CARNAGE'S ST. LEGER DEFEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 66, 17 March 1894, Page 3

CARNAGE'S ST. LEGER DEFEAT.

Detailß of the racing ab the V.R.C* Autumn Meeting to hand show that the defeat of Carnage ab the hands of Patron in the Sb. Leger was a great blow to Mr W. R. Wilson, and thab the downfall of the colb brought dire disaster to the backer's camp. Would Carnage be equal bo reasserting his supremacy over the best three-year-olds of the season? was the question of the hour (says the "Argus"). There was much doubb surrounding Mr VV. R. Wilson's colt, but the public, bearing in mind Carnage's rapid recovery previously to the Victoria Derby, was nob inclined to give credence to the reports thab for several days had been flying aboub concerning the crack, and readily submitted to the bookmakers' demands for odds. As the sequel showed, however, the doubters had to pay dearly for their unbelief. Up to aboub a week before the race Carnage had done famously, and had quite satisfied his trainer and Mr Wilson that ho was not only equal to winning the Sb. Leger, bub the Australian Cup and Champion Stakes as well. Alas for their hopes. After leaving Sb. Albans Carnage became very nervous and irritable ; as his groom remarked, he was " looking nine ways for Sunday." Paying little or no attention to his manger, he had to be fed by hand, and he lost a lob of flesh, which no doubb accounted for that light and tucked-up appearanco when stripped before the cognoscenti in bhe bird-cage. The race, as a race, was disappointing. Patron showed the way at a very slow pace ; but about six furlongs from home be increased it, and ab the same time increased his advantage. Carnage struggled very gamely, and ab the distance seemed likely to overhaul the leader ; bub ho was struggling againsb nature, and Patron drawing away again won with a length to spare. Carnage, who showed marks of punishmenb, pulled up badly, and, after a short consultation with his manager, Mr M'Donald, Mr Wilson at once struck him out of the Australian Cup.