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OTTAWAS NEW RACING VENTURE Francis Nelson writes entertainingly of the open ¬ ing of the new track of the Comiaught Park Jockey Club at Ottawa as follows followsNo No new race course iu America ever had such a brilliant aud auspicious opening as marked the Inau ¬ guration of Comiaught Park The new home of thoroughbred racing at no capital is a spacious and beautiful property and the extent and quality of the patronage assembled for the opening marks it as a place that will be right in the front rank of the rac ¬ ing centers In tills country Though organized rac ¬ ing Is entirely new here and Is now introduced at jiu admission fee of a dollar and a half the response of the public was unmistakably one of approval The lawns both members and public furnished a bril ¬ liant display and the social side of Connaught Park Is undoubtedly one that will quickly rival even Wood ¬ bines old established vogue vogueChief Chief Justice Sir Charles Fitzpatrick the acting GovernorGeneral was the guest of honor but many of Canadas most noted men were conspicuous flRurs on the lawns Sir Wilfrid Laurier corrcctl attired in groy frock suit and grey top bat was one of thpm and Him Clifford Sifton lion John S Hendrie and Hon Martin Burrell Minister of Agriculture were three of the stewards while Senator Bclcourt one of the VicePresidents did the honors for many distinguished guests guestsThe The place being brand new there are some trlllin things to IK done to complete it but noth ¬ ing that is at all material to the racing The grandstand paddock ring jockeys quarters and clubhouse are all of the best and most capacious kind while the stabling is undoubtedly the l est on Hiy Canadian course The track itself was the subject of continued misrepresentations as to its condition and It is undoubtedly true that many own ¬ ers foolishly remained away because of these and deprived themselves of the opportunity to add to their winning account by accepting irresponsible stories rather than authoritative statements from I ho pro er source Every race proved the falsity of the malicious reports reportsThe The track is new of course but it Is absolutely safe and when settled will IK as fast as any circuit In Canada Not a thing was left that could be re ¬ quired to demonstrate that the track was not only not in bad condition but was an unusually good one Manager Rohrback and the directors had much to contend with but they certainly delivered the goods Ottawa Is on the racing map to stay stayThe The Montreal Gazettes correspondent writes of the opening The openingThe Introduction of thoroughbred racing at Con nnnght Park the beautiful home of the Connaught Park Jockey Club was accepted with every grace waking the opening one that will long be remem ¬ bered by those in attendance to none on the continent aiidsuows marked Im ¬ provements iu many ways over the courses under the jurisdiction of the Canadian RatingAssociations The management of the Connaught Pur have bene tited by mistakes made by other Canadian jockey clubs and have erected a plant that will stand as a model for others to be patterned after In future years yearsThe The stands and lawns are laid out in such a man ¬ ner that tho public have a splendid view of the horses at all times during the running of a race The paddock Is conveniently situated and is by far the most uptodate iu Canada Nothing has been overlooked for the comfort of patrons the appoint ¬ ments being as nearly perfect as uptodate Ideas can make them The lawn stretches from the paddock to the first turn nearly a quarter of a mile and has IHMII well terraced The members stand and clubhouse bring out many new ideas with a good view of the finish from either eitherLittle Little or nothing lias been done to the Infield and it is not likely that the building of a steeplechase course will be attempted until after the meeting in the fall When completed the steeplechase course will lay far below the main track which at some points has considerable elevation It is the idea of the club to sod and terrace iTowii the grade from the track to the infield which will make it the only one of its kind on this continent
