MELBOURNE CUP MEETING.

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

MELBOURNE CUP MEETING.

DEFEAT OF TRIDENT. AUSTRALIAN PEER WINS THE DERBY. NIAGARA AND ABERCORN A DEAD HEAT.

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Melbourne, Oct. 29.

The first day's racing of the Victoria Racing Club's Meeting took place to-day, and was very successful. Tho weather was all that could be desired, and the heat was tempered with a liffht wind. There was a very large attendance, quite equal to that of previous years, and amongst tho distinguished visitors to the course were SirH. aud Lady Loch, and Lady Hamilton, of Tasmania, LordCarrington, Governor of New South Wales, Marquis and Marchioness of Droghetla, Earl of Buckinghamshire, and Viscount Dalrymple. . The course was in splencled order.

The programme opened with the Melbourne Stakes, weight for age, which race in previous years has very often given a good line to backers for the probable winner of the Cup.

Melbourne Stakes, a sweepstake of ssovs each, Ift, with 300 added. Second horse to'receive 60, and the third 30sovs out of the stake. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weight for age. One milo-and-a-quarter. Mr W. C. Cooper's blk h Silvermine, 6yrs, by Napoleon — Silverhair, 9sb 41bs ». l Mr R. Donovan's brh Dunlop, syrs, by Neckersgat—Etta, 9st 41bs 2 Mr H. Osborne's br h Algerian, by Goldsborough—Algeria, 9st 41bs ... 3 Trident, The Charmer, and Silver Prince also started. Algerian and Trident cut out the running together, and led the field until the straight was entered, when Silvermine and Dunlop forged ahead. A magnihcent struggle home ensued, Silvermine beating Dunlop after a splendid finish by a neck, Algerian a good third. Trident camem fourth, very close up. Silver Prince, who was much fancied for tho Cup, was never dangerous. Time, 2min 13isec. Hotiiam Handicap, of ssovs each, with 300 added ; second, 60sovs; third, 30sovs. One mile and a half and a distance. Mr W. T. Jones's b h The Levite, aged, byYattendon—Q.E.D. ... 1 Sir W. J. Clarke's brc Menotti, 4yrs ... i Mr Northern's b h Keith, syrs 3

The Levite, Morok, Menotti, Lara, and Mentor led in turn until reaching the straight, when The Levite and Menotti drew ahead together. A splendid race home resulted in The LevitebeatingMenottieasily by three-quarters of a length, Keith a good third. Spade Guinea and obhersalso started. Time, 2min 53|sec. VR C. Derby. A sweepstakes of 25sovs each, sft, with 650 added. The second horse to receive lOOsovs, and tho third 50 sovsout of the stake. For three-year-olds _ colts, Bst 10lb ; fillies, Bst 51b. One mile and a half.

Mr W Gannon's br c Australian Peer, by Darebin—Stockdove (A. Gorfy) ... 1 Mr Cooper's b c Niagara, by Anteros— Frailty (A. Robertson): Hon. J. White's eh c Abercorn, by Chester—Cinnamon (T. Hales)... ... Mr Mitchelson's b c Tranter, by Musket —Pangawerewere ••• 4 Mr Harvey's eh c Pakeha, by The Englishman—True Blue ... .... *•'■••• ° Mr Mitchelson's bl c Whakawai, by Leolinus—Lure ... . ••' 9 Mr Coffey's br c Jebusite, by Dam well —Tyropean " Hon. J. White's br f Lava, by ChesterEtna _, •■• ,-' ° Hon. W. Robinson's br c Enfilade, by Musket;:—Onyx ° A splendid start was effected, and from the lump Abercorn, who held position on the rails, was the first to move, but immediately gave way to his stable companion, Lava, who took up the running, and led Abercorn and Enfilade by half a length, Whakawai being two lengths away ; then followed Australian Peer and Tranter, with Jebusite bringing up the rear. Running along by the river Lava had increased the distance separating her from Abercorn, Enfilade, and Tranter,' while the Australian Peer was last. Nearing the bridge, Whakawai, who was making the running for Tranter, ran up to -Lava and Abercorn ; Pakeha and Trantor also closed up. At. this time Niagara was last, but running strong. As tho held raced along the back of the course, and approached the Abattoirs, Whakawai had Lined about half a length's advantage over Lava, who was then leading the favourite by two lengths. Abercorn was going freely and had as his closest attendants Tranter and Pakoha, who were running toaether, and then came Niagara, who was quickly improving his position, while Jebusite was apparently beaten, and

began to tail off. Much the same order was presented as the horses swept past the sheds, but nearing the home bend Lava retired in favour of YVhakawai, who was leading Abercorn by a length. Niagara and Australian Peer now made a great efi'ort, and, along with Tranter, were fast gaining on fclie leaders. Rounding the turn from home, Abercorn appeared to have a slight advantage over Niagara and Australian Peer, while Pakeha was lying handy, YVhakawai having dropped away beaten. Atthe distance post Abercorn was only a neck in front of Australian Peer, and Niagaraon the outside was at the lattergirths. Tranter, too, Was coming fast. Opposite the stand Australian Peer made a desperate rush, and getting even with the favourite a hundred" yards from the post and despite the gallant efforts of. the latter to recover the lead, won by half a length, Niagara, who finished splendidly, making a dead heat for second pluce with Abercorn ; then came Tranter, closo up fourth, followed by Lava, Pakeha, and Enfilade, in the order named, While Jebusite brought up the rear. Time, 2min 40see. The victory of Australian Peer in the Derby was very popular. There was great enthusiasm as the horse returned to the scale, and Mr Gannon, the owner (who won the Melbourne Cup last year with Arsenal) was heartily congratulated on his winning the blue ribbon. Gorry, the pilot of Australian Peer, rode a great race. The betting at the post was even money on Abercorn, 7 to 2 against Tranter, 11 to 2 against Australian Peer, 8 to 1 Niagara, 14 to 1 Pakeha, 20 to 1 Enfilade.

The Maribyrn-ono Plate, a sweepstakes at 30sovs. each, with 1,000 added. For two-year-olds : Colts, Bst 101b ; fillies, Bst 51b ; geldings at time of running allowed 51b. Five furlongs. Mr J. Wilson's (jun.) be Lonsdale, by First King—Yardley 1 Hon. VV. A. Long's eh f Consequence, by Gang Forward—Haidee 2 Mr W. C. Cooper's eh f Lady Betty, by St. Albans—Pardon 3 Also started : Venture, Quadrant, Tourbillon, Miss Thirza, Sylvester, Lord Roseberry, Weyvis, Gladstone, Honeymead and Hegira. A good start was effected, and there was a close race to the distance post, when Lady Betty and Consequence drew out, but Lonsdale, coming up on the outside with a great run, won after a splendid finish by a long neck, Consequence just beating Lady Betty ; others came in straggling. Time, lmin 4secs. The betting was 4 to 2 against Sylvester, 4 to 1 Consequence, 6 to 1 Venture, 6 to 1 Hegira, 7 to 1 Gladstone, 8 to 1 Miss Thirza, and 10 to 1 any other.

Selling Rack, a sweepstake of 3 soys each, Ift, with 150 added. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weight for age. Mr S. Miller's eh c Lando (nil), 6yrs ... 1 Mr H. Oxenham's b g Faugh-a-Ballagh (nil), 6yrs 2 Mr R. Baldwin's eh h Salvo (nil), 6yrs 3 Coeuro Stakes, a handicap sweepstake of Ssovs each, lit, with 200 added. Second horse to receive 40 and the third 20sovsout of the stake. For three-year-olds and upwards. One mile and a furlong. Mr J. Tnlly ns eh h Quintin Matsep, aged, by Tubal Cain-—Pride 1 Hon. J. White's brg Volcano, 4yrs ... 2 Mr C. Collins's eh c Newmaster, 4yrs ... 3 Won by a length.