ENGLISH RACING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 128, 31 May 1901, Page 2

ENGLISH RACING.

THE CITY AND SUBURBAN

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, April 26, 1901

For the third year in succession an Australian-bred horse has carried off the principal spring handicap in the Old Country's racing calendar, to wit, the City and Suburban, and once more has Australian Star vindicated Mr Spencer Gollan's judgment in giving 2500 guineas for him, and shown clearly thnt his London Cup victory in the mud at Alexandra Park a few weeks ago was not the "fluke" some sporting scribes averred. Seldom has a City and Suburban field been sp decisively beaten as Australian Star beat his opponents on Wednesday last, a.nd it is very clear that now he has become thoroughly acclimatized Mr Gollan's black son of Australian Peer—which is not really a five year old till August, but is reckoned so by our racing authorities—is a nailing good handicap horse, capable of putting1 up a good performance on any sort of ground, hard or soft.

The scene on Epsom Hill on "City and Sub" day would not have disgraced a Derby Day. There was "all the fun of the fair," and never probably before did so many people go down by road to an Epsom spring meeting. When the "City" field turned out Old Sol was shining with full summer ardour, but a gentle breeze was blowing o'er the Downs, and everyone felt that the conditions were ideal.

The field numbered fifteen —one of the smallest mnsters for many years — but it contained two American horses —Kilmamock 11. and David Garrick— and Australasia was represented by the ultimate winner, by that grievous disappointment, Syerla, and by Parthian 11. Australian Star was burdened with 7.10 (including a 101b penalty for his London Cup win), Syerla had 7.6 up, and Parthian 11. was called upon to race with 8.12, he, like Mr Gollan's horse, •being' reckoned a five-year-old. The' Americans carried 8.12 and 8.10 respectively, both being four year olds, and the field -was made up by Amurath, 3yrs, 7.2, Alvescot, 4yrs, G. 13, Fiume, 4yrs, 7.8, Sonatura, 4yrs, 8.2,- Little Eva, 6yrs, 7.12, Pellisson, 4yrs,. 7,8, First Principal. 4yrs, 7.6, Pearl Rover, 6yrs, 7.0, Paigle, 4yrs, 6.12. and Fighting Farley, 4yrs, 6.4.

Before the starters were at the post, Australian Star had a set back in the. betting, and at one time as much as 100 to 14 was laid against him. The opposition to the Antipodean was, however, short lived, for the Epsomites stuck manfully to their guns, and, with the stable also throwing out for a good stake, there was little to choose at last between Pellisson, Alvescot and Australian Star, and nothing- else was backed with any spirit. At flag fall the prices were 4 to 1 PelUsson, 3 to 2 Australian Star and Alvescot, 10 '■to 1 Ba-rid Gaxrkk, 30G *Q 8 Ut&e.

Eva,, 100 to 8 Sonatura, 20 to 1 Fiume, 25 to 1 Amurath and Paiglc, 33 to 1 Parthian 11., Kilmarnock 11., and First Principal, 50 to 1 Fighting Furley, and 100 to i Pearl Rover.

No sooner had they assembled at the post than David Garrick began to show temper, and a lengthy delay took place. Time after time breaksaway occurred, in which, in turn, Syerla, Paigle, First Principal, and Pellisson " figured conspicuously. Eventually the flag was lowered, and Pellisson,"gating well away, led from Amurath, Little Eva, First Principal nnd Australian Star, whilst Parthian 11. brought, up the rear. At the mile post Amurath drew clear, followed by First Principal, Little. Eva, Alvescot. Pellisson, and Australian Star, the last four being Kilmarnock 11., Pearl Rover, David Garrick and Parthian 11. Down the hill Alvescot took up the running, followed by Fighting Furley, Amurath, Fiume, Australian Star and Little Eva. Turning into the straight, Alvescot was in front, with Australian Star handy, and Amurath, Fiume. Fighting Furley and Pellisson at his heels. A quarter of a mile from home Australian Star dashed to the front, followed by Alvescot, Amurath and Fiume, and drawing right away, won in a canter by six lengths from Amurath, a head between second and third. Fiume was placed fourth and Parthian 11. last. Time by Benson's chronograph, 2min 10 4-5 sees. The value of the stakes was £1675. Australian Star was ridden by his trainer Halscy, and their victory was loudly cheered. Mr Oollan came in for warm congratulations, and he will remember the third week of April, 1901. with satisfaction, for during it he won honours on the turf and on the river, and achieved a double event which is not likely t-o be recorded to the credit of any other sportsman.

Comparisons are odious, but I give the last three City and Suburban re.sults in brief, so that you may reckon up the form of the Australian horses which have won honours in this race. In 1899 Newhaven (fiyrs) carried 9.0 to victory over a field of 17 in 2min 18sec; last year The Grafter (aged) won with 8.12 up, the field numbering 19 in 2min 11 3-5 sec; Australian Star, syrs, 7.10, won in 2min 10 2-5 sec. The two former wijiners were ridden by Mornington Cannon, who on Wednesday last had a most, excellent view of the race from tiie back of Parthian 11.

The time record for the City and Suburban rests with Bay Ronald, which won in 1898, carrying Bst, in 2m in 9 1-5 sec. Australian Star's time was also beaten by Quicklime, syrs, 7.5, in 1884, by 2-sth sec.