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1909
17 June 1909
Mudgee District Coursing Club.
A Successful Meeting.
(BY VENATOR.)
The first meeting of the Mudgee Coursing Club was held on Wednesday, 9th, on the Mudgee racecourse, and considering the adverse weather conditions (a bleak westerly wind was blowing, and rain threatening) the attendance was good. The sport proved exciting from start to finish; the hares generally proving too speedy or too tricky for the dogs. The meeting was in every way a pronounced success, in spite of the ill-fortune that seems to attend the newly-formed club. Over fifty hares have been put into the enclosure since the fences were erected, but before the meeting was commenced on Wednesday, the rodents had been reduced to less than twenty. Some dogs in the vicinity of the course made havoc with seven good hares, and others were shot by unprincipled humans in search of skins. There were a number of visitors from other districts, and these with the local enthusiasts were pleased with the day's sport. The unanimous opinion was that the situation of the enclosure was an ideal one, and the arrangements were considered perfect. A short delay was caused in the middle of the programme, as the hares had to be caught again. This was due to the robbery - downright robbery by the poor specimens of humanity who are ever on the look-out for plunder and theft. Mr. G. Plows, the secretary of the Club, has had to go to an enormous amount of trouble to secure the hares, which were placed in the enclosure. So difficult is it to obtain hares in any part of the Commonwealth at the present time that meetings have had to be postponed by all the strongest clubs. It is certainly to be hoped that the thieves who have shot the hares in the Mudgee enclosure will be brought to justice, and only one link is now required in the chain of evidence that will bring the miscreants to their just reward. Adverting again to the coursing, it may be remarked that that genuine sport, Mr. P. Corbett, of Portland, owner of the two speedy hounds. Black Sand and Only One, pronounced Mr. A. Casimir's judging equal to any he has ever seen, and 'Paddy' ought to know, as he has raced his dogs in the principal enclosures of the State. Of course it was tacitly understood before the meeting commenced, that "Alf" would give full satisfaction to all the competitors, for as an all round sport his honor is above the slightest suspicion, and he has never been known to undertake duties when he does not have the fullest confidence that he can fulfil them perfectly. Telephone proved to be easily the best dog on the ground, and is owned by Mr. A. McPherson, of Gul gong, though nominated by Mr. G. PIows. 'Mac.' is a good sport and was confident that Telephone (an appropriate name) would prove victorious over any string he met. He made no secret of his opinion either, but freely disseminated the tip. Mr. 'Billy' Gordon's string were unlucky in not securing a prize, but where there are not a lot of losers there is not much sport, and a coursing meeting without losers would be an anomaly in the history of the sport. 'Herb.' Charlton's Lady Carrie proved herself to be something out of the common and deserved her divide with Portland's pride. 'Tom my' Campbell's Colonial Hamilton, a litter brother to Only One, did not run up to expectations. That enthusiastic courser, Arthur Cummins, had no luck with his nomination. Mr. Taylor, of Rylstone, a new man at the game, and a real good sport, had a good dog in Red Douglas - a dog, in the opinions of most experts, considered to be the most likely winner on the ground. George Pauling's Rattler showed out well at the start and just missed the verdict; while George Roth's Young Marlow bitch ran well, and should do better next time. Sleepy Jack, who met Black Sand in the All-aged Stakes, proved himself no waster, and nearly created a surprise. As it was he was only beaten by a small margin. As regards the officials, when all worked well, it is somewhat invidious to single out any for special praise. A few appeared to the writer to be specially worthy of mention. 'Tommy' Campbell, as slip steward, was all energy, and did remarkably well, notwithstanding that it was his first trip. Herb. Daly was a valuable worker in all branches, and was on the ground from early morning, making necessary arrangements in connection with the meeting. But it is safe to say that there was not a prouder man on the course than Mr. G. H. Plows, the capable, enthusiastic, and obliging lion, secretary. To 'George,' more than anyone else, the coursing enthusiasts of the districts owe the establishment of the Club. For months and months he worked in an unobstrusive way, gradually wearing down opposition and securing the support of the man on the street. He did not lose sight of his project - not for a single day - and after months of silent, but effective work, he felt confident that a public meeting was all that was necessary to successfully launch the Club. So, indeed, it proved, but then unforeseen difficulties arose. It was next to impossible to obtain hares, even though the price of a fat sheep was offered for one, and, as a consequence, the initial meeting had to be postponed. George Plows, however, kept pegging away, and having at last obtained a good supply, he guarded and tended them with the care of a mother for its offspring. He, three or four times a week, brought them green food, and he wished to get them in that perfect condition, and so accustomed to their home, that they would beat the dogs every time. No true coursing man, such as George is, likes to see a hare a victim, and the fact that three or four of his hares were killed was the only spot on the sun of George's happiness on Wednesday afternoon. He realised that his efforts had been crowned with success, in spite of the train of adverse circumstances against which he and his committee had to contend. He was here, there and everywhere, at the beck and call of everyone, answering this question and that question always affable, never showing the slightest sign of ennui, and proving himself to be what everyone expected he would be - an ideal secretary. Mr. 'Billy' Byrnes made no mistakes as slipper, and all others who had allotted duties, faithfully discharged them. The bookmakers, Messrs. T. Robinson and H. Ward, called the odds or took them, and did a good business. A good deal of money changed hands through the medium which they provided, and everyone was pleased that they netted a tidy sum for their enterprise. The success of the Club is now assured, and when Mudgee is connected with the remote North West, our coursing meetings should be equal to any in the State.
Following are the results: -
ALL-AGED STAKES. Four dogs at one guinea each, with two guineas added money. Win ner five guineas, runner-up one guinea.
First Round. G. Plows' (n.s.) Telephone beat J. Mills' Black Dame. P. Corbett's Black Sand beat T. Campbell's Sleepy Jack.
Final. G. Plows' (n.s.) Telephone (Pat - Gipsy Queen) beat P. Corbett's Black Sand (Kenneth - Lady Gipsy).
MAIDEN STAKES.
Winner £10/15/, runner-up £2/18/.
First Round. P. Corbett's The Only One beat A. Commins' Black Range.
H. Charlton's Malkah beat G. Plows (n.s.) Rattler.
F. H. Brown's Corner Man beat T. Campbell's (n.s.) Colonial Hamilton.
G. Taylor's Red Douglas beat C. B. Heath's blk. B.
H. Charlton's, (n.s.) Lady Carrie beat F. D. Cox's Oilskin.
F. D. Cox's Wowser, a bye. First Ties.
The Only One beat Malkah. Red Douglas beat Corner Man. Lady Carrie Beat Wowser. Second Ties. The Only One beat Red Douglas. Lady Carrie, a bye.
Final. P. Corbett's The Only One (Colonial Boy - Tattance) and H. S. Charlton's (n.s.) Lady Carrie (Comedian - Mabel) divided1
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1933
14 September 1933