Notes of the Derby.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 256, 31 October 1887, Page 3

Notes of the Derby.

The victory of Australian Peer is on the whole a very good one for the local ring, as Abercorn and Niagara had been backed the heaviest, while in doubles The Peer was hardly laid at all. Tho win of Australian Peer is another slap in tho face for those Australian sportsmen who allowed Darebin, his sire, to leave the colonies. It will be remembered thatDai*ebin was taken to America two or three years back. Australian Peer is a beautifully bred colt, being by Darebin, who won the Derby in 1881, and the Sydney Cup in 1883, out of Stockdove, a daughter of Maccaroni and Anonyma, tho latter being out of Stockwell. Darebin is by The Peer out of Lurline, The Peer being by Melbourne, while Lurline is a daughter of Traducer and Mermaid, a daughter of King Tom. Niagara did credit to all connected with him, and if lie had not been stopped in his training he would no doubt have been able to carry Mr Coopers colours to victory in the Blue Ribbon. He has fully proved himself to be equal to tho Hon. .). White's flyer Abercorn. His dead heat in tho V.R.C. Derby shows how he must have improved in spite of his interrupted preparation since the A.J.C. Derby, when Abercorn beat him and ran him a dead beat. at. a difference of 71b the next day of the meeting. The Australian Peer's weight in the Melbourne Cup to-morrow will now be 7st 51b as he puts up a penalty of 71b. Grand Flaneur and Martini-Henry are the only Derby winners so far that have annexed the Cup, and to-morrow will see whether Tho Australian Peer can repeat their performance.

Melbourne, October 30.

In the race for the V.R.C. Derby yesterday Tranter, when rounding the turn at the bottom of the straight, came on to his knees, and Niagara, while at the back of the course, tried to bolt. Tho win of Australian Peer was a bad one for the ring, as he had been backed heavily in doubles by the Sydney division. Mr Gannon, the owner, wins £11,000, and he also stands well about Australian Peer, for the double event.