A New Race.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4193, 24 November 1883, Page 9 (Supplement)

A New Race.

Tub richest stake over competed for on tho turf, a prize of £10,000, a mile and a quarter, weight for age, is announced to bo run for in July, 1886, at Sandown Park. The data is distant, but that is part of tho scheme, for the directors propose that foals shall be entered, and they may be scratched at different times on payment of increasing forfeits. Tho entries are to close an December 11, and if struck out by the first Tuesday in February next year, tho animal can be freed by the owner paying £10. If left in till the date fixed for the race, tho fees will amount to £110, and a little investigation will show that the offer of tho £10,000, with £500 for the second, and freedom from payment for the third, does not constitute so generous an offer as at first sight appears. Thero are to bo 300 entries,' or the race will be void. Thus if the 300 entries aro mndo, and only half tho possiblo liability of £110, that is £55, is paid by each competitor, the receipts would bo £16,500, which would leave a very comfortable balance for tho Sandown Park Company. This is overestimating the probablo receipts ; but reducing them still moro, and supposing that a considerable proportion of owners strike out their entries in tho course of 1884, which they can do for 30 guineas, tho margin remaining is largo. Practically, as it has boon pointed out, tho Company bet ownors £10,000 to £110 against their animals, providing them, howovcr, with a means of escape which was not at tho disposal of speculators who mado "yearling books" and laid owners 100 to 1 to £100 against thoir Derby nomination. Nevertheless, a £10,000 prize is given and can bo won at a risk of £110.