectively, and virtually carried off all the important races. Billy Purcel had purchased Sailsman, and won several small races with him. The Northern Queensland Jockey club just lasted one year, and then collapsed.

In 1867, a one day meeting at Gracemere was all the racing provided, and Maurice Harris won the chief event with Quadrant. Why the meeting was held at Gracemere, on a dreadful course instead of on the Rockhampton track, is not remembered, but it seems to indicate that the leading sportsman of the town were working against each other instead of pulling together so as to support one strong club. In 1868 the Rockhampton Jockey Club was formed, and, being in good hands, it has survived for fifty eight years. Further particulars follow next week.

Previous Page